Life and Productivity Tips

Let me walk you through a story before going to the point. He was furious. “You're getting old, Dad! Stop telling me to quit using social media,” my teenager told me. “There’s nothing wrong with social media, Dad!” he continued. “Everyone uses these devices… maybe you are the one with the problem,” he retorted. “Son, life is like a ladder. The higher you go, the easier your life will be — the lower you are on this ladder of value, the higher the odds you will struggle in the future.” That got his attention. “Ladder of value? What do you mean, Dad?” The same lesson I gave my son, will answer your question: do you have any advice for my early 20s life? “We all have the same twenty-four hours a day. No matter who you are, time makes NO distinctions. The ground is leveled. When we're young, we feel like time is infinite, but never underestimate your time. It’s your most precious resource of life.” “What does this have to do with my smartphone?” he asked. “E...

The nature of books has evolved. Society and technology have changed. Forcibly, our approach to reading has taken on new forms to accommodate a different way of life. The question is: For better or worse? Although books give us new ideas, spark discussions, and explore topics in detail, the same information can be delivered in a variety of formats. When it comes to exactly  how  we should absorbing books, the debate rages on. Let’s take a look. The Effectiveness of Speed Reading Since the 1950s, speed reading has been touted as an effective way to get through reading material quickly. Scientists, psychologists, and teachers have come up with methods to increase reading speed, whether through manual tools or visual movements. At the World Championship Speed Reading Competition, top contestants can reach 1,000 to 2,000 words per minute. Six-time champion Anne Jones reached 4,200 words per minute at one point. Those rates seem phenomenal compared to the  ...

While there is no perfect formula for everyone, I want to share some study techniques that have allowed various people to excel through high school and other academics. Top students practice self-discipline instead of relying on motivation.  I’ve touched on this quite a bit in my previous posts, but the gist is if we wait until we feel motivated to complete an assignment, we will have wasted precious time putting it off and also added unnecessary stress. Instead, we need to schedule out or write down when we will be completing this assignment, whether we want to or not. This leads me to my next point. Top students stay organized.  I carry a planner where I write down my schedule for the day and any new homework that I receive. I’ve written out important dates (like exams and essay due dates) on a large calendar in my room so that no assignment sneaks up on me. Knowing exactly what needs to be done allows me to be uber-productive and never be surprised by an assignment ...