If you’ve ever had to use the task manager (CTRL-ALT-DELETE) to kill a “Not Responding” program, you’ve probably been frustrated by the time it takes for the program to actually disappear from your screen. What’s going on here is that a Microsoft provided tool called “Windows Error Dump Reporting,” or “dumprep.exe,” is creating a file containing information about the error that can later be sent back to Microsoft, where it will be summarily ignored along with millions of other error reports.
You can safely disable this largely useless feature (and thus speed up your computer in crash-situations) by taking the following steps.
How to disable dumprep.exe:
1. Right click on “My Computer,” choose “Properties” from that menu.
2. Click on “Advanced tab,”
3. Click the “Error Reporting” button.
4. Check the “Disable error reporting” box. You may choose to uncheck the the box below it, “But notify me when an error occurs,” if desired.
Showing posts with label tips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tips. Show all posts
Thursday, March 8, 2007
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
25 Tips For a Better Pre Sleep Ritual
For some lucky individuals getting to sleep is taken for granted, you go to bed and go to sleep. Unfortunately getting to sleep is not so easy for many people. However, there are plenty of ways to hack your sleeping habits so that you can get a good night's sleep under your belt.
Simple things like developing a schedule, organizing your life and having a routine go a long way in terms of improving your quality of sleep. Listening to some soft background music, switching off the television and computer, turning off the lights and maybe even having a cup of herbal tea are all legitimate examples of ways to improve your pre-sleep ritual and sleep better.
Alter your lifestyle
It stands to reason that what you do during the day is going to affect your sleep, either positively or negatively. These tips are broad in nature, but they are intended to provide a structure on top of which you can hack and find the perfect balance for your sleeping pattern.
1. Schedule sleep
Your body clock needs a routine, which takes discipline. Try to get to bed at the same time every day of the week, including weekends. If you have missed your set time for bed, don't try to make up for lost sleep by staying in bed for an extra hour in the morning as this can easily reset your body clock and make it hard to sleep.
2. Develop a bedtime routine
A good bedtime ritual will prompt your body to slow down and prepare itself for sleep. If you are struggling to sleep now, then you are going to have to start hacking your routine into shape.
3. Get organized for tomorrow
Are you going to a meeting early? Do you have to do a presentation or hand in an essay? Planning your day out helps to de-clutter your mind, and a clearer mind means you can get over to sleep much easier. So make sure you have your suitcase / briefcase and stuff ready for tomorrow.
4. Take time to relax
Find a place in your home where you can relax and calm down. Use this time wisely and read a book, meditate or do some breathing exercises to prepare your body for sleep.
5. Clear out your thoughts
If you are anxious about something your brain will trigger your adrenal glands, which will make you more alert. You can ease anxiety prior to sleep by simply talking to someone or writing down the problem and solution. Get it off your chest before you go to bed!
Adjusting work habits
In today's non-stop world it is possible to work whenever and wherever you want. You boss might love the fact that you are working from home at 10pm, but your body clock is going to be %$&@ed off Guaranteed!
6. Be good, work hard
Work is draining, especially if you happen to be a bricklayer or writing reports for 8 hours a day. Work hard during work hours so that you are tired at night.
7. GTD
Get things done. Becoming efficient at work means that you can stay on top of your workload and reduce stress.
8. Laptops can be evil
If you weren't working hard during work hours then you are inevitably going to find yourself working after hours from home on your laptop, which means late nights and a non-existent pre-sleep routine.
9. Turn off mobile phone
If someone wants to get in touch with you, they can do it during business hours. Keeping your phone (and / or pager) switched off means that work stays at work and you can unwind at home.
10. Don't discuss work at home
Anyone who works alongside their partner will testify to how difficult it is to turn work off at home; however, it is something you need to do. Talking about work keeps your brain active and can increase anxiety, which is not conducive to sleeping well.
Creating the right atmosphere
Someone with problems getting enough sleep are obviously going to benefit from a relaxing atmosphere that encourages the body to relax. This can be done very effectively with very little capital investment.
11. Wear loose clothing
When you come in from work, get changed into your casual clothes. Do not stay in your work suit, it'll remind you of work and you'll probably not be able to get comfortable in it anyway.
12. Clean up stuff
If there are clothes lying on the floor, made a mess of the kitchen preparing dinner or the kids have trashed the living room then clean it up. Tidying up your home in the evening will stop you from thinking about it, which in turn will reduce the chances of getting over to sleep.
13. Turn down the lights
Your body will respond to light levels, so lots of light keeps your brain active. Dim the main lights and use some ambient lighting to create a calm and serene atmosphere.
14. Play background music
Obviously this is going to vary widly depending on your personal taste, but soft background music will help create a chilled out atmosphere. One great tip is to fire up iTunes and hit up one of the many streaming radio stations in the ambient music category.
15. Dump you bedroom television
Late night television is typically very poor quality and isn't fit for consumption anyway. Some people can fall asleep with the television on, others can't. If you suspect it is adversely affecting your sleeping habits, then get rid of it.
Tweak your diet
There is a ton of scientific evidence that clearly shows that diet has a direct effect on sleep. Again, these are broad tips to help you establish a diet that aids sleep.
16. Avoid large meals
Make sure you eat your dinner a few hours before you go to bed and try to avoid liquids. A large meal shortly before bedtime may cause indigestion while too many beers will have you running to the bathroom all night.
17. Snack on foods rich in tryptophan
Tryptophan is an amino acid that assists the brain in the production of serotonin, which helps you calm down and relax. Foods rich in tryptophan include milk, eggs, chicken and turkey among others.
18. Avoid caffeinated products like the plague!
You all know the score here. Caffeinated products such as coffee and tea are the antithesis of what you should consume before bed.
19. Set meal times
Eating what you want when you want is very enticing, but it's a really bad plan if you want to establish a sleeping pattern. Changing your meals times from day to day messes up your body clock; therefore, take measures to ensure you eat your meals (especially dinner) at a certain time of the day. Then stick to it!
20. Avoid alcohol?
Some people will have a very light sleep or no sleep at all after a few glasses of wine, others will become oblivious to all things conscious and experience the most tranquil night of deep sleep.
Get tired
For some strange reason we can find ourselves resisting the urge to lie down and sleep, it's probably come sort of a survival tactic. If daily life has been good enough to leave you with some energy, then try out these tips to get tired.
21. Start early
If you get up earlier in the morning you'll have the benefit of a more productive morning as well as the knock-on impact of being tired later in the day, perfect conditions for a good night sleep.
22. Read a book
It doesn't have to be very interesting, in fact, the more boring it is the better. There's nothing like trying to get through a few chapters of Ulysses to drain your will to live.
23. Exercise
If you can, go to work on a bicycle or walk. If you can't, go for a walk after work or play some sport. Exercise will expend energy and stimulate the release of serotonin. The bottom line is that exercise helps sleep.
24. Spend time outdoors
Weather permitting, spend some time outdoors. Fresh air contains more oxygen than polluted indoor air, which helps to invigorate you early in the day or compound tiredness later in the day. Going for a brisk walk at night will help you get tired.
Last, but certainly not least
25. Sleep when sleepy
Who hasn't fought the urge to sleep to stay up late and watch late night television? It's a total waste of time, we know that, but it makes absolutely no sense. You aren't going to get anything from it except a messed up sleeping pattern. If you are tired, then go to bed!
sleepybed.com
Simple things like developing a schedule, organizing your life and having a routine go a long way in terms of improving your quality of sleep. Listening to some soft background music, switching off the television and computer, turning off the lights and maybe even having a cup of herbal tea are all legitimate examples of ways to improve your pre-sleep ritual and sleep better.
Alter your lifestyle
It stands to reason that what you do during the day is going to affect your sleep, either positively or negatively. These tips are broad in nature, but they are intended to provide a structure on top of which you can hack and find the perfect balance for your sleeping pattern.
1. Schedule sleep
Your body clock needs a routine, which takes discipline. Try to get to bed at the same time every day of the week, including weekends. If you have missed your set time for bed, don't try to make up for lost sleep by staying in bed for an extra hour in the morning as this can easily reset your body clock and make it hard to sleep.
2. Develop a bedtime routine
A good bedtime ritual will prompt your body to slow down and prepare itself for sleep. If you are struggling to sleep now, then you are going to have to start hacking your routine into shape.
3. Get organized for tomorrow
Are you going to a meeting early? Do you have to do a presentation or hand in an essay? Planning your day out helps to de-clutter your mind, and a clearer mind means you can get over to sleep much easier. So make sure you have your suitcase / briefcase and stuff ready for tomorrow.
4. Take time to relax
Find a place in your home where you can relax and calm down. Use this time wisely and read a book, meditate or do some breathing exercises to prepare your body for sleep.
5. Clear out your thoughts
If you are anxious about something your brain will trigger your adrenal glands, which will make you more alert. You can ease anxiety prior to sleep by simply talking to someone or writing down the problem and solution. Get it off your chest before you go to bed!
Adjusting work habits
In today's non-stop world it is possible to work whenever and wherever you want. You boss might love the fact that you are working from home at 10pm, but your body clock is going to be %$&@ed off Guaranteed!
6. Be good, work hard
Work is draining, especially if you happen to be a bricklayer or writing reports for 8 hours a day. Work hard during work hours so that you are tired at night.
7. GTD
Get things done. Becoming efficient at work means that you can stay on top of your workload and reduce stress.
8. Laptops can be evil
If you weren't working hard during work hours then you are inevitably going to find yourself working after hours from home on your laptop, which means late nights and a non-existent pre-sleep routine.
9. Turn off mobile phone
If someone wants to get in touch with you, they can do it during business hours. Keeping your phone (and / or pager) switched off means that work stays at work and you can unwind at home.
10. Don't discuss work at home
Anyone who works alongside their partner will testify to how difficult it is to turn work off at home; however, it is something you need to do. Talking about work keeps your brain active and can increase anxiety, which is not conducive to sleeping well.
Creating the right atmosphere
Someone with problems getting enough sleep are obviously going to benefit from a relaxing atmosphere that encourages the body to relax. This can be done very effectively with very little capital investment.
11. Wear loose clothing
When you come in from work, get changed into your casual clothes. Do not stay in your work suit, it'll remind you of work and you'll probably not be able to get comfortable in it anyway.
12. Clean up stuff
If there are clothes lying on the floor, made a mess of the kitchen preparing dinner or the kids have trashed the living room then clean it up. Tidying up your home in the evening will stop you from thinking about it, which in turn will reduce the chances of getting over to sleep.
13. Turn down the lights
Your body will respond to light levels, so lots of light keeps your brain active. Dim the main lights and use some ambient lighting to create a calm and serene atmosphere.
14. Play background music
Obviously this is going to vary widly depending on your personal taste, but soft background music will help create a chilled out atmosphere. One great tip is to fire up iTunes and hit up one of the many streaming radio stations in the ambient music category.
15. Dump you bedroom television
Late night television is typically very poor quality and isn't fit for consumption anyway. Some people can fall asleep with the television on, others can't. If you suspect it is adversely affecting your sleeping habits, then get rid of it.
Tweak your diet
There is a ton of scientific evidence that clearly shows that diet has a direct effect on sleep. Again, these are broad tips to help you establish a diet that aids sleep.
16. Avoid large meals
Make sure you eat your dinner a few hours before you go to bed and try to avoid liquids. A large meal shortly before bedtime may cause indigestion while too many beers will have you running to the bathroom all night.
17. Snack on foods rich in tryptophan
Tryptophan is an amino acid that assists the brain in the production of serotonin, which helps you calm down and relax. Foods rich in tryptophan include milk, eggs, chicken and turkey among others.
18. Avoid caffeinated products like the plague!
You all know the score here. Caffeinated products such as coffee and tea are the antithesis of what you should consume before bed.
19. Set meal times
Eating what you want when you want is very enticing, but it's a really bad plan if you want to establish a sleeping pattern. Changing your meals times from day to day messes up your body clock; therefore, take measures to ensure you eat your meals (especially dinner) at a certain time of the day. Then stick to it!
20. Avoid alcohol?
Some people will have a very light sleep or no sleep at all after a few glasses of wine, others will become oblivious to all things conscious and experience the most tranquil night of deep sleep.
Get tired
For some strange reason we can find ourselves resisting the urge to lie down and sleep, it's probably come sort of a survival tactic. If daily life has been good enough to leave you with some energy, then try out these tips to get tired.
21. Start early
If you get up earlier in the morning you'll have the benefit of a more productive morning as well as the knock-on impact of being tired later in the day, perfect conditions for a good night sleep.
22. Read a book
It doesn't have to be very interesting, in fact, the more boring it is the better. There's nothing like trying to get through a few chapters of Ulysses to drain your will to live.
23. Exercise
If you can, go to work on a bicycle or walk. If you can't, go for a walk after work or play some sport. Exercise will expend energy and stimulate the release of serotonin. The bottom line is that exercise helps sleep.
24. Spend time outdoors
Weather permitting, spend some time outdoors. Fresh air contains more oxygen than polluted indoor air, which helps to invigorate you early in the day or compound tiredness later in the day. Going for a brisk walk at night will help you get tired.
Last, but certainly not least
25. Sleep when sleepy
Who hasn't fought the urge to sleep to stay up late and watch late night television? It's a total waste of time, we know that, but it makes absolutely no sense. You aren't going to get anything from it except a messed up sleeping pattern. If you are tired, then go to bed!
sleepybed.com
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Job Resignation Dos and Don'ts
Are you preparing to resign from your current job? Here are some general rules (do's and don'ts) about resigning from your job gracefully -- and carefully.
* Do know how to resign from your job gracefully and professionally. Read more.
* Don’t get caught off-guard, so do prepare to resign by removing all personal items and files from your office and computer for those instances when your employer will ask you to leave as soon as you tender your resignation.
* Do make the transition as easy and as smooth as possible. And do offer to help find and/or train your replacement. But don’t make promises you can’t -- or won't -- keep.
* Don’t make any statements or express any opinions that you may later regret. Remember that old adage: if you have nothing good to say, say nothing at all.
* Do be sure and give proper notice to your current employer.
* Don’t burn any bridges. Do leave on good terms with your co-workers and supervisors.
* Do the exit interview with your current employer, if required. But don’t say anything negative about your supervisor or co-workers during the interviewer -- no matter how tempted you are.
* Don’t disappear during your last weeks on the job. Do stay a productive member of the team.
* Do make sure you receive all your stored up compensation and benefits, including bonus checks and unused vacation time, personal days, etc.
* Don’t consider a counteroffer unless you are sure it’s a better deal for you; studies show a high percentage of workers still leave the employer within a year of accepting a counteroffer, some being forced out.
* Do make a plan to keep in touch with key coworkers, friends, and mentors. Keep your network strong.
* Don’t feel guilty about leaving. It may be hard to leave, but focus on the fact that you are leaving to accept a great career opportunity.And don't brag about that great opportunity.
* Do your best to wrap up all your major assignments. And do leave a detailed progress report for your supervisor and/or successor.
* Do be prepared for some employers to overreact to your resignation; some employers immediately dismiss employees who resign.
* Do write a professional resignation letter or memo. See these samples.
* Don’t feel as though you need to tell your current employer any reason for leaving your job, but do be polite in thanking the employer for the opportunity to work there.
* Do submit your letter of resignation to your immediate supervisor, with a copy to the human resources department.
* Do know how to resign from your job gracefully and professionally. Read more.
* Don’t get caught off-guard, so do prepare to resign by removing all personal items and files from your office and computer for those instances when your employer will ask you to leave as soon as you tender your resignation.
* Do make the transition as easy and as smooth as possible. And do offer to help find and/or train your replacement. But don’t make promises you can’t -- or won't -- keep.
* Don’t make any statements or express any opinions that you may later regret. Remember that old adage: if you have nothing good to say, say nothing at all.
* Do be sure and give proper notice to your current employer.
* Don’t burn any bridges. Do leave on good terms with your co-workers and supervisors.
* Do the exit interview with your current employer, if required. But don’t say anything negative about your supervisor or co-workers during the interviewer -- no matter how tempted you are.
* Don’t disappear during your last weeks on the job. Do stay a productive member of the team.
* Do make sure you receive all your stored up compensation and benefits, including bonus checks and unused vacation time, personal days, etc.
* Don’t consider a counteroffer unless you are sure it’s a better deal for you; studies show a high percentage of workers still leave the employer within a year of accepting a counteroffer, some being forced out.
* Do make a plan to keep in touch with key coworkers, friends, and mentors. Keep your network strong.
* Don’t feel guilty about leaving. It may be hard to leave, but focus on the fact that you are leaving to accept a great career opportunity.And don't brag about that great opportunity.
* Do your best to wrap up all your major assignments. And do leave a detailed progress report for your supervisor and/or successor.
* Do be prepared for some employers to overreact to your resignation; some employers immediately dismiss employees who resign.
* Do write a professional resignation letter or memo. See these samples.
* Don’t feel as though you need to tell your current employer any reason for leaving your job, but do be polite in thanking the employer for the opportunity to work there.
* Do submit your letter of resignation to your immediate supervisor, with a copy to the human resources department.
Monday, March 5, 2007
7 Helpful Tips To Immediately Increase Your Confidence
1.) Ask yourself, “What’s the worst that could happen?” Too often, we place excess importance on potential problems. We all have a certain amount of energy so let’s apply it to creating extraordinary relationships, advancing our careers and meeting our goals INSTEAD of wasting that energy worrying. Take action on what you have control over and minimize risks for what you don’t. Then invest your energy wisely.
2.) In doing something for the first time, imagine that you have already done it in the past. Close your eyes, then vividly imagine you succeeding wildly at what you are really going to do for the first time. The mind does NOT know the difference between something VIVIDLY imagined and something real. Make it vivid by involving all 5 senses.
3.) Find someone who is already confident in that area and copy them. Model as many of their behaviors, attitudes, values, and beliefs for the context you want to be confident in as you can. How can you do this? Talk with them if you have access to them. If you don’t have access to them, get as much exposure to them as you can. This could be talking to people who know the person and/or buying their products if they have some.
4.) Use the “as-if” frame. I literally love this frame of mind. If you were confident, how would you be acting? How would you be moving? How would you be speaking? What would you be thinking? What would you tell yourself inside? By asking yourself these questions, you are literally forced to answer them by going into a confident state. You will then be acting “as-if” you are confident. Now just forget you are acting long enough and pretty soon you’ll develop it into a habit.
5.) Go into the future and ask if what you’re faced with is such a big deal. This might be a bit morbid and yet this works tremendously well. Imagine yourself on your deathbed looking back over your life. You are surrounded by your friends and family. You’re reviewing your life. Is what you’re faced with now even going to pop up? That’s highly unlikely. Keeping things in proper perspective really diminishes fear.
6.) Remember that you lose out on 100% of the opportunities that you never go for. To get what you want, ask for it. I fully believe that if I ask enough people for whatever I want, I can get it. This is not necessarily true and yet it’s a useful belief. As you think about your goals and what you are striving for, how effective would it be for you to believe that all the people out there want to help you if you only ask? Whether that is true or not in the “real world” does not matter. If you find that belief empowering, I invite you to adopt it as your own.
7.) Disarm the nagging, negative internal voice. That negative internal voice can keep anyone stopped. To disarm the internal voice, imagine a volume control and lower the volume. Or how about changing the internal voice to Mickey Mouse? Do you think you could take Mickey Mouse seriously if he were criticizing you? Change the voice to a clown voice. The point is to disarm the voice by altering the way it nags at you. If I hear my own voice nagging me, it stops me. If I hear a clown voice, I laugh and continue onward.
This article is based on the book, “Unstoppable Confidence” by Kent Sayre. To find out why Brian Tracy said, “This wonderful book will give you the boost toward success that can make all the difference!" you can visit http://www.unstoppable-confidence.com and check out our 100% Lifetime Guarantee.
2.) In doing something for the first time, imagine that you have already done it in the past. Close your eyes, then vividly imagine you succeeding wildly at what you are really going to do for the first time. The mind does NOT know the difference between something VIVIDLY imagined and something real. Make it vivid by involving all 5 senses.
3.) Find someone who is already confident in that area and copy them. Model as many of their behaviors, attitudes, values, and beliefs for the context you want to be confident in as you can. How can you do this? Talk with them if you have access to them. If you don’t have access to them, get as much exposure to them as you can. This could be talking to people who know the person and/or buying their products if they have some.
4.) Use the “as-if” frame. I literally love this frame of mind. If you were confident, how would you be acting? How would you be moving? How would you be speaking? What would you be thinking? What would you tell yourself inside? By asking yourself these questions, you are literally forced to answer them by going into a confident state. You will then be acting “as-if” you are confident. Now just forget you are acting long enough and pretty soon you’ll develop it into a habit.
5.) Go into the future and ask if what you’re faced with is such a big deal. This might be a bit morbid and yet this works tremendously well. Imagine yourself on your deathbed looking back over your life. You are surrounded by your friends and family. You’re reviewing your life. Is what you’re faced with now even going to pop up? That’s highly unlikely. Keeping things in proper perspective really diminishes fear.
6.) Remember that you lose out on 100% of the opportunities that you never go for. To get what you want, ask for it. I fully believe that if I ask enough people for whatever I want, I can get it. This is not necessarily true and yet it’s a useful belief. As you think about your goals and what you are striving for, how effective would it be for you to believe that all the people out there want to help you if you only ask? Whether that is true or not in the “real world” does not matter. If you find that belief empowering, I invite you to adopt it as your own.
7.) Disarm the nagging, negative internal voice. That negative internal voice can keep anyone stopped. To disarm the internal voice, imagine a volume control and lower the volume. Or how about changing the internal voice to Mickey Mouse? Do you think you could take Mickey Mouse seriously if he were criticizing you? Change the voice to a clown voice. The point is to disarm the voice by altering the way it nags at you. If I hear my own voice nagging me, it stops me. If I hear a clown voice, I laugh and continue onward.
This article is based on the book, “Unstoppable Confidence” by Kent Sayre. To find out why Brian Tracy said, “This wonderful book will give you the boost toward success that can make all the difference!" you can visit http://www.unstoppable-confidence.com and check out our 100% Lifetime Guarantee.
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