15 ways the RICH think differently

The differences between how rich and average people think are numerous and extreme, according to Steve Siebold, author of How Rich People Think.

The author has revealed 15 of his top insights to the Business Insider, News.com.au reported.

1.    According to him rich people think selfishness is a virtue, average people feel they need to save the world and put others before themselves that is keeping them poor. On the other hand rich people take the attitude that if they don't help themselves first they can't help anyone else.

2.    While average people always wait for someone else to help them get rich -- which only keeps them poor -- rich people take action and spend time solving problems.

3.    Rich people favour specific knowledge over formal education.

4.    Rich people spend a lot of time looking into the future, setting goals and looking forward to what lies ahead. On the other hand average people dwell on the past that often holds them back by making them unhappy or depressed.

5.    Unlike average people, rich people maintain a logical relationship with money viewing it as a tool that represents options and opportunities.

6.    Rich people find a way of getting paid for doing something they love whereas average people earn money doing things they don't love.

7.    Average people set low expectations to avoid disappointment while rich people set huge expectations and follow their dreams.

8.    Average people believe you have to 'do' something to be rich and focus on immediate results, but rich people continuously focus on bettering themselves and learn from success and failures.

9.    Rich people have no problem using other people's money whereas average folk believe they need their own money to make money.

10.  It seems contradictory to the above statement but rich people adopt the attitude of getting rich so you can afford to live below your means. Average people live beyond their means.

11.  Rich people teach their children how to be rich; average people teach their children how to survive.

12.  Rich people don't let money stress them out, but average people do.

13.  Rich people would rather be educated than entertained; average people are the opposite.

14.  Rich people surround themselves with like-minded people, but average people think rich people are snobs and have a negative attitude towards the super rich.

15.  Rich people focus on earning while average people focus on saving and miss big opportunities by trying to live frugally.

Source: 15 ways the RICH think differently

10 FABULOUS tips to cut your calories!

Courtesy HealthCareMagic.com

Eating upto 500 calories less than you currently do does NOT require a complete overhaul of your diet. Just a nip here and a tuck there may be all that you need!

Does the very mention of controlling calories make your heart sink? If so, you are not alone. Calorie control is a major challenge for most weight watchers.

However, you will be surprised to know that you can cut a substantial number of calories, just by making some smart changes in the way you cook and the food choices you make.

Practical these tips to eat well within your calorie budget!

1. Measure your cooking oil

A small spoonful (5ml) of most cooking oils contains more than 40 calories. And a spoonful looks like a few drops in a large pan!

If you usually do not measure your cooking oil, you may be using 20ml or more for a simple stir-fry. It makes the calorie count of your food shoot up unnecessarily. Measuring the amount that you use can help you save considerable calories.

2. Change that frying pan

An absolute essential for cooking with the least amount of oil required is nonstick cookware. And when we say nonstick, we mean a good one with coating intact, not that greasy, crusted pan which once was nonstick!

Change your nonstick pans once the coating wears off. The expense is worth the calories saved.

3. Use smart cooking methods

All the foods that you eat fried can probably be eaten grilled, roasted or steamed. This means nearly oil-free cooking and considerable calories saved.

Try these cooking methods. You may be surprised to see that some dishes turn out better grilled and with far less fat.

4. Fruit, not juice

Instead of having fruit juice at breakfast, have fruits. While an average orange has about 60 calories, a glass (250ml) of orange juice has more than 100 calories.

Having fruit will also make you feel fuller and help you skip the next snack. And the fibre that you get is great for your health.

5. Mind your drinks

Soft drinks are an easy route through which calories sneak into your body. We tend to have them in rather large quantities at a time.

If you can do without soft drinks, you can smoothly cut a few hundred calories. If you can't avoid them altogether, go for the diet versions.

Similarly, if you can have your day's tea and coffee without sugar or with artificial sweeteners, you can save 20 to 100 calories depending on how much sugar you are currently taking.

6. Stock smart desserts

Overcoming the desire to have dessert is no joke. Giving in could mean sending countless calories into your body with every mouthful.

The best way out is to stock up on some low-calorie sweet treats. Fruit smoothies, flavoured ice candies and flavoured yoghurt are all relatively low-calorie options. An appealing bowl of chilled mixed fruits can also help take your mind off the ice-cream.

7. Have low-fat dairy

Low-fat milk and yoghurt have about half the calories as their full fat versions. Instead of avoiding dairy altogether, switch to the low-fat variety. Doing this helps you keep up your calcium and protein intake while on a low-calorie diet.

It also makes your meals more satisfying, so that you don't feel the urge to snack during the day. Moreover, yoghurt can be used as a dressing in place of cream and cheese, without compromising too much on the taste.

8. Always from a plate

Make it a habit to put your food on a plate or in a bowl before you eat it. This means not eating handfuls directly from the bag.

We underestimate portion sizes when we eat directly from a bag. It is also less satisfying. Eating at the table from a plate will make you feel more satisfied with a smaller portion.

9. Eat out only when eating out

If you patronise eateries in shopping malls, cinema halls and every other public place imaginable, you need to re-think the habit. Do your shopping and other outings have to be associated with food?

Eat at home before stepping out, or carry a homemade snack in your bag. Eat out only when you are eating out. Eating well is about enjoying every bite instead of eating on the go.

10. Reduce slowly and steadily

Calorie-cutting should be a slow and steady effort, rather than the launch of a sudden war against food. If your dinner is usually a hearty spread of delicacies, switching to a salad-only meal will be frustrating and make you want to give up.

Instead, try to reduce and change your meal over a couple of weeks. It gives your body and mind time to adjust, which is a must for sustained change.

Source: 10 FABULOUS tips to cut your calories!

8 Ways to Make Your Business Cards Stand Out

As wired-in as most of us are, chances are you still return from a networking event or meeting with a stack of business cards in your pocket. In a world where LinkedIn has replaced the Rolodex, and we routinely pack far more powerful tools of connectivity, why does the paper card survive?

Richard Moross--CEO of Moo.com, which sells stylish printed products--sees business cards as more than scraps of paper. "When we meet people at a conference, in a business setting or in a bar, it’s important we make a good impression, that we convey who we are, what we do and why that might be relevant," Moross said in an e-mail exchange. "We want to stand out, and nothing has yet matched the power and simplicity of handing over a well-designed card--it starts a conversation."

Business cards have unique potential for personal connections that can generate leads. Here’s how to optimize the space on that tiny paper canvas.

By Ann Handley | Entrepreneur

1. Include relevant social outposts.

Since most businesses regard social media as a way to tell their story and engage with customers, it makes sense to highlight your Facebook page, YouTube channel or Pinterest account on your card. Give curious new friends a chance to see what you’re about by directing them to social channels on which you’re active--but only those that are truly relevant to your business. Which leads to my next point.

2. Lose the kitchen-sink approach.

While you may be tempted to offer a wide array of contact options (office, cell and fax number; street address; e-mail; Twitter and Facebook ID; LinkedIn URL), a better approach is to prune ruthlessly. Ask yourself: Where do you really engage with prospects? Where might they be most likely to get a sense of you and your company? And, by the way, the biggest real-estate hog is a full street address, when usually a city and state will suffice.

3. Skip your homepage.

This may seem counterintuitive, but hear me out. It could be that your homepage is not the best place to start a conversation. Your business might be better served by directing new prospects and tire-kickers to a company blog, an active resource page or a landing page with a free download or video that’s informative and/or entertaining. Many homepages are a fire-hose blast of information, but a blog or page of dedicated content could offer a more manageable taste of something satisfying.

4. Be visual.

A simple logo is a yawner. Try using images or graphics that spark conversation and connection. Moo.com allows you to put a different image on each card, sourced from uploads or Facebook. Show your products, your people or, Moross says, "things you’ve built, designed, painted, eaten or loved."

5. Inspire curiosity.

One of my favorite cards was that of Michael Simon, CEO of LogMeIn: "Connect with me at [e-mail address] or [phone number] to talk business, or if you need a recommendation for a great restaurant the next time you’re in Budapest." Short and sweet? Sure. Curiosity-arousing? Definitely.

6. Link your online and offline worlds.

A card can be a bridge between your online and in-person presence. Consider adding a QR code that digitally relays contact info or directs people to a web page. (But for the love of Pete, make sure you’re delivering an optimal experience for the person who scans your code; too many suffer from poor execution.)

7. Think of your card as a call to action.

Consider producing small print runs of customized cards tailored to specific events, campaigns or markets. Perhaps for a trade show, tote cards sharing a special download or show-specific offer. At a cocktail event, hand out cards that invite partygoers to check out photos of the gathering at a microsite or on Facebook.

8. Create utility.

I’ve seen cards designed as mini-catalogs and brochures. Recently, Robert Nolan of Gold Coast Promotions in Hollywood, Fla., handed me his card--a mini spiral-bound notebook. Now that’s more than pretty to look at. It’s downright useful.

Source: 8 Ways to Make Your Business Cards Stand Out

10 easy ways to improve your appearance

The “appearance” of a person is a two-sided facet.  It is something that the person in question does with himself, but at the same time, it is what creates the all-important first impression on others who perceive him. Most people limit “appearance” to just looking good. It is true that over time, we humans have learned to place more faith in our sense of vision, but the fact remains that our other senses are very much alive and play a major role, maybe even sub-consciously, in our perception of others. Improving one’s appearance need not involve expensive treatments and therapies; it all begins with minor, basic changes in daily life. Let us see what simple steps can be taken to appeal to others.

Vision:

1.    It’s no secret that a fitter body appeals more to the human eye, but nevertheless, every body type can be accentuated to look the best it possibly can. Lots of factors like colour, shape, cut, length and patterns need to be taken into consideration. Dressing according to your body type helps hide the flaws and bring out the positives in your appearance. Also, a keen eye for colour combinations that work well helps a great deal.

2.    Picking a haircut that suits you is more difficult than it is made out to be. This is one situation where simply following fads can lead to disastrous results. The most important factor to consider is the shape of your face. Some simple tips for the most common face types are as follows:

Oval face: This shape is considered ideal for most hairstyles, but it is recommended to avoid heavy bangs or uneven hairstyles. Square face: Avoid styles that part in the centre and stick to layered cuts for this face type. It is also advised to keep the hair away from the forehead as much as possible.

Round face: Shorter hairstyles suit this face type. It is all about getting a balanced look while picking a style that enough hair on the sides to smooth the edges and reduce the round appearance. Also, stay away from these common errors when it comes to a good hairstyle and you should be sailing smooth with the wind in your hair!

3.    Your mannerisms account for a lot

They include the way you walk, sit, stand and even gesture. Confidence inspires the best mannerisms, because you tend to act the way you feel most comfortable and that confidence is clearly visible to anyone watching.

4.    Some simple don’ts include, looking at the ground while walking, sitting in a hunched position, fiddling with your fingers or clothes and not maintaining eye contact while speaking to someone. The exact opposite of these is what makes for a good impression. Walk straight and upright with your eyes at mid-level, sit up straight (or lean back if you must, but never hunch forward), maintain eye contact and, basically, feel totally comfortable in your own skin.

5.    Apart from the more obvious aspects of your clothes and hair, it is very important to pay attention to your toe and finger nails. Not only do long nails look bad, but the dirt that collects underneath, although minimal, reflects a very poor sense of hygiene. Similarly, the spaces between the toes accumulate dirt quickly and should be cleaned regularly.

Smell:

6.    Some critics might forgive a bad sense of clothing, but a smell that puts one off is quite hard to erase from memory. It could be the result of something you ate or a recent workout or just poor hygiene. Whatever the cause, banish the odour, you must! Basic hygiene usually takes care of most odour related problems. Wash your mouth immediately after eating, shower after a workout and lather up as frequently as you think necessary based on how much you sweat. The fresh smell of soap and powder is hard to beat. But when the occasion demands a little extra something, knowing how to pick the right fragrance will take you a long way.

7.    Another aspect of the odour factor include your clothes and accessories. Jeans can withstand multiple uses but avoid doing the same with other clothes. A gentle wash with a fragrant detergent gives that freshness to your clothes. Do not ignore even the tiniest of smudges for that crisp look.

8.    Foot odour is a common problem and thus demands a paragraph of its own. Best ways to tackle foot odour include regular washing and scrubbing of the feet to remove dead cells and drying your feet immediately after a bath, especially between the toes. Use thicker socks that absorb more sweat (but remember to change them regularly), sprinkle some talcum powder in your socks to reduce sweating. In extreme cases, it is recommended to apply a 5% Benzoyl Peroxide solution to the soles of the feet to prevent growth of bacteria.

Hearing and feeling:

9.    Even the most well-dressed and pleasant smelling man will not be taken to kindly in society if his words are harsh. Harshness is not limited to the language used but also pertains to the tone in which one addresses another person. Many people judge others on the basis of how they treat people inferior to them. For example, being nice to a waiter might seem insignificant to you, but it adds to your overall image.

10.  Do not overuse hand gestures and facial expressions.

Your words should be enough to express your emotions in most situations. Excessive gesturing shows lack of confidence in oneself and a craving for attention.

Source: 10 easy ways to improve your appearance

Sun Signs and their weaknesses

All astrology signs are blessed with unique strengths; likewise they also have some weaknesses. Astrology signs have a deep connection with elements like fire, water, air, wood and earth. As the planets change their positions, the circumstances of human beings change too. Let's take a look at some of the weaknesses that are considered to be common according to one's astrology sign.

astroYogi

Aries: Starting with the fire sign, Aries' weakness is their anger and their explosive reaction. They are known as the 'emperor'. They don't believe in yelling or ignoring the unfair, they just hit and prove their superiority by showing their emperorship. Their stubborn and head strong nature may prove to be destructive.

Taurus: Taurus is rigid, unchanging and lazy. They are bound around their regular routine and makes really slow moves, so they miss out many good opportunities. They also become stubborn and have a tendency to exaggerate.

Gemini: The air bearing twins are very fast and unpredictable; they move in different directions and work in different fields. They don't care about their health so much and are considered to be double faced. They may act differently for personal gain.

Cancer: Cancer is a shy, secretive and moody sign. They do not forget things easily and may seek revenge. They get jealous easily and may speak ill of others.  Their money-minded nature may be perceived as a negative trait.

Leo: The son of the sun, lion (the Leo) is the sign of royalty and domination. Their weaknesses are that they have a deep desire to rule over all, they are stubborn in believing themself and excessively use their power. Staying in the limelight is fine, but hogging it all the time is not.

Virgo: Virgo has a problem when it comes to trusting others. They wouldn't even trust their best friends.They are reluctant spenders. They criticize and nag; qualities which many find to be annoying.

Libra: Libra gets confused all the time. Once in a while is fine, but to be indecisive whenever you ask something can be a frustrating thing to experience. They may be critical without paying heed to others' emotions.

Scorpio: They can be very vindictive as an enemy, so try not to bring out the worst in Scorpio. Their inability to make the right decision in love is their biggest weakness. They are stubborn too.

Sagittarius: They get distracted very easily and also change their personality according to the situation. They have this desire to do too many things together, which can lead to problems later. They forget about all the practical things in the world.

Capricorn: Capricorn is too detached from reality and may also appear cold when in love. They are slow learners who take their time before adapting to something new.

Aquarius: Aquarius desires freedom too much and believes in doing things alone. They have a quality of being coolly sarcastic and become highly impatient when they are hungry.

Pisces: They are not very determined and excessively trust others. Pisceans are most difficult to understand. They are extremely sensitive and also very gullible. People may take advantage of Pisces' naivete.

Source: Sun Signs and their weaknesses

10 ways to get better sleep post baby

The baby has arrived and it's a bundle of joy! What's not so joyous is your baby's apparent enjoyment in stealing your precious sleep. Nearly all mums suffer from sleep deprivation once their baby is born and it can drive you near insane, but it's completely avoidable if you know how. These key tips ought to have you back to a healthy sleep routine even with a lively, nocturnal baby.

New parent sleep tip 1 - Sleep when your baby sleeps

Our babies sleep up to 16 hours a day, naturally you won't sleep this much but stealing a few winks while your baby is napping is 100% healthy! Having a baby is a wonderful gift but it involves a never ending routine; nap, feed, cry, nappy change, nap, cry, feed, nappy change... It's a constant process that takes up your time! A lot of mums use the time the baby sleeps to get on with 'essential' housework and day to day chores, but listen up mums don't do it! Cram in some extra sleep, you're constantly running around making you more tired and losing sleep due to late night sleeps.

New parent sleep tip 2 - Turn off electronics

It can seem very appealing to wind down at the end of the day with your favourite TV show or feel-good film but mums and dads, if you want to do this, do it earlier in the night. Studies have shown that the glare and constant movement of the screen will keep your brain stimulated, and the light from the screen will con your body into thinking it is daylight. Therefore even if your body feels like it's relaxing, your mind will still be busily ticking over, keeping you awake for longer.

New parent sleep tip 3 - Read a book

Swap in your favourite TV shows for a book at the end of the night. As we know the light from the screen keeps our brains racing, however when reading a book your eyes have to work and focus to read the words. Unlike electronics, reading shouldn't stimulate you as much; it should make your eyes feel heavier and send you into a sleepy state. Try to avoid page turners or thrillers, as you want something that's easy to read and relaxing, even something as simple as the nearest children's book will help you wind down!

New parent sleep tip 4- Share the load

One of the main reasons parents get sleep deprived is due to countless baby wake up calls, and for a lot of us once we're up, we're up! Unfortunately there's no secret cure to this, other than taking it in turns to see to your crying baby. Ideally you should share the job out as much as possible, even if it's with your sister, grandma, or anyone trustworthy you can rope in. If you're nursing, invest in a pump so other people can feed your baby while you snooze through the night.

New parent sleep tip 5 - Eliminate stress

Granted, this is easier said than done, but a big part of being a parent of a new born baby is stress. While the baby sleeps, hop in a big bubble bath (together if you will fit!), light some candles and just lie there with some peaceful music on. Another good idea is to organise yourselves, by writing down everything you need done for the next day, such as sterilising bottles, to avoid stressing about forgetting something or having a last-minute panic.

New parent sleep tip 6 - Enjoy some exercise

Although it may seem impossible to squeeze any exercise into your already packed schedule, exercise can really help to improve your mood and relax you, and above all, improve your sleep. Even something as simple but realistic as power walking with your baby in the pram or doing a quick (and muted!) exercise DVD while they're sleeping will help you drift off when it comes to bedtime. Although, try not to exercise too close to bedtime as it may have the opposite effect and keep you awake - a late afternoon session is ideal.

New parent sleep tip 7 - Keep your bedroom peaceful

As a new parent you may feel like your life is upside down; baby clothes blanketing your bed, toys on every surface. But having an untidy bedroom may distract you and prevent you from drifting off. Before bed have a quick tidy around so when you lie in bed all you see is a calm environment. Try filling your bedroom with soothing smells like fresh flowers or a relaxing aromatherapy spray. Also, it is important to only associate sleep and relaxation with your bedroom. If you work or study in bed, then stop. You will subconsciously associate your bedroom with less relaxing activities if you use it is a place to work, making it far more difficult to fall asleep.

New parent sleep tip 8 - Avoid caffeine after 4pm

An endless stream of tea or coffee sometimes seems essential to keep you ploughing through the day as a new parent, but caffeine might be a false saviour. Caffeine is a stimulant that affects the heart and central nervous system by raising blood pressure and exciting hormones, so try to opt for herbal teas where you can, limiting your caffeine intake to around 200 mg per day. There are so many caffeine free beverages available, so aim to drink this from 4pm to help you sleep soundly at night.

New parent sleep tip 9 - Say YES to help

As a new parent, obviously you want to bond with your child by spending as much time together as possible. But it's false economy if you set out to manage everything by yourself, as you'll be left with no energy to enjoy the fun stuff. It's not a failing in accepting help from friends or family - it's smart, and you will reap the benefits. Allowing loved ones to take over now and then will allow you to catch up on sleep. Even if you use the time to do some housework, it will be one more thing off your mind, which will help you drift of at night.

New parent sleep tip 10 - Stick to a routine

Just as you want your baby to stick to a routine, as a new parent you should abide by one as well. As parents, we put much consideration into the best sleeping routine for our babies, so doesn't it make sense to do the same for yourselves? Setting out a routine, including a 'wind down' routine of a bath, reading, and other relaxing activities, allows your body to set an internal clock. This should allow you to fall asleep and wake at a similar time each day, helping you fall into effective sleeping habits. Try to stick to it at weekends as well so as not to confuse your body.

Source: 10 ways to get better sleep post baby

6 Mistakes men always make in a relationship

As men, we are prone to committing some typical relationship blunders.This might seem like a very generalist statement to make but some degree of stupidity is coded in our DNA, particularly when it comes to handling women. Most of us don’t even realize that some seemingly trivial mannerisms of ours can weaken our relationships. So, ditch your ego for a few minutes and read ahead about the kind of relationship mistakes most of us are prone to making:

1. Making her feel jealous or insecure

You might talk about your ex-girlfriends or women colleagues who hit upon you to be honest but this can often induce a sense of insecurity within your girlfriend. To a certain extent, talking about such things isn't damaging. In fact, it represents you as a wanted man who is quite appreciated by the fairer sex. But beyond a certain point, it can make her jealous. She could start questioning the shelf-life of your relationship, considering you are almost always being lured by other women. Similarly, being too honest about any of her friends isn't the best thing to do. Be restrained in your poetic description of how good a dress looks on a party-scorcher. Similarly, glancing at other women in her presence will only make it more obvious that you have a roving eye and aren't the dependable type.

2. Not talking to her

This isn't about the daily chit-chat where you take an update about each other’s daily schedule or how things are progressing at the office. This is about having a heart-to-heart conversation where you should seem eager to hear her opinion. Most girls complain about their boyfriends being indifferent to their outlook. This can wedge a gap between you two. You need to be a good listener first to talk in a way that makes her feel connected. Sounding or looking bored when having a conversation with her is also a clear give-away that your mindsets don’t really match.

3. Letting it get regular

Women like to be surprised but men are by nature predictable and like to follow routines. Apart from a few, truly adventurous men, most of us are happy to visit the same hang-out zones and eateries, as if we are seeking some sort of safety. This mundane outlook can soon infect a woman’s mind like a virus, making her feel suffocated. This is why most women start looking-out even when committed in a relationship. Most of us are guilty of letting that surprise factor fade away and that includes the bedroom. A man with some degree of mystique has a greater chance of keep a relationship thriving and not just, alive.

4. Using selfish sex as a solution for everything

Yes, this is something that most guys would agree. We do tend to believe that as long as we are good in the bed or loaded with cash, any relationship problem will self-resolve. However, apart from a few insecure and really vulnerable women, this isn't the truth. If your lady is honestly in love with you, she will seek that soulful connection when having sex. When we try to use sex as a tool to solve problems, it becomes mechanical rather than being pleasurable. Further, many guys are clueless regarding what their women want in bed or they just don’t want to find out. Such a selfish bedroom perspective can be very damaging to a relationship.

5. Not making her feel special

Not complimenting her occasionally or gifting her besides the anniversaries, birthdays and Valentine’s Day celebrations makes it obvious that you appreciate her only for the sake of following traditions. Try to compliment her for the smallest things like the way she sips her tea or curls up her nose when angry.

6. Repeating the same mistakes

This is the last and perhaps, the most common relationship mistakes that men make, i.e. even after realizing the mistakes, they tend to repeat them! This can simply drive her crazy or make her feel helpless, stuck with a man who doesn’t give a damn about her. This could be the real ship-sinker for any relationship.

Source: 6 Mistakes men always make in a relationship