142 Shares Blogging isn’t something that only the nerdy types or teens do anymore, and it most certainly goes beyond posting pictures of your children (or pets for the childless out there) and griping about your job. Blogging is, for some, a business or a source of extra spending money. It’s also a source of money, power, and satisfaction. But as it goes in professional sports, there are millions playing in the neighborhood little leagues, but a very small minority will ever make it to the big leagues. So how do you improve your... More »
866 Shares While using a search engine to find information on the web isn’t quite as much of an endeavor as it was in the late 1990′s, it can still be a time-consuming task if you don’t know how to make use of the tools available to you that can cut down the time you’ll spend searching. I worked in a public library for the better part of the last decade and in that capacity I’ve been asked every question under the sun and am expected to come up with an answer in an instant. Thank... More »
158 Shares Raise your hand if you have tried several times to start a new blog, and then completely forget about it weeks, months, or maybe even years later. You’re definitely not alone. Blogging can be fun, but it can also at times be very tedious, time consuming, and possibly even boring. In addition to the occasional case of writer’s block, another hazard of the blogging profession (or hobby) is burn out. Burn out is different than writer’s block; you can think of plenty of things to write about, but you just don’t want to or... More »
45 Shares If you’ve been living under a rock, or just don’t follow the tech industry all that closely, you might not be aware that Google has been working on their Chrome operating system and a notebook that runs off of it. In late 2010 they began taking applications for people to test out the never-to-be-released, beta notebooks known by the moniker CR-48. They’ve since distributed the notebooks to a select group of media people and other random folks chosen from the applications, and on Wednesday word began to leak about when a Chrome-powered... More »
182 Shares There are many different eBook readers available on the market these days, but three stand out from the pack: the Amazon Kindle, the Barnes & Noble Nook and the Apple iPad. Each has their own pluses and minuses and all are fabulous devices, but its easy to get overwhelmed with all of the features. If you’re in the market for an eBook reader and are looking at the Kindle, Nook or iPad, check out my handy guide below which will help you make your decision. The Amazon Kindle There are two varieties... More »
4K Shares All day long, nearly every day of the year, I write. I write and write so much that it’s almost become second nature, but sometimes I’m at a loss for words. I sit around trying to think of what to write, trying to find some inspiration, and sometimes even if I do find something that inspires me, I don’t know what to say. The words just won’t come out. As someone who writes for a living, you can bet that in the battle of beating writer’s block, I’ve tried it all. Here... More »
732 Shares Excessive clutter is often a symptom and a cause of stress and can affect every facet of your life, from the time it takes you to do things to your finances and your overall enjoyment of life. Clutter can distract you, weigh you down, and in general it invites chaos into your life. Often times, however, tackling the clutter can seem an insurmountable task if you don’t know where or how to start. By devoting a little of your time to getting rid of the clutter in your life and maintaining things... More »
276 Shares I get that the newspaper and entire print industry is going through a rough time with advertisers dropping left and right and their subscriber base dwindling, but I’m still not sold on the idea of charging for access to news stories online as the way to save the news industry. Nevertheless, the New York Times made the decision to begin charging for access to their online news stories and features, and that went into effect on Monday afternoon. You’ll still be able to read up to 20 articles per month for free... More »
108 Shares After a long winter, the first signs of spring – new flowers popping up in the garden, buds on the trees, and warmer temperatures – may have inspired you to clean your house and yard from top-to-bottom, making it sparkly and new-looking again. But sometimes spring cleaning can seem like an overwhelming task leaving you unsure of what to do and where to start. By breaking down the big project into smaller parts, you’re more likely to find success. We’re going to break down your spring cleaning plans by room, and then... More »
452 Shares The events that have unfolded in Japan over the past week are horrifying, sad, and devastating. The country is facing death and destruction at the hands of a massive 9.0-magnitude earthquake and the subsequent tsunami. Now they are also on the verge of a nuclear disaster. Many countries and organizations are pledging volunteers, supplies and money to help. But what about you, average Joe citizen, how can you help? How can you be sure that your hard-earned money will actually go to the people who need it? How can you be sure... More »
4.1K Shares Have you ever noticed that some people are able to effortlessly remember even the most mundane details, and quickly comprehend new things, and wished that you too could be like that? Well, you can. To unlock the full potential of your brain, you need to keep it active and acute. Wasting away on your couch watching mindless television shows is not going to help. Besides getting out flashcards, what can you do to help remember things better and learn new things more quickly? Check out these tips: Exercise & get your body... More »
450 Shares While many people claim that they thrive in high-stress environments, others work best in some place that is relaxing and tranquil. Changing your job might not be an option if it is a high-stress position by nature, but you can still optimize your workspace to make it a more relaxing place to spend your time and do your work, in turn reducing your stress levels and increasing your productivity. The biggest key to creating a relaxing workspace is styling it in a way that makes you happy. If it feels right to... More »
569 Shares There are a lot of benefits of working from home, from being able to see more of your kids to a flexible schedule and more. But it’s also very dangerous if you’re easily lured in by procrastination and the numerous distractions that can present themselves and hamper your work and productivity. If you’re going to work from home, be it a day here or there, or full-time, you’ll want to plan it out. Here are some tips for successfully working from home: Make yourself an office, or at least a work “station”... More »
28 Shares With the dismal month of February now behind us, March gives hope of spring and new beginnings. It’s the perfect time to start working on your spring gardening plans, even though spring doesn’t officially start until much later in the month. Much of the United States still has to contend with cold weather spells in March, but for the southern portions of the country, things are already starting to heat up. For many parts of the U.S., spring has already sprung or is just around the corner. It’s an exciting time for gardeners,... More »
53 Shares Working a 9 to 5 job and then adding in the time to commute, plus having kids means very little time for parents to do much of anything, especially in households where both parents work or in single parent homes. That means very few homecooked meals for many families during the work week, and instead a lot of processed foods, take-out, and fast food dining. As we all know, that’s not a very healthy diet, especially for growing children. So what’s a working parent to do? It is actually possible to make... More »
