The majority of us have heard someone tell us at some point in our lives to question everything. The inquisitive two-year-old somehow inherently understands that notion when he or she constantly asks one simple question – Why?

The response to that question usually leads to a simplistic (or even a dismissive) answer which the child accepts. At two years old, we have not necessarily learned to question things and then examine the validity of the response. Rather, we learned to accept information we received from sources we believe to be credible. Unfortunately, many of us never unlearned this conditioned response of acceptance, and have been relegated to having the psyche of a toddler.

The word ‘believe’ is, according to Miriam-Webster, in the top twenty percent of words most used in the English language. Its definition?

intransitive verb
1
a : to have a firm religious faith
 b : to accept something as true, genuine, or real
2
: to have a firm conviction as to the goodness, efficacy, or ability of something
3
: to hold an opinion : think

transitive verb
1
a : to consider to be true or honest 
b : to accept the word or evidence of
2
: to hold as an opinion : suppose 


Belief in any idea is contingent only on our acceptance of that idea. That belief can be based completely on rational, verifiable information or it can be totally devoid of any logic at all. It can be based on a personal experience we’ve had or it can be because of something we read that is conveniently congruent with our worldview.

Regardless of our current beliefs, it can be beneficial to periodically reevaluate what we believe to be true. Depending on our past experiences, we may or may not choose to modify our beliefs.

Either way, here are ten areas we can question and evaluate our beliefs:

News:

Do I care about this issue because the media told me it’s important? Is the information accurate? Do I recognize any clear bias?

Science:

Is this reputable science or is it click bait? What entity is responsible for doing this research? Who is responsible for funding this project? Are the findings reasonable if they are in favor of the entity carrying out the research?

Nature:

Are all the answers to every problem found in nature? How is nature reflected in my personal life? If nature is dynamic, why does life sometimes not seem to reflect that?

History:

Who’s telling the narrative? Are the stories too sanitized? Is my skepticism about this because I simply do not want to believe it is true?

Culture:

Is there any culture that is incongruent with my own? If so, what makes that true? Is it impossible for people from different cultures to actually coexist without major disagreements?

Political Views:

Where did I get my political views? Are there any problems with my political stances? Are there any viable alternatives or better political ideas than the one currently available?

Government:

Does the government have an agenda? Is the government always correct? How do I directly and indirectly participate in what happens in government?

Religion:

Is religion (or lack thereof) a function of the time I was born, location, the family I belong to, or the culture to which I belong? Do I know why I believe what I believe? If someone told me to believe what I believe, did I question it?

Parenting Style:

Did my parents do everything mostly right or mostly wrong? If and/or when I have children, what will I emulate and what will I completely reject?

See Also: The Problem of the Perfect Parent

Relationships:

Are there any patterns I recognize in my past relationships? How have my previous experiences shaped my current views on relationships? Have I learned something new about myself in each of my relationships? What will I do with that knowledge?

See Also: The Role of Karma in Your Relationships 

Asking questions such as these are only the beginning of questioning everything. The more difficult part sometimes is receiving the answers to those questions.

If answered honestly, we may learn that we did not arrive at a particular set of beliefs on our own, and we may experience a level of cognitive dissonance. After much scrutiny, we may learn more about ourselves than we ever thought we would.

It isn’t so much the information we are after, but it’s what we do with that information that makes this process so valuable. This is by no means a comprehensive list, but it is a return to the inquisitive nature which we may have lost touch with. From that, we can begin to mature further and gain clarity about who we are and what we want from life.

 

The post 10 Domains of Beliefs That We Should Be Questioning For Personal Growth appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

http://ift.tt/2jyULsn

If you’re feeling stressed or anxious, you’re probably carrying around a lot of baggage that you don’t really need. Simplifying your existence can help you focus on what’s really important and get rid of what’s not.

To live a happier life, try to let go of the following 11 things.

Overthinking

Sure, there’s value in considering all of your options and in planning ahead. However, over-analyzing will destroy your mood and block your intuition.

Breathe deeply and slowly, clear your mind and trust your gut. Your body knows what you need.

Trying To Please Everyone

It’s your life so don’t live it for anyone else. Believe that you know what’s right for you and follow that path. Those who truly love you will support you in all you do, and won’t need you to conform to their expectations or preferences.

Past Mistakes

Every one of your decisions and experiences has led to you becoming the person you are today. And that’s the person you need to be. Look to your past to learn important lessons, but let go of any shame and regret you feel about it.

Chasing People

Don’t run after people who don’t reciprocate your kindness or interest. The people you need in your life don’t need to be chased—they’ll come to you. Respect your own worth by refusing to engage in a one-sided relationship.

Worrying About The Future

Worrying just attracts negativity, so let it go! Believe that good things are coming your way, and you’ll soon see them manifest. View the future with excitement and anticipation, not dread—there’s so much joy still waiting for you.

Heartbreak And Anger

Remember, you can’t change the past, but you can stop it from ruining your present or future. Forgive those who have wronged you, and turn your attention to the things that bring you pleasure and fulfillment.

See Also: I’m Saying Thanks For Breaking My Heart

Fake Friends

We’ve all had friends who only contact us when they need something. This is disrespectful and devaluing, and these people aren’t worth your time or energy. Draw boundaries when people try to use you, and don’t let fake friends back in.

Comparing Yourself To Others

You run your own race, so only compare yourself to what you want to achieve. Our perceptions of others are rarely accurate, so stop thinking everyone else is happier, powerful or more successful. Set your own goals, and concentrate on meeting them.

Self-Doubt

Self-doubt paralyzes you, keeping you stuck in the same old place. In the end, you will only regret the chances you did not take. Step out of your comfort zone, believe you can handle anything life can throw at you, and reap the rewards!

Time-Wasting

Respect your own time, and use it to live the life you want instead of living by the minute. Prioritize the things you truly care about and stop scrambling to keep up with other people’s demands on your time.

Negative Thinking

When you feel negative thoughts creeping in, replace them with something positive. Come up with things that make you feel grateful, do a meditation exercise, or contact someone who makes you smile. If you let go of negativity, you’re guaranteed to live a happier and more successful life.

See Also: 7 Simple Ways To Overcome Negative Thinking & Set Yourself Up To Win This Year

The post 11 Things You Should Let Go Of To Be Happy appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

http://ift.tt/2jnhWnt

Are you already wavering on your New Year’s resolutions? It’s okay, you’re not alone. If you want this new year to be the year that they stick, you are going to need some proven routines to keep you going. Where better to look than at the habits of highly successful people?

We all know the typical things that successful people do differently – wake up early, set goals, network – but what does the next level of successful behavior look like? No matter whether your passion is baking or real estate, everyone has something which they strive to be successful in.

While there is no one defined behavior for successful people, anyone who has spent extensive amounts of time reading interviews of and articles by successful people can agree that there are similar attitudes and behaviors that they possess. There are universal traits and practices that are common to all successful people regardless of their background and field of influence.

If you want to create a culture of success in your life, here are the most common and effective habits of successful people to get you started.

They set daily goals

Most successful people attest to the fact that they do not simply wake up to an agenda filled with random activities. Instead, most successful people come up with large, long-term goals.

American Express CEO Kenneth Chenault, for example, states that “at the beginning of each year, I set the key priorities and key objectives”. These priorities and objectives are part of a larger, long-term vision, and are easily achievable when broken down into smaller pieces. Every day then, successful people take the initiative to set themselves small, daily goals that contribute to the priorities, objectives, and long-term vision. They then plan their day ahead of time to ensure that they have activities and appointments planned that address each of their goals.

They take care of themselves first.

The most valuable resource you have is yourself. Successful people, especially those in the service industry, understand that they need to continually work on their personal brand and physical appearance. They also understand that their social life is as important as their finances and, as such, set aside enough time for leisure activities with friends and family. They know when to stop working. They also know that their bodies need good food, hydration, rest, and sleep.

On top of physical maintenance, they look out for experiences and relationships that will enhance their lives. They read widely from good authors and engage in positive conversations. They understand that you cannot change the world if you have not taken care of yourself first.

The concept of remembering to attend to one’s own needs is captured by the term self-care. It was coined by and remains a pillar of the work that mental health professionals do every day. There are countless resources that uphold the importance of the practice as well as provide resources in its pursuit.

If you are unsure of where to start, I recommend an interactive self-care flowchart by Jace Harr entitled, “You feel Like Shit: An Interactive Self-Care Guide”. It walks the user through his or her needs, beginning with the most basic. As the landing page asserts, it is designed “for people who struggle with self-care, executive dysfunction, and/or who have trouble reading internal signals”. It is a simple, straightforward, and effective first step at attending to yourself when you are not feeling your best.

They meditate

This may seem trivial to many people, especially given the number of things vying for our attention these days. However, successful people always make time to meditate.

What they do during this quiet time varies by personal preference and time of day. If it is the end of a busy day, they might take the time to reflect on their goals as well as the day that has passed: their achievements and failures, the status of their personal relationships and their spirituality.

The successful people who do this understand that when so much is going on that you do not have time to reflect, it is easy to miss out on the lessons. Since they are continually seeking ways to improve themselves, they take the time to reflect on their strengths and areas for growth. If they are feeling particularly drained or negative, they might use the quiet time for positive self-talk. Other times, if they are feeling particularly stressed or overworked, they might choose to focus on their breath and enjoy ten minutes of not thinking at all.

If you are interested in starting a practice but unsure of where to begin, there are many support out there for you, beginning with the mogul Oprah Winfrey. She is a huge proponent of meditation, stating that it has shifted her life in ways that she never imagined. She is such a firm believer in the practice that she has instituted a period of “Quiet Time” twice a day in her network offices. For those who do not work for Oprah, she has collaborated with spiritual guide Deepak Chopra to create a number of free 21-day guided meditations. There are others with free meditations available, including Tara Brach. If you prefer music or silence, there are free apps available that help you to time and keep track of your meditation sessions.

See Also: 8 Success Habits of Wealthy People That Cost Nothing

While there is no script that successful people follow, there are traits that are common amongst them. If you are seeking practices that will give you a boost in your productivity and overall success in life, consider the importance of goal setting, self-care, and meditation. Make each of these practices a pattern of behaviour and you will surely be on the road to success.

See Also: 10 Habits of Successful People

 

The post 3 Unique Things That Successful People Do Differently appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

http://ift.tt/2j6fC3j

Saving money is hard for most people. First of all, there are so many tempting things to spend it on! Also, in this current climate of ongoing economic uncertainty, job transitions have adversely affected many people’s savings and emergency funds. And if you have kids or pets, you already know what they can do to the best-laid financial plans.

But there are still ways to save – practical, achievable methods you can use to sock away something for the future. In this post, learn how to build a solid savings fund by following these saving money basics.

Tip 1: Pull your credit report annually

Your credit report will tell you if there are any outstanding issues or merchant disputes that are negatively affecting your credit score. This is important since your credit score directly impacts your interest rate for major purchases such as a home or car. Your credit score also impacts which credit cards you can apply for and what you will pay for basic necessities such as insurance.

By keeping your credit report squeaky clean and working with the best credit repair companies to resolve disputes, you will have more money available to save.

Tip 2: Use savings apps to make saving effortless

Thanks to the internet explosion, you now have a new menu of savings apps to choose from. These apps can help you save without even thinking about it. Even if the app you choose only saves pennies per day on your behalf, that still adds up to dollars by the weekend and tens of dollars by month-end.

Before you know it, you will have a tidy little nest egg going!

Tip 3: Set up automatic bank drafts from your checking to savings account

One of the keys to a successful savings plan is to automate your savings so that you save money before you get your hands on it. One of the handiest tools to do this is also one of the simplest – the automatic bank draft. If you have your checking and savings account linked and you have elected to have your paycheck deposited via auto-draft, savings will be a breeze for you.

Just set up an automatic transfer to your savings account that occurs on the same day your paycheck gets deposited. Experts suggest saving 15 percent of your paycheck monthly if you can swing it, but any amount is better than nothing.

Tip 4: Participate to the fullest extent possible in your company’s retirement plan

Where this will help you to save the most is when your employer has a contribution matching program (where your employer will match your contributions up to a certain percentage annually). But even if this isn’t available, you can sock away some saved funds on a tax-free basis by participating in your employer’s retirement savings plan.

Saving this way also helps you keep from accessing the funds on a whim, since there is a penalty for withdrawal before you reach age 59.5.

See Also: Seven Top Tips for Retirement Planning 

Tip 5: Diversify your investment portfolio

If you need a percentage of your saved cash to remain accessible, you might want to put it in a savings account where it won’t earn much interest but it will always be there if you need it. As for the rest, put whatever you can spare into your investment portfolio so it can start multiplying.

See Also: 5 Financial Emergencies Everyone Must Be Prepared For

As you do this, be sure to choose a blend of risk-levels so you never risk losing all your savings to an investment gone bad.

By following these basic tips faithfully, you will start to notice your little pool of saved funds growing and growing and then growing some more. All you need to do is get the ball rolling and then you can enjoy the peace of mind that comes with having savings in the bank!

 

The post Saving Money Basics: How to Build a Solid Savings Fund appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

http://ift.tt/2iy2BTS

People love a good rebellion story. From Alexander Hamilton to Luke Skywalker, rebel heroes inspire us.

The idea that we can rise up, against all odds, has captured the imagination of generations.

But day-to-day social pressures are a powerful force. It’s extremely difficult to escape the status quo and go against the grain of our culture. Too often this results in a feeling of being stuck or trapped. Have you ever had this feeling?

Fear not! You can make your escape by learning from smart-guy poster child Albert Einstein.

That’s right, Einstein was a rebel. In fact, his disregard for established thinking was a huge contributor to his revolutionary scientific accomplishments.

“Other scientists had come close to his insight, but they were too confined by the dogmas of the day.” ~ Walter Isaacson, The World Needs More Rebels Like Einstein

So, consider the tips from Einstein below and spark your own rebellion!

Try New Things

“Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.” ~ Albert Einstein

Einstein made plenty of mistakes but his successes are what we remember. To make real progress, you have to step outside of your comfort zone. Try new things. Make mistakes. All in the name of progress.

Question Authority

“Blind belief in authority is the greatest enemy of truth.” ~ Albert Einstein

Don’t take things at face-value. Develop your own understanding and be open to the fact that authority figures can be wrong too.

Seek Truth, Not Popularity

“What is right is not always popular and what is popular is not always right.” ~ Albert Einstein

Sometimes, being right will make you unpopular. Be right anyway. Popularity is cheap and temporary. Strive for quality and truth despite the opinions of critics.

Run Towards Problems

“In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity” ~ Albert Einstein

People who create the most valuable solutions are often those who chase the most difficult problems. Don’t be intimidated by big challenges because they represent the greatest potential.

Be Persistent

“You never fail until you stop trying.” ~ Albert Einstein

Be patient. Keep going. Things of great value often take years to build. But in the end, it will be worth it.

Recognize When You’re Wrong

“The measure of intelligence is the ability to change.” ~ Albert Einstein

When the facts change or you’re proven wrong, don’t be stubborn. Don’t let a mistake waste any more time, or create additional mistakes. Own your failure and move on.

Be Optimistic

“I’d rather be an optimist and a fool than a pessimist and right.” ~ Albert Einstein

At the end of the day, we will experience successes and failures. But, the attitude we take will determine how we experience the world.

So strive, fail, succeed and smile at the possibilities of the future.

See Also: Amazing Life Lessons You Can Learn From Albert Einstein: Part Deux

 

The post Be a Rebel: 7 Tips for Radical Achievement from Albert Einstein appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

http://ift.tt/2iJyjw4

While blogging is an interesting hobby that can even become your main source of income if you put some effort into it, it still requires a lot of hard work. The real challenge begins not when you start your blog and write a few first posts, but when you actually start building up your loyal audience. Simply being dedicated, monitoring the blogging trends and updating regularly is not enough to run your blog smoothly: you have to build a certain strategy and stick to it.

Lucky for you, there are actually only a few things you need to focus on. These include ocial media, quality of your content, emails, trends and statistics.

Today, I’m going to tell you more about them, allowing you to create your own system of running your blog smoothly.

Social media

Even if your posts are amazing, they’re useless if no one can find them. That’s what you need social media for. Social media platforms help people find you, share your articles and ideas, recommend you to friends, and so on.

To create a correct social media strategy, try to imagine your potential audience. What is it like? Maybe it consists of young people who spend most of their time online on Twitter, or maybe it mostly consists of active Facebook users. This is especially important to understand if you don’t have much time to spend on social media. Having this information lets you focus on a single platform and update the others when you have time for it.

However, social media can be used not only for sharing your new posts. If you update your blog once a week, this means that your social media accounts will look quite empty the rest of the week. Try sharing other interesting information, or create other types of content (for example images, videos, etc.). This way, your followers will stick to your social media accounts. After all, they’ll be able to find something there that isn’t posted on your blog.

Content

The content is what brings people to your blog. That’s why it has to be interesting and valuable to the readers. Focus on making your content as high-quality and unique as possible. Don’t forget that this is even more important than regular updates and this has to be a priority. If you have to choose between updating your blog more often and making the content more interesting, choose the latter.

Researching your niche and what your competitors are up to is an extremely important part of the whole blogging process. You have to do your research well and repeat it few times a month in order to see what your competitors can offer and which blogging trends exist on the web. This will allow you to respond to these trends with your content and to avoid unintentional plagiarism.

See Also: How To Find The Best Topic For Your Blog 

Analytics

If you want to run your blog smoothly, you need to understand which of your methods work well and which don’t. This will allow you to optimize them and to adjust your strategy according to the preferences of your audience.

Analytics is the main tool that can help you with that. It allows you to understand where your audience is coming from, how much time they spend on your website, which posts they like the most and so on. Lucky for you, there’s an easy way to go about it. All you need to do is to use the Google Analytics service and to learn how to work with it.

It is important not only to analyze the effectiveness of your blog but also to make it more effective. That’s why you should learn more about the latest SEO trends and try to incorporate them in your blog. However, be sure not to overdo it. If your posts are overloaded with keywords, readers will notice it and this can turn them away.

See Also: 5 Proven Strategies That Can Massively Increase Blog Traffic

Email offers

Even now, despite the development of social media, emails still remain the most effective marketing tool. Don’t hesitate to use that tool for your blog promotion and remember, those who subscribe to your blog are your most loyal readers.

However, if you don’t have an email list yet and want people to subscribe, you have to offer them something valuable. Yes, many people do subscribe simply because of new posts notifications, but you’ll be surprised how much this number could increase if you offer something more interesting for everyone who’ll subscribe, for example, an eBook.

It’s important to repeat such offers from time to time, changing the content every time, instead of doing this only once. This way you’ll be able to keep the existing subscribers as well as attract new ones.

What is even more important is learning how to integrate all these things mentioned above into your blogging strategy. Learning more about them is one thing but learning how to use them is another.

To do so, you need to spend some time thinking about these things. Which strategies will benefit your blog immediately and which ones will do so only with time? Which ones are the easiest to do and which ones require more time and effort to understand and implement them? Answering these questions will help you set your priorities. You will see what you have to focus on first and what can be done later. Maybe your content is good enough already but you have no idea about how to use Google Analytics. It’s time to figure this out.

After you do so, write down the main things you need to add to your marketing strategy and try to add them to your blogging schedule. For example, if you want to focus on social media, don’t forget to schedule the nearest updates and find some time to learn more about the most popular types of social media content in your niche. And if you need to focus on emails, try finding time to read some guides and to learn how to write emails better.

I hope that this article will help you and inspire you. Good luck with your blog!

 

The post How to Keep Your Blog Running Smoothly appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

http://ift.tt/2jrUgAY

Have you ever imagined how it would be to gain a ton of self-confidence?

Every challenge would feel way easier to you. You would negotiate the pay raise you have been dreaming for years. You would ask out that girl you always think about.

And there’s a whole new world of possibilities…

It’s a shame that it’s just a dream…

Wait…

Are you sure that it’s just a dream? What if it were possible?

Let me tell you a secret. Not only can you gain self-confidence, but it’s even easier than most people think. It’s all about knowing the right way to do it.

You know, I’m a huge fan of habits. The reason is simple. Habits are super-effective and don’t require much energy once they are ingrained. Besides, learning a new habit isn’t impossible – in the end, it’s just a matter of patience.

Here’s the trick: Adopt the right habits and your self-confidence will skyrocket before you even realize it.

Change your focus

How many times have you told yourself “I can’t do that”? Well, that’s a horrible point of view. You are focusing on the problem, not the solution. Of course, you can’t do it, because if you have that thought, you won’t take action.

Instead of focusing on your problem, focus on the solution. That will make a world of a difference. Instead of telling yourself “I can’t do that”, ask yourself “HOW can I do that?”. You’ll start thinking about the multitude of ways in which you can solve the problem. And you will solve it – and as a result, your self-confidence will go up.

So, here’s the habit. Every time you think you can’t do something, change your focus to how you can do it.

See Also: 3 Keys to Staying Focused & Reaching Your Goals

Exit your comfort zone when you need to

Your comfort zone is the set of actions you can take without feeling discomfort. We all spend most of our day in the comfort zone.

But sometimes, something makes us feel a little of discomfort – maybe a colleague you have a crush on just heard you said something embarrassing, maybe you just stumbled in front of a person you wanted to impress, etc…

Other times, we are required to take actions that make us feel discomfort. For example, you may have to call someone you haven’t heard in a while and ask him a favor.

Do you know the response of most of the people in the face of these situations? They run away, trying to avoid discomfort. The problem is that doing so undermines your self-confidence.

Here’s what to do instead. Every time you find yourself in an embarrassing situation, don’t run away. Stay in the discomfort and feel it. Every time you have to do something that embarrasses, don’t avoid it – do it.

Do you want to know what will happen? The amazing truth is that you won’t die! You will realize that discomfort isn’t that bad after all. And your self-confidence will grow a lot.

Make this a habit and you’ll be very self-confident.

See Also: 7 Ways to Get More Comfortable With Feeling Uncomfortable

Work on your body language

Do you want to know what’s the fastest way to gain self-confidence? It’s to assume the posture of a self-confident person.

Countless studies have shown that our inner thinking conditions the body. However, the reverse is also true. Therefore, by changing your posture, you will change your feelings and thoughts.

This is especially important if you don’t exercise regularly and if you work sitting at a desk. Do postural exercises or practice any physical activity that positively affects your posture – like swimming and yoga. In addition, put your focus on your body and assume a more dominant posture often – especially when you need to take important decisions.

Improve your voice

Like body language, your voice is a reflection of your inner world. A self-confident person speaks with a higher voice volume – of course, he/she can still whisper when needed! Thus, speaking with a higher voice volume will make you feel more confident.

This means that working on your voice volume regularly (let’s say 10-20 minutes, 2-3 times a week), will make a big difference. Also, put your efforts into noticing when you decrease your voice volume when speaking with others – and increase it, within reason of course.

Read inspiring thoughts

Your mind is like a sponge. It absorbs whatever gets to it. It means that if you feed your mind with horrible information, it will produce lots of horrible thoughts. If you feed it with wonderful information, it will produce lots of wonderful thoughts.

You can leverage this by adopting a very smart habit. Read inspiring thoughts/information frequently and your way thinking will improve continuously. Which means that you will feel good and make better choices. And as a result of both, your self-confidence will increase.

You have plenty of choices. Read a good book from a great person, listen to an inspiring speech, read a great personal improvement blog, enjoy a powerful quote, and so on. The are so many possibilities!

Change the words you use

Have you ever noticed that the way in which you talk to yourself changes the way you feel? Well, the truth is that even changing a single word can make a very big difference.

If you think that your day is just okay…well, you’ll feel just okay. Let’s change that, and let’s say that your day is fabulous. How will you feel? You will feel way better than before. Given that you choose the words you use, you have the power to change your emotions.

How do you feel about asking that person out? If you say you feel nervous, you will feel nervous and won’t be self-confident enough to ask him/her out. Instead, try to describe that feeling as excitement and you’ll ask him/her out right away.

Remember past successes

So many people think that they can’t do anything remarkable. But that is so untrue!

Here’s a game. Write the 10 biggest accomplishments in your life. No matter what, get to 10 accomplishments. Even if you need 1 hour – don’t worry. Every time I make a client do this exercise, he finishes after 10-15 minutes at maximum.

Now, after writing this list, do you still think that you can’t do anything remarkable? You already are at 10 – and probably even more.

After you graduated, or made that amazing travel, or solved that problem at work, or got an amazing partner…how easy does it sound to make that call that you were delaying? Really easy!

Remember your accomplishments often, and you’ll soon feel more confident.

And there you have it: 7 powerful habits that can make you gain a lot of self-confidence. And, of course, you don’t have to put all of these 7 into action. Actually, just pick one – the one that resonates the most with you. Put that one into action.

Once you have mastered that first habit – no less than 20 days, please – you will be free to add another one.

 

The post 7 Powerful Habits To Skyrocket Your Self-Confidence appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

http://ift.tt/2jhiyuM

Completing your thesis is a seminal moment in your life. It represents your Magnum Opus. It’s your contribution to knowledge. After completing it, it’s hard to imagine that it will probably sit on a shelf and not contribute to humanity as much as you would like.

You might be wondering how to publish your thesis to a wider audience. It’s not as hard as it may seem. You can solve this by publishing your thesis as a book.

In 4 doable steps, you can turn your thesis into a book that people can get their hands on.

Reconfigure Your Thesis

A thesis may resemble a book in length and depth, but it’s not a book. One of the first tasks in PhD thesis publication is to reconfigure your thesis to be more like a book.

When you begin reconfiguring your thesis, you need to first determine what market you want your book to appeal to. Are you focused on fellow academics? Do you want it to be used as a resource in undergraduate courses? Do you want to appeal to those who are trying to expand their knowledge in the subject?

Once you have your target market in mind, you can proceed with reconfiguring your thesis. It may require you to remove certain chapters, change chapter order, merge chapters, and split chapters. As you begin this part, you’ll probably want to get help from someone who has experience publishing a thesis as a book. It’s important to know just how your material needs to flow to meet your target audience.

Edit Your Thesis

After you have a reconfigured your thesis, you can figure out the editing that you need. Again, your target market for your book is going to be different than for your thesis. You’ll need to ensure that your book resonates with people and is easily understood. This is probably the toughest step in turning your thesis into a book, but using a thesis editing service can make it much easier.

Changing the wording is a first step in editing your thesis. This goes hand in hand with improving reading ease. You’ll want to define words in the text or use simple to understand words.

For example, while it’s perfectly acceptable and standard to say that you used Stata 9.0 for analysis, it’s not commonly known outside of academia what Stata 9.0 is. Saying that you use the commercial statistical analysis program Stata 9.0 is easier to understand.

Sentence structure should be changed as well. Flesch–Kincaid readability tests are used to determine different reading levels of texts. The formula to determine level is dependent on the number of syllables used and the number of words in each sentence. Sometimes it’s difficult to use shorter words, but breaking up large sentences can be very effective at making your text more readable. Again, a thesis proofreading service has the expertise and knowledge to make this task easier for you.

Find a Publisher

Once you have finished editing your thesis, you are ready to find a publisher. While some publishers will provide editing services, it’s much better to edit before submitting to the publisher. This greatly enhances the chance that the publisher will publish your thesis since it’s closer to publication status.

First, you need to ask your professors about who you might get your thesis published. Your university might either have a university press that can handle your book or they might have a publisher that they regularly deal with. While this is generally a good start, it’s not the only research you should do. Depending on your market, you may or may not want to go with one of the suggested publishers.

Your target market will often determine what kind of publisher can best handle your publication. Search the internet and find publishers in your subject area that publish books for your target market. Look for small publishers who are open to niche books.

Failing this, you can always look into self-publishing. With a fully edited book ready to go and an idea of how to market your book, self-publishing can be a very good idea. Most of the work has already been done and there are many on-demand publishers who get your book quickly in print. Many of them will even make your book available on Amazon.

Promote Your Book

One of the last things you’ll want to do is to promote your book to your target audience. You can start by opening a blog, posting about your book on social media, and reaching out to people who are in your target market.

For example, if your goal is to be a resource for undergraduate courtesy, start contacting professors and share your book with them. Oftentimes, your publisher will handle the bulk of your marketing, but you have a stake in it as well.

These four steps, from reconfiguring and editing your thesis to finding a publisher and promoting your book, will help you know how to publish a thesis as a book. You can make your thesis be what you designed it to be: an important contribution to knowledge.

 

The post How To Publish Your Thesis Into A Book In 4 Steps appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

http://ift.tt/2jPQY7a

You won’t believe how much a mobile app can change your small business.

Over the years, more and more people are getting hooked on mobile purchases. Did you know…69% of millennials purchase from their mobile phones and this projection is expected to increase up to 2020. In addition, 62% of smartphone users have made at least one mobile purchase in the last 6 months.

At this rate, it won’t be a surprise if mobile apps become more than just an extra treat for consumers, but a necessity. No matter how big or small your business is, this is something you have to take advantage of.

If you’ve been considering how to boost traffic or sales, here are 7 of best reasons to convince you to create mobile apps for business this year.

Increases visibility

Compared with a browser bookmark, an app is constantly present on a user’s smartphone. Because of this presence, your business is easily visible to your customers. With good content and a pleasurable user experience, the potential for users to be looking at your products and brand every day is high.

Another good reason why you should spend more effort in building your brand through a mobile app is because a lot of people spend more time browsing mobile apps than visiting websites on the internet. One good reason is that people tend to have less patience when they are reading texts online so an app that can make it easier for them to skim and scan products and services can help boost your sales.

Engages customers

People who are too busy with work and house chores prefer apps that can save them time and make tasks easier. People who dislike missing out on sales want to get updated on the latest discounts and special offers. For people who dislike getting caught up in traffic jams and rush hour, an app that can give them a frictionless shopping experience can spell good news.

By giving people exactly what they are looking for, they are likely to remain interested in your brand. However, for you to achieve that, you need to know exactly who your target audience are. Once you are able to recognize the values and needs of your consumers, you’ll be able to give them a more valuable shopping experience.

Gives you an edge over competitors

Having your own mobile app can give you a leg up on your competitors. However, for you to maintain your lead, you have to develop an app that will differentiate you from the rest.

Start off with an application strategy. Know how your app will work for your business and how it can level up customer experience. Another factor you should consider is your app’s seamless integration. If your customer will purchase an item from your company, you need to make sure that the product gets delivered on time and in good condition. The customer also has to be reassured about how safe their information will be once they make a purchase through your app.

Integrating your mobile app to function with social media can give you an opportunity to expand your audience and promote your brand better. It will also give you the chance to get honest feedback from real customers and interact with them.
Keep in mind that it’s important to generate a good experience from the start as a bad mobile experience can be hard to undo. Once a customer has uninstalled your app, it is difficult to get a second shot.

Boosts sales

Most people today do their shopping online since it’s easier and more convenient. Case in point, mobile commerce is now a third of all US ecommerce.

This is not too surprising given how a mobile app gives more accurate information on the things shoppers want to buy, allowing them to make comparisons first before making a purchase. According to recent statistics, 80% of shoppers use a mobile phone instead of a brick and mortar store to look up prices, research product reviews, or look up store locations.

By taking advantage of these needs, you’ll be able to dramatically boost your sales.

If you partner your mobile app with a mobile website, you’ll be able to reach 6.7% more customers, which translates to additional revenue. You can also get the service of a mobile app developer that can get your app in multiple languages so you can also attract international buyers.

Enhances customer service

Compared with the traditional way of addressing customer concerns, your business’ mobile app can make it easier for your staff to resolve customer concerns. The faster the concerns are addressed, the happier and more satisfied your customers will be.

For one, the app can help you easily segment your customers’ requests to the proper departments. This means that, once assigned, your customer support agent can easily retrieve all the information related to the customer’s complaint, including the date of purchase, location and even the records of his other transactions. As a result, your agent can solve and close the ticket faster.

In addition, you can also set your app to automatically send acknowledgment messages and create ticket IDs. For customers, one of the most annoying things a business can do is to make them feel like their concerns are invaluable. Waiting for a response is another story.

Makes marketing easier

The constant presence of your app in your customers’ smartphones conditions their minds to get used to your brand. They’ll be able to recognize your brand from almost any place they go.

A mobile app also gives you a more unique and direct way of reaching out to your customers. Sending push notifications, for example, can easily grab their attention which can then increase your sales. You can also post the day’s special deals as well as discounts to attract customers.

Apps generally have built-in data analytics and metrics which you can use to assess your existing marketing strategies as well as the recent buying trends. You can use these data in optimizing your marketing and internal operations.

See Also: 8 Top Marketing Tips for Small Businesses 

Encourages customer loyalty

As your customers get used to seeing your brand, it becomes a lot easier for you to earn their trust. This trust will make them more comfortable to buy your products instead of the items sold by your competitors.

The experience your customers get from your app can also establish loyalty. If you can give them a top-of-the-line shopping experience, you won’t have a hard time keeping them engaged and interested in your brand.

See Also: 4 Tricks To Turn Your Buyers Into Loyal Customers 

As we usher in the new year, it’s clear that as business owners, we simply can’t ignore our customers who are mobile users especially as they continue to use their smartphones with more eCommerce intent than ever before.

 

The post 7 Smart Reasons Why Small Businesses Should Develop Their Own Mobile Apps This 2017 appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

http://ift.tt/2jrTCk8

I wonder what my parents were thinking the day I came home from college and said, “I want to put my education to work. I want to homestead!”

There may have been a long pause — I can’t remember now — followed by some expertly crafted support rhetoric.

I do remember, though, how that passion was sparked in what seemed like an instant. It was as if there was an unfinished puzzle sitting in front of me, and I had finally put enough of the pieces in to figure out what the picture was.

I was entranced by the idea that I could work, live without clutter and noise, eat well, be sustainable, and stay healthy, all without driving anywhere. I knew it was for me, but not everyone who finds happiness in simplicity does in overnight, and happiness isn’t a permanent state.

Exploring what happiness and simplicity really are helps to appreciate how a simple life, while maybe less convenient, can be a happy life.

Hard Work is Rewarding

It’s what your grand-pappy used to say right? What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.

I’m not going to pretend that fixing broken fences in the snow and rain is hella fun! It is not.

Knowing yourself, though, is an unparalleled reward and there isn’t a better time to get to know yourself than when you are giving something your all. Real satisfaction is achieved in creating something with blood, sweat, and tears and there’s a lot to be learned from failure, like perseverance.

An integrated, agrarian life combines problem-solving with physical ability, research with experimentation. It occupies both your head space and your body. That is what I call a complete workout.

“I’m a greater believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it”
― Thomas Jefferson

Creativity Abounds

I often speak with creative professionals who express concern that living simply is a boring, day-to-day exercise in the mundane; a cyclical ceremony honoring obsolete traditions. This is why my husband and I strive to make every act on the homestead an act of art. We don’t have to go out of our way either.

When I design the year’s garden and then watch my beans, squash, and corn all grow into an expression of my intention; that is creativity. Crafting a new design for a gate, fence, or feeder fills the creative cup.

Living simply buys you back time that would otherwise be spent in the car, at the office, restaurant, shop, club or movie. So, I have time to take photos, stretch canvas and actually paint. Not to mention the inspiration that bubbles over when surrounded by happy animals and rich gardens.

“My wish simply is to live my life as fully as I can. In both our work and our leisure, I think, we should be so employed. And in our time this means that we must save ourselves from the products that we are asked to buy in order, ultimately, to replace ourselves.”
― Wendell Berry, The Art of the Commonplace: The Agrarian Essays

Practicing Goodness

A very happy time in my life was when I lived in a small apartment the city and literally walked 15-20 blocks to work every day. Every morning, the city came alive. Each day felt like I was a part of this organism. I was a cog in this machine that was propelling humanity toward future grandeur, and being a part of that something-bigger felt amazing.

It feels great until you are faced with the fragility of it all, the wastefulness, and the reality that unless something changes, it will all collapse. The ultimate organism that we are all a part of is Earth, not the city.

Knowing what is good for us takes reflection, and a life of simplicity allows for that. Watching nature come alive each morning is a sense of awe beyond any, and you don’t have to live in the country. An urban homestead still awakens to the sounds of its birds and gardens, and to the smell of home cooked meals.

“We have lived by the assumption that what was good for us would be good for the world. And this has been based on the even flimsier assumption that we could know with any certainty what was good even for us. We have fulfilled the danger of this by making our personal pride and greed the standard of our behavior toward the world – to the incalculable disadvantage of the world and every living thing in it. And now, perhaps very close to too late, our great error has become clear. It is not only our own creativity – our own capacity for life – that is stifled by our arrogant assumption; the creation itself is stifled.”
― Wendell Berry, The Art of the Commonplace: The Agrarian Essays

An Integrated Life

My childhood in the 80’s and 90’s was a series of rides to scheduled blocks of time. Ride the bus to school, ride the van to volleyball practice, ride in the car to piano lesson, ride with mom to do errands, ride to doctors office, and ride to the assisted living facility to visit grandma.

It just seemed very compartmentalized, like those professional organizers who want you to have a plastic bin for every item you own. A simple life is an integrated life which means that the homestead is the school, and the grocery store, and the workplace, and the doctor’s office (within reason). Each act of living becomes an act of teaching, working, and learning. There is intention and information in something as simple as taking a shower when you’ve plumbed your greywater through a greenhouse where it waters year-round salad greens.

“Though the problems of the world are increasingly complex, the solutions remain embarrassingly simple.”
― Bill Mollison

Security in Sustainability

We’re used to depending upon utilities and retail stores so much, we place our sense of security in them. Pulling in a year’s worth of garlic, onions, and potatoes always gives me the deepest sense of stability, a ‘we’re going to be alright’ feeling.

Imagine never paying a utility company again. As long as the sun is shining or the wind is blowing you will have lights, hot water, and telephone.

Even if your homestead isn’t totally off-grid, with each step toward sustainability, you gain security. In the gales of a winter storm, knowing that your Rocket-Mass-Heater keeps you toasty warm with the slightest amount of wood is enough to have you singing “let it snow.”

Our current system of production, distribution, and consumption is not sustainable. It is totally dependent on fossil fuels, the exploitation of animals, and dwindling free resources from the Earth. It will fail, and withdrawing our investments in it now not only protects us, but it encourages the larger system to change for the better.

“A sacred way of life connects us to the people and places around us. That means that a sacred economy must be in large part a local economy, in which we have multidimensional, personal relationships with the land and people who meet our needs, and whose needs are met in turn.”
― Juliana Birnbaum Fox, Sustainable Revolution: Permaculture in Ecovillages, Urban Farms, and Communities Worldwide

See Also: Why Simple Living is the key to Finding your Life Purpose

 

The post 5 Little-Known Reasons Why a Simple Life is a Happy Life appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

http://ift.tt/2j8aXP9