life hacks Archives | Page 15 of 28

Shockingly Free Tips To Boost Your Confidence

Confidence opens more opportunities in business and in life but, how does one boost his confidence?

1. KNOWLEDGE IS POWER

When it comes to elevating your confidence, staying informed is essential. When you know what you are talking about, you are more likely to share, interact, and engage more. Thus, you are manifesting confidence throughout the day! So, you better hit the books before going to events.

2. POWER OF HUMOR

Laughter produces wonderful benefits in your physical and emotional well-being. But, you shall not burst into laughter and look inappropriate! Simply tell a joke or share a funny story with others and laugh along. The benefits of laughing are cumulative and profound.

3. MAINTAINING EYE CONTACT

You can project your power and assertiveness with your body language. With the people you interact with regularly, make it a habit to maintain eye contact and direct your gaze to them while you are conversing. This little gesture will show that you are interested, engaged, and confident.

4. GUIDED MEDITATION

Frequent meditation increases your mindfulness to the present state. It keeps you balanced and focused. It helps increase your confidence by washing out your stress and worries. Also, it allows you to mentally prepare for success.

There is an abundance of free guided mediation videos on the Internet but I recommend this 10-minute video:

5. PRACTICING GOOD POSTURE

Constantly touching the strands of your hair or pulling your pigtail is a surefire giveaway that you are nervous. Instead, walk or sit up straight with your arms uncrossed and chin up. You will appear and feel more confident afterwards.

6. HELP FROM YOUR FRIENDS

Feeling down and incapable? Are you scared to do something new and difficult? Try seeking the help of your friends. Call them over the phone, write them thru email, or private message them via social media platforms and ask why they believe you would succeed. Knowing your positive qualities will help you feel more motivated, energized, and confident.

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

Sources: 1 , 2 , & 3

How To Stay Healthy Despite of The Terrible Hazy Conditions

Our air quality worsened on Monday due to the shift in the prevailing winds that brought denser haze from Sumatra. In fact, the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) entered the “unhealthy” range last Sunday according to the National Environment Agency.

For your knowledge, a PSI reading of 0-50 is okay, 51-100 is moderate, 101-200 is unhealthy, 201-300 is very unhealthy, and 301 and beyond is hazardous. At the time of writing, the 24-hour PSI readings from 1am-12am today ranges from 148-184. Yes! That is certainly unhealthy.

Short-term exposure to unhealthy haze can cause irritated eyes, runny or stuffy nose, dry or sore throat, headache, and fatigue. In some cases, it can even affect one’s heart and lungs that higher PSI readings can cause breathlessness.

So, how do you stay healthy despite the haze?

You must wear the N95 mask to ensure full coverage when you breathe. But, the best way is to stay indoors (with an air purifier and air conditioner) as much as possible!

While staying inside the walls of your home, you do not have to spend money or sulk in boredom. You can enjoy playing video games, board games, and a bunch of other activities like…

1. LEARNING SOMETHING NEW FOR FREE

Upgrade your knowledge and skills with the quality online resources that are available for free. There are two websites that I am fond of namely: Khan Academy and Code Academy. Khan Academy offers a myriad of courses and exam preparation modules. While, Code Academy offers classes in 6 different programming languages. You can definitely complete the course and be well versed in several programming scripts!

2. EARNING EXTRA MONEY

Use your free time to earn extra money by selling your underused and unwanted items on Gumtree or Carousell. Then, spend more time by cleaning up your closets and drawers in the process.

You may also complete some online surveys and get compensated with cash or redeemable rewards in websites such as My Survey and SurveyCompare.

3. QUALITY TIME WITH THE FAMILY

Lastly, use this valuable time to enjoy the company of your family. Catch up on the lives and the latest projects of every family member and indulge on a great session of cooking, games, or movies. These kind of moments are best spent with the ones you love. 🙂

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

Must Read: Simple Money Hacks To Improve Your Financial Life Now

You deserve to achieve understanding, awareness, and especially control over your life. Everyone does. And, “Psychology Of Love, Money, & Life” book might just be the answer!

Money is one of the book’s three sections. Adding the Psychological factor, you will be able to realize that money has effects on your well-being and that you can control its effects. You hold your financial present and future!

So, take a peek inside some of the valuable tips you can get from the #PLMLBook…

1. GAIN PLEASURE FROM MONEY THROUGH ANTICIPATION

If you want to gain positive feelings toward your spending then, ensure that you always have something to look forward to. Let us say you get a raise, treat yourself by buying the designer bag you have been wanting for months. The anticipation of purchase, no matter how small the item is, can increase pleasure enormously.

2. SAVE UP FOR TRAVEL FUND

If you are in a Long Distance Relationship, it can be very expensive. Which is why it is essential to follow a strict budget to save up for your travels. Be responsible enough to spend your money only to what is necessary.

3. SHALL YOU BUY IT OR NOT? STOP THINKING! TAKE THE SWIFT TEST INSTEAD.

When you are thinking twice on purchasing an item especially an article of clothing, ask yourself if you are willing to try it on the dressing room swiftly at that particular moment. If there is no sense of immediate excitement, do not bother to buy it.

4. ONE SIZE MAY NOT FIT ALL

Everybody’s financial situation is unique to the person so, be wary of the “one-size-fits-all” investment strategies from media’s financial gurus. Many factors such as your consumer personality, financial goals, age, etc. should be considered. This is why it is best to listen to your personal financial adviser instead.

5. AVOID THE STATUS QUO BIAS

As I was looking for a new laptop online, my choice leaned towards the brand that I’ve been using for 4 years – the MacBook. Although its competitor had touch screen, 360 bendable monitor, and it’s running on the new Windows software that enables you to download countless of Apps. Certainly, for functionality, the latter was the best choice but I still preferred Macintosh.

This cognitive bias is called the status quo bias. It occurs when you are more likely to prefer the product that you know more of even if there are better options available. Changing your buying habits to avoid this cognitive bias start with the awareness!

Image Credits: misspsychobabble.blogspot.com

Psychology of Love, Money, & Life is now available on Google Play Books, Kobo, Amazon (Kindle), Apple IBooks, and M1 Learning Centre. Find the platform and price that suits you best!

This is written by Anna Agoncillo. She graduated under Cardiff Metropolitan University (UK) with Honors. Combining her passion for psychology and writing, she started a successful blog called “Miss Psychobabble” and has contributed to other platforms including Bored Panda, Psychology Matters Asia, Thought Catalog, Money Digest, and so much more.

4 Stand-out Hobbies You Shall Put In Your C.V. To Elevate Your Employability

You may think that the “hobbies and interests” section in your Curriculum Vitae (C.V.) is rubbish but, it is not! Often underestimated by many, a good hobbies and interests section has several benefits.

First, this section gives you the opportunity to manifest your endearing personality and characteristics. Second, it allows you to support your working experience and claimed skill set. Third, it helps you create smooth conversations with the interviewer. And lastly, it helps the interviewer decide if you are culturally fit in the company you are applying for.

With all these in mind, here are the 4 Stand-out Hobbies You Shall Put In Your C.V. To Elevate Your Employability…

1. PARTICIPATING IN TEAM SPORTS

If you participate in any team sports then, do not hesitate to include it in your C.V. or resume. Team sports show your capacity to work with others in the pursuit of a goal. Furthermore, it shows that you are able to commit and learn from your mistakes. These qualities are particularly desirable in industries that need interpersonal relationships and great teamwork.

2. WRITING

An interest in writing (i.e., through making your own poetry website, writing a book, managing a blog, etc.) gives emphasis on your communication skills and creativity. These strengths are desirable in the application of editorial and public relations positions.

Aside from this, most often than not, your interviewer will be Google-ing you before your interview. And, having your own blog or website will give you an edge over others. In fact, based on personal experience, I had come to more than two interviews wherein they would compliment how interesting and how eloquent I am in my blog. From search engine optimization to social media management and language skills, having your own creative writing hobby boosts your image and offers a peek inside your beautiful mind.

3. GOING TO MUSEUMS OR READING BOOKS

You may think that putting “museum enthusiast” or “bookworm” in your C.V. is boring but, it is not! These interests allow you to showcase your thirst for knowledge and education. This quality is especially favorable if you are applying for a position as a researcher.

4. TRAVELING

Wanderlust can enjoy not only the perks of travel but also the perks of employability. Having a strong desire to explore the world gives the impression that you are brave enough to step out of your comfort zone.

While traveling, you are planning your finances and budgeting your expenses. Through this, you picked up organizational skills. While traveling, you are able to befriend a person from a different culture or even learn a local phrase or two. Through this, you picked up communication skills.

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

Moreover, writing that your hobbies include traveling will show that you are open to relocate. A quality that is sought after by many global companies today.

Sources: 1 & 2

3 Times Color Significantly Affected Your Spending

Whenever you are out to shop, you see wonderful colors from the lightest to the darkest shades. The sale signs are bright red, the shopping bags are shocking yellow, and the labels are resonating the rainbow. Did you know that these colors are strategically placed to influence the way you spend?

Colors can impact one’s spending because the sight of it automatically stimulates you and increases your memories, color-motivated behaviors, and social influences. Here are three situations when color significantly affects your finances:

1. RIGHT SHADE FOR YOUR CAR

Burgundy is a shade of red that is often associated with wine. Cars with this color are usually more expensive that their white counterparts as burgundy exude luxury and refinement. Furthermore, red is a difficult color to see at night when people’s visions are somewhat distorted. Be careful as this may lead to involvements in accidents.

On the other hand, a white colored car has numerous benefits.

But before discussing this, I must acknowledge the existence of the age-old debate of whether white and black are colors. According to the available online resources, white is an achromatic color composed of all the frequencies of the light of the visible spectrum. While black is a color when you are referring to the coloring agents of tangible objects. For example, if you combine the primary colors using paint, you would get a shade of black.

Going back to white as a color for your car…light colored cars have better petroleum mileage because you can stay cooler without the use of air conditioning. Painting your car white can instantly lower the interior heat. Also, it is easier to see by other drivers at night.

2. ATTRACTIVE PACKAGING OF BEAUTY PRODUCTS

You enter Sephora and you see their in-house brand of lipsticks in sleek black tubes. Don’t they look expensive? Even if these lipsticks cost less than other brands they seem more upscale because of the color they come in. In packaging, black signifies sophistication.

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

Another color that can push people to spend more on beauty products especially the anti-aging ones is purple. Purple signifies royalty. This is why people are often convinced that there really are special properties inside the “purple box” and they are willing to pay more for it.

3. APPETITE-ENHANCING COLORS

From the logos to the interior, two colors seem to stay at almost every fast food chains. These two colors are red and yellow. Red and yellow stimulate appetite, which probably explains why your stomach starts to make noises as soon as you see the yellow arches or the red logo. And, you cannot resist spending more inside.

Image Credits: Mike Mozart via Flickr (CC License)

Interestingly, you can combat how colors affect the way you eat by controlling your own plate. Researchers at Cornell University found that when they reduced the contrast in their plates and tables or in their plates and the food itself, people tend to serve themselves less food. For example, to eat less, pair your white plate with your white table-cloth or a blue plate with a blue table-cloth.

Sources: 1,2, 3, & 4

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