Managing Distractions

If you work online or are in software development, you know what it is like to constantly be up against distractions. There is a great web application called Momentum which will distract you when opening new tabs with an incredible landscape photograph, while reminding you of your focus point for the day. It will keep you from opening too many tabs as well. If you are not working on email, close it. It is a total drain on your focus. While you are turning off your email, also turn off phone alerts and social media. Who hasn't had those days when you get on YouTube to watch one how-to video and next thing you know two hours go by and you are watching videos of dancing goats. The noises that our pocket computers make throughout a given day are like a little electronic orchestra of distraction.

Tiny Life Changes

Every one of us wants to make changes in our lives to grow and become better people. Fortunately there are small changes you could make that would make a huge difference. So say you want to build a better network and the onslaught of all those communication services is somewhat intimidating. Start small and commit ten minutes a day to making connections. This also includes maintaining those connections. Other changes you can make is being more productive. Once again, take it with small steps. Pick one change, and do it every day. You'll instantly be more productive... and you'll start looking for other things to change. If you want to have more brain power and get fitter. The best thing you can do is take a walk outside for forty minutes three times a day. Make sure that you use an activity tracker as well because it will encourage you and motivate you to keep up the exercise.

Graduation Advice

It is that time of the year again. There are thousands of newly graduated people. It is time for them to step into their new lives and new experiences, and most importantly the careers that they have been preparing for. This also means that the job searches are beginning along with the pain that comes from how poorly the job search engines' web development is done. Some days it might even seem like they are sending their resumes into a black hole never to be seen again. One of the most important lessons that I have learned when I was in that position is to be open minded and embrace the uncomfortable. Make sure that you expose yourself to as many different people and situations as you can by volunteering for internet projects and introducing yourself to someone new everyday. You also need to be patient. Things are going to go wrong. Use these moments in time as opportunities to accelerate the development of your own self-awareness and growth. You can’t run away when something doesn’t go your way. That is why you need to be resilient. The people that succeed are not the ones that do not fail, they are the ones that always get back up no matter what.

Communicating Better

In any industry, whether it is biology research or software development, communication is very important. People who are able to communicate were not just born that way, there was a lot of practice involved and some pretty good advice along the way. One of the first things that every great communicator knows is that they need to be an expert on what they are talking about. It is the only way to really get the attention and respect of the audience. Secondly, they listen more than they speak and ask a lot of questions so that what other people are saying can be clarified. Communication is also a lot about the non-verbal type. It is important to pay attention to postures and eye contact, as well as tone of voice. If any of these verbal and nonverbal communication aspects lack consistency, communication becomes a disaster. Do you have any more tips on how to communicate better?

First Couple Minutes of Your Day

When you first wake up, do you hit the snooze button? And then go through the day rushed and too busy? What if it takes only six minutes right when you wake up to set the tone for the day and after several weeks you will be able to see just how much better life is. The best part is that there are no mobile applications necessary. Instead of hitting the snooze button, get up but sit silently and breathe deeply for a minute. Next, take a minute to read over a list of affirmations of your unlimited potential and just how awesome you are in general. Close your eyes and visualize what it will look like and feel like when you reach your goals. Seeing your ideal vision increases your belief that it’s possible and your desire to make it a reality. In the next minute, get your blood flowing by doing jumping jacks or push ups. Then grab the non-fiction book that you are currently reading and read the next two pages which should take about a minute. It might spark some ideas for your day. Finally, grab a pen and paper and write down one thing that you are grateful for, one thing that you are proud of, and three results that you are committed to creating that day. In those six minutes, we can create the life that we really want to live.

ResearchKit From Apple

Apple is opening its ResearchKit platform to developers and researchers who can use the tool to learn more about patient diseases and conditions, like Parkinson's and diabetes. The platform collects data from various mobile applications and features of the smartphone as well as having the user take surveys. This data is then compiled into a cloud services where researchers can evaluate and analyze it to see if there are any previously hidden trends in the diseases. This has the potential to improve the health of the patients and the ability of the caregivers to care for them. Taking it one step further, the information could be compiled and added to other clinical studies. On the other end of it, the patient is giving up information about themselves. Should they be compensated for it or is knowing that they are a part of helping find treatments and cures for diseases enough? In the world today, data and information are currency and can fetch a very high price for the right buyer.

Loving Life

Life is a gift and we must use it wisely. The best part about it is that being happy does not involve luck or being in the right place at the right time. It really comes from intention and action. Here are a couple life tips to have you back on the track of enjoying every single aspect of it. First of all do the things you love and not the things you hate. Sounds pretty simple, right? No mobile application required either. We have been told to just deal with the hand we have and suck it up. That is not how it works though. Do what you love, it is that simple. As we grow up we somehow lose our sense of wonder and playfulness we had as children. Our minds are so consumed with the "have-to" tasks, bills, and other responsibilities that we put our fun and play time on the back burner. When was the last time you just kicked up your heels and let your inner child run free? Life is meant to be lived, loved, and experienced in the moment and I am not one to sit around and wait for retirement to do the things I love and you shouldn't either.