Genius Tricks for Cleaning Your Clogged Drain

How To Make Your Website More Mobile-Friendly

I could start by bombarding you with statistics on how many people now use smartphones vs. desktops, but you’ve probably heard them. I could talk about the importance of making your website usable and readable on mobile, but you’re doubtless already aware of that.

At this point, there’s really only one thing left to say.

Why isn’t your site already mobile-friendly?

If you’re on WordPress, translating your site to the smaller screen is actually quite simple. I can even walk you through it.

First, either make sure you’re using a theme that’s compatible with mobile devices or a mobile optimization plugin. Second, write and design your content considering how users browse on mobile. That’s pretty much all there is to it.

Finding A Mobile-Optimized WordPress Theme

By far, Uncode is one of the best WordPress themes on the market. Not only is it flexible, dynamic, and attractive, it’s designed to have as small a resource footprint as possible.

It’s the perfect choice for a portfolio website or blog. Plus, its high degree of customizability means that no two sites running it will look exactly the same.

If you’re running a storefront through WordPress, you’ll want to go with Hudson. It’s reasonably priced, with a decent update schedule and a ton of advanced features that allow you to create a picture-perfect digital storefront.

Of course, these are just recommendations. You can check out theme directories like Tesla Themes, Theme Forest or Template Monster to see if you find one you like better than the above.

Installing A Mobile Optimization Plugin

If you’d rather not spend time trawling theme libraries or you have a theme of your own you want to use, you can instead choose to install an optimization tool like WPTouch, Touchy, Superfly or AMP. Depending on how heavily your site relies on elements like menus and media, you may want to do both.

Generally speaking, all four of the above plugins have the same feature-set with only minor differences between them. Which one you choose is really up to personal preference. I’d recommend trying out each one to see which is the best fit for your needs.

Tweaking Your Content

Last but certainly not least, let’s talk about content.

Most people who are on their smartphones aren’t going to want to spend twenty minutes or more scrolling through a long-form article. They wouldn’t want to watch an hour-long webinar, either.

When someone arrives at your site via their smartphone, they’re probably not interested in staying for any longer than is strictly necessary.

What that means is they want content that’s streamlined, concise, and easy to digest. If you must include longer-form content, make sure it’s broken up into easily-digestible chunks through headlines or subheads.

And for the love of all that’s holy, never paginate your articles. A user on mobile probably isn’t going to wait for a new page to load just so they can keep reading a piece you’ve published.

Take A Mobile First Approach

Smartphones are the future. Of that, there can be no doubt. If you haven’t already optimized your WordPress site to be both usable and readable on them, you need to do so now.

Otherwise, you’re going to be left in the past.

See Also: The Hidden Costs of Developing A Mobile App You Should Be Aware of

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Why You Shouldn’t Worry About AI Taking Your Job – Yet

As automation and artificial intelligence sweep through business, predictions for this amazing tech keep changing. Thanks to serious advances in this technology, some managers are looking at a high risk of losing their jobs to automation. But before you imagine your boss as a robot in a suit and tie, understanding the limitations of AI can help you prepare for our eventual future.

AI at Work: What AI Can Do Versus What AI Can’t Do

No matter how high tech automation may be, it can’t do the whole job on its own. Just last year in 2018, Amazon was forced to scrap a state-of-the-art hiring algorithm.

The reason?

Blatant sexism and discrimination in the resumes it favored. Developed in an effort to avoid the intentional and unintentional bias of hiring managers, the system itself began picking up on those bad habits through the data it was fed.

In the already male-dominated industry, the decade’s worth of resumes it reviewed to learn how to identify good candidates for successful hires were, not surprisingly, mostly male applicants.

The results lead to the opposite effect of intentions as the computer began filtering out female applicants and listings of women colleges.

Sure, screening algorithms like this work on the surface level — this means analyzing data, sorting through piles of resumes, and picking out the “best fit” for a position. But, the hiring part is a whole other ball game. More than half of small businesses use tech to help with the hiring process. They rely on it to pick up the slack so human managers can focus on the important parts.

However, machines can’t get a personal feel for an applicant. They can’t predict how well they will fit in with the culture of the workplace. Simply, they can’t make those intuitive decisions. Those are best left to talented hiring experts.

So don’t worry, your next interview is unlikely to involve a robot in a suit, at least for the foreseeable future. Management roles with the highest risk of falling to computerization include:

• Payroll and benefits, 96%
• Property and real estate, 81%
• Administrative services, 73%
• Transportation management, 59%

See Also: How Artificial Intelligence Will Dominate the Future of E-commerce

Bias In, Bias Out, And Other AI Limitations

Let’s not get too carried away, however.

If there’s anything you should learn from Amazon’s unfortunate hiring algorithm trial, it’s that placing too much trust and responsibilities in machines can be an algorithm for disaster. Understanding equally the capabilities and limitations is essential to finding the right kind of tech for any business’ needs.

Generally speaking, the drawbacks of AI in business point in the direction of human skills and emotional intelligence. Screening algorithms, like behavioral assessments, may pinpoint the best candidates out of a large data pool. However, it can’t point out which candidates will personally mesh with a team.

AI may analyze data in a way that identifies broken systems or unproductive workers and even suggest changes, but it will always overlook moral, ethical, and emotional factors. Customer service AI algorithms can quickly answer FAQs, direct questions from customers to the proper parties, and use past data to suggest solutions. However, they are unable to build relationships with clients which may be detrimental to customer retention and satisfaction.

How Can AI Streamline Your Business?

So, you may already be considering the idea of stronger and more powerful automation support for your business. What’s the next step?

Nearly one in five businesses reject the notion of new tech, considering it not worth the hassle of implementation or cost. Meanwhile, more than four in five believe that if they found the right kind of tech, their business could benefit from it.

Find the right tech with a quick look under the hood, so to speak. Are there any daily tasks that disrupt valuable work?

• What responsibilities get downgraded or even ignored when urgent matters crop up?
• What daily tasks demand too much time and attention from managers?
• And what would be the ideal main purpose of new tech: mobile access, time-saving options, automation?

The common theme of AI support is obvious and smart business leaders will see a clear takeaway. It’s to utilize tech to the highest potential in data management so that human managers can lead their team more effectively.

Office AI is coming and it’s coming fast and the best and brightest of this tech could be at your very own fingertips. Ready to give your managers some brand new tools?

Take a look at this infographic for more on how to find the right tech for your business, whether or not AI replaces your manager.

Source: MBA Central

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50 Ways to Strive for Excellence in Life

Most of us want to excel in life, but there’s just one problem.

People often rely on what their society has to say when it comes to determining whether they’re succeeding or not. The society in which we grow up determines how we perceive excellence and the goal of getting the very best out of our lives.

Some cultures might attribute excellence to a few brilliant, hard-working, exceptional cases. Other cultures, such as the one in which I grew up, value modesty and urge people to try to be “average”.

Excellence, however, is for all of us. It’s about getting the most out of our talents and trying to make a little dent in the world. That way, when we move on, we will have left behind a better place for those who follow.

Excellence Vs. Perfection

You might think that striving for excellence means perfectionism when it’s actually the other way around. While perfectionism is about spending 95% of your time on the final 5% improvement in a project, excellence is all about identifying how you can reach 80% of your outcome in 20% of your time.

Perfectionism is about shielding yourself for the fear of failure. It’s about uncertainty and doubt. Excellence, meanwhile, is about knowing yourself and your strengths, taking pride in yourself and showing your talents in broad daylight to make this world a better place.

Achieving excellence is a project that takes effort in many different aspects of life.

Here is a list of 50 ways to leverage your brilliance:

Have a mission

Have you ever deeply thought of what you really want to do in life? Not your profession or hobby, but on a deeper level.

Which impact do you want to have on the world? How do you want to be remembered? Identify your mission.

See Also: The Value of a Personal Mission Statement

Identify your values

List your five most important values and live accordingly. When you align yourself with what matters most to your heart, you’ll be empowered to make the right choices.

Open your heart

When you meet people, assume they mean no harm to you and open your heart to their lives and stories. Try to switch from suspicion and fear to a life in which you expect only the best in yourself and others.

Beautiful connections can only develop when you open your heart.

Truly listen

True listening requires an open heart and an open mind. Stay away from giving advice, feedback or comments, but simply open up to another person and learn from their emotions, reactions, and stories. You will get to know people and their desires and needs.

See Also: 7 Rules of Listening, Really Listening

Learn something new every day

Enroll in online courses outside of your field of expertise, listen to podcasts, read non-fiction books and watch informative videos online. If you want to grow, try to pick up something new every single day.

Study your emotions

Become aware of your reactions and your emotions in different situations and keep a log of your observations. Observe your thoughts and feelings in an unbiased way to learn more about yourself.

Release your emotions

Learn how you can release negative emotions instead of oppressing them. Try out different strategies- writing, dancing, drawing or meeting friends. Avoid getting stuck in a spiral of negativity.

Ask yourself every day: Did I give the very best of myself to the world?

When you brush your teeth at night, look at yourself in the mirror and ask: “Did I give the very best of myself today to myself, my loved ones, every person I met and the world?” Reflect on this question for a few minutes every day.

Identify your daily needs

Do you know what you need to do every day to stay motivated and keep working towards your higher goals? If you have identified these needs, make them your priority. I’m sure that watching TV or browsing the internet are not on your list.

Meditate

Meditation is the single most important tool for self-development. There are different schools and types of meditation, so instead of giving up and thinking you can’t do it, identify which type of meditation is most suitable for you.

Give without expectations

Share your knowledge and expertise freely with others. Teach. Give love and kindness unconditionally to your loved ones. While we usually see giving as a way to getting something, it is incredibly satisfying to let go of this expectation.

Practice gratitude

Notice the small, beautiful moments during the day and log them in a gratitude journal. If someone or something makes you happy, show your gratitude. This practice will help you to grow a positive mindset.

Keep a success journal

Log the five successes, big or small, you have experienced in a day that contribute to your goals. You will foster a positive mindset, but also build a daily moment to reflect on your goals.

Take on a difficult task

Push yourself out of your comfort zone and take on a task that is actually too hard. It might take a little longer, but take the opportunity to dive into the books and learn something outside of your field of expertise.

Develop new skills

Whether you learn coding in a new language, or making timber furniture, always make sure you have a side project going on in which you learn a new skill. Fill your life’s toolbox with skills that your learn to master.

Become a writer

If excellence is your goal, you need to make sure you can share your talents and mission with the world. Communication is a good means to carry your message. Practice writing at all levels: write reports at work, blog, write non-fiction essays, and try poetry. Study how the visual display of information can support your writing.

Become a public speaker

Another pillar of communication is speaking. Push yourself to speak on stage and to give presentations at work. Give speeches at family reunions. Bring a sketch or monologue at a friend’s wedding. If all these ideas intimidate you, join a Toastmasters group.

Give a TED talk

Get involved with a local TEDx event and see if you can share your idea worth spreading on stage. Preparing for a TED talk is very different from giving a (technical) presentation, but it’s a very rewarding process.

Explore your limiting beliefs

What is holding you back from pursuing your dreams? Identify these limiting beliefs and burst the bubble. Don’t think you can’t blog because you’re not a native English speaker. Don’t think you can go on stage because you’re shy. Prepare your mind for greatness.

Learn to go into sponge-mode

When you are listening to great thinkers, imagine that you are like a sponge: ready to soak up all ideas that come your way. Go into your sponge-mode at conferences, meetings, and when you meet experts in your field.

Volunteer for a cause

Once you have identified your values, reinforce one by volunteering for a cause that truly touches your heart. You will pick up new skills and meet like-minded people as you volunteer.

Take your hobbies to the next level

Become excellent at your hobbies as well. If you like playing music, then your next level would be performing on stage, starting a YouTube channel or composing your own songs. If you like dancing, your next level would be to join a dance team or to compete in championships.

Exercise every day

You can’t achieve excellence if you neglect your body. While you might not find the time to spend hours on end at the gym every day, you should try to infuse exercise into your lifestyle. For example: you can bike to work, do a yoga routine from YouTube at night or go for a walk during your lunch-break.

Grow your strengths

If you haven’t identified your strengths yet, take an (online) assessment to gain these insights. Then, list ideas on how you can cherish and deepen these strengths while doing what you love.

Learn to press the pause button

Another powerful skill to learn, is to be fully aware of the signals your body and mind are giving you. If you’ve been pushing it too far, then it’s important you listen to yourself and press the pause button. Give yourself a break to refuel.

Leave your black holes

Identify your black holes: those activities or people in which you spend time without feeling inspired. Typical black holes are unsatisfying friendships, TV, and social media websites.

Surround yourself with passionate people

Build a network of passionate, positive people and frequently spend time with them. Finding people that are striving for excellence like you, might be a challenge but enroll in activities and connect to people. Discuss your passions and values with them and if you feel a response, deepen that friendship.

Build a Personal Learning Network

Both online and in your field of expertise, you should connect to the experts in your field as well as new-and-upcoming talents. Learn from the masters and share your experiences with your fellow apprentices.

Sort out your finances

Get rid of debt. A house is probably the only thing worth a loan- all the rest you should not get on credit. Take the leap from “having” to “being”, don’t let your (lack of) possessions determine who you are.

Forgive yourself for your past mistakes

For all your past failures and mistakes, forgive yourself and all others involved. If necessary, write about it. Write why you are still upset about it. Then, list the lessons you’ve learned and see the positive outcome.

Roll up your sleeves for the tedious jobs that move you forward

Show others that you are the go-getter. If the going gets though, show your stamina. You shouldn’t let others treat you as a doormat and always fix the dirty jobs. Identify the hard, deep work that you need to do to move your projects forward.

Shift your location during the day

Even if you are trapped in your cubicle during office hours, try to break out for lunch. Avoid centering your life around your home and your office, but try to shift your location a few times during the day. Fresh places bring fresh ideas.

Eat wholesome food

Your engine needs high quality fuel. Don’t put anything into your mouth your great-grandmother wouldn’t recognize as food. Read the labels of products and don’t eat out too often. Be kind to your body and don’t throw too much sugar and fat into it.

Pour your heart and mind into your activities

When you are working on your goals or on activities aligned with your mission and values, throw all of yourself to them. Your love for those tasks will not go unnoticed.

Share your enthusiasm

Write about your dreams and hopes, talk about them and show others how much you care. Your enthusiasm will make you shine, and will bring you connection and possibilities.

Foster your creativity

Creative thinking is one of the most important skills to learn. Teach yourself how to think out of the box. Make mind maps, lists and always look for the road less traveled. Ask critical questions whenever you can.

Study works of art

Go to a museum to see works of art and read the comments of experts. How are the emotions and details explained? Which symbols are used? Learn to interpret art, and voice your feelings and opinions.

Use your dreams

You spend a third of your time sleeping, and about a quarter of that time dreaming. Your dreams are the key to your subconscious. Teach yourself to remember your dreams, document and analyze them to understand what is at the back of your mind.

Channel your superhero

When you need to break out of your comfort zone and you are scared, imagine that you are your own superhero or idol. Ask yourself: “What would Lady Gaga/Superman/President Obama do in this situation?” Then, take a deep breath, visualize your hero, and do the necessary action.

Ask for advice

Don’t assume you know everything before you even get started. Ask for advice and feedback whenever possible, take notes, and learn from these comments.

Read biographies of leaders

For more inspiration, read the biographies of the leaders you admire. You will learn about the hardships and failures they faced and how their resilience brought them great success in the end.

Bring people together

Connect people from your network of whom you think they should meet each other. Organize inspiring events, such as discussion tables during lunch, an art club or a series of lectures and bring people together.

Plan your weekends

Your weekends are a sacred time. Know beforehand what you will be doing and avoid the trap of staying in bed too long. Make sure you have plenty of time for inspiring and interesting activities.

Get enough sleep

If you want to be able to think clearly during the day, you need to get your sleep at night. If you find it hard, then put an alarm at night to signal your bed-time.

Analyze your productivity

Use tools and apps to analyze your output and how you spend your time. With these results, you can optimize your productivity.

Have a mentor

Find a senior expert in your field, and build a trusting connection with him/her. Frequently meet your mentor, and openly discuss your fears and plans. If you are afraid of sharing your struggles, then start by interviewing your mentor about his/her path to success.

Speak up

Open your mouth at meetings, parties, and social gatherings. Step out of the shadow of your own limiting beliefs, let go of the fear of judgment, and speak your mind. If people don’t like your ideas, that does not mean you have failed; it simply means you did not connect to the right crowd.

Fail with a smile

Don’t beat yourself up over failures, but smile and make some notes about what you learned. Most of the times we can see that failures are even a bit funny if we learn to take a step aside.

Keep a life guide

Name it as you wish: a life guide, a life handbook, a mission book – but make sure you have one. Use a notebook or a set of spreadsheets to collect your mission, values, goals, vision boards, inspiring quotes, and bucket list at one place and access this document daily.

Don’t react, but breathe and think

Stop living your life by reacting to situations. Take matters into your own hands and identify what really is worth a reaction and what you can simply let go of.

Being average might feel comfortable, but you have more possibilities within your reach. Once you learn to foster your talents and leverage others along the way, you will be that person in your community and workplace who inspires other to dare to embrace life.

Your talents and your strengths, and, ultimately, yourself are your greatest assets.

Are you ready to invest in yourself and work towards excellence?

Written by Eva Lantsoght (@evalantsoght), a structural engineer, concrete researcher, online writer, academic blogger, and music journalist with a passion for science, arts and travel.

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How Long Will A DUI Show On Background Check?

Once you are convicted of driving under the influence, your life can change in several ways.

You will likely need to part with your vehicle, even if it is your first offense. Your license may be suspended for at least six months to a year or longer. It will depend on the state in which you reside. Also, you might be required to pay thousands of dollars in legal fees, fines and other miscellaneous charges.

You might even be forced to pay these bills from your retirement or savings accounts. And finally, records of your conviction might continue to show on your driving record for 3 to 12 years from the date of the initial charge.

While it is possible for a state official or judge to remove the conviction, finding someone to do so is rare.

How the Court Will Treat You

Typically, the court system in your state will treat you as a repeat or prior offender. That will be the rule as long as the crime is on your driving record.

If you are caught driving under the influence a second time, the judge will consider the prior conviction. Penalties for repeat offenders are often harsher than those handed down to first-time offenders.

Keep in mind that most states treat DUI convictions as both severe crimes and driving infractions. It will appear on your driving record and on your criminal record.

A DUI Charge and Its Effect on Your Work

Private employers and other third-party criminal background checks done prior to employment will likely show a DUI arrest and actual convictions. Unless your criminal record is sealed, the information will be indefinitely visible to potential employers.

In addition, the difference between a conviction and an arrest might matter to your future employer. If the court dismisses your DUI case, your criminal record will note that the charge was dropped by the state. With that, you can avoid the “criminal” label that has plagued job seekers.

Even if your criminal record shows that you’re convicted of a DUI, your state won’t allow it to be used against you. In other cases, an employer may request criminal history but only 5 or 7 years back from the date on which you are applying.

See Also: Can You Still Join the Military With a DUI?

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10 Easy SEO Hacks You Can Do Yourself

Personal Advice on Finding The One

Many of us wonder if we will ever find “the one.” Some people don’t believe that “the one” exists and that we shouldn’t be tied to just one person for the rest of our lives. To start with, the idea of being “tied to someone” is hugely negative and if you think like that, then your relationship certainly won’t be free.

Some people simply don’t care about finding the one. However, as I’ve gotten older I hear more and more people saying they are still searching for the one. As they go along, it becomes more of a burden than exciting for them.

Let’s look at the facts. There are approximately 7 billion people in the world and according to worldometers.info, 50.4% are men and 49.6% are female. The chances of finding someone you love is huge. It’s a big world out there. Often we end up staying in our small circle of friends. We go to work and then come home.

Sometimes we may join an evening class or go to the gym, often in hopes that we bump into someone and instantly fall in love with them as we see in the movies. The truth is, from my experience, it doesn’t always happen like that. I found that meeting people in a bar or online didn’t really work for me. I know there are millions of people out there that it has worked for and that is so wonderful. But for me, it was very different.

I loved the idea of “the one” ever since I was a teenager. In fact, when I was 17, I went out with a girl for almost three years and we were convinced that we were going to get married. It turns out that we didn’t and as sweet as she was, I’m really glad that we broke up. I’ve had quite a number of relationships over the years.

Some have been very intense and some have been pretty relaxed. Some have been long and some have been short. There were times that I was almost trying to convince myself that the person I was with was the one. I knew deep down that this wasn’t the case, but I still tried to make it work, which then caused a lot of pressures on the relationship.

During the times that I was single, I would be constantly looking at people to see if I get that magical moment when you instantly know you are meant to be together. The more I looked, the harder it became. I have dated some lovely people and I have certainly fallen in love with some of them.

But I knew deep down that it wasn’t right. I had a feeling in my stomach that told me I needed to leave. I often ignored it and tried to make it work anyway, but this only led to more heartache for both people.

I decided to completely give up. I managed to get to a place where I was totally happy with being on my own. I decided that I wasn’t going to date anybody and I didn’t even want anything casual. It all became about me and my life. I took myself on trips abroad and weekend trips in my campervan and I didn’t bat an eyelid to anyone.

If there were any signs of flirtation, I would play along, but not talk myself into the fact that I had to fall in love with this person. It was actually a really nice place to be. There was a weight that got lifted and the clouds that hung over had cleared.

While all of this was going on, I was building a really strong friendship with a woman from work. I had not looked at her in a romantic way before. We just enjoyed each other’s company and had a laugh together. As the months passed, we were spending most weekends together and even staying over each other’s houses — just watching movies, drinking wine, and eating popcorn.

She had been giving me advice about my dating life and I was doing the same for her. One night we were watching a movie in her bedroom and we cuddled up. The movie finished and we just stayed there for hours. I felt so completely at peace and after a long battle in my head as to whether I should kiss her or not, I decided to go for it. This was a bold move considering we were close friends, we worked together and that I had given up on dating.

Was it a really passionate, love at first kiss, like you see in movies? No. To be honest, it was a little awkward. Nevertheless, we kept hanging out and we were completely open and honest about how we felt about the situation. We both loved each other’s company and if we both decided to go for it, then that would be it. No messing around.

In retrospect, what happened is that we realized we actually loved each other, but as we were both not looking for love and we were not interested in sex at the time, we just fell in love based on our personalities and incredible friendship. We got married 18 months later and now we have our first baby on the way.

The strange thing was that on paper, we aren’t necessarily the perfect match. When I was online dating, I would scroll through photos and dismiss people who were probably wonderful. We put so much on the first moment, love at first sight experience that we are led to believe will happen.

The wonderful thing about our relationship is that we are fundamentally friends. We do have a fantastic sex life but take that away and we are the best of friends who make each other laugh and want to be with each other all the time. However, I understand that this may not suit everyone and I completely understand why. We both have our own individual hobbies, which is so important as we need to keep our own identities.

Finding the one will be different for everyone, but I do believe that they exist. I could argue that not everyone is destined to find somebody, but I’m just talking from my own experiences. I know that what I have with my wife is incredible and I couldn’t imagine a relationship with someone else being any better.

The key is to listen to what your instinct is telling you. If your gut or intuition is saying something isn’t right, then you must listen and act on that. There’s no point in wasting time, energy and emotion on something that isn’t going to work.

Yes, you can make relationships work and some people become life long partners. But there’s a difference between staying with someone that you love, who you know isn’t the one and living your life with someone you feel like you’ve almost known in a previous life.

I know that if I had stayed with previous partners who I loved, I would not be completely happy. I didn’t want love to be the reason I was unhappy. I knew that someone was waiting out there for me. It’s just ironic that I was searching for that ultimate love elsewhere when she was just right there before my eyes.

See Also: Finding Your Soulmate: 6 Ways To Know When You’ve Met ‘The One’

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