The Very Best Productivity Apps for Working From Home

Working from home introduces a number of challenges when it comes to being productive and getting work done. Apart from the issues relating to remote collaboration, you also have the challenges of staying on task (avoiding distractions), avoiding data leaks, and accessing the powerful tools you would normally use in an office.

Here are some of the best apps to help you solve those problems.

Google Drive (Android, iOS)

Not only is Google Drive a great app for storing your files on the cloud but with access to Google Docs you also get a full office suite for editing them on the go. This is really handy if you're working on a spreadsheet remotely and you want people in the office to see the live changes.

Dropbox (Android, iOS, Windows, Mac)

Dropbox is a cloud sharing app that gives you lots of space and makes it very easy to access your files.

Splashtop Remote (Android, iOS, Windows, Mac)

Working on at home and find you left an important file in the office? Splashtop Remote is thankfully on hand and will allow you to access your desktop and stream it through your device. The framerate's not always the best but if you're not watching movies that's hardly a problem. Another alternative is TeamViewer.

Mobile Office365 (Android, iOS, Windows, Mac)

When it comes to getting work done, few tools are more powerful than Microsoft Office. This is the industry standard when it comes to producing documents, spread sheets, presentations and more. It has lots of powerful features too, such as the ability to track changes which is crucial for collaboration.

Keep in mind that you can use Sharepoint in a similar manner to Google Docs, but with added workflow tools.

Zoom (Android, iOS, Windows, Mac)

Zoom is by far the most widely used video conferencing software. It is very quick to install (great for clients and business partners that don’t already have it), it syncs seamlessly with Google Calendar, and it has lots of features – such as the ability to record sessions.

Notion (Android, iOS, Windows, Mac)

Notion is a great note taking app that will let you capture your ideas then view them elsewhere. Notion’s true power is that it actually has the functionality of a full CMS, meaning you can also create tables, or even entire websites! This has the potential to become a “second brain.”

Asana (Android, iOS, Windows, Mac)

Asana is a project management tool that is extremely useful for juggling projects with lots of contributors.

10 Ways to Sleep Better Every Night

Sleeping well every night is essential to your success. When you sleep better, you tend to be a healthier weight, have less anxiety, and it increases your ability to meet your obligations in life – plus of course have some fun too.

• Eat Right – Try to eat enough nutritious foods during the day. Avoid any type of digestive issues before bedtime, to help you get to sleep each night without having to get up to use the restroom.

• Exercise – Every day walk or do a form of exercise for at least 20 to 45 minutes. This will help you work off any anxiety or stress and help you get to sleep better each night.

• Stay Hydrated – Drinking enough water during the day, well before bedtime, will also help you avoid being woke up to use the toilet obsessively at night. Drink 32 ounces of infused lemon water when you wake up and then drink throughout the day but avoid it about two hours before bedtime.

• Get More Sunlight in The Daytime – Sunlight plays an important role in your circadian rhythms. Your body may be confused about the time due to all the lighting we experience each day. Focus your sunlight earlier in the day, if possible, prior to 3 PM.

• Avoid Screens and Light at Bedtime – Your screens likely emit “blue” light, which can interfere with your natural rhythm and confuse your brain about what time it is. Turn off your screens an hour before bedtime.

• Avoid Caffeine After Lunch – Caffeine can also interfere with your ability to get to sleep at night. Try avoiding soft drinks and caffeine after lunch for two to four weeks.

• Don’t Take Naps – While you’re focusing on falling asleep at night, stop all napping. If you get tired, get moving.
• Set Consistent Bedtimes – It may seem tedious, but the more often you go to bed at the same time and get up at the same time, regardless of the quality of your sleep – the more likely you are to end up with a regular sleep schedule that works.
• Try a Supplement – Melatonin supplements work for some people. When you take any supplements, check the history of the manufacturer to ensure you are buying a quality product and only use what they suggest, not what you find as dosing on the net.

• Set the Mood – Your bedroom should be set up for sleep. Make the room darker and colder than the rest of the house void of technology. Create a comfortable, relaxed environment, where you can rest easily.

Creating a sound sleep routine and atmosphere helps you to achieve your daytime goals, as well as your health goals.

Making Your Office Conducive to Work

Most of us know that we need to think carefully about office design if we’re going to work productively. But what many people don’t realize, is that it’s not just the furniture in the office that can support or hinder your attempts to work hard. Factors that influence your physiology can also have a big effect.

Light

For instance, it's crucial that you keep your rooms light enough if you want to be able to see what you're doing and to feel like you have space and air in the room. There are few things that make you feel less productive than being in a claustrophobic room.

At the same time, this also has an impact on our mood. A dark room has the tendency to make us feel tired, whereas light helps stimulate cortisol and wakefulness hormones. One great investment for a home office therefore is a daylight lamp, which creates light with a similar wavelength to the sun. It can combat SAD and it also improves productivity.

Distractions

At the same time you need to remove distractions – but not to the point where the room is so bland that you completely lose inspiration. Plants and colors can help to keep you feeling creative, but something like a TV is just begging for you to not work. Remember to put anything else you buy for your home office on your expense account!

Separation

Treat this room in your house like a real office too. Don't go in there when you're not working and make sure you take regular breaks to sit outside with a cup of tea or to just grab lunch.

Doing this will help to create an association between work and the office space – thus walking into the office will put you in a more productive headspace that will help you work longer and better.

Temperature

Even the temperature of your room has an impact on productivity. Ideally, this space should be lightly cool. This will help you to feel more awake and avoid drowsiness. Did you know that many theaters maintain a cool ambient temperature in order to keep the audience engaged with the stage show?

Smell and More

Even the smell has an effect! The right essential oils can stimulate the production of positive hormones that stimulate creativity and productivity, conversely, a bad odor floating in from outside can have a very negative impact.

Air quality is important too.

In short, do everything you can to make your office a space that nurtures and protects your productive instincts!

7 Ways to Develop a Wealthy Mindset

When studying people, one thing that becomes clear is that if you were born into a middle or lower-middle-class family that had struggles making ends meet you will have a far different mindset, as compared to wealthier counterparts.

People can have different mindsets even if they had the same amount of money, but if the perception was that they had means, they acted differently than people who did not think they had means.

Define What Wealth Means to You

It’s crucial for you to define what this means for you. How much money do you need to earn to feel wealthy or to be able to make the kinds of choices that will lead to more wealth for you?

Choose a real number. Yes, wealth can be in non-monetary terms, but the truth is, you often need money to live a happy life. Money doesn’t make you happy, but money can make a happy life easier.

Set Clear Monetary Goals

Once you have set the wealth number, and lifestyle ideas for yourself, it’s also essential to use that information to set clear monetary goals. You may not be close to those goals, but when you spell out what you want your life to look like, it’s going to be a lot easier to get there. Think of it as using GPS to plan a cross country trip.

Develop an Action Plan

You can use your business plan to help you design your business so that it meets your income requirements. When you know exactly what you need to do today to produce the income you need tomorrow, you’re going to be much more successful in your endeavors.

Surround Yourself with Likeminded People

You may need to find new friends and colleagues to surround yourself with if you are often getting pushback from your friends, family, and coworkers. Join local groups, find international groups, locate a life and business coach who can encourage and help you realize your goals by giving you some accountability.

Implement Your Plan

You can tell the universe all day long that you want $1,000,000 dollars, but if you aren’t doing something to generate those funds it’s not going to happen magically. You have to create a plan and start taking the actions needed to achieve your goals within the various areas.

Measure, Track, and Adjust Your Plan

You can only be sure you’re heading in the right direction if you check your numbers and track the data. For example, if you said you needed to earn 100 dollars a day to reach your goal for September, did you reach that goal, and if so, can you duplicate it?

Once you check your numbers, if you find that things aren’t working as planned you can adjust. If you find that things are working better than you thought you can do more of it.

Powerful Gadgets for Working From Home

When working from home, the right gadgets can make a huge difference to your productivity. Not only do these help make work more enjoyable (not waiting 10 minutes for a computer to load up), but they also let you work in ways you otherwise could, and shave minutes off of your routine tasks. Here are some powerful work-from-home gadgets you might not have considered.

Echo Show

This device from Amazon is essentially a housing unit for the company’s digital assistant Alexa. The great thing about this one, is that it also has a camera.

The Echo Show can be an amazing tool for collaboration, thanks for the ability to “drop in” on family members to get a live-feed from their camera.

At the same time, an Echo Show will let you ask questions such as maths problems and get a quick answer without having to look up from the keyboard. Keep one in the office and you can also use it to set reminders.

Apple Watch

One of the best productivity gadgets is surprisingly the Apple Watch. While this device might not appear to do much that your phone can’t, the convenience of having it on your wrist, and the highly personal nature of the tech, makes it quite game-changing in this regard.

For one, an Apple Watch lets you put “complications” (widgets) right on your wrist. One of the best ways to use this is to show to-dos from Todoist here. By keeping these on your wrist, there is no way you can possibly miss them!

Getting notifications to your wrist also means you know whether something is important without needing to stop what you’re doing. And being able to talk to Siri on your wrist offers many of the same benefits as an Echo.

That’s before we talk about the indirect ways that health tracking can improve your productivity and performance.

GPD P2 Max

The GPD P2 Max is a surprisingly powerful laptop that is almost small enough to fit in a pocket. The reason this is notable, is that it gives you an option for typing up work that can be brought with you on a train, or that you can type on in bed without feeling like you’re glued to a massive laptop. This is perfect for when you just need to do some quick work, which can in turn make you productive at times you didn’t know you could be!

8 Ways to Overcome Disappointment

Everyone faces disappointments in life. Some disappointments are minor while others can be catastrophic. However, you choose how to manage and overcome your disappointment. You are in charge of your actions and reactions.

Usually, disappointment happens because an outcome we hoped for or expected did not come to fruition. This happens frequently throughout your life so knowing how to overcome your disappointment will help you move on and find happiness.

Wallow and Move On

When something disappointments you, don’t ignore your feelings. It’s okay to be sad and feel frustrated. This happens in all areas of life when your expectations aren’t met. Let yourself feel the emotions but don’t wallow in your disappointment. Let it go and move on after you grieve through it.

Gain Different Perspectives

During your wallowing phase, you may need to get new perspectives by asking for friends’ opinions. Make sure you’re ready to hear the unvarnished truth before you ask. There is no right or wrong here. You just want new perspectives.

Engage in Positive Activities

Once you’re tired of wallowing, start doing things that make you feel good and positive about life. You may want to read a book, listen to uplifting music, watch funny movies, or spend time with people you love.

Detach from The Outcome

If your expectation was not realistic, the outcome was probably inevitable. Detach from the outcome and look at the process that caused the disappointment. You may be able to prevent that same thing from occurring again.

Deal with Your Cognitive Dissonance

Everyone has deeply held convictions that are erroneous. Sometimes disappointments occur when your convictions are challenged. It’s hard to let go of something you thought was true, even when you are faced with the evidence.

Acknowledge the Opportunity for Growth

When you have a situation where an outcome is not what you thought it would be, you have an opportunity to learn something new and grow. When you understand what went wrong, why it went wrong, and what, if anything, you could do differently next time would help you accept the outcome

Do Your Best

All you can do in life is the best you can do based on what you know. If you’re challenging your ideas, learning new ways of thinking, and moving through disappointments in life that’s really all you can do.

Practice Acceptance

Acceptance means that you realize it is what it is, and you can’t undo the past. While something may be disappointing, accepting the facts gives you the opportunity to move on and change plans.

You can overcome disappointment in life and bounce back faster with practice. Set up a contingency plan that will help you overcome disappointment, and you’ll see that you can deal with it in a new way that will ensure your future success and happiness.

How to Recover from Setbacks

Congratulations. You tried but you didn’t achieve your ultimate goal. Guess what? It’s okay. In fact, it’s impressive. You got out there and did a lot of things outside of your comfort zone. Your bravery and dedication are truly enough to get through the fact that you had a setback.

The truth is, if you work hard in life and push through, overcome challenges, solve problems, and learn new things, you’re going to have major setbacks sometimes. That’s the way life works. It’s so much better, though, to try and fail than to never try at all.

Accept the Situation

The worst thing you can do when things don’t work out is to pretend it did not happen. People fail to achieve their goals every day. It is not the end of the world. Even if the failure resulted in severe consequences the only thing you can do now is accept what happened and try again, at some point.

Take Responsibility

Once you realize you failed now, you want to take responsibility for the failure. You can only be responsible for things you had direct control over so make sure you’re being fair to yourself and realistic.

Fix What You Can

Once you realize a mistake was made, and something failed, you’ll need to fix whatever you can. That may mean something like saying sorry, financial compensation, or another solution based on who was affected.

Practice Forgiveness

Forgive yourself if you want others to forgive you too. Also forgive anyone who may blame themselves. Tell people that you’re sorry for your part, describing your role, and then forgive everyone, including yourself.

Debrief and Learn

The best way to figure things out when things go wrong is to go through the steps you took that contributed to the problem. This is what happens during any accident. Everyone goes over the mistakes together so that they can avoid them in the future, rather than point fingers and place blame.

Move On 

Once you study the situation and you have more information about how to make things work like you wanted, let it go and move on. For example, if you realize the reason you didn’t get paid for the work you did is because you did not stick to your onboarding plan or make them sign a contract. You now know what to do, if you aren’t paid next time, that the problem is elsewhere and not with you again.

Recovering from setbacks and a failure to meet your goal is as simple as accepting the failure, making restitution to anyone that needs it, identifying issues that caused the failure, and making improved strategies based on the new information you learn.

Develop New Healthy Habits: 9 Steps to Success

One of the best ways to succeed in life is to develop good habits. A habit will overcome any type of roadblocks, need for willpower and motivation, or other issues that prevent success.

Step #1: Choose the Habit You Want to Cultivate

When you are ready to develop new healthy habits, it’s best to focus on one habit at a time. Working on more than one causes more stress. By replacing one habit at a time, you’re more likely to succeed in your efforts.

Step #2: Commit to Doing “It” for 21 Full Days

It takes time to create a habit. Before the habit becomes an auto-pilot action, it’s crucial to have a strong commitment and determination to succeed and achieve your goals. Do it whether you “feel” like it or not. Grit your teeth and get it over with.

Step #3: Connect the Habit to an Already Formed Consistent Habit

Develop a new healthy habit by associating it to a related healthy habit. For example, you brush your teeth every night. If you want to take your new vitamins regularly, put them near your toothbrush.

Step #4: Move Forward with Baby Steps

Start a habit by building a foundation for it. For example, if you want to walk 10K steps a day, don’t start day one by walking 10K steps. Instead, start with something more realistic and build on it throughout the 21 days.

Step #5: Automate What You Can

Automate everything you can that’s related to the new habit. For example, if you want to pay your bills earlier, automate the payments. Use audio reminders, sticky notes, and digital methods to help you automate the habit, so it becomes second nature to you.

Step #6: Plan for Roadblocks

There will be roadblocks along the way. Prepare yourself. Make contingency plans for the most probable roadblocks. Consider time, pain, weather, space, costs, and your own personality. Make plans to overcome each obstacle.

Step #7: Track Your Efforts

When you set up your new habit, always set SMART goals. These goals need to be specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely. When you do that, you’ll be able to track and change your plans more easily.

Step #8: Reward Yourself

Everyone needs positive reinforcement to learn something new. Sometimes the reinforcement and rewards are in doing, but sometimes you may want to set up rewards for each milestone. Looking forward to a reward can help you succeed.

Step #9: Accept the New You (it’s your new identity)

The real key to forming a new habit is to accept your new identity internally. For example, if you want to be a nonsmoker you need to act like one. Accept that you are a nonsmoker from this point forward. Consider the habits. You may not even realize some of the habits you’ve developed until you become more mindful of them.

9 Effective Tactics for Dealing with Difficult People

Sadly, almost everyone must deal with a difficult person from time to time. The problem is that not everyone is equally prepared or skilled to do so. If you want to be better with people learning good communication tactics will help.

• Set Yourself Up for Success – If you know in advance that you may need to deal with a difficult person, prepare for it. Plan how you’ll control yourself, respond and react to the person so you both experience success.

• Listen More Than You Speak – When you deal with people, listen more than you speak and aim for a better understanding to solve more problems.

• Set Limits and Boundaries –It’s not aggressive to set limits with others. This helps you stay on track while helping others understand your priorities and realistic expectations.

• Keep Calm and Be Courteous – Even if other people are demanding or loud, keep calm, and continue to be courteous. Don’t allow yourself to be drawn into the dramatics of others.

• Avoid Being Defensive – A difficult person may want you to focus on something inappropriate, which can come in the form of implying something that makes you feel defensive. Don’t fall for the ploy. Just take a deep breath and move to the next conversation point.

• Address Needs and Provide Solutions – Difficult people tend to focus on needs and solutions rather than feelings and emotions. Keep conversations low-key and on point.

• Get Help from An Ally – If a person is especially difficult, you may need help from an ally that the difficult person respects. For example, in a divorce, you may need to hire a professional mediator to help you both.

• Don’t Make Demands – When someone is difficult, they may make demands of you. People don’t generally calm down when told or stop adverse reactions just because you want them to. Just move past the reactions by ignoring anything that is not conducive to the issues.

• Be More Self-Controlled – Dealing with difficult people requires that you find a way to keep your emotions in check. Practice self-control in your interactions.

Getting good at dealing with difficult people is a skill that will carry you far, in life. You’ll be more likely to negotiate good deals, and you’ll be seen as the type of person that brings people together which is a good sign of a prosperous leader.

How to Build Your Self-Confidence

Self-confidence is “a feeling of trust in one’s abilities, qualities, and judgment.” This means that you know that you can do what you say you can do, you like who you are, and you trust yourself to make good choices and decisions. If you want to be self-confident, it’s imperative that you work on your self-image.

• Take Care of Your Grooming – Good grooming is a big confidence booster. If you make an active choice not to wear makeup, that’s different from neglecting to care for your appearance. You do this for your self-confidence, not to make others see you in a certain light.
• Take Care of Your Health – If you’re unhealthy, it’s hard to be confident. If you have a chronic illness, it’s essential to accept that and keep getting the healthcare that you need. Maintaining healthy habits helps.
• Improve Your Environment – It doesn’t take a lot of money to ensure that your environment is conducive to your success. Create a dreamy bedroom for sleeping, a scent-filled kitchen for cooking, a productive office for working, etc.
• Practice Positive Self-Talk – If you tend have negative self-talks about yourself, stop. Replace them with positive phrases. Tell yourself something positive, such as your best friend would say.
• Practice Gratitude – Take time daily to be thankful and grateful for whatever it is that you have or can do right now. “I’m thankful I can breathe in and out today.” It is way better than focusing on something you have no control over today.
• Learn More About Yourself – The more you learn about yourself, the better you’ll feel. What you think and how you feel about yourself is affected by others. But what you think about yourself is more important than anything else.
• Become a Lifelong Learner – Go through life with a desire to continue learning new things. If you make it a lifelong goal and use those new things to create and enhance the life you want to live, all the better.
• Stick to Your Morals and Principles – First, define your morals and principles so you can look to them to guide you. Everyone feels guilty when they go against their internal morals, pay attention to those feelings.
• Improve Your Posture – It might seem silly, but simply improving your posture can bring more self-confidence. Just like smiling can. Standing up properly and smiling confidently even when you don’t feel it really do, according to science, make you feel more self-confidence.
• Become Solution Oriented – When you focus on problems, you can get stuck. Instead, focus on solutions so that you can get around any roadblocks or issues.

Self-confidence comes from positive experiences. When you experience success based on your own skills, personality, and choices, you realize that your ideas and opinions are valuable, and it will become second nature to trust yourself.