Blogs Monitor Just another WordPress site Wed, 19 Aug 2020 12:22:13 +0000 en-US hourly 1 Anger Management: Dos and Don’ts Wed, 19 Aug 2020 12:22:13 +0000 We’ve all experienced anger on occasion. We often equate it to something negative, but it can have a positive effect on our lives because it shows us that there’s something that’s making us unhappy and gives to the motivation to make changes.

With that being said, when anger is not well-handled, it can be detrimental to our relationships and health. Anger can lead us to say things we regret, make poor decisions or resort to physical violence.

If you’re someone that’s easily triggered, so you often feel angry, it means that your body is constantly flooded with stress hormones resulting in high blood pressure, digestive issues, headaches, insomnia, anxiety and depression.

Unfortunately, many of us didn’t grow up with good role models that could teach us how to deal with our anger in a healthy way. As we become adults and societal expectations increase, it isn’t easy to figure out what to do with such a powerful emotion. Many of the things we say and do in anger are actually misguided efforts to calm down.

While the anger management strategies you’ll read about in this article won’t stop you from getting angry ever again, they will help learn how to express your anger constructively. 

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Find out What’s Making You Angry

To learn how to deal with your anger in a healthy way, you first have to learn why you get angry. Stress or lack of sleep can sometimes make ill-tempered, but our anger usually has a specific cause – a trigger. Different people have different triggers, and you need to identify yours. It can be something someone said, you’ve been treated in a way that you consider unfair or you’re not able to find a solution to a problem that weighs heavily on your mind.

You can start this process of identifying your triggers by keeping an anger journal. For a week weeks, take notes of moments you felt angry. Write the context, what thoughts were going through your head and what you did as a result of your anger (for example, you went for a walk or you got into an argument). When you review your notes, you’ll see some patterns that will help you figure out your triggers. Once you know your triggers, there are strategies to desensitize yourself.  

One such strategy involves meditation. You lie on a sofa or sit on a comfortable chair; you close your eyes and think about a situation that triggers you – something you’ve noticed from your journal. When you feel yourself getting angry, shift your focus on breathing and relax your muscles from the feet up. This might require a bit of practice beforehand. You can look up breathing exercises and progressive muscle relaxation. If you do this for about 20 or 30 minutes, twice a week, you’ll notice that you’re gradually becoming less sensitive to that specific trigger.

Don’t Obsess Over Triggers

Although learning your triggers and practising desensitization strategies like the one we mentioned above is extremely valuable, your instinct might be to ruminate. Maybe you’ll obsess over why this one particular person that tends to get on your nerves seems so dedicated to being as obnoxious as humanly possible, or you’ll make yourself even angrier thinking that some things should just not happen and how unfair the world is. As the anger builds up, you feel more tempted to think that the world around you should change and not the way you cope with it. This might lead you to try to act upon the trigger. For example, you might try to set that person straight – to tell them how obnoxious they are.

This might even feel good for a while because anger can have an energizing effect. However, studies show that people who ruminate over triggering episodes from the past are at greater risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. The same chemicals that make you feel energized when you’re angry, in the long-term, can damage your health. Anger can motivate you to change your life for the better but stewing in it won’t help you achieve that.

Express Your Anger but Do It Constructively

Studies also show that expressing your anger can decrease its intensity, but the means of expressing it are very important. Instead of getting into arguments or venting your anger on innocent bystanders, you could write about it. This has the advantage that it allows you to do something with your anger instead of simply holding it in. Another benefit is that writing requires you to slow down your thought process as you try to put it in words on paper, which makes it easier to analyse your feelings and gain insight.

If you’re too angry to write or you simply don’t like writing in a journal, you can also record yourself talking about it. This way, you don’t have to slow down describing your emotions aloud reduces their intensity. Talk about how you feel, what you’re thinking and what’s making you angry. You’ll notice that you feel less pressured to “do something”. When you’re done, you can delete the recording.

Talk to Someone 

We all know how helpful it can be to talk to someone when you’re upset. Still, when it comes to anger, this is a bit tricky. For example, you get together with a few co-workers and talk about things that bother you about your jobs. Inevitably, you will find a few things that bother everyone so it will turn into a ranting session where you’re feeding off each other’s anger. Instead of calming you down, this will rile you up. Talking about your feelings to someone is constructive when they help you gain a better understanding of the situation and think of new strategies to solve our problems.

If you’ve noticed that you keep complaining about the same things to your friends but you only feel calmer fleetingly or not at all, it might be that you’re not getting what you need from these conversations. You might instead want to talk to a therapist who is better qualified to give you constructive feedback.  

Speak up but Not While You’re Fuming

As we mentioned before, your anger is trying to tell you something. The point of anger management is not to train yourself to put up with anything and everything. You need to listen to your anger. If something is important to you, then you should speak up. But remember that it has to be important. Pick your battles.

If you start arguing over every little annoyance, you’ll rile yourself up. At the same time, if you stay silent about things that truly matter to you, you might become resentful.

You’ll first want to analyse why this is important to you and come up with a few solutions. Then wait for the right time. Don’t address it when you’re triggered because you won’t be able to channel the conversation towards the solution you want.

Common safety issues in the trucking industry and how technology can aid Tue, 18 Aug 2020 13:38:03 +0000 There is no secret to any reputable business owner that improvement in technology can make operations run faster, more efficient, and, above all, safer. Safety for both employees and clients should be amongst the top priorities of any business, especially for the transportation industry. 

Drivers are on the road all day, ensuring goods reach their destination in good shape and in a timely manner. When you add road hazards to all of the things they need to keep an eye on, you get a person who needs to keep their reflexes sharp at any moment of the day. Luckily, technology has come to the aid of truck drivers everywhere, making their job a little easier and safer. 

Below, we will explore a few of the most common safety issues the trucking industry is confronted with and how technology can come to help. 

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Distracted driving

Drivers need to keep their attention up, otherwise accidents can happen. And when you are constantly on the road, there is no room for accidents. The Virginia Tech Institute released data which suggests that distracted drivers are three times more likely to be involved in a car accident, so drivers need to have their mind on the task.

Distracted driving is not only caused by a lack of ability to stay focused, but because of multitasking as well. Attentive driving means being able to monitor speed, watch for other vehicles or pedestrians, steer and brake safely, but when you try to do all this while changing GPS coordinates or answering a client call, it can become dangerous. 

To avoid such issues, trucking companies need to aid drivers by providing them with state-of-the-art devices, which allow voice control. Most modern phones and GPS tools provide such options for years, which means business owners don’t need to purchase the latest technology available. 

Slips and falls

Accidents caused by slips and falls are one of the biggest safety problems in the trucking industry, especially during winter, when ice coats the roads and vehicles. When they enter or exit the vehicle, drivers must use three points of contact to ensure they prevent accidents. This should, in theory, be enough to keep such accidents to the minimum. Still, when you are entering and exiting the same vehicle countless times a day, you tend to become used to it, and the more comfortable you are with performing a certain task, the less attention you give it.

To prevent these issues from happening, trucks need to be equipped with anti-slip features such as truck steps or coat the floor at the entry and exit point with anti-slip coating. But this is not enough, as these accidents can happen due to a lot of factors, such as rush, distractions or tiredness. Through proper training, drivers can be made aware of these issues and coached on how to prevent them. Technology can help us get access to a variety of safety training courses, which drivers can take at their own convenience, eliminating the need for classroom training. 

Rushed vehicle inspections

Before they enter and right after they exited the truck, drivers need to perform a walkaround and examine if there is anything that seems to be wrong with the vehicle. Unfortunately, oftentimes, these inspections are not performed as they should be, which can lead to problems going unnoticed. Situations that can cause a rushed inspection are many, including bad weather or being in a hurry. 

What companies do wrong is they forget to remember drivers how important these inspections are. Making walkthroughs mandatory does little to help if employers don’t monitor drivers or provide the necessary support. Building a culture of responsibility will help drivers understand that, for a good collaboration, their work needs to be performed in a safe and responsible way. 

Another thing employers can do is equip trucks with sensors that monitor key elements of the vehicle and sends an alert to drivers if an issue is being spotted. When potential issues are noticed early on, the company saves money, time, and resources and can continue to conduct its operations efficiently. 

Traffic participants

Despite many trucking companies conducting driver safety training periodically, when people feel rushed or annoyed by other traffic participants, they tend to ignore what they have learned and take unnecessary risks. This can lead to aggressive driving, which is the main ingredient of a road accident.

Trucking companies need to include anger management and focus training to help drivers control their impulses when frustration or anger arises. This helps employees understand the human factor that is involved in their impulsive reactions and reduce car crashes.

Another way to reduce vehicle accidents is by installing video recording systems and monitors on the truck to ensure the driver sees everything happening around the truck when they drive. This removes blind spots, which can often happen on the road. 


Exhaustion is one of the most dangerous states a driver can be in. But when you drive for long hours every day, exhaustion can easily be brushed off as a normal condition, which can be endured if you push forward. But think of it this way: when drivers are exhausted, they are not just some tired people. They become safety hazards for anyone present on the road at that moment, as well as for themselves. 

Exhaustion slows down reaction times, decreases concentration levels by almost 50%, and increases irritability. In fact, studies show that 17 hours awake is the equivalent of 0.05 BAC, while 21 hours awake is the equivalent for 0.08 BAC, which is the legal limit in many countries. 

Sure, drivers should be sleeping enough and never get behind the wheel when they are tired, but unexpected situations can happen at any time, so it’s better to be prepared. Autonomous trucks are still fantasy, but autopilot sensors can be installed on the trucks and aid drivers when they are in need. When technology and humans work together, everything becomes simpler and safer. 

5 Warning Signs You Need A New Phone + Tips for A Hassle-Free Upgrade Fri, 07 Aug 2020 11:51:35 +0000 Even though almost everyone now owns a smartphone, we can’t deny they are quite an expensive purchase. For example, Apple’s latest iPhone 11 can cost around $700, and that’s not even the most high-priced version. And while Android phones tend to be a bit less expensive, the average cost is still over a couple hundred dollars. This is why people wait until the last moment before they decide to switch to a new phone model.

New phone models can safely be used for at least five years before they start showing signs of defeat, but when the time calls for it, a phone upgrade is unavoidable. While we don’t encourage changing your phone every time a new model comes out, sometimes, there are certain signs that show your smartphone begs for a replacement. 

There is no foolproof way to predict when your phone’s life is reaching the end, but there are some warning signs that can tell you it’s time to start looking for a newer model. 

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Battery runs out fast

According to research from last year, the average user spends 3 hours and 15 minutes on their phone every day and picks it up around 58 times a day. This kind of usage can drain up the phone’s battery really fast, which is why you may be used to seeing the “Low battery” message on your screen at least once a day. A healthy phone battery should last you the entire day, but if you see your battery does not hold its charge like it used to, it may be time for a change.

There are many ways you can prolong your phone’s battery life, but sometimes even the best doctor can’t get a sick heart to start pumping blood again. That’s because the life of a battery is limited and, after recharging it for several hundreds of times, which typically means around two years, it will lose about a fifth of its ability to hold a charge. When this starts happening, there is nothing you can do about it but consider an upgrade. 


You can’t download new software updates

One of the best ways to keep your phone running at best capacity is to ensure you have installed the latest software version. But when you start observing your phone struggles to download or install software updates, it’s a sign it may need to be replaced soon. 

Software updates help fix bugs and OS issues, improve user experience and allow compatibility with various apps. Being unable to download software updates can leave you vulnerable to security threats and may prevent you from fully enjoying the experience of having a smartphone. 


The device has become too slow to use

Not being able to update your software to the latest version is one, but when you start observing your phone constantly lags or freezes, then you know you have a problem. 

There are many reasons a phone is slowing down, but in almost all cases, age is one of the main issues. New apps become too demanding and can cause your phone to run out of resources, especially if we are talking about a model that came out years ago.

Getting a new phone will make this problem go away, as you will have plenty of resources to run your favorite apps in the blink of an eye. And if you are afraid a new phone may burn a hole in your pocket, consider looking for options such as buy now pay later phones no credit check


Wear and tear damage

We don’t know about you, but we can’t wait to have the technology to make phone indestructible and affordable at the same time. No matter how careful we are with our phones, there’s almost always a scratch on the screen or a dent in the body of the device that magically appears. While these small imperfections are not an issue, a small scratch can turn into a serious crack in the screen at the most meaningless fall, and that can take a toll on the functionality of your phone.

In time, wear and tear damage, such as worn-out buttons or cracks in the case, can also affect the way your phone runs. When that happens, you are not left with much of a choice. Repairing your phone is often expensive, and older models are not worth the investment, so upgrading to a newer model is your only option. 


Poor camera quality

We live in the selfie era, so let’s face it. We all want our phones to take good photos which we can then upload on social media. For the untrained eye, there is little to no difference between a photo taken with a professional camera and one taken with the latest phone models – that’s how good smartphone cameras have gotten.

But if you have an old phone, you will start observing your photos lack the vibrance and quality they once seemed to have. And when it comes to editing your photos, there’s little you can do to improve their resolution. If you want to take nice photos, then a new phone is your best bet. 


Tips for upgrading your smartphone

Shopping for a new phone is no easy job, as there are many things to look out for. Here’s what to keep in mind:

  • Changing operating systems: if you decide to go from an Android phone to an iOS one, for example, take into consideration the fact that you may need to repurchase some of your apps, as there is no way to transfer them cross-platform. 
  • Storage needs: if you take lots of photos or use many apps, consider getting a phone with larger storage capacity, but if you only use it for emails and phone calls, a 32GB storage capacity should be just enough

Big brands or no big brands: Apple and Samsung phones tend to be on the more expensive side, but their quality is also superior to other models on the market. If you have the money to invest in a new phone, consider getting a model from one of the top brands.

Looking for the best team building ideas? Tue, 21 Jul 2020 13:52:47 +0000 Culture is equally important, if not more important than strategy. Maintaining and developing organizational culture, especially during times of crisis like these, is paramount for team morale and productivity. Team building plays a key role in the process, helping create meaningful bonds between employees. This is realized by improving the interaction and understanding of team roles. People share expectations for accomplishing group tasks and support one another while respecting their individual differences. 

If you want to do a team building event, do it already. The right activities will deliver benefits to both the organization and individuals. Make the wrong choice and it will be an expensive learning opportunity. Before you start making phone calls and searching the web, you might want to check out these ideas. No matter if you’ve just been put in charge of putting together team building activities or you just need to do something fun, these team building activities are the best way to go.  

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Office trivia 

Trivia is one of the best exercises for the brain. You get to expand and improve your knowledge, in general, or more specific areas. It’s a simple form of entertainment that supports healthy neurological function. Contestants have a great time playing the game. You can connect with others on a personal level by finding the right answers to the questions. Why don’t you do an office trivia night? Everyone will be on board with the idea. You have the venue; all you need is good questions. 

Come up with a list of questions about the details of the workplace that can’t go unnoticed. This will test your team’s observation skills, not to mention that it will lead to complete laughter. Another thing you can do is to find downloadable trivia questions for the office party. If you want, you can include a prize – in other words, something to serve as a reminder. 1-2 hours is the right amount for a trivia night, but there’s no reason why you can’t make it longer. You’re in control of the timing after all. 

Play netball 

There is no “I” in team. To be more precise, everyone needs to work together. Sports can help develop team chemistry, improve communication, and develop stronger relationships. The ability to work together towards a common goal is important not only in sports but also in life. A team without teamwork will never be successful. The question now is: Which sport should you play? Netball is a great idea. To play the game, each person has to pass the ball from one player to the other to get it to the goal. Now, that’s teamwork. 

If you’ve got a team of 7 players or more and are looking for a new league or venue to play at, you’re in luck. There is something for everyone. Organizers of social netball leagues and games ensure enjoyable experiences for all. Netball is an energetic sport, so it provides a good cardiovascular workout. Comfy clothes and trainers are a must when playing netball. Most people wear a loose polo shirt with short sleeves. This enables freedom of movement, so you can jump up and down to reach the ball more easily. 


Consider planning a campfire gathering. It offers a great opportunity for people to get together and enjoy one another’s company under the stars. A fire isn’t really necessary, but having one is helpful. When the campfire flame is high, there will be lots and lots of energy in your team. This team building activity encourages storytelling and improves cooperation among team members. It’s your responsibility to do everything possible to support a collaborative work environment. 

If you want to have an unforgettable campfire session, plan ahead of time. Think about what words or situations will come in handy as starters for the story. Examples include the first day at work or side projects. Avoid tasteless humor, even if many people are fond of it. You’ll create a bad impression. It’s normal to use humor in social encounters, but be very careful with the type of humor that you use. A joke may seem funny to you, but another person might think differently. 

Make your own movie 

Making your own movie can be a fun way to spend the weekend. Plus, it promotes creativity, teamwork, and collaboration. It’s an activity that can be carried out indoors or outdoors. You can have as many participants as you like. Make it a full-day event. The employees will write the script and dialogues. They can choose the location and the music accompanying the film. The team will come up with a unique approach to the incorporation of the themes and values. 

Get the necessary equipment. You’ll need a camera (obviously) and microphones, tripods, film editing cameras. After the so-called movie premiere, you can have a little awards ceremony to show your appreciation for the achievement of specific individuals. It won’t be like the Oscars, but pretty close. Don’t forget to choose your judges. Team members should be able to judge independently and fairly. For the sake of argument, look at the film one more time and see what can be improved. 

Go on an adventure

When was the last time that you got away from it all? If you can’t remember, that means that it has been a long time. Get people out of the building and go to a retreat. Your employees deserve an amazing vacation, short as it may be. If you invest in people, you’ll be surprised by the rewards. Set a goal before the big trip. What is it that you want to achieve? Do you want to dig deeper into the company philosophy? Or do you want to simply get closer together? 

Be productive and professional at all times without imposing harsh rules. A retreat is a good opportunity to reach out to the local community. If you’re heading to Thailand, for example, organize an event there. It will be easier for people to meet you and learn more about the company. You can even host a demo while you’re there. Make the most of your trip.  

How to Help Children Diagnosed with Learning Disabilities? Mon, 01 Jun 2020 12:46:33 +0000 When it comes to helping children with learning disabilities, you have to think outside the box. If your children have been diagnosed with a learning disability, you must help them build confidence and be successful in life. Every child deserves love, encouragement, support, and attention, so it’s even more essential for children with learning disabilities to strengthen them with positivity. Such a condition needs special care and a lot of patience from both parents and other family relatives.

But with enough confidence, you can help your child build a powerful sense of confidence, self-worth, and the willpower to keep going, even though the path is tough. During the process of helping children with learning disabilities, you need to remember that you want to find ways of assisting the kids in helping themselves. It is not your job to find a cure for this condition, but it’s essential to give your child the confidence to confront the social and emotional challenges. 

Over time, your child with learning disabilities will overcome this condition and become stronger and more experienced. Also, don’t forget that the way you react and respond to your child’s behavior can impact his. Therefore, your child won’t learn the difference between good and bad. Even more, there’s a huge possibility that your kid becomes easily irritable and stressed. So, the right attitude will help your child have a lot more confidence that things will eventually succeed.

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Dealing with Your Child’s Learning Disability

Keep yourself confident and believe that a learning disability isn’t untreatable. Everyone deals with difficult challenges, but you have to teach your child to face them without being discouraged. Usually, children can get overwhelmed due to many tests at school and endless homework. Don’t get distracted and give your child the support needed. Children with learning disabilities can easily get hurt and emotional.

If you feel you are capable of becoming an “expert” and deal with a learning disability condition, do your research and keep yourself informed with the latest tips to help your child do well. If you’re tempted to call for learning disability programs, why not try this option? There are experienced doctors, therapists, and teachers with excellent techniques and solutions for treating your child’s condition. But you know your child best, so take charge whenever you feel it’s needed.

Your Role in Your Child’s Education is Essential

Helping children with learning disabilities means taking charge of their education. Your role in your kid’s education is more important than ever. Children can learn a lot of skills and good behaviors from school years, but don’t allow someone else to take too much responsibility for your child’s education. It’s vital to be present in your child’s life and provide them with the right confidence they need to learn. So, it would be best to stay active in your child’s education for as long as it’s needed. 

Sometimes, parents can invest all their time and energy into their child’s school activity. Most of them think that this is the primary solution for their child’s learning disability. However, being realistic and admit that the school situation for your child isn’t perfect, it’s also essential for any parent. Stay calm and positive and understand that too much pressure and rules will probably cause more frustration, stress, and irritation. Your child’s behavior depends a lot on your attitude, so leave the stress behind and encourage your child to be optimistic

How Does Your Child Learn Best?

Another essential tip is to identify how does your child learns best? Every child, with or without a learning disability, has their way of learning. Is your child an auditory, a visual, or a kinesthetic learner? It’s essential to determine how your child learns best and ensure that it is included during home and school studying. If your child is a visual learner, it means that they’ll learn best by seeing or reading. Visualizing works best for them, rather than talking, so this type of learner may be good at drawing, reading, and writing. 

If your child is a kinesthetic learner, he’ll learn best by moving and doing things, rather than speaking or listening. They are more capable of learning through outdoor activities, including exploring new areas, touching, or running, in order to learn. Auditory learners will learn best by listening. Oral classes will be beneficial for them, as they are good at speaking. They may be attracted to music and being in the center of attention. 

Life Success is More Important than School Success

It’s obvious that you want your best for your kid, but your hopes and dreams might not coincide with your child’s. People imagine success differently, so if you want your child to have good grades, a future successful career in journalism, and a large family, it might not be what your child desires most. Grades and exam scores matter until a certain point, so don’t think only about academics. Success in life means much more than that, so stick to your child’s side, support your child’s needs and wishes, and encourage their potential. 

Instead of focusing on grades, make sure you teach your child how to build healthy relationships with others. Show your children that it’s a quality to be kind and do good to people in such a cruel world. For children with learning disabilities is crucial for parents to give them a huge leg up in life and teach them all about strengths, self-care, and self-confidence. Many children with a learning disability struggle to learn during classes and end up doubting themselves. It’s a great option to spend time with your children and ask them to write down on paper their strengths and weaknesses. 

Also, work with them on activities that can help them build confidence and competency. Don’t forget to take into consideration their passions. They might feel inspired and develop new skills. A healthy lifestyle also plays an essential role in the life of a child with a learning disability. Help them exercise, get the sleep they need, and follow a healthy, nutrient-rich diet. It will help them feel more active and energetic. Parents and other family members should take part in educating the child with learning disabilities. Create special routines and get everyone involved to encourage their healthy emotional habits. 

5 Simple but Efficient Ways to Develop Your Creative Side Thu, 23 Apr 2020 12:29:53 +0000 As we know, being a highly creative person can make us healthier and even happier. But while being creative means entirely different things for different people, getting there might be a long and challenging way for some of us. While some are naturally gifted and radiate with otherworldly creativity, others can barely manage to get out simple but original results. If you feel like you are not like one of those individuals, that does not mean you are doomed to less original and exciting life.

Most probably, you heard it lots of times, but much like your muscles, creativity is something you can effortlessly develop and cultivate with diligent practice, passion, and enough willingness. Keep in mind that simply waiting and expecting for creativity to come to you will do nothing, but to remove the only extent of motivation you have gathered so far. 

But where should I start? Seek out things that spark up your most mysterious thoughts, things that make you feel inspired and alive; it can be anything, but you might not know it yet because you haven’t even embarked on exploring the vast world of imagination within your brain.

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  • Surround Yourself with Creative Stimulus  


Even more positive psychologists nowadays stress the importance of positive psychology and its significance in the creative process. Are you looking for ways to get those ideas going? Well, make sure you are surrounding yourself with creative environments and inspiring people. Indeed, all these might slightly differ from one person to another, but who does not feel motivated after a long and satisfying mountain hike or a juicy inspirational movie? Naturally, enjoyable activities like hobbies and sports are a great way to get your imagination flow going and motivate you to seek something different. Seeking the freshness in your life might be a great way to unstuck yourself and get the imagination going. For instance, if you feel totally uninspired in your office, do not hesitate to make changes, and surround yourself with something out of ‘’ your ordinary’’ that makes you feel energized and inspired.


  • Meditate Consistently


Numerous researches showed that certain styles of meditation are linked to increased activity in creative thinking. Meditation has always been a great tool for relaxation, but the latest research proves that its health benefits expand far beyond recreation.

One research shows that a meditation technique known as open-monitoring meditation, where the individuals are receptive to all sensations and thoughts without concentrating on a particular concept or object, can enhance new ideas generation and divergent thinking. How to make open-monitoring meditation an integral part of your daily routine? Sort out enough time between your daily activities, so you can focus only on your thoughts and experiences.


  • Consider CBD Products to Wind up Your Mind


From musicians, artists, and writers, almost everyone has been looking for ways to skyrocket their creativity for centuries. Fortunately, modern times allowed us to explore numerous natural enhancers such as essential oils and herbs to bring out fresh inspiration. One of these natural enhancers are cannabidiols or CBD.

Cannabidiol has shown great results for those in need to create and produce. Ingesting CBD products as prescribed can work wonders for your overall health, creativity, and inspiration. Moreover, numerous researches have shown that CBD can reduce anxiety, improve sleep quality, reduce pain symptoms and work as an excellent remedy for writer or song lyricist’s block, a painter who needs a fresh vision or an artist looking to concentrate and produce something magnificent.

  1. Make Use of Colour Psychology

Various studies on color psychology suggest that different colors can influence your moods, behaviors, and emotions. Colors like blue and green are famous for enhancing performance on the cognitive task. While most of us associate blue with the sky, ocean, and openness in general, green signals longevity, creativity, innovation, and growth. Have you ever wondered how certain colors make you feel in a certain way? Better yet, do you find yourself more prone to certain emotions after you have experienced color for a given period?

Shades, color pigments, and hues have always been a great influence on the human psyche, as well as the perception of events and cultures. Indeed, the amount of cultural, psychological, and personal interpretation is limitless. But by experimenting with various shades and colors whenever you feel stuck, it might influence your mood and even your creative flow in a way you have never experienced.


  • Play Video Games


One enjoyable excuse to sit around and experiment with an abundance of video game types is to improve your creative side. Indeed, playing video games are not only an excellent way to better your mood after a challenging way but also a great tool for creativity. Regardless of whether the game is violent, non-violent, or extremely creative, both genders tend to be more creative according to fresh research by Michigan State University scholars. Playing games, literally, is a formidable way to facilitate much-desired creative thinking as it can lower the barriers of formed behavioral rules and routines by offering new otherworldly realities. 

Fortunately for our creative side, the rapid acceleration of smart technologies has led to a great boom in the video game industry. They have got even more complex, challenging, and mind-blowing, adapting to various categories of people and desires.

You might be thinking that creativity is not for you, or that you simply were not born that way. But have you tried to explore unusual grounds by now? Once with the development of modern brain imaging technology and testing, neuroscience proved that creativity is not something that only right-brain thinkers can benefit from. In fact, after numerous studies, scientists came to the conclusion that many parts of our brain account for creativity and not only a single side or single part of the brain. Thus, as you’ve learned by far, creativity isn’t necessarily something innate, but rather a muscle you develop in time with suitable tools and proper external motivators.


5 video marketing trends will see more of in 2020 Fri, 17 Apr 2020 11:42:45 +0000 They say a picture can tell a thousand words. So, only imagine the impact a video can have. 


Thus, now, more than ever, it is essential to integrate video into your marketing strategies to attract and retain your customers. Here are the hottest video marketing trends for this year: 


  • Shoppable videos


With social media selling on the rise, shoppable videos are gaining momentum in 2020. Data shows that nearly 8 billion videos are viewed on Facebook only every day. Yet, Facebook is only one of the social media platforms that represent a marketing channel for brands. Platforms like Instagram and YouTube can both also increase conversions through video ads. To be more precise, video ads on Instagram stories can increase purchase intent, whereas sponsored Instagram videos can generate three times more comments than sponsored photos. 

However, what about using videos as a direct way to encourage customers to make purchases by redirecting them to product pages? Sounds good? That’s where shoppable videos come into the scene. 

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What are shoppable videos, and what is the buzz about them? Shoppable videos accelerated transactions between customers and brands by redirecting customers on the link of the product they want. In some cases, they can even just add the product to the cart and take the customers straight to checkout. 

Shoppable videos increase the chances of making a sale by shortening the customer journey. Plus, they also improve the customer experience by eliminating the need for the customers to go to manually find the product they want to purchase. 


  • 360-degree videos 


In general, videos are great for offering customers a visual representation of what brands are offering. And, their most significant advantage is that they engage the audience more than pictures by allowing them to actually see the product or service in action. But 360-degree videos are videos like no other because they engage customers in a more immersive, interactive, and almost real way. 

Interactive 360-degree videos are a massive trend at the moment. Through them, customers can experience iconic locations, come inside your business’s location, or experience your products using nothing more than their smartphones. And, data shows that this video format has a 46% more video completion rate compared to regular videos. Moreover, they have a +300% click-through rate compare to other video ads. 

360-degree videos are particularly interesting for brands in the travel and event industry. For example, National Geographic is one of the most reputable brands that successfully use this video format to take their viewers to iconic locations. So, if you are a tourism agency, for example, 360-degree videos are a great way to set your product videos apart from your competition and really captivate your audience. 


  • User-generated video content 


It’s no longer a secret that users tend to trust other users more than they trust brands themselves. Simply put, consumers prefer to make their purchase decisions based on the reviews and feedback of their peers rather than based on what they see in ads. So that is why user-generated video content is a trend that already started to gain momentum and will continue to do so in the near future. 

But what exactly are user-generated videos? They are the positive reviews and feedback that satisfied customers have to say about your business and products, only that now, they will do so through videos. More and more brands have started to encourage their fans and social media communities to produce video content, such as unboxing and review videos, which include their thoughts on their products. 

There are two major advantages of using user-generated video content. First of all, it involves very little investment for brands. Simply put, since your customers will be producing the content, you only have to share it all over the Internet. Secondly, this type of user-generated content will generate more engagement since your audience will get real feedback on our products from real people they are more likely to trust. 


  • Company culture videos 


Corporate video production for marketing is also expected to thrive this year. Unlike all other video marketing strategies, corporate videos don’t necessarily focus on selling a particular product or service. They, however, serve multiple purposes, including company promotion to attract top talent or to help their audience get some insights about what is happening behind the scene. 

Corporate videos are a great choice when you want to increase brand awareness, improve brand reputation, and build trust in your company. Therefore, if you are a new player on the market, a corporate video marketing strategy is a must to let the word out about your brand. 


  • Video-first platforms 


On existing social media platforms, videos rank higher than any other type of content because they naturally encourage the audience to engage with the post. And, with billions of active monthly users, platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or Twitter already bring a lot of advantages for brands in terms of video marketing. 

However, it seems that in 2020 we will see more social media platforms that focus solely on video content for better engagement. YouTube, for example, is already a platform that does wonders in terms of bringing conversions to brands. But, starting this year, YouTube won’t be the only social media platform brands can use for video marketing. Snapchat, TikTok, or Lasso are only a few of the video-driven apps that are flooding the marketplace. But, since video content continues to rank as one of the hottest digital marketing trends, we are expecting to see even more platforms that prioritize this type of content. 

 These trends for this year prove that video marketing will only continue to grow. More and more brands will include video content in their marketing strategies. 

4 Technologies that will improve truck fleet operations Mon, 13 Apr 2020 10:00:07 +0000 Have you ever questioned your trucking operations efficiency? More importantly, have you found a solution yet? 

Managing a truck fleet is more challenging than it was a few years back with continually emerging technologies and trends that reshape all aspects of trucking. But with proper fleet management strategies and an abundance of opportunities, you can take advantage of these trends, access potent tools and boost the efficiency of your operations. 

You already know that there’s an endless list of add-ons you could put in your fleet if you want. Numerous innovative companies came up with credible technology and related devices-today, combining both software and hardware, claiming to offer the greatest advantages in daily truck operations. 

Since it’s an incredibly varied industry, technology has smoothly found its ways to make truck operations quicker, easier, less taxing, more accurate, and safe, occasionally bringing considerable changes in the industry. Here some of the technologies we believe are vital for your daily truck operations efficiency 

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  1. Dynamic Routing

For trucking companies and fleet operations, the route is a core element. Dynamic routing provides both adjustability and valuable information for drivers about paths they have to take, weather conditions and traffic status in real-time.

Dynamic routing can whittle down unnecessary miles, find quicker routes, discover major collisions, and map around the traffic with newly updated GPS info. Moreover, dispatchers might be able to plan extra stops to minimize the distance traveled for every destination and improve the route density, regardless of your business nature.

This software might work wonders for your fleet operations. As it gets smarter, you can say goodbye to all those unexpected costs on fuel, downtime and items for the fleet. So, it goes without saying that with better road-planning, optimized truck routes, you can make better sense of your business operations. In addition to its efficiency, dynamic routing is an adaptable technology that allows you to find your own way to utilize it no matter the business nature.

It can help keep your costs steady, customers satisfied as your services will improve as well, which contributes to your brand’s reputation and ability to settle future operations.

  1. Audio and Visual Systems

Safety and potential phony insurance claims are both solid reasons for truck fleet operators to invest in in-cab systems. Audio-visual safety equipment for vehicles has developed alongside the development of digital cameras generally, as it witnessed a great improvement in image processing, usability in low light/night time, and high definition image capture as the storage capacity becomes more generous.

With many collisions and potential false insurance claims, it’s reasonable for fleets to implement audio-visual and protect their drivers. Usually, those seeking false claims or even try to run into a truck, know very well that fleets are susceptible targets. Moreover, another dangerous aspect of this industry is public perception.

Research has shown that when heavy trucks and passenger cars collide, it’s the passenger car driver’s fault with a realistic majority of 70% but the audience and the public who see such a crash tend to assume it was the truck’s fault. Forward-looking cameras and audio systems can help you avoid such a nuisance because it shows the exact aspects of the event and saves your company from the costs of being sued.

  1. Collision Mitigation Technology

Numerous researches have shown that heavy trucks are overrepresented in collisions and fatalities. A recent study for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration stated that buses and heavy trucks justified for 4% of registered vehicles and 9% of the total miles but were involved in 13% of accidents and 13% of total traffic fatalities.

Indeed, it’s due to their larger size and mass, as those from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration speculated, which can easily cause damage to a smaller vehicle. But, even if it’s the passenger car’s driver fault when trucks and cars collide, such occurrences might bring you colossal lawsuits and insurance claims.  

Therefore, not only public safety but your business profitability as well should motivate you to reduce your fleet’s chances of collisions, especially if your company is hauling fuel or other dangerous materials. These collision mitigation systems have quickly become a vital asset on many new trucks-and usually with the ability to put out- and can be integrated into older trucks as well.

So, as always, technology might be the answer for effective trucking operations and business efficiently, as these advanced systems find new ways to monitor a truck’s surroundings, as well as the speed and control in specific conditions, allowing drivers to take autonomous control in case of emergency.

  1. Trailer Tracking

Trailer tracking allows operators to locate and manage their assets easily. When thinking about tracking your truck trailers, the first thing that comes into your mind is loss prevention. This might come in handy for your drivers in need to monitor trailer status and even warn the fleet if those trailers are exposed to high-theft areas or being stolen. 

Good visibility of the assets mirrors a solid business sense. And, again, you’ve hit another great reason to add tracking technology to your fleet. These technologies not only involve a GPS that is physically mounted to the trailer, but also a wireless sensor that will feed up valuable data for your fleet management system

Indeed, all these truck add-ons require a serious investment, but your truck drivers, managers and especially customers want to see that it’s really worth it. If you are uncertain about your actual truck operations, take some time to determine clear and realistic solutions and see which one of these latest technologies will prove valuable. Keep in mind that even though managing a fleet might prove challenging, it doesn’t mean you cannot better your operations and take advantage of the latest top fleet technologies to outgrow your competition.

 So, make sure you won’t overlook new trends, management opportunities and smart tools that continuously appear. These technologies have been matured for years, and now it’s an ideal time to prove their worth. 




Does Safety Drive Productivity? Here’s how to increase performance at the working site Wed, 08 Apr 2020 10:06:31 +0000 The construction industry is famous for being one of the riskiest fields to work in. According to the U.S Bureau of Labour Statistics, out of 4,779 worker fatalities in private industry in 2018, 21.1% or 1,008 were in construction. 

The leading causes of deaths in the construction industry were electrocution, falls followed by being struck by an object, and caught in between, which brought more than 58.6% deaths in 2018. Moreover, construction may also result in non-fatal injuries that might still cost your business millions of dollars per year, making safety training programs and strategies paramount in the industry.

A successful construction business relies on OSHA regulations to maintain an effective safety program and stay updated to the latest policies to ensure excellent performance. However, to better clarify how safety may improve your business performance, consider the following. 

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No training, no safety

First things, first. No matter the industry you’re in, anyone who operates a heavy piece of equipment must be properly trained and certified to use it. Meaning that even by simply moving a piece of machinery to a new area, even though there is nothing too complex in this process, you should never allow an untrained operator to handle the machinery.

OSHA safety programs provide business safety training programs for employees to better operate pieces of equipment such as telehandlers or rotational telehandlers and what steps they have to follow in case of emergency. However, when your organization already has well-trained personnel it might be tempting to skip this crucial step. But a regular review is never a bad thing for your business performance. We suggest you consider a monthly training session for equipment operation to renew your employee’s safety skills, knowledge and successfully avoid accidents.  

Safe environments decrease lost working hours

It goes without saying that an organization that provides a safe working environment can be rewarded with an increase in the performance of its employees. Where to start? Learning how to better reduce downtime is the key to maintaining peak performance. On the working site, workers rely on machines and equipment in order to maintain optimal productivity. But because many organizations depend on employees to achieve optimal productivity by speeding up the production time, it can also lead to loss of productivity and increased downtime.

This strategy can surely be profitable and productive for the organization, but in the long term, such environments can also be hazardous. Nevertheless, an organization that values its employees’ health and cares to invest in safety programs is less likely to face downtime produced by risky environments. When it comes to investing in your worker’s safety, the perceived negative effect on performance and productivity is the key concern. So, the safer the working environment, the less working hours you’ll lose.

Regular machine inspection boosts on-site efficiency

Even though technical issues can’t be seen, it doesn’t mean they don’t exist. To successfully promote safety throughout your business, we advise you to focus on a preventive inspection of your equipment and working machines.

Damaged equipment and machinery are detrimental to your business operation. If a critical piece of equipment or machinery ceases to work while being operated, this might bring your employees in a very precarious situation. For instance, if one of your heavy trucks fails while it’s moving at high speed, it could cause major damage not only to surrounding structures and equipment but also to your employees.

To avoid that, make sure you stress the importance of regular inspection and safety programs. This could better prepare your equipment operators on how to inspect the basics such as fluid levels, brakes, headlights, and tires daily. But if your team cannot tackle this task, you can always hire a trained professional to service your equipment regularly.  

Great communication makes for engaged employees

Communication is crucial for your business performance. When your team communicates efficiently, things go smoothly and untroubled. Excellent communication ensures that your workers are constantly aware when a heavy piece of equipment or vehicle is occupied and in operation.

Indeed, your team alone cannot tackle all this task without a responsible supervisor and spotters to keep workers away from hazardous areas and announce when a vehicle passes by. Thus, when it comes to safety, effective communication on the job site is priceless. By communicating successfully, your team will be able to operate machinery safely and avoid delays due to accidents and safety protocol breaches.

A safe environment makes for happy employees, and there is nothing to prove the opposite. When an employee feels safe at work, he is more likely to go “above and beyond” with his work and be more loyal to his employer.

Safety means less Distractions

Apart from the basic communication equipment that is crucial for your business performance, other communication devices that might distract your employees should not be allowed. As you know, working sites are pretty hazardous, and besides the usual obstacles a worker must face daily, a ringing phone might be distracting for them, especially when handling a heavy piece of machinery.

OSHA regulation forbids using a mobile phone on a working site without a specific necessity, and as a business owner is in your duty to expand this policy to every employee on the working sites. No matter how vigilant one of your operators might be, if a phone rings in the most unexpected moment, this could easily cause an accident.

Love it or hate it, but for many successful businesses, a better performance comes from increased safety. When you provide a less threatening working environment, your employees reward you with an upsurge in productivity. It follows that a worker who is adequately trained and confident in doing his task is more likely to perform better than a worker who is uncertain of the environment safety and his responsibility. But when it comes to increased performance and confident workers, there’s nothing a proper safety training can’t do.

Converting Your Attic into Living Space: Can It Be Done and How? Wed, 08 Apr 2020 09:17:26 +0000 When most houses are built, chances are that the attic is left unfinished and is not suitable for anything more than storage. The issue with this is that it means you’re missing out on valuable living space and, since the hunt for additional square footage never ceases, many homeowners decide to convert their attics or lofts. 

If you’re living in an area where houses are close together and have a limited budget, a home extension may be out of the question, but turning your attic into a bedroom, living area or office is an appealing and more affordable possibility. 

In fact, in the UK, attic or loft conversions are among the most popular home improvement projects. This article is meant to serve as a basic introduction to the most important elements you need to keep in mind if you’re considering making the most of your home’s current floor plan. 

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Permits and Regulations 

You’re probably wondering whether you need planning permission when converting your attic. The answer is not necessarily. In most cases it will fall under Permitted Development as longs as your design adheres to the specified criteria. If your project requires changing the structure of the roof, such as altering height or shape, you may need to apply for planning permission. 

You will also receive an inspection from a building control surveyor at different stages to make sure you follow fire and electrical safety regulations, you can easily escape through the stairway, and that the project does not negatively impact the structural stability of the house. 

You’ll want to be careful when choosing your contractors as you will rely on their expertise to pass the final inspection and get a certificate of completion.  

Estimated Costs 

The cost of your conversion project will depend on the extent of remodeling work needed. This, in turn, depends on how suitable the existing structure of your roof is and how easy it is to accommodate the new staircase. Keep in mind that even though this will not be as expensive as adding another level to your house or building a home extension, it’s still not a small DIY project. You will need a contractor or several subcontractors that will have to rent equipment such as a spider lift. They’ll also have to extend the electrical wiring, heating, and cooling systems and add insulation.   

The costs start at about £15,000 for the most basic “room-in-the-roof” and can go up to approximately £55,000. A basic project will include fire door and smoke alarm to comply with fire safety regulations, reinforcement of the floor to support the added load, insulation, standard staircase, and a couple of skylights.

Dormer loft conversions tend to be more expensive as they require more work to install the dormer windows, but this will add height to the room and increase usable floor space.  


Since building regulations require a minimum of two meters (that can be reduced to no less than 1.8) above the staircase, the ideal location would be in line with the roof ridge. In most cases, the location will have to be adjusted to the layout of the floor below, and some modifications are possible to still meet the height requirements, such as using dormers or skylights.  

The staircase also cannot have more than 16 steps, but most installations already have only 13. The step size cannot exceed 220 mm, and you’ll need balustrading of minimum 900 mm in height with a distance between spindles of maximum 100 mm. As you can probably tell, these are all safety precautions to increase the speed with which you can exit the house and decrease the risk of accidents. 

Natural Light

When converting your attic or loft into living space, the amount of natural light the structure provides is an important consideration. It will not only make the room more enjoyable, but it will make it look larger. There are two window options for this type of project, which we have already mentioned: skylights and dormer windows. 

Skylights are the easiest and most affordable option as they follow the pitch line and are fitted by removing some of the tiles and battens. 

Dormers are more expensive but give the room more natural light and add space. Typically, they’re installed by cutting through the required timbers and opening up the roof. To increase the speed of installation, many contractors will make them off-site in a workshop and then just lift them into place. Since dormer windows project out, they create that perfect little seating nook you see in interior design magazines

Heating and Ventilation 

Converting your loft or attic means that you’re extending your living space, which, in turn, increases the load on your heating and cooling systems. If properly insulated, this may require very little extra capacity. However, you still need to have a professional take a look at it and determine whether it can support another room. Energy-efficient heating options include a combination of radiators and underfloor heating. 

As for ventilation, you should have your contractor install rafter vents so air can flow behind the added insulation to protect the integrity of your roof. 


As you probably already know, the roof is one of the main places that cause heat loss in your home and increases your utility bills, so making sure it’s properly insulated is beneficial even when you’re not converting the attic to living space. 

Building regulations have become stricter over the years, and that means that attics or lofts that were converted ten years ago most likely don’t meet current standards that require a U-value of 0.18W/m2 or lower. Just to clarify, the U-value measures how much heat can move through a square meter of material per hour, and the lower the value, the better the material is at insulating. If you’re using fibre or wool insulation, to reach this number, you’ll need a layer of about 270 mm in thickness. For rigid board insulation, it will be approximately 175 mm, and high-performance foam will require 125 mm. 

Insulating a standard attic or roof is pretty straightforward, but it will, unfortunately, reduce the available space, and it’s not exactly cheap. The good news is that it will help you save a lot of money on electricity and will make your home, including the converted space, more comfortable to live in.