If you really want to remember something, write it down.

Way way way back in 2005, when I started college, hardly anybody brought laptops to class. We took notes by hand with pen and paper, then trudged back to our dorms uphill in the snow, barefoot. Today’s classrooms are filled with youngsters taking notes on their laptops or tablets (or pretending to take notes while they play games or surf the web), but this may not be a good thing. Continue reading →

An L&P Work Furniture adjustable desk.

The simple act of standing up

Last year, I converted my desk at work into a standing desk and because I do almost all my work on a computer, I’m now standing for 6-7 hours a day. At first, I thought I might regret my decision as my feet and back ached for a couple weeks, but I slowly got used to it and now have come to enjoy it. In this article, a leading UK medical consultant says the benefits of standing during the day are numerous, and the act is more practical than trying to incorporate “moderate” activity for 30 minutes into your daily routine. Simply standing for three hours a day can add years to your life by fighting heart disease and decreasing the risk of certain cancers. Sure, I sometimes have to reconsider my shoe choices (or stand barefoot), but I’ve noticed that I feel healthier just by standing all day. It’s a pretty easy change that makes a pretty big difference.

“Stand Up for Three Hours and Live Two Years Longer,” Says Top UK Medical Consultant – The Independent

Another healthy dose of writing advice

When I come across an article about grammar or writing, I can’t resist it. And this one touches on a topic I think is extremely important – how people present themselves in professional emails. Your email writing style says a lot about you and, if you’re making the mistakes outlined in this article, what you’re saying is not good. Some things to avoid include: using emojis, making errant typos, adding too many personal details, and asking questions you should already know the answer to.

The 12 Most Common Email Mistakes Professionals Make – Business Insider

Token World Cup-related article.

I love the World Cup, and my favorite team playing in Brazil other than the U.S. is England, which, come to think of it, probably isn’t in Brazil anymore since they were eliminated Tuesday. The Brits have trouble in penalty shootouts (a series of penalty shots taken after a tie game to determine the winner), and here’s an interesting article that links nations and their shootout success. The Germans, not surprisingly, are fantastic in shootouts.

How to handle pressure: lessons from penalty shoot-outs – The Economist

Grumpy people are better at their jobs.

I didn’t find this article’s argument, which is based on research, very compelling. But, because I tend to be grumpy and critical, I tried very hard to be convinced. Actually, the headline made me think that the research would suggest that “haters” are better employees because they have better critical skills and question the status quo. But it didn’t say that at all – it said that positive people got involved in more work projects and activities than negative people, which means that positive types weren’t as focused as those who are negative.

Grumpy and negative people are more efficient than happy colleagues – Daily Mail

This article will have you gasping in disbelief. Continue reading →