This structure of modern forms is populated in its interior with several gardens that fill it with greenery and freshness. It was designed in the year 2017 by the team of the architectural firm CONNATURAL, made up by the architects Edgar Mazo and Sebastián Mejía, and assisted by Santiago Hurtado in the development phase. It is located in the city of Medellin, in Antioquia, Colombia and covers a total ground..
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The Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness is a rolling landscape of…
The Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness is a rolling landscape of badlands, which offers some of the most unusual scenery in New Mexico. Time and natural elements have etched a fantasy world of strange rock formations out of sandstone and shale. Off the beaten path, it’s a great place to find solitude, explore the amazing desert landscape and marvel at the sunset. Photo by Theresa Rose Ditson (http://ift.tt/18oFfjl).
How to Increase Your Productivity in a Coworking Space
Public coworking spaces and shared office spaces have become increasingly popular in the last decade. In fact, in over six years, the number of shared office spaces available has jumped from 1,130 to 13,800 — a leap of 12,670 spaces.
This popularity is due to the undeniable benefits of shared working spaces, especially for freelancers and independent contractors. Factors such as energy level, professional ambiance and mingling lend a hand to the success of this office style. However, like working anywhere, shared spaces have their own unique downsides. Sensory overload, random uncontrollable noise and self-management can decrease your work productivity.
Here are a few tips to making this public space work for you!
Invest in Headphones
Open work spaces come with a lot of noise. Even with the best efforts to keep quiet, keyboard strokes, coffee sips, small chatter, conference calls and more can quickly become a nuisance.
The solution? Headphones.
Using a personalized music playlist or listening to your favorite podcast is proven to be effective in enhancing your focus. However, make sure to cater to your work. If you’re writing, music is usually a better choice than a podcast as it provides too much word input. But, if you’re designing web platforms, a podcast you enjoy will keep your brain busy while you’re completing tedious tasks.
If music in your ear isn’t your jam (pun intended), consider complete silence with a high-quality pair of noise-canceling headphones. Covering up with a pair of these will block out the chitter chatter and clickety clicks, so you can focus on your workload in peace and quiet.
See Also: This Type Of Music Can Increase Your Productivity
Create Your ‘Office’
Much like audio chaos, visual noise is worth reducing for increased productivity. Avoid having anything chaotic or messy within your sight to help maintain focus. Items like trash bins, cluttered tables, washroom hallways and even busy streets are distracting.
Try facing towards a view with simple, clean lines. It can be a garden window or a wall. It seems boring, but Zen tradition suggests this is a great way to stay on task. If possible, include daylight near your workspace. Increased light exposure is proven to improve sleep habits and therefore increase productivity.
Having a plant nearby can also relax the body and foster creativity. If the space doesn’t have plants, consider commuting with your own or bringing a few to leave in the space. Of course, make sure to talk to the owner of the workspace first to ensure that your greenery doesn’t get tossed out at the end of the day.
If your line of work involves a high level of creativity, you may choose to face the excitement head on and use it as your muse. The saying “to each his own” is appropriate for visual decluttering.
See Also: 7 Surprising Benefits of Coworking Spaces
Prioritize Your Time
Most people (64%) who use coworking spaces are better able to meet their deadlines. Time management plays a large role in their ability to do so. To become one of the 64%, it’s suggested that you mute all unimportant notifications. Little beeps for unimportant tasks will take your focus away from larger, more important jobs.
Next, studies show that in order to produce the highest quality of work in the shortest amount of time, people should work intensely for 52 minutes, then take a 17-minute break.
The trick? Staying off of social media, text messaging and the like. Instead, use your break to take a refreshing walk or mingle within the office space. Not only will this help you refocus, but networking never hurts!
Scheduling your own hours is a huge perk that comes along with this style of working. However, if you aren’t disciplined with your time, it’s easy to start working in overdrive. Keeping set hours helps you stay on track, sets the pace for your day and for your potential clients and assures you do not overwork yourself.
One of the reasons shared working spaces are successful is the fact that they provide a structured space to work that is not home. Use this to your advantage and keep work and home time separate.
In addition to these three focus points, maintaining a work-life harmony and keeping procrastination tendencies under control are also important to increasing your productivity in a shared work environment. Once your space is perfected, you will reap the benefits of joining a coworking habitat, including an improved home life, a potential increase in income and added professional flexibility.
Share our awesome infographic on Tips For Getting Work Done.
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Modern Restaurant in a Building Located in the Heart of Munich, Germany
This modern Bar is located in a post-war modernist building in the heart of Munich, Germany. The old building was built in 1975 by architects Sep Ruf and Theo Papst to replace a castle belonging to the Bavarian Duke Wilhelm V, built at the end of the 16th century, and which was later devastated in World War II. It was redesigned, however, in 2016 by the architectural firm Build Inc…
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Unique Farm in Cordoba, Spain Designed by UMMO Estudio
This unique property is located in the beautiful city of Cordoba, in a depression on the banks of the River Guadalquivir and at the feet of Sierra Morena, in Spain. It was completed in the year 2012 on a plot of 104 square meters by the architects Andrés Moreno and Manuel Murillo from the architectural firm UMMO Estudio. It sits on the slopes of the Sierra, on a stone terrain..
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7 Not-So-Over-The-Top Romantic Ideas to Keep Love Alive
At a certain point in a relationship, romance seems to fade. You get comfortable with one another and dinners out with romantic moonlit strolls give way to whatever is in the fridge and on TV.
Feeling comfortable without having to make grand, romantic gestures can be a good thing. That level of happiness with just being together is what many of us are ultimately seeking. It’s a slippery slope, however.
Romance keeps the fire burning, so to speak. Without it, the two of you can become distant. Giving up on romance is definitely a relationship mistake you should avoid.
So, what do you do when you want to put a little romance back into the equation? Check out these 7 easy ways to be romantic without being over-the-top.
Make a mixed tape
Or at least the digital equivalent.
Putting together a few songs that remind you of your partner is a personal and thoughtful way to show that you are thinking of him. Surprise him by playing it at an unexpected moment, like during dinner clean-up and then ask them to dance. Not only is it sweet, but it makes a great excuse to get away from the dishes, too. And dancing, especially when you are not surrounded by throngs of sweaty strangers, can be very sensual.
See Also: 4 Original Ways to Be Romantic in the Digital Age
Profess your love to a stranger
Let’s be clear. It’s not your love FOR a stranger, but TO a stranger.
Next time you and your significant other are out at the grocery store or mall, keep your eye out for a friendly face. When you see someone that looks nice enough, tap him on the shoulder and tell him how much you love your partner. Of course, this takes a bit of finesse and humor but, if done right, it is completely flattering and romantic. Not only will your partner feel special, but the stranger you have just spoken to will have the chance to share his story.
Write a note
It takes less than 5 minutes to write a thoughtful note and place it somewhere unexpected. Notes can be placed in lunch boxes, car visors or underwear drawers. You can place it in your partner’s favorite coffee mug or just about anywhere else your beloved is likely to find them. These little messages will add an unexpected smile to his day.
Make a list
Everyone likes to know the things others appreciate about them. Make your partner a list of 3-5 of the things you love and/or appreciate about him. This doesn’t have to be long or too in-depth. It can be as simple as letting the other person know that you love the way he brings you coffee in the morning.
Have a picnic
It doesn’t have to be an outdoor picnic. You can set something up inside. Just spread out a blanket in the backyard or living room and set-up a spread with foods the two of you enjoy. You can also get adventurous and choose a whole new cuisine that you have never tried. Add special touches like a handwritten card, music or a favorite drink.
If you want to do this outside, you could set up an outdoor movie on a tablet or laptop. If you prefer having picnic inside, you could get cozy with blankets and watch a movie from a new vantage point.
Help with their hobby
Do you know your partner’s favorite hobby or pastime? Maybe he likes to read or collect something. You can pick up something related to what he enjoys and surprise him.
A reader might like some new books. If your partner is athletic or he runs or bikes, he might appreciate a new water bottle, a surprise race entry or a new gear related to his activity. It doesn’t have to be expensive- it is all about the thought.
See Also: 6 Hobbies For Couples That Can Strengthen Your Relationship
Provide a special delivery at work
If your partner is busy at work, show up with a cup of coffee, tea or whatever his drink or lunch of choice may be. If he happens to be busy or away from his desk, you can leave it with a note. In case your drink or meal is hot, you may want to let a coworker know so he can mention the treat before it gets cold.
These little things don’t require much effort or time but the memories they create can last a long time. They can even help you get through the difficult times in your relationship. Whatever you choose, these romantic gestures will surely make your partner valuable and appreciated.
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5 Ways to Create Your Own Work and Life Balance
You’re reading 5 Ways to Create Your Own Work and Life Balance, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’re enjoying this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.
The pace of life today can sometimes make it feel like you’re walking a tightrope. You’re trying to balance the need to be engaged in your business and get projects done with the need to be present at home, have a fulfilling personal life and avoid burnout. This is really nothing new for small business owners devoted to helping their businesses grow and thrive.
There are many ways to find that balance (and I hope you’ll share your own ideas in the comments), but here are the five things I’ve found that really help me remain grounded, balanced and comfortable on the high wire.
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Recognize the Problem
It’s very common for small business owners to spend their work week ignoring the clock. In fact, I would often get a phone call from my wife at 2 a.m. wondering if she should just bring me a sleeping bag from home. That was my cue that it was time to call it a day.
I wasn’t ignoring home, but I was anxiously engaged and very motivated, so the hours just slipped by. Unfortunately, while invigorating, it doesn’t take long for the endless hours on the job to take their toll. Even though I loved what I was doing, the lack of sleep and never being home not only caused a bit of family strife—I also found myself struggling to concentrate and more likely to forget things. I was a little more irritable, too. Things that were really no big deal became really annoying.
I recognized that there would always be things that needed attention. I could work 24/7 and still have things that needed to be done, so I decided to set a time each night when I would leave my business for the day. To be fair, saying I was going to do it was easier than doing it, but my mood improved and I was more productive during the hours I was there. That shouldn’t have been a surprise, because most research on the subject suggests those who achieve a good work/life balance are more productive than those who don’t. (One example is a study conducted by the Corporate Executive Board, which represents 80 percent of Fortune 500 companies, and reports that employees who feel they have a good work/life balance are 21 percent more productive than those who don’t.) Although much of the research is based on employees, I found the same to be true as a business owner.
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Set Boundaries
Count the times this week that you disengage from a conversation with someone to look at your smartphone because it’s beeped, chirped or buzzed. You might be surprised at how distracted you really are. I found myself, sometimes mid-sentence, stopping to check an incoming text message or email. I’ve also noticed my wife (or one of my friends) abruptly stop talking because I was not paying attention to what they were saying because I was distracted by something on my smartphone.
The good news is that when I started ignoring my Pavlovian reaction to my phone buzzing, I became more engaged in conversations, meetings and my interactions with others. What’s more, the phantom phone buzz in my pocket (yes, it’s a common phenomenon) went away. And, like any recovering addict, I am now sometimes frustrated when I’m ignored by someone answering his or her smartphone’s siren song in the middle of a conversation with me.
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Set Aside Time for Sleep
One of the hallmark talents of successful small business owners is their ability to creatively problem-solve. Downtime, or sleep, positively impacts your brain’s ability to function. Sleep deficiency alters the way your brain works and makes it more difficult to make decisions, solve problems, control your emotions and cope with change—all critical abilities for small business owners. What’s more, sleep deficiency has also been linked to depression, suicide and risk-taking behavior.
Although there is no cut and dried answer to exactly how much sleep you might need, I’d suggest three or four hours probably isn’t enough. Even though everyone is different, seven to nine hours of sleep is probably the goal you should shoot for. If you don’t get enough sleep, your brain can shut down in what’s called “micro-sleep.” In other words, little bursts of sleep that can happen when you’re normally awake. In fact, some studies have shown that sleep deficiency (drowsy driving, for example) can impact your ability behind the wheel of a car as much, or more, than driving under the influence of alcohol.
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That Vacation You’ve Been Putting Off Is Important to Your Mental Health
Active leisure pursuits and activities like taking a vacation help buffer or eliminate job stress. After a successful vacation, you will be able to return to your business reinvigorated and ready to make decisions and tackle challenges. These benefits also extend to family relationships and can contribute to family bonding, communication and solidarity. Vacations promote what’s called a “crescive bond” or shared experience to help promote these ties, according to Xinran Lehto and a group of researchers from Purdue.
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Disconnect Before Bed
According to the National Sleep Foundation, “Living in our 24/7 society, there is a loss of the evening reduction in light that has traditionally cued our brains to ‘wind down’ for sleep.”
In other words, they suggest there’s a strong correlation to the light emitted by our electronic devices and the role it could be playing in our ability to easily fall asleep. “Photoreceptors in the retina sense light and dark, signaling our brain about the status of the outside world and aligning our circadian rhythms (centered in a small region of the hypothalamus called the suprachiasmatic nucleaus) to the external day-night cycle. This signaling of light and dark helps us be alert in the morning and fall asleep at the appropriate time at night.
We’ve already talked about the importance of getting enough sleep. Opening up your backlit computer screen, your smartphone, or tablet as you climb into bed might be part of what makes it difficult to fall asleep at night.
Work/Life Balance or Work/Life Integration
The nature of how we work has changed a lot since I began my career over 35 years ago. What works for you might not be the same as what works for someone else, so finding the balance for you may be different from what I need to find balance in my life. Nevertheless, these five suggestions will help you discover the strategy that will work for you.
I’m not sure balance is even the right word for it anymore. I’m of the opinion that we need to integrate our professional lives with our personal lives in such a way that we have adequate time away from work, and are able to get the amount of sleep our mind and body needs to keep our brain functioning properly.
How do you balance your work life with your life away from work? Please share your tactics in the comment section.
Ty Kiisel is a contributing author focusing on small business financing at OnDeck, a technology company solving small business’s biggest challenge: access to capital. With over 25 years of experience in the trenches of small business, Ty shares personal experiences and valuable tips to help small business owners become more financially responsible. OnDeck can also be found on Facebook and Twitter.
You’ve read 5 Ways to Create Your Own Work and Life Balance, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’ve enjoyed this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.
Indonesia & China: The Sea Between
Indonesia announced on July 14 that it was renaming a part of the South China Sea the “North Natuna Sea.” China immediately demanded a retraction—which it will not get. At no point since the fifteenth century had a Chinese government been actively involved in the seas that it now claims on the basis of history.
Violence and Creativity
“So,” Michon began, “you’re an acceptable translator. Actually, no. You’re fine. But Vies minuscules is an exceptional text. It needs an exceptional translator. Understand?” His face was gray, grim. I made a few sounds that attempted to communicate that I didn’t understand; that we had worked together for years; that I wasn’t clear what had changed; that I’d done the same work I’d done in the past and arrived with, I thought, the same kinds of questions but— “But you haven’t even deciphered the text,” Michon said, loudly, pounding the table now with the fist that held the knife. The voices of the lunchtime crowd dimmed as the restaurant registered the disturbance. “You haven’t even deciphered it.”
The 2017 National Book Award Longlists: Poetry
All through this week, the National Book Foundation is announcing the “Longlist” nominees for its 2017 National Book Awards in the categories of Young Peoples’ Literature, Poetry, Nonfiction, and Fiction. Today, the ten nominees for the National Book Award in Poetry are announced. And stay tuned — the finalists will be named on October 4, and the award winners named at a ceremony on November 15, 2017.
In alphabetical order by author, the books named to the Longlist for Poetry:
Frank Bidart, Half-light: Collected Poems 1965-2016 (Farrar, Straus and Giroux / Macmillan Publishers)
Chen Chen, When I Grow Up I Want to Be a List of Further Possibilities (BOA Editions, Ltd.)
Leslie Harrison, The Book of Endings (University of Akron Press)
Marie Howe, Magdalene: Poems (W.W. Norton & Company)
Laura Kasischke, Where Now: New and Selected Poems (Copper Canyon Press)
Layli Long Soldier, WHEREAS (Graywolf Press)
Shane McCrae, In the Language of My Captor (Wesleyan University Press)
Sherod Santos, Square Inch Hours (W.W. Norton & Company)
Danez Smith, Don’t Call Us Dead: Poems (Graywolf Press)
Mai Der Vang, Afterland (Graywolf Press)
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Sig Nordal 