Time Management: An Art

We get it, you are busy with your business start-up or building your career in software development. How good are you at managing your time though? Do you always wish that there were more hours in a day or wonder where in the world has the time gone? Here are a couple tips that will make you a pro at making the most of the 24 hours in a day. First of all, make it a habit to track how you spend your time. Do it for a week and see where time is wasted, and then learn from it. You should also compare your time estimates to the time that was actually spent on a task. This will also give you a better picture of where you stand. Try doing similar tasks in scheduled blocks of time. It will help you focus and get more done because you will not be wasting time changing mindsets when you switch tasks. When in between those blocks, it is important to give yourself time to recharge with a quick walk outside or some meditation. Lastly, plan ahead, even for distractions.

What Are You Afraid Of?

Fear can be both good and bad. It mostly depends on the context. It can be paralyzing and one of the best motivators. I think it is up to you to decide what light you see it in. Since we are bound to experience fear, why not put it in a light that is to our advantage. We can use it to push harder and become more. So what are you afraid of doing? The next question is what would it take for you to do it? If it is a business that you are afraid of starting because it would mean that you leave the comfort of having a steady paycheck, you need to realize that nothing, not even a paycheck is worth sacrificing your dreams and happiness. So go out there, set up a plan, and take a leap. You do not have to drop everything just yet. There are ways to start especially with an online presence and web applications. You should look into the resources online too. It is important in life to break down barriers and take that jump. You can always build the parachute on the way down.

WebAssembly

Browser engineers are coming together to bring fast web applications to the masses. It is a project called WebAssembly and aims to give developers an alternative to JavaScript which has significantly slowed down the internet. By joining forces, programmers can be confident that wasm has a mainstream future. They could write browser-based versions of a new class of software for things like performance-intensive gaming, video editing and virtual reality exploration. The usual problem with programs being written in one language or another is that browsers have to agree to support it. Also, if programs are running over cloud services, it will be able to work on any operating system and it will save room on the local drive. Not to mention, the program will be much faster. Interestingly enough, even though the developers are coming together to make this language work, it will create more competition in the computing industry in the long run.

How to Impress Anyone

The first few seconds of a first encounter are driven by instinctive reactions. This means that you need to be aware of your body language and tone. People are more drawn to enthusiasm and confidence than arrogance and impatience. You should also feed expectations which means that it is not the time to surprise the other person with a different side of your personality. If you can get the other person talking and keep them talking, odds are they'll be drawn to you. Be interested and open-minded; ask questions that spark their imagination and ignite conversation. On the side of appearance, it is best to overdress than underdress, even though you see all those new hires at web development companies wearing jeans and hoodies. Treat every connection you make as if it's the most important thing you've ever done. Because, frankly, you never know when it actually will be.

Responding to Long Periods of Sitting

By now, you would have probably seen all the evidence against sitting for long periods of time and how it can increase the risk of major diseases. In many offices, particularly software development companies, there are now standing desks. Those can have their own side effects of loss of productivity and painful lower backs. The real question is just how much standing or moving around is enough. Are we supposed take a stroll or run around the block several times? A new study offers some helpful perspective, suggesting that even a few minutes per hour of moving instead of remaining in a chair might substantially reduce the harms of oversitting. It really just takes two minutes of walking to lower the risk. Of course, the study needs more data and further research but it still seems like we are on the right track.

Job Interview Advice

When it comes to job interviews, it can be utterly nerve wrecking. It does not matter if you are there in person or using internet phone services, you need to have "studied" for this test well in advance. Since many people worry about saying the wrong thing in an interview, you should remember not to say anything obviously stupid like badmouthing your previous employer and you should use your experience and education to make the argument as to why you would be the perfect fit for the job. Making a good first impression might start earlier than you think such as when you are waiting with the receptionist or even in the elevator. Also, make sure to smile because it can really go a long way. The way to sell yourself is to read up on the company's mission statement and practice saying how you could add to that mission statement. You should also practice saying your accomplishments out loud. Prepare for it as if your life depends on it, because in some ways it does. When you got ready for a final in school, you started several weeks ahead of time. Read up on the industry in general and not just the company where your interview is. Be over prepared, although I do not think there is such a thing.

Tricks for that Happy Feeling

Let me just get it out there that my absolute best therapist has four legs and a short stubby tail. When you interact with your pet, your body is more likely to release that warm and fuzzy hormone, oxytocin. After you are done playing with Fido, put on some music while you count your blessings. Being grateful has shown to improve moods dramatically. Another great way to get your happy on is to meditate. If you are the type that has a hard time with it, try out some mobile applications for the meditation. You could also try going outside for a walk or an intense exercise session. After all of that find some of those friends that tend to be happy all the time and go hand out with them. Like, in person. It might be a good idea to put away all those communications services and see someone face to face. When you are with them without any devices, you have a chance to really listen and that can go a long way in relationships.