While some outstanding communication skills are innate, people who are not naturally endowed with these abilities may surely improve their communication skills through practice. When you enhance your communication skills, you can expect your life to become easier in many facets of life. Whether you’re ordering pizza delivery or phoning 911 for emergency assistance, both listening and communicating are vitally important. You need to understand and adopt the best qualities of effective communicators to improve the quality of life in every aspect....

The time has come to reap the fruits of years of hardships and struggles. By this time, you would ideally have lots of free time to be spent with friends, family, and yourself. Here are 24 enriching activities every 50-something should do in the free time. Educate yourself 1. Take a language course Aside from the fun of it, learning a new language is always great since you never know when you might encounter the need for such....

1. Develop a Suitable Sleeping Pattern The key to daily productivity starts the night before, as a suitable pattern of sleep sets the tone for a productive day. According to clinical psychologist Stephanie Silberman Ph.D, the best way to achieve this is to shift your sleep cycle in fifteen minute increments to determine a viable routine that can be easily sustained. So if you would like to get up earlier without encountering feelings of fatigue, begin to wake up fifteen minutes earlier for a 3-4 day period to ensure that your body adjusts effectively....

It’s freeing and absolutely joyful. Despite all the time I spend online, (it adds up to more than I want to admit) I’m constantly reminded of all the precious time a few online tools save me every day. They reduce the time I spend on things like convincing myself to work out, searching for important information, and drilling down my to-do list. Not only do I spend less time doing the menial and brain-numbing tasks we all hate, but I reapply that time to more enjoyable pursuits — like coming up with new ways to grow my business or brainstorming new book ideas....

Or maybe you’re just looking for some affordable art to put in your new apartment? Also great! The internet is chockfull of sites on which artists can sell their work, and these same websites offer art collectors on a budget a great way to get prints and original artwork at a fraction of the cost if they were to browse galleries. These are our 25 favorite sites to sell and buy art....

However, being that we all have informational freedom on the web, it’s easy to get weighed down with non-relevant, repetitive, or surprisingly dull information. Here is a list of valuable online resources where you can study web design, and also follow the latest trends. 1. Lynda For a fresh web designer, lynda.com should become that little voice in the head that answers all your questions. Here, you can find plenty of resources relevant to the design niche....

It can be time consuming to check and decipher every ingredient. Many processed snacks promise low fat but are packed with sugar! The best way to ensure fresh and fully in-tact nutrition is by preparing simple snacks at home. Each of these healthy snack recipes are simple, delicious and provide nutrients you just can’t get from a vending machine. 1. Mini Burrito Bowl Burrito bowls make great snacks or small lunches....

1. REINDEER CUPCAKES 2. CHOCOLATE MELTED SNOWMEN 3. STRAWBERRY CHRISTMAS TREE BROWNIES 4. CREAM CHEESE PENGUINS 5. BANANA STRAWBERRY SANTAS 6. CREAM CHEESE MINTS 7. WHITE CHOCOLATE SNOWMEN WRAPPERS 8. NUTELLA TRUFFLES 9 .CHOCOLATE CHRISTMAS TREE CUPCAKES RECIPE 10. RAINBOW CHRISTMAS WREATH 11. MELTED SNOWMEN OREO BALLS 12. SANTA HAT BROWNIES 13. SNOWMAN CUPCAKES 14. HOT COCOA CUPCAKES 15. HOTDOG CHRISTMAS STOCKINGS 16. REINDEER SUGAR CONE 17. CHRISTMAS VANILLA CAKE...

Make two photocopies of any important papers. Travel light (clothing-wise) and forget the bling. Find answers to your questions before you leave home. Safeguard your health. Purchase travel insurance. Purchase travel medical insurance and death insurance. Continue to cover your assets. Get phone numbers. Purchase an international phone card and open an accessible email account. Plan your itinerary before you leave home. Travel light (financially) and carry a spare card. Decide whether you want to use traveler’s checks....

1. You’ve eaten kangaroo and thought it tasted okay Most Americans cringe at the idea of eating a furry fellow like kangaroo. But, living here long enough you’ll have tried it and thought it was okay, maybe even tasty. And if you’re really adventurous you would have tried wallaby and wombat, too. 2. You struggle with saying tomato The moment you say tomato with an American accent an Australian will generally call you out....

You can find just about anything on the internet. No matter what you’re interested in, chances are there’s someone out there telling you how you can do it better. What’s rare is someone who tells it to you straight, who says things you probably don’t want to hear, who makes you question things you’ve always assumed to be true. No matter what you’re looking to do, you need one of these people in your life....

I have found myself in a similar situation many times and motivation is what enabled me to push through. Here are 3 important thoughts that will help motivate you throughout your life: 1. “I can do this.” What is “this”? It can be a goal. It can be a task. The point is “this” is anything you are trying to succeed at. Why is it important to have this thought?...

Do you want to advance in your chosen career field? If so, then take the following examples as a lesson. 1. Look for ways to add value. In his book, Give and Take: Why Helping Others Drives Our Success, author Adam Grant shows that those who give in business are the ones that get ahead. When you proactively seek out ways to add value for others, you set yourself up to receive what you want in the future....

You don’t track time Tracking time is probably the greatest thing you can start today that will help you improve yourself. How you use your time relates closely to how you fuel your self-growth. Those who track their time are those who have a good grasp on what they are capable of doing every day so, it’s easier for them to optimize their actions. There are many techniques and applications you can use to track time, but my two favorites are the time-blocking technique and Rescue Time....

I wore snowpants all the time as a kid and still remember the feeling. Do you remember what it felt like to wear snowpants and mittens on a bright snowy day? You felt invincible. The snow couldn’t hurt you because you we wearing your trusty snowpants and mittens. Instead of staying inside, you were empowered (or in my case, ordered by your mother) to explore all that the snow had changed in your world....

Whatever the reason, the extent of the negative impact caused by such bad times is heavily influenced by how the leaders reacts to what happened. Successful leaders know that their team members places a lot of importance on what they say during testing times. They also know that team members place an even higher level of importance on how leaders say what they say – their body language, level of stress, tone of voice and other subtle cues mean a lot....

What Kindle to Buy? First of all let me back up, the very first thing I had to do was decide that I want a Kindle. We’ve given you a guide in the past about what options you have for e-readers. I decided the Kindle had the best online store integration and the best reviews. When I started my hunt for a Kindle I had to decide which one I wanted to buy....

Which of these food related terms do you find most difficult? Were you mispronouncing any of them? Share your responses below!

Hyperrealism initially started in the early part of the 21st century as an independent art movement and style in Europe and the United States. It is considered an advancement of Photorealism. However, unlike Photorealism, hyperrealist sculptors and painters use photographs as a source of reference as they try to create a more detailed rendition, which exhibits emotions and tells a story. Hyperrealistic art often entails a softer, much more complex focus on a subject....

1. Turn Eyeliner Pencil Into Gel This will make eyeliner easier to apply because it makes it softer. Simply place the tip of the eyeliner pencil over a flame for one second. Wait about 15 seconds for it to cool down, and apply. 2. Check Your Makeup Under Different Light You may not have the best light when you are applying makeup. When you get into your car, check your makeup before going anywhere....