...In Defense of Distraction Twitter, Adderall, lifehacking, mindful jogging, power browsing, Obama’s BlackBerry, and the benefits of overstimulation. Add a Comment 1 Comment | Add Yours 70 Comments | Add Yours * By Sam Anderson * Published May 17, 2009 | Illustration by Glen Cummings/MTWTF (Photo: Anderson Ross/Corbis) | I. The Poverty of Attention I’m going to pause here, right at the beginning of my riveting article about attention, and ask you to please get all of your precious 21st-century distractions out of your system now. Check the score of the Mets game; text your sister that pun you just thought of about her roommate’s new pet lizard (“iguana hold yr hand LOL get it like Beatles”); refresh your work e-mail, your home e-mail, your school e-mail; upload pictures of yourself reading this paragraph to your “me reading magazine articles” Flickr photostream; and alert the fellow citizens of whatever Twittertopia you happen to frequent that you will be suspending your digital presence for the next twenty minutes or so (I know that seems drastic: Tell them you’re having an appendectomy or something and are about to lose consciousness). Good. Now: Count your breaths. Close your eyes. Do whatever it takes to get all of your neurons lined up in one direction. Above all, resist the urge to fixate on the picture, right over there, of that weird scrambled guy typing. Do not speculate on his ethnicity (German-Venezuelan?) or his backstory (Witness Protection Program?)...
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...user’s productivity at a glance by determining as to whom the correspondence is from and what it relates too. With traditional methods such as mail it took time to arrive, open, sort and file. Marketing information can now reach a wider audience which would benefit from the use of products. Expenses are reduced due to the use of email, cost savings are seen in a reduction of postage by utilizing free web based services such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail etc. General postage prior to email could of ran hundreds of dollars a month while internet does incur cost the saving and productivity are still less than traditional methods. The disadvantages are; Individuals are receiving more emails than they can digest which leads to information overload more so than ever with email being a 24/7 service and those who tend to “tune-in” all hours of the day or night. This leads to no down time and higher stressful situations amongst health problems and...
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...challenge for them especially when they finish high school. The first years students are the ones that are having the hardest time dealing with stress in college because they live in a new environment which they need to get used to comparing to those who have attended college for years. The conditions of depression that college students put in through their daily life are their personal life, living in a new environment and responsibilities. College student’s personal life is a way that can cause the majority of them to have a difficult time in class and cause stress because occasionally they don’t have time to study that much and they need to do their daily tasks such as going to work, or going to a mechanic to fix their car or picking someone specially if they have kids. College students who are parent have even a hard time to focus on class because they need to take care of their kids. This caused many of them to overload since they are doing more work than what they need to do which cause their bodies to pass their limits. The outcome of college students to overload is deep depression, tired, and change of attitude. Living in a new environment is tough for college students and they need to get used to the way of living in college. College is way too different than high school because mostly all classes have subject that are harder to learn and stricter than high school. Half of students who have move away after graduating high school and get a room that are closed to the college...
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...Raising a Successful College Student Carol Woods GEN/200 In order to be a successful college student personal responsibility must be learned at an early age. Children must learn personal responsibility, time management skills, and family values when they are young. If children develop a strong responsibility foundation they will develop into a successful college student. Personal responsibility is something that is taught to you throughout your childhood and developed throughout your adult life. A child is taught family values daily from the time they begin to walk. Parents begin to pass on their own values system and this is what a person’s responsibility foundation is built on. In order for a student to be successful in their college career they must already have been taught personal responsibility throughout their childhood. Children should be given household chores at a very young age, like picking up their toys, making their beds, and even feeding the family pet, at this age they are exposed to the family values at its core. Children begin to realize what responsibility is through these chores. Experts believe that any type of household responsibilities, are important for kids (Dunnewind, 2004). When they develop into adolescence they should be given more responsibility. School work becomes a priority, social groups draw their interest and now they begin to develop their time management skills. Learning how to navigate between class assignments...
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...application of a software has a specific code, and separation of these codes leads to an effective and organized layered effect. A software may have business aspects, user interfaces, structure and design codes, etc., there may be more than one application of the software working together. As long as the codes of these mechanisms are separated, there will not be an overlap leading to malfunctioning. Also if each section of a system consists of a specific set of features, going back and modifying or repairing a certain feature is easily done without disturbing other aspects of the system. Single responsibility principle • In a software or system, each module should only have one task or responsibility. Responsibilities can also be described as “reasons for change.” • Each mechanism of the system should only be responsible for one task. Providing multiple tasks for one module can overload that aspect of the system and lead to faults. In an example of opening a browser page, there is a functional aspect and the cosmetic aspect. If the functional aspect is trying to work on something regarding the cosmetic aspects of the browser, then the actual module regarding the looks of the browser may not implement properly because two applications are working on the same things. • Having only one task assigned to each mechanism allows that specific process to be easily changed. Principle of least knowledge (Law...
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...Personal Responsibilities Personal responsibility is about taking ownership and holding one accountable without pointing the finger. Juggling work, school, and personal life can be challenging but deciding on how much someone wants to put on their list is what that person needs to give time to. Preparing before an event can save time from frustration and stress and keeping a planner for better organization skills results in a layout that will be suitable for a busy lifestyle. It is also a personal responsibility to be fully functional; so plenty of rest and a healthy diet is a must. Taking on a task in life like college can be a challenge when someone works full-time and has a family to take care of. Finding a way to stay on track with life can be easy and less stressful by writing daily tasks in a planner. Busy lifestyles come in different forms but the most common one is someone who is juggling homework, a job, and personal being. A 1993 study by the Higher Education Council indicated high school students rate the following as reasons they want to work: To buy clothes, and to develop a sense of responsibility and a feeling of independence - specifically, to be independent of their parents“ (Nebenzahl, 2003, Juggling Work and School, para. 8). Find a better importance in something and if some things have to go than let them go and come back to them later when life is less stressful and time permits. “If students really want a successful school year -- and this comes from...
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...to not only factors but also delegation. Today, more than ever, managers must learn to use their time effectively. As a manager, you have a multitude of responsibilities. A situation made more difficult by an environment that emphasizes change, rapid responses times, and thinking “outside of the box.” There never seems to be enough time to get it all done. If, however, you are going to have an impact, you must take control of your time and not vice versa. If you try to do it all yourself, this will never happen. You can control your time by arriving earlier, using detailed planners and schedules, or “blocking off time” to focus on special projects. You might also try prioritizing tasks or using an elaborate filing system. All of these approaches will help, but you will never maximize your effectiveness unless you learn to delegate effectively. Stephen Covey, author of The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, says that “effectively delegating to others is perhaps the single most powerful high-leverage activity there is.” Certainly in today’s business environment, effective delegation will help you achieve your fullest potential (as well help develop those people around you). To delegate, according to Webster, is to entrust to another, to appoint as one’s representative and to assign responsibility or authority. While the dictionary definition is sound, it seems to focus on delegation as lone, isolated event. It is more helpful to think of delegation...
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...Personal Responsibility Larissa Montgomery Gen 200 January 13, 2014 John Grattan Personal Responsibility Introduction Personal responsibility means being accountable for one’s own actions, not blaming others, whether it is a positive or negative outcome. You are in control of the outcome of your actions, and only you will have to deal with the consequences of that decision. Personal responsibility defines who you are and makes you aware of your decision making. As an adult, accepting personal responsibility is the key to success in any situation. Purpose for taking Personal Responsibility Academically Personal responsibility is motivation towards succeeding in college. “A common layperson’s definition of motivation is that it involves a strong personal interest in a particular subject or activity. Students who are interested are motivated and they learn and achieve because of this strong interest.” (Linnenbrink, E.A. & Pintrich, P.R. 2002) A student could improve and maintain his or her college grades when accepting personal responsibility. Using excuses and blaming others can reduce personal responsibility when trying to achieve a goal. I hold myself accountable for every decision I make. I think long and hard and weigh the pros and cons before I come to a conclusion because my outcome will not only affect me, but everyone around me. It is my personal responsibility to do the best to obtain my degree. It is also my personal responsibility to turn in all my...
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...Educational Success Through Personal Responsibility Educational Success Through Personal Responsibility Personal responsibility encompasses everything that makes us who we are, what allows us to succeed throughout our lives. To me, personal responsibility is critical because to know its definition is to be a pro-active human being willing to stay focused on themselves and their overall goals, especially when it comes to a college education. Achieving educational success is vital in that it allows us to be taken more seriously in the real world; it’s common knowledge that a majority of people won’t be hired into or attain well paying employment unless they have at least a Bachelors degree from an accredited university. The link between personal responsibility and college success is a clear one, without focus and self-discipline then it would be impossible for someone to succeed in school. A person has to want to be in college, they need an affinitive reason for pursuing their degree, or else their personal responsibility will prove to be considerably low. Before anything else, it’s important for people to know who they are inside and out, to be comfortable and happy in their own skin. According to respected professor D.R. Garrison, self-monitoring is synonymous with personal responsibility to construct meaning. He states “to be responsible for one's own learning necessitates a willingness and ability to self-monitor the learning process” (Garrison, 1997). The value of...
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...The individual will be responsible to work beside an expierenced Auditor and participate in an audit. The person's ability to comprehend and execute will determine the level of responsibility they will acquire and how much they will learn. They will participate in the planning stage, fieldwork and wrap-up of audit engagements. Minimum GPA: 3.3 Desired Majors (i.e. Accounting, Computer Science, Finance, Marketing, etc.): Desired is Accounting, or Finance Please indicate any traits, qualities or characteristics which the candidate may need in order to “fit” within your department’s industry, culture or work environment: The individual should have a desire to learn and be willing to work with different people throughout the department. Our department is made up of driven individuals who work hard, but we work well together because of mutal respect for one another. The person who works with us should be eager to learn, exhibit a good personality and willing to work on various assignments. Please list any academic/coursework requirements that the candidate must have completed: Completion of two years college course work with a major in Accounting or Finance. Please describe any additional areas that the intern(s) will gain exposure to in addition to the daily responsibilities (i.e. special projects): Depending on the Intern's ability to grasp assignements will determine if they are...
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...Realizing all this, I feel that the only actions I could pursue that would exhibt an understanding of responsibility, I decided to go back to school. This decision brings on an array of concerns and challenges; can I do this, what happens if I fail, how do I juggle my personal responsibilities, will this degree even matter? Now there are credible fears and ludcrious fears in life and for me all these fears boil down to the fear of failure- I don’t want to go through all this hardship and end up flat on my face. I even would go as far to say that most of my early life’s disillusionment stemmed from this fear. Rather than try I would just be critical of those who did. Taking my education and viewing it as a life enhancement will help me during the times of struggle towards my degree. Ultimately, whether or not this gets me a better paying job, the tools I learn here will help me in all the endeavors of my life. Taking this approach will impact the outlook when life wont work how I think it should based on what I’ve done. The question now is, understanding the challenges I face, how will I take responsibility of my success? As I’ve alluded to before, the first step is to transform the way I think. It will do me no good when the struggles arise if I look at college with resentment. I must see this as value added. For me, when things are a positive, it makes it easier to handle the bad that always come along with it. The follow through with this will be the pratical application...
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... CheckPoint: Group Communication For this check point assignment, I will be discussing how businesses can organize their employees/staff into teams, the benefits of doing so, and the communication within the group. Group communication differs from individual communication because you need to always be actively listening. Making sure that other group members get an opportunity to speak and share their opinions. Being an active listener can also help resolve conflict between one group member and another. Some examples of conflict resolution would be to make responsibilities and ground rules clear at the beginning, discuss problems as they arise, rather than letting them fester till people explode, and realize that group members are not responsible for each other’s’ happiness. One of the most important elements of a successful team is open and honest communication, with employees sharing opinions and information to ensure that all team members are certain of the business objectives and how to achieve them. Ways to foster group communication would be schedule regular meetings with the whole team, so that each member can provide feedback as to any concerns they may be having, or report on the progress of any projects being undertaken. Also, encourage your team to ask as many questions as possible...
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...trade terms, developed by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Paris, It defines the trade contract responsibilities and liabilities between buyer and seller. Why are they Important? • The most complex & important tool of international trade is language. Small changes in wording can have major impact on the business agreement. For the avoid this misunderstanding. This is where “INCOTERM” comes into existence. • The INCOTERMS was first published in 1936‐‐and it is revised periodically to keep up with changes in the international trade needs. NECESSITY • Costs: who is responsible for the expenses involved in a shipment at a given point in the shipment's journey? • Control: who owns the goods at a given point in the journey? • Liability: who is responsible for paying damage to goods at a given point in a shipment's transit? What are they? This terms are divided into four different categories (EFCD) • E The seller only makes the goods available to the buyer at the seller’s premises. • F The seller delivers the goods to a carrier or place appointed by the buyer. • C The seller has to contract at his costs for carriage and insurance • D The seller must assume most costs, obligations and risks needed to bring the goods to the place of destination EXW‐(From factory, mill or Warehouse) EX works menace the seller’s only responsibility is to make the good available at seller's premises The seller is not responsible for loading the goods on vehicle...
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...According to the dictionary, the definition for responsibility is, a state or fact of having a duty to deal with, the state or fact of being accountable or to blame for something, and the opportunity or ability to act independently and make decisions without authorization. Personal responsibility is crucial to team building and collaborative success. When one takes personal responsibility, they are admitting their responsibility for choices made. While not everyone’s commitments are the same, personal responsibility is a requirement when working in a team. In order to succeed, the team needs positive communication, commitment, and accountability. The first, most important requirement, when working in a team is positive communication. Having open communication, by sharing ideas and confirming tasks with positive feedback, fosters healthy communication. Also, it’s always a smart idea to make sure there is a clear understanding of everyone’s position on a team, that way everyone is on the “same page”. Lastly, respecting one another is crucial in supporting positive communication. Making a commitment to ones self or something, let alone a team, can be extremely difficult at times. One way of showing respect and commitment is to always be on time, and being prepared. Also, let it be known to the team that, availability will not be an issue, and whatever it takes to get the job done, will be done. Taking ownership gives a team relief in knowing the job will get done and will alleviate...
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...Personal Responsibility means taking full accountability for my own action, whether it is in a negative or a positive way. In doing so, I affect the outcome of my own personal actions, and I will need to accept the consequences of the final outcome. It would be up to me to make the necessary changes and improve the outcome if need be. Personal Responsibility defines who I am and it makes me better at decision making. It allows me to apply learned skills needed to succeed in making daily and even life changing decisions. After leaving active duty in the military, I decided to pursue my education in which I’ve put off for so many years, so that I could open more doors for career opportunities as well as becoming a better provider for my family. In starting this new journey, it is my personal responsibility to adopt good study skills, maintain time management, and not procrastinate in doing my assigned work. As a student, I must understand that without adopting these attributes, I will increase the risk of not succeeding in my classes. Having the freedom to make the choices that I need to succeed will assist with my personal responsibility of my college success. Starting college is an action that I have taken which has fundamental consequences that would directly affect my family and me in many positive ways. Establishing a relationship between personal responsibility and my college success is very important. Receiving an education is my personal responsibility. Being...
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