Achieve Greatness

We can all do it. There are some habits that we need to pick up though to get us on our way to being great. Time needs to be acknowledged as a precious resource. This means that it is a bad idea to waste it on mind numbing mobile applications or social media. Time wasted is not time you can get back. You should also learn to take calculated risks. Successful people know what they stand to lose if things do not go their way and always have a plan B to minimize damage and keep moving forward. A smart approach to work, including taking breaks, makes people more productive. You need to work hard but then you have to put everything aside and take a break. You will come back refreshed and ready to keep tackling the day. In addition to taking breaks, it is also important to invest in your health meaning exercise and eat right. Lastly, pay if forward and help out someone that needs it.

Algorithm vs Human Hiring

If you are in the job market feverishly hunting for a position, either fresh out of school or needing to switch job, you will know what I am talking about. Every time you send out a resume with a cover letter, you wonder if it is going down a black hole never to be seen again. On one hand, people make hiring decisions based on similarities that have nothing to do with the job requirements — like whether an applicant has a friend in common, went to the same school or likes the same sports. On the other hand, if this process were to be automated through a web application or software, the computer would not be able to assess human skills such as making conversation and reading social cues. The system is obviously flawed and we need to find a way to make it better. A hybrid of the two sounds like the most reasonable answer here. And data is creating a need for new roles, like diversity consultants who analyze where the data shows a company is lacking and figure out how to fix it. People will also need to make sure the algorithms aren’t just codifying deep-seated biases or, by surfacing applicants who have certain attributes, making workplaces just as homogeneous as they were before.

Some Advice on Life

Whether you just graduated from school or are well invested in your career, you can always learn a thing or two. There is always time to change. First of all, invest in yourself before anything else. You need to spend time and effort on anything that improves your talents. Even learn a couple new ones. Web development is a great place to start for any entrepreneur. While you are off bettering yourself, take the time to learn your strengths and weaknesses. It will serve in the long run. Also, do you love your job? I mean do you look forward to each morning of doing it? In life, you need to find something that you would still do if you had enough money. Your time is precious so you need to use it accordingly. Everyone in the world has 24 hours in a day. Lastly, when an opportunity come around, grab it with both hands and do not let go. Live by going big or going home. There is really no middle ground in this regard.

Fearless

First of all, there is no such thing. We all feel fear, we all have times when we feel the world might just end. Even those great business professionals who are trailblazers also felt fear. When their mobile applications or web applications fail miserably or are on the brink of going downhill, they feel fear. So how do you get over it? The answer is that there is absolutely no need to "get over it." It is about learning from it and failure and forging ahead. You have to get to a point where not doing something is more terrifying that doing it. If you have a greater fear, such as regret, than the fear of jumping off the cliff, it can be one of the best motivators. I read that chasing your dreams is jumping off that ledge and building a parachute on the way down. So jump. You might not have another chance.

Living the Life You Want

Mobile applications abound and suck up our time and energy. Not to mention all the time spent on Facebook comparing ourselves to other people that we call our friends. So here is some great life advice to make sure that your hours are not wasted away. Always be curious and learning something new whether it is through travel, the newspaper, or formal education. Never stop learning and asking questions because everyone has a story to tell and knows something that you do not. Another lesson is that fear becomes useless at one point. It can be a burden and hold you back. Go big or go home. Put away that cell phone too. We've lost the ability to communicate with one another and yet, on the other hand we are now over communicating. Lastly, it is never too late to have an adventure.

Seeing Green

Did you know that taking a lot of breaks can actually increase your productivity? One study showed 20 minutes of yoga could significantly improve brain functioning, another that a quick nap would seriously boost memory, while a third suggested that just shy of an hour of work followed by around a 15-minute pause was the ideal work pattern. The problem is that most of us do not have that much time to just kick back and relax. We are too busy trying to figure out the web development project and get the gaming application just right. What you could do is take 60 seconds to look out the window at something green. In a recent study, it was found that just a quick glimpse of a green landscape had a measurable impact on productivity. Rethinking your office layout, your view-blocking window coverings, your wall art, or the number of potted plants in your space might just be enough to help your team get more done and be happier doing it. Even opting for natural materials like unpainted wood could help.

Giving Back

One of the best things about AB-Soft and their software development team is that they are always giving back to the community. You will often see them at the orphanage spending time with the kids and giving them gifts that they are in need of such as washing machines. The people at AB-Soft do a lot of crafting activities and playing games with the kids as well. The team believes that it is one of the best things that we can do with our time. The children in our communities are the future and the disadvantaged ones especially need our support. I think that everyone should give back of themselves, no matter what form it is in. If you are short on money, go volunteer your time somewhere. You might be thinking that it would be a waste of your time but it is one of the best ways to grow and help the less fortunate. You might learn a thing or two about yourself along the way.

Getting a Jumpstart on Your Morning

If you hate getting up in the morning, you are not alone. On the brighter side of things, we can make it slightly better. First of all, make sure that you clean the kitchen up before going to bed. It would just be nice to wake up to a clean house. You should also get everything that you will need such as file and documents ready and next to the door. You should also respond to those messages that need your immediate attention. Planning your breakfast the night before will ensure you get a nutritious meal. There are plenty of gadgets that connect with mobile applications that make you breakfast as soon as you wake up to make things run smoother. Another great way to enjoy waking up in the morning is to stick to a regular bedtime. Your body will get used to it and begin to wind down by a certain time each day. Keep the computer screens at bay because they are stimulating and keep you up at night.

Get Organized

Are you frequently caught running around like a chicken with no head? This probably makes you, your boss, and the chicken look bad. The thing is that you cannot just get organized overnight. It takes some steps and the building of habits. The first thing that you should do is take a look at your mornings. Are you always rushing out the door? The night before get your clothes and a healthy breakfast planned as well as your papers packed and phone charged. Then you should organize your desk and workspace because clutter will just suck your energy like no other while you are working on developing those content management systems for your client. It will also minimize distractions. You should then look at how your time is spent and really organize it into tasks. Group similar things together so that when you get into the rhythm of work, you will not get distracted. Then make sure that you can prioritize task based on the importance. The trick to having balance doesn't lie in sacrificing important things, but in identifying what matters and making it important. This is all about reducing stress and uncluttering your environment, moving past stagnation, saving time, and improving the overall quality of your living and being.

The Public Cloud

In short, the public cloud services are the most well-known type of cloud computing. Many businesses use this type of cloud because how easy it is to use and set up. There is also a scalability factor that is the driving force in companies going with this type of cloud. Some of the main reasons that businesses choose the public cloud is that is easy to use and cost-effective. It is also run by a third party. Public clouds allow users to easily add or drop capacity, and are typically accessible from any Internet-connected device. The problems with a public cloud is that it can be unreliable which means that it can have outages and you might not be able to access your files and documents. It also has less security that private clouds and this could mean disputes about who owns what data. They are more susceptible to hacks and malware. Some public cloud providers also reserve the right to shift data around from one region to another without notifying the user -– which may cause issues. So the easy of use comes with a cost.

Biometric Scanners in the Palm of Your Hand

The smartphone's touch screen can do so many wonderful things. What if we made it into a biometric scanner? The uses and software development here can be endless. For one thing, the screen can be used to scan things such as ears in order to unlock the phone. Everyone has a distinct ear shape so it can be as good as a fingerprint. The fingerprint scanners can actually increase the price of the smartphones but even the lower end ones have great touch screens that can be used for this purpose. Bodyprint compensates for the low input resolution with an increased false rejection rate, but does not compromise on authentication precision. The technology could also be use in the medical field and with certain health mobile applications. Putting all that data in a cloud service, we will be able to see an even bigger picture.

Little Life Tips

It is important to have rules that we live by. I have found that there are little things that you can change in your day to day life that can have significant effects on your life. The best part is that it does not come in the form of a mobile application that sucks your time and energy. First of all, do what you say that you are going to do. Trust is a hard thing to come by and you will then be in demand. You should also be moving more. Researchers have found that exercise doesn't just improve your physical health, it improves the way your brain works, giving us more focused concentration, sharper memory, lower stress, and more. Another great way to improve the quality of this short life is to give of yourself and pay it forward. Volunteer with a nonprofit or community-based organization that is devoted to a cause you're interested in. If it feels like things are not moving anywhere or in the direction you want, a change of scenery might just be what you need.

Boosting That Creative Spark

So here you are, sitting at your desk or hopefully standing, trying to think of the some ideas for the gaming application but nothing seems to be coming to you. And it really isn't helping to be staring at the screen for so long. There are a couple things that you can do to be more creative and get the ball rolling to the right direction. Make sure that the room you are sitting in is spacious. It will help broaden your thoughts and attention. While you are looking for large rooms, pay attention to the colors as well. Blues and greens are relaxing and conducive to that creative state. Once you have settled on a place, make sure to always be changing it up because static surroundings encourage static thinking. Don't be predictable. You should sometimes change everyday routines, such as where you go for coffee or your route to work. If you are stuck on a problem, take a break and do something different such as taking a cap nap, listen to music, meditate, or play a game.

Wake Up the Right Way

Our morning routine is so engrained that we go through it without ever thinking twice or considering changing it. There are a couple things that we can do in order to make it better though. First of all, what does your alarm sound like? If you set it to the most annoying tone, you might want to reconsider. You do not want your first feeling of the day to be irritation so set your favorite song as the alarm. Also, if you are waking up, wake up for good without hitting the snooze button because it will throw off your entire cycle. Once you are out of bed, do not skip breakfast. A healthy breakfast will keep you focused and running a lot longer than a cup of coffee will. Take some time in the morning to meditate or exercise. There are even amazing mobile applications just for that. This will “reset” your brain and allow you to better focus on your work when it’s time to actually start. Routines take consistency, discipline and time to change effectively so give it time and energy and you will reap the benefits.

Be in the Here and Now

The past is in the past and that's where it needs to remain. There is no value in regret, guilt or shame. Acknowledge that whatever happened is over and lear from it. Reliving past events and beating yourself up does nothing but bring those problems into the present, keeping the energy of them alive. Do not let the past rule your present in any way. Similarly, if you believe your best times were in the past, you need to let that belief go. Really practice being present to whatever you're doing. The easiest way to feel present is practicing meditation, but it's not the only path to presence. There are many different mobile applications to help with it. The bottom line is to be aware of what your body is doing whether you are just relaxing or running. Once you have the presence down pat, you can really start following your gut. It is important to be in tune with your intuition because it is part of you and comes from you being yourself. All it really takes are small step each day to choose to be happy and present.

Running Out Of Space on Your Computer

So you are working on the latest mobile application on your computer and next thing you know is that your computer is telling you that you are running out of space. Then panic ensues because you really need to finish this project and turn it in as a nice little bundle, which needs to be saved on the computer. Before you start freaking out and thinking that you need to buy external storage, there are a couple things that you can try. This might seem obvious, but you should empty your trash folder. Even if it is in there, it is still taking up room on your computer. Next, delete the files in you download folder. You will be utterly surprised by the amount of space you can save just by emptying that folder. You should also go through the files that you have never looked at since they were put there. Videos you’ve taken with your phone but never looked at since, your salivating collection of dessert photos, and the music albums that are so last year — all these files are squatting in your hard drive, and it’s time to evict them. You should go through your cloud storage with a fine tooth comb to see what files you do not need so that you will free up some space to move files from your computer to the cloud. As a last resort, move your files that you do not use regularly to an external storage.

Building Relationships

The key to locking into any relationship is to invite someone to talk, and then listen. Do not just sit there waiting for your turn to say something. Ask them questions and dig deeper. You will be surprised at to what you will learn from the other person because everyone you meet has something new to offer. Use your words and attitude to create a spotlight. Let the person you're speaking with know he or she is important, and important to you, by the way you talk, even over different communication services. And when you talk, be enthusiastic about it. Upbeat people by definition likable. While you are talking with them, always look for the good and be patient because sometimes, it takes a while for it to come out but it is definitely there. Lastly, treat them the way that you want to be treated. Sounds simple enough but we tend to forget about it a lot.

Changing Your Homepage

When you boot up your computer, your homepage or even web application should offer you something inspiring. You could set your homepage to Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day. It will help with your vocabulary and it is my firm belief that everyone's vocabulary is very lacking. You could also have it load to the Astronomy picture of the day. Stargazing has never been easier or more informative. You could also start your day with a song or poem of the day if you are one of the creative types that just loves to get your juices flowing. Perfect for fans of factoids, you can find out something new every darn day of the week with "Today I Found Out." Finally, you can enjoy a regular dose of cuteness with the excellent Daily Kitten site. The site does just what it claims to do, delivering a lovely picture of an adorable kitten every morning around 10 am. Cheers and to starting the morning right.

Bringing Value to Your Employer

No matter how high up in the company you may be, it is imperative to be constantly able to add value to the company. You will be able to have a higher salary, be given opportunities to advance, and have your position be protected when time get tougher. First of all, simply meeting expectations will not be enough for you to get ahead. There are questions that you can ask yourself to honestly see just how valuable you may be to your employer. They are as follows:

1. Am I consistent in my attendance, my work, and my results?

2. Am I improving each year?

3. Am I moving forward with purpose and not resting on my past accomplishments?

4. Am I spending most of my time at work with top performers?

5. Have I recently added to my job description on my own initiative?

6. Do I set goals for myself beyond the ones my supervisor sets?

7. Do I regularly ask for feedback on my performance from my boss and my peers?

8. Does my performance compare favorably with my peers?

9. Do I collaborate well with others and have good professional relationships?

This might be what it really boils down to, whether you are in software development or in the marketing department of your company. Use the questions to evaluate yourself and create a plan for improvement. 

Phone Separation Anxiety

Do you suffer from it? Apparently being away from your phone can lead to "physiological anxiety" and "poor cognitive performance." These are the results of a new study done by the University of Missouri. The findings suggest that when people do not have their phones but see them and hear them while not being about to answer them will cause anxiety. Of course, the phones did not ring when they were with the person so there are some limitations to this assessment of our relationship with phone services. On the whole, this study at least identifies the type of questions that we should be asking ourselves when we are constantly looking at our phones. Not to mention the feelings we get when the battery is running low and there is no charger in sight. What were we doing three decades ago when this was not even a question? How did we survive?

Taking Steps to Improve Your Health

First of all, if you work in an environment where there is a lot of sitting at a desk, get a standing desk. Yes, they are affordable and if anyone says anything trying to be smart, you can always come back with the fact that sitting can significantly shorten life and there is nothing funny about that. I mean we are talking about developing chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancers. If the standing desk is not an option, you could use mobile or business applications that remind you to get up and walk around. As you are walking around, remember to take a stroll outside because it will boost your mood as well as start all those creative juices flowing. Also, try to work next to a window during the day. It will help your body regulate its internal clock. Keeping things in a natural light, place a plant in the living room or your desk. the color green can be beneficial to keeping stress down and creativity up.

Google Glass Competitors

Google's approach with Glass was to provide the wearer with what it called "glanceable" information, shown on a virtual screen just above the right eye. By building Glass this way, Google was making a clear statement: it's for ultra-convenient and hands-free access to very specific information such as news and updates and sharing using internet phones and other communication services. Glass is intended to complement the moment you're experiencing, not take you out of it. What if that is not what people are looking for? Augmented reality and by extension, virtual reality, might be something that people are looking for according to several trends. Epson's Moverio glasses change the game and the whole screen can be a digital display. The glasses run at $700 but the bulk and the cord that is attached to the side makes it something that needs a lot of improvements if more people are going to be wearing it. Also, I think that the middle ground between reality and virtual reality that we call augmented reality is just hype. We like both sides of the spectrum, not the middle.