The Top Time Management Tips

Time waits for nobody. With only twenty-four hours that we humans have, it is important to learn how to manage our time efficiently to become more productive and live happier, healthier, and fuller lives.

1. Get enough sleep:

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It can sound strange as you are probably used to cutting down on your sleeping hours to cram in more work. However, ensuring proper sleep of 7 – 8 hours helps your body perform at its peak.

Thus you work and feel better when you sleep better.

2. Wake up early:

Waking up early and completing trivial tasks such as reading the newspaper, packing your lunch, and catching up with last night’s pending tasks will ensure that a lot of work is done when the rest of the world is still snoring away.

3. Make a plan:

As soon as you wake up and the grogginess goes away, sit down and plan out the rest of the day. Write down all the tasks you intend to complete by nightfall, and the approximate time they will take.

This gives you an idea of how the day will be going to prepare accordingly.

4. Work smarter; not harder:

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Whenever a task is assigned to you, ask yourself if it can be done more smartly. The chances are that you take the old, convenient, and time-consuming methods most of the time.

So ask yourself that question and find a smarter way to give you the same results within a lesser span of time.

5. Learn to say NO:

Most of us can’t say NO easily as it is rude and makes us look selfish. Well, if time management is your priority, you must learn how to say No softly but firmly.

It only makes sense that you don’t wish to pile up your workload when your plate is already full.

Keeping the above in mind, take control of your time and life!

5 Best Places to Visit in Scotland

If you’ve seen the TV series Reign, you’d know how rugged yet beautiful Scotland is. The European country is famous for mountaintop castles, beautiful beaches, and Queen Mary of Scots.

Scotland is a place of romance and treasury and has placed an essential role in the history of Europe. And if you are wondering, yes, real Scottish men wear skirts out there.

Here are the five best places to visit in Scotland:

1. Glasgow

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The largest city in Scotland, Glasgow, sits on the banks of River Clyde. It was earlier used as a port to trade goods with North America.

Today, the city is a paradise for shopaholics and music lovers—the city hosts at least 130 music events in a week.

2. Inverness

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If you love exploring things while walking, you should visit Inverness. The town has several medieval-aged stone buildings and an ancient Victorian-styled market.

Start your stroll alongside River Ness, and pass through the the Caledonian Canal and the Old Town. End your stroll by visiting the Inverness Castle.

3. Stirling

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It is a mid-century Scottish town famous for a 12th-century castle. In this castle, Queen Mary’s son, King James VI, was coronated in 1557. One of Scotland’s former kings, Robert the Bruce, also belonged to Stirling.

4. Edinburgh

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Since the 15th century, Scotland’s capital has had many things to see in Edinburgh. The city has been set for some of the most famous movies like The Da Vinci Code and The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie.

It is also very famous for its international art festival, Fringe.

5. Loch Ness

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Most people visit Loch Ness to find the Ness monster in its lake, Nessie. Even though you won’t find it, visiting Loch Ness is a rather thrilling experience.

After spending some time at the lake, visit Drumnadrochit, a city that homes the Loch Ness exhibition center.

Have a happy trip to Scotland!

How to Be a Better Manager?

We’ve all had to deal with an unkind, abominable, and intimidating head honcho at some point in our lives. While braggarts may reach the top of the corporate ladder, they often fail as leaders.

A vast number of senior managers portray personality traits typical of a narcissist, such as arrogance, self-centeredness, and poor interpersonal skills. However, these qualities make for the worst leaders. A recent study suggested that terrible bosses stand higher chances of landing the best jobs.

A boss says, “I,” while a good leader would say, “we.” This means that good leaders are the ones who provide guidance and work as a team, considering everyone’s opinions. They can accept their own mistakes and give credit where credit is due.

If you want to avoid walking in the shadows of your awful boss, here are a few things to remember to be a good leader:

1. Win their Trust

A survey conducted by Forum EMEA in 2016 showed that stealing credit for others’ work or ideas exemplifies the traits of a bad boss. Blabbing about co-workers, poor communication skills, and dishonesty were on the list as well.

This causes a lack of trust amongst the team, ebbing their motivation and performance.

If you listen to your employee’s concerns, speak candidly, keep your words, and lead by example, your employees will learn to trust you.

2. Understand their Needs

Try and pay attention to your employee’s needs. Each individual seeks different things in an organization, and recognizing those needs will positively reflect their performance.

Some employees feel the need to be appreciated, while others may just be looking for a sense of belonging. As a leader, you must take a friendly approach and display interest in what they do while praising them whenever they perform well.

3. Realize how your Behavior affects the Team

You must be aware of your actions’ impact on your team members. Your behavior can affect as much as 70% of the team’s morale and energy levels.

Instead of focusing on your own goals and benefits, try to see the larger picture. Take everyone together and work towards achieving goals that would benefit the entire organization.

You will bounce back as a good manager if you follow these tips.

3 Tips for Employers to Tackle Bullying and Harassment

A recent survey found that one in three women have been sexually harassed at work at some point in their lives. There are also a large number of complaints against bullying in several organizations.

As an employer, you must be prepared to deal with this kind of situation, or you might have to suffer severe financial or legal blows.

Also, the company’s reputation could be at stake. Here are a few tips to help you tide over such situations.

1. Make strict bullying and harassment policies

Make a policy outlining the proper code of conduct concerning bullying and harassment. Your policy should cover all the aspects of the matter and provide a detailed explanation of unacceptable behaviors.

It should also address the process of filing a complaint and the action taken by the company in case the allegations turn out to be true.

2. Be sensitive when handling such matters

Often, people who face harassment at work hesitate to speak about such things. However, suppose the employers assure them that the matter will be handled sensitively and that the wrongdoer would take strict action. In that case, employees may feel more comfortable sharing details such as incidents.

Sometimes, victims are scared to come out and communicate about these things because they’re worried that their identities may be revealed. Therefore, you must anonymize their statements whenever possible.

3. Take a friendlier approach

Sensitive issues such as harassment and bullying must be dealt with differently. Employers need to be informed about seeming more approachable for the complainant to communicate candidly about the situation.

It also gives a chance to the accused to present their side of the story. Communicating openly can resolve many issues.

The trick is to attend to the matter as soon as it arises. Letting it slip by can have serious consequences.

Do not give in to bullying and harassment, address the issue rightaway.

7 Ways to Utilise Your Degree in Sociology

Sociology is a discipline that involves the study of human behavior trends and their relationship with society, the change in social structures, and anthropology over the years. It creates a bridge between human behavior and societal trends.

Humans are social beings, and a thorough knowledge of the society around us can help unravel many facets of life and solve many issues. If you’re a sociology major, you can utilize valuable opportunities in various sectors and benefit reasonably.

Here are a few fields you can get into.

1. Administrative sector

Sociologists are good at organizational skills and adept at handling administrative issues due to their expertise in human behavior.

They can considerably reshape communities and effectively navigate problems while playing a part in policy-making in the government and public sectors.

2. Corrective facilities and Counselling

A careful analysis of behavioral trends can enable one to understand the origin of criminal tendencies, which can come in handy in prisons and correctional facilities.

Sociologists involve themselves in counseling to interpolate between human behavior and society and hence ascertain problems better.

3. Education

Sociologists are in high demand in the education sector as well. They can teach political science, history, and social science at school levels. They can also apply for teaching positions at the university level.

4. Investigation

Sociology majors can help identify trends in human behavior that can help detectives and investigative agencies in profiling criminals. They work in close conjunction with law enforcement officials.

5. Journalism

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As sociology majors, people can work in news agencies and publications due to their expertise in identifying patterns in consumption.

6. Politics

Sociology is directly related to politics. Political organizations employ sociologists as campaign managers to ascertain various voting trends, public preferences, and the struggles certain communities face.

Sociologists can also help lawmakers evaluate the success or failure of proposed legislation based on voting patterns and current research findings.

7. Public Relations

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In the journalism sector, sociologists come in handy for market research data analysis. They can help mitigate the struggles faced while launching new products or building infrastructure.

Sociologists have a great understanding of customers and can work in union with community activists and journalists to effectively solve problems through the media.

With your sociology degree, you have a long way to go.

Good luck!

5 Ways to Turn Your Love for Video Games into a Career

Are you big on gaming? What if you could get paid to make video games?

We’ve rounded up a few ways to help you land your dream job in the game industry:

1. An educational background is a huge plus

A lot of gamers are self-taught since this initially starts as a hobby. Although it is not necessary to get formal training in this industry, a degree in the related field will give you an edge over other candidates when you apply for jobs.

2. Develop an online portfolio

Build your online presence by making a website that showcases your work, and doesn’t forget to share this link with your prospective employers.

Try to start with small projects since they’re more attainable and motivate you to do better. Once you have solid proof of your capabilities, you’ll have a fair chance of getting the job.

3. Apply to smaller studios if you score a 2:2

Similar to how things function in other industries, smaller gaming companies receive fewer interview requests, increasing your chances of getting the job.

However, you might face challenges while applying to bigger studios due to a low score. Nonetheless, once you’ve gained adequate experience, this wouldn’t be much of a concern.

4. Your abilities must square with your dream job

Experts recommend that you do plenty of research and exploration within the gaming industry before you apply for any job. You have to be sure that your skills and qualifications are in sync with the description of the job you’re seeking.

5. Game developers must possess programming knowledge

A passion for gaming may not be enough to make it big in the industry. There’s a high demand for candidates with excellent programming skills required to develop games.

So prepare yourself and get the job you dream of!

Ways to Use LinkedIn for Recruitment

LinkedIn is a social networking site specially meant for professionals. It has almost 30 million members from all over the world and can be considered an essential tool for recruiting employees.

So how can you use LinkedIn to maximize your chances of recruiting? We have a few tips for you.

1) Post Jobs

With LinkedIn, you no longer have to post a job and wait in the hope that someone right for you will see your job and contact you.

Once you post a job on LinkedIn, it will immediately recommend the correct potential employers with the required skill set in their profile. You can change job requirements whenever you want, as per your convenience.

2) Advanced search function of LinkedIn

Utilize this advance search option to its fullest. Set and save specific search parameters from narrowing your search as much as possible.

You can specify location, distance, skills, and every little thing in your searches. The more specific you are, the more you will get candidate results closer to your requirements.

3) Create a keyword-rich Company profile

Ensure that your Company page is built, including as many relevant keywords as possible. When candidates search for a job, they often use specific words to find the required jobs.

If you understand the search trends for your Company’s field well, using such words on your Company’s page will greatly improve your chances of discovering potential clients.

Connect with various people through LinkedIn and stay in touch with everyone. In addition to the above methods, you need to build a good network that exposes you to a pool of promising candidates.

3 Best Universities for International Students in South Africa

South Africa is the best nation to study management and business. You will find many Indians living there, who are successful businessmen. South Africa has 11 of the top universities among the five BRICS countries.

Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, are these BRICS countries. Courses in South Africa have international recognition. You are sure to get a high-paying job in South Africa itself once you complete your education there.

Here are the three best universities for international students in South Africa:

1. University of Cape Town

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Founded in 1892 as a South African College, the University of Cape Town is the oldest in South Africa. It topped the QS World University Rankings and BRICS ranking in 2015-16. In 2016-17, the University of Cape Town ranked 14th in the BRICS ranking.

Five Nobel Laureates from South Africa are from this university. The top courses at Cape Town are law, medicine, developmental studies, and agriculture.

2. Stellenbosch University

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Stellenbosch is a friendly little town 50 kilometers east of Cape Town. It stands 35th in BRICS ranking for 2016-17. Stellenbosch University has four other university campuses.

It is a leading university in developmental studies and science. It gets around 30,000 every year. Living in Stellenbosch gives you the magical opportunity to wake up with a view of the beautiful Boland Mountains.

3. University of Pretoria

Every year more than 50,000 students enroll in the University of Pretoria, making it one of the largest universities in South Africa. It holds 49th in the BRICS ranking currently.

The best courses at the University of Pretoria are veterinary science, developmental science, and business. Courses are offered in English and Afrikaans. The university is crowded with lilac Jacaranda trees all around its campus.

There are a lot of opportunities in South Africa, don’t miss them out.

5 Museums You Should Visit if You are a History Buff

The glorious past should never be left behind to rot. That’s exactly what must have occurred to people who crafted museums, consisting of domains from the older times- arts, weapons to the little components of their daily life.

Take a keen interest in the past. You should undoubtedly visit these museums that take you through a tour down the memory lane- from wars to victories, from clothing to musical instruments-reminding you of the history of your culture, country, and the world at large.

1. Le Louvre, Paris, France

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Before being converted into a museum 200 years ago, The Louvre served as a palace for the kings of France.

The exquisite architecture of the museum, along with the extensive collection of artifacts, paintings, and royal relics dating from the 19th century, makes this museum one of the best in the world.

This museum also houses the legendary Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa.”

2. The Acropolis Museum, Athens, Greece

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The land of Zeus, Athens, houses this spectacular museum crafted with a transparent floor to show off the archaeological excavations down below.

It takes you on time travel journey into the lives and transformations of the people of Athens. If you want to glimpse the early Greek life, do visit this museum.

3. State Hermitage, St. Petersburg, Russia

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This museum is an architectural marvel constructed in blue and white. This is one of Russia’s most visited tourist attractions, housing art collections dating as far back as the Stone Age. It was also used as a residence by the Czars.

From Western European Art to Van Gogh, Cezanne, Picasso, you will see works by celebrated and legendary artists in this museum.

4. The British Museum, London, England

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This museum is the largest one in Britain and has relics, bones, fossils, remnants of the Parthenon from Athens, and historic gold jewels. You should check out the Egyptian gallery, the second-largest in the world.

5. The Prado, Madrid, Spain

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You will find magnificent art items chosen with fine taste and passion for housing collections selected by the Spanish royal family. From Spanish artists like Velázquez, Goya, Ribera to Italian legends like Raphael, your eyes will have a treat.

If you fancy visiting museums, these 5 museums are a must-visit during your lifetime.

 

5 Instagram Worthy Destinations to Visit

New trends in photography continue to emerge at a staggering speed. Selfies in a hotel room or front of a monument are so passé!

Have you heard of the Japanese couple who defied the run-of-the-mill ways of taking pictures and capturing moments during their honeymoon using drone photography just last year? Fancy, isn’t it?

You can now take immersive or virtual reality photos and 360-degree panoramic photos right on your smartphone!

We see tons of beautiful images across social media apps like Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook and wonder where these stunning photos were clicked. Taking culture, nature, and colors as the criteria, we’ve wrapped up the top 5 destinations for travel photography this year.

1. Vermont

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Located in the northeastern region of the United States, Vermont is known for its rich past and beautiful landscapes. Here’s an interesting fact: Vermont ranks as one of the top states for health, happiness, and intelligence.

If you love autumn hues and magnificent mountain views, you cannot afford to miss this place!

2. Dubai

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A vibrant city in the Middle East made it to this list because of its impressive architecture that allows you to capture mind-blowing shots of the city’s skyline.

Dubai has emerged as an icon of urban development despite essentially being a city within the Arabian desert.

3. Norway

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This is our dream destination! Known as the ‘land of the midnight sun, Norway offers scenic views of glaciers, deep fjords, and mountain peaks.

In Norway, Svalbard lets you witness the hallucinatory phenomenon of northern lights (Aurora Borealis), leaving you with surreal images to add to your portfolio.

4. Hawaii

Whether you’re seeking white sand beaches, verdant valleys, graded mountains, tropical frondescence, or cascading waterfalls, there’s a little something for every photographer on the islands of Hawaii.

If adventure photography is your thing, you could capture people surfing and kiteboarding.

5. Croatia

If balmy days and azure waters tickle your fancy, this gem in Eastern Europe is one place you must visit. Historical ruins of Dubrovnik and the Gothic architecture, prevalent before the Renaissance era, offer great opportunities to photographers for super cool pictures.

So start traveling and clicking!