Tuesday, 16 April 2019
Monday, 15 April 2019
7 Terrific Books That Can Make You Fall In Love With Math
So, you are a student who loves reading and writing.
You write essays, reviews, and stories. It’s not a problem for you to help peers with their academic papers and you are ready to read tons of books on different topics. Wouldn’t it be great to have reading and creative writing the only subjects in school?
But here come the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse:
Physics, Economics, Chemistry, and…
MATH!
You wish you could fall in love with all those graphs and formulas, but merely a reference to exact sciences can set your teeth on edge. But what if I tell you that math can be exciting? More than that, it can become your favorite subject!
How?
Easy.
Just one word: read.
To be specific, read the most terrific books providing insights into the world of numbers and formulas. Once you turn to the last pages of the following books about math, you’ll never consider it boring or difficult again.
1. The Hidden Maths of Everyday Life by Jordan Ellenberg
Quote to think about:
“A basic rule of mathematical life: if the universe hands you a hard problem, try to solve an easier one instead, and hope the simple version is close enough to the original problem that the universe doesn’t object.”
Ellenberg shows how wrong you are when considering math as nothing but a dull set of rules to learn at school. Mathematics touches everything we do. It allows us to see the hidden structures underneath the chaotic surface of this world.
Armed with math, you can see the true meaning of information. This book provides insights to encourage your clear thinking about different areas of life. As the author says, doing math is like being “touched by fire and bound by reason. Logic forms a narrow channel through which intuition flows with vastly augmented force.”
2. A Beautiful Mind by Sylvia Nasar
Quote to think about:
“I’ve made the most important discovery of my life. It’s only in the mysterious equation of love that any logic or reasons can be found.”
Big chances are, you’ve watched the eponymous movie already. It is a biographical story of John Nash, one of the most brilliant mathematicians and a Nobel prize winner who suffered from schizophrenia. Despite that, he was able to elaborate on the game theory underpinning a large part of economics.
Sylvia Nasar describes John’s life, giving an interesting exposition of his mathematical ideas. His struggle with the disease and input in science deserve mentions and respect.
3. The Man Who Loved Only Numbers by Paul Hoffman
Quote to think about:
“No news is ever as good or as bad as it first seems.”
This book is a kind of the biographical story of Paul Erdős, a mathematician who lived and loved nothing but his subject. It consists of Erdo˝s quotations or paraphrases, which help readers understand his care and affection with everything related to math.
Paul Erdős loved to invent jokes, so you would definitely not be bored while reading the story about this interesting personality.
4. A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking
Quote to think about:
“What did God do before he created the universe?”
Don’t say you never heard of the author and the book itself!
First published in 1988, this work has become a classic of scientific writing already. Professor Hawking tells about the origins and nature of our universe as well as predicts its further development.
Wormholes, time travels, satellites, and the fabric of space – you don’t have to be as smart in physics as a whip to get the author’s ideas.
5. Journey through Genius by William Dunham
Quote to think about:
“One of the genuine attractions of number theory is that conjectures simple enough to be understood by elementary school students nonetheless have been immune to the efforts of generations of the world’s best mathematicians.”
If you don’t believe that math theorems can be creative, this book is your must-read. The author takes each theorem and places it within the historical context.
Archimedes, Gerolamo Cardano, Georg Cantor… How did math influence geniuses? How did they prove theorems, and why did they do it after all?
This work by William Dunham is a rare combination of biography, history, and math.
6. The Black Swan by Nassim Nicholas Taleb
Quote to think about:
“Missing a train is only painful if you run after it! Likewise, not matching the idea of success others expect from you is only painful if that’s what you are seeking.”
A black swan is a highly improbable event: unpredictable, carrying a massive impact, and easy to explain once after it has happened.
According to Taleb, black swans underlie everything about the world. But why do we not acknowledge them until after they happen? For years, the author has been studying how people fool themselves.
Read his book to have a look at the black swan theory and decide whether it stands to reason.
7. Letters to a Young Mathematician by Ian Stewart

Quote to think about:
“Unless you are genuinely interested in working with someone, don’t. It doesn’t matter how big an expert they are, or how much grant money the project would bring in. Stay away from things that do not interest you.”
Ian Stewart tells what he wishes he had known when he was a student. Philosophical and practical, he described subjects, including mathematics, with reasons why it’s cool, logic with its proofs, the beauty of mathematical thinking, and many others.
Written with easygoing humor, the book is worth reading by all means.
Are you among those in love with math already? Do you choose numbers over words, and would you read some actionable guides rather than fiction stories?
Then, your choice might be the ultimate lists of books about math to learn facts on the subject and get help with math topics.
Whatever you choose, remember:
There ain’t no such thing as boring subjects. There are professors who are unable to disclose the true colors of those subjects when they’re actually much richer than just black and white.
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7 Ways to Make Your Angry Wife Happy
If you’ve made your wife angry for some reason, you know how difficult it is to put a smile back on her face. While it’s true that each woman is different, a lot of wives like being showered with kindness and appreciation.
You need to do more than just say you’re sorry. You have to let her know how much you think about her, how happy your wife makes you, and how much you value her presence.
If you’re getting the cold shoulder, here are some ways to turn it around:
1. Do something amazing and lovable
Search out a special gift or throw a surprise party. Keep in mind, a beautiful flower a day keeps the quarrel at bay. This is the common and most usual technique to lift your partner’s spirits.
2. Treat her to a holiday

If your pocket can take it, she will definitely enjoy a lavish cruise in gentle waters and blonde sunshine. Propose to take her out for shopping and be openly keen on the places your wife wants to explore.
If you’ve been spending too much time at work, a holiday would also benefit you.
See Also: How to be a Good Husband to Make Your Life a Bed of Roses
3. Write a romantic and sweet poem or love note for her
Romantic gestures don’t have to be expensive. If you can’t afford that luxury cruise, how about DIY-ing something your wife would love?
Handwritten romantic love letters never go out of style. Write down your most genuine and sincere feelings and they will be sure to reach her.
4. Plan dates around her interests
If she loves to watch movies, buy a ticket to a movie she’s been waiting to see. If she loves gourmet food, learn one recipe and try it out for a special dinner with just the two of you. Whether you succeed or not at whatever you plan, your wife will see your effort and be touched by it.
5. Be a good listener

Some women (and men) suffer from feelings of neglect. Oftentimes, all they need is to know that one person loves them wholeheartedly and listens to them. Be that person for her.
When she encounters any troubles, pay attention carefully to your wife and show your concern by uttering sounds of solace. Put down your mobile phone and instead give her your 100% attention.
6. Keep your sense of humor
When a person is angry, she might not be in the mood for jokes or humor. However, avoid clashing with her temper too as this will not yield any positive results. Instead, bide your time and know when to lighten the mood around the house.
7. Do any household chores that your wife really hates
Think of a household chore that your wife REALLY hates to do. Maybe she hates to do the laundry or do the cooking. Now start doing those for her for a couple of days.
Though presents and holidays are perfect but expensive treats, consider that there other heartfelt ways to turn around your wife’s state of mind. A shower of love and affection and a truly affectionate heart is needed to make her feel happy.
See Also: 10 Behaviors That are Hurting Your Wife
The post 7 Ways to Make Your Angry Wife Happy appeared first on Dumb Little Man.
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How to Find Your Dream Job: 5 Tips You Can Use Right Now
To find your dream job, you need to invest more time and effort. Sending out resumes and cover letters won’t be enough to get you the job you’ve always wanted. Being persistent when you don’t get any response won’t help either.
For an effective job search, you need a careful and well-planned strategy.
If you aren’t sure how to do that, here’s a quick guide on how to find your dream job.
Define your job search criteria
The first thing that you need to define is the criteria for the job you are looking for. You need to be clear about your job priorities because it will help in focusing your research.
When you know your motivations, it will be easier for you to find opportunities that are perfect for your ambitions and skills. It can be the salary, job position, or company culture.
Although defining the criteria for your job search is essential, you still need to make sure that there is enough room for flexibility. If you are too rigid with your criteria, you can end up sacrificing your dream job for some mundane things.
Create a list

Once you have defined the criteria that you are looking for, you need to use them to search for available jobs and make a list. Prioritize them according to their desirability and when you have a list, you’ll find it easier to organize and keep track of the jobs.
Read job descriptions
When you are searching for a job, make sure that you read every job description. It may feel like a time-consuming activity, but it will actually save you more time in the future.
When you read job descriptions, you’ll be able to know which jobs fit your skills, education, and experience. By knowing which jobs you qualify for, you’ll have more time to focus on them and you’ll spend less time on irrelevant jobs.
Create an attractive resume and engaging cover letter

Your resume and cover letter play an important role in getting the attention of potential employers. They are your way of introducing yourself and convincing them that you are the best candidate for the position.
Instead of sending out the same resume and cover letter, create multiple versions. Make sure that you only send out resumes that speak about the requirements for the jobs you are applying for.
See Also: 5 Tips To Making Your Resume Cover Letter Stand Out
Activate referral network
It is important to create a network because it will expose you to a lot of job opportunities.
There are a lot of opportunities that are not advertised and if you do not have a referral network, you won’t even hear about them. You should take some time to attend conferences, events, lectures, and industry-related seminars so that you can build a good network that will keep you informed about the best positions and opportunities.
When you are looking for a job, you should let people know that you are looking for employment. This way, you’ll be one of the first people they’ll think of when the hiring process begins.
Finding a good job that will keep you happy and satisfied requires patience and the right strategies. Sometimes, it can take years before you can find your dream job, so be patient and consistent. With a little work and discipline, you’ll be able to get the job that will make you really happy.
The post How to Find Your Dream Job: 5 Tips You Can Use Right Now appeared first on Dumb Little Man.
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7 Mistakes People Make Under the Umbrella of Productivity
Everybody wants to be successful, sexy, and productive. However, in order to be productive, you should experience some painful mistakes.
In this post, I want to share a list of 7 productivity mistakes that I’ve made over the years.
First, I have to admit that every now and then I still repeat some of those mistakes. It’s better that you accept that productivity and productive life is a journey– a never-ending one. Once you acknowledge that you are on a moving train, the journey becomes more pleasurable.
Although this post is kind of a reflection or self-criticism, I sincerely hope that it will help you to avoid the mistakes I’ve made over the years.
#1 Not saying No

The inability to say no is the most painful mistake you can make, at least it was for me.
After reading a whole book dedicated to saying no, The Power of a Positive No by William Ury, I still struggle with it. I think it’s deeply encoded in us to escape uncomfortable situations.
But we pay the price downstream. Sometimes, the price is way more painful than saying no at the right moment.
Dr. Ury suggests that you encapsulate your positive no. First, say yes to your core values, then say No to the situation. Finally, say yes to the relationship.
This principle doesn’t apply to managers only but it applies to everybody. As a parent, friend, colleague, boss or subordinate, you are supposed to say yes all the time, all the day, and all your life.
Isn’t it better that you say no instead of blaming yourself subsequently? Isn’t it better that you’re all in instead of procrastinating and making people that trust you feel disappointed?
A not-to-do list or some predefined phrases will help you to say no in unexpected situations. Keep them in your journal and revisit them regularly to ensure that you say no when it’s the only right answer.
#2 Not respecting your calendar
What gets scheduled gets done or not?
One of the most common productivity advice is that you schedule important tasks and goals to get them done by all means. This can be of help, but not if you don’t respect your calendar.
Treat the meeting with yourself as it was a meeting with a third party. It’s only you who can act on your most important tasks with priority.
More often than not, your priorities aren’t aligned with those of other people. You schedule a one-on-one meeting with yourself to address your priorities and then your agenda gets hijacked.
There’re other people’s priorities that are lurking in the shadow, waiting to fill your calendar. That has always been the way of it.
So make sure that you set up boundaries for yourself and for other people. Remember to communicate them clearly.
Such a boundary can be that you leave your office at a certain time each day because your family is your priority. It doesn’t mean, of course, that you can’t work later in periods of high workload.
#3 Multitasking

This is the root of all evil. The year is 2019 and it wasn’t a time in human history that would reward multitasking in a way that our current environment does: ringing phones, text messages, reminders, popups, social media, email―you name it.
There’re countless studies demonstrating that multitasking will hinder your work both in terms of quality and quantity. Yet, we’re addicted to distraction and feel worthless if we’re left from unimportant messaging.
So, by all means, resist the temptation to get in the loop and do one thing at a time.
#4 Picking up multiple habits simultaneously
We’re humans and we want it all, not a piece of it! We want to be the best version of ourselves in the shortest time possible. This is why we pick up multiple habits simultaneously: go for a new diet, exercising, journaling, meditation―we want them all.
But cementing a new habit takes time and discipline. Therefore, it’s best to integrate a single habit at a time. That way, you are more likely to establish it and, once cemented, you could consider picking up the next habit.
#5 Skipping & switching
Skipping exercise, planning time, me-time or the weekly review comes to us naturally. They seem inferior amid the chaos of everyday life. Once, however, you realize that these are indeed meaningful activities fuelling your life, you’re one step closer to success.
Switching between different methods and platforms is part of the learning curve, but not for long. Another big mistake I’ve made over the years was that I switched a couple of times back and forth between different task managers and apps.
It wasn’t the cleverest use of my time and wasn’t productive either. But nevertheless, I learned the lesson and I would always remind myself of that experience whenever new apps come to the scene.
#6 Overplanning

I’ve been a big over-planner. I diligently assembled my life plan and my goals, planned big projects in mind maps, and spent way too much time on the nitty-gritty details of my blog.
Planning is a very important part of the process. However, if you won’t take action, it’s going to be worthless. It’s a good practice to set up boundaries for yourself to ensure that you won’t spend too much time on planning and designing. You won’t consider more than, say, three options, and you won’t postpone your project launch just because it’s not perfect yet.
I know it’s hard as I consider myself a perfectionist, too. I would take enormous efforts to get the best results, but there’re times when a five percent increase in value isn’t worth the price.
That’s why I learned to let things go.
#7 Exaggerating the importance of productivity
When you begin to apply productivity to your life and work, it can be seductive. It’s kind of an addiction that can cause more harm than good if you don’t keep it under control.
Don’t take productivity advice so seriously and don’t take me seriously, either. Give it a go, experiment, and find out whether it works or not. If not, reject the idea or customize.
To shed some more light to what I mean, let me explain my story.
Galvanized by the habits of successful people, I always wanted to integrate exercise into my morning routine. I’d plan and schedule it a couple of times but always failed.
And when I finally pushed myself to go to the gym in the early morning, it simply didn’t work. I would exercise in the evening because that perfectly fits my schedule.
Why should I change my routine then?
Productivity is a journey and it has countless stations. When you arrive from A to B, you can pause and reflect. Never regret if something doesn’t work for you, but make sure that you experiment as much as you can.
Conclusion
That’s it. We’re nearing the end of this post and I want to emphasize a few things:
1. Experiment, experiment, and experiment.
2. Then, customize.
3. Drop out if something doesn’t work for you.
4. If something sounds like a cliché, you better pay attention to it because there’re chances that it will work.
There’s only one man on the planet who knows what’s good for you and that is you.
The post 7 Mistakes People Make Under the Umbrella of Productivity appeared first on Dumb Little Man.
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Friday, 12 April 2019
8 Ways You’re Actually Inviting Burglars Into Your Home
According to FBI crime statistics, there were an estimated 7,694,086 property crimes nationwide with losses of $15.3 billion in 2017.
Though you certainly don’t want your home to become the next target of potential thieves, sometimes you might be unwittingly inviting burglars into your home and putting your property (your family as well) at risk.
To avoid ending up in a low-hanging fruit in the eyes of intruders, make sure you’re away from these 8 home security mistakes:
Unlocked doors, windows, and other entrances

The shocking fact is that 32% of homeowners leave a window open and 13% leave a door unlocked. This offers a great opportunity for thieves to sneak into your home without alerting your neighbors.
So, take a few seconds before you leave home to double check all your doors, windows, and other entry points. And don’t forget about your storage shed, basement or garage as well!
No lights on at night
A dark home at night can be a clear sign that your house is vacant. Instead of turning all your lights on when you’re away from home (smart burglars will easily see through this trick), it’s better to install timers on interior lamps. That way, you can create an appearance that the house is occupied.
Uncollected mails, newspapers, and packages
If you plan to go away for a vacation or on a business trip, ask a reliable neighbor, friend or family member to pick up your mails, newspapers, and packages in advance. You may request the post office to hold your mails and ask the newsagent to stop delivering your papers until you come back home.
Leaving ladders and tools out
Leaving a ladder, hammer, saw and other tools in open areas is practically inviting trouble for yourself. Once these fall into the hands of burglars, the next thing you can expect, without any doubt, would be forced entry into your home.
Place your tools in your garage or basement after use. Also, make sure that your basement and garage are well locked.
Untrimmed bushes and landscape
Overgrown bushes not only provide ideal shelter for burglars to hide when casing your house but also indicate that you have been away for a long time. It might lure burglars into your home.
Trim the bushes and mow your lawn regularly to make sure no one can hide in it. If you’re going away for a long period of time, hire someone to attend to the landscape during your absence.
Displaying valuable items in plain view
Are you leaving your garden furniture and lawn decorations in plain sight? Or do you just throw away the box of your brand-new TV or computer on the curb? Watch out!
Thieves select homes to break into by taking note of boxes curbed as trash, especially during holiday seasons. A safer way to dispose of the trashes for valuables is to cut them up and toss them in the trash can.
Leaving spare keys under carpet/stones

You might think it is a great idea to hide your spare keys under the carpet or stones but never underestimate the burglars. They’re good at hide-and-seek games.
Doormats, flowerpots, mailboxes, and stones are normally the first places smart thieves would search for. If you’re afraid that you might be locked out, give a set of keys to a trustworthy family member or your friend.
Showing off on social media
It is understandable that you love to share a memorable experience during a trip on social media. But take heed, posting your vacation details on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram is basically announcing to the burglars that your home is unoccupied and free to break into.
So instead of posting your real-time vacation moments, wait until you come back home to share the photos online.
See Also: Home Security: Try These 10 Ways to Make Your Home Safer – Without a Gun
The post 8 Ways You’re Actually Inviting Burglars Into Your Home appeared first on Dumb Little Man.
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https://www.dumblittleman.com/home-security-mistakes/
Does Your Online Dating Profile Need Sprucing Up?
Is your profile looking as good as it could be?
A good retailer knows that inventory needs to be rotated every so often to give it a fresh look. Whether it’s redoing the display windows or moving the brighter colored blouses to the front of the rack, a little rearranging gives things a new look.
Your online dating profile is really nothing more than a marketing tool. If you want to attract more clients, you need to know how to improve your profile.

There are several ways you can give your profile a little attention without spending too much time. Here are some of the things you can consider:
- Change your main profile photo or add a new one. Got a new haircut or great outfit you want to share? Snap a picture. If you happen to have photos of your yard or house, add a new photo with spring flowers in bloom.
- Has anything changed about your life you think is worth mentioning?
- Are your goals still the same? Are you still looking for a companion to go antiquing? Have you decided that the new person in your life should exhibit an interest in your new favorite-Asian Fusion foods? Add it.
- Take a few minutes to review your profile for typos or other mistakes. Read it aloud or better yet, have a friend (who will be honest) read it and offer feedback.
- If the dating site you use has taglines, like Match.com, change the tagline. Liven it up. If only the first few words are going to show, choose your tagline carefully. Do a little proofing as you go along to make sure you’re happy with the changes you’re making.
Think About Your Target Audience
Write for the person you want to attract. Try and get in his or her mind, just a little.
For example, I like men who read. That’s why I tend to be lengthy in talking about books and magazines I’m reading.
I prefer men who are conversationalists and those who want to talk about more than sports and their job. I make sure to indicate that I want that in a relationship to give men more information about me. This is a way to ensure compatibility.
Samantha Daniels, a professional matchmaker, writes for the Forbes online magazine. In her article called “Diversify Your Dating Portfolio”, she very cleverly compares dating portfolios with stock portfolios.
I’ve offered you some simple basic tips on freshening up your profile for spring but Daniels goes deeper. She suggests that you branch out, look at other ways to meet dates, and do some thinking about what you want in a relationship.
Invest In Yourself

No matter how you approach dating, there are times when you need to reevaluate how things are going. Take a look at your goals by doing some revisions and sprucing up of your online dating profile. Go deeper and spend serious time examining your dating plan.
The effort you put into it will pay off. We always feel better when we update and energize our lives. You’ll never know what dividends you might be opening yourself up to.
Do you ever revise your profile? What do you do to promote yourself in the dating world?
See Also: Dating Tips for Finding the Right Person
The post Does Your Online Dating Profile Need Sprucing Up? appeared first on Dumb Little Man.
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