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In 1973, an author named Alan Lakein published a book titled How to Get Control of Your Time and Your Life. It wasn’t the first book about professional time management — my library contains a first edition of James McCay’s 1959 classic, The Management of Time — but it’s arguably the first book to talk about the topic in a recognizably modern way, with a focus on personalized tools like daily to-do lists. It went on to reportedly sell more than three million copies, and was even shouted out by Bill Clinton, who cites its influence on his early career in his autobiography. Revisiting Lakein’s advice today provides a glimpse into office life fifty years ago. And the encounter is shocking. One of Lakein’s more famous suggestions is to write down everything you need to do on a single task list. He then says to label each task with one of three priorities: “A” for things that are important and urgent, such as those with impending deadlines; “B” is for tasks that are important but not urgent, and can therefore be postponed if necessary; “C” is for things that are small, easy, and don’t require attention at the moment. You start by completing the A tasks, crossing them off your list as you go. Then you move on to the B category. If you finish the B tasks, you can tackle some of the C. Lakein notes that these task priorities might evolve. An important obligation with a distant deadline, for example, might start at B, but then, as the deadline approaches, upgrade to A. Lakein’s intention is to help you make sure that you make progress on the things that most require your attention. Part of what’s shocking about this system is its finitude. In 2024, can you imagine fitting everything you need to do on a single list? Your email inbox alone could likely contribute several hundred items at any given moment. Also notable is Lakein’s assumption of task stability; that your list would more or less stay the same as you carefully worked your way through it during a full workday. Modern work is instead defined by constant new demands — chats, questions, meeting invitations, requests to “jump on a call” — that require timely answers. Here’s the question that began to fester as I revisited these older ideas: is what we’re doing today any better? The fact that our modern workflows would swamp Lakein’s quaint system of simple lists and priorities is perhaps more an indictment of us than him. To have more work, arriving with much more urgency, than we can possibly get our arms around is not a good recipe for getting useful effort out of human brains. It is, however, a good recipe for burnout. A point I often make on my podcast, as well as in my new book, Slow Productivity, is that in my own work on these topics, I describe more complicated time management strategies with reluctance. My bigger wish is to help reform office work to the point that they’re no longer needed, and something like Lakein’s basic ABC system is more than enough. We’re not there yet, but in the meantime, it helps to realize where we are now isn’t working. ##### If you want to learn more about what’s (regrettably) required to manage your time in our current moment, check out the latest episode of my podcast, Deep Questions, where I tackle three advanced time techniques (listen | watch). If you haven’t yet read my latest book, Slow Productivity, you should! Some more encouragement: (1) it was recently named an official selection of The Next Big Idea Club [meaning it was chosen by a panel consisting of Malcolm Gladwell, Adam Grant, Dan Pink, and Susan Cain as one of the two best idea books of the season]; and (2) it was selected for the shortlist for SABEW’s Best Business Book of 2024 award. The post When Time Management Was Easy appeared first on Cal Newport. View the full article

In 1973, an author named Alan Lakein published a book titled How to Get Control of Your Time and Your Life. It wasn’t the first book about professional time management — my library contains a first edition of James McCay’s 1959 classic, The Management of Time — but it’s arguably the first book to talk about the topic in a recognizably modern way, with a focus on personalized tools like daily to-do lists. It went on to reportedly sell more than three million copies, and was even shouted out by Bill Clinton, who cites its influence on his early career in his autobiography. Revisiting Lakein’s advice today provides a glimpse into office life fifty years ago. And the encounter is shocking. One of Lakein’s more famous suggestions is to write down everything you need to do on a single task list. He then says to label each task with one of three priorities: “A” for things that are important and urgent, such as those with impending deadlines; “B” is for tasks that are important but not urgent, and can therefore be postponed if necessary; “C” is for things that are small, easy, and don’t require attention at the moment. You start by completing the A tasks, crossing them off your list as you go. Then you move on to the B category. If you finish the B tasks, you can tackle some of the C. Lakein notes that these task priorities might evolve. An important obligation with a distant deadline, for example, might start at B, but then, as the deadline approaches, upgrade to A. Lakein’s intention is to help you make sure that you make progress on the things that most require your attention. Part of what’s shocking about this system is its finitude. In 2024, can you imagine fitting everything you need to do on a single list? Your email inbox alone could likely contribute several hundred items at any given moment. Also notable is Lakein’s assumption of task stability; that your list would more or less stay the same as you carefully worked your way through it during a full workday. Modern work is instead defined by constant new demands — chats, questions, meeting invitations, requests to “jump on a call” — that require timely answers. Here’s the question that began to fester as I revisited these older ideas: is what we’re doing today any better? The fact that our modern workflows would swamp Lakein’s quaint system of simple lists and priorities is perhaps more an indictment of us than him. To have more work, arriving with much more urgency, than we can possibly get our arms around is not a good recipe for getting useful effort out of human brains. It is, however, a good recipe for burnout. A point I often make on my podcast, as well as in my new book, Slow Productivity, is that in my own work on these topics, I describe more complicated time management strategies with reluctance. My bigger wish is to help reform office work to the point that they’re no longer needed, and something like Lakein’s basic ABC system is more than enough. We’re not there yet, but in the meantime, it helps to realize where we are now isn’t working. ##### If you want to learn more about what’s (regrettably) required to manage your time in our current moment, check out the latest episode of my podcast, Deep Questions, where I tackle three advanced time techniques (listen | watch). If you haven’t yet read my latest book, Slow Productivity, you should! Some more encouragement: (1) it was recently named an official selection of The Next Big Idea Club [meaning it was chosen by a panel consisting of Malcolm Gladwell, Adam Grant, Dan Pink, and Susan Cain as one of the two best idea books of the season]; and (2) it was selected for the shortlist for SABEW’s Best Business Book of 2024 award. The post When Time Management Was Easy appeared first on Cal Newport. View the full article

One of the most life-changing benefits of owning fewer possessions is the gift of more time. No doubt many of you have already experienced that. When we own less, we spend less time cleaning, organizing, maintaining, repairing, replacing… even shopping for new things in the first place. Life becomes more manageable and less overwhelming at home (and in the world). In fact, the sheer amount of time saved by owning less surprises almost everybody who becomes minimalist. It’s impossible to realize how much of a burden our possessions have become until we begin to remove them. But, when you’re just starting out on the journey to become minimalist, it can feel like the opposite is true. It feels like you’re adding more things to do to an already busy schedule. When you’re working a full-time job, raising kids, managing a home, attending family commitments, AND partaking in a few hobbies, the thought of finding extra time to declutter feels impossible for many. Despite the obstacles, it is so worth the effort. It might take you a little bit longer to minimize than someone who has more free time, but here are 15 practical, decluttering tips to help you get started: 1. Start Small and Visual Your first step in the right direction doesn’t need to be a big one. So pick a starting area that has a noticeable impact but won’t take much time. A medicine chest, your nightstand, shelving in your living room, maybe a kitchen countertop are all great starting points. These are spaces we see frequently, and clearing them can create a quick visual win, fueling motivation to keep going. 2. Use “In-Between” Moments Decluttering doesn’t always require long stretches of time. Use spare moments—like while waiting for dinner to cook or during commercial breaks—to tidy a small drawer, a shelf, or your desk. Done consistently, these quick actions will add up. 3. Schedule Decluttering Time For larger projects, carve out specific time in your week, like a Saturday morning or an hour in the evening after the kids go to bed. If you live a busy life, you probably live by the calendar anyway. There are some projects that just require a period of time—so schedule them in and use your time efficiently when you do. This will be the hardest at first. But like I mentioned, you’ll be surprised how much time decluttering grants you back when it’s completed. After scheduling just a few of these sessions at the beginning, you’ll find it easier and easier. 4. Declutter As You Go Think of looking for items to declutter as an intentional part of your daily routine. For example, if you try on clothes and decide not to wear them because you don’t like the fit or color anymore, don’t toss them back into the closet—place them in a donation pile immediately. Same with toiletries or self-care products that you just can’t find the motivation to use. 5. Set Aside 10 Minutes Each Evening As part of your bedtime routine, plan on a 10-minute decluttering session somewhere on your way to bed. For example, start by spending 10 minutes in the living room where you watch TV. Or ten minutes in the bathroom where you get ready for bed. Or ten minutes decluttering an area in your bedroom. Ten minutes per day, consistently, will make a huge impact in just a week. 6. Focus on Frequently Used Areas In the earliest stages, focus on decluttering spaces that you interact with daily—like your kitchen or bedroom or closet. Decluttering these areas will make your day run more efficiently right at the beginning. 7. The “One-In-One-Out” Rule For every new item you bring into your home, remove one that’s no longer needed. If you have a lot of decluttering to do, use the “One-In-Two-Out” variation. This commonly-used trick will force you to make progress even when you don’t feel like it. 8. Adopt a “No-New-Purchases” Rule If you like the idea of “One-In-One-Out” Rule, go for it! But another decluttering tip for busy people is to temporarily commit not to buy anything until your current decluttering project is complete. There are many people who have changed their lives through a No-Spend Month or a No-Spend Year (this doesn’t usually apply to consumables like food). I’m not saying you need to do this as part of your decluttering. But deciding specifically not to buy anything new until your decluttering is done will make your decluttering both easier (less stuff coming in) and faster (because of the incentive to finish). 9. Declutter A Little Before You Sit Down I learned a life-changing concept several years: A do-it-before-you-sit-down approach to getting stuff done at home. You can read more of the practice here. But the principle is simply this: As soon you get home in the evening, before you sit down to relax, do at least a little bit of decluttering somewhere in your home. 10. Learn Helpful Questions to Ask When decluttering on a schedule, it’s important to focus on efficiency. So find those questions that help you make quick progress removing things from your home. You might want to try: Do I need this? Does this item help my home function better? Is this just a duplicate of something else? Why do I have it? What would I use if I didn’t own this? The question that works best for you might be different than the question that works for someone else. So try out a few. And zero in on the one that helps you make the best progress. 11. Donate on Your Commute Keep a donation box in your car. As you declutter, place unwanted items directly in the box. The next time you drive by a donation center—whether on your way to work or running errands—drop it off. This 1) saves you time; 2) keeps clutter from building up in your home; 3) and helps with the most important step of the decluttering process: actually removing the things from our possession. 12. Hire Help If you’re feeling overwhelmed, there’s no shame in hiring some help. Most people who hire decluttering help do so because 1) They don’t know how to do this on their own; or 2) They don’t have the time to do it themselves. I have personally trained over 50 professionals and individuals in my strategy and approach to own less. I recommend any one of them: Becker Method Certified Declutterers. Even having a friend or family member help can make the task feel lighter and faster. 13. Keep the Right Mindset Remind yourself that every minute spent decluttering pays off in the long run. For every minute you spend minimizing, you’re likely saving yourself an hour of future cleaning, organizing, or searching for misplaced items. Think of your decluttering time as an investment—and find motivation in that mindset. 14. Temporarily Cancel a Recurring Appointment Here’s the good news: There is a finish line to your decluttering journey. You may need to make an intentional change in your regular weekly or monthly schedule for now, but that change won’t last forever. Once you declutter your home, you’ll be able to add that appointment back in your life plus more if you want. 15. Involve the Whole Family Decluttering doesn’t have to be a solo activity. Involve your family members, especially if they contributed to the clutter. Set a timer for 20 minutes and see who can declutter the most in that time. Making it a family project can lighten the load and speed up the process. Of course, I’m not expecting you to use all 15 of these tips—you’ve got enough on your plate already! But finding just 2 or 3 that fit naturally into your busy lifestyle will help you make the progress you’re looking for. With each small step, you’ll notice the difference in your home and, more importantly, in your life. The post 15 Super Helpful Decluttering Tips for Busy People appeared first on Becoming Minimalist. View the full article

Owl Labs today released its eighth annual State of Hybrid Work Report. Owl Labs surveyed 2,000 full-time knowledge workers in the United States to uncover the latest trends and perspectives around remote and hybrid work. Findings include a crackdown on coffee badging, appreciation for the “green flag boss,” office avoidance due to political talk during election season, and employees posting complaints on #WorkTok and other social media. View the full article

September 23, 2024 Hey Remotive friends, We hear from job seekers almost every day about the challenges of finding the perfect remote job. Here’s a quote that always lifts my spirits: "I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work." – Thomas Edison And if you face rejection, don’t give up. Following up can still make a difference. Katie explains how ​​here​​. Vic Our Favorite Articles 💯The Two Kinds of Failure and Why They MatterI'm getting to practice the second type of failure often these days. 😅 I hope it inspires you to be bold! ​Read on​. Out Of Work? Here Are Some of My Tips To Help You Along The Way (LinkedIn)I randomly ran across this great post from Rich. If you are out of work, this is a great summary of suggestions. ​Find it here​. 10 Things That Will Make You Stand Out in Any Interview (X)This is an old thread, but still super relevant and helpful if you are job hunting. ​Dive in​. Remotive RecommendsWe can't recommend James Clear's "Atomic Habits" enough! ​​This video​​ is an excellent introduction to the get 1% better every day approach. This Week's Sponsor 🙌Too many emails? Declutter your inbox with Meco, your home for reading newsletters. Try it for free ↗️ Remotive Jobs 💼Is this job for you? 👉 ​Senior DevOps Engineer (AWS) at Proxify​ (CET +/- 3 hours) 👉 ​French, German or Mandarin teachers (night shifts) at AE Virtual Class​ (Americas) 👉 ​AI Fluent Graphic Designer at Contra​ (Worldwide) 👉 ​Content Creator at Contra​ (Worldwide) 👉 ​Social Media Manager at Contra​ (Worldwide) 👉 ​AI Video Editor at Contra​ (Worldwide) 👉 ​Brand Designer at Contra​ (Worldwide) 👉 ​Product Designer at Contra ​(Worldwide) 👉 ​AI Video Creator at Contra​ (Worldwide) 👉 ​AI Engineer at Contra​ (Worldwide) Free Guides & Tools​Public Job Board​We curate 2,000 remote jobs so you don't have to! ​Find your remote job →​ ​Exclusive Webinar​3 Mistakes to Avoid When Looking For A Remote Startup Job (And What To Do Instead) ​Register for free →​ ​Job Search Tips​Looking for a remote job? Here are our tips to help you work remotely ​Check it out →​ 🙋🏽‍♀️ Psst...Did you like this email? Best thing you've read all day? Aww, thank you 😊. Feel free to forward this email to a friend. @media only screen and (max-width:600px) { .ck-inner-section { padding-top: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-bottom: 18px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; } } Stripe, Shopify & Square hire remotely on Remotive. ​Hire remote workers today!​ Do you ♥ Remotive? Find us on ​Twitter​ | ​LinkedIn​ | ​Facebook​ | ​Instagram​ | ​Reddit​ | ​Telegram​ View the full article

We’ve all had it happen to us before: you go to hop on a video call and are met with blurry, grainy video instead of getting the clear face-to-face chat you were expecting. No platform is immune: whether you use Zoom, Teams, Google Meet or another video conferencing platform, it’s a common issue. View the full article

So you want to declutter your home? Awesome! I highly recommend it. When you declutter your stuff, you find that your home improves because the environment feels more calm, visual noise is removed, things are easier to find, and you might even sleep better at night. And those are all really good things. I wish you all the best in your decluttering journey because it will change your life for the better! In fact, if you are looking for some practical ideas to get started, try these articles: The Simple Guide to a Clutter-Free Home Go Ahead. Start Decluttering with the Easiest Step. A Guide to Creating a Minimalist Home Decluttering is wonderful! But there’s something I want you to know: Decluttering is great. But reassessing the role of possessions in your life is even better. Let me explain what I mean. When we decide to declutter our homes, we’re usually focused on the immediate benefits: a cleaner room, less stuff around us, a home that’s easier to manage, greater efficiency in our day-to-day lives. But there are even greater benefits to be found! Because the process can change everything about us! When we reevaulate the entire role that possessions play in our lives and affections, we open ourselves to deeper and richer life-change. And that is where the greatest opportunity resides—not just in decluttering items from our home, but reevaluating our stuff entirely. When we first decided to become minimalist, I was drawn to the simple idea of “spending less time cleaning.” After a long Saturday cleaning out my garage, at the expense of spending time with my then 5-year-old son, I could see how fewer things in my garage would have made the chore easier. But the more stuff we got rid of, the more I began to question its origins. Why, for example, did I have a garage full of stuff in the first place? Why were our closets crammed full? Why were the kitchen cabinets overstocked? Why was the basement full of boxes and boxes of stuff? How come I could take three mini-van loads of clutter to our local donation center and still feel like I was only scratching the surface? Why did we buy SO MUCH stuff that we didn’t need? And, at the same time, be living paycheck-to-paycheck? If we were so stressed about money, why did we accumulate so much stuff we didn’t need? What was driving my thinking? What was motivating my decisions? And what was dictating my worldview to such an extent that we felt trapped but couldn’t find the escape? Yes, decluttering our stuff felt great. We eventually removed 60-70% of our things. But the real transformation came when we started to rethink the role that possessions played in our life. Suddenly, this process became about more than just owning fewer things; it was about re-evaluating how much importance I placed on those things in the first place. As you know, we live in a culture that constantly tells us we need more: bigger homes, fancier cars, trendier fashion, better toys, the latest technology. Marketers scream at us from every available screen and surface. And over time, their messaging changes us. They convince us—as much as we want to argue they don’t—that our lives will improve if we spend our money, time, and energy buying the products they produce. And without thoughtfulness and intentionality, they determine the lives that we live. They shape the society around us—and then they shape us as individuals. We can see this effect on our small purchases: clothes, gadgets, trinkets, toys, and decorations (just to name a few). But we can also see this effect in larger purchases: bigger homes, newer cars, and the latest technology. But every single purchase we make requires more of our life. And often, rather than improving our life, they distract us from the things that matter most. If we declutter our homes, but don’t wrestle with the beliefs and worldview that led to all that clutter in the first place, we’ll just fill our homes back up again. And in the process, waste more of our money, time, and energy. But when we reevaluate our possessions and shift our mindset, we discover the freedom that comes with wanting less. No longer do we feel the need to compete with others or keep up with societal expectations. Instead, we can focus our time and resources on what truly matters—whether it’s building relationships, pursuing meaningful work, focusing on spirituality, or reaching our life’s fullest potential. And that is where the real benefits are found! Decluttering is great, no doubt about it. But reassessing the role possessions play in your life is even better. The post Decluttering is Great. Reassessing Your Life is Even Better. appeared first on Becoming Minimalist. View the full article

It’s really easy to fall into the thinking that organizing will solve the clutter in our homes. As a result, we buy storage bins, shelves, and labels, believing that if everything has a place, our space will feel more orderly and peaceful. But organizing is always, only a temporary solution. We can organize everything perfectly today—only to have to organize it again tomorrow. That is because organizing only treats the symptom, not the problem. No matter how well-organized our home might get, too many possessions still create stress, demand our attention, and consume our time. Physical possessions take up physical space in our home and mental space in our minds. Minimizing, on the other hand, is a permanent solution. Once an item has been removed from our home, the space is cleared forever. Instead of focusing on how to store everything, focus on owning less. After all, the fewer things we own, the less time we spend organizing, cleaning, and maintaining them. To give you an idea of what I mean, here are 10 common things you may feel tempted to organize—but would benefit more from minimizing instead. 1. Bathroom Toiletries Often, we accumulate lotions, shampoos, and beauty products faster than we use them. Sometimes we buy for ourselves, sometimes they are gifted us, sometimes we take them from the hotel room. Either way, organizing these items into bins or trays might seem like the solution, but owning fewer toiletries is even better. Use up what you have, and then be intentional about only buying what you need. A simplified bathroom routine will save you time, reduce clutter, and help you focus on the essentials. 2. Tupperware Most of us have far too many plastic containers crowding our cabinets. We stack them, try to keep the lids in one place, and still end up with mismatched pieces. Instead of trying to organize the chaos, minimize the number of containers you own. Keep only a few versatile sizes and discard the rest. Fewer containers not only free up space but also reduce the frustration of searching for a lid that fits. 3. Towels and Linens It’s easy to accumulate more towels, sheets, and blankets than we need. Organizing them in closets or baskets might keep them out of sight, but reducing your collection will make your home feel more spacious and manageable. Keep just a few high-quality sets, and you’ll save time and effort when it comes to laundry and storage. 4. Kitchen Gadgets Drawer organizers and dividers may help keep kitchen gadgets in order, but they don’t reduce the overwhelming number of tools we often accumulate. Consider which gadgets you actually use and minimize the rest. Owning fewer, multi-functional tools makes cooking more enjoyable and your kitchen easier to maintain. 5. Clothing Closet organizers and systems might create the illusion of order, but a cluttered wardrobe still leads to decision fatigue and frustration. Minimize your clothing by keeping only what you wear regularly and what makes you feel good. A simpler wardrobe will reduce the time you spend choosing outfits and give you more mental clarity each morning. 6. Shoes We often think a shoe rack or closet organizer will bring order to our growing shoe collection. But owning more shoes than we need creates clutter, even if it’s well-organized. Consider the pairs you actually wear regularly and donate the rest. A smaller, intentional shoe collection makes it easier to find what you need—and simplifies your decision-making every day. 7. Jewelry A jewelry box filled with tangled necklaces and unworn bracelets can feel like a mess waiting to be organized. But instead of spending time sorting and storing, minimize your collection. Keep only the pieces that you wear regularly and truly love. With fewer items, your jewelry will stay organized naturally, and you’ll find joy in wearing what you own. 8. Board Games Board games can provide hours of fun, but they also take up valuable space, especially when we keep ones we rarely play. Instead of organizing a shelf full of games, minimize your collection to just the ones you truly enjoy. You’ll make room for other meaningful activities and be more likely to play the games you love when they’re not buried under ones you don’t. 9. Books Many of us dream of organizing our bookshelves to display a well-curated collection. But books we don’t read or plan to read just take up space and collect dust. Minimize your bookshelf by keeping only the books that inspire or bring value to your life. Donate or sell the rest, and you’ll discover more freedom and clarity in your reading life. 10. Photos Many of us have boxes or hard drives full of old photos, thinking we’ll someday organize them into albums or neatly labeled folders. But instead of holding onto every single picture, minimize your collection by keeping only the ones that bring you joy or represent meaningful memories. Digitize what you can, and let go of duplicates or blurry shots. Fewer photos make it easier to appreciate and share your most cherished moments. In each of these areas, the key is recognizing that organizing, while helpful, is not the ultimate solution. Minimizing—owning fewer items that truly add value to our lives—will bring lasting peace and freedom. When we have less to manage, we can focus more on the things that matter most. The post 10 Things You Think You Need to Organize, But Should Minimize Instead appeared first on Becoming Minimalist. View the full article

How to buy Laos-China Railway tickets, including buying tickets online, by mobile phone app, ticket offices, and travel agents. The Laos-China Railway is a modern and efficient semi-high-speed railway system, but buying tickets isn’t as smooth as the train ride. The official website at www.lcrc.ltd doesn’t sell tickets, and there are rules and time restrictions for buying tickets. Here is how to buy tickets for the Laos China Railway. Buy tickets for the Laos-China Railway Buy tickets online Mobile phone app Ticket offices in Laos Travel agents in Laos Buy tickets online The Laos-China Railway website doesn’t offer tickets online, but you can buy tickets via the online booking site Baolau. Baolau are a booking site that offer transport tickets across Southeast Asia. Readers have asked me about Baolau as they are not a big brand name yet. Baolau started in Vietnam so I have been using them for years. I have since taken a ride on the Laos-China Railway to test out the booking process through Baolau, and the process was easy. Train tickets are only sold up to 3 days in advance (same day plus next 2 days), so you need to mark your calendar for when to book. Tickets do sell out, so book as soon as you know your date. The booking page shows the trains available for that day and the cheapest seat available. Click on a train time, and then you will be shown ticket options on that service. Prices are shown in USD, and there is a commission and service fee added (Nomadic Notes is an affiliate of Baolao). After making the booking, an official PDF version of the ticket is sent by email. The ticket has a QR code which you scan when entering the station. Tickets are checked to ensure that the name and passport number matches. The ticket shows the prices in Lao Kip. This ticket from Vientiane to Vang Vieng was 171,000 LAK. The rate from an online currency converter shows $7.70 USD while the booking price was $7.96 USD. This is a reasonable conversion. [PDF ticket includes QR code and train and seat details.] You can also collect a printed train ticket at the station if you prefer a paper ticket. Once you do this you can’t use the PDF ticket. [My paper train ticket at Vientiane Railway Station.] Book Loas-China Railway tickets online. Mobile phone app Tickets can be bought via a smartphone app if you have a phone number from Laos, China, or Thailand. The app is available on Android and iOS. Ticket offices in Laos [Ticket office at Luang Prabang Station.] Tickets are available at the train stations and at official ticket offices in Vientiane and Luang Prabang. Vientiane Ticket Office: Vientiane Center Mall. Luang Prabang Ticket Office: Phothisalath Rd, next to Le Pavillon de Jade. [Ticket at Luang Prabang ticket office.] In Vientiane, I bought tickets at the ticket office at the Vientiane Center shopping mall. This office wasn’t accepting cash or credit cards when I went. I had read online that they accept Wechat, so I set up my Wechat to make payments. When I arrived at the office I found out they only accept a local payment app called OnePay. I ended up asking someone in the queue to pay for me with their app, and I gave them cash. The ticket offices at the train stations accept cash. [OnePay and UnionPay at Luang Prabang ticket office.] The city ticket offices only sell tickets departing from that destination, so that is another inconvenience. The ticket offices at the train stations have a board showing how many tickets are available on each train. The information scrolls quickly between English, Lao, and Chinese, so I could never read it properly, but there were classes showing 0 tickets. [Ticket availability shown at Vang Vieng ticket office.] Travel agents in Laos Travel agents and hotels in Laos offer tickets for the railway. They are buying tickets in person and add a commission. I have seen agents at the ticket office with a pile of passport photocopies and a list of itineraries. [Travel agent in Vang Vieng selling bus and train tickets.] This was a useful service before you were able to book online. They might sell the ticket as part of a package, such as offering a taxi ride to the station. This train travel guide for Laos railways is part of the Southeast Asia railways guide. View the full article

A guide to the Laos-China Railway from Vientiane to Boten, including tickets, train types, station guides, onboard amenities, and transport to stations. The Laos-China Railway is a semi-high-speed railway in Laos that operates from Vientiane to Boten, with main stations in Vang Vieng, Luang Prabang, and Muang Xai. Here everything you need to know about the Laos-China Railway. Laos-China Railway guide Laos-China Railway map About the Laos-China Railway Buying tickets Stations Station security Restaurants and shops Station toilets Express and Local Services Onboard the Laos-China Railway Seats onboard the Laos-China Railway Onboard food Onboard toilets Views from the train Transport to stations International travel to China Further reading Laos-China Railway map [Map of Laos-China Railway.] About the Laos-China Railway The Laos-China Railway is 414.332 kilometres, of which there are 258.5 kilometres of bridges and tunnels. The line is a standard gauge (same as China and Europe) and uses electric-powered trains (EMU). The line is on a single track with passing loops. Express trains have an operating speed of 160 km/h. Local trains and cargo trains travel up to 120 km/h. [160 km/h on the Laos-China Railway.] Website: http://www.lcrc.ltd/ Facebook: Laos – China Railway Company Limited Buying tickets [Muang Xai ticket office.] The official Laos-China Railway website doesn’t sell tickets, so the easiest way to buy tickets online is via the online travel agent Baolau. There are a few other ways to buy tickets, so here is my guide on how to buy tickets for the Laos-China Railway. Stations There are 10 passenger stations on the Boten-Vientiane line: – Boten – Na Teuy – Na Moh – Muang Xay – Muang Nga – Luang Prabang – Kasi – Vang Vieng, – Phon Hong – Vientiane Station security The stations have airport-style security where you have to have a ticket to enter the stations and your bags are scanned. Aerosols are listed as a banned item, so my can of deodorant was taken from me. If you are bringing in water they make you drink a sip of it to prove that it’s not an explosive substance. This is the most sensible system I have seen anywhere for liquid security. Restaurants and shops Vientiane has the most variety of shops, so you can get there a bit earlier to do some people-watching at a station cafe. [Pun Cafe at Vientiane Station.] The main stations have cafes and convenience shops. [Cafe Amazon at Vang Vieng.] The stations are built in undeveloped areas, so there are no shops nearby. There are some roadside stalls at the entrance to Luang Prabang, but apart from that, don’t expect to get anything substantial to eat outside the stations. [Roadside stalls at Luang Prabang Station.] One thing that every station has is water fountains serving hot and cold water. This reminded me of my travels in China, where people bring their own flasks of tea, and where instant noodles are served everywhere. Station toilets The stations have the options of sit or squat toilets. I was once again reminded of my travels in China by the fact that there is no toilet paper. If you have been travelling in Southeast Asia for a while you should be packing your own in your day bag. If you are new to this part of the world, then remember to bring your own. Express and Local Services There are two train types operating on this domestic route. The express service travels up to 160 km/h and only stops at the main stations: – Vientiane – Vang Vieng – Luang Prabang – Muang Xai (provincial capital of Oudomxay province) – Na Teuy – Boten (immigration frontier for China) There is also a local train service that runs at a speed of up to 120 km/h. This one stops all stations and the tickets are cheaper. Onboard the Laos-China Railway [Boarding the train at Vientiane.] When this train service opened it instantly became the most modern and fastest railway in Southeast Asia. The fastest train title now belongs to Whoosh, but it’s still a marvel to see such a train operating in Laos. The trip from Vientiane to Luang Prabang used to take two days before the expressway was built, and even now it can take up to a day. Now it takes less than two hours to go from Vientiane to Luang Prabang by train. Here is what the express train looks like arriving at Luang Prabang: [Train arriving at Luang Prabang Station.] The train can travel at a speed of up to 160 km/h, making it a semi-high-speed railway. It is not – as some media outlets keep repeating – a high-speed railway. It is an ideal speed for a country the size of Laos. Seats onboard the Laos-China Railway The seats in economy are in a 3×2 configuration, so the seats are a bit narrower compared to trains with a 2×2 configuration. It’s still a comfortable ride even in the 3-across section. [5 seats across in economy.] The most important thing is leg room, of which there is plenty. You can easily pass someone in the aisle, or recline your seat without guilt. On my return trip from Vang Vieng to Vientiane my seatmate had taken over my space with her bags. there is so much legroom that I didn’t bother to move her bags for the 55-minute trip. There are power outlets under the seats, but no wifi onboard. I travelled in First Class from Muang Xai to Boten, where the seats are in 2×2 configuration. [First Class seats on the Laos-China Railway.] Unlike an airline, where the seat hierarchy is Economy-Business-First, the seat hierarchy on the Laos-China Railway is Economy-First-Business. The Business Class seats are in 1×2 configuration. The local train service has non-reclinable cushioned bench seats in 2×3 configuration. [Bench seats on the local Laos-China Railway.] Onboard food There is no cafe carriage onboard, but there is a snack cart that trundles up and down the train during the trip. There are hot water dispensers in the train for tea and instant noodles. Onboard toilets One of the main reasons that trains are better than buses is that you can go to the toilet whenever you want. The express trains have the option of squat toilets or sitting toilets. Like the stations, there is no toilet paper, so come prepared. Squat toilet on the local train. Views from the train There are some amazing views from the train, though once you go north of Vang Vieng you are going to see a lot of the inside of tunnels (there are so many tunnels!) [Passing through a tunnel on the Laos-China Railway.] Here is what to expect outside the tunnels. [View near Vang Vieng.] [Mekong crossing near Luang Prabang.] [Second Mekong crossing.] Transport to stations Vientiane station is 17 km outside the city centre, so you need to factor in extra travel time to get there. Google Maps said it was 30 minutes in the morning, and we got there in 20 minutes. Coming back to Vientiane it took about 55 minutes by bus to get from the station to the central bus station in peak hour traffic. We got a private taxi that was arranged by the hotel for 170,000 LAK. On the way back I got the local bus that goes to the central bus station for 15,000 LAK. Vang Vieng Station is about 4 km from the city centre. The transport prices are: Shared tuktuk: 30,000 LAK Private tuktuk 50,000 LAK Motorbike taxi: 20,000 LAK Luang Prabang Station is about 12 km from the historic centre of Luang Prabang, and it took about 25 minutes to get there. I was wondering what the transport situation would be like here as it will most likely be the most popular stop for tourism. When we arrived we got a shared tuktuk with two Laotians. One of the men was a policeman (he showed us his ID) and we all paid 50,000 LAK each. With the policeman paying the same rate I guessed we paid the correct fare. On the way back I rented a private tuktuk for 80,000 LAK, and my friend went back earlier and rented a private car for 170,000 LAK. The official shared minivan price is listed at 35.000 LAK. Muang Xai Station is about 3 km from the city centre. Electric trolley: 5,000 LAK Shared tuktuk: 30,000 LAK Private tuktuk: 50,000 LAK International travel to China The railway is connected to the Yuxi–Mohan railway, which is the Chinese section of the Laos–China Railway. There is a daily service between Vientiane and Kunming South. There is a separate international entrance at Boten to clear immigration. At Boten station you have to leave the train and follow the path to the international section of the station. You will need to check if you need a visa before booking a train ticket to China. Tickets for train between Laos and China can also be booked via Baolau. Buy Vientiane – Kunming train tickets. Further reading I have a historical archive of the construction of the Vientiane-Boten Railway. Read more about Laos railways. This train guide is part of the Southeast Asia railways guide. View the full article

A guide to train travel Southeast Asia, featuring resources for buying tickets and reviews of rail travel in Southeast Asia. Southeast Asia railways index Cambodia Indonesia Laos Malaysia Myanmar Philippines Singapore Thailand Vietnam Southeast Asia train travel resources Southeast Asia train travel FAQs Future Southeast Asia railways Cambodia Railway Operator: Royal Railway. Buy Cambodia train tickets Baolau. Cambodia train travel articles Cambodia railways – a guide to train travel in Cambodia. The Japanese train in Cambodia: Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville on the KiHa train from Hokkaido Battambang to Phnom Penh by train Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville by train Riding the Bamboo Railway in Battambang Indonesia Railway Operator: Kereta Api Indonesia Buy Indonesia train tickets Tiket. Java train travel articles Java Railways: maps and resources for Java train travel Jakarta Airport Rail Link – Train details, and which stations are best for visitors. Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway (Whoosh): A guide to the fastest train in Southeast Asia Bandung to Yogyakarta by train – one of the most scenic rail journeys in Southeast Asia KA Probowangi: Train from Surabaya to Ketapang (for the Bali ferry) Java to Bali by train, ferry, and bus The most comprehensive online Java Indonesia travel itinerary – By dontworryjusttravel.com. Sumatra train travel articles Sumatra Railways: A guide to every train line in Sumatra. Palembang to Bandar Lampung by train – Riding the coal-subsidised railway of South Sumatra. Palembang to Lubuk Linggau by train in South Sumatra Kualanamu Airport Rail Link: The Medan airport train. How to get from Medan to Lake Toba by train and bus Medan to Rantau Prapat by train (North Sumatra) Sulawesi train travel articles Makassar–Parepare railway: the first section of the Trans-Sulawesi railway. Laos Buy Laos train tickets Baolau. Laos train travel articles Laos Railways: a guide to train travel in Laos Laos-China Railway travel guide – A guide to the Laos-China Railway from Vientiane to Boten, including tickets, train types, station guides, onboard amenities, and transport to stations. How to buy tickets for the Laos-China Railway Vientiane Khamsavath Railway Station Guide Udon Thani to Vientiane by train Malaysia Railway Operator (Peninsula): KTM. Railway Operator (Sabah): Sabah Railway. Buy Malaysia train tickets 12Go Asia Malaysia train travel articles Malaysia railways – a guide to train travel in Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur to Singapore by train Kuala Lumpur to Butterworth (Penang) with the ETS Jungle Railway – The best train times and most scenic sections. Gemas to JB Sentral: The last diesel Intercity service on Malaysia’s West Coast Johor Bahru to Singapore by train: KTM Shuttle Tebrau Kuala Lumpur Railway Station: A guide to the most beautiful station in Southeast Asia Padang Besar Station: crossing the Malaysia-Thailand border by train Myanmar Railway operator: Ministry of Rail Transportation Philippines Railway Operator: Philippine National Railways Singapore Singapore train travel articles Singapore Rail Corridor: The former railway line that’s now a walking path How to get from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur by train Thailand Railway Operator: State Railway of Thailand Buy Thailand train tickets 12go Thailand train travel articles Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal; A guide to the main train station of Bangkok. Train No. 275: Bangkok to Ban Klong Luk Border (train to the Thailand-Cambodia border) Train 7 Bangkok to Chiang Mai: The day train through historic Thailand. Train 261: Bangkok (Hua Lamphong) to Hua Hin by Ordinary Train Bangkok to Pattaya by train Getting the train in the troubled deep south of Thailand – A review of the train from Hat Yai to Sungai Kolok, through the provinces of Thailand which have travel advisories to not travel to. Bangkok to Trang by train, and onward connections to the Trang Islands Bang Sue Grand Station construction update – The future central station of Bangkok Bangkok to Chiang Mai by train – Best train times to see some of the highlights of Thailand. How to get from Bangkok to Vientiane by train Kanchanaburi to Hua Hin by train (with a bonus stop at the tallest stupa in the world) The train that will transform Nakhon Ratchasima – A report on my visit Nakhon Ratchasima, where a high-speed train will connect to Bangkok, and eventually to the Laos border. Maeklong market train Vietnam Railway Operator: Vietnam Railways Buy Vietnam train tickets Baolau. Vietnam train travel articles Vietnam Railways – A guide to every line, tickets, and FAQs. Train SE22 from Saigon to Danang Da Nang to Hue by train via the Hai Van Pass Da Lat – Trai Mat Railway – A restored heritage railway in Vietnam Hanoi Train Street Guide: Where to visit the open sections. Hanoi to Haiphong by train Nha Trang to Saigon by train Saigon to Phan Thiet by train – the easy way to get to Mui Ne Special Train to the Gia Lam Train Factory (Hanoi Creative Design Festival 2023) Southeast Asia train travel resources Any questions related to travel by train in Southeast Asia please visit the Southeast Asia Railways Facebook group. Get a monthly summary of Southeast Asia rail travel news at southeastasiarailways.com. Southeast Asia train travel FAQs Is there a Southeast Asia Train Pass? Southeast Asia is a long way from being developed enough to offer a railway pass that would be similar to the Eurail Pass in Europe. The railway network of Southeast Asia is not extensive enough to warrant such a ticket, and there are very few international connections. Can I travel from India to Myanmar by train? Even though the two countries are neighbours there is no rail link yet. There are plans to build a line from Impal in India to Tamu in Myanmar. This would provide an eventual connection from Delhi to Yangon. Are there any international train services in Southeast Asia? There are currently three international services: Bangkok (thailand) – Padang Besar (Malaysia) Nong Khai (Thailand) – Thanaleng (Laos) Johor Bahru (Malaysia – Woodlands (Singapore) Read more here: International train services in Southeast Asia. Future Southeast Asia railways One of my projects at Nomadic Notes has been to map the proposed railways of Southeast Asia. To illustrate what is planned for the region I’ve created a map of current and proposed railways in Southeast Asia. [Click here for larger downloadable image.] The black lines on the map represent railways that are currently operating, while the red lines are proposed lines. This map is based on my previous project which depicted Southeast Asia railways as a subway-style map. [Click here for larger image.] This map has details of all the proposed railways which are listed here: Future Southeast Asia – A map of proposed railways in Southeast Asia. I also write about future railways of Southeast Asia at futuresoutheastasia.com. [nomadicnotes.com is an affiliate with Tiket, Baolau, and 12Go Asia.] View the full article

At Owl Labs, we’re committed to making hybrid meetings as seamless and inclusive as possible. Our latest software (6.5) significantly enhances our video conferencing ecosystem with new features for the Meeting Owl, Owl Bar, and the Meeting Owl app. Let’s dive into these updates and discover how they can improve your hybrid meeting experience. View the full article

There is something powerful about the concept of “home” for us as humans. It is celebrated in movies (There’s no place like home) immortalized in music (Take Me Home, Country Roads), written about in literature, celebrated in magazines, and enviable in advertisements. Everywhere we turn, we’re reminded that home represents more than a physical space. It is the heart of where we are from and hopefully, the place where we feel safe, connected, and loved. But not only is home a place of emotion and nostalgia, psychologists tells us the impact goes beyond the physical space. It is a place where we feel rooted and connected. Research shows that our connection to home even impacts our well-being. People with a strong attachment to their home feel more secure, less stressed, and more content throughout their lives. The importance of home (and family) is one of the motivating factors behind Kim and I launching The Hope Effect now nearly ten years ago. Home provides stability and serves as the foundation upon which we build our identities and relationships—starting at a very young age. So helping move the world toward care for orphaned children that includes family is deeply important work and we’re proud to be part of it. But even apart from nonprofit work, as parents, this truth about the importance of home serves as both an opportunity and responsibility. The homes we create for our children are more than just physical shelter—it is the space within which, our children’s memories are made and identity is formed. And it is interesting to note, that very few of our most beloved memories from home are focused on the things that we owned. At least, that is the case for me. When I think of my childhood, I have fond memories. But very few relate to the physical possessions in our closets or garage. Instead, I remember being in the backyard, with my dad, working in the garden. And for some reason, he’s never wearing a shirt when I recall the memory. I think back fondly and can picture our family tradition of eating cereal for dinner on Sunday night. I remember playing with my friends in the backyard. And I remember playing games with my siblings around our kitchen table. These memories are both precious and priceless, and they had nothing to do with material possessions. In fact, I remember very few physical possessions from my childhood: my bike, a baseball glove, some G.I. Joe’s, and a baseball card collection show up vividly. But that’s about it. I don’t remember our couches, curtains, rugs, cookware, or the clothes from my closet. I don’t recall the items in our pantry, the pillows on our couch, or even the decorations that hung on the walls. They were there, in our home, certainly. But they do not form the foundation for my memories. I grew up in a lower Middle Class family in the middle of small town America. Maybe kids who had incredibly wealthy parents would tell a different story about remembering all the stuff around them. But something tells me—even in that environment—a child’s most cherished memories have little to do with physical possessions. The physical objects from our home growing up fade into the background. But the love, the laughter, relationships, and sense of belonging come to the forefront. These were the moments that shaped me and I recall them with fondness and joy. Our homes are where memories are made. And I know not everyone got to enjoy that type of home and family growing up, but it is something we can all strive to create for our own. As parents, the environment we create in our homes will become the backdrop for our children’s memories. The culture we create, the time we spend, the love we show, and the conversations we share. These are the moments that will shape their view of home and family for the rest of their lives. Too often, we fall into the trap of believing that a home needs to be filled with things to be complete. We think we need the latest gadgets, the trendiest furniture, the largest television, the upgraded countertops, or endless toys for our children. But when we reflect on our own childhoods, we realize that the most meaningful memories had nothing to do with material possessions. Even worse, sometimes we chase those things at the expense of what our kids needs most from us. The very physical possessions that fade into the back of our kids’ memories take up space in our homes and in our minds, requiring maintenance, organization, money, and time—time that could be spent building memories with our families. On the other hand, when we live intentionally, we make room for more connection, more love, more experiences, and richer memories that our kids can take with them forever. Our homes are the canvas upon which our children will paint their memories. Let’s fill them with all the right things. The post Home is Where Memories Are Made appeared first on Becoming Minimalist. View the full article

At Remotive, we have always been at the heart of the remote work revolution. 2020 was the year that changed everything in more ways than one. The work landscape has changed dramatically since the COVID-19 pandemic, with remote work finally taking center stage. For example, the proportion of paid workdays performed remotely in the U.S. alone jumped from 7% in 2019 to 28% by 2023. (Source: Statista) A McKinsey report highlights that 87% of workers now prioritize flexible work options, with remote work playing a major role in their decisions. ‌ Source: TheFlexIndex 2023 was a challenging year for tech. Many tech companies laid off thousands of workers, and the layoffs are sadly not over. There's been a steady decline in remote roles and a growing demand. Here's a handy article about cracking the code of the remote job search in 2024. But let's not despair: Source‌ Remote work isn't going anywhere. And tech jobs are still among the highest-paying jobs in 2024. Looking at you, project managers, and software engineers. 👀 So, we asked experts from different industries, not just tech, about the most in-demand remote jobs in their respective fields and what skills you need to stand out. The Rising Demand for Remote Talent Across IndustriesJared Brown, CEO of Hubstaff, which primarily serves companies with fully remote workforces, told us that his company is focused on supporting businesses with fully remote teams, which gives them a unique view of the trends in remote work. He noted that while tech roles remain strong, many of his customers in other sectors have fully embraced digital transformation. Industries like e-commerce, outsourcing, accounting, and software development are a few where demand is increasing significantly and showing no sign of slowing down.This is all evidenced by Hubstaff's growth as more companies seek workforce analytics solutions to manage and support the productivity of their fully remote teams. According to Jared, business owners know what makes remote teams successful: they are highly communicative, have outstanding time-management skills and self-discipline, and are tech-savvy. And, of course, they look for workers who embody those traits. via GIPHY ‌ The Ongoing and Growing Demand for Remote Software DevelopersAlari Aho, CEO and founder of Toggl, which offers apps for simple time tracking and effective project planning, told us that his understanding of the remote work landscape, especially in tech, is grounded in hands-on experience and the extensive data gathered through Toggl's productivity tools. Alari tells us that: The demand for remote jobs within the tech industry has been and continues to be incredibly high. This trend was already on the rise but was significantly accelerated by the global pandemic. Companies have realized the benefits of reduced overhead costs and access to a wider talent pool. From startups to major corporations, businesses are increasingly adopting remote work policies.In the tech industry, software developers are the most popular remote job. This popularity stems from the nature of the work, which can be done effectively from anywhere with a reliable internet connection. Additionally, software developers' roles are crucial as businesses digitize and enhance their online services. According to data from various industry surveys, the average salary for remote software developers ranges from $70,000 to $120,000 annually, depending on experience, specialization, and location. Software developers need strong technical skills, including proficiency in languages like Python, JavaScript, and Ruby. Familiarity with frameworks, databases, and version control tools like Git is essential. ‌‌‌‌In addition to these, remote developers must excel in communication, time management, and collaboration in virtual environments. Problem-solving abilities and a commitment to continuous learning are key to adapting to new technologies.‌ Data Science, Cybersecurity, and AI in FocusGreta Maiocchi, head of Marketing and Recruitment at the Open Institute of Technology (OPIT, an EU-accredited higher education institution in Computer Science), says the most popular remote job right now is data scientist. Why? Companies are continually looking to gain insights from increasingly larger data pools, thus data scientists have become significant assets. According to Greta, the average salary for these roles is around $100,000 to $130,000 per annum. The key skills for a data science role include proficiency in programming languages like Python or R, understanding of database structures, and skill at problem-solving and statistical analysis. A deep knowledge of machine learning and algorithms is also essential.OPIT predicts a surge in demand for cybersecurity and AI roles in 2024 and 2025, given the focus on data security in an increasingly digital world and the continued advancements in AI technology. Mastery of cloud computing, cybersecurity protocols, and AI programming could enhance employability. In addition to OPIT, many learning resources online are free or for little money. Check out Coursera, for example. I've done a few free courses myself with them. ‌ ‌ Thriving as a Remote Health IT ConsultantThe most popular remote job in the health industry is Health IT Consultant. This is a vital role, as IT consultants help medical practices implement and optimize electronic health records (EHR) systems, told us Thomas Medlin, co-founder at JumpMD. There is a strong demand for remote jobs in healthcare. The flexibility and cost savings are appealing to both employers and employees. Additionally, remote work enables access to a broader talent pool, enhancing the quality of hires.Thomas suggests that those interested in remote health IT roles should start by gaining relevant certifications and experience, focusing on certifications like Certified Professional in Health Information Technology (CPHIT) and hands-on experience with EHR systems. Participating in industry forums and groups will help candidates stay connected and informed, and developing a solid understanding of healthcare workflows will enhance your effectiveness in these roles. Skills needed for a Health IT Consultant include knowledge of EHR systems, data analysis, and regulatory compliance. Strong communication skills are crucial, as these professionals must explain complex systems to medical staff. ‌‌‌‌Problem-solving abilities and project management experience are also essential. Technical proficiency and the ability to adapt to evolving healthcare technologies are key to success in this role.‌ ‌ Global Opportunities in Remote SEO CareersVictor Karpkenko, founder of SEOProfy (a digital marketing agency focused on search engine optimization), told us, "The great thing about digital marketing, specifically SEO, is that trained professionals can be found worldwide." From content writers to project managers, the popularity of these roles is rooted in the continued importance of digital presence for businesses and the value that organic traffic brings. Depending on their specific task, salaries can range from about $30,000 to $70,000 annually. If you want to stand out in this field, adds Victor, you must know the latest SEO algorithms and updates, understand the basics of keyword research, and have a solid knowledge of both international and regional SEO trends. You also need strong analytical skills to adjust strategies as you interpret data effectively.James Taylor, an SEO Strategist working for Embryo, an independent search-first marketing agency, says that "while almost any role in our industry can be done remotely, particularly popular roles that are fully remote are usually the more technical 'behind-the-scenes' roles, such as Digital Ads Strategists or SEO Specialists. These roles require a high level of in-depth knowledge and expertise but are not usually client-facing. They involve highly focused individual work and lend themselves well to a remote environment." ‌ ‌ Project Management Takes Center StageMaxime Bouillon, co-founder & CEO of Archie, a software solution for flexible workspaces, says that the most in-demand remote jobs in 2024 and 2025 will include document reviewers, project managers, software developers, customer support roles, and accountants. These jobs offer full-time or part-time remote opportunities with salaries ranging from $55,951 to over $100,000. Project management roles are particularly popular for remote work in the flexible workspace industry. Project managers with strong leadership, organization, and communication skills are essential for successful project delivery and can earn an average salary of $102,682 per year.Project Managers are vital in managing remote teams and coordinating projects across different locations. To excel, candidates need strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills and the ability to use remote collaboration tools effectively. ‌ via GIPHY Remote Careers in the Remote Recruiting IndustryStephen Greet, CEO and co-founder of BeamJobs (offering free job search and resume tools), explains that there is a high demand for remote jobs in the HR industry. Work-from-home talent acquisition specialists and virtual recruiters have similar roles with some key differences. A WFH Talent Acquisition Specialist focuses on acquiring and recruiting new remote talent for an organization. At the same time, a Virtual Recruiter may have a broader scope that includes sourcing, screening, and interviewing candidates for various positions within the company. Within the HR sector, virtual recruiters are the most common remote employment. The growing necessity for businesses to draw in and retain top talent in a cutthroat labor market makes this position highly sought after. Working remotely, virtual recruiters handle every step of the hiring process, from finding possible applicants to organizing interviews and doing preliminary screenings. Depending on experience, location, and industry, a virtual recruiter can make anywhere from ranges from $61,373 to $66,208 per year.What are the essential skills for this position? Stephen says that strong interpersonal and communication abilities, experience with applicant tracking systems (ATS), understanding of recruitment best practices, and ability to assess candidates' qualifications and match them with appropriate employment opportunities are fundamental. ‌ Fintech's Most In-Demand Remote Job: The Data AnalystJeffrey Zhou, CEO and Founder of Fig Loans, explains that "remote work allows us to tap into a wider talent pool, which boosts our decision-making and strategic planning. Hiring remotely gives us access to diverse perspectives and expertise, which helps us stay innovative and respond to market changes more effectively." He says that there is a significant demand for remote jobs in fintech. Right now, the most popular remote job in our industry is data analyst. These folks are key in helping us make informed decisions and shape our strategies. It's a crucial position (no surprise there) since they deal with loads of data to give us insights that drive growth and efficiency. Typically, a data analyst in fintech can expect to earn between $70,000 and $90,000, which shows how important this role is.‌‌For someone to excel as a remote data analyst, they need strong analytical skills and proficiency with data tools. Being good with various data analysis software is a must, as is the ability to interpret complex data sets and turn them into actionable insights. Attention to detail and problem-solving skills are also very important. ‌ If you want the latest remote job opportunities in your inbox, sign up for our daily remote job digests right now. You can subscribe at any time! What are we missing? Are there any other remote roles that are piping hot this year? I'd love to hear from you: vic [at] remotive [dot] com. View the full article

Note: This is a guest post from Angela G. Horn of Mostly Mindful. What started as a design aesthetic has snowballed over the years into a lifestyle movement embraced by people worldwide. It’s easy to see why (or maybe I’m biased?) since minimalism offers a clear path to a more intentional, fulfilling, and sustainable way of life. The allure of “living with less” has permeated popular culture, from decluttered living spaces to capsule wardrobes. But, like any widespread trend, minimalism has evolved over time. In this article, I want to examine the different paths of minimalism—from the extreme to a more balanced, rational approach. I also believe it is important to explore how the lifestyle can positively impact our environment and, finally, how to implement minimalism in a way that works best for you. Three Types of Minimalism Nowadays, minimalism falls into three main categories: traditional minimalism, extreme minimalism, and rational minimalism. Ultimately, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. However, by understanding the nuances between the different styles, you can choose or craft one that best aligns with your values, needs, and environmental priorities. 1. Traditional Minimalism Traditional minimalism is the most well-known and widely adopted approach to living with less. It’s where Becoming Minimalist and many other blogs started and, in many cases, still reside. The focus here is on decluttering physical spaces, emphasizing essentials, reducing unnecessary consumption, and seeking quality over quantity. That’s a mouthful, but the benefits speak for themselves: Increased mental bandwidth Reduced stress from clutter More time and energy for loved ones Space for side hustles and other meaningful pursuits Improved finances (hello, debt-free living) On the downside, you might find letting go of certain things challenging. You may encounter pushback from friends and family members or struggle to balance owning less and still being comfortable. However, it’s all surmountable but worth noting nonetheless. 2. Extreme Minimalism Extreme minimalism takes it to the next level, pushing the boundaries of how little one can live with. Proponents of this approach typically pare down to the bare essentials (often fewer than 100 possessions). If they have a home base, it’ll most likely be devoid of furniture. For my partner and me, the move from traditional to extreme minimalism aligned with our desire to age well. At almost sixty, going furniture-free seemed like a natural and easy way to achieve that. And that’s just one advantage. This way of living also comes with several other benefits: Complete freedom from material possessions Moving home is a breeze (if you even have a fixed address) A much lower impact on the environment* *Assuming you’re not flying to a new destination every other month. The not-so-great side is that it can lead to social isolation (no furniture will do that!) or becoming obsessive about owning less stuff. A short nose around the internet and you’ll quickly see a competitive pattern emerge among extreme minimalists. 3. Rational Minimalism Rational minimalism is the Goldilocks of the three, striking a balance between the desire for simplicity and the practicalities of modern life. It emphasizes thoughtful curation of possessions, focusing on functionality and personal values. It’s a more flexible, you-do-you kind of lifestyle while still maintaining a “less is more” outlook. Unlike its extreme cousins, rational minimalism allows for some sentimental items and, gasp, some “just in case” possessions. It emphasizes mindful consumption rather than extreme reduction. As a result, it’s a more attainable lifestyle to adopt and maintain long-term, balancing minimalist principles with practical needs. Some of the benefits include: Reduces stress without sacrificing comfort Encourages mindful decision-making Promotes sustainability without extreme deprivation Allows for personal expression within a minimalist framework Ultimately, your approach to minimalism will depend on your circumstances, goals, and preferences. The key is to explore the different types, consider their pros and cons, and choose the one that aligns with your vision for a more intentional, fulfilling, and sustainable lifestyle. The Environmental Impact of Minimalism As we shift our focus to the broader implications of minimalism, it’s crucial to consider its impact on the planet. With environmental challenges on the rise, minimalism is more than a lifestyle choice. It’s also a powerful tool for reducing our ecological footprint. Embracing this way of living allows us to do our bit for Mother Earth. Resource Consumption and Minimalism The culture of overconsumption has led to the rapid depletion of natural resources. It’s time to break this cycle and embrace a more sustainable way of living. Minimizing our material possessions reduces the demand for new products, lowering the environmental strain. It doesn’t stop there. Minimalism also encourages us to be more mindful consumers, choosing quality over quantity and prioritizing experiences over things. This simple shift in mindset can do wonders for our planet’s well-being. Opting for a capsule wardrobe, for example, simplifies daily choices and significantly reduces the resources required for clothing production, including water, energy, and textiles. Waste Reduction Through Mindful Consumption One of minimalism’s most significant environmental benefits is its impact on waste reduction. This lifestyle’s mindful consumption naturally leads to less waste in several ways. First, minimalists purchase fewer items, which generates less packaging waste, a major contributor to landfills and ocean pollution. Secondly, focusing on quality and durability means that items last longer, reducing the frequency of replacements and the associated waste. Finally, minimalists are often more inclined to repair items than replace them. This extends product lifecycles and aligns with circular economy principles. Long-term Environmental Benefits of Adopting Minimalist Practices If more people embrace minimalism, it will yield decent environmental benefits in the long run. Minimalists often make more sustainable choices on a personal level, such as living in smaller, energy-efficient homes. On a larger scale, widespread minimalism has the potential to reduce carbon emissions significantly. Moving away from fast fashion, disposable goods, and unnecessary consumption could shift us towards a more sustainable economic model that values preserving resources. Aligning our habits with minimalist principles allows us to reduce our individual and collective environmental impact dramatically. Living with less affords us more time, freedom, and money, and it also offers a healthier planet for the future. Choosing Your Minimalist Path Consider now how you can embark on your minimalist journey. Remember, this is personal, and finding the right approach requires introspection and experimentation. Here’s how you can start: Reflecting on Personal Values and Lifestyle Needs Take time to consider what truly matters to you. What brings you joy? What are your long-term goals? Understanding your values will help determine which possessions and activities align with your vision of a fulfilling life. Assessing Current Habits and Areas for Improvement Evaluate your daily routines and living spaces. Identify areas where physical and mental clutter hinder your well-being or productivity. This will show you where a more minimalist approach could have the most significant impact. Tips for Gradually Incorporating Minimalist Practices 1. Start small: Declutter one area at a time, such as a drawer or a closet. This approach prevents overwhelming feelings and provides quick wins to motivate further progress. 2. Mindful consumption: Consider whether the item aligns with your values and is necessary. Prioritize quality over quantity to reduce long-term consumption. 3. Regular reassessment: Schedule periodic reviews of your possessions and habits. As your life evolves, so should your approach to minimalism. 4. Finding balance: Minimalism is about curating a life that works for you. Be flexible and adjust your practices as needed to maintain a sustainable lifestyle. Your Turn to Act Now that you’re familiar with the different minimalism styles, you can choose one that works for you. Don’t be afraid to experiment. Every small step towards minimalism is a step towards a more intentional, fulfilling, and sustainable lifestyle. With our mounting environmental challenges, living with less is one of the most impactful ways to reduce our ecological footprint and do our part for the planet. Let’s embrace less and create more—more freedom, more purpose, and a healthier planet for all. *** Angela lives in Cape Town. She enjoys spending her time drinking coffee and writing about her urban hippie adventures on Mostly Mindful. The post Choosing Your Minimalist Path appeared first on Becoming Minimalist. View the full article

Minimalism is the intentional promotion of the things we most value and the removal of anything that distracts us from it. It requires a conscious decision because it is a countercultural lifestyle that stands against the culture of overconsumption that surrounds us. The world we live in is not friendly to the pursuit of minimalism. Its tendencies and relentless advertising campaigns call us to acquire more, better, faster, and newer. The journey of finding simplicity requires consistent inspiration. For that reason, I hope you will make an effort this weekend to find a quiet moment with a cup of coffee or tea and enjoy some of these hand-picked articles to encourage more simplicity in your life. My Teenaged Son Still Doesn’t Have a Smartphone. Here’s Why | The Globe and Mail by Katherine Martinko. This is the first in a series of columns on Digital Minimalism from Katherine Martinko. I recommend all of them. 10 Things Minimalists Say You Don’t Need to Be Happy | No Sidebar. In a world that constantly tells us more is better, it’s easy to believe that happiness is just one more purchase away. But minimalists offer a different perspective. The Junkification of American Life | The New York Times by David Brooks. We have access to wonderful things. But they require effort, so we settle for the junky things that provide the quick dopamine hits. *Due to NYT policies, this article may not be available in every geographic region. A Lesson in Letting Go | Rich in What Matters by Julia Ubbenga. Are you holding onto items from loved ones out of fear or guilt? My hope is that, if you answered yes, then this lesson in letting go can help you too. Minimalism and Social Media | Balance Through Simplicity by Antonia Colins. It’s an amazing source of information and inspiration but can also be a tough space to hang out in and can take up our time and energy. Recently Released Inspiring Videos 10 Unnecessary Possessions to Ditch for a Simpler Happier Life | YouTube by Joshua Becker. Most of the stuff we are told to buy and own doesn’t bring us meaning or happiness—it only distracts us from it. Whether you’re already interested in simple living, or just looking for a more peaceful life, here are ten things you can live without and still live a happy life How to Improve your Self Esteem | YouTube by Joshua Becker. When our self-esteem is healthy, it affects everything about us. Equally so, when our self-esteem is unhealthy, it affects everything about us. If you’ve ever struggled with low self esteem, I want you to know that you aren’t alone. Here are 6 tips to help. — Uncluttered. If you’re looking for help trying to minimize your possessions, my 12-week course will help you own less, live more, and discover the life you want. But this is the last weekend to sign-up. Registrations ends Sunday, September 15. The experience begins on Tuesday. The post Inspiring Simplicity. Weekend Reads. appeared first on Becoming Minimalist. View the full article

Designing the most ideal office setup has never been a more open-ended process since hybrid work has become the norm. Enterprise technology tools have become essential for large businesses trying to stay connected across multiple offices. In fact, 83% of businesses with over 250 employees use video collaboration solutions. Balancing price, compatibility, and adaptability when deciding on your business technology can be hard, especially with multiple offices, but there doesn’t have to be a tradeoff when you choose a technology franchise that works seamlessly across locations. Video conferencing can make your workplace more efficient, but it’s dependent on which enterprise communication tools you choose. View the full article

A guide to Vientiane Khamsavath railway station, including station amenities, tickets, and transport to and from the station. Vientiane Khamsavath railway station (also known as Khamsavath railway station and Vientiane-Tai railway station) is a railway station that connects Vientiane to Thailand’s Northeastern Line. The new station and railway extension from the border means that it’s now possible to get the train from Bangkok to Vientiane. Khamsavath Railway Station map [Map of Khamsavath Railway Station About Vientiane Khamsavath Railway Station Khamsavath officially opened on 31 October 2023, and the first passenger service from Bangkok’s Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal arrived on 20 July, 2024. [Grand opening of Khamsavath 20/07/24.] There was previously a service from Nong Khai in Thailand to Thanaleng, which is just across the border. The line was extended by 7.5 km from Thanaleng to Khamsavath, making it possible to get the train from Bangkok to Vientiane. The line from Thailand to Khamsavath is a metre-gauge railway. Khamsavath is not connected to Vientiane Station of the Laos-China Railway, which is on a standard gauge. Immigration Trains from Thailand process Thailand immigration at Nong Khai, and Laos immigration is processed at Khamsavath. The eVisa isn’t available here, so check check the visa status of your country before arriving. [Immigration queue at Kamsavath.] Train tickets There is a ticket office for SRT trains and LCR trains. You would have no problem buying a ticket on the day for the Udon Thani train, but I would book in advance if you want a bed on the overnight train to Bangkok. [Thailand tickets at Khamsavath.] Laos-China Railway tickets are also available here, but I would also advise to book in advance. [Laos-China Railway tickets at Khamsavath.] The timetable of the trains are shown on the display screen. There is an overnight train from Bangkok that arrives in the morning. That train then returns to Thailand as the Vientiane – Udon Thani service. There is then an afternoon service from Udon Thani to Vientiane, and that train becomes the Vientiane to Bangkok overnight train. The sleeper carriages don’t travel to Vientiane. If you have a sleeper bed, then you get on the sleeper carriage at Nong Khai. Rapid 133/134 Krung Thep Aphiwat –Vientiane (Khamsavath) – Krung Thep Aphiwat Rapid 147/148 Udon Thani – Vientiane (Khamsavath) – Udon Thani [Khamsavath timetable.] There is a display showing the ticket prices to Thailand, but they scroll too fast to view. [Ticket prices from Khamsavath to Thailand.] Confirm ticket times and prices at dticket.railway.co.th. Facilities With only two trains a day in each direction, there are no shops open here yet. There is a currency exchange booth at the station, and the rates are reasonable. I check the buy and sell spread between the USD to get an idea if it’s a rip-off booth. I also check the rate on my currency app to be sure. You can pay for transport in Thai baht, but it’s good to get some change here if you are arriving with no Lao kip. [Check the spread between the buy and sell rates.] There is a coffee stand that opens when the trains are running. [Dao Coffee at Khamsavath.] There is a canteen area for a future food court, but it’s not open yet. [Khamsavath canteen.] There is nothing outside the station either, so don’t come here expecting to hang out at a nearby cafe before your train. Maybe the area will flourish in the future. I arrived at the station earlier so I could get some photos. The station name at the front is a good photo opportunity. Transport from Khamsavath Railway Station I was impressed with how organised the transport options are for passengers arriving on the overnight train from Bangkok. Temporary transport desks are set up before passengers arrive, and every type of transport option is represented. [Transport desks at Khamsavath Station.] There is a shuttle bus that goes to the Central Bus Station. This station is within walking distance of the old city area of Vientiane. [Shuttle bus from Khamsavath to Central Bus Station.] Two-row car service (like a songthaew in Thailand) has more options around the city. They list Morning Market, which is also the name used for the Central Bus Station. [Two-row car service from Khamsavath.] Tuk-tuk services are available, which is a good option if you are in a group. [Tuk-tuk service from Khamsavath.] Minivan services are available to share or book the entire vehicle. All of the transport options offer services to Vientiane Station for the Laos-China Railway. [Minivan service from Khamsavath.] Taxi services are also available. Like every over service, prices are clearly marked to the most popular destinations that a tourist is likely to go to. [Taxi service from Khamsavath.] Grab is not available in Laos, but there is the LOCA ride-hailing app if you already have that. All of these options were there for the passengers on the Bangkok train in the morning. I arrived on the evening train from Udon Thani, and there were no transport options available. There were only 10 people on my train so it wouldn’t make sense for all of these transport options to be operating. I approached a station worker and asked about transport, and they called a taxi for me. I was quoted 400 Thai baht ($11.77 USD / 260,000 KIP) to go to the city centre. I didn’t know if that was the right price, but it turned out to be the fair price. Getting from Vientiane city centre to Khamsavath With only one train a day to Bangkok, there aren’t regular buses to the station. I went to the station with every intention of looking for a bus, but ended up getting a taxi for 200,000 KIP ($9.07 USD / 308 THB). [The drive from Vientiane city centre to Khamsavath.] Getting from Vientiane Laos-China Railway Station to Khamsavath There are bus services from Vientiane Laos-China Railway Station to Khamsavath. There is a bus stop at the exit of the Vientiane Laos-China Railway Station, and services are clearly marked. If there isn’t a service to Khamsavath, you might be too early. Get the bus to the Central Bus Station and go to Khamsavath from there. [Bus service from Vientiane Laos-China Railway Station.] Future services With only two train services per day in each direction, there is not much happening at the station. Thailand is building a high-speed railway from Bangkok to Laos though this service may not got o Khamsavath. [Overpass to Platforms 2 and 3 for future trains.] There is a plan for a railway from Vientiane to Vung Ang in Vietnam, so who knows, maybe one day we will be getting trains to Vietnam from Khamsavath. [Departing Vientiane Khamsavath.] Subscribe to the Future Southeast Asia Newsletter to get updates about the high-speed railway project. Read more about the international train services in Southeast Asia. This train travel review is part of the Southeast Asia railways guide. View the full article

Those of you reading this blog, those interested in the pursuit of productivity and work-life balance, and all those nice things, probably have a lot of dreams. It’s something that binds us. We want to be better in more than one area of our lives. There’s our health, our social lives, our personal work—and the The post Mastering prioritization could change your life appeared first on RescueTime Blog. View the full article

I’m a big fan of minimalism. The benefits of owning only what you need to accomplish your greatest purposes are always better than the consequences of buying things you don’t need. I was introduced to minimalism by my neighbor 16 years ago, and my family of four was changed immediately. As a result, I write often about the benefits of minimalism. Here are just a few of those articles: 21 Life-Giving Benefits of Owning Less Minimalism vs. Consumerism: The Benefits of Choosing a Simple Life 12 Ways My Life Has Changed After 15 Years of Minimalism But every so often, I am challenged with a comment. The comment, on its premise, is incorrect and any deep-dive into my writing would show that. But still, it persists. 
The comment sounds something like this: Minimalism isn’t a magic solution for happiness, no matter how often you imply it is. And so I thought it might be helpful, once and for all, to make it clear that I do not believe minimalism is a magic solution for happiness. By overcoming the pursuit and accumulation of material possessions, we free up valuable resources in our life. By buying less, we have greater flexibility with our limited money. By owning less, we free up time for other things and remove the stress that comes from caring for more than we need. And by desiring less, we are able to direct our affections and passions elsewhere. But none of those changes automatically result in a better life. We are still required to be intentional with the lives that we live. If we replace the pursuit of physical possessions with the pursuit of something that is equally fading and stress-enhancing, we have only replaced one distraction with another and our change is in vain. For that reason, what we do after minimalism is just as important as our discovery of it. Again, I hope that is reflected in my writing: Dream Bigger Dreams Than Minimalism Why We Work 9 Ever-Present Distractions That Keep Us From Fully Living But let me be crystal-clear, minimalism will not solve every problem in your life. Here are just a few examples of the problems minimalism cannot solve: Minimalism will not heal a broken family relationship. Minimalism will not cure a chronic illness. Minimalism will not change an unhealthy marriage. Minimalism will not heal a broken heart. Minimalism will not overcome grief. Minimalism will not eliminate anxiety or depression. Minimalism will not erase past trauma or regrets. Minimalism will not change your boss. Minimalism will not resolve societal injustice or inequality. Minimalism will not show you the meaning of life. Minimalism will not show you the secret of happiness or contentment. There are LOTS of problems in life that minimalism cannot solve on its own. This list could even contain hundreds more. That being said, and this is important, what minimalism can do is free you up to more intentionally address each of those individual (and societal) problems that we encounter. Because once we remove the pursuit of physical possessions as the means to resolve our discontent, we are forced to dig deeper and work harder to find that solution. Let’s put to rest, once and for all, any insinuation that minimalism will solve all of our problems, both individually and as a society. We’ll need to look elsewhere for that. Minimalism merely frees us up to do it better! The post The Problems Minimalism Can’t Solve appeared first on Becoming Minimalist. View the full article

September 9, 2024 Happy Monday, folks! We wrote ​​this on​ Friday,​ but I think it's worth having the reminder today. Rest is non-negotiable for me. It can be simple, like lying in bed with my cats for 10 minutes, watching the mountains out of the window. What do you do to recharge? Vic Our Favorite Articles 💯The Remote Worker’s Guide to “Managing Up” (Todoist)The Todoist team shares three easy steps to show your worth at work as a remote worker. ​Read on​. Spain will pay digital nomads and remote workers in tech up to $17,000 to move to a rural region (CNBC)Spain's Extremadura region is offering grants to make your next work-from-anywhere spot a whole lot sunnier. ​More details ​​here.​ GABRIELLE LURIE-GettyImagesWorking From Home Is Powering Productivity (IMF)Next time anyone says that remote work hurts productivity, just send them this article by Bick Bloom. ​Find​​ it here.​ Remotive RecommendsTamilore Oladipo is a content writer at Buffer and a great person to follow if you are interested in writing content and advice on remote work. Check Tamilore's remote jobs newsletter and a fantastic CV template ​here​. This Week's Sponsor 🙌Work, Play, and Connect at Sinaia Nomad Retreat November 2024Join 40-50 digital nomads this November in Sinaia, Romania, for a unique work-and-play retreat. Enjoy private rooms, coworking spaces, co-cooking areas, gym and spa access, weekend trips, mountain hikes, and more. Contribute to local initiatives while exploring the stunning resort village. Early bird rate €360—reserve now! Secure Your Spot Now! ↗️ Remotive Jobs 💼Is this job for you? 👉 ​Senior Data Engineer at Proxify​ (CET +/- 3 hours) 👉 ​Senior Symfony Developer at Proxify​ (CET +/- 3 hours) 👉 ​Senior Golang Developer at Proxify​ (CET +/- 3 hours) Free Guides & Tools​Public Job Board​We curate 2,000 remote jobs so you don't have to! ​Find your remote job →​ ​Exclusive Webinar​3 Mistakes to Avoid When Looking For A Remote Startup Job (And What To Do Instead) ​Register for free →​ ​Job Search Tips​Looking for a remote job? Here are our tips to help you work remotely ​Check it out → Join the Remotive newsletter Subscribe to get our latest content by email. Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription. There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again. Email address Subscribe Powered by ConvertKit View the full article

Note: The following article was published in the September 01 issue of Simplify Magazine. We often consider our food diet as the primary determinant of our health. And there is a lot of truth to that. What we eat determines quite a bit the physical body we live our lives in. But our “diet” extends beyond just what we eat. Every day, we consume countless other things: the media we watch, the books we read, the conversations we engage in, the news we encounter, and even the thoughts we entertain. Just as the food we eat impacts our physical health, these other forms of consumption significantly influence our emotional, spiritual, and mental well-being. And in a world overflowing with information and stimuli, being mindful of our consumption becomes ever more critical. The choices we make about what to consume shapes our thoughts, attitudes, and ultimately our lives. And by practicing mindful consumption, we not only curate the external influences in our minds but we can also align our daily actions with our deeper values and goals. Mindful consumption may be one of the most important endeavors we can partake in. Let’s explore how we can approach this concept with intentionality, making choices that lead us toward a more meaningful and fulfilling existence. The Nature of Consumption Just as our physical health is impacted by the nutrients (or lack thereof) in our food, our mental and emotional health is influenced by the quality and type of our mental inputs. But these effects are not always felt right away. The full negative impact of an unhealthy diet isn’t felt the first day, but over a lifetime the cumulative effect determines who we become. Consider this: if we constantly consume negative news, we may begin to feel anxious or pessimistic about the world. If we follow social media accounts that promote unrealistic standards, we might start to feel inadequate or dissatisfied with our lives. Conversely, if we choose uplifting books, positive podcasts, life-giving spirituality, or meaningful conversations, we can foster a sense of hope, inspiration, and motivation. Not always the first day, but eventually … and always. Our society, as you know, often equates consumption with identity—what we own, what we wear, and what we showcase on social media. However, our greatest fulfillment in life will never come from external accumulation, but from internal alignment. By choosing mindfully, we can focus on consuming what nourishes our soul and positively impacts our life trajectory rather than what merely fills our time or, even worse, takes us down a road where we don’t want to go. But here’s the thing: Living with intention takes hard work and effort. The Importance of Intentionality Mindful consumption requires us to make deliberate choices rather than simply drifting along with the current of societal norms and expectations. It requires us to show up in our own lives every day. It means taking a step back and evaluating what we allow into our lives, understanding that not all consumption is created equal. It requires us to boldly evaluate when others are choosing unwisely and make decisions for ourselves. The line at the fast-food drive-thru is longer than the checkout at the grocery store produce department, but one reaps long-term health, the other unhealth. To live intentionally, we must first recognize that our life has value and is worthy of being lived well. And this is not an easy step for everyone. More than that, we recognize that our life is a sum of our daily choices. Every day presents new opportunities to choose differently, to select what aligns with our values rather than what is convenient or popular. Every new day is also a responsibility, to choose intentionality over and over again. Because if we don’t choose intentionality every day, someone else will begin to steer the ship. The foundation of mindful consumption begins with self-awareness. We must know who we are, what we value, what we want to accomplish, and whether our lives are moving in that direction. Once we have a clear understanding of these elements, we can make choices that support our goals and aspirations. Practical Steps for Mindful Consumption Before we go any further, I’d like to offer a list of different areas of life where we can apply mindful consumption (and how to do that): 1. Curate your media diet. Just as we choose healthy foods, we can choose nourishing media. Seek out news sources that offer balanced perspectives. Follow social media accounts that inspire and uplift rather than provoke comparison and jealousy. Choose books, podcasts, and shows that align with your values and contribute to your growth. 2. Limit negative influences. Negative influences are pervasive and often subtle. They can be found in the conversations we have, the content we consume, and even the environments we frequent. Identify these influences in your life and take steps to limit their impact. This might mean unfollowing certain social media accounts, avoiding gossip, or spending less time in environments or with people that drain your energy. 3. Engage in positive self-talk. Not all things we consume come from the outside. The stories we tell ourselves are a crucial part of our mental diet. Practice positive self-talk by affirming your strengths, acknowledging your progress, and being compassionate with yourself. This shift in internal dialogue can dramatically impact your overall well-being. 4. Choose your companions wisely. The people we spend time with significantly influence our mindset and attitudes. Surround yourself with individuals who support your values, encourage your growth, and challenge you to be better. These relationships are essential for a fulfilling and meaningful life. 5. Simplify your digital space. Just as we declutter our physical spaces, we can simplify our digital lives. Unsubscribe from unnecessary newsletters, delete apps that distract rather than serve, and organize your digital files. This simplification reduces mental clutter and helps you focus on what’s truly important. 6. Be careful what television you consume. Entertainment is more than passive. As I learned in my college film appreciation class, every produced piece of content communicates messages to us—sometimes unintentionally, but usually intentionally. And not all television shows and movies are beneficial. Focus more on what is good and less on what takes you away from the person you want to be. 7. Set boundaries for screen time. Additionally, not just do we need to care about what we watch, but in our digital age, it’s easy to become consumed by screens. Set intentional boundaries for your screen time, whether it’s limiting time on social media, taking regular breaks from work emails, or designating screen-free times of day. This practice helps prevent burnout and promotes more meaningful offline interactions. 8. Prioritize quality over quantity. Whether it’s the content you consume or the possessions you own, prioritize quality over quantity. Choose items and experiences that truly add value to your life rather than accumulating more for the sake of it. This approach fosters a deeper appreciation for what you have. 9. Reflect regularly. Take time to reflect on your consumption habits regularly. Are they aligned with your values and goals? Are there areas where you can make changes? Reflection helps you stay intentional and make adjustments as needed. The Benefits of Mindful Consumption Embracing mindful consumption offers numerous benefits. It is not always easy to be intentional, but it is always worth the effort. It helps us feel more in control of our lives, reduces stress, and fosters a deeper connection with our true selves. By making intentional choices about what we consume, we can: Improve our mental clarity. We can think more clearly, make better decisions, and pursue our goals with greater intention. Improve our emotional well-being. It helps us maintain a positive outlook and resilience in the face of challenges. Strengthen our relationships. By choosing to engage with positive influences and supportive people, we can build stronger, more meaningful relationships. Align with values. It allows us to live more authentically and purposefully, creating a life that reflects our true selves. Accomplish more with our lives. Ultimately, by becoming more intentional with the things we choose to consume, we live bigger lives of purpose and meaning. In a world that constantly bombards us with messages of more, more, more, mindful consumption offers a countercultural approach. It invites us to slow down, evaluate our choices, and prioritize what truly matters. By being intentional about what we consume—whether it’s food, media, relationships, or thoughts—we can cultivate a life of greater meaning and fulfillment. May we all find the courage to make intentional choices and the wisdom to consume mindfully. The quality of our lives depends on it. — Simplify Magazine is a quarterly, digital magazine that I started in 2017 to highlight experts and topics not frequently covered here on Becoming Minimalist. To date, we have edited and published 30 issues of the magazine—each covering a different theme. We just released the September 01, 2024 issue on the topic of Mindfulness. Since it’s founding, Simplify Magazine has offered lifetime subscriptions for a one-time payment of $20 (USD). You can join the community of over 250,000 readers right here. The post Mindful Consumption: Making Intentional Choices appeared first on Becoming Minimalist. View the full article

Every teacher wants to engage with their students well, which can be no easy feat in a hybrid classroom. Hybrid learning is any combination of remote and in-person learning. It’s a format that has grown in popularity in recent years, meaning more teachers are navigating a new style of instruction. Hybrid learning can include a mix of remote and in-person learners or elements of blended learning, like scheduling some sessions fully remotely or asynchronously and others in-person. Hybrid learning can be a huge asset to differentiate instruction and let students learn at their own pace. Still, teachers need to be intentional about how they execute a hybrid format to create engaging learning moments for young learners. View the full article

by Laura Stack, MBA, CSP, CPAE “Over-communicating is the glue that holds a high-performing team together and keeps them focused in the same direction. And, it circles back to clarity. Without good, consistent communication, you don’t have clarity.” ― Lee Ellis, leadership consultant, author, presenter, retired colonel, USAF. As managers, it’s drilled into us that we shouldn’t micromanage —that instead, we should hire well-qualified, intelligent self-starters, then give them their instructions and get out of the way. And while this strategy is generally sound, you’ll always find some exceptions that test the rule. In recent years, some business experts have begun backing off a bit from the approach outlined above, expounding on the virtues of overcommunication. In the past, we’ve been told not to overwhelm employees with information, and ideally to establish a single type of communication—whether face-to-face meeting, email, or phone — by which to convey our instructions. Overcommunicate subverts those concepts. But while it may seem intrusive, this doesn’t mean it it’s unnecessary. The business landscape has changed significantly in the past five years, largely in response to reality of COVID, the resulting lockdowns, and the concurrent rise of remote work. This may have forced changes in your direction, or may do so as you move forward. Therefore, consider overcommunication as an option, along with these five tips for wielding it. It need not be difficult or harsh. Applying overcommunication can prove as simple as a quick question: “How’s it going with the Kowalksy report?” Many manager already do this, so if you’re one of them, keep it up. Similarly, you can shoot someone an email occasionally just to check on a product’s status, or call as a follow-up to a meeting. Overcommunicate in times of crisis or change. When the future seems uncertain, keep in constant touch with your team. Make check-ins, updates, and follow-ups part of your regular tool-kit, providing consistent and clear communication to ensure everyone understands a project’s details and milestones. Make sure they know what you need of them, so you can keep team productivity on point. Under-communicating at such times, or even just communicating at normal levels, may make team members feel lost and confused. Overcommunicate to clarify messages from leadership. A single company-wide meeting won’t cut it, because even if your team members take copious notes, all the messages won’t get through to everyone. Reemphasize your organization’s mission, vision, goals, and priorities immediately after such a meeting, whenever someone new joins your team (even if it’s an in-company hire), and at regular intervals thereafter. Don’t flood them with such reminders, but do encourage your team to frequently reconsider your leadership’s messages. Overcommunicate with remote workers. The COVID and post-COVID eras have taught many employees they can work just fine remotely, which makes it doubly important they understand your directions. Overcommunication becomes a must, since (a) remote work may cause workers to lose their sense of acting as part of a team; and (b) Skype and Zoom notwithstanding, your team members can’t communicate with you face-to-face. Ask them to let you know if they’re confused, and follow up your instructions. Just don’t descend to the level of “infotoxication,” where overwhelm creates further confusion. Try multiple methods of communication. Here’s another point where the overcommunication focus breaks with tradition. Instead of sticking exclusively with one method of communicating information, orders, and directions to your team, mix it up a little. Again, after a meeting, you might send out emails clarifying the details of the new assignment. If you usually stick to email, follow up with calls, voice messages, or (if possible), face-to-face meetings with key team members. Steering Clear of Confusion Although the hands-off approach may be ideal, it doesn’t always reflect reality. Sometimes, you just have to talk too much for your directives to get through intact. Advertisers have practices this for at least a hundred years. It’s not as necessary in a newspaper, since newsprint is static, but think about it; how many times do radio and TV ads repeat their toll-free numbers? In their books, business opportunity gurus and marketers tend to repeat the same information at least twice, even three or four times. They realize you might miss it the first time around. Despite your careful charting of the course at the beginning of your trip, as with any voyage, you need to perform a reality check occasionally and then do whatever’s necessary to get back on course. Reality may have shifted in such a way that your original directions may not always apply, or your communication methods may have developed gaps that don’t let some things through. If this is true, it’s time to overcommunicate so your people understand everything you’re trying to tell them, in ways that help bridge any gaps. © 2024 Laura Stack. Laura Stack, MBA, CSP, CPAE is known as The Productivity Pro®. She is an award-winning keynote speaker, bestselling author, and noted authority on personal productivity. For 30+ years, she has given keynote speeches and workshops on increasing workplace productivity in high-stress environments. Stack has authored eight books, including the bestselling What to Do When There’s Too Much to Do. She is a past president of the National Speakers Association and a member of the exclusive Speaker Hall of Fame. To book Laura speak at an upcoming meeting or event, contact her at www.TheProductivityPro.com. View the full article

by Laura Stack, MBA, CSP, CPAE “Over-communicating is the glue that holds a high-performing team together and keeps them focused in the same direction. And, it circles back to clarity. Without good, consistent communication, you don’t have clarity.” ― Lee Ellis, leadership consultant, author, presenter, retired colonel, USAF. As managers, it’s drilled into us that we shouldn’t micromanage —that instead, we should hire well-qualified, intelligent self-starters, then give them their instructions and get out of the way. And while this strategy is generally sound, you’ll always find some exceptions that test the rule. In recent years, some business experts have begun backing off a bit from the approach outlined above, expounding on the virtues of overcommunication. In the past, we’ve been told not to overwhelm employees with information, and ideally to establish a single type of communication—whether face-to-face meeting, email, or phone — by which to convey our instructions. Overcommunicate subverts those concepts. But while it may seem intrusive, this doesn’t mean it it’s unnecessary. The business landscape has changed significantly in the past five years, largely in response to reality of COVID, the resulting lockdowns, and the concurrent rise of remote work. This may have forced changes in your direction, or may do so as you move forward. Therefore, consider overcommunication as an option, along with these five tips for wielding it. It need not be difficult or harsh. Applying overcommunication can prove as simple as a quick question: “How’s it going with the Kowalksy report?” Many manager already do this, so if you’re one of them, keep it up. Similarly, you can shoot someone an email occasionally just to check on a product’s status, or call as a follow-up to a meeting. Overcommunicate in times of crisis or change. When the future seems uncertain, keep in constant touch with your team. Make check-ins, updates, and follow-ups part of your regular tool-kit, providing consistent and clear communication to ensure everyone understands a project’s details and milestones. Make sure they know what you need of them, so you can keep team productivity on point. Under-communicating at such times, or even just communicating at normal levels, may make team members feel lost and confused. Overcommunicate to clarify messages from leadership. A single company-wide meeting won’t cut it, because even if your team members take copious notes, all the messages won’t get through to everyone. Reemphasize your organization’s mission, vision, goals, and priorities immediately after such a meeting, whenever someone new joins your team (even if it’s an in-company hire), and at regular intervals thereafter. Don’t flood them with such reminders, but do encourage your team to frequently reconsider your leadership’s messages. Overcommunicate with remote workers. The COVID and post-COVID eras have taught many employees they can work just fine remotely, which makes it doubly important they understand your directions. Overcommunication becomes a must, since (a) remote work may cause workers to lose their sense of acting as part of a team; and (b) Skype and Zoom notwithstanding, your team members can’t communicate with you face-to-face. Ask them to let you know if they’re confused, and follow up your instructions. Just don’t descend to the level of “infotoxication,” where overwhelm creates further confusion. Try multiple methods of communication. Here’s another point where the overcommunication focus breaks with tradition. Instead of sticking exclusively with one method of communicating information, orders, and directions to your team, mix it up a little. Again, after a meeting, you might send out emails clarifying the details of the new assignment. If you usually stick to email, follow up with calls, voice messages, or (if possible), face-to-face meetings with key team members. Steering Clear of Confusion Although the hands-off approach may be ideal, it doesn’t always reflect reality. Sometimes, you just have to talk too much for your directives to get through intact. Advertisers have practices this for at least a hundred years. It’s not as necessary in a newspaper, since newsprint is static, but think about it; how many times do radio and TV ads repeat their toll-free numbers? In their books, business opportunity gurus and marketers tend to repeat the same information at least twice, even three or four times. They realize you might miss it the first time around. Despite your careful charting of the course at the beginning of your trip, as with any voyage, you need to perform a reality check occasionally and then do whatever’s necessary to get back on course. Reality may have shifted in such a way that your original directions may not always apply, or your communication methods may have developed gaps that don’t let some things through. If this is true, it’s time to overcommunicate so your people understand everything you’re trying to tell them, in ways that help bridge any gaps. © 2024 Laura Stack. Laura Stack, MBA, CSP, CPAE is known as The Productivity Pro®. She is an award-winning keynote speaker, bestselling author, and noted authority on personal productivity. For 30+ years, she has given keynote speeches and workshops on increasing workplace productivity in high-stress environments. Stack has authored eight books, including the bestselling What to Do When There’s Too Much to Do. She is a past president of the National Speakers Association and a member of the exclusive Speaker Hall of Fame. To book Laura speak at an upcoming meeting or event, contact her at www.TheProductivityPro.com. View the full article