We’ve looked at what you can do with home automation and what sort of methods exist for installing automated functionality, and now it’s time to take a look at some of the popular software applications out there for controlling your home automation system. I haven’t included any software that ships with various systems in this list; you’ll find out about those when you’re looking at individual systems and deciding on one....
In those quiet moments when you thought no one was ‘listening’ you’ve asked yourself: “Could I be next Steve Jobs? or the next Warren Buffett? Or >insert name of famous person<?” The truth? You can. The secret to being a high achiever is a lot simpler than you’d imagine. It’s all about routine and focus. I mean, sure, these high achievers like Jobs and Branson are incredibly talented. There’s no question about it....
What makes the pursuit of silver bullets so tragic is the years lost to pipe dreams. All this wasted time could have been better spent investing in a 401K or building an author platform. Instead of chasing rainbows, you can work towards goals that not only create a solid foundation that makes success more secure, but also achieve them via a process that results in more happiness and contentment in your life....
1. Don’t take anything at face value I don’t take anything at face value; I research, and question everything. Let them call you a detective, CSI or NCIS. You have to protect your heart. Lesson learned # 1 is people will lie and deceive. I met a presumably nice gentleman at a club. I didn’t see a ring but I still asked “are you married?” He said “no.”… well, you know what?...
Sometimes I would plan my day out in advance that morning. Once in a while, I’d have an idea of what I’d do the next few days. But rarely, if ever, did I have my entire work week planned out in advance. I certainly never had an entire year planned out! What’s been most surprising is: Let me prove it. The Difference Between Focusing And Worrying Planning ahead and worrying about the future can sometimes sound similar, but the truth is they are worlds apart....
While this is certainly an entertaining dream, it quite obviously bears no relation to reality and it harms your project more than it helps it succeed. Instead of dreaming about that fanciful day of success, start by digging into how the project could fail. Here’s how this mindset can help. It resets your happiness level The first thing that thinking about failure in your project does is to reset your level of happiness....
Building Trust Transparency is key to earning the trust of your spouse and team. If you are a part of a marriage that is built on lies and deception, don’t be surprised when this atmosphere of distrust follows you to the office. If you want to inspire confidence in your leadership ability, earning the trust of your team is step one. And if you can’t earn the trust of your partner, do you think you will be able to earn trust as a leader at work?...
“Growing up with each other generates differences” says Dr. Sylvia Rimm, Psychologist and Director of the Family Achievement Center in Cleveland Ohio. She speaks of the push and pull of relationships which generate a psychologically polarizing affect between siblings. We naturally want to individuate ourselves from our siblings. I remember this from my own childhood and teenage years. I was upset that one of my sisters borrowed my clothes. I still remember the way it felt to this day....
At first, you’re so excited by your puppy’s boundless energy and non-stop playfulness. However, after a few days, your enthusiasm begins to wane. This is due to your puppy chewing a pair of your best shoes, scratching your wooden floor – and urinating on your sofa! After these unfortunate events, you’re probably starting to regret acquiring your puppy. Regret Is More Common Than You May Think When you blame yourself for a bad outcome, or feel sorrow as a result of a choice you’ve made – you’re experiencing regret....
Just like most business owners have tales of woe from having their web sites designed, most web developers and designers have stories of their own. Educate yourself, hire the right experts to help you through this process, and hold up your end of the bargain and you may sail through without being the star of one of the web firm’s horror stories (or your own!). 1. Negotiate knowledgeably. When you get a quote from a web firm, it just makes good sense to shop around....
There are also many things that contribute to unhappiness here: social media notifications, e-mails, texts, and chatty co-workers are just a small fraction of the disruptions we’re bombarded with. These “little things” can stack up fast and hamper your happiness and productivity levels. 16 Practical Ways to Increase Your Productivity With only so much time available each day, productivity is essential. Either putting in more time or working smarter is the key to greater results....
I remember when I first started my college education in 2007. I was an “older” student and felt that I was much more prepared to get back to school and make something of myself. That was until I realized that my productivity wasn’t that good. I didn’t know how to study, concentrate (on the right things), read effectively, and so on. I searched for better ways to get stuff done and came across sites like Lifehack, Lifehacker, 43 Folders, and a little site called Study Hacks....
Be you a sports fan or golf aficionado or not, you must have heard of Ben Hogan’s impeccable record and his surgeon-like precision of a golf swing, and he did this by breaking down the game of gold into small parts – each of which he analyzed and repeatedly practiced till he achieved ultimate mastery. That is the art of deliberate practice. Deliberate Practice: Identify Your Weaknesses First The key to deliberate practice is simple and follows the same pattern, till the time success is reached....
Making your workout a priority and finding ways to fit it into your schedule will offer you various health benefits, help you lose weight, and make you feel like you’ve got your mojo back. Getting workout motivation will be a lot easier if you view it as a gift you give to yourself rather than a distasteful activity you have to get through. Think about your health and vitality — by working out, you are treating yourself as a priority, and it’s coming from a place of self-love....
Some people I know grew stronger through these challenges, some became weaker and couldn’t see hope anymore. Two friends of mine were made redundant from their job during the recent financial crisis: while one felt humiliated, lost confidence and therefore had difficulty finding a new job, the other analyzed the situation, spent time identifying his strengths, saw it as an opportunity for growth and found himself a senior manager role in a new company....
It is also usually the case that such distant dream is the one we yearn to bring to life the most. If Only… Occasionally through fear, though more often than not through practical, logical thinking, we convince ourselves that this dream must remain out of reach for the time being, coming up with a multitude of excuses why it just can’t possibly happen or wishing for some change in circumstances to present themselves....
Take a look around your kitchen. Are you sure your plastic is safe and non-toxic? To avoid risking your health, make sure to be familiar with the different types of plastic on the market today. A simple glance, usually at the bottom of the container, is all you need to identify the material. Plastic is marked with a number, 1 through 7, and/or a set of letters that label its chemical composition....
Have a few similar tips of your own? Could you conduct similar clean-as-you-go routines for your desk and computer? Make cleaning the basin as routine as washing your hands. But don’t stop there. Get the most out of your pre-moistened wipe by using it to clean around the edges of the tub and then the toilet before tossing it. • Wipe out the sink (30 seconds). Wipe the toilet seat and rim (15 seconds)....
MakeUseOf’s Chris Hoffman lays out your options in a recent article. He explains that using this simple free utility, you can completely overhaul the basic menu turning it into a excellent tool for desktop users. Do you hate digging through the Charms menu to shut down or restart? Add shutdown commands to the menu. Want quick access to your favorite programs? Add a link to the menu. Want to cull the list and remove links you don’t need?...
How to Decorate Home Without Breaking the Bank 1. Learn How To Sew If you’re savvy at following YouTube videos and reading a manual, you can teach yourself how to sew. It’s really not a difficult skill to learn, and it just takes a little bit of practice. By learning how to sew, you can make pillows, sheets, curtains, and a variety of other household items in just a few hours....
