Divorce is an ugly process filled with drama and heated-up emotions.

Despite this, divorce rate continues to increase in number across the globe. A 2014 divorce data showed that America has a 53% divorce rate while Belgium has the highest rate at a staggering 70%.

Some individuals decide to push through with a divorce case after spending a long time in their relationships. One good example is the woman who sought to end her 39-year marriage in a Valentine’s day court appeal.

If you are thinking of the same thing, here are some of the most common divorce legal issues you should be prepared to address.

Divorce types and processes

The first step in any divorce case involves deciding what type of divorce case to pursue and how to go about it. We are in the 21st century and time has taken its toll on everything, including divorce types and the processes involved.

To legally put an end to a marriage, a number of processes and approaches have to be taken. Some of these processes are not only physically exhausting but stressful, too.

Divorce legal issues vary from case to case and the laws governing them differ greatly from state to state. Before you take any action, it’s advisable that you verify the laws and divorce rules and regulations applicable in your region.

• Collaborative divorce

In this divorce, each party hires his own attorney to help draft the divorce terms and conditions. However, the application of this law is limited as not all states offer it.

• Mediated divorce

In this case, both spouses hire one attorney to assist and facilitate the divorce process. Not all states offer this law either.

• No-Fault divorce

A no-fault divorce does not put the blame on any party. It only cites the breakdown of the union. This is the most commonly pursued divorce type by couples with personal issues they wish not to disclose to the public.

• Summary divorce

This divorce type works best for couples that have been married for a short period of time and have limited properties, no spousal support, and children. This divorce type does not exist in MA and a few other states.

• Uncontested divorce

In this type of divorce, couples are able to decide the divorce terms without the interference or assistance of external forces. This is the most common divorce type and couples who file this case gets to decide what suits their needs.

It’s also important for couples to take into consideration the average duration of time it would take for their divorce case to actually push through. This will help them to take appropriate precautions and measures if there be a need.

See Also: The ‘Dos and Don’ts when going through a divorce

Financial issues

This is one of those factors that tend to aggravate the divorce process. In some cases, it can even be the root cause of the problem.

During the process, it’s important for divorcing couples to legally settle and document their agreed financial terms and conditions. One good example is child support.

Failure to do this can lead to a contested divorce case and this can initiate an unending debate between parties. This goes particularly true with couples who aim to gain an upper hand.

In addition to prolonging the case, it can also cause money to be wasted on attorney fees and related divorce procedures. Although it’s natural for both parties to feel angry and act irrationally, they should still consider the big picture if they want to settle the case faster. 

Custody issues

Child custody is the single most important issue divorcing parents must deal with. Failure to address the issue properly can put kids through hell and make them suffer heavily for their parents’ decisions.

Divorcing parents must come to an agreement about the important issues that can affect the welfare of their kids. This includes legal child custody, physical child custody, health insurance for the children, and their religious upbringing. They must also agree on their education, visitation rights, and other expenses that may arise in the future.

It’s advisable for divorcing parents to decide on such issues together. However, for parents who can’t get along, the court will review a number of factors that can determine which parent is the best fit for the kid. If a kid is 12-years or older, the court follows the child’s preference.

Spousal support issues

To successfully settle a divorce case, it’s important for spouses to keep a fair share of funds and support for one another.

Some support types are not really concerned with immediate financial needs. Some of them refer to long-term financial assistance, like pension plans to support the spouse for a certain period of time.

It’s important for couples to legally address this issue to certify the spouse’s entitlement to support, the amount to be paid in pension and the duration it should be paid for.

This will inevitably help both parties to hold their stance and will serve as a checkbook whenever unplanned events pop up.

Preparation of necessary documents

Lastly, it’s important to be able to present clear documents that can affect the terms and conditions of the divorce. Order than child custodian statement, a few other important documents to prepare include the following:

• Prenuptial agreement
• Separation agreement
• Pension statements
• Bank statements
• Utility bills
• Credit card statements
• Mortgages
• Loan documents
• Life insurance policies
• Benefits statements
• Other bills (tuition fees, medical bills, etc)

Ability to have such files documented will help the union to remain solid and will prevent unnecessary drama at a later time.

See Also: 5 Divorce Mistakes to Avoid Right Now

 

The post 5 Legal Issues To Consider And Address Before A Divorce appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

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There is no such thing as catching up on sleep.

Although a lot of people think that they are effectively catching up on sleep, in reality, they are just compromising their health.

Most people need 7 hours of sleep each night at minimum, with 8 hours being the most recommended. Unfortunately, a large number of people get less than 6 hours of sleep each night, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.

Sleep deprivation can cause problems with memory and attention span. It can weaken your immune system, prevent your body from fighting infections, and even cause you to gain weight.

If these things don’t sound too good to you, then read on to know if you have sleep debt and what you can do about it.

Stages Of Sleep

According to the National Sleep Foundation, the normal stages of sleep are:

• Stage 1 – transition from wake to sleep
• Stage 2 – light sleep
• Stage 3 – beginning slow wave sleep
• Stage 4 – deep slow wave sleep
• Stage 5 – rapid eye movement sleep

Your body typically cycles through these stages from start to finish and then starts over at the beginning. During these stages of sleep, several things happen.

The first two stages are when creativity, intuition, and emotion are at their strongest. This is the time where you experience relaxation and your mood becomes balanced once again.

Stages 3 and 4 are the phases where your body, including your central nervous system, undergo physical recovery from the day’s activities. Your immune system is regulated here and this is, most often, the stage that gets cut short when you miss sleep.

The last stage, REM sleep, is when your mind is most lucid. In this phase, when you dream, your mind solidifies it into memories. This stage is crucial to your learning and skill-building abilities. Because these things are all crucial to your daily life, it’s important that you don’t miss them in your sleep.

See Also: Get Strong, Sleep, Repeat: The Importance Of Sleeping

Keep A Routine

Sticking to a schedule, even on the weekends, is the best way to prevent problems related to sleep deprivation. Go to sleep and wake up at the same time every day for optimal sleep health.

If certain factors make it difficult for you to get to sleep, you can try creating a more favorable environment. You can use a sleep mask and a pair of earplugs to block out light and sounds. There are many different things you can do to optimize your sleep.

If you do find yourself in a “sleep debt”, allow yourself weeks or even months to make up for it. The longer you are awake, the longer your body needs to be in slow-wave sleep to make up for it. Eventually, if you keep the same schedule, your body will find it easy to sleep and wake up on time.

Sleeping 12 hours on Saturday may sound like a good way to make up for some serious sleep debt. Unfortunately, that can actually be quite counterproductive. When you sleep for more than ten hours at a stretch, your cognitive abilities tend to get lower than if you had not slept at all.

Parents are all too familiar with this problem. Take, for example, babies. It can take parents several months after their baby is born before they can fully adopt a healthy sleeping schedule.

See Also: Five Ways of Overcoming the Problem of Getting Sleep

Being free from sleep debt is crucial to your mental, emotional, and physical health. If you want to stay productive and healthy, make sure to get the right amount and quality of sleep.

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Once you have an established blog in any niche, then writing paid reviews is one of the easiest ways to make money out of it. There are tons of companies today that are willing to pay a good amount of money just to spread awareness about their products.

One review may take only 20 to 30 minutes to write and it can earn you anywhere from $50 to $1000 dollars.

However, although writing is easy, the process of finding a good company that can pay you for writing a review is a different story. If you are looking for the best get paid to review sites, then the following list should be able to help you out.

Best websites to find paid reviews for bloggers

SponsoredReviews

SponsoredReviews is one of the oldest websites when it comes to finding paid reviews for your blog. The site is very basic and does one simple job of acting as a bridge between bloggers and advertisers. It is one of the best market places for buying and selling sponsored reviews for your blog.

There are some conditions that you must satisfy before you can join the site:

1. Your blog must have a minimum age of 3 months.
2. Your blog must contain quality articles.
3. Your blog should be indexed in all major search engines.
4. Your blog must have a good Alexa rank.
5. You must have a Paypal account to accept your earnings.

One of the features of SponsoredReviews is that they allow you to set up your own price for every review.

This is a good thing for people with high authority blogs who complain that they deserve more money for each review they do. However, many new bloggers set the rates too high and then complain about not getting any results. Before joining them, make sure you know the right price for your site.

To start making money by writing paid reviews on your blog, you just need to register yourself on SponsoredReviews.com as a blogger.

BlogMint

While there are unlimited ways to make money with your blog, having a YouTube channel is a completely different story. Building a good YouTube channel can take as much effort as building a blog, but the earning potentials are very less, especially since you’re mainly dependent on Adsense income.

However, thanks to BlogMint, new video bloggers have another big platform which they can use to make money with paid reviews so they are not completely at the mercy of Adsense.

You can find a good amount of paid reviews for your blog using BlogMint as well.

Another good thing is that your money is directly transferred to your bank account so you don’t need to do any extra effort to finally be able to use your money.

BlogExpose

BlogExpose.com is made for the sole purpose of acting as a platform for advertisers and bloggers.

The thing I like the most about them is that they don’t control your payments. You can find and talk to bloggers according to your needs and pay them as you like.

This way, you’ll be able to save your valuable money, unlike other sites which take a large commission for doing this.

See Also: 5 Simple Ways to Transform a Blog to a Money Making Machine

Famebit

And finally, for us, the top choice among this list of get paid to review sites is Famebit. It won’t matter if you have a YouTube channel, Tumbler blog or even an established social media profile before you can land a gig here.

See Also: Five Easy Ways To Make Money From Social Media

This means that normal people who don’t have enough SEO knowledge or don’t have time to work on a blog can also earn a good amount of money. The only downside is that they don’t offer to find regular sponsored posts for bloggers.

Which one of these sponsored review sites did you like the most? Do you know any better site to find sponsored reviews for your blog?

The post 4 Top “Get Paid To Review Sites” You Should Definitely Try appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

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Traveling to different places and going on trips, in general, is quite expensive. If you aren’t careful when making your plans, you can end up spending way beyond your budget.

If you are planning on South Africa as your next travel destination, expect the trip to be a bit pricey. However, with these tips, you’ll still be able to enjoy your travel in South Africa while cutting costs and saving money.

Travel off season

If you are to travel to South Africa, be sure to plan your trip off-season since plane tickets are much cheaper during this time. Find out the best time to travel off-season.

Get a group together

If you want to save money and cut the actual cost of your trip, consider planning your travel in South Africa with your friends.

Having a group to go with can cut down your trip’s total cost since you won’t need to shoulder all of the expenses and fees alone. In addition to helping you save, traveling with a group can also make the trip more enjoyable.

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

Refrain from always eating out

Food trips are definitely one of the highlights of every travel. However, it is not convenient for you to always eat and dine out as this can easily shoot your expenses to the roof.

You have the option to go out and taste the country’s signature dishes, but it’ll save you more if you can include them as highlights on your itinerary. As for your other meals and snacks, it’ll be much better if you can cook cheap at your own place.

Hire a tour operator

When traveling to a new city, it is very convenient to have your own tour operator. Although it may require additional cost, having a tourist guide can help you plan out your travel within your budget.

When talking to your tourist operator, lay out your expectations, wants and budget limitations.

This will help you save time, money and effort since a travel operator knows where to get the cheapest deals in the area. They are familiar with the most affordable places, activities and locations to go.

If you really want to save much, then don’t be shy to ask for assistance while traveling.

Choose long stay rates

As for the length of stay, you’ll be able to save more if you stay longer. There are lots of packages and discount rates offered for people who choose to extend their travel in South Africa.

This is a win-win situation for you. You’ll be able to save while getting to see more of the place’s most beautiful views.

Consider walking

Driving rented vehicles or taking cabs during your travel can greatly increase your expenses. Add to that is the cost of gas.

For a cheaper solution to these concerns, consider taking walks if your destination isn’t that far. You won’t only get to save money but you also get to enjoy the nice views in South Africa.

Research great deals

Before traveling, make sure you do your research and check out deals or packages that fit your budget first.

There are tons of package deals and special offers these days, especially with more people demanding them from travel agencies. Once you find the right deal, you’ll be able to greatly cut down the overall cost of your trip.

See Also: Use Pinterest to Plan Your Next Vacation — Here’s How

These are the best tips that can help you save money when traveling to wonderful places. If you are planning to travel in South Africa, make sure to keep these things in mind to make your trip more enjoyable and budget-friendly.

 

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As the temperature drops, the battle for healthy skin begins.

During winter, your skin can experience a lot of discomforts, like scaling, flaking, and itching. Applying creams and moisturizers without considering the pros and cons of the ingredients they contain can make things a lot worse for you.

If you are planning on changing your products or adding items to your vanity, below is a list of ingredients you should avoid and winter skin care tips you need to know.

Petrolatum

Petrolatum, also known as petroleum, is extracted from crude oil. It is often marketed as a lubricant. In addition to this, it also makes a great remedy for diaper rash, raw nose, and flaky skin.

Health Canada considers petrolatum non-toxic. However, EWG gives it a ‘moderate hazard’ safety rating, which means it requires further studies to determine its safety level.

EWC and CCTFA warn the public about the excessive use of petrolatum as it’s linked with the risk of contamination from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. It’s a cancer-causing chemical that can be found in crude oil.

The Experts’ Take:

Celeste Lutrario, vice president of research and development for Burt’s Bees says that petroleum is an exclusive barrier which helps lock in moisture. It doesn’t, however, allow moisture to be absorbed from the atmosphere. As a result, petrolatum can potentially suffocate the skin.

Reflecting this claim, a research at Herb Research Foundation noticed that petrolatum used in skincare products suffocate the skin by absorbing the chemicals directly into the bloodstream. This, in turn, decreases oxygen absorption by the skin.

Petrolatum can cause skin photosensitivity and promote sun damage, too. It interferes with the body’s moisturizing mechanism leading to dry skin.

The comedogenic property of petrolatum completely seals off the skin from air, water or anything else that wants to enter or leave its surface.

Soap

The skin has its natural barrier which is maintained by its pH level. Normally, the skin’s pH level is marked between 4 to 6.5.

Soaps, on the other hand, are considered harsh on the skin due to their high pH level. Because of their lye and fat contents, they are considered alkaline and can disrupt the skin’s natural pH level.

The Experts’ Take:

Sherry Ingraham, M.D, M.P.H, a dermatologist in Texas, says that soaps strip the skin of lipids. One of her winter skin care tips is to avoid using soap-based cleansers.

Using soap makes the skin dry, especially during the cold season. It sucks the natural oils from the skin and leaves it dry.

Apart from that, regularly washing your face with soap will leave your face haggard and wrinkled. The harmful chemicals in soap can clear the dust and dirt on your skin, but they can compromise your skin’s health. Because of these things, experts recommend the use of syndet bars (synthetic detergent cleansers) instead.

This doesn’t mean that all soaps harm skin. Products with herbal base, for example, contain plenty of moisturizing ingredients.

See Also: 10 Best Skin Foods For Healthy Glowing Skin

Astringents

Generally, people who have oily skin use astringents to minimize the size of their pores. Unfortunately, most of these astringents are alcohol-based, which means they can potentially dry your skin out.

To avoid the excessive dryness, use an astringent that has witch hazel as its main ingredient. Pick one that has anti-bacterial properties, too.

The Experts’ Take:

Astringents, especially those containing alcohol can strip the skin’s natural oils, says Dr. Foitl.

The overuse of astringent will hurt your skin, especially if you already have dry skin. People with sensitive skin should also avoid alcohol-based astringents completely to avoid the risk of irritation.

In addition to an astringent’s main ingredient, you should watch out for the amount you use.

Since astringents have drying effects, applying excessive amounts can force the skin to produce excessive oil to protect itself. This defense mechanism can put your skin at risk of more problems, like skin breakouts and clogged pores.

The main thing you have to remember is to use products in lesser quantity. Overuse of astringents, especially in winter, can result in uneven complexion. It can also make your skin unprotected, weak and prone to dermatitis, dry skin and even infection.

Heavy Fragrances

There are about 500 potential chemicals used under the name fragrance. Unfortunately, most companies do not list all the ingredients they used while making their products’ fragrances.

To give you an idea, you should stay away from products that contain ethanol, acetaldehyde, and benzyl acetate. Other common chemicals used for fragrances include acetone, ethyl acetate, and a-pinene.

The Experts’ Take:

The chemicals used in fragrances can cause irritability, mental vagueness, muscle pain and asthma. They can lead to sinus problems, headache, sore throat, and skin irritation, too.

Researchers have also established that a lot of ingredients found in fragrances are neurotoxins, which means they have poisonous effects on the brain and nervous system.

For a healthier solution, you should go for unscented or minimally scented products. Make sure to read labels properly and use products that contain natural ingredients.

Cortisone

Cortisone is a steroid that prevents the release of substances that cause inflammation. It is more commonly used in moisturizing creams and salves.

It decreases hyperpigmentation, hives, and stretch marks. Cortisone also works well in soothing dry skin and irritation.

Although beneficial, creams containing cortisone may cause stinging, burning, irritation, dryness and itching.

The Experts’ Take:

“Don’t fall into the trap of including cortisone creams into your routine,” advises Dr. Foitl. It can treat allergies and rashes if used in short term, but long term use can make your skin addicted to it. It can take months for the skin to return back to its normal state.

Apart from that, long term use of cortisone can lead to redness, dryness and painful burning, too. It can also cause enlarged pores and damaged blood cells.

Consult a doctor right away if your skin experiences any adverse reaction from using cortisone creams.

See Also: 5 Ways To Keep Your Skin Healthy This Winter

 

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Although we live in a time where we can literally find everything and anything online, there are still a lot of people who are clueless when it comes to money. Just imagine how many of us are still living in debt instead of wealth.

If you are one of these people, here are some of the most important personal finance tips I can share with you.

Write down your goals

It is impossible to reach a destination when you don’t know exactly what and where it is. Everybody knows that, but a lot of people still fail to write down their goals in terms of work, money, achievements, or even personal life.

Know what you want and know it in detail.

What is your desired monthly income? How will you reach it? How long will it take you? How will your life change when you reach it? How will you and your life look like? How will you feel?

Learn these things about yourself and revise your goals as needed.

Take action

If a decision is not accompanied by action, then it’s just a wish and not an action.

Ideally, you don’t really need to take big steps right away. In fact, doing a quick research on how you can achieve your goals is one simple way to get started.

Keep yourself acting daily towards your goal even if it is with the smallest thing. You won’t reach your destination in one huge step but with a 1,000 small ones.

Everyone can save money

The more money we make, the more we spend.

That is exactly why most people are never satisfied with the amount of money they make. They want more because they spend too much money that they end up in debt.

In reality, you can save at least 10% of what you make if you…

See Also: 10 Ways To Save Money Without Compromising Your Lifestyle

…Pay yourself first!

From whatever you earn, put aside at least 10% BEFORE you spend anything. This way you’ll learn how to budget the remaining money you have for your expenses.

Open a savings account and use it. Don’t be one of those people who close their accounts after a couple of months.

Pay off your credit card

Settling a debt with high interest, like 17%, is like making an investment with 17% return! That is some great return, mind you.

Don’t just pay the minimum on your card. That is the banks’ trick to keep you paying forever. Put as much as you can spare above the minimum and keep on doing it until you are free from debt.

In case you have to pay more than one credit card (and who doesn’t?), there is a strategy you can use. It’s not magic, but it gives you a blueprint to follow.

Pay off the minimum amount on all cards except for the one with the smallest debt. In that one, pay off as much as you can every time.

When the smallest debt is paid off, do the same with the next one in order. Continue the process until you’ve cleared all your debts.

See Also: The Aussie Guide to Bad Credit & What to Do About It

+1. Poor people buy stuff; rich people buy assets

Average Joes think their cars or houses are assets when, in reality, they are actually liabilities. Rich people know this, so they try to put their money only on things that can make them earn more.

This is one of the best personal finance tips that is often overlooked by a lot of people.

Next time you want to spend money on something, take a minute and think: “Is this going to help me increase my monthly income or not?”

If the answer is no, maybe it’ll be wiser to just let the idea go.

 

The post 5+1 Things I learned From The Best Personal Finance Books appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

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While some people are naturally more assertive, others are naturally more submissive. In today’s world, choosing to be more assertive can help you be more successful.

Assertive people tend to be better communicators. They have a better chance of ultimately getting what they want. They are more satisfied with their lives and get more respect from their peers and superiors, too.

However, if you are naturally submissive, learning how to be more assertive can be tough. You’ll probably think:

· I don’t want to sound like a jerk.
· I don’t like confrontation.
· It’s easier for other people.
· It’s just not who I am.

But, there’s a lot on the line when it comes to being assertive. So, don’t associate being assertive with being a jerk and don’t convince yourself that it’s only something “other people” can do.

You can make yourself more assertive and do so without coming off as disrespectful or insensitive. Here are some strategies to help you out.

Prioritize respect

The fastest way to look like a jerk is to disrespect someone.

No matter how assertive you want to be or what situations you find yourself in, you must create a foundation of respect if you want to succeed.

For example, you need to learn how to make assertive statements at the proper time and place to avoid embarrassing or undermining anyone. You have to know how to listen carefully to other opinions before expressing yours. In addition to that, you also have to keep a professional and cordial tone.

These are just the basics. At this point in your career, you should already have a solid knowledge of the things that show respect.

See Also: 10 Ways To Earn the Respect of Others

Take baby steps

You don’t have to go from being fully passive to fully assertive overnight. You don’t even have to challenge yourself with big events, such as asking for a promotion, right away.

Instead, start with little things until you feel more comfortable expressing yourself.

For example, you could let your co-workers know that you’d like them to brew a fresh pot of coffee if they take the last of the old one. This is going to ease you into being more assertive while helping your co-workers recognize the more assertive version of you.

Think through your words carefully

Being assertive means being a clearer communicator, too.

It’s impossible to be assertive when you’re rambling about things. Try to be as logical and precise as possible when you express your ideas and needs. If necessary, take a moment to think through what you’re going to say before you actually say it.

This will help you collect your thoughts, filter out the points you really want to get across and make you feel more confident about expressing them.

Remove the niceties

In our society, we’ve adopted a number of social niceties to mask our real intentions. For example, you’ll often encounter phrases like “When you have time, I was wondering if you could help me with…” instead of “Please help me with…”

The former may seem more polite, but the latter is clearer, more direct, and probably more respectable, too. People appreciate straightforwardness and are more likely to feel manipulated if you stuff your speech full of unnecessary niceties.

Say what you mean and mean what you say. It will become more comfortable in time.

See Also: 4 Keys To Speaking Your Mind With Confidence

Be sincere

This should be obvious, but it’s a shame how many people ignore this key element of being assertive. Assertiveness is about making your thoughts and feelings known and asking for things you need directly.

Trying to be more persuasive or seem nicer by making up lies or bending the truth are strategies that won’t work. If you want people to respect you and if you want to become more effective in your delivery, you need to speak from the heart. Again, this will become more comfortable in time.

Remain open to negotiation and disagreement

You can’t always get what you want. No matter how assertive you are or how successful you’ve become, you’re going to face disagreement, resistance, and flat-out rejection.

You have to be prepared for this or you’ll lose face and become intimidated the next time you encounter the same situation. You need to open yourself up to the possibility of negotiation and compromise.

Being assertive isn’t just about “getting your own way”. It also involves being more open to further communication which can help you get closer to what you really want.

Being assertive without being a jerk boils down to being respectful of others and being in control of your actions. There’s a fine line between assertiveness and arrogance. As long as you know where that line is, you’ll know how to be more assertive without offending anyone.

The post How To Be More Assertive Without Becoming Disrespectful appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

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Googling the definition of “flexibility” gets you phrases like “the quality of bending easily without breaking” and “willingness to change or compromise”.

Becoming a more flexible person reflects the same things. Flexibility can help you deal with all kinds of life situations. It can even lead to adventure and learning.

If you are wondering how to become more flexible in life, here are some of the most effective tips you can try.

Start small

Becoming flexible doesn’t happen overnight. Pushing too much could actually set you back. Similar with physical flexing, it can hurt, too.

Instead of rushing, start by trying new things on your free time. Change up your environment and choose a different place to grab food for lunch.

Remember the sensation of opening up to something new and different. Keep this feeling in mind and it can get you through any unforeseen change of events or an unexpected invitation.

Stretch your brain

When you engage your imagination and problem-solving skills, it’s like training and preparing your brain to adapt to slow or sudden life situations. Here’s how you can do that:

Go people watching.

When I write fiction, the things I see give me ideas for dialogue. You can do the same thing and spend some of your free time looking at something that makes you curious.

You can also try working on a puzzle or playing a game without consulting the guide. Embrace the mistakes or awkwardness as part of the learning process. The way you work your imagination can help you achieve the flexibility you’ll need in your life.

Rethink your to-do list

Is your to-do list extremely loaded with tasks? Do you manage to tackle everything on that list?

Maybe you do, but at the price of being stuck in a constant state of “have-to”. And if you’re constantly saying “-but I have to do this thing”, being spontaneous can be incredibly stressful. You may even have a hard time adjusting to the sudden changes you have to make in your schedule.

To avoid all these inconveniences, try breaking up your to-do list into sections by following these ideas:

Things you must do: Create a section in your to-do list that will include things you must absolutely complete before tomorrow. It should contain more time-sensitive tasks that need to be done right away.

Consider yourself productive once you knock out this list. Since it’s likely to be much shorter than the other sections you’ll have in your list, it will give you more time to unwind or deal with whatever life throws at you.

Things you’d like to do, but don’t have to: This section could include tasks that won’t lead to major consequences if you’re unable to get to them. It could also function kind of like a bucket list for the week. You could exercise flexibility by choosing a few of the items on a whim instead of having to do them all.

Approaching goals and events: Like with the first section, you’ll need to conquer this section eventually. But, unlike the first section and more like the second section, you don’t have to get it done today.

You can keep this section in the back of your head while planning for the day.

See Also: Todo List Apps for People Who Don’t Like Todo Lists

Occasionally change up your morning/night routine

If your existing routine is making you feel dull and bored, it’s probably the right time to change things up.

Be on the lookout for more pleasant or efficient ways to add spice to your day. It can be as simple as changing your breakfast or adding a new skin care product in your night routine.

You can also change the ways you do things in the morning. For example, if you have been used to eating your breakfast in your dining room, consider taking your food tray to your patio. Eating outdoors can make you feel more energetic.

In addition to that, changing your routine can also make you feel productive, energetic, and flexible. It’ll help you realize that there are several ways to get a single task done.

See Also: 8 Positive Morning Routines to Transform your Day

Question the norm

By norm, I’m referring to the things you were taught.

Let’s use your mom’s macaroni recipe (whether it exists or not) as a simple example. So long as you stick to it, you know what kind of taste you can expect from it.

But what happens when you’re short on some ingredients or you don’t have a stove? Considering the recipe, you may think that you can no longer make the same macaroni.

That is until you start asking yourself: Why does the recipe involve these steps? What role do the ingredients have in the dish? What makes this dish so predictable?

I don’t have a stove… but can I use a microwave and still succeed?

By questioning the norm, you open yourself up to new ways to approach something.

Considering the example, you discover substitutes for the ingredients you’re short on. You discover a new taste by measuring out the ingredients a little differently, which also helps you cook the meal in the microwave.

This isn’t to say that you have to discard your mom’s recipe. You simply gain another recipe through creative improvisation. Hopefully, it’ll taste pretty good, too!

Don’t force it

A flexible life means being more creative and resourceful. It requires a lot of trial and error.

Don’t feel stressed out because of the changes that come your way. The lessons you’ll learn along the way can help you become more flexible in life.

The post 6 Ways To Become More Flexible In Life appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

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When you went to cast your ballot in the fall, did you think through every possible implication of your vote?

Chances are, if you are like most voters, your mind took some shortcuts. You liked one candidate over the other because that candidate agrees with you on your most important voting issue- so you didn’t stop to consider why that candidate may not best represent your overall beliefs and political views.

That’s cognitive bias. It’s a major reason why the election may have turned out the way that it did.

Any decision making process is usually cut short by your preconceived notions and personal experience. Instead of reasoning from a to b, b to c and c to d, your brain makes the process shorter by taking out some parts of the equation.

One good reason involves your past experiences. If your brain thinks that the process is similar to one of your past experiences, it skips the step-by-step process to make things faster and easier.

In addition to your experiences, factors, like social pressures, emotions, and factors, can also affect your decision making.

There are studies that suggest how physical appearances affect elections. It turns out that “looking competent” is a good indicator of whether you will able to win in a senate race or not.

One study had participants rank senatorial candidates by how competent they looked. Its findings concluded that two thirds of them accurately chose the winner based on looks.

Cognitive Bias And The Competent Look

Politics seems like a pretty important thing to leave up to physical characteristics. However, there are reasons why our brains inevitably do these things. One good reason involves our tendency to lean more towards people who are taller for they signify strength and higher social status.

Politicians are aware of these biases and spend a lot of time and money playing into them. Everything they do is carefully rehearsed so that they’ll look as the most competent choice.

They way they hold their hands when they talk and which direction they look are all carefully and strategically planned.

They also read the current zeitgeist of political affairs to determine what issues to play up and what issues to leave alone. Major political themes that affected the 2016 election included:

• Economic fears – the trade deficit, unemployment and underemployment, jobs
• Immigrants – legal or illegal, crime, building a wall
• Healthcare – rising costs, penalties, perceived lack of freedom or choice

See Also: How to Overcome Gaps in Employment

Even when media outlets were reporting the same facts, they were interpreting them in completely different ways. This led to an echo-chamber effect. 

This affected how many media outlets interpreted polling data, leading to a bias in reporting. No one questioned the polling data when it showed that Trump was falling behind. A lot of people thought that his footage bragging about committing sexual assault would end his Presidential bid.

In reality, polling data could have been skewed by people who didn’t want to admit that they had no problem electing someone who bragged about sexual assault.

Pundits and pollsters were shocked on election night and were left wondering how Trump won. It all goes back to cognitive bias in its many forms. Preserving freedom at all costs appeared to be the motivating factor in this political upset.

This infographic will help you understand how cognitive bias may have played into the recent Presidential election and how Trump won.

How Did Trump Win the Election

The post How Cognitive Bias Played Into The Most Divisive Election Ever appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

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Most millennials are probably on the verge of looking for their purpose in life. Despite the wide range of goals they have, one thing is sure. A lot of them don’t want to follow the ‘work to live’ kind of mentality.

If you are one of these people, knowing how to start your business properly is essential. Without the right tips, you can end up failing hard and losing your interest and passion.

Here are some tips for millennials who are planning to take the risk and leap to build their own business:

Always begin with a plan

This is essential for every beginner. A good offense will always come from the best defense, so try developing a detailed game plan with future actions.

Your plan must identify all the opportunities, goals, targets, missions, and vision of your business. All of these must be in concrete detail along with your plans and your target deadlines for every objective.

Your plan can be your best defense to whatever bumps you’ll encounter ahead. Always make it as dynamic as it could be so that it can accept changes and alterations.

Build connections

Education is a continuous cycle. Always make sure you are learning something new every day.

Reach out to elders who know more than you. Never be afraid to ask questions if you are having difficulties or to seek help from someone who knows better than you do.

Successful company owners take one step forward and are active in the search for mentoring. It’s like going to community groups or attending seminars. In addition to learning, these things build connections, too.

Building relationships are critical. Until your brand is stable, you’ll have to exert extreme efforts in making your business known. One good way to expand social connections and networks is by reaching out to people online.

Talk to people you met from college or high school.

You can target them as your future clients or maybe employees. They can also be a big help when it comes to promoting your brand/business through word of mouth.

If funds are too short to implement these methods, try considering getting a loan. You can use a loan comparison site, such as Moneybanker, to get a clear idea of which companies can help you get exactly what you need. It comes with a directory and a search engine you can use to find the type of loan most suited for your business. It can save you time and effort searching through sites and search engines.

See Also: Finding Out the Best Time for Posting on Social Media Sites

Always be meticulous in checking your company’s growth

As part of your game plan, you must be firm about having a strong marketing and sales plan. This includes writing down in bullets or outlining your targeted audience, sales and expenses before even starting out the business.

As an entrepreneur, you have to make sure that there is an inflow of cash. In that way, you’ll know how you’re creating sales and you can be confident about your business growth.

As part of your plan, always find ways to increase profits continually. Good marketing and promotion strategies are great ideas.

Going back to the first step, you need to make sure the strategies you have are moving in action. With this, you can be confident about the success of your business.

Picture out how you will reach out to your target audience. With the help of social media, always promote, share and market your business. This medium will help you know and reach your specific targeted customers.

Join communities and sponsor events as part of your promotions strategies. You need to make a buzz to invite new customers to try out your brand.

Learn how to balance your work and life

Being a busy CEO, it’s easy to totally forget about the other priorities you have outside of your company. You need to exert extra time and energy to make sure everything in your business runs smoothly. However, being busy and having time are two different things.

As the CEO, you need to balance out your work and life in general. Don’t let work eat you up.

Don’t be a workaholic. There are other priorities in life that need your attention, like your family and friends. They might require your presence as well.

It is important to take care of your health, too. Keep in mind that your business would not function well without you. Never think that working yourself to the ground will skyrocket you to success.

Maintaining balance will give you a sweet and fulfilling feeling. It is fine to push yourself to the limit, but make sure you know when to pause and stop. Your life does not revolve around work alone.

Find time to go out and leave some time to relax and freshen up your mind. In this way, you can also have fresh and better ideas. Never let pressure dominate your way of thinking and decision making.

Always have time for exercise or other recreational activities. With this, it is not only your business that is growing but you as a person as well.

Do some catching up with your friends and family. After all, they are one of the most important components of your life.

See Also: 5 Ways to Balance Work and Family Time Even if You’re a Workaholic

Always have patience and respect towards things

Your attitude towards people, customers, and things will be your value. Humble beginnings usually lead to modest success as well.

No matter how physically and emotionally stressed you are, always think of the 9/10 rule. Consider the other person’s feelings and learn how to control your own. Never be angry at people, especially if it is not their fault. Always remember that sharp words can dull respect.

If you want to be respected by the people around you, always remember that success starts within. Let your customers and employees feel you respect them, their works, and words. Be the boss who is open to suggestions and the manager who listens.

Always practice what you preach. Be consistent with whatever policy you are imposing and always follow the ground rules that you made.

It does not mean that if you are the owner, then it’s okay for you to break some rules. Always keep in mind that many people are watching you, so be the best example they can follow.

Respect is hard to earn. Show everyone that you respect them and that you deserve to be respected. There should always be a two-way role in every decision and action you make. After all, you need people as much as they need you.

Takeaway

As startup entrepreneurs, you’ll have a lot of challenges and success along the way. Always think about correcting your mistakes and continue learning from them. Learn from other people’s experiences and never be afraid to take a risk.

As millennials, it will always be difficult to succeed in the world of startups. However, with hard work and perseverance, soon you’ll see yourself getting used to whatever you are doing. Starting with a positive mindset, you’ll be able to keep going through whatever challenge you face.

The post Guide For The Millennial (And Everyone) Who Plans To Be Big appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

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