I have owned multiple sound machines of varying quality and price, but I found that none of the standalone units measured up to similar programs that run on personal computers.
Fortunately, mobile technology closed the gap between the two options, giving users the convenience of a standalone unit with the benefits of a computer program. This hybrid gives us a mobile application that stimulates sleep, enhances meditation, increases focus, and stimulates positive emotions.
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People tend to fear the unknown and fear the learning curve that can accompany change. This is especially true when it comes to technology, where the return on change may not be apparent for years.
While the status quo is comforting, it is a fleeting solution to any of life’s problems. You can achieve better results when you take responsibility for any forthcoming change and find constructive ways to deal with it.
I know of people who have severely out-dated computers and software, yet they refuse to make any progressive changes. People like this, fear they will never recover from the experience.
Nevertheless, time waits for no man. For example, Microsoft’s decision to stop supporting Windows XP (The most popular Operating System (OS) in history.) placed users in a dangerous situation where they will no longer have access to security updates unless they upgraded their system to a new OS.
The best thing you can do in these cases is to prepare yourself for any impending changes. With a little bit of research and forethought, you can head off any technological setbacks that may occur during any kind of upgrade.
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In 2007, Apple introduced a service on the iTunes store that gives users access to a wide selection of free educational programs. These programs included lectures, lessons, and courseware provided by universities and other educational institutions from around the world.
Essentially, the service offers everything someone would need to get a degree in multiple subjects without receiving an actual diploma.
This week, Apple supplemented the service by releasing a dedicated iTunes U iPhone app. The app allows users the ability to select and sync educational material directly from their phones. Therefore making the service available to people who rarely use iTunes on their Mac or PC.
iTunes U’s greatest strength is that it creates a hub for the massive amount of educational material that the internet has to offer. Like its music library, iTunes makes navigating and selecting courses easy because it consolidates multiple providers into one service.
All the iTunes U courses can be downloaded to a mobile device or directly streamed to your computer. Ultimately, it is no different than the way you access your music or movie purchases on iTunes.
Like any open ecosystem where anyone can post material, there are draw backs. At times the audio and video quality of the files is subpar.
Apple does a good job featuring the best programs, yet like the schools offering the material, the quality of the courses varies wildly.
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You may recognize Randy Plutarch from his many television appearances. He was a brilliant professor at Carnegie Mellon University who lost his battle with pancreatic cancer on July 25th, 2008.
Although, he left an amazing academic legacy, he is most famous for a discourse he titled “The Last Lecture.” The lecture was his contribution to a long-standing tradition at the University where professors would give an address speaking about life lessons.
Undeniably, Randy’s eminent death brought a new poignancy and emotional depth to the series.
The lecture is an educational, gratifying and wrenching affair. He discusses combating the disease, his life before cancer and his family’s struggle to find happiness and balance after learning about his terminal condition.
Even though, I have watched the lecture many times, I feel the audiobook is the best way to experience the speech. As an added bonus, Randy narrates the book and it contains supplementary content not included in the original lecture.
You can get additional information on his website at http://www.thelastlecture.com
You can also watch the original lecture in its entirety at http://youtu.be/ji5_MqicxSo
I have included a copy of a handout titled “Tips for Working Successfully in a Group.” He was a proponent of group activities in his courses and provided this document to help students make the most out of their group experience.
In an era where collaboration is an important factor at work and school, this handout is more poignant than ever.
Randy Pausch’s Tips for Working Successfully in a Group
Meet people properly.
It all starts with the introduction. Then, exchange contact information, and make sure you know how to pronounce everyone’s names. Exchange phone #s, [email addresses] and find out what hours are acceptable to call during.
]]>If one or more of the partners feel that they require certain assurances before they will invest into a business, they can ask that certain stipulations be included in the partnership agreement.
These clauses unmistakably define the legal obligations of the partners and managers of the company, and alert any potential partners to any and all of the possible actions an associate may legally take under the terms of the agreement.
Partnership Agreement Clauses
Despite the amount of time and care spent on a contract, no agreement is completely bulletproof. There is always a chance that a contract, stipulation, or clause will be challenged in court and found to be illegal or unenforceable under the law.
Yet, individuals always stand a better chance of protecting their interests by insisting on specific clauses.
Whenever partners enter into a heated disagreement, the original partnership agreement, contract or company charter becomes the guideline and yardstick for any potential solutions.
Without these strict guidelines, vague or non-existent language in an agreement leaves critical issues up to interpretation or majority rule.
Expiration Dates
Some partnerships are short-term agreements.
These types of contracts can include an agreement to maintain the partnership until a specific project is completed, or limits the existence of the company to a specific amount of time.
Scenarios for this type of agreement include seasonal work, or outsourced or subcontracted contracts to complete a specific project.
These arrangements benefit everyone, as there is no room for disagreement. Once the job is complete, there is an amicable dissolution of the company and the immediate distribution of assets or profits between the partners.
Be aware of your obligations
A person should never enter into any type of agreement without considering the obligations they are making to the company and the other partners.
Indeed, legal contracts bind parties together in ways they might not expect and an inflexible contract puts a person at risk.
Such risk can include the inability to sell their portion of the business or the inability to force the dissolution of the company in cases of illegal, immoral, or unethical actions by the other partners or the company.
These ties can be especially costly if the company ends up insolvent or is involved in a legal dispute.
Individuals need to understand their obligations and commitment to the company before they agree to invest.
Forfeit Clauses
Sometimes companies try to cripple competitors or avoid a costly buyout by enticing certain critical partners to jump ship.
Partners will write in a clause that forces a forfeiture of the partner’s financial and intellectual interests in the company if they try to leave.
Buyout Clauses
Sometimes the only long-term goal for partners is to build up the company so that it is an attractive object for a buyout by a larger company.
These clauses spell out the requirements of a potential sale of the company. Usually, focusing on the minimal amount of time the company has to become profitable or the cash amount investors would accept to sell the company outright.
Many venture capitalists sit on unprofitable investments with the expectation that the company will become an IPO when it is most profitable. Therefore, guaranteeing them a sizable return on their investment.
In the creation of any agreement or legal contract, it is the duty of everyone involved to be forthright and honest about his or her expectations. While it might result in a delay or cancellation of any plans, a thorough wording of a contract limits disagreements between partners and results in a stronger company with an increased focus on its goals.
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While many people reflect on their lives by using a personal journal, not many use the same technique to find meaning in their careers. By writing in a journal, you unburden yourself of the heavy thoughts that damage your self-confidence and self-worth.
A career or work journal allows you to focus on the many positive moments that you would otherwise ignore, and it permits you to learn important lessons from negative events that you would rather forget.
Ultimately, a work journal helps you recognize that your mental strength is limitless and that even the smallest actions can represent huge accomplishments.
Memories and Emotions
Offices can become negative environments, where the expectations of the business supersede the personal needs of its employees.
It is a place where we can easily lose our humanity to feelings of discontent and under appreciation.
Use your work journal to escape your negative surroundings and rediscover your passion. Your own words will allow you to rejoice in your accomplishments whenever you feel disillusioned about your performance.
Your personal writing space is a place where you can reflect on who you have become, and find a way to become the person you want to be.
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Businesses benefit from the potential diversity of knowledge, experience and resources that multiple owners bring to an enterprise.
However, in accessing these resources, companies need to develop an organizational structure that assigns areas of responsibility according to each partners or employees strengths, expertise and commitment to the company’s goals.
Each partner needs to know what their associates bring to the venture and collectively the team needs to decide how to best use those resources. This type of predefined structure makes a company flexible, focused and stable.
Leadership
Most ventures start with a limited amount of capital and manpower, which means owners need to take responsibility for aspects of the business they are not competent or interested in overseeing.
For some people, it becomes an all or nothing proposal. Consequently, they refuse to entrust somebody else with any responsibilities, because of their compulsion to retain control or because of pride.
The business becomes an extension of their personality and self-image. They refuse to accept advice in their personal life and by extension are unlikely to accept it on behalf of the business.
Partners need to be aware of these traits, and act accordingly. They need to accept this management scenario, find a tolerable compromise or walk away.
]]>In the past, starting a business meant entrepreneurs needed access to large amounts of capital. Now, the internet is making access to production, distribution, advertising and marketing services inexpensive and accessible to anyone.
Without a barrier to entry, entrepreneurs need not fear the financial ruin that once accompanied the failure of a business.
However, people tend to forget the other potential risks involved in starting any business venture. These include ownership of patents or intellectual property, the division of ownership or procedures to dissolve the company.
Contracts minimize the inherent risk involved in a new enterprise by forcing partners to outline their expectations and give some forethought to possible complications.
]]>Keep these tips in mind when sending out an email.
Do not leave the subject line blank
For productivity enthusiasts, being able to quickly identify and reference a message or request is the key to prioritizing their action lists.
Therefore, subject lines are the easiest way to grab someone's attention, and allow them to either reply right away to the message or place it on an action list. Otherwise, your message may become unnoticed, unread, or worse deleted.
Moreover, in some professional settings, properly labeling an email demonstrates a good measure of due diligence. The type of subject line you use, or if you use them at all, can speak volumes about your attention to detail or the respect you give to other people's time.
Marking an email as urgent
There is an inherent risk when you label any message as urgent.
Today, most people are suffering from work overload and struggle to answer all the messages in their inbox without people making unnecessary demands on their time and attention. In marking your message urgent, you force someone to give special attention to your request and deviate from his or her action plan or schedule.
Be sure you need to mark some
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In this last, of our three post series, I offer you some practical tips to help you make the most out of your project.
Priority Shelving
Take special care when deciding on the placement of each item. Heavier and frequently used items need to be easy to retrieve or replace.
Create a priority zone by taking into account your flexibility, strength and height.
Therefore, if you cannot bend down, leave priority items on higher levels and if you cannot stretch upwards, place these same items at the mid or low levels of your storage space.
Safety precautions
Make sure that you properly secure storage items in place. Proper measures will prevent objects from tipping, falling or collapsing.
Also...