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Dumb Little Man - Personal Development Blog
Dumb Little Man - Tips for Life

15 Awesome Tutorial Websites You Probably Don't Know About
23 Nov 2008 at 12:12am

If I were forced to choose an aspect of the internet that made it simply indispensable, it would definitely be its availability as a huge learning resource. 20 years ago, who would have thought that one would have easy access to already completed business documents, research papers of world class universities, free encyclopedias and some great books, no matter where he or she is located in the world.

The internet also boasts of accommodating tutorials to absolutely anything. Here are 15 such super-useful sites which aim to provide you with all the tutorials you'd ever need.
  • How Stuff Works
    How Stuff Works is probably the best known How-to tutorials site. It has has a vast and diverse collection with topics ranging from food, health, computers, etc. One of the best things about this site is that it explains even the toughest tutorial in a very simple and easy to understand language.

  • YouTube
    Surprised' Well, it shouldn't be if you use YouTube a lot. Yesterday my younger brother bought a new guitar and the very first thing he needed to do was to tune it. So he just logged on, went to youtube.com and searched for "How to tune a guitar". And there you go! He had a nice video explaining the process step-by-step.

  • eHow
    eHow is another comprehensive tutorials website with detailed instructions on how to do just about anything. Like How Stuff Works, this site also covers a wide range of topics.

  • About.com's Video Tutorials
    About.com's video tutorial site has a collection of very informative how-to videos and screencasts on topics which include Parenting, Style, Electronics and Gadgets, etc. I found the collection to be very comprehensive and probably better than You Tube's collection of similar videos.

  • wikiHow
    wikiHow, as it says, is an editable How-to site with 40,100 articles contributed by volunteers from different parts of the world. You're sure to find some nice tutorials here too.

  • Instructables
    Instructables is a cool Do-It-Yourself site that has an extensive collection of user submitted how-to articles and easy instructions complete with videos and photographs. It's a community driven website where you can submit content, vote and comment on existing content.

  • Wired's How-To Wiki
    Wired magazine's how-to wiki has some very elaborate and detailed tutorials focussed primarily on topics like Gadgets, Technology and Computers. You can also subscribe to its RSS feed to get them the new how-to articles directly in your feed reader.

  • PC World's How-to Site
    PC World, one of the best tech journals available, also has a how to site that publishes technology focused tutorials related to various electronic gadgets, hardware and software applications.

  • VideoJug
    When it comes to how-to video tutorial sites, VideoJug is probably the largest and most comprehensive. It has videos on varied subjects like choosing a new hairstyle, playing golf, installing windows or how to kiss someone passionately.

  • W3Schools
    W3Schools is a first class web development tutorials website which provides easy reference guides on languages like HTML, XHTML, CSS, PHP and JavaScript. All the tutorials are free and nicely explained through various examples.

  • NETTUTS And PSDTUTS
    NETTUTS and PSDTUTS are sister sites, in fact blogs, and definitely one of the best online resources on web development and Photoshop skills. NETTUTS explores web development and designing in detail while PSDTUTS provides some world-class Adobe Photoshop tutorials.

  • 5min
    5min is a video tutorial site with a difference- the videos are short and no more than 5 mins. Like other video sites, this too covers a wide range of topics, however it's yet to take on sites like VideoJug in the online video tutorial space.

  • SuTree
    Sutree aggregates the best video tutorials from other video sites and covers a variety of topics like softwares, games, pets & animals etc. Like instructables, SuTree is also a community driven website and lets you find videos through tags and subscribe to the RSS feed of the site.

  • VTC
    Although VTC is not entirely free to use, it does provide some nice tutorials on software and business applications. Out of around 66,000 tutorials, it provides 12,500 for free.

  • Good Tutorials
    Good Tutorials has a nice collection of graphic design tutorials which it aggregates through various web design sites and blogs. And yes, it's free to use !
  • So overall, with the exception of VTC, all the other sites are completely free and can certainly fetch you any tutorial you can ever imagine. Hope you enjoy using them. :)

    Cheers,

    Abhijeet

    Written by Abhijeet Mukherjee. You can catch him at Jeet Blog where he blogs about different Web 2.0 apps and online tools and how they can help you become more productive.Photo Credit:
    LizMarie
    ~~Great Free eBook written by a friend, Jonathan Fields~~

    With everyone focusing so much on the negative side of the economic meltdown, there a massive opportunity that's being missed. It's not scammy, it's not about capitalizing on people's misfortune or cashing in on a on trend. It's real, it's deep and if you tap it, it will change the way you work and live. It's all laid out in the revolutionary Fire Fly Manifesto



    How Long Could You Survive Without A Job'
    21 Nov 2008 at 11:42am

    If you lost your job tomorrow, how long would you survive solely on your savings account' Here in the UK, a survey a few months ago revealed that a third of people have only enough saved to last them for eleven days.

    However secure you think your job is, don't assume that you're immune to the current economic situation; good employees lose good jobs in bad times. Over the past several months, we've seen huge companies, once considered unbreakable, disappear overnight.

    I am not going to tell you that I have a solution to our global economic dilemma. However, I am going to tell you that being fired while prepared is a lot better than being caught off guard. So, while you needn't get paranoid and start worrying that the sky is falling, you should work to prepare yourself a little. What is the contingency plan'

    Here are four steps to get you started.
  • Keep Your Resume Up To Date
    This is something simple you could sort out today ' making sure you have an accurate, fully up-to-date resume. If the last time you wrote a resume was when you applied for your current job, it might need a lot of updating. Check out dates and job titles, and think about the 'soft skills' you want to include. Get someone to proof-read your resume for you. Make sure that it's as well formatted and displayed as possible. And double-check your contact details; even if you haven't moved, chances are you've changed your mobile number or email address in the past few years.

    The last thing you want on your plate when bad news arrives is having to sort out your resume, so get into the habit of updating it on a regular basis ' perhaps every six months.

    See also:
    Resume Presentation (from Monster.com)

  • Build Up An Emergency Fund
    If you have a meager savings account, start building up an emergency fund. This is something you only dip into in the case of dire need: being sacked, medical crisis, family disaster. Even if you can only save $20 a week, that'll be $520 after six months (and that's without interest): enough to make a significant difference if times get really tight.

    Ideally, you want to get your emergency fund big enough to cover two or three months of expenses. Then, if you're laid off, you have time to hunt for a new job without your family being in financial crisis.

    See also:
    How and Why to Start an Emergency Fund (from Get Rich Slowly blog)

  • Minimize Your Expenses Now
    Cutting down on your outgoings now has two benefits:

    • You'll start saving money which you can put into your emergency fund
    • You won't be paying unnecessary fees if you do lose your job

    If you have gym membership that you rarely or never use, cancel it. Gyms and health clubs require a minimum of one month's notice when you want to cancel ' you don't want to be hit with that steep monthly bill if you're unemployed. Even if you are a regular gym-goer, look around for cheaper alternatives.

    Hunt for a better deal on any forms of insurance you have. Look at household bills, and see what's costing a lot. Can you cut down on phone calls during peak hours or use Skype as an alternative' Are you paying for an expensive monthly plan on your mobile when you only use half the minutes'

    Don't forget small, daily, expenses which can add up to more than the monthly ones. Brown-bag lunch to take into work, rather than buying a sandwich every day. Think about the costs of those bits and pieces you buy on impulse.

    See also:
    Evaluating Your Expenses: Housing (from The Simple Dollar blog)
    Evaluating Your Expenses: Monthly Services (from The Simple Dollar blog)

  • Build a Second Income Stream
    Once you've sorted out your resume, started your emergency fund, and cut down on your expenses, you should be in a pretty good position to weather financial storms. However, this fourth tip allows you to actively get extra money ' it could even grow to enough to replace your current job.

    Starting a second income stream means finding a way to make some money, however little, outside your primary job. That could mean almost anything: running a stall at a Saturday market, making craft items with your kids and selling them on ebay (selling the craft items, that is, not the kids'), creating a website that attracts lots of readers and earns money through advertising, etc.

    Good places to start building a second income stream are your hobbies and interests. What do you do in your spare time' How might you make money from it' Think creatively!

    The internet has opened up a huge number of ways for everyday folks to make good money, and it's worth looking for non-scammy opportunities. I've enjoyed the free material that Naomi from IttyBiz has published as part of her 'Online Business School' which includes the audio part of one of the pay-for modules, about creating small websites.

    See also:
    7 Key Factors to Build Successful Income Streams (from Moolanomy blog)
    40 Ways to Make Money on the Internet (from Dumb Little Man)
  • So what about you' How long could you survive if you lost your job tomorrow' What steps are you actively taking ' or are you going to take ' in order to make your financial situation secure, even with a temporary loss of income'

    Written on 11/21/2008 by Ali Hale. Ali runs Alpha Student, a blog packed with academic, financial and practical tips to help students get the most out of their time at university.Photo Credit: spaceodissey
    ~~Great Free eBook written by a friend, Jonathan Fields~~

    With everyone focusing so much on the negative side of the economic meltdown, there a massive opportunity that's being missed. It's not scammy, it's not about capitalizing on people's misfortune or cashing in on a on trend. It's real, it's deep and if you tap it, it will change the way you work and live. It's all laid out in the revolutionary Fire Fly Manifesto



    Can You Improve Meetings with Right-Brained Thinking'
    21 Nov 2008 at 7:50am

    Target Red RoomThe New York Times recently featured an article about how tapping into the power of the right brain can enhance meetings and improve productivity. The point of the article was simple; if you want to spur creativity, capture and hold attention, and promote innovation and interaction, you need to create a space that stimulates the creative, social side of the brain - the right side.

    The left side of the brain is all about linear stuff - spreadsheets, lists, agendas and outlines. It's predictable, straightforward - and to most people, boring. On the other hand, the right brain thrives on non-linear activity - games and play, unusual activities, and non-predictable interactivity. It's fun, engaging and creative. So how do you tap into your team's right hemispheres'

    Here are a few tips from the experts:

    Keep them moving
    "People tend to shut down if they can't get up and move around," notes Stacy Evans, executive administrator at Cisco Systems. Break up your meetings with games, stretching breaks, physically active exercises and other activities. Or hold the meeting outside in a beautiful setting and walk while you talk, stopping for breakaway sessions and rest periods as needed.

    Get comfortable
    "Hard wooden chairs don't do it anymore," says Meeting Professionals International chief executive Bruce MacMillan. Instead of a bunch of hard seats around a conference table, hold your meeting in a setting comprised of several small and comfortable seating arrangements. Not only will this help you keep your participants attention on the meeting (instead of their aching rear ends), it'll help promote conversation and breakaway groups.

    Have fun
    Play is a great way to stimulate the right side of the brain. It can be as simple as putting toys out on the tables or as complicated as a day-long scavenger hunt. No matter what level you choose, injecting play into your meeting will help participants tap into their creative energy, cross-pollinate ideas and relax into broader, more innovative thinking.

    Enhance sensory input
    Create a sense-stimulating environment to really rev up right-brain thinking. Colorful furnishings, art, live flowers, unusual foods and beverages, music, aromatherapy - all these things can turn on participants senses and turn up their creativity. The human mind is like any other thinking machine - the greater and more diverse the input, the better and more interesting the output.

    Mix it up
    Keep your participants' minds from getting stale by mixing up activities. Have a sit-down discussion in the morning over breakfast, then break out into walking discussion groups in the afternoon. Reconvene after dinner for an evening of games and creative brainstorming. On day two, start the day with a guided meditation, then split off into conversation groups to continue yesterday's discussions. The less predictable and more interesting the schedule, the more likely you are to jog loose something wonderful.

    Bringing the right side of the brain into your meetings may mean using unfamiliar methodology, but the results can be incredible. Speaking about a sales conference that netted a 40 to 50 percent increase in sales (significantly above the normal "conference boost"), GroupSystems product management senior director Diana Peterson said, "It was about getting people in the right frame of mind'breaking down barriers, getting people talking and making decisions they might not make because maybe they feel more daring." And that's a result worth getting excited about.



    Written on 11/21/2008 by David Bohl. David shares the viral message Slow Down FAST and helps people raise the roof on all facets of their lives without risking implosion. Get some must-haves here.Photo Credit: AlexanderK
    ~~Great Free eBook written by a friend, Jonathan Fields~~

    With everyone focusing so much on the negative side of the economic meltdown, there a massive opportunity that's being missed. It's not scammy, it's not about capitalizing on people's misfortune or cashing in on a on trend. It's real, it's deep and if you tap it, it will change the way you work and live. It's all laid out in the revolutionary Fire Fly Manifesto



    How to be a Great Guest in Your Parent's Home
    21 Nov 2008 at 2:31am

    Even once you're an adult, there are dozens of occasions you'll want to stay at your parents' home.

    Whether you're a student wanting somewhere to sleep rent-free during the summer, a broke graduate needing a base to job-hunt from, or simply in town for an extended holiday, here's eight easy and sure-fire ways to be a great guest in your parents' home (and to be sure you're invited back!).

  • Show up with flowers or another small gift
    Even if you're a full time undergraduate, presenting your mom with a giant bag of laundry the minute you walk in the door might not make the best first impression. How about picking up a bunch of cheerful flowers on the way home (they don't have to be pricy) or a box of chocolates' My college sold bottles of wine and port with the college crest on the label. Those made for nice gifts.

    If you work full-time and are just popping home for a few days, the same still goes; take along a little gift that is associated with your home city or state.

  • Make yourself at home but don't take them for granted
    Unless your parents have moved since you lived at home, you probably know where everything is kept. Don't stand on ceremony. Help yourself to coffee, but ask if anyone else wants one too. Get your own snacks, though check you're not inadvertently eating your younger sister's last cookie.

    Don't take your parents for granted, though. Inviting a bunch of friends over without asking, then raiding the liquor cabinet, is unreasonable behavior.

  • Help out with chores without being asked
    One guaranteed way to impress your mom and dad is to do any little chores you spot ' without them having to ask. If they've gone to work or shopping and you're in the house, why not do the washing up, unpack the dishwasher, give the bathroom a quick clean, or put on a load of laundry for them'

    It doesn't take up much of your time and it's worth it for the look on your mom's face when she comes home and realizes the 'washing-up fairy' has magically changed a heap of dirty dishes into neatly-stacked clean ones.

  • Offer to cook dinner
    This one might depend on your culinary skills but if you're at home for an extended stay, offer to cook dinner at least once a week. (If you really can't cook, at least offer to help your mom or dad when they're preparing a meal ' perhaps you could chop up veg or prepare a salad.)

    Preparing a meal also works well if you're visiting home for a particular occasion. My boyfriend and I cooked a three-course Mothers' day lunch for my mother and grandmother this year and it was very well received!

  • Tell them if you're going out
    One of the nice things about independent adult life is the ability to come and go as you please. But when you're staying with your parents, it's courteous to let them know that you're going out and give them an idea of when you'll be back.

  • Spend quality time with them ' join in with family activities
    Don't just treat your parents' place as a free motel to crash at when you stagger home in the early hours. Spend a few evenings with your family; maybe seeing a movie (even if it's not quite what you'd have picked), or going bowling or to the ice rink with them.

    If you have younger siblings, this is a great way to reconnect with them. Yes, you've grown up and perhaps grown apart in the past few years ' but you might find you now have new things in common.

  • Be willing to adjust your routine to match your family's
    Student sleeping habits can sometimes be a little ' different ' to those of the rest of the world. If you habitually go to bed at four am and rise in time for a late lunch, you may need to modify your schedule a bit. The same goes for mealtimes ' maybe you normally order a late-night pizza, but your family eats dinner at six.

    Try to fit in with family life, even if that means learning how to get up early.

  • Send a 'thank you for having me' note
    After a visit to your parents', you should send a thank you note (sometimes known as a 'bread-and-butter note'). It doesn't need to be long; just use a nice note card and write something like, 'Thank you for having me to stay last week. It was great to catch up with everyone, and wonderful to have some home cooking!'

    Your parents probably won't expect to get a note, so it's a nice way to surprise them and to ensure that you'll be welcome back next time!
  • Are you a regular guest in your parents' home, with tips on how to make the visit go smoothly' Or do you have student kids who regularly appear on the doorstep and take you for granted' Let us know your experiences!

    Written on 11/21/2008 by Ali Hale. Ali runs Alpha Student, a blog packed with academic, financial and practical tips to help students get the most out of their time at university.Photo Credit: jasonatennui
    ~~Great Free eBook written by a friend, Jonathan Fields~~

    With everyone focusing so much on the negative side of the economic meltdown, there a massive opportunity that's being missed. It's not scammy, it's not about capitalizing on people's misfortune or cashing in on a on trend. It's real, it's deep and if you tap it, it will change the way you work and live. It's all laid out in the revolutionary Fire Fly Manifesto



    20 Fun Things You Can Do with Family on Thanksgiving
    20 Nov 2008 at 1:08pm

    We all know some of the favorite things people like to do on Thanksgiving: watch football, watch The Macy's Day Parade, and of course taking a nap after gorging on Turkey.

    Well the purpose of this article is to inspire everyone who reads it to turn off the TV (web, video games) for part of the day and really spend some quality time with your friends and family. You'll have have fun doing it and you'll create fun, fond memories.

    1. Take a Walk. Pick an enjoyable destination. All you need to bring are your sneakers and conversation! Or you could join a Thanksgiving road race or road walk.

    2. Play Touch Football. Or soccer, tag, hide-n-seek, etc. Just get outside with the gang and do something that involves running around and taking in some nice fresh air.

    3. Boardgames! Get out those games you have in the closet since last Christmas and haven't played yet. Scrabble, Life, Yahtzee, Cranium, Trivial Pursuit, Trouble, Chutes & Ladders, whatever! Have some silly fun!

    4. Play Charades. This doesn't take much. Make your own rules as you go. Have fun!

    5. Sing-a-Long. Karaoke. Get out the instruments, guitars, piano. Dust off that accordion. Bring out the tambourines, spoons, etc. Put on a holiday radio station and sing along. Make up a contest. You can really have fun with this.

    6. Memory Sharing. Share stories. You can pick a theme such as:
    • The greatest day of my life.

    • The best thing that happened in my life this year.

    • My favorite memory from childhood.

    • The funniest thing that ever happened to me.
    Have someone scribe the stories or videotape the event.

    7. Share Thanks. At dinner have everyone share what they are thankful for before eating dinner.

    8. Silly Dance Contest. Just like it says. Be silly. Dance. Make up your own rules.

    9. Kids Talent Show. There's usually one grownup at family gatherings who likes to get the kids doing activities. If you're that person maybe you want to have the kids perform for the whole family after dinner. While everyone is watching football you could throw it together. (Of course adults can join the show too!)

    10. I Love My Family because.... Gather round as a family and have each person share what they love about the family.

    11. Share the Love. Have the family all in one room and have each person tell why they admire the person next to him/her. And then that person says why they admire the person next to him/her, and so on. "I Admire ___________ because..."

    12. Treasure Hunt. Create a simple treasure map and "prizes." There can be one prize or multiple prizes, like an egg-hunt. Ideas for prizes: chocolate turkeys (is there such a thing') or a packet of coins or a gift certificate wrapped up in a box. Share your ideas in the comments please!

    13. Name That Tune. Play the humming game where each teams or individuals have to name the tune.

    14. The Questions Game. Here is a link to a family game with very few rules. You get to make up the rules. The idea is to spark conversations, have fun, and get to know each other better.

    15. The Craziest Thing .... (that I saw or experienced this year). As a family tell stories that can be true or made up. It can be a little bit like "To Tell the Truth." Everyone tells a crazy story that is either true or made up and everyone has to guess if it is true or not. And the story doesn't have to be something that they actually experienced.

    16. Our Family Tree. Have everyone imprint a fingerpaint handprint on a big sheet of paper with their name underneath. You can have it framed or take a picture of it to share with everyone.

    17. Start a Thanksgiving Day Banner. Starting this year create a banner that can hang in your living room that will have a picture of the whole family from each year. It can become an heirloom for future generations. You could also create a similar item electronically say with a website.

    18. Three Legged Races. Link up kids/grownups. You could also try a sack race or create an obstacle course race too. Have some fun silly prizes or simple privilege prizes like the first place team doesn't have to help with clean up or they get first dibs on the turkey.

    19. Family Thanksgiving Journal. Grab a blank notebook. It doesn't have to be fancy. Write down everyone's thanks for this year. And then next year do the same so that over time you build a treasured family book of thanks as well as a sort of family history.

    20. Make Me Laugh. Tell jokes. You can make it into a game to see if you can get someone to laugh. Can be done as individuals, round-robin, or as teams.

    Happy Thanksgiving all! Enjoy!

    Please share your favorite Thanksgiving traditions and family fun activities in the comments! We'd love to hear your ideas!

    Originally written for Dumb Little Man by K. Stone in 2007. She is the author of Life Learning Today, a blog about daily life improvements. Photo by Cameron Nordholm~~Great Free eBook written by a friend, Jonathan Fields~~

    With everyone focusing so much on the negative side of the economic meltdown, there a massive opportunity that's being missed. It's not scammy, it's not about capitalizing on people's misfortune or cashing in on a on trend. It's real, it's deep and if you tap it, it will change the way you work and live. It's all laid out in the revolutionary Fire Fly Manifesto



    3 Simple Ways to Beat the Afternoon Slump
    20 Nov 2008 at 1:56am

    Anyone who has worked a day in his or her life knows of the afternoon slump. As the clock strikes 3 in the afternoon, head's start to feel heavy, eyes blur, and the text on your computer screen grows dim and fuzzy. An epic brain fog rolls in and you find yourself stumbling to the kitchen in search of caffeine and anything containing a bit of sugar.

    After your fix, you leave the kitchen only to see a steady stream of fellow workmates suffering the same affliction. Like zombies, they pass you in the hall. A short time later, you feel temporarily pepped-up and get serious about productivity. You plug away like mad trying to match the output levels you achieved in the morning.

    By the time that afternoon slump hits you, there is little you can do beyond seeking a quick energy fix. It's no wonder that coffee breaks are written into just about every employment contract. Don't be fooled into thinking it's for your benefit though. Can you imagine what productivity would be like if you didn't have your afternoon coffee breaks'

    Be assured there is a healthy alternative to using fake energy sources such as caffeine and sugar. Today I'm going to share with you some of the key things I've learned over the years. Whether it was guzzling super strong cups of coffee at work or battling chronic fatigue, I have had plenty of opportunities to learn about how our bodies work and more importantly here, what gives us long term energy.
  • Eat a correct breakfast
    According to a survey carried out on behalf of [pdf] America's Breakfast Council, roughly half of the population does not eat breakfast. According to a University of Massachusetts study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology (vol. 158, No. 1, Pp. 85-92) eating breakfast away from home increases your risk of obesity by a whopping 137%! If you're not eating breakfast at all, then you're increasing your risk of developing obesity by, wait for it, 450%!

    So, now that you know your parents were right and you should eat your breakfast, what should you be eating' You're probably thinking cereal (carbohydrates), or pancakes (carbohydrates), fruit (carbohydrates), waffles (carbohydrates), yogurt (minimal protein), juice (carbohydrates), or a granola bar (carbohydrates). See a pattern'

    Instead, try eating a breakfast that has a ratio of 1:1 carbohydrates to protein. Experiment and compare how your body feels when you eat a breakfast of almost pure carbohydrates. When I went on my road trip, I made sure I ate a large breakfast with plenty or protein and had protein with every meal whenever I stopped to get fuel. Try it, listen to your body and adjust accordingly.

  • Go nuts!
    If you don't currently eat nuts then you should be. It's time you went nuts about nuts! Specifically I am talking about raw almonds, walnuts and pecans. There are a growing number of people allergic to peanuts. What you should know about peanuts is that they are not actually nuts. Peanuts are legumes, thus the 'pea' nut.

    Nuts are comprised primarily of fat and protein. Search for the Glycemic Index of most nuts and you'll notice that they all have an extremely low if not zero GI. What this means is nuts are a fantastic source of fuel for your body that will be released in a long slow gradual manner. Do this instead of reaching for fake energy boosts from caffeine and sugar. Consuming caffeine and sugar to stay productive is only going to damage your health.

    You can keep a container of mixed raw nuts at your desk at work and enjoy small snacks during the day without interrupting your work. In fact you're likely to increase your productivity. This will keep your metabolism burning (aiding fat loss) and keep your blood sugar levels steady.

  • Get out of the office during your lunch break
    Beyond dietary considerations, this is probably one of the most effective things you can do to beat the afternoon slump. As I mentioned in Stop the Laziness! 6 Simple Ways to Start Exercising Today, instead of staying at your desk and idly surfing the Internet during your lunch break, get out of the office for a brisk walk.

    Many people have experienced the huge difference from getting out at lunch. Try it out and when you're ready, start taking the stairs instead of the elevator. What's so fantastic about this is there are so many benefits to be enjoyed from this simple change.
  • Give these tips a try and please let us know how it went by leaving a comment. Also please share any other healthy ways you have been able to beat the afternoon slump.

    Written on 11/20/2008 by Stephen Cox. Stephen learned the vital importance of good health the hard way having overcome open heart surgery at age 7, chronic fatigue at age 20 and debilitating migraines in between. Today Stephen writes daily at Balanced Existence where he shares the knowledge gained from his personal journey.Photo Credit:
    miss karen
    ~~Great Free eBook written by a friend, Jonathan Fields~~

    With everyone focusing so much on the negative side of the economic meltdown, there a massive opportunity that's being missed. It's not scammy, it's not about capitalizing on people's misfortune or cashing in on a on trend. It's real, it's deep and if you tap it, it will change the way you work and live. It's all laid out in the revolutionary Fire Fly Manifesto



    15 Most Useful Productivity Tips for Windows Users
    19 Nov 2008 at 12:18pm

    Our pursuit of increased productivity is endless. Right when you think that you are at your peak productivity level, new ideas or technologies pop out of nowhere and force you to reconsider your process.

    Listen, no matter how good things are, there are always things that can be tweaked to perform better. Take the PC for example. Out of the box, a Windows PC can be very unproductive since most of the applications that come pre-installed aren't very functional. In this post, I'll show typical Windows users how they can double or even triple their productivity.
  • Reduce the Number of Auto-starting Programs
    As your PC ages, it tends to get filled with a lot of auto-starting programs. These programs may be things you do indeed use a lot, but do they need to be started every time you boot your PC' You can remove unnecessary programs and services from starting-up automatically by downloading an app such as RevoUninstaller. RevoUnintaller is great for doing this because it tells you if the application is critical to the system and if it's safe to disable.

  • Configure Windows Updates Properly
    There's one very annoying thing about Windows Update. After it has downloaded the latest patches and fixes, it will constantly send up pop-up reminders asking you to restart your PC. You not only lose time clicking the 'Restart Later' button, but if you accidentally press the 'Restart Now' button or if it restarts your PC automatically, you can loose valuable data.

    To disable this behavior, right-click on 'My Computer', go to the 'Automatic Updates' tab, and select the 2nd option: 'Download updates for me, but let me choose when to install them'. Click 'OK' and you're done.

  • Get Mozilla Firefox
    Firefox is the best browser, period. It's one of the fastest browsers and it's limitlessly customizable. If you don't use Firefox as your browser, you're not maximizing your output. Firefox has a lot of plugins but these two posts will point you to the best ones:


  • Learn Keyboard Shortcuts
    Most of the time it's much faster to navigate Windows with a keyboard than with a mouse. This is especially true with applications such as your browser and your word processor. Learn keyboard shortcuts and you'll be saving a lot of time everyday.

  • Get Digsby
    You probably have at least 3 instant messaging clients running on your PC at this moment. In addition to it being absolutely painful to search three services for someone's name, it's wasting a ton of time. The solution to your woes is Digsby. Digsby supports AIM, Yahoo!, MSN, ICQ, Google Talk, and Jabber. It even supports Facebook Chat! So now you can manage your email and social networking accounts right from the window. To keep things under control, it features tabbed conversation windows. What more could you ask for'

  • Declutter and Organize Your Desktop
    Clutter saps productivity. A clean and organized desktop will definitely make your more productive as you won't have to sift through your collection of 91 desktop shortcuts. Remove the shortcuts to apps you don't use regularly.

  • Use MemoKeys
    Some of you might have heard of AutoHotKey and know that is a way to assign key strokes to actions. MemoKeys is similar, just a lot easier to use and configure. It saves you time by letting you call up commonly used text with keystroke combos.

  • Uninstall Unneeded Software
    I'm sure your PC has lots and lots of programs that are just lying there, rotting away. Uninstall them! Removing the clutter from your PC will help you function better and get rid of distractions.

  • Get RoboForm
    RoboForm is a must-have utility that stores your login info for every site, fills-in forms automatically, and has a random password generator. It's very useful as it saves the time you spend filling in forms, searching for passwords, and trying to remember all your user ids and passwords. It's not freeware but you can use the code GOOG1 to get $6 off.

  • Use VLC Media Player
    Windows Media Player isn't a good media player as it requires you to install codecs to play the more obscure formats. For this reason, VLC Media Player is a godsend as it can play virtually any media file you throw at it, including DVDs, CDs, and various streaming protocols.

  • Automate PC Maintenance Tasks
    Doing things such as defragging your hard disk, running a virus/spyware scan, and backing-up your files manually can be cumbersome and time consuming. Instead, use Windows' 'Scheduled Tasks'. Some apps also have built-in schedulers available. A more intuitive utility to do this is WakeupOnStandBy.

  • Use RadarSync to Automatically Update Programs and Drivers
    RadarSync can easily update most of your programs and drivers in one click. The premium version of RadarSync also allows you to schedule a scan for checking updates for your programs. A nice alternative to it is the FileHippo Update Checker.

  • Organize Your Most Visited Programs & Folders in Start Menu
    For quick two-click access to your most visited programs and folder, I suggest you add them to the start menu. To reduce start menu clutter, I also suggest you change the number of most-frequented programs that Windows automatically displays in the Start Menu to 0. You can do this by right-clicking on the start button, make sure the radio box beside 'Start menu' is selected, and click 'Customize'. You'll find the setting I mentioned under 'Programs'.

  • Organize Your Most Visited Programs & Folders in the QuickStart Menu
    There's one more way you can gain easy two-click access to your most-visited programs: through the QuickStart bar.

  • Use Docks
    A Mac-like dock can make it very easy to open frequented apps, and it's a great alternative to using desktop shortcuts to launch stuff. The two best dock programs in the market are RocketDock and ObjectDock.
  • I can assure you that if you follow all of these tips that you'll become more productive by a few hundred percentage points; at least I did. Improving your productivity isn't about reading articles; it's about reading articles and taking action soon afterwards. Go, take action!

    Written on 11/19/2008 by Ruchir Chawdhry. You can catch him at TechVivo where he'll help you get more from technology, your gadgets, and the internet.
    ~~Great Free eBook written by a friend, Jonathan Fields~~

    With everyone focusing so much on the negative side of the economic meltdown, there a massive opportunity that's being missed. It's not scammy, it's not about capitalizing on people's misfortune or cashing in on a on trend. It's real, it's deep and if you tap it, it will change the way you work and live. It's all laid out in the revolutionary Fire Fly Manifesto



    5 Steps to Creating a Killer Career Plan
    18 Nov 2008 at 1:00pm

    How many people out there are unhappy with their careers' Many people don't even consider themselves as having "careers" per se, they just have jobs.

    For many people, their career or job feels more like it picked them rather than the other way around. Have you ever looked back on your time working at your career/job and wondered how so much time got away from you and why you didn't make a change yet'

    Life is too short to work at a job in which you are unhappy. Most people stay in their current jobs because it is comfortable and they are probably comfortable with their duties and responsibilities. Nothing new to learn, you have it all figured out right'

    Well what most people don't think about is that the seemingly secure, dependable job you have could be terminated tomorrow. Some people have mandated job security, like tenure with teachers. But the overwhelming majority of us could be fired from our jobs tomorrow. So don't keep working at a job you don't like because you feel some false sense of security. Go do what you enjoy, because that job security you feel is most likely misplaced.

    Follow these steps to find the career make you feel fulfilled.
  • Create A Fake Advertisement About Yourself
    If you had to write a five sentence advertisement about yourself highlighting your best attributes, what would it look like' What would you say' Stop wondering. Sit down and do it. Write out 3-5 sentences describing your best work related attributes that an employer would be most interested in.

    This exercise takes some real, honest self analysis. Truly look at your work ethic and marketable skills and try to put them in the best possible light. Once you are satisfied with your description for your ad, sit and think about how you might like to improve the description of yourself. What would be some great attributes to have' What could you do to improve yourself so that your ad seems more appealing'

    Now that you have done your self analysis and created an honest, positive advertisement for yourself, and also identified goals to improve your self description, it's time to make your advertisement for some far off date in the future. Pick a time period within which you seek to accomplish your career goals. I recommend at least five years, but it could be ten or twenty, it is up to you. Envision what you would like to accomplish in that time period and the skills you would have to possess in order to accomplish those things. What attributes would you need to possess in order to reach such goals' What experiences would you have to list in a description of yourself'

    Remember, you are selling yourself, so be optimistic and positive about what you can accomplish in the time period you have set for yourself. Look at the advertisement for the future and picture how you can accomplish those goals and gain those attributes and experiences. Once you identify who you want to be in the future, you can start taking the steps to get there.

  • Share Your Advertisement
    Creating a career plan is really about pleasing yourself and making sure that you are working on a career that makes you happy. At the end of the day, YOU need to feel fulfilled. Do not make a career plan you think will make other people happy, make one that will make YOU happy. However, a little feedback can be a positive thing.

    Share your plan with someone you trust. Tell them you are thinking about your long term career goals and that you have created a description of your future self that you hope to achieve through self development. That person may see some holes in your description, or an area you may not have considered. Many times, a second set of eyes can really help open up a different perspective on self analysis and goal setting.

  • Develop A Plan
    Creating a future advertisement for yourself does little good without taking steps to become that person. You need to chart out a plan for meeting each specific attribute you listed for your future self. If you want more experience in a certain field, consider volunteering on a small scale to get your foot in the door until you can get a paid position. If your future self requires more education to reach your goals, check out the courses offered in your area that may lead you down the path to your future ideal self.

    This could be a time consuming process filled with research and leg work. Plus, it is not as fun as sitting and writing down a description of who you would like to be. That exercise is filled with wonderment and positivity. Developing a plan is tough leg work. However, a future description of yourself without a plan to get there is useless. Getting to be the person you want to be and the career you strive for will be hard work. Don't let anyone fool you into believing anything else. But at least you will have the good feeling of knowing you are starting to set the wheels in motion to become your future ideal self.

    The point here is that you need to make a plan to achieve specific goals that will build on one another and eventually culminate in you becoming the embodiment of the person you described in your future self advertisement.

  • Take Action
    Now that you have a plan to become that person you described in your future ad, you need to begin implementing the steps you laid out in your plan. Set aside a time period every week where you can sit down with your future self ad and your plan to evaluate what you have done to reach your goal and carry out your plan. Congratulate yourself on steps you have taken, and be brutally honest if you have not done much of anything constructive to meet your goals.

    This is a self evaluation exercise, but it does not end with the descriptions of yourself in your present and future advertisements. Self evaluation throughout the process is essential to ensure you are continuing to take steps to meet your career goals and to maintain the motivation you need to make any of the big changes in yourself you need in order to become that future person you described.

  • Visualize
    The last step here involves visualizing what you will be like in the future, after you have become that future person you described. Think about the happiness and fulfillment that will result from you working at a career you love. What will that bring with it' Make sure you think about the payoffs and why you want to be that person. I suggest doing this at the end of your weekly session to evaluate how you have implemented your plan.

    Visualization will help you to maintain motivation to become that future person and create that career you seek. Many times with these type of goals setting exercises, people start out strong, but then fade when the motivation wanes. Visualizing the greatness and positivity that will result from you meeting your goals, carrying out your plan, and becoming that person you seek to be will help maintain your motivation you need to carry you to the end of your journey.

  • Written on 11/18/2008 by Mike S. Mike writes about personal development for intellectual thinkers at his website at his website mikesalara.comPhoto Credit: Georgio
    ~~Great Free eBook written by a friend, Jonathan Fields~~

    With everyone focusing so much on the negative side of the economic meltdown, there a massive opportunity that's being missed. It's not scammy, it's not about capitalizing on people's misfortune or cashing in on a on trend. It's real, it's deep and if you tap it, it will change the way you work and live. It's all laid out in the revolutionary Fire Fly Manifesto



    Do's and Don'ts Learned from James Bond
    18 Nov 2008 at 2:07am

    For all of his jet setting, super-spy ways, designer tuxedos and decades of hot babes, James Bond isn't the greatest of role models. Bond may be hitting the big screen once again, but that doesn't mean you should suddenly go out and try to find your own 'Quantum of Solace' (whatever that is).

    Instead, consider 007 as the Goofus and Gallant of international intrigue. There are some things Bond does very, very well and there are other traits he has that should be avoided like Oddjob's iron-brimmed hat.

    Here are some Do's and Don't of the James Bond lifestyle:

    Do: Have a style all your own. If there is one thing Bond is known for is his signature drink of a vodka martini ' shaken not stirred. If you want to stand out in the crowd, it's best to develop your own tastes. In clothes, drink, books, film and habits, you should be unique and not just go with the crowd. Make something your own and develop an expertise in what you like.
    Don't: Drink too much. Honestly, how many martinis can one man have and still have a steady trigger finger' Enjoy your signature drink, but don't make it a punchline (or a catchphrase) because you'll drink it a little too often.

    Do: Have skills. Bond is ready to adapt to tough situations. He can sit down and play world class poker at the Casino Royale, scuba dive, and converse with a Russian bombshell. The more you know the better you will be able to be flexible and successful in a turbulent situation.
    Don't: Be a manwhore. Saturday Night Live had a skit a few years back in which James Bond found out he had every STD known to man. Bond's prowess with women, though a box office draw, is not a trait you'd want to emulate.

    Do: Be quick witted. While Bond may use a ton of puns, there's nothing like them to keep a foe off-balance. Not only do you have control of the situation (and the conversation) with a quick wit, but they'll stay busy thinking of what you'll say next.
    Don't: Say too much. Whether it's a state secret, the confidence of a friend, or company strategy, often the best idea is to keep your mouth shut. If you keep your word and don't turn into a gossip (or a pillow talker), you will gain respect.

    Do: Be calm under pressure. In 'Casino Royale', Daniel Craig's Bond took a serious below-the-belt beating but he didn't break. You won't be strapped down in a basement somewhere, but being cool in the face of chaos and argument can show your control of the situation to the people above and below you. Great rewards soon follow.
    Don't: Be blind to your weaknesses. Arrogance, women, knock-out gas' James Bond has had to deal with all of them. You need to understand what your weaknesses are and work to either overcome them or make them negligible.

    Do: Respect your tools. Gadgets that were once science fiction on Sean Connery's dashboard are now real. James Bond was always able to have the right tool at the right time. Before you step into a situation, do a quick inventory of the gadgets, tools and web apps you have at your command that could make solutions come easier.
    Don't: Disrespect the toolmaker. James Bond was always a little dismissive of Q and the boys down in the lab. If someone hooks you up with a great program or Leatherman, give them their respect. They'll give you something even better the next time.

    Written on 11/18/2008 by Mike Koehler. Mike Koehler is a multimedia journalist in Oklahoma City working full-time to save the newspaper business, while helping his wife raise three kids under age 8. In his spare time he sleeps. E-mail Mike at kmanconsulting@gmail.com.Photo Credit:
    Sony Pictures
    ~~Great Free eBook written by a friend, Jonathan Fields~~

    With everyone focusing so much on the negative side of the economic meltdown, there a massive opportunity that's being missed. It's not scammy, it's not about capitalizing on people's misfortune or cashing in on a on trend. It's real, it's deep and if you tap it, it will change the way you work and live. It's all laid out in the revolutionary Fire Fly Manifesto



    Have No Regrets In Five Years: Advice From Your Future-Self
    17 Nov 2008 at 8:35am

    One common meme online is for bloggers and forum users to discuss what they wish they could tell their 'past self' ' perhaps five or ten years ago. Common examples are things like:
    • Take better care of your teeth.
    • Don't start a relationship with'
    • Change your major to'
    • Eat less junk/exercise more
    • Don't flunk your exams
    Instead of getting you to think about the past and dredge up all those regrets and might-have-beens, I'm going to give you a more positive spin on this idea. I want you to imagine yourself, five years in the future ' then write a letter to yourself as you are today.

    (You can just think this through, but it's much more powerful to write it down.)

    Here are some areas where your future-self may need to have a firm word with your present-self:

    Career
    Can you see yourself in the same career in five years' time' If that thought makes you think of five long years of stress and boredom, it's time to start researching a career change. If you'd like to be in the same career but at a higher level, are you actively working towards a promotion, or just assuming that it will happen' Will your current actions put you in the position you want to be in, or will they mean that you never progress from where you currently are'

    Education
    If you're in school or college, are you truly investing in your future ' or are you just enjoying yourself and blowing off classes whenever you can' Alternatively, are you taking on so many extra credit courses that you're risking burnout' Whatever your attitude towards your education, stop and think about where you're likely to be in five years time if you carry on as you currently are doing. Will you be in the position you want'

    Finances
    Are you currently in debt' Do you have the level of savings that you'd like ' maybe an emergency fund, or a bigger pot of cash for traveling' Consider how the way you're treating money today will impact you in five years. If you keep buying on credit, leaving bills unopened and refusing to get on top of your finances, you're going to make things very hard for your future-self. But if you start saving just $10 a week today, that's $2,600 (plus interest!) in five years time.

    Habits
    What good habits would you like to have in your life' What bad habits would you like to get rid of' Unless you're taking active steps to build the former and conquer the latter, you're unlikely to make any progress. If you want to cut down your coffee habit or quit smoking, don't keep putting it off until next week, next month, or next year. Because five years down the line, your future-self is looking back and wishing that you'd started working on those habits today.

    Health
    Do you eat a healthy diet' Do you exercise on a regular basis' Is your body in good shape and likely to survive the next five years without any significant health problems' Be honest with yourself: if you're overweight, why not start taking action now' Even if it takes you five years to reach a healthy weight, those five years are going to go by anyway. Just ask your future-self (who wishes you'd start your healthier lifestyle right now).

    Opportunities
    Something many people regret in life is not taking advantage of the chances that they have. Are you missing out on any opportunities at the moment' Is your future-self looking back and telling you to sign up for that course, take that class, reach out to that potential new friend, or volunteer for that big project at work' A good place to look for the opportunities you're missing is to think about anything you're afraid to try, or afraid to start. Those are the things that future-self wishes you'd do!

    Relationships
    Do you have friends or relatives who sap your energy, motivation and zest for life, every time you see them' Your future-self is going to struggle on with those vampiric relationships for the next five years unless you take action to change or end them right now. Or do you have old friends who you keep meaning to get back in touch with' Guess what ' you'll probably still be meaning to in five years' time, if you don't get moving, so start looking up those phone numbers or email addresses today.

    Take fifteen minutes today, and write a letter from the perspective of your future-self, speaking to your present-self. What do you need to be told' Where in your life do you need to make changes'

    Written on 11/17/2008 by Ali Hale. Ali runs Alpha Student, a blog packed with academic, financial and practical tips to help students get the most out of their time at university.Photo Credit: superfem
    ~~Great Free eBook written by a friend, Jonathan Fields~~

    With everyone focusing so much on the negative side of the economic meltdown, there a massive opportunity that's being missed. It's not scammy, it's not about capitalizing on people's misfortune or cashing in on a on trend. It's real, it's deep and if you tap it, it will change the way you work and live. It's all laid out in the revolutionary Fire Fly Manifesto



    Ten Ways to Improve Your Listening Skills
    17 Nov 2008 at 1:09am

    'Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.'--Leo BuscagliaEvery time I give an assignment to my college students, I ask if they have questions. At first, everyone is hesitant, but in a moment or two, the questions begin. And that's fine. What I find somewhat disconcerting, though, is that most of the questions reveal that the students haven't really listened to my explanation, even though they appeared to have been attentive.

    I realize many of us need to hear something more than once to understand and process it, and I'm not faulting my students for that. What bothers me is that in school and elsewhere, I've noticed most people don't make much of an attempt to listen to others. In fact, I believe we are in the midst of a non-listening epidemic that is affecting the quality of our relationships, costing businesses thousands of dollars every year, and producing mediocre learning in our schools.

    Most of what we learn, we learn by listening. Yet research shows that most of us aren't good listeners. In their book, Excellence in Business Communication, Thill and Bovee write, 'Listening is a far more complex process than most people think. .. . most of us listen at or below a 25 percent efficiency rate, remember only about half of what's said during a 10-minute conversation, and forget half of that within 48 hours.'

    It isn't surprising that we don't listen effectively. First of all, most of us haven't been taught how to do so. We learn how to read and write but not how to listen. Secondly, we juggle so many activities on the job and at home that we don't give much thought to listening. It's speaking that takes priority. Yet mastering listening skills is critical if we are to become good communicators.

    Cheesebro, O'Connor, and Rios write in Communication Skills, 'People are fired, customers are lost, and working relationships are strained because of ineffective listening. Likewise, friendships suffer, marriages fail, and families grow apart when individuals fail to listen with genuine concern.'

    The good news is you can improve your listening skills. By learning about the process and putting forth a conscious effort, you can become an effective listener.

    The following ten guidelines, adapted from Thill and Bovee's book, will help you become a better listener:
  • Minimize both internal and external distractions. You can't always get rid of a headache, but you can close the windows if the driver of a truck is outside revving his engine.

  • Adjust your listening to the situation. If you're listening to a lecture for an exam in Biology class, you'll want to pay closer attention than if you're watching the local news. In the former situation, you'll probably take notes.

  • Show you're listening by your nonverbal communication. You might nod, shake your head, or raise your eyebrows. Adjust your posture accordingly. Make eye contact.

  • If you're listening to a speech or attending a business meeting, determine the most important points and develop a method to remember them. You might repeat them mentally or even jot them down briefly.

  • When you're listening to a friend with a problem, demonstrate empathy. Show her you understand what she is going through.

  • Realize that people don't necessarily want you to solve their problem. They may simply want to share how they are feeling. Save advice for another time, unless you're asked for it.

  • Don't interrupt. Let the person finish what he is saying before you explain your point of view or ask questions.

  • Don't prejudge a person's message by the way he looks. You can learn something from almost anyone.

  • Stay focused on the subject. It's easy to let your mind wander, especially if the subject isn't important to you. Train yourself to concentrate.

  • Remain clearheaded, even if the topic is emotional. Perhaps someone is discussing the victories of the recent election, and you were passionate about a losing candidate. When emotions become involved, you may end up in the middle of a shouting match, which will resolve nothing. Present your points calmly. You'll gain credibility by doing so.
  • To truly listen to someone--not just to hear the words the other is saying but to pay attention to the message contained in the words--is the greatest compliment we can give another person. It means that the other is important enough to us so that we are willing to give him or her our most valuable commodity: our time.

    It isn't always easy to listen, especially when we are preoccupied with fifteen different things that needed doing an hour ago or when we simply aren't interested in what the other person is saying. But making the effort pays off. Listening can provide a bond of intimacy that deepens our connection to others. It can enrich our personal relationships and help us make fewer mistakes in our jobs. It can increase our learning potential. And it might even earn you a special compliment: 'I really like Jane. She's such a good listener.'

    Written on 11/17/2008 by Mary Ann Gauthier. Mary Ann is a writer and an adjunct instructor of English at a private college. She teaches listening skills to her business communication students and is also working on a book about the therapeutic benefits of journaling.Photo Credit: The Consumerist
    ~~Great Free eBook written by a friend, Jonathan Fields~~

    With everyone focusing so much on the negative side of the economic meltdown, there a massive opportunity that's being missed. It's not scammy, it's not about capitalizing on people's misfortune or cashing in on a on trend. It's real, it's deep and if you tap it, it will change the way you work and live. It's all laid out in the revolutionary Fire Fly Manifesto



    The 10 Most Useful Google Reader Productivity Tips
    14 Nov 2008 at 11:33am

    I've tried many RSS feed readers which include browser based readers like Bloglines and desktop readers like FeedDemon but I have to say that Google Reader is by far the best tool for the job.

    For someone like me who subscribes to tons of feeds, it's an indispensable tool that gets me in and out quickly so I satisfy my information craving without killing my productivity.

    Since Google Reader may be the most popular browser based RSS reader, I assume that a fair number of you are reading this post from Google Reader. To share the wealth, I am providing some useful tips to help you become more productive while reading feeds and therefore avoiding RSS overload.

    Keyboard Shortcuts
    Google Reader provides an excellent set of keyboard shortcuts which can be easily accessed by pressing Shift + ''' in case you forget them. The simple shortcuts, like 'j' / 'k' for viewing next / previous item and 'v' for checking the original link would save you loads of time.

    Manage Tags
    If you are able to manage the tags feature in Google Reader, it can serve as a huge information resource. You just have to make sure that you separate the tags and folders, because for Google Reader both are same.

    For example, lets say I subscribe to 3 productivity related blogs. I'd tag them as 'Productivity' and automatically a folder gets created with that name which will include those 3 blogs. However, if I come across a good post in one of those blogs which I want to save for future reference, I'd assign a separate tag to that post which is different from the names of any folders I've created. This way I can easily access that specific post later using the corresponding tag.

    Use List View
    The default view in Google Reader is the expanded view which shows posts in expanded form. I'd recommend you to immediately switch to the list view which is much better and helps you check feeds faster. In fact, the list view also speeds up Google Reader load times.

    Create a Top Priority Folder
    A person who doesn't want to spend the entire day reading feeds always has a top priority folder which houses the blogs he reads most frequently. If you haven't created such a folder until now, then go ahead and create one for yourself. Check the feeds in this folder everyday and leave the rest for weekends. Trust me, you'd never complain about RSS overload again. :)

    Star Items To Read Later
    Like Gmail lets you star emails, Google Reader lets you star articles. You can put this functionality to use when you are in a hurry and would like to read a post later during the day. Hence a single click can help you quickly access the post later when you decide to read it. And yes, make sure you remove the star after you've read the post. That would ensure you don't end up with too many starred items.

    Integrate RTM
    Remember the Milk (RTM) is an awesome task management application and Lifehacker mentions how you can integrate it with your Google Reader account. This could help you easily create to-do lists or reminders from something you just read.

    Use Better GReader
    Better GReader is a Firefox extension created by Lifehacker's editor Gina Trapani. It adds many features to Google Reader but if you were to ask how it makes you productive, I'd tell you about the preview item feature. This feature lets you view a blog post in its original form within Google Reader and you can add a comment to that post without leaving Google Reader's interface.

    Search Efficiently
    We know about Google Reader's search function but most of us don't bother to check the drop down menu which gives you many search options such as: searching read items, starred items and searching items within specific tags. If we utilize these options, we can easily find what we are looking for in Google Reader.

    Use AideRSS to Filter Feeds
    AideRSS is a cool tool which allows you to filter feeds and sort them in accordance with their ranks. The ranks are assigned using the PostRank technology and other statistics which this tool considers useful.

    Analyze Using Trends
    The trends feature in Google Reader is an excellent way to analyze your feed reading habits. Here is an article which shows how you can manage RSS overload using trends in Google Reader.

    Cheers,

    Abhijeet

    Written on 11/14/2008 by Abhijeet Mukherjee. You can catch him at Jeet Blog where he blogs about different Web 2.0 apps a nd online tools and how they can help you become more productive.Photo Credit:
    NOTICIAS-TIC
    ~~Great Free eBook written by a friend, Jonathan Fields~~

    With everyone focusing so much on the negative side of the economic meltdown, there a massive opportunity that's being missed. It's not scammy, it's not about capitalizing on people's misfortune or cashing in on a on trend. It's real, it's deep and if you tap it, it will change the way you work and live. It's all laid out in the revolutionary Fire Fly Manifesto



    What Women Should Know About Men's Brains
    14 Nov 2008 at 1:31am

    As more and more research reveals the differences in the male and female brains, it becomes easier for each gender to better understand the other and to allow the differences to unite rather than separate us.

    After many carefully controlled studies, scientists have discovered actual physical differences between the brains of males and females. Men and women tend to maintain these unique brain characteristics throughout their lives.

    For example, men's brains are about 10% larger than female brains. Larger doesn't necessarily mean smarter, although men like to think this is so. Now women can understand why men let compliments "go to their head." Aside from the obvious distinctions, one of the more intriguing facts researchers have noted is the varying ways in which men and women approach time, judge the speed of things, accomplish mental mathematical calculations, and visualize objects in three dimensions.

    Scientists believe these differences may explain why there are a significantly larger number of male mathematicians, mechanical engineers, architects, airplane pilots, bush guides, and race car drivers. Men also show an advantage in tasks requiring quantitative and reasoning abilities, and excel in science and math. In young boys, these areas of the brain mature around four years earlier than in girls.

    Verbal abilities arise earlier in girls than in boys. But although men and women may communicate differently, they do process some language tasks similarly, while there are significant differences in other aspects of language processing. Scientists have also found that while men and women appear to process single words similarly, in the interpretation of whole sentences, women use both sides of the brain while men use only one side.
    "There is no unisex brain," Brizendine writes. "Girls arrive already wired as girls, and boys arrive already wired as boys. Their brains are different by the time they're born, and their brains are what drive their impulses, values and their very reality." - UCSF neuropsychiatrist, Louann BrizendineAs early as a few months after birth, behavioral differences between boys and girls are already noticeable. Males display greater efficiency in visual-spatial ability. This relates to being able to visualize things, their shape, position, geography, and proportion and demonstrates itself as boys aim at stationary or moving targets and notice minor movements in their visual fields. Males also perform better in navigation, and scientists have theorized that through evolution these kinds of abilities were necessary for survival when males had to seek food in unfamiliar terrain.

    Better spatial ability in men might also account for the male superiority in map-reading, although as we know, men never ask for directions. So for women to be more of a team player with their man, maybe they should give them a map before the journey so they'll be prepared.

    One of the most pronounced behavioral differences between the genders is the innate aggression of men, which makes sense since we see their historical physical dominance over women. Even social conditioning cannot counteract this natural tendency. Of course, their greater muscle mass also contributes to this trait.

    According to scientists, the reason boys excel in sports early on is their superior hand-eye coordination necessary for ball games. Another distinction is men are able to imagine, change, and rotate an object in their mind's eye. The male's advantage of seeing patterns and abstract relationships may explain why men dominate in games like chess.

    On the flip side, boys usually have more learning disabilities than girls, such as dyslexia and ADHD. The symptoms differ as well. Girls with ADHD tend to show inattention, while boys show lack of impulse control.

    While the chemical make-up of their brains differs, women and men have equal intellectual capacities, although they may go about accomplishing tasks in different ways. Knowing what we come into the world with allows us to accept our strengths and enhance them, as well as improving upon our weaker areas.

    So just because men tend to excel in logic, reasoning, and math, does not exclude women from exhibiting these skills with study and practice. As more girls engage in sports traditionally reserved for boys, such as baseball and soccer, the inherent differences in the natural tendencies will begin to recede and we'll see fewer disparities between females and males.

    These differences help us understand and recognize that conflicts between men and women, whether partners, spouses, friends, siblings, or in work environments are not necessarily due to personalities that don't mesh, but the result of brain biology. When women complain that men don't listen or remember to do things, a lack of concern or lack of interest may not be at fault. Because the brains of men and women are wired differently, we can hope to understand that our differences are beyond our control, and we can demonstrate more patience and acceptance.

    Many of these brain variations are beneficial as they are complementary, and thereby improve the chances of men and women getting along and joining forces to help each other and live together in harmony.

    Sources: ABC News, San Francisco Chronicle, The Independent, Crosswalk
    Supplementary Photo by Bob Jagendorf

    Written on 11/14/2008 by David Bohl. David shares the viral message Slow Down FAST and helps people raise the roof on all facets of their lives without risking implosion. Get some must-haves here.Photo Credit: Hryckowian

    Editor's Note: Next week we will be publishing What Men Need to Know About Women so trust that this is not intended as a one way conversation.~~Great Free eBook written by a friend, Jonathan Fields~~

    With everyone focusing so much on the negative side of the economic meltdown, there a massive opportunity that's being missed. It's not scammy, it's not about capitalizing on people's misfortune or cashing in on a on trend. It's real, it's deep and if you tap it, it will change the way you work and live. It's all laid out in the revolutionary Fire Fly Manifesto



    5 Simple Things You Can Do Today to Feel Good and Healthy
    13 Nov 2008 at 11:00am

    Are you busy today' How about tomorrow' How about the next day'

    Yeah, see that's the issue! We're all so constantly busy and consumed with 'getting things done' that we put aside most of the simple things in life. The problem is that these simple things help get us through stressful situations.

    Whether is the latest TPS report that your boss is demanding or you've just missed a mortgage payment, stress is all over the place. How we deal with these stresses will often dictate how our lives progress; we can either fold or we can play the hand we're dealt.

    In the spirit of not folding, here are five simple things we all can do to see us through difficult times.
    • Smile
      Our bodies have an interesting feature that I like to think of as feedback loop functions that can spiral in either direction. If we mentally feel stressed or angry, our physiology reflects our mental state with tension and increased blood pressure. The more physically tense we become, the more irritated or stressed we may feel and so on it goes. This can gain momentum into a serious downward spiral.

      While we may have little direct control over our mental states, we generally always can have control over our physiology. Smiling is as simple as making a fist. With smiling, you can take advantage of your body's feedback loop. In the midst of stress at work or in traffic put a big smile on your face and hold it for 60 seconds. You will feel better. The physiology of happiness feeds back into our mental state. As your mental state relaxes your smile will begin to feel more natural, your body will relax and this will continue to feed back into your mental state.

    • Meditate
      The importance of taking 5 ' 10 minutes each day to simply sit and do nothing should not be downplayed. Take the time to step out of your head for a few moments and reconnect with your body. Consciously scan your body for tension and let it go. Let your thoughts come and go as they please. Breathe in and breathe out. Enjoy the sensation of being alive. For a few moments physically, mentally and emotionally just let go.

    • Breathe
      The first thing we do when we are born is inhale. Breathing out will be the last thing you and I do before we die. Breathing is also the only physiological process that can be controlled both unconsciously and consciously. Breathing, just as with smiling, can be used to take advantage of the feedback loop feature of our body. Breath deep and slow and you will begin to feel calm and relaxed, both mentally and physically. Sit up straight and open your lungs up by throwing back your shoulders. Make sure you breathe deep into your belly and not with your chest.

    • Exercise and Lift Weights
      A recent study by James Blumenthal, professor of psychology at Duke University, compared exercise to a common antidepressant medication in a group of individuals diagnosed with major depressive disorder. The conclusion was that exercise was as effective as the drug at alleviating symptoms of the disorder. Another study by UT Southwestern Medical Center shows a similar result. So...exercise!

    • Help Others
      This final tip may seem a little strange but it is really very simple. Do something as simple as holding a door open for someone and you may receive a smile and thanks. It's amazing how much difference this enjoyable interaction with other human beings can make to our day. I always feel somehow lighter as a result and the feel good energy can really help you get through an otherwise difficult day.
    Share your opinion of these easy things you can do today to feel good and stay healthy by leaving a comment. Let us know about other things that have really helped you.

    Written on 11/13/2008 by Stephen Cox. Stephen learned the vital importance of good health the hard way having overcome open heart surgery at age 7, chronic fatigue at age 20 and debilitating migraines in between. Today Stephen writes daily at Balanced Existence where he shares the knowledge and insights gained from his personal journey of holistic health and wellbeing.Photo Credit:
    Please! Don't Smile.
    ~~Great Free eBook written by a friend, Jonathan Fields~~

    With everyone focusing so much on the negative side of the economic meltdown, there a massive opportunity that's being missed. It's not scammy, it's not about capitalizing on people's misfortune or cashing in on a on trend. It's real, it's deep and if you tap it, it will change the way you work and live. It's all laid out in the revolutionary Fire Fly Manifesto



    How To Take Massive Action To Meet Your Goals
    13 Nov 2008 at 7:19am

    I've been planning to write an ebook for over a year. While that project is still in the planning phase, I managed to write a full ebook last week that went from the planning stage to a finished product in only 3 days. Taking massive action allowed me to step away from the timeless planning stage and finally get things done.
    "The path to success is to take massive, determined action." ~Anthony RobbinsIt all began on Tuesday when I was contacted by Jordan Harbinger, from Maxim Radio's show on SIRIUS Satellite Radio. We had previously discussed doing an interview towards the end of November but when a a time slot opened up, we moved things up.

    It was very important for me to have a downloadable information product (ebook) prepared in time for the show because I knew that offering it for free would greatly increase my blog's subscriber numbers. This left me with the end of Tuesday, all day Wednesday, all day Thursday, and half of Friday to write the book and prepare for this interview. If that wasn't enough, I still had to work take care of my internship!

    That left only the evening and late night for getting things done. Once you add the fact that I had zero experience in putting together an ebook and less than stellar graphic design skills, you'd have to agree that I was in trouble.

    I had three days, and I mapped out 2 major tasks that needed to be completed.
  • I had to create enough content for an ebook, and it had to be quality.
  • I had to find a designer that would be willing to work overnight, and at a tiny budget.
  • Since the topic of the radio show is dating and relationships, I decided to write my ebook on dating. The title 'How to Get a Girlfriend' automatically came to mind. I remembered that I had written a series of guest posts on this topic. I quickly contacted the site owner, who is a friend of mine, and asked him for permission to reprint the work with attribution to his website within. He agreed.

    On my bus ride into NYC Wednesday morning, I began to compile articles that I had previously written on relationships. Luckily with 330+ articles on my site, with a decent amount of them being on dating and relationships, I did not have any trouble picking out relevant content.

    On the bus ride back I continued this work, and then again when I got home. At this point I started sending out bulk e-mails to my online friends asking them to recommend an ebook designer that could work pronto and cheapo.

    The replies started pouring in and I got at least 10 responses. I then took those e-mails and began to send a generic message asking for their assistance. I ended up speaking on AIM with my website designer, Nate Whitehill, and he personally introduced me to the man that would become my knight in shining armor, Joshua Denney.

    I ended up working late into the night Wednesday, editing and revising many of the articles that I had previously written. I finished and worked closely with Josh in order to ponder the creative approach he would endeavor upon in the creation of this ebook.

    After staying up a good portion of the night, I took a nap and then woke up to go to work. The day passed slowly as I constantly checked my iPhone for e-mails from Joshua to work on the book. Thursday night we ended up staying up all night, but we (mostly him) finished the ebook by deadline.

    With one hour of sleep, I woke up early to finish doing the necessary blog posts and newsletter preparation to have everything go smoothly.

    I continued to work while traveling back into NYC for the interview. I took the train in, and worked out different topics that we could possibly speak about during the show. I'm not going to lie, I think I sounded kind of bad, mostly because this was my first radio appearance and I didn't know how to control my pitch in the microphone.

    You can listen to the personal development podcast if you want to laugh at me, but I'd still say that the whole endeavor was absolutely successful. Over a year of planning brought me no result. Three days of action brought me amazing results.

    Sure, I used content that I already had to put this ebook together and I couldn't have written such a high-quality book from scratch in the same amount of time. That doesn't matter, because I did what I had to do and took massive action.

    The moral of the story is that when the pressure is on, the work gets done! The key is to this success, as so eloquently stated by Anthony Robbins, is to determine what action needs to be taken, and then to put 100% into taking this action.

    Written on 11/13/2008 by Alex Shalman who is the author of How to Get a Girlfriend and Practical Personal Development Blog and Podcast. Photo Credit: pasotraspaso
    ~~Great Free eBook written by a friend, Jonathan Fields~~

    With everyone focusing so much on the negative side of the economic meltdown, there a massive opportunity that's being missed. It's not scammy, it's not about capitalizing on people's misfortune or cashing in on a on trend. It's real, it's deep and if you tap it, it will change the way you work and live. It's all laid out in the revolutionary Fire Fly Manifesto



    Liz Strauss at Successful Blog

    Thanks to Week 161 SOBs
    22 Nov 2008 at 2:44pm
    muddy teal strip A

    Successful and Outstanding Bloggers

    Let me introduce the bloggers
    who have earned this official badge of achievement,

    Purple SOB Button Original SOB Button Red SOB Button Purple and Blue SOB Button and the right to call themselves
    Successful Blog SOBs.

    I invite them to take a badge home to display on their blogs.

    muddy teal strip A


      Chelpixie    Immediate Influence

    They take the conversation to their readers,
    contribute great ideas, challenge us, make us better, and make our businesses stronger.

    I thank all of our SOBs for thinking what we