Microsoft Shows Why Chrome And Firefox Are Bad For Your Laptop’s Battery

Poor power efficiency is one of the most troubling problems a laptop user faces. Combine it with some RAM-hogging web browser and you’ve prepared a perfect disaster recipe. According to Microsoft’s latest video advertisements, you can go an extra mile while using its Edge web browser.

As a part of a new campaign to tell the people about plus points of its Edge web browser and Windows 10, Microsoft has released a new video that shows why using Chrome and Firefox on your laptop might be a bad idea.

Microsoft says that it has compared the leading web browsers–Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera–and measured the power consumption in a controlled environment.

Thanks to its power-saving improvements like fewer CPU cycles, lesser memory, minimizing background processes, Edge is made to maximise your hardware’s potential and battery life — according to Microsoft.

The company conducted these tests on four identical Surface Books and automated the web browsers to perform same activities.

The test results show that Microsoft Edge is a more energy efficient option on Windows 10, giving you up to 36%-53% extra juice. In the video, RAM-killer Google Chrome just lasts 4 hours and 19 minutes and Edge streamed the same content for 7 hours and 22 minutes.

Watch the video below:

Microsoft is using its Edge web browsers as one of the major selling points of Windows 10. Microsoft is continuously making improvements to this Internet Explorer-replacement with every new Windows 10 Insider Build.

Elon Musk: “Your Tesla Model S Can Also Be Used As A Boat”

Elon Musk is known to make remarks that spark controversy. But, even if you don’t believe the science behind his “Let’s nuke Mars to make it habitable” comment, here’s something you’ll love to believe.

In response to a recent video shared, which shows a man driving a Tesla Model S in a flooded tunnel, Elon Musk said that Tesla Model S floats and becomes a boat for a short period of time.

This boating capability of Tesla was discovered as a firmware Easter egg in early 2015 in the settings menu of the car.

Here’s what Musk had to say:

 Follow

Elon Musk 

✔@elonmusk

We *def* don't recommended this, but Model S floats well enough to turn it into a boat for short periods of time. Thrust via wheel rotation.

5:25 PM - 19 Jun 2016

 
•  8,8878,887 Retweets
 
•  17,63617,636 likes

Here’s the video that everybody’s talking about:

This video also rejects the misconceptions and fears related to electric cars. People often worry about what’ll happen when their electric vehicle will be submerged in water during a flood situation.

Instead, battery powered cars are more efficient than internal combustion engine (ICE) cars in the flood situation. This is so because battery-powered cars don’t have an exhaust pipe.

Talking specifically about Tesla Model S, its drive unit and battery are sealed to keep any kind of liquid out.

However, if you own a Tesla or any other car, avoid testing its boat-turning superpowers for safety reasons. Also, most car warranties don’t cover damages caused due to such hazards.

Did you find this article interesting? Don’t forget to drop your feedback in the comments section below.

Eight ways to win a argume t

Eight Ways to Win an Argument
from Schopenhauer's "The Art of Controversy"

1-Carry your opponent's proposition beyond its natural limits; exaggerate it.
The more general your opponent's statement becomes, the more objections you can find
against it. The more restricted and narrow your own propositions remain, the easier they are to defend.
2-Use different meanings of your opponent's words to refute his argument.
Example: Person A says, "You do not understand the mysteries of Kant's philosophy."
Person B replies, "Of, if it's mysteries you're talking about, I'll have nothing to do with
them."
3-Ignore your opponent's proposition, which was intended to refer to some particular
thing. Rather, understand it in some quite different sense, and then refute it.
Attack something different than what was asserted.
4-Hide your conclusion from your opponent until the end.
Mingle your premises here and there in your talk.
Get your opponent to agree to them in no definite order.
By this circuitous route you conceal your goal until you have reached all the admissions
necessary to reach your goal.
5-Use your opponent's beliefs against him.
If your opponent refuses to accept your premises, use his own premises to your advantage.
Example, if the opponent is a member of an organization or a religious sect to which you
do not belong, you may employ the declared opinions of this group against the opponent.
6-Confuse the issue by changing your opponent's words or what he or she seeks to prove.
Example: Call something by a different name: "good repute" instead of "honor," "virtue"
instead of "virginity," "red-blooded" instead of "vertebrates".
7-State your proposition and show the truth of it by asking the opponent many questions.
By asking many wide-reaching questions at once, you may hide what you want to get
admitted. Then you quickly propound the argument resulting from the proponent's
admissions.
8 -Make your opponent angry.
An angry person is less capable of using judgment or perceiving where his or her
advantage lies.

Tips on Buying Pre-owned Sports Cars

Tips on Buying Pre-owned Sports Cars

Sometimes the best buys are made with pre-owned products. This is particularly true in the case of sports cars. Many people would like to have a sports car mainly for the performance but some may want to simply experience the sheer enjoyment that only a sport’s cars can give. Buying a brand new sports car may be too much expense for many people, that's why a pre-owned or second hand sports car should be considered.

Here some good advice in the purchasing of pre-owned sports cars.

1. Set expectations  
Many people go out to buy a pre-owned sports car with a brand new car in mind. Buying pre-owned sports cars is about getting the best value for your money. Knowing your needs and preferences is also a must in buying pre-owned sports cars.

2. Set a budget
Buying a sports car, even pre-owned ones can be expensive Researching through internet browsing or buying “buy and sell” car magazines can give a buyer a general feeling about the current prices of different sports car models.

3. Examine carefully
A buyer must be careful in inspecting the pre-owned car and take his time doing so. There are four essential elements of the car that should be thoroughly inspected: the interior, the body, the engine, and the papers. A well-maintained sports car is worth buying.

Open the hood and examine the car's engine. Many people may not know too much about car electronics but inspection will give a buyer a general feel of how the car has been maintained by the previous owner.

Check the inside of the tailpipe. If it is greasy, that means that there is a problem with the engine compression.

Check for scratches or dents on the cars body. Of course, do not forget to check the car’s title, etc. Missing papers will cost the buyer additional money or prevent the purchase.

4. Test Drive
Before a purchase, the buyer should take the car for a test drive. This is a “must” for all cars, not only for pre-owned ones. An assessment of the over-all handling and performance of the car should be made during the test drive.

Buying a pre-owned maybe the best choice in purchasing a sports car, especially when one is faced by budget constraints. Pre-owned sports cars have the potential to give the same excitement and fun that brand new ones can give. Choose and buy wisely and have fun while doing so.

2006 BMW Sports Cars

2006 BMW Sports Cars

BMW or Bayerische Motoren Werke has long been conceived all over the world as "The Ultimate Driving Machine." The company has proven this statement true in the past years.

The current models of BMW sports car will attest to that statement.

Here are some of the current models of BMW, with their corresponding characteristics.

-BMW M3 2006

Engine specifications:

BMW M3 has an in-line, 3.2 liter capacity engine with a compression ratio of 11.5. It has four valves per cylinder. It promises to deliver 248 KW power and 333 HP at 7900 rpm (SAE).

Brake Features:

The car has electronic brake distribution, brake assist system, four disk brakes with ventilated disks, cornering brake control, and four-wheel ABS.

Handling Features:

BMW M3 is equipped with stability control, immobilizer and limited slip differentia at the rear. The ABS and engine management control the electronic traction.

Aerodynamics Exterior features:

The car has 0.35 drag coefficient, body side moldings, and 3771 lbs. curb weight.

-BMW M5 2006

Engine specifications:

The BMW M5 2006 car has a V10, and 3.2 liter capacity engine with a compression ratio of 12.  It has four valves per cylinder. It promises to deliver 373 KW power and 500 HP at 7750 rpm (SAE).

Brake Features:

The car has brake assist system, four disk brakes with ventilated disks, electronic brake distribution, cornering brake control, and four-wheel ABS.

Handling Features:

The BMW M5 is equipped with stability control, immobilizer and limited slip differentia at the rear. The ABS and engine management control the electronic traction. It is also equipped with a responsive suspension.

Aerodynamics Exterior features:

The car has 0.31 drag coefficient and 4012 lbs. curb weight.

-BMW 6-Series

Engine specifications:

The BMW M5 2006 has a V8, 4.8 liter capacity engine with a compression ratio of 10.5. It has four valves per cylinder. It promises to deliver 268 KW power and 360 HP at 6300 rpm (SAE).

Brake Features

The car has electronic brake distribution, brake assist system, four disk brakes with ventilated disks, cornering brake control, and four-wheel ABS.

Handling Features:

BMW M3 car is equipped with stability control, immobilizer and limited slip differentia at the rear. The ABS and engine management control the electronic traction. It is also equipped with an adjustable responsive suspension.

Aerodynamics Exterior features:

The car has 0.3 drag coefficient, and 3814 lbs. curb weight.

With all the features these cars have, BMW truly is the "Ultimate Driving Machine."

The best 2006 sports cars

The best 2006 sports cars

Sports cars are fascinating vehicles. Their features make them stand out among other car types. But there still is competition among sports cars. It is fascinating to talk about these sports cars and why they stand out above their contemporaries.

Here are some of the 2006 vehicles that made the list of best sports car and the qualities that made them above average.

- Audi A3 2.0T

This car goes beyond the beauty of its exterior. Car enthusiasts appreciate the car's responsiveness and agility.

Audi A3 2.0T comes with an intercooled, turbo charged engine with 2.0 liter capacity and 16 valves. The car promises to deliver power up to 197 mph at 5100 rpm.

Other features include a six speed manual transmission, front-wheel type of driveline, 101.5 in. wheelbase and curb weight of 3300 - 3350 lbs.

- Chevrolet Corvette

The car's V-8 engine (7.0 liter) with 16 valves allows for greater speed, and because the car is lighter than regular cars, the Chevrolet Corvette is capable of accelerating up to 125 mph in 12 seconds within one-fourth of a mile.

The car's braking system is impressive. The car's reflex is also astounding.

The car comes with the following specifications: rear-wheel type of driveline, and curb weight within 3100 - 3300 lbs.

-Honda Accord

The car comes with its fresh look: revised interiors, rear and front styling, and better sound-minimizing capability.

Honda Accord still boasts of its qualities such as high value for resale, excellent construction and reliability.

V6 Accords are equipped with a new stable system and improved suspension.

This car also has the following specifications: front- wheel type of driveline, 3100 to 3600 lbs. curb weight, up to 107.9 in. wheelbase and 5 or 6 speed manual transmission.

- Porsche Boxster

The Porsche Boxster speaks well about its balance. Pair this quality with an increase in power delivered by its 24-valve DOHC engine with 2.7 liters capacity.

The braking system is as remarkable as is the car's over-all aggressive appeal.

Other features of the car include:

A rear-wheel type of driveline, 95.1 in. wheelbase, and curb weight within 2900 -3100 lbs.

Truly, sports cars did evolve and they will continue to evolve as long as there is competition. Car enthusiasts can expect more remarkable features in sports cars as years go by.

The Beauty of Sports Cars

The Beauty that Sports Cars Possess

Cars, in general, possess both form and function.  The designers did not compromise aesthetics with performance.

However, there is something about sports cars that make them stand out when it comes to beauty. And we are not talking about external features only.

There is more to physical features like, sleekness of the car, that determine its beauty.

Here are some of the characteristics that endear sports cars to car enthusiasts.

- Sports cars have attitude at first glance.

Sports cars speak the attitude that they possess. They are not like mere cars whose presence can be ignored. They captivate the eyes of those who see them. They imply that thrill and enjoyment van be expected when their hands are those that control the wheel.

Sports cars stand above other cars, that are seen very day, primarily because   the designs imply what they are capable of doing. A sleek look really matches a car with sleek activities.

- Sports cars possess greater power.

Their power comes from their more powerful engines and has other specifications than other the cars have. A sports car can do more than ordinary tasks because of the features that only they possess.

- Sports cars are made for driving pleasure. 

Ordinary cars make driving monotonous and boring, while on the other hand, sports cars primarily aim to give the drivers a "high" feeling of speed and control. Only sports cars can provide that need for drivers who seek adventure.

Sports cars bring the thrill back to driving. They express what other cars can not.  Sports cars are not designed just for practicality, but for pleasure too.

- Sports cars are made for drivers who enjoy their ‘wild side’. 

Drivers do have the need to express this ‘wild side’. Sports cars make any road a venue to satisfy those needs.  Only sports cars can match the “wildness" that drivers innately have. For that reason, sports cars perfectly compliment the child in every driver.

- Sports cars have evolved and improved through the years.

Drivers appreciate the improvements that have been made to sports cars. You could say that sports car technology has infinite possibilities. The stereotypes of sports cars have long been debunked. Those limits have been crossed. The only thing that car enthusiasts can do is to watch as these improvements unfold before their very eyes.

- Sports cars make their owners feel good about themselves.

Sports cars are lifeless. They cannot feel proud because they are beautiful, but their owners take pride in having them.

With all these things said about the intrinsic and extrinsic beauty that sports cars possess, only a person who does not appreciate their beauty and/or speed will not opt to get one.

Tuning Up Your Car

Tuning Up Your Car

Tuning up your car is very important since it will be one of the factors that will determine your car's fuel mileage, engine performance, ride-ability, and the car engine's life. It should be done regularly to maintain your car's excellent condition. Here are some pointers to consider when tuning up your car.


Proper Handling

A car with good handling should have stability when making turns and going around sharp corners. The rear tires should have just the right amount of grip to allow it to slide a bit during tight corners. This is crucial since a car with too much grip will make the car lose the right trajectory. Having little grip, on the other hand will make the car slide too much which will cause a loss of control and a decrease in speed during acceleration. Some of the things that are related to a car's handling are: the car's specifications, the style of driving, center of gravity, the total weight of the car, and the car's chassis among others.

Driving Style

Driving aggressively but with total control is the best style possible. Putting your car near its limit as long as possible and avoiding damage the car will be a great challenge. A driver's consistency and smoothness are major concerns when tuning your car to racing standards. Being fast and out of control is useless. Being quick and in total control will greatly improve your time.

Tools to use

Here is a list of the tools that you will need when tuning the car: screwdrivers, long nose pliers, normal pliers, vise-grips, electrical tape, scissors, wrenches, and some specialized tools. If you have no time to do it yourself or if you have no idea how to do it, then it is better to have the tune-up done by an expert mechanic since he will have access to all of the tools needed.

Some tips to getting a faster race time

First of all, you must have fun. Don't push yourself to the limit since this might entail an accident. Always keep in mind that there is always another time to improve your racing performance. Always be on the alert for any situation that may arise from the competition. Try to keep away from any dangerous situation.

These are just a few things to consider when planning to tune up your car. Keeping your car in good condition means savings - fewer trips to the garage to change parts. Keep your car running smoothly and you will not have any headaches.

What Makes Sports Car Popular To Car Enthusiasts

What Makes Sports Car Popular To Car Enthusiasts?

There are certain things that arouse the emotional bond between the sports car and the auto fanatics.

Driving excitement and appearance are that sets the sports car apart from all the rest. The sports cars appearance is important especially to men; making the one reason the sports car is so popular.

Sports car enthusiasts bond with each other in clubs, talking, and exchanging ideas. They spend a substantial amount of spare time engrossed with their sports car.

There is in fact, something in sports cars that causes drivers to have a unique attraction and attachment to vehicles, making them very popular among the many vehicles on the market.

Others say that sports cars are toys for the “big boys”.  Studies do show that sports cars are a popular hobby of many men and they often occupy the time, as well as the hearts, of many fans.

Here are reasons why they are popular:

1. Sports cars are popular because they are symbolic.  Sports cars are considered a source independence or freedom.  Drivers are no more hindered by the limitations and inadequacy of conventional cars and are able to have a flexible and free life maneuvering and tackling elements on the road with ease. This perception of freedom makes the sports car popular.

2. Sports cars are popular because of their “innovative technology”.  People are attracted to technological progress; sports cars are a moving combination of technical and mechanical expertise.

Sports cars are considered by auto fans to be a complete package of technological advancement; from compact but robust engines to aerodynamic tailoring, sport cars symbolize the frontier of industrial design.

3. Sports cars are popular because of their capability to respond or counter the driver.  Sports cars are sold, as surveys show, as extremely driver-responsive cars.  The driver is has the complete control.

4. Sports cars are popular because they appeal to the driver’s desire of combining power and speed on the road.

While others look for performance, others desire a distinct design, and still others want both. Without any doubt, the sports car comes in a package that can match the consumers’ needs and wants.

Whatever one’s reason for possessing a sports car, it does not really matter; what matters is, if it’s the car that you want, and you can well afford it, then it should be what you are driving.

Why People Like Sports Cars

Reasons Why People Like Sports Cars

Sports cars are performance vehicles that provide driving satisfaction and pleasure. They allow a person to engage in the absolute driving experience and be in touch directly with the highway or road, as diametrically as possible
         .
In the automobile industry where economy vehicles, “family sedans” and SUV’s dominate the field, sports cars definitely stand out.

These types of cars, for the able and skilled drivers, can give optimum performance on the road. Not all drivers are equally skilled, but to individuals who are capable of feeling and understanding the faint messages of these vehicles, they can indulge in a rewarding and satisfying driving experience since sports cars are intended to be driven fairly fast.

Because of this driving pleasure, many people are drawn to a sports car. This is just one of the many reasons why people like these vehicles.  Other reasons include:

1. Appearance.  The aerodynamic design of a sports car makes it appealing to car fans.  Although when you are making an automotive investment, this should not be the principal or only reason to purchase that vehicle. Functionality should be the primary consideration even though beauty will also enter into your decision.

2. Driving characteristics.  While other vehicles are mainly designed for affordability and function, sports cars gives emphasis on performance and execution. The trait and condition of driving a sports car is an experience often unmatched.

Keeping in mind their very discriminating car drivers, sports cars easily out perform the road execution of other automobiles. Drivers can quickly accelerate when required, hug turns, and have a certain driving management not provided by most vehicles.

3. Fun and excitement.  The driving qualities of a sports car can provide excitement and fun.

A person can spend hours talking about exciting experiences such as curve hugging wile not taking one’s foot off of the accelerator or zooming past slow moving traffic yet remaining in full control or talk about the feeling of gratification , and knowing that one is driving a car with superb engineering.

4. Duration and resale value.  Each new automobile depreciates the very second it is driven.  However, sports cars will become more valuable as time passes, because of their above-mentioned qualities and are expected to become potential classics that will retain their value.

One does not need to make their car choice a statement, although if one chooses, the opportunity is right there. Owning a sports car will make a statement about the owner’s personality.

Sports Car Styling Tips

What products to choose from

Are you planning to improve the aesthetic appearance of your car? Want to get that sporty and sleek look? Then here are some pointers that will help you dress up your car.




When deciding what kind of setup you will do to your car, you should first keep in mind that there are a multitude of products being sold out there which claim superior performance and economical. But the reality is there are some good ones and and many of bad ones. Be picky when looking for car accessories and remember it is not a bad idea to look at the established brands before considering untested brands.

The wheels

One of the initial things that a car enthusiast does when dressing up a car is to replace the existing wheels with custom made ones. But this is not just for looks since performance wheels and tires also enhance a car's handling and performance. Choosing between tall wheels and short ones will be the next step. Bigger wheels get noticed more and increase the look of a car dramatically. Smaller wheels on the other hand have that vintage or retro look.

Stickers Galore

Applying sticker designs on the car hood or the other parts of the car body is one of the cheapest ways to alter and customize your car. Sticker designs range from popular performance parts logos of manufacturers as well as those designed for rally and indy races. If you are capable of making your own stickers, it is important to get permission for copying a design as it may be copyrighted. If you are planning to put stickers on the hood, choose the kind that will not be damaged by the heat of the engine. Metallic foil stickers are ideal for use on car hoods.

Lowering kits

Lowering your car means making your car more stable in turns aside from giving it an aggressive and sporty look. Cars are not the only ones that have lowering kits, so if you have a pickup truck, chances are, there is a lowering kit made for your vehicle. Although having a lower ride means improved handling, the trade off is poor ride quality since the car springs are stiffer and shorter.


These are some of the things that you can do to improve the look and stance of your car. Your car is a represents you so naturally you want it to look appealing. Of course, having a good looking car also means spending thousands of dollars. If this is your passion, then paying extra will not be a problem with you.

ASP.NET Blogging

 ASP.NET Blogging Software 

Of all of the different kinds of programs on the market today, many people feel that Microsoft's recently released ASP.NET blogging software is the most advanced. In many ways, this particular program is more adaptable and more versatile than any other blogging software on the market. Although most of the people who favor the program are accomplished coders who are familiar with programming languages like html and C++, this new program from Microsoft is much easier to use than a lot of other blog design software that incorporates hands-on coding. One of the things that makes ASP.NET stand apart from its competitors is the fact that it allows designers to use a wide variety of programming languages when they build a blog. This means that a larger number of coders can realize their dreams by programming in the language with which they are most familiar and in which they are most accomplished.

A lot of people have welcomed ASP.NET blogging software with enthusiasm and with open arms. However, that doesn't mean that the ASP.NET program is right for everybody. If you are not familiar with computer languages like javascript or perl, you may find that the release of ASP.NET does not directly affect you at all. However, if you are an experienced web designer, you are likely to find much to celebrate in this exciting new program.

After school activities for the overweight

After school activities for the overweight

Research and studies show that our children are growing fater by the
day. Many families all over America are struggling to keep the weight of
their children within reasonable limits. As a parent, I know that it's
nearly impossible for me to look into the tear-filled eyes of my son and
refuse food.

So, what's the alternative? Studies show that the number one reason for
obesity in children is not junk food and colas. It's actually TV.
Children tend to plop themselves on the sofa and munch away happily when
they are in front of the TV sets. But, once the set is off, their natural
buoyancy will lead the children to do stuff and to move their body. THey will then be diverted from eating.

Recreational after school activities are a must if you feel that your
child is beginning to put on undesirable fat. It is better to begin these
activities as early as possible. The more weight the child gains, the
harder he has to work to shed it. Football, swimming, skating and Karate
are just some activities he can participate in. Structured and disciplined
exercise is possible only when one is put into a formal environment. That
is why an overweight child simply HAS to be put into an after school
program of this kind.

After school activities and relationship building

After school activities and relationship building

After school activities are the rage of the day. With about $500 million
invested in these programs and more than 10 million children attending
them in America alone, the popularity of these activities cannot be
overlooked. Everyone understands the need to develop new skills, gain more
knowledge and keep the children safe when parents are working.

The most important factor in the success of any program is the
relationship between the children participating in the program and the
adult members who work with these children. Often, children may confide in
an adult member who is not a teacher. This kind of emotional interaction
is a must when children are struggling to make sense of the whirlpool of
emotions that assail them.

Direct contact with professionals can be an inspiring experience. Children
are very much impressed by the knowledge and experience of these adults.
Young people gain a lot of knowledge and experience when they deal with
experienced adults and older youth who serve as teachers or mentors in
these programs. These mentors are different from the teachers in the
school and children are more likely to draw inspiration from them.

After school activities that are managed professionally by people who are
successful in their own fields of expertise will produce children who are
more enthusiastic and successful. Meaningful interaction with adults is a
learning experience in itself.

After school activities and burnout

After school activities and burnout 

For millions of parents around the world, the day does not end with the school bell. There are still pictures to be painted, songs to be sung and games to be played. This all adds up to keeping children happy, safe and out of trouble. But, parents have to steer away from going overboard.

After school is not baby-sitting:
After school activities thrive only if it is backed by sufficient parental involvement. What would a soccer match be without parents cheering their little heroes from the sidelines?.

Research and choose:
Instead of convenience being the decisive factor, find out things that will interest your child. Once you select a program, get the fine print and find out what you have to contribute.

Free time:
Many children attend piano classes, followed by ballet and squeeze in some time for play dates in between just before they rush home in time for bed. This rigor is too much for a child. So, go slow.

When to quit:
Often, parents enroll their child in an activity to discover that he may not be the prodigy they thought he would be. This is the time to let go. Your child may not become the next wonder-kid. But, let him cultivate an interest that he enjoys. Remember, happiness and fulfillment are all that matter.

Life Mapping

Life Mapping: A Vision of Success

Success is more than economic gains, titles, and degrees. Planning for success is about mapping out all the aspects of your life. Similar to a map, you need to define the following details: origin, destination, vehicle, backpack, landmarks, and route.

Origin:  Who you are

A map has a starting point. Your origin is who you are right now. Most people when asked to introduce themselves would say, “Hi, I’m Jean and I am a 17-year old, senior highschool student.” It does not tell you about who Jean is; it only tells you her present preoccupation. To gain insights about yourself, you need to look closely at your beliefs, values, and principles aside from your economic, professional, cultural, and civil status. Moreover, you can also reflect on your experiences to give you insights on your good and not-so-good traits, skills, knowledge, strengths, and weaknesses. Upon introspection, Jean realized that she was highly motivated, generous, service-oriented, but impatient. Her inclination was in the biological-medical field. Furthermore, she believed that life must serve a purpose, and that wars were destructive to human dignity.

Destination: A vision of who you want to be

“Who do want to be?” this is your vision. Now it is important that you know yourself so that you would have a clearer idea of who you want to be; and the things you want to change whether they are attitudes, habits, or points of view. If you hardly know yourself, then your vision and targets for the future would also be unclear. Your destination should cover all the aspects of your being: the physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual. Continuing Jean’s story, after she defined her beliefs, values, and principles in life, she decided that she wanted to have a life dedicated in serving her fellowmen.

Vehicle: Your Mission 

A vehicle is the means by which you can reach your destination. It can be analogized to your mission or vocation in life. To a great extent, your mission would depend on what you know about yourself. Bases on Jean’s self-assessment, she decided that she was suited to become a doctor, and that she wanted to become one. Her chosen vocation was a medical doctor. Describing her vision-mission fully: it was to live a life dedicated to serving her fellowmen as a doctor in conflict-areas.

Travel Bag: Your knowledge, skills, and attitude

Food, drinks, medicines, and other travelling necessities are contained in a bag. Applying this concept to your life map, you also bring with you certain knowledge, skills, and attitudes. These determine your competence and help you in attaining your vision. Given such, there is a need for you to assess what knowledge, skills, and attitudes you have at present and what you need to gain along the way. This two-fold assessment will give you insights on your landmarks or measures of success. Jean realized that she needed to gain professional knowledge and skills on medicine so that she could become a doctor. She knew that she was a bit impatient with people so she realized that this was something she wanted to change.

Landmarks and Route: S.M.A.R.T. objectives

Landmarks confirm if you are on the right track while the route determines the travel time. Thus, in planning out your life, you also need to have landmarks and a route. These landmarks are your measures of success. These measures must be specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time bound. Thus you cannot set two major landmarks such as earning a master’s degree and a doctorate degree within a period of three years, since the minimum number of years to complete a master’s degree is two years. Going back to Jean as an example, she identified the following landmarks in her life map: completing a bachelor’s degree in biology by the age of 21; completing medicine by the age of 27; earning her specialization in infectious diseases by the age of 30; getting deployed in local public hospitals of their town by the age of 32; and serving as doctor in war-torn areas by the age of 35.

Anticipate Turns, Detours, and Potholes

The purpose of your life map is to minimize hasty and spur-of-the-moment decisions that can make you lose your way. But oftentimes our plans are modified along the way due to some inconveniences, delays, and other situations beyond our control. Like in any path, there are turns, detours, and potholes thus; we must anticipate them and adjust accordingly.

Your 7 days program to Stress management

"Have One Week, Will Relax" Your 7 days program to Stress management

They say there's more than one way to skin a cat. The same goes when you start tearing your hair out with all the frustration, grief, anxiety, and yes, stress. It's a state of mental conditioning that is like taking that bitter pill down your throat, causing you to lose your sense of self, and worse your sanity. Just thinking about it can drive anyone off the edge.

And they say that the proactive ones are already living off the edge.

As one stressed-out person to another, I know how it feels, and believe me there are many variants when it comes to stress. Coping with life, and carrying the problems that may or may not belong to you can scratch away the little joy and happiness that you can carry once you head out that door. You can't blame them for being like that; they have their own reasons, so much like we have our reasons to allow stress to weigh us down. They say that stress is all in the mind, well, what's bugging you anyway?

There are several ways to manage stress, and eventually remove it out of your life one of these days. So I'll try to divide it into a seven-day course for you and I promise it's not going to be too taxing on the body, as well as on the mind.

1. Acknowledge stress is good
Make stress your friend! Based on the body's natural "fight or flight" response, that burst of energy will enhance your performance at the right moment. I've yet to see a top sportsman totally relaxed before a big competition. Use stress wisely to push yourself that little bit harder when it counts most.

2. Avoid stress sneezers
Stressed people sneeze stress germs indiscriminately and before you know it, you are infected too!

Protect yourself by recognizing stress in others and limiting your contact with them. Or if you've got the inclination, play stress doctor and teach them how to better manage themselves.

3. Learn from the best
When people around are losing their head, who keeps calm? What are they doing differently? What is their attitude? What language do they use? Are they trained and experienced?
Figure it out from afar or sit them down for a chat. Learn from the best stress managers and copy what they do.

4. Practice socially acceptable heavy breathing
This is something I've learned from a gym instructor: You can trick your body into relaxing by using heavy breathing. Breathe in slowly for a count of 7 then breathe out for a count of 11. Repeat the 7-11 breathing until your heart rate slows down, your sweaty palms dry off and things start to feel more normal.

5. Give stressy thoughts the red light
It is possible to tangle yourself up in a stress knot all by yourself. "If this happens, then that might happen and then we're all up the creek!" Most of these things never happen, so why waste all that energy worrying needlessly?

Give stress thought-trains the red light and stop them in their tracks. Okay so it might go wrong - how likely is that, and what can you do to prevent it?

6. Know your trigger points and hot spots
Presentations, interviews, meetings, giving difficult feedback, tight deadlines…. My heart rate is cranking up just writing these down!

Make your own list of stress trigger points or hot spots. Be specific. Is it only presentations to a certain audience that get you worked up? Does one project cause more stress than another? Did you drink too much coffee?

Knowing what causes you stress is powerful information, as you can take action to make it less stressful. Do you need to learn some new skills? Do you need extra resources? Do you need to switch to decaf?

7. Burn the candle at one end
Lack of sleep, poor diet and no exercise wreaks havoc on our body and mind. Kind of obvious, but worth mentioning as it's often ignored as a stress management technique. Listen to your mother and don't burn the candle at both ends!

So having stress can be a total drag, but that should not hinder us to find the inner peace of mind that we have wanted for a long time. In any case, one could always go to the Bahamas and bask under the summer sun.

7 days program to self-improvement

"A Better You" Your 7 days program to self-improvement

I seem to lost count on how many times I've read and heard of celebrity marriages failing almost left and right. Not that I care (and personally I don't), it seems strange that we often see movie and TV stars as flawless people, living the fairytale life of riches and glamour. I suppose we all have to stop sticking our heads in the clouds and face reality.

There are many ways to lose your sense of self-esteem despite of how trivial it could get. But whatever happens, we should all try not to lose our own sense of self.

So what does it take to be a cut above the rest? Here are some of the things you can think and improve on that should be enough for a week.

1. Know your purpose 
Are you wandering through life with little direction - hoping that you'll find happiness, health and prosperity? Identify your life purpose or mission statement and you will have your own unique compass that will lead you to your truth north every time.

This may seem tricky at first when you see yourself to be in a tight or even dead end. But there's always that little loophole to turn things around and you can make a big difference to yourself.

2. Know your values 
What do you value most? Make a list of your top 5 values. Some examples are security, freedom, family, spiritual development, learning. As you set your goals for 2005 - check your goals against your values. If the goal doesn't align with any of your top five values - you may want to reconsider it or revise it.

The number shouldn't discourage you, instead it should motivate you to do more than you can ever dreamed of.

3. Know your needs 
Unmet needs can keep you from living authentically. Take care of yourself. Do you have a need to be acknowledged, to be right, to be in control, to be loved? There are so many people who lived their lives without realizing their dreams and most of them end up being stressed or even depressed for that matter. List your top four needs and get them met before it's too late!

4. Know your passions 
You know who you are and what you truly enjoy in life. Obstacles like doubt and lack of enthusiasm will only hinder you, but will not derail your chance to become the person you ought to be. Express yourself and honor the people who has inspired you to become the very person you wanted to be.

5. Live from the inside out 
Increase your awareness of your inner wisdom by regularly reflecting in silence. Commune with nature. Breathe deeply to quiet your distracted mind. For most of us city slickers it's hard to even find the peace and quiet we want even in our own home. In my case I often just sit in a dimly lit room and play some classical music. There's sound, yes, but music does soothe the savage beast.

6. Honor your strengths 
What are your positive traits? What special talents do you have? List three - if you get stuck, ask those closest to you to help identify these. Are you imaginative, witty, good with your hands? Find ways to express your authentic self through your strengths. You can increase your self-confidence when you can share what you know to others.

7. Serve others 
When you live authentically, you may find that you develop an interconnected sense of being. When you are true to who you are, living your purpose and giving of your talents to the world around you, you give back in service what you came to share with others -your spirit - your essence. The rewards for sharing your gift with those close to you is indeed rewarding, much more if it were to be the eyes of a stranger who can appreciate what you have done to them.

Self-improvement is indeed one type of work that is worth it. It shouldn't always be within the confines of an office building, or maybe in the four corners of your own room. The difference lies within ourselves and how much we want to change for the better.

7 days program to Positive thinking

"Enlightenment" Your 7 days program to Positive thinking

I'm sure you have a bright idea hidden somewhere in the back of your mind that you just can't wait to test out. Of course you're not the only one with the bright idea. So what motivates you to churn those creative, or even inspiring juices to its utmost flavor?

It's always best to set up a personal goal where you can accomplish the most in record time, maybe like mowing the lawn in an hour before the big game on TV. A correct and positive attitude in whatever you do will make things easier, and even enjoyable.

Here are some tips to make it through the week even if you're just sitting in your favorite couch. An idea takes time to form in your head and is always at work while you are busy sitting.

Having a bit of positive thinking can help you realize things that are never thought possible. Thinking big is indeed the American Way and that what made our country prosperous.

1. Take passionate action towards living your life by design. Talk is cheap. Action = deposits in the bank of a passionately authentic future. Without it, passion is void.

This is a perfect example where dreams are made of where you start by tinkering with your mind, then with your hands. And if the idea weakens, you can always go back to it later until you finish it.

2. Commit to yourself as well as those you love to create powerfully a life you can love. Instead of reacting, commit to creating from your heart and soul, out of love rather than fear. The American Dream will always be there, but a dream will still be a dream without motion. Be amazed as the transformation begins.

3. Recognize and embrace the thought that each moment is perfect regardless of its outcome. Every time you hit on something that may appear too extreme, why not give it a shot and see if it will work. You will be surprised to see of there are other ways to get the task done in time. If you are not pleased with the outcome, decide to use that moment to learn from and make the appropriate shift.

4. Dwell completely in a place of gratitude. Learn to utilize what you have in your hands and make use of it in the most constructive way. Slipping into neediness will become less of a habit when you repeatedly shift towards gratitude, away from poverty consciousness.

5. Use a Passion Formula of Recognize/Reevaluate/Restore in place of the Shoulda/Woulda/Coulda whirlwind. The former is based in increased knowledge and abundance while the latter focuses on scarcity and lack. As you face people or tasks that may seem harder than scaling the summit of the Himalayas, allow yourself to realize that the task is just as important as giving out orders to your subordinates. You would rather be richly passionate!

6. Keep humor at the forefront of thought, laughing at and with yourself when possible. You may find yourself quite entertaining when you loosen up! I am yet to see a comedian ever go hungry even though his jokes are as 'old as great-grandma'. Life has so much to offer to allow you to mope around in self pity. Humor is very attractive, very passionate: life-giving.

7. Believe that you are the architect of your destiny. No one can take your passionate future from you except for you! Create your life authentically. As long as there's still breath in your body, there is no end to how much you can accomplish in a lifetime. The concept of thinking big is all about enjoying your work, which would lead to celebrate a discovery that is born within your hands. Watch everything flow into place with perfect, passionate precision.

It's interesting how people get wallowed up by something trivial as learning to use a computer, when nowadays that top computer companies are manufacturing software that even the kids can do it. I don't mean to be condescending, but that's the idea of not having any positive thinking in your life-you'll just end up as a dim bulb in a dark corner. So instead of subjecting yourself to what you will be doomed for, make your path by taking the first step with a positive attitude.

5 minutes daily program to Stress management

"Relaxing with a Mental PDA" Your 5 minutes daily program to Stress management

We all have this favorite expression when it comes to being stressed out, and I wouldn't bother naming all of them since it may also vary in different languages. But when it comes down to it, I think that it is how we work or even relax, for that matter that triggers stress. Ever been stressed even when you're well relaxed and bored? I know I have.

Since Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. is unavoidable in life, it is important to find ways to decrease and prevent stressful incidents and decrease negative reactions to stress. Here are some of the things that can be done by just remembering it, since life is basically a routine to follow like brushing your teeth or eating breakfast. You can do a few of them in a longer span of time, but as they say-- every minute counts.

Managing time

Time management skills can allow you more time with your family and friends and possibly increase your performance and productivity. This will help reduce your stress.

To improve your time management:

· Save time by focusing and concentrating, delegating, and scheduling time for yourself.
· Keep a record of how you spend your time, including work, family, and leisure time.
· Prioritize your time by rating tasks by importance and urgency. Redirect your time to those activities that are important and meaningful to you.
· Manage your commitments by not over- or undercommitting. Don't commit to what is not important to you.
· Deal with procrastination by using a day planner, breaking large projects into smaller ones, and setting short-term deadlines.
· Examine your beliefs to reduce conflict between what you believe and what your life is like.
Build healthy coping strategies

It is important that you identify your coping strategies. One way to do this is by recording the stressful event, your reaction, and how you cope in a stress journal. With this information, you can work to change unhealthy coping strategies into healthy ones-those that help you focus on the positive and what you can change or control in your life.

Lifestyle

Some behaviors and lifestyle choices affect your stress level. They may not cause stress directly, but they can interfere with the ways your body seeks relief from stress. Try to:

· Balance personal, work, and family needs and obligations.
· Have a sense of purpose in life.
· Get enough sleep, since your body recovers from the stresses of the day while you are sleeping.
· Eat a balanced diet for a nutritional defense against stress.
· Get moderate exercise throughout the week.
· Limit your consumption of alcohol.
· Don't smoke.

Social support

Social support is a major factor in how we experience stress. Social support is the positive support you receive from family, friends, and the community. It is the knowledge that you are cared for, loved, esteemed, and valued. More and more research indicates a strong relationship between social support and better mental and physical health.

Changing thinking

When an event triggers negative thoughts, you may experience fear, insecurity, anxiety, depression, rage, guilt, and a sense of worthlessness or powerlessness. These emotions trigger the body's stress, just as an actual threat does. Dealing with your negative thoughts and how you see things can help reduce stress.

· Thought-stopping helps you stop a negative thought to help eliminate stress.
· Disproving irrational thoughts helps you to avoid exaggerating the negative thought, anticipating the worst, and interpreting an event incorrectly.
· Problem solving helps you identify all aspects of a stressful event and find ways to deal with it.
· Changing your communication style helps you communicate in a way that makes your views known without making others feel put down, hostile, or intimidated. This reduces the stress that comes from poor communication. Use the assertiveness ladder to improve your communication style.

Even writers like me can get stressed even though we're just using our hands to do the talking, but having to sit for 7 or 8 hours is already stressful enough and have our own way to relieve stress. Whether you're the mail guy, the CEO, or probably the average working parent, stress is one unwanted visitor you would love to boot out of your homes, especially your life.