Your best friend, procrastination."What!" you say, "My best friend, how could you say that?" The reason procrastination is your best friend is because it's on the teetering edge of motivation.Let me explain.For a behavior to be classified as procrastination, it must be counterproductive, needless, and delaying. Here are some other examples you may be familiar with:putting off an important decisionleaving a critical task undone becoming counterproductive and keeping "busy" on needless workTo start behaving this way it takes real mastery. You've got to learn how to procrastinate - it doesn't…
Lifehacks
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Dumb Little Man - Tips for Life
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2 Tricks That Help Overcome Procrastination
6 Nov 2009 | 6:12 am -
How to Become More Intelligent
5 Nov 2009 | 12:46 amIntelligence is your capacity for learning, reasoning, understanding and mastery. It’s your aptitude in grasping truths, relationships, facts and meanings.Knowing a great deal is not the same as being intelligent; intelligence is not information “alone,” but also judgment, the manner in which information is collected and used. -Dr. Carl SaganThis article will offer you five ways to increase your intelligence by showing you how to enhance your capacity for learning, reasoning, understanding and mastery.5 Ways to Become More IntelligentRead OftenDo you realize that through reading you can… -
How to Take Action on What You Read: Filtering and Using Information
2 Nov 2009 | 11:52 pmYou spend a lot of time reading. Whether it’s blogs, magazines, journals, Twitter streams, newspapers or good old fashioned books, you’ve got a huge amount of information at your fingertips. Every day, you take in tons of ideas for overhauling your life: whether it’s shaking up your fitness regime, working more effectively, or having stronger relationships.The problem is, it’s easy to get caught up in this sea of information. You might feel inspired when you read a particular blog article, or you might get a great idea from a journal... but all too often, that thought barely gets… -
7 Food Groups That Will Help Boost Your Mood
2 Nov 2009 | 3:40 amThis is the time of year when days begin to feel shorter and shorter. We see the sun much less, and when we do, it's often fighting a battle of gloominess with an impending cold front.This gloominess hits us all pretty hard. In fact, if you've ever believed that you had a case of the Winter Blues, this is what we're talking about. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is no laughing matter because these dark-gray-rainy days have a huge impact on your mood and energy level. The good news is that we can all partially escape this mental zapping.By now it's common sense to us all that our bodies are… -
7 Must Read Productivity Steps to Finally Getting Things Done
30 Oct 2009 | 4:54 amI wrote this article as a “master guide” to productivity. Well OK, I don't know about a "master guide" but one thing is for sure: implementing these steps will help you increase your output if you implement them towards the tasks that you’re passionate about.The process I’ve documented below is the one that I personally use, and frankly, I have had excellent results. Before jumping in, try not to treat this like every other article (scan, consider, forget). Write down the steps, see how they specifically apply to your situation, and by all means, be sure to put them into…
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43 Folders
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NaNoWriMo: A Pep Talk and a Warning
2 Nov 2009 | 9:20 amI honor any project to write something — especially to write a long piece of fiction. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do but, like most people, I have always been too scared to attempt it. So, kudos. But, here’s the thing: it’s hard to start writing, and it’s almost as hard to keep writing. Believe me, I know. And, there will be times every day when you get discouraged or you want to throw in the towel because you feel lost or depressed or useless or just plain tired. Empty. That’s the word. Empty. All I want to say is, keep at it. -
Makebelieve Help, Old Butchers, and Figuring Out Who You Are (For Now)
22 Oct 2009 | 2:17 pmMakebelieve Help, Old Butchers, and Figuring Out Who You Are (For Now) - Vimeo [NSFW] Here’s a video I made about a video I made. Consequently, it’s also about writing a book, fake self-help, the long road to developing expertise, and the ups and downs of repeatedly asking the world to tell you who you are. The video is long. As usual. This is how it works. I’d had this fancy idea that I’d do a DFW-style dump of annotations about what I talk about over these 40 minutes, and I might add that later, but for now here’s all you need to know: Dish soap… -
Fake Rocks, Salami Commanders, and Just Enough to Start
4 Aug 2009 | 6:36 amMaxFunCon: Merlin Mann on Doing Creative Work (via TSoYA) Here’s the audio from a short talk I presented a few weeks ago at Jesse Thorn’s awesome1 MaxFunCon in Lake Arrowhead, CA. The talk is subtitled, “With All Due Respect to the Seduction Community”2, and it contains my typically NSFW use of, well, words, I guess. It’s about how to get started—just started—with any project that really matters to you. Listen above Embedded audio starts at 4:00 (where my talk begins) Download MP3 of this episode Subscribe to The Sound of Young America via… -
Mud Rooms, Red Letters, and Real Priorities
28 Apr 2009 | 4:28 amThanks to my funny, literary pal, Jason B. Jones, today, I’m visiting lovely, warm Connecticut to do some talks and whatnot at CCSU. I mention it because I’d started typing this little post mid-way through the long eastbound flight that delivered me here from three fun (but very long) days doing a comedy thing with You Look Nice Today and Jordan, Jesse, Go! over on that other, top-left, edge of our nation. So, I was tired. Really tired. The kind of tired where your wallet hurts your butt, and coffee tastes weird, and you try super-hard to sleep, but – well –… -
Free as in "Me"
10 Apr 2009 | 6:29 amThis unbelievably long article is related to (but not necessarily about) a discussion that I and several other people have been participating in online over the past few days. It’s about (and not about) the increasingly popular practice of re-publishing someone’s online work on another site without the attribution, formatting, and linking that many bloggers regard as standard, ethical, and fair. It’s admittedly a polemic (which is what people who think they’re clever call, “a rambling rant”), but what may seem to many to be a childish and ungrateful…
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Lifehacker
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From the Tips Box: Multiple Dropbox Accounts, Twitter Notes, and Cloud Billing [From The Tips Box]
6 Nov 2009 | 5:00 pmReaders offer their best tips for running multiple instances of Dropbox at once, using Twitter to jot down notes and ideas for yourself, and using Google Docs to manage money between friends. Don't like the gallery layout? Click here to view everything on one page. About the Tips Box: Every day we receive boatloads of great reader tips in our inbox, but for various reasons—maybe they're a bit too niche, maybe we couldn't find a good way to present it, or maybe we just couldn't fit it in—the tip didn't make the front page. From the Tips Box is where we round up some of our… -
This Week's Most Popular Posts [Highlights]
6 Nov 2009 | 4:00 pmThis week we showed you how to really browse without leaving a trace, rounded up a handful of media-center-boosting apps, uncorked a bottle of wine with nothing but a shoe, and oh so much more. How to Really Browse Without Leaving a Trace Think that your browser's private mode keeps your browsing completely private? Not so! More often than not, you're still leaving traces of your browsing session behind, and today we'll tell you how to get rid of them for truly private browsing. Top 10 Apps that Boost Your Media Center Streaming video, digital DVD backups, DVR recording—it's all… -
Make a Hand Truck Out of a Shopping Cart [Weekend Project]
6 Nov 2009 | 3:00 pmSo you need to move some large, heavy stuff, but you don't want to throw out your back? Instead of renting or paying two hundred dollars for your own moving dolly, DIY web site Instructables details how to make your own. The project requires an old shopping cart and some pretty heavy-duty tools (and the project does require some welding), but it shouldn't take you more than an hour or two, and you'll have saved quite a bundle on a dolly. The guide is pretty detailed and takes it step-by-step, so it shouldn't be remarkably difficult either—in fact, the hardest part is probably finding a… -
Keep Dishonest Landlords at Bay with Your Camera [Apartments]
6 Nov 2009 | 2:00 pmEven if your landlord seems happy-go-lucky upon moving in, there's always a chance they won't be so nice when you move out. Keep all parties accountable and in check for a hassle-free lease with a little help from your camera. Photo by Lara604 As much as we'd like to say every landlord out there has a heart of gold, the truth is, economic times are tough. Even if you have left your last rental sparkling clean, there's rarely any proof as to what it looked like before you moved in unless you create your own. Landlords have been known to claim things are in need of repair, paint, or cleaning… -
Boxee to Launch Beta Early Next Month with Loads of New Features [Media Center]
6 Nov 2009 | 1:30 pmBoxee has taken the media center world by storm in the last year, which is why it's always a surprise when we're reminded that it's still only an alpha release. Until December 7th, that is, when Boxee is rolling out an official beta release, in which you can expect a new interface, better navigation, search functionality for TV shows and movies, improved shortcuts, and more. Boxee has tackled online video like none other, and it's a great choice if you're looking to drop your cable bill for good, so we're excited to see what's coming around the corner. [Boxee Blog]
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Wikihow
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How to Clean a Scanned Manga Page in Photoshop
7 Nov 2009 | 12:00 amThis is tutorial on how to use Adobe Photoshop to clean a scanned black and white manga image. The techniques here can be applied to any scanned black and white image from a book. -
How to Appreciate Confessional Poetry
6 Nov 2009 | 12:00 pmConfessional poetry gives you a very personal peek into the writer's life, and sometimes such details are unflattering to the writer and/or uncomfortable for the reader. This is in contrast to poetry that discusses public issues, with the poet using a detached persona, with minimal implicit hinting at their personal life.[1] Like all literary movements, confessional poetry has its unique features and up and downs. In order to understand and enjoy reading it, you have to look at it deeply, so you can gain a truly deep appreciation of what you've just read. This article will guide you through… -
8 Ways to Cope With Being Pregnant at Work
6 Nov 2009 | 12:00 amBeing pregnant doesn't mean finishing work in our modern world. It does, however, require consideration of the possible challenges that you will face as a pregnant worker. From needing to be aware of the risks to unborn children from handling chemicals and dangerous items, to understanding how fatigue, weight changes, and nutritional needs will impact your work day, knowing in advance how much you might be impacted will help you to plan a successful, continued stretch on the job before the baby arrives. -
How to Keep Seed Beads in Plastic Straws
5 Nov 2009 | 12:00 pmREDIRECT Store Seed Beads in Plastic Straws -
How to Do Crunches Properly
5 Nov 2009 | 12:00 amCrunches are a lot like sit-ups, except that instead of lifting your entire back off the floor, you only lift your upper back. This isolates ("crunches") the ab muscles without engaging muscles in your hips. Crunches are also safer than sit-ups because they don't compress your spine as much.[1] When paired with adequate weight loss, doing crunches regularly can lead to six-pack abs. If your goal is simply a flat stomach, however, spot exercises won't help. Read How to Lose Belly Fat instead.
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DIY Life
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The DIY Reel: Growing Herbs for Kitchen Decor
5 Nov 2009 | 12:00 pmFiled under: in the kitchen, gardening and plantsSure, herbs smell great and taste even better --- but have you ever considered decorating with them? Kelly Edwards has the scoop: Why should you decorate with herbs? It's easy --- not only are they super functional when cooking, but they happen to be gorgeous and smell fantastic. Plus, they last longer than flowers, which is great for someone who always forgets to throw away their dead plants (hanging my head in shame over here...). Want some fresh (pun intended!) ideas on storing and displaying your own little interior herb garden? Try placing… -
Reduce Speeding on Your Street
5 Nov 2009 | 9:00 amFiled under: recalls and safety Photo: madmetal, Flickr Whaddya know? A guy attempts a little DIY traffic calming on his own street and gets attention from the cops. No, it's not because he was pointing a radar gun at passing cars, but because of the pink tricycle he planted on the side of the road. Hmm. If you have a problem with speeding cars on your street, I'll concede it's not really practical to stand out there all day with a radar gun anyway. So here are some suggestions that might really work to solve your traffic issues once and for all. 1. Invest in a brightly colored "kids at play"… -
Daily DIY: How to Make a Pumpkin Facial Mask
5 Nov 2009 | 6:00 amFiled under: beauty and skin care Photo: Shine Yahoo! I'm thinking of switching up the holidays this year and gifting presents for Thanksgiving, rather than Christmas. Why not offer up some DIY pumpkin facial masks to a few of your favorite lady friends? The tutorial is simple and easy to do: Pumpkin Face and Body Mask * 1/2 cup canned pumpkin * 1/4 cup bentonite clay (available at health food stores) * 1 tbsp honey * 2 tbsp water * 1 tbsp almond oil * 2 tsp cinnamon Mix together and apply evenly to your face or anywhere else you'd like to smooth. Leave on 10 minutes before rinsing. Almond… -
Holidash Highlight: A Corn-on-the-Cob Cupcake?
4 Nov 2009 | 12:00 pmFiled under: food, in the kitchen Photo: brookfieldlibrary, Flickr Yes, I was skeptical as well. But don't worry -- no veggies were harmed in the making of this cupcake. In fact, there are no veggies involved at all. Bonus! Holidash has the scoop: Sure, a vegetable-inspired cupcake sounds like heresy in the minds of dessert lovers everywhere, but with one bite of this corn-on-the-cob, you'll quickly change your tune. Go on; I dare you. The Martha Stewart video gives you step-by-step coverage, including a written tutorial, so the process couldn't be easier. And the ingredients, unlike many… -
Find Swine Flu (H1N1) Shots in Your Area
4 Nov 2009 | 9:00 amFiled under: health Photo: so.salem, Flickr Neighborhood Walgreen's not offering the swine flu (H1N1) shot? Never fear. The much-discussed national vaccine shortage is a reality ... sort of. (The government says it's more of a logistical problem than an actual shortage at this stage.) But it doesn't necessarily rule you or your kids out of the running for a dose. First, though, are you eligible? As of right now, the vaccine is on offer to folks considered high-risk for H1N1: pregnant women, those 6 months old through 24 years, people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months…
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Unclutterer
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Guest beds and a new community over on RealSimple.com
7 Nov 2009 | 5:15 amRealSimple.com, the website for Real Simple magazine, has two great things going on that I want to bring to your attention. First, the article “6 Great Guest Beds” features some wonderful options in guest accommodations. My favorite is the one pictured here, the Fold-Up Sleeper Ottoman by plowhearth.com. The second item I want to bring to your attention is the new community features on RealSimple.com. You can find it immediately to the right of the Real Simple logo near the top of the page. By creating a username and password, you can save recipes, articles, and other online items… -
Ask Unclutterer: Selling something with an unknown value
6 Nov 2009 | 7:30 amReader Allison submitted the following to Ask Unclutterer: This question may be slightly outside the range of uncluttering, but I thought I’d give it a shot. I have a wooden chair that was designed around (his picture is painted on it) and autographed by a well-known rock musician. It’s a really cool piece, but having a piece of furniture I don’t use seems really silly to me now. I purchased it at a charity auction several years ago. I am curious about trying to sell it. The problem I have is that I can no longer find the certificate of authenticity. I suspect I didn’t… -
Workspace of the Week: Where the work happens
6 Nov 2009 | 6:30 amThis week’s Workspace of the Week is Jenny Newcomer’s LobotoME office: If you are unfamiliar with Jenny’s line of LobotoME organizing products, let me recommend you check them out right now. I’m a huge fan of the notepads and specifically the fun Fit Me exercise tracking pads. I like her products because they recognize that organizing doesn’t always have to be extremely serious. Her office is where the business of LobotoME takes place. I like her storage cabinet with the chalkboard covered doors, her separate computer and work surfaces, shelves that keep books off… -
Let go of the past from your wardrobe
5 Nov 2009 | 8:00 amYesterday, I finally got up the nerve to say farewell to what was left of my corporate wardrobe. No longer taking up space in my closet are suits, long-sleeve collared shirts, or “business casual” sportswear. My dresser drawers are free of pantyhose, trouser socks, and sweater sets (wait, I did keep one black sweater set — but all the rest are gone). I haven’t worked in a traditional office in 3.5 years, but I was holding onto many of my corporate clothes out of fear. What if this writing and organizing thing doesn’t catch on? After the book went on sale Tuesday,… -
Video tour of Jay Shafer’s 96-square-foot house
5 Nov 2009 | 3:30 amWe’ve written before about Jay Shafer’s 96-square-foot house. We recently came across the following new YouTube video of him giving a tour and we’re particularly impressed by the amount of storage space: If you would like to see more pictures of very small dwellings, check out Jay Shafer’s book.
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Stepcase Lifehack
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11 Ways to Think Outside the Box
6 Nov 2009 | 5:00 amThinking outside the box is more than just a business cliché. It means approaching problems in new, innovative ways; conceptualizing problems differently; and understanding your position in relation to any particular situation in a way you’d never thought of before. Ironically, its a cliché that means to think of clichéd situations in ways that aren’t clichéd. We’re told to “think outside the box” all the time, but how exactly do we do that? How do we develop the ability to confront problems in ways other than the ways we normally confront problems? How do we cultivate the… -
12 Lists That Help You Get Things Done
5 Nov 2009 | 5:00 amAt the center of just about every personal productivity system are lists – GTD has it’s context lists, Pomodoro has it’s action inventory and daily to-do lists, todoodlist has, well, the todoodlist, and so on. But there are a lot of different kinds of lists besides your task or to-do list that can help you be more productive. Lists in general are powerful tools – open-ended, constantly growing, and effective at extending our memories past the 7 or so things we can keep on our mind at any given time. Some of the lists that can make you more productive or otherwise make life easier… -
Make Email Your Servant (Not Your Master)
4 Nov 2009 | 5:00 amLet’s be clear. Your email is not your work; it is simply a tool to help you do your work. But like any tool it can be ineffective or even dangerous when used wrongly. Here is how to make email your servant not your master. 1. Check your email inbox at set intervals. Do not have your email on and active in front of you all the time. For most people it is better to check email no more than three or four times a day. For example you could check email at 9 am, 12 noon and 4 pm. Then you can spend the rest of the day doing useful work. 2. Your do-do list is more important… -
Your Happiness Plan
2 Nov 2009 | 5:00 amA Quick Survey Before we get under way with today’s briefer-than-normal chat, I want to conduct a little research on the run. Put up your hand if happiness is one of your aims in life. And no, participation is not optional at Stepcase Lifehack today. Yep, even you scaredy cats. Okay, keep ‘em up so I can count… 1001, 1002, 1003… yep; that’s all of you. Guessed as much. So it seems that despite the fact that we’re all different people, in different situations, inhabiting different parts of the globe… we have one common goal; happiness. Who’da thought? But do we Need a… -
Four Kinds of Vampires that Haunt Your Life (and What to Do About Them)
31 Oct 2009 | 7:00 amYou are surrounded by vampires. They circle you, slowly, eyeing your throat, their teeth glistening in the moonlight. Your heart pounds in your chest as they move in, intent on draining your life’s blood for their own unholy nourishment. A scream rises up in your chest as they close in on you, their fangs bared, and then you feel the first pair of teeth sinking into your throat. “Hey, Dustin, got a minute? I want to tell you about this awesome party I went to over the weekend. We were sooooo wasted, and…” The horror! The HORROR!!! The vampires in this tale aren’t the…
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MAKE Magazine
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Brainwave sofa by Unfold & Lucas Maassen
7 Nov 2009 | 3:30 amBrainwave sofa by Unfold & Lucas Maassen... modeled on your brainwaves! via BB. The design of the Brainwave Sofa is driven by a brain scan. Brain wave activities are being recorded by an electroencephalograph by placing electrodes on the bare skin on the head. Via BioExplorer, a computer program that records biophysical data, processes and visualises it, a three dimensional waved landscape is generated. The x-axis shows the brain wave activities in hertz. The Y-axis shows the amount of activity in percentage. The Z-axis is the time expressed in milliseconds. Read more | Permalink | Comments |… -
Full MIDI drumset with Guitar Hero and Rock Band drums
6 Nov 2009 | 9:00 pmA demo on how to create an 11-piece MIDI drum kit using Rock Band and Guitar Hero drum sets together. It includes velocity-sensitive triggers and a high-hat open/close pedal. Create a full MIDI Drumset with Guitar Hero and Rock Band Drums Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in Music | Digg this! -
Hole punched art
6 Nov 2009 | 8:00 pmGorgeous! ... and likely a future ad campaign for Staples or OfficeMax... Steven Nicholson is a 2yr student at Plymouth university in the United Kingdom studying Graphic communications with typography. And apparently he is a genius with a hole punch? Check out this self portrait using 10 different sized single hole punches on a a1 piece of paper that he just sent over. Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in Arts | Digg this! -
Portable Induction accelerator
6 Nov 2009 | 6:00 pmHere's an interesting take on a coil gun, by Russian YouTube user fuckertrezv. Not content to simply make a high-power electromagnetic device, he designed his to be portable and run on batteries. Once charged, he claims it is capable of accelerating metal rings to over 200 meters per second. It looks well-built, however no instructions are provided. [via hacked gadgets] Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in Electronics | Digg this! -
Make: Halloween Contest 2009 - WINNERS!
6 Nov 2009 | 5:33 pmWe had a great contest this year, with tons of awesome projects, and frankly we had a heckuva time picking winners. But the votes are all in now, and with the scores finally tabulated, I am pleased to announced the winners of the Make: Halloween Contest 2009. The envelope please.... Third runner-up: Everett Bradford's "Prometheus Device" Everett has won an F1 Evaluation Platform (valued at $39.99), plus a $50 Maker Shed gift certificate. Second runner-up: Eric Kingston's "Silly String Shooting Pumpkin" Eric has won a PICKIT 3 (valued at $69.99), plus a $50 Maker Shed gift certificate. First…
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The Art of Manliness
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A Man’s Guide to Dry Cleaning
5 Nov 2009 | 7:27 pmImage from Millie Motts Why should a man care about dry cleaning? When your expensive clothing is damaged or lost, what can you do? I’m sure many of you reading this have been burned when it comes to having a garment come back missing buttons, torn, or in the worst case scenario-doesn’t come back at all. You may have purchased your suit for $2,000, but if it vanishes you’ll be lucky to see 1/10th of that. The key to preventing a loss is up-front preparation – which we’ll discuss below. Dry cleaning your clothing unnecessarily shortens the usable life of your garments. -
Lessons in Manliness: Jimmy Stewart
4 Nov 2009 | 7:03 pmShare “His type is as normally average as the hot dog and pop at Coney Island. He is good looking without being handsome, quiet without being a bore, ambitious without taking either himself or his job too seriously and unassuming without being dull. Stewart’s growing appeal has sometimes been difficult to peg. He’s no Gable and certainly has none of the qualities of a Valentino. A sixteen-year-old fan seems to have hit it when she wrote to him, ‘I like you because you’re like the boy next door.”-1938 MGM biography of James Stewart James “Jimmy” Stewart was an… -
Toolmanship: How to Use a Handsaw
3 Nov 2009 | 6:34 pmShare Today we return to our monthly series called Toolmanship. The goal of this series is to pass on the basics of tool use to a generation of men who never got around to learning how to be handy. In this edition, we take a look at how to properly use a handsaw. We’ll give a rundown on the different types of handsaws out there and tips to get you sawing like a carpenter. Crosscut Saw or Rip Saw Before you put saw to wood, you need to determine what sort of saw you’ll need for your job. In the pantheon of saws, two basic designs exist: the crosscut saw and the rip saw. Which one you use… -
Choosing a Good Cigar: Beer and Cigar of the Month Club Subscription Giveaway
2 Nov 2009 | 9:02 pmEditor’s note: This is a guest post from Andre Naser at Club-Offers.com. To learn how to win a 3 month membership into their beer and cigar clubs, see the details below. There was once a time when a man with a cigar in his mouth was held in high regard; a time when a young man toasted farewell to adolescence by igniting the end of a cigar that “just happened” to slip out of his father’s humidor. A time where the arrival of a man’s progeny was celebrated with cigars in the hospital’s waiting room. A time when one could find a guillotine right alongside a man’s… -
The Art of Manliness Podcast Episode #7: Rules for My Unborn Son with Walker Lamond
2 Nov 2009 | 5:17 pmShare Welcome back to another edition of the Art of Manliness podcast. In this week’s episode we talk to Walker Lamond, author of the new book Rules for My Unborn Son. Walker’s book is based on his popular blog, 1001 Rules for My Unborn Son. We discuss the inspiration for the book, wheelie luggage, and required listening for boys. Pick up the book from Amazon.com today! Full of advice both insightful and humorous, I highly recommend it. It makes a great stocking stuffer this Christmas for any man in your life, not just dads. Listen to Podcast! Other ways to listen to the Art of…
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SidSavara.com
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Will Power: How To Improve Your Personal Self Discipline
5 Nov 2009 | 10:00 amPeople with higher self control and self discipline have been shown to be less likely to be obese, happier on average, score higher on standardized tests and earn more money. Self discipline is highly correlated with accomplishing personal goals.What you may not know however, is that self discipline and willpower is a skill that can be exercised and improved. In this article I’ll discuss:What I mean by self disciplineThe benefits of self discipline (supported by research)What affects self discipline (again, supported by research)Finally, what you can do today to improve your own… -
This Is The Bridge – And I Must Cross It
3 Nov 2009 | 10:16 amI found a new hiking trail that I’ve enjoyed a lot recently, and it reminded me of one of my mantras I tell myself when I am making challenging changes in my life.I’ve been inspired to write about my experiences hiking trails before, and today I’d like to tackle what happens when you’re hiking a trail, or making changes in you life – and the going gets tough!Smooth SailingI headed out with a friend to the trailhead one afternoon with my hiking backpack loaded with snacks, water and medical supplies. The sun peeked out through the clouds, and a light breeze… -
Seven Reasons You Check Email So Frequently – And How To Stop
29 Oct 2009 | 11:20 amI recently talked with a friend about email overload, and he made an interesting point. He said it’s no so much that he’s overwhelmed by junk in his inbox – it’s that he wastes so much time constantly checking it, even when there isn’t anything new there.I hadn’t thought about this, but it’s true – most people I know don’t need to check their email 50 times a day – they could get away with checking it twice a day without any real issues (heck they could probably miss a day or two), but they have an urge to continuously check for new… -
Persistence – Knocked Off His Stride, But Not Off His Feet
27 Oct 2009 | 11:09 amIn soccer (football) it is illegal to slide tackle a player from behind. This is a good rule – such a tackle could easily result in a serious injury for the player dribbling the ball.Nonetheless, players do it – sometimes because there is no other way to stop an attacker from getting towards the goal. Sliding in from behind is a way defenders can trip the attacker and stop the flow of the game. When this happens and the offensive player somehow manages to keep dribbling despite the desperate (and illegal) attempt to tackle, Andy Gray yells one of my favorite… -
How To Say No With The Empathy Sandwich
22 Oct 2009 | 11:07 amI’ve been turning down a lot of commitments lately. I have no doubt that this upsets some people, but there are only so many options one has when reducing external commitments. The way I see it, it’s simply a matter of emptying my commitment “bucket” and there are two ways to do this. You either have to:Reduce or remove a current commitment from the bucket (moderately difficult) or Decline new commitments as they come in, or come up for renewal (easier).Unfortunately, because this approach is logic driven and does not consider the other person’s (the…
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Ramblings From A Glass Half Full
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10 Leadership Battles – And How To Win Every One of Them
1 Nov 2009 | 3:28 pmIn our quest to become great leaders we take on a constant stream of internal battles. Each and every day we choose our sides and try to do the right things, with the objective of achieving something great. There are 10 confrontations in particular that can make or break us, and we need to consistently be on the winning side of every one of them to reach the pinnacle of success. People vs. Process - It’s as simple as this: a process is only as good as the people executing it. Focus on the people first, and while you’re at it, make sure your charges truly understand the… -
The Most Important Blog Post You’ll Ever Read
25 Oct 2009 | 3:26 pm….is out there somewhere. You just need to find it. And in a land of over 100 million blogs, how is that possible? And besides, blog posts don’t change lives, right? Wrong. They can, and they have. I’m living proof of that. One day in June of 2006, I found my way to a blog written by Liz Strauss called Successful Blog. I found her by way of a link on someone else’s blogroll (Phil Gerbyshak) – I was just starting my blogging adventure and was just looking around, trying to get comfortable with this new world. What caught my eye was a post she wrote about how… -
All Great Content Is An Intersection: The Brian Clark Interview
18 Oct 2009 | 3:49 pmBrian Clark is a writer who loves to write about his craft, and it shows. His blog, Copyblogger, is one of the most popular sites on the Internet for writers and fellow bloggers of all stripes. The site has also been his launching pad for several other successful online ventures designed to help others improve their skills and online presence. He is a much sought-after speaker on the Social Media circuit not only because of his know-how, but also because of his quick wit and insightful observations. I recently caught up with Brian to ask him a few questions about the craft he loves, his… -
Supertramp Talks Social Media – 30 Years Before It Exists
11 Oct 2009 | 3:37 pmThis morning, as I was driving back from Starbucks with my morning latte, I had a vision of sorts. I had been thinking a lot about writing another post about Social Media, and wondered where I’d draw my inspiration. Then, it happened…….. A song came on the radio by the 70’s group Supertramp. And then oddly, another. Somebody was trying to tell me something. But I couldn’t figure out what it was. Intrigued, I arrived home and sat down at my computer and called up several more Supertramp songs. This group had its heyday 30 years ago, but something about… -
Leadership Hiding In Plain Sight: The Return of Common Sense (WBF, Day 2)
8 Oct 2009 | 10:23 amBill Clinton at the World Economic Forum, 10/7/09 This is my second post of observations from the World Business Forum in NYC. My first post , covering the 1st Day of the conference, tied all the presentations on Leadership into the theme of “sitting tall in the saddle“. This post continues the thread on Leadership, but from a slightly different direction. The 2nd Day speakers, particularly in the afternoon sessions, made it clear to me that a lot of effective leadership practice is hiding in plain sight. That is, sometimes we go too deep in searching for answers. The…
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Shanel Yang . com
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Rich Dad Poor Dad - Part 8
6 Nov 2009 | 12:01 am[Continued from “Rich Dad Poor Dad - Part 7″] Some of the visible differences between Kiyosaki’s Rich Dad and Poor Dad were that Rich Dad lived and worked in a tiny old creaky house in the poor side of town filled with old ratty furniture and drove an old pickup truck, while Poor Dad lived in the richer side of town in a much bigger, newer, and better looking house and drove a newer, nicer, and better looking automobile. But, the invisible differences were in their Income Statements and Balance Sheets. Poor Dad’s Income statement looked almost perfectly balanced with… -
Rich Dad Poor Dad - Part 7
4 Nov 2009 | 12:01 am[Continued from “Rich Dad Poor Dad - Part 6″] Up till now, I’ve quoted more than summarized Rich Dad Poor Dad because Kiyosaki’s own words were compelling to share his earliest lessons from Rich Dad. But, from here on out, I will be summarizing more than quote the lessons I find important from the rest of this book. However, I strongly recommend anyone interested in his teachings so far to get a copy of this book for your own use and reuse often as I’ll be using very broad strokes here. Rule No. 1: You Must Know the Difference Between an Asset and a Liability… -
Jos Search Tips and Links
3 Nov 2009 | 12:01 amPhoto by stefan.ansorge A. NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK! If you need or want a job, you are not alone. Apparently, there are 14.9 million folks out there competing for jobs in this shrinking market. So, if you’re wondering how the ones who are getting them are doing it, one big advantage is honest networking. For 9 great tips on how to do it right, see “How to Network Without Being Phony, Lame or Desperate, ” here. B. THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX It just doesn’t cut it anymore to send out cookie-cutter resumes. Tailor your job search, do the research, and sell yourself the right… -
Rich Dad Poor Dad - Part 6
2 Nov 2009 | 12:01 am[Continued from “Rich Dad Poor Dad - Part 5″] Picking up right where we left off last time in Rich Dad Poor Dad: “So, you’ve been talking about the fear of not having money. How does the desire of money affect our thinking?” Mike asked. “How did you feel when I tempted you with a pay raise? Did you notice your desire rising?” We nodded our heads. “By not giving in to your emotions, you were able to delay your reactions and think. That is most important. We will always have emotions of fear and greed. From here on in, it is most important for you… -
NaNoWriMo Makes No Sense to Me
1 Nov 2009 | 1:01 amPhoto by Olivander WHAT IS NANOWRIMO? Today is the first day of NaNoWriMo (pronounced like “nah-no-rhyme-o”). What is it? In a nutshell, it’s a sort of writer’s marathon that takes place every year where participants from all around the world of all ages and skill levels pledge to write a total of 50,000 words (the equivalent of a short novel) during the 30 consecutive days of November. 4 TIPS BY FOUNDER CHRIS BATY Sounds hard? Not really. The 4 tips for week 1 provided by their website explain just how easy it can be: 1. “Go to write-ins. These are incredibly…
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Lifestyle Blogs on Blogged
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China's New Disneyland Will Force 5,000 Families of Farmers Out of Their Homes
TreeHugger Disneyland sure is a wondrous place--beloved characters, thrilling rides, an entire fantastic world where a child's imagination can run wild. It's fun for the whole family. Unless, that is, you happen to be one of the 5,000 families of poor farmers that are getting kicked out of their homes by the Chinese government so Disney can build its latest Magical Kingdom. -
Potential Allergen In H1N1 Flu Vaccine May Put Children At Risk
Breaking News And Opinion From Basil & Spice Potential Allergen in H1N1 Swine Flu Vaccine May Put Children at Risk- New Test Reveals Both Presence and Severity of the Allergy The World Health Organization recently declared H1N1 swine flu a global pandemic, resulting in the... -
Pay Less for Prescription Drugs
Clinical Trial Results The recession has made it more difficult than ever before for many Americans to afford prescription medications, but several options are available, according to an expert from Butler University in Indianapolis. -
Map Out Your DNA for Only $4400
Kevin Trudeau Show DNA sequencing can shows illnesses you’re predisposed to contract or let doctors tailor medicines just for you. Someday it will be a cheap, routine part of medical care. That day just got closer. -
Suspect arrested after truck carrying 900 doses of swine flu vaccine is stolen in Milwaukee
Simple Thoughts Milwaukee police have arrested a man accused of stealing a truck carrying 900 doses of swine flu vaccine. The suspect is a 38-year-old man with a criminal record. Police are looking for two other men who were seen in the vehicle with him.
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Instructables.com
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Candy Corn
6 Nov 2009 | 6:00 pmThis is a relatively easy way to make a candy corn not found in stores: it's fresh, slightly soft, and tastes the same as candy corn.It's perfect for halloween, or any time when sugar is needed. This recipe yields a slightly softer corn than what's found in stores. It also has that fresh taste that...By: Cereleste -
[video] Sleek and Simple Off Shoulder Dress
6 Nov 2009 | 9:12 amSleek and simple in any material, the off-the-shoulder dress gets a touch of eloquence from the simple detail By: giannyl -
The Word Clock - Arduino version
6 Nov 2009 | 5:21 amLast month I wanted to build a special gift for my beautiful wife, Megan. She has a teaching background in English, so what better present to make for her than a clock that uses language to tell the time for her desk at work. The original project that I created used a Microchip PIC microcontroller...By: drj113 -
MINI-PIANO
5 Nov 2009 | 10:41 pmiNTRO- HOW TO MAKE A MINIATURE INSTRUMENT PLAYED LIKE A PIANO. This Instructable illustrates the steps in making a stringed instrument to which piano keys are added and played like a piano over 2 octaves. This Instructable is based on my earlier Instructable on making a mini-zither {posted...By: mistic -
Kilt with Sash
5 Nov 2009 | 10:08 pmI'm not sure why, but I got on a kick, and wanted to make a kilt for Halloween. I searched the internet, and there were some instructions, but they were a bit hard to follow. I ended up using the instructions at web.archive.org/web/20070527200447/users.tinyonline.co.uk/chegc/kiltsite/page2.htm (The ...By: mrmucox
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Productivity501
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Learning to Stay Current
5 Nov 2009 | 10:00 amImagine that your memory was only good for two years. Anything that you learned over two years ago was forgotten. The only education you had at your disposal was the things you had learned in the past 24 months. This should be a pretty terrifying prospect for anyone. However, some people would find themselves unable to function at all, while others would find themselves merely handicapped. It all depends on how much effort each individual has put into learning new things in the last two years. Some people graduate from college with the idea that they can stop learning. They pick up some… -
Interview: Productivity Tool
4 Nov 2009 | 10:00 amIn our interview series we asked a number of people the following: What do you feel is your most important productivity tool?(1532) The metaphorical axe – no bit of software or technology would help me if I didn’t know how to constantly remove anything from my life that is getting in the way of living in a balanced and productive manner. Joel Falconer (rss) The word “No”. I am getting really good at establishing boundaries and saying “No”. “No” is probably THE most difficult thing for anyone, like me, who is interested in everything, loves… -
Tuesday’s Tip: College Records
3 Nov 2009 | 10:00 amWhen I was in college, I quickly learned how important it was to keep records. You can’t rely on your university to keep track of everything correctly. Maybe they will, but just in case they make a mistake, you need to be prepared. One habit I formed early on in college was to get a copy of my transcript each semester. One semester, there were an extra 15 hours of credits on the transcript for classes I had not taken. After doing some checking, it became clear that they had accidentally given me credit for someone else’s work. I explained it to the university and they straightened… -
Working with Your Spouse Financially
2 Nov 2009 | 10:00 amIn the book The Millionaire Mind and The Millionaire Next Door, the authors point out that millionaires tend to marry people who support them financially. One of the easiest ways to wreck your financial plan is for there to be competition between a husband and wife, financially. If you have ever heard a couple say things like, “well, you bought a new dvd player, so I can go buy a new dress” or “you spent $300 at the mall, so I decided to go buy a new television.” You know what I’m talking about. If the members of a marriage feel like they are in competition… -
More Infuential than David Allen?
29 Oct 2009 | 4:44 pmWe Follow ranks twitter users by their influence by topic. According them, Productivit501 is more influential than David Allen when it comes to productivity. I’m questioning how they calculate “influence”, but it still feels good to see Productivity501 at the very top of a list like that. ---Related Articles at Productivity501:Links and Tools RoundupLinks for Setting Up a Filing SystemFire (or keep) the WorkaholicsLinks On Remote AssistantsEncrypted Email Links
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PracticalHacks
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How to fail a test with dignity
6 Nov 2009 | 10:00 amA friend passed this along a few days ago; I hope you haven’t seen it already – enjoy… How to fail a test with dignity. -
100K British Airways miles for Visa Signature sign-on
6 Nov 2009 | 7:00 amAs reported in the NY Times, Gary Leff’s View from the Wing blog, and in this FlyerTalk thread, British Airways and Chase are rolling out an incredibly lucrative sign-on bonus for a BA Visa Signature card. See the details at The NYT by clicking on the image below or on this link to Gary’s blog: The [...] -
6 crazy pre-Black Friday deals at Wal-Mart on Saturday
6 Nov 2009 | 3:00 amOne of the things which popped up at BFads.net this week is a preview of a sale W-M is conducting tomorrow. Six items are featured at fairly substantial discounts: If you’d like to see more detail about this sale, visit BFads.net feature on it by clicking here. The deal on the Xbox 360 is particularly attractive, as [...] -
Quick Review: Optimus Crux ultralite canister stove
5 Nov 2009 | 3:00 amCanister stoves have become popular with backpackers for a number of reasons: they're compact, lightweight, easy to use, durable, and reliable. One of the most compact stoves is the Optimus Crux, yet it puts out an amazing 10,200 BTU. Weighing in at a mere 83 grams, the Crux is small enough to fit in the palm of your hand... -
Quick Review: Patagonia Crosstown daypack
4 Nov 2009 | 3:00 amI recently had a chance to check out Patagonia's Crosstown daypack. Patagonia positions this as a "full featured" daypack for daily use, hiking, school, or vagabonding. Available in a couple of distinctive colors plus black, the bag continues both Patagonia's admirable use of recycled materials and quirky approach to product design .
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Gail Goodwin's Blog
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Love is the Answer (Always!) : The Secret to Surviving Divorce
16 Oct 2009 | 12:26 pmDivorce is one of the most difficult transition periods in life. Not only is it losing the dream of something that once was, it’s also dealing with anger, rejection, failure and an incredible fear of the unknown. That uncertainty can cause our inner defense mechanism to kick into high gear and have us think thoughts of revenge and destruction that we wouldn’t normally think. Yesterday I talked with my friend Rob (not his real name), whose parents are going through a very nasty divorce. I felt somewhat qualified to listen and help him, for ten years ago I too went through one of…
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Schaefer's Blog
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A Response to E-mail Forwards Blasting Obama, Environmentalists, Etc.
2 Nov 2009 | 6:00 pmThe following is an e-mail written recently by my friend’s dad, a university professor and respected author. He is not a liberal, in fact he is quite conservative. After discussing the following with him over pumpkin carving and wine the other night, it became apparent that he wrote this as a response to some of the ridiculous e-mail forwards he had been receiving as of late from his conservative bretheren. He, like many of us, has been the recipient of numerous emotionally-charged forwards blasting President Obama, librerals, environmentalists and various other groups… -
Matthew Hoh’s Letter of Resignation Regarding Afghanistan
28 Oct 2009 | 10:33 amMany have now heard the news of the first U.S. government official resigning his position in protest of our continued presence in Afghanistan. I was alerted to this development by a fellow officer and blogger, Matt Bader, and was immediately intrigued by the background of this State Department employee. The Washington Post’s Karen DeYoung reported on Tuesday, “When Matthew Hoh joined the Foreign Service early this year, he was exactly the kind of smart civil-military hybrid the administration was looking for to help expand its development efforts in Afghanistan. A former… -
Pay Czar or Grim Reaper?
23 Oct 2009 | 9:29 amAn article in this morning’s Washington Post points out that many top employees of financial firms being targeted for pay cuts by the government have already left or are on their way. “There’s no question people have left because of uncertainty of our ability to pay,” said an executive at one of the affected firms. “It’s a highly competitive market out there.” I understand that people are frustrated with the economy, but it is foolish to think that cutting the pay of people within the financial industry will turn out well. Compensation is a drop in… -
Globalization, Black Swans and the Need for Resilience
18 Oct 2009 | 8:00 pmFormer US Air Force pilot and tech entrepreneur John Robb explains in his book, “Brave New War: The Next Stage of Terrorism and the End of Globalization,” that, “war in the twenty-first century will be very different from what we’ve come to expect.” Mainly, state-versus-state conflict is over (Creveld’s prophecy). Nuclear weapons and globalization have created a situation where states have little to gain and almost everything to lose by going to war with each other. Globalization Instead we’ll be fighting non-state actors, or superempowered… -
The State as a Substitute for God
16 Oct 2009 | 8:00 pmEconomist Robert Higgs on Americans’ unrealistic expectations of their government (hat tip Marginal Revolution): Until more people come to a more realistic, fact-based understanding of the government and the economy, little hope exists of tearing them away from their quasi-religious attachment to a government they view with misplaced reverence and unrealistic hopes. Lacking a true religious faith yet craving one, many Americans have turned to the state as a substitute god, endowed with the divine omnipotence required to shower the public with something for nothing in every department…
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Project Mojave Blog
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Friday Freedom (Issue #1): Purpose as Complete Invasion
30 Oct 2009 | 12:56 amShare [Note: Every Friday, I'm publishing a new issue of "Friday Freedom" on this blog. Click here to make sure you get all the updates]. Infinite purpose and intolerable bondage often look the same. At least from the outside. A slave might be compelled by his captors (and the threat of death) to toil for hours each day. And get nothing in return. And a purpose-filled woman or man may lay down their life, liberty, and "freedom" for their mission . . . in complete devotion, without complaint, and with utter disregard for compensation. A workaholic might be… -
A “Behind-Closed-Doors” Tour (of Project Mojave)
15 Oct 2009 | 10:45 amShare Click HERE For More Information Click HERE For More Information -
Project Mojave is NOW Live
13 Oct 2009 | 7:18 pmShare Go Here to See What’s Down Hey – this is just a quick reminder to let you know that Project Mojave is NOW OPEN to new members (I just turned the page on a few minutes ago). http://www.projectmojavesite.com/goinside/ Here are the fast action bonuses . . . ***Bonus for The FIRST 100 People Who Enroll in Project Mojave*** The first 100 people who enroll in Project Mojave will get. . . (1) Virtual EBook and Product Cover Creation Software. Yup . . . the first 100 people get this for free . . . (a $37 value). (If you have a virtual product, such as an e-book, that… -
Winners of the Project Mojave Contest . . . A Video on What the Hell Project Mojave IS (And a Bunch of Other Stuff)
13 Oct 2009 | 6:59 amShare Hey, it’s Clay here, and I’m getting ready to open the doors to Project Mojave today (Tuesday) . . . at 4:30 Eastern (1:30 Pacific). I hope you’re getting ready to KILL it with your freedom business. Anyway, I’ve got lot’s of great stuff in this blog post for you today… like… 1. I’m announcing the winners of the Project Mojave Contest 2. A short video interview by Cody McKibben that explains who the HELL I am and what the heck Project Mojave is fundamentally about (at its core). 3. Lot’s of other cool stuff. But before I get to that, I want… -
Cody Asks . . . What The HELL Is Project Mojave?! (And Who Are You, Clay)?
12 Oct 2009 | 10:01 pmShare
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Stew Friedman
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Three Reasons Why Bruce is the Best Boss
2 Nov 2009 | 7:48 amBruce Springsteen — great leader? You might be skeptical, but bear with me as I describe a few practical ideas we can pull from Springsteen's repertoire of the critical "soft skills" that set the memorably high-impact leaders apart from the rest of the pack. Bruce's epic music is a source of inspiration for millions around the world. Like many others, his impact on me has been deeply personal. On a recent night in Philadelphia, listening to Bruce and his E Street Band, I was reminded once again of why the Boss (big B) is not only New Jersey's greatest export and America's rock poet… -
Why The Hurt Locker Hurts
8 Sep 2009 | 1:45 pmThe Hurt Locker is a gripping movie — enthusiastically and universally acclaimed — about an elite team of American soldiers in Iraq "who have one of the most dangerous jobs in the world: disarming bombs in the heat of combat." Time after time we watch the team's new leader, Staff Sergeant William James, arrive at a bomb site and, with gut-wrenching intensity and focus, attempt to untangle and defuse an I.E.D. (improvised explosive device). Totally consumed by his mission, he exposes his two subordinates, Sanborn and Eldridge, to unnecessary dangers and risks, "as if he's… -
How a 2-Minute Story Helps You Lead
4 Aug 2009 | 12:53 pmLeaders gain trust and teach people what's important to them by telling stories. But these days there's so much to attend to — now! — coming at us so fast. You might be tempted to let slide your soft skills, like how to tell a useful story. Just get to the point and move on to the next thing on the list. No time for fluff. Even President Obama, who masterfully demonstrated his storytelling skills in the campaign, was recently described as shuffling from one crucial issue to the next, like an iPod listener flits from song to song. No time for albums. Trying to do too much, too… -
Become a More Creative Leader — Think Small
15 Jun 2009 | 7:20 amWhat kind of leadership do we need now? This was the question I asked last week at the beginning of a day-long workshop attended by a group of senior-level women at a major technology firm headquartered on the west coast of the US. And I've been asking this question of thousands of other business professionals over the last year or so in similar settings around the country. Just a few days ago, in Puerto Rico, I asked it again at a gathering of business executives and, again I heard pretty much the same thing. By far, the most common responses? Adaptive, flexible, and innovative. Because of… -
The Power of Preventive Assessment
20 May 2009 | 11:42 amI just returned from Toronto where I spent some time in the hands of an amazing corps of health care professionals at Medcan, North America's biggest preventive health clinic. I heard more than one story of how Medcan's preventive assessments saved lives — and enormous medical cost. Medcan's CEO, Shaun Francis, is an alumnus of my Total Leadership course at the Wharton School, which he took in 2003, and he kindly invited me to try the service his firm provides. I was blown away. In less than a day, I underwent a comprehensive set of health assessments — all done with great care,…
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Zen Habits
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Low-Stress Ways To Move House and Declutter Your Life
6 Nov 2009 | 12:55 pmEditor’s note: This is a guest post from Annabel Candy of Get In the Hot Spot. Did you know that moving house can be one of the most stressful times in your life? It’s right up there with losing your job, divorce or the death of a loved one, as one of the biggest causes of stress. I’ve been there. In 2007 my husband and I sold our house along with most of our belongings and moved from New Zealand to Panama with our three young kids. We ended up spending 18 months in Central America and lived in Costa Rica for over a year during which time we moved house three times. Moving… -
The Only Way to Become Amazingly Great at Something
3 Nov 2009 | 10:56 pm“Only one who devotes himself to a cause with his whole strength and soul can be a true master. For this reason mastery demands all of a person.” - Albert Einstein Post written by Leo Babauta. Follow me on Twitter. Very often you’ll see blog posts or books teaching you to “master” a skill in only 10 days, or 3 days … in fact, it used to be 30 days but the time frame to master something seems to be shrinking rapidly. I’ve even seen tutorials claiming to teach a skill in just a few hours. Pretty soon we’ll be demanding to know how to do something in… -
How to Stop Being a Workaholic
2 Nov 2009 | 4:10 amPost written by Leo Babauta. Follow me on Twitter. Reader Carolyn recently asked, “How can an achievement-motivated workaholic learn to back off, relax, de-stress, and feel good about doing it? I am too driven!” This is a common problem, and one that has several parts we should look at separately: 1. Being achievement-motivated. 2. Being a workaholic. 3. Learning to relax and de-stress. 4. Learning to feel good about it. Let’s start by saying that there’s nothing inherently wrong with work — it can be fun, exciting, fulfilling, rewarding. I love my work in a way… -
The Beginner’s Guide To Minimalist Travel
30 Oct 2009 | 7:30 amEditor’s note: This is a guest post from Karol Gajda of Ridiculously Extraordinary. “Is that all your stuff?” While embarking on my current 100+ day sojourn I’ve been asked that question almost daily. Most people take more stuff for a 3 day weekend break than I’ve taken on this long trip. If you’ve struggled to pack what you need in a carry-on I will show you the light. It’s not difficult and you don’t have to do everything at once. Remember the old cliché, slow and steady wins the race. 1) The first step to minimalist travel is to use a… -
The Minimalist Gmail Firefox Extension
28 Oct 2009 | 3:45 pmPost written by Leo Babauta. Follow me on Twitter. Great news for you Firefox minimalists: have you always wanted Minimalist Gmail in one click? There’s an extension for that. After my post on creating a Minimalist Gmail experience using Greasemonkey scripts, programmer and artist Matt Constantine worked hard to create an amazing Firefox extension that did what I was looking for and a lot more: The Minimalist Gmail Firefox Extension. You can install this extension and not worry about installing Greasemonkey or any of the many user scripts I detailed in my previous post. This simple…
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Business Hacks
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Wish Windows Would Reload Your Apps After a Reboot? There's an App for That
6 Nov 2009 | 8:02 amFree utility Cache My Work makes it a snap to choose which programs should run when you start -- or restart -- your PC. -
Translate a Restaurant Menu Using Your iPhone the Next Time You're in Paris
6 Nov 2009 | 7:00 amHere's an iPhone app that translates text from any one of 16 different languages. Just take a picture of a menu, sign, or some other document, and instantly see what it means in English. -
Be Productive When Working From Home
6 Nov 2009 | 5:00 amHere are five key ingredients to being an effective worker at home, whether you're doing it to escape the cubicle part time or as a self-employed entrepreneur -
Send Large File Attachments Right From Outlook
5 Nov 2009 | 8:00 amThe drop.io file-sharing service keeps getting better, this time with a free Outlook plug-in that lets you attach files up to 100MB. -
PC Insurance Policy: Create a Windows System Repair Disc
5 Nov 2009 | 7:00 amIf some cataclysmic error prevents Windows 7 from booting, recover with a System Repair Disc -- here's how.
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Marc and Angel Hack Life
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How To Inspire Kids To Save The World
1 Nov 2009 | 10:16 pmMy buddy Chad, a 9th grade science teacher, called me at 7AM this morning in a bit of a panic. “Marc,” he said. “I promised my students I’d have a guest speaker here today, but the speaker just canceled on me at the last minute. I know you love motivating others, so is there any way you could come in this morning and be our substitute speaker?” “What’s the topic?” I asked. “How to save the world,” he replied with a chuckle. “I’m kidding. The speaker I had scheduled was from the city waste management counsel. She was supposed to speak to the kids about the… -
The Art of Forging Your Own Path
25 Oct 2009 | 9:33 pmThis guest post was written by Diggy, author of Upgrade Reality. No two people are identical, not even identical twins. Everyone is a one-of-a-kind. And do you know what a one-of-a-kind is worth? Priceless! Yes, this means YOU are priceless. From the day we are born and open our eyes, we start to grow into the person we will ultimately become as a result of the environment we are exposed to and the experiences we endure. And although our parents and mentors have a large impact on our upbringing, we rarely walk the exact path they had in mind for us. There is only one success: To… -
The Smartest Choice We Can Make
18 Oct 2009 | 9:34 pmThe Only Way My cell phone rang just after midnight. I didn’t answer. Then it rang again a minute later. I rolled over, grabbed the phone off the night stand, and squinted at the bright, glowing caller ID screen. “Claire,” it read. Claire is a close friend – a friend who tragically lost her husband to a car accident six months ago. And I figured since she rarely calls me in the middle of the night, it was probably important. “Hey, Claire. Is everything okay?” I asked. “No!” she declared as she burst into tears. “I need to talk… I need help…” “I’m… -
Just The Way You Are
11 Oct 2009 | 9:09 pmWhat is uttered from the heart alone, Will win the hearts of others to your own. - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe This morning I was writing a blog entry at a local beach-side coffee shop here in San Diego when a young woman approached me. “You’re Marc, right?” she asked. I looked up at her. She had piercing eyes, a pierced nose, an elegant smile… but nothing that rang a bell. “I’m sorry. Do I know you?” I inquired politely. “No,” she replied. “But I know you.” She swiftly walked back to the table where she’d been sitting, picked up her laptop, and carried it… -
How To Make Difficult Tasks Easier
4 Oct 2009 | 9:06 pmThis guest post was written by Karl Staib, author of Work Happy Now. “Why am I insisting on procrastinating right now?” You all know what I’m talking about – that dreaded task that makes you ignore reality. It’s just sitting on your ‘to do’ list, ready to be tackled, but for some reason you keep checking your email. You just checked it five minutes ago, but maybe now there is an important email needing your attention. Does this sound like somebody you know? This is a common theme throughout many of our work days. We keep avoiding a difficult task because we are afraid to…
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Life Evolver
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Write for Life Evolver
23 Oct 2009 | 11:23 pmLife Evolver is currently accepting guest bloggers. It’s a great way to get your name in front of the personal growth community. If you’ve got a great idea for a post and would like to build a little momentum for your own site or blog, then feel free to contact me. -
What’s Wrong with Taking a Nap?
5 Nov 2008 | 11:47 pmIn today’s 24-hour technological society, most of us don’t nap at all, and many don’t nap enough. We all need to start napping more- it would make us less crabby and more productive in the long-run. Why don’t we nap? Social stigma / false beliefs: Napping is for lazy people Napping is a waste your day Napping is unproductive In reality, nothing could be further from the truth. Napping actually makes us more productive because we wake up feeling refreshed, as if it’s the start of a second day. Famous Nappers During World War II, Winston Churchill would nap at… -
How to Stop Your Thoughts from Stealing the Present Moment
29 Sep 2008 | 12:23 amAll we have is the present moment. Too often, we let our thoughts steal the present by thinking about the past or future: As it is, I would say about 80 to 90 percent of most people’s thinking is not only repetitive and useless, but because of its dysfunctional and often negative nature, much of it is also harmful. Observe your mind and you will find this to be true. It causes a serious leakage of vital energy. -Eckhart Tolle, The Power of Now Reflect on the most enjoyable moment of your life. Did this moment involve thinking, or were you completely focused on an activity? Chances are,… -
Sustainable Happiness: How to Become Happier and Stay that Way
24 Sep 2008 | 12:50 amWe humans adapt quickly to new circumstances. Take the lottery for example- do you think you would become permanently happier if you won it today? Studies have found that recent lottery winners are in fact temporarily happier, but soon after, they adjust and are no happier than others. If we are constantly adapting to positive change in our lives, then how can we sustain an increased level of happiness over the long-term? To answer this question, we must first understand what determines our happiness. There are three major determinants of happiness 1) Your genetic baseline / range… -
30 Seconds of Your Time to Make this Blog Better
22 Sep 2008 | 12:04 amLife Evolver launched on July 4th, 2008. Since launch, traffic has quadrupled month-to-month (7,070 unique visitors in July, 29,768 unique visitors in August). Now that Life Evolver has a decent amount of subscribers and return visitors, I’d like to ask you a few questions to make this blog even better. If you support the spirit of this blog and have gained anything from Life Evolver, then I’d really appreciate your taking 30 seconds to complete this quick questionnaire: If you are viewing this post from an RSS reader or e-mail, you will need to click here to see the form below. Which…
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WebWorkerDaily
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WWD Screencast: Firefox 3.6 Tab Previews
6 Nov 2009 | 3:30 pmWith the new beta of Firefox 3.6, new tab previewing functionality has been made available in Firefox — you can preview tabs using the “List all tabs” button, and you can see a preview when using Ctrl-Tab to switch between tabs. These two new features are not enabled by default, so you’ll need to go to the about:config page and toggle “browser.allTabs.previews” and “browser.ctrlTab.previews” to “true” (either right-click on the entry and hit “Toggle”, or just double-click the entry). I made a quick screencast showing how… -
5 Most Popular Posts on WebWorkerDaily This Week
6 Nov 2009 | 3:00 pmJust in case you missed any of them, here are the five most popular posts on WebWorkerDaily this week: Does Multitasking Make You More Productive? It’s easy to think that just because you’re a demon multitasker, you’re automatically productive. But is that really the case? Karen investigates. Google Dashboard: Find Out What Google Knows About You Google has just released Google Dashboard, a window onto all of the data it stores about you. What Is Google Wave, Anyway? New e-Book Explains Charlie introduces “The Complete Guide to Google Wave.” 7 Handy iPhone Apps… -
Thanks to Our WebWorkerDaily Sponsors!
6 Nov 2009 | 2:00 pmWe’d like to say thanks to this month’s WebWorkerDaily sponsors: FreshBooks: Look Professional with FreshBooks. -
Web Office Suites: Complementary and Coopetive Technologies
6 Nov 2009 | 1:00 pmMy recent post “5 Web Office Considerations: Beyond the Buzz” garnered some thought-provoking comments, which got me pondering on the proper place for the web office suite (whether it is ThinkFree, Zoho or Google Apps) in today’s world. As a technical writer by trade, I have fairly strong opinions as to how a web office suite can fit into the workflow of a team publishing moderately complex documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. I do believe that a web office suite and Microsoft Office don’t have to be “natural enemies in the wild” and can coexist to… -
New MacHeist nanoBundle Is Free
6 Nov 2009 | 12:00 pmMacHeist is well-known for packaging together and heavily discounting some great Mac apps. As reported over on TheAppleBlog, though, the latest MacHeist bundle, the “MacHeist nanoBundle” will cost you precisely nothing — zilch, zip, nada. The bundle contains six apps that would normally collectively retail for $149: ShoveBox — A clippings organizer that lets you capture, view, organize and edit data. WriteRoom — A simple, distraction-free word processor that Sam wrote about here. Twitterrific — A Twitter client. TinyGrab — A screenshot utility that I…
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Organize IT
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Productivity Tips #15: Focus On That Which Matters Most
5 Nov 2009 | 12:00 amI think I’ve realized why it’s so easy to succumb to the whole getting things done, do stuff for the sake of it attitude. We all want to achieve Big Things in life. We want to feel like it’s all worth it and that at the end of the day we’ve achieved something with our time. But what happens if you don’t have that in your life? Rather than looking for that sense of achievement through quality, we try and achieve it through quantity – replacing a handful of big achievement with lots of small, often irrelevant things. This doing things for the sake of it… -
Rethinking How To Fix Bad Habits
2 Nov 2009 | 12:00 amGetting things done, being productive, identifying your big goals and doing something about them regularly… it’s all easy and simple compared to habits. We spend all of our time lamenting how we can’t stop snacking on chocolate, we can’t stop smoking or we can’t stop idly browsing pointless websites and pissing our time away. Unlike a simple little activity or project, you can’t put a habit on your to-do list. You can’t write down “Do not do this habit today” and expect to tick it off at the end of the day. You can’t break it down,… -
Best Of Organize IT: October 2009
28 Oct 2009 | 11:11 amThe end of October is rapidly approaching so it’s time for another recap of all the best posts over the last several weeks. Whether you’re looking for a reality check on simplifying your life, thoughts on whether GTD is good for your memory or you want to know why we’re all inherently time wasters, there should be something for you here. If you’ve missed out on any of these posts please check them out, share them on Twitter and join in the conversation! Simplify Your Life: It’s Time For A Reality Check “Simplifying is about making things less complicated… -
Simplifying Your Life: It’s Time For A Reality Check
26 Oct 2009 | 1:00 amSimplifying your life is very popular idea nowadays. It’s been popularized, I think, by people like Tim Ferriss of The 4-Hour Work Week who pushes ideas like the 80/20 rule and the low-information diet, and Leo Babauta of Zen Habits in particular. Simplifying your life is good. No, it’s actually great and I believe everybody should have a go at it just to filter out some of the crap in their lives. Modern life is complicated and hectic enough without us blindly letting in and taking on board everything that comes our way. But I’m afraid I’m going to be a little… -
Ask The Readers: How Did You Learn GTD?
22 Oct 2009 | 1:00 amA simple question today that I hope will get some varied responses. How did you learn GTD (or if you use something else, how did you learn that)? The obvious answer will probably be that you just read the book, but that wasn’t the case for me and I suspect it isn’t the case for many of you guys too. I originally came across GTD via several blogs like Lifehack.org and picked up tips from those for a few months before finally purchasing the book. I applied bits and pieces from the book as I needed them so I suppose you can say I never really had a “full” GTD…
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Parent Hacks
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Remove gum from your kid's hair with olive oil
6 Nov 2009 | 5:54 amNot just gum in hair: gum in hair WHILE CAMPING. Brava, Jessie!My daughter got gum stuck in her hair the other day when she fell asleep with it in her mouth (I thought that was a myth, but it really does happen). Since she was out for the night (yes, I'm a bad parent and she had sugar free gum right before bed), I decided to wait until morning. It wasn't at the end where it could easily be cut, it was right by the root, and in a lot of hair. Ugh! The next day I grabbed some olive oil (we were camping), and put some on my fingers and rubbed it in her hair. … -
How to get your kids to leave their favorite objects at home
6 Nov 2009 | 5:36 amJennifer is a smart, smart mom. Here's her secret for getting out the door relatively unburdened by her kids' "special" treasures: As the mom of five kids age 11 and under, I have had a lot of experience dealing with little ones. It takes an enormous amount of time and energy to get my family up, dressed, and ready to leave in the morning, whether it is to school or somewhere else. Many times, I have been hustling my family out the door and the 3 year-old (or even one of the slightly older ones) insists on taking some toy or other random object that I would rather leave at… -
Store bibs on the back of the high chair
5 Nov 2009 | 5:55 amJanell's got the right idea when it comes to keeping bibs close at hand:We have so many bibs and no storage space for them. We noticed there was a bar on the back of our high chair that could hold all our bibs! They are out of site and exactly where we need them when we need them! -
Need a dress-up skirt? Use a poncho!
4 Nov 2009 | 11:35 amFor the dress-uppers in your life, from Tracy: We had a bunch of neighbor kids over and ran out of dress-up dresses and skirts... so we took one of our play sweater ponchos and just used it as a skirt. This particular poncho has a tie around the collar, so we were able to tie it a little tighter to cinch it around the waist when worn. Everyone was happy and we were back to our tea party :) -
Clean sticky faces at the table using a spray bottle
4 Nov 2009 | 11:32 amTracy's face-and-table cleaning hack is as fun as it is practical:Back when my kids were babies, we'd keep a box of baby wipes on the kitchen table to use for post-mealtime cleanup. Once the kids got older, the wipes dried up because they just weren't getting used as much. But we still occasionally have sticky messes (like when the kids drink the melted ice cream out of a bowl of ice cream and manage to get ice cream on their foreheads) that could use some wet wiping. So one day my daughter had sticky fingers after dinner and I had an idea - I spritzed her hands with the water…
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The Happiness Project
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Act the Way You Want to Feel.
6 Nov 2009 | 12:07 pmI’m working on my Happiness Project, and you could have one, too! Everyone’s project will look different, but it’s the rare person who can’t benefit. Join in -- no need to catch up, just jump in right now. Each Friday’s post will help you think about your own happiness project. One of the most surprising, and useful, things I’ve learned from my happiness project is my Third Commandment: Act the way I want to feel. Although we presume that we act because of the way we feel, in fact, we often feel because of the way we act. More than a century ago, philosopher and psychologist… -
Which Websites and Blogs Boost Your Happiness?
5 Nov 2009 | 12:19 pmOn the Inspiration Board of the Happiness Project Toolbox, people have posted a staggeringly interesting array of happiness-related quotations, images, book suggestions, and website recommendations. It seems like a good idea to create a place here where people can shine a spotlight on happiness-boosting blogs and websites. Voila, here's a chart. To suggest one, list your favorite here! And don't feel shy about adding yourself to the chart. There is such a treasure trove of material out there; it's hard to keep up with all the great sites to visit. I hope this list will be a good resource. *… -
Eight Tips for Feeling More Energetic.
4 Nov 2009 | 12:20 pmEvery Wednesday is Tip Day. This Wednesday: Eight tips for feeling more energetic. Feeling energetic is a key to feeling happy. Studies show that when you feel energetic, you feel much better about yourself. On the other hand, when you feel exhausted, tasks that would ordinarily make you happy—like putting up holiday decorations—make you feel overwhelmed and blue. When my energy feels at a low ebb, I try one of these techniques (well, first I drink something with caffeine in it, but if I feel like I need to take further steps, I try these strategies): 1. Exercise—even a quick ten-minute… -
Hugging Kids and Drinking Pinot Noir -- But Not Going Blonde.
3 Nov 2009 | 11:39 amFrom time to time, I post short interviews with interesting people about their insights on happiness. During my study of happiness, I’ve noticed that I often learn more from one person’s highly idiosyncratic experiences than I do from sources that detail universal principles or cite up-to-date studies. I’m much more likely to be convinced to try a piece of advice urged by a specific person who tells me that it worked for him or her, than by any other kind of argument. I’m a new fan of the hilarious blog Mom-101, so I was curious to hear what writer Liz Gumbinner had to say about… -
A Secret to Happiness That I Overlooked -- Until Now.
2 Nov 2009 | 12:01 pmA significant factor in happiness is the hedonic treadmill, or hedonic adaptation. People are adaptable. We quickly adjust to a new life circumstance—for better or worse—and consider it normal. Although this helps us when our situation worsens, it means that when circumstances improve, we soon become hardened to new comforts or privileges. Scoring air-conditioning, a bigger house, or a fancy title gives us only a brief boost in happiness before we start to take it for granted. As Aldous Huxley wrote, “Habit converts luxurious enjoyments into dull and daily necessities.” That’s the…
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Everlasting Designs
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Healthy Halloween: Green Tips, Tricks and Treats
27 Oct 2009 | 7:39 amHalloween treats don't have to be scary. Try these fun, not-so-creepy alternatives to mounds of sugar-laden confections. While some of these options may be more expensive than that 20lb bag of high-fructose kiddie-crack and your house may be TP'd later, you can rest easy knowing you've tried to keep Halloween fun and reasonably nutritious.Cheese and cracker packagesSugar-free gumJuice box packagesSmall packages of nuts or raisinsPackage of instant cocoa mixPopcorn ballsMini packages of microwave popcornPretzelsBubbles in a bottleColoring booksStickersGel pensHalloween pencilsSingle-serving… -
17 Free Tunes: Austin City Limits Festival Sampler
12 Oct 2009 | 7:25 amWe're always up for trying out new music and free is good. You must have iTunes installed in order to use this freebie but that's free also so why not take advantage of this deal. You may recognize some of these or may discover a new favorite.To download your free content on iTunes:1. Download iTunes for Mac or Windows, free of charge at http://www.itunes.com/ .2. Open iTunes and click iTunes Store.3. Click Redeem under Quick Links (right side of screen).4. Enter code 6EYA46R4AAR3 Your download will start immediately. BASSNECTAR – Art of RevolutionBLACK JOE LEWIS & THE HONEYBEARS –… -
Free "Path to Your Dreams" eBook
6 Oct 2009 | 1:36 pmWe know it's all about finding your path. Follow along with author Mark Maxey in this self-paced question oriented guide to help you as an artist determine your goals, direction and your voice.While the authors path takes him into the music industry, all of the concepts and ideas are tranferable to your chosen goals and ambitions.From the Author:Many artists can find it hard knowing how to make their dreams come true . Personally I have no problem dreaming about what I want, the tough part is charting a path towards that goal.This workbook is a step by step process to help you write down your… -
Free PDF downloads of college-level textbooks
5 Oct 2009 | 7:42 amHeres a freebie for the bibliophile in you. I know I can't get enough free reads. Orange Grove Texts Plus, an imprint of University Press of Florida, offers free PDF downloads of its college-level textbooks. These open access textbooks are available with nonrestrictive licenses to download or print.Titles ranged from the esoteric to the scientific. Try your hand at some of these:Handbook of Independent JournalismWomen of InfluenceNeurologic DisordersDestiny Unfulfilled: A Critique of The Harry Potter SeriesIntroduction to Physical OceanographyAvailable subjects include music, mathematics,… -
Rhythm, Strings, and Cool Breezy Jazz Sampler MP3 Album Free
23 Sep 2009 | 6:11 amWho doesn't love Billie Holiday and Ella?The Amazon MP3 Store offers downloads of the Verve Vault's Rhythm, Strings and Cool Breezy Jazz Sampler for free. It includes seven DRM-free tracks from artist such as Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Astrud Gilberto, and more. Amazon MP3 Downloader is required but you can uninstall once completed.1. Bewitched, Bothered, And BewilderedElla Fitzgerald 7:032. Once I LovedAstrud Gilberto 2:113. I Wished On The MoonBillie Holiday 3:264. DesafinadoAntonio Carlos Jobim 2:445. LovermanCharlie Parker Quintet 3:226. Lullaby Of BirdlandSarah Vaughan 4:007. What…
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Mind Hacks
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2009-11-06 Spike activity
6 Nov 2009 | 12:00 amQuick links from the past week in mind and brain news: -
Psychologist says
5 Nov 2009 | 2:00 pmI've discovered that if you search for "says psychologist" on Google, you get a giant avalanche of wtf. I encourage you to try it for yourself, but here are a few of the highlights, all taken from headlines of news stories. Twitter makes you dumb, says psychologist Boys have it worse, says psychologist Faith schools breed terrorism, says psychologist Change is possible for gays, says psychologist Music tugs at monkeys' hearts, says psychologist Pakistan no longer fear failure, says psychologist Killer of 4 feared loss of love, says psychologist Britney has lost control and needs help, says… -
The mind and brain in 2010
5 Nov 2009 | 4:00 amThe latest issue of Wired UK has a cover feature on breaking ideas for 2010. Mind and brain innovations feature strongly and several are freely available online. I might immodestly recommend the piece on 'neurosecurity' and how researchers are having harden neural implants against hackers, as it was written by me. Regular readers will know we broke the story back in June, although it was great to have it selected as one of the 'ideas of the future' by Wired UK. There's also a fascinating piece on 'hyperopia' - a cognitive bias where people falsely assume they'll be happier in the future by… -
Señor Roboto
5 Nov 2009 | 12:00 amSome impressive graffiti of a brain-powered robot from the future, found on a wall near the Hospital San Vicente de Paúl in Medellín. -
Dr Smile
4 Nov 2009 | 2:00 pmThe Philip K. Dick novel The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch features a portable device which allows patients to consult with the virtual psychiatrist Dr Smile. If I'm not mistaken, the system seems to have re-invented by this research team: Virtual patient: a photo-real virtual human for VR-based therapy Stud Health Technol Inform. 2004;98:154-6. Kiss B, Benedek B, Szijártó G, Csukly G, Simon L, Takács B. A high fidelity Virtual Human Interface (VHI) system was developed using low-cost and portable computers. The system features real-time photo-realistic digital replicas of multiple…
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LessonInLife.Com
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How To Say NO To Abusers At Work
3 Nov 2009 | 9:20 pmSummary – How to say NO to abusers Very recently I have received an email asking a very interesting question. First of all, I would like to thank the sender, Pankaj, who had taken the time and sent me the email. It is always a pleasure getting to know my reader. The following is the email Pankaj sent me. “I want to know how exactly to say NO to people. My work is almost always overloaded, but even so, when other people come to me asking for help with his work, I can never say no. I always try to help others but in this way I am always taken negative.” Well Pankaj, this is… -
Basic Trick To Success You May Not Know
19 Oct 2009 | 3:54 amSummary – Success definition I talked to one of my colleague this morning. To make things easier, let’s call him Peter. Peter is an acting manager to an estate here but he’s going to retire next year. I actually asked him whether he will apply for extension and maybe then he will be confirmed as a manager. He simply answered “No, I don’t need the “Manager” title to become successful. I am already successful by my own definition.” That simple sentence had left me speechless (For a few seconds of course). I then continued to ask him what he meant… -
Pay Yourself First Without The Money
12 Oct 2009 | 3:18 amIf you are into financial management, I bet all my money that you have heard of the concept “Pay Yourself First”. Rest assured this post is not about finance. Basically, the idea is to allocate a portion of your paycheck to be saved elsewhere before you even settle your pay-or-die bills. The concept is created simply because saving if not forced, is an impossible thing to do. I know it is kind of harsh, but it is the truth. You can see the proof from my bank account (which of course I will not disclose here). Forget about my bank account. Just look at yours. Did you manage to save… -
10 Simple Ways To Backup Your Life
28 Jul 2009 | 8:01 amSummary – Sometimes redundancy is a bliss It was the year 2001. I was doing my internship at the time with a petrochemical company. I remember this year very fondly because this is the year I make one of the biggest mistake in my life. Please bear with me as I explain some details about the mistakes. You see, being a student, my computer was my life. I had files about everything saved in my PC. This includes notes, assignments, projects, personal pictures, diaries etc. In short, the last 5 years of my life were well documented in that PC. One fine day, I mistakenly formatted the PC and… -
How To Use Emotion & Solve Problem Effectively
21 Jul 2009 | 4:20 amSummary – Use emotion The following story is one of the many interesting stories published on the net. The Story Once there was a school with quite a unique problem. The girls at the school were beginning to use lipstick and like everyone else who just started a thing, there were lipstick prints all over the mirrors of the school bathroom. This however was a problem to the janitor since he would have to clean the mirror every single day. One day he reported the problem to the school principal and she immediately called up all the students to the bathroom (of course in groups). She then…
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Sally Walker
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Internet & Social Media Marketer ordered to pay Facebook over $700mil
[caption id="attachment_1023" align="alignleft" width="150" caption="Facebook"][/caption] Facebook said Thursday a California court has awarded the social networking Web site $711 million in damages in an anti-spam case against Internet marketer Sanford Wallace. Facebook sued Wallace for accessing users' accounts without their permission and sending phony posts and messages. The company said on ... -
Billing Revolution Uses PayPal For Mobile Phone Payments
[caption id="attachment_1025" align="alignleft" width="150" caption="PayPal"][/caption] Billing Revolution, a mobile payments company, today announced its status as a Mobile Commerce Partner with PayPal, enabling PayPal merchants to immediately begin conducting mobile credit card ... -
Embed Real Time Twitter Streams & Twitter Polls Into PowerPoint Presentations
[caption id="attachment_946" align="alignleft" width="150" caption="PowerPoint Twitter Tools"][/caption] Ever presented a conference or business event and wanted to show your audience exactly what people are saying about an idea, event, brand, product or even you? Well look no further as for those who use PowerPoint for presentations, there is a new nifty ... -
Mplayit Teams Up With Player X To Launch New Game Service Via O2 UK
[caption id="attachment_941" align="alignleft" width="150" caption="Mplayit"][/caption] Mplayit (formerly Mpowerplayer), being the leading provider of online mobile game discovery and merchandising, announced yesterday that it was to team up with Player X to power online games distribution with O2. In September 2008, Player X launches it's mobile service on the O2 network, presenting a ... -
Facebook Lite comes to the masses….
[caption id="attachment_935" align="alignleft" width="200" caption="Facebook"][/caption] A few months ago the rumours started to flood in about Facebook Lite. Will they? Won't they? Will it be a wise decision if they do? Will it cause problems? Well now you can see for yourself. In Facebook's latest attempt at world 'social networking' domination and ...
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Through The Illusion
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75 Ways to Rock My World!
5 Nov 2009 | 11:22 amlearn to roll in a kayak dance on the water (surf) fly under water (scuba dive) get Chris on a multi-day biking trip use more sparklers “dress” more eat less support The Girl Effect zipline zorbing explore caves in China live abroad look like Christina Hendricks be a powerhouse speaker triumph over sugar eat free range and locally avoid becoming shark bait at The Great Barrier Reef learn natural medicines like Ayla learn edible plants survival skills (in the event of a zombie apocalypse) rock the water (water ski) rock the snow (snow ski) get a gyroscope bungee ballet a la Tomb… -
How to Use Your Calendar to Stay Motivated
4 Nov 2009 | 10:42 amAnd speaking of calendars, did you know that your calendar is an important tool for helping you rock the universe?! Here’s how… Keep track of progress. To stay focused on a goal, it’s important to track daily progress toward that goal! Before we moved to the middle of nowhere, my focus was on reducing our expenses. (The point is now moot since we are far, far away from sources of temptation!) I wrote down the amount of money that we spent each day and totaled it at the end of the month. It was phenomenal for helping me see how little expenses are a constant… -
Rock the Best Calendar EVER!
3 Nov 2009 | 7:48 amGuess who was excited about starting school every year because it meant fresh and fabulous school supplies. Guess! Guess who!! I mean new packs of paper, new pens, and new calendars, who wouldn’t love that. Typically I’ve always preferred a standard monthly layout for a calendar so I can see everything at once but that was until I stumbled across… THE MOST AMAZING CALENDAR EVER CONCEIVED. I discovered the Weekdate calendar last April and was heartbroken because I would have to wait months to get my own. But now I am ready for 2010 and have placed my order! (It’s… -
How to Deal With Dyslexia
2 Nov 2009 | 10:43 amDyslexia is a word I can almost never type correctly the first time. (Dyselxia!) It’s also the thing I didn’t realize I had until college! What is dyslexia? Dyslexia is a learning disorder that “manifests itself primarily as a difficulty with reading and spelling”. Scientists believe that it is a neurological disorder, which kind of makes sense because it pretty much feels like you have some wires crossed upstairs. It is important to note that dyslexia does not indicate either an impaired or advanced intelligence such as Aspberger or Down Syndrome. Anyone, at any… -
Make A Difference Today
29 Oct 2009 | 10:32 amThe opportunity exists, right now, to make a difference. To set your intention to change the world. In honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, bloggers from across the globe have united to compile their most inspirational and healing posts to support the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation. The book is free but we hope that you can contribute toward this amazing goal, every dollar is important. The articles touch on many different topics and issues but the goal is the same, to help you change your life when you help others change theirs. Start here for more information! You…
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Robert Walker Online
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Immunity to Logic
3 Nov 2009 | 11:44 amI disagree with William James when he says that we need to look to those of our inner desires that logic cannot sway for our understanding of right and truth. It’s the word “desires” that I object to here. . . . I am [also] suspicious of anything that claims authority in its supposed immunity to logic. That strikes me not only as inherently suspect, but as religious, as one of the very problems I see with religion. I am suspicious of any idea that someone claims is not subject to logic; especially ideas that are used for subsequent ideological systems and authorities, which… -
Is it the duty of the strong to help the weak?
27 Oct 2009 | 9:47 amOne of the questions that Darwinian evolution, as well as Spencer’s and Nietzsche’s philosophies, brings up is whether the weak should be helped and coddled, or left to their own devices. Why should the strong spend their time helping the weak rather than spending that time moving forward in their own lives, using that time and energy to go further than those who are weaker and more ignorant can go? Why is it wrong for those who are further along to try to keep moving further? Especially if that is who they really are, especially when the weak are generally not interested in… -
What is Religion?
20 Oct 2009 | 8:39 amWhat is religion but a way of grappling with the unknown? Of being able to somehow express, be a part of, that strange spirituality, that strange “something more” that we humans feel about life? It is not necessarily a way, like science, to try to know the unknown, but to accept its power, resign oneself to a place in the scheme of life, a scheme that we don’t understand, and yet feel ourselves to be part of. It is both a burying of one’s own head in the sand and the problematic notion of a leap of faith. And thus, as it is a way of reconciling with the unknown,… -
Infected With Irony
13 Oct 2009 | 8:52 amI think we now live in a time infected with irony. Is not irony saying or expressing something and not meaning it? People are almost expected to live, speak, and exude irony. That which is not ironic has become necessarily cheesy, or childishly naive, or cute. Sincerity and guilelessness have become a liability, and irony is the modern coat of armor, protecting a heart which would no longer be caught dead worn on a sleeve. The problem is that people no longer say, or are even expected to say, (let alone know,) what they mean. This makes it difficult, if not impossible, to believe anything… -
Learning True Satisfaction
6 Oct 2009 | 8:44 amA problem with people is that they are never satisfied. In fact, belief in, and pursuit of, the “American Dream” only makes it worse, as we are conditioned to always want more, that more is better. A rolling stone gathers no moss. Thus, we are taught that it is wrong to be satisfied with what we have. One is wrong, bad, a Commie, if she does not want more than what she has. In fact, though, the truly happy person is she who is always satisfied with what she has. It is not that we must never change, or never strive for the change that comes with awareness. On the contrary; change…
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Alex Shalman.com
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Stop Talking & Start Doing
4 Nov 2009 | 3:24 amThis is a guest post by Alex Fayle of SomedaySyndrome. In one of my favorite fantasy books, Dealing with Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede, the main character Cimorene finds herself about to be married off to a Prince she can’t stand. Eventually she finds herself in a conversation with a talking frog who asks her what she is going to do about the situation. Cimorene tells him about all the people she’s talked to and complained to. He replies with: “I didn’t ask you what you’d said about it. I asked what you’re going to do. Nine times out of ten, talking is a way… -
Building Self-Esteem (or, Why Are You Worth Feeding?)
21 Oct 2009 | 3:00 amSelf-esteem is NOT what you think. It’s not really the ‘I feel good about myself’ emotion. If you would have asked me a year ago, I wouldn’t have guessed that such interesting topics would be taught in dental school, but here I am learning about them. My favorite class in school right now is Dentist-Patient-Relationship. Here we learn about the interactions we will encounter, and the kind of mental maneuvering we have to do in order to deliver optimal treatment and prevent the patient from standing in the way of their oral health. One way to do this is the concept of… -
Busyness is Laziness: 17 Strategies to Kill Busy Work
19 Oct 2009 | 3:00 amThis is a guest post by David Turnbull. Being busy is considered the opposite of laziness. It’s not. Laziness is likened to sloth-like activity, performing tasks slowly and begrudgingly. And that’s no different from busy work which fills most our lives. We do things because we’re too lazy not to do them. Never ending busyness means you are too lazy to: Set priorities. When you really know what needs to get done you do it much faster than when you’re mind is scattered and unfocused. Get out a piece of paper and answer this question “What is the #1 task I should… -
The Art of Overkill
17 Oct 2009 | 3:00 amI strongly believe that how you do one thing is how you do everything. The amount of effort you put into one area of your life, and your attention to detail, is likely consistent with how you execute all of your undertakings. It’s the beat to your internal drum – your philosophy. At first, while studying for the Dental Tooth-Anatomy Midterm, I was trying to figure out what questions the teacher was most likely to ask. With this outlook, I was looking through the material that was presented, and trying to rank it in order of importance. I happened to be in the library, and as I… -
Your Productivity Prescription
15 Oct 2009 | 3:00 amThis is a guest post by Haider Al-Mosawi Productivity is a hot topic in personal growth literature. But with all the resources and tips out there, we don’t seem to be getting more productive. In fact, we’re spending too much time trying to digest productivity resources that we could’ve spent actually being productive! The productivity tips we read can have short-term effects, but we tend to return to our old, unproductive routines. This leads us to consider the following conclusions: There’s something wrong with us: We don’t have the productivity gene some people…
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The Cranking Widgets Blog
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LINK: 11 Rules for Moguls in Training | Jonathan Fields
5 Nov 2009 | 6:01 amJonathan Fields, Career Renegade Extraordinaire, posted a little gem the other day. He literally saves you from reading thousands of books. I probably haven’t read quite as much as he has, but I can vouch for these none-the-less… Over the last dozen years, I’ve devoured thousands of books on business, leadership, success and lifestyles and learned a ton through my own experience as an entrepreneur and marketing hired-gun. In an effort to shortcut the knowledge acquisition process, I offer these 11 rules for Moguls In Training or MITs: 1. On Leadership: Give a damn 2. On Product… -
Theme Change #2: Productivity for Entrepreneurs
4 Nov 2009 | 6:33 amThe focus of The Cranking Widgets Blog will have much more of an entrepreneurial bent going forward. I collect companies and business ideas like many productivity lovers collect pens and notebooks. Entrepreneurship is in every fiber of my being. My record is far from spotless, but if I judge my performance against the statistics I’ve beat the odds when it comes building businesses. Productivity’s Role in Entrepreneurship Overall my successes and my failures have given me interesting lessons on how to start a business from nothing and bootstrap it to profitability. In a… -
LINK: I Will Teach You To Be Rich – 6 Week Boot Camp
3 Nov 2009 | 7:32 pmRamit Sethi of I Will Teach You To Be Rich launched his automate your finances boot camp today. The curriculum is pretty solid. I believe having your personal finances in good shape is the hull of your Entrepreneurship (see what I did there?) If you are stressing a lot about finances or spending too much time managing your personal financial world it becomes hard to focus on your business. Here’s my favorite excerpt from the sales schpeel: The focus is on ACTION Think back to last January for a minute. We all started off the year paying off Christmas gifts, exhausted from the holiday… -
Theme Change #1: Redesign
2 Nov 2009 | 9:42 amMy last post was about doing the easy stuff that you’ve been putting off just because you don’t have all the answers or a grand plan. I decided it was time to eat some more of my own dog food and take a look at my incomplete projects. The shot above is from my active projects list. Four months of inaction is pretty embarrassing for a productivity minded person. I did something about it. The Re-Design The Cranking Widgets Blog is coming to you with a new, professional and stylish design / logo combo. The foundation of the new design comes courtesy of WooThemes and a few hours of… -
How to Launch a Project in 3 Hours
30 Oct 2009 | 3:09 pmI’m a huge fan of Ruby on Rails because of how fast it enables techies to get a new project out the door and into the hands of users. For non-programmers Ruby on Rails is a development framework brought to you by 37Signals that powers some of your favorite sites, like Basecamp, Twitter, LinkedIn and Hulu. Combine Ruby on Rails with some free CSS frameworks and APIs, and those in the programming know can develop version 1 applications far faster than ever possible. Last Friday I was feeling unmotivated and a bit creative so I started thinking about how to scratch that itch. My business…
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Scott H Young
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New Reader Survey
6 Nov 2009 | 11:00 pmI need your help. I’m working on a new project, and I’ve put together an easy 7-question survey. If you could take 2 minutes and fill it out, I’d really appreciate it! — Also, just to let the everyone know I’m thinking about you, I have a new 60+ page, ebook coming out next week. Best of all, it’s going to be completely free. I’ve appreciated all the participation recently and wanted to say thanks. -
Exclusive Webcast: Chat with Ramit and Scott, Live
5 Nov 2009 | 9:00 pmAs I mentioned on Tuesday, today (Friday, November 6th) is the last day to sign up for the I Will Teach You to Be Rich bootcamp. Anyone who signs up can forward me their receipt and receive any ScottHYoung.com product of their choice, for free. I didn’t want to mention it on Tuesday because the details weren’t finalized, but now I can confirm it. Ramit Sethi and I will be conducting a live webcast on personal automation, for anyone who signs up for the bootcamp. Speak with Ramit and Scott Live Ramit and I use different strategies for automation, so he will cover his methods of… -
How to Earn More, Save Better and Be Rich
3 Nov 2009 | 2:30 amEconomic times aren’t great. The way I see it, you have two choices: You can opt out of society and hide all your cash under your mattress. Or, you can see the crisis as the kick in the ass you need to start taking action on your financial life. Ramit Sethi is one of my personal idols. If you don’t already know and love Ramit, check out his wildly popular blog, or his New York Times’ bestselling book, I Will Teach You to Be Rich. Ramit’s popularity in the realm of saving, investing and earning more money is well earned. He delivers commonsense, yet powerful, solutions, such as: How to… -
Friday Links
30 Oct 2009 | 4:34 amFrom the Web How to Negotiate Like an Indian: How to Get an $8000 Salary Raise – Ramit is one of my favorite personal finance writers on the net. He epitomizes my belief of focusing on big wins, where you can take actions in precise areas of your life to have a huge impact. A couple hours carefully invested in the right area (such as salary negotiation) can make up for thousands of smaller wins. From the Archives Financial Freedom – One of my life goals is to earn/save enough money that I don’t need to work for money. Does that mean I don’t want to work? Of course not. -
Why the World is Actually Getting Better
28 Oct 2009 | 10:00 amI’m halfway through reading The Progress Paradox, by Gregg Easterbrook. The paradox is simply this: why do people feel worse, when life is actually getting better. Easterbrook spends a long chapter arguing how, in almost every dimension, life for Western countries is not (as many exclaim) diving into an abyss, but getting better. And, it has been getting better for decades. Some Benchmarks of Improvement I won’t exhaust the plentiful research Easterbrook has done on global trends. If you’re interested in seeing the full scope of the argument, I suggest reading the book. However, I’ll…
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LifeDev
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What U2 Can Teach You About Being Timeless
28 Oct 2009 | 5:18 amPhoto by Matt McGee I was fortunate to catch a U2 show last weekend in Oklahoma. The tickets were a present from a groomsmen for my wedding. Aside from my love for the amazing band, it still never ceases to amaze me how timeless they’ve made themselves. Over the past 30+ years, U2 has created a monster brand. And they’ve been incredibly successful; one of the most successful bands of all time. They’ve created over 12 studio albums sold over 145 million records been named one of the greatest 100 greatest acts of all time by Rolling Stone been inducted into the Rock and Roll… -
So… I’m Getting Married.
22 Oct 2009 | 1:23 pmThis Saturday I’ll be getting married to the most amazing woman in the world. In case you can’t tell, I’m really excited :) After the wedding on Saturday we’ll shove off from Miami for a week-long Caribbean cruise. We’ll be posting pictures on our site from the cruise. So, next week I’ll be publishing posts in advance, so you won’t be getting any followup comments from yours truly. Don’t let that stop the discussion though. I’ll be weighing in when I get back. Thanks again everyone. Here’s to writing the next chapter! -
How to Create Your Own Killer Platform (Without Relying on Twitter)
21 Oct 2009 | 9:46 amSusan NYC How much time do you spend on Twitter, Facebook, and other social networking sites? It’s estimated that Robert Scoble spent over 2,555 hours on Friendfeed and Twitter in 2008, which is way more than a normal full-time job (2,000 hours). Photo by Thomas Hawk Robert has essentially worked a full-time job with overtime for these two companies, pro bono. And don’t kid yourself into thinking that he’s the only one either. But here’s the kicker: people like Mr. Scoble spend a lot unhealthy amounts of time building up profiles on sites they don’t even own. -
Glad I’m Not a Robot
13 Oct 2009 | 7:44 amPhoto by Twm™ Robots are wonderful machines. There are times like today where I look at all that has to be done and wish I could flip a switch and turn into a robot. I could fly through all that I have to do, in less than a fraction of the time. How? With my robotic capacity, that’s how. I’d be a special robot with the most advanced Get’er Done chip and a WillPower 3.0. And while we’re at it, a giant Flux Capacitor on my chest. Unfortunately, as much as we might want to be, you and I aren’t robots. We’re far from it. We get distracted We don’t… -
Lessons I’ve Learned Failing to Sell a Premium Digital Product
10 Oct 2009 | 10:15 pmPhoto by Anthony DeLorenzo Let’s see a show of hands: Anyone in the audience tried to sell something online, but failed miserably? (Here’s to hoping I’m not the only one with my hand raised….) We launched the Making Web Video that Sells toolkit a while back to a “meh” reaction. This floored me. I had put so much time and hard work into a product, only to see it flop miserably. I’ll be honest with you: the sales stunk. It’s a pretty humbling experience to watch something that you’ve poured yourself into for months do a cyber bellyflop. A…
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A Life Coach's Blog
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How To Quit Smoking
5 Nov 2009 | 12:09 pmBefore I kick off let me ask for a favor if I may be so bold. If you know somebody that wants to quit smoking or you think would quit with the right help, send them this post or a link to this post. There really is no need for anybody that wants to quit not to be able in this day and age. I got an e-mail from somebody that reads The Discomfort Zone recently asking about advice on quitting smoking. I have touched on the subject once or twice in the past, but never in any great detail and not for some while. I think the reason primarily is because not only is it not something I do these days… -
The Day The Dog Bit My Testicles
1 Nov 2009 | 3:35 pmUsually at some stage between 8.30pm and 9.30pm our dogs like to have one last play. I say play, what that translates into is about 30 minute of total lunacy. They tear round the house attacking each other jumping on and off beds and looking for shoes, socks or dirty underwear to steal and then rip to shreds. Every now and then I dive into the fray and every now and then I wished I’d not bothered, because it’s always me that ends up hurt no matter how much Helen yells “Don’t hurt them” These are two big dogs we’re talking about here, not Shitzu’s. When these two come flying… -
How Do I Become A Life Coach?
29 Oct 2009 | 9:13 amWithout doubt the most common question I get asked after “Where are you from, Australia?” and “Oh really, you’re from England? Do you know my buddy John, he lives in London?” is “How do you become a Life Coach?” Just this week alone I’ve had three people e-mail and ask me about Life Coach training and I thought now would be as good a time as any to broach the topic seriously. I say seriously, because I have already written a post entitled ‘How To Become A Life Coach’ that is heavily sarcastic, but funny and well worth a read. If you have absolutely no interest in… -
Who Cares What Tim Does?
26 Oct 2009 | 6:03 amThe Offer: Before I get into todays post I have a quick offer to throw out there for anybody that has been toying with hiring a life coach called Tim. I have been working with a face-to-face client recently that booked 6 sessions. To cut a long story short we were done after 4. He has very kindly said he doesn’t want me to refund the money. Therefore, I have a crazy mad dog offer that I want to throw out there. He paid $697 for 6 sessions, so that means there is $232 worth of credit. I’m happy to round that up to $250 and knock that off my normal 6 phone session fee of $597 to make it… -
The Real Purpose of News
22 Oct 2009 | 2:05 pmSo there I was minding other peoples business on Twitter when somebody made a comment about Balloon Boy. I had no idea what they were talking about and foolishly said so. I was then deluged with links to the story about some kid who hadn’t climbed into his fathers hot air balloon, and then hadn’t floated half way across Colorado to his certain death. Apparently some people thought he was in the balloon, hence half the country was on tenterhooks and the other half out scouring the countryside looking for shiny silver fabric and bits of boy That was worth 10 minutes out of my life. Or maybe…
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Pick The Brain
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How to Become Great
5 Nov 2009 | 8:23 amIf you have plans on becoming great, you’ll want to read this brief article. They say success leaves clues; this implies, “if we look at people who are great, we’d find a common denominator, a golden thread tying them all together.” Here’s what I think we’d find: We’d find people who discovered their talent and then showcased that talent to the world in a ”new” and creative way. Most of the people we’d find wouldn’t be doing anything “new.” They would be doing something that’s been done before, in a… -
Personal Development: An Essential Key
3 Nov 2009 | 11:36 amIs there an ‘essential key’ to personal development? One without which the ‘unlocking’ of your potential might be difficult if not impossible? If we define personal development as growth involving the mind and the body, then ‘yes’ – I think there is. Without this ‘key’ personal growth is slow, and sluggish. Without learning how to tap into this essential human ‘tool’, change will be sporadic or imposed from the outside. And I believe the really important part is this: without developing this function of consciousness, all deep change will be difficult. It… -
How to Get Out of Bed When You Really Don’t Feel Like It
2 Nov 2009 | 9:41 amWe’ve all been there: the alarm goes off, we’re feeling groggy, reach out and slap it to snooze. Five minutes later, the same things happens. We switch the alarm off again. The thought of getting out of bed seems like way too much effort. We know that, once we get up, we have to launch into the day – that to-do list we made last night, those chores that need doing… If you have to get yourself up to get to work by 8am, you’ll manage it. But if you work for yourself, if you’re a student, or if it’s the weekend, it can be a lot tougher. Why do we end up talking ourselves into… -
The Internal Dialogue: Mastering the Unseen Forces That Shape Our Destiny
29 Oct 2009 | 10:28 amThough a positive, successful, and engaging person, Pam avoided prolonged looks into her mirror. When she was brushing her hair or applying make-up, she stayed focused on the activity – but would intentionally not make eye contact with herself. Except sometimes. On those occasions a tirade of negative judgments erupted in her thoughts. If she didn’t avoid the negative assessment machine in her mind by distraction or busyness, the stream of thoughts that flooded into Pam’s awareness would chide her, “Your nose is too crooked. Your skin is a mess. You’re getting wrinkles under your… -
Words That Overcome Fear And Dread
26 Oct 2009 | 8:47 pmEveryone knows sex sells. Greed sells too, and again, this is something we all know. But little did we know that the really big, best seller of all is FEAR and it’s companion, dread. Here are some current ‘epidemic’, ‘impending’ ‘catastrophe-in-the-making’, brilliantly-marketed FEARS: Fear of recession, depression, terrorists, war, disease, food, air, climate change, computer crashes, natural disasters, breast size, impotency, break-ins, drug czars and addicts, immigrants and aging. Here I focus on an area closest to my own experience as a physician-psychiatrist: the fear of…
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Life Optimizer
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How to Enjoy the Present
5 Nov 2009 | 2:41 amNote: This is a guest post from David Turnbull of Adventures of a Barefoot Geek I live in the future. No, this isn’t a McFly-moment, it’s a always-have-my-thoughts-in-the-future moment. And it’s a problem. Living with your mind focused on the future causes you to miss out on the now and our lives are made out of moments of now, not of moments of the future. By living in the future you don’t actually live at all. Of course, it’d be nice to live so I’m trying to enjoy the journey – the present. Here are some ways to do that: 1. Focus Pure focus is… -
The Importance of Giving Up
29 Oct 2009 | 6:45 pmPersistence is important to achieve success, but giving up is also important. I’ve written about persistence before, so here I want to look at giving up. Why is it essential? Why is it necessary to give up? Because it allows you to focus your energy on the few things that are truly important. By giving up, you: Stop unfruitful effort. What’s the point of spending your time and energy on something that doesn’t work? The more you spend your time and energy there, the more you waste your resources. Avoid spreading yourself too thin. There are probably many things that you want to… -
How to Improve Focus With the Power of Intention
26 Oct 2009 | 8:55 pmNote: This is a guest post from Douglas Cartwright of Living Words Recently, I was watching a television show about Dean Potter, an American ‘slack line walker’ who strings one-inch thick nylon ropes between high mountainous places and walks across them. Whilst that’s impressive, you might think “I’ve seen tightrope walkers before.” But Dean is different. He does it without a balancing pole, or a safety harness, and the line is, literally, slack unlike the traditional high-wire walker. So it moves in the wind as he walks on it. That’s amazing – but what is more interesting… -
Being Happy: How Not to Love Stuff
22 Oct 2009 | 9:16 amDo you want to live a happy life? I’ve written before about being happy, but here I want to take a different angle and look at one important cause of unhappiness: loving stuff. Many people try to fill the void within them by buying more and more things they don’t need. When new gadgets come out, they buy them. When their friend has a new car, they want it too. But why does it happen? Why do people love stuff? The reason is they believe it will make them happy. They believe the more stuff they have, the happier they will be. Is that true? The answer is no. Perhaps they think they… -
4 Essential Lessons From the Polymaths
19 Oct 2009 | 5:35 amIn The Medici Effect (here is my review), there’s a term I’m interested in: the Intersection. It’s a place where ideas and experiences from different fields meet and form new ideas. It’s a fascinating place to be because excitement from different fields come together at one place. Even more, you can get a lot of fresh ideas that make your and other people’s lives better. Living in the Intersection has always been a dream of mine. The question, of course, is how. One good way to answer it is by learning from those who are already there. Specifically, there is a certain kind…
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The Positivity Blog
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How to Stop Comparing Yourself to Other People: 5 Effective Tips
5 Nov 2009 | 10:50 amImage: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jurvetson/ / CC BY 2.0 “When you are content to be simply yourself and don’t compare or compete, everybody will respect you.” Lao Tzu One destructive habit is to constantly compare your life and yourself to other people and their lives. You compare cars, houses, jobs, shoes, money, relationships, social popularity and so on. And at the end of the day you create a lot of negative feelings within. And perhaps also outside of yourself. But how can you stop doing it? Or at least get control of it and use it in a better way? Well, here are five tips… -
Do You Make These 5 Common Mistakes When Switching to a More Positive Attitude?
28 Oct 2009 | 3:26 pmImage: http://www.flickr.com/photos/evilerin/ / CC BY 2.0 “Be miserable. Or motivate yourself. Whatever has to be done, it’s always your choice” Wayne Dyer “For myself I am an optimist – it does not seem to be much use being anything else” Winston Churchill If you are reading this then there is good chance that you agree with me that positivity is pretty awesome. But it is not always easy to adopt a more positive attitude and there are some pitfalls. So today I’d like to share a few mistakes that I have made in this area and that I think are fairly common. 1. Thinking 100… -
How to Overcome Your Worries: 5 Timeless Thoughts from the Last 2500 Years
23 Oct 2009 | 5:28 amImage: http://www.flickr.com/photos/circo_de_invierno/ / CC BY 2.0 ”Do not anticipate trouble or worry about what may never happen. Keep in the sunlight.” Benjamin Franklin “The greatest mistake you can make in life is to be continually fearing you will make one.” Elbert Hubbard “If you ask what is the single most important key to longevity, I would have to say it is avoiding worry, stress and tension. And if you didn’t ask me, I’d still have to say it.” George F. Burns Worries. They can circle around and around in your head. Becoming louder and louder as they sap your… -
Eat Stop Eat Review + Special Discount Offer with Bonuses for Positivity Blog Readers
19 Oct 2009 | 4:56 pmSometime during the spring, when I first heard about using fasting from time to time to lose fat I thought it sounded a bit odd. But then I thought about how people in all kinds of religions have been fasting for thousands of years. I read a bit about it online and it seemed to be a pretty popular topic on various fitness blogs. Craig Ballantyne of Turbulence Training – the program I use every week and that helped me to lose 26 pounds – is a fan for example. So I got curious. So I read a book called Eat Stop Eat by Brad Pilon (the guy above in the photo). It’s a pretty short and concise… -
Heraclitus’ Top 3 Tips for Living a Richer and Happier Life
16 Oct 2009 | 8:30 am“There is nothing permanent except change.” “Good character is not formed in a week or a month. It is created little by little, day by day. Protracted and patient effort is needed to develop good character.” About 2500 years ago there lived a man named Heraclitus in the city of Ephesus in Greece. He lived a lonely life, created his own cryptic philosophy and wasn’t that fond of humanity. Still, he became a big influence on famous stoics like Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius and Seneca. And he had a few really good words of wisdom that I would like to share today. 1. Envy is a really good…
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GTD Times
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Why it’s important to keep your system current
5 Nov 2009 | 3:07 pmNo matter how consistent the system is, if it is not current (i.e. completely up to date with all items in a category) it still can’t be trusted in a way that relieves the psyche of the job of remembering and sorting. You’ll look at a list and some part of you knows it’s not the whole list, so (a) you won’t totally trust your choices and (b) you’ll still try to use your head to keep track. And if your brain still has that job, instead of trusting your lists, you won’t be motivated to keep your external system going (it will be too much work for the value received.) You’ll feel… -
Two GTD tools to increase sales
4 Nov 2009 | 11:41 amAs a sales executive, a great way to differentiate yourself from the competition is by helping clients manage the project your solution is supposed to help. While this is known as a “consultative sale” and might seem like nothing new, ask yourself: how many salespeople actually have a system for it? Salespersons are trained to sell, not to consult. So most people do not do well in “consultative sales” despite what they said when they were interviewed. Fortunately, those of you who discovered GTD have two great tools at your disposal. Specifically, they are David… -
Organizing on the iPhone
3 Nov 2009 | 8:52 amThanks for this community contribution from Pete Tambroni. Here’s how he has setup his GTD organization on the iPhone… In the original Getting Things Done, much of the focus was on paper systems with an electronic complement. These days much of our world is the opposite. I try to have as much as possible in electronic form with a paper complement. Having things on a computer or PDA allows it to be searchable and easily changed from one category to another. But just because we can search for something doesn’t mean we should. Why not just know where it is?Despite limitations… -
Save some bucks on postage
2 Nov 2009 | 10:42 amThe new GTD Workflow Map + DVD now also comes in a folded version, which is packaged in a flat-rate envelope, which makes international shipping much more economical. You can also still get the rolled version, that ships in a tube, if you prefer that. What’s different about this map versus the diagram that’s in the GTD book? The diagram in the book (page 120) only includes Collect, Process and Organize phases. This new one also includes Review, Horizons of Focus, 3-Fold Nature of Work and Criteria for Choosing. It’s a very cool map describing how all parts of GTD… -
Critical patch for GTD Outlook Add-in users
30 Oct 2009 | 3:37 pmHey GTD’ers–for those of you who use the Getting Things Done® Outlook® Add-In by NetCentrics, make sure you grab the critical update before Sunday. Here’s what they say: NetCentrics has released an update for the Getting Things Done Outlook Add-In, Version 3.0.40. This update is critical and provides you with the latest version of the Getting Things Done Add-In and offers the highest levels of stability. This update needs to be installed before the Daylight Savings Time change (November 1, 2009) in the U.S. This update corrects the issues of the Add-In losing its…
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Redcatco
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Social Media in Business in London
20 Oct 2009 | 12:03 pmOn October the 23rd I’ll be at The Strand Palace Hotel in London, talking about crowd sourcing with social media. Edelman, iPadio, chinwag and a host of folks are sponsoring what promises to be a very packed day – full details are here. The event description best explains why I’m excited about Friday: The conference examines how social media platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, are having a major impact on business practices and culture. How can these tools be utilised, how can you employ strategies within your company to increase profitability, sustain reputation… -
Trends of the 21st Century
12 Oct 2009 | 1:33 pmThis post was inspired by a paper by Jonathan MacDonald (of fluid world / JMA) ”The first 6 Macro Trends of the 21st Century” – it’s a reasonably straight forward read. It set me off pondering a different track. What do the six trends he lists mean for business, and business-to-business marketing, IT and communication? 1. Corporate Technology in the hands of Citizens 2. Physical is increasingly Virtual 3. It’s about Distribution not Destination 4. Mass Niche not Mass Groups 5. Broadcast Control is now Self Scheduled 6. C2C is more powerful than B2C… -
Set our Data Free and Create a (Digital) Economy
5 Oct 2009 | 2:03 pmby moleitau (cc) It has taken me a couple of days to write this post, because my brain is still crunching on its contents. It touches on so many different areas of the technology and business areas that I am passionate about, that I’ve had to give up covering them all in one post. The historic destiny of data (and it’s big parent, knowledge) has been to be locked up; the constant struggle has been to set it free. From the formation of the university to the API-rich Web 2.0 world, people have postulated ways to make it more available. Of course, not all data is going to be… -
The Future of the Workplace
27 Sep 2009 | 2:47 pmI had the privilege of spending a couple of days in the company of Dr’s Anne Marie McEwan and Marie.C.Puybaraud, discussing the future of the workplace. You can see the thoughts on line – “smartworkplace – the power of collective intelligence” – or digested in this article on BBC News. The physical workplace has been evolving for centuries, as we have moved from cottage industries, through the industrial workplace, to modern times. A steady stream of technological breakthroughs have lead us to where we are today. Inventions like the lift have enabled… -
Auto Unfriend – The Business of Relationships
18 Aug 2009 | 2:30 amSocial Networking sites and social technologies have made it easier to ‘acquire’ and ‘keep in touch’ with ‘friends’. I use the quote marks advisedly. Most social platforms are focused on these aspects of relationships, but that might not be the best game in town. This post is partially triggered by Euan Semple’s own post on friendships, but also by observations of social media relationships relative to ‘traditional’ ones. Euan says this: “It is the classic problem of signal to noise. If I do nothing the number of people I end up…
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Say it Better
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Four Ways to Make That Human Connection We All Want
25 Oct 2009 | 2:36 pmSometimes I self-sabotage in talking with others, especially those I do not know well, then feel badly afterwards. There’s no going back yet these four insights have helped me connect better with others… sometimes. Such as when I actually practice... -
The Palpable Power of a Speaker’s Repeated Phrase is Like a Heart Beat for Us, the Audience
18 Oct 2009 | 3:16 pmA potent way to connect with an audience is to get them in sync with you. Quickly. Then they’ll root for you, want to literally be moved by you. Rhythmic speaking, punctuated with a repeated phrase can be that emotional... -
TWiST #21 with Mark Goulston [Bonus #3]
15 Oct 2009 | 11:17 amTWiST #21 with Mark Goulston [Bonus #3] Posted using ShareThis -
12 Oct 2009 | 2:31 pm
12 Oct 2009 | 2:31 pmMarines and journalists are alike in some ways, especially as compared to civilians I realized by reading Jeffrey D. Barnett’s column on post-war life. We expect clear, direct, accurate communication. Civilians’ roundabout talk frustrates us. Journalists need the illuminating example,... -
Self-deprecation, Twitter Vengeance and More on Speaking
11 Oct 2009 | 1:03 pmHere are three quick lessons for speakers and audiences from this week in our ever more Connected World. 1. Self-deprecation can evoke humor and create a bond with the audience when done right. “It is a privilege to be here...
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Nick Pagan
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The End of Nick Pagan
4 Nov 2009 | 10:18 amLet’s start with the admission first. I got into blogging after reading some articles on Steve Pavlina’s blog about how to create your own blog. He made it sound fairly simple and so I thought that I would have a go, not knowing what I was letting myself in for. I didn’t have much more intention than to be something of a Pavlina clone, only talking about my own personal methods for getting things done. So I followed his model very closely. One of the first things to do was to come up with a name and here I made a big mistake. I used a pen name that I had devised some years before. I did… -
The Domino Phenomenon
9 Apr 2009 | 11:20 pm -
You Can Run Faster Around the Hamster Wheel but You’ll Never Leave the Cage
26 Mar 2009 | 8:44 amI think of productivity as doing what you want to do, i.e. you are not immobilized by emotional or mental resistance nor by an inability to do what you want to do. It also commonly means getting more done than you did before, or getting more results than you did before. It struck me that there are two kinds of productivity improvements - efficiency and effectiveness - and that they have a very different emphasis and a very different outcome. Efficiency is about more of the same kind of thing done than you did before. It’s about a greater usage of time. Effectiveness is about getting… -
The Good Old Days - How Life Really Was Easier in the Past
21 Mar 2009 | 6:05 amLife was easier in the past for several fundamental reasons. It used to be that most people made their living from the product of using their hands and bodies. It might take a long time to learn the skills necessary to track and hunt animals, to make tools, to work with natural materials, to prepare and cook food or husband animals, but once learned there was very little more that needed to be learned. Information and solutions could be handed down from one generation to the next. Little or no understanding of the underlying principles was needed if the method worked time and time again. A… -
Here’s A Simple Way to Revise for Exams Better Than Ever Before
24 Feb 2009 | 8:49 amYears ago as a student, I stumbled upon a method that makes revising incredibly simple. I had forgotten about it until I saw a young lady highlighting her way through a text book on the train the other day… The traditional way of revising for an exam is to read books, highlight passages, write notes and continuously review things. The aim is to remember important information. It’s boring, frustrating and highly ineffective. With a little knowledge of how the brain works, you can make a very clever improvement in how you prepare for exams. The traditional method is ineffective for…
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Productive Flourishing
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We’re All Turtles Sometimes
6 Nov 2009 | 1:00 pmA friend got me thinking about the term “turtling” that I sometimes use to describe the process that people go through to hide out and feel secure. We all turtle up in different ways, and one of the challenges of being a coach is to figure out when the turtling is instrumental and when it’s detrimental. The reason why this is so tricky is because one of the things that coaches have to do is to make people uncomfortable so that they’ll grow. Creative tension isn’t particularly comfortable, but it’s from that position that positive change happens. Yet if you… -
Just In Case I Get Crazy With Reviews…
5 Nov 2009 | 2:28 pmLast night it occurred to me that I’ve been holding out on you, and doing so has been a disservice to all of us. I’ve had a brainwedgie around what to do about reviews for quite some time now, I used to do them regularly but I just stopped because I went through a heavy consumption period, and I’ve been building up a pile of Stuck every since then. What I forgot, though, is that the reviews helped people. It let you know about the good stuff I ran across and helped you decide if it was worth your time and money. It helped the good people whose products I reviewed put food on… -
When It’s Not Worth Planning to Do Something Worth Doing
4 Nov 2009 | 2:59 pmI used to think, “if it’s worth doing, it’s worth planning to do.” Though the phrase is sticky, it’s not quite right. I was thinking about this in reference to Julie’s Mindmapping Different Kinds of Time, wherein she wrote about her experience of combining mindmaps with ideas similar to the ones presented in Create, Connect, and Consume. Integrating the ideas from the 3C post was a game-changer for me, and Julie’s work really took those ideas to another level. For me, the biggest benefit of switching to thinking about ToDo lists in more open ways is… -
November 2009 Planners Available
31 Oct 2009 | 1:38 pmHere are this month’s free planners – just in time for a good monthly review and planning session. Enjoy! Release Notes: Thanks for checking out the Monthly Action Planner! There were 747(!) downloads last month, making this the second-most popular download – second only to the Productivity Heatmap. Speaking of that one… The Productivity Heatmap has been downloaded over 10,000 times! I’ll be doing a revision on it soon which will make it a lot more usable. Thanks for the support! There are more planners on the way soon - keep your eyes open! (You might also want… -
Today Is Two Weeks From Two Weeks Ago
30 Oct 2009 | 1:32 pmI tweeted that yesterday and it confused a lot of people. It’s cryptic, I know, and the first statement is also really obvious. But I’ll give the context so that we can dig a little deeper. It’s not uncommon for us to reach a phase in our lives when we have an abundance of good things happening to us. That abundance can be cashed out in business terms, like when something tips our business a certain way and, all of a sudden, people get really interested in what we’re providing. We’re so used to not having enough clients or customers that our natural response to…
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MonkMojo's 1000 Cuts
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Doing
4 Nov 2009 | 3:08 amOn the Blogger Radar... -
Jumping Happy People
27 Oct 2009 | 1:53 amOn the Blogger Radar -
I'm Killing Me Softly with My Song
17 Oct 2009 | 3:20 pmStrumming my pain with my story, Singing my life as a delusion, I'm killing me softly with my song, I'm killing me softly with my song, Telling my whole life with my words, I'm killing me softly with my song ... I heard I sang a good song, I heard I had a style. And so I came to believe me worthwhile. And yet here I am, a stranger to my eyes. Strumming my pain with my story, Singing my life as a delusion, I'm killing me softly with my song, I'm killing me softly with my song, Telling my whole life with my words, I'm killing me softly with my song ... Anxiety rules, lost in my cloud. I started… -
Zen Rocks
7 Oct 2009 | 2:00 amOn the Blogger Radar -
Love is in the air.
26 Sep 2009 | 1:48 amOn the Blogger Radar
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Technotheory.com
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The Entrepreneurial Myth: do you want to work alone, to watch your big idea die, and to sweep the floor? Try this instead.
14 Oct 2009 | 8:16 amMost people could use more career independence. Many have some big idea they want to offer the world. A few thrive on building authority by taking on greater responsibility. But these do not necessarily go hand-in-hand—they often make for a risky and stressful formula. If you want freedom, impact, or authority, let’s talk about some paths to these beyond the “go launch a business” suggestion we hear all too often. What Part of Entrepreneurship Excites You Most? Before you go on, consider first what’s most important to you: freedom of time/location, making an… -
The Critical Path, a snippet from my first journal article (download it free). We found some fascinating correlations…
24 Sep 2009 | 8:09 amThis summer, Cutter Benchmark Review invited me to create a workplace productivity survey with Joe Feller. We were able to collect some interesting data and publish our analysis of it. Normally $50, I’m able to offer both mine and Joe’s analysis, along with the survey results, as a free PDF to Technotheory readers. Read on for a couple snippets and a link to download the full article. Creating the survey was fun, though I wasn’t surprised with the direct survey results, so I wanted to see if there were any correlations in the data. Since I know little about regression… -
Thoughtfulness never fails
15 Sep 2009 | 1:55 pmDo you deliver or do you delight? The difference–and this applies to personal relationships as well as it does to business—is all about thoughtfulness. When I look at who I value most, the top of the top are thoughtfulness personified, and they’ve been that way all along. Let’s start with Aaron (pictured above), who I spent today working alongside. We met at a big group lunch in Austin in 2008. The restaurant service was exceptionally bad and, sitting outside, I was fairly thirsty. Someone I hadn’t seen before went in and brought everyone water. I… -
How to organize and moderate a panel that creates real value for your audience (Part 2 of 2)
11 Sep 2009 | 9:31 amLast week I offered advice on selecting and contacting panelists. Once the panel is formed, most people slack off until the day before the event. Don’t. Here’s what to do next to create a great experience for your audience and panelists alike. Disagree? Let me know… If you’re jumping in here, you might want to check out part 1 of this article which has the Step 1 and Step 2… And now: Step 3. Getting on the same page, and deciding on a panel format Once the list of panelists is finalized, I like to send out a few ideas for the panel via email or a wiki… -
How to organize and moderate a panel that creates real value for your audience (Part 1 of 2)
3 Sep 2009 | 2:06 pmWe’ve all been to events where the panel was a waste of our time. It’s because it’s not as easy as “get people on it and then ask them to talk.” It takes preparation. But it doesn’t take that much preparation. Here’s what I’ve been doing for the last half dozen or so panels I’ve organized/moderated. And I’d love to hear what’s worked for you… So, let’s assume you’re tasked with putting together and moderating a panel. Or maybe just organizing, or just moderating. Either way, the steps below apply (or at least they’ve worked…
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Steve Pavlina's Personal Development Blog
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Creating Abundance – Video
5 Nov 2009 | 1:35 pmYesterday morning I woke up with the idea of recording a video blog on the topic of creating abundance. A little later I checked our forums and saw a request for me to post something more comprehensive on the topic of abundance. Well, I thought… that’s a pretty blatant synchronicity! Is it possible to use the Law of Attraction to manifest true abundance in your life, including financial abundance, social abundance, and more? Absolutely, it is. In this 35-minute video (split into 4 individual clips for posting on YouTube), I explain why people so often fail in this area, and I… -
A Few Updates
2 Nov 2009 | 10:42 amHere are some updates I want to share with you. Conscious Growth Workshop DVDs I received the initial DVD masters from the videographer — 8 DVDs total for the whole weekend. I’ll start watching them this week to see if any additional edits are needed to create the final product. After that I’ll need someone to design a cover/package for the DVDs and then get a bunch of them duplicated so we can start shipping them. For anyone who pre-ordered the DVDs at the workshop and paid via credit card, your card won’t be charged till the DVDs actually ship. It’s hard to say… -
Juicing and Physical Training
1 Nov 2009 | 7:18 pmFor most of the past year, I’ve been starting my day with a green smoothie for breakfast, but lately I’ve been getting back into juicing. I piled up a lot of experience in a short period of time when I did my 30-day juice feast a year ago. (I’d originally planned to go for a 92-day juice feast but decided to stop after 30 days.) Drinking fresh juice has many benefits. With the fiber removed, fresh juice digests very easily, so you don’t have to expend as much energy on digestion. This extra energy then becomes available for your body and mind. When I incorporate a lot… -
Separation
25 Oct 2009 | 4:51 pmIt’s time to let you know about a big personal change that’s happening with Erin and me. We’ve decided to separate, and we’re planning to get a divorce. We came to this decision very consciously, and we’re separating amicably because we can see it’s the best thing for both of us. We intend to remain good friends and continue working together, so as far as our blogging is concerned, it’s going to be business as usual for the time being. Why? Over the years we’ve both noticed that our goals and desires were pulling us in different directions. When… -
Conscious Growth Workshop #2 Registration Opens
20 Oct 2009 | 5:53 pmI’m delighted to announce that we’re now accepting registrations for the second Conscious Growth Workshop, January 15-17, 2010 at the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas. In fact, we already received the first registration while I was still editing the workshop pages. The first Conscious Growth Workshop earlier this month was such an unqualified success that I started the process of booking another event less than 48 hours after it ended. It took a little while to select the meeting room and get the paperwork signed, but we’re good to go now. Workshop Details All the workshop…
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Gomestic
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Warning! Too Much Selenium Can be Toxic
6 Nov 2009 | 6:32 pmSelenium is a trace element that’s found in the earth’s crust and in the soil. This mineral is needed in small amounts in the human body and has the important function of producing special antioxidant enzymes that protect cells against damage. It also helps to strengthen the immune system Its popularity as a supplement has grown in recent years after studies showed that it could reduce the risk of certain types of cancer. More recent studies looking at selenium and cancer prevention have called this protective effect into question. Still, many people take this supplement for… -
Adopt an Older Pet
6 Nov 2009 | 6:13 pmBefore you go to the local pet store to purchase a pet, please rethink your decision. Why not give a pet from a shelter a home especially an older pet. Giving any pet a home is a good deed, but there are thousands of older pets that do not have to be trained in animal shelters that have been abandoned. Older dogs and cats are good for elderly people and children. In addition, if you want a pet and are short of time, older dogs and cats do not require as much attention. Please think about giving an older pet or a pet from a shelter a home today. -
Dangerous House Plants
5 Nov 2009 | 12:01 pmimage source We know for a fact that plants are beneficial inside and outside the house. Aside from its aesthetic value, plants give us fresh supply of oxygen. There are some plants, however, that can make children and pets ill if accidentally chewed. The plants, left by themselves are not dangerous as long as these are not ingested. The more common variety of houseplants that can be dangerous if taken internally are dieffenbachia, philodendron, pothos, shamrock, and the sap of poinsettia. Dieffenbachia image source Philodendron image source Pothos image source Shamrock image source… -
Growing and Using The Herb Sorrel (Rumex)
5 Nov 2009 | 1:17 amImage via Wikipedia Rumex acetosa is the common sorrel. This perennial grows up to 4 feet (1.2m) tall and spreads to about 18 inches (45cm). It’s easy to see from both the large leaves and reddish coloured flowers that it is related to dock weed. Lime free soil is required for this plant to produce a useful supply of leaves. Rumex scutatus is the buckler leaf, or french sorrel. This too is a perennial, but is a much more attractive and low growing plant. The maximum height to be expected (at flowering time) is 20 inches (50cm) It will spread for up to 4 feet (1.2m) if not checked, but… -
What You Need to Apply for an Apartment Lease
5 Nov 2009 | 1:16 amYou’ve found the perfect Chicago apartment, and you’re ready to make sure it’s yours. But first, you should know which items you need to apply for the lease. If you have all apartment application information ready before you enter the leasing office, your application process will go so much smoother. Bring the following with you to prove to your potential new landlords that you’re a worthy, reliable tenant, and pay special attention to the items in bold. Provide Personal Information It’s standard procedure to ask for your Social Security number on an apartment…
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Widows Quest
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The Acceptable Day of Grief
6 Nov 2009 | 11:40 amAnniversaries of losing someone is strange. Why is any day any more important than any other…when missing someone? Time in some ways helps you cope with anniversaries but never takes away the pain. I also find that the biggest benefit is that other people give you space, they understand that you may not be 100%, they accept more easily that you are grieving. The rest of the time although you clearly will never get over the pain, people who don’t understand grief think that you should be progressing back to …what would you say ‘normality’? Mind you that then begs… -
On this day…..we miss you Dad
4 Nov 2009 | 11:37 pmThe 5th of November, 6 years ago at 8.08pm was a sad day for our family. We lost Dad who was such a wonderful gentleman..and gentle man. I will never forget being there with mum as he said goodbye to the world with fireworks lighting up the earth (It is Bonfire night in the UK on the 5th) We always liked to think of that as the world celebrating his life and sending him on his way with such a fitting tribute. Today I am in London, away from my special mum who I know reads this blog. I hope that regular readers won’t mind me taking this change to say this to mum Mum…there… -
Be the change you want to see in the world
3 Nov 2009 | 11:37 pmIt was Gandhi who made this comment and do you know I feel it is as apt for widows and widowers as it is for people wanting to make societal or political change. Readers know that I am on a constant roller coaster of emotion…that little old lady called grief manages to shake me to the core every now and then, just to remind me that overcoming a bereavement is hard. So just when it seems easier, just when I seem to be back in control of my own emotions….grief prods me to remind me that it is still there Nice of grief really! If we do want to be that happy, fun loving person as… -
Control – what control?
3 Nov 2009 | 1:46 pmOh dear I have slipped today, after such a good week – but hey isn’t that what grieving is all about? This week is such a bad week for me I need to be in 3 places at once, most days and I am feeling totally out of control. I wish that I didn’t have to balance so many competing things…. When you get out of control, doesn’t it feel so depressing? You start to feel as though no one values YOU, that you seem to spend your life pleasing other people, accommodating other people…but who is there now for YOU? (Widows Quest community accepted of course) I was… -
Do you feel their spirit?
2 Nov 2009 | 11:34 amA wonderful comment came from Rae to the post Happy Halloween about a feeling which I have had on a couple of occasions. The feeling is that suddenly you forget that they have passed away, that you feel their presence, that you suddenly see them or sense them in the house. I remember after about 3 months getting so mad that he wasn’t replying or coming through to the lounge when I needed some help to move the television! I had no idea that he had died, to me at that moment he was alive and even annoying (!) as he was ignoring my shouts…. I wonder why these events happen but then…
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LifeSpy
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Being Neighborly
5 Nov 2009 | 12:03 pmI guess you’ve heard about the neighbors from hell. If you’re lucky, you get the opposite. Personally I’d really like to have the latter. Here are some tips on how to develop good neighbor relations: If and when you move into a new neighborhood, forget about being shy. Within a few days of moving in, “hop over the fence” of your immediate neighbors and introduce yourself. This will help break the ice. Same with someone moving in the neighborhood. If they are your immediate neighbors, wait a few days after they have arrived and introduce yourself (bringing them… -
Growing Healthy Nails
5 Nov 2009 | 11:51 amDo you want to have healthy, beautiful nails that are strong enough to grow long? Here are some easy tips on how to do exactly that: Nails are made out of the same stuff as your hair. So whatever advice people say about keeping hair healthy is the same for keeping nails healthy as well. Keep your nails trimmed (at your desired length) for less breakage. Keep your nails out of the sun. Eat well. Foods rich in protein, vitamin B, vitamin E, and calcium. They will not only make your nails healthy, but your skin, hair, and bones as well. Keep yourself hydrated. Not only will this be good for your… -
How to Deal With an Eating Disorder
4 Nov 2009 | 1:11 pmHaving an eating disorder is no joke. It’s not merely a physical problem, but it goes deeper than that. People with eating disorders usually have other psychological and emotional issues and these manifests through eating too much or eating too little. The first step on your way to recovery is accepting the fact that you do have issues and you need to do something about them. Define your issues. What is causing you to eat too much or to eat too little? Is it merely a poor sense of body image, or are you suppressing some anger or fear or some other negative emotion and you to compensate… -
How to Set-up a Teleconference
4 Nov 2009 | 12:44 pmMany companies, especially those with offices abroad, opt for holding teleconferences. They’re much cheaper and great time savers compared to actually holding actual meetings. If you decide to have one, here is how to set-up a teleconference: The first thing you’ll need is a teleconferencing provider. Although there are online sites which provide free services, they can be limiting. AT&T or Clear Channel may require fees but they do provide extra service and they offer different packages of which you can avail. Be sure that you know your requirements for each meeting –… -
Reasons Why You Didn’t Get the Job
3 Nov 2009 | 12:55 pmYou did your best but still you didn’t get the job that you’ve been meaning to bag. You ask yourself why. You suddenly doubt yourself and your capabilities. Don’t. There can be many factors which led to your not being accepted. These maybe are some of them: You may not be the only strong candidate around. If there are many other strong applicants for a job, then deciding which one would best fit can even be arbitrary. You may be over-qualified. The reason why some companies do not hire over-qualified candidates is that they are afraid that they may leave immediately once…
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Leading Hands Through Technology
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Discover The Best Twitter Apps
6 Nov 2009 | 1:49 amLeading Hands is constantly talking about Twitter and all the apps that make using the communication sensation easier. We started a rudimentary list of apps to get you started down the Twitter Highway, but if are now a Tweet-o-holic then you need more apps. Discover a better way to surf for twitter applications with One [...] -
PayPal Accounts For Kids
5 Nov 2009 | 1:36 amMy mom and dad taught me how to manage money with my first paper route. I took my modest earnings down to the bank to have my parents co-sign on the account; the shiny new little checking book made me feel like an adult. Now parents can provide the same lesson by opening up a [...] -
Big Events Shut Down The Net
4 Nov 2009 | 1:02 amThe net is still in diapers. Every time a big event happens, the Internet seems to experience lag and major websites just simply shut down. When Michael Jackson’s funeral was held during a weekday in the middle of the afternoon, the world watched the event mostly at work online. This event alone seemed to cause [...] -
How Do You Comparison Shop?
3 Nov 2009 | 2:33 pmAt the conference today, we reviewed e-commerce systems and it got me thinking about websites that compare products. In the past, Leading Hands has reviewed many comparison sites and today I finally heard about Price Grabber. If you are not familiar with Price Grabber your missing out on a comprehensive comparative rater. Search thousands of products, [...] -
Have you tried Boxbe?
2 Nov 2009 | 1:20 amWhat is Boxbe? from Randy Stewart on Vimeo. Boxbe is a free service that guarantees you’ll get emails that matter to you. It connects with popular services like Yahoo, AOL and Gmail to clean-up your in-box. Boxbe works like the email on popular social networking sites. You add users to your approved senders list. If senders [...]
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On Simplicity
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Gasp! Cheaters, Taboos, and Literary Transgressions
22 Oct 2009 | 6:00 amI just broke a major personal taboo: I skipped and skimmed my way through a novel. Gasp! (Those of you with truly exotic piercings and kitchen appliance fetishes are rolling your eyes about now…) I’ve always been a reader, and I’ve felt it part of the Reader’s Code that if you start a book, you finish it. Period. Skimming a book and then claiming to have “read” it strongly felt like cheating—clearly a transgression. How could I accurately describe exactly how awful a book was if I didn’t slog through the whole damn thing? (Hey, no one… -
What’s Luck Got to Do with It?
20 Oct 2009 | 6:00 amEver worked your tail off only to have someone call you “lucky”? It’s a pretty sucky feeling. It’s much more fun to take complete credit for everything you do, and paint yourself as an odds-beater. But where does luck really come into the picture, and what role does it have in our success? In my estimation, luck is an opportunity, nothing more. You can use it or abuse it. Luck has little power over you that you don’t supply yourself. What do I mean by “luck is an opportunity”? Like an opportunity, luck can change your life. Whether that change is good… -
Are Your Collections Pulling Their Weight?
15 Oct 2009 | 5:00 amFor someone who hates clutter, I have a surprising affinity for collections. There’s something fun about finding something you love and hunting it down mercilessly, followed by basking in the glow of your favorite items. As usual, I think there’s nothing wrong with surrounding yourself with things you honestly value and enjoy. One way to balance the dual passions of clutter-free living and curating a collection is to focus on things that have a true purpose. From Dolls to Dishes When I was in my early teens, I first starting to enjoy collecting. It was a way of defining… -
Trusting Your Intuition
13 Oct 2009 | 6:00 amI had a feeling that something weird was happening. I couldn’t figure out why. Nothing specific was out of the ordinary, or even the slightest bit untoward. But something in that instant message gave me the creeps, even if I trusted the source. I logged off as quickly as I could and tried to the shake the feeling that my friend was up to something sneaky and trying to drag me into a bad situation. For the next few weeks, I couldn’t stop thinking of that weird interaction. “How self-centered can I be? Do I honestly think that my friend has nothing better to do… -
Returning the Pleasure to Meal Preparation
7 Oct 2009 | 1:00 pmReader (and fellow blogger) Christine Simiriglia of Organize More, Stress Less left a comment on last week’s green products post that really caught my attention: …Eat fresh, whole foods with fewer ingredients. Meal preparation has gone from being an enjoyable activity to a necessary evil in our super busy work days. We now eat frozen, processed or prepared foods for most of our weekday meals. Along with the food we get all of the preservatives, added colors, artificial flavors, excessive sodium, and higher costs that go with the convenience of a six minute dinner from the…
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AspireNow
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Success Leaves Clues - 20 Questions to Help You Find Success
6 Nov 2009 | 12:26 pmI just heard this quote while listening to a teleconference about the top five mistakes people make online and how to avoid them:"Success leaves clues." I believe the first person I heard say this was Tony Robbins. It's an interesting quote. The point is to look at how people or companies become successful and see if there are techniques used in their line of business that might be used in your -
Dating: Is It All About You?
29 Oct 2009 | 11:59 amHere's a funny video to get us started on this topic:Is it all about you?I hope not.I've always felt that good dating ought to be a mix. But, let's face it, if you're trying to ATTRACT someone, it might be more about THEM than it is YOU. If you're focused so much on how you look, what you're going to say, what you're going to do, you might miss out on the fact that there's a beautiful person over -
Living Life My Way
20 Oct 2009 | 10:01 amThe first part of living our life purpose is to know what we want to do with our own lives.After we've figured that out, we sometimes are left asking the question, "Now what?"Can you relate?Well, I think this problem has to do with living life on our terms; or, living life my way. That's the song Frank Sinatra used to sing, My Way. For example, you may have already decided the next step for your -
Love The Secret - But Unsure How?
13 Oct 2009 | 11:00 amIf you're like me, you might be sick of hearing all about the movie "The Secret" but never learning HOW to do any of the manifesting they talk about.Bla, bla, bla! Talk, talk, talk! RIGHT?Okay, but show me the MONEY! I know, I'm an eager-beaver.But tell me, honestly, are you any different?Here's some good news: Tom Murasso, one of the better kept secrets in the personal development (self-help) -
Self-Love Fest 2009 - Sign up Now!
9 Oct 2009 | 11:19 amDiscover how loving yourself more can bring more health, wealth, love and happiness into your life! Join us for a FREE five-week intensive teleseminar series featuring some of the top women in self-help and personal development For one incredible month, leading experts share their insights on how to have, do or be
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Virtually Organized
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Create an Emergency Grab n’ Go Box
2 Nov 2009 | 7:40 amIf you were suddenly faced with an emergency and you needed to evacuate your house quickly, how long would it take you to gather up your vital documents? By creating your own Grab n’ Go box and storing it near your front or back door, you can rest assured that you’ll have everything you need in one easy-to-access spot. Some useful items to include in your Grab n’ Go box are: Medical information sheet for each family member, including contact information for your physicians and pharmacy Copy of pharmacy and medical insurance cards Copy of drivers license Copy of social security card Copy… -
The Organized Purse: What’s In Your Handbag?
27 Oct 2009 | 7:00 amKeeping yourself organized when you’re on the go is just as important as organizing your home. Today I’ve pulled together some ideas and resources for avoiding bottomless-pit handbags and purses. Cleaning Out The process of organizing your purse is very similar to organizing rooms in your house. The first thing to do is to clear out the space, or in this case, the purse. Next, sort the contents of your purse into categories. Depending on what you typically carry, some categories may be: cosmetic/personal, mints/gum, pen/paper, money, coupons, and electronic. A critical category is… -
How to Stock the Pantry
22 Oct 2009 | 12:00 amToday I welcome guest poster Kelly Whalen from the ¢entsible life. Kelly is a mostly stay-at-home mom to 4 children. She writes about personal finance, organization, and family life. You can also find her on twitter where she discusses everything from apple to zoos. Stocking the pantry can be the key to eating healthy on a budget. Keeping it organized keeps you from buying that 3rd bottle of ketchup just because you didn’t see the one in the back of the cupboard. Our kitchen has no pantry and many of our cupboards are unusable due to the lack of shelving, or shelves that are falling… -
The Ultimate Family Command Center, Part 3: Active Files
20 Oct 2009 | 7:56 amOne of the most frequent requests I get from potential organizing clients is help with the never-ending stream of papers that come and go every day. So I’ve put together this series of posts dedicated to helping you create The Ultimate Family Command Center. Part 1 focused on finding a spot for your Command Center and the first 2 steps of setting up the system. Part 2 focused on creating the Family Resource Binder. Today I will pick up with Part 3: Creating your active files . . . One of the primary goals of creating a Family Command Center is to eliminate those paper piles on your kitchen… -
The Ultimate Family Command Center, Part 2: The Family Resource Binder
14 Oct 2009 | 12:00 amOne of the most frequent requests I get from potential organizing clients is help with the never-ending stream of papers that come and go every day. So I’ve put together this series of posts dedicated to helping you create The Ultimate Family Command Center. Part 1 focused on finding a spot for your Command Center and the first 2 steps of setting up the system. Today we will tackle step 3: creating your Family Resource Binder . . . No Command Center is complete without a Family Resource Binder. There are companies out there that will sell you their version of a Family Resource Book, but…
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Homegrown Evolution
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Another Panel Solar Cooker
6 Nov 2009 | 5:58 pmPoyourow demoing her solar cooker designThere's no one size fits all solution when it comes to the world of solar panel cookers. All have their advantages and disadvantages. I got an email from author Joanne Poyourow, leader of the amazing Los Angeles Environmental Change Makers, with a simple and effective design she came up with.Pouyourow's cooker comes together much faster than the CooKit design that I blogged about earlier this week. There's hardly any cuts to make and no glue needed. Her design makes use of a car sunshade which can be picked up cheap at your local 99¢ store. The… -
CooKit Solar Panel Cooker
3 Nov 2009 | 10:21 amI've been experimenting with a nice panel solar cooker for the past week and, so far, the results are impressive. Called the CooKit, it was developed in 1994 by a group of engineers and solar cooking enthusiasts associated with Solar Cookers International and based on a design by Roger Bernard.It has a couple of nice features:It produces ample heat to cook rice and simple casseroles.When you fold it up it takes up no more space than an album (do I have to explain what an album is for the youngsters out there?).A flat area on the base of the CooKit makes weighting it down with rocks easy. This… -
Digital Farming- What's The Deal?
31 Oct 2009 | 4:50 pmHomegrown Neighbor here:So here in the world of urban homesteading things can get pretty busy. We can become so preoccupied with work, chickens, vegetable gardening, cooking, cleaning, blogging duties and email that we can miss some of the things going on in the world. I do like to occasionally check in with the world at large by reading the newspaper. I just read an article that I have to comment on.A recent New York Times article titled, 'To Harvest Squash, Click Here,' introduced me to the world on online farming. Apparently people spend a lot of time "farming" on line. Twenty two million… -
Handmade, Homegrown Apron Contest
29 Oct 2009 | 8:23 pmHomegrown Evolution reader Pam Neuendorf has offered fellow readers a chance to win one of her handmade aprons. She sells her wares through Etsy, a website where crafters and artisans can sell their goods. You can see more of her aprons here. She has an ordinary day job but is a maven of craft by night. Pam says, "I love making aprons. They make me happy." I am a big fan of aprons. They are useful for cooking, gardening or just looking darn cute. I am also a big supporter of all things handmade. So I love this handcrafted apron.I also hope our readers will appreciate this reminiscence of… -
Quince: the "Poster Child of Slowness"
28 Oct 2009 | 1:04 pmOops--I think they mean "quince"A year ago I planted a "Karp's Sweet Quince" tree from Raintree Nursery and blogged about it, saying that I'd like to hear from fruit expert David Karp for whom the tree is named. Karp called me a few weeks ago to say that he was working on a quince article for the LA Times, "There's a new taste for quince". In the article Karp discusses varieties that can be eaten raw as well as how our Southern California climate is an ideal place to grow quince. Karp asked how my tree is doing and I had to say that it's not doing all that well. In a fit of mad, rare fruit…
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Office Supplies Blog
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Break Throughs with Shoplet Bingo
4 Nov 2009 | 8:36 amEver notice how many times we all say these cliche phrases? “It’s a win-win situation” “Where’s the call to action?” “At the end of the day, what the customer wants is important” “Let’s go over the game plan” “I want to hit the ground running with this project” “Rather than discuss this now, let’s take it offline” I don’t know where we get these phrases! But every office around the country is full of people who use them. I don’t believe all “buzzwords” are bad. Sometimes you… -
Receipt Paper = Amazing??
2 Nov 2009 | 8:24 amI have a hard time sitting through this video because this guy has some pretty bold facial expressions and the way he says AMAZING makes me feel funny. Putting that aside, who know that receipt paper did this? I’ve been looking around my desk to see if I could find some to test this myself. For all those accountants out there, here’s what to do when you’re bored: -
Friend Us
28 Oct 2009 | 12:52 pmNo this isn’t the first time Shoplet.com has appeared on facebook. About a year ago we launched “The Green Office” App, which helps you to purchase green office supplies on Facebook.This year we decided to relaunch our presence on facebook, with a whole new look and a whole new mission. We want to hear from you. We want to be friends with you which means listening to your suggestions/ideas, looking at the cool office supplies you find, and getting to know you better in general! If you’d like to join us on facebook, access our company page HERE We hope to see you… -
Paper Nike Kicks & More!
27 Oct 2009 | 7:07 amNikes are pretty “in” I would say right now. I see lots of hipster kids walking around with tight pants and giant nikes all the time. Nike is really quite the genius brand, the way they weaseled their way into the skater/hipster crowd. Anyways, I saw this post these sweet paper kicks on this site yesterday and I just had to pass them on. Designer David Browning, an illustrator attending UWE in Bristol, has so many paper creations! I couldn’t believe it. Now that you’ve seen his shoes, check out his cool boxes. I saved my favorite for last. Pop Up Books! If you feel… -
Office Calligraphy
23 Oct 2009 | 6:29 amI promise no more plugs for Sharpie! (after this post) If you think I get paid to blog about Sharpies, you’re wrong. I wish that sanford cut me an extra check for the devotion I have to the Sharpie brand but I really do toot their horn without pay. Anyways, to share a little personal information, I’m actually getting married next month and right now I’m waist deep in stuffing, addressing, and sending invitations. Who knew there were so many guidelines for sending invitations?? Here’s the one that’s important. Hand written addresses on the envelopes are a must-…
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Think Simple Now
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The Ups and Downs of Life + Personal News
15 Oct 2009 | 2:19 pmPhoto by Vadim Pacev By Tina Su Coming back from India, I was floating on a cloud of utter joy, blissfully unaware of the personal challenges and surprises that were about to hit me in the coming month. While I had fantasized over the telling of what has happened over the past month, it quickly became obvious that the toughest part of my job is the potential of disclosing too much about my personal life, thus invading the privacy of those closes to me. Despite the juiciness of the story, I’ve decided to leave most of the details private. I contemplated on why I wanted to write about it,… -
How to Learn Without Memorizing
7 Oct 2009 | 6:29 pmPhoto by Edwin Stemp By Scott Young Rote memorization is an inefficient way to learn. Just retaining a single formula can mean pounding the same information into your skull dozens of times. If your computer hard drive had this accuracy, you’d probably throw it out. Unfortunately, you’re stuck with your brain. The good news is that you don’t need to learn by memorization. The vast majority of information is better stored in your head using a completely different system - learning through connecting ideas together. A few years ago, I noticed that smart people seemed to learn… -
Living Enlightenment – A Personal Report
10 Sep 2009 | 12:25 pmPhoto by Vanessa Paxton By: Tina Su After 76 days of living in an ashram in a tiny village town East of Bangalore in India, I am home at last. I still have not found a proper one-liner that concisely answers the common question, “How was it?” A cliché “Good!” seemed appropriate to satisfy the questioner, but it is not the right answer. I’ve tried several answers and nothing seems to accurately conjure what I experienced. “I’ll write about it soon” quickly became my reply… and soon, I started to avoid people all together. In this article -… -
Time for a Retreat – Personal Update
13 Jun 2009 | 8:05 amBy: Tina Su (Update 07/08/2009: I’ve decided to extend my stay for two more months, and will be in India until September.) For the next four weeks, I will be living in an ashram near Bangalore India. I will be attending a meditation and spiritual retreat called Inner Awakening that I have been anticipating for many months now. It’s an opportunity to learn directly from an enlightened guru in a serene environment, along with several hundred other spiritual seekers from around the world. I’ve decided not to bring my laptop or cell phone, and to fully emerse myself in the… -
How to Quiet Your Mind
11 Jun 2009 | 12:22 pmPhoto by Andrea D’Aquino (Germany) By: Tina Su Do you regularly feel at ease and at peace? Are you continuously overflowing with Joy and Bliss on a daily basis, such that you seem free of problems and emotional pain? If so, go directly to the comment section and share with us your secrets. If you’re still reading, you are amongst the vast majority of us striving for a better life, yearning for a more peaceful and joyful existence. Yet, it seems like an impossible challenge, where we end up mentally punishing ourselves for failing, concluding that “I’m just not made to live…
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FitHacks.com
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FitHacks Suggestions
3 Nov 2009 | 11:53 amSince a large portion of this site is intended to be user driven, I would really like to know what you guys would like to hear about. I can go on and on about jogging and Ultimate, but if that’s not totally helpful for you then I’d like to know. That being said, I have decided to experiment with a new plugin called Skribit. In the sidebar of my site you will see a new section labeled “Skribit Suggestions”. In this area you can type your suggestions and we will all be able to see them. Other readers can vote on which topics they’d like to see as well. This will… -
Weight Training
2 Nov 2009 | 8:52 amOne aspect of fitness that has always been lacking in my life is strength training. I’ve learned how to lose weight, jog, and sprint but I’ve never actively trained with weights or done any other strength building exercises. So, a few weeks ago, I decided to begin a weight training schedule. Since I’m essentially starting from scratch here I decided to seek the help of experts. Vic Magary of GymJunkies.com has a great workout plan for beginners (like myself) who want to begin using weights. The program is very straight forward and includes some great exercises that work the… -
And… I’m Back!
14 Oct 2009 | 12:36 pmI really can’t believe that it was almost been two months since my last post on FitHacks. For this I apologize. However, if anyone is still reading the site or getting updates via RSS, then let me say “thank you” for sticking in there. So, where have I been? In addition to having a rather crazy work/school/life schedule, I have been playing with a competitve men’s Ultimate Frisbee team. We have spent the last few months training for the club series tournament and have had a blast in doing so. We won our section (out of ten teams), took fifth place in the region (out of… -
Dr. Cox: “I Hate My Body”
11 Aug 2009 | 2:25 pmThis is one of my favorite clips from one of my favorite shows, Scrubs. Dr. Cox, a self-absorbed narcissist teaches his younger protege how to get in shape. Hilarity ensues. In all actuality though, I kind of like Dr. Cox’s attitude. Never be content with your level of achievement, whatever it is. Are you a runner? Then run faster. Are you a baseball player? Then play better. There should always be some areas you can improve on whether it’s your fitness or something else. “The only fatal thing is to sit down content with anything less than perfection.” - C.S. -
Don’t Do Single Joint Exercises
17 Jul 2009 | 2:51 pmIn order to get the most effective results for the time you put in at the gym, Vic from GymJunkies.com says “Don’t do single joint exercises!” If you do workouts that include bicep curls, tricep extensions or calf raises, you may be wasting your time and your muscles’ time. “It’s not that these movements are inherently evil. It’s that they are thieves of your time. Why do a bicep curl when a pull up is going to hit the biceps and the lats and the shoulders in the same amount of time? Why hit the bicep curl when the movement is seldom, if ever reproduced…
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Reason-4-Smile Weblog
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Why is it harder to write again?
26 Oct 2009 | 6:52 amphoto credit: SuperFantastic Maybe it is one question I have been asking for many times. I enjoyed formulating my thoughts, but I have constantly procrastinated. I enjoyed writing, but I have constantly resent it. I guess I have to really process this thing. You can consider this post an update, or you can consider it a sharing. Things don’t really go well on my side, no income for the past 2 months as my mind was divided into 3 areas, my study in Knowledge Management, my freelancing programmer, and my job search in Knowledge Management area, either full or part time. Seemingly, there… -
The Shadow Effect
26 Aug 2009 | 5:47 pmphoto credit: Panoramas Do you have the little self within you that you’ve been trying to hide all the time? It could be your childhood trauma. It could be wounds and hurts that forced you to hide them. And, by the way, it is your shadow. It is something that you want to hide behind accomplishment and fake personality. It is also be something that you think you are not, a potential that you purposely hide within you. They are like beach ball that will float on water. The more you dislike them, the more you push it under and eventually the more pressure you will feel. One better way is to… -
25 Lessons of Entrepreneurship
22 Aug 2009 | 8:35 pmphoto credit: James Jordan It’s been three weeks since my new journey begins. I didn’t know that I have learned so much during these three weeks.Thanks to CK Reyes that gave me an opportunity to reflect on my three-weeks journey and share my 25 tips of entrepreneurship in her blog. It’s not an easy journey, but I really have to thank God for the opportunities and open doors He brings to me. Also thanks to my friends and associates that has helped me along the way. The article summarizes the lessons I learned the past three weeks. It is a part of 100 ways to birth your… -
A New Journey
18 Aug 2009 | 8:49 amphoto credit: wili_hybrid Two weeks have passed since my birthday. It’s a new journey, not only as a 27th year old man, but also as a new entrepreneur. Entrepreneur? Yeah, eventually I resigned from my ex-company to explore something new in my life. Five years ago, 2nd of August 2004, I started my first job, and exactly after five years of working, here I am, a new entrepreneur. The Wild at Heart Deep within I believe that I am not reaching my potential in my previous employment. I have thought about that since last December but didn’t put up enough courage to leave the job. -
July Hiatus
6 Jul 2009 | 6:00 amphoto credit: lecates I’ve been thinking about what I should write next. It can be my argument with a friend last week, my experience in networking with some friends, my tendency to rush things or put too many things together, my book that I read, or the thing that has bugged my mind the most recently. Writing is a good opportunity for me to reflect and learn. I’m happy that the past month I can be productive again. I can actually blog much more often, faster, and easier. It is the big lesson I learned during the past month. I wish I can make it as a reason to stay writing,…
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Sources of Insight
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Change Rumination or Pessimism to Defeat Depression
5 Nov 2009 | 9:48 pmDon’t Ruminate. Don’t dwell on things that go wrong. According to Martin Seligman, in the book Learned Optimism: How to Change Your Mind and Your Life , people who mull over bad events are called ruminators. A ruminator can either be an optimist or a pessimist. An optimist that ruminates avoids depression because their explanatory style does not make things permanent, personal and pervasive. Pessimistic ruminators are at the most risk for depression because they replay and dwell on the bad things. Rather than a ruminating pessimist, you can be an action-oriented pessimist. An… -
Happiness Quotes
5 Nov 2009 | 1:18 amThis is my collection of happiness quotes. I think quotes are a great way to share the wisdom of the ages and modern day sages. I think a good quote is a like a good song … it means something to you, maybe even beyond the original intentions. By filling your quiver of insights with inspiring quotes, you have more to draw from in any situation. This post will help you fill your quiver with happiness quotes you can use throughout your life. As you scan and sift through the quotes, ask yourself, “how can I use this?” What the Great Ones Teach Us on Happiness Philosophers,… -
Permanent, Personal, and Pervasive
3 Nov 2009 | 11:50 pmWhen something goes wrong, be careful how you explain it to yourself. According to Martin Seligman in Learned Optimism: How to Change Your Mind and Your Life , A pessimist explains it as permanent, personal, and pervasive. For example, you might tell yourself, “this will never change” or “it’s me” or “nothing ever goes right.” This can lead to learned helplessness or depression. Learned helplessness is when you believe nothing you do matters. This leads to inaction and passive behavior. An optimist on the other hand, explains it as transient,… -
3 Stories for Improving Your Thinking, Feeling, and Doing
2 Nov 2009 | 10:31 pmThe stories we tell ourselves can limit us or enable us. In any given situation, we’re telling ourselves stories about other people, the situation and ourselves. In these stories, we can play the victim or we can be the hero. Victim stories focus on our own pain and challenges and wear us down. Hero stories lift us up and enable us to make the most of the situation and play our best moves. In the book Be the Hero: Three Powerful Ways to Overcome Challenges in Work and Life , Noah Blumenthal writes about 3 types of stories and how to change our stories to improve our results. People Stories,… -
Road Trip 2009
1 Nov 2009 | 10:52 pmI’m back from my epic adventure. I took a 30 day road trip with my wife across the U.S. from WA to N.J. to Key West to Las Vegas … 10,000 miles and 26 states. It’s a fairly unique experience and perspective, so I’ll share it here with you. New Jersey, Key West and Vegas Our original plan was to swim with the dolphins, but we made the trip up as we went along. We stayed flexible and planned loosely around spending a week in Jersey, a week in the Keys, and a week in Vegas. While we didn’t do it all, we did a lot … from jet skiing around the island of Key West…
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WHAKATE Journal News
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Note-Taking: How to Take Notes Effectively
19 Oct 2009 | 11:30 pmThe only effective note is the one that is remembered. Our Note-Taking How To uncovers proven approaches that capture important thoughts and make them quickly accessible. Remember to get your free Club Membership and receive Whakate Wrap - our regular newsletter. -
Dealing with Time
12 Oct 2009 | 11:30 pmHow we perceive time greatly affects how we use it: Learn some tips on how to accurately gauge your use of time to eliminate time wasters and increase your effectiveness. Remember to get your free Club Membership and receive Whakate Wrap - our regular newsletter. -
Dealing with Criticism – Be Constructive! (Part II: Giving Criticism)
5 Oct 2009 | 11:30 pmIn Part II of our series on criticism, we look at the best methods for giving criticism to ensure that comments are received and understood. Remember to get your free Club Membership and receive Whakate Wrap - our regular newsletter. -
Dealing with Criticism – Be Constructive! (Part I: How to Receive Criticism)
28 Sep 2009 | 11:30 pmHow do you hold up in the face of criticism? In this first part of a two part series, we explore the best methods for dealing with criticism. Remember to get your free Club Membership and receive Whakate Wrap - our regular newsletter. -
How to Ace an Interview – Tips from the Experts
21 Sep 2009 | 11:30 pmDiscover tips from the experts on how to ace an interview – from developing the right attitude to dressing for success. Remember to get your free Club Membership and receive Whakate Wrap - our regular newsletter.
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ManageYourLifeNow.com
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7 habits for longer life
26 Oct 2009 | 11:25 amAlthough nobody can guarantee you that by adopting a specific lifestyle you will be able to live a longer life, there are certain things you can do to increase your chances of living longer. By following some healthy guidelines for sure you have nothing to lose but you have a lot to gain. Anything you do in order to live longer has to turn into a habit. In other words you have to do it without realizing it. Healthy living and lifestyle is a way of living and this is how you should approach it. The 7 most important habits for a better life and outlined below: 1. Don't worry be happy It is… -
Tips on How to get pregnant with a boy
25 Oct 2009 | 6:50 amMost couples that want to get pregnant, usually say that they do not care about the gender of the baby, and that everything is okay with them, but in most cases they would prefer one or the other. This is quite common since people do have opinions about things like this and they all root to their own childhood. If they have had only brothers, it is common to only being interested on how to get pregnant with a baby boy, because they know how to handle with them, and know what to expect. Giving birth to a girl would be something that is even frightening to them. Although this is not true in all… -
How to Get a Slender Figure in 5 Easy Steps
24 Sep 2009 | 7:29 amOften it is harder to keep a slender figure than it is to get it. After a drastic weight loss diet your body acts uncontrollable and starts packing fats. This is why you should avoid using rapid weight loss diets to shed those extra pounds. What you should do is learn from the people that have a slender figure and keep it over time. The people that had all their life a slender figure, or for a long time, don’t use operations or expensive treatments to maintain it. Some do but most can’t afford them. What they all do is use some simple tricks. Here are just 5 tips that will help you get… -
6 Surefire Ways to Get Better Sleep
1 Sep 2009 | 11:55 amHaving a little trouble getting enough zzz’s? It’s not uncommon for adults to go through periods of insomnia at several different times during their lifetime. Lack of sleep causes difficulty concentrating, exhaustion and a general feeling of discomfort. In extremes, lack of sleep can also be dangerous – causing car and work accidents. But, luckily, there are ways to get your sleep back on track – often without resorting to over the counter or prescription drugs. Here are six tricks you can try to help you get back to getting a good night’s sleep. Keep a regular schedule Waking… -
21 Tips for a better lifestyle
1 Jun 2009 | 1:47 am1. Give the necessary importance to healthy eating: It is important for the overall proper functioning of your body, health and beauty of individual organs and parts of the body such as muscles, skin, hair, nails, etc. 2. Never forget breakfast Start your day with a rich, balanced meal that will keep you full of energy until you eat at lunchtime. 3. Drink plenty of water If possible, replace any type of soft drink with water. It is far better for the body, helps digestion; it is fat burner and does not cause cellulite, such as various carbon drinks. 4. Decide, after mature reflection, what…
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Get Organized Wizard
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Goal Setting 101: How To Use SMART Goals to Change a Habit
6 Nov 2009 | 12:36 am[Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/hikingartist/ / CC BY 2.0] You might find it easy to apply SMART goal principles to your life goals or other personal goals, like losing weight or getting better grades. But what about changing habits – can SMART goal setting apply there, too? In today’s class *puts on teacherly glasses* we’re going to turn a desired habit change into a SMART goal. Speaking Up In Meetings Let’s say Sally has plenty of good ideas but she keeps these to herself in meetings, and it’s holding her back, career-wise. We’ll make a SMART goal of ‘speaking up… -
Don’t Let Self-Help Turn Into Shelf-Help
2 Nov 2009 | 12:25 amDoes self-help become shelf-help for you? Here’s a trick to better use what you read: As you read, have a notebook & pen beside you. When you find something to do or remember, make a note. Transfer actions to your schedule with a due date. Share ideas to remember – email or call a friend, write a summary for clients, blog it, tweet it or present it. Donate the book to a friend or library. I post Today’s Tips like this one on my Facebook Professional Page. Please come and be a fan! Related posts:Organize Your Facebook Settings For Privacy★Simplify Life Tips★ (Twitter Tweet… -
Announcing the Design Your Life e-Program
29 Oct 2009 | 6:04 amDesign Your Life is Here! For some time I’ve been busy preparing the Design Your Life program for you. I’m very excited that it’s now open! This comprehensive, 12-month self-improvement e-program delivers ongoing structure, motivation and accountability for taking action on the things you want in life. It’s based on the popular Life & Goal Organizer DIY system, but I’ve now created a complete action-based e-program with weekly e-classes, interactive workbooks and action planners, videos, e-books, and access to exclusive accountability and community forums. Quite simply, it’s… -
Organize Your Bathroom [Mission #22]
25 Oct 2009 | 3:08 am[Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/urbanelife/ / CC BY-SA 2.0] This week we turn to the bathroom. Follow these 3 simple steps and you’ll have your own little spa in your home. Remember: you only need 30 minutes for the basic mission. Extended Options are below. If you’re new, you might like to start here: 52 Organizing Missions. Get Organized Mission #22: Organize Your Bathroom Step 1: Take everything out (5 minutes) Take everything out of the cabinets and drawers, and off the shelves, sills and ledges. Place it all on a bathmat in the centre of the room, or just outside if there’s no… -
Family Management Tools
23 Oct 2009 | 10:56 pmImage: http://www.flickr.com/photos/whiteafrican/ / CC BY 2.0] Family organization is made easier with the right tools. The blog Wise Bread has put together some helpful resources for organizing the family, covering: Money Management for Kids and Their Parents – With a family budget spreadsheet Remembering What Foods Your Kids Have Tried and Liked – With a new foods chart Organizing Events – With an event to-do spreadsheet Homework – With a homework chart Depending on the age of your kids and your current challenges, you might find something really helpful here. PS If…
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BLOGitse
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you give me WOrds and I give you an IMAge(s) = WO*IMA nro 42
7 Nov 2009 | 2:03 amyour WOrds and my IMAge nro 42: as usual you have time till Sunday 6 pm Cairo time Don’t know what WO*IMA is about? Every Saturday I give you a picture. You give me your words, thoughts, however the picture inspires you by leaving a comment. On Sunday (sometimes on Monday) I’ll publish your words with your link. You can check previous WO*IMA posts to get the idea. * * Et tiedä mistä -
work related stress, anxiety and depression... työperäinen stressi sivuoireineen ongelma myös Briteissä...
5 Nov 2009 | 2:56 am"Employers need to pay more attention to the levels of stress and anxiety in the workplace. Bad managers were the single biggest cause of problems, the group claimed. But it said simple steps such as giving positive feedback, allowing flexible working and giving extra days off as a reward could cut the impact by a third. More than 13 million working days a year are lost because of work related -
read my lips?! what? mitä nämä huulet viestivät ja kenelle?
4 Nov 2009 | 12:10 amCould you explain me why these models are posing like that? Voitko kertoa miksi nämä mallit poseeraavat näin? This is women's magazine. Why is she posing like that to me as a reader, to another woman? Have I missed something? Tämä on naisten lehti. Miksi hän poseeraa minulle naislukijana, huulet törröllään? Missaanko jotain oleellista? Is there anybody who KNOWS why models pose like -
twitter is great! a few links for you... twitter on yliveto! tässä muutama linkki teille...
3 Nov 2009 | 1:49 amI've been twitter user for some time now and I think it's a great way find news, interesting web sites, blogs etc. Olen käyttänyt twitteriä jonkin aikaa ja se on erinomainen väline löytää uutisia eri lähteistä, mielenkiintoisia nettisivuja, blogeja jne. Art of elevators / täältä löytyy taiteellisia hissejä Cool? aika vänkiä vai mitä? Great,colourful ads / täältä löytyy värikkäitä -
NaBloPoMo = a post/day 1.-30.11.2009... olen mukana NaBloPoMo'ssa = postaus/päivä 1.-30.11.2009...
2 Nov 2009 | 3:21 amThis is my first time and it's going to be interesting if I can make it! I have a theme - today's posting reveals it :) (and yes, I know the pronounce dilemma, pls don't think it that way, thanks!) Here are my first entries - all of them you will find from my PHOTOblog here! Osallistun ensimmäistä kertaa tähän joka marraskuu järjestettävään ilman teemaa olevaa 'blogiposti päivässä'
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PluginID
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5 Things I’ve Learned On My 6-Week Challenge
4 Nov 2009 | 5:13 amAs many of you know, just over four weeks ago I started a six week challenge. My challenge came about when I found that my productivity had dramatically dropped and I wanted to try cutting out the distractions from my life. Those ‘distractions’ ended up being Instant Messaging, Facebook, Alcohol, Television and Internet gaming. Although I’m still on the challenge, I feel that I’m far enough along to have learned some lessons about myself and I’ve been through enough to see if this type of challenge is going to help me in the future. To cut a long story short, I… -
Back to Basics: I’m Now Using Timetables
27 Oct 2009 | 8:06 amWhen I’m finished with this post, it will be the third article written today and right now it’s only 1:30pm. I honestly can’t remember a day when I’ve wrote as many quality articles in such a short amount of time. There are three things that I can attribute to my productivity today. The first is that I’m using an awesome Mac application called Self Control (more on that later) and the second is that I’m not longer being pestered by Diggy on Skype (it’s actually the other way around). The third reason, and the most important, is that I actually set… -
How to Get Passionate About Boring Tasks
21 Oct 2009 | 7:44 amI recently opened up to you guys and allowed you to ask me anything you want. This wasn’t some ego trip so that I could claim guru status, but I noticed that the majority of times people emailed me, they apologised in advance for ‘wasting my time’. Therefore, I wanted to make it clear that people shouldn’t feel bad for asking me questions, and the post was a chance for people to do so. One thing that surprised me was the number of comments and emails I received about how to enjoy things that you don’t. How to get through a chore you hate but have no choice but to… -
I Have a Dilemma, And Would Love Your Thoughts
14 Oct 2009 | 9:14 amI think only the most egotistical people in the world would say that they never have problems. Contrary to that, I’m more than happy to discuss mine. My thoughts here aren’t really about a problem that I have but more about a situation that has arose. When I attended Pam Slim’s workshop this weekend, what I noticed is that I don’t have a clear focus with the business properties that I run. Sure, there were people there with lots of business ideas, but they all seemed to have a clear focus on each. When I look at my own online projects, that is not the case. For those… -
Challenge Update #2 (And My 4 Days in London)
13 Oct 2009 | 2:04 amI rarely ever miss posting on a Monday, but I have a good excuse. I’m writing this from my hotel, drinking brandy and coke (which is ridiculously strong. The girl who poured it is foreign and can’t believe people mix the two) and feeling absolutely shattered. I would have gone to the pub but quite honestly, I can’t be bothered to walk. Judging by that intro, you can tell I have broken my challenge. I went two weeks and one day without touching a drop of alcohol, but meeting friends that I haven’t seen in 9 months turned things around. I will go back to my no drinking…
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Go Success Now
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How To Increase Employees Work With 18 Motivational Tips
19 Oct 2009 | 12:37 amRegardless of whether you are putting your staff together or whether they are already in place, the importance of the ongoing support of your subordinates cannot be overemphasized. No related posts. [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]] -
How To Get in Touch with Your Inner Leader at Work
14 Oct 2009 | 3:43 amGood leaders are made not born. If you have the desire and willpower, you can become an effective leader. Good leaders develop through a never ending process of self-study, education, training, and... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]] -
Laptop Addict? 11 Productive Tips To Strip Away Discomfort
3 Dec 2008 | 9:12 amLaptop sales are at all time high, but in the same time the design of the laptop brings completely new set of ergonomic issues for laptop users. No related posts. [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]] -
Self-Improvement Power: Changes We Must Take to Unlock It
28 Nov 2008 | 9:56 amSelf improvement power comes in action when change is necessary, we as humans tend to learn our lessons when we encounter pain. No related posts. [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]] -
7 Easy Steps to Find The Passion That Gives You That Edge
24 Nov 2008 | 2:54 pmDoing something that you are obsessive about gives you that edge; it is like having a fireball that drives you forward in your attempt. No related posts. [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
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LEGENDmag
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A Little Dragon from Sweden Invades The Independent for a night of Wonderfully Fiery Music
5 Nov 2009 | 11:22 amWe had the pleasure of watching Little Dragon perform last night at The Independent in San Francisco and I am a little lost for words to describe the experience. R&B, Soul, Electronica, Acoustic, New Wave, Pop, Indie… all styles of music that can equally describe a part of their sound, yet none of which accurately capture the entire essence. The audience was filled with an equally diverse crowd of people too… fratty jocks, hip-hop thugs, r&b cats, electronica geeks, college kids—all of who had one thing in common, a passion for this little critter. Who would’ve… -
Crown City Rockers are the Bay Area Hip Hop Soul Sound on “The Day After Tomrrow” (mp3)
4 Nov 2009 | 1:26 pmAt this point the Crown City Rockers have been doing their thing as Boston transients in the Bay Area for years. They are a welcome addition to the rich deejay scene that has long exemplified the bay and a cog that helps the resurgent soul sound in the Bay lead by artist like Goaple, Ledisi, J Boogie, Lyrics Born, Sake 1, Dj Mpenzi, Oakland Faders, D Sharp, Kev Choice, The Park , Adam Theis’s Realistic Orchestra and a slew of other acts and deejays. What Crown City has managed to do is something that has proven illusive to so many acts over the years, save one…..The Roots. While… -
Celebrating the Day of the Dead in San Francisco
3 Nov 2009 | 11:10 amLast night was the annual Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) parade in San Francisco. And while Monday night’s All Souls Day turnout was lower than last year’s weekend event, it remains one of my favorite events in the city. Of course there are the ubiquitous burner-style art cars and random political protests that are all too synonymous with this city, but at the core of the event lies a deep meaning that is difficult to explain. I found myself drawn almost to tears looking at the beautiful altars in Garfield Park, and yet moments later chuckling at an overheard phrase or group… -
Soul By The Pound: Redbull one of the largest independents around is showing indies in live studio sessions
3 Nov 2009 | 12:05 amThis is really some good stuff. Seeing people in the creative process is always an awesome thing. One of the largest independent companies on the planet shares the good they’ve been doing for years. In case you didn’t know Redbull Music Academy has been going strong for a long while (more then 10 years) and it’s only getting better. They also have produced CD’s for both the academy and “studio sessions” they’ve been holding for years. Here’s just a taste. Related posts:LEGENDmag: Soul By The Pound!Soul by the Pound: O’Spada – Time… -
Colorado’s “undeclared”…..we mean independents!
1 Nov 2009 | 9:35 pmColorado politicians are trying to talk to “undeclared” voters. Neither party holds a majority and have to rely on independents to get into office. Colorado undeclared voters have trended the same way most independent voters have in the last 5 to 10 years, moving from the right to the left. This does not mean that Democrate’s can count on the independent vote though…. according to this report. “For decades, Colorado was one of those square states in a sea of red on political maps. But in 2004 that started to change when voters abandoned a long history of electing…
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Karin Manske's Weblog
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Live Everything - Rainer Maria Rilke
5 Nov 2009 | 7:04 pm… I beg you … to have patience with everything unresolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves as if they were locked rooms or books written in every foreign language. Don’t search right now for the answers, which could not be given you, because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps then, someday far in the future, you will gradually, without ever noticing it, live your way into the answers.” –Rainer Maria Rilke If you are curious about finding some of your own life answers,… -
‘What Lights You Up’ - Life Coaching Show
4 Nov 2009 | 8:30 amJoin me and David Rodriguez in this new episode of Coach TV LA, filmed in Santa Monica on October 31, 2009. Are you curious to find out what lights YOU up? Answer our ‘What Lights You Up Questionnaire’ or join us for “Translate Your Passion Into Business”, a one-day workshop in Santa Monica on November 21, 2009. Tweet This Post Facebook -
Mistakes Men Make in Relationships with Women
29 Oct 2009 | 5:23 pm#5 Not Telling a Woman How Much You Appreciate Her We know that men have a hard time talking about feelings and that they show their affection through action. However, women love to hear how much you appreciate us. You probably did so when we first met. Keep it up, it does NOT get old. Here are a few good phrases you can use: * Darling, you are looking great! * Thank you so much for making dinner (breakfast, lunch, etc.) for me. * I am so happy to be with you. * You look beautiful in that new dress. * I love it when you smile like that. If it is hard for you to express your adoration in… -
Mistakes Men Make in Relationships With Women
23 Oct 2009 | 10:28 am#4 Ignoring Women’s Wisdom Women are wise, men are brilliant. While men are masters at planning, solving problems, creating innovative systems, and developing strategies, women are wise in a whole different way: We have the ability to ‘read’ our environment. Not only do we pick up on people’s thoughts and their intentions, we can also detect the mood of a room or the outcome of a meeting. While this sensitivity is developed to different degrees in each woman, we all have the ability to pick up on subtle clues in our surroundings. If a woman is skilled at this, she will… -
Mistakes Men Make in Relationships With Women
15 Oct 2009 | 2:32 pmMistake #3: Intimidation Finding the balance in a relationship can be hard. While some men try do please their woman to a fault, others like to show who’s in charge by physical and emotional intimidation. If this is something you learned in a family where bullying women was modeled and accepted, you will have to dig deep and really look at your understanding of the other sex. By learning to appreciate the nurturing quality of women and by accepting their power, you can create an intimacy beyond anything you ever experienced. Often, however, intimidation happens on a more subtle level…
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Lifescript.com: Life
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He's Abusive: Why Does She Love Him?
3 Nov 2009 | 4:00 pmBy Venus Nicolino, Ph.D., Lifescript Relationship Expert Dear Dr. V, My man and I were together 11 years, during which we had three children. At first, he was only verbally abusive, but then he became abusive to the point of hospital visits for me and jail for him. I have lied for him, thinking I was doing the right thing for the kids so they could have their dad. Now he’s looking at life in prison for raping me and choking me. But for some reason, I feel sorry for him and don't know how to stop. He tells me he still loves me and I fall for it. I feel so stupid for trying to think of ways… -
Q&A - Help! I'm Haunted by Memories of My Mother
28 Oct 2009 | 5:00 pmBy John H. Sklare, Ed.D, Lifescript Personal Coach Q: I’m 54 years old and recently started to have memories of my mother disciplining me harshly. I now remember how terrified I was of her. My mother passed away three years ago. Is this healing?-Laurel N.A: Hi Laurel,I don’t know the exact reason for these new memories of your mother, but I will offer you a couple of possibilities. I wish you were more specific about your mother disciplining you “harshly.” My first instinct is that you were abused by her. If that’s the case, you may be coming to grips with that reality through the… -
Are You Sabotaging Your Credit?
27 Oct 2009 | 5:00 pmBy Mari Cartel, Lifescript Correspondent Women carry a lot of financial pressure. But despite our savviness, we’re goofing up when it comes to credit cards. That’s where Jean Chatzky can help. In this Lifescript exclusive, the financial guru talks about the upcoming new credit card rules and how to rehab your finances… Financial advisor and “Today” show correspondent Jean Chatzky has spent her career exploring the money issues that affect nearly all American women. These days, much of it involves credit card debt, which is swallowing more families than ever. The best-selling author,… -
Q&A - How Can I Reach Out to My Distant Boyfriend?
26 Oct 2009 | 5:00 pmBy John H. Sklare, Ed.D, Lifescript Personal Coach Q: I've been dating someone for a year and I have deep feelings for him. He’s very thoughtful and caring, but has a busy career, and lately our communication is limited. When we do speak, our conversions are great. What should I do?-Lexi C.A: Hi Lexi,I’m sorry to read about the waning interest and lack of communication on your boyfriend’s end. Your womanly instincts seem to be working just fine: I believe that most people would be alarmed and concerned by this sudden change. Even though it’s common for intimacy and communication to… -
Q&A - Help! My Husband Is Addicted to Online Porn
21 Oct 2009 | 5:00 pmBy John H. Sklare, Ed.D, Lifescript Personal Coach Q: My husband of 7 months has been addicted to online porn for at least 15 years. He promised he wouldn’t do it anymore, but I found his profile on several sites. I asked him to get rid of the Internet, but he hasn’t. He wants to sweep his habit under the rug, and I'm supposed to trust him. What can I do?-Jeri T.A: Hi Jeri,I’m sorry to read about your husband’s behavior; the accessibility of online porn is one of the downsides of the Internet. Unfortunately, there are many women who feel the same sense of disgust and betrayal as you.
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Lifescript.com: Soul
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A Halloween Challenge
29 Oct 2009 | 5:00 pmBy John H. Sklare, Ed.D, Lifescript Personal CoachHappy Halloween! October 31 is a celebration for children, but many adults join in the fun by dressing up and playing a little make-believe. The whole concept of pretending to be someone else intrigues me. So I have a challenge for this year’s Halloween celebration, one that doesn’t require any costume at all.I suggest you all become someone different today – someone kinder, gentler and more loving. Even if you fair well in those areas, pump up the volume for the day’s celebration. Simply become a better person… -
A Diamond in the Rough
27 Oct 2009 | 5:00 pmBy John H. Sklare, Ed.D, Lifescript Personal CoachEvery person has a special attribute that makes him or her unique, no matter who you are, what you do or where you live. I want you to think about that for a moment. Is your special something known to those around you, or do you keep it wrapped up tight away from others? I think it’s important to look into our inner resources, or our internal qualities. Therein lies our most valuable personal assets. If you don’t look, these wonderful treasures could lie buried forever. So today, I simply want you to be a miner of sorts and identify… -
Real-Life Heroes: 2 Extraordinary Stories
26 Oct 2009 | 5:00 pmBy Maureen Healy, Special to Lifescript Even small efforts can make a big difference in this world, as Agnes Stevens and Jen Mahran know. Stevens was just honored with a Minerva Award at the 2009 Women's Conference. Lifescript talked to these two real-life heroes, who turned simple acts of kindness into community movements. Read their stories and get inspired! Plus, do you live life to the fullest? Take our quiz to find out… Agnes Stevens: Real-Life Hero, founder of School on Wheels As a former teacher and nun, Agnes Stevens spent 30 years molding… -
Square Dancing Around a Circle
25 Oct 2009 | 5:00 pmBy John H. Sklare, Ed.D, Lifescript Personal Coach I was watching a man on TV challenge another man’s logic on an issue they were debating. As he concluded his argument, he ended by saying the following: It’s hard to square that circle. As I let that phrase roll around in my head, I wondered how many of you struggle with trying to square circles in your life. Allow me to explain.Is there any belief that you hold onto simply because you’ve always believed it? I had numerous interactions like this with patients during my years in private practice. It’s always interesting how people… -
Pivot Points
20 Oct 2009 | 5:00 pmBy John H Sklare, Ed.D, Lifescript Personal Coach Do you know what a pivot point is? Technically, it’s a point on which something turns or a condition that on which important results depend. Today, I want to focus on the second meaning regarding important results. In a sense, every choice you make, even trivial ones, represents a pivot point of sorts. Once you make a decision, you choose a direction or course of action that brings with it both intended and unintended consequences. Do you recognize the significant and life-altering pivot points in your life? Are you aware of those important…
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Quips & Tips for Achieving Your Goals
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Relationship Breakup Help – How to Survive the Emotions After Breaking Up
6 Nov 2009 | 3:40 pmWhether you’re going through divorce, separation, or a relationship breakup after six short months – the emotions can feel overwhelming. Here’s help for surviving the emotions you feel after breaking up. First, a quip from a famous fairy tale: “The horror of that moment,” the King said, “I shall never, never forget!” “You will, though,” the Queen said, “if you don’t make a memorandum of it.” ~ Lewis Carroll, Through the Looking Glass. You will get past the devastating emotions after breaking up – but you need to focus your energy and… -
Christmas and Other Holiday Gift Ideas for Teachers
5 Nov 2009 | 11:00 amAs a former teacher, I’ve received lots of perfect Christmas presents for the holidays…and some not so perfect! These ideas for holiday gifts for teachers represent some of the best presents I’ve received. But before I share my tips, here’s a quip: “The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.” ~ William Arthur Ward Your teacher is probably great, since you’re shopping for a Christmas gift! If you like these pencils, click the image – it’s a cool teacher’s vase for the desk at school… -
6 Creative and Inexpensive Christmas Gift Wrap Ideas
2 Nov 2009 | 7:40 pmIf you’re looking for fun, low cost ways to wrap your gifts this holiday season, check out these tips for Christmas wrapping paper. They’re not only inexpensive, they’re also ecofriendly and creative! Before the tips, a quip: “Nothing’s as mean as giving a little child something useful for Christmas,” said Kin Hubbard. If you give a kid a useful Christmas present, he might like the wrapping paper better than the gift itself. That’s no fun – but I’m sure you have some creative gift ideas for kids! (if not, ask me for ideas below; I’d be happy to dig something… -
What To Do When Your Mother in Law Doesn’t Like or Accept You
30 Oct 2009 | 9:14 amA reader asked about her possible future mother in law: “What do I do about my boyfriend’s parents, who don’t like or accept me?” She describes her situation on my Ask a Question page, and I’m answering her question here because I know she’s not alone! What do you do when your mother in law – future or present – doesn’t like or accept you? Before my tips, a quip: “More marriages might survive if the partners realized that sometimes the better comes after the worse.” ~ Doug Larson. If your boyfriend’s parents or your mother in law rejects, excludes,… -
Are You Taking Care of Elderly or Ill Parents? Tips for Relieving Caregiver Stress
28 Oct 2009 | 2:57 pmIf you’re taking care of elderly parents or an ill loved one, you may feel stressed as a caregiver. These tips for relieving caregiver stress are from freelance writer, editor, teacher, former caregiver, and author of You Want Me To Do WHAT? – Journaling for Caregivers – B. Lynn Goodwin. “Caregiver stress can be degrading and demoralizing,” she says. “Avoid the downhill spiral. Start somewhere. Start anywhere. Take care of yourself and you’ll be a better caregiver to your loved one.” For information on journaling to relieve caregiver stress, click on You Want Me To Do WHAT?
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Change Your Life Hacks
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7 New Year’s Resolutions that will change your life
26 Oct 2009 | 1:15 pmThe New Year is approaching and for many people this is the time to make their New Year’s resolutions and hope that the New Year will bring them a new life. In order to change your life you have to know first what you want to change and what to expect from your new life. Several studies about New Year’s resolutions showed the most popular wishes people make for the New Year. These include the following: Better financial position, lose the extra weight, find a better job, drink less alcohol, quit smoking, and manage stress better and life a more relaxing life. The chances are that your own… -
Change your life and become successful
1 Oct 2009 | 7:49 amSuccess can be defined in many different ways. Whether you are looking for financial success or are looking for information on how to improve the overall quality of your life, read on. In this article we’ll discuss several elements that play an important role in how to be successful in life including goal setting, living according to your values and cherishing each day. By the end of the article you will have new ideas you can implement to change your life. Have Goals and Work Toward Them The best thing you can do to be successful in life is to brainstorm your goals – all of your goals. -
5 Dieting Tricks For Rapid Weight Loss that can change your life
24 Sep 2009 | 7:53 amIf you want to succeed and lose weight you have to pay extra attention the details. You can spend all the money you want on expensive fitness machines and weight loss treatments if you breakdown each 3 days and binge like mad. If you want to lose weight you have to be constant. Here are 5 easy and rapid weight loss tricks that will help you lose all your excess weight: 1)Drink lots of water or other beverages with zero calories: before eating anything drink a big glass of water. It is very common for the human body to mix up the thirst and hunger signals. The truth is that more often than not… -
Change your life by getting rid of headaches
22 Sep 2009 | 1:27 pmWhen talking about making changes to your life we are not always talking about how to make money or how to be successful or how to find happiness. There are other simpler (or more complicated) things that you need to take care off in order to change your life. Changing your life can also mean improving the quality of your life. To improve the quality of your life you need to identify those things that impact negatively your life and take corrective actions. One of the situations that have a negative impact on the daily life of millions of people around the planet is headaches. Headaches are… -
Four Easy Ways to Keep Your Goals On Track
27 Jun 2009 | 5:16 amOne of the most common reasons that people don’t get to accomplish their goals is that we tend to get distracted, and we lose track of important things that need to be done consistently in order to move forward towards our goals. Maybe you have set a perfectly achievable goal and planned every detailed step, but without effectively tracking your goal and knowing your progress, most certainly you will get discouraged when the first obstacle gets in the way and end up giving up on your goal eventually. To really achieve any goal worthwhile, we need to discipline ourselves to keep it on…
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Dimitar Nikolov
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Three Great Law of Attraction Books
6 Nov 2009 | 1:24 pmIf you’re a regular reader of mine, you may have noticed that I’m a fan of the law of attraction. It’s a thought principle that began in the 20th century. It claims that you get anything you focus your time, thoughts and emotions on (oh, really?). No matter positive or negative. 1. The Secret This book by Rhonda Byrne introduces the law of attraction in an easy to understand manner. It’s a must-read for everyone who’s watched the film its named after. Despite containing lots of quotes from the movie, it expands further with more clarity on how to really attract… -
When Things Go Wrong
5 Nov 2009 | 11:32 amEvery now and then, things just go wrong. It can be for days, weeks or months and yes, it’s quite a challenge to beat the resulting depression. I’d like you to stop for a bit and think about this: Do you know a person that has no problems whatsoever? Because I simply can’t. I suppose that neither can you. Problems are a natural part of your everyday life. Only when you realize that, will you be able to start concentrating on how to solve them, unless on the negative thoughts and emotions they provoke. What I’m trying to share with you is that things go wrong sooner or… -
How to Start Enjoying Your Life
1 Nov 2009 | 12:21 pmYou can start by enjoying the comfort of your home. Or by relishing a humble cup of sweet relaxing tea. Start with anything you want. You don’t have to invest anything, nor make efforts – you simply have to feel grateful and happy with the moment. Now that you’ve started, why not enjoy yourself, your family, your loved one, your good friends, your helpful contacts and every positive, energetic person you know? Yes, that too would be a small step towards happiness. At work, savour your success and productivity. Experience the goodness of having a relaxing conversation with… -
8 Ways to Make Others Happier
31 Oct 2009 | 6:05 amDo you know contagiously joyful people that charge you with positive energy only with their presence? In case you don’t, it’s about time you met one or even became one yourself. Try giving others a smile when they don’t seem to have one and the results will be magical. You’ll instantly become the person to be with in any situation. How to make others happier using 8 simple tricks Listen. Everyone wants to be heard much more than they want to hear. Compliment. It’s the details that matter. If your girl has bought a new blouse, say that the color really suits her. -
How Change Makes You Productive
28 Oct 2009 | 1:56 amImage by Danny Perez Have you ever tried taking your laptop, leaving your usual workspace and going to your favorite coffee shop or park with a wireless internet service? Simple changes in your environment can inspire new thoughts, angles and ideas, as well as make you productive. Eventually, work becomes a boring routine, just like kindergarten, school and college becomes dull with the time you spend there. One of the simple and effective ways to stimulate your creativity is by finding new places, scenes and people to draw aspiration from. That’s called change. Kindergartens have a…
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Mystic Madness
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What Is The Purpose Of Life
7 Nov 2009 | 12:31 amThe Question to answer your life purpose becomes difficult as you dwell more into it. I have not taken this question seriously until recently when I thought it to be an important question to answer from Personal Development point of view. It is not an easy task and I have spent some quiet moments to answer this honestly for myself. It indeed involved lot of drilling on my end and answering some tough questions which somehow was ignored till now. Yes, it was not an easy one and I hope ... Related posts:10 Ways to Live Life to the Fullest Nobody gets to live life backwards. I have always… -
Open Ended Questions And Their Importance
4 Nov 2009 | 6:10 amQuestions are integral part of human conversation to know the real of people. It is an art which if used wisely has the potential to get excellent mileage and trust with people. The art is to get what you want without offending your subject. On different note the art is also to please people by showing genuine interest in them. While we will talk more about it, first it is important to understand what open ended questions and closed ended questions are and how they differ from each other. Closed Ended ... Related posts:Small Business Plan – Two Questions It Should Answer Starting… -
Top 10 Demotivators At Work
2 Nov 2009 | 5:57 amEver wondered what inspire the employees and what turns them off. An organization may never know what they are doing is either right or wrong just because small things build over the time. Human psychology plays an important role to understand small situations that have an everlasting impact on the performance of employees. Some companies invest lot of resources to create environment which is conducive to growth while there are others for whom such things may not matter at all. Regardless, the fact that cannot be ignored is that employers ... Related posts:How To Ask For A Raise Should you… -
Job Interview Advice – How To Sell Yourself
1 Nov 2009 | 7:09 amEver wondered why Job Interview Advice, Questions, Answers, Tips, Techniques etc seldom or never works. Why no body is willing to give you a break as per your caliber. Why even after having everything in your arsenal you just remain short of making the mark. While there can be many answers to this question but the focus of this post is to concentrate on how to sell yourself the way things get sold to you in everyday life. Yes, look around yourself and see why something sells why others not. ... Related posts:How To Ask For A Raise Should you ask for a pay raise or should you...How to Sell… -
How To Ask For A Raise
31 Oct 2009 | 12:00 amShould you ask for a pay raise or should you avoid it? Do you hope raise would be good this time or it would be the same old story? Do you think your boss would take care of your raise or you feel that injustice would be done again? This and couple of other questions must be revolving in your mind before every increment and you must be wondering what can be done about it. There are some who try every tricks of the trade while there are others who leave ... Related posts:Job Interview Advice – How To Sell Yourself Ever wondered why Job Interview Advice, Questions, Answers, Tips,…
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Illuminated Mind
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The Number One Self-Development Mistake, And The Fake Growth Addict
5 Nov 2009 | 4:41 pmNot all that claims to be growth is real growth. Much of what masquerades as growth is a narcissistic pursuit in a shrewd disguise. What I’ve come to realize is that much of the time, when I think I’ve been growing, I haven’t really been growing. I’ve been trying to fix or improve myself. The line between authentic growth on the one hand, and fake growth on the other, is an obscured landscape. Sometimes I think that I’m growing, and I really believe wholeheartedly that I am. Then I notice an undercurrent of duplicity, and when I dig deeper, I find that what was… -
The Ownership of Conversation
22 Oct 2009 | 10:38 amWithin the social web, everyone wants to own a conversation. They want to be the person someone thinks of when they think of a certain topic, or trend. On the other hand, everyone talks about the beauty of open-source conversation within the social web. Everyone contributes, everyone can chime in. Everyone pretends that no one really owns anything. “We’re all in this together” is the mantra of those who own branded spaces online. For a long time, I’ve been thinking about this interesting phenomenon. Everyone wants their ideas to spread, but some people don’t like… -
What Does it Take to Eat Raw?
19 Oct 2009 | 6:43 pmAs some of you may know, at the beginning of this year I made the commitment to go 100% Raw for 30 days. It was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. I felt incredible, had more energy than ever, and felt a certain lightness that I’ve never experienced while eating other diets. Since then, I’ve modified my eating to about 60-80% raw. Some of the challenges I’ve faced have been: How to manage sharing meals with a non-raw eater. Finding variety. Overcoming cravings for cooked and unhealthy foods. My biggest challenge has been overcoming the social aspect of eating… -
Last Chance to Get Paid to Exist
11 Oct 2009 | 12:21 pmI wanted to give you a fair warning. There are a little over 12 hours left until the doors close for good to Paid to Exist. I’ll be honest, I don’t need you to join. The class is near capacity right now (about three spots left), and I’m ready to kick this thing off next Wednesday. This isn’t about me, it’s about you. If you want to make sure that you don’t put off taking the plunge (and making getting paid to do what you love work), this program is for you. Let me say right now, there are other paths to making this work. I’d be a liar if I said this… -
The End of Self-Sacrifice; or Paid to Exist is LIVE
7 Oct 2009 | 2:08 pmSo many people don’t do what they love for a living, because they think they don’t deserve it. It’s more important for them to sacrifice and deliver value to others, than it is to value themselves. That’s the typical puritanical mindset. Work for others’ benefit, get a paycheck (to make it seem like you really got something out of it), then suck it up. This is how this paradigm works: Work to deliver someone else value, while doing something that we don’t enjoy (self-sacrifice). Get a paycheck, and then trick ourselves into believing that the paycheck is…
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My Life List
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Why are you not accomplishing your goals?
6 Nov 2009 | 11:38 amSo why are you not accomplishing your goals? Surely you realize that if you’ve set a major life goal, achieving it will help to improve or enrich your life. So what’s holding you back?I’m going to assume it may be because you lack one or all three of the following:1. Available time;2. Clear priorities; or3. Accountability. If you identify with any of the above, what you’re really lacking are the skills to get organized. The good news is that getting organized is a skill you can learn any time.This week on My Life List™ Radio, I had the opportunity to interview Shelagh Braley, an… -
Are you up for an Adventure?
23 Oct 2009 | 10:40 amEarlier this week, I came across an interesting article in the Globe and Mail. “Goodbye husband and career, hello high seas.” The article tells the story of Roz Savage who ditched her career, her husband and her house to row solo across the Atlantic. “I was stuck in this job, feeling like I was just on a treadmill of having to earn enough money so that I could afford to buy the house that was near enough to my job. It was just like this crazy cycle … And I’d think, you know, we don’t have to do this. … I felt like I wasn’t being true to myself.”Now, I’m not suggesting… -
Have you made any new friends lately?
25 Sep 2009 | 11:09 amYesterday I got a note from a friend telling me how excited her 6-year-old daughter was after meeting a new friend at school. "I made a new friend today! Her name is Annie and she likes to jump rope just like me!"Meeting new people is exciting yet as we get older we tend to become more distant to connecting with new friends. When was the last time you were excited to meet a new person? Imagine if you came home from work as excited as my friends 6-year-old. “I made a new friend today! His name is ____ and he likes to ___________ just like me!”Go ahead fill in the blanks, a big part of… -
Have you made any big decisions lately?
11 Sep 2009 | 10:35 amA few months ago I shared a conversation from a guy who was planning to go to South East Asia. I ran into him last night. He had just returned from spending 70 days in Thailand and Vietnam!It was hard to believe this was the same person I met who was debating whether to go or not. He could not stop smiling as he shared the stories of his adventure. It was infectious to be around him and you could see that the trip had a profound effect on him. He now has plans to return in a year and teach English in Vietnam. It is quite evident he has been inspired by his experience. We’ve all made… -
Are you making the grade?
28 Aug 2009 | 11:30 amA few weeks ago met up with a group of friends and one of them asked me if I kept score with how I was progressing with my life. It was a great question and the shocking reality was that I had never seen a way to measure how I was doing. So here is my first attempt at creating the My Life List™ Report Card. Relationships (25%)1. Do you have a romantic partner? If yes how would you rate the quality of your relationship? (0 to 10)2. Do you spend quality time with your Friends (0 to 5)3. Do you have Children? If yes how would you score your relationship with your kids? If you don’t have kids…
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Awake @ The Wheel
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The Geek’s Guide to Being Interesting
6 Nov 2009 | 2:18 amI’m not the most comfortable person in social situations… Dunno why. Maybe it’s that I was raised in a household with a hippy, potter (not pothead) mom and a mad professor dad. Either way, I never quite learned the standard party openers, you know, first 10 questions to ask or ways to be instantly known as the life of the party. And, I have to admit, I kind of resented this lack of proper social grooming for a lot of years. Because everyone I knew seemed to have a much easier time than me. But, with age, comes wisdom (also known as eccentricity), and I eventually realized my… -
Are You Building a Body of Work or a Cornucopia of Chaos?
2 Nov 2009 | 7:12 amThere’s a difference. And it’s big… One is about your legacy, the other is about what’s in front of you. One is about the impact trail you deliberately blaze and leave behind, the other about the income trail you haphazardly piece together. One is about progressive, conscious building within a well defined area of interest, the other is about bouncing to wherever the next perceived opportunity lies without regard to growth and consistency. One is about being mindful, present and proactive, the other is about being disconnected, frenetic and reactive. One is about… -
The Renegade Employee: Coming Alive with a J-O-B
28 Oct 2009 | 6:45 amEver wonder if you could truly come alive while working for someone else? By the time I finished writing Career Renegade, the book ended up with a decidedly entrepreneurial bent. But, truth is, it didn’t start out that way. In fact, there was an entire section on going renegade under someone else’s roof that ended up on the cutting room floor. And, more recently, as I’ve been culling and refining my own quest to play a smaller number of bigger games, I’ve been revisiting that very question. No doubt, going renegade most often taken the form of entrepreneurship, but… -
11 Rules for Moguls in Training
27 Oct 2009 | 1:26 pmOver the last dozen years, I’ve devoured thousands of books on business, leadership, success and lifestyles and learned a ton through my own experience as an entrepreneur and marketing hired-gun. In an effort to shortcut the knowledge acquisition process, I offer these 11 rules for Moguls In Training or MITs: On Leadership: Give a damn On Product Development: Solve a huge problem at the point of greatest pain On Customer service: Give a public damn On Employee Management: See rule 1 & be ruthlessly honest On Marketing: See rules 1 & 2, then show, don’t tell On Advertising:… -
97 Ways to Build Traffic Without Resorting to Dumbass List Posts
21 Oct 2009 | 6:51 amBlah, Blah, blah intro stuff nobody reads… Suck up to well-known bloggers with giant followings Guest post on well-known blogs with giant followings (usually done after #1) Link out to well-known bloggers with giant followings a lot Trash well-known bloggers with giant followings (then run for cover) Make out with well-known bloggers with giant following at tweetups & conferences Tweet about how you made out with well known bloggers are tweetups & conferences Post/tweet about breaking news and take a strong contrarian position Lead a post with a stunning/controversial image…
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Human SEO Self Exploration Optimization
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3 Steps You Can Use Right Now To Pulverize Procrastination
4 Nov 2009 | 8:04 am3 Steps to Pulverize Procrastination So here is a quick and simple life hack that allows you to move ahead with whatever you’ve been procrastinating on, with quickness. I know procrastination has always been a nasty issues for myself and I’m betting it is for many people. (Maybe even you?) So if procrastination pisses you off and [...]Post from: Tony Teegarden3 Steps You Can Use Right Now To Pulverize Procrastination No related posts. -
Wealth Consciousness Can You Answer These 4 Questions
24 Oct 2009 | 9:36 amImage by » Zitona « via FlickrWealth Consciousness Wealth Consciousness In my opinion wealth consciousness is a path. An eventual enlightenment where you’re no longer owned by that which you desire to possess. (Worldly goods) The wealth that I used to think was so important outside of myself, wasn’t. It’s an external extension of my ego which is [...]Post from: Tony TeegardenWealth Consciousness Can You Answer These 4 Questions Related posts:3 Key Questions That Define Your Day What Will Be Your Legacy Don’t take for granted... -
How Are You Moving Your Life Forward
21 Oct 2009 | 8:44 amMoving Your Life Forward to Bring About A Desired Lifestyle My good friend Matt Geib ask an in depth question to our last post, “3 Steps To Longer Lasting Decisions.” I started to answer it in the comments section however… “How does one move their life forward to bring about Their desired and Abundant & Fulfilling Lifestyle?” [...]Post from: Tony TeegardenHow Are You Moving Your Life Forward Related posts:6 Top Blog Posts To Support Change For The Better In Your Life Blogs That Support Quality Change I get a few emails... -
Calling All Coaches-Is This Why People Struggle With Success?
17 Oct 2009 | 9:14 amCover via AmazonDo People Struggle With Success Is This Why People Struggle With Finding Fulfilling Work I know this subject may not be terribly cool to talk about but in order to bring it out of the dark we must shed our light on the topic. Do you tell yourself there are so many excuses as to why [...]Post from: Tony TeegardenCalling All Coaches-Is This Why People Struggle With Success? No related posts. -
My Blogging Experiences Exposed
16 Oct 2009 | 9:11 amBlogging Business and Me So I’ve been such a busy little bee this past year and I can’t tell you how much of a nerd I have become. (Just really educated) When it comes to Wordpress, Social Media and Local Business It’s been quite the wild ride and I’ve loved it. However I want to tie this [...]Post from: Tony TeegardenMy Blogging Experiences Exposed Related posts:Begining Bloggers & Making Mistakes Become A Blogger You Say? I’ve been blogging for about...Tampa Tweetup And Small Business Blogging Project Local Tampa Bay Tweet Up If you’re not…
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There, I Fixed It
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Needs Another Zip Tie To Adjust The Stream
7 Nov 2009 | 5:00 amSubmitted by: dunno source via Submit a Kludge! -
Load ‘Em In From The Other Side And They’re None The Wiser
6 Nov 2009 | 12:00 pmSubmitted by: pixialted via Submit a Kludge! -
Friday Friends: Some Lovely Kludges
6 Nov 2009 | 11:00 amThere are times when a kludge is necessary. For example, you’re stuck in the middle of the woods and just tumbled into a ravine and judging from that white bit protruding from your leg, a temporary cast made from a stick and some duct tape will suffice until you either get to help or a bear eats you. Sometimes, a kludge is just easier. Or funnier. But trying to sell your house should not be one of those times. Luckily for us, my friend Sara has a blog to point out that common sense when it comes to real estate is pretty uncommon. Check out these gems: I’m not entirely sure what… -
It’s Like Some Sort Of Handwashing Device…
6 Nov 2009 | 9:00 amSubmitted By: Checotah -
Whaddya Mean My Identity’s Been Stolen?
6 Nov 2009 | 5:00 amSubmitted by: EKSYT via Submit a Kludge!
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How to of the Day
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How to Clean a Scanned Manga Page in Photoshop
7 Nov 2009 | 12:00 amThis is tutorial on how to use Adobe Photoshop to clean a scanned black and white manga image. The techniques here can be applied to any scanned black and white image from a book. -
How to Appreciate Confessional Poetry
6 Nov 2009 | 12:00 pmConfessional poetry gives you a very personal peek into the writer's life, and sometimes such details are unflattering to the writer and/or uncomfortable for the reader. This is in contrast to poetry that discusses public issues, with the poet using a detached persona, with minimal implicit hinting at their personal life.[1] Like all literary movements, confessional poetry has its unique features and up and downs. In order to understand and enjoy reading it, you have to look at it deeply, so you can gain a truly deep appreciation of what you've just read. This article will guide you through… -
8 Ways to Cope With Being Pregnant at Work
6 Nov 2009 | 12:00 amBeing pregnant doesn't mean finishing work in our modern world. It does, however, require consideration of the possible challenges that you will face as a pregnant worker. From needing to be aware of the risks to unborn children from handling chemicals and dangerous items, to understanding how fatigue, weight changes, and nutritional needs will impact your work day, knowing in advance how much you might be impacted will help you to plan a successful, continued stretch on the job before the baby arrives. -
How to Keep Seed Beads in Plastic Straws
5 Nov 2009 | 12:00 pmREDIRECT Store Seed Beads in Plastic Straws -
How to Do Crunches Properly
5 Nov 2009 | 12:00 amCrunches are a lot like sit-ups, except that instead of lifting your entire back off the floor, you only lift your upper back. This isolates ("crunches") the ab muscles without engaging muscles in your hips. Crunches are also safer than sit-ups because they don't compress your spine as much.[1] When paired with adequate weight loss, doing crunches regularly can lead to six-pack abs. If your goal is simply a flat stomach, however, spot exercises won't help. Read How to Lose Belly Fat instead.
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David Seah - Design, Development, Inspiration, Empowerment
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Introducing the Agenceum
5 Nov 2009 | 2:13 amI've been busy setting up servers and figuring out what I need to do to launch this "niche design business" experiment I declared in my last post. All this material will appear on a new sub-blog called The Agenceum, which you can reach at http://davidseah.com/agenceum. The idea behind the name is Agency + Lyceum, and it was available as a domain name in case I want to expand this further in the coming year. I'm going to try to work dirty, getting stuff up and running before it's completely ready. This will be difficult for my perfectionist side to deal with, but there are so many things to do… -
World Domination 101.04: Common Clarity
1 Nov 2009 | 2:48 pmSummary: I outline the essential element of clarity over planning for its own sake, and establish my next slightly-mad steps in moving ahead in my design business. I was thinking about what I wrote just a few hours ago regarding the choice to deliberate not plan too diligently, and instead trust my ability to improvise on-the-fly. It seems so counter-intuitive that I hesitated to even post the idea, and now I know why: it doesn't work when you are leading a group. If you are working independently, as am I, then it's perfectly fine. It doesn't work with a group because if you're the one… -
Optimizing the Walk, not the Plan
1 Nov 2009 | 10:02 amSummary: I’ve been preparing the relaunch of my design business, and have realized that the way I’m doing it may not be suited to my “natural strengths” (now that I have an inkling of what they are). If this is the case, I need to think of optimal action as applying the skills I have WITHOUT planning, trusting that I have the training to do it right. If firefighters act this way, perhaps I can learn from their example. And this suggests a radical plan of action. I've been quiet lately, and that's because I've been getting my ducks in a row to restart some kind of… -
Recycled Content Saturday: Some Old Stories
31 Oct 2009 | 1:28 pmSummary: I wrote some short stories back in 2006, and they are weird enough to share this October 31st. Not Halloween related at all, but I just felt like sharing them with an audience that may not have seen them before. It’s also a look into the way my mind works. My musician friend Angela and I were talking about song composition and improvisation the other day, and we somehow got on a tangent about storytelling and writing books. I explained that my story writing technique was pretty much made-up on the fly. By way of example, I took three random words, "eggplant", "harmonica" and… -
Podcast 002: Fulfillment, Skeptics, and Wolves
27 Oct 2009 | 10:41 pmWe have our second podcast available in the brand-spanking new podcast section of this site. The RSS feed for the podcast section is now iTunes Friendly, which means you can now directly subscribe to the podcast via the iTunes store. Please jump to the new section to listen or read more about the podcast. Thanks!
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HiLife2B
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Thank You!
4 Nov 2009 | 10:05 pmI’d just like to say thanks to my nearly 200 subscribers. Some of you have been with me since I started this blog as a personal development/motivational hangout. For that, I am truly humbled. I’m so happy to have a great community where I can express myself. I feel like I can let... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]] -
Grab Missed Opportunities By Not Caring About the Outcome
1 Nov 2009 | 10:07 pmTime is our most precious resource. Everything that happens in the world revolves around it. We do everything we can to reclaim it. It’s one of the many things we wish we could control. We grow, we age, we die. After that, life starts all over again. Yet even after knowing this (that our time... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]] -
What I’ve Been Reading This Week – Issue 2
28 Oct 2009 | 10:03 pmHello, my humble readers! Welcome to Issue 2 in the WIBR Series! I’ve included in this list many interesting articles: some will inspire you, some will move you, and others will serve to help you. I recommend reading all of these. For those of you who read some of the same blogs as me, I... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]] -
Why We Should Put an End to the “New Year’s Resolution”
25 Oct 2009 | 10:37 pm“Many people look forward to the New Year for a new start on old habits.” – Unknown Do you remember the last New Year’s Eve? Of course you do. It’s the time when everyone prepared for the ball-to-drop, the clock to strike twelve, and the fireworks to illuminate the night... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]] -
When Stating Intentions, Be Specific
21 Oct 2009 | 10:06 pmOkay, I’ve done something really stupid over the past month, and I’ve just now realized how dumb it was. As you all know, I’ve stated my goals here on the blog many times. When I was writing them, it felt good, as if I was getting something off of my chest. But today, I was... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
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Sentiment of Success
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Want To Succeed?
23 Oct 2009 | 2:38 pmPassion, Purpose, Practice! Passion, Purpose, Practice! Passion, Purpose, Practice! Passion, Purpose, Practice! Passion, Purpose, Practice! Passion, Purpose, Practice! Passion, Purpose, Practice! Passion, Purpose, Practice! Passion, Purpose, Practice! Passion, Purpose, Practice! Passion, Purpose, Practice! Passion, Purpose, Practice! Have an amazing weekend! Tagged: passion, practice, purpose, success -
Recent Tweets #4
23 Oct 2009 | 3:30 amHere are some of my recent Tweets. My personal favorites are in bold. People think they must show up and perform early. I say No. Take as much time you need to make your impression. Its ok to start life at 30. Look at each stock you own and ask if you’d rather see it rise in [...] -
On The MBA
22 Oct 2009 | 6:59 pmFrom Doug Casey: “It’s amazing, when you stop and think about it. The professors who teach MBA courses are not successful business people out making millions in the economy – they’re academics! Successful business people with proven track records wouldn’t work for their wages. These academics have no hands-on experience and are teaching theories, most [...] -
30 Ways to Improve Your Life
16 Oct 2009 | 9:24 amSmile Stop regretting and start living. Forgive and forget. Watch a movie by yourself. Do something you really want. Be grateful. Be yourself. Attend community or religious meetings. Give more and give often. Sing in the shower. Sleep when tired. Eat when hungry. Read a book a week. Exercise daily and become physically flexible. Make meal times sacred. Talk with your parents (while they’re alive). Don’t get [...] -
How To Take and Organize Notes
14 Oct 2009 | 1:53 pm“You can’t manage what you don’t measure” – Peter Drucker “Information is a source of learning. But unless it is organized, processed, and available to the right people in a format for decision making, it is a burden, not a benefit” – William Pollard Taking Notes I’m sure that every influential person in the history of the world [...]
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WhiteHatBlackBox.com
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What’s the Point?
28 Oct 2009 | 1:47 pmA lot of post-modern thought has gone into symbolic reality. Advances in technology has allowed us to do many things simply for the sake of doing it. Overcoming challenges has moved from being a necessity to a luxury. When you do something, what’s the point? I’ve been learning about a lot of physical stuff lately. I’ve been practicing parkour. I started doing yoga according to this chart. I’ve also been looking into bodyweight exercises by Christopher Sommers and Jeet Kune Do by Bruce Lee. Something I love about these disciplines is there is a higher reason for the… -
Freedom in Your Environment
16 Oct 2009 | 4:31 pmI’ve been practicing parkour for the past week and I’m very excited. I feel a new sense of freedom because I now have a way to interact with my environment, rather than being defined by it. Parkour is a physical discipline of moving through obstacles with efficiency. Imagine Jackie Chan running away from the bad guys. When I started telling my friends what I’ve been doing, I also found out that “hardcore parkour” was featured in The Office a few weeks ago. Parkour has received media attention from people jumping from roof to roof, but it has much more to offer to… -
Procedure List + Monday Refocus Form
6 Oct 2009 | 9:45 pmI use procedure list cards in my 3-ring binder to have a detailed list of action items for recurring projects (such as cleaning the bathroom). It keeps my todo list simple and gives me the procedure to get it done efficiently. This form is pretty simple to use and saves me precious time from thinking about challenges that I’ve already solved: Fill in the title of the procedure: Most of your procedures are going to be some sort of routine that (a) you haven’t memorized yet and (b) something you wouldn’t do spontaneously. Most of my routines have to do with some type of… -
How Not to Live a Balanced Life
29 Sep 2009 | 11:34 amIt is nice to have a balanced life. Every once in a while you may need to temporarily break that balance to achieve difficult goals. Once you move past the challenge, you can become balanced again. For the past two weeks I was going through the most intense study session of my life. Never before have I been more focused and never before have I been more unbalanced. I was preparing for my first actuarial exam, which has a 30% first time pass rate. I was stressed to my limit. Last Thursday, I took my exam and was overjoyed when I was greeted by the computer screen saying “Congratulations! -
Get to Amazing by Engaging Fears
8 Sep 2009 | 1:52 pmI was re-reading through the Four Hour Workweek and I am starting to understand Tim Ferriss’ method of doing amazing things. To get to somewhere exceptional, you must be willing to go beyond where others fear to go. Emboldened by Tim Ferriss’ philosophy of life, I called up Professor Mihály Csíkszentmihályi last week to get his advice on waiting for flow. I nervously called on Monday, but he was still on Summer vacation. Still nervous, I called again on Tuesday and he picked up. I chatted with him for about 10 minutes, where he gave me some advice and referred me to a PhD…
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Study Skills Mentor
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Proofread in exams.
5 Nov 2009 | 9:00 pmIt is always a good idea to proofread your work. Obvious isn’t it. I am sure you do this, or get someone else to check your assignments but do you ever proofread your work during exams. The top reasons why you should proofread in exams. You will be spending time checking punctuation and grammar. You will be checking [...] Related posts:Alphabet Vocabulary: Fun Ways to Study SeriesWordle: Fun Ways to Study SeriesDay 25: Incorporate Exam Plan into Daily Plan -
Rice: Fun Ways to Study Series
4 Nov 2009 | 11:00 pmI was going to call this post “Can rice make you smarter?” but I was worried you would all think it was a new question for the “Study Answers” column. Instead it is just my way of introducing the new banner on the right hand side of the page. Freerice.com I have downloaded a banner from freerice.com. If [...] Related posts:Skipping – Fun Ways to Study SeriesTwitter: Fun Ways to Study SeriesWordle: Fun Ways to Study Series -
Music and Study Skills: A perfect partnership
3 Nov 2009 | 11:00 pmIn a previous post “Is it ok to listen to music when studying?” I gave my personal opinion on the subject. However, I have been spending some time researching this topic and now have some information for you. Studies into the effect music has on learning Firstly, there have been many studies on whether music, specifically classical [...] Related posts:Is it ok to listen to music while you study?Study what you understandGuest Post – Sharpening your Research Skills -
Skipping – Fun Ways to Study Series
3 Nov 2009 | 1:00 amGrab your skipping rope and start studying today. I am serious. This is a great strategy to remember information by rote. Rote Learning Rote learning simply means information you remember just by reciting it over and over again. Examples include: Mutliplication facts Fomulas Periodic tables the alphabet Foreign Language How does this relate to skipping? Well it doesn’t really. But that is what makes it [...] Related posts:Rice: Fun Ways to Study SeriesAlphabet Vocabulary: Fun Ways to Study SeriesWordle: Fun Ways to Study Series -
Use Old Exam Papers to your Advantage
2 Nov 2009 | 1:00 amDo you have access to old exam papers? Do your teachers give you practice exam questions? Old exam papers are a great way to practice for an exam. Sure, it might not include the exact same questions but the old paper will still help you. Here are some ways to use old exam papers: Practice time management – [...] Related posts:Day 25: Incorporate Exam Plan into Daily PlanDay 23: Create an Exam PlannerDay 26: Exam Purge
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Leadership And Networking
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Why IPhone Sale Crashed in China: Apple's Biggest Failure So Far ?
6 Nov 2009 | 10:11 pmWith only 5000 sets of IPhone being sold in China so far, since it's debut on 30th Oct, Apple perhaps, for the first time - India and Japan story were slightly better - is experiencing, what it has not, so far: total collapse of it's projections, in one of the largest and growing economy. Click Here To Read More -
LinkedIn is Being Re-Designed: An Insight
6 Nov 2009 | 1:49 pmAs some of LinkedIn users must have noticed by now, there are some design changes being incorporated, but selectively. Click Here To Read Full Article -
50 Yrs+: Who Says; You are Too Old to Get a Good Job?
6 Nov 2009 | 6:51 amWhen most of our political leaders are more than 50 yrs old,- barring few highly intelligent mind readers and heir apparent, young turks - and their ability to perform seems to be directly proportional to age, then why in the corporate world; we are influenced by this unreasonable concept ? Click Here To Read Full Article -
Can You be a Better Manager ? Yes, You Can, but How ?
5 Nov 2009 | 11:44 am"The need for good managers, people who can manage themselves and others in a high stress environment, is increasing." Said F. John Reh on About.com, and we all know about it - without really knowing it ! Click Here To Read Full Article -
7 Basic Rules for Driving Huge Traffic to Your Blog
4 Nov 2009 | 1:10 pmNothing but perfection, in managing your site/blog in all respect: creativity, presentation, marketing and traffic servicing - similar to customer service - is the only solution, for moving ahead of others and get noticed in the market-place. Click Here To Read Full Article
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Genuine Curiosity by Dwayne Melancon
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Personal Development, the Peter Drucker way
4 Nov 2009 | 4:15 pmThanks to an introduction by Lisa Haneberg, I had the pleasure of discovering Bruce Rosenstein and his book , "Living In More Than One World: How Peter Drucker's Wisdom Can Inspire and Transform Your Life." I've been a long-time fan of Peter Drucker ("The Daily Drucker" is always on my bedside table) for his philosophy on business and management. However, I have a whole new appreciation for Drucker's insights after reading Rosenstein's book. Core, guiding principles One thing that really stuck with me was the clarity Drucker developed about principles, purpose, and… -
What if you lost your laptop or phone?
29 Oct 2009 | 9:24 pmToday, I had coffee with the Ken Westin, the founder of a company that makes a product called "GadgetTrak." As the name implies, they have solutions that help you track your gadgets. Their approach goes far beyond simple barcodes and involves some pretty impressive software that not only lets you tell exactly where your device is (using WiFi or cell tower triangulation). If the device has a camera it can send you a picture of what the thief is looking at (perhaps even a photo of the bad guy's face). GadgetTrak can help you find lots of devices, including stolen… -
What Litmus Test Have You Created For Yourself?
25 Oct 2009 | 10:27 pmI was having a discussion about mission statements, corporate positioning and things of that nature the other day (OK, not the most exciting stuff, I'll grant you…) But, from this tiring discussion of corporate wordsmithing, I realized just how crucial it is for each of us -- as individuals -- to be conscious of the words we use to describe ourselves. Why? Because the words you use in your claims, aspirations, and defining words can become a sort of 'litmus test' by which others gauge your actions. If you don't declare yourself, anyone is free to call you whatever… -
Gliider: a handy travel planning gadget
23 Oct 2009 | 11:23 amI've been experimenting with a new 'travel helper' gadget called gliider, which is a free add-on for Firefox 3.x (alas, it doesn't currently support my default browser, IE 8). gliider claims to help you "plan funner trips" and, I must say, I think it can deliver on that promise. Gliider provides an easy-to-use means of organizing trip details and "clippings" of things you need to remember (or simply want to do) for your upcoming trips. End-to-end Trip Organization gliider includes a number of elements that will help you when you're planning a trip, all the way from… -
Amazon Prime Just Got Even Better
17 Oct 2009 | 11:02 pmOK, so I know I’m doing two Amazon-related posts in a row (the Kindle price drop was just before this one). But I just got an email from Amazon that made me happy – they are improving their already-awesome Amazon Prime shipping features. In case you weren’t already aware, Amazon Prime is an annual, fee-based program that gives you automatic upgrades to free 2nd-Day Air shipping for any Prime-eligible item. The big news is that they have improved Prime so that items ordered on Thursday will be delivered on Saturday now, instead of Monday. Gotta love it – here is the…
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The Personal Excellence Blog
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What Questions Do You Have On the Pursuit of Passion?
7 Nov 2009 | 2:16 amAs I shared in my latest update, I’m in the middle of writing my 1st ever book on Passion And Money. It is on how you can pursue your passion and earn money with it. The book will: Bust common myths surrounding passion & money Share my story on how I successfully pursued my passion and earned money Unravel what passion is Share with you: How to discover your passion How you can start pursuing your passion, right now! How to achieve great success pursuing your passion Key concepts/strategies/principles that worked for me and how you can apply them for yourself And more! Since this… -
Update: Upcoming Book, Talkshow and Latest Media Coverage in Radio 938 LIVE, Today and Lianhe Wanbao
5 Nov 2009 | 9:09 amHey everyone!! My deepest apologies for not updating in the past 2 weeks! In case any of you are wondering, I’m NOT abandoning the blog, and I definitely have no intentions to do so. To summarize, it’s been a really exciting and adrenaline-filled 2 weeks with interviews/seminars/workshops/coaching. With the setting up of The School of Personal Excellence, there have been lots of big ideas flying around my head, and I’m just all too eager to get down to work and get everything rolling. More on that later. Remaining 2009 Goals: Weight Loss and Talk Show As 2009 is drawing to a… -
Update: Career Excellence Seminar on 16 Oct 2009 – An Excellent Turnout and Awesome Crowd!! :)
19 Oct 2009 | 12:29 amLast week was a huge rush! In conjunction with the launch of TSOPE, I was interviewed by Shin Min Daily News, Lianhe Wanbao, Today newspaper and featured by JobsCentral. The features are coming out this week, so for all of you living in Singapore, keep a look out for them! I just finished writing an exclusive story on Positive Thinking for Simply Her magazine which will be out in the Dec issue (in newstands in Nov). This week will be even crazier – Career Excellence seminar this Wed, several business discussions, 1 half day workshop at Pioneer JC and a full Power Career Excellence… -
Pictures of The School of Personal Excellence
10 Oct 2009 | 11:54 amAs promised, here is the post with the pictures of The School of Personal Excellence (TSOPE) office! Since I was going to spend a big chunk of my time in the office, I took time out to turn it into an inspiring environment, just like what I did to my bedroom 2 years ago. My office has doubled up as my apartment after I converted one of the rooms into my bedroom, so nowadays I stay over in the office at least half the week and return home in the other days. I’m really loving the convenience and all the time/energy saved from commuting. Especially so as it takes over an hour to commute… -
Launch of The School of Personal Excellence
4 Oct 2009 | 10:35 amThe School of Personal Excellence is finally open for official business!! Check out the website at http://tsope.net. The right column has a list of all the latest workshops/activities I’m engaged in, so you can check it out to know what I’m up to while I’m not writing here. 1st Year Anniversary of My Departure From Corporate Time flies – it’s now a year and a week since I left my ex-company to pursue my passion My last day was 30 Sep 2008. In the last couple of weeks before last day, I still remember I was rushing around, trying to tie as many things as I could…
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The Life Changing Project
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Make Your Own Neti Pot – Sinus Infections Be Gone!
25 Oct 2009 | 3:53 pmThe city of Philadelphia ranks twelfth in metropolitan areas with the worst ozone air pollution. So I guess it shouldn’t have surprised me when, shortly after moving here from the relatively clean Midwest in 1983, I began experiencing a series of upper respiratory ailments. Things like strep throat, bronchitis, ear infections, sinus infections and pneumonia, which I had never even had as a child, occurred with enough regularity that I was treated with antibiotics at least once a year for over ten years. It wasn’t until I was hospitalized for nearly a week about four years ago with severe… -
21 Secrets to a Better Life
21 Oct 2009 | 2:52 pmA dear friend (from high school driver’s ed, no less!) sent me this in an email today and I loved it so much that I had to share – I hope that you’ll share as well! ONE. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully. TWO. Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their conversational skills will be as important as any other. THREE. Don’t believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want. FOUR. When you say, ‘I love you,’ mean it. FIVE. When you say, ‘I’m sorry,’ look the person in the eye. SIX. Be… -
The One Sure Cure for Stress …
20 Oct 2009 | 6:05 amI hardly need to repeat the statistics for stress, but here’s just a couple from the Washington Post: 54 percent of Americans are concerned about the level of stress in their everyday lives. 62 percent of Americans say work has a significant impact on stress levels. 73 percent of Americans name money as the number one factor that affects their stress level. Increasing numbers of children, teenagers and college students report feeling under stress. We’ve all got our own ways of coping with stress. A great workout usually helps me. An awesome run is a sure stress reliever. I confess… -
“5 Reasons to be an Optimist”
17 Oct 2009 | 5:15 pmNo doubt you’ve heard sayings about happiness and the power of positive thinking. For instance, “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade” and “some pursue happiness, others create it.” Turns out that optimism truly is a powerful force. And, regardless of your circumstances or personal setbacks, you can choose to approach life with a sunny outlook, transforming negative thoughts into positive ones and increasing your chances of success. Still not convinced? Here are five findings that prove the power of positivity. 1. Optimism can lead to longevity. Several… -
Brand Whores
17 Oct 2009 | 6:33 amI have a lovely 100% silk Missoni scarf up on eBay right now. I can hardly believe the number of hits it has already gotten, merely because of the “Missoni” label. It’s a fairly standard little square scarf, lovely really, but nothing special. In fact, considering that it came from my mother-in-law’s collection of tons of gorgeous scarves (she was a decorator, a graduate of Moore College of Art and the consummate fashionable dresser), it isn’t even in my top ten of her scarves. Looking over her clothing, jewelry, accessories, handbags – it’s clear my…
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Change your Thoughts for true Personal Development
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Guided Meditation – Forest Walk
5 Nov 2009 | 2:44 pmSince the Ask The Coach Series is fast running out of questions I have a guided meditation for you to listen to, either on your PC or you can download it for free. This is called Forest walk. Forest Walk Guided Meditation It would be great to let me know what you think of it and give any feedback. It would also be good if you have any requests for guided meditations You can download the Forest Walk Guided Meditaiton here Just right click the link and save as a file on your desktop. Share this on del.icio.usDigg this!Share this on RedditStumble upon something good? Share it on StumbleUponShare… -
De-personalising Personal Development
3 Nov 2009 | 1:23 pmHere’s a thought that might spin your head. Personal development is not personal! It’s not about you. It IS personal in that what you ‘personally develop’ is particular to your beliefs, your skills, and your situation – but it’s not about the you who is unconditionally valuable and beyond judgement. I said it would spin your head. But stick with me, there is good news to come. Some words in the English language are what is called in linguistic studies – multi-ordinal. This means, in brief, that the same word means different things in different contexts. This is obvious if… -
Sunday Siesta – Bloggers Who Have Quit Their Day Job
1 Nov 2009 | 1:35 pmThis weeks Sunday Siesta is all about bloggers who have managed to quit their day job to become professional bloggers. I have been reading a lot about this lately since I will be doing it soon. I thought it might be interesting to look at a few bloggers who have turned pro and link to their stories of how they managed to quit their day jobs. 9 10 Bloggers Who Have Quit Their Day Job and Turned Pro Jonathan Mead IlluminatedMind.net – So I Quit My Day Job, Dear Boss: You’re Fired – I like Jonathan’s story of how he managed to go from working as a file clerk to managing an… -
One Key To Success In Life And Business
30 Oct 2009 | 12:13 pmI have been into personal development for over 15 years and sometimes there are moments that just hit you square in the face and scream ‘Pay attention to me’. No doubt you have gone through life and you get these moments, they’re called ‘A-ha moments’, when you just get it, whatever you’ve been trying to figure out. There have been quite a few of these moments in my life but none more profound than than the one I’m about to share with you now. The Key To Success Is Making Others A Success Now, you’d think that would be well known and everybody… -
Best of Change Your Thoughts 2009
28 Oct 2009 | 3:20 pmI have finished the first draft of ‘The Best of CYT 2009′ and would like to make it available to readers of Change Your Thoughts. You can sign up to the newsletter to get the ebook which features 96 pages of great self help work from myself and several other great writers such as Ayo Olaniyan, Mr Self Development, Celestine Chua, Francesca Kotomski, Armen Shirvanian, and Douglas Cartwright. I know you might have signed up already, if you have please sign up again and it will give you a message to advise you have already signed up. I will send out the second volume to exisiting…
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Exile Lifestyle
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I’m a Bit Slow
5 Nov 2009 | 1:37 amDelightfully Slow I turn the handle 90 degrees to the right, relishing the slight resistance offered by the oiled metallic housing. Next comes the knob; it’s more art than science. Too little and the gas won’t come on, but too far and it won’t be enough to light. I gently twist it into the correct position with the ease of constant practice. I pull the small box down from the shelf, noting the trio of ducks on the front and giving them a wink. My index finger slides the main compartment from the outer shell and I reach in to pull out one small match; a red-headed gift from… -
Good Things Come To Those That Don’t Wait
2 Nov 2009 | 12:18 amGuest post written by Jonny Gibaud of thelifething.com. Jonny writes for the love of Helping People, Inspiring People and Katie Holmes. He honed his unique writing style through his refusal to read for fear the words would attack him and borrowed his life philosophies from the local stray terrier but plans to give aspects of them back. Procrastination, they say, is the killer of progress, creativity and small puppies. It is also ironically a rather long word for those that do procrastinate to get around to saying. But it is true. How many countless millions of great ideas, wonderful concepts,… -
I Feel So Used (and You Should Too)
28 Oct 2009 | 12:33 amI Admit It One of the first things I think when I meet someone is ‘How will this person be useful to me?’ It’s not really a conscious thing – it’s more one of those reflexive tendencies that everyone has but only a few overanalyzers take the time to acknowledge. But it’s definitely happening, and this initial impression can have a drastic impact on what kind of relationship you will form with someone new. I understand it sounds really cold to just flat-out say ‘I’m using you and you’re using me,’ so let me clarify. While it’s… -
Be My Guru
22 Oct 2009 | 11:01 amMentorless I’ve never had a mentor. Not in the usual sense of the word, anyway. I didn’t have that one person who excelled at everything I cared about, blazing trails that I hoped to follow, telling me “Someday you’ll be as successful as I am, if you play your cards right,” and “No, no, let me show you how it’s done.” I do have unusually supportive parents, and I’ve been fortunate enough to learn under some really amazing professors in the past, but I’ve never found the already-wise Plato to my still-learning Aristotle; the streetwise Artful Dodger to my naive Oliver. I… -
Between You and the Very Hard Ground
20 Oct 2009 | 1:17 amThis is a guest post by miss Annette O’Neil who runs Clever Ginger Creative and who splashes her colorful prose all over the carpet, walls, ceiling, etc. at her blog, Here There Be Tygers. Take a look at her work and be inspired; I’m a big fan. It’s a lot like the first day of school, actually. Someone helps you put on a heavy backpack, gives you a bit of grave advice, cheerfully wishes you luck, and watches you climb the stairs to get into the vehicle. You squeeze into a seat among the jostling crowd, every member of which is much, much cooler than you are. You fold your hands…
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Freestyle Mind
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How to Prioritize Tasks in Your Life
5 Nov 2009 | 8:51 amGetting control of your life and knowing which tasks to do is one of the most useful skills you can learn. It doesn’t matter if you can work 12 straight hours unless you know why you are doing it. Learning how to prioritize your tasks is the natural intersection between short term planning and long term planning and it helps beating procrastination because you are always using your energies on what matter the most to you. Fortunately it’s easy to know what’s important to do if you follow these steps: Focus on the essential. You can have great results if you focus on a few… -
Habit #5 – The Do Habit
3 Nov 2009 | 12:54 amToday I’m starting the DO habit here on freestyle mind. Continuing my journey following the ZenToDone program, the Do habit is naturally placed between the plan habit and the simple trusted system habit. In the previous months when I started to follow this program, I had no idea how I would do a do habit, because I thought that I was already doing something every time. But thanks to the experience and knowledge I have acquired in the previous months, I now understand that the do habit is a lot of work, and there’s a lot of room for improvement. The nice thing is that starting from… -
10,000 Euros/Month October Update
1 Nov 2009 | 2:27 amThis is my fourth update of my 10,000 euros/month challenge. This month I made some improvements and I’ve been also working on a nice new project. What I did in October October has been very productive for me. Thanks to the pomodoro technique, I’ve been able to complete many tasks I was keeping on hold from a long time. On the blogging side, I put more emphasis on creating valuable content than finding new readers. In fact I’ve published my first video, uncopyrighted my articles, and much more. Regarding minisites, I’ve been working on a new website where people can… -
How to Be Successful
29 Oct 2009 | 9:08 amKnowing how to be successful is probably one of the most desired dreams of every person. When you know the formula to become successful, you can apply it to every aspect of your life, like family, career, sport, etc. If you want to be successful in life, you first have to understand that the process is really a shift of your thoughts. In fact, successful people know that you have to change inside before you can pretend to change your outside actions. How to be successful The following is the four steps formula that allowed me to achieve many goals I had, like leaving my day job three years… -
Freestyle Mind is Now Uncopyrighted
27 Oct 2009 | 9:48 amJust a quick post to inform all the readers of Freestyle Mind that this blog is now uncopyrighted, that is, its content is now available in the public domain. You are now free to publish the content of this website wherever you want, with or without citing the source. This is a big step forward I’m taking with the intention of providing even more value to the world. I don’t care getting fame as long as the value is delivered. I’m not the first one doing this, zen habits has already done it before, and this is something that makes sense for me to do as well. Quality of…
