Posted on by Max Herrera

A healthy world

Here I’ll share some practical tips that anyone can adopt to help combat global pollution. These simple yet impactful actions can make a significant difference in our fight against climate change and rising contamination levels. Let’s explore how small changes in our daily lives can contribute to a cleaner, healthier planet!

Climate Change

  • Replace conventional and old light bulbs: With this simple task we’re freeing our planet of 68 kilograms of CO2 per year. The option of saving bulbs or bulbs of low flow cares for the environment (and also cares for our pockets).
  • Use the car less: I recommend going more for cycling, public transport or walking to help protect the environment (and our health). By not using the car we avoid half kilogram of CO2 per mile of journey. The overuse of the automobile encouraged to make new roads and such decision caused a great impact on the territory and destroyed beautiful landscapes, and in addition to that there is more traffic noise, which causes more stress for those living near such noise.
  • Recycle more: By recycling we will save more than one ton of CO2 yearly. But recycling is not the answer, here the question is: how to avoid generating all that waste?, i.e., we should buy only what we really need and keep out of the levels of consumerism. Further, when choosing our goods we should prefer the ones with less packaging and pick reusable bags for our purchases. At the time of purchasing beverages is better to buy glass bottles because they are easier to recycle and they do not use the amounts of fuels as requiered for plastic and paper (besides, production of paper and plastic releases many chemicals into the air, rivers and seas).
  • Examine the tires of your car: In this issue we recommend keeping tires inflated to the corresponding pressure since taking into account this recommendation saves fuel combustion in a 3%. Each gallon of gasoline less implies 9 kilograms of CO2 less reaching the atmosphere. And it should be emphasized that it is recommended to use the car only when necessary.
  • Use less hot water: To warm the water uses too much energy, especially in the winter time because the environment is colder than normal. The same is recommended to wash clothes using cold water as it would save about 230 kilograms of CO2. It is also important to use water that is needed in such tasks as washing the car, washing dishes etc. And remember not to leave water valves open.
  • Avoid using too much packaged products: You can save 545 kilograms of CO2 if you avoid generation of 10% of garbage. This helps to a great extent because if we create a culture to choose products with less packaging producers make products with less packaging and thus avoid much of pollution.
  • Set the thermostat on the car properly: to set two degrees higher in winter and lower it 2 in summer, you can save 900 kilograms of CO2 with this simple adjustment in a year. You should not use the heater where it is not necessary because the car engine will make more effort and will burn more fuel.
  • Plant a tree: this recommendation is important because every tree in its lifetime absorbs about one ton of carbon dioxide. I recommend watering at night or when the sun is hidden because the tree would absorb more water since it is not evaporated by the sun.
  • Turn off electronic devices: Turning off the TV, Bluray, stereo, and computers when not in use can save thousands of kilos of carbon dioxide a year. There is no need to have the TV on when nobody is watching it.

Water

Consume the really needed amount of water. Avoid unnecessary water costs with these tips:

  • Do not leave the tap running while you brush your teeth or shave.
  • Do not wash the foods with the tap open; use a container. Upon completion, this water can be used for watering plants.
  • Do not use any soap under running water.
  • Use the washing machine and dishwasher only when they’re fully loaded.
  • Do not throw sticks, paper, cigarette butts, sanitary towels, tampons or condoms. Put them in a garbage basket.
  • Repair leaks immediately. 10 drops of water per minute represent 2,000 liters of water a year wasted.
  • Use native plants that require less care and less water.
  • Reuse as much water as you can. Reused water is fine for bathrooms, cleaning floors, or washing the front of your home.
  • Do not empty the tank without a real reason to do it .
  • Do not throw the oil sinks. They float on water and are very difficult to remove.
  • Do not throw any garbage into the sea, rivers or lakes.
  • Water gardens and streets with potable water.
  • The best time to water is late afternoon as it prevents evaporation.
  • Gel, shampoo and detergents are not environmentally friendly. They should be used sparingly and where possible choose organic products.
  • Do not forget to plant a tree at least once in your life.
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Posted on by Max Herrera

Master your Credit Card

As the year comes to a close, many of us find ourselves reflecting on our financial habits, and for countless individuals, that means looking closely at credit card usage. The holiday season often brings a surge in spending, with festive shopping sprees, travel plans, and last-minute gifts piling up on our statements. With enticing deals and the joy of giving, it’s easy to get carried away. However, as we navigate the list of end-of-year expenses, it’s crucial to understand how our credit card choices can impact our financial health in the new year. In this blog post, we’ll explore some tips to master your credit card, and strategies for making smarter financial decisions moving forward. Credit cards are a good tool, but a lot of people don’t really know how to use their cards. Nevertheless, it’s very important to learn the rules of handling credit cards for success and ease of mind, encouraging sound spending habits for new and experienced credit card users alike. Here are the three basic laws for success with credit cards:

1. Buy only what you really need. It’s a matter of responsibility. Get to know all of the responsibilities in owning and using a credit card, and please make wise decisions about the items you really need to purchase versus the ones you simply wish to have. It’s important to learng to distinguish between Need to purchase and Wish to have. By using your cards responsibly we mean you should learn to recognize which things you need and which things you just want. If you use your credit card to buy things you can’t afford today, chances are that you won’t be able to afford it tomorrow, or next month, and you will quick and steadily get into debt. Then don’t live a borrowed lifestyle, be true to yourself.

Responsible purchases help to keep lower balances, which are easier to manage and pay off than those that are higher. Further, lower balances helps you maintain a good credit score, as a large part of your credit score takes into account the levels of debt you have raised. Ideally you should stay within 30% of your credit limit.

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Posted on by Max Herrera

A Few Thoughts on Procrastination

Procrastination is the act of delaying or postponing tasks, often leading to feelings of guilt and anxiety. It often stems from fear of failure, perfectionism, or a lack of motivation. For instance, a student might delay starting their project because they’re worried it won’t meet their own high standards, which can create a cycle of anxiety and avoidance. This tendency not only affects productivity but can also erode self-esteem and increase stress levels.

To overcome procrastination, one effective strategy is to break tasks into smaller, manageable parts. For example, instead of tackling a whole research paper at once, a student could focus on writing one paragraph or even just conducting some preliminary research. Setting specific, achievable goals can make a daunting task feel less overwhelming. Additionally, using techniques like the Pomodoro Technique—working for 25 minutes followed by a 5-minute break—can help maintain focus and reduce the temptation to procrastinate.

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Posted on by Max Herrera

10 easy tips to cope with stress

  1. Know yourself: Learn to recognize your reactions to stress and think of them as a warning: some stressors are bothering you.
  2. Research about such stressors: A cornerstone to cope with stress. Take a few minutes to elaborate a list of people, activities, events, things that bring in stress to your life. Specify the more immediate stressors: work, family, money? Is it possible to diminish the effect of the stressors?
  3. Put things in right context: Maybe you are stressing about relatively small things which will be soon forgotten. No matter your stress, worries, results, your failure or your success, the world will keep going around. Think carefully about your stressors: they might seem catastrophic monsters, but they’re just problems which will be forgotten as time goes by. Therefore, don’t rush through life, learn to take things slow. Enjoy your family, your meals, your nature, your life. What have you done today to reward the great person you are? Read more
Posted on by Max Herrera

The Path of Self-Esteem

Believing in oneself, in our capabilities, loving ourselves, that’s self-esteem. It does not depend on what other people think about us; it only depends on how (and what) we think about ourselves. People who suffer from low self-esteem (and low self-esteem is a real illness, a disease) are constantly seeking for approval of other people, there in the outside world. Of course everyone wants to be approved, loved and even admired by those around us. But we have to start by loving ourselves, and respecting each other internally.

Path of Self-Esteem

Be strong. If we always try to impress by pretending what we are not, if we desperately seek applause or consent, if we need approbation of others, all the time, because otherwise we get depressed and let ourselves down, is because we lack sufficient self-esteem. We must not use appearances to hide our weakness and our lack of faith. It is as if beneath the tinsel we secretly know that our underwear is old, dirty and worn. That will also be perceived by our peers, and an x-ray machine is not needed to find it out. The feeling of worthlessness is transmitted. Because if you do not love yourself, no one will love you, and if you think you are worthless, other people will think it too.

Low self-esteem is a new concept in psychology, and its use has become commonplace, everyday, is the talk of the world. It might lead to real painful, dramatic suffering. An internal emptiness produces low self-esteem, inner loneliness, feeling nothing. To compensate for this deficiency some people try to link up with people they consider important and cool. Others flaunt their economic power, or knowledge, or of the trips they’ve made, or their acquired properties. No matter the mask, low self-esteem cannot be hidden. Think about all that people who seemingly had it all and ended painfully… they lacked the main thing: self-esteem, and they’ll need to follow the path of self-esteem.

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Posted on by Max Herrera

Leaders, Energy and Success

It’s an obvious statement that physical energy is required for entrepeneurship. Thanks to such physical energy we are able to demonstrate resilience, willpower and perseverance. On the other hand, intellectual energy fuels the process of discovering solutions to problems and enforcing other shades of thought. It’s also very important to highlight the role of intellectual energy in the support of emotional energy, i.e., our thoughts exert a heavy influence in our emotions (you may want to read Learning to believe in order to review some nuances of the relation between thought and emotion.) On turn, emotional energy drives all of our actions, and also, in a kind of loop, provides feedback for thought and physical systems. For instance, when we are loaded with positive energy, happiness and optimism, we convey our powerful and constructive emotional force to our projects and all the people involved in them. Sound emotional energy boosts our best feelings and opens the door to success.

Leaders radiate their happiness, and convey energy rather than absorbing it. People wishing to achieve success and raising to the top must be full of positive energy, and project it to the things they do. Willpower alone is not enough; it must be accompanied by a good deal of energy to undertake new businesses and projects, and to bear any hurdles along the way. Energy, when effectively conveyed to other people, allows us to lead them positively. Leaders are, in essence, sources of energy, and people will follow a true leader if they feel enhanced, relaxed and supported by their leader’s energy.

Posted on by Max Herrera

Setting Accessible Goals

Setting accessible goals is a mandatory requirement to achieve our dreams, victories, and even to emotionally satisfy and promote social development. Undoubtedly, we have to focus our efforts and energy in order to fuel our projects and turn them into a successful reality. In practice, however, we should avoid dispersing our energy through several dreams at once. Instead, what we have to do is to choose one or two dreams and focus all our energy and resources solely on them. Obviously, this simple advice is dictated by common sense, but it is also a fact which is often completely overlooked, leading to a great waste of dynamical, physical, mental and economic energy.

accessible goals

Another important tip is to understand that some dreams can come true immediately while others do not. Setting and following accessible goals determine, firstly, that the happiest people are precisely those which set achievable goals. A small goal is conquered in less time and produces a little happiness. As time goes by, many small goals form a great result that produces an enormous happiness.

In summary:

  1. To achieve a goal, first we have find in ourselves the will to achieve that goal.
  2. Goals must be accessible and realistic.
  3. A goal is realistic and accessible and when we have the possibility to conquer it.
  4. A goal is unaccessible when it is beyond our actual capabilities.
  5. The best way to conquer a goal is to divide it into small steps of increasing difficulty.
  6. People who divide their goals into small steps move forward faster than those that set goals which prove to be too high.
  7. If a person set unaccessible goals, he will probably fail, and will start doubting himself, giving up about such project and perhaps he will not try again.
  8. Every person needs to set goals which allow him to move forward, learn, grow and succeed.

Think about these simple facts before setting and redefining your goals 🙂 Also, visualize your goals.

Posted on by Max Herrera

Understanding Hyper-Empathy Syndrome

Hyper-empathy syndrome, often referred to as heightened empathy, is a condition characterized by an overwhelming ability to feel and understand the emotions of others. While empathy is a valuable trait that fosters connection and understanding, individuals with hyper-empathy experience these feelings to an extreme degree, often leading to both positive and negative consequences in their lives. Hyper-empathy is the double-edged sword of sensitivity. This blog post touches upon into the nuances of hyper-empathy, exploring its advantages, disadvantages, and the broader implications for those who experience it.

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Posted on by Max Herrera

7 key aspects to produce high-quality content

If your work is related to or focused on production of content-rich material, such as articles, books, movies, web sites, educative software applications, and so on, please pay special attention to the following key aspects to guarantee the high quality of your deliverable:

  1. Fragmentation: Fragmentation is a current problem in knowledge. It occurs because knowledge is separated in isolated parts, sometimes with very strict boundaries, and the audience of your work might end up grasping only little parts of the knowledge base embedded in your work, missing the crucial interconnections between concepts and ideas, and also missing the interdisciplinary content. Fragmentation in knowledge can significantly hinder the effectiveness of content delivery. For instance, consider a blog post about climate change that discusses only the scientific data without incorporating social, economic, or political perspectives. Readers might grasp the statistics but miss critical insights on how climate change affects vulnerable communities or the policies needed for mitigation. By connecting these disparate threads, you not only enrich the content but also foster a holistic understanding, encouraging readers to engage more deeply with the material. This interconnected approach can spark curiosity and motivate them to explore further, leading to a more informed and active audience. To combat fragmentation, it’s essential to present knowledge in a cohesive manner that highlights relationships between concepts. Utilize techniques such as storytelling, analogies, or visual aids that clarify complex ideas and demonstrate their relevance to everyday life. For example, a piece on technology’s impact on education could weave in personal narratives from teachers and students, illustrating how tools like online platforms enhance learning experiences. By creating a narrative that bridges various disciplines (like psychology, sociology, and technology) you not only make the content more relatable but also empower your audience to see the bigger picture, thereby nurturing their intrinsic motivation to learn and explore further. Sometimes, your audience might not receive your message at all. Your aim should raising your audience self-motivation (rather than being externally motivated.) Self-motivation is at the core of creativity, responsability, and lasting and true change. Your audience must have a genuine interest for your work and the knowledge it includes. For achieving this, structure your work properly: guide your audience through a well-defined structure, which integrates your audience with the reality, starting from the most basic concepts, notions and ideas, and gradually rising the level of interconnection among them.
  2. Communicational Approach: This comprises aspects such as the pedagogical philosophy of your production, your reader or user’s motivation, and the employment of graphics or multimedia resources according with the pedagogical philosophy and the topics developed. The question you should answer here is: Are you using the best approach and resources for communicating your ideas? The communicational approach plays a pivotal role in how effectively your ideas resonate with your audience. For instance, if your content targets a younger demographic, incorporating interactive multimedia elements (like quizzes, polls, or short videos) can enhance engagement and cater to their learning preferences. This strategy aligns with active learning principles, encouraging readers to not just consume information but actively participate in the learning process. A blog post about mental health awareness could benefit from infographics that illustrate statistics and personal stories, making the topic more relatable and memorable. By considering the pedagogical philosophy behind your content, you can tailor your approach to foster genuine connections with your audience. Moreover, understanding your readers’ motivations can further refine your communicational strategy. For example, if your audience is primarily driven by a desire to improve their professional skills, providing practical tips, case studies, and real-world applications will resonate more effectively than theoretical discussions. Additionally, leveraging varied resources, such as podcasts for auditory learners or downloadable templates for kinesthetic learners, can cater to diverse preferences. When crafting a piece on productivity hacks, including short audio clips of expert interviews or downloadable worksheets can significantly enhance the reader’s experience. A well-thought-out communicational approach not only delivers information but also inspires action, making your content more impactful and memorable.
  3. Language, Grammar and Style: This aspect covers all the things related to grammar, ortography, definitions, localization and format. Language, Grammar, and Style are foundational elements that can make or break the quality of your content. Proper grammar and spelling not only reflect professionalism but also enhance clarity, allowing your audience to engage with your message without distractions. A well-edited article that uses correct terminology and punctuation will come across as credible and trustworthy, while a piece riddled with errors may lead readers to question the validity of the information presented. Furthermore, consistent formatting, such as uniform headings, bullet points, and font choices, helps guide readers through the content, making it easier for them to digest complex ideas. Localization is another crucial component that can significantly impact the effectiveness of your communication. Tailoring your language to fit the cultural context and preferences of your target audience can enhance relatability and comprehension. Using regional idioms or expressions can foster a sense of connection, while avoiding jargon or overly technical language ensures accessibility. If you’re writing about technology for a global audience, consider providing glossary sections or explanations for terms that may not be universally understood. Paying close attention to language, grammar, and style not only elevates the quality of your content but also ensures that your message resonates with and is accessible to your intended readers.
  4. Aesthetics: It includes all the details related with the application’s aesthetics, the way content is organized and displayed, and the user interface (if any.) Nowadays, aesthetics of content -rich productions is very, very important. Aesthetics play a crucial role in how content is perceived and consumed by users. A visually appealing design not only captures attention but also enhances the overall user experience. For example, an educational app that presents information through a clean layout, harmonious color schemes, and engaging visuals can significantly improve user retention and interaction. Consider an online learning platform that uses bright, inviting colors along with intuitive navigation; this setup helps users feel more comfortable and motivated to explore various courses. Conversely, cluttered designs or poor visual choices can easily overwhelm users, leading them to disengage and seek out more aesthetically pleasing alternatives. Moreover, the organization and display of content directly influence how effectively information is communicated. Using consistent headings, subheadings, and visual hierarchies helps guide users through the material, making it easier for them to locate and understand key points. Prioritizing aesthetics not only makes your content more inviting but also enhances usability, ensuring that your audience can easily navigate and absorb the information presented.
  5. Evaluation: It refers to the mechanisms employed by you and your reviewers in order to verify the results. Your work doesn’t end when you submit or publish your material. On the contrary, posterior reviewing and evaluation of your work is an important step, a needed feedback for corrections, improvements and future work. Evaluation is a critical aspect of any creative endeavor, as it ensures that the quality of the work meets established standards and effectively communicates the intended message. This process involves systematic review mechanisms, where both the creator and external reviewers assess various elements of the content, including accuracy, coherence, and relevance. Engaging in thorough evaluations allows for identifying areas that may require clarification or enhancement, thereby reinforcing the credibility and effectiveness of the final product. It’s essential to view feedback as a constructive tool rather than a critique, fostering an environment where continuous improvement is prioritized. Evaluation serves as a foundation for future projects and iterations. By analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of previous work, creators can make informed decisions about their approach in subsequent endeavors. This iterative process not only promotes growth and development but also helps in refining skills and understanding audience preferences. Additionally, establishing a culture of feedback among peers and stakeholders can lead to collaborative learning experiences, enriching the overall quality of the work produced. Ongoing evaluation is not merely a final step: it’s an integral part of the creative lifecycle that drives innovation and excellence.
  6. Internal Aspects: It comprises all the functions invisible for the user, related to security, legal issues, data backup, fault-tolerance, among other internal aspects. Internal aspects are the backbone of any application or content creation process, ensuring that everything functions smoothly behind the scenes. Security, for instance, is paramount in protecting user data and maintaining trust. This involves implementing robust encryption methods, secure authentication protocols, and regular security audits to safeguard against potential breaches. Legal considerations also play a significant role, as compliance with regulations such as GDPR or copyright laws is essential to avoid penalties and foster responsible content sharing. These internal mechanisms, while often invisible to users, are critical in shaping their overall experience and confidence in the platform. In addition to security and legal issues, other internal aspects such as data backup and fault tolerance are vital for maintaining operational integrity. Regular data backups ensure that valuable content is preserved and can be restored in case of unforeseen events, such as system failures or data corruption. Fault tolerance mechanisms, on the other hand, are designed to keep the application running smoothly even in the face of errors or crashes. This includes redundant systems and failover strategies that allow for seamless transitions should a problem arise.
  7. Content: Last, but not least, the content. It’s related to the information presented by your work, and also the goals of the project. Focus on relevant content, be careful of too verbose layouts, and use pertinent, state-of-the-art knowledge references. Content is the heart of any project, serving as the primary medium through which ideas, information, and narratives are conveyed. It’s essential to ensure that the content aligns with the overall goals of the project while resonating with the target audience. Striking the right balance between informative and engaging material is crucial: content should be relevant and purposeful, avoiding unnecessary verbosity that can dilute the message. A clear focus on the subject matter not only enhances readability but also encourages the audience to connect with the material on a deeper level. To produce high-quality content, it’s important to prioritize clarity and conciseness. Start by outlining the key messages or objectives you want to communicate, ensuring each section serves a specific purpose related to those goals. Additionally, adopting a tone that suits the audience (whether formal, conversational, or technical) can enhance engagement and understanding. It’s also beneficial to incorporate state-of-the-art knowledge references, ensuring that your content is grounded in credible research and contemporary insights, which can bolster its authority and relevance. Furthermore, the iterative nature of content creation should not be overlooked. Regularly reviewing and updating content in response to new information or shifting audience needs can significantly enhance its value. Seeking feedback from peers or industry experts can provide invaluable perspectives, allowing you to refine your work further.

Keeping an eye on these aspects will allow your work to be more solid and safe from fragmentation.

Posted on by Max Herrera

Learning to Believe

If we believe that we are able to do something, we’ll do it. If we believe we cannot do something, we won’t do it. The fact of believing or not influences our results, regardless of the area: sportive, economic, professional, personal, etc. If we repeat an assert a lot of times, we will ultimately believe it, and by carrying it out, we are able to modify our behavior. In other words, we reprogram ourselves. Words believe and belief take a central role and a special interest in regards to our capacity for success. In every case, we must research, recur to introspection and identify which beliefs are limiting us and preventing us from acting the way we’d like to. Beliefs are born and consolidate to produce, afterwards, positive or negative effects. Such beliefs influence our decisions. In fact, a belief is a deeply-rooted conviction.

We should differentiate clearly between beliefs and ideas. An idea is the mental image, devoid of action, which subsequently creates the belief. The belief, in turn, is a deeply-rooted conviction which influences our behavior and is present in our decision-making process. Beliefs stem from ideas, bearing positive or negative nuances. An idea can turn into a positive belief which will help us to personal growth and self-improvement. Our problems start when ideas are limiting, creating limiting beliefs, and dangerously constraining our behavior.

Furthermore, beliefs are affected by a series of events which surround an individual and influence his ideas. These events are: cultural background, job, opinions, accumulated experience, and the circle of influence. On each of these events a person develops her own ideas which will ultimately be reflected on the beliefs she embraces.

The constant search of negative references and the mental repetition of limiting phrases such as “I’ll never make it” lead us to unconsciously adopting negative behaviors. In this context, we are subjugated by the negative suggestions that we repeat to ourselves incessantly. The only way to break free from this constraining spiral is to be aware of our power to change negative approaches. Change has to start right now.

That’s why it’s so important to have and to form positive ideas, in order to let them to turn into deep, automatic positive beliefs. In this way these positive beliefs will influence our behavior, and will lead us to a successful life, full of victories. Hence, the first sentence of this post: If we believe that we are able to do something, we’ll do it. If we believe we cannot do something, we won’t do it.

Exercises

  • Repeat 5 times: “I am a positive person, I can achieve my goals and I…” (complete the phrase)
  • Identify a negative idea you have. Think about how you could turn it into a positive idea.
  • Meditate about your main goals right now. Are they realistic, are they attainable?
  • Do you fear failure? Meditate about this: Fearing failure is natural. Everyone fails. The problem is not failure, the problem is to halt after failing. Winners, leaders keep trying, and that’s why they’re are successful and different.