Thursday, January 12, 2017

These Statistics On Our Cellphone Addiction Are Terrifying And More Alarming Than Ever

Ah, the cell phone, our trusty friend. It helps us pretend we’re busy when we don’t want to talk to the person next to us. It helps us keep connected to an endless stream of cat videos. We may also have a tendency to stare at it, with a glazed expression, endlessly waiting for a message that will never arrive. I jest, but the truth is that we have an increasingly unhealthy fixation to our smartphones, recent surveys suggest.

The following statistics show an alarming increase in cell phone addiction, with participants admitting to becoming increasingly disconnected with their actual surroundings in the name of ‘data connectivity’.

The average person checks a cell phone is 110 times a day

Human beings are naturally fidgety creatures. We touch our faces a crazy amount of times per day. We doodle to distraction, and we love gadgets. The ultimate modern person’s form of fidgeting though, is looking at their smartphones. Why did I just unlock my phone? Was I going to look at Twitter? Oh, I can’t remember, let’s look anyway!

Recent research, collected by Android app Locket, monitored how many times its 150,000 users checked their phone in a day. They found that users did this a staggering 110 times a day,[1] whilst another study carried out by Kleiner Perkins Caufield and Byers found the average user checks their phone nearer to 150 times per day. That’s a lot of time that could be spent honing a discipline. A musical instrument could be a great way to channel that nervous fidgety energy, whilst reading helps us to become more focused.[2]

1 in 5 people aged 18-34 have used their smartphones during sex

Oh, the modern world! For every incredible benefit that technology brings us, there seems to be an equally compelling argument that it dulls us to distraction. In a survey carried out by Harris Interactive for ID verification startup Jumio, this surprising statistic came to light. Nearly 20 percent of young adult smartphone owners between the ages of 18 and 34 in the U.S. have said they use their smartphones during sex.[3]

No wonder new age positivity mind-set literature is turning into such a strong subculture. We need someone fighting the present tense’s corner when so many people seem so inclined to escape the moment they’re in. If someone can’t value the person they’re with during such an intimate act, what are the chances they place little value on other things that make their life what it is? Maybe it’s time to re-connect with the little things in life that make us happy.

77% of parents and teens have argued about smartphone usage

A less surprising statistic perhaps, but no less worrying. According to a poll carried out by Common Sense Media, 50% of teens feel they have cell phone addiction, and the majority have argued with their parents over device usage.[4]

In an example of the sacrifices we’ll make to stay connected, Terry Greenwald, a father of three and custodian at a high school in Homer, Alaska, told CNN that the hallways where he works are often half-filled with “teenage zombies who are glued to their phones.”

50% of people feel uneasy when they leave phones at home

Is increased connectivity worth it if losing a device starts to feel like we’re losing control of our lives? This is already becoming a problem. A 2010 study by the UK Post Office found that nearly 53 percent of mobile phone users in Britain become anxious when they can’t use their devices. The reason was primarily that they feared missing calls or messages.

Nomophobia. Remember the word.[5] The way things are going it’ll probably be in much more common usage in years to come.

Sadly, it’s important to note that missing a message doesn’t mean the end of the world. Some people in the tech industry take measures to drive this home. Steve Hilton, head of a Silicon Valley tech startup doesn’t use a phone.[6] Other bigwig CEO’s use flip phones as they feel the reduced functionality helps them to disconnect.[7]

26% of car accidents are caused by phone usage

Sadly, cell phone addiction can also lead to loss of life if a person is so attached to their phone that they use it recklessly. A recent NSC report has shown that 1 in 4 car accidents are caused by cell phone usage.[8] The NSC also feel that the statistics may be higher as not all drivers are willing to admit using their smartphones whilst driving.

The findings also revealed the surprising statistic that only 5% of smartphone related crashes occur because the driver is texting. The majority occur whilst a driver is distracted talking on hands-free. There’s a very obvious solution to this. Unless it’s an emergency, the conversation can most likely wait.

Reference

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His Dad Never Spoke His Mind. He Broke Down Once He Knew Why.

Have you noticed that there are times when your dad would say he’s not hungry even though his stomach is rumbling? Have you noticed that your mom seems to always have time for you even though there is a mountain of work on her desk?

Parents are superheroes when it comes to their children, and this video explores the sacrifices a single father made for his child in order for him to have a carefree childhood and life.

Being a single parent is immensely difficult.

When his wife passed away early on, leaving the father with his child, he took up the mantle of both parents. His son gradually noticed that he “never said what he meant”. He was never “tired” nor “hungry”. He was “never disappointed with his son”.

But stumbling into his father lying about his own disease, his son realized he did say what he meant – because he simply wanted the best for his son.

We seldom notice the little things people do for us. However, small steps go a long way. Parents might not tell us “I love you” to our faces, but what they do and sacrifice for us are the greatest indicators for their love.

Let us take this moment to cherish the care and love our parents have extended to us.

Share and let your friends know how amazing parents are!

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This Trick Helps You Peel Garlic In Seconds (It Really Works!)

Garlic peeling trick that takes only seconds

Garlic. This low calorie, nutrient-dense, cancer-fighting[1], immunity booster is a kitchen essential. But the pungent smell left lingering on your hands from peeling it is the price you pay for using this heady herb–until now. You can peel garlic in seconds with an easy trick.

YouTuber DaveHax of DaveHax.com came up with a unique way to peel garlic in seconds without the fuss. His neat trick by-passes the need to struggle with the papery peel, and battle the resulting odor on your hands. Check out his video for an easy way to peel garlic.

For those of you who prefer reading the instructions:

Easy Kitchen Hack to Peel Garlic in Seconds

You will need garlic, and a rubber lid gripper/lid opener like this one:

Garlic peeling trick that takes only seconds

1. Place the rubber lid gripper on a flat surface.

easy garlic peeling trick

2. Place an unpeeled clove of garlic on the rubber lid gripper.

Easy garlic peeling trick

3. Roll the lid gripper up (like a tortilla), tight, with the garlic clove inside.

Easy garlic peeling trick

4. Gently roll it back and forth a few times.

Garlic peeling trick that takes only seconds

5. Unwrap the lid gripper. The peel of the garlic clove should be loose.

Easy garlic peeling trick that takes seconds

6. Pull the peel away from the garlic and discard.

Easy garlic peeling trick that takes seconds

7. If you don’t wish to touch the garlic, use the lid gripper to transfer your unpeeled garlic clove to your cutting board or pot.

Easy garlic peeling trick that takes seconds

Minimal fuss. Minimal mess. And this garlic peeling kitchen hack only takes seconds!

Featured photo credit: DaveHax via DaveHax.com

Reference

[1] National Cancer Institute: Garlic and Cancer Prevention

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Are You Living For Happiness Or Pleasure? They Are Different!

Do you live in the moment or are you building long-term happiness? Have you ever decided to go out and try a new activity or buy a new gadget, certain that it will make you happy, only to be disappointed?

So often, we think that a quick pick-me-up, such as a shopping spree or meal at a new restaurant, will revive our enthusiasm for life. However, we often find that we feel just as empty as we did before we left home. If you find yourself always trying to find happiness in the present, it may be time to re-examine your relationship to momentary pleasure and consider taking a long-term approach to happiness instead.

What is happiness, anyway?

It is important to appreciate the difference between pleasure – which is an immediate positive sensation experienced as a result of a particular activity – and happiness. Happiness is a state that persists across time, whereas pleasure is more fleeting in nature.

You feel pleasure when you eat a delicious meal, receive a massage, or enjoy a few extra hours of sleep on a Sunday morning.

Happiness is a global evaluation of your life as it stands, and it also offers a sense of hope for the future. Happiness may come from achieving a meaningful goal and reflecting on the steps you had to take to attain it, like building a long-term romantic relationship or undertaking a period of spiritual growth, for example.

Laying the foundations for future happiness is often hard work that brings little to no pleasure. Consider the following list of things that bring us long-term happiness, but often cause more pain than pleasure on a minute-by-minute basis:

Things that bring long term happiness though it can cause pain at the moment

  • Working hard to get into shape and improve your health
  • Working through difficulties in a relationship to strengthen it over the long-term
  • Working at a challenging job in order to gain a better quality of life and professional achievements
  • Renovating an old property in order to create a beautiful family home for years to come
  • Budgeting carefully to save well for a happy retirement

Equally, many common things we do in pursuit of pleasure do not actually result in happiness over the long term. These include:

Things that bring pleasure but not happiness

  • Eating tasty but unhealthy junk food, which results in poor health and weight gain
  • Procrastinating at work, which may be pleasurable, but can result in an unsatisfying career
  • Playing video games for hours at a time, which impairs productivity
  • Watching television that does little to improve our knowledge or appreciation of the world
  • Buying unnecessary items, like coffee, that give brief pleasure but deplete our finances over time

How should we balance momentary pleasure with true happiness?

There is no need to forsake all momentary pleasure. It is fine to live for the moment some of the time. However, when it becomes detrimental to your overall life progress over a long-term period of time, you need to work harder at striking a balance between long-term happiness and short-term gratification. If you have a gnawing sensation that you are missing out on life and that your goals have been unmet for months or even years, this is a sign that you need to focus on attaining long-term happiness and spend less time in pursuit of short-term pleasure.

You need to overcome your inability to push through discomfort and move towards what will make you happy over the long haul, even when you would much rather give into your desire for short-term gratification. We all know that working hard will pay off and produce long-lasting happiness, but actually making yourself put in the effort required can be immensely difficult. Anticipate these feelings and learn to take pride in overcoming them. Know that it is normal to resent discomfort, but that the happiest people are willing and able to tolerate psychological discomfort.

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If You Learn This 10-20-30 Rule, Every Presentation You Give Will Be Excellent

Very few of us enjoy creating presentations. It requires hours of uncertain work poring over slide after slide, hoping to get our message across. The greatest fear is watching our audience grow bored, frustrated, or occasionally even asleep. The same energy we had when we explained our great idea to our best friend last night never quite seems to make it across when we are presenting to a room of acquaintances or strangers. After everything is said and done, hours of preparation are wasted as our audience stands up and leaves after our presentation, presumably with no one having gained any special insight or motivation.

However, there is a way to change all that. There is a rock-solid method for creating presentations that will cut right to the heart of your subject matter, engaging your audience and provoking feedback and interest for days to come.

The 10-20-30 Presentation Method

The 10-20-30 rule was proposed by Guy Kawasaki [1]. And it is simple like this:

Your Presentation Should

  • Be no more than 10 pages in length,
  • Require no more than 20 minutes to deliver,
  • And have no font size less than 30pt on any slide page.

Seems simple enough, right? But when you break it down into its individual components, the genius behind the system becomes clear.

10 Pages, No More

Our natural tendency is to throw out every bit of information we might have on the subject we are presenting on, hoping that some part of it might resonate with our audience.

This is a mistake, according to Chris Anderson of Harvard Business Review. His said most presentations fail specifically because of length:

“The biggest problem I see in first drafts of presentations is that they try to cover too much ground.” [2]

Instead, you should try to focus on one specific topic. Start with an introduction, support your focused topic with maybe 3 or 4 slides, add in a story that will illustrate a real-world application of your point, and close with a call to action.

The 20-Minute Marathon

In 1996, Professors Joan Middendorf and Alan Kalish of the University of Indiana produced a paper studying college students attending lectures.[3]

They made two interesting discoveries. First, adults seem to be able to only pay attention during a lecture for 15 to 20 minutes at a time. Secondly, during a 50-minute class period, students did not retain the information imparted to them most recently. They had better retention of the concepts and facts presented during the first 20 minutes of the lecture.

So make sure your presentation would not exceed 20 minutes! Otherwise no one would be really listening after the 20 minutes.

30 Points to Success

Since we, as humans, respond so well to visual stimuli, one of the best ways to do that is to use large, easy-to-read text on your slides. So make sure the font size you’re using is at least 30.

Instead of endless lines of text, use a few words in a large, easy-to-read font supported by visual aids such as graphs, illustrations, and even photos that support the topic of your presentation.

The Perfect Presentation Is In Your Hands!

Using the 10/20/30 rule will give you complete control over your subject and your audience. The ability to engage your audience while they are still awake and interested is not to be underestimated. Your audience members will be talking about your presentation for days to come. Use this simple rule, and watch your engagement and feedback skyrocket!

Featured image credit: Gregor CresnarFreepik and Madebyoliver

Reference

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3 Things to Consider When Uploading Videos to YouTube

It’s no secret that sites like YouTube have changed the way we engage on the internet. I remember when I would conduct research 10 years ago, I would have to read through 2,000 words of content to learn how to solve a common problem. But now, most of the information I need is available on YouTube in a more practical way. Learning through videos is so much easier because you can follow through while watching a tutorial, and you’re not limited to just one. What makes YouTube so incredible is their open-source platform that allows virtually anyone with a safe account to upload videos. This means, you have a lot of content, presented in a different way, and it’s free.

One thing that’s intriguing is the question of what distinguishes a good video from a great video. What are the reasons behind a video getting 1,000 more views than another? I decided to research this so I can start focusing on the factors that matter for the next time I upload a video to YouTube. If I’m able to outshine my competition, then I’ll be able to increase brand awareness, which in the end, will help my bottom-line.

Here are a few things to focus on the next time you’re uploading videos to YouTube:

The Purpose

For you to succeed on YouTube, it’s important that you know the purpose of your video and what you’re trying to provide your audience overall. The more you know about your purpose, the more guided your video will be. A smooth-flowing video is easy to interact with and the learning process becomes easier for your audience.

For example, the best videos on YouTube are those that provide information to their audience in a systematic way. They provide structure, depth, and solve a common problem online. All three of these elements are much easier to implement into your video when you know your purpose. When you know your main objective, everything else is built on top of that foundation.

Solve a Problem

I’ve noticed the best performing videos on YouTube solve a common problem. It’s also been stated that 89% of searches on Google are problem-based and you can actually find out about keyword trends by visiting Google Trends. This tool will provide you with keyword popularity and how much it’s increased over the last few weeks.

The next time you are creating a video, do your research so that you can find a common problem readers are having in your niche. Then, create a quality video outlining how to solve this problem step-by-step. Here’s a cool trick that has helped me outperform my competition: watch other videos focused on solving the same problem and make notes on what they are missing. Then when creating your video, add all the missing elements that will make you stand out compared to your competition.

The Quality

Nothing pushes people away from your video quicker than poor quality. When a video is hard to view and hear because of low-quality formatting and/or production, then people won’t be able to pull out the value they need. These people will then head over to other videos to find what they are looking for. Trust me when I say, there is no shortage of videos online so be prepared to lose your audience to your competitors if you don’t take quality seriously. What can you do to improve the quality of your videos?

First, make sure you use a video creation tool that is popular and has awesome reviews. You can find these tools by doing a quick search on Google for “best video creation tools”. Secondly, save your video in high definition quality compatible with YouTube. They do allow high-definition when uploading, so take advantage of this feature. Third, formatting is very important when saving because you have several options. You can save in mp4, MOV, Avi, Flv, and others. If you are formatting from your windows PC, then you have access to the Wondershare Video Converter, which is an all-in-one tool. This tool can convert to any format quickly. If you’ve created a video on an Apple device, then products like AppleMacSoft video converter will do the trick.

Final Thoughts

It’s amazing how far the ability to share information has come throughout the years. At one point, you had only text-based content, which was hard to find because of low-quality search engines. Then, you had Google, which changed the way people search for text-based information.

The introduction of YouTube allowed people to internalize and absorb information in a completely different way. It was easier to follow, more practical, and required less effort because you no longer had to read 2,000+ words content. Social media now allows you to share this awesome information quickly with others all over the world. Good luck creating!

Featured photo credit: Flickr via flickr.com

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