Monday, November 25, 2013
Friday, November 22, 2013
Plan Ahead and Increase Productivity
You have heard the old question, “How do you eat an elephant?” The answer is “One bite at a time!”
By Brian Tracy
Your mind, your ability to think, plan, and decide, is your most powerful tool for overcoming procrastination and increasing your productivity. Your ability to set goals, make plans, and take action on them determines the course of your life. The very act of thinking and planning unlocks your mental powers, triggers your creativity, and increases your mental and physical energies.
Increase Your Return on Energy
One of your top goals at work should be for you to get the highest return on your investment of mental, emotional, and physical energy. The good news is that every minute spent in planning saves as many as ten minutes in execution. It takes only about 10 to 12 minutes for you to plan out your day, but this small investment of time will save you up to two hours (100 to 120 minutes) in wasted time and diffused effort through the day.
You may have heard of the Six-P Formula. It says, “Proper Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance.”
When you consider how helpful planning can be increasing your productivity and performance, it is amazing how few people practice it every single day. And planning is really quite simple to do. All you need is a piece of paper and a pen. The most sophisticated iPhone, computer program, or time planner is based on the same principle. It is based on your sitting down and making a list of everything you have to do before you begin.
Two Extra Hours per Day
Always work from a list. When something new comes up, add it to the list before you do it. You can increase your productivity and output by 25 percent or more-about two hours a day-from the first day that you begin working consistently from a list.
Make your list the night before for the workday ahead. Move everything that you have to do the next day. When you make your life the night before, your subconscious mind will work on your list all night long while you sleep. Often you will wake up with great ideas and insights that you can use to get your job done faster and better than you had initially thought.
The more time you take to make a list of everything you have to do , in advance, the more effective and efficient you will be.
Different Lists for Different Purposes
You need different lists for different purposes. First, you should create a master list on which you write down everything you can think of that you want to do sometime in the future. This is the place where you capture every idea and every new task or responsibility that comes up. You can sort out the items later.
Second, you should have a monthly list that you can make at the end of the month for the month ahead. This may contain items transferred from your master list.
Third, you should have a weekly list where you plan your entire week in advance. This is the list that is under construction as you go through the current week.
This discipline of systematic time planning can be very helpful to you. Many people have told me that the habit of taking a couple of hours at the end of each week to plant the coming week has increased their productivity dramatically and changed their lives completely. This technique will work for you as well.
Planning a Project
When you have a project of any kind, begin by making a list of every step that you will have to complete to finish the project from beginning to end. Organize the steps by priority and sequence. Lay out the project in front of you on paper or on a computer so that you can see every step and task. Then go to work on one task at a time. You will be amazed at how much you get done in this way.
As you work through your lists, you will feel more and more effective and powerful. You will feel more in control of your life. You will be naturally motivated to do even more. You will think better and more creatively, and you will get more and better insights that enable you to do your work even faster.
As you work steadily through your lists, you will develop a sense of positive forward momentum that enables you to overcome procrastination. This feeling of progress gives you more energy and keeps you going throughout the day.
When you plan each day in advance, you will find it much easier to get going and to keep going. The work will go faster and smoother than ever before. You will feel more powerful and competent. You will get more done faster than you thought possible. Eventually, you will become unstoppable.
Hope you find these useful for you in your upcoming days, let us know how you plan ahead and increase your productivity by comment down below.
Thursday, November 21, 2013
What Do Guys Look For In a Girl Friend?
The biggest dilemma women face when it comes to relationships is the other person’s expectations. Ever since we began falling in love, we constantly ask ourselves if we’re ever going to be good enough for them. But fret not, ladies! After talking to several men about town, we’ve uncovered just what men want in a potential girlfriend!
1. “She’s confident in her own skin”
There’s nothing sexier than a woman who is comfortable in her own skin. General Insurance Agent, Yumin, 26, says: “A woman with personality that shines through even in the rain is a keeper. A grown man wants someone who’ll grow with him, not someone to father their unresolved insecurities”. So ladies, work on that winning smile and your self-esteem with these tips.
2. “She’s independent”
A man who is ready to meet their match wants someone with her own personality and opinions, and one who can stand on her own two feet, even emotionally. Sure it’s okay to want a shoulder to cry on, but you can’t seem to function without your man, he’s probably going to head out the nearest exit.
3. “She knows what she wants in bed”
Engineering sales, Seah, 26, will tell you that it’s an incredible turn-on for a man when a woman knows what she wants in boudoir. “Men are very physical creatures and we love if a woman can channel that side of herself, especially in bed”. Don’t hide your sexuality and explore what your inner desires, ladies!
4. “She’s easy to get along with”
An important quality a guy looks for in a woman is her ability to get along with his friends and family. A great girlfriend will not only help your mother in the kitchen, but she’ll also make an effort to get to know your friends. “I don’t want my girlfriend telling me who I should or shouldn’t be friends with, or tell me to ditch the Lee Chong Wei Badminton game just to sit down with her. I want someone who knows how to give and take. That balance is priceless,” said 26-year-old Yung Lin.
5. “She’s smart and plays it cool”
“If there’s one thing more annoying than a bimbo attitude, it’s the overbearing intelligent chick who HAS to be correct all the time,” said Casper, 26. We know every woman has their own intelligent charm, but there’s no need for the entire world to know, right?
6. “I want an honest woman”
Trust is one of the most important aspect of a relationship, so even if you’re still in the early stages of dating, keep things open and honest, especially if you’re still in touch with your ex-boyfriends. Some may disagree to Alvin’s idea, but the 27-year-old feels that it’s probably a good idea that bygones remain bygones. “Call me old fashioned, but if you’ve broken up with someone, it’s not a smart idea to keep in touch. That only makes it harder for me to trust you”.
7. “She can be a dork and be happy about it”
Guys like girls who have a playful side to them. Whether it’s laughing at their own jokes or not taking themselves too seriously, men enjoy the company of women who seem to be more positive in life. “My ideal woman would be able to intrigue me with her mind and sense of humor,”says XP, 26.”A woman who knows how to turn something bad into something light-hearted is a piece of art waiting to be discovered”.
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
6 Places To Look For New Friends
When we were kids, making friends was just a breeze. But now as an adult, you might find it to be a little tricky. Perhaps it’s the awareness of the different kinds of personalities, or you’re simply just picky about who you want to share you secrets with.
But if you’re alone and aren’t quite sure where you can seek potential peers for the long run, here are six suggestions!
1. The Gym
The gym is a great place to break a sweat and perhaps find someone to help keep you motivated. A gym membership not only gives you a place to destress, but it also gives you a chance to connect with someone who shares the same motivation as you do – fitness. So put your headphones down when you’re on the cross trainer once in a while and say hello to the person next to you.
2. A Book Club
There’s a stereotype insisting that book clubs are the best places for introverts to meet friends. We can’t say that for sure, but perhaps it’s more inviting than most situations where the environment is quiet, intimate, and everyone is given a chance to suggest and share opinions. But you don’t have to be the quiet kind to enjoy a conversation about the latest novel.
3. Volunteer Groups
Volunteering is like killing two birds with one stone (metaphorically speaking). It takes you out of your normal routine, and gives you the chance to connect with other people, while building your self-esteem too. You’ll get the chance to meet so many passionate people who’ll show a different side of life, too. So whether it’s an animal shelter, an orphanage, or a group that helps keep the community clean, take the opportunity and meet some people.
4. Traveling
If you’re traveling alone, or even with company, meeting someone along the way makes your trip even better. Meeting another traveler immediately opens the doors for sharing stories and new pathways for adventure. Don’t worry about being too shy, because everyone’s shy too.
5. The Internet
The internet is a great source for networking. Try social app like WeChat that gives you the opportunity to join various interest groups to help you socialize and make new friends in your area. From social interest to business opportunities, you can find just about anything through WeChat. Keep in mind, not everyone is comfortable to meet up even if they seem comfortable to chat with you. Some will, some won't, so what, Next!
6. Conferences and Seminars
Many professional or unprofessional courses is the perfect platform for meeting new people. You get acquainted with a variety of people with different interests, work, and more. These activities also gives the chance to see if you work well as a team, which is always a plus when looking for a new friend.
How do you meet new friends? Please share with us by comment down below, we want to know your unique way of meeting new friends.
5 Ways To Decrease Stress During the Work Week
Sometimes the work week can be extremely stressful. Whether you are bogged down with work, juggling two jobs, or are a full-time student with an internship position, a chaotic schedule certainly takes a toll on our bodies. It can be easy to forget to slow down and recharge. Take a breather and try out these five ways to help decrease your stress levels.