Wake up early

In the age of the DVR and Hulu, there isn't any reason to stay up late on a week night. It is important to get enough sleep, but it's difficult to get this sleep when you're up after midnight, and you work at eight in the morning. And the mornings are hectic when there is barely enough time to get a shower and put on some clothes. I suggest a radical idea, for a young person. Wake up early.

Why should I wake up early?

The morning routine is often fraught with stress. Toilet. Shower. Shave. Clothes. Food. Rush to work. I know how it is. Most mornings, I miss one or more of these things. Spend a few more minutes in the shower, and now you don't have time to shave. Or maybe you don't eat breakfast and still get to work late. Whatever your morning ritual, I bet you wish you had more time to complete it.

The working man
As an employed worker, the main purpose of waking up early is to arrive on time, and ready to work. If you're not on time, or not ready to work when you do arrive, you are cheating your employer. Don't think they don't notice this. Having more time to prepare for work in the morning will make you more ready to work when you arrive (on time).

If you work as an independent contractor, or if you're self-employed, the morning is a great time to plan your day. Before the busyness of the day's tasks, you can spend some time thinking about what needs to be done, and putting together a game plan for how it will go down. Preparation will make the whole day easier. Just knowing there is a plan is a great help.

Personal fulfillment
There's also a personal benefit to rising early: Slowing down your morning will provide you with less stress throughout your day. Maybe you just need more time to complete the tasks you already undertake in the morning. Maybe some of that extra time can just go to quiet contemplation or meditation. Quiet time to read a book or magazine to get your brain engaged for the day.

For the more industrious amongst us, the morning is a great time to get some of the house chores completed. Getting these done while you still have energy will allow you to get home from work and just relax without the guilt that comes from neglecting the domestic duties.

Or maybe you just want to get fit, and can't seem to find the time in your busy schedule. Waking up early provides you the time to have a jog, or maybe put in that exercise DVD you bought six months ago but couldn't find time to use. Not only will you feel better about yourself for finally getting active, exercise will help you feel better throughout the day.

How to wake up early

As with anything: it's easier said than done. Routines and habits are hard to break. So you will have to be deliberate. But you don't have to do it all at once.

Get in bed
This seems like such a simple thing to say, but it's important. If you get in bed, you will fall asleep. Don't think hanging out on the computer, playing a video game, or watching TV on the couch will put you to sleep. The bright, flickering images actually keep you awake longer, and disrupts your sleep. Just get under the covers, and prepare for sleep. Read a book, or listen to music.

You need to get in bed earlier if you are planning on waking up earlier. As I said in the opening, sleep is important. You need between seven and eight hours of sleep to really recharge your batteries. Yes, staying up late to watch CSI might be relaxing after a long day at work, but sleeping is even more relaxing, and it will make you feel better the next day.

Set your alarm
You probably have an alarm set already. In that case, just move the alarm earlier. If you wake up at 7:00 AM now, I don't suggest jumping to 5:00 AM immediately - you'll probably just feel terrible and give up on the idea. Instead, move your clock early gradually in 5-minute increments every other week until you're at the desired awake time. You'll hardly notice the difference.

Move your alarm
I'm sure most young people these days just use their cell phones as alarm clocks, but this still applies: Don't keep your clock on your nightstand. Put it someplace that will cause you to get out of bed to turn it off. This cures the snooze button.

An added benefit for those who do use their cell phones: The science behind cancer and cell phone use hasn't settled yet, but it's probably better to be safe than sorry. Some studies do show a risk of cancer from cell phone use. If your cell phone is on your night stand, just inches away from your head for hours on end, you may be running a high-risk scenario.

Eat like a king
Breakfast is said to be the most important meal of the day. Studies have shown eating a healthy breakfast will help you focus the rest of the day, and will provide energy throughout the day. You know the saying, "Breakfast like a king. Lunch like a prince. Dinner like a pauper."

I have moved my mornings early recently, and I find the benefits tremendous. I now have an hour in the morning to work out three days a week, and the other two weekdays are used catching up on reading, or some other activity I lost time for recently. It even carries over to the weekend, where I find myself much more relaxed. Give it a try.

Get on a budget

This is a guest post from Tim Kippel:

How to get on a budget is easy, I can point you to some helpful websites and say, “There you go!” So maybe the question isn’t “How?” but “Why?” Maybe this “Why” comes to your attention when you start getting overdraft notices in the mail or your inbox. Or maybe you finally get around to looking at your accounts and say, “Where the hell did all my money go?!” It could even be that you feel strapped even though you make more money than all of your friends. For me it was a combination of all these things that pushed me to taking a harder look at budgeting.

Why should I get on a budget?

Not only do taxes eat up our hard earned money, but wasteful spending is also to blame. I’ve been one of those types that makes spontaneous purchases. Like that gal Uncle Rico in Napoleon Dynamite is trying to sell Tupperware too, and lures her into the purchase by saying he’d throw in the wooden schooner; I too go, “I want that!” What would help me is to make a list of those things that I want, and sitting on it for awhile just to see if my feelings change. I’m not talking about the essentials like groceries, but those big ticket items - or even small ticket items - ones that I can truly live without. Want vs. Need.

Taking control of your spending takes discipline. Something that I’m not quite “there” with just yet. And if you’re married, living on a budget isn’t something that only one of you has to do - you must truly work as a team to make it work.

Just like being disciplined to a (good) workout regimen will yield results, so will budgeting. And much like physical fitness, budgeting is also trying. Knowing where you spend your money, and having a plan for spending money brings with it peace. Yes even if you have to turn down a fun weekend trip with friends because “It’s just not in the budget.”

So take control of your finances before they take control of you.

Are you living to work or working to live?

Here are some resources:

• Mint keeps tabs on all your spending with handy smartphone apps
• Crown Financial Ministries offers useful budgeting tools and calculators
• Dave Ramsey had downloadable budgeting forms to help you plan your spending

Value punctuality

Here in Southern California, it seems like nobody ever arrives on time. I've witnessed several organizations move their starting time back to accommodate latecomers. This starts a cycle where the tardy adjust to the new time, and then arrive late still. After a few time changes, the organizer will generally stick with an announced begin time, and then start it later. It sort of helps, because it doesn't inconvenience those who arrive on time too much, while providing less embarrassment for the latecomers. But the stragglers still arrive late, knowing "they never start on time."

In Southern California, this is probably because we live in our cars, so we're always underestimating the time it takes to get to the location. It could also be we don't have a defined social contract anymore, so some people value punctuality while others view meeting times informally.

Why should I be punctual?

There doesn't appear to be any rules about what merits a firm arrival time. Wedding invitations usually have a "ceremony begins at" time, suggesting you arrive before the time, but some weddings start at the time, and others start later. Some churches start on time, and others start later. Even in the business world, meeting times aren't always firm.

Avoid all of the awkwardness, and simply arrive on time.

Being punctual announces to your friends and family that you are reliable. Everybody knows "that guy" who is always late. He seems to rush from one place to another, being perpetually late. It could just be that he's a "yes man" and agrees to be everywhere at once, but it comes across as being disrespectful of others' time.

Being punctual at work signals professionalism, reliability, and attention to detail. Everyone should know to be on time for a job interview, but after you're hired you should still always be on time. Employers don't appreciate employees who are always coming in late.

Leave five minutes earlier than you think you should. Are five more minutes at home really more important to you than the time of your appointment?

Every day, I see the same guy in the same truck driving like a crazy person on his way to work. His reckless speeding and weaving through traffic are dangerous, and they would literally only save him seconds on his commute. If he would only leave five minutes earlier, he wouldn't have to speed through a school zone, and stress himself out trying to get to work.

There are things you simply can't foresee, like a long traffic light, or getting stuck behind an old woman in her wheelchair. By planning ahead, you can avoid tardiness by giving yourself a buffer of a few minutes. It takes me ten minutes to drive to work, so I give myself at least fifteen minutes. If I'm early, I can always listen to the news for a few minutes, or clean up my desk a bit.

For social gatherings, it's hardly ever considered impolite to arrive early - as long as you're not too early. Five to twenty minutes early isn't a big deal.

Punctuality is a virtue

If there is one maxim that is true for wealthy individuals, it is that time is money. Their most important asset is money. This is why they will spend more to avoid waiting. Private jets, personal physicians and chefs, the fastest internet connection, and couriers. But more than just money, time is respect.

If there is one thing I know about relationships, it is the fact that time is important. It's important in developing attachment, connections, and long-term relationships. Punctuality supports this by reinforcing respect and trust in the relationship. You respect their time when you arrive when you say you will. They can trust you to be there for them when you promise you will be there.

The most important reason for valuing punctuality: being punctual means you are a man/woman of your word.

You don't want to give the impression that you only care about yourself, and you don't want to be untrustworthy. You want to be responsible, reliable, and honest.

Demand punctuality

I think a lot of people are perpetually late because there have not been any demands placed on them. We accommodate them and enable their tardiness when we aren't prompt with our schedules.

If you're in charge of an event, make sure everyone knows when it will begin. If you are planning a time for mingling before you get going, put on the invite the arrive time and the begin time. This will let people know when they are expected to arrive, and gives them a definite time they will definitely be late.

Start on time. Don't tell yourself, "More people are coming, just a few more minutes." When you do that, you're making everyone wait for a few people, and you're telling everyone that their time isn't as important as the stragglers. It also tells the tardy that their punctuality is not mandatory, because "they always start late."

The benefits of punctuality

You will be more relaxed. Instead of having to rush places, you can travel at a more comfortable pace. You won't have to run to the time-clock at work. No more squeezing through aisles at church in the middle of the service. No more tardies at school. More invites to parties with the expectation you'll be there.

Don't be the person everyone has to wait for.

Learn CPR

If you are in an emergency situation: call 911.

You've seen it done on countless television programs and movies. It's a valuable asset. It saves lives. There is no excuse for not learning how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). This is an important skill everyone should know, without exception. It is especially important if you have a loved one that is at risk for stroke or cardiac arrest.

Before I begin explaining what CPR is and how to administer it correctly, I will first give a disclaimer: I am not a certified instructor, and anything I say here is strictly intended to encourage you to seek training from a professional instructor. I suggest searching for a local Red Cross. Red Cross offers courses and certification relatively inexpensively.

Why should I learn CPR?

CPR is a lifesaving technique proven effective in keeping individuals alive while emergency medical services (EMS) are in route. In the event of cardiac arrest, if CPR is not administered within two minutes, serious brain damage may occur. It is important to stress that CPR is not intended to be the sole technique, the first step is to call 911. CPR will provide oxygen and blood to the brain while waiting on EMS.

Because CPR is so effective, certain employers require certification. This would include medical/dental staff, childcare providers, security staff, and many others. Certification includes a CPR card to prove to your employer you are trained.

But the main reason you want to learn CPR is because you're a good person. You love your family and friends, and you love your community. Knowing CPR can make all the difference in difficult situations.

What is CPR?

When the heart stops, so does blood circulation. Blood carries oxygen to all the cells in your body, including your brain. When cells lose oxygen, they begin to die. CPR includes a combination of rescue breathing and chest compressions, which does two things

• Provides oxygen to the lungs, which is delivered to the bloodstream
• Moves the oxygenated blood through the body, especially to the head

Call 911! CPR will not correct heart failure, but it will prevent brain damage while waiting for EMS to arrive.

The CPR technique includes four steps:

1. Call 911
2. Tilt head back to open airway, check for breathing and pulse
3. Two breaths
4. Thirty chest compressions

Repeat 2-4 until help arrives.

There is an easy way to remember these last three steps. It is ABC. Airway, Breathing, Circulation.

• A: Open the airway.
• B: Breathe for the patient.
• C: Circulate the blood.

It is important to check for breathing and pulse so you are not causing the patient any harm. If they are breathing and/or have a pulse, do not work on them. Just call 911, make sure their airway is open, and wait for EMS (checking the patient periodically).

Don't panic! Panicking will cause you to forget or rush these steps.

You should wait 10-15 seconds for signs of breathing. Open their airway, feel for a breath, listen for a breath, and look for a breath. Feel. Listen. Look. Put your ear above the patient's mouth with your eyes facing their chest. If the patient is breathing, do not give rescue breathing.

If a patient is breathing but has no pulse: call 911, open the airway and just do chest compressions.

How do I do CPR?

Like I said at the outset: if this is an emergency, call 911. Seek professional training. This will only cover adult cardiac arrest.

A - Airway. Lay the patient on her back. Tilt the head all the way back. This moves the tongue out of the throat. Open the mouth. Check for obstructions.

B - Breathing. Pinch the nose to prevent air from escaping. Cover their entire mouth with your mouth. Make one deep breath. Check for chest rising. Inhale away from their mouth, and make a second breath.

C - Circulation. Find the sternum. It is the bone in the center of the chest directly above the heart. This is usually right between the two nipples. It is better to be too high than too low, as being too low can cause internal bleeding. Press down about 2-inches rapidly 30 times. The speed should be about 100 compressions for minute. Repeat at A.


The ABC's of CPR -- powered by eHow.com

What about children?

If a child is unconscious, not breathing, and has no pulse, it's probably not a cardiac arrest. Administer CPR for two minutes before calling 911.

I hope this article has encouraged you to improve your penmanship and become A Better Human Being!

Improve your handwriting skills

How many times per week do you write a note for someone in the office only to have them bring it back so they can get the correct spelling? In my job, I'm on both sides of this issue - both giving and receiving notes. It might just be annoying for other people who have to read what you've written, but it's most critical when dealing with names, addresses, phone numbers, and other bits of information that are critical. It's not just spelling that needs to be improved, but the handwriting itself.

I know why my handwriting is bad; it's because I'm impatient. My handwriting becomes increasingly bad as the word count increases. The letters start turning into random vertical and horizontal lines. My u looks like an n. My n looks like a u. Why are my p's so big? Is that an o or an e?

Sometimes I don't write actual words, but partial words, or even strange symbols that vaguely resemble Roman characters. This is usually when I'm writing a note for myself to remember something. Usually just a partial word will bring the task to my mind, but if it sits there for a while I'll forget completely what the symbol ever stood for.

Why should I care about my handwriting?

There are many reasons why you should care about your handwriting. The first is simple: it presents yourself to others as intelligent. You're smart, but people who read your handwriting may judge you based on your script. If you're chicken-scratch looks like it was drawn with a big crayon by a 4-year-old, people are going to underestimate your intelligence.

But there are other reasons you want to improve your handwriting skills:

• Increased chances at landing a job. Many employers still use handwritten employment applications. Chances are the applications filled out clearly, legibly, and thoughtfully will get more attention than the ones which are hard to read, misspelled, and uninformative. There are many skills employed in finding a job, but if your prospective employer can't read what you're writing, she may not know what those other skills you have are.
• Increased productivity. Imagine how much time you would save if you only had to do everything once. It's not a lot of time, relatively, compared to other tasks throughout your day, but for every minute you take away from one task to correct mistakes in past tasks, you lose at least three minutes from your daily output. Having to answer questions concerning a note you wrote by hand will certainly pull you away from your current task.
• Increased self-esteem. We all fill better knowing we've mastered an art. I'm not necessarily advocating learning calligraphy, but as you see your penmanship improve, you will feel the pride associated with achieving something. And apart from that, being able to write love letters, thank you notes, and even in your diary is certainly a great feeling. I feel like I'm encumbered with my poor handwriting as I always have my wife fill in greeting cards and guest lists. 

How do I improve my penmanship?

There are a few simple techniques to improve your penmanship. By practicing these techniques a few minutes a week will help improve your handwriting skills.

• Practice writing with your hand and arm in the air on a white board/chalk board. Move your arm and shoulder, not wrist and fingers. Draw simple shapes (circle, triangle, etc) before going to characters.
• Write full sentences instead of single characters. The transitions between letters is as important as the characters themselves. Try writing "the quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog," and then "THE QUICK BROWN FOX JUMPS OVER THE LAZY DOG" to practice upper and lowercase characters.
• Copy text from a book, newspaper or magazine. This will keep you interested in what you're writing. (As a bonus: it also helps you retain the information you're reading.)

"Practice makes perfect," they always say. This is easy to say, but how does one practice? I don't think I need to rewrite the manual, so I'll just point you at a few choice websites.

• PaperPenalia is a great resource. It has pictures to help guide you, and practice techniques to help improve your penmanship.
• Handwriting Worksheets offers printable pages to practice writing.
• wikiHow has a good tips and nice video tutorial.

I hope this article has encouraged you to improve your penmanship and become A Better Human Being!