Think Tank: The Neuro Blog
Take a Break: 5 Ways Hobbies Can Improve Your Productivity and Creativity
When talking about improving productivity and focus at work, one particular piece of advice people would usually give you is to take a break. This way, you get to allow your mind and body to rest - to refresh - so that you don’t quickly get burned out. A lot of techniques are introduced for us to maximize our break from anything. One particular famous technique is the Pomodoro, where you take a few quick breaks between work hours. Some people use time blocking to give themselves a whole hour or two to rest. But, what most people forget to mention or emphasize is how you should spend your breaks. If you think about it, most people might probably take a power nap, browse on social media, or maybe watch a movie on Netflix. It’s the common way to chill just to have that release of dopamine that we need. It’s a good kind of break, but it doesn’t give you something more. And what usually happens is, once you’ve finished the movie or closed your social media, you are immediately forced back into reality, and you’re still burned out. So, what’s the best way to spend your break? It’s actually by spending it on something that really interests you - your hobby. Here are some ways how hobbies help improve your productivity and creativity: Reduce Your Stress Hobbies reduce your stress. It’s a perfect distraction from your hectic day. With a hobby, you get to spend more time for yourself, allowing you to release all that stress build-up. It allows you to disconnect yourself from work. But aside from just mainly disconnecting yourself, you are still keeping your mind active by doing something. And the best part is, what you’re doing won’t get you bored. So, if you have plotted an extra time in your day to take a break, spend it on something that will help keep you in motion but will also not give you stress. You Get to Experience Eustress Eustress is a healthy kind of stress that somehow gives excitement. So, instead of the usual stress that makes you worry, eustress keeps you happy and very active. If you think that work is getting boring, there’s no growth, or it’s no longer interesting, a hobby can help you with that. This way, you can have a break from your dull day. And the best part about this is that even if you’re done working on your art or reading a book, you get to bring this happy momentum to work. It’s the perfect way to counteract burnout. On top of that, it gives you a better perspective on what work-life balance means to you. Because now, your days will not only be about work but also about yourself. Helps You Recover from Demanding Days The very purpose of rest or taking a break is to help you recover. You’ve been using your mind a lot at work, and without that chance to escape, your productivity will just get lower and lower. You should always have some time for yourself and work. You should always have this invisible boundary between the two, which is why you should block time for your hobby. And if your hobby is something that interests you or it’s something you love, you will spend more time with it. Let’s say your hobby is writing, and you have this goal to finish a fiction book in two months. In order to do that, you want to give yourself an hour a day to write. So, whatever it is you’re working on, outside your hobby, you’re going to stop that even for just an hour so you can write your book. So what happens is, your hobby forces you to take a break to do something you want. And it doesn’t have to be work-related, as long as it keeps you happy and active. Exercises a New Part of Your Brain Another great thing about hobbies is that you can try a lot of them. You want to make reading a hobby now, or painting next, then try out knitting, etc. Your choices are endless. The only important thing is you get to enjoy. And since you can try new things, you get to exercise some parts of your brain that you don’t utilize often. If you prefer doing something physical like dancing, music, theater, and sports, your brain trains your executive functions. Mind games and strategic games like chess open a different part of your brain. If you try to play an instrument, that also enhances another area. And if you learn a foreign language, you get to boost cognitive functions. In other words, your hobbies can improve your brain, making it healthier and more active. It makes you creative at work. And you even get to learn things that may help you with work, although it might seem unrelated. Enters You in Flow State Finally, hobbies can help you enter the flow state. Flow state refers to being “in the zone.” It’s a state when you are fully immersed in doing something. Have you ever wondered why it feels like time flies FASTER when you’re doing something you love? An hour doesn’t even feel like an hour. This is because your mind is in that state of intense focus. What’s good about this is that it helps restore your mind and energy, improves your concentration, and enhances your creativity. The best part about this is that the flow doesn’t stop after you do the hobby. Sometimes, you even bring this flow to your work environment. Effects can also last longer and will improve your overall performance. Final Say Taking breaks is essential in our day-to-day lives. After all, we’re humans, not robots. So, think about how you want to make your life better by thinking about how to spend your breaks better. If you want that temporary surge of dopamine, go and scroll through your social media or binge-watch some series. But if it’s the mental improvement you’re looking for, creating hobbies is the start. You can also supplement your hobbies with Neuro Energy & Focus gum and mints. With nothing but functional ingredients, this product will help you focus the whole day, whether you’re doing work or play - or both. Hero Image by Ross Sneddon on Unsplash
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Making the Most of Your July 4th Celebrations
Ah, yes. Summer has arrived! (And so has the COVID-19 vaccine!) This must mean that the day marked by sparks of red, white, and blue is around the corner. The smell of grilled hamburgers will soon be wafting through the air. Fireworks will be dancing among the stars. But most importantly, family and friends will once again come together to safely celebrate. Though, let’s be honest. Preparing for and hosting a Fourth of July party can be a struggle. While juggling your full-time job and the kids’ summer agendas, shopping for USA-themed decorations may not be your top priority. (In fact, tonight’s dinner is still a mystery.) The grill is likely low on propane. You’ll need to head to the store before the rush of last-minute shoppers floods the aisles. And don’t forget about the sparklers and sidewalk chalk. Failing to make those purchases is cause for an uprising from the little ones. It’s safe to say that there’s never a dull moment! Organizing a July 4th celebration is daunting. Yet, there are ways to reduce unwarranted stress. Continue reading for tips and tricks on how to have a hassle-free holiday party. Make A List First, choose your weapon: pen and paper or virtual notepad. When you're out and about, it’s easy to let one of those mental notes slip your mind. There’s nothing worse than getting home and realizing you forgot the ingredients for s’mores! Making a list will allow you to organize your thoughts in one place. It’s easy and efficient! With a working to-do list in front of you, sequence your tasks. Ideally, you should send invites and determine headcount before you buy food and drinks. If possible, try to be mindful of your guests’ allergies and dietary restrictions. Asking your family and friends to note such things when they RSVP will allow you to plan accordingly. You may also find it helpful to categorize your list by location (i.e., grocery store, bakery, liquor store, dollar store, gas station) or type of product (i.e., food, desserts, beverages, decorations and games, propane). If you’re sticking to a budget, sweep the house for any essentials you already have. These may include paper plates, plasticware, condiments, and decorations. Check the forecast to determine whether your guests will gather on the patio or in the kitchen. With sun and clear skies, an outdoor party is the way to go. And you can even decorate the night before. Play Music that Fits the Vibe What’s a party without some good tunes? Music is sure to elevate the mood! There’s a quick and easy way to create a playlist suitable for you and your guests. Spotify allows users to create collaborative playlists. And guess what? It’s free! Once you download the Spotify app on your device and make a profile, the rest is a breeze. Create a new playlist, add a relevant title, and select “make collaborative.” You can now encourage your guests to add songs from their favorite artists and genres. With the music under control, that’s one thing you can check off the to-do list! Maybe some of your guests are musically inclined. A fun alternative to a collaborative playlist is live music. Invite your gifted family members and friends to sing and play instruments at your gathering. This could turn into a fun karaoke night! Educate Yourself Picture this… You have a near-completed to-do list and a sense of accomplishment. The party is tomorrow, and your guests couldn’t be more excited. You remembered the graham crackers and chocolate bars, as well as the sparklers and sidewalk chalk. You foresee the kids’ smiling faces as they hold their sparklers up against the night sky. After you dust and decorate, the couch is calling your name! A much-deserved break awaits. Instead of spending the next 30 minutes searching for the ideal TV show or movie, consider a history lesson. There’s no time like the present to learn something new. Start by understanding more about the different aspects of Independence Day. Search for what most history books do not include: Black history. You may be surprised about what you find. In a video created by NPR, the descendants of abolitionist Frederick Douglass deliver a powerful message. They read and reflect on one of his famous speeches titled, “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” Douglass’ young relatives highlight a Black person’s ongoing fight for equal rights. When the United States achieved freedom, Black men and women remained enslaved. To this day, Black Americans are still disadvantaged. VIDEO: Frederick Douglass' Descendants Deliver His ‘Fourth Of July’ Speech Last Words Make a list, play your favorite music, and learn some history. These are great ways to have a productive and enjoyable July 4th celebration. Before you go, check this out. To put that much-needed pep in your step when you’re shopping and decorating, try Neuro Energy & Focus Gum. Created to foster a healthy balance between body and mind, this product helps you hone in on the task at hand. That boost of energy is what you need to organize the best party for you and your guests. But, wait! With some spare time on your hands, you find time for a history lesson. Neuro comes to you with its Calm & Clarity Mints. This product is designed to put your mind at ease, allowing you to shake away any impending stressors. With Neuro Gum and Mints, you got this!
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Make Working From Home More Productive With These Three Hacks
With many businesses forced to transition to remote working due to the global health crisis, productivity has been a major issue for most working from home employees. This is not surprising because remote working is not that easy. Yes, you no longer have to commute every day to go to work. You can finally wake up 30 minutes before work and not be late. You can do a lot more things because your hobbies are just right around the corner. However, for most people, creating a boundary between work and personal life is the biggest challenge. Working parents have to take care of children without nannies or babysitters to help them because of the pandemic. The TV is just right beside you, and social media platforms are easily accessible. And these are only a few of the many reasons why staying productive is so hard. It’s 2021, and working from home isn’t going away sooner. Fortunately, there are still productive employees out there and expert remote workers who are happy to share a few of their productivity hacks. Below are three of them: Design Your Workspace First and foremost, you should establish a workspace to create that boundary or line between being at home and working. Three important things to consider: Work Location Comfort Design When you’re at home, it’s easy to get tempted to work anywhere because that’s the idea, right? You can work on your bed the first hour, the dining area the next hour, outside the patio in the afternoon, etc. Although this might sound fine, it can affect your productivity badly. So, instead of changing work locations, stick to one and make that your working space. This way, you can get your body to recognize that you have something important to do when you’re sitting there. When choosing a location, regardless if it’s a whole room or just a corner of a room, there must be very few distractions .e.g., away from the TV, less traffic, less noise. Once you’ve found a good location, make sure that you’re comfortable there. It’s also wise to invest in a good working table, working chair, and good lighting. Because the more comfortable you are, the more productive you can be. It will also help if you keep everything organized and mess-free. If you’re feeling fancy, you can also work on how your working space would look. Try to put some designs that would inspire you. Probably a desk plant, a small wall frame with your family’s picture, some motivational quotes, or paint the walls of your favorite color. Create A Routine How you go about your day greatly affects your productivity. So, you should establish a routine that you can consistently follow until it becomes a part of your system. The best way to do this is to start your day early. Never wake up 30 minutes before work because that will only stress you out more. Instead, wake up early so you can prepare your mind better. Create a morning routine like doing some exercise or meditation, making yourself some coffee, going out for a walk, etc. Don’t start your day by checking emails or news or even checking out social media. It’s important to just keep your mind relaxed. By the time you get to work, make sure to keep any distractions away. Put your phone away and block social media sites so you won’t get tempted to check them out while working. Time-blocking is also very effective in accomplishing what you need to do, be it for yourself or for work. For example, block 9-11 am as working hours. Then, 11-12 am would be meant for lunch preparation. 12-1 pm is a time for you to rest; you can probably nap or read a book. And the list goes on. It’s up to you. The key to building a routine is consistency. Stick to the routine you’ve made, and you’ll notice that soon, your body will simply automate these actions. Optimize Your Flow State Last but not least, optimize your flow state. Flow state refers to your being “in the zone”. This means you’re too focused on what you’re doing, you can’t be distracted, and you’re just feeling this drive. In other words, you’re performing at your best. Imagine having to be in that flow state every day, right? Surely, there will be so many things that you’ll get to accomplish, even the things that you consider boring. Unfortunately, the flow state doesn’t come every day. There will be days when you don’t want to get up or do anything, and this can be a big problem because you’ll definitely get your task delayed. But, don’t worry, because there are ways you can get yourself in a flow state. First, work on that morning routine because that will set your mood for the day. Meditate, exercise, or go out for long walks - anything that gets your body moving. Second, create a to-do-list and know what to prioritize. And third, identify your peak creative and productive time, and do the challenging tasks around these hours. Now, staying in that constant “flow state” doesn’t happen overnight, even after doing these three things. This is why, as mentioned above, you need to stay consistent, which is also not easy to do. To help you get that right balance, you can take Neuro Gum and Mints to get you to your ideal state of mind. A zone where you are energized, calm, and focused at the same time. No more jitters or slump, just a better version of yourself who is productive and motivated. This 2021, there will be a lot more challenges to come, whether it’s work or personal life. So, you should get ready and condition your mind and body to tackle everyday challenges. Surely, you have more goals to accomplish other than just your work task. But you can achieve that all if you’re always in your zone, and Neuro can help you get there every day. Photo by Corinne Kutz on Unsplash
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The Powerful Ingredient that Offsets Caffeine Jitters
In the modern era, we’re tuned in to the fact that every person’s diet needs to be tuned to their own individual metabolism and body. Just as we find ourselves looking for health combinations, researchers exploring the foods we eat are out for proper blends. An area of research in which we’ve made progress are in the class of drugs, supplements, and other substances known as nootropics. Nootropics are a class of supplements that have been shown to have the ability to improve cognitive function. Such improvements can relate to memory, creativity, motivation, intelligence, and beyond. Inserting combinations of Nootropics can have beneficial relationships. The formulations of ingredients in a nootropic stack can augment not only the ingredients’ effects but also the total cognitive benefits you can expect. Of the several nootropics that expand cognitive function and may balance one another, none are a better knownmatch than L-theanine and caffeine, and for good reason. Before discussing the benefits of caffeine and L-theanine combined, however, let’s look at their finest qualities as individuals. What is Caffeine and L-theanine? Caffeine is a crystalline compound that occurs naturally and can be synthesized in a laboratory. Caffeine is a tonic and the most frequently used drug in the world. Every day, people consume it to up their wakefulness, ease fatigue, and increase concentration and focus. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers caffeine to be both a drug and a food additive. They recommend a maximum intake of 400 mg a day. Coffee is known to have a collection of biologically active compounds and that includes caffeine. Too much of it sometimes, can cause jitters. L-theanine is a non-protein amino acid that supplies the flavor of green tea and black tea. It is also obtainable in supplement form. L-theanine can lessen our physiological stress responses by emulating the actions of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), an inhibitory neurotransmitter that wedges excitatory responses in the brain. L-theanine can also suppress receptors in the brain that are responsible for excited or anxious physical responses. Most importantly, L-theanine curbs these adrenal responses without making us tired. This makes it a powerful tool for being able to maintain focus and productivity in the face of stress. The perfect nootropic combination. While caffeine is America’s most popular drug, it's more unpleasant side effects can introduce restlessness, anxiety, and increased blood pressure.L-theanine does its best to correct these qualities for everybody to appreciate caffeine’s side effects without losing the ability to be productive. L-theanine has been shown to permit caffeine to boost and sustain energy while curbing side effects that elevate your blood pressure or induce anxiety. The L-theanine and caffeine combination can enhance both speed and accuracy of those individuals performing tasks. It can decrease susceptibility to distracting stimuli in the memory tasks of the brain. These outcomes repeat previous evidence which suggest that L-theanine and caffeine in combination are useful for improving performance on cognitively demanding tasks. It is worth noting that Caffeine is a vasoconstrictor. These momentarily make blood vessels smaller, which elevates your blood pressure to account for reduced blood flow. L-theanine mitigates caffeine’s vasoconstrictive tendencies so you can concentrate on something and not worry on increased blood pressure. L-theanine helps mitigate the negative effects of caffeine to help reduce its adverse effects on your sleep schedule. Conclusion Whether you're into increasing your cognitive performance or just calming your caffeine nerves and jitters, getting a hold of these supplements may help you find a means to dial in your physical and mental performance. Caffeine's stimulatory and L-theanine's calming support can put you in the ideal state of mind, a feeling like you can get anything done. At Neuro, some of our best testimonials have come from high level athletes who find our clean energy formulation to be preferable to overloaded ‘pre-workout’ blends, and few like to consume drinkable forms of caffeine such as coffee or energy drinks before a workout which can damage hydration and metabolism with sweeteners. Many nootropics work better together. With Neuro, our Energy & Focus specially formulated gum and mints consist of natural caffeine, L-theanine and B-vitamins to sustain the mental endurance necessary to maintain your focus. Take some time to understand in what way these nootropics work within the body, seek out proper medical professionals, and reap the benefits of your research. When the stimulating effects of caffeine are matched by the calming support of L-theanine, a productive and rich day is on the way. Never run out of Neuro with a monthly subscription. Members get 10% off and free shipping straight to your door.
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5 Simple Money Saving Tips to Try Today
They say “money doesn’t buy happiness”, but we can all agree that money does buy things that make you, and the people around you happy. Having money can mean having the financial freedom to actually spend time with people who matter most to you. Do you want to be a step closer to financial freedom? Start by taking control of your money instead of allowing your money to take control over you. Treat your money as a tool to achieve your goals and not something that should dictate your every move. “Saving money” sounds like an easy task but how many saving money challenges have you done in the past only to end up not finishing through to the end? Everyone wants to save but not everyone knows the “right how to”. Because your financial situation is different from everyone else’s, your journey to savings and financial freedom may be a little different too. Don’t know where to start? Here are some ultra easy saving tips that you can start doing today: Make an inventory of all your paid memberships and subscriptions Now, probably more than ever in history, there is a boom on online subscriptions and memberships. From streaming sites, dating platforms, coaching sessions, to exclusive shopping apps - it has become such an easy exercise to enter your credit card information and be done with it. You won’t even realize how much you spend until you get your monthly statement. Start by doing an inventory of all your memberships and subscriptions - write them down (or type them out in a document) and really evaluate each of them. This includes both online (e.g. music and video streaming sites, etc.) and offline memberships (e.g. gym memberships, exclusive clubs, etc.). Do you need it? How often are you using it? Are you taking advantage of the service and all its possible offers? Are there better and cheaper alternatives out there that’s available to you? For the subscriptions that you really want to retain, check if there are available membership and payment plans that allow you to save. You’re going to be paying for it anyway, why not save in the process? How about those “free for 6 mos subscription” offers that you signed up for and said you’re unsubscribing at the end of the free period? Did you end up actually unsubscribing to them? These monthly subscription payments may be small from month to month, but if you add these up, you’ll be surprised how much of your hard-earned dollars are going to waste. Use credit card wisely A credit card is a very useful and rewarding tool, but only for those who know how to use it. If you’ve watched or read “Confessions of a Shopaholic”, then you probably know how the lead character’s life was taken over by credit card debt. While she did end up taking control of her life and finding true love, the same will not be said for you if you continue to be unwise in using your credit card. Again, credit cards are not the enemy! Credit cards are amazing tools - think of all the reward points, airline miles and other benefits! The way people use credit cards usually is the problem and it seriously needs to stop. Think of your credit card as an equivalent to the cash that you own. If you see something you want to buy and you can’t buy it, or pay the monthly installment with the cash that you have, then don’t use your card for it. Live within, or even lower, than your spending power, and your bank account will eventually reward you. If you can, pay every month’s balance in full. It is not “ultra easy” as the title of this article promised, but if you are wise in using your credit card, it will be. You will be in a more difficult situation if you don’t pay your credit balance in full. Know when to buy in bulk There’s a belief that buying in bulk saves you money. It does, on many occasions, but not all the time. If you’re buying in bulk, you have to be very strategic about it because it is still more money that you spend paying upfront. If you buy in bulk, you’d need to have storage space for it. Will you end up buying the extra space you need to store the items you purchased e.g. containers, extra cabinets, etc.? Within what period of time are you going to use the items that you bought? Is it going to be the same quality when stored? The next time you’re tempted to buy in bulk, think of the value you’re getting from it and compare it with the price you’re buying it for so you can make a better decision. Delete apps that make you spend impulsively Do you ever have that moment when you can’t sleep so you picked up your mobile phone and you started browsing? You found yourself going to your installed shopping app and after 30 minutes of mindless browsing, you’re waiting for your deliveries the next day - you go to sleep owning a few hundred dollars less in the process. These apps are amazing, but admit it, they make you spend impulsively. They entice you with sales and ads for things you don’t need but buy nonetheless! In the same way that you can’t eat popcorn that’s not in your pantry, you can’t also shop if there’s nowhere to shop at. Granted that you can easily reinstall it, but it is in the hopes that you catch yourself in time before the app even gets installed (again). Money won’t be the root of all evil if you know how to use it and you establish your dominance over it. In a way, money does buy happiness because it lets you afford things that will make you happy, give you peace of mind and make you and your family live comfortably. Money does buy happiness but it is not everything - the sooner you realize that is the sooner you step towards the direction of your financial freedom. Hero Image by Micheile Henderson on Unsplash
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5 Career Questions You Need To Ask Yourself in 2021 (Part 5 of 6)
Taking your career to the next level in 2021 may seem like a sick cosmic joke to some people, especially to those whose industries have been severely affected by the pandemic. Some people have lost their jobs, taken pay cuts and reduced benefits to help their companies’ cash flow; and although a glimmer of hope is showing at the end of the tunnel, it might be a long journey to recovery for some. Given this, you might be perplexed with the 4th installation of this 6-part series - how in the world are you going to level up your career given this disheartening landscape? Leveling up has a lot to do with the way you think, and the way you approach things. It may mean shifting your direction towards a path you’re much better off on and following through on that. It may mean taking two steps back from a path you’re not supposed to be on and taking one step towards the right direction. So how do you level up your career in 2021? You can start by answering these 5 questions: Are you where you want to be? Before you go into the specifics of things, you must ask yourself first: are you where you want to be? Are you happy? Are you valued? Do you (almost regularly) dread Mondays and going back to work? Is your workplace providing you with opportunities to grow both as a person and as a professional? Your work right now may not be the place you’ve envisioned for yourself 5 years ago, but has it pleasantly surprised you in the process? Or do you feel stuck, with no foreseeable end in sight? Reflection, or self-reflection, happens when you pay very close attention to your own thoughts, feelings and behavior. It allows you to consciously assess how you feel towards the things that are happening to you and the situations that you are in. It is looking into your values, inspirations, aspirations and cross comparing them to your current situation - do they match? If you find that they are, then very good for you! All career paths will have their bad days and bad turns as nothing is ever going to be perfect. But as long as you feel inspired and what you do speaks to your purpose, then you are most probably in the right path. You just have to keep going and watch out for opportunities to learn more. If the answer is no, or you’ve been laid off, for example, there is definitely no need to despair. You’ve already done the first step - you’ve identified the problem. There is something that you want to change, and that gives you a sense of purpose and direction - you become a man on a mission. What are you doing to improve yourself and your skills? If you’re a man on a mission, you set your eyes out on a goal. You focus on that goal and come up with a game plan to achieve it. One good component of your game plan could be improving the set of skills that you have; fortifying and strengthening your strongest suits and capitalizing on that. You can take advantage of a lot of online courses and resources that are available for free. These programs range from diverse topics and each course is designed to work based on your schedule preferences. Is your CV/résume updated? Be honest, how long ago since you last updated your résume? When was the last time you took a corporate headshot for yourself? Is your résume photo still from your college graduation even though you graduated more than 5 years ago? Even if you’re not applying for a new job, it’s always good to keep your profile updated with changes in your job description, the trainings you’ve attended, even the new skills you’ve gained! These things pile up over the years and it is difficult and will most likely take more time to remember them all at once, as opposed to updating the file every time there’s new information. Your résume is a written collection of your professional achievement and milestones. It speaks for you when you are not in the room, so give it the proper voice to do your awesomeness justice. Are you making authentic connections? Look at your LinkedIn profile, and see how many connections you have. Of those connections, how many do you actually know? How many do you genuinely think you can learn from? If you answer not too many, then it might be time to authentically connect with people and expand your network. Reach out to people whose industries you’re curious to know more about. Who knows, you might find yourself a career mentor who will be able to teach you some tricks of the trade. They say experience is the best teacher and how awesome will it be for someone to impart their acquired wisdom through their experiences to you? The idea of getting a mentor (or even mentoring someone whom you know might benefit from it) comes from a place of humility - from knowing and recognizing that no matter how successful and “self-made” you are, there’s always an opportunity to learn something new. When you’re looking at your work issues, there’s a tendency that your judgment may be biased. A mentor, on the other hand, is an “outsider” looking in who may be able to provide you with a fresh perspective and a new angle on things which you may not be able to see from your side. Are you ready and willing to make the change? You’ve reflected and identified the problem, you’ve updated your résume and you’ve made connections; the most important question is, are you ready and willing to make the change? Change is scary and some people are not willing to do it for fear of uncertainty which is a very valid point especially from a survival standpoint. Change requires putting in the work and making sacrifices. It can mean long hours and efforts towards something that may or may not work out in the end. But you know what? Change can also mean waking up Monday morning feeling refreshed, energized and ready to take work challenges head-on. It can mean being in a place where you’re valued, respected, and celebrated for the contributions you bring and the impact you make. It doesn’t always have to be radical changes for something rewarding to happen, sometimes small incremental baby steps get the job done as well. What matters is, you have to be very strategic about every step that you take. You also don’t always have to keep moving. It’s okay to stop, take stock of what’s happening, regroup and recoup. Look at the bigger picture and see how each piece of the puzzle connects to the rest. Whichever way you want to take the trajectory of your career for 2021, know one thing: you are worth it. Step in your purpose and wear your confidence like a glove that fits perfectly and watch things happen. That’s it for part 5, see you in the last one! Hero Image by Saulo Mohana on Unsplash
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4 Tips to a More Productive You in 2021 (Part 4 of 6)
As you approach this fresh, new year, it would be good to do some introspection on your level of productivity. Take a good look at how you actually spent the hours in your days this past year. Were your weekday (and weekend) calendar filled with so much to do’s that there’s barely any white space anymore? Or, did you plan out to do a ton of stuff (in your head) but essentially only managed to binge-watch a boatload of YouTube videos and get updated on all of your friends’ lives on Instagram? If a tv show is going to do a documentary of your life, how’s “A Day in the Life of insert your name” going to look like? Productivity is generally defined as the ability of a person or a group of persons, to produce output efficiently within a given time. Your productivity level may be determined by a variety of internal and external factors. Your time management skills, as well as your physical capability, may determine how productive you are in a day. Your priorities, motivations and external distractions also play a huge part on whether you’re ticking off every item in your to-do list or not. Are you ready to re-examine and take your productivity to the next level in 2021? Here are 4 tips to get you on your way: Figure out what’s distracting you and tackle it head-on Knowing what the problem is, is always an important step to solve it. You’ve set yourself a goal but for some cosmic, unfathomable reason, you’ve done everything else but that. You may have found yourself procrastinating every single time you’re faced with a particular task at hand. You think the reason why you’re being unproductive is because you’re procrastinating. The thing is, the act of procrastination in itself is not the problem, but rather it is a reaction to other underlying problems that you may not even be aware of. If you find yourself wanting to do something else when you’re supposed to be a doing a certain task, ask yourself, why? What is it with this task that you are navigating away from it? Go to the very root cause of the emotion you’re feeling and tackle it head-on. It might be rooted to deeper feelings of anxiety, vulnerability, etc. Once you figure these out, you may just be well on your way to keep your procrastination tendencies at bay. Set realistic goals Being able to set realistic goals is already a goal in itself. Figuring out how to be strategic with your goals is a good way to set you up for success. You consider yourself productive when you’re ticking off your goals one by one, whether long term or short term. As you would obviously want to achieve the goals that you set for yourself, you need to make sure that you operate in your reality when setting one. You “operate in your reality” when you take into account the factors that are going to be at play when you work to achieve your goal. Given your resources (e.g. time, money, energy, etc.) and commitment, do you think it is realistic to set 10 resolutions for yourself? Or 4 to 5 carefully planned and thought out goals instead? Making sure that the goals you set are realistic does not only improve your productivity, it also increases your enthusiasm and gives you the foundation you need to work on more realistic goals that excite you in the future. Find out what motivates you Motivation is one of the most important ingredients in leading a productive life. If you’re motivated, you become invested, you show up, you own it and you put in the work. It is the fuel to your engine, it’s what keeps you going and moving forward despite difficulties. In the greater scheme of things, it is what you tell yourself when you question why are you doing what you’re doing. What is it that motivates you? What is it that drives you enough to try hard, and try even harder when the going gets tough? Figure it out, internalize it and write it down. The next time you want to work on something important and you can’t find any reason to continue, all those pictures of the Maldives in your vision board will summon all the creativity that you need to finish that proposal. Maintain work-life balance Pre-pandemic, “working from home” is almost unheard of and is usually a workplace practice reserved for more progressive companies with systems already laid out in place. Because of recent events, people had to make adjustments and systems had to be put in place because they had no choice. As this practice is relatively new, some people had trouble navigating this uncharted territory. Employees who work from home may feel an added pressure to be productive and prove that they are working because they can’t be seen doing the actual work similar to a physical office situation. How has your daily work schedule changed when you had to work from home? Did the number of your meetings increase? Are your “work hours” still confined within the usual work hours, or has the boundary between personal and work time become blurred? Is your boundary being respected or do you keep getting emails and work messages outside of the time that you should only be available? How has this affected your productivity, both personal and professional? For the sake of maintaining work-life balance which ultimately contributes to the quality of your life and relationships, you need to ask questions. You may think you’re being productive, but in reality, you’re stacking up your tiles in one aspect but emptying out other important ones in the process. You have to keep in mind that you work to live, and not live to work. Productivity may be a double-edged sword for some in a way that you can’t be too over lest you risk being burnout or too under that you don’t accomplish anything. It doesn’t have to be that way for you, not in 2021. Know your priorities, determine your commitment level and establish boundaries - you’ll be sure to find a groove that works for you. That’s it for part 4, see you in part 5! Hero Image by JESHOOTS.COM on Unsplash
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3 Reasons Why You Should Turn Your “New Year’s Resolutions” into Goals Instead
Along with a brand new year comes a promise of new beginnings and fresh starts. A new year is a literal beginning to something new; something that hopefully has the potential to make things better. Year after year, a lot of people has gotten into the habit of making “New Year’s Resolutions” - listing things they hope to achieve in the coming year. However, this habit, along with buying a planner that only gets filled out until March, although admirable and has the best intentions, isn’t always the best gameplan to work on something you really want to happen. How many “this year I’m going to lose weight” or “this year I’m going to start being more productive” have you written in your planner only to find it collecting dust and being forgotten? These resolutions, as deeply desired and absolutely wanted as they may be, don’t have a strong enough voice in your life that it’s easy for them to be buried underneath all the clutter and noise. Life eventually and inevitably happens throughout the year, and before you know it, you’re at the end of yet another year with your resolutions buried at the end of your what-could-have-been pile. Well, guess what? This time will be different because you will make it so! A resolution is defined as your decision to do or not do something, whereas a goal is defined as a desired result of something that you want to happen. How about instead of waiting for every New Year to work on a resolution, you decide to set yourself a goal instead? Here are 3 reasons why you should do so, and a few tips to help you get started: Goals are S.M.A.R.Ter You’ve probably heard this in every leadership session you’ve ever attended - create SMART goals. This is one big difference between a resolution and a goal; a resolution is more like a promise, something that you throw off into the universe and hope it sticks. If anything, it sounds more like a wish. Not to take anything away from your desire to see it come true, it just lacks a solid depth to follow through. A goal, and a SMART one at that, on the other hand, has all the ingredients for success. Specific goals give you clarity; it gives you the desired action and how you are to get there using the resources (e.g. time, money, etc) that you have. It’s measurable and achievable because you will know exactly what you want and you will be well aware when you’ve reached it. It’s relevant in such a way that it plays into your biggest desires in life - it makes you want something to happen that you’re willing to put in the work for it. Goals promote longevity and continuous progress Goals may be time bound but they are not confined to be set only during New Years. Also, the timeline within which you want to achieve a goal is not confined to just a given year. Frustration usually kicks in when you set yourself a resolution at the start of the year and you don’t achieve it towards the end. You fall into the vicious cycle of setting yourself up for failure and feeling frustrated about it in the end. You can avoid all that by setting goals instead. Long term goals are aspirations that you see yourself achieving within the next 3 to 5, sometimes even 10 years depending on the preparation and effort needed. Short term goals are usually goals that you see yourself getting within several months up to a few years. One common problem of most people is procrastination. It’s not something you obviously want to happen, it just does. Sometimes you know you want something to happen, but because your brain is so intimidated by it, it tends to do everything but the thing you need to do. The good thing about setting a goal is it allows you to break it into smaller and more doable chunks of habit that you can form over time. These habits accumulate, and if you’re consistent enough, they contribute to the realization of your goal over time. Goals are aligned with your lifestyle Goals are not rigid and unyielding mantras that you tell yourself - It’s not “you-have-it-or-you-don’t”. Instead, goals give you the power to adjust and modify depending on your resources and other things that happen in your life. It gives premium to progress, rather than perfection. It gives emphasis on your journey and what it took you to get to where you are. In some ways, you may even find that the end goal you have has changed for the better because you put so much value in the way you took to get there. It’s not bad either, it only means your mindset is strong enough and conditioned in such a way that you’re not defined by a single achievement, but rather of a collective experience that makes you a whole person. Don’t wait for New Year’s to work on something. Sit yourself down and reflect on the things you really want to happen and break it down to smaller (and s.m.a.r.ter) goals that you can work on. Every new day is a chance to be better and do better. Whatever you do to get the energy and focus to work on a goal you’ve always wanted, or the calm and clarity to step back and assess your progress and your journey, your efforts will not be wasted because you’re working on your most incredible asset - you. Every investment you make on yourself and your goals is always a step in the right direction. What are you waiting for? Get in that thinking chair and get to work! Hero Image by Isaac Smith on Unsplash
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Ready to take things to the next level in 2021? Start with these 5 things. (Part 1 of 6)
New years are always a good thing; it’s a symbol of new beginnings, of moving forward, and of progress. It’s a reminder that no matter how broken you think you are, you get to have another shot - you can right the wrong and put one foot in front of the other, hopefully towards the right direction. This year sure have made you aware that you’re stronger than you ever were and capable of doing so much more. As you gear up and get ready to leave 2020 behind, have you ever asked yourself: “what’s the one thing I did in 2020 that I absolutely don’t want to do anymore next year?” Or maybe, what’s the one thing I did this year that I’d like to do more of in the coming year? You’re here, you’re strong, you’re ready - now what? Don’t let your momentum go to waste! Harness all that positivity brought about by looking forward to the next and buckle it up with all the grit you’ve developed from 2020’s challenges and use it to take things to the next level in 2021. Not sure where to start? Here are 5 things you can start with: Nutrition and Fitness Don’t ever get tired of being reminded that “health is wealth”, because it is and you know that it is. You can’t do anything when you’re lying sick in bed. You definitely won’t be able to reap the fruits of your hard work when you’re too weak to enjoy them. The good thing about taking your nutrition and fitness to the next level in 2021 is, it doesn’t need to be time-consuming, costly or inconvenient. This is an aspect in your life that’s only going to get better as you put effort into it. There’s no losing when you’re healthy, and the first step to ensure that is to pay attention to what you do with your body and what you put in it. Mental Health and Self-Care You can’t give from an empty cup, that’s a plain and simple fact. Most of the time, you are your worst critic and you’re not even aware that you are. Your mental health is very important because it affects the way you feel, the way you think, and the way you relate to yourself and to others. It has a lot to do with how you handle daily stress in your life and how you process emotions. Making an effort to improve your mental health makes so much sense if you realize how this impacts the quality of your life. Productivity This one may be a bit of an extreme for some people. Some people may have been “too productive” during the past year to the point of feeling burnt out, or “not productive at all” because of too many distractions and disturbances. Regardless where you are in this spectrum, it’s not too late to change. It’s never too late to lay down your priorities and goals, figure out the best way to achieve them, and decide which among those you want to knock out first. Career For some people who work in industries hugely impacted by the pandemic, 2020 might be one of the worse, if not the worst year, ever. A lot of people have been laid off, demoted, working hours reduced or other benefits put on hold or taken away. 2021 gives you a chance to reassess what you want in life in terms of career. If you’re unemployed, maybe it’s a chance to revisit your steps and see how you could use what happened to propel you in the right direction. Take one step backward, then 2 steps forward. If you’re employed, ask yourself: are you really where you want to be? Relationships With social distancing and lockdown regulations in place in many areas all over the world, 2020 sure took a toll on a lot of relationships. While it may be true that technology helped a lot in bridging the “gap” with the virtual meetings and conversations happening, there is still nothing better than a face to face conversation with another human being. The reactions and expressions are real-time, and you don’t have to worry about a crappy internet connection or forgetting to unmute! In 2021, and assuming (and hoping) that situations will slowly go back to normal, it might be time to reconnect with people who are important to you and rethink who among them are you willing to go that extra mile for to keep in your life. This article is the first of a six-part series which aims to open a more in-depth discussion on each of the above aspects. “Leveling up” may sound intimidating and scary, but it shouldn’t. Similar to the online games that you play, you need to “be more” as you make progress. Your character has to be stronger, better equipped to face the villains and move on to the next. You hope that 2021 will be so much better than 2020, but the question is, how will 2021-you be better than the 2020 version? Hero Image by Xan Griffin on Unsplash
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