When was the last time you watched an advertisement? Perhaps you experienced some uneasiness when your thoughts began to stray, and that anxiety persisted until you found something else to focus on. When a YouTube video or a TV show came back, did you find yourself distracted and reach for your phone to pass the time?

Short Attention Spans

Our country has become one of short attention spans. So brief that the average adult can only stay on course for eight seconds, according to a 2015 research. In 2000, the typical person could focus for 12 seconds. One may also draw a comparison between it and the attention span of a goldfish, which scientists estimate to be nine seconds. We are seriously failing. You may point the finger at technology—the experts do.

What Does Research Say?

Never undervalue the healing benefits of physical activity. According to research from the University of Illinois, children can pay more attention in class if they take a 20-minute stroll.

1. Get Moving

Turn off any devices unrelated to the job at hand, including emails, messages, and other devices. And develop the habit of doing so. Your brain can be rebuilt just by that. Establish a routine that prepares your mind for a concentrated time.When you're getting ready to hyperfocus on a specific job, establish a pattern that you stick to by disconnecting your WiFi and putting your phone in airplane mode. Carter suggests that writing down your plan of action might also be beneficial, as it can help you focus.

2. Reduce Distractions

Researchers at the University of California have discovered that meditation boosts attention spans for activities requiring the ability to discern minute details in visual stimuli, which is perhaps not surprising to those who practice it.

3. Meditate

According to Dr. Jim Jackson, an associate professor at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and an authority in neuropsychological functioning, listening to a playlist can significantly affect how well you process information. "Music activates the attentional regions of the brain, according to research using neuroimaging techniques like functional magnetic resonance imaging," explains Jackson. When playing Pandora, though, you might wish to limit your selection to classical or ambient music. "Lyric-free music has been used in many studies on music and attention," Jackson cautions.

4. Listen to Music

If attention span, a persistent issue that affects people of all ages, is disregarded—could become a serious issue. The ideas below are simple, completely doable behaviors that, with a little practice, can improve your ability to focus and help you do more.

productivity

Productivity

mindfulness

Mindfulness

education

Learning & Education

music

Music

meditation

Meditation

4 Easy Tactics For Getting Your Attention Span Back 

Reading is a very necessary habit for every successful businessperson, it broadens your mind, helps with your written and verbal communication skills, and gives you a certain level of understanding and empathy.

This is a must-read book for anyone in sports, music, education or leadership. It provides an enhanced personalized guide on how to become a problem solver.

Book #1 Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World by David Epste

Simon Sinek is a well-known American author and motivational speaker. He is highly regarded for his TED Talks. This book is intended primarily for students who aspire to become better leaders and build a culture of trust, belonging, and safety in their teams.

Book #2 Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek

This message-oriented book by Randy Pausch comprises perspective reflections on life, death, and the importance of fulfilling one’s dreams.   Time is all you have, and you may find one day that you have less than you think. This quote summarizes the point of life: to live.

Book #3 The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch

This book provides a roadmap for a lifetime of meaningful work and professional accomplishment.  This popular guide is for everyone scouring through job-hunting—whether you got laid off recently, are finding your dream job, are changing careers, or are searching for your first job.

Book #4 What Color Is Your Parachute? By Richard N Bolles

In the book "Surrounded by Idiots" Thomas Erikson explains how understanding our personalities can improve our relationships and communication skills.Key concepts:<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">We each have four distinct personalities.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Our personality traits affect our interactions.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">The book offers advice on improving communication and relationships.</li></ul>

Book #5 Surrounded by Idiots by Thomas Erikson

'Measure What Matters' teaches you how to set clear goals and track your progress using OKRs.OKRs help you aim high and stay accountable towards achieving your objectives. The book shares techniques used by Google and shows how to implement them on a larger scale using OKRs.

Book #6 Measure What Matters By John Doerr

Are you facing a new, challenging role? With new or challenging career roles come career jitters. Dive into this book’s proven framework to tackle your job obstacles within 90 days of starting a new role.

Book #7 The First 90 Days by Michael D. Watkins

The Confidence Code is a must-read for all women who want to succeed in the workplace. The authors highlight the significance of women's confidence, backed by research and real-life experiences of successful women, to reach their full potential.The book explores how women can tap into their confidence and excel in their careers. It also discusses the importance of women being given equal opportunities to lead and make decisions. With eye-opening insights and captivating stories, this book is a valuable resource for women of all ages.

Book #8 The Confidence Code by Katty Kay and Claire Shipman

These ideas rolls out the best career books to add to your reading list which contains guidance from some of the brainiest authors.  

Navigating a career is a balancing act, and making career decisions can be challenging for several reasons. The fear of the unknown clouds your choices, and

career

Career

personaldevelopment

Personal Development

writing

Reading & Writing

books

Books

Best Career Books to Read (Update Your Reading List)  

If your social media doesn’t help you earn or learn, burn it.

We have entered an era where people can skip meals, but they cannot resist scrolling through social media. It has become an integral part of our daily lives. 
Nowadays, living without social media seems impossible. Have you ever stopped to think about how it has become such a significant factor in our lives? Not being up to date on social media makes us feel utterly miserable.

Social Media Addiction

Professor Gabriel Egan of De Montfort University explains, "The point about social media is its addictiveness. The fact is, nobody wants to spend hours and hours every day updating their status and seeing what other people think about them. Nobody consciously wants to do that, but these behaviors are themselves addictive."It is quite difficult to escape this web once you are caught in it. We must seize control of these devices and put them to their rightful purposes.

Why Do We Use Social Media The Way We Do?

We use social media to escape reality. It's true; let's accept it. It gives us a sense of pleasure that makes our existence vanish.The psychologists and people who study human behavior have something to say that can answer this question: why do we use social media the way we do?

Social Media and Escaping Reality

Are you addicted to social media? It may be because you seek attention and validation from others. But what if you give it up?<ol><li>You'll experience withdrawal symptoms, just like a smoker quitting nicotine.</li><li>But with time, you'll find yourself longing for different things and people.</li></ol>Give it a try, and see how your perspective changes.

The Surprising Reason Why We Use Social Media

Real life is much more complex than social media life.We sacrifice a lot of areas of our lives to appear desirable on social media, but when we are met with reality, our flaws, shortcomings, and limitations are revealed.Positively, we are free to live a life fully dedicated to our inner peace rather than measuring our value by the amount of likes and comments we receive. We are also freed from the need to act happy even while we are wailing in pain.

Real Life Vs Social Media Life

Without social media, you'll interact with people more and spend less time surfing. You'll focus more on your own life and waste less time comparing to others on social media. A life without social media means living authentically and not through the lens of others. It may be challenging to give up social media, but the benefits are worth it - less FOMO and more real connections with people.

Life Without Social Media

Nothing in the world exists without pros and cons and social media is no exception. Ever wondered why social media is addictive and how would your life look without your presence on social media? If yes? Read these ideas 💡

We have come to an era where people can skip meals but cannot skip scrolling through social media. It has indeed become a vital part of our lives. Life without social media seems inevitable. Have you…

Understand yourself and those around you.

psychology

Psychology

habits

Habits

timemanagement

Time Management

Is Life Better Without Social Media

Choose the right books:<ul><li>Don't waste time on most books </li><li>Filtering books = better mental material </li></ul>

Improving Your Reading Experience

Don't underestimate the basics! They are the key to effective thinking.By understanding simple ideas deeply, we can build lasting knowledge and easily grasp complex ideas. In short: get the basics right and everything else falls into place.<ul><li>Basic knowledge is important!</li><li>It helps predict what matters.</li><li>And it saves us from having to learn new things all the time.</li></ul>

Deep Simplicity

The Lindy Effect teaches us that what has been around, will continue to be around. It is like saying, "What has been, will be." The longer something lives, the longer we can expect it to continue to live.For example, if a book has been in print for forty years, we can bet it will be in print for another forty years. The longer it survives, the longer it is expected to continue surviving. So, if it's still around after a decade, it will probably be around for another fifty years to come.

Familiarity and Survival: The Lindy Effect

Did you know most people read the same popular books for the social reward of being able to discuss them? Unfortunately, this limits the ideas in your mind to those of everyone else.

Reading The Same Thing As Everyone Else

<ul><li>Knowlege has a half-life. - Focus on reading basic ideas that have stood the test of time. </li><li>Useful knowledge = broad-based multidisciplinary education of the basics. </li><li>These ideas last a long time. - By last, they mean mathematical expectation.</li></ul>Combine these concepts to better understand them.

Understanding Time-Tested Ideas

Take a simple idea and take it seriously.

Improving what you get out of reading starts with choosing the right books. Most books are a waste of time. This article gives you two simple ideas that you can stop wasting time on books that you forget in a few days and pick the most valuable book every time.

Choosing Your Next Book

Emotional management is the sublime skill of identifying, analyzing, and controlling the entire spectrum of emotions that occur in response to life’s experiences. It is the mastery of one’s inner landscape. As it enables people to develop resilience, create lasting relationships, and improve their general quality of life. Your emotions determine your experiences, yet emotional management allows you to regulate them and balance your lives.

What Is Emotional Management?

Emotions are the body's natural instinctive responses to situations that can be expressed through thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.Feelings are the conscious experience of these emotions and provide insight into our inner world.Our actions are the physical actions that stem from our emotions and feelings, giving visible expression to what we are experiencing inside.

Emotions Vs Feelings Vs Actions

While some believe their emotions reflect who they are because they originate from within, others believe their emotions are a product of their circumstances. However, your emotions are the product of your brain. In the end, people are in charge of their feelings. Emotions are irrational feelings that arise from a person’s mind and are influenced by their experiences, opinions, and beliefs.

Who is Responsible For My Emotions?

<ul><li>Improved relationships: Improve your relationships through better communication and effective emotion management with friends, family, and coworkers.</li><li>Reduced stress: It can help people cope with stress, anxiety, and depression more effectively.</li><li>Better decision-making: Instead of being driven by impulsive or powerful emotions, emotional regulation enables people to make more sensible judgments.</li><li>Increased resiliency: By controlling one’s emotions, you can become more resilient to adversity and recover swiftly from setbacks.</li><li>Enhanced work dynamics: Better control of emotions at work.</li></ul>

Benefits Of Learning Emotional Management

Your ability to control and regulate your emotions has a beneficial impact on those around you. You can foster a tranquil atmosphere that makes people feel secure and at ease. Additionally, when you have control over your emotions, you think clearly and make better decisions. You can also relate to others better and forge stronger bonds with them. Admittedly, how you connect with the world has a significant impact on how you feel.

What Positive Impact Does It Bring To My Environment?

Emotional management may appear to be a simple issue, but it is quite broad. It is beneficial to think about what emotions are and rewire our brains to determine whether we are moving in the right route.

Emotions are a crucial aspect of who you are as a person. They influence your decisions, your connections with others, and your experiences. Humans are emotional beings. Intellectuals argue people…

mentalhealth

Mental Health

scienceandnature

Science & Nature

Emotional Management: The Power of Embracing Emotions

How can anything be enough when we have endless images of perfection living inside our phones slithering from social media?

A Question For Thought 101

There is nothing wrong with having ambition, drive, the need for financial security, and lofty aspirations. The "too-muchness of life" might best describe by the below facets.Too many adverts. too many demands. Too many plans. Too many chances to enhance or better oneself. In excess, everywhere. Too much to consume. Too much to accomplish. far too much to do. Far too much to be. Far too much to learn. Too many options. Too many decisions. Our poor brains are working like little, overloaded computers just trying to make sense of what we humans have created.

Too Much Stuff

It’s human nature to buy stuff to give us that little zing of dopamine. But what happens when we’re just drowning in stuff we don’t need or want?

A Question For Thought 102

The two extremes feel bad. That is both too much and too little at the same time. We are aware that many individuals go without even the most necessities, which makes them sick and unpleasant and even shortens their lives. The term "cost of living" is also intriguing. In a society ruled by billionaires, elitist leaders, and avarice with sole profits in mind, there is currently a "cost" of life.Our health's price in dollars. Burnout's "cost" in money. the "price" of harmful output. We are paying a rather high price for it in more ways than simply our bank balances.

Extremes Of Experiences

We know that constantly wanting more does not make us happier. But, we need to have enough to start with.A CEO and founder on LinkedIn writes:“The rich are isolated, they are less empathetic, they form and maintain fewer meaningful connections, they work longer hours than necessary and spend less time with their loved ones. The more money you have, the more you are separated from the world."She pays herself less and is happy too so that the company itself and its staff can thrive. She doesn’t seem interested in profiting just for herself and feels chasing money is not a path to fulfilment.

"More" Does Not Make Us Happier

It's crucial to be mindful. Making a change, realising something, and moving on in the proper direction. Knowing your notion of 'enough'.In her book, Sherri Mitchell recounts the legend of the cannibal giant's dance. She describes it as a character from our mythology that dwells far into the forest, sleeps throughout, and only awakens to a single particular scream of the earth mother. With that specific cry, the cannibal giant is alerted that people are harming the earth mother quicker than she can recover and are consuming more quickly than she can produce.

The Cry Of The Earth Mother

Do we really want ‘more, more, more’ when it costs us the earth?

Final Question For Thought 

There is "the glorious freedom of saying, and truly meaning, 'that's enough."

Dwell into this thoughtfully written piece of wisdom by Emma Gannon on why humans are trapped with "too much" of everything. Also, do we really need "too much" in our lives?

Do we really want ‘more, more, more’ when it literally costs us the earth?

The trap of "too much"

Most people tend to overplay the risks involved in speaking up. “Our natural bias is to start by imagining all the things that will go wrong.” Your counterpart might be surprised and a little upset at first. But chances are you’re not going to get fired or make a lifelong enemy. First, consider “the risks of not speaking up” — perhaps the project will be derailed or you’ll lose the team’s trust — then realistically weigh those against the potential consequences of taking action.

1. Be realistic about the risks

After this risk assessment, you may decide it’s best to hold off on voicing your opinion. Maybe you haven’t finished thinking the problem through, the whole discussion was a surprise to you, or you want to get a clearer sense of what the group thinks. If you think other people are going to disagree too, you might want to gather your army first.People can contribute experience or information to your thinking — all the things that would make the disagreement stronger or more valid.

2. Decide whether to wait

Before you share your thoughts, think about what the powerful person cares about — it may be “the credibility of their team or getting a project done on time.” You’re more likely to be heard if you can connect your disagreement to a “higher purpose.” When you do speak up, don’t assume the link will be clear. The discussion will then become “more like a chess game than a boxing match.”

3. Identify a shared goal

This step may sound overly deferential, but it’s a smart way to give the powerful person “psychological safety” and control. <ul><li>You can say something like, “I know we seem to be moving toward a first-quarter commitment here. </li></ul>I have reasons to think that won’t work. I’d like to lay out my reasoning. Would that be OK?” This gives the person a choice, allowing them to verbally opt-in. <ul><li>And, assuming they say yes, it will make you feel more confident about voicing your disagreement.</li></ul>

4. Ask permission to disagree

You might feel your heart racing or your face turning red, but do whatever you can to remain neutral in both your words and actions. When your body language communicates reluctance or anxiety, it undercuts the message.Deep breaths can help, as can speaking more slowly and deliberately.“When we feel panicky we tend to talk louder and faster. Talking in an even tone helps calm the other person down and does the same for you.”

5. Stay calm

After you’ve gotten permission, articulate the other person’s point of view. What is the idea, opinion, or proposal that you’re disagreeing with? Stating that clearly, possibly even better than your counterpart did, lays a strong foundation for the discussion.“You want your counterpart to say, ‘She understands.’ You don’t want to get in a fight about whether you get her point.”

6. Validate the original point

When you move on to expressing your concerns, watch your language carefully to avoid any “judgment words” such as “short-sighted,” “foolish,” or “hasty” that might set off your counterpart; one of his tips is to cut out all adjectives, since “they have the potential to be misinterpreted or taken personally.” Share only facts.For example, you can say, “We’ve tried four projects like this in the past, and we were able to do two in a similar time, but those were special circumstances.”

7. Don’t make judgments

Emphasize that you’re offering your opinion, not gospel truth. “It may be a well-informed, well-researched opinion, but it’s still an opinion, [so] talk tentatively and slightly understate your confidence.” Say, “This is just my opinion, but I don’t see how we will make that deadline.”Remind the person that this is your point of view, and then invite criticism. Experts suggest trying something like, “Tell me where I’m wrong with this.” Be genuinely open to hearing other opinions.

8. Stay humble

Ultimately, the person in power is probably going to make the final decision, so acknowledge that. You might say, “I know you’ll make the call here. This is up to you.” That will not only show that you know your place but also remind them that they have choices. Don’t backtrack on your opinion or give false praise, though. “You want to show respect to the person while maintaining your self-respect.”

9. Acknowledge their authority

What do you say when you disagree with someone who has more power than you do? Find out by reading the stashes.

How exactly do you voice dissent with your superior? And is it always worth it to do so? Communication experts say that while just agreeing feels easier, it’s not always the best decision to make. First, weigh the risk of pushback or a negative reaction from a boss against the risk of not speaking up. If you do decide to voice your opinion, there are some best practices to keep in mind. State your opinions as facts, avoiding using judgment words. In addition, ask permission to dissent instead of offering an unsolicited opinion. Keep in mind that the final decision is still in the hands of your boss, but being honest and respectful will show them that they have more options.

communication

Communication

teamwork

Teamwork

How to Disagree with Someone More Powerful than You

We spend a lot of our own unclassifiable lives categorizing the lives of others even though all human lives are too diverse and full of contradiction to neatly fit into the categories in which we strive to control the chaos of life. The failure to lump complexity into a single category or to brand others with our labels may be a sign of kindness.

What Is The Sign of Kindness?

Marcus Aurelius repeatedly discusses kindness and the importance of extending it to everyone equally at all times in his timeless Meditations (public library), notes on the life he had written largely to himself while learning how to live more virtuously in an uncertain world that blindsides us with both its beauty and its brutality. Even at their cruelest, which is their most irrational, human beings are endowed with reason and dignity they can retain.

Humming insistence Of Kindness

We should bear in mind constantly that death comes to men of all kinds, men with varied occupations and various ethnicities. We too will inevitably end up where so many (of our heroes) have gone. Heraclitus, Pythagoras, Socrates, brilliant intellectuals, high-minded men, hard workers, men of ingenuity, self-confident men, men who mocked the very transience and impermanence of human life, men long dead and buried. Only one thing is important: to behave throughout our life toward the liars and crooks around us with kindness, honesty, and justice.

Death Is Inevitable 

The key to kindness, as Marcus Aurelius observed is keeping “the purity, lucidity, moderation, and justice of our mind” from being sullied by the actions of those we encounter, no matter how disagreeable and discomposed by unreason they may be.

Tales of Mystery and Imagination 

Try living the life of a good man and see how it too suits you — a man who’s gratified by the lot he’s been assigned by the universe and satisfied with the justice of his acts and the kindness of his character.

You will live a good life if you complete every task at hand by acting assiduously, resolutely, and with kindness following the right reason; if, rather than becoming sidetracked by unimportant matters, you maintain your guardian spirit untarnished and steady; if you engage in the task without expectations or evasions, but satisfied your current performance as per nature, and if what you say and express is said with true Roman honesty. Nobody can prevent you from doing so, either!

Kindness Gives Momentum

Ever wondered what true kindness is? Is it an act or our state of mind? You can have the answer by reading these ideas.

philosophy

Philosophy

The Stoic Key to Kindness

We might have observed and read about many great people’s stories, their struggles, and their journey. And whenever we read one, our minds might wander in the thoughts of how to reach our goals and how to achieve what they have.

Stories And Thoughts

Those successful people have achieved money, fame, and name by doing their work diligently. They love what they do that doesn’t mean they didn’t work hard to be where they are right now.All those successful people never prioritized money, fame above their work. They simply wanted to achieve great heights in what they do.

Diligent Work

Well, it is simple and doesn’t require hours of lessons to acquire that skill.In this glamorous world where getting popular looks all glitter and seem the only hallway. People tend to dodge the darkness it brings along with it.Now coming to the point before mastering any skill in the world try to master the ‘human skill’.

What is that skill?

This skill gives us the potential to ‘be us.'We all are in search of wealth and happiness. The moment we see someone wealthy and popular we desire to be them. Instead of desiring to be the next someone be the next you.This human skill gives us the desire to incorporate all the human values which in the long term helps us to achieve our goals.

What is this human skill?

In a world where people are trying to be the “who’s the next millionaire” or “famous person”, have lost all sorts of responsibilities that stick to humankind.<ul><li>Before becoming famous, become a kind person.</li><li>Before becoming the next millionaire, become a humble person.</li></ul>“Money is important but it is not everything”

Who's Next?

“Fame opens new doors but at the end of the day we all breathe the same air”<ul><li>Instead of focusing on those particular terminologies ‘wealth’, ‘fame’, ‘name’, try to focus on “being honest to yourself”, “humility” and “integrity”.</li><li>This will not only let us be in the “now” moment but also increase our chances of achieving all our goals effortlessly.</li><li>Indirectly we also gain a sense of gratefulness for all our present blessings.</li></ul>

Dark Side Of Fame

“Don’t try to become the next someone, try to become the next human being”

Repurposed the content from one of my blogs written on Medium. Read to know what is the one skill we need to achieve anything in this world.

I have observed and read about many great people’s stories, their struggles, and their journey. And whenever I read one, my mind only wanders in the thoughts of how to reach my goals how to achieve…

moneyandinvestments

Money & Investments

Master “This One” Skill To Achieve Anything Effortlessly

Truly thoughts are things and powerful things when they are mixed with definiteness of purpose, persistence, and a Burning Desire for their translation into riches, or other material objectives.

The Power of Thought

One of the most common causes of failure is the habit of quitting when one is overtaken by temporary defeat. Every person is guilty of this mistake at one time or another. More than five hundred of the most successful men this country has ever known told the author their greatest success came just one step beyond the point at which defeat had overtaken them.

Three Feet From Gold

Failure is a trickster with a keen sense of irony and cunning.

One sound idea is all that one needs to achieve success.When riches begin to come they come so quickly, in such great abundance, that one wonders where they have been hiding during all those lean years.One of the main weaknesses of mankind is the average man's familiarity with the word "impossible." He knows all the rules which will not work. He knows all the things which cannot be done.

Lesson In Persistence

<ul><li>Success comes to those who become Success Conscious.</li><li>Failure comes to those who indifferently allow themselves to become Failure Conscious.</li></ul>

Success-Failure

Desire: Knowing what one wants. We can accumulate riches in great abundance, we must magnetize our minds with an intense desire for riches, and we must become "money conscious" until the Desire for money drives us to create definite plans for acquiring it.

Desire

You are "the master of your fate, the captain of your soul."

The money-making secret book Think & Grow Rich learnings in one place (Chapter 1)

Offers the secrets of super achievers, such as Henry Ford, Andrew Carnegie, and John Rockefeller, and explains how to use their secrets for success.

Ever wondered how life would be if we could condition our minds to Think and Grow Rich? Author Napoleon Hill claims to have based this book on twenty years of rigorous research on the lives of those who had amassed great wealth and made a fortune. Observing their habits, their ways of working and the principles they followed, Hill put together laws and philosophies that can be practiced in everyday life to achieve all-round success. The narrative is rich with stories and anecdotes, which not only inspire, but also show a way forward to take action. After all, riches are not just material, but also pertaining to the mind, body and spirit.  Having sold more than fifteen million copies across the world, this book remains the most read self-improvement book of all times!

Oliver Napoleon Hill was an American self-help author. He is best known for his book Think and Grow Rich, which is among the best-selling self-help books of all time. Hill's works insisted that fervid expectations are essential to improving one's life.

4 Easy Tactics For Getting Your Attention Span Back

Best Career Books to Read (Update Your Reading List)

Is Life Better Without Social Media

Choosing Your Next Book

Emotional Management: The Power of Embracing Emotions

Persie