S - Select one task.
T - Time yourself.
I - Ignore everything else.
N - No breaks.
G - Give yourself a reward
http://www.matthewcornell.org/blog/2005/11/use-sting-method-to-stop.html
Month: October 2009
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Use the STING method to stop procrastinating
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Parkinson’s Law.
You can do things quicker than you think. This law says that a task will expand in time and seeming complexity depending on the time you set aside for it. For instance, if you say to yourself that you’ll come up with a solution within a week then the problem will seem to grow more difficult and you’ll spend more and more time trying to come up with a solution.
So focus your time on finding solutions. Then just give yourself an hour (instead of the whole day) or the day (instead of the whole week) to solve the problem. This will force your mind to focus on solutions and action.
The result may not be exactly as perfect as if you had spent a week on the task, but as mentioned in the previous point, 80 percent of the value will come from 20 percent of the activities anyway. Or you may wind up with a better result because you haven’t overcomplicated or overpolished things. This will help you to get things done faster, to improve your ability to focus and give you more free time where you can totally focus on what’s in front of you instead of having some looming task creating stress in the back of your mind.
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The 80/20 rule.
This is one of the best ways to make better use of your time. The 80/20 rule – also known as The Pareto Principle – basically says that 80 percent of the value you will receive will come from 20 percent of your activities.
So a lot of what you do is probably not as useful or even necessary to do as you may think.
You can just drop – or vastly decrease the time you spend on – a whole bunch of things.
And if you do that you will have more time and energy to spend on those things that really brings your value, happiness, fulfilment and so on.
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yay
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so, i think i was sorta rebelling against my upraising. i wanted to shed myself of this timidness and be a bit more aggressive. but, maybe i took it a little too far in some ways. i want to re-develop a sense of pleasantness that i had when i was a kid. it would be cool if i can be manly yet pleasant. that might be the key ingredient that is missing. because, if you are just aggressive that just pushes people away. keyword is pleasant. originated by mtking.
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9 Ways to Hack your Brain to Think Faster
"Lets face it, the brain is basically a biological computer. It needs food, it needs oxygen, it needs exercise. You can take steps to improve the power of your brain, in effect it’s about improving, modifying, hacking the brain. OK, we may not get to the level of Einstein, but no reason why you can’t be getting the best out of what you have got.
1. Take a daily dose of EPA.
EPA is the chemical in fish oil that makes it brain food, everyone must surely be aware of that by now so why not feed your brain and increase your brain power by taking fish oil capsules. Research has shown that fish oil helps facilitate better signalling within the brain, it increases blood flow and oxygen to the brain, improves memory and concentration levels, all of which allow you to perform mental functions more efficiently. So what better way to get you started on your goal of becoming brainier than to take fish oil on a daily basis, just make sure it’s high in EPA though, as that is the fatty acid responsible for optimum brain function.
2. Lots of regular sex
Having sex regularly releases chemicals that helps to improve brain power according to a recent book “Teach yourself. Training your brain” written by a senior university lecturer and a leading biochemist. Sex is an excellent form of exercise, which also increases the blood flow to the brain. It reduces stress and releases tension both of which can inhibit brain efficiency. Interestingly, sex is also an excellent cure for those headaches, so no more excuses.
3. Do some puzzles
Crossword puzzles, sudoko, brain teasers etc. all help to keep the grey matter in good shape. Just like any other muscle, if you don’t exercise it regularly it loses its ability to perform as well as it could. Research has shown that people who do puzzles are less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Keep those neural pathways open.
4. Go for a walk
There’s nothing like a breath of fresh air to clear the mind of clutter and to reduce the mental chattering that interferes with logical and constructive thinking. A daily walk in the countryside, down by the river or even in the park will clear brain fog, do wonders for your mental health and help you to think more clearly.
5. Learn a new language
Speaking another language can delay the onset of dementia by up to 4 years according to a recent article in New Scientist. The exact reason for this is not known but is believed to be linked to increased blood flow and maintaining healthy neural connections. So start learning a new language and increase your vocabulary daily, not only will you keep your brain in shape but the feeling of satisfaction you will gain will boost your confidence and you can impress everyone with your new linguistic skills.
6. Laugh a lot
Laughter is not only the best medicine; it improves brain function as it stimulates both sides of the brain at the same time, which enhances learning. Make sure you have a really good belly laugh each day. If you are somewhat serious and would find this difficult, then go to laughter therapy classes or force yourself to laugh artificially – your brain doesn’t know the difference. Laughter is contagious so if you force yourself to laugh you might even find yourself laughing for real.
7. Be creative
Take up painting or learn how to play a musical instrument, join an art class even if you believe you will be crap at it. Being creative allows you to find new solutions to old problems and expands your awareness at the same time. The act of being creative stimulates different parts of the brain and allows new ways of thinking and new neural pathways to develop. Knowledge is simply retaining information whereas intelligence is about knowing how to analyse and use that knowledge so stimulate those brain cells into becoming creative.
8. Learn how to juggle
Researchers at the University of Regensburg in Germany scanned the brains of jugglers and non-jugglers and found that the act of juggling can alter brain structure. After a period of only 3 months, the jugglers showed a significant expansion in two parts of the brain, the mid-temporal and left posterior intraprietal sulcus areas. Juggling is not as difficult as it looks, all it takes is a lot of patience and some practice. The secret is to start with two balls and as you throw one in the air avoid the temptation to just switch the second ball to the other hand, which is the most common reaction. The second ball has to be thrown upwards in an arc also and then caught with the hand on the other side. Master this and you are juggling, it’s just a case of adding in extra balls depending on how much you want to show off.
9. Get in touch with your inner child
Einstein once said that imagination was more important than knowledge and he used his to indulge in “thought experiments” where he happened to discover the most famous equation ever (E = MC2). Take a look at the kids, they are full of imagination, and they learn more in the first few years of their lives than the rest of us do in decades. Learn to lighten up and take things less seriously; you’ll find that even the most mundane tasks become more enjoyable. As we grow older we can get stuck in our ways which can only inhibit our minds. Free yourself from the illusion of what it is to be “adult” and get that twinkle back in your eye. It will not only make you more interesting, it will open up new ways of thinking too and you never know, you might even be the one to stumble upon the next major discovery."
http://www.geekwithlaptop.com/9-ways-to-hack-your-brain-to-think-faster
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8 Foods You Should Eat Daily for Optimum Health
1. Spinach - It may be green and leafy, but spinach is also the ultimate man food. This noted biceps builder is a rich source of plant-based omega-3s and folate, which help reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, and osteoporosis. Bonus: Folate also increases blood flow to the penis. And spinach is packed with lutein, a compound that fights age-related macular degeneration. Aim for 1 cup fresh spinach or ½ cup cooked per day. SUBSTITUTES: Kale, bok choy, romaine lettuce FIT IT IN: Make your salads with spinach; add spinach to scrambled eggs; drape it over pizza; mix it with marinara sauce and then microwave for an instant dip. PINCH HITTER: Sesame Stir-Braised Kale Heat 4 cloves minced garlic, 1 Tbsp. minced fresh ginger, and 1 tsp. sesame oil in a skillet. Add 2 Tbsp. water and 1 bunch kale (stemmed and chopped). Cover and cook for 3 minutes. Drain. Add 1 tsp. soy sauce and 1 Tbsp. sesame seeds.
2. Yogurt - Various cultures claim yogurt as their own creation, but the 2,000-year-old food’s health benefits are nmt disputed: Fermentation spawns hundreds of millions of probiotic organisms that serve as reinforcements to the battalions of beneficial bacteria in your body, which boost the immune system and provide protection against cancer. Not all yogurts are probiotic though, so make sure the label says “live and active cultures.” Aim for 1 cup of the calcium- and protein-rich goop a day. SUBSTITUTES: Kefir, soy yogurt FIT IT IN: Yogurt topped with blueberries, walnuts, flaxseed, and honey is the ultimate breakfast—or dessert. Plain low-fat yogurt is also a perfect base for creamy salad dressings and dips. HOME RUN: Power Smoothie Blend 1 cup low-fat yogurt, 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries, 1 cup carrot juice, and 1 cup fresh baby spinach for a nutrient-rich blast.
3. Tomatoes - There are two things you need to know about tomatoes: Red are the best, because they’re packed with more of the antioxidant lycopene, and processed tomatoes are just as potent as fresh ones, because it’s easier for the body to absorb the lycopene. Studies show that a diet rich in lycopene can decrease your risk of bladder, lung, prostate, skin, and stomach cancers, as well as reduce the risk of coronary artery disease. Aim for 22 mg of lycopene a day, which is about eight red cherry tomatoes or a glass of tomato juice. SUBSTITUTES: Red watermelon, pink grapefruit, Japanese persimmon, papaya, guava FIT IT IN: Pile on the ketchup and Ragú; guzzle low-sodium V8 and gazpacho; double the amount of tomato paste called for in a recipe. PINCH HITTER: Red and Pink Fruit Bowl Chop 1 small watermelon, 2 grapefruits, 3 persimmons, 1 papaya, and 4 guavas. Garnish with mint.
4. Carrots - Most red, yellow, or orange vegetables and fruits are spiked with carotenoids—fat-soluble compounds that are associated with a reduction in a wide range of cancers, as well as reduced risk and severity of inflammatory conditions such as asthma and rheumatoid arthritis—but none are as easy to prepare, or have as low a caloric density, as carrots. Aim for ½ cup a day. SUBSTITUTES: Sweet potato, pumpkin, butternut squash, yellow bell pepper, mango FIT IT IN: Raw baby carrots, sliced raw yellow pepper, butternut squash soup, baked sweet potato, pumpkin pie, mango sorbet, carrot cake PINCH HITTER: Baked Sweet Potato Fries Scrub and dry 2 sweet potatoes. Cut each into 8 slices, and then toss with olive oil and paprika. Spread on a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes at 350°F. Turn and bake for 10 minutes more.
5. Blueberries - Host to more antioxidants than any other popular fruit, blueberries help prevent cancer, diabetes, and age-related memory changes (hence the nickname “brain berry”). Studies show that blueberries, which are rich in fiber and vitamins A and C, boost cardiovascular health. Aim for 1 cup fresh blueberries a day, or ½ cup frozen or dried. SUBSTITUTES: Açai berries, purple grapes, prunes, raisins, strawberries FIT IT IN: Blueberries maintain most of their power in dried, frozen, or jam form. PINCH HITTER: Açai, an Amazonian berry, has even more antioxidants than the blueberry. Mix 2 Tbsp. of açai powder into OJ or add 2 Tbsp. of açai pulp to cereal, yogurt, or a smoothie.
6. Black Beans - All beans are good for your heart, but none can boost your brain power like black beans. That’s because they’re full of anthocyanins, antioxidant compounds that have been shown to improve brain function. A daily ½-cup serving provides 8 grams of protein and 7.5 grams of fiber, and is low in calories and free of saturated fat. SUBSTITUTES: Peas, lentils, and pinto, kidney, fava, and lima beans FIT IT IN: Wrap black beans in a breakfast burrito; use both black beans and kidney beans in your chili; puree 1 cup black beans with ¼ cup olive oil and roasted garlic for a healthy dip; add favas, limas, or peas to pasta dishes. HOME RUN: Black Bean and Tomato Salsa Dice 4 tomatoes, 1 onion, 3 cloves garlic, 2 jalapeños, 1 yellow bell pepper, and 1 mango. Mix in a can of black beans and garnish with ½ cup chopped cilantro and the juice of 2 limes.
7. Walnuts - Richer in heart-healthy omega-3s than salmon, loaded with more anti-inflammatory polyphenols than red wine, and packing half as much muscle-`uilding protein as chicken, the walnut sounds like a Frankenfood, but it grows on trees. Other nuts combine only one or two of these features, not all three. A serving of walnuts—about 1 ounce, or seven nuts—is good anytime, but especially as a postworkout recovery snack. SUBSTITUTES: Almonds, peanuts, pistachios, macadamia nuts, hazelnuts FIT IT IN: Sprinkle on top of salads; dice and add to pancake batter; spoon peanut butter into curries; grind and mix with olive oil to make a marinade for grilled fish mr chicken. HOME RUN: Mix 1 cup walnuts with ½ cup dried blueberries and ¼ cup dark chocolate chunks.
8. Oats - The éminence grise of health food, oats garnered the FDA’s first seal of approval. They are packed with soluble fiber, which lowers the risk of heart disease. Yes, oats are loaded with carbs, but the release of those sugars is slowed by the fiber, and because oats also have 10 grams of protein per ½-cup serving, they deliver steady muscle-building energy. SUBSTITUTES: Quinoa, flaxseed, wild rice FIT IT IN: Eat granolas and cereals that have a fiber content of at least 5 grams per serving. Sprinkle 2 Tbsp. ground flaxseed on cereals, salads, and yogurt. PINCH HITTER: Quinoa Salad Quinoa has twice the protein of most cereals, and fewer carbs. Boil 1 cup quinoa in a mixture of 1 cup pear juice and 1 cup water. Let cool. In a large bowl, toss 2 diced apples, 1 cup fresh blueberries, ½ cup chopped walnuts, and 1 cup plain fat-free yogurt.Photos and article source: BestLifeOnline
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