How to Live an Almost Perfect Life.

 

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the concept of a "perfect life" is highly subjective and can vary greatly from person to person. What may be considered a perfect life for one person may not be the same for another.

What ChatGPT by OpenAI is Disrupting and How to Use It

OpenAI unveiled ChatGPT, a prototype AI chatbot that can draft contracts between artists and producers and write intricate code. ChatGPT has gained a lot of attention from the public for its human-like, thorough responses to inquiries, and it has the potential to completely change how people use search engines by doing more than just providing links for users to sort through.

Displays of the ChatGPT website on a laptop and the OpenAI logo on a phone.

 

TOPIC FACTS

On November 30, the public gained access to the AI-powered chatbot on OpenAI's website. Although it is currently in the research review stage, people can sign up to receive updates about the chatbot.

Using a sizable artificial intelligence model created by OpenAI and trained on a vast amount of text data from numerous sources, ChatGPT makes use of the GPT-3.5 language technology.

 

Keeping it all Together in Life

Here's an interesting topic I've been asked to think about: my life of "keeping it all together." This subject provides numerous opportunities for my family's success.

 Keeping it all together has different meanings for each of us during this crazy pandemic. Hopefully, sharing my experience will provide some insight into yours. Here it is in less than 900 words!

Prepare yourself. This short story is jam-packed with examples from my personal journey of "Keeping It All Together."  "I keep myself in check by examining how my schedule aligns with my lifestyle at the time, and I adjust when my work or travel has an impact on others."

Keeping it together can mean juggling a heavy workload with few breaks as we navigate our daily obligations at work and at home. Individuals who provide support to others outside of the home and workplace may become emotionally and physically exhausted. Simply keeping up with the daily routines of responsibility can be overwhelming for some, especially during an economic downturn.

 We're just tired all over. Period. I tell you my story to demonstrate how our perspectives can influence outcomes.

My life is one-of-a-kind. I consider myself extremely fortunate to be able to work at a job that allows me to grow and be flexible as opposed to a traditional office-work-life. My most recent position was in Lagos, Nigeria.  

 It is hectic to woto rk here but it enables me travel round the world and also visit some dream sites in Africa. t Sounds amazing, right? Yes, it offers many fabulous opportunities and experiences. However, my life also requires some juggling on the home front, some personal choices that you may deem to be sacrificed, and an ability to be comfortable saying yes or no in those choices.  

Working here is stressful, but it allows me to travel around the world and visit some of my dream destinations in Africa. It sounds incredible, doesn't it? Yes, it provides many fantastic opportunities and experiences. However, my life also necessitates some juggling at home, some personal choices that you may consider sacrificed, and the ability to say yes or no to those choices.

Keep Things Simple:

1. Be present (even if you're not)
2. Be Aware, Adjust, and Agile because life can be unpredictable at times.
3. It takes a group effort. You don't have to do everything on your own.
4. Encourage communication so that everyone is on the same page (it could be as simple as writing down what you're thinking- it might just cause a response. How cool would that be!
5. Keep it all together, my friends.
6. We are, truly, all in this together.

Learn to Accept not being invited, included, or considered.

This is something I've been working on. I'm sure we've all experienced being ignored and feeling let down. Get over your self-pity; there is no time in this life for such nonsense!

That, in my opinion, is fine. It is not your concern to be concerned about what other people are thinking. Telling yourself a new story about what is happening is usually the most effective way to cope with disappointment.

The disappointment is our own, not someone else's. Take back control of the situation, stop putting so much pressure on yourself and others, and stop putting so many expectations on others.

I've read a lot of posts about how to let go of toxic people. Yes, it's always a good idea to surround yourself with positive people. And let us not forget that toxic individuals may not even be aware that they are toxic. Again, our reaction to something or someone is determined by how we tell ourselves the story.

Maybe it's something that comes with age and going through situations where we realize it's okay to say, 'Not today,' because I'm happy with who I am and who I've become.

It is beneficial to learn to accept not being invited, included, or considered. Simply stay in the present moment. Is it really that important that you weren't invited or considered, maybe it was for the better anyways? Not Everything is meant for your path in this life.

Everything works out in the end if we live in a world of Love, Peace, Joy, and Gratitude.

Take care of yourself and stay out of other people's business when it comes to what they are thinking or not thinking about you.

Easy Ways to Improve Your Writing Skills

Nothing strikes fear into the heart of a marketer like being asked to write a blog post. Some marketers would rather wrestle with pivot tables (or grizzly bears) for days on end than write a blog post.

With content marketing shaping up as one of the most important marketing skills to have on your resume, getting a handle on writing could really benefit your career and the obvious benefit of increasing traffic to your company's site.

Writing is intimidating to many people, particularly those who don’t write for a living or regularly. The good news is that writing doesn’t have to be agonizing, and almost anybody can improve their writing skills with a little discipline and a willingness to learn. Want to become a better writer? Here are 16 ways you can start improving your writing skills right now.

1. Brush Up on the Basics

Before you can start writing incredible content, you’ll need at least an intermediate understanding of the basic principles of writing.

This doesn’t mean you need to enrol in a prestigious creative writing program at an Ivy League university, but you will need to know the basics of grammar and spelling. Every writer should have a copy of “The Elements of Style” by Strunk and White on their bookshelf, as this small but invaluable book is one of the most comprehensive resources on the correct use of grammar and other helpful topics.

For quick and easy online resources, bookmark Grammar Girl and Merriam Webster

2. Write Like It’s Your Job

If you want to get better at something, practice–and writing is no exception!

Unfortunately, there are few shortcuts that can transform you into an amazing writer overnight, and even the most talented writers had to learn their craft over a period of many years. It's admittedly even harder to write while considering SEO and how to drive traffic to your post. 

If you want to improve your writing skills, writing regularly will not only diminish your fear of the blank page (or blinking cursor), it will also help you develop a unique style. So, even if nobody reads it, keep writing. Practice makes perfect.

3. Read Like It’s Your Job

The best writers are also a keen reader and reading regularly is a straightforward way to develop your writing skills. I don’t just mean blog posts, either diversify your reading material. Expand your horizons to more challenging material than you typically read, and pay attention to sentence structure, word choice, and how the material flows.

The more you read, the more likely you are to develop an eye for what makes a piece so effective, and which mistakes to avoid.

4. Find a Writing Partner

If you work at a reasonably sized company, the chances are good there is at least one other person who is also wondering how to become a better writer. Although writing is typically considered a solitary activity, the best writers know when it’s time to get much-needed feedback on their work.

Talk to your coworkers (or friends) and ask someone if they’d be willing to cast an eye over your work––they may spot mistakes you overlooked.

Finding a writing partner is also a great way to hold yourself accountable and keep going.

5. Join a Workshop or Take a Night Class

Most people balk at standing in front of a room full of strangers and baring their soul to the world, but joining a writing workshop can be immensely beneficial–and a lot of fun (if you find a good one).

You need not have an unfinished novel hidden away in your desk drawer to join a workshop. These days, content marketing meet-ups and professional development groups are becoming wildly popular. Join one of the many content marketing groups on LinkedIn to meet like-minded writers, or search for writing workshops near you on sites like Meetup. Pick a topic, write something, listen to the feedback of the group, and then revise it. Rinse, repeat.

6. Dissect Writing That You Admire

Most people read the same blogs or sites regularly because the material appeals to them – but fewer people understand why their favourite blogs are so appealing.

Find a handful of recent blog posts you like, then print them out. Next, just like your high school English teacher did, take a red pen and highlight things you liked: certain sentences, turns of phrase, even entire paragraphs. Examine why you like these  elements and see if there are any common threads in your favoured reading material. See how writers take one subject and transition into another. Apply these techniques to your own work.

Let’s take a look at a powerful (and memorable piece) from Copy blogger that serves as a great example of this. Immediately, you’re hooked by Morris’ opening. You can’t not read to see what happens next. The pacing is excellent, it grabs your attention, and best of all, it keeps you reading. This piece was first published back in June, and I still remember it. Read the full post here, and see how Morris masterfully tells the story of a band named Death and how this relates to writing content.

7. Imitate Writers You Admire

Before we go any further, a disclaimer – imitation is not the same as plagiarism. Don’t rip off anyone’s work. Ever.

Just as you probably have a list of blogs you read often, you’ll likely also read the same writers regularly. Identify what it is you enjoy about their work and see if you can use it to improve your writing skills. Does a writer you like use humour to spice up dry topics? Try it. Do they use pop culture references to make their work entertaining and useful? Try that, too.

When I first started writing, I imitated some of my favourite nonfiction writers and essayists, such as Joan Didion, Truman Capote and Bill Bryson. I also attempted (and failed) to imitate writers such as Dave Eggers and Dan Kennedy, but soon realized that I wasn't funny enough and gave it up. Over time, I eventually developed my own style, but reading the works of these writers and seeing how they constructed their essays and books was immensely helpful to me as a writer (see tip #3).

8. Remember That Outlines Are Your Friend

The blinking cursor of a blank page is a considerable foe, even for the most experienced writers. Before putting pen to proverbial paper, sketch out an outline of what you plan to write. This will be your battle plan, and it will help you win the war. Very few – and I do mean very few – writers sit down to write anything without a solid plan in mind.

An outline doesn’t have to be complex. A simple framework of which sections should appear in a particular order, along with a few sentences about what each section contains, may be enough. If the topic you’re tackling is a little more complex, your outline might have to be, too – but having an outline before you write is like having a roadmap in the glove box of your car before a road trip. If you felt  lost, refer back to your outline and get back to kicking ass and taking names.

Let’s look at

Introduction

Summary of the post

Section 1 – What is Brand Voice?

Paragraph(s) explaining the key principles behind brand voice (style, tone, and messaging)

Examples of each

Section 2 – Developing Brand Voice with Content

Explanations of how to develop brand voice using content (written, visual, video)

Considerations for content producers/marketers to bear in mind when producing content (strategy, goals, overall brand messaging)

Section 3 – Examples of Content That Builds Brand Voice

Several examples (three or four) of content that aligns well with marketing positioning and branding of recognizable brands

Conclusion

Wrap-up

This outline eventually became my recent post about brand voice. I deviated from my initial outline slightly, but the overarching structure was always there to keep me on target.

9. Edit Your Work Ruthlessly

So, you’re writing every day (or regularly, at least), and you’re feeling more confident about your work. Awesome! Now you’re going to become your own harshest critic.

Editing is a tough skill to learn for beginner writers, because they place immense value on the time and effort they put into writing in the first place. However, a lot of writing is actually rewriting, and this is where the cold, hard eye of an editor will serve you well.

Develop the discipline it takes to eliminate extraneous words (more on this shortly). Resist the temptation to wax lyrically and get to the point. Not sure if a paragraph works? It probably isn’t. Be tough on yourself, and know when to delete or rework something. Your work will be much stronger as a result.

10. Accept That First Drafts Are Almost Always Crap

The best writers make it look so easy. After reading a great post, it’s tempting to imagine your favorite bloggers effortlessly turning in incredible posts with minimal effort before spending the rest of their day reading obscure books in a quaint corner café somewhere. Take comfort in the knowledge that this isn’t how writing works.

First drafts are almost always crap, and that’s okay. Don’t beat yourself up if you don’t create a masterpiece on your first attempt – chances are, you probably won’t, and that’s okay, too. Just get your ideas down on paper first, then go back and start cleaning up. Writing is an iterative process, and even the best writers have to spend a lot of time reworking material they were probably too embarrassed to show anybody.

11. Find a Good (Patient) Editor

Whether you’re trying to make the case for a content strategy to your manager or want to start guest blogging on your favorite sites, finding and working with a good editor is one of the best things you can do to improve your writing skills. I’ve worked with dozens of editors over the years, and in my experience, the best are those who show you why something doesn’t work, rather than just telling you that it doesn’t.

Allowing someone else to read your work can be brutally difficult for some writers, especially when they’re just starting out, but it’s crucial that you develop good habits from the outset and learn to accept constructive criticism about your work. Remember – writers are desperately needy creatures who need to be constantly reassured that they’re the creative geniuses they believe themselves to be, but you’ll need to develop a thick skin if you’re serious about your work, and a good editor is invaluable when it comes to toughening up.

12. Eliminate Unnecessary Words

Another common mistake among beginner writers (and some more experienced writers who should know better) is writing overly complex sentences in an attempt to “sound” more authoritative.

In many cases, shorter sentences can have a greater impact. You may have heard of a six-word story that was supposedly written by Ernest Hemingway, which reads, “For sale: Baby shoes, never worn.” Whether Hemingway wrote this or not is irrelevant – the power of these six words shows that brevity can be a powerful tool when used correctly, and not every sentence needs to be overwrought to get your point across.

Let’s look at another real example from one of my posts – my very first post for Word Stream, as it happens. This lengthy sentence is a prime candidate for a ruthless red pen, even if my lame jokes were intended to give it a little more flavor. I’ve edited the sentence to show you how you could edit a similar line in your own work (additions italicized).

“Whether you’re a newcomer to Google Ads (formerly known as AdWords) or have been running PPC campaigns for years, you’ve probably given a great deal of thought to about which keywords will result in more clicks and higher conversions – not to mention that vacation home in Lake Tahoe you’ve been dreaming about.”

13. Take a Stroll Down Memory Lane

I’ve been writing professionally, in one way or another, for the past ten years. When I look back at my former work, which I do every so often, it literally makes me cringe. I don’t do this because I’m a masochist, but to remind myself how far I’ve come.

Writing should be fun, and along with the thrill of seeing your byline for the first time, seeing how far you’ve progressed is one of the most satisfying parts of being a writer. Every now and then (but not too often), re-read your earlier work and marvel at how much better you are now than you were then. Pat yourself on the back. You’ve worked hard, so don’t be shy – congratulate yourself.

14. Don’t Be Afraid to Say What You Think

Most content on the web is bland and dreadfully boring. This is because far too many bloggers focus on regurgitating the same news as everybody else without bothering to add their own opinions. Obviously you don’t want to fall afoul of libel laws, but that doesn’t mean you can’t (or shouldn’t) say what you think.

Once you’ve discovered your own “voice,” don’t be shy about sharing your opinions. This makes for more interesting reading. Don’t be contrarian for its own sake, and don’t set out to purposefully piss anyone off, but make sure there’s enough of you in your writing to make it a worthwhile read for your audience.

15. Do Your Research

Aside from plagiarizing someone else’s work, nothing will undermine your credibility faster than failing to do your homework.

In their eagerness to be done with a blog post (or even major newspaper article), many writers try to take shortcuts with the facts. This can range from accidentally fudging a statistic out of haste to being lazy when it comes to sourcing or attribution. Not only can this land you in big trouble with your editor/content marketing manager/other boss-type people, it also makes you look like an amateur.

Everybody makes mistakes, and you don’t need to spend weeks cross-referencing every last statistic (see the next tip), but common sense should prevail here – don’t rely exclusively on sites like Wikipedia, and use current, primary sources whenever possible.

16. Remember Done Is Better than Perfect

You should definitely take the time to write as well as you can, proofread and edit your work thoroughly, and ensure that your piece flows logically from one point to the next.

However, this doesn’t mean you should take weeks to write something.

No piece of writing will ever be perfect – you have to know when it’s time to let it go. This is especially important in content marketing because you’ll rarely (if ever) have the luxury of crafting agonizingly beautiful blog posts full of poignant sentences and evocative imagery. As you become more confident, the “writing” part of writing will become easier and faster, but never lose sight of the fact that deadlines, or editorial calendars, are just as much your masters as any boss or manager.

As for me, I’m going to take my own advice and call this post done. I hope you find these tips useful, no matter how long you’ve been writing.

Summary: How to Improve Your Writing Skills

1. Brush up on the basic principles of writing, grammar and spelling.
2. Write like it’s your job and practice regularly.
3. Read more so you develop an eye for what effective writing looks like.
4. Find a partner. Ask them to read your writing and provide feedback.
5. Join a workshop, meetup, or take a writing night class.
6. Take the time to analyze writing you admire.
7. Imitate writers you admire.
8. Outline your writing.
9. Edit your writing.
10. Accept that first drafts are often bad and revise.
11. Find an editor who demonstrates patience.
12. Eliminate unnecessary words from your writing.
13. Review your earlier work and see how you’ve grown.
14. Don’t be afraid to say what you mean in what you write.
15. Make sure you do adequate research on your topic.
16. Don’t delay writing. Get it done now.

GET A LIFE

Do you have your life? Please think about this question, do you really have your life? I've heard statements like ‘get a life’ on many occasions said to people who appear to be different and unconventional especially in matters of socializing. Many also think the whole concept of life and living is about fun, leisure, and enjoyment. When an individual is having a great time, you hear remarks like he's enjoying life, when an individual is conservative and somewhat antisocial we conclude he doesn't have a life.

What is life? I believe life is a season or a duration when an individual is conscious, aware and involved in matters of this world. It is a period when an individual is expected to fulfill a purpose, serve a purpose, make something great happen, impact the world and influence things positively. I believe we all exist and are in this world to improve things and make better the condition of this earth. We are all here to make the world a better place; to create value, not destroy value, to make people happier, mankind better and humanity more purposeful. We are here to improve the world.

This, though being a collective purpose and objective for all mankind, as individuals our place, roles and assignments vary. That's why we are created and gifted differently. Our gifts and talents are indicators of our place, our projects and assignments in this world.

The ability to recognise your place, your gift, your sphere and your assignment makes you truly relevant in life. The ability to act on who you're created to be, what you're created for, perform your duties, achieve your aim and do your assignment well makes you successful in life. Having a life is knowing why you exist and doing that for which you exist effectively.

Ways to Cultivate a Productive Work Environment

Technological progress has allowed a lot of people to work from almost anywhere. A huge advantage, it provides immense flexibility, where you want to work from home or from far-flung places as a ‘digital nomad’. However, it’s important to remember that work environments can have a major impact on a person’s productivity. Julia Roy, the founder of WorkHacks, wrote an article for Fast Company about where and how you should work to create a productive work environment. We had a look at her proposals.

Designate Work-Only Zones
Although modern technologies enable location-independence, it’s a good idea to connect places to their purpose. Our subconscious mind, as the author writes, functions exactly the same now as it did in the pre-laptop-and-smartphone-times and connects certain environmental triggers to behaviors. If you work, eat, and watch movies in bed, your brain will connect being in bed with all these things. This causes a serious problem in that it’s more difficult for your brain to focus on just one thing in an environment that it connects to multiple activities. For example, working in bed might suddenly affect your ability to sleep in it. A sleep specialist once said: only sleep and sex should be allowed in bed – nothing else is should get in.

So, it makes sense then to assign specific areas for certain activities. Your desk could be kept for administrative tasks. In turn, you could designate a different place for creative ideation – this could be the office sofa, the kitchen, or the meeting room. Ultimately, you need to analyze which places work best for completing certain tasks, and stick to that pattern. Keep underlining those mental associations: this is the place for writing, this is the place for coming up with ideas, this is the place for sleep.

How toTrain Your Brain to Be Optimistic

Optimism isn't always automatic. Sometimes you must create it for yourself.

Many people struggle to stay optimistic, especially in the workplace. After all, there are many reasons to be pessimistic: a difficult economy, global competition, a business ethos that seems to reward criminals and penalize truth-tellers.

Nevertheless, your ability to succeed depends heavily on your ability to remain optimistic. I'm not talking about seeing the world through rose-colored glasses. I'm talking about trusting your ability to cope, regardless of what life throws at you.

Pessimists don't just miss opportunities, they can't take advantage of opportunities that drop into their laps. They're so convinced that everything is awful that they can't figure out how to make things better.

The Life Mess Part 2

Can you recall the last time you faced a setback or an obstacle that really weighed you down?

Whether it was in your past, or you’re presently facing an obstacle, we all have to deal with them. Though, however unpleasant, these obstacles that come our way are necessary for growth. If we never had to face any adversities, blockers, setbacks or failures in life, our experiences would be cake! We’d have it so easy.

The downside? We would never be forced to adapt and mature.

So, in theory, having to face obstacles in life is actually desirable. The more obstacles you’ve faced, the greater the likelihood that you are quite mature and adaptable.

Though, not everyone tackles obstacles enthusiastically and head on. Some people go to great lengths to avoid them… or go into denial about their existence. And, others let obstacles overwhelm them, and they feel defeated.

Most think of obstacles as a negative; but, if you can maintain an opportunistic attitude when facing your obstacles or limitations, you’ll have an even more impressive result once you finally reach your goals!

Now, think about what obstacles are currently in your way.

What might you be faced with? Often, it’s time and/or money limitations.

To successfully overcome adversities and reach your goals, you have to embrace the obstacles that come your way.

You certainly don’t have to celebrate or welcome them with open arms, but rather accept and believe that these obstacles will push you to be stronger, help you grow and mature, and shape you to be more resilient.

Your attitude towards setbacks will define the outcome of whether you rise from the challenge, or remain stuck in it. 

BECOME BETTER VERSION OF YOURSELF

Look around you – how many people do you think are actually happy with the way their lives have shaped up? Chances are very few of them.

Most of us are filled with regrets and angst. We wish we did things differently. If we could go back in time and change our actions or reactions, we would. But the truth is, what’s gone is gone.

What you have is the present moment and the good news is that it is never too late to change. After all, we hold the reins of our life and have the power to change its course.

So, stop complaining and asking, “how do I change for the better?” because it is time to act. Here are  things to start doing today and become a better version of yourself:

1. Train Your Brain to Be Optimistic

Everything that life throws at us is not in our control. The only thing we can control are our thoughts, attitude and reactions. Would you rather be cynical about the world or adopt a positive mindset and live a more peaceful life instead?

Being optimistic is not as easy as it sounds. It requires practice and a lot of mental conditioning but it sure is a step forward towards a happier you.

So, stop feeding your brain with all the pointless, negative self-talk and replace them with these positive affirmations instead. Start a gratitude journal too, it’ll help.

In this imperfect world we live in, the least you can do is have hope and believe that the best will happen.