Five common online job hunting mistakes to avoid

Tags: Jobs Cover letter Recruitment

Common

In today's tech-savvy world, were everything has found its way to the 'world wide web', the hunt for a job has also gone online! The job hunting process now, thanks to the online accessibility to employee and employer information, has become easier. However, easy does not always spell 'error free' as the presumption of something being easy leaves a lot room for error.
Since the same set of employer information and data base is accessible to anyone and everyone with an internet connection the pool of job seekers deepens, hence forcing the potential employers to use a strict and stringent process to screen candidates who best fit their requirements.  In such a scenario even the most trivial mistakes can cost you the dream job that has been keeping you up filling job applications all night!
So, here we provide you with a list of common mistakes that job seekers tend to make while hunting for jobs online and in turn save you from falling down the old fashioned way!
Sending Unsolicited Job Applications:
One should completely avoid sending unsolicited e-mails or resumes as they are never entertained. These mails are considered nothing more than garbage and they always find their way into the HR managers' trash bin!
Ineffective Networking:
Networking is the most important part of making yourself visible in the crowd of homogeneous job seekers. However, if you go about it the wrong way it can backfire on you. Make sure that you are the listener and not the 24*7 All India Radio. Listeners are mainly people who have a clear agenda, and are not shy about asking for feedback and guidance. On the other hand the talkers or 24*7 All India Radio are those who talk too much and keep pestering for a job.

Half-Baked Social Media Profiles:
Once you apply for a job your prospective employer most often then never tries to know more about you and what better than visit your social media pages to source that extra bite of information. In such cases when the employer comes across a half-baked or incomplete profile he or she immediately adds it to the 'black list'. Incomplete LinkedIn or Twitter profiles are all ways annoying, so make sure to always keep them up-to-date and fully furnished.
Recycling the Same Cover Letter:
Sending a cover letter along with your resume? Make sure you customise it for every organization you apply for. You cover letter is very important to make that first impression.
Email Etiquette:
Always make sure that your e-mails are free of spelling and grammatical errors in order to create a positive impression in the HR manager's mind. Use proper salutation and avoid using 'SMS' language, they come across as highly unprofessional and land your job application directly into the trash bin.

We are not ashamed to be called the church of the rich–Oyedepo

 by Olabisi Deji-Folutile, GBENRO ADEOYE and TUNDE AJAJA 

   

Bishop David Oyedepo

Founder, Living Faith Church aka Winners Chapel, Bishop David Oyedepo, in this interview with Olabisi Deji-Folutile, GBENRO ADEOYE and TUNDE AJAJA, talks about the church and sundry issues

You preach as if you have committed the entire Bible to your memory. How many times have you read the Bible?

The Bible is an unfinishable book, you keep reading. A student once met me after a meeting and said that I quoted 68 scriptures verbatim. He asked if I memorised the scriptures, I said no, I eat them. No matter how unintelligent you are, you can’t forget the food you ate last night, except you are mentally derailed. If you are given three seconds, you could tell what you ate about five days ago, if you truly ate it. So, the Bible is just not for reading, it’s actually for eating. I’m not among the people that have read the Bible three or five times, I don’t know how many times I have read the Bible and I’m not planning to know how many times. I just know it’s my delight to feed on it daily, and I can’t claim to have finished reading it.

The Living Faith church is 33 years old, how has it been pastoring this one church for the past years?

The ministry is 33 years, the church is now in its 31st year. It started as an itinerant ministry before we were called into the church ministry. It has always been interesting. These things work when you have the right perspective on them. Every pastor is ordained to serve the congregation, not to be served by the congregation. When that understanding dawns on any pastor, and he embraces it, then, pasturing becomes a sweet adventure. I’ve never looked towards what I can get from any member since inception. But I’ve always longed for what I can give to the people. I must say I’m jealous over them, I don’t want anyone to take advantage of them or play games on them. I want them to just be the children of God that they are, serving God without duress or pressure.

Is it true that church members here pray for the dead and they wake up, even in the mortuary, how do they do it?

(Cuts in..) By tapping them and saying wake up (laughs). We must know the source of everything that we experienced or observed. No man has the power to raise the dead. Jesus is the only one that has the keys of resurrection and death in his hands. So, we rely on him to do those things and he quickens whosoever he wills; he determines who to bring back and who not to. We only believe in God to bring back whosoever he wishes, if we have the key, we would be delighted to bring back everybody, and even open a clinic for bringing back the dead.

Why are there so many rich people in Winners?

Because they know better than their contemporaries. If you don’t know what you have, you won’t know if you are deprived of it. The Bible is an open chequebook, it is by revelation we access what belongs to us; by faith we take delivery of it. Someone had access to our empowerment programme and she is a pepper seller, while others sell one basket a day, she sells six, seven. I learnt she had become the envy of all the pepper sellers in her area. Such person has an understanding that whatever she does, she prospers and she knows that when she pays her tithe, she experiences open heavens. But in case people don’t know, they perish for lack of knowledge, and in case they think when you are rich you miss heaven, then they perish for lack of knowledge.

So, it’s right when people claim that this church is only for the rich?

It’s for all the people who believe that Jesus already paid for them to be rich. And those who don’t believe, when they come they start believing when they see it happen in a lot of people’s lives. And we are not ashamed to be called the church of the rich. If they call your family poor, will you be excited? Nobody would be excited. Even when a family is poor, they hate to be called poor. No man in his right mind enjoys being called poor, and nobody truly wants to be poor, people may pretend. Which is more honourable between being a giver and a beggar? Most of us came in very poor, but the light of God’s word came on us and we walked out of poverty in grand style into wealth and riches.

How come there is such wealth in the church despite the poverty in the nation?

The kingdom of God is funded by God’s resources. We are not funded by the economy of the world, but by the economy of the kingdom, which has a budget for all of its agenda on earth. We’ve been here since 1999 and we have never had power outage or water shortage. The main players are Nigerians, the builders are Nigerians. There is no building here that any foreign expert took part in. There is no foreign company’s presence here, including the tabernacle. Some of the revered foreign companies here in Nigeria are technicians in Germany, and they are all political contractors, not that they have something special to offer.

Is there any way we can translate this into the Nigerian system?

It is possible by believing in the capability and capacity of Nigerians to do whatever they need to do. This is the largest church auditorium in the world. It’s 104m free span wide. Even one of the reputed foreign construction companies came here to take pictures. Nigerians have unusual capacity to match any expertise in the world in any field they are involved in. Most of us go to school in foreign lands and we beat them, is it that when they get here, they become smarter? It’s just for the authorities at the various levels to believe that we cannot develop ourselves seeking foreign aides for everything. We must take advantage of the opportunities around us to develop the capacity of our men and women. This office was built in 2001 and it’s neat and there is no crack on the wall, so, what is the problem? But if we want to do anything, we must give it to people from foreign countries so that those who award the contract can have a deal and share the money and at the end of the day, they are still poorer than poverty because any money stolen never enhances a man’s value.

We learnt your church members once donated about 700 cars as seed and that the cars were given to the pastors?

It’s important to mention that there was no time that I know in the history of this church where there were 700 cars. There is no such story. People can make anything out of anything. There was a time they said we had six planes, and I said they didn’t count them well, they should be up to 30 so that we use one each day of the month. Those are things that make news in the social media even when they are lies. People give here because they are taught to give, because we understand from the scriptures that it is the only way to increase. Every normal Winner takes good care of his parents. We also give to the poor. My family has sponsored close to 150 people out of university and others at Landmark University are on scholarship on our own ticket because of our commitment to agriculture. It is a lifestyle; it didn’t start yesterday or two days ago. Since 1992, I have been consciously sponsoring students in various universities in Nigeria. The church is blessed because the church is a giving church. Just today (before you came), I signed millions for people who have health needs from the welfare account. And that continues. For instance, the church gives scholarships annually, not N100m or N150m. And it’s not in the news. And that we have been doing for years.

How do you feel when people accuse you of flying in jets and spending church money to maintain the jets?

I feel very good. It’s an opinion. Let me tell you what my understanding of persecution is; it’s simply an opinion harshly expressed. And everybody has a right to his opinion. People who are walking in the truth are hardly bothered when things are said negatively about them because they have nothing to hide. The truth is I have never felt it, some say it’s not human, but I have not. I can’t be wasting my time trying to reply lies because I have too many things to do. They are doing their work, let me be doing my work too and before they wake up in the morning, I’ve done the next one, so, it doesn’t matter. My idea of it is that, in a football match, you have only 22 people playing with thousands of spectators. And that is the way it is in the journey of life. In every field, you find just few players and many spectators, multitudes. If we don’t know where to place opinions, they will displace us. When we started Convenant University, so many people said it would not work, now, we hosted two Nobel Laureates this week, whereas no Nigerian university has ever hosted one in the history of university education in Nigeria. Now, it is the most pronounced and preferred private university in Nigeria. In fact, they say this is the university of the future; that is what they say in the university community. Those who said it could not work now have their children here because they have changed their mind. Some people say how can you tell children how to dress? We have to do that so they won’t behave like mad people on the street. They say how can you tell them they can’t use phone? We tell them so they would be disconnected from cultism. Ask me anything, I can tell you why we did it. Where are you going to find the President of a nation with a woven hair? I can tell you that in the next 100 years, you won’t find a male president using earring because they would count you as irresponsible, even in the secular world, they won’t see anything in you. As free as America is, have you ever seen any minister there with earrings? The person may be qualified, but he will be termed irresponsible. But if you train these children how to carry themselves, it will open up their future. Everywhere you get to in this world, people are looking for responsible people, who don’t only say so, but prove so. So, all the opinions on Covenant University have died now because we didn’t stop pursuing what we believe was right and now it has become a standard.

Is that why the CU had the highest number of first class graduates that won the Federal Government’s scholarship twice now?

What we do first is to package the man to suit the future that he is dreaming of. And that we do by injecting our seven core values into them, and we used SIM CARDS as the acronym for it: Spirituality, Integrity, Posssibility Mentality, Capacity Building, Responsibility, Diligence and Sacrifice. We package that into them so that right from here, they have two things; character and capacity working for them. With those two, you can go to any level in life. Here, there is time for everything.

We learnt the university wants to be one of the top 10 universities in the world in 2020. Don’t you think this is a tall dream?

Where we are today, Harvard was not there 100 years after it took off. I studied the world class universities in depth. So, we are closest to it. The two Nobel Laureates that came signed up as visiting professors at Covenant University, we have about five of them in different areas. That somebody has never done it does not mean it cannot be done. We are believing God for it, not by using strength and power. There is a particular university in the US that never takes anybody from outside North America for postgraduate studies, but we have 19 Covenant University graduates there. Prof. Okebukola shared that with me at the conference last week. A Covenant University graduate is the overall best graduating student in a school in Britain. So there is increasing expression in the quality of training that they receive in their respective areas. Except the dream is taller than God; if it’s not taller than God, it’s a cheap possibility.

We even learnt the church is planning to establish two more universities?

It is actually seven in our vision plan.

Are universities now secondary schools that you establish here and there?

We are trying to avoid having too many students on one campus so that we will not lose the quality of the training programme. Otherwise, the quality would wear down gradually. But because of the present security challenge that the nation is facing, it’s normal for us to review our approach in a manner that does not create tension for workers and anybody else. We believe God to help us out of the crisis. So if there are no adequate mentioning of our programmes, it is to create adequate room to see these security issues overturned.

Some people believe faith-based universities charge high tuition that some of their members can’t even afford…

They should bring the comparison. You know people talk all kinds of things. Compare what they pay here and there and what those payments cover. The rate of power consumption in the hostels alone is out of this world. All we need to juxtapose this is that they should rent the room and pay for electricity and they would pay ten times the amount. People should just sit down and find out what exactly they are paying for. The church has not drawn anything from Covenant University since inception in 12 years. But this year, the church reserves about N1.6bn stakes in its development. So, it’s not a business, it’s a service platform. In every nation of the world, the government subsidises education to all the stakeholders, not in this country, not a dime has ever crossed from government to any private university in Nigeria. And ask those who are in it how much profit they are making, they would explain to you how it has been wonderful to pay staff salaries and keep the system running. Move to the next country where people rush to study, look at how much they pay and what they get for it. Whether they have teachers or not doesn’t matter. But every visiting professor here takes more than N1m. We are not talking about top individuals, Nobel Laureates and others. So, it’s where we find ourselves and we want to make a difference, and we must make a difference. I want to believe that the private universities are doing the best they can. Ask the federal universities how they get their allocations, what they calculate to train a child out of the university. Ask them what it is and ask them who subsidises for private universities. Most of them don’t have any equipment whatsoever. There is no engineering equipment you are looking for that you won’t find here, bought brand new. If the government is not accepting responsibility, all we can do is to do the best we can to get these children trained, but at a cheaper cost than they do and with greater quality than they have. Those who cannot afford it can go to government institutions and if they are committed, they will still come out with good results.

The attention of the whole world has turned to Nigeria because of Boko Haram. What is your take on this?

I hope that we are willing to find solution to it. I would be the last person in this world to believe that government has not discovered those who are behind Boko Haram. Otherwise, we don’t have any intelligence service in our country. Are they sacred cows that cannot be brought to book? Until we cut the source of their supplies and get those who are involved, we cannot stop them. But the danger is this, and I must say it here, we are at the verge of a break up. That is the truth. It’s unfortunate. The Nigerian nation is too intelligent to claim not to have discovered those who are behind this. So, I really believe it’s all in the hands of the authorities to decide whether they want to confront the issue headlong or to keep watching it until Nigeria breaks up.

Does it mean there is nothing the church or other religious organisations can do?

All that the church can do is to pray. The church is not in power, it has no political power. And when invited, we give advice, when required or called upon. You can’t call someone and say can I advise you?

But people also criticise men of God like you for honouring the President’s invitations?

A president is a president, whether it is Jonathan or not, It would be stupid not to honour your President’s invitation. So, what is wrong with honouring the president? This is the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He’s our President, not that he made himself President. It’s all nonsense. We are not politicians. We are men and women of God who are pursuing a divine call. I honour President Jonathan as our President as a nation and as my president as a citizen, and so I have no regret and I would never regret being there at anytime he calls. My understanding is that anyone who is the President of this country requires the honour of the citizens and no matter your political view, it doesn’t change it. If he is doing thanksgiving or marriage, he is doing it in the church, who would be with him if the men of God are not with him? If I were in Canada or Australia, and I knew that my President was having an occasion that I thought I had to be there with him to honour him, I would fly down here. Whether it is President Jonathan or somebody else, as long as it is the president, and he says please can I see you, it is an honour.

Apart from insecurity, corruption is another problem in Nigeria. We have looting here and there which is also capable of causing unrest. What is your take on the corruption in the country?

That comes down to the kind of education that we offer. This is nothing but the expression of the content of the men. For instance, I have never given a bribe and I would be the last to give a bribe. I would rather die than give one. And those who collect bribe know that they can’t collect from me. Corruption has stayed with us for too long and I think it is a breeding ground for revolution. There is nothing happening in any private university today that would not have happened more in public universities, but for leakages here and there. But my understanding is that the church has a place of intense prayers because only God can change the hearts of men. People seek for appointment today not because of what they want to contribute but what they would have to share. Everybody is bothered, I am bothered. The rate of corruption in our society as Nigerians and Africans is enormous. But the church needs to be the example of what it wants to see in the society as far as corruption is concerned. Be that example; be able to say no and stand with it like Daniel. Right now, unlike in the time past, there are many Christians occupying sensitive positions at all strata of both public and private sectors. If the church people really come to a point of taking a stand against corruption, it would affect and impact Nigeria and the citizens positively.

Some people think there are too many churches in Nigeria and the best way to make money is to establish a church…

Let them go and start one. Almost every house in some parts of Nigeria is a mosque. So what is the complaint about? Multitudes still flock the roads on Sunday mornings going nowhere. Are churches enough? No. Until everybody is saved and everybody is off the street on Sunday mornings, we don’t have enough churches. So for those who are angry, they would be angry for too long because we haven’t seen churches yet. A time is coming on Sunday morning that we won’t see anybody on the street, because they would be in church. And those who go to church to make money go bankrupt before they start. Church is not a money-making platform; it is a life-raising platform.

There are many men and women who are coming out to start stronger ministries than the ones we are doing. So, you can’t say enough. Enough of what? Why don’t you say people in the market are enough? Somebody else is starting shoe or wrist watch business today in spite of the millions that are in it in Nigeria. Some barbers are just graduating today to join the company of barbers in the country already, yet we didn’t say they are enough. So, what’s the headache? My submission is that we don’t have near enough churches in Nigeria yet and the ones we have are doing well. I can tell you that there are hundreds and thousands of vibrant and Bible-believing, heaven-focused and life-changing churches, founded by genuine people who are called by God and are pursuing their callings and ours is just only a little thing out of too many, and many more would still rise, so anybody that wants to be angry can just get ready to be more angry. Church is not a money-making venture, those who are saying it is should open one and they would make a lot of money.

10 Financial Mistakes That Can Make You Poor

Many people around the world find themselves struggling with debt on a daily basis. The recession has shed light on how poorly many people manage their finances. Debt, decreased savings and increased expenditures are some of the pitfalls that can seriously derail your finances. Avoiding these mistakes can make a huge difference in terms of financial security. It’s true that, when it comes to money, we all make mistakes. Our personal finance lessons are often learned through experience. However, it is important to realize the mistake and prevent it from happening again. Here we have gathered 10 of the most common mistakes made in personal finances; avoiding these errors can help you build financial security.
1. Spending More Than You Earn
This is the cornerstone of pehttps://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3267603660025601439#editor/target=post;postID=7012386707060037883rsonal finance, regardless of your income or net worth. It doesn’t matter how much you earn, but if you live within your means, you can save money in long term. It is simple math: income < expenses = debt, while income > expenses = surplus. Although buying a couple of things here and there might not seem to have much significance, it can make a huge impact over time. Frivolous expense such as ordering out for lunch or dinner or going to movies at peak time can add up and drain your bank account. Ideally, you should save and invest a percentage of each paycheck or income source you have.
2. Not Setting a Budget
One of the main reasons behind frivolous spending is not having set a budget. A monthly financial budget helps you calculate how much you are supposed to spend in the entire month. It is calculated by considering your total income, your fixed monthly expenses, debts and any other liabilities. Your monthly budget should also take into consideration the amount you should be saving for retirement or a rainy day. Once the monthly budget is set, you can spend accordingly.
3. Ignoring the Need to Save for Retirement
Most young people think that retirement is simply too far away, so they can think of retirement savings later on. Actually, people grossly underestimate the true cost of retirement, and when and how much they should start saving.

4. Not Understanding the Importance of Your Credit Score and Report

Most of us often ignore our credit score. The credit score and credit report are essentially a record of how you have handled your finances over time. These two records actually determine whether or not you will be eligible for thousands in savings when you make bigger purchases. To improve your credit report and credit score, make sure you always pay your credit card bill on time, and dispute any mistakes on your report.
5. Having Too Much Debt
To put it simply, having debt stinks. If you owe money, then you are just reducing your cash flow to make the payments. Clear off your debts as early as possible to help increase your savings. If you do acquire new debt, do it cautiously and only after researching the best loan options.
6. Investing Too Much in a House
For most of us, buying a home is our biggest investment. Many people end up investing all of their savings and other funds to buy a dream home that is way beyond their budget. Living your dreams is great, but jeopardizing your financial situation in the process is not smart. Big or expensive houses also come with unnecessary added expenses, such as higher utility bills, maintenance costs and taxes, beyond the initial house price.
7. Living Paycheck to Paycheck
Most of us spend our entire paycheck and wait impatiently for the next. Living life to the fullest has become the motto for many people, and this leads to spending everything they earn without thinking about the future. Dinners, movies and drinks have become essential aspects of our lives, and we forget how easily our financial situation can take a turn. This puts one in a horrible position of being without any money if a paycheck were to be missed.8. Not Having Enough Insurance
Insurance is a crucial emergency fund that supplements your cash emergency fund. It covers the things you could not save up to cover in advance, thus helping protect your largest assets in case of a major accident, injury or death. You should have enough insurance to replace your assets in case of extreme need. This may include auto insurance, home insurance, health insurance, long-term disability insurance, life insurance and long-term care insurance. However, it is also important that you don’t go overboard in buying insurance. Take a balanced view and only pay for what you truly need.
9. Having High Car Payments
Car loan payments cause many people to find their heads ‘under water’ financially. We all know that a car is an asset whose value starts to go down the day it is purchased. Most people spend thousands of dollars on a new car only to find out that its value is seriously depreciated after a couple of years, while they are left having to make payments on the car loan. A car is a big investment, so spend judiciously on it. Buy a pre-owned model to minimize your loan payment and save enough for tough times.
10. Not Getting Professional Financial Help
High interest rates, huge expenses, lower income, more liabilities – at times all these factors can leave us confused. Despite trying hard, we are unable to come out of the vicious circle of debt. If you honestly need help with something – such as taxes, real estate investment or debt management – don’t try to go it alone. It is wise to seek professional help if you really need it. This may make it much easier to analyze your situation and make the proper financial plans for the present and the future.

7 Secrets of a Long, Healthy Life

Why do some people age in failing health and sadness, while others grow old with vitality and joy? Most of us wonder why some people die young, whereas others live long lives, and there are many ideas about this subject floating around. From the booming anti-aging supplement industry to scientists in the lab, everyone wants to know the secrets of a long and healthy life. Recently, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a study showing that people who practiced certain basic healthy habits lived longer on average than those who didn’t. Genetics, lifestyle, nutrition – all of these factors play an important role in aging. The tips outlined here are tried-and-true healthy habits from people who have lived long lives, and research has verified that they work.
1. Diet and Aging – Gain a Nutritional Edge
What we eat is directly apparent in our body; our skin and hair reflect our nutritional state. To learn about the lifestyle of the old and healthy, many researchers look to Okinawa, Japan, which boasts the world’s highest concentration of healthy 100-year-olds. The diet of Japanese people was studied to find out the keys to longevity. Studies have found that Japanese people most rely on grains, vegetables and fruits. Their diet is low in red meat, dairy products and eggs. The lesson here is to choose your fats and carbohydrates wisely. Switch to healthier options such as wheat breads, whole-grain pasta or nuts, instead of refined flour products like white bread, cakes and muffins. Whenever possible, use monosaturated and polysaturated oils, and avoid trans fats completely. Several research studies have also agreed on the fact that a vegetarian diet is generally healthier than one based on animal protein. Fruits, vegetables and whole grains are full of fiber and nutrients.
2. Don’t Blame Everything on Your Genes
There is no doubt that your genes contribute a lot in terms of certain age-related diseases. However, studies have found that when it comes to living a healthy life, our genes only contribute roughly 10% to our overall health, while a staggering 90% is all about lifestyle choices. The way each of us chooses to live every day greatly impacts the quality and length of our lives. So when you’re feeling worn down or dealing with aches and pains, don’t simply blame it on heredity; examine your lifestyle.
3. Eat Foods in Their Natural State
Foods in their natural state are full of nutrients. Cooking actually changes the chemical composition of the food, thus affecting the nutrient levels. Steaming and roasting are known to be the best methods of cooking food, because they are better at preserving the nutrients in their natural state. A great way to maintain health is to consume three to five servings of raw veggies and fruits every day. It is also important to eat in moderation. Filling your stomach too much causes gastrointestinal problems, which in turn affects your overall health.
4. Develop Healthy Habits
If you want to live a long, healthy life, make sure you cultivate healthy habits and avoid unhealthy ones. Most important of all is to avoid smoking, which has long been known to contribute to various heart and lung diseases, and shorten your life span. Alcohol is another major culprit in an unhealthy lifestyle. Drink only in moderation to stay away from adverse health conditions.
5. Exercise
There is no doubt that, along with diet, exercise is the key to a healthy life. Most of the lifestyle-related disorders, including heart diseases, diabetes and others, originate from a sedentary lifestyle. Studies have found that 15 minutes of exercise per day adds three years to your life. Exercise lowers your vulnerability to heart attacks, heart failure and arrhythmia. Exercise also helps by improving the body’s ability to fight oxidative stress, a chemical by-product of cellular energy production. Oxidative damage of cells increases your vulnerability to various diseases. Many of us cannot spend regular time at a gym, but we can include leisure-time physical activity in our daily routine to stay fit and healthy. Include activities like tennis or swimming in your weekly routines, or just make some time to go play with your kids or pet in the park.
6. Make Good Friends You Can Trust
In today’s high-technology era, we all are connected to each other via social networks, smartphones, etc. Many of us are surrounded by people that we ‘know,’ but few of those we can truly call friends. It’s important to have people with whom we can share our happiness and sorrows. Negative personal relationships add stress, which in turn affects your overall health. The secret to a healthy, happy life is believing and trusting in people, and studies have proved the health benefits of having good friends. Friends provide emotional support, which helps us deal with stress, and feeling loved actually boosts production of the mood-elevating chemicals dopamine and oxytocin, which promote brain growth, combating aging.
7. Live Life to the Fullest
In today’s fast-paced lifestyle, we are often multi-tasking. Slowing down and enjoying the simpler aspects of life sometimes becomes an afterthought. Once in a while, it is important to relax a bit, and seek pleasure in whatever you are doing. Develop a positive attitude toward seeking the little joys in your life. This helps in strengthening the immune system, and equips the body to fight against diseases. Find something that helps you unwind and relaxes your mind and body. Set realistic goals for yourself, since goals help us find meaning in our lives. Most successful people who had long, happy lives felt they had a true purpose. This does not need to be about money or career at all; it could be related to your family, friends or personal interests.
A healthy life is a combination of emotional, spiritual, social and lifestyle factors. No matter what your age, these factors, when they are largely positive, can help you live to a grand old age. Incorporate these guidelines for longevity in your day-to-day routine and live a healthy, happy and long life.

7 Ways to Be More Productive and Efficient at Work

Everyone would like to increase their productivity at the workplace in a fun, creative and exciting way, and there are various ways of doing that. If you want to take your productivity further and make the best out of the hours spent at work each day, then the following tips will surely come in handy.
1. Invest in Movable Furniture 
One of the most exciting and creative ways to ensure productivity at the workplace is to opt for movable furniture. This type of furniture is particularly useful for large offices with plenty of space to move around. Not only is movable furniture a great way to improve your productivity, but it’s also one of the most efficient measures you can take to promote collaboration, especially if you’re known to be an introvert. It often happens that teamwork is vital for the success and performance of the organization you work for – besides, your superiors will surely appreciate team effort. Movable desks and cabinets are cost-effective and versatile, since you can adapt them to the requirements of each user. You can turn your office into a more personal, custom space where you can truly feel at home!
2. Switch to Modern Tools!
Another great way to increase productivity and get your work done without interruptions is replacing outdated tools and equipment with new and modern gadgets. State-of-the-art computers and electronic equipment and devices can truly get work done quicker and easier. Depending on your specific work needs, you may want to get the latest smartphone or a tablet that is easier to carry around than a laptop. Many of these devices even feature GPS technology, which can be very useful if you travel a lot for work.
3. Stay Motivated With Success Stories 
One of the most common obstacles to productivity at work is simply a lack of determination and ambition. We all lack motivation from time to time, and this can prevent us from meeting deadlines. One of the greatest ways to improve productivity is to collect and display business success stories. Have a small ‘shrine’ dedicated to the living legends of the business you are working in – whenever ‘interruptions’ kick in, just look at them and remember that it takes a lot of hard work to make a name and a future for yourself.
4. Consider Working Outside the Office 
Sometimes you just lose your focus at work. This is a common issue nowadays, and it is often related to boredom and routine. There is little more counterproductive for an employee than boring routine at the workplace. One of the most innovative and efficient ways to drive productivity is by choosing a day of the week when you can work from your favorite coffee shop or even from home. An-ever increasing number of companies and organizations are implementing this policy and are allowing their staff to work from outside the office more. Most of them find it better to work from the comfort of home, where it’s often easier to avoid unwanted interruptions. However, it doesn’t need to be your home; you can choose to work from virtually anywhere – just be productive!
5. Avoid Assigned Seating 
Assigned seating can also affect your work, sits it helps routine sink in. Why not simply allow employees to sit wherever they want, wherever they feel the most collaborative and productive? This is undoubtedly one of the most efficient and modern ways to improve productivity at the workplace. Flexible seating arrangements also encourage communication and can lead to new social connections. Some employees may be more comfortable working in a corner, while others may want to work in the middle of the room, or even on the floor!
New Skills Boost Professional Engagement 
Another common reason why people are not productive or focused enough at their workplace is because they stick to the same old set of skills, and eventually become less engaged. Why not try something new for a change? Enriching your knowledge and improving your skills can be to your advantage and your company’s, not to mention that it will enable you to better handle more than one task at a time. You can expand your set of skills with creative training sessions or workshops – not only will it allow you to do your current job better, but it will look great to potential future employers, too.
7. Stay Energetic! 
Have you ever had to simply stop what you were doing because you felt your energy was drained, or you were just too sleepy to go on? If so, then you can avoid these interruptions to your productivity by doing some simple exercises in the office. This will boost your energy level, improve your creativity and give you greater focus on your work. You can enjoy some physical exercise or practice relaxation techniques during your lunch break, or in between tasks or meetings. You can also enjoy a variety of mind games that will keep your mind sharp and focused, and even improve your memory in the long run!
These are seven simple but efficient ways to get your work done faster and more efficiently. Whether you opt for alternative seating, movable furniture or brain exercises, you will surely notice an increase in your work productivity! Being goal-oriented and focused on your work has never been easier or more pleasant, thanks to innovative ideas like those described here.
To conclude, these are seven simple and efficient ways to get your work done by avoiding all the bothersome, common interruptions. No matter if you opt for alternative seating, movable furniture or brain exercises, you will surely notice a significant increase in your work productivity! Being focused on your work and goal-oriented has never been easier or more pleasant, thanks to these innovative and creative tips.

Photos: Kim Kardashian And Kanye West Marry In Italy

Posted by: niyi on May 24, 2014

The much awaited and widely discussed wedding of rap star Kanye West and reality TvVstar, Kim Kardashian went down today in Florence, Italy with the lovebirds saying “I do” in a sunset ceremony witnessed by 200 family and friends.
A six-metre wall of flowers at the historic Forte Di Belvedere in Florence, Italy.
According to People magazine, Miami pastor Rich Wilkerson Jr performed the ceremony, while Kardashian (who, along with her bridesmaids, was dressed all in white) was walked down the aisle by stepfather Bruce Jenner, as Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli sang.
West and Kardashian began dating in 2012 and got engaged last October after West proposed at San Francisco’s AT & T Park stadium.

12 Years a Slave director Steve McQueen, left, and editor-in-chief of Vogue Italia Franca Sozzani, right, arrive in Florence for the Kimye wedding. Photo: AP

The wedding topped off a nearly week-long celebration in Paris, where friends and family of the famous couple enjoyed a pre-wedding brunch at fashion designer Valentino’s chateau and an elaborate wedding-eve cocktail party at the Palace of Versailles.
This is the first marriage for West. Kardashian was previously married to music producer Damon Thomas in 2000 and, famously, basketballer Kris Humphries in 2011, whom she split from just 72 days later after a lavish televised ceremony. The TV star however seemed sure about her choice this time.
Kardashian’s mum Kris Jenner told E! News she was “beyond bursting with happiness”.
“Such a magical, romantic wedding,” she said. “I feel blessed to have my new son and his family as part of ours.”

American actor and rapper Jaden Smith arrives in Florence for the wedding. Photo: AP

Celebrities including singer John Legend and supermodel wife Chrissy Teigen, former Chicago Bulls basketball star Scottie Pippen and wife Larsa, 12 Years a Slave director Steve McQueen, actor Jaden Smith, rapper Big Sean, designer Alexander Wang, Vogue’s former editor-at-large Andre Leon Talley, Yeezus producer Rick Rubin, rapper Tyga and girlfriend Blac Chyna were spotted entering the venue.
However, there was no sign of celeb pals Beyonce and Jay Z, or Justin Bieber, who was rumoured to be attending.

Fans crowd outside Forte Belvedere in Florence, hoping to get a glimpse of the celebrity couple and their famous friends. Photo: AFP

7 Ways To Get His Attention Without Flirting.

Posted by: tosin on May 23, 2014

If you see a cute guy, but aren’t comfortable strutting your stuff to get him to like you, there are other ways to get his attention. Your looks aren’t everything. Even though men are visual creatures, they understand that you have a personality attached to your face and body. Here are some ways to get his attention without showing skin (or while you’re showing skin):

1. LET HIM KNOW
One of the best ways to get his attention is by giving him attention. You don’t have to shower him with compliments, but at least let him know that you exist. If you see him walk past you, acknowledge him. If you’re not close enough to chat, give him a flirty smile or simply make eye contact.
2. PUT ON PERFUME
His sight isn’t his only sense. By wearing perfume with a delicious scent, you could capture his attention. Plus, every time that he smells the scent in the future, he’ll automatically think of you. It’s a way to stay on his mind, even when you’re not around.
3. SWEETLY SOCIALIZE
If you don’t want to approach him to chat, talk to the people around him. If you’re in class together and he never hears you speak, the only way he’ll be attracted to you is if he likes your looks. By being friendly to others when he’s around, he’ll see what a great gal you are. He might even strike up a conversation to get a few moments alone with you.
4. CONVERSE WITH CONFIDENCE
When you’re answering a question, don’t trail off or make your statement sound like you’re asking another question. Be confident when you speak. Even though everyone knows what it feels like to be nervous, people gravitate toward individuals that act like they know what they’re doing.
5. ALLOW LAUGHTER
Laughter is a beautiful sound. Don’t laugh at everything you see, but don’t hold back your giggles either. Men like to be around women that are fun, and that enjoy life. If he sees you genuinely laugh at something without holding back, he’s sure to notice how happy you are, and be enticed.
6. DON’T HIDE AWAY
You can’t get his attention if you’re never around. If you know that he works at a local restaurant, and you avoid that restaurant, you’re doing yourself a disservice. Go down there occasionally in order to see him. Just don’t show up too often, because you don’t want to come across as a ‘creeper.’
7. BE YOURSELF
It sounds cliche, but this saying is so popular, because it’s true. If you love babbling on about a certain celebrity or spouting out corny jokes, don’t suppress those topics in order to impress a guy. If you do, and you attract someone, he won’t be the right person for you. But if you’re always yourself, then the guys that pay attention to you will be worth your time.
While your lean legs and fabulous face are excellent guy magnets, your personality is equally important. If a guy doesn’t care about your personality, then why would you want to be with him? You need someone that cares about whom you are as a person, and that goes deeper than your looks. What was the first thing you noticed about your crush, or current partner?

Source: allwomenstalk.com

Eat processed foods, die slowly

May 23, 2014 by Solaade Ayo-Aderele

   

 

| credits: File copy

For those of us who have arrived in many ways than one, settling for processed foods is a lot easier than preparing regular meals at home. For one, these foods come in handsome packs, they are attractive and they have this unspoken message of opulence attached to them.

While we may feel good about ourselves each time we put down money at the check-out counters, bearing the attractive bags with which our purchase has been packed, experts are warning that processed foods have been tested and proved to be slow killers.

These foods are so numerous and available effortlessly that it’s hard not to be caught eating one. Do you want it as breakfast, lunch or dinner? Your wish has been granted even before you made it! From cereals such as corn flakes to skittles, milk chocolates, cakes, drinks, etc., you can’t beat the idea behind them, what with their catchy names and the creative graphics that simply arouse your desire to want to have a taste.

Nutritionists warn that processed foods aren’t just the fast foods such as burgers, pastries and fried treats; they include foods that have been boxed, bagged, canned or jarred, each of which always features a list of ingredients on the label.

They may be frozen or refrigerated at the point of purchase; they may be dehydrated or ones that have undergone what experts call aseptic processing.

On the surface of it, these foods come in handy: you don’t have to spend hours in the kitchen trying to prepare a meal from the scratch. But then, with this convenience comes a huge price: your health.

A new study by researchers at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America, suggests that apart from their high sugar contents, processed foods are heavily dyed!

Lead researcher, Laura J. Stevens, notes that, “Most of the highly coloured cereals contain the most popular artificial colours such as Red #40, Yellow #6, Yellow #5 or Blue #1, some of which are derived from… wait for it: petroleum!

In general, the researchers say, the brighter the colour, the more the dye. And if you think you could avoid ingesting dyes by eating white processed foods, Stevens and her team say even those white foods are white courtesy of colour enhancers!

Stevens says one of the reasons why food processing companies don’t use natural colour alternatives is because natural colours can’t survive the heat, processing and lights involved in the manufacturing processes.

Experts also warn that because processed foods are generally denatured, manufacturers generally pep up things by adding synthetic vitamins and minerals to make up for the lost nutrients and enhance the taste.

That’s why experts lament that up to 3,000 chemicals are available and deployed for this dirty job.

Beyond colouring

But beyond food colourings, there are also other processing methods that are used to make processed foods what they are — dangerous. These include stabilisers which, in reality, are food gums; emulsifiers, which are used to maintain freshness and smoother texture; or preservatives, which give long shelf life to foods.

All these processes affect consumer’s health, researchers say, and the implications are as terrible in children as they are in adults.

The consequence

While once-in-a-while diet of processed foods may not be bad, nutritionists warn that eating a diet high in processed foods can lead to a myriad of health problems, including diabetes, liver overload, cancer, heart disease and obesity.

In fact, the World Health Organisation attributes the increase in obesity and other chronic health problems to the consumption of processed foods.

Osteoporosis is another health problem that can develop when you eat processed foods all the time. A physician, Dr. Goke Oluwole, says man-made chemicals — as found in processed foods — acidify the body’s pH balance, which consequently accelerates bone loss.

“By eating your foods as naturally as possible, you will not only avoid certain diseases, you can actually stop some diseases in their track, even after they may have developed,” Oluwole counsels.

Check your cereal pack, for instance, and you may likely see an ingredient simply called BHT. Its full meaning is Butylated Hydroxytoluenes, a common additive that has been said to cause cancer!

The America-based National Toxicology Programme even says this particular ingredient is also used in jet fuels, rubber petroleum products, transformer oil and embalming fluid. And this ingredient is so dangerous that environmentalists warn that if it enters the environment, it could cause liver damage and is harmful to aquatic organisms.

This being the case, what is it doing in your food?

As for the colourings, scientists say they are derived from coal tar and may contain lead and arsenic. By the way, most coal tar-based colourings are also believed to be carcinogenic (cancer-causing).

Worse still, experts warn, some of the food thickeners, stabilisers and emulsifiers such as Propylene glycol alginate (E405) have industrial uses as automotive anti-freezes and airport runway de-icers!

Jaw-breakers

As you may have noticed, many of these names are jaw-breakers. It’s even one reason why scientists counsel against eating what you cannot pronounce.

Again, online portal, naturalnews.com, warns that processed foods ruin digestion. “Because they have been stripped of their natural fibres, enzymes, vitamins and other nutrients, processed foods tend to wreak havoc on the digestive tract.

“Chronic consumption of such foods can throw your internal ecosystem off balance, harming beneficial bacteria and exposing your system to infection,” the portal warns.

The bottom-line: Your health is in your hands. You don’t have to sacrifice it on the altar of processed foods. Eat your foods as naturally as possible. And if you must eat a processed meal, let it be rare and far between.