Every lazy girl knows a few tips and tricks to look her best and arrive on time with as little effort as possible. To give you an idea, here are a few lazy girl life hacks you can try to simplify your life:

Dry Shampoo / Baby Powder / Cornflour

Maybe your shampoo ran out without you noticing or maybe you’re just plain lazy that day. Don’t worry! Dry shampoo can get you through another day of skipping the tedious hair-washing routine.

Here’s a great video that teaches you how to make DIY dry shampoo AND how to apply it to your hair.

A little bit of baby powder or cornflour can go a long way– well, I mean a little. Blonde haired girls don’t have to worry too much about overdosing on powders. Brunettes, however, need to be light-handed with the powder and only apply enough to absorb excess moisture.

Air Out Your Dirty Laundry

Haven’t had time to wash your favorite outfit that you’re dying to wear? No problem! Hang them out in the breeze to refresh your clothing and it’ll feel like they’ve just been through the wash.

For added freshness, spray the garment with your favorite deodorant and iron it out to combat any smells and creases. After that, you’re good to go.

If you know that you will have to hit the gym in the same pair of leggings twice in one week without a chance to give them a good wash between wears, make sure you take them out of your gym bag as soon as you get home and air them out straight away. This will help to dry the sweat and they’ll gain second-wear status.

Blow Dry Your Hair After a Gym Session

You washed your hair in the morning and decided to hit the gym. After your workout, you now feel sweaty and gross. Since your hair has just been washed, you can just get rid of the smell and sweat by applying dry shampoo.

Keep in mind that you can’t apply dry shampoo or powder to your hair while it’s still wet. So, pull out your hair dryer and dry up the sweat before applying dry shampoo and your hair will look as good as it did in the morning.

Knot Your Hair in a Bun

There are so many lazy girls who can’t be bothered to dry their hair and apply dry shampoo. Lucky for us, messy buns are all the rage. Toss your hair into a tight knot or bun and no one will know when you last washed it.

Quick tip: Braid your hair and style it before you go to the gym and you won’t have to touch it afterward.

Plan for a Good Snooze

Waking up in the morning can be hard work, and no one likes to get up with the first alarm. Take a leaf out of your lazy girl’s book and set your alarm a couple of minutes before the actual time you need to wake up. This will ensure that you get to hit the snooze button and still have time to get yourself ready in the morning.

It’s a win-win!

Run Errands in a Sweatshirt

Running out of time? Need to go to the shops but you’re just too lazy to get changed?

Throw a sweatshirt over your top and you’ll be able to run your errands with your pajama top on- and no one will know.

Kick this tip up a notch and run your errands bra-less too. A cute sweatshirt needs to be in every lazy girl’s closet for the days when she’s struggling to find the motivation to get things done.

Refuse to Wear Jeans (or anything you can’t slide on and off)

Jeans are tough to get on and off and, let’s be honest, no one enjoys jumping around to get the button done. We don’t need that kind of negativity in our lives.

Invest in some nice pants or leggings that you can slide on and off and you’ll be stylish, comfortable and ready to go at the drop of a hat.

Keep Makeup Removers With You At All Times

Some makeup products can be stubborn to remove. Keeping makeup removers in your bag or next to your bed can save you all the trouble. Your pillow will surely thank you, too.

Added hack: If you didn’t manage to get all of the eyeliner off from the night before, build on it. Last night’s eyeliner is today’s eyeshadow.

Minimal Make-Up That Will Leave You Glowing

The best make-up essentials for any lazy girl are a good concealer, mascara, eyebrow pencil and blush.

The concealer is perfect for covering any blemishes. Wearing mascara is a must if you want to look more awake and glowing. An eyebrow pencil is essential, too. Simply neatening up and darkening your eyebrows will have you looking well-kept in no time. Wearing a nice blush can give some color to your face. It’ll make you look youthful and flirty.

Braid Your Hair Before You Go to Sleep

Want to have flowing beach waves but don’t like putting too much effort?

Braid your hair into a plait before you go to sleep and you will wake up with beautiful loose curls. This hack can also save you precious time in the morning, so you can hit snooze a few more times.

Use Your Hair Straightener As An Iron

This hack is an absolute life-saver and time-saver. Using your hair straightener as an iron will allow you to get your hair done and get rid of the creases in your outfits without taking up too much time.

Bonus Life Hack:

Use Testosterone Boosters to Improve Your Energy Levels

I know, ladies using testosterone boosters sounds ridiculous, but a lot of the time that people (both male and female) feel run down is because their hormones are out of balance.

Testosterone boosters have proven to have numerous benefits for women, and they won’t make you big or bulky.

Men and women require a certain level of testosterone and women are often on a birth-control pill, which messes with their natural hormone balance. Many women complain about a loss of libido and general lethargy when taking hormonal medication and a boost of testosterone can help to remedy these negative effects.

 

The post 11 Life Hacks All Lazy Girls Definitely Do appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

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Many of us know that if you want something in your life, you’ve got to visualize it, hold it clearly in your mind, feel it and be it. In essence, you have to implant that thing using the power of the subconscious mind.

You can spend time each day visualizing exactly how your life is going to look. You can imagine yourself there, living the lifestyle you want, doing the things you want to do and being the person you want to be.

Another way is to journal. It can help you imprint your goals in a much stronger way.

You can try writing out your life in detail, repeating all those things you want to have in your life over and over again. Or you can meditate and spend time each day doing affirmations about who you’re going to be and what you’re going to have and do. You can do an evening gratitude list to get your mind to concentrate on the good things that are happening instead of the not-so-great.

You dream, you visualize and you act.

But, what if something comes along that knocks you sideways?

You see, the thing is, you’re really powerful- unbelievably powerful.

All the tools and techniques that I’ve listed out are just to help you harness and utilize the enormous power of the subconscious mind.

The problem is that we let our subconscious minds get on with things.

For a long time, our minds have ruled our lives. What the mind says, we believe. What the mind tells us to do, we do. The opinions our minds have seem like they’re their own. And for most of our lives, we’ve listened to our minds as though they are us.

We’ve Believed Everything It’s Told Us

And then, you suddenly decided that wasn’t good enough and you want to be in charge. You started exercising your mind on your terms, telling it what to think, where to place its attention, and even – heaven forbid – telling your mind that it’s wrong in what it’s thinking.

Now, you might think that you’re in charge here and that you’re going to get that stuff together and harness the power of the subconscious mind as though it was some tidal power station. Unfortunately, your mind has other ideas.

If you’ve been in charge for all those years, would you let go of control easily and quietly?

Didn’t think so? Your mind isn’t going to either. It’s got way more subtle (sneaky) powers than you ever dreamed possible.

You can visualize and journal and focus and imagine all you like. But, your subconscious mind will test your resolve- every time.

See Also: 5 Benefits of Journaling To Inspire and Motivate You

You say you want something? The mind will check if you really do. Your mind will create a massive roadblock that’s going to stop your visualization train in its tracks.

Let’s say you’ve been visualizing a wonderful and relaxing Caribbean holiday. You’re imagining yourself there on the beach. You can hear the waves, smell the ocean and feel the warm breeze upon your skin. You’ve almost saved enough for your holiday. You’re going to go out after your next payday and book your trip.

Then, your car breaks down and what do you know? The repair bill is what you’ve saved for your holiday TO THE DOLLAR!

At this point, you’ll probably think “Why does this stuff always happen to me?” or “I can never get ahead” or “I knew I wouldn’t be able to do this.”

But, consider this:

That, my dear, is just your mind testing you. It’s just your mind at work making sure that you do want all the things you’re thinking about.

How Powerful Is Your Mind?

How powerful is your mind that it can create stuff like that? It’s extremely powerful.

Instead of getting upset (like we tend to), acknowledge the power and creativity your mind has. See it as proof that you’re on the right track and your mind is just making sure. See it as evidence that you really can have everything you want. If not, the things you want are going to pose no problem.

Your job is to visualize the end result. Leave working out how to get there to your subconscious mind. It knows far more about how to work the universe than you do.

So, next time you run into one of those roadblocks, don’t stop and just keep going. Get straight back into visualizing the end result, journal about it, do whatever you can to get that vibration back to the level you want.

See Also: The Secret Mind Hacks That Can Change Your Life Today

The post What To Do When You Hit A Roadblock: The Power Of The Subconscious Mind appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

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Would you like to unleash the power within yourself that will enable you to achieve impressive results in whatever facet of life you focus on?

The key is to surrender.

When most people make a decision to change a certain aspect of their lives, it’s more like a wish than a steadfast decision. A decision, on the other hand, is an important component in how we approach this concept of surrendering for success and overcoming obstacles.

The word decision comes from the same root word as incision which means ‘to cut’. When you make a decision, it is literally cutting out all other possibilities. So, when we decide to improve relationships, make money or lose weight, we start making specific moves towards that goal.

When we come across oppositions or challenges, we can often become derailed- even by our own willpower. We become less excited and increasingly frustrated which can make us feel a bit hopeless. Because of this, it’s important that you know the best ways in overcoming obstacles in life.

How do you stay on track and keep going?

Surrender to the process. Recognize the frustration for what it is and surrender to the fact that obstacles happen for a reason. They don’t just pop out for you to learn a lesson or change your approach, but, ultimately, they help you get closer to your end result.

Don’t let disappointment take over or wear you down as it can only make you eventually give up. Instead, surrender to the idea that deciding to pursue your goals means you are agreeing to cut out obstacles that can impede you.

This may require you to be more open-minded, learn new things and see fresh opportunities. Just do it! Those things will help you evolve into the kind of person required to reach your goals.

What’s the difference between surrendering and giving up?

Surrendering is different from giving up.

Giving up is what most people do. They take a break from their goals and end up reverting to their old ways. Surrendering is what successful people do. They acknowledge the process and steadfastly decide to follow it through, surrendering to the path ahead. With this mindset, you’ll be able to accept and plow through challenging or frustrating scenarios like a bulldozer.

When we truly surrender to the outcome, we surrender to the process. When you get to that point, you won’t care about the roadblocks anymore. You care about the result.

In other words, you have to open your mind to new possibilities. Normal activities bring about normal results. Very few people have their ideal body, a huge bank balance, and amazing relationships. Those who have one, or all of these things, have committed to trying an out-of-the-ordinary approach. These abnormal activities have created abnormal, enviable results.

Once I truly decided that there was no other possibility for me – an overworked, underpaid mechanic – than to become a highly successful entrepreneur, I surrendered to that outcome and to whatever emotional states that could be triggered along the way. If I had to regroup and restart, then so be it.

This decision led me to build a multi-million dollar business. Since then, I’ve progressed to achieving my body and fitness goals and I’ve also cultivated my dream marriage. I’ve created a truly extraordinary life!

See Also: 4 Things Highly Successful People Do Differently

The person who has decided to be successful doesn’t beat themselves up about hiccups along the way; they just get busy creating what they desire. People who are living their purpose don’t have the luxury of feeling sorry for themselves; they forge ahead and take the steps required- in spite of it all.

To start overcoming obstacles in life, you should surrender to the journey that is being revealed to you with each step you take. You’re beyond the point of questioning whether it’s worth it or not or whether it’s as easy as it should be or not. You just need to continue doing it. Enjoy the journey because your success will be a by-product of your new way of life. So, make it a fun and prosperous one!

See Also: 5 Barriers That You Need To Cross To Achieve Success This Year

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Right now, there’s no better way to go into the food service business than with a food truck. Food trucks are portable, flexible and have low overhead. More people are frequenting food trucks than ever before, and even restaurant chains such as Starbuck’s, Chick-Fil-A, and White Castle are jumping on the food truck bandwagon for the same exact reason.

If you’re looking for a low-cost startup with a high chance for success, food trucks may be the way to go. But, how do you get into the food truck business, anyway?

Old trucks can be repurposed into food trucks. If you want a new food truck, it can cost less than $100,000. The business has a low overhead which means you can immediately start gaining profit.

Earnings can be as high as $250,000 to $500,000 a year. The good thing about food trucks is that you can always move to a different spot if the location isn’t great. If your recipes aren’t hitting their marks, you can easily change the menu. Flexibility makes this business model a good bet.

Steps In Getting Started In A Food Truck Business

1. Start by researching the rules

• Are food trucks allowed in your area?
• Are you able to park anywhere or do you need a permit?
• What are the rules about preparing food on the truck versus just serving from it?
• Are there regulations about how far you need to be from other trucks or restaurants?
• Can you join associations that will dispatch you to locations?
• Are you required to use a commissary?

2. Buy a truck and equipment
3. Develop a menu
4. Know where to buy supplies
5. Have a business plan
6. Develop your online presence – this can help you find customers!
7. Get all your approvals and licenses in order
8. Make sure all your equipment works and you are meeting health and safety standards

See Also: 5 Women Entrepreneurs Who Failed Before Becoming Millionaires 

The Benefits Of Having A Food Truck Business

The food truck revolution is about freedom. It’s about the freedom to work when you want, where you want and to be able to change things up at the drop of a hat. You could even choose to only work on the weekends or at festivals, giving you the ultimate flexibility over your life.

Having a brick and mortar store or restaurant means always having to be there while having a food truck means only showing up when you want to. Despite the flexibility, it is still important to maintain a schedule and show up when you say you will show up.

Food trucks can be a great way to test the waters to see if opening a restaurant is for you. It could be a good lifestyle choice for parents with kids who need flexibility in scheduling and a place for the whole family to work. It can also be a great way to have a change of pace after college as well as some real world experience as a business owner.

See Also: Staying Motivated as an Entrepreneur – Top Tips from Some of the World’s Most Successful Entrepreneurs

Getting Started

So, when you’re ready to take the plunge, how do you get started?

You can’t exactly go to your local car dealership to buy a food truck. Buying a used food truck is the easier way to go. These trucks are readily available on eBay, Craigslist, and through your local food truck association classified ads.

Buying a used food truck also give you the advantage of buying one that is already fully outfitted instead of having to buy a truck and retrofit it.  Many operators choose to shed their food trucks and they find much of their mobile equipment just don’t translate.

Learn more about what it takes to start your own food truck business from this infographic. You might find this flexible business model as the perfect fit for your professional needs. After all, who doesn’t love a great food truck?

Compliments of Food Truck Operator

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A high self-esteem means you know what you’re worth and can hold your head high when others are losing theirs. This definition is relatively basic but, in life, so many people still don’t understand what they are worth.

Building self-esteem is like forming a new habit. It takes small incremental efforts before it can become second nature. To help you out, here are some of the tips you can use.

Learn To Improve Yourself

Cherish opportunities to improve yourself. Start by acquiring knowledge and living through life experiences. This way, you’ll be able to appreciate your abilities and make good judgments that can inspire other people. Building self-esteem requires you to constantly experience self-improvement.

Know What You Want

Most people who have low self-esteem do not know what they want. They look to other people and wonder how others can be so successful.

If you want to boost your confidence, you should know what you want. Set clear goals and be passionate about meeting them. Even just one cleared goal should improve your self-esteem dramatically.

Believe In Something Worth It

What do you stand for? What do you believe in that is worth protecting and, if need be, dying for?

To build high self-esteem, you need to answer these questions. Unless you believe in something worth it, you will be swayed by anything. As soon as you believe in something worth it, you will be able to understand your limitations and know what to avoid when your belief is challenged.

Exercise Regularly

Those who engage in regular physical exercise will experience a remarkable improvement in self-esteem. Regular exercises will help you stay in shape and boost your confidence.

See Also: 19 Ways to Get Motivated to Exercise

Learn To Be Yourself

I have seen so many people try to live their lives as others do, without considering exactly what they want. This is a prelude to unhappiness.

To start building self-esteem, you need to learn to be yourself and not someone else. Those who have high self-esteem are unique people. They do, see, think and act differently. Their uniqueness comes from within.

They are not moved by ephemeral things. They do what they think is right and they do not listen too much to what others might say.

Learn Perseverance

You need to learn to persevere. This will help you go through those periods when the flood of discouragements, failures and opposition mounts.

Failures and setbacks will surely come, but your ability to persevere is what will see you through. Perseverance will help you appreciate hard work and gain confidence.

See Also: Don’t Be A Quitter: Perseverance Is One Of The Most Underestimated Skills of Successful People

Understand Life

To build high self-esteem, you should fully understand life, its purpose and what it truly means. Many people consider acquiring many cars, houses, jewelry and other material things as being successful. Your inability to understand life will make you hold onto things that do not matter. It’s like chasing shadows and going after the wind.

Avoid Discussing People

Avoid discussing people if you seek to boost your self-esteem. People who put others down or work to discredit others are insecure beings. As humans, it’s normal for people to commit mistakes. This, however, doesn’t mean that they’re bad.

Look at yourself before criticizing others. Will you be happy when people discuss you behind your back or discuss your mistakes in a way to ridicule you? If you will not be happy, then don’t do it. Focus on issues and use your time wisely. Instead of wasting time discussing people, work on achieving your goals.

Help Others Succeed

There is so much competition in the world today and people are competing with one another in almost every aspect of life. As much as possible, do not take part in this trend.

Instead, think of ways to help others. Most people with high self-esteem are adding value to people’s lives and inspiring them to succeed. They are always thinking of how to make the world a better place. When you help others succeed, you will also succeed.

Learn Something New

One way to build your self-esteem is to constantly update and build your knowledge. Reading is a good example. When you read, you learn something new and you improve yourself in the process.

Another way to learn something new is to accept feedback from mentors and colleagues. You can use what they have to say to improve, grow and gain more self-confidence.

Be Generous

What are you giving to others?

Being generous to others can help boost self-esteem. Remember, givers never lack.

These are the ways I have gained high self-esteem over the years. Practice them consistently and you’ll find building self-esteem a lot easier.

The post 11 Secrets To Building High Self-Esteem To Find Happiness appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

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If you take a look at the most successful people in the world, you’ll quickly notice that they all have something in common. These people have conquered their limitations and they don’t follow the norm.

If you would like to achieve the same status, here are some of the best tips on how to overcome limitations.

Be Fearless

Most people want to get rid of their fear of failure. It’s the one thing they think is holding them back from being successful.

You may find that the real reason you have yet to succeed is because:

– You fear all the hard work that must be done
– You fear the commitment necessary both during and after you have succeeded
– You fear going out of your comfort zone

On some level, that’s totally understandable. But, if you truly want to succeed, you must work harder than everyone else. And to do that, you’ve got to get rid of anything holding you back.

I got rid of my fear by simply jumping into it and never looking back. I recommend you do the same.

Let Your Creativity Blossom

The second rule to becoming limitless is to always be original.

I am not talking about thinking in an original way. Anyone can do that. What I am talking about is having the courage to act on your plans. It’s going out there and implementing your ideas so that you can succeed faster.

That’s how successful people operate. They let their mind free and then support their amazing ideas by taking action.

My advice would be to promise yourself that the next time you get a brilliant idea that can help you succeed financially, think it through thoroughly and then go for it!

Don’t hesitate. That’s what losers do.

Asking Questions Is a Waste of Time

If you really need to know the answer to something, you should ask, right?

Wrong.

Personally, I avoid asking people questions, especially if I could easily find the answer to them if I did some research myself. By asking others for answers, you start to rely on them. Relying on others limit you, which is exactly what you want to avoid if you want to overcome limitations.

Another reason you should stop asking questions is because the answer is probably within you already. Oftentimes, we ask questions only because we seek others’ confirmation and not the answer itself.

That’s why I say, if you dig deep down within yourself, you’ll be able to find the answers. Therefore, follow your guts and trust no one but yourself. You are the only one who truly knows what you want.

Stop Doing What Others Do

Let’s say you got 2 choices:

1. Get hired by a company
2. Create a company yourself and hire others

Most people would choose option 1 because that’s the norm and that’s what the majority does. This is exactly what I want you to completely stop doing. In fact, I recommend that you start playing around by doing one or two things each day that go against what the majority does.

As an example, If I were to say if I like Donald Trump or not, I could play around by saying “yes” when everyone else answered “no”. Of course, I will have to argue about my choice after, but that’s part of the game.

Playing against the norm is a great achievement because that means you’ll no longer be limited by the rules society places on your shoulders.

Believe With All Your Heart

If you stop believing in what you preach and practice, it’s just a matter of time before you meet the wall. You have to believe in your ideas so strongly because when the going gets tough, your mind will do one thing and that is to lie to you.

Ignore your thoughts and say “I believe!” instead.

Every big star, every big name, and every successful human being on this planet used to be big believers as well. In fact, don’t take it from me. Take it from one of the most successful people.

“You don’t become what you want, you become what you believe.”
– Oprah Winfrey

As you may have noticed, all these rules have something in common. They appeal to you on a personal level because success is an individual process.

There are no limits when you don’t limit yourself. Use these tips and start learning how to overcome limitations from now on!

The post 5 Rules To Overcome Limitations appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

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For some people, traveling is about getting an authentic experience. It’s about learning genuine things about a place and its people.

While there are various ways to achieve that, every method provides a different level of exposure to people. Some prefer to go around a place in groups wearing matching outfits and led by a tourist guide with a flag. On the other hand, there are people who prefer to be low-key tourists when traveling.

Tourists must be at terms with the fact that they can never be locals when they are just visiting. This, however, doesn’t mean that they can’t experience a place as authentically as locals know it to be. To give you an idea, here are some tips to help you travel like a local.

Get to know the place in advance

It is handy for travelers to go to the library or use Google to research about the place they are planning to visit. Find blogs, reviews or comments from people who have been to the area and try to learn from their experiences. Knowing an area in advance is probably the most important preparation any traveler can do.

Don’t do a bus tour for the entire journey

If you really want to get more out of your trip, it’s best if you don’t fully rely on tours to take you everywhere that’s on your itinerary. Although bus tours are informative and entertaining, it will cause you to miss out on handling transactions on your own.

Some might think that’s a good thing since negotiating with other people and dealing with foreign currencies is intimidating and confusing. With package tours, a tourist will need not worry about itineraries, meals, tickets, transportation and stops. What they just need to do is join the tour.

Make friends with a local

It is common for travelers to visit a foreign land and not know anyone from the place. It is also quite difficult to befriend a stranger there since there isn’t any assurance of their trustworthiness. Despite this, you should still give it a try. Like with any type of interaction, being open while remaining alert and cautious will help.

Having a local friend is better than just going around with a tour guide. A local can help you find the best places in the area that can give you more than the usual tourist encounter.

And even though the world can sometimes be a scary place for people who wander, keep in mind that there are still people who won’t hesitate to lend a hand.

Find a host family

Staying in a hotel will put you in an area with a high concentration of tourists. Although convenient, this will not give you a legitimate feel of the place.

If you want to live like a local, even for just a short period, then you should consider living with the locals. As a solution, you can try looking for a host family. There are travel packages that can arrange your request. They will find willing and registered host families who can accommodate you while you’re in their area.

If you find it difficult to meet a reliable host, your next best option is to look for an Airbnb rental or anything similar to that. This kind of arrangement will provide you the opportunity to interact with the locals better.

See Also: 4 Smart Ways to Travel The World For Free

Take the public transportation

Some countries have confusing and even risky public transportation. That is why it is best for travelers to get to know a place beforehand so that they can have a good idea on how to go about the city. After all, it is better to use public transportation if you really want to experience what locals do and how they go about their everyday lives.

Dress the part

Another important reminder for anyone traveling to a different country is to dress the part. Get a feel of how it is to live locally by wearing something that fits the environment and the culture.

If a place is rather conservative, then dress conservatively. If it is alright to walk around the city in a plain t-shirt, a pair of slippers and shorts, then do that. Otherwise, a traveler would stick out of the crowd and look more like a tourist.

Learn key phrases and local customs

To facilitate better communication, learn some important local customs or even just a few words in the local tongue. Doing so will help you connect better to the people in the area.

Takeaway

Be ready to wander. Sometimes, it is good to take a little detour, change something in your itinerary, get lost a little or be spontaneous. Doing these things, however, does not mean you have to be reckless. Be cautious, but be ready to wander. That adds to the whole experience of traveling like a local.

See Also: Strange International Laws Every Tourist Should Know

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Sounds funny, right? Why would you want to make the life of your dreams boring?

There’s just so much to do these days. You can take in a live sporting event, enjoy fine wine, dine on international cuisine or even travel to exotic destinations.

But, do you really want those things? Does a fast-paced, entertainment-filled life bring you real happiness?

My guess is it leaves you feeling depleted.

Yes, you want the best travel, food, entertainment and lifestyle, but you want to enjoy them at your pace. And right now, you just feel exhausted. So, how can you find time to breathe while getting the most out of life? The “boring life” of your dreams may just be the answer.

What is a “boring” dream life?

Simply put, it means living your life at a steady pace- not too fast or too slow. It means to counteract the exciting moments with the quiet, more “boring” ones. But, how exactly can you do that?

Below are 5 ideas to help you get started.

Start a meditation practice

As someone who’s been meditating for 13+ years, meditation gives me time to process my experiences, think more clearly and make better choices.

When life at the office is stressful, my schedule is jam-packed with activities or I just feel too exhausted, meditation provides me the time to catch my breath and reflect.

On a hot summer day, meditation is the cold glass of water that revitalizes me. It helps soften the blow of all the intense experiences, and it can do the same for you.

See Also: Questions and Answers: A Beginners Guide to Meditation

Schedule unscheduled time

Remember having more “free time” as a kid? You know, that block of time you were given at camp or some other event to do whatever you want? Unscheduled time is similar. It’s time where you don’t plan anything, and you can do whatever you feel.

Unscheduled time is similar. It’s the time where you don’t plan anything, and you can do whatever you feel.

The funny thing about unscheduled time is you have to schedule it—or it’s likely not to happen. Personally, I schedule it in two-hour blocks, and I leave one entire day a week (usually Sunday) as unscheduled.

I never work on Sundays. Instead, I hang out with friends, explore the city with my girlfriend, catch a movie, exercise or simply do what I feel. And without fail, that one unscheduled day revitalizes me, recharging my batteries for the week ahead.

Chill out on the stimulants

Consuming booze, coffee, sugar and even fatty meals on a regular basis can have a dramatic effect on how you feel and your perspective.

Too much coffee can leave you wired and irritable. Boozing frequently can keep you perpetually in hangover-recovery mode, and too much sugar can leave you feeling depleted.

So, I recommend balancing your stimulants.

Drink more water. Eat more fruits and veggies (with less butter and dressing), and don’t overdo it with the stimulants. Yes, these changes can be dreadfully boring, but your body and mind will surely thank you later.

See Also: How To Develop Awesome Eating Habits Without Failing

Stay grounded with habits

Personally, my habits help keep me sane. I meditate every day, exercise 2-4 times a week, eat 2 vegetarian meals a day and go to bed at 10 pm on weeknights. These habits make me feel like me, and they remind me of who I am.

In other words, habits provide stability in your life.

They keep you planted when the going gets tough. If you have a bad day, your habit, whether that’s exercise, meditation, reading an hour in the evening, will be right there waiting for you. No matter how much the circumstances in your life change, your habits won’t. They can be your rock when life gets insane.

Balance your life

Last year, I took a total of 4 vacations, lasting a total of 6 and a half weeks, in the span of 5 months. How did that make me feel?

Awesome at first but, by the last trip, I was sick of vacation. I felt unproductive and bored with the sights I was seeing.

In hindsight, it’s obvious I overdid it. I should have spread out my vacation time more evenly throughout the year. If I had, I would have enjoyed the experiences a lot more.

Whether it’s vacation, dining at nice restaurants or knocking back some beers with your buddies, I recommend adopting the same attitude in every area of your life. Don’t overdo it, and don’t underdo it. Find a balance between the quiet times and the exciting times so you can live the life of your dreams.

But, how do you find that balance?

Well, that answer is for you to discover yourself. Experiment and find out what works best for you.

And here’s a tip.

If you feel like you’re overdoing it in one area of your life, ask yourself, “How does this make me feel? Does doing this activity so often make me happy?”. If the answer is “no”, then try cutting back on it to find a happier medium. You may just discover a new love for another activity.

The challenge of enjoying the “boring” dream life

There’s no use sugar-coating it.

It can be scary to slow down, especially when your friends start to take notice. Some of them might think you’re acting weird and you may even lose some friendships along the way. Even worse, taking some quiet time for yourself may cause you anxiety.

Why?

Well, you’re not used to it. And that’s okay.

There’s no need to rush though. Take baby steps as you slow down towards the life of your dreams. Once you find time to breathe and balance the adrenaline with the quiet, I guarantee you’re going to feel 10x better. You’re going to enjoy time with friends. You can go out for vacations and parties to eat out and drink.

Start today and take some time for yourself. Start a new habit, like meditating. Do whatever you need to do but just make sure you schedule some time for yourself.

Put YOU first and ask yourself, “Will this activity make me happy?”. Let that question be your guide, and you’re sure to find yourself smiling a bit longer.

The post How To Find The Boring Life Of Your Dreams appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

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As offices become paperless and more form-centered, we receive more and more PDF files in our inboxes. And the more PDF files we receive, the more headaches we experience.

If you’re not interested in buying an expensive license for Adobe software but you’d still like to edit PDFs, here are a few tips that will quickly make you the office MacGyver at converting, editing and mastering this popular file type.

Edit PDF files

Have a PDF with text on it that you need to edit?

Happy news: you don’t have to retype the content on a separate document to be able to change it.

Who’s got time for that? Do yourself a favor and convert the PDF to Word, so you can edit the text in a Word document before resaving it as a PDF. You can do this by uploading to Google Docs, which is a fast, free and fairly painless option for converting PDFs to a .doc or .docx file.

One note, some converter software will alter the spacing and formatting of your PDF file, so always double check before you upload to make sure it creates accurate conversions.

Sign a PDF

Need to add a signature to a PDF?

The old school method was to print out the PDF, sign it, rescan it and send it back. Unfortunately, that’s not cost or even resource efficient. With so much paperwork being sent and completed over email or file-sharing services, you don’t want to delay finalizing a business transaction or filing important legal or financial paperwork, all for want of a printer. Save trees and time by adding your signature electronically.

To add your John Hancock to a PDF, you can use a paid service like Docusign which is good to consider if you need to do this in a professional capacity. You can also check out this How-To Geek article with free options.

See Also: The Freelancer’s Guide to PDF Management

Turn a PDF into an image

If you’re frequently sharing image files or you’re a web developer working with PDF images, you may have already run into problems using PDFs. While PDFs offer sharp and high resolution, they can be heavier to send by email than a standard image file. This can make them difficult to open and view on mobile devices.

For website developers, using a PDF on a website requires that visitors have an external plugin installed. This can cause additional document download time and could prevent thousands of visitors from viewing the content.

Alternatively, you can skip the headaches and convert PDF to JPG format. While the image resolution will be visibly lower, as long as the file doesn’t need to be printed or enlarged, converting to a JPG file is a solution that works for nearly everyone. JPG files are easy to open, save and access on mobile phones and tablets. Most office applications are better equipped at handling image files rather than PDFs, too.

Another option for converting PDFs to images is a PDF to PNG converter. This is an especially useful feature for graphic designers who frequently need to edit logos or images with text.

Merge PDFs

At first glance, this doesn’t seem like a trick you’d need to use often, but it’s much more useful than it appears at first glance. The ability to merge PDF’s relates to how you can make impressive and comprehensive presentations to impress the management, your colleagues and even your clients. If you’ve ever wondered how to merge Excel spreadsheets, pie charts, graphic imagery and text into a document – and make it easy to share – this is the tip for you.

To merge multiple files, you’ll need to convert each file to a PDF first. Ideally, you’ll want to find a PDF editor that not only provides converter tools for the most popular file formats but also supports file merge so you don’t have to shuffle between different sites and tools.

Erase Existing Text

The ability to erase existing text and add new content is useful if you’re frequently filling out e-forms. It’s also important if you need to redact or mask sensitive information on a document before sharing.

Some PDF editors, like PDFfiller, offer editing tools that add shapes and images, in addition to customizable text. For example, if you’d like to highlight a particular section on the PDF, you could use an arrow or draw a box around it for visual reference.

Conclusion: Becoming a PDF Master

Today’s cloud-based PDF editing services offer a wealth of tools and information to help you manage and customize a variety of online PDF documents. Plus, many of the options featured here allow you to create your own account. This gives you the freedom to sign in and access your files on any device.

Working with PDFs isn’t just good for efficiency, saving you the time, cost and hassle of printing, annotating and rescanning documents, it’s also great for the environment. Whether you need to work with PDFs on a daily basis or rarely, you’ve now got the skills and know-how to master this popular file format.

See Also: 55 Bulletproof Productivity Hacks

The post PDF Like MacGyver: 5 Ways To Work With PDFs That Save Time, Money And Paper appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

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Did you know that you can only be productive for about 3 hours in an 8-hour work day?

One good reason is the limited concentration of humans. Aside from that, there are other factors that can eat up your time at work. Just think about meetings, lunch breaks and having small chats with your co-workers.

If you aren’t careful, those 3 hours of productivity can easily go down the drain.

While there are plenty of methods and tools which you can use to organize your work and enhance your focus, not all of them are effective in generating positive results.

Increasing Productivity Through Visualization

Human beings are visual learners. In fact, they can process visuals 60,000x faster than text. This is why a visual tool can truly boost your productivity, especially when you need to organize your work and increase your focus.

But, first, why would visual methods or tools work better?

A tool or a method that is based on visualization has the power to engage both sides of the human brain. Such tools require the skills of the left brain for letters, sequences, lines and numbers as well as the right brain for color, spatial awareness, image and rhythm. This does not only enhance the thinking process, but it also stimulates creativity.

To help streamline your work and increase your productivity, you can use the following visual tools.

Mind Maps

A mind map is a tool that you can use to visualize an idea that is sprouting in your head. It provides a framework for gradually developing a concept or a strategy.

At the center of the mind map, you put down the main idea and, as you develop it, you can add the related information on the branches that fork out from the center.

A comprehensive mind map makes it easier to identify and analyze links between details that make up the concept. It is a great tool to use when planning out a strategy, event or a project.  Use a mind map to schedule your day at work first thing in the morning, and you’ll see how it helps you estimate and organize your work properly.

Flowcharts

With a flowchart, you can graphically illustrate the sequence of steps in a process, be it the hiring, sales or the manufacturing process.

How does this help you increase your productivity?

Imagine you are working on developing a new sales process. With the use of a flowchart, you can easily picture how it should work out as well as identify the areas that need more careful planning. Plus, when it comes to pitching your idea to your team or seniors, a flowchart can explain at a glance what you will have to explain in a thousand words.

Flowcharts are also an effective decision-making and problem-solving tool.

See Also: 5 Key Steps That Will Improve Your Decision Making

Gantt Charts

A Gantt chart is a project planning tool. It helps a team visualize the project schedule and monitor and record the progress you make. It can also be useful when allocating resources or setting up deadlines.

A comprehensive Gantt chart provides you a quick overview of all the important details of a project, such as the due dates, task names and those who are in charge of them. When estimating your tasks and tracking their progress, a Gantt chart could be a handy productivity tool.

Organizational Charts

Traditionally, this type of chart is used to graphically illustrate the structure of an organization. While it illustrates job titles and responsibilities, it can also clear the reporting structure within or between departments. It can also be used to identify ideal employees when allocating resources and help new employees in understanding company hierarchies and departments better.

Fishbone Diagrams

Fishbone diagrams (a.k.a. cause-and-effect diagrams) help identify the root cause of an issue. It can be considered as a visual problem-solving technique. Drawn like a bone of a fish, the head of the fish represents the issue that needs to be solved. The bones, one the other hand, can be used to jot down the potential causes.

A fishbone diagram can be considered as a time-saving tool when used to structure a brainstorming session or a thorough analysis of an issue.

See Also: 55 Bulletproof Productivity Hacks 

The right work strategy can help you improve your output by 25% and, with the right tools, you can definitely further the outcome.

Created with Creately.

 

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