{Photo courtesy of Seeds of Peace}

From the coolest nerd ever to the most cutting-edge fashion designer to have lived in this era, there’s an element that sets the best and the greatest apart from the pack. We selected a few of these trailblazers and here’s what they have to say in their own wisdom-filled words.

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Steve Jobs:

“Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.”

“I want to put a ding in the universe.”

“Do you want to spend the rest of your life selling sugared water or do you want a chance to change the world?”

An entrepreneur with an extremely creative mind and strong desire to be a game changer in the world, Steve Jobs is the man with the Midas touch. From the Apple Computer to Pixar, to the iPod, iPhone and iPad, they all became a smashing success. The “i” can officially stand for invention and innovation.

Alexander McQueen:

“Clothes and jewelry should be startling, individual. When you see a woman in my clothes, you want to know more about them. To me, that is what distinguishes good designers from bad designers.”

Garnering four British Designer of the Year Awards and a CFDA award, Alexander McQueen was a revolutionary designer and a master tailor who pushed the boundaries in fashion with edgy, show-stopping haute couture looks. Though his life ended early, his distinguished designs still live on.

Ivanka Trump:

“I generally wake up, exercise and read through a huge amount of newspapers. I get to the office somewhere between 7:30 and 8:00—my brothers and I are always the first ones in.”

A sharp businesswoman and fashion model, Ivanka Trump graduated summa cum laude from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania and doesn’t rest on her father’s laurels as an heiress. She starts the day early and gets to work as an Executive Vice President of Development & Acquisitions at The Trump Organization. She also has several side projects under her belt (The Apprentice judge and her own jewelry line).

Warren Buffet:

“It’s better to hang out with people better than you. Pick out associates whose behavior is better than yours and you’ll drift in that direction.”

”Look at market fluctuations as your friend rather than your enemy; profit from folly rather than participate in it.”

“Someone’s sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.”

Legendary investor and philanthropist, Warren Buffet always makes it on the world’s wealthiest list, yet is humble, frugal and exceedingly generous. In 2010, Warren Buffet pledged to give more than 99 percent of his wealth to philanthropy during his lifetime or at death.

Martha Stewart:

“All the things I love is what my business is all about.”

“My new motto is: When you’re through changing, you’re through.”

“Without an open-minded mind, you can never be a great success.”

A successful entrepreneur and businesswoman, Martha Stewart is the queen of domesticity and crafts. Her brand has become a household name and she credits her success to an open mind, progress and doing what she loves.

Cathie Black:

“Play to win, rather than play not to lose.”

Former president of USA Today, Hearst Magazines (Harper’s Bazaar, Esquire, O, etc) and former publisher of New York Magazine, Cathie Black was able to seize all her golden opportunities and make it to the top, going against all odds with that winner mentality. She was recognized as one of Forbe’s 100 most powerful women.

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Physical

__ I work out twice or more per week

­­__ I eat out fewer than four times per week

__ I get a daily dose of water, fruits and veggies

__ I’m up-to-date on annual doctor and dental checkups

__ I’m up-to-date on haircut and grooming needs

Mental

__ I’m mentally stimulated and challenged at work

__ I regularly read and learn from books and websites relevant to my work/industry

__ I take regular vacations and breaks so I don’t burn out

__ I’m pretty cultured on the latest news, movies, music and events around town

__ I take steps to practice a character trait I need/want but lack

Spiritual

__ I have a regular time of reflecting, meditating/praying

__ I take time to read meaningful/motivational quotes, verses, proverbs

__ I depend on a higher power and seek the meaning of life

__ Volunteering and giving is a regular part of my life

__ I engage in meaningful conversations

Organizational

__ I’m not behind on my domestic duties (clean house, stocked up fridge, dry cleaning, etc)

__ I pay my bills on time

__ I balance my checkbook and see where I spend

__ All my important docs are neatly filed away (passport, warranties, etc)

__ My calendar is filled out with to-dos (oil change, appointments)

Relational

__ I go out and socialize with friends at least three times a week

__ I meet and network with a new person at least once or twice a week

__ I have a close knit of family/friends that I can always rely on

__ I check up on family and friends to see how they are doing

__ I keep in touch with old buddies and co-workers and follow up with new people I’ve met.

So How Balanced Are You? Tally up the number of checkmarks you have in each category (i.e., if you checked off only 1 per section, you fall into the red category).

0-1 Red — Stop and re-evaluate. Go through the list again and see how to include more of the items into your life.

2-3 Yellow — You could keep going, but it’ll do you good to slow down and check your motors. There’s always room for improvement.

4-5 Green — Pat yourself on the back. You’ve mastered the work/life balancing act.

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Submarine Tea Infuser

If you love tea—or The Beatles song, you’ll love this yellow submarine tea infuser. Simply insert your loose tea leaves in the compartment and immerse in hot water. $18. FredFlare.com

Spork

No need to find a separate fork and spoon for your salad and soup because this “spork” does it all. Not only is it convenient for work, but it’s also handy for your camping and picnicking needs. Available in different sizes. $5.95 – $9.95. SpoonSisters.com

Bird Paper Clip Holder

Decorate your desktop with this amusing paper clip holder that chirps when you touch it. A unique and charming gift idea. $14.99. PerpetualKid.com

Top 5 Traits of Highly Successful People:

1) Visionary

Howard Schultz, the founder of Starbucks is a big dreamer. As a poor little boy in Brooklyn, New York, Schultz had the dream of opening his own Italian coffeehouse. With a goal of “creating and building an enduring global brand,” Starbucks has truly become what it was set out to be, and you can count on finding one in every city, if not every block.  See the Starbucks Mission Statement for a more detailed vision and the principles they follow.

2) Passionate

Passion is a gift. It’s the fuel that drives you to pursue your dream and helps you overpower the fears that try to get in the way. Passion is not a fleeting emotion but an enduring desire.

3) Diligent

Diligence is having perseverance even when the going gets tough. In Barbara Walter’s interview with Oprah Winfrey regarding her decision to leave the show after 25 years, Oprah says, “[You] can’t call in sick, can’t ever give less than 100 percent, and if you are sick, which I’ve been a couple of times, that’s when you got to pull up to 110, 120 because people have come from all over the world and this is their moment …”

4) Proactive, Not Reactive

Successful people don’t procrastinate or wait for things to happen:

5) Lifelong Learner

They constantly strive to make things better, asking “what’s my next step?” They’re always reading, on the search for new information and ideas, and apply what they learn.

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For an elaborate list by LifeHack.org, check out 50 Habits of Highly Successful People.

No need to be the next Hemingway or bust out with Obama rhetoric every time you talk, but it may be well worth the time to hit the books and take a refresher course from those old grade school grammar and SAT vocab lessons…frowsty, meretricious, pulchritude, pronouns without antecedents, say what?

Depending on where you work, what you do and who you are, you may need to switch up your lingo whether it’s street talk or professional, but no matter what the situation is, it’s worth noting the correct form of grammar so you can use it to your advantage.

1.) Good vs. Well

“Good” is an adjective, which modifies a noun or pronoun. “I am doing good” is incorrect, though it is acceptable as a slang.

Examples:

He is a good boy.

This tastes good.

“Well” is an adverb, which modifies a verb and some adjectives (this is where the confusion begins).

Examples:

I am doing well.

She smells well for someone who has a cold. (Her nose is functioning correctly)

She smells good. (She has a good scent)

Most verbs end in “ly” and answer the “how” about the verb. However, the sense verbs of taste, look, smell and feel can be tricky, which brings us to:

2.) Bad vs. Badly

“Bad” is an adjective and “badly” is an adverb. When the verbs of taste, look, smell and feel are used actively, it should be followed with adverbs. But when the verb is used descriptively, it should be followed with an adjective.

Examples:

Active verb: He feels badly because his fingers were burned from the fire. (Fingers can’t feel physically.)

Descriptive verb: I feel bad about not calling her. (In this situation, “feel” is an emotion.)

3.) Disinterested vs. Uninterested

If you are disinterested, you are neutral about the matter.

If you are uninterested, you have no interest in the matter.

4.) Off of vs. Off

Never use “off of” in a formal sentence. The meaning is still clear without the extra preposition.

Incorrect: The restaurant is off of Vine.

Correct: The restaurant is off Vine.

5.) Less vs. Fewer

Supermarkets didn’t take grammar rules into consideration when they named the “10 items or less” aisle, which technically should be “10 items or fewer.”

“Fewer” is used for things that are countable. I want fewer people in my group.

“Less” is for things that cannot be counted. I want less food on my plate.

6.) Dangling Modifiers

A word or phrase that modifies the clause incorrectly.

Incorrect: Dusty and dirty, my brother found a box of old trinkets in the garage. (A dusty and dirty brother?)

Correct: My brother found a box of dusty and dirty old trinkets in the garage.

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For more on grammar tips and answers, check out the awesome Grammar Girl and The Blue Book of Grammar.

In the latest poll conducted by Right Management, 20 percent of employees eat at their desks and 13 percent “seldom or never” take lunch breaks while top executives were the most likeliest to take a break.

“Sometimes employees feel the need to stay at their desk or to apologize for stepping out. But this kind of culture isn’t the way to heighten performance and engagement,” says Douglas J. Matthews, President and Chief Operating Officer of Right Management.

Taking a break, you’ll be more refreshed, motivated and will end up being more productive at work, not to mention that your day will seem shorter.

So even you have a demanding workload, take a breather. When you’re not lunching with co-workers, here are 20 things you can do in an hour.

1. Park your car in a shady area that is safe and take a nap. Remember to set your phone alarm.
2. Take the time to write your goals and plans for the day, week, month or year.
3. Read a book or listen to the audio version. You’ll be surprised at how fast you can finish a book with just one hour a day.
4. Catch up on news, current events and pop culture (Yahoo.com, The Economist, Financial Times, NPR, Hulu.com, etc.).
5. Invest in a small laptop and use it to take care of bills during your lunch break at a nearby cafe.
6. Run your errands whether it involves shopping for gifts or buying supplies you’re out of.
7. Use your smart phone to catch up and respond to personal emails.
8. Catch up with friends on the phone.
9. Work out at a nearby gym and while you’re at it, network.
10. Donate blood.
11. Learn a new language with Rosetta Stone or Dr. Pimsleur (audio).
12. Listen to music and relax.
13. Set up lunch appointments with friends and old co-workers.
14. Write a book.
15. Write on your blog.
16. Plan a themed lunch potluck at work. Pass around a sign-up sheet and let the feast begin.
17. Set up a lunch appointment with a higher up you want to learn from.
18. Get a massage.
19. Get your nails done—guys included (but no need for polish; just getting nails cleaned and buffed will do for clean presentation). Make sure to make an appointment beforehand.
20. Explore the city you’re working in and find out what’s around. Who knows, maybe you’ll find a hidden gem.

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*Note: If you’re required to remain at the work site during lunch, the meal must be paid even if you’re relieved of your work duties. And if an employer fails to provide a meal, he/she must pay one additional hour of pay at the employee’s regular rate of pay for each workday that the meal period is not provided.  (See CA Labor Code Section 226.7)

Here are 6 Tips for Getting Paid on Time:

1.) Act professional.

Be and act professional from day one. This means staying on top of schedule, not being too lax and making sure your client fully understands your contract agreements before lending your services. Since you’re running your own show, you need to know both sides of the business (not just the creative side).

2.) Put it in writing and have them sign.

It’s vital to create a good, detailed contract. Update your current form or create a new one and have a lawyer friend look over it. Patricio Robles from Econsultancy.com’s “Eight Contact Mistakes Freelancers Make” suggests there is one term a freelancer should always insist upon: that intellectual property rights are not transferred until the full amount due under the contract has been paid.

3.) Tack on penalty interest rates for every late day.

It creates a sense of urgency. No one wants to pay extra money that could have been avoided. If you decide to implement this tactic, remember to include this in the contract.

4.) Shorten the billing cycle.

It might not be a bad idea to shorten the billing cycle as Entrepreneur pointed out. Besides, who said it had to be a 30 day policy? Instead, try creating a 15 day policy and see how it works out for you.

5.) Send organized reminders.

When sending out a reminder email, remember to also address the accounts payable department. The letter should include past due date, date of service, type of work and what can result by not paying on time.

6.) Have a talk with chronic late-payers.

Find out their reasons and discuss solutions to prevent this from happening in the future. And allow them to think in your shoes: “Like you, I’ve also got financial obligations.”

As a very last resort, there’s also the option of hiring a bill collector or going to small claims court. However, if you don’t want to sever your ties with these clients, it may be better to just wait and keep sending those reminders until you get what is yours.

1.) Character enhancement.

You might get away with shoddy work here and there, but little bad habits become big bad habits that seep into your character. When you try your best at something, you’re prone to discover what your strengths and potential abilities are.

2.) Respect and a good reputation.

Working diligently can get you noticed by your boss or decision makers even though they may never pay you a compliment. Plus, you avoid being the subject of gossip and malicious rumors.

3.) Higher morale.

Attitude is infectious. A bad one can have negative repercussions and create tension with others, especially when you’re working with a team that relies on your efforts. When everyone works hard, there’s a sense of triumph and achievement.

4.) Promotions and unexpected rewards.

When you perform your job well and try your best, it can get you noticed and get you that promotion along with other unexpected financial rewards.

5.) Puts you ahead of the pack.

Diligence is a rare trait in the workforce and makes you a valuable asset that is not easily replaceable.

6.) References and recommendations.

When it’s time to find another job, old colleagues can become good references and give good recommendations to your prospective employers.

7.) Rewarding feeling.

Accomplishing a task with great care and attention while knowing you did your best is a rewarding feeling.

So even if you hate your job, do it right and do it well for the sake of your own future. Ultimately, the best reason to have a diligent work ethic is because you’re passionate about what you do. If you don’t know that is, make it your priority to find out. The sooner you do that, the happier and more productive you’ll be.

So you just started your own business or worked your way into self-employment and now you’re on the hunt for new customers and clients. Wouldn’t it be nice if they just found you naturally on the first page of the Google search engine by typing in a general key term that described your service?

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is no longer a recent phenomenon that only a few know about. It has taken web marketing to a whole new level in the past few years. If you’re self employed or a small business owner with a website and have never heard of the concept, you’re missing out on a powerful marketing tool, and the best part is that it’s free.

Search Engine Optimization is basically a marketing strategy that aims to rank your website high on the search engines. Google, Yahoo and Bing all use a different set of criteria to rank a page, but Google is the most used and offers the most tools. They use more than 200 factors in determining whether your website should be first or last when someone searches a key phrase in the search engine, such as, “wardrobe stylist in LA.” Some of those factors include the title of the page, who links to your site and which directories you’re listed in. (See Google Webmaster Central for more resources and info.)

If you’re not web savvy, it’s worth it to higher someone who is skilled in this area since it is a good long-term investment. In the meantime, here are five marketing tips that any small business owner with a website can quickly implement to help increase search engine rankings.

1. Make the most of free online resources. Google offers many tools for website owners to increase traffic on their page. The keyword tool is helpful in determining how many people search for a specific key phrase. For instance, type in “young professionals in los angeles” and the tool will tell you how many people are searching for that phrase and the trend. Find a phrase that is popular and best describes your site. Then use that as the title tag. (This needs to be changed on the back-end of the site.) 
2. Get listed in major directories like DMOZ.org and Yahoo. Don’t try to get listed in as many directories as possible. Quality is always better than quantity.
3. Build relationships with high traffic sites that are relevant to your content so they can link to your site. Domains that end with .edu and .gov have more value.
4. Start a company blog about your expertise and post consistently even if it means one photo a day with a short commentary. WordPress, Tumblr, or Blogger are good options to consider.
5. If you haven’t already, engage in social media even if you don’t want to. Hire talented underlings if you have to, but do it and be consistent. The goal is to build community and strong followers. (Facebook, Twitter, Delicious, Digg, StumbleUpon, LinkedIn, Google Buzz, etc.)

While relying on traditional media may be important to grow brand image and brand recognition, the best way to market your company with no budget and for long-term growth is through search marketing. So begin a web marketing campaign, be proactive and get crackin’. People are waiting to find you.

Resource:

• Search Engine Guide

Ergonomic disaster. This guy is an example of what not to do: Slouching. Leaning. Eyes glued to the monitor. Fingers cramped. Stressed. Fatigued. Looks like he could use a healthy dose of ergonomics in his life.

Ergonomics is a way of designing a person’s environment to foster the highest level of function. It looks at what type of work you do, the tools you use, and the whole environment in order to find the best fit for you, considering the above factors. Good ergonomics promotes increased work productivity and quality by preventing injury and promoting increased health, safety and comfort. Let’s take a look at 7 principles that will keep you working efficiently and sprightly for the long haul (and prevent you from visiting the worker’s comp. department).

Workplace Ergonomics Tips

1.) Follow the 90-90 rule! Position your elbows, hips, knees, and ankles in a 90 degree position for optimal alignment.

Photo: hpb.gov.sg

2.) Keep your feet flat on the floor so that it distributes your weight evenly. Dangling feet cause pressure on the legs, making other body parts compensate. Use a footrest if your feet do not reach the floor.

3.) Choose a good chair and make sure your rear is positioned all the way to the back. The back of your knees should be two finger-widths apart from the seat’s edge.

4.) Keep your wrists straight, relaxed and in a neutral position in line with your forearm. When typing, the best practice is to keep your wrists floating rather than resting them on a wrist pad. But if you choose to use a wrist pad, rest the heels of your palms and not your palms. If possible, use the wrist pad between typing movements and not during typing.

5.) Position the top of your computer screen at eye level to prevent eye and neck strain.

6.) Look away from computer screen frequently to allow muscles inside the eyes to relax. Focus on items that are away from you in 5 feet increments up to 20 feet for about 1 minute. Blink your eyes rapidly to refresh tear film and clear dust. Another tip: Look at the color green to soothe eyes. Studies have shown that the color green is calming for the eyes.

7.) Perform back, shoulder, and wrist stretches and shoulder shrugs at least every hour to prevent body strain and stress.

Sources:

• American Occupational Therapy Association
• U.S. National Library of Medicine
• Cornell University