Apps for startups are very useful (and can even be crucial) for new companies.

As a founder of a startup, you want to commit 100% to whatever it is you and your team are creating. You do not want to, nor can you afford to waste time.

If you’ve ever found yourself asking these questions — “Did we miss something in our brainstorming notes? Has David made the interview call? Is the PowerPoint file I am looking at the latest version?” — then it’s time to use apps for startups to streamline your management process and boost productivity.

Here are apps we recommend for you:

1. Evernote

To kick start your ideas

Every goal starts with ideas. Evernote is a note-taking app for you and your team to capture, brainstorm and develop your brilliant ideas. Ideas can be easily and quickly dumped out of your brain and onto your desktop or smartphone, whenever, wherever you like.

2. Quire

To turn your ideas into to-dos

It is like what Lao Tzu said, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.”

Your startup begins with one too. Quire is a simple, fast and lightweight task management tool made to help teams break down their ideas into smaller and smaller tasks, so they can tackle them one by one.

See Also: From Startup Idea to Successful Business: 7 Questions to Ask Before You Pursue That Venture

3. Slack

For efficient communication within your team

In case you have not heard, Slack is an incredible communication app for teams. With Slack, all your conversations with your team are in one go and in one place. You can forget all about the annoying back-and-forth emails because of this lifesaver.

4. Wave

To keep track of your payments and expenses

You hate numbers. However, you need to be in control and know what is going on to your startup accounting.

Wave is an easy-to-understand accounting software designed specifically for small teams. In seconds, you can create and send invoices, payrolls and receipts, and even get insights from useful reports.

5. PomoDone

To make the most of your time

Everyone knows about the Pomodoro Technique. You swear you will stay focused and productive but the next thing you know, you have updated your Facebook status and read through your Twitter feed. PomoDone is an sleek-looking Pomodoro time tracking app that makes sure you do the right things in the right amount of time.

If you are struggling with building your startup, now is a good time to use one or more of the tools mentioned above. Your startup can be successful when you use the right tools, and spend the right amount of time on the right tasks.

See Also: How to Save Your Startup by Hiring the Right People 

 

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Are you looking for ways to improve your life?

I recently turned 44. I’m in the best shape and the happiest I’ve ever been.

Every area of my life has improved in the last 12 months. I’ve gone from being shy, limited, and held back, to being bold, confident and outgoing.

I’m making more money than I ever have and I’m doing what I love. You know you’ve found your purpose in life when you wake up at 5.am on a freezing Sunday morning eager to help people improve their lives.

And my relationships, including interactions with people I’ve just met, are energizing, fun, interesting, exciting, meaningful.

I’m keen to share my journey with you, so let’s get into it.

1. I gave myself permission to know on a deep level that I’m never too old to improve my life

“That’s it…I’m in my forties. This is the way things are meant to be. Too late to do anything about it now.”

This is the way I used to think.

I believed the bullshit people told me that once you hit forty there was no turning back, that life is an up-hill struggle from here on in. Then I remembered hearing the saying ‘life begins at forty,’ which gave me some solace and hope for the future.

But the real turning point came when I read somewhere that Colonel Saunders started KFC in his 60s and the McDonald brothers, Richard and Maurice, opened McDonald’s in their 40s and 50s respectively. I started seeing middle aged men who were in ‘knock your socks off’ relationships with beautiful, young women, and kept hearing about people in their 40s and 50s changing careers, or getting into peak physical condition.

There was enough evidence to suggest I could improve my life as well, so I put together an action plan to make it happen.

See Also: 4 Tips to Adapt The Right Mentality for Success

2. I started by giving myself permission to know on a deep level that I am a big deal

I have achieved many things in my life such as raising a well-rounded, intelligent daughter, completing a university degree, working my way up from sales trainee to sales manager, having poetry published in leading journals and best of anthologies, and convincing two guard dogs why they shouldn’t kill me (long story).

But I’d always write my achievements and accomplishments off as being ‘not that big of a deal.’ I would dismiss compliments and praise from co-workers, strangers, and even the women I was dating.

It’s not that I didn’t want to believe I was a big deal. It’s just I had been conditioned to believe that I wasn’t. This conditioning kept me held back in life and I spent many years shy and socially awkward. As a result, I settled for women I convinced myself I was attracted to, missed out on having meaningful friendships, and took crap from people because I was too timid to fight back.

I knew that if I was to make things better, I had to destroy my old way of thinking and reprogram my thoughts. I took the first step outside of my comfort zone and enrolled in several self-improvement courses. Some were better than others, but through persistence and perseverance, I eventually found what I was looking for.

It’s been said many times before, but I’ll say it again – never give up.

3. Time to challenge my comfort zone

One of those courses was Till Gross’s “Make Yourself Do Anything.” This six week course had one major focus – intentionally embarrass yourself in public.

The idea behind this is to have you stop caring what people think of you. It’s also to help you understand that fear of social situations is just an illusion, and that you can handle being looked at, laughed at, and rejected.

Some of the challenges included howling like a wolf, lying down on the ground for 30 seconds, asking a stranger for a sip of their drink, and asking a person you find attractive for their number.

I committed myself to these challenges and by the end of the course I was able to move towards the things that scared me, stand up for myself, and face conflicts rather than run away from them like I used to.

I can now go out by myself and meet new, like-minded people, easily and effortlessly. I can approach women I’m attracted to and ask them out, network like a boss, and just show up to parties, gatherings and so forth, relaxed and in control.

I welcome rejection now and understand it’s only feedback, an opportunity to learn and grow. Don’t get me wrong. Getting rejected still hurts. But that feeling only lasts for a few minutes, not hours or even days, like it used to.

4. I teamed up with a life coach/mentor

I rocked in my sales career and brought in more than a few major deals for my employers. I was handsomely compensated with a company car, phone, laptop, salary and a big, fat monthly bonus. But for want of a better phrase, I wasn’t entirely fulfilled, satisfied or happy. I always felt like I could be doing more.

This is where teaming up with a life coach/mentor helped. Together we worked out the what, where, and why, and I was able to determine that my true calling is working with people to help them become their best version and live meaningful lives.

I quit my job and started pursing my purpose straight away. I had many setbacks and failures in the beginning, but I stuck it out because I knew deep down this was meant to be. My struggles paid off because I am now making more money than I ever have. More importantly, I’m ‘leaving work’ satisfied, fulfilled, happy, and eager for the next working day.

See Also: 10 Life-Changing TED Talks You Should See Today

5. I joined Toastmasters

Like many of us, I’d had the ‘public speaking – I’d rather die’ way of thinking. Of course, this kept me held back in my career and social life because I would always turn down the opportunity to give a presentation at work or talk at a networking event.

I remember being asked to give a speech at a birthday party once, and even though I (reluctantly) accepted, I was tight and tense and sweated profusely the whole time. The sweating was so bad I had to change my shirt afterwards. I left the party feeling worthless and swore I would never make a fool of myself like that again.

How times have changed.

Since I’ve been a member of Toastmasters, I now can’t wait to give a talk in front of an audience or presentation to a group. And I’m the first to put my hand up to give a speech at birthday parties or weddings. As a bonus, I have built on my leadership, communication, and inter-personal skills, and made genuine connections.

Other things I have done and continue to do to improve my life and become my best version.
• I removed toxic people from my life
• I drink green juice every day and eat a mostly 80/20 alkaline diet
• I practice correct breathing exercises every day
• I meditate
• I stay active
• I read every day
• I don’t watch or read the news until the end of the day
• I have cold showers
• I volunteer whenever I can

Nearly everyone I’ve come across in my time has wanted to improve their lives in some way.

Like it once was for me, many of them talk about it, but never do anything. Some will do something for a little while, but then give up.

It took me 12 months to get to where I am now and I’m still learning and growing, and taking things to the next level. Improving your life is a marathon, not a sprint. I know it’s a cliché, but it speaks volumes.

If you commit to making the changes, take massive action, invest in a life coach/mentor, and – while I’m in the mood for using clichés – stick to your guns, you can improve your life, or make those changes you’ve always wanted to.

 

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As couples grow old together, there’s a growing sense of comfort, reliability, and even shamelessness that the relationship acquires. You start showing your real self and your real colors. You can be the weirdest person in front of each other and that’s absolutely normal because you’re up for a long term relationship.

What are the signs that you’re in for a long term relationship? Check them out below.

1. Pets are the basic conversation

Did you know that Meow slept with me today? Ruffy just learned a new trick.

Do have similar conversations like these with your partner? If your partner also reciprocates and wants to know more about it, then it’s a good sign. Pet lovers make the best couples because animals make them humble, kind and affectionate.

See Also: 10 Ways To Woo A Girl The Right Way! 

2. Morning breath is an okay affair

When you’re in love, you like everything about the person. From his farts to his morning breath, everything is all good. There’s no need to put up a front. It’s all about the comfort and compatibility that you two share which makes you fall in love even when you’ve not brushed your teeth.

3. Outside plans are often canceled

When you know that your partner would be around, you would easily stay home canceling all other plans that are not urgent. You feel happy and comfortable sitting at home watching movies together rather than shopping in the scorching heat with the girls.

4. Telepathic connection

You know what she’s going to say even before she says it out loud and vice versa. Your minds are so in sync with each other that words are often not needed to know the other’s thoughts and feelings.

5. You toilet is a common room

Do you ever go pee in the toilet when your partner is already brushing her teeth? The toilet is not a “me-time” zone anymore because you know that the other might barge in anytime.

6. You can be the craziest person

We tend to put up an “ideal” front when with strangers or random acquaintances. But with your partner, you can be the craziest person you can be without fear of being judged or rejected. This is because of the trust and acceptance you share with each other.

See Also: Video Games and Relationships: A List of Pros and Cons 

These are just some of signs of a long term relationship. If we missed any, we’d love to hear from you.

 

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Many people find long distance relationships difficult. In fact, some people avoid such relationships at all costs because the distance tends to lead to feelings of loneliness and depression.

However, if you are in a long distance relationship, the good news is that you and your partner can work together to create and maintain a stable relationship even if you’re apart most of the time.

Here are 7 secrets that will help you maintain a successful long term relationship:

1.Be Committed

You and your partner should commit yourselves to working together in order to make the relationship work. Both of you should have a clear plan on how you are going to go about it.

 You should also have your goals in mind as far as your relationship is concerned. This will keep both of you on the same page.

2. Always communicate

Communication is very essential in any relationship. Without this, the relationship is doomed to fail.

Thanks to the technological advancements, it is now possible to talk to people anywhere around the world at any time that is convenient for them. You can call, chat, text, email and even video call your better half anywhere around the world.

Do this as often as possible as a couple. Make it a habit. This builds a very strong connection between you and your partner.

3. Trust each other

You and your partner should fully trust each other. Without trust, your partner may feel insecure at times especially when you do not talk often.

This may also bring about jealousy especially when your partner gets to find out that you go out on dates with other people especially those of the opposite sex. Both of you should strive to gain each other’s trust and to focus on not breaking it.

If you are a married couple, it is possible that both of you already have a strong foundation of trust and you should try hard to strengthen it even more.

See Also: Check Your Ego, Build Your Relationships 

 4. Let out your feelings

You and your partner may sometimes have disagreements. It happens in all relationships.

If you have a problem with your partner, it is wise to let them know about it. If you keep the problem to yourself for the fear of hurting you partner, you end up being hurt even more.

Sometimes letting out your feelings may end up costing you and your partner the relationship you both worked so hard to sustain. However, it is better to be happy being alone than being in a relationship that makes you miserable.

Letting out your feelings also helps your partner know what your likes and dislikes are.

See Also: 8 Negative Thought Patterns That Are Hurting Your Relationships

5. Visit your partner

If possible, plan to visit your partner as often as possible. During these visits, you can engage in new and exciting activities together, visit new places and even have intimate dates. These visits are essential because you and your partner get to reconnect after a long time of being apart.

 6. Long distance dinner dates

Did you know that you can have long distance dates? Here’s how to do it. You and your partner can decide on a day that’s convenient for both of you to do this. You can cook your partner’s favorite dish and they do the same on their side.

After cooking, sit in front of the computer and eat the meal together as you chat via a video call. Both of you will find this very interesting and intimate. You will definitely want to do it over and over again.

7. Have long term plans

Make your long term plans together. This ensures that both of you have each other in mind. Plan the next visit even before the current one is over. This will make both of you look forward to the next visit thus creating a strong bond.

Ensure that even if you are far apart, your life together is not at a halt. Ensure that you are still focused onto your future together.

Long distance relationships really do work. You just have to give it your best short and have a mutual understanding of each other. Remember that both of you have to work towards the same goal, having a successful long distance relationship.

 

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Depression is the most common form of mental illness in the developed world.  In the United States, more than 40 million people are affected by depression, approximately 18% of the population (Adaa.org, 2014).

Many people turn to pharmaceuticals to treat their depression, however there are some nutrients which may help you overcome this debilitating illness.  By utilizing these specific nutrients to combat depression, you can avoid the nasty side effects that some pharmaceutical medications have.

Here are eight natural supplements that can help with depression:

B Vitamins

Many of the B group vitamins can help improve your mood by lifting serotonin levels in your brain.

Inositol (Vitamin B8) plays a role in treating depression.  It has been demonstrated to help serotonin operate in the brain (NYULangone, 2014).  People with higher levels of serotonin function in their brains are less likely to be depressed.  Foods high in inositol include citrus, cantaloupe, lima beans, navy beans and whole-grain bread.

People with a folic acid (Vitamin B9) deficiency are more likely to have depression (Psychology Today, 2013).  Folic acid helps create red blood cells, manage metabolism and deal with cell division.  Researchers also believe people with high levels of folic acid may have a better response to some antidepressant medications (Coppen A, Bailey J 2000).

Omega-3s

The benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids have been highlighted in the media recently.  While the media focus has been on using omega-3s for better cardiovascular health, they can also be used to treat depression.  Two of the omega-3s, Eicosapentaenoic Acid  (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA), have been identified as reducing the symptoms of mild to moderate depression (University of Maryland, 2013).

You can obtain omega-3s from any oily fish including sardines, herring, pilchards, salmon and trout.

Saffron

This herb has been popular in the Middle East for many thousands of years.  It can be used to treat a wide variety of ailments.  In a meta-analysis of the available data, researchers found that saffron can reduce the symptoms of mild depression (Hausenblas HA, Saha D, Dubyak PJ, Anton SD, 2013).  It does this by increasing the levels of serotonin in the brain.  The only drawback of saffron is that it is very expensive to buy.

See Also: 4 Ways To Overcome Depression Naturally 

St. Johns wort (Hypericum perforatum)

St. Johns wort is a flowering plant that can also be used to treat depression.  Research into the herb has found that it is effective in the treatment of major depression (Linde K, Berner MM, Kriston L, 2008).  You can buy this herb fresh or use one of the many pills formulated with St. Johns wort.

Theanine

Theanine is an amino acid commonly found in green tea.  This compound can be used to reduce anxiety and treat high blood pressure.  Theanine has a similar chemical structure to other amino acids that help transmit impulses in the brain.  By using theanine to reduce the amount of anxiety you are experiencing, depression symptoms are also eased.  Theanine does this by triggering the release of Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain.  GABA activates neurotransmitters that have a calming effect on the mind.

5-Hydroxy Tryptophan

5-Hydroxy Tryptophan (5-HTP) is an amino acid that plays an important role in creating serotonin in the brain.  You can find 5-HTP in certain high-protein foods including beans, fish and hard boiled egg.  You can also buy 5-HTP in capsule form to supplement your diet.

Vitamin D

Some studies suggest that vitamin D deficiency may lead to depression.  The research has been mixed, but if you wish to err on the side of caution, obtaining vitamin D is very easy.  Spend more time in the sun or take a vitamin supplement to address vitamin D deficiency.

S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe)

S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) is a naturally occurring compound that can effect certain neurotransmitters in the brain and reduce depression symptoms.  Some research indicates SAMe is as effective as pharmaceutical antidepressants when treating mild to moderate depression (University of Maryland, 2011).  You can buy SAMe tablets from most pharmacies.

See Also: How To Fight Depression: The Ultimate Guide

By improving your overall nutrition and targeting these specific nutrients, it is easier to ward off mild to moderate depression.  Some of the nutrients listed above also help your pharmacological solutions work more effectively within the body.

 

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With so many distractions, families are now having a hard time spending quality time at the dining table. As they spend less and less time together during meal times, they become less connected with each other. This can spell more arguments and misunderstandings in the long run.

If you are looking for ways to make meal times more enjoyable for the family, here are some of the best ideas you can try.

1. Consider making meal planning a family activity

Each family member has his own food preferences. Consider their favorite dishes and see how you can create a meal plan that will work for the entire family.

As much as possible, encourage them to participate in meal planning. If you plan for the entire week ahead, have them sit down with you in the kitchen to list down what they want and when they’ll have it. You can also take them with you when you go to the supermarket to buy the ingredients. This is actually a great help, particularly if you have picky eaters at home.

See Also: Five Useful Tips for Healthy Grocery Shopping

2. Ask for some help in the kitchen

Cooking can be a fun activity for the entire family. Let them join you in the kitchen and allow them to measure ingredients, cut portions and mix items. The more they are involved with the recipes, the more they are likely to eat them.

3. Let them get messy

This goes particularly true with kids. Although it’s tempting to feed them yourself, you should encourage them to eat on their own. Give them smaller portions of food and allow them to have their own plates and sets of eating utensils. Never get mad at them if they leave a big mess on the dining table or their clothes. Doing so will only make them associate eating with negative emotions and ideas.

4. Be creative

Serving the same kind of food several days in a row will bore your family. Instead of reheating already-cooked foods, try cooking a fresh recipe for the family. It doesn’t have to be a complicated meal. In fact, there’s a lot of easy-to-cook recipes on the internet you can get ideas from.

5. Try using a theme

Meal times don’t always have to involve your old dining table. You can have a picnic night or cook barbecue in your yard. You can light up candles and have a fancy meal for the evening.

If you have kids at home, you can prepare cartoon-themed desserts to encourage them to finish their plate. You can even let them dress up before they sit in for the meal. Other good ideas include movie nights, pasta nights and picking a color

6. Catch up with the family

Meal times become even more meaningful when the family gets to catch up with each other. You can ask your kids how their day at school went or if they have any concerns they want to talk about. Encourage them to share their experiences and let go of their devices and gadgets for the mean time. As much as possible, make meal times more about the family.

Avoid imposing strict rules about what can and can’t be talked about while you’re eating. Let your kids share as much as they want. Communication during meal times should be spontaneous and free so that your kids won’t have a hard time reaching out to you.

7. Keep food preparations simple

One of the most common reasons why families skip having a quality meal time is the time it takes for them to prepare a hearty meal. Home-cooked meals don’t always have to be time-consuming as there are short cuts you can do.

Take, for example, your slow cooker. You can just throw the ingredients in it before you leave for work so that the family can come home to a warm a delicious meal. Another good idea is to cook soups and stews in large portions during the day so that you can just reheat it when it’s time for dinner. If you don’t fancy the idea of reheating, just keep the recipe as simple as possible and stick to using fresh ingredients.

8. Be patient

If your family isn’t used to dining together during a major meal, you should consider starting off with one or two meals per week. Consider your family’s schedule so that you can set a time when everyone will be available to dine in. Once your family has adjusted well to your meal schedule, you can spend more meal times together.

See Also: Four Simple Ways to Teach Your Kids to Say “NO” to Junk 

Another factor you should keep in mind is your kids’ attention span. Kids are impatient and you can’t expect them to be able to sit there with you for a full hour. Be realistic in setting expectations to avoid feeling frustrated and stressed out during meal times.

 

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Chances are you’ve never been a hair donor. You’ve probably never even considered it.

But, it’s understandable. There are many reasons why more men aren’t hair donors.

Many white collar industries won’t hire men with long hair, and the ones that do hire usually have a hard time getting promoted. However, becoming a men’s hair donor means that you are a risk-taker who is willing to commit to a great cause that help someone in need.

Here are 5 things that you’ll love about being a men’s hair donor.

1. You get to have long hair!

For many men, the dream of having long hair dies when they graduate from college.

Well, that all changes when you become a hair donor! If it becomes a problem, a nice message to HR explaining the reason for your long hair should make things easier.

2. You get to help someone in need

Did you know? Real hair wigs cost between $2,000 and $6,000 dollars. Your donation provides a healthy set of locks to a woman or child in need.

See Also: 5 Tips And Tricks To Rock Your Halloween Wig 

3. You’ll have a great conversation starter

Just around 1% of men are hair donors. As your hair grows, you’ll get a lot of questions. When you explain that your hair is getting long because your a men’s hair donor, you’ll have a great icebreaker or conversation starter.

4. You’ll get a reputation as a giver

Everyone loves a giver. Majority of Americans give generously to charity. Over $270 billion last year alone. Take your giving level one step further and become a men’s hair donor.

5. You’ll live your life with no regrets

All too often, we miss the chance to act. Many men who want to be hair donors can’t because of hair loss or their hair is already grey. When you become a hair donor, you will love the fact that you had a chance to do it when others can’t anymore.

Being a hair donor is a journey. One that isn’t always easy, but one that is always rewarding. When you take a chance and step on the path to being a hair donor, you are taking a path that is sure to change your life (and somebody’s too).

Take the plunge and become a men’s hair donor today!

 

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Your startup is as fragile as a newborn baby. It has blood in its veins (capital), but can’t fend for itself yet because of insufficient customers, no word-of-mouth advertisement, and not enough sales. No wonder startups cry a lot and fail a lot.

According to new research by Harvard Business School’s Shikhar Ghosh, 75% of all startups fail. But what is the reason behind this massive failure?

Many entrepreneurs and executives attribute the colossal failure to a number of reasons. Some of these reasons include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Poor management
• Poor execution
• Poor business model

Notice how all these factors (and much more not mentioned here) are attributed to the founders.

• A startup fails because of a founder’s poor management
• A startup fails because of a founder’s poor execution
• A startup fails because of a founder’s poor business model

The truth is a single founder can hardly build and run a business to a success. They need the right partner, the right team or the right people to help them through. And understanding how to hire the right people will not only save your startup from failure but will also increase its chances of success.

See Also: From Startup Idea to Successful Business: 7 Questions to Ask Before You Pursue That Venture

Look for passionate people

No one wants to be rejected by an employer. Job applicants are skilled at wearing masks (covering their shortcomings with perfect resumes and decorated titles) to lure the CEO into hiring them.

How do you select the right ones? How do you find those candidates who will do their very best to build your startup to success?

Look for passion.

Passionate people are the right hires for your business. They don’t just want to get hired for the paycheck; they want to get hired for the love. They love the job.

Because they’re passionate, these people will not just carry their responsibilities. They will fill other roles as well, and support your cause with hard work, enthusiasm and affection.

And noticing them is easier than you think. Just ask the following questions during the interview:

• What are your hobbies? Understand the applicant’s hobby outside of work, and see if it is in line with your business.
• How do you maintain a work-life balance? Is the candidate an all-work-and-no-play kind of guy? If they are not balancing life and work as normal, passionate people do, let them go.
• If recruited, how do you see yourself five years from now? Listen to this one more closely. Passionate people will tell you something greater than what you’ve ever imagined. They might even give you a hint of a great business idea.

The point is to find true answers that come from the heart and not just lip service covered in looks and a suit.

Look for applicants with a unique skill set

Now that you’ve discovered a passionate candidate, don’t celebrate yet. There is still some more digging to do. Look for their unique skill set, and ensure that it matches what your startup needs at the moment.

Because let’s face it: your startup can’t afford fancy employees with expensive qualifications yet lacking the basic skills you need to scale your company.

If your business is struggling with sales, for instance, what kind of applicant would you look for? A great marketer of course, but more especially, one who has a unique skill set like a growth hacker to take your business to the next level.

See Also: 5 Steps to Creating a More Productive Sales Team 

Look for people who fit your company culture

Your startup culture is like your personality. It makes you unique and makes you stand out from the rest of your competitors.

Hiring a candidate who doesn’t fit your company culture can cost your business between 50-60% of the person’s annual salary, according to the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).

To ensure that you recruit for cultural fit, ask the following questions during the interview:

• Why do you want to work for us?
• How would you describe our culture?
• What organizational culture do you grow in?

Listen to the reason why the candidate wants to work for you, about their description of your company culture, their story concerning the organizational culture they grow in, and, most importantly, their tone of voice and honesty.

Bad people with no passion tend to speak in an overconfident, verbose way to cover their true self — a trait that will choke your little startup to death.

 

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Have you been considering shifting your family to a real food diet?

Keeping your children strong and healthy requires providing them with a healthy and nutritious diet. You want your family to be at their best throughout the day and that means feeding them the right foods. But it seems like every couple of months there is a new diet that claims to be the best, so it can be confusing to know how you should feed your family.

Contradicting Evidence

It’s not unusual these days to come across various studies with contradictory claims. They have compelling evidence, and they come from prestigious schools and organizations so it’s easy to get confused. For example, Harvard came out with a study claiming that eggs can increase the risk of prostate cancer. However, the University of Alberta found that antioxidants within eggs helped to prevent cancer.

A study done by Chang Y. Lee found that retinal health may be strengthened by drinking coffee, while The Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science claims that drinking coffee has a negative impact on eyesight and may even put you more at risk for glaucoma.

These are all scientific studies that were published and yet they have the exact opposite results, so who are you supposed to believe?

See Also: 7 Foods that can Improve your Eyesight 

Back to Basics

If we set these conflicting claims aside though and just think of the basics, it’s actually very simple. Whole, clean foods with consistent exercise is all our children need to be at their healthiest, while chemical-filled, processed food and a sedentary lifestyle will negatively impact our kids.

See Also: 5 Science-Proven Health Benefits of Low Carb Diet 

Get informed about how to read nutrition labels properly. This will help you immensely when it comes to finding healthy foods for your family.

Pay attention to the serving size. While at a glance you may be drawn to the low calorie number, closer inspection might show that the serving size is incredibly small.

You also want to look over the calorie count and the fat content in your food so that you can monitor how much fat your family is eating. Make looking at nutrition labels a habit when you go to the grocery store and you’ll be making your family healthier.

Don’t worry about what’s popular right now, or what new diet your friends are trying out on their families. Stick to the foods that have been keeping children healthy for hundreds of years.

It might be difficult. It’s human nature to want to try new things and to be included in the newest trends, but when it comes to your family’s health, stick with the basics because you will never be disappointed.

 

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Do you want your daily drive to work to be more enjoyable?

For most people, the thought of driving to work is not one that fills them with joy. Add in a good dose of traffic and the feeling starts to become one of dread.

However, driving doesn’t have to be a stressful and unhappy necessity. The confines of your car can actually become a place of pleasant solitude, family fun, or even relaxation.

1. Change Your Mind Set

The first hurdle to overcome when it comes to negative feelings about driving is to simply recalibrate how you feel about it all. This is not easy and it requires some thinking time.

Try to look at why driving isn’t a pleasure, look at what makes it stressful and then take these things apart bit by bit. Perhaps other road users might annoy you or even intimidate you. If they do, try to rise above them mentally. They are just people and they are just trying to get somewhere. If they are rude then let them be the unhappy ones, do not let their negative attitude ruin your experience.

The same principle needs to be applied to driving in traffic. A traffic jam is something that can happen to anyone and most of the time it cannot be avoided. Yes, they are boring, but ultimately they are something everyone has to deal with and they don’t really do anyone any harm. The key to traffic jams is to be well prepared and to use the time well.

2. Food and Drink

First of all, it is important to state that eating and drinking while driving, although not illegal, can have legal ramifications. If it is deemed your actions are careless and present a danger to others, then you could be fined.

That being said, one way to make sure driving is a happier experience is to always make sure you have some food and drink close at hand.

This tip really comes into its own if you find yourself in a traffic jam. Simply having a drink and perhaps a small healthy snack can really help take your mind off the traffic and make you feel better.

This can also work wonders if you have passengers, and especially kids in the car. Any type of journey becomes a negative experience if you are hungry or thirsty. Long runs and traffic can become very unpleasant very quickly without sustenance.

3. Entertainment

It is safe to say that nearly all cars these days have at least a radio to keep drivers and passengers entertained and most have a CD player or MP3 options too. However, the type of entertainment you choose can have a big effect on how you feel during the journey.

Music is a great option but make sure you keep a wide choice because a long stint in a jam can soon make one genre sound repetitive. The real tip here though is to think a bit outside the box. Try getting some audio books on CD or MP3. Getting into a good book is a great way to pass the time and taking the edge off a bad traffic congestion.

Family stories like Harry Potter can really engage the kids too and avoid the “are we there yet” whining. Even small runs through rush hour traffic can become enjoyable when you know there is another gripping installment of a new book waiting for you.

But don’t stop at audio books. Try self-help courses, language courses, and so on. The possibilities are huge.

This is not only a way of keeping a drive more interesting. It is also a way of removing the feeling of wasted time behind the wheel.

See Also: Make Memories, Not Conflicts: How to Survive a Road Trip With Small Children

4. Try Different Routes

With today’s GPS and Sat Nav technology comes the ability to take almost any road and still end up being guided to your desired destination. While going in totally the opposite direction is certainly not a great idea, taking that side road you always thought might be a short cut can add some interest to an otherwise dull feeling journey.

A great by-product of trying a new route is finding new scenery to enjoy or maybe even a fun new place to eat at. Even a new route that isn’t that exciting can be better than the same route you always take.

5. Keep Your Car Happy

These tips are about keeping you happy behind the wheel but making sure your car is in tip top condition can actually make driving far less stressful and therefore a happier experience. Whether you admit it to yourself or not, driving a car that has some niggles is stressful.

Those little knocking noises or that intermittent whining can make you quite anxious that the car could break down at any point. It might never materialize but the fact that it is there can cause low level anxiety and make driving an unhappy experience.

Get your car serviced, keep it topped up with oil, water and washer fluid and you may find a weight lifted from your driving you never knew was there.

See Also: How to Find a Good Mechanic in the Age of Social Media 

Driving should not be an unhappy experience. It might not always be the most enjoyable thing you do each day but with a few small changes, you can turn something that you hate into something far more pleasant. This change of heart will have a knock-on effect on how you behave when you reach your destinations too and whether that is work or home, that surely cannot be a bad thing.

 

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