Tuesday, October 31, 2023
Amazing History of Virtual Reality
Things were about to change, thanks to a man named Palmer Lucky, who is on the newest issue of TIME magazine. Palmer invented a consumer grade virtual reality headet called Oculus Rift. This is a virtual reality device that is meant the future of gaming, education, entertainment and training.
Amazing full room scale virtual reality multiplayer games such as The VOID VR based in Salt Lake City, Utah and Zero Latency, another launched mind-blowing full-scale VR gaming center had been developed, thanks to Oculus Rift!
In the shadow of Sony and Sega with their respective consoles, the PlayStation and Saturn, historical industry manufacturers like Nintendo and Atari were both presented to the public their first model of virtual reality helmet, a Virtual Boy side and the Atari RV another. They also were not the only ones. The Cybermaxx (Victormaxx), the VFX-1 (High) and the I-Glasses were also presented, and even led to several comparisons in the press. Popular media
Virtual reality helmets from 1990s had several shortcomings. Among their main limitations compared to today's VR headsets, their much lower resolution screen (180,000 pixels for top performers, against 1 million for Oculus Rift in 2015). Moreover, the motion sensors are not yet democratized, it is with a camera with infrared tracking technology that head movements were analyzed.
Finally, the technology was simply much more expensive: to maintain an accessible marketing price, Nintendo had to make the choice of a monochrome display with red and black display. Conversely, foreseen at the time 10,000 francs (the equivalent of about 2,000 euros, taking into account current inflation) for a colored helmet with a resolution of 180,000 pixels, the VFX-1 .
Despite these technical constraints, reports has shown some curiosity about this technology, just a curiosity, not an irrepressible fascination. At least not there yet.
" The virtual, it works , "headlined and CD consoles about Atari helmet, before describing a similar experience to today's products: " The principle is simple, once the helmet in place, it s' is to look up to see the missiles falling from the sky. The scenery moves according to the movements of the head and feel there is total. "
"It's beautiful, it moves well, and when you look up, the sky immediately seen , "confirms another trade magazine, Player One . Generation 4 holds him above the I-Glasses, which " allows the rendering Most impressive , "and guarantees with video games Carpet and Descent , like a theme park attraction, " we really takes eyeful ".
Overseen by Gunpei Yokoi - the father of the Nintendo's Game Boy - the design of the Virtual Boy in turn takes the form of a red helmet on with a controller, It comes with a controller that has the originality to fit both left and right-handed, being perfectly symmetrical. But its screen offers generic graphics in red and black monochrome display, which wasn't very charming..
These helmets from the 90's had failed miserably, particularly because of a prohibitive price; some have never been marketed as the Atari Jaguar VR canceled in the wake of the show. As for the Virtual Boy from Nintendo, carried by its dual reputation improbable experience and greatest failure in the history of the firm, it remains to this day a collector's item (about 300 euros for a used model).
Many users of Oculus Rift, in 2015, have already raised concern regarding the discomfort and possible nausea induced by these helmets. Let's hope the Oculus CV1 the world's first PC-based virtual reality headset that will launch in Q1 2016 will tackle these shortcomings.
Oculus is not the only virtual reality headset makers, there are also HTC Vive and Sony Project Morpheus coming on the way, the VR scene is more alive than ever, let's cross our fingers and hope for a brighter future with world changing virtual reality innovations and technologies!
Related Articles - virtual reality, video game, gaming, vr, the void, zero latency,
Article: https://www.amazines.com/Video_Games/article_detail.cfm/6184478?articleid=6184478
The one part of goal-setting that people seem to always forget
And most of the time, it goes like this:
1. Their motivation is fueled to the max for the first two weeks and they’re consistently going to the gym and eating healthy.
2. They break their gym streak because their days were too busy or they weren’t in the mood to go.
3. They become miserable with their diet.
4. They give up and go back to their usual routine.
Whether it’s a physical health goal or not, most people fail to achieve their resolutions, and there could be a number of reasons why. Lack of discipline, not setting specific goals, having unrealistic expectations, etc.
But yesterday, I watched a video where this guy talked about his weight loss journey, and how he lost 30 pounds in 10 months.
He went into things like his eating habits, his exercise routine, and how he kept himself motivated throughout his journey.
The last part is what I want to talk about because the advice he gave was so simple and so obvious, but you don’t see most people doing it.
It worked for him, and his appearance showed it. If I compare how the guy looked one year ago to what he looks like now, the difference is incredible.
What he said was this:
Instead of telling yourself, “This year, I want to eat healthier and exercise more,” you say, “I want to lose X amount of pounds by Y date.”
Of course, this isn’t anything revolutionary. It follows the principles of SMART goals, which, if you don’t know, stands for goals that are:
Specific - Set real numbers
Measurable - The goal is trackable
Achievable - The goal is realistic
Relevant - Whether or not the goal aligns with your overall objective and life goals
Time-based - Setting a deadline
This is something that was taught to us at some point during our dreaded schooling days, yet people tend to forget to set deadlines for themselves.
Like I mentioned before, us humans procrastinate, and if we don’t have deadlines to meet, then nothing will get done.
It’s pretty much psychology 101.
Plus it’s not less daunting to think about maintaining an exercise and diet routine for 10 months versus doing it for the rest of your life. And by the time you push through those 10 months, that new routine will become a habit.
Hopefully, this’ll be a good refresher for you and will help if, or when, you’re setting your 2022 goals.
And don’t think this principle isn’t applicable to your marketing efforts too.
In unrelated news:
Click the link below to check out my email copywriting book.
Article: https://www.amazines.com/Self_Improvement/article_detail.cfm/6263028?articleid=6263028
Friday, October 27, 2023
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
Green tea has a wide variety of health benefits
Several studies have shown that green tea can lower cholesterol levels, thereby reducing the risk of heart disease. This is in part due to the EGCG in the tea. EGCG is a natural antioxidant that may prevent the buildup of plaque in the blood vessels and is also a strong anti-inflammatory. Combined with caffeine, the two compounds may improve cognitive functions, relieve stress, and improve dopamine production.
Green tea has a long history of use as a healing remedy. Originally it was used in the Shang dynasty (1766 - 1050 B.C.). Today, green tea is still hand-harvested in many tea-producing countries, although the methods for processing the tea have changed significantly.
Green tea is also an excellent source of polyphenols. These antioxidants act as free radical scavengers and reduce the amount of oxidative damage in the body. Those who drink at least one cup of green tea a day have a lower risk of coronary heart disease and stroke. Other studies have linked green tea with a reduced risk of colon, breast, and skin cancers.
Aside from the health benefits, the taste of green tea is quite pleasant. It has a vegetal, floral, nutty, and woody flavor. In addition, it is a good way to unwind after a stressful day.
When preparing a mug of green tea, make sure to use filtered water. You don't want to overheat it or you'll lose its healthy properties. Use a small brewing vessel. Steep the leaves for three minutes, then remove the tea from the sieve. Finish the brew with a teaspoon of honey.
Unlike black tea, green tea does not undergo oxidation. During oxidation, the soluble compounds in the leaves turn darker. Oxidation is also associated with some risk factors for CVD.
Whether you drink it in the morning or before a meal, green tea can help you relax and unwind. As a bonus, the EGCG in green tea can aid in the lowering of LDL cholesterol.
Will Green Tea Prevent Bloating?
Bloating is an uncomfortable condition, which often accompanies various gastrointestinal conditions. It is a common complaint of many people, and you can do several things to relieve it. One of these is to drink green tea.
Green tea is a potent anti-inflammatory agent, and the catechins in it interact synergistically to produce disease-modifying effects. You can get the most benefit from its antioxidants by sipping on two to three cups of it each day.
However, the best time to enjoy it is between meals. Drinking it on an empty stomach can be too much for your stomach, and can aggravate bloating.
Another way to prevent bloating is to drink hot water. This will not only reduce gas in the intestines, but will also help you flush excess water.
Another herbal tea that can soothe your tummy is ginger. Ginger has strong anti-inflammatory properties. So, it is one of the best remedies for bloating.
Alternatively, you can choose chamomile. Chamomile has been shown to soothe indigestion and bloating, and it can help protect your stomach from ulcers.
While there are a number of herbs that can ease bloating, it is important to note that these remedies should not replace medical treatment. If you have a chronic illness, you should consult with your doctor before trying any of these teas.
Finally, you should not overdo it with green tea. Consuming more than three cups per day can lead to acidic build-up in the stomach. And, too much hot tea can promote throat cancer. To avoid this, you can simply cut down on the amount of green tea you drink each day.
In addition to its medicinal properties, green tea is an excellent source of antioxidants. These antioxidants help to flush away excess sodium and water. Additionally, they promote good bacteria in the gut.
Lastly, green tea is an effective natural diuretic, which is also an important factor in preventing bloating. Caffeine, meanwhile, can stimulate your digestive tract. The caffeine in it can increase bowel movements, and the polyphenols can reduce inflammation and gas in the intestines.
While drinking green tea may not eliminate bloating entirely, it can definitely make you feel better. It's one of the easiest ways to prevent gastrointestinal disorders, and you should give it a try.
Other Green Tea Benefits
Several research studies have shown that green tea has many beneficial effects on the body. These include lower levels of cholesterol, reduced blood pressure, and reduced risk of certain types of cancer. But one benefit of drinking green tea that may not be immediately obvious is that it can help you avoid bloating.
Bloating can happen in the digestive tract due to inflammation, and green tea has been known to reduce these symptoms. Green tea can also boost good bacteria in the intestine. This helps the body digest food more efficiently.
The antioxidants in green tea also aid digestion. Some studies have found that green tea can reduce the risk of heart disease and prostate cancer. However, more research is needed to understand the effects of green tea on the body.
Studies have found that the catechins in green tea may reduce the risk of obesity. They can reduce the risk of diabetes, too.
Caffeine in green tea may increase metabolism and improve brain function. It can also boost mood. You should only drink a cup or two of green tea a day. If you experience any side effects, such as jitteriness or increased heart rhythm, you should stop taking it.
In addition to its antioxidant properties, green tea can lower blood pressure and cholesterol. It can also promote fat burning and ease symptoms of cardiovascular disorders.
Research shows that drinking green tea before bed may help you sleep better. The polyphenols in green tea are thought to stimulate the brain. Taking a warm cup before bed can relax you and allow you to fall asleep easily.
Other teas you can drink to combat bloating include chamomile and fennel. Chamomile tea has been known to calm the gut and reduce inflammation. Fennel tea has been used to treat indigestion. Adding ginger to the tea can help with water retention.
Avoid drinking green tea if you have a history of kidney problems or are pregnant. The tea's high amount of caffeine can cause diuretic effects. Pregnant women should limit their intake to two cups a day. Consult your healthcare provider for individual recommendations.
Wrapping Up
A common cause of bloating is the buildup of gas in the digestive tract. Green tea helps reduce bloating and has several health benefits. It also provides many antioxidants to protect against cancer.
Although tea is known to be effective at reducing bloating, it is not the only thing to drink. Many herbal teas can help alleviate bloating. Some herbal teas are more effective than others, so check with your doctor before trying a new remedy.
Several teas contain caffeine. This can boost the movement of the GI tract and encourage laxative effects to start working. However, too much caffeine can lead to nausea. You should not drink tea in the morning or on an empty stomach.
In addition to caffeine, green tea contains antioxidants and catechins. Catechins are antioxidants that soothe and calm the gastrointestinal muscles and can eliminate the buildup of gas in the intestines. These compounds are also important for helping your body break down fat.
Gentian root is another herbal remedy that can help with bloating. The root contains flavonoids, which can calm the bacteria in the digestive tract and promote better digestion.
Peppermint has a refreshing taste and can help with bloating. Menthacarin, a compound found in peppermint, is also known for its soothing properties.
Fennel tea is also a great way to treat bloating. The tea contains ginger, which acts as a diuretic. It also contains fennel seeds, which can improve the breakdown of fats in the body.
Lastly, garlic is an effective bloating remedy. Garlic increases the amount of good bacteria in your intestine. It also reduces the number of gas-producing bacteria in your gut.
There are many different causes for bloating. Eating too much, consuming too little water, or having a large meal can all contribute to bloating. But green tea may be one of the best natural bloating remedies.
As you can see, bloating can be a frustrating condition to deal with. But there are several herbal teas that can help alleviate your bloating and other gastrointestinal complaints. So try a few of these and you may find that they are more helpful than you thought.
Related Articles - green tea, tea, greentea, bloatng, matcha,
Article: https://www.amazines.com/Self_Improvement/article_detail.cfm/6264775?articleid=6264775
Friday, October 20, 2023
Tuesday, October 17, 2023
The Loneliness of Personal Growth
The cream rises to the top. That means that it separates itself from the milk. Perhaps that is what the New Age Movement is really all about. We tell ourselves that it's lonely at the top. Yes, it is. Maybe we have to figure out how to maintain ourselves as cream, but also stay whipped up within the milk? I'm picturing some sort of luscious desert all decadent and wonderful... like hot cocoa with the marshmallows stirred in rather than just floating on top. But then the marshmallow is no longer a unique wonderful treat, it's been broken down into the masses and lost it's integrity. It's a different lesson that comes into play after you've experienced a decent bit of enlightenment and growth.
Look at the kid who grows up poor. He travels along his journey and decides to change what he is experiencing. So, as he moves through life, he makes a conscious effort to enlighten himself about how to create an abundant lifestyle. He eventually accomplishes his goals and has a wonderful house, cars, money to vacation with his wife and children. His kids won't have to work so hard. He has their college money stashed away right alongside of his retirement fund. He is abundant, successful, and rich. What are the chances that the friends he grew up with are still around? Not very good. Most people who experience the fulfillment of choosing to succeed in that area end up having to leave their friends behind. Often family members will get upset and shun them too. He is treated like some sort of a bad person for having succeeded while his peers failed. Eventually he has to find new friends and maybe even new family.
It's no different with political enlightenment, spiritual enlightenment, or even becoming enlightened about relating to each other. The more mentally healthy you become, the more spiritual, the more balanced, the more wealthy, the more global you become... the more alone you may feel. Often, we find ourselves unable to find those other rare individuals who are choosing the same path as ours. The path of sloppy and lazy is full of other people to meet and talk to. The path of whiners is full The path of being safe, generic, and boring is so crowded you almost cannot even move forward. Isn't that why you left that path? You had a need to move forward, a need for some elbowroom, a need to spread your arms wide, a need to be seen as special, unique, different. The masses may admire you, but they are not going to be able to really relate to you. You will be alone much of the time.
The best thing that has happened to those of us on this particular path is the Internet. The planet just got a whole lot smaller and we can find our colleagues. The percentages of us versus them have not changed. We are still in the minority, but at least we can find each other and encourage each other to hold strong. Knowing that there are others out there who are just like us makes it easier to hold our heads up high, throw our shoulders back, and say loud and clear, "I am what I am and I am not ashamed and I will not hide anymore." This holds true whether you are standing up proud to be a Christian, or Gay, or New Age, or amassing wealth, or raising your kids to be more than just disgruntled employees. When you become enlightened in some area, it is wonderful to find out that you are not alone, and through the Internet, you can find cheerleaders.
Yes, I suppose some could gather up their numbers and start wars and battles over religions or whatever else, but as we become more and more enlightened on all levels, I think we learn to appreciate the value of being on all paths. We learn that it is not important for all people to represent 'light' and to try to outshine the 'dark'. Without the 'dark' the 'light' has nothing to shine into. Those whom we deem as 'dark' actually give us purpose. They give us a reason to shine our own 'light' The act of war in and of itself is 'dark' and therefore you have lost your own 'light' while participating. I am not about to claim that I am above such things, just that in that moment of aggression, my own light does not shine no matter how valiant the cause.
I think it's the loneliness of personal growth that scares us into thinking we have to convert everyone else onto our path. Sometimes, it's an innocent zealousness over our newfound ideals and beliefs, but when people get really focused on converting others, it's usually out of a need to feel better about the sheer numbers. How many of us use the statistical head count of those who agree with us as proof and validation that we must be right? If you continue on with your own personal growth long enough, you will no longer require any one else's agreement to validate who or what you are. We are a social animal and as such will always hunger for connection with each other. But we will not always need to agree with each other in order to connect on a heart to heart level.
Do not be afraid of the loneliness of enlightenment. Do not force others to agree with you. Simply give your heart and know that you are growing and that they are free to grow or not. It is the nature of the game. We are all free to choose our paths. Even in going so far as to kill someone for their belief, you did not change their belief, you just weakened your own cause. If we are truly spiritual, then we must be able to allow others the privilege of being wrong!
Copyright 2004, Skye Thomas, Tomorrow's Edge
Skye Thomas began writing books and articles with an everyday practical approach to life in 1999 after twenty years of studying spirituality, metaphysics, astrology, personal growth, motivation, and parenting. After years of high heels and business clothes, she is currently enjoying working from home in her pajamas. Go to www.TomorrowsEdge.net [http://www.TomorrowsEdge.net] to read more of her articles and to get a free preview of one of her books.
Wednesday, October 11, 2023
Tuesday, October 10, 2023
Psychological Benefits of Playing Online Games
Nowadays, the popularity of online games is on the rise. Today, the advent of technology, especially the internet has allowed gamers to play traditional games on the latest devices, such as mobile phones and computers. Online games offer a lot of benefits, such as reduced stress, enhanced judgment, improved analytical skills, improved time-management skills, and a relaxing mind. Let's get a deeper insight into some psychological benefits that you can enjoy by playing games on the internet.
Stress Relief
According to research studies, if you play online card games, you can enjoy a lot of psychological benefits. For example, regular players of these games reported a reduction in their stress levels. Aside from this, card games also help you relax and stay free of worries.
Skill Development
Playing card games with your family and friends can help you improve your analytical skills, concentration, and memory skills. The reason is that many games include strategy and money, which require attentiveness and concentration.
Actually, card games involve interpersonal and cognitive skills that can help you keep your brain active and fit.
Staying Engaged
Although online games rely on your short term memory, playing the games can improve your important skills as well as long term memory. If you follow the same routine always, you may suffer from boredom and mental stagnation. By playing games online, you can fill up this gap and keep yourself occupied.
Although there is a lack of social interaction and conversation, playing these games can help you improve your focus and concentration.
Interaction
Today we know that teamwork and communication are quite important in every field of business. Online games provide players with an incentive to communicate with each other during a game. And this improves their interaction with each other. This is good news for introverts and allows them to get in touch with each other through these simple games.
Entertainment
These games are a great source of convenience and entertainment. You can play these games anytime, anywhere and using any of the various internet-enabled devices such as mobile phones and tablet PCs. You can choose from a lot of games based on your needs and preferences.
Aside from this, online games involve competition and provide rewards and a lot of other benefits such as everyday jackpots, festive Bonanzas, and reward points. Therefore, there's always something that you can look forward to. Often, online portals have practice games and video tutorials to assist beginners and newcomers. This way they can improve their skills.
This type of platform features user-friendly, customer support, encryption-based security and a lot of other features and benefits. Therefore online games are quite pleasurable.
In short, online games can help you to improve your problem solving and leadership skills. This way you are in a better position to deal with unexpected consequences. Besides, they can help you improve many of your skills such as concentration, alertness, intuitiveness, and observation. If you have a busy life, you can play these games to find relief from stress and develop your major social skills.
If you love playing online games, you may want to check out IDWinner [http://idwinner.me], which is an ideal platform for online gamers.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/10200715
Don't Get Hysterical About The Historical
The tension was palpable in the room as I began the first marital counseling session ever for the couple who had passed their 50th anniversary several years before. After a few pleasantries designed to put them more at ease, I invited, "Tell me about what brought you here."
Immediately, she straightened up in her chair and asserted boldly, "I'll start!"
"Go ahead," I said.
She continued, "Let me tell you what this man did to me on our honeymoon!"
I glanced at her partner, and immediately I could see that this was definitely not the first time he had heard this story. I groaned to myself, "I should have scheduled more than one hour for this session!"
Clinging to the past...especially the negative past...can wreak havoc in workplace harmony, organizational progress, and personal peace.
LETTING GO OF HOLDING ON
Do you find it difficult to let go of holding on?
What experiences in your past do you hold on to, either deliberately or unintentionally? The woman in the counseling session had chosen to hold on to her husband's perceived transgressions, enumerating them for him at every opportunity. Sometimes, however, your past difficult experiences seem to interfere against your will with your life today.
A recent issue of Workforce Magazine listed "The Simmering Malaise" as one of the 25 strongest trends. They attributed this negative emotional undercurrent to the past few years of workplace trauma...downsizing, diminished financial benefits, loss of opportunity.
Things happen in our personal lives, too.
I heard about one guy who admitted, "I've had trouble with both of my wives."
"What kind of trouble?"
"First one ran off on me."
"And the second?"
"Didn't."
Have you experienced traumatic events in your past or work life? If you have, and especially if you haven't been able to come to terms with them emotionally, you may find yourself overreacting any time something remotely reminds you of them. You may become anxious, leading you to misinterpret, suspect, and emotionally exaggerate.
HOW TO LET GO OF THE PAST AND REACH FOR THE FUTURE
Minimize the toll that unresolved history can have on your present life. Don't let past events rob you of life quality today.
1. Do the necessary emotional work, if you haven't already.
Unresolved grief, often masked by anger, can continue to distort your perceptions and keep you from free, positive actions in situations you confront today. When the damaging event(s) happened, how did you deal with them? Did you refuse to acknowledge the reality of your powerlessness to change what happened, mentally or behaviorally resolving to even the score? Did you stay busy, busy, busy so that you wouldn't think about it? Did you become angry and stay there?
If you answered "yes," to any of those questions, you may have some grief work to do. Spend time focusing on the emotional losses you experienced and let it hurt. I know, that's not fun. Remember, though, grief is temporary. And it persistently insists on your attention until you do it.
Courageously do the necessary grief work; it can free you from the grip your past.
2. Check your reactions for "overgeneralization."
When you have experienced a painful situation, it's easy to transfer your reaction to other situations that are in any way similar to it.
When my children were little, they were less than thrilled with their visits to the pediatrician, especially on the days they got shots. The doctor wore a white jacket. One day I was getting a prescription filled at the drugstore and my daughter began to cry loudly. I couldn't figure out why. Finally, she pointed to the druggist who was wearing a white coat and asked, "Am I going to have to get a shot?"
Have you ever had the experience of having an unusual negative reaction to someone you just met, without apparent bad behavior on their part? Do you sometimes jump to conclusions about others' motives, based on experiences you've had with people in your past? If so, you may have a tendency to overgeneralize, projecting your past onto your present.
Learn to separate "then" and "now."
As soon as possible, confront feared situations. Prepare yourself with courage, self-encouragement, and realistic skills.
"Get back on the bicycle after you take a tumble."
4. Rewrite history, with clearer emotional vision and self compassion.
Yes, there's a sense in which you can rewrite your history. You may be carrying memories that you stored at a time when you had limited understanding . It's easy to harshly judge your reactions from your current vantage point. "I should have known better." But did you know better then? Or were you doing the best you knew to do at the time?
As a more mature and experienced individual, you can look back on your life experiences with a broader, more balanced, more compassionate view. This will not change the facts of the events, but it may well change the meaning and interpretation you give them. That can make all the difference in the degree to which you continue to berate and condemn yourself. H.W. Beecher said, "Compassion will cure more sins than condemnation."
5. Practice Forgiveness.
When you refuse to forgive others for the harm they caused you, you tie yourself to them forever. You ensure that the traumatic experiences will rule your life and rob you of the freedom to build genuine life quality and experience peace.
George Herbert said, "He who cannot forgive others breaks the bridge over which he must pass himself."
I've had people protest to me, "But if I forgive them, they'll go scot free!"
The truth is, your lack of forgiveness is not harming them, it's harming you.
Forgive to release yourself.
6. Learn from everything, and use it to build a stronger life and future.
One of the very best gifts in life's challenges is the opportunity to learn...to discover how to begin again, more intelligently.
Madame Chiang Kai-shek observed, "We live in the present. We dream of the future. But we learn eternal truths from the past." Learn to extract wisdom from your experiences.
Charles Kettering estimated that 99 percent of success is built on former failure.
Boy, do I find that comforting!
- build strong leaders who influence and develop others through serving
- energize, motivate, and retain team members
- successfully accomplish important organizational transitions
- impress customers and build their loyalty
Review a complete list of her programs available for your convention or corporate meeting at the website, www.MagneticWorkplaces.com [http://www.MagneticWorkplaces.com]
Tuesday, October 3, 2023
Why the Squirrel Kept Winning!
My neighbor, Harold was a nice old guy who had retired many years ago who hibernated all winter but loved to garden during the summer. The only time I saw Harold come out of his house was to put some bird food in the feeder he'd setup on his tree in the front yard.
Every year, as winter began to set in, I would see squirrels all around our front lawns gathering food. They'd scurry around digging and prodding hoping to fill their jowls with some food and return to their hole.
One day I saw Harold putting some metal sheets around the base of his tree where he kept his bird feeder. I didn't understand why until another neighbor explained to me that Harold was trying to keep the squirrels from eating the bird food. By putting the metal sheets around the base Harold thought the squirrels wouldn't be able to climb up the tree. The next morning, the food was gone.
Later that week I saw him wrap a jagged funnel around the base of the tree. It looked like those funnels dog's wear around their neck so it won't bite or lick its wounds. Well imagine one of those wrapped around the tree with the wide part pointing down with jagged edged. It looked like something out of a Frankenstein flick. Yet, the next day, the food was gone.
The following week Harold figured he'd put the bird feeder on a string and hang it from the tip of one of the branches. I believe his thinking was that the squirrel couldn't go out to the edge of the branch because the branch wouldn't support the weight thereby not allowing the squirrel to get to the feeder. Next day, you got it, the food was gone.
This battle between Harold and the squirrel went on for at least the 10 years I was his neighbor. I wanted to tell Harold that his attempts were futile and that he would never win this 'War of the Feeder'; but I didn't say anything. I just watched. It was cheap entertainment.
As this was happening, I started thinking about how unfair the match up was between a man and a squirrel. I didn't feel sorry for the squirrel...I felt sorry for Harold. Although Harold was stronger and smarter than the squirrel, he lacked the one quality that would guarantee him victory, focus.
You see Harold thinks about ways of preventing the squirrel from getting the food on occasion, when he has time. The squirrel on the other hand has its mind on getting that food 24 hours a day. The squirrel's very survival depends on it. Survival brings about, not just focus but an intense focus on solving a problem by removing an obstacle. Unless Harold shows that same level of 24 hour commitment and intensity, I have my money on the squirrel every time.
Success is not about who is stronger. Success is not about who has more money. Success is not about who has a better GPA. Success is about who is more focused and committed to achieving their objectives. You, the reader, can compete with any person no matter who they may be. The only thing you have to do is commit yourself to focusing in on the very subject that interests you. When you focus in on one thing, like the squirrel, all of your mind's resources are directed at attaining your objective and obtaining your rewards. With focus, you begin to take in more information quickly because you're interested in learning, you want know everything. You are consumed by your focus to succeed!
Harold was not an expert in stopping squirrels; it was a task that needed to be done and he attended to it when he had time. The squirrel on the other hand became an expert at bypassing obstacles and solving problems because he focused all its attention on obtaining the end goal, food.
In today's market, too many people want to be generalist (i.e., good at a lot of things or jack of all trades but master of none). But the market DOES NOT REWARD generalists, they REWARD experts. The market wants people who are good at doing a particular task; an expert. You want job security? Become an expert in your field of expertise. How do you become an expert? Like the squirrel, you focus.
Harold was 92 and died the year we moved from Minnesota. I don't know how long Harold fought the 'War of the Feeder' but as I drove off on the last day I looked back and saw a squirrel scurrying around the front lawn still trying to get to the bird feeder that still hung from the tree. Harold was gone but the squirrel was still around, still strategizing and still focused. The squirrel had won!
Please forward this article; share it with a friend who needs it.
Victor Gonzalez, top Hispanic motivational speaker and author of “The LOGIC of Success”. For more info go to: www.thelogicofsuccess.com [http://www.thelogicofsuccess.com] or by email victor@thelogicofsuccess.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/722
3 Major Differences Between New Year's Resolutions and Intentions
We have finally come to the end of another year, a year that disrupted our way of life r...
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Anything can be organized, even your thoughts. We say that we can't help t...
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Every organization, at some point, faces some obstacles, and, when their leaders, perceive and conceive of these, as challenges, instead o...
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Different individuals have different priorities, and things, which make them feel, happier, and more fulfilled! For some, this may be livi...
