Fake news.

You’ve probably been hearing a lot about it lately.

What is fake news and why is it so important that you know how to spot it?

Fake news is not someone saying something you don’t agree with. It’s not one political party pointing out facts that happen to be inconvenient to the opposition.

It’s made-up stories disseminated with the sole purpose of creating divisiveness and spreading misinformation.

The widespread availability of the Internet has led to an openness in the exchange of information that humanity has never before experienced. Unfortunately, this has also led to folks taking advantage of this openness to spread divisiveness. The greatest tool in their shed? Social media.

Fake Social Media Accounts Spread Fake News

During the election cycle in 2016, Stanford University conducted a study of fake news circulating on Facebook and the results were shocking.

Researchers found 115 fake pro-Trump stories circulating on Facebook that had been shared 30 million times at that time. They also found 41 fake pro-Clinton stories that had been shared 7.6 million times.

We’ve all seen them- implausible headlines, questionable websites, and recycled photos.

The problem is that people do believe them and fake social media accounts use this fact to spread such stories like wildfire.

How Big Is The Problem Of Fake Social Media Accounts?

Between 2014 and 2016, the number of fake social media accounts grew 11 times, a shockingly sharp uptick. While as a percentage, fake social media profiles don’t seem especially prevalent.

However, by volume, there are way more fake profiles than you may think. Check out these numbers:

• 2-3% or 60 million fake Facebook accounts
• 9-15% or 48 million fake Twitter accounts
• 8% or 24 million fake Instagram accounts

How Can You Spot Fake Social Media Accounts?

Have you ever received a friend request from someone you are already friends with that has the same profile picture and everything? That was probably a hacker trying to gain access to your or your friend’s personal information.

In addition to looking for duplicate accounts of people you know, there are a few other ways to spot fake social media accounts.

Here are some great examples:

• Profile pictures that are of celebrities or objects
• Accounts with almost no followers or have thousands of followers
• Public figures who aren’t verified
• Accounts with little user engagement

What Should You Do If You Are Being Impersonated?

Impersonators wield a lot of power in today’s open social media society.

Just setting up a social media account and pretending to be a real person can gain you a lot of trust right off the bat. So, what do you do when someone is impersonating you?

Start by reporting the impersonator. Know that reporting the impersonator may or may not work and even if you get one account shut down, there’s always the possibility that another one will be created.

Impersonator accounts can be used to gain access to personal information or to publicly shame, embarrass, or humiliate the person they are impersonating. If you are a target of either, make sure to monitor all social channels regularly to find and report them immediately.

Why Does Any Of This Matter?

Social media is the new telephone.

Instead of calling our friends and catching up one by one, social media has allowed us to catch up with all of our friends at once, multiple times a day.

Logging off is one way to avoid fake news but is that really a reasonable solution?

We didn’t get rid of telephones when telemarketers became a problem.

Plus, most people aren’t going to log off anyway.

Fake news and fake social media profiles are a real problem and you can only solve them with education and awareness. Learn more about where fake social media accounts come from by checking out this infographic.

Source: SocialCatfish.com

The post Protecting Yourself From Fake Social Media Accounts appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

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Being an entrepreneur is not a cakewalk. Far from it!

When the responsibility of fulfilling your dreams lies on your shoulders alone, you find yourself burdened and clogged by fear and uncertainty.

The easiest way entrepreneurs free themselves from fear is by creating strategies and plans. Entrepreneurs are aware what a gold mine a successful and comprehensive strategy can be for their business.

Why Strategy is Important In Business

If you are wondering why you should pay close attention to your strategy, check out the following benefits.

• Planning pays

Tracking your progress according to a set of criteria can help make sure that you are on track and growing. With a clear picture of what you expect your future to look like, you will always be aware of your priorities.

• Helps in recognizing strengths and pain points

A good strategy can help you recognize your business’ selling points and pain points so that you can have a holistic view of what you are doing. It can help you stay updated on your progress, too.

• Aids in assessing skills and talents

When you have a clear idea of your business’ growth, you will know what talent you need to work on. Strategically planning a business takes an unbiased and open mind.

• Helps in managing resources

Businesses should realize that their resources might run out. With a great and complete strategy, you can prioritize the utilization of your resources. This way, the important things in your business are given priority over less important things.

See Also: Top Lessons From Successful Entrepreneurs You Need to Know Now

Tips for Building A Successful Strategy

If you’re convinced about making a strategy but not sure how to do that, here are some of the best tips you can use:

Throw away the losers

As an entrepreneur, you are regularly bothered by fresh and novel ideas popping up in your head.

What you need to do is leave the ideas that seem to be too good to be real. Not all business opportunities will work for you, so you need to screen them. Look for the market potential in your business idea and then lay out a plan.

Analyze your idea

A good strategy is a result of a lot of analysis.

While big corporations can put in massive amounts of resources for researching ideas, as an entrepreneur, you would need to balance your research for resource optimization. Only do as much planning as necessary for starting up.

Merge action and analysis

Since you are just starting out, try to separate your analysis and action for a clearer picture of what needs to be done next. Do more analysis or swinging into action.

Define your objective

Define what your business does in clear and concise words. Know what problems you exclusively solve for the society.

Target your market and create an approach that will give more focus on them than your products.

These simple steps in building strategy can ensure you get started on the right track and that you’re heading in the right direction.

See Also: Best Tips For Young Entrepreneurs

The post Why Strategy Is Important In Business appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

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Every day, 849 small businesses across the world are launched by women and the number has gone up by 3% in the past year. In the last two decades, there was a whopping rise of 114% in the total number of women-owned small businesses. This clearly indicates that women are rocking the small business industry.

Although a large number of women entrepreneurs have already established themselves, there are others who are just getting started. Unfortunately, the process isn’t that easy.

Women have to face many challenges in launching, establishing, and expanding their business.

If you are still in the planning stage, here are really helpful business tips for women.

Give Your Passion A Rational Twist

‘Follow your passion’ is the best advice anyone could give a small business owner. For women, that won’t be a problem as females are more sensitive and passionate.

However, blindly following passion without analyzing the market and its demands can turn out to be a roadblock to your success.

With that, it is important that you give a rational twist to your passion. Examine it closely against various parameters, like market study, competition, current trends, resources required, and funds available.

You have to build a strong foundation for your small business empire. Using a rational approach while following your passion can help ensure that.

Line Up Multiple Sources of Funding

Sourcing funds is one of the most crucial challenges for every entrepreneur, be it a male or a female. However, various studies have proved that women entrepreneurs find it more challenging to arrange funds for their business endeavors.

A research stated that women-owned business receives only 7% of the venture capital investment money. Female loan approval rate, on the other hand, is 15% to 20% lower than males.

So, instead of solely relying on a single source for all your small business funds, line up multiple sources of funding. This will ensure a constant flow of finances throughout the growth of your business.

But there is a brighter side of the picture as well.

There are some funding schemes and minority grants offering funds, especially for women. Groups and grants like Elizabeth Street Capital, Eileen Fisher Women-Owned Business Grant Program, and InnovateHER Challenge can be a great source of funds for women-owned businesses.

Other economic development programs, like certification by Women’s Business Enterprise National Council, can also help in arranging easy funds.

Invest in Compassion for Effective Team Management

“The hardest thing for women has been the human capital side,” says Maria Coyne, Executive Vice President of Business Banking at KeyBank and founder of Key4Women, a program dedicated to assisting women business owners.

She believes that women business owners can have more compassion towards her employees as compared to men, which can be used both for and against small business management.

Owning a small business, you should know how to balance emotional quotient and not let it rule over your instincts. Don’t let compassion limit you from making lucrative staffing decisions. Instead, use it for positive investment and management in human capital.

Instead of full-time hiring, you can hire on a contract basis or work-from-home basis. Those two approaches cost way lesser and add well to the profit.

You can look for women who are searching for work from home opportunities and empower them. Bring together a team of professionals who share the same enthusiasm and offer a positive and flexible working environment for effective management, execution, and operation.

See Also: The Importance Of Emotional Intelligence For A Leader

Take Notice of Accounting and Tax Benefits

There are many perks of being a woman and one of them is getting tax benefits.

You can register your small business at Women-Owned Small Business and get it certified by the WBE or Woman’s Business Enterprise. This will open new doors to various tax incentives and other waivers. Take a note of your accounting and taxes and do not miss out on the tax benefits offered in your state.

Conclusion

Start giving a rational twist to your passion and finding multiple sources of funding. Use your emotions and compassion for effective team management and do not forget to avail all the tax benefits. These things will help you become a successful small business owner.

Invest equal energy in raising and building a brand for your small business as you would invest in raising your family. Once you’re able to do that, you’ll find that nothing can stop you from becoming the next role model for women business owners.

See Also: 5 Women Entrepreneurs Who Failed Before Becoming Millionaires

Author Bio:
Ankit Gupta heads the content team at ExporteresIndia.com, India’s leading B2B marketplace. His passion towards his profession and his loyalty towards his organization compel him to read and write about small business trends, tips, to-dos, and not-to-dos. You can follow Ankit on his Google+, LinkedIn, and Twitter handles to read other insightful blogs written by him.

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Leaders are essential to any group or organization. They are the people that guide, control, and manage others so that they can be more productive and efficient in meeting their goals.

However, not all leaders are great ones. Some of them are just wearing the title and don’t live up to their position.

If you’re curious to know what makes a great leader, here are some points to highlight their traits.

“Good leaders tell you what to do while great leaders make you realize what needs to be done”.

Good leaders have ideas that can only alter what’s within their area while great leaders have ideas that can change the way things are done around the globe. The scale of their ideas is what sets apart greatness from merely being good.

Game-changers and out-of-the-box thinkers are great leaders because they have the power of changing the way people think. They can call their fellow people to action and steer them towards change. An organization that has great leaders with the right mindset will be able to continue growing and evolving.

A magnetic personality is what makes a great leader. Their passion and drive are visible in everything they do. Their shoulders aren’t slouched and there is a zeal that drives them to inspire the people close to them.

“Good leaders say. Great leaders show.”

Great leaders make people observe them. They know that people learn and adapt their behaviors through observation. So, they set examples of effective work culture, communication, and work ethics to influence everyone around them.

Great leaders believe in actions and in inspiring others. They believe that every person has an innate quality of greatness within them and they strive to bring that out.

A good leader will not improve you as a person as much as a great leader will. He can only tell you what should be done in your workplace but he rarely follows his own words.

Good leaders can make you feel good but great leaders can make you feel great about yourself. You will literally see yourself evolving into a better professional when you are under the guidance of a great leader.

“Good leaders cover their weaknesses while great ones work on them”

A good leader will try and cover his weaknesses with tons of excuses. He will make excuses so that he can avoid doing a job he’s weak at. This trait gets communicated to everyone, building a negative vibe.

A great leader, on the other hand, will realize his weaknesses and will try hard to overcome them, even if that involves learning from his subordinates. Great leaders, after all, have no ego when it comes to learning.

Their only goal is to make his employees and the organization better. Everything else is secondary to them.

Great leaders work so hard on their weaknesses to turn them around into their strengths.

See Also: The Importance Of Emotional Intelligence For A Leader

Good leaders aren’t motivators! They can show you the direction but they won’t fuel you up for the journey.

Great leaders will fill you with the thrill of embarking upon something new and will see to it that you stay motivated throughout.

Good leaders become bosses but great leaders become friends. A good leader will only remain your boss and will stay within his professional boundaries. A great leader befriends everyone in his team and doubles as a mentor to everyone.

The post The Truth About What Makes A Great Leader appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

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Building your own website isn’t that hard. With a lot of tools available online and a quick search on the internet, you’ll be able to set up a website for your business in no time.

Unfortunately, those aren’t the only things you’ll need to build a website successfully. As a beginner, you also need to master the basics.

Here are the most common questions beginners have regarding building websites.

Is it necessary to have the technical knowledge to create a personal web page?

This depends on the level of functionality that you want to give the page. The most complicated way would be to learn HTML and CSS, which are the foundation of any website on the Internet.

However, that is not the only way you can build a website.

Even without technical knowledge, you can create a good web page. If you are able to use Word or PowerPoint, you can use a web page creator.

How much do I need to set up my own website?

The cost of creating a website is not very high. In fact, it can be free if you do not want it to have premium functions.

You can start with $5 per month without advertising and with your own domain.

If what you are looking for is an advanced platform, you can take a look at some website builders. With them, you can do almost everything.

Now, if you want to set up your website with the help of a professional, take a look at Freelancer or Fiverr. You will get an idea of the market prices for your project. Check your budget before hiring someone.

I have always been told that you can’t create professional web pages with web creators. Is that true?

With the first generation of Web creators, the design and functionality options are very limited. With the arrival of web 2.0 creation systems, this aspect has changed drastically.

There is a wide variety of web creators today and you can get one depending on your needs. You can have a blog on the page and even create a very professional online store with a system like Jimdo.

A web creator in the current Web 2.0 can make your life easier. It will give you the freedom to select the design and functionality that you want to have on the page.

Remember that each web page creator has its own style. Make sure to take a look at their template galleries.

Should I plan my website before I start working with the software tools?

That will depend on you. However, in general, a small planning is always a good thing.

Here are three tips you can follow:

• Use a pen and paper to write everything you want the page to have. Brainstorming is a perfect way to organize thoughts.
• Take a look at other interesting websites, both from a design and content point of view. Take notes of what you like about those pages and what you do not like.
• Once you have a draft version of the page, ask trusted people to give their opinion about it. This can provide very valuable insights.

What elements do good websites have in common?

Your logo and choice of images are keys to achieving a professional-looking page.

This makes it important that you understand the available image formats, like .gif, .jpg, and .png. You also need to have a program you can use to edit and change the size of your images.

Another tip is to use contact forms instead of email addresses on your website. Luckily, any quality web page creator can allow you to add a form with a simple click.

See Also: What Makes A Great Website? 10 Helpful Tips For Every Aspiring Entrepreneur

The post How to Create a Web Page: 5 Questions to Guide Beginners appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

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As a personal development junkie, the internet is a weird place for you to find tips in managing your emotions and achieving your goals.

One fine day, you get inspiration to read 100 books because a random dude confessed that they are life-changing. You purchase ten books and start reading them.

Which books should you start with? Easy peasy.

Look at the reading lists of those fancy billionaires: Zucks, Billy, and Musk.

A week later, you see a 5-minute video of a guy that didn’t consume alcohol for a year and how it changed his life.

No surprise at what you’ll do next.

Obviously, first, you share it with your friends with the caption #LifeGoals. Then, you fool yourself that you can pull off that enormous goal.

Until…

In a couple of weeks, you encounter an article showing how a guy quit his job to travel the world. He now earns $10,000 per month writing.

Well, well, well…

You now need to have a couple of drinks to sort this out.

In a month, the novelty of these goals wears off. Back to square one. You return to your usual routine.

Even if you want to improve, your emotions and ambitions can lead you astray. Behavioural change is difficult.

For help, let’s turn towards the ancient school of philosophy: Stoicism.

Here are three stoic beliefs that will help you build mental resilience and propel you towards your self-improvement goals.

Treat your emotions separately from events

Fuck being happy. Fuck being sad.

Seriously.

Self-improvement is challenging because, when faced with resistance, we cave in.

You have sufficient time and resources. But to justify your failure in taking the first step, you construct false stories, blaming external factors.

Stop.

It’s you, stupid.

Specifically, managing your emotions is the key to making progress.

Stoicism calls forth acknowledging that the conflict is internal.

In the words of Marcus Aurelius, “You have power over your mind, not outside events. Realize this and you find strength.”

Once you recognize the fact, you’ll stop making up delusional stories and blame worldly events to justify your indiscipline. Rather, you’ll focus on your inner emotional turmoil. It will prevent hindrance of your progress.

For example:

You’re building a writing habit. Your goal is to show up every day and write as little as 100 words. Initially, internalizing the new behavior is more important than finishing an article.

Now, treat writing separately from how you feel at the time you arrive at the keyboard. You need to suck it up and do it anyway because you owe it to the world.

See Also: 5 Key Insights For A Happy Life From Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations

You can’t control the outcome of your efforts

Suppose you have aspirations to become the next Jimi Hendrix. You tell yourself that “you’ll become a legendary guitar player”.

Unfortunately, you won’t really know if you’ll be able to do that despite putting your best effort.

Other external factors like luck, timing, and genes also play a part in the results you’ll get. Ultimately, you can only control your actions.

Hence, in the chaotic world, it makes sense to trust the process and commit yourself to every moment honestly. Seneca mentions that Stoics take every action with a reserve clause – “If nothing shall occur to the contrary” (for taking uncertainty into account).

It’s similar to phrases like “God willing” and “If the fates allow” in Christian writings.

Practically, you can apply this tenet to your self-improvement goals by road mapping an achievable quantitative goal. Instead of imagining and telling yourself that you’ll build a successful business in three months, write down the specific steps that you’ll execute.

See Also: 4 Powerful Ways To Stay Motivated And Reach Your Goals Through Tough Times

Take action and apply your knowledge

Stoic philosopher Epictetus believed that reading too many books and internalizing their content is not equivalent to progress. Application of that knowledge is what will impart wisdom.

Now, though the advice is 2000 years old, it’s more relevant in today’s digital era because of infomania.

“Motivational porn”.

That’s the term used for readers that scour through self-improvement articles and never take action (hope, that’s not you).

If you read self-improvement articles, then you’re trying to soothe an itch.

Ultimately, you got to realize that the people serving such literature (both the writer and the website publishing it) are making a business out of it. They are trying to help you but you need to move beyond deriving entertainment from such articles.

If you’re looking for a shiny and quick solution to fix your problem, then you won’t find any.

Reading and planning might become a habit and soon an excuse for inaction. So, get on the field and sweat a little.

Implement one tenet in your life and get some shit done today.

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Most people who have been through a divorce would probably find it one of the most challenging times in their lives. It’s a time of grief, mourning, upheaval, and changes that you never dreamed you’d have to make. Social support, emotional support, and self-care are completely important during this painful transition.

For centuries, writing has been used to express people’s deepest feelings and find meaning and purpose in their lives. By using well-thought-out prompts, you can do the same thing and experience the benefits of expressive writing.

Introspective writing, for example, can help lift up your spirit. It can also benefit you emotionally and physically.

Writing can help you in practical ways as well. How?

Below are some great examples:

Sharing the news

For one, you can use it to plan how you are going to tell your family and friends about your impending divorce.

It can be uncomfortable and awkward for everyone involved. This makes it critical that you carefully plan how you’re going to tell them the news.

Try writing about how you would like your divorce to be perceived. You will probably need a page or more to explore this in writing. Eventually, you’ll be able to narrow it down to a sentence or two.

Focus on what you would like the divorce to be like and decide how much you are willing to share with different people. You will have different versions for the children and for family and friends.

Preparing your answers

Children will need to know concrete facts, like where are they going to live and how often they will see each parent. Anticipate the questions they might have and plan your answers.

For friends, focus on the ideal way that you are aiming for. You might say something like, “Peter and I have been struggling in our marriage for a long time and we have decided to get a divorce. We would like to remain friends.”

However you decide to word it, practicing on paper will help make conveying this difficult message easier.

Forgiving yourself

You can also support yourself during this time by writing a letter to yourself, expressing encouragement and love.

It is vital that you forgive yourself for your part in the dissolution of your marriage. And also give the assurance that you can successfully move forward. Then self-address, stamp, and mail it!

Another enlightening exercise is to sit down and write the complete story of your marriage, with a beginning, middle, and end. Do it in a few short sessions as it can be overwhelming.

Forgiving your ex

As you write the story, remember that the good memories are still yours to cherish. And feel the relief that the bad times will soon be over.

It is vitally important that you begin to forgive your ex – no matter how hard that may be. There is a Buddhist saying that holding onto anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else – you are the one who gets burned.

Planning your future

Most importantly, when writing the history of your marriage, do not end the story with the divorce as that isn’t where your story ends!

Extend this story into your future, describing how resilient you inherently are and how bright your future will be. Detail what you learned from your mistakes and how your next relationship will be different. Then, go on to describe your ideal future!

See Also: How To Overcome Negative Emotions Using 5 Writing Techniques

The very best way to heal is to begin living your dreams. So, list your goals in the next five years and what you would like your life to look like ten years down the road. And when you are ready, list baby steps you can take to realize those goals.

Expressing gratitude

Finally, one of the simplest but most powerful practices is to write a daily gratitude list.  As I wrote in my book Write For Recovery:  

“No matter how bad your life is at any given point, even in the worst of times, there are always things for which we can be grateful. A practice of appreciating the good things in your life nurtures feelings of optimism and joy. It also gets your ego out of the way so your spirit can shine.

A minute of gratitude is like a vacation for your heart and mind. And just as the runner gets a second wind and is stronger with every run, gratitude is strengthened by repeated effort.”

The act of acknowledging our blessings has been shown to increase serotonin and dopamine, the feel-good neurotransmitters in our brains. A practice of appreciating the good things in your life nurtures feelings of optimism and joy.

A minute of gratitude is like a vacation for your heart and mind. You cannot hold anger at your ex and bemoan your past while you are busy being consciously grateful for all the precious little gifts in your life!

See Also: The Magic of Appreciation: How to Practice Gratitude

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One can’t simply watch a movie without a huge bowl of buttered or salted popcorn in his lap and a cold drink in his hand. But who says popcorn only has to be salted or buttered?

In this article, we’ll introduce you to 5 innovative ways of spicing up popcorn. All of the recipes are super easy to make and preparation time can only take around 15 minutes. Plus, the ingredients you’ll need are only minimal. Seriously, you won’t burn holes in your wallet with these treats.

So, if you’re too curious to know, here are our must-try flavored popcorn recipes.

Popcorn with Herbs and Garlic

Garlic and herbs go together perfectly and complement each other’s tastes. This recipe has good chances of becoming your favorite.

Ingredients:

• 4 tbsp of butter
• 1 tbsp of sage
• 1 tbsp of thyme
• 4 cloves of fresh garlic
• 1 tbsp of rosemary
• Popcorn kernels

Instructions:

1. Mince or grate the 4 cloves of garlic and then melt your butter.
2. Add the herbs and cook everything for 60 seconds. Make sure the stove’s not set on max because the mixture will be burned and that will surely taste awful.
3. Put your popcorn in a bowl and pour the garlic and herbs over it.
4. Add a few pinches of salt to enhance the flavor.

Cheese-popcorn with Parmesan, Cheddar, and Colby

This is for all the dairy lovers out there. In less than 5 minutes, you can get some popcorn that will blow your socks off. You are free to use any kind of cheese you like.

We’re doing it with parmesan, cheddar, and Colby. Some people use mozzarella, but we prefer not to because it doesn’t melt properly.

Ingredients:

• Popcorn kernels
• 1 full cup of parmesan
• Half a cup of Colby cheese
• 2 full cups of cheddar
• 1 baking sheet
• Salt

Instructions:

1. Grate and shred your cheeses.
2. Spread the popcorn on the baking sheet and heat the oven at 3000 F.
3. Put the shredded cheeses on the popcorn and insert the tray in the oven. It should be ready in about 4 minutes. Stay by the oven and look inside.
4. If the cheeses have melted properly, take the popcorn out and add as much salt as you like.

Popcorn with Curry and Turmeric

Curry and turmeric are among the healthiest condiments in the world because of their potent anti-inflammatory properties. Now, you can enjoy their health benefits by adding them to your popcorn.

Keep in mind that these spices are extremely powerful, so you certainly don’t want to use them in large quantities.

Ingredients:

• 1 stick of butter
• ½ tbsp of curry
• ½ tbsp of turmeric
• Salt
• 2 tbsp of brown sugar
• Popcorn kernels

Instructions:

1. Set the stove on low heat and melt the butter-stick in the pan.
2. Add the other ingredients. You might be taken aback by the sugar – it’s actually important because it will mellow out the taste of the curry and turmeric.
3. Cook the mixture for approximately 1 minute and a half (maximum of 2 minutes).
4. Add the salt and spread the dressing on your popcorn.

Cocoa Popcorn

This will take a little longer to make than the other three recipes, but it’s certainly worth the wait. You will also need more ingredients than usual.

Ingredients:

• Half a cup of butter
• 1 tbsp of vanilla or half a spoon of vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup of cocoa
• 1/3 cup of sugar (your choice)
• Popcorn kernels

Instructions:

1. Set the stove on low heat and melt the butter in the pan.
2. Add the vanilla, cocoa, and sugar.
3. Stir and let the mixture boil for 1 to 2 minutes.
4. Pour the mixture over the popcorn and stir so that the popcorn gets coated evenly.
5. Set your oven at 2500 degrees, put the popcorn on a baking sheet and bake it for half an hour. The cocoa coating will become crisp and won’t fall off the popcorn.

Popcorn with Cinnamon and Bananas

This is such a delicious recipe that you’ll never go back to traditional popcorn.

Ingredients:

• 1 fresh banana or 1 cup of dried banana
• 2 tbsp of cinnamon powder
• 3 to 4 tbsp of butter
• 2 tbsp of sugar,
• Some mint and chocolate chips (optional)
• Popcorn kernels

Instructions:

1. Melt the butter in the pan on low heat so you don’t vaporize it.
2. Mince and then crush the banana with a spoon and add it to the butter.
3. Add your cinnamon powder and let the mixture boil for 1 minute. Make sure it doesn’t stick to the pan.
4. Lastly, add the sugar and pour everything on top of your popcorn.
5. You can add some chocolate chips or a few drops of mint oil.

Conclusion

These 5 flavored popcorn recipes are just some of the awesome ways to make your snack taste a lot better. There are surely a lot more recipes you can try if you just search around. In fact, you can even experiment and create your own!

The more you experiment, the more enjoyable your popcorn will be. Just make sure to watch your pot closely since popcorn kernels can burn pretty quickly.

The post 5 Flavored Popcorn Recipes You Need to Try Now appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

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There is a lot of confusion and mystery when the topic of what women want arises. Most men think that women are so incredibly complicated that knowing what they want is nearly impossible. That is not necessarily the case. Actually, in most cases, it’s pretty simple.

Women, like men, differ from each other. There are, however, some things that are common among them.

If you are wondering what those things are, check out this handy guide on what women want.

Respect

Aretha said it well.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T.

Women want to be respected.

That is true for most people on the planet, but women have expressed that they often feel less respected by their partners than they would like to be. It is possible that, as men, we forget that the respect women are referring to is larger than showing good manners in their presence.

Women and men are intellectually equal and just as capable as one another at most tasks. Yet, as men, we often try to take over, control or disregard their contributions not just in the workplace but in relationships, too.

A good rule of thumb is to consider the respect you would like and then show that same level of respect to the women in your life.

Attention

Most women like attention. So, make it a habit to practice touching, hugging, and talking about the little things that happened during the day. These things can help keep you connected to your partner.

Take note that it’s perfectly fine to ask for the same things even if you’re a man.

Honesty

Honesty goes hand-in-hand with respect and is a non-negotiable in a healthy relationship. Practice respect for your partner by being honest at all times.

She is an adult and if she asks you a question, whether it is about her appearance, behavior, or anything else – be honest with her.

Fun

When you stop to think about why people get into a relationship, you’ll probably think about love, kids or growing old together. But, if you really consider it, you start a relationship because you have fun with the other person.

Something about being together makes you happy and that really never changes. Girls and women really do want to have fun.

See Also: Friendship’s Day Special: Why Friendship Makes Marriage More Fun

Sex and Romance

Yes, I said sex. Women want sex, too.

However, don’t overlook the romance. Although women can be just as visual and just as physically motivated to have sex as men, they consider it a personal experience associated with love. This makes incorporating romance into the equation a crucial piece to keeping your sex life active.

Romance can stand alone. It doesn’t always have to lead to sex. In other words, don’t expect to hit the sheets every time you bring home flowers.

See Also: Four Ways to Help Your Guy Get A Clue About Romance

Acceptance

We all desire this, don’t we?

Women feel a great deal of pressure to fit whether it involves their appearance or behavior. The open secret is that they don’t like that.

The woman in your life has flaws. As long as they are not detrimental to her health, safety or your relationship, try to accept her the way she is. As much as men accuse women of trying to change them, men can be just as bad.

I am sure you don’t want to constantly be told to change, so don’t do that to her.

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It appears that there are only two options when it comes to picking a profession. You can either spend long hours in an oppressively high-pressure yet high-paying environment or do something meaningful and earn only the minimum.

A recent report from Payscale examines 454 jobs about their meaning and value. If you are thinking of changing careers, consider these 7 jobs that pay well.

Neurosurgeon

The most meaningful job with the highest pay is a neurosurgeon. These doctors specialize in treating conditions involving the central and peripheral nervous system, such as Parkinson’s disease and epilepsy. They also perform critical surgeries on the brain and spinal cord, allowing them to earn a median annual salary of $543,343.

Neurosurgeons contribute to society and experience a great deal of personal satisfaction from their work. In fact, a staggering 97% find the job meaningful. However, this kind of satisfaction comes at a price.

Budding neurosurgeons must complete 4 years of undergraduate school, 4 years of medical school and roughly 7 years of residency training in order to meet the educational requirements.

Cardiothoracic Surgeon

Cardiothoracic surgeons treat cardiovascular diseases by operating on the heart, lungs, esophagus, and surrounding vessels. To become board-certified, they must undergo rigorous training. This includes 4 years of college, 4 years of medical school, and a minimum of 7 years of residency and fellowship.

Performing surgeries for correcting heart complications is a great responsibility but it’s tremendously rewarding for both patients and doctors. Successful operations performed by cardiothoracic surgeons can change or save peoples’ lives each day.

They earn an average annual income of $522,875 after 6 years of surgical practice. 91%  consider it a meaningful work.

Anesthesiologist

Anesthesiologists administer anesthetics and are responsible for the well-being of patients throughout every stage of surgery. The education and preparation needed to become an anesthesiologist include 4 years of undergraduate education, completion of a 4-year doctor of medicine (MD) or doctor of osteopathy (DO) program and 4 years of residency training.

Overall, anesthesiologists give their jobs exceptional ratings in areas of personal satisfaction and quality of life. They make an average of $283,600 a year, with 88% considering the job as meaningful.

Physiatrists

Physiatrists specialize in a wide array of treatments for the musculoskeletal system, including the muscles, bones, nerves, ligaments, and tendons. However, they do not perform surgery. The average pay for a physiatrist is $283,500 a year.

Results of a nationwide career satisfaction survey indicate 75% of physiatrists are happy with their career. If you are considering this job, you have to complete 4 years of medical school, in addition to 4 years of residency training. Initially, residency training concentrates on internal medicine and the following 3 years focuses on specialty training. After residency, you’ll need to complete a one to two-year fellowship.

Veterinarian

Veterinarians are accountable for diagnosing and treating a variety of animals. 85% of employees say this job is meaningful since it makes a genuine difference.

However, becoming a veterinarian requires a 4-year bachelor’s degree and a doctor of veterinary medicine degree which takes at least eight years. Then, you must pursue your state license to practice. This entails passing the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination.

As people are increasingly treating their pets like family, there’s a mounting willingness to spend exorbitant amounts of money on animal care. Correspondingly, the average veterinarian salary soared to $100,560 in 2016 and is still on the rise.

Registered Nurse

From assessing patients to collaborating with physicians, registered nurses operate at the forefront of patient care. Despite being one of the fastest-growing occupations, there’s still a rapidly increasing demand for nurses nationwide.

The typical entry-level educational requirements are minimal compared to other health-related professions. Registered nurses can begin with an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. Then, they must be licensed before they can practice.

Being there for people during their darkest times of pain and suffering makes for very meaningful work. In fact, 86% find their job valuable. With a median salary of $68,450 in 2016, registered nurses can enjoy a lucrative and fulfilling career.

Clergy

Members of the clergy directly embrace people with questions and problems. By providing them with support, guidance, and faith, 87% percent of clergymen and clergywomen think their work is gratifying. The median annual salary for this position is $45,740, which isn’t too shabby.

Unfortunately, over 50% of clergy members report they’re paid below the average wage for their particular role.

Each religion has unique procedures and requirements for appointing clergy members. The majority of clergy members holds a master’s degrees in religious studies or theology, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. They also regularly partake in continuing education studies of pertinent holy texts.

Conclusion

Finding the right career for you isn’t that hard. Once you know what your passion is and you’re sure that it aligns with your goals, you won’t have a hard time finding the best profession for you.

This list of jobs that pay well is only a guide. Consider it but don’t depend on it in making a final decision. Remember, you also need to be happy with your work.

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