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People nowadays are uninterested in cold and business-like pieces of content. They want something authentic. They want conversations with people. That’s partly why Reddit is grabbing top spots in the search results because people know they’ll be reading something authentic. Hence why it’s smart to create more conversational content. But how do you do that? Read this blog to find out! What is conversational content? Plain and simple, it’s writing like you’re talking with someone. Not to someone. You’re not lecturing. You’re having a conversation with your audience. Though I’d suggest that you leave out the ‘ums’ and ‘ahs’ and multiple uses of ‘like’ or other filler words, because those can be a bit, uh, distracting or annoying in a text. For language purists: That also means letting go of some of the more formal writing conventions, like never starting sentences with ‘and’ or ‘but’. Why conversational content? As mentioned in the intro, people don’t want to read cold and dry texts. You probably don’t want to read some textbook answer that goes: ‘Conversational content is the art of writing in the way one might talk to other humans’. You, and many others, want to feel like you’re reading something written by another person. And one way to achieve this feeling is to create conversational content. Because when you write like you’re holding a conversation, chances are that your audience will want to talk back. Or in beautiful marketing terms: engage with your content. How to start? You now know the what and the why. Let’s look at how to start writing conversational content. Easiest way? Write a new blog post. Pick a topic that you’re interested in and that fits with your company or content strategy, then write like you’re talking with your audience! I know, I know, it’s not as easy as that. So here are some tips. I’m writing this post… Let’s get a quick tip out of the way: write in the first person. So, use I-sentences, like I’ve been doing so far. Speaking generally might come across as more professional, sure, but that’s not what you want. If you want to sound authentic, like a human, then you should let go of the generalized statements. No more “Our Product is Great and A Life Saver”. Instead, you can write: “I’ve used Our Product for my own small business, and this is how it’s helped me”. … And you’re reading it Don’t forget to address the other side of the conversation. You. The reader. Address them like you would if you were having a conversation with someone. Don’t say “people” as much. Try to use “you” instead. For example, instead of writing “People want more connection”, write “You probably want more connection”. See? Way more personal when you’re getting addressed. Ask questions Do you like it when people ask you questions? Probably, right? As with any good conversation, it’s nice to ask questions. They make the other person feel heard and addressed. So use that in your content writing. Ask people questions, and you’ll see that they’ll feel more engaged already. Don’t use difficult words Unless! Ha, there’s always an unless. If you know your audience really well, and you’re sure they’ll understand this or that difficult word, then go ahead. Generally speaking, however, even experts like content that’s easy to understand. So, no difficult words. You will only equivocate your readers! Worse, some might see it as a diatribe, and accuse you of being dilatory (see how annoying it is when you don’t know half the words? If you do know them, kudos to you!). The short of it: if people lose focus or interest in your content, or simply don’t understand, there’s no way they’re going to engage with it. Keep it short, okay? Think about it: if you talk with someone, are you using sentences that are three paragraphs long? Probably not. Which means that as you write, you should keep your sentences short too. Plus, this will make your content easier to read, which is great for readability! Pssht, if you have the Yoast SEO plugin, it will check if your sentences are too long. If they are, the plugin highlights them for you. This makes it easier to rewrite them! Emphasize your words With italics! It sounds almost like a slogan. But yes, it can help with making your writing sound more natural. Why? Because you emphasize words when you speak too. Sometimes it can even change the meaning of your sentence. Example of emphasis For example (a very Dutch example, because if you live in the Netherlands, your bike will get stolen one day. It’s the circle of life): “I didn’t say he had stolen my bike,” means you really didn’t say that. But if you say, “I didn’t say he had stolen my bike,” you want to emphasize that it wasn’t him, but someone else. Do not write ‘do not’ I’m a big fan of contractions. Grammar contractions, that is. They make a text sound so much more natural. Because let’s be honest, do you say “I do not want another coffee” or do you say “I don’t want another coffee?” Probably the second one, right? Using don’t and I’m and you’re etc. will sound so much more natural to readers. Which means your content will sound more like a conversation too. You’re a person, so write like one Does that sound threatening? I do mean this in the nicest way possible! In order to write good conversational content, you have to ‘let go’ a little. The professional in you needs to take a step back and make space for your personality to shine through. Because if you can make your writing sound like you, it’ll sound so much more natural. It all comes back to the “people don’t want impersonal and business-like content anymore”. They want to read content made by people. So let your own personality shine through. Make a little joke. Heck, use silly words like ‘delulu’ instead of delusional every once in a while (just make sure your text is still readable to everyone). Just be you. Add examples and anecdotes Another great way that will help you write like a person is to add examples. Personal examples, to be exact. It doesn’t have to be long. You don’t have to let us know every detail about your life, but sharing about your personal experiences can help make a piece of writing feel more personal. Keep the conversation going Okay, you’ve written a post or piece of conversational content. People are engaging, maybe even commenting! Don’t let the conversation end there. Reply to them. Use their point of view, their insights and questions, and perhaps create another piece of content. Build on the conversation. Keep it going! What kind of content works for conversational content? Finally, before you pour your heart and soul (and personality) into your content, let’s look at what kind of content works. An easy one is opinionated pieces. Has something interesting happened in your area of expertise? Write content about it, and give your opinion. Add to the conversation with your voice. But really, any piece of content can become conversational if you write it like that—if you use your own voice and personality, and make it yours. Look at this post! Technically, it’s a how-to. Those can be very dry. You’re just giving information, after all. But I’ve used the conversational content tips to make it, well, interesting. I hope I did a good job. Let me know if I did :) And good luck with writing! The post How to write conversational content appeared first on Yoast. View the full article

October 21, 2024 Hey Remotive crew, Got a job offer to mull over? Wondering where all the remote jobs are hiding in 2024? Or just looking for a little leadership inspiration? We’ve got you covered! Dive into this week’s content and fuel up for success. Vic Our Favorite Articles 💯Illustration by Ana Moreno7 Questions to Ask When Weighing a Job Offer (HBR)Got the job offer? Ask these 7 key questions first—because no one wants to regret their decision after the first awkward Zoom meeting! ​Read more​. Photo by ​Alejandro Escamilla​ on ​Unsplash​Where Are All The Remote Jobs Going In 2024? (Forbes)Remote jobs are still around, but 2024 is seeing more hybrid setups and return-to-office policies. Fully remote roles? They’re out there—just a bit more competitive! ​Keep reading​. True People-Centric Leadership in Times of Crisis (LinkedIn)After a devastating hurricane, Chase Warrington, Doist's Head of Operations, experienced firsthand how his company’s proactive support during a difficult time highlighted the real meaning of being people-first. ​Read on​. 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? 👉 ​Frontend Engineer at Contra​ (Worldwide) 👉 ​Senior DevOps Engineer (AWS) at Proxify​ (CET +/- 3 hours) 👉 ​Senior Fullstack Developer at Proxify​ (CET +/- 3 hours) 👉 ​Senior Symfony Developer at Proxify​ (CET +/- 3 hours) 👉 ​System Administrator at Discourse​ (Americas) 👉 ​Software Engineer - Customer Projects - Americas at Discourse​ (Americas) 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

What could be the matter if your perfectly optimized post isn’t ranking? Is the problem that your site is not on Google, or is something else going wrong? What is keeping your content from reaching that coveted #1 position? In this post, we’ll discuss many possible reasons why your page is not ranking, even though it’s optimized. We’ve divided the possible issues you might be having into four sections: Indexing and crawl issues: How to check if your site is on Google, plus reasons why your site/page might not be on Google Technical issues with your website: Is Google disregarding it because it’s incorrectly set up? Linking issues: Is your internal linking structure and lack of quality backlinks limiting your success? Content and keyword issues: Is your content high quality and aligned with the right search intent? Are your keywords just too competitive? Pro tip Quick question: how’s your internal linking? If your content is optimized but not ranking, or Google is ranking the wrong pages from your site, it could be because you need to improve your site structure or fix your orphaned content. We’ve made some really neat SEO workouts to help you check and remedy these kinds of issues — check them out and fix those issues now! Indexing and crawl issues The first few points on the list all deal with indexing and crawl issues. Put simply, you can’t rank if your page or site is not on Google in the first place. If you find these topics confusing, you might want to read up on how Google works and how to start with SEO. 1. Your site/page is not on Google If you need help determining whether your site is on Google, you can use the site: search operator in Google. Type site:yoast.com, and you’ll see a list of pages for that domain. If you type in the full URL of a specific article, you should see only one search result return. If you see your pages, this means that Google knows about your site and has put — at least some of it — in its index. Once you discover that your page is in the index, but you think it is not performing well, you might want to dig deeper. The site: search operator helps you find your site in Google’s index How to fix it Check your WordPress Reading Settings. For the Search Visibility option, if you’ve ticked the box ‘Discourage search engines from indexing this site’, that’s the most likely reason your site is not on Google. If that’s the case, uncheck that box and click to save your changes. If the problem is that only some specific pages aren’t showing up on Google, then you might want to review your Search Appearance settings in Yoast SEO. Go to the ‘Content Types’ tab and ensure your settings are correct. 2. Your site/page is still too new If your site or page is new, it might simply be a matter of chilling out and checking back in a little while. There are many moving parts in getting your content crawled, indexed and ranked. Sometimes, it takes days or maybe even weeks for Google to finish its discovery process. How to fix it If you check and find your site is not on Google yet, you can install Yoast SEO and submit the generated XML sitemap to Google Search Console to help Google discover your website. You can also use the URL Inspection tool in Search Console to determine how specific pages are doing. It tells you exactly how Google crawls and views your site. 3. Your content is noindexed One of the most common reasons Google does not index your site or a specific page is that it has been noindexed inadvertently. Adding noindex meta robot tags to a page tells Googlebot that it can crawl the page but that the results can’t be added to the index. How can you check if your page is noindexed? That’s easy; simply open the page and view the source code. You’ll find the code below somewhere at the top of the page. This tells search engine crawlers that the page’s content shouldn’t be added to the index, thus keeping it from ranking. <meta name="robots" content="noindex"> How to fix it It happens! Even we occasionally make a mistake and inadvertently noindex a post. Luckily, it’s an easy fix. We wrote about how to set a piece of content back on the right track with Yoast SEO. 4. Your site/page is blocking Google with robots.txt You might have told Google not to index your content, but it’s also possible you’ve told Google not to crawl your site at all! Blocking crawlers in a so-called robots.txt file is a surefire way never to get any traffic. Blocking robots is easier than you might think. For instance, WordPress has a Search Engine Visibility setting that does its best to keep crawlers out once set to Discourage search engines from indexing this site. Uncheck this to make your site available again. See that this option isn’t inadvertently checked WordPress uses the noindex approach described above to handle the indexing of sites via the Search Engine Visibility setting. It does have a warning that it’s up to search engines to honor the request. Besides telling WordPress to block search engines, it might be that other technical issues generate crawl errors, preventing Google from crawling your site properly. Your site’s web server could be acting up and presenting server errors, or buggy bits of JavaScript in your code trip up the crawler. Make sure Google can crawl your site easily. How to fix it If your robots.txt file is blocking Google from crawling your website (or parts of it) and you want to change that, then you’ll need to edit the file. You can follow this guide to edit your robots.txt file. 5. You must enhance your index coverage Ensuring that Google indexes your web pages is essential to succeed. Index coverage refers to the number of your site’s URLs included in Google’s search index. Even the most optimized content may not appear in search results without comprehensive index coverage. To identify the issue, you must examine the Index Coverage report in Google Search Console. This tool categorizes your pages into various categories and explains why pages are not indexed. If you notice many pages falling under “Error” or “Excluded,” it’s time to investigate further. One of the most common errors is ‘Crawled – currently not indexed’ in Search Console. How to fix it Ensure your XML sitemap is current and accurately represents your site structure. Please submit it to Google Search Console to help Google find your pages. Review and resolve any crawl errors such as 404s, server errors, or redirect issues. These errors can prevent pages from being indexed. Pages with low-quality or duplicate content might be excluded from the index. Focus on creating unique, valuable content that provides genuine user engagement. Use the URL Inspection tool to request indexing for crucial pages not yet indexed. This tool also provides insights into how Google perceives your page. Google Search Console helps you understand why pages are not indexed Technical issues affecting ranking Is your page/website indexed but not ranking? Then, technical problems need to be checked. 6. You’re not ranking because your site has technical issues Your website needs to meet certain technical benchmarks if you’re going to rank on Google! Loading speed, or how quickly your pages load, is important. Security and hosting quality are important too, and that’s not all. You can read about all the essentials in our article: things everyone should know about technical SEO. If your post doesn’t appear in the search engines, technical issues could prevent it from appearing in the search results completely. You could have conflicting plugins causing problems, and we’ve also seen some themes that prevent Google from indexing your site. And, while Yoast SEO takes care of many technical issues under the hood, it should be set correctly to do that properly. How to fix it The fix you need will depend on the technical issues your website is having, and we can’t cover everything here. You might want to check the following points: Ensure all your Yoast plugin settings are correct Check that you’re doing things the right way to keep loading times down Make sure your site is set to https:// and your security certificates are up to date Upgrade your hosting plan Check your plugins and/or theme aren’t causing problems. If your technical SEO looks good and your site is indexed, you must dig deeper to discover the problem. Keep reading! 7. You’re being penalized for breaking SEO rules If Google catches you using shady SEO techniques that it doesn’t allow — e.g., sneaky tactics like buying links or stuffing keywords into hidden text — your page or site can be penalized. When you’re already putting in the effort to make a good website and quality content, it’s counterproductive to try. Even when everything else on your page is perfect, if you’re doing something that Google doesn’t allow, you will have problems ranking (or appearing in the Google search results). Most of these things are common sense, so you probably don’t need to worry if you’re not trying to trick Google or spam people. However, a few things used to be common SEO practices that can now lead to issues — check out our article about SEO myths for more examples of bad SEO practices to avoid. How to fix it You can check whether Google has flagged your page for these problems in the Manual Actions tab in Google Search Console (GSC). If you’re still new to using GSC, you might want to check out our introductory article. If you find an issue under the Manual Actions tab, read this help article to learn more about what it means and how to fix it. Linking issues that affect ranking A good internal linking structure and quality backlinks are important if you want to rank high. Google crawls the web, following each link it finds, so if your links are lacking, it can cause problems with ranking. 8. Your site doesn’t have a proper internal linking structure Another reason your content doesn’t appear in the search results is that a crucial part of your SEO strategy is not in order. Don’t underestimate the importance of site structure – the internal linking structure – for your SEO strategy. Having a clear site structure leads to a better understanding of your site by Google. If your internal linking structure is poor, chances to rank high are lower – even when your content is well-optimized and awesome. How to fix it Start adding those links! Make sure that your important posts and pages have the most internal links to them. But don’t randomly add links: make sure you add relevant, related links that add value for your users. You can use the Yoast SEO orphaned content filter to find posts without incoming internal links. Yoast SEO Premium will help you even more by offering helpful linking suggestions as you write. In addition, if you use Yoast SEO Premium, you get various other AI features, like Yoast AI Optimize, that help you do the hard work. And if you really want to improve your site structure, check out our site structure training — which is also included in Premium! Pro tip: Take care of your orphaned content and internal linking the easy way with our SEO workouts, available in Yoast SEO Premium. Read on: Site structure: the ultimate guide » 9. There are few backlinks to your site If you just started with your website, your content won’t instantly rank. Not even if you have optimized everything perfectly and every bullet in Yoast SEO is green. To rank, you’ll need some links from other websites. After all, Google has to know your website exists. How to fix it Creating incredible content is a good way to get links to your pages. High-quality content attracts clicks from readers who might share the content far and wide via social media. All this helps to get those links. Of course, you can do more to get links in a natural, non-spammy way: here are fifteen ways of getting high-quality backlinks. To get (more) backlinks, you can reach out to other websites. You’ll need to do some PR or link building. Ask them to mention your site or talk about your product and link to your site. You can also use social media to get the word out! Learn all about link-building strategies in our All-Around SEO training! Content and keyword issues affecting ranking If everything else is as it should be SEO-wise, then your page or site is not ranking might be related to your content or keywords. 10. Your page is great, but there’s too much competition Usually, a page doesn’t rank because there’s simply too much competition. If you optimize your content for competitive keywords and keyphrases, such as [cat behavior], [robot vacuum cleaner], or [real estate agent], chances are high that you won’t rank for that term. Check the results pages for your keyword to determine if this is the problem. Do high authority sites like Wikipedia or Amazon dominate the first page? Do you see many sites already firmly established themselves in this niche? Probably, your site doesn’t have the authority that these other sites have (yet). So you can optimize all you want, but unfortunately, that’s not enough to rank high in the search results if your niche is too competitive. How to fix it If you want to rank for highly competitive terms, try a long-tail keyword strategy. Write content that targets related long-tail keywords and phrases before tackling the competitive keywords. If these long-tail articles start ranking, you can also rank for more competitive terms. Such a strategy requires long-term efforts, but in the end, it will pay off. Read more: Why you should focus on long tail keywords » 11. Low-quality content or wrong type of intent Another reason your content isn’t ranking is that it doesn’t match the intent of people searching for your keyword. Search intent is important for search engines: do people want to buy something, go to a specific website, or seek information? Even if you’re targeting a more long-tail keyphrase, if your content doesn’t match the dominant intent of searchers, search engines won’t show it in the results because it won’t be what people are looking for. Let’s look at a few examples. Say you’re a dog trainer who wants to rank for puppy training services, so you optimize for [training your puppy], with transactional intent in mind. But if you look at the search results, you’ll see that there are informational videos, and all the results explain how to train a puppy yourself. So, searchers have informational intent. This can work the other way around, too. If you’ve written a step-by-step guide for your blog on making garden decorations, aiming to rank for [flower garland garden decoration], you may have trouble ranking for that term if people just want to buy that, not make it themselves. Remember that not every search term has one dominant type of intent. Also, it isn’t impossible to rank with content for differing intent. Still, it can be worthwhile to look into this if your optimized content doesn’t rank in the search engines. How to fix it Unfortunately, you don’t have the power to change the intent of search engine users. But you can adapt your content strategy. If your optimized content isn’t ranking, look at the search results (use private mode) and analyze what you see. Is one specific type of result dominant? Are there images or videos? Which related queries are shown? This is where your opportunities are. If you find primarily informational intent for a query, you can write content to get people to your site, establish your brand as a reliable source of information, and stay top of mind when people want to buy something. If you find a lot of images in the search results, you may need to focus more on image SEO. Consider what you see on the results pages when determining your SEO strategy. 12. Your content lacks uniqueness Even well-written and optimized content might struggle to rank if it doesn’t stand out. Search engines prioritize content that offers a unique perspective or provides additional value compared to existing articles on the same topic. Check the search results for your target keywords and examine the top-ranking pages. Does your content offer something different or more insightful? If your page presents similar information in a comparable format, you may find it difficult to climb the rankings. With the advent of generative AI, we’ll see a wave of mediocre sameness appear in the search results. If you publish the same stuff, search engines won’t bother with it. Generative AI can help create content but needs help maintaining quality and relevance. While AI can quickly produce large volumes of content, we should prioritize quality over quantity. You should make sure that the material is original and valuable to your audience. AI-generated content might be repetitive or lack diverse perspectives. It’s essential to refine it with your unique insights or expert opinions. Additionally, the content should always align with your audience’s needs and search intent, as AI may not fully capture human nuances. Always comply with search engine guidelines regarding AI-generated content to avoid potential penalties or indexing issues. You can enhance your content strategy while preserving its integrity by using AI as a supportive tool rather than a standalone solution. How to fix it Quit simply; add unique insights and views. Add your own voice and incorporate original research, case studies, or expert opinions to set your content apart. Keep your content fresh with the latest information, trends, or data to maintain relevance and uniqueness. Encourage comments and discussions to build a community around your content, making it more dynamic and engaging. Is your optimized content still not ranking? Multiple reasons could prevent a post from ranking. Have you optimized your post correctly with Yoast SEO? Then, the most common cause is likely to be that the competition in a niche is too fierce. Unfortunately, SEO is a long-term strategy. You need to work hard and be patient. In the meantime, you can tackle many other aspects of your SEO (site structure, link building). Try to focus on all website optimization aspects and be the best result. It will pay off eventually! Read on: Rank tracking: why you should monitor your keywords » The post 12 reasons your page won’t rank – even though it’s optimized appeared first on Yoast. View the full article

World Mental Health Day was last week, and this year’s theme probably resonates with most of us. It is time to prioritize mental health in the workplace. According to the World Health Organization, almost 1 in 5 adults experience a mental health condition each year. If you feel like your mental health has taken a The post Honoring World Mental Health Day: 6 Ways Time Management Supports Your Mental Health appeared first on RescueTime Blog. View the full article

Many predictions and concerns tumbled into the slipstream trailing ChatGPT’s dazzling, turbulent entrance onto the technology scene in late 2022. Few of these initial warnings felt more immediate than those of imminent disruptions to higher education. “Could the chatbot, which provides coherent, quirky, and conversational responses to simple language inquires, inspire more students to cheat?”, asked an NBC News article, published only a week after ChatGPT’s initial launch. Several months later, a professor in the Texas A&M system took this warning to heart and failed his entire class after convincing himself that every one of his students had used AI to write their final assignments. (It turns out that his method of detection—asking ChatGPT itself whether it produced the submissions—was unreliable. He later changed the grades.) “AI seems almost built for cheating,” explains Ethan Mollick, in his recent bestseller, Co-Intelligence. He predicted, in particular, that paper writing as a pedagogical tool might be on the way out, forcing institutions to adapt to other methods to teach composition: “In-school assignments on non-internet-enabled computers, combined with written exams, will ensure students learn basic writing skills.” It’s hard to believe that it’s been almost two years since we first started hearing these concerns about ChatGPT providing students the perfect cheating machine. As a professor and writer myself, these issues interest me, especially when it comes to academic compositions. So in my most recent article for The New Yorker, published earlier this month, and titled “What Kind of Writer is ChatGPT?,” I set out to understand how these tools are currently being put to work by students tackling writing assignments. My approach was to move beyond speculation and watch actual students use AI on actual assignments, with a particular focus on a graduate student I called Chris, who was using ChatGPT to write a significant anthropology paper. As I explain in the article, what I observed Chris doing was more complicated than you might have guessed: “He was not outsourcing his exam to ChatGPT; he rarely made use of the new text or revisions that the chatbot provided. He also didn’t seem to be streamlining or speeding up his writing process. If I had been Chris’s professor, I would have wanted him to disclose his use of the tool, but I don’t think I would have considered it cheating. So what was it?” I recommend that you read the full article to learn the full answer. But to preview what I discovered: students aren’t simply outsourcing their writing to tools like ChatGPT, but they’re also not using them in clearly harmless ways either. The reality is something different and new; less a method to speed up the task of writing and more an approach to reducing its cognitive burden. The bigger point to be made here, however, is about how we think about this new age of artificial intelligence in which we’ve been enveloped since late 2022. These tools are undeniably powerful. Accordingly, they will undeniably end up changing some things about our lives in major ways. But predicting these changes has proven exceedingly difficult. If you’re interested in these trends, spend less time listening to people explaining how the next version of some model is going to change everything all at once, and instead directly observe what people are doing with the versions of the technology they have access to right now. The stories are less flashy, but as you look deeper you’ll find interesting things going on. ##### In the latest episode of my podcast, Deep Questions, released earlier today, I take an unconventional look at the idea of discipline and how to improve it (listen | watch) Have you read my new book, Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment without Burnout? If not, here’s yet another reason to consider doing so: Goodreads just listed Slow Productivity as #1 on their recently released list of the “Most Popular Self Help Books of 2024.” The post The Perfect Cheating Machine? appeared first on Cal Newport. View the full article

Many predictions and concerns tumbled into the slipstream trailing ChatGPT’s dazzling, turbulent entrance onto the technology scene in late 2022. Few of these initial warnings felt more immediate than those of imminent disruptions to higher education. “Could the chatbot, which provides coherent, quirky, and conversational responses to simple language inquires, inspire more students to cheat?”, asked an NBC News article, published only a week after ChatGPT’s initial launch. Several months later, a professor in the Texas A&M system took this warning to heart and failed his entire class after convincing himself that every one of his students had used AI to write their final assignments. (It turns out that his method of detection—asking ChatGPT itself whether it produced the submissions—was unreliable. He later changed the grades.) “AI seems almost built for cheating,” explains Ethan Mollick, in his recent bestseller, Co-Intelligence. He predicted, in particular, that paper writing as a pedagogical tool might be on the way out, forcing institutions to adapt to other methods to teach composition: “In-school assignments on non-internet-enabled computers, combined with written exams, will ensure students learn basic writing skills.” It’s hard to believe that it’s been almost two years since we first started hearing these concerns about ChatGPT providing students the perfect cheating machine. As a professor and writer myself, these issues interest me, especially when it comes to academic compositions. So in my most recent article for The New Yorker, published earlier this month, and titled “What Kind of Writer is ChatGPT?,” I set out to understand how these tools are currently being put to work by students tackling writing assignments. My approach was to move beyond speculation and watch actual students use AI on actual assignments, with a particular focus on a graduate student I called Chris, who was using ChatGPT to write a significant anthropology paper. As I explain in the article, what I observed Chris doing was more complicated than you might have guessed: “He was not outsourcing his exam to ChatGPT; he rarely made use of the new text or revisions that the chatbot provided. He also didn’t seem to be streamlining or speeding up his writing process. If I had been Chris’s professor, I would have wanted him to disclose his use of the tool, but I don’t think I would have considered it cheating. So what was it?” I recommend that you read the full article to learn the full answer. But to preview what I discovered: students aren’t simply outsourcing their writing to tools like ChatGPT, but they’re also not using them in clearly harmless ways either. The reality is something different and new; less a method to speed up the task of writing and more an approach to reducing its cognitive burden. The bigger point to be made here, however, is about how we think about this new age of artificial intelligence in which we’ve been enveloped since late 2022. These tools are undeniably powerful. Accordingly, they will undeniably end up changing some things about our lives in major ways. But predicting these changes has proven exceedingly difficult. If you’re interested in these trends, spend less time listening to people explaining how the next version of some model is going to change everything all at once, and instead directly observe what people are doing with the versions of the technology they have access to right now. The stories are less flashy, but as you look deeper you’ll find interesting things going on. ##### In the latest episode of my podcast, Deep Questions, released earlier today, I take an unconventional look at the idea of discipline and how to improve it (listen | watch) Have you read my new book, Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment without Burnout? If not, here’s yet another reason to consider doing so: Goodreads just listed Slow Productivity as #1 on their recently released list of the “Most Popular Self Help Books of 2024.” The post The Perfect Cheating Machine? appeared first on Cal Newport. View the full article

A guide to the Soekarno–Hatta Line – the Jakarta airport train. Travel information, tickets, and which stations are best for visitors. The Soekarno–Hatta Airport Commuter Line (formerly the Soekarno–Hatta Airport Rail Link) is the airport railway connecting Soekarno–Hatta International Airport to Central Jakarta. The Soekarno–Hatta Line was built with the combination of a new railway connecting to an existing track. As such the railway has to weave its way around the airport and surrounding area to get to the old track. It’s not an express train, but it’s still a better option than a taxi in peak hour traffic. Here is all the information on how to get the Jakarta airport train, and if it’s worth getting for your trip. Soekarno–Hatta Line Map A map of all the stations on the Soekarno–Hatta Line, and useful travel landmarks that are mentioned in this guide. [Map of the Soekarno–Hatta Line.] Soekarno–Hatta Line route [A06] Soekarno–Hatta International Airport (SHIA) [A05] Batu Ceper [A04] Rawa Buaya [A03] Duri [A02] BNI City [A01] Manggarai For visitors the most useful stations are BNI City and Manggarai. Tickets Tickets were previously available at railink.co.id, but the tickets at now at reservation.kci.id. This is a not a user-friendly site for English speakers, so it’s easier to buy a ticket at the station. A regular ticket is Rp100,000 ($7.13 USD). At the time I travelled there was a promo rate of 70,000 IDR ($5 USD). SHIA Station SHIA Station (Soekarno–Hatta International Airport Station) is located between Skytrain station of Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 of Soekarno–Hatta International Airport. Unlike the airport train at KL and Hong Kong (as two examples), the airport train is not accessible from the terminals. Instead you have to get the Airport Skytrain, which connects Terminal 1, 2, 3 to the SHIA railway station. I arrived at Terminal 2 and saw this fancy train terminal, only to find out it’s the skytrain station. This skytrain to the main station adds another 10 minutes or so to your trip. At the SHIA Station there is a spacious ticketing hall where you can buy tickets from vending machines or in person. BNI City BNI City is a station built on top of the existing railway near Sudirman Station. This station is next to Jalan Jenderal Sudirman and near the Dukuh Atas BNI metro station. It takes 46 minutes to get here from the airport. [Dukuh Atas BNI metro station at BNI City.] At the station there is taxi rank where you can get the reliable Bluebird Taxis. If you already have a Grab account then you can also use that as an option. There is a dedicated Grab pick-up point at the station. [Bluebird Taxis at BNI City.] From here it’s a short taxi ride to the many hotels in this area. The Hotel Indonesia Kempinski Jakarta at the Selamat Datang Monument is the central point of the luxury hotel area, and that is 1.2 kilometres away. I was staying in Jalan Jaksa, which is a popular street for budget and mid-range hotels. Jalan Jaksa is 3km from BNI City and it took about 20 minutes in peak hour traffic. This is one of the best areas to stay in Jakarta. BNI City sits at the tip of Golden Triangle of Jakarta. This is the Central Business District that is bordered by Thamrin Avenue-Sudirman Boulevard, Rasuna Said Avenue, and Gatot Subroto Avenue. The Golden Triangle is the business and financial heart of Jakarta, so the train+taxi combo is a good option for business travel. With BNI City being a new station near the financial district, I was expecting it to be a grandiose integrated transit and shopping hub, but there is not much here apart from a few shops. [BNI City ticketed area.] The station is named after Bank Negara Indonesia, an Indonesian state-owned bank which has an office tower opposite the station on the other side of the Ciliwung River. [BNI Coffee at BNI City.] Manggarai In October 2019 the line was extended to Manggarai Station. This is a major junction for the commuter railway line, and the station is being redeveloped to become a major urban rail transport hub. In the future it will replace Gambir Station as the central station for long distance railways. [Jakarta train map showing where the airport line connects with commuter rail.] It takes 57 minutes to get from the airport to Manggarai. From Manggarai you can get the red and blue commuter lines to Gondangdia Station, which is a ten-minute walk to Jalan Jaksa. The airport train used to go to Bekasi, but it now terminates at Manggarai. Onboard The carriages have comfortable seating in 2×2 format, and there are luggage racks. The seats have USB charging outlets. And there are toilets onboard. Is it worth getting the airport link? Jakarta is an enormous city so for most Jakartans the rail link is not going to save time. For example I met some friends in the popular expat area of Kemang in South Jakarta. By the time they get from Kemang to BNI City, and then get the train, they could have got a taxi to the airport in less time. For visitors though, and especially those staying within range of BNI City, then the airport train will save you time and frustration. It depends on the time of day as well. I arrived in the evening peak hour so I was happy to get the train and then taxi. On the way out I had an early flight and I had contemplated getting the first train of the morning at 5.21. I ended up getting a Grab instead at 5am. The Grab taxi was 123,000 IDR, so about 150,000 IDR ($10.70 USD) to allow for tollway fees and rounding up. It took 35 minutes by taxi in the early morning. Soekarno–Hatta Line news / links Airport train to start operating from Manggarai Station on Saturday – [03/10/19] The airport train service is extended to Manggarai Station from October 5. Manggarai will eventually be the central station for all train traffic. Bekasi-Soekarno Hatta airport train stops operations – [09/09/19] The rail service now terminates at Manggarai Station, where you can transfer for commuter trains for services to Bekasi. After one year: Improving international airport train – [12/01/19] Is Soekarno–Hatta’s airport train (railink) failing? [03/01/19] Jakarta airport rail link opens, proves a hit with travellers – [31/12/17] Soekarno-Hatta Airport rail link to emulate Changi model – [03/01/13] More on Southeast Asia urban rail transit For more transit guides check out the urban rail transit, and a complete guide to airport railways in Southeast Asia. View the full article

A guide to the Padang Besar Railway Station border crossing between Malaysia and Thailand. Padang Besar is an international railway station in Malaysia on the Thailand border. There is also a separate Padang Besar station in Thailand in Tambon Padangbesa. If you are getting the train between Thailand and Malaysia, you will be going through Padang Besar in Malaysia. This a guide for crossing the border at Padang Besar, and what trains to get to travel between Malaysia and Thailand. Padang Besar station guide Padang Besar map Padang Besar Railway Station (Malaysia) Train travel from Malaysia to Thailand Train travel from Thailand to Malaysia Padang Besar Railway Station (Thailand) Padang Besar train services Kuala Lumpur to Padang Besar Gemas to Padang Besar Butterworth (Penang) to Padang Besar Hat Yai to Padang Besar Bangkok to Padang Besar Padang Besar map [Map of Padang Besar Malaysia and Thailand.] Padang Besar Railway Station (Malaysia) Padang Besar Railway Station in Malaysia is the border-crossing station for Malaysia-Thailand train travel. Train travel from Malaysia to Thailand [Passengers arriving at Padang Besar Malaysia.] KTM trains from Kuala Lumpur, Gemas, and Butterworth terminate at Padang Besar (Malaysia). If you are continuing to Thailand, there are SRT trains at this station. You can transfer to the Thailand section of the station without exiting the station, so don’t go through the exit gates. [Exit gates at Padang Besar Malaysia.] There is a cafe and some food available here, but there is nothing on the Thailand side of the station, so buy what you need here. [Cafe at Padang Besar.] There are ticket booths for minivan services inside the station. If you don’t have time to wait for the next train, then this is an alternative way to get to Hat Yai. [Padang Besar-Hat Yai van services.] There is a ticket area inside the station that has windows for Malaysia and Thailand trains. The ticket booths are clearly marked with flags. [Malaysia and Thailand ticket offices at Padang Besar.] For train travel in Thailand you will be issued a ticket from the SRT. Tickets can be bought in Malaysian Ringgit or Thai Baht. [Ticket from Padang Besar to Hat Yai.] There is also a 1 hour time difference to factor in. Malaysia is 1 hour ahead of Thailand, and the departure time for Thailand trains is shown in Thai time. [Thailand and Malaysia time zones.] When you are ready to leave, follow the signs to the immigration area. Border control for Malaysia and Thailand is done at Padang Besar Malaysia. You will need to check the visa status of your country to see if you can cross by land. Once you pass through immigration of both countries, you will be in the SRT section of the train station. [SRT platform at Padang Besar Malaysia.] As you are stamped out of Malaysia and stamped into Thailand, you are now technically in Thailand. The SRT platform is just the same platform as the Malaysia section with a small fence separating the two countries. [Thailand platform at Padang Besar.] Trains from Padang Besar into Thailand are operated by the SRT. [SRT train arriving at Padang Besar.] Train travel from Thailand to Malaysia SRT trains from Bangkok and Hat Yai to Padang Besar terminate at the Malaysia Padang Besar. [Thailand platforms at Padang Besar Malaysia.] Padang Besar Railway Station (Thailand) [Padang Besar Railway Station Thailand.] After departing Padang Besar (Malaysia) the train crosses the border. This is visible by a security fence, and also marked on your Google Map. [Malaysia-Thailand border crossing.] The train to Hat Yai stops at Padang Besar in Thailand. The station is clearly marked as Padang Besar Station (Thai) and there is no border control here. [Padang Besar Station (Thai).] If you are coming from Hat Yai to go to Malaysia, then don’t get off here. If you get off here, you will have to walk to border crossing. Padang Besar train services Padang Besar (on both sides) is a typical border town that is bustling with international trucks and not much to do for the average tourist. If you are in Padang Besar, then you are most likely on the way to somewhere else. [Trucks at Padang Besar.] There are no through-trains that go via Padang Besar (for example a Bangkok-KL service). There is talk of reviving the Bangkok-Butterworth service, so I will add that to this list when it restarts. There are also some chartered tourist trains that run from KL to Hat Yai, but I haven’t added those services in this list. Kuala Lumpur to Padang Besar KTM operate Kuala Lumpur to Padang Besar services on the ETS railway. This is an electric train service (ETS) on modern trains that travel up to 140 km/h. Unfortunately this is a metre-gauge railway, so there is no prospect of there being a faster service on this line. The KL-Padang Besar service doesn’t stop at Butterworth (Penang). If you are doing the KL-Penang-Padang Besar overland trip, you need to get the KL-Butterworth train, and then Butterworth-Padang Besar train. Gemas to Padang Besar [ETS train at Gemas.] Gemas is about halfway between Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru. This is as far as the electric railway reaches in the south. Passengers going further south have to transfer to a diesel train at Gemas to continue to Johor Bahru. This section will eventually be upgraded to electric, so there will be trains from Johor Bahru to Padang Besar (but not Singapore unfortunately). Butterworth (Penang) to Padang Besar KTM operate commuter trains from Butterworth to Padang Besar. This is a useful service if you are coming from Penang and slowly making your way up the coast by train. [Commuter train at Butterworth.] There are seats on the side of the carriage and the rest is standing-room only. If you travel during the peak hour it becomes apparent why it is a commuter train. Hat Yai to Padang Besar [Hatyai-Padang Besar.] The SRT operate a shuttle train from Hat Yai to Padang Besar. The carriages are 3rd class padded bench seats, and there is no need to book in advance. [SRT 3rd Class carriage with ceiling fans.] Hat Yai is a major travel hub for Southern Thailand. From Hat Yai you can join other train services further north, or get a bus or van to a coastal destination. [Padang Besar train at Hat Yai.] Hat Yai is also worth a visit in its own right, so stick around for a day and have a look around. Here is my trip report for Hat Yai. Bangkok to Padang Besar The International Express is a daily train service that operates between Bangkok and Padang Besar. Train 45: Bangkok to Padang Besar. Train 46: Padang Besar to Bangkok. It’s advisable to book this service in advance if you want a bed. [Directions for Bangkok train at Padang Besar Malaysia.] This article is part of the Nomadic Notes train travel series. Read more about Malaysia train travel and Southeast Asia train travel. View the full article

Commuting has always been a necessary part of an in-person work schedule, but workers are increasingly dissatisfied with the long trek in, and they have been adjusting their commute times and workday accordingly. Unfortunately, the trend of changing transit times has cut into actual time spent in the office, with more employees heading in later and leaving earlier. View the full article

October 7, 2024 Hey peeps, Is remote work on the way out, or is the Amazon return-to-office trend just a phase? 🙄 We’ve also got tips to help you stand out in your next job application, plus advice on working from anywhere. And don’t miss Buffer’s new take on transparent salaries—seriously cool stuff! Have a wonderful week, Vic Our Favorite Articles 💯Amazon Killed Remote Work. Is RTO The New Normal? (Forbes)Nope. Why? ​Dive in​. Looking to land that remote job? Here’s a proven way to stand out (Remotive LinkedIn)If you are overwhelmed by the job application process, going to the basics is always good. ​More details here​. AleksandarNakic/E+/Getty ImagesDo I Need to Tell My Employer I’m WFH… Somewhere Else? (Thrillist)Want to work from anywhere? 🌍 Pro tip: know your tax rules, local laws, and keep your boss happy despite the time difference! 😅 ​Read more​. Reflecting on a Decade of Transparent Salaries at BufferBuffer just leveled up salary transparency with their new Open Salary System—fair pay, no secrets, and no more guessing games. We love to see it :) ​Read on​. 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 Golang Developer at Proxify​ (CET +/- 3 hours) 👉 ​Customer Support [Weekdays] at Contra​ (Philippines) 👉 ​Sourcing Specialist at Contra​ (Philippines) 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

As workplace culture continues to evolve, remote and hybrid work schedules are here to stay– and newly flexible schedules are shaping employee behavior and office culture in ways that demand new vocabulary. Every day, it feels like new terms pop up in the workplace lexicon to describe new trends that have emerged. From #Worktok to polyworking, here are 2024’s biggest workplace buzzwords, inspired by the 2024 State of Hybrid Work. You’ll notice that many of them are shaped by the popularity of hybrid and remote work. View the full article

You’re probably definitely not surprised to hear that we, as humans, are incredibly distractible. The average American picks up their phone 144 times each day. If you take away eight hours for sleeping, that’s approximately one pickup every seven minutes. Email, too, is out to distract us. We can’t forget the average 120 emails that The post 10 tips to maximize your time blocking efforts appeared first on RescueTime Blog. View the full article

A guide for getting the ferry from Ho Chi Minh City to Vung Tau, including how to buy tickets, port locations, and what to expect onboard. Vung Tau is the closest beach to Ho Chi Minh City, so it’s a popular city escape for Saigonese. The easiest way to get there is by the fast ferry service. The ferry from Ho Chi Minh City to Vung Tau takes about 2 hours and 20 minutes. This used to be the quickest way before the Long Thanh expressway opened. Now getting a minivan takes about the same time, but the ferry remains as a more relaxed way to travel. Tickets for Ho Chi Minh City-Vung Tau ferry Ferries are operated by GreenlinesDP. The tickets can be bought online or at the ferry terminal. Seats are usually available mid-week, but its advisable to book in advance on the weekend. [GreenlinesDP Ferry ticket office in Ho Chi Minh City.] Ho Chi Minh City – Vung Tau ferry map [View map of Ho Chi Minh City – Vung Tau ferry.] Ho Chi Minh City ferry terminal Location: Bach Dang Speed Ferry Terminal. Address: 10B Ton Duc Thang St., Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. GreenlinesDP operates from the Bach Dang Speed Ferry Terminal on the District 1 riverfront. This is opposite the Riverside Hotel on Ton Duc Thang. There is a Highlands Cafe at the terminal, and another cafe serving beer and food. [Cafe at Bach Dang Speed Ferry Terminal.] Onboard GreenlinesDP Ferry The GreenlinesDP ferries are modern and in good condition. The ferries are wide, so they provide a smooth ride. I’ve been on many ferries in Southeast Asia with narrow and broken seats. The seats here are comfortable and provide enough leg room. The air conditioning is set at a reasonable level and not set to “freezing” (as is often the case with public transport in Southeast Asia). A bootle of water, a little snack, and refresher towelette is handed out onboard. Drinks and snacks are also available to purchase onboard. There is wi-fi onboard which doesn’t always work. They have video entertainment, which is usually a variety show on mute or Vietnamese music during the Tet holiday period. There are power outlets next to the window seats. There is a western toilet at the back of the ferry, and it is kept in a dry condition. Part of the appeal of this trip is putting Saigon in context to the surrounding waterways. [Phu My Bridge, connecting District 7 and Thu Duc City in Ho Chi Minh City.] The ferry travels through the waterways of Can Gio District. While the rivers in Can Gio aren’t part of the Mekong Delta, there are sections that feel like being in the Delta. Spending so much time in urban Saigon, it’s easy to forget about the waterways that are part of the city. There is a small deck out the back but it’s not really suitable for sitting. This a fast boat service and not a pleasure cruise, so I made do with looking at the scenery from the window. [View of the unfinished Phuoc Khanh Bridge from the back of the Ferry.] Most of the trip is smooth sailing (so to speak) along the rivers. It is only on the last section where the river meets the sea and the boat cuts across the bay that it sometimes gets a bit rough. Vung Tau ferry terminal Location: Ho May Tourism Area Pier. Address: 01A Tran Phu St., Ward 1, Vung Tau City. The GreenlinesDP Vung Tau ferry port is at the Ho May Tourism Area Pier. This is close to the Front Beach area, and close enough to walk if you are packing light. There are taxis waiting at the port, and Grab is also available in Vung Tau. Where to stay in Vung Tau There are two man areas to stay in Vung Tau: the Front Beach and Back Beach. Here is the Nomadic Notes guide on where to stay in Vung Tau. View the full article

“The whole of life is but a moment of time. It is our duty, therefore, to use it, not to misuse it.” —Plutarch “I could never become a minimalist.” This is a phrase I have heard countless times since starting this blog. Every time, two thoughts come to mind. First, I wonder what misconception they have about minimalism that would make it seem so difficult. But second, more importantly, I think to myself, “But you already are a minimalist—you just don’t know it yet.“ The truth is, we’re all minimizing something in our lives, whether we realize it or not. And once we understand that fact, everything about us begins to change. Every day, we make choices about where we spend our time, money, energy, and attention. By definition, these resources are limited. Even if we were the richest man or woman on earth, there is still only a finite amount of money and time available to us. It is impossible to do or have everything. All of life is a trade. Every minute of every day, we trade for something. And if we’re not minimizing our possessions, we’re minimizing something else. When I first embraced minimalism, I thought I was just motivated to declutter our home so I could spend more time with my kids. But I quickly realized minimalism was about more than that. Minimalism was about finding more intentionality with my resources. It wasn’t just about removing things from my home. It was about making better choices with my life. When we began to own less, we found more time for the things we love. More energy for pursuits that matter. More focus for what brings real meaning. More money for service and generosity. We even found more opportunity to focus on self-growth and personal development. When we began minimizing possessions, we began maximizing more important things. That is always the case! We are all trading something every day. We are spending money on something, we are spending time somewhere, we are focusing our energy and affections in a specific direction. And if we’re busy chasing and accumulating physical possessions we don’t need, we’re minimizing resources that could be spent elsewhere. But most of the time, we don’t even realize it. There is a direct correlation between the increase in our physical possessions and the decrease in our resources to be spent elsewhere. Make no mistake, everybody is living a version of minimalism. The question is, are we minimizing the right things? The post A Life-Changing Truth: We’re All Minimizing Something appeared first on Becoming Minimalist. View the full article

My desire with each Weekend Reads is to provide you with articles and posts that encourage simplicity and minimalist living. Below, you will find links to blog posts and news stories that I hand-picked over the last couple weeks. I hope you find inspiration and practical help inside them. That is my goal on Becoming Minimalist: to intentionally promote simplicity in a world that needs to hear it. An Ode To Simple Living: A Summer Spent With My Grandparents | Strike Magazine by Hannah King. I know what you’re thinking: You lived with your grandparents as a 21-year-old college student for 3 months?! Yes. And I can confidently say it was one of my best decisions this summer. 14 Qualities That Define a Minimalist Person | The Minimalist Vegan by Michael Ofei. Minimalists are frequently viewed as emotionless, privileged, dull, clinical and extreme. Yet some of the most exciting and dynamic individuals in history practised minimalism. The Weight of Less: Redefining Minimalism Beyond Things | Manu Sharma. To truly understand minimalism, we must shift the focus from material things to a much deeper inquiry: why do we keep accumulating in the first place? Stop Trying to Keep Up with the Joneses—They’re Broke | Simple Money by Richard James. Trying to match the lifestyle of others can quickly become a financial disaster. Becoming Minimalist’s Joshua Becker: 3 Benefits of Minimalist Budgeting for Your Wardrobe | Yahoo by Ellie Diamond. What would it be like to slow down? To find stillness in your day, moments of rest and quietude? 10 Things You Should Stop Buying Today for a Simpler Life | No Sidebar by No Sidebar. By letting go of some specific buying habits, we can create more space—both physically and mentally—and focus on what truly matters. Recently Released Inspiring Videos 20 Simple Ways to Find a Moment of Peace | YouTube by Joshua Becker. Even when life is chaotic, we always have small opportunities to make peace and quiet a part of our lives. Here are some easy ways to find peace daily and slow life down. The Zeigarnik Effect: The Hidden Reason Your Mind Feels Cluttered | YouTube by Joshua Becker. We all feel scatterbrained from time to time, but if you’re feeling it lately more than usual, you may be overlooking this common culprit. The post Inspiring Simplicity. Weekend Reads. appeared first on Becoming Minimalist. 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

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