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Archives for December 2019

Stacey Tokunaga – How to Stay Adventurous As You Age

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Something which I have noticed in the last decade, between the age of 30 and 40, is just how safe I have become, always looking out for things that may go wrong or identifying and focusing on risks. Whilst this is a part of getting older and an indication that we are learning from the mistakes we make in life, it is essential that we don’t become so risk averse that we lose our adventurous spirit. I have been taking steps to remedy this in the last year or so, alongside my good friend Stacey Tokunaga, who most certainly doesn’t have the same issue. Stacey is an avid rock climber, kayaker, runner and generally a very adventurous spirit and I have been fortunate to have her in my corner, to keep me from becoming to ‘safe’ and boring. If you want to stay adventurous as you get older, here are some tips.

Conquering Fear

They say that kids are fearless but I have found that this isn’t the case, the reason why they are reckless is a lack of understanding what they are doing and that is why they don’t have fear to begin with. Where kids and young adults are impressive however is in their willingness to overcome and conquer fear, and this is what we need to get back to as we get older. The knowledge that things can and do go wrong is what provides us with the fear, but if we give into it, we slowly erode that adventurous spirit that makes us who we are. Calculated risks are very different from risks, and once you understand the difference, identify the fear and overcome it, that is when you’ll get that spirit back.

Saying Yes

As we move through life we can become a victim of the stresses and responsibility that we have as adults and we also become very used to putting up obstacles and saying no to things. The more that we do this however, the more that we alienate ourselves from friends and family, as well as alienating us from who we are. My relationship with Stacey for example began to drift for many years as a result of this, her inviting me on some cool trips and me saying no because of work, or family or any other reason. The truth was I was saying no without reason, simply because I thought that I had stuff to do. This killed my adventurous spirit and it is the reason why now I am very much a yes man.

Ignoring People

Society has many ridiculous rules in place which can have a huge impact on how we live our lives and what we do for fun. They say that when you are 30 or 40 you soul be settled down and living a quiet life, or that certain you shouldn’t be doing certain activities after a particular age. The more that we buy into these nonsense rules the more we will chip away at that adventurous spirit. Ignore the naysayers and do what you want, regardless of how old you are.

 

Why an Online Reputation is Important For Offline Businesses

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Reputation management consultants offer services to businesses and individuals to help them manage, improve and maintain their online reputations. I have a good friend who works in this industry and speaking to him recently he was describing the risk which so many businesses run in not looking after their online reputation. In the main those businesses who do utilize these services are online business, but a good online reputation is not important for web based companies, and more offline businesses need to learn just how crucial their online standing is. If you run a high street store or an out-of-town business, here is exactly why your online reputation does make a difference, and why you need to ensure that you are focusing on this.

Organic Search

When customers are looking for a product or service they are increasingly using search engines to find what they need in their locality. What this means for you is that there are potential customers out there who are using the internet to find companies just like yours. Now if you have a poor online reputation then when they find your business and do some research, all they will see when they find out more is negative comments and poor reviews. If however you have a good reputation online then they are going to much more likely to come through your doors and give you business.

Word of Mouth

You may not think that the internet is an important factor in terms of your offline business but even if you are not actively doing anything online, you can bet that the internet community are. Review sites are of great importance when it comes to customers learning more about a business and whether you like it or not, people will be going online after doing business with you and leaving their comments about how things went. Now, you may get lucky and find that all of the reviews are positive, but what if they are not? These negative reviews are going to be sitting there, putting people off using your business without you even knowing about it. This is yet another reason why you simply must pay attention to your online reputation.

Competition

No matter what industry or sector you are working in, there is likely to be stiff competition from your rivals. If your competition is focusing on their online reputation and making sure that they keep in at a positive level, then they can leverage this to take market share away from you. They may even be doing this without you noticing. Nobody can afford to give up market share so easily and if you work on your online rep and the competition don’t, you can get one up on them, if you work on it and they are as well, at least you can level the playing field.

Online reputations in the modern world are everything for businesses, no matter where they operate.

 

Interdependence Public Relations – Keys to Happiness in Your Career

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I had prepared for a career in finance for as long as I can remember but after just 2 years in the industry I knew that I wasn’t happy. Owing to the work that I had done to get there I decided to stick things out for a while, but 2 years later still and I was becoming more and more frustrated and miserable with the job. I decided to make the decision to cut and run and embarked upon a career in PR with the wonderful Interdependence Public Relations. During my first day in the new job I knew that I had made the right call and now, 5 years later, I am sure of it. If you are looking for happiness in your career, these are the foundations of achieving it.

The Morning Test

A test which I have always felt works well for me is the morning test, quite simply waking up in the morning and gauging just how interested you are in going to work. Now, even the happiest of people will have moments where they just don’t want to go into work, which is why you should perform the test each morning for a month. If every single day you are not happy about going to work, or the thought of it brings you down, it is time to make a change.

Great Teams

It is not just the job itself that can bring you down but also the people who you work with. You don’t have to like the people that you work with but you should be inspired by them, they shovel bring out a competitive side to you and they should make you better. It also helps if you do get on with your co-workers of course, but the real key here is to be motivated by them and feel that you are in fact part of a team.

Passion

The reason why I went into a career in finance was simply because I was good at it, I had a natural flair for numbers and finding solutions and that lent itself perfectly to a career in finance. At no point did I ever stop and think about whether or not I actually enjoyed it. This is why I didn’t last, because I had no passion and you ahem to ensure that you genuinely are passionate about the industry or the company that you are working in. If you don’t have passion then you will never perform well and you will never find true happiness in your career.

Matches Character

The reason why I am so happy working in PR is because it is a position which matches my character. I can speak to people and build relationships, I am able to be creative and I can work in a positive team environment. If your position doesn’t match the natural characteristics of your personality then it may well be time to switch careers and find one which does.

 

Why You Need Home Warranty

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A common misconception that many homeowners make is that home insurance and home warranty are on in the same. Whilst both are similar in terms of offering pricing plans and deductibles, they are in fact very different. Home insurance will protect the structure of the property and the and the contents within the property such as personal possessions. Home warranty on the other hand will protect the buyers of this warranty agains damage to the home’s systems, as well a helping to pay for repairs and replacements. If you are not sure whether or not you need home warranty, here is why you do.

Getting the Best

Firstly a quick not on getting the best home insurance, you need to compare as many companies as you can, find a company with good customer service and professional care, and one which covers you against everything that may come your way. If you check out First American Home Warranty reviews, you’ll see that they are one of the best, this is why it is so important that you check reviews in order to make the smart choice. You have to trust in those other homeowners who have placed their loyalty with a home warranty firm and reading the reviews will give you an insight into how they deal with a problem, not just how they promise to deal with it.

Natural Disaster

We have seen the damage which a natural disaster can do in recent months, take the wildfires in California for example. If you are in a zone which is prone to flooding, hurricanes, earthquakes or wildfires then you’ll need home warranty protection. A warranty can help ensure that you are protected if you systems in the home are heavily damaged.

Save Money

People may scoff at having to pay $500 per year or $60 per month for their home warranty but this is in fact going to save you a huge amount of money. If your HVAC system goes wrong or if you have to completely re-wire the home after an issue, that $500 is going to start looking like a huge bargain!

Technical Support

Home warranty companies have technical experts who work for them so when something goes wrong you won’t have to wait around for a technician, nor will you have to spend hours trying to find one. When something goes wrong simply call up your home warranty provider and they will send someone out in a heartbeat.

No Risk

The real crux of having a warranty is to alleviate any risk which you may have when something goes wrong. If your electric cuts out and you lose the food in the freezer, if a pipe bursts and ruins that new 3 piece suite, whatever it is that can go wrong very often does, with a warranty you can guarantee yourself that protection.

Don’t leave yourself open to risk, get a home warranty plan and get yourself peace of mind.

 

Bharat Bhise – Why Unai Emery’s Time is Up At Arsenal

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There is no greater sight for a Spurs fan like myself and my podcast partner Bharat Bhise than to see Arsenal struggling and the last 12 months have helped to really take the shine off our own poor form. Bharat and I were talking last week about how we’d love to see Unai Emery stay in a job, as they are terrible with him in charge. Unfortunately however, this is football and decisions are made in a heartbeat, with nobody given much time to turn things around. Emery has been a disaster since he took over at the club and not even their arrival at the Europa League final is enough to paper over the cracks, and here is where it has gone wrong for the Spaniard.

Playing it Out

The overriding feeling with Emery is that he is utterly resistant to change and he doesn’t seem to be able to realize when there is something seriously wrong. A perfect example of this can be seen from his insistence that Arsenal play out from the back from goal kicks, a tactic which has caused them far too many headaches and goal opportunities to keep count of. Emery has players like Sokratis who are not ball playing defenders and defensive midfielders who don’t want to receive the ball, nonetheless he continues with this absurd strategy and they pay every single time.

Player Management

One of the keys to managing a football club is managing the players, and simply put Emery just can’t do it. His handling of the Mesut Ozil situation has been ridiculous, his management of new players like Pepe and Tierney just as absurd and the way he acted following the Granit Xhaka incident just highlighted how unable he is to properly manage players in the dressing room.

Setting Up

Arsenal are for all intents and purposes a top 6 club and a club which should be pushing for top 4, quite why Emery sees the need to set them up as though they were a relegation club is beyond everyone. Emery plays at home against lesser teams and sets up with back four and two defensive midfielders, a bizarre strategy which shows the fear that he has about losing games, this fear then cripples him and his side’s chances.

Substitutions

Finally it has been Emery[’s subs that have had many people scratching their heads, leaving Lacazette on the bench in favor of Torreira when they are chasing the game, bringing Pepe on for Guendouzi when they need to protect a lead, not to mention his strange half time substitutions which he enjoys making. All of this points to the fact that the Spaniard doesn’t know his players and that he has lost all tactical nous which many thought that he had when he was back in Sevilla.

As much as Bharat and I would love Emery to stay and take Arsenal right down the bottom, it looks like he will in fact be on the way out the door very soon indeed.

Reasons to Study at the American College of Acupuncture

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American College of Acupuncture is based in Houston, Texas and it is widely considered to be on of the bets places in the country to study both acupuncture and traditional oriental medicine. I have just finished a course there and I must say that it is easy to see why the college is so widely respected in the industry. There are many reasons to study acupuncture that can help you in many ways and if you do decide to invest some time in studying this ancient medicinal practice, this is why you should be looking to study at the American College of Acupuncture.

Reasons to Study Acupuncture

Let’s first take a look at why studying acupuncture is worthwhile:

  • There is a growing demand for holistic health practices and if you are looking at setting up a clinic or a business based around this then you will find that there is a lot of money to be made and patients to help.
  • You can really make a positive difference to people’s lives when you practice acupuncture and this is one of the motivating factors behind my own choice to study this practice.
  • There is a lot of job flexibility with this type of position and you can work in a wide range of settings and environments.

Why Study At the American College

There are a number of reasons why this college is so respected and much of it comes down to the quality and the depth of the teaching which it offers, as well as the high standard of the teaching staff here. The college teaches both acupuncture and traditional oriental medicine and the professors here offer rich experience which they can impart onto you.

This is a college which also features an in-house clinic which will give you the chance to practice what you are being taught in the classroom, with real patients. This ability to practice what you are learning is absolutely crucial in terms of your development and your ability to cement the theory that you are learning.

The college offers a wide range of short and lengthy courses which can fit around you and your life and this is yet another reason why I think that it is one of the best in the country when it comes to this kind of teaching. Don’t just take my word for it either, this college has won multiple awards for its work, just another measure of how high the standard is at the college.

Studying acupuncture will help you and others around you, it gives you excellent career prospects which can be used in both traditional and modern medicine and it will offer you great rewards if you embark on a career in acupuncture. If you do plan to get studying, there is only one place that I would recommend and that is of course the American College of Acupuncture.

Menos Hiras – How to Plan The Perfect Road Trip Playlist

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Each year my friend Menos Hiras and I go on an annual road trip, a tradition that started when we were both in our early 20s and has been going on now for almost 2 decades. Throughout the years other people have come on the trip with us too and these trips have really helped Menos and I to create some great memories. We have discovered over the years that the key to a great road trip is not necessarily the destination or the journey itself, but rather the music that you play as you are on the road. Music has the power to completely change your mood, it can enhance certain experiences and it is absolutely essential for any road trip. Menos and I usually take turns being DJ, and I love to put together playlists for the trip ahead of time. If you are taking a road trip and want to plan an awesome playlist, here is how to do it.

Playing For The People

Remember that any music which is played in the car should be for everyone to enjoy, there is nothing worse than someone playing music you don’t like over and over, when there is nowhere to go. With this in mind think of what your friends and family like, this doesn’t have to be music that they know, just music which they are going to really enjoy hearing. On that point don’t be afraid to play new music, this can help create memories attached to songs that people haven’t previously heard.

Stick to a Theme

I generally like to plan out 4 or 5 playlists a I use a different theme for each, an important aspect of any playlist. If the playlist is just a collection of random songs then you aren’t going to be able to create a mood in the car, which is why music is so important on road trips. No matter if it is sad music, country music, upbeat songs, hip hop or any other theme that you can think of, be sure that you keep that theme throughout the entire playlist.

Location

Think about where you are going is also a great way to put your playlists together and it can also give people in the car a better sense of their journey. For example Menos and I went down to California last year and I put together 2 playlists of pure Californian music from the Beach Boys and surfer rock to some smooth West Coast rap. If you are heading somewhere which has a musical identity then you can tap into this to make a greta playlist for your trip.

Length

For me a playlists shouldn’t be any longer than 20 songs, any more than this and people may get bored with it, or bored with the style of the music. Keep the playlists short but make multiple lists for the best experience when you are on the journey.

 

Top 5 Engineering Fields You Could Specialize in After College

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Engineering is currently the most commonly chosen major amongst college students throughout the USA and it is a field which is attracting more and more people each year. Once you have the foundation of engineering you will have to select a branch of engineering in which to specialize, and there are many to choose from. We spoke with Adam Ferrari, engineering expert about what should influence the choice that you make and what branches are available to you once you have finished your college education. In terms of which to choose, this will come down to your own skills and passions, and here are the top 5 fields of engineering which are being chosen at the moment.

Civil Engineering

Civil engineering focuses on the design, maintenance and construction of almost everything that you see around you. From bridges to highways, buildings to parks, civil engineers are the ones building everything around us. Within civil engineering there are fields such as environmental engineering, architecture, structural engineering, mining engineering, utility and transport.

Electrical Engineering

This field of engineering is centered on the study and the application electronics, electromagnetism and electricity in general. Within this particular branch of engineering are disciplines such as computer engineering, both in the development of software and hardware, as well as power, optical and electronic engineering, working within telecommunications and digital electronics.

Mechanical Engineering

This particular engineering field is about the design, research and analysis of mechanical power and heat, which is used in the operation of mechanical systems and machinery. Once again there are many specific fields within this branch of engineering such as thermal, vehicle, power plant, energy and manufacturing engineering.

Aerospace Engineering

Engineers who work within aerospace deal with the design and development of aeronautic systems which are used by air traffic control, as well as focusing on the design, the construction and the maintenance of all aircraft from space vehicles to planes and helicopters. This is a branch of engineering which is at the cutting edge of technology and it requires a great deal of passion as well as high levels of intellect in both engineering and the theories and principles of aerospace.

Chemical Engineering

Chemical engineering is about the application of biological, physical and chemical sciences to provide solutions. This is a broad field and within this you can opt to focus on bimolecular engineering which is used in genetics and immunology, materials engineering which focuses on the production of raw materials to be used in industry, process engineering which will focus on areas like petroleum, textiles and paper, as well as molecular engineering which lays heavy focus on the production of drugs and medicines for pharma companies.

As you can see there are a greta number of fields which you can specialize in and within those fields there are even more specific branches which you may decide is the perfect option for you. Consider what you enjoy and what you are good at before deciding.

How to Have a Good Relationship with Your Neighbors

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People nowadays are looking forward to building a house in a perfect neighborhood. Realistically speaking, it is not that easy to find one. Every community has its upside and downside, but homeowners would always choose to settle for the best option. Living in a beautiful house plays a significant role in your happiness and peace of mind. What others do not realize is that having a good relationship with your next-door neighbors matters a lot. Whether you just acquired a new home or you have been living in your community for quite some time, it is still essential to invest in healthy and lasting relationships with your neighbors. Here are some ideas to make your life happier and less stressful.

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1. Keep your property clean at all times

Some of your neighbors may not be that vocal when it comes to expressing or voicing their thoughts about your surroundings and living conditions. Seeing a backyard that is full of unnecessary stuff like old cars and broken appliances can be an eyesore to your neighbors. Do not wait for them to talk behind your back or, worse, file a formal complaint. Be a responsible homeowner and take the initiative to get in touch with Evergreen Junk Removal to seek help in removing all the clutter in your area. Doing this will make your neighbors happy.

2. Make an effort to spend time with your neighbors

If you want to build a good relationship with your neighbors, you need to treat them as your friends. It is necessary to take some time out of your busy schedule to spend time with them. You can invite a few neighbors to your house for dinner over the weekend. You can either cook your favorite dishes or do a potluck. If you do not have much time to entertain your neighbors, you can always stop by for a quick chat or greet them from the car when you are on your way to work.

3. Show that you care

It does not take much effort to show your neighbors that you care about them. You can do little favors for them once in a while, like grocery shopping or babysitting. If one of them is going on a vacation, you can offer to look after their home to ensure that it will remain safe from burglars. Your neighbors will appreciate these simple gestures and reciprocate them in their little way.

4. Sharing is caring

One way for neighbors to like you is by showing them your thoughtful side. For example, if you happen to have a couple of fruit-bearing trees in your backyard, you can give some of the fruit to your neighbors. You do not have to give a lot; just a few pieces will do.

Lastly, pay extra attention to elderly neighbors. Some of them opt to live alone and unsupervised. It would be nice to check on their condition from time to time to see if they are doing well.

What are the Breast Biopsy Benefits?

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A breast biopsy involves the removal of tissue or fluid from the breast so that the cells can be examined under a microscope and tested for the presence of Cancer. Although it is an invasive procedure there are breast biopsy benefits which self exam or mammogram do not have.

Breast Biopsy Benefits

Breast biopsy is the only way to detect breast malignancy. A pathologist will examine the breast tissue or fluid removed to see if there are breast cancer cells present within the sample. If it is determined that the cells are cancerous then the type of cancer cell is identified to determine the extent of the cancer. Only about 20% of breast biopsies are found to be positive for cancer in America as we have procedures on identifying cancer at early stages, so just because one has been ordered for you doesn’t mean the Doctor feels you will definitely have cancer.

How is a Breast Biopsy Carried Out?

There are three types of breast biopsy, one is carried out by a fine needle, the other a core needle, and the third is a surgery biopsy. What is the difference between the three types? And do you get to choose?

Your Doctor will determine which type of breast biopsy is required for you based on their examination findings and the type of tissue present.

A fine needle aspiration biopsy uses a very fine needle attached to a syringe which is used to withdraw fluid of small amounts of tissue from an area of the breast which is concerning. This is usually done when the lump is easy to access and the Doctor suspects the lump to be a fluid-filled cystic lump, which will be apparent if the lump subsides once fluid has been removed from it.

Core needle biopsy uses a larger hollow needle which removes a larger sample of breast tissue. Because of the size of the needle the patient is usually done under local anesthetic during the procedure, so the patient is awake but the area is numbed. Multiple samples will be removed during the extraction process possibly up to seven times. Ultrasound technology may be used by the specialist performing the procedure so they can see where the lumps and unusual cells are to extract tissue directly from them.

A surgical breast biopsy is carried out when the Doctor would like to remove a lump from the breast, so with a small incision will access the lump to remove it and some of the surrounding tissue so that both can be examined. Again this surgery is carried out under local anaesthetic and will result in stitches having to be put in and a scar remaining afterward. Therefore a surgical breast biopsy is usually only carried out when you and the Doctor are keen that the lump is removed and there are concerns that you may have cancer.

Results from all types of breast biopsies can take up to two weeks to be completed and reported back to your Doctor.