Face to Face Communication

I have come to find that technology and the advancements in communication services can be a blessing and a curse. On one hand, it is so much easier to be able to talk to anyone in the world free of charge whenever you want. On the other hand, it has put distance between us and the people that are closest to us. Without face-to-face communication skills, the next generation will be unable to make conversation, ask for a date, propose to a mate and, thus, create the next generation. The entire human race could die off if we don't start teaching our teens how to communicate! Ok, I relent. That was a bit over the top and I was making too many assumptions. But be honest for a second here: how far are we from that point? So here is one tip in breaking the ice when it comes to talking with strangers, which is a very much needed skill. I always enter a room with at least three topics to talk about. Always. Another tip is to always introduce yourself. This is so basic - but so often overlooked! Sometimes you've managed to actually start and carry on a great conversation and you walk away realizing that you have no idea what someone's name is and they have no idea what yours is! It can get awkward really quick but that it is life.

Sleep Deprivation

We live in a 24/7 world, I get it. But there are real dangers to not getting enough sleep. If you've ever come close to nodding off in the boardroom or behind the wheel, you know that the effects of sleep deprivation can range from embarrassing to downright terrifying. Sleep deprivation is the single most dangerous aspect of any sleep disorder, because you have no idea that you are compromised cognitively, physically and emotionally. Hopefully that will make you think twice before finishing that app development project late at night. Also, there's no one "ideal" amount of sleep. Some people function just fine on seven hours, whereas others need a heftier nine. We all need to be at our thinking, feeling and reactive best in order to thrive and stay safe. In most cases, a little extra shut-eye will get you there! Sleep tight!