‘Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone’

~ Pablo Picasso

Procrastination can be one of life’s biggest barriers to success. If we don’t tackle it, it can really prevent us from moving forward towards our goals.

Everyone puts off tasks they don’t want to do from time to time, but chronic procrastinators deliberately look for distractions to avoid these tasks. In this era of technology there are many distractions readily available. When have a task that needs to get done, we can sometimes find we are literally doing anything else other than that task.

Making a cup of tea, checking Facebook, messaging friends, watching YouTube video clips, catching up on some TV or even having a snooze — does that sound familiar? When we are procrastinating, we can find a multitude of things to do instead of getting to work on our important tasks.

There are many different reasons of why we put things off. Let’s look at each one in detail and explore some suggested resolutions:

Too tired

If we are feeling tired, it is hard to be productive and get things done. When we are wide awake, refreshed and with lots of energy we are less likely to procrastinate. The answer to this is simple. Get great sleep.

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

Overwhelmed by the task

If we feel overwhelmed with what lies ahead, the best thing to do is break down the task into smaller manageable chunks. The task in its entirety may feel huge, but once we have split it down into smaller activities, it is much easier to tackle. To ensure progress, just get to work on the first task. This gets you started and heading in the right direction. The rest of the tasks should follow on more easily from there.

Lacking motivation

If we can’t find motivation to complete what needs to be done, there are two things we can try to help us out. Firstly spend time with awesome people. If you can spend time with people who inspire and motivate you it will help you to find your own motivation. Secondly, prepare a vision. If you know what the bigger picture you are working towards is, it can help you with the journey to get there.

Getting distracted

If you find yourself easily distracted, there are many ways to try to limit these distractions. Sort out your notifications so you limit the amount you are receiving, leaving you to decide when you want to check rather than being constantly notified. Try using an application that blocks website usage. There are a number of different apps out there that range from blocking all usage to those that just block certain sites. Review the environment you are working in to ensure that you have the least number of distractions. The key is figure out what the key distractions you are facing are and then take steps to remove them.

Lack of time

We have 168 hours in a week. We need to organize our days and weeks in a way that we can fit in everything we want to do into that time. If you feel you don’t have sufficient time to fit everything in, maybe you just need to reallocate how you are using your 168 hours. Maybe you can spend more time on the things you love by better planning. The more organized you are, the more likely you will be able to fit everything you want to do into your schedule.

Overcommitted

At times we might find we have taken on more than we can manage. When you find yourself in this situation, you need to organize and prioritize. If you are overcommitted, you might fall into the trap of not being able to manage anything very well. By prioritizing and focusing on the most important tasks, you can ensure that you make progress and save some of the other activities for a later date. If it is not possible to delay them, you may have to look at what help you can get to complete them or any other ways of getting them done.

Magnifying a task

At times we can make a task seem harder than it actually is. This especially seems to be the case the more we put something off. We can delay starting a task as it seems too big, then the longer we leave it, the more daunting it can seem. The trick is to take the 1st step. Once you start it, you will usually find it was nowhere near as hard as you thought.

See Also: How to Stay On-Task…Every Day

Unclear where to start

It can be tempting to put off a task if we don’t know where to start with it. If you’re not really sure how to complete something you need to do, your first inclination may be to avoid trying. A better option is to chat through your options with someone else until you find the inspiration you need to get started on it.

Not wanting to do the task

It can be very common to put off an activity that you’re not going to enjoy. This happens with many life admin tasks. The trick here is to start with your least desirable task and get it over and done with. Completing your worst tasks first can provide you with great motivation for all the remaining tasks which should then seem much easier.

Try working out which of these areas are stopping you from moving on with what you need to get done and follow the tips to beat your procrastination.

 

The post 9 Reasons Why We Procrastinate and How to Address Them appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

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No matter what your significant other has said about Valentine’s Day, it’s still important to her. Whether you’ve been married for twenty years or just went on a few dates with someone, Valentine’s Day matters.

Even men with the best of intentions need a little help sometimes with this love holiday. This foolproof list will help guide you through this tricky holiday so you don’t end up screwing it up.

Remember the day

Start thinking about Valentine’s Day a few days early so that you aren’t out shopping or trying to make a dinner reservation the night before. Think about what you want to do for her or what kind of gift she might like. Put the day on your calendar so you don’t accidentally make plans with the guys to watch a game or work late. Then, set an alarm on your phone for February 14 so you remember the special day.

Plan something for the two of you to do together

Talk with her about whether the two of you want to celebrate on the day of, or the weekend before or after. Once that is solidified, make a plan. It doesn’t have to be elaborate or pricey. It just has to be something. Make dinner reservations somewhere, buy tickets to a comedy show, plan a wine tasting day date. Women love it when men put forth some thought and effort. Don’t just pick her up and say, “So what should we do today?”

See Also: Tips In Choosing A Restaurant For A Romantic Date 

Acknowledge it on the day

Whether you celebrated the weekend before or are going to celebrate the following weekend, you still need to acknowledge that it is Valentine’s Day on the actual day. Send her a message in the morning, saying “Happy Valentine’s Day” and share something you love or like about her. Bring her a card and perhaps flowers, but think about doing something a little less predictable. Do something even it’s small. If you don’t acknowledge the day, she will think you forgot and don’t care.

Get some sort of gift

Again, this doesn’t have to be extravagant or expensive. Think about your girl and what she would like. Depending on where the two of you are in your relationship can also help determine what is appropriate to get her and how much to spend. A simple card with a nice handwritten note is always nice. Chocolate, flowers, jewelry, clothes, candles, bath stuff and spa services are all pretty safe bets. Regardless of what you get, she will appreciate that you thought of her and remembered the day.

See Also: Top 6 Reasons to Buy Her Flowers, and What Every Man Should Know

Do not buy her lingerie

You might think getting her lingerie is thoughtful and sexy. And it is—for you. Giving your woman lingerie, however, is really a present for you and could be interpreted as selfish and thoughtless. Lingerie is also very personal and fitted, so it is usually something she should pick out herself. Stick to the items above when thinking about gift giving and let her decide when and what she’ll wear for you.

Some men love the idea of romancing their love on Valentine’s Day and some think it’s a ridiculous holiday full of consumerism. Whichever category you fall into, your partner likely still wants to feel special and loved on this day for lovers. A simple, thoughtful gesture can go a long way in making your woman feel cherished on Valentine’s Day.

 

The post The Romantically Challenged Guy’s Guide to a Successful Valentine’s Day appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

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With over 500 million active users, Instagram is a popular social media app mostly for youngsters, creatives, and photographers. But, how do you increase Instagram followers?

After the addition of Instagram Stories to the app, it is now becoming more popular and controversial. You might be wondering why I am telling you all this. Well, Instagram can also make you famous.

Having a strong following on Instagram would help you get more sales for your business, more exposure to your talent, larger traffic on your website and a stronger community for your brand.

There are hundreds of Instagrammers with thousands of followers, but how in the world do you actually get so many followers? See, this post is not a hack that would get you thousands of followers in minutes.

Today, I have got five effective tips to help you grow your Instagram followers. So, let’s start the post on how to increase Instagram followers and why.

Follow Other People in Your Niche

I have a photographer friend who started from scratch (0 followers) and started following every photography account he could find. By the end of an hour, he followed almost 670 accounts, and surprisingly 175 follow backs, and 50 other similar accounts followed him later. Moreover, after posting several portfolio pictures, he liked 10-15 photos on other accounts and left some positive comments and praises on their work. These several actions got him almost 700 followers in just a week and are now growing more and more.

I would recommend this to every new Instagram account as it helps people to discover you. Moreover, start liking the pictures in your category. Use similar hashtags so that people can also start following your photos as well. This is the most authentic and organic way to increase Instagram followers free.

See Also: Top 11 Instagram Users You Should Follow If You Like Photography And Nature

Craft a Theme for Your Account

So, you’ve already started following other accounts. Great, people are now going to start noticing your photos. Now is the time to give them something that they love.

I’ve discovered that people love a well presented and themed account and you’ll get likes and followers this way. Create a small but impressive bio to inform people about your photos. For mine, I created something entirely different from what I am. No tech, no Android devices but just sharing my best pictures in monochrome these days.

Socialize With Other People As Well

Well, that is what social media is for! Start commenting on other photos that you like and repost them on your account. Reply to the comments you receive and keep it authentic rather than spamming with words like “Nice and Amazing”. In 2017, this is the simplest way to increase Instagram followers.

See Also: 4 Social Media Habits You Need to Make Not Break 

Create Your Hashtags, Encourage Others Too!

Who said new hashtags are only reserved to Twitters? Many companies and brands created their hashtags and encouraged their followers to use them too.

A very simple use of this tip is to expose your brand to new people. An online shop entirely based on Instagram offers free giveaways when people share their T-Shirts and use the particular hashtag to get discovered by the brand. If you would be lucky enough to share it with more than 500 people, then chances are, other people would automatically recognize it too. To increase Instagram followers, there are several other hashtags as well, but the recent update has blocked them.

Run a Giveaway or Contest

This is something that I would try once I have established a good follower base of around 5-6K followers. If you think that you can promote your sales by providing free giveaways, then why not. Ask people to upload a particular type of picture, and mention your tags and Instagram account in the caption. It is an excellent way to grow your fan-base both offline and online.

So, this was my take on the five practical tips to increase Instagram followers in 2017. No hacks, no spams. These are just simple tricks to become more famous. Do share your views on this post and let me know if you have found these ways helpful.

 

The post How to Increase Your Instagram Followers in 2017 appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

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Nine percent. That’s how many Americans follow through with their New Year’s resolutions. People see the beginning of each year as a chance to start over and strive to be the best version of themselves. So why do so many pull up short of the finish line?

In my experience, it starts with how we attack goals. Like most people, I used to jot mine down without considering how each specific one contributed to improving my whole self. That all changed after chance encounters with two books: James Allen’s “As a Man Thinketh” and Rock Thomas’ “The Power of Your Identity.” Allen likened people’s thoughts to a garden that needs to weed out bad ideas and nurture the good ones. Thomas, meanwhile, believes life is made up of eight gardens we should care for regularly.

Both immediately took my mind to goal-setting. Gardens die if we just leave them to fend for themselves. They depend on attention — as well as water and light — to survive. Goals also require attention and accountability. Fleshing them out, categorizing them, and diving into them headfirst can produce results that yield the magnificent, fully lived life you want to lead.

Where Should We Start Digging?

In my book “Wealth Can’t Wait”, I use gardens as a metaphor for maintaining balance when setting goals. We talk about how gardens die if we just leave them to fend for themselves; they depend on attention — as well as water and light — to survive.

Goals also require attention and accountability. Fleshing them out, categorizing them, and diving into them headfirst can produce results that yield the magnificent, fully lived life you want to lead.

Before we start to plant, we need to diagnose where growth is needed. When applying this concept to my own life, I decided to get my hands dirty inside these eight gardens: family/relationship, spiritual/contribution, physical/nutrition/health, intellectual/education, lifestyle/adventure, environment/tribe, personal financial, and business.

Why these areas? Because the idea is balance. Most people can rattle off a bunch of goals, but you might have one tied to health and five tied to your job. Designating categories such as family, intellect, or finances as gardens in need of equal maintenance eventually produces balance everywhere.

By placing each goal in the relevant garden, neglected plots come into focus. Should your successful career come at the expense of your health? Should the 20 years spent building wealth to care for my family mean more than the 50 years I could spend doing it by paying attention to my health and wellness?

Of course not! Sometimes, there’s an all-or-nothing mindset with resolutions and goals in general. The key to making them last is to think about not only what you want to sprout from your garden, but also the best means to inspire growth.

Here’s how to do it:

Plot the layout

Relax, take a breath, and go sit down somewhere. Spitball some ideas of what you’d like to achieve instead of labeling it as some kind of “goal-setting session” in bold, all-capital letters.

Make it fun. Brainstorm and record what you’re passionate about. Next, write down what it is that you need to do. You might need to spend more time with your family or improve your diet.

Print and post the goals where you can see them on a regular basis: on your screensaver, on your iPhone, on the mirror in the bathroom, or on the refrigerator. Ingrain them into your psyche.

Talk to fellow green thumbs

Your list of goals may be 15 to 30 items long. Pick gardens that line up with your lifestyle. Then, place each idea in a specific category.

Afterward, share with others. Rap with colleagues and friends. Pick one another’s brains. You might take one of their goals, or they might take one of yours. Either way, someone gets inspired and a life gets enriched.

Use every inch of dirt

Don’t waste an inch of your fertile ground. Find gaps where you might lack goals and areas that are too crowded. Too much in your finance garden? Incentivize yourself by planting more seeds in your lifestyle garden.

Success requires motivation, which often comes from being kind to yourself. Gaps in any garden are a red flag. Script your own life, and start asking questions. What would I like in this area? Why do I have scarcity there? These queries can help you determine how best to use your garden.

See Also: 4 Sure-Fire Ways to Motivate Yourself to Reach Your Goals

Tend to your seedlings

Finally, make sure you review your life against your goals on a regular basis. Check things off when you finish them, keep your template or checklist handy, and don’t neglect it any more than you would one of your gardens.

This checklist shouldn’t be static. It should be constantly evolving. Goals should disappear when achieved and be replaced by new ones, just as early snowdrops and crocuses are replaced by lilies, tulips, and hyacinths.

See Also: How to Set Personal SMART Goals To Succeed 

Many of us strive for something shiny and new at the start of each year. Give your resolutions the forethought and care they need. That way, when you plant your gardens’ seeds in the cold winter months at the start of the year, they can mature into something to admire as the calendar continues to turn.

 

The post Gardeners Have the Secret Sauce for Goal-Setting appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

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Take a look around. Yes, right now. Pause the movie, save your place in your book. Put down that glass of wine and that cupcake and look around at your space. Is your home looking a little dull, a little less you, these days? Maybe it’s time for some changes, time to express your colorful self.

Interior decorators are expensive. Painting the whole place would be both expensive and complicated. So how do you make changes to showcase your rainbow personality?

You can always add or switch out accessories to make your place in the world more colorful. Color is an excellent tool to help inspire mood and atmosphere in a home.

For instance, red is warm, and depending on shade and depth, this color can represent intense emotion. It can also increase appetite. But red can also be irritating, and can raise blood pressure, so don’t overdo red.

To create an aura of peace and tranquility, add some cool shades of blue to dissolve tension and stress.

Shades of green are currently the most popular colors in today’s homes, and are restful to the eye. Green represents nature, and can add calming, healing touches to a room.

Yellow is sunny and happy, and can increase focus and energy.

Orange is gregarious and social-minded.

Lavender is restful, but purple can overwhelm. However, as a bright focal point, purple can be paired with yellow for a pop of color in certain accessories.

Eggshell and other shades of white such as antique and ivory, are elegant but can come off as bland if not paired with a splash of color.

Brown represents natural wood and leather. Too much of this color leans toward the masculine, but varying shades can be combined with brighter colors for an interesting balance.

Black is often difficult, sometimes gloomy, but in controlled amounts can be sophisticated, especially paired with grays and bright whites.

So now that you have your colors in mind, go out and find those things that speak your language. Hit thrift stores to find those special items that beg to go home with you. Search yard and garage sales for that something different that fits your colorful personality. Of course, second-hand is not the only way to go, new is not a bad thing, but people’s castoffs are often more interesting.

See Also: Top 10 Tips for Buying Stylish Furniture on a Budget 

Here is a list of ideas to brighten every room in your house or apartment.

1. Throw pillows. Mix and match with your furniture and existing color scheme, or go splashy with a variety of unexpected hues and patterns.

2. Add colorful throws to the backs of sofas, chairs, and love seats.

3. Put a few simple silk flower arrangements in unusual or unique containers. Check out Pinterest for imaginative vases, jars, cans, and baskets. Real cut flowers are naturally great for adding color, too, but, of course, they are temporary.

4. Living green plants bring soothing touches to a room. And there are many flowering plants that flourish inside with proper lighting. Use colorful planters or baskets, and remember that planters don’t always have to be round.

5. Find some small wicker tables and footstools and paint them unexpected colors.

6. Look for rugs, new or old, in patterns and colors that complement your furniture arrangements, or which stand out on their own.

7. Fill a focus wall with paintings, posters, or photos of things and places that are dear to you. Or find wood carvings, metal designs, or even pieces of bright fabric to add wall color.

8. Dress up photo frames with paint or unusual decorations such as sea shells, buttons, or other small items like raffia, ribbons, or twigs. You can also frame small mirrors and add paint or decorations to the frames.

9. New curtains or drapes can change the look of a room. Use unusual fabrics for curtains instead of buying ready-made. You can even dress things up by painting curtain rods or using quirky objects such as branches, small-link chains, or rope to hang curtains.

10. Change your kitchenware. Old plates, bowls, cups and saucers, found in antique stores and thrift shops can be charming colorful dishware for your table, or they can even double as wall and shelf decorations. If you buy new dishes, go for the square plates and platters in cheery colors. Hint: Remember that red increases appetite.

11. Buy new bed linens in a multitude of colors and patterns. Don’t forget colorful towels for the bathroom.

12. Collections of teapots, ceramic figures, bottles, unusual coffee mugs, hats, and other items that catch your fancy, are great for adding colorful touches.

See Also: 6 Decor Hack to Make Your House look Pretty 

So. Color. It’s as simple as that. Surround yourself with the colors of the sea. Or a sunset. Or pumpkins or sunshine, green leaves or red apples. Or all of the above. Get out of the house tomorrow morning and find those things that say You. But first, finish your wine and that cupcake.

 

The post 12 Colorful Ways to Dress Up Your Home (On a Budget) appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

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Fitness is a tough fish to catch, but more so when you don’t love what you do. It doesn’t make sense to routinely do something you absolutely despise, does it? So why bother? Especially if you can find an alternative.

In a fitness regimen, there is no such thing as one size fits all. Just because someone looks good exercising in a particular way doesn’t mean that their routine will be applicable to you.

If you want to start getting fit, the best approach is to find the right type and the right mix of exercises that suit your fitness level, your lifestyle, and the time you have. The routine should be something that you will likely stick to for a long time.

I’m going to give you a peek into my mindset, about how you can tailor your fitness regime to your liking.

Know Thyself

The key to finding the right fitness regimen that will suit you best is to know yourself. Determine where you want to work, which will also depend on where you live and the facilities available. There are several workout or physical activities that you can do around the house, in your yard or at a park near you. If you want something more conventional, locate a gym or a fitness center near your place of work or residence for convenience and easier commute.

The next step, would be to find out with whom you want to workout. You can go solo or with company. There are people who find it more comfortable to do things alone, although there are some benefits when you are with a group as they can give you support. You can ask a friend to join you or find a community or club for your particular sport.

An introvert usually gravitates to activities that require focus, precision and high concentrations such as tennis, weight training, archery, walking, cycling or swimming. On the flip side, an extrovert loves fast-paced activities and team sports such as circuit training, group fitness classes and ball games.

See Also: 20 Excellent Reasons To Join A Yoga School 

Personalize your Fitness

What kind of a person are you, overall? I know, it’s a doozy but let’s try to mull over this one. Here are a few questions you could ask yourself to narrow down your options:

• Are you competitive in nature?
• Do you tend to get emotional & reactive?
• Do you find yourself aching to find relaxation in day-to-day activities?
• Are you looking for ‘fun’ or ‘work’?

A competitive individual for example, would most certainly enjoy competing against the clock in a high intensity interval training (HIIT) settings. A person who tends to be emotional and reactive, could find relaxation by taking part in martial arts – what Freud would call sublimation in psychological terms.

If you’re someone who’s looking for a more free-spirited workout regime, dance classes could be a great fit for you.

When answering these questions, keep in mind all along that research has revealed that when you engage in activities that go well with personality, you’ll be able to stick to them longer. Also, when you think of ‘workout’ as ‘fun’ – you eat less afterwards, as you view it as an activity that’s rewarding by itself, and needs no compensation.

See Also: 8 Fitness Hacks That Will Make Your Life Better 

Other Factors: Time & Overall Health

After we’ve gotten through all of the above, you should consider two other factors that are important as well.

One being your overall health – meaning if you have any previous injuries that might turn out to be debilitating in your fitness endeavors, or alternatively, conditions that might show up with high bouts of exercise.

The second would be the amount of time you can allocate towards fitness. If you’re pressed for time, you can check out some time-efficient workouts. You might want to try time-saving routines such as high intensity interval training (HIIT) or possibly circuit training. HIIT has become very popular among people who want to be fit but do not have much time for longer workout methods.

Another option is to sign up for online classes that are available 24/7 so you can work out any time of the day. They provide a mix of routines that are not boring and are synced to great music to keep you motivated and inspired.

Finding the right exercise routine that is suitable for you entails a bit of initial research. I really hope I’ve managed to put things into order for you, and gave you some food for thought.

Best of luck!

 

The post Finding your Fitness Passion appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

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Technology surely has done a lot more good than harm — the communication, socialization, research, etc, couldn’t have been any better. However, we can’t afford to disregard the side effects that accompany these benefits.

A research by OECD, reported by BBC, showed that despite the $17.5 billion invested annually on Education, students’ grades are degrading progressively. Most shocking, perhaps, is the findings by Jampp that showed that excessive use of tech gadgets is rapidly destroying the human brain and attention span. However, these are only a few from the list of side effects we often fail to take note of.

Cutting off technology entirely and living the ancient way is never a point intended. However, taking note of the below side effects will make us more aware on how much we use technology.

Divided attention

There are lots and lots of things technology has got the human mind occupied with — the social platforms, the software and apps, and so on.

As a result of these distractions, a research by Microsoft showed that the human focus is rapidly dropping — from 12 secs in the year 2000, it’s presently 8 seconds which is even shorter than a goldfish’s 9 seconds.

Though technology has made things a lot easier, our time seems to be limited with every upgrade in technology. As a result, we see multitasking as the only way out and this, in turn, retards our focus.

• How to tackle this

While utilizing tech gadgets, strive to be environment-conscious. While in a physical conversation, ignore all tech gadgets and focus. Focus only on the task at hand and ignore every other thing.

Reading a book? Ignore mobile notifications and focus.

See Also: Technology in the Classroom — Should Technology Take Over The Education System?

Destruction of sense organs

Take a second to imagine what the sharp light rays emitted by your mobile in the dark does to your eye. Or better still, imagine how much excessive use of Siri, Cortana, etc, is weakening your memory capacity.

Before, you could easily memorize long mobile numbers, addresses, appointments, etc. Presently, however, mobile apps have taken away the need for your brain to work so hard thereby leaving your brain dormant.

A series of scientific research has clearly shown how tech gadgets are massively depriving humanity of sleep, destroying the human vision, and retarding the brain functionality.

• How to tackle this

Set a sleep schedule and act strictly on it. Disconnect from all tech gadgets at least an hour before going to bed. And when you wake, quit making your cell phone priority. Instead, exercise, meditate, and rest before kicking off the day.

Also, don’t abandon all the brain works, notifications and data to your cell phone. Strive to keep some in your brain to keep the brain active. Also play brain games like puzzle, sudoku, chess, etc.

See Also: Are You Sleep Deprived? 8 Health Risks Of Poor Sleep 

Idleness and Laziness

Presently, as a result of technology, some people have become “couch potatoes.” This is simply because working, shopping, communication, socialization, and whatnot, can all be done over the internet.

However, have you ever imagined what staying at a particular spot for a long time with little or no form of activeness really does to the body?

A physiological study at Tel Aviv University, published in the American Journal of physiology stated leading such a sedentary lifestyle causes accumulation of more fat cells and also increases the chances of obesity.

What’s more shocking, perhaps, is that according to research, the dangers caused by excessive inactivity are irreversible by exercise or whatsoever. Also, men who spent 4 or more hours a day being inactive had a 50% higher chance of dying from any cause.

• How to tackle this

Exercise, exercise, and exercise! Do yoga, running or cycling. Do anything that raises the pace of your blood flow. Don’t sit back, stare at the television and order things around all day. Get off your ass and go get things done.

Technology only exists to ease stress — not to make you into a couch potato!

Impatience

Every tech improvement seems to be concerned chiefly with speed — from the 2G, 3G to the 4G and still progressing; we all love speed.

As a result of this, humans tend to apply speed to every other aspect of living. The latest internet and business statistics show that 40% of people will abandon a site that fails to load under 3secs.

Speed is necessary to accomplish many tasks. However is speed necessary to perfect those tasks?

Lots of accidents occur on a daily basis, lots of tasks are accomplished poorly, and lots of individuals give up on tasks after calculating the time it’d take to accomplish. Where’s the patience?

Speed is very important. However excessive haste makes waste.

• How to tackle this

Instead of scrolling through articles to only get the scope, multitasking to seem productive, or jumping from task to task, try slowing it all down instead. No matter how boring the movie, article or show is, see it to the very end and take note of every bit of it. This will play a role or two in boosting your patience.

Conclusion

With the above points in place, it’s pretty clear that every advantage is often accompanied by a disadvantage. The goal, however, is to enjoy more of the advantages and suffer less harm.

Hence, pay attention to your rate of usage of the tech gadgets in your everyday life and strive as much as possible to keep the side effects they cause to a minimum.

 

The post 4 Ways Technology is Gradually Ruining Humanity and How to Tackle it appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

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We’ve all had that time when we flubbed a first impression. That time when we were set to meet someone for the first time and something went really wrong.

Perhaps it was the poppyseeds in the teeth from the morning bagel? Or a skirt tucked into the pantyhose at the back, revealing more than you ever intended? Or the piece of toilet paper dragging on the bottom of your shoe?

It’s all fodder for a stand up comedy act. But a bad first impression doesn’t have to be the result of something as major as the skirt in the pantyhose. It can stem from something as simple as terrible listening skills or negative body language.

Read on a for a few tips on making a good impression, with some specific suggestions for those times when you are most likely to need them.

Active listening

Tell me if there is anything worse than someone who isn’t listening when you’re speaking to them? You can tell from the look on their face that they’re working out what to say next and it will probably have no bearing on what you’ve been saying whatsoever. Or they are thinking about what they’re going to have for lunch? Either way, it doesn’t make a solid first impression.

A great way to make a good first impression is to be engaged. Listening to what the person in front of you is saying and responding to it accordingly. Parrot back some of their words, so that they know that you have heard them and ask them relevant questions, which incites them to keep talking. The thing most people want most in the world is to be heard. If they didn’t, Facebook and Twitter wouldn’t have a leg to stand on as social media platforms.  

See Also: How Listening Makes You The Strongest Person In Any Given Room

Body language counts 

In the same vein as active listening is body language. We say a lot without saying a word when we meet someone, particularly someone new. The non-verbal cues that the other person picks up from us are just as important as the verbal ones.

For example, not shaking hands with someone who offers theirs and if they don’t offer, not offering yours, can be taken as a snub. Having your arms folded across your chest while someone is talking might seem comfortable for you, but to others, it has the appearance of negativity, of a closed mind to what they are saying. It can even appear aggressive.  

Facial expressions are part of body language. Some of us have what’s known as a ‘resting bitch face’. This is where our normal face looks sad or mad, even when that’s not what we’re feeling at all. If you’ve been told you have that, be aware of it when you’re meeting new people. Make an effort to avoid it. 

Good eye contact is another great way to make sure that your first impression is a good one. Eye contact is a positive, engaged reaction to someone else. Looking over their shoulder, at the floor or worse, at some part of their body, is not. 

Good conversation starters 

The old adage says that you should always stay away from religion and politics. In this day and age, that’s probably more true than it’s ever been before. There are certain topics that should be off limits until you know someone fairly well. Pontificating your views on touchy issues can lead quickly to a negative impression. Assuming things about the person you’re meeting is also fraught. Example? you don’t want to talk about the senior’s discount at the shop you’re standing in front of with someone who MIGHT not be a senior!

So what’s safe, besides the weather? It’s always safe to ask the other person about themselves. Most people like to talk about something they know a lot about and what better topic is there than oneself? It will also give you the chance to pick up on something they have said and expand on it, using those active listening skills, all while you are maintaining good eye contact and after a vigorous handshake.

Just don’t ask “what do you do?” or one of the other standard conversation non-starters (see below!) Instead, you can ask things like “So, what should I know about you that I can’t read about on your LinkedIN profile?”

Other options?

• If someone has introduced you to this new person, ask them how they know that person.
• If you’re at an event, ask them if they’ve ever attended something similar before.
• If you’re at a new job, ask about the best part of their week so far.

If they’re not talkative about themselves, avoid asking the same benign questions that people always ask. They don’t lead to great conversations, on the whole: 

• What do you do?
• Are you married?
• Where are you from?
• How are you?

See Also: How To Keep A Conversation Going With 8 Different Topics

#1 tip for first impressions at a social gathering

Compliments are your new best friend. If someone has a handbag you admire, walk up to them and say so. The person you are speaking with will be happy to receive a compliment, albeit indirect, and it’s a good way to begin a conversation. But be genuine: if you are faking it, it will show. 

#1 tip for first impressions on a date

Be positive. Even if things go wildly wrong: the waiter drops soup on your date; a passing cab splashes both of you as you stand waiting to cross the street; whatever happens, take it in stride and remain positive. Nothing says ‘loser’ like a 34 year old having a tantrum in the middle of the street. 

#1 tip for first impressions on the playground 

Making new friends as an adult is HARD, particularly breaking into the ‘mommy cliques’ at the playground of your children’s school. Avoid talking about anything related to the school and instead approach a group and ask their opinion on the best place in the neighborhood to get a haircut for Little Timmy. They’ll be more than happy to share their wisdom and you’ve got an in by being open and curious.

#1 tip for first impressions online

These days, you are just as likely to ‘meet’ someone for the first time in the digital arena as in the real world, so it’s vital that your online image is clean. I’m not referring to your picture or avatar, though these should be suited to the platform (LinkedIN: professional; Facebook: fun but not awkward; Twitter: something more than the egg).

Search for yourself regularly on search engines and social media to see what people will find when they look you up, because they will look you up and you don’t want to find embarrassing shots of you knocking back shooters in your underwear as the first link they find.

#1 tip for first impressions in any situation: men vs. women

The thing that men are most impressed by? Eye contact and a good handshake – nothing limp or ‘wet fish’ like. For women? Eye contact as well, plus a genuine smile. So men and women might not be as different as originally thought!

At the end of the day, you have three to five seconds to make a first impression. Make it a good one.

The post First Impressions: How to Make Sure You Are Remembered for the Right Reasons appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

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Vacations should never be your excuse for having bulges and getting unhealthy. There are a lot of ways you can do to stay fit and healthy while on your most awaited vacation.

Below are a handful of things you can consider to make your next vacation all worth while.

Go With Fitness Buddies

Definitely! A good way to stay healthy on your vacation is to go with people who have the same goals as yours. Avoiding unhealthy foods and still working on your regular exercise every day are a few of the things that your fitness buddies would encourage you to do even during vacation.

Fitness buddy will definitely encourage and push you to stay healthy during holidays.

Keep Moving And Use Your Body

Yes, you are on a vacation, thus sitting, lying down, sleeping and eating all day is not the reason why you are out of town or country. Keep moving and use your body.

If the tourist destination or location where you plan to visit is just near, you might as well walk. Use stairs instead of elevators.  Enjoy the tourist spots, walk around, and enjoy the ambiance.

If you are on a vacation, never stay just in your rooms. If that is your plan, just better stay at home and watch television. You did not travel far, spend money and make reservations just so you can sleep and lie down all day in bed.

Eat Healthily – Don’t Forget To Maintain Your Weight

Most places we visit have local specialties and cuisines. Sure, you can try them all but make sure it is in moderation. Maintaining your weight is definitely a priority but that does not mean you will deprive yourself of eating dishes that you may never try somewhere else.

Go ahead and have a taste of what they can offer but make sure that your guards are up and still in control. Eating healthy should happen every day, wherever you are, wherever you go.

You would not want the sacrifices you did for months or even years to go to waste just for few days you are on a vacation.

See Also: 10 Essential Vitamins for Frequent Travelers 

Opt For Fitness-Based Vacations

Instead of the usual vacations you do, try something different. Try something that can encourage and hype your interest in getting and staying fit and healthy. Go hiking, mountain-climbing and the like. You can also opt to visit spa resorts that have an emphasis on wellness.

If the place you will visit cannot offer too many activities, at least choose accommodations that have an indoor gym.

Come Back Rejuvenated

Make sure that after your vacation, you feel completely energized and rejuvenated. The real deal for having a vacation is to get you out for a moment from your real world and relax. This is a good way to recuperate. Vacations should make you feel like you are starting fresh and anew.

Needless to say, vacations are something that everyone look forward to, but still, never let them be your reason or excuse to be unhealthy. Make your vacation and fitness work hand and hand to ensure that when you get back from your vacation, you are still as fit and healthy or better.

See Also:  Steps To Reinvent Your Life By Traveling 

 

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When you’ve had a long and tiring workout, you just want to go home and sleep. You feel satisfied knowing that when you wake up, you’re ready to take on another day at the gym for successful growth.

How do we fall asleep?

In a simple manner, your internal body clock recognizes your environment. When it is bright, your brain signals to your body that it is daytime. When it is dark or night time, your body automatically releases a chemical called melatonin. You will start to feel drowsy as your melatonin level increases.

If you’re a bodybuilder and you’re aiming for a more muscular size, don’t disregard the importance of sleeping. There are certain hormones released for muscle reconstruction during sleep. You will recharge your mind and mentally recuperate to prepare for your next day’s workout during your sleep.

Benefits and the importance of sleeping

How many hours?

How long do we have to sleep? If we lack sleep, we feel weak and don’t want to get up from bed. If you give in and oversleep though, all you get is feeling even sleepier and a throbbing headache.

According to National Sleep Foundation, there is a specific number of hours we should be sleeping depending on which age group we belong to.

AGE GROUP AND HOURS OF SLEEP
0-3 Months —> 12-18
4-11 Months —> 14-15
1-2 Years —> 12-14
3-5 Years —> 11-13
6-13 Years —> 10-11
14-17 Years —> 8.5-9.5
18-25 Years —> 7-9
26-64 Years —> 7-9
65+ —> 7-8

What are the benefits to my body?

It’s a win-win situation when you get enough sleep every day. Here is what happens when you don’t lack sleep:

• Your body regulates insulin to control your blood sugar thus lowering your risk for diabetes.
• During sleep, your body recovers. It repairs damaged cells. Your muscles grow and heal themselves during your sleep.
• Natural growth hormones are released. It is important for children, teens, and adults.
• Your immune system strengthens during your sleep. It helps you fend off common sicknesses that you may otherwise catch from the people around you and your environment.

Enhanced Performance and Senses

When you’ve only had a few hours of sleep, the tendency is that you feel uncomfortable throughout your day. You will only disappoint yourself by not performing well in your activities. Sufficient sleep improves your performance in a significant way.

• You’ll have a lower chance of getting into car accidents because you will be aware of the hazards around you. If you drive and you still feel a little bit sleepy, your life is already at risk.
• You won’t feel lazy in your line of work because you are well rested. You wouldn’t want to get fired just because you are caught sleeping on the job, do you?
• As a student, listening to lectures won’t be hard because you can focus more on lessons.

See Also: Personality & Sleep: How To Be More Productive At Work

Importance of Sleeping for My Muscles

I have been lifting for around six years now and I have experienced the importance of discipline in my workouts, maintaining a proper diet, and getting all the sleep I can get. I have been working hard for it because I wanted to improve my body and see what I can do with it.

I started lifting when I was in 3rd-year high school because it was a fad amongst my friends. I would always stay up late because of my school works and my social life. I never saw the importance of sleeping to grow muscle. One day, I realized that I wasn’t getting any bigger, and I always looked tired. My performance in lifting was getting poorer and poorer every single day. I didn’t think it was my diet though because I was eating clean.

It wasn’t until the summer break when I was finally getting enough rest and sleep that I noticed an improvement in my lifting performance. My lifts increased. I was burning excess fat and gaining leaner muscle.

That’s when I realized that I should never take the amount of time to rest for granted. Lifting weights is just a part of the process, and the diet is just another. Rest and sleep is just as essential for muscle growth.

Sleeping Advice for Muscle Growth

No more lifting near bedtime

• Even after your workout, your adrenaline is still pumping. You’ll likely toss and turn if you lift too near before your sleeping time.

Turn off your electronic devices

• Your senses reactivate themselves under the influence of light. Make sure to turn off your gadgets. Using your mobile phone or tablet disrupts the production of melatonin thus making you wide awake.

Keep to your sleeping schedule

• Keep track of your sleeping schedule. If your sleeping schedule gets disrupted, you will have difficulties sleeping and waking up on time.

Control your caffeine intake

• For the coffee lovers out there, coffee makes you more hyperactive and will keep you from falling asleep easily. I suggest that you only take caffeine in the morning, and the latest would be in the afternoon.

See Also: Are You Sleep Deprived? 8 Health Risks Of Poor Sleep 

Conclusion

Sleep deficiency, in general, is harmful to us. It can do a lot of damage and in an instant, it can take away one’s life. The importance of sleeping is bliss. With our fast-paced culture today, we need to find time to get enough sleep as much as we can.

 

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