Thursday 20 September 2018

Time Management – a universal problem





Have you noticed that real life achievers in this world are never stressed, never hassled, and never short of time? They are achieving far more than the average guy or girl but whereas the latter species is always hard pressed for time or worse still, has total disdain and complete disregard their own time and that of others, the achievers always find time for their passion, their family, their friends and can finish their job well in time! So what are they doing right that the mediocre are failing to do? They are managing their time well.

Time management refers to the efficient use of time. We all have the same twenty-four hrs every day at our disposal. If we use our time productively and effectively we can make the most of the time available to us, and succeed. We need to do this in a stress-free and relaxed manner so that it is our best that comes out. By overworking we stress ourselves, and that is neither judicious nor sustainable. We need to strike a balance between work and rest, and use our physical, mental and intellectual resources in the best way and wisely manage our time.


1. Know your goals and be most productive.
In order to succeed in life Benjamin Franklin developed a model for himself at the age of 20. Today it is also known as the "pyramid of productivity" and is particularly effective for goals that require long-term investment. You need to spend time planning your goals and ways to achieve them, and after doing so you will have a clear path on which you can fulfill any dream and ambition.
  • In the first stage, you must understand what your values and aspirations are so that you know what really matters to you.
  • In the second stage, you must set an achievable goal for your life that can be reached within the specified time. So, ask yourself, "What do I want to achieve in the next X years?"
Each step is then devoted to planning the path to achieving the goal:
  • General planning - detailed instructions for achieving the goal in general
  • Long-term – steps for 3-5 years
  • Short-term - steps for the month/year (1-12 months)
  • Top step - steps for every day or week
Once you’ve written instructions for each time span, you will have a lot more motivation to achieve your goal, because you already know exactly what you need to do and when to finish each stage - sometimes lack of planning is what lowers motivation, but clear tasks help you know what steps need to be taken, and for the most part they also seem less threatening as a result.

2. Prioritize wisely-The Eisenhower Matrix
Dwight D. Eisenhower, the 34th president of the United States, was considered one of the country's finest leaders who knew how to best manage their time, and was known to have effectively controlled several areas of his life at the same time. How did he do this? Eisenhower used to divide a page into 4 parts, giving each a different title:
·         Upper right: urgent and unimportant
·         Upper left part: urgent but important
·         Lower right part: not urgent and unimportant
·         Lower left part: not urgent but important
Looking at what goes into making up your day, where do your activities fit into these categories?
1.       Urgent & Important — Tasks that must be done. Do them right away. are usually all the things you haven’t had time to do but need to get done today. If you use this list daily, this part should remain blank most of the time.
2.       Urgent but not important — Tasks that make the most “noise,” but when accomplished, have little or no lasting value. Delegate these if possible.
3.       Important but not urgent — Tasks that appear important, but upon closer examination aren’t. Plan them well because these tasks should not be done in haste, because if you do this they can easily move to the important and urgent section when you don’t do them correctly.
4.       Not urgent and not important — Low-priority stuff that offer the illusion of “being busy.” Do them later. These are tasks that even if left undone, won’t affect you too much like updating your social media status.
Stephen Covey, co-author of First Things First, offers this same organizational tool for your to-do list based on how important and urgent tasks are. Write down your three or four “important and urgent” tasks that must be addressed today, he advises. As you complete each one, check it off your list. This will provide you with a sense of accomplishment and can motivate you to tackle less essential items.

3. Triple Ds
Good time management involves understanding which jobs are non essential and can wait – Delete them from your to do list. Then identify the ones that are essential but do not demand your personal involvement and attention – Delegate them. Then there will remain that require your total dedication and personal attention – Do them. Delegating or outsourcing are real time-savers since it lessens your workload - which means you have more time to spend on more important tasks or doing less work. Doing less doesn’t mean “less is more.” It means “less is better.” This is achieved by slowing down, being aware of what needs to be done, and concentrating only on those things. Once you do, make every action count. As a result you’ll be creating more value instead of just fodder.


4. Just say no.
You have to realize that you’re the boss of your time. If you have to decline a request in order to attend to what’s truly important and urgent, do not hesitate to do . You do not have to please everyone, that in fact is an utopian dream. Be prepared to move on to more productive tasks. Learn from the experience to avoid wasting time later on.

5. Plan ahead.
In Plastic Surgery there is a very popular phrase – ‘If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail’. One of the worst things you can do is jump into the workday with no clear idea about what needs to get done. The time you spend thinking ahead and planning your activities is trivial compared with the time you’ll lose jumping from one thing to the next and then failing to complete both.

6. Eliminate distractions.
Start paying attention to the number of times someone interrupts you when you’re in the midst of an important task. They are not helping you and cannot be your friend. Track self-induced interruptions, too, particularly those of the social media variety. Your smartphone is extremely useful, but it’s also addictive and among the most insidious time-wasters known to mankind.
It may take a massive exercise in will power, but shut the door and turn off your phone to maximize your time. In our age of constant distraction, it's stupidly easy to split our attention between what we should be doing and what society bombards us with. Fight it and win this fight.

7. Watch what you spend – create a time audit
How many productive minutes are you packing in each week? Use this simple time-sheet tracker to quickly and easily clock in and out of various tasks or projects throughout the day. The easiest way to keep track of your time is to download an app like RescueTimeToggl or my app Calendar to track everything you do for a week. Then generate robust, real-time reports to see exactly where you’re spending your most valuable asset — and where it’s being wasted.

8. Eat the frog first.
Mark Twain once said, "If it's your job to eat a frog, it's best to do it first thing in the morning. And if it's your job to eat two frogs, it's best to eat the biggest one first." Disgusting, isn’t it? But, the point that Twain was making that you should take care your biggest and most-challenging tasks in the morning, your most important tasks (MITs) of the day. That is because you usually have the most amount of energy in the morning and it’s better to tackle these tasks when you’re not drained. Also, you can use that feeling of accomplishment to get through the rest of the day.

9. Follow the 80-20 rule.
The Pareto Principle also known as the 80-20 rule suggests that 80% of results come from 20% of the effort put in. 80% of your results comes from 20% of your actions. So quality time is more important than quantity time. For the sake of simplicity try to get done five tasks you need to accomplish. Using the principle you can probably eliminate the majority of the items on your list. It may feel unnatural at first but overtime this will condition you to scale up effort on the most important tasks

10. Stop being perfect.
When you’re a perfectionist, nothing will ever be good enough. And ‘best’ is the greatest enemy of ‘good’. That means you’ll keep going back to same task over and over again. How productive do you think your day will be then? So, stop being perfect. It doesn’t exist. Do the best you can and move on.

11. Bunch similar task together.
When you have related work, bunch them together. For example, don’t answer your emails and phone calls throughout the day. Schedule a specific time to handle these tasks. Different tasks demand different types of thinking. By bunching related tasks together, your brain isn’t switching gears - which means you cut out that time reorienting.

12. Take care of yourself.

Be sure to get plenty of sleep and exercise. An alert mind is a high-functioning mind and one that’s less tolerant of time-wasting activities.

Wednesday 12 September 2018

HAIR LOSS – FROM GRANDMA TO STEM CELLS


Hair loss and going bald is one of the most terrifying worries that some men have. The strands of hair found on the pillow and the small patches of hair that continue to fall out can be a source of anxiety for many men. So what is it that you can do to prevent baldness? Male pattern baldness is hereditary and may be linked to male sex hormones. Male hair loss can start as early as during adolescence. It affects two thirds of men by age 35, and around 85 percent of men by the age of 50. Considering that there is a strong genetic trait of going bald, there is surprisingly a lot you can do to postpone the inevitable. Start with these three:

1. Don’t comb or rub your hair wet: Towel drying or combing your hair when wet can cause the hair to snap and break. Untangle your hair before you wet it and blot your hair with a towel.

2. Don’t overheat your hair: Excess use of your hair dryer or straightening iron can dry out your hair shafts, leading to dull, and brittle hair. The heat can damage the proteins and the dryness also strips your hair of natural moisture, resulting in dry cuticles, which will snap off. It's recommended you limit this activity to 2 to 3 times a week.

3. Don’t wash your hair with hot water: Having a steaming hot shower frequently can strip away the protective oils and this can cause your scalp pores to overproduce oil, which can damage the hair at the root, resulting in excessive shedding. Opt for washing your hair with lukewarm to warm water, and rinsing with cooler temperatures, to lock in moisture.

Hair loss is normal, but when it happens in excess it’s frightening and upsetting. It’s common to lose 50-100 strands a day. When you wash your hair you can lose 250 strands. Most of the hair on your head is growing. About 10% of your hair is dormant, and will fall out after 2-3 months.

Home Remedies:

If your grandmother did not tell you then you can benefit from my grandmother’s advice:

Coconut milk: Coconut milk is a rich source of nutrients including vitamin E, potassium, and iron. Applying this liquid directly to the roots can help prevent hair breakage and accelerate hair growth. The antibacterial properties in this milk can also protect the scalp as it is a natural conditioner for both hair and skin. It’s recommended that you leave this treatment in overnight.

Amla, Indian gooseberry: This fruit is well known for its high levels of vitamin C and is packed with antioxidants, which can prevent premature graying. The essential fatty acids in this fruit can also keep hair follicles strong. Applying a paste of dried amla with lime juice to the scalp will nourish your locks and make your hair extra lustrous.

Scalp massage: Regularly treating your head to a massage is effective in keeping your hair healthy. A massage stimulates blood flow to the scalp and promotes hair growth. There are a number of oils to try: coconut, jojoba, mustard, almond, lavender, olive, or sesame oil are all full of added nutrients. Jojoba oil is especially recommended because it replaces sebum to the scalp.

Neem, Indian lilac: Neem oil is extracted from the fruit of the Indian lilac tree. It is rich in antioxidants which counter free radicals. Neem is regenerative and contains fatty acids like linoleic, oleic, and stearic acids, which also condition the scalp and hair beautifully. Neem is also an astringent and can also treat itching, dandruff and head lice without chemicals.

Aloe vera: Applying pure aloe gel directly to the scalp helps balance the pH level. The plant extract is rich in vitamins, amino acids, minerals, and enzymes. The aloe strengthens hairs elasticity and can soften and moisturize your hair, acting as a natural conditioner. Dissolving a small amount of salt into the gel can also help. The salt penetrates the deeper skin layers and can prevent hair from falling out unnecessarily. 

Egg white & curd: Eggs are rich in sulfur, selenium, iodine, phosphorus, iron and zinc. Curd has many nutrients and is anti-fungal. This mixture makes an excellent conditioner, making your hair shiny and at the same time effectively fights dandruff and hair loss.

Henna: While most people know henna as a natural hair dye, it is also an excellent way to strengthen and condition hair. When applied to hair and scalp it creates a protective coat over the hair shafts and its nutrients repair the hair cuticles, making the strands thick and strong.
To prevent hair loss, combine dried henna leaves with mustard oil and apply on your hairs and scalp. Leave this to rest for 30 minutes and rinse your hair after.  

Hibiscus: This is the humble shoe flower and is an old Indian method of maintaining a thick mane of hair. Because of its rich vitamin C and amino acid content, this flower works to prevent premature graying, nourish the hair and treat dandruff. it can also help with hair loss. It’s best to leave the paste of dried leaves and flowers with coconut oil in your hair for several hours and then rinse.

Are there any medical remedies?

Yes there are.  

  1. Minoxidil lotion is applied to the scalp and may work by increasing blood flow, and therefore nourishment, to the hair follicles. The treatment has zero effect on the hormonal process of hair loss, and its benefits are temporary. Hair loss continues if usage is discontinued.
  2. Finasteride inhibits type II 5-alpha-reductase, which is the enzyme responsible for converting testosterone into the more potent androgen DHT. DHT levels are reported to be reduced by 60 percent when the drug is taken, which prevents the susceptible follicles from being affected by the hormone and returning their normal size. Loss of libido is a known complication of this drug. 
  3. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is a form of light and heat treatment. LLLT has been shown to stimulate hair growth in both men and women. Researchers hypothesize that the main mechanisms involved in the process is the stimulation of epidermal stem cells in the follicle and shifting the follicle back into the growth phase of the cycle.
  4. Hair transplantation involves harvesting follicles from the back of the head that are DHT resistant and transplanting them to bald areas. There are two techniques FUT and FUE and at the end of the procedure, the person will still have the same amount of hair - it will just be distributed more evenly around the scalp. 


What is in the realm of research?

KROX20 and the SCF gene : Researchers from University of Texas (UT) Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas have identified a protein called KROX20, which switches on cells in the skin and tells them to become hair. Furthermore, these hair precursor cells then go on to produce a protein called stem cell factor (SCF), which plays a critical role in hair pigmentation. Future work by the team will focus on finding out whether KROX20 and the SCF gene stop functioning properly and lead to male pattern baldness.

Genetic treatment: A study led by the University Edinburgh in the United Kingdom discovered 287 genetic regions involved in male pattern baldness. Many of the genes that the researchers identified were linked with hair structure and development. Not only could the team's findings help to predict a man's likelihood of experiencing severe hair loss, but they could also provide new targets for drug developments to treat baldness.

JAK Inhibitors: Hair growth can be restored by inhibiting the Janus kinase (JAK) family of enzymes that are located in hair follicles, according to investigators from Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC) in New York City, NY. JAK inhibitors in future will have widespread utility across many forms of hair loss based on their mechanism of action in both the hair follicle and immune cells.


Stem cells: Researchers from the Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute in San Diego, CA, developed a technique to generate new hair using pluripotent stem cells. This method would provide an unlimited source of cells without being limited to transplanting follicles from one part of the head to another.

Tuesday 4 September 2018

HOW TO CULTIVATE A GOOD PERSONALITY




Have you ever wondered why it feels good to be with some people and why some people leave a lot to be desired? Some people are likeable, interesting and pleasant whenever you come across them and they leave you feeling good. It has very little to do with their physical attributes but the sum total of their appearance, their behavior, their conversation, their attitude towards life and their unique outlook all together create a lasting impression. This total package is the person’s personality. The personality is the typical pattern of thinking, feeling, and behaviors that make a person unique.

Everyone wants to be attractive to others. To that end, having a good personality is vital - probably even more so than good looks. In fact, approximately 85 percent of your success and happiness will be a result of how well you interact with others. Ultimately, it is your personality that determines whether people are attracted to, or shy away from you. Not only humans, animals too have a personality and dog lovers and equestrian enthusiasts will readily vouch for this!

Can we change our personality into a more pleasant one? Many think and believe that character traits are established at birth and we can do nothing about this. They argue that while some people are blessed with a generous sense of humor and charisma, others have to cope with a lack of these qualities and find them impossible to achieve. In fact, this itself is a negative attitude that takes all the virtues and good things in each of us for granted and convinces us to not find ways to develop and improve our personalities. We are not born with a personality; we acquire, develop and cultivate one. We humans have the power and ability to shape our personalities however we wish. When we develop ourselves to be all that we can be, we contribute to our own, as well as the happiness of others.

While we can only enhance our looks to a certain extent by visiting beauty parlors or getting cosmetic surgeries, we have the ability to improve the personality as much as we want and in a far easy and affordable way. We can develop or integrate into our personalities any trait we aspire for and deem fit. This is how I think we can:

1.       Be self confident. People with high self-confidence always have an advantage over those who regularly hesitate and doubt themselves, because people who demonstrate strong will and assertiveness serve as an example and inspiration for others, and so, they can easily take control of different situations. Do not give in to the perception that it is the responses of others that need to determine your behavior, and do not feel the need to seek approval and acceptance of others for every step you take. Self-confident people control their own lives and take personal responsibility for their actions.

2.       Be a hard worker. Most high-performing workers don’t actually work too much, however, they do work efficiently. To get better results and demonstrate your many skills, try to disconnect completely from the various instant messaging programs, put your phone on vibration mode and don’t listen to music if it distracts you. Invest yourself completely in the task you need to complete. Hopping between work and distractions is not the sign of a good personality.

3.       Be a better and purposeful listener. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis was considered one of the most charming women in the world because she cultivated the skill of being an exceptional listener. She was known for the way she would look a person in the eyes, hang on their every word, and make them feel important. There is nothing more appealing than having someone listen to you intently making you feel like you're the only person in the world. This way you will be able to read others' thoughts, understand what motivates other people and what the reasons behind their behavior are. While listening, consider not only what they say but also what they do while talking to you: where are they looking, what makes them smile, what facial expressions are they making, and what are their hands doing during the conversation? This will improve your response.

4.       Read more and expand your interests. The more you read and cultivate new interests, the more interesting you are to others. When you meet new people it gives you the opportunity to share what you know and to exchange your views with them. One essential part of having a good personality is having interesting things to talk about. That doesn’t mean you need to study astrophysics – you just need to have interests. If you are excited about something you probably will be able to tell other people about it in an interesting way. It really doesn’t matter what you like to do! Try to read something every day. Watch movies. Look for new hobbies. Just try to experience what the world has to offer!

5.       Be a good conversationalist. This relates to how much you read and know. Once you have much to contribute, learn how to talk about it with others. No one can read about or know everything, so it's refreshing to learn from others those things we don't have the time to about read ourselves.  

6.       Have an Opinion. There is nothing more tiresome than trying to talk to someone who has no opinion on anything. A conversation has nowhere to go if you have nothing to expound on. If, however, you have an uncommon point of view or differing opinion, you are more interesting and stimulating company. When you talk to people you want to have things that matter to you that you can talk about. Develop an opinion on politics or sports or animals or parenting or anything like that you are interested in. Don’t worry about agreeing with the other person as long as you can converse civilly. People will appreciate the personality of someone who is able to express their opinions about things.  A unique outlook expands everyone's perspective.

7.       Meet New PeopleMake the effort to meet new people especially those unlike you. It not only exposes you to different cultures and alternative ways of doing things, it broadens your horizons.

8.       Be yourselfThe next most tiresome thing after having no opinions is trying to be something you're not. Molding yourself in order to fit in, or be accepted, usually backfires. Since each of us is unique, expressing that uniqueness is what makes us interesting. Attempting to be a carbon copy of someone else not only falls flat, but reveals a lack of authenticity.

9.       Have a positive outlook and attitude. Who wants to be around people who are negative, complain a lot, or have nothing good to say? In fact, most of us run when we see them coming. Instead, be the kind of upbeat person who lights up a room with your energy when you enter it. Do it by looking for the best in people and things. Smile warmly, spread good cheer, and enliven others with your presence.

10.   Be fun and see the humorous side of lifeEveryone enjoys the company of someone who makes them laugh, or smile, so look for the humorous, quirky side in a situation - there always is one. When you can add fun and lightheartedness to an otherwise dull or gloomy setting, others will naturally be attracted to you, not to mention grateful. "Laughter is good for the heart" is a well-known cliché, but it has quite a bit of truth since good laughter can free us from stress and help us see the positive side of things and communicate with others. Therefore, people tend to like those who have a sense of humor and want to be close to witty and amusing people, who also have fun and can laugh at themselves and their failures without feeling bad.

11.   Be supportive of othersBeing supportive is probably the most endearing quality you can integrate into your personality. Just as you yourself welcome it, be the support for others when they need it. We all love a cheerleader in our corner; someone who is encouraging believes in us and helps pick us up when we're down.

12.   Have Integrity and treat people with respectBeing honest and true to your word will bring you the admiration, respect and gratitude of others. Nothing improves a person's personality more than integrity and respect - respect for others, as well as respect for yourself.

13.   Radiate Warm Positive Energy. This is something that is kind of an unspoken thing and something that you just give off. There are things you can do to control your own energy, which really are just a function of focusing your own mind on all the positive things in your life. I think all people give off a unique energy or a vibe and I think all other people can sense that. Whether you have ever talked to me or not, just from reading my writing you form certain impressions about me on an unconscious level. As a result you’re either drawn to me or not.

14.   Be nice. This is the most important step. No matter who you are, if you are nice, the only reason a person can dislike you is if they are jealous of you. Never be rude to people. If someone is being unkind to you, try to imagine what might be causing him or her to act this way. Maybe they are going through a really difficult situation in their life and in reality they are a very good person. Try to assume the best in people. You don’t have to be naïve and it’s okay to remain skeptical, but that doesn’t mean you ever have an excuse to treat anyone poorly.

15.   Keep your cool. This will earn you an enormous amount of respects, especially if you keep calm in situations where everyone else panics. Just try to take things as they come and don’t get too high or too low. This is something that you can do consciously and people will really respect your ability to keep everything together.

Developing a good personality is something we all should try. When talking to someone, try to make eye contact with them - look into the person's eyes with real calm and serenity and don’t forget to smile! Charismatic people are able to listen to others and be in the same "mind-frame" as they are – so, while having a conversation, don’t rush to talk about yourself and remember that it is better to ask questions and to be interested first in the person in front of you. Be nice despite provocations and keep cool. Be supportive of good causes and good people and work hard to make a positive difference. And don’t take life too seriously; laugh at yourself once in a while!