These 20 Books Are Game Changers, Read Them Before You Turn 30

Books offer wisdom that we ourselves might need years to figure out. Between 20 and 30, we all would undergo lots of struggles and have lots of doubts. Below are 20 books that can make your way much clearer, promising and easier.

Quitter: Closing the Gap Between Your Day Job & Your Dream Job – Jon Acuff

Through wit and experience, Jon Acuff takes us through a journey from dispising your current job to getting your dream job. Acuff shows us the way by making sure we don’t quit too soon or too late.

This is a fun and very helpful read for those who want to make the jump and make their dreams a reality.

The Power of Habit – Charles Duhigg

Through the use scientific studies, author Charles Duhigg shares his labor of love by breaking down how habits are created and how we fail to stop them in life and in business.

This is an excellent read for anyone looking to break bad habits and start new ones that lead to success.

Total Money Makeover – Dave Ramsey

For over 20 years, personal finance coach and radio personality Dave Ramsey has brought his no nonsense advice to a very easy to follow how-to guide. His baby steps from establishing an emergency fund to living on cash are priceless.

I highly recommend this book, as my wife and I have used it to great success in our finances.

Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life – Henry Cloud and John Townsend

Having problems with people who keep stumbling into what you feel is your personal boundary? Whether you are looking for help emotionally, physically, or mentally, Boundaries is the book you want to read.

Authors Henry Cloud and John Townsend give you the blueprint for setting clear boundaries in any facet of your life.

The $100 Startup – Chris Guillebeau

Much like Tim Ferriss, Chris Guellebeau is a world traveling writer. In The $100 Startup, the author cites example after example of people who start businesses with very little money and make their businesses much larger.

This book offers great inspiration for those who want to start a side business.

Do The Work – Steven Pressfield

Known best for his fiction writing (The Legend of Bagger Vance) and his first book on work, The War of Art, Pressfield helps guide us through what it takes to get through any project we might be working on. A short and easy read, Do The Work is simple, yet very inspirational for those who long to do something outside of their own comfort zone.

Pressfield writes:

“The opposite of fear is love – love of the challenge, love of the work, the pure joyous passion to take a shot at our dream and see if we can pull it off.”

The Traveler’s Gift: Seven Decisions That Determine Personal Success – Andy Andrews

After being rejected by over 50 publishers, Andy Andrews finally published this book in 2005. Written as a fictional, but motivational, historical book, the story follows 46 year old David, who after losing his job is involved in a nasty car accident. While out cold in the hospital, David is transported back in time and meets Lincoln, Truman, and 5 other great historical leaders. He learns wisdom from them in their toughest hours.

Andrews writes:

“Those who are critical of my goals and dreams simply do not understand the higher purpose to which I have been called.”

Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us – Daniel Pink

Daniel Pink shows us that science and business are in very different realms in the 21st century. Science shows us that we are moving beyond the carrot and stick style of management (Motivation 2.0) to a self-motivated autonomy where employees are working with purpose, mastery, and in a state of flow (Motivation 3.0).

This book is great help for those of us trying to understand our purpose.

Essentialism – Greg McKeown

Less is more. That’s it. One great method Greg McKeown uses is a filter for choosing what to do in our lives. If the choice you need to make isn’t a 9 or 10 (10 being something you have to do), then don’t do it.

I highly recommend this book for pairing down your life and making a systematic discipline in whatever you do.

48 Days to the Work You Love – Dan Miller

Career coach and author Dan Miller is a firm believer in getting people to realize that we all have certain skills, abilities, and passions. This book helps us understand that the road to happiness is finding work that is gratifying and profitable. 85% of the job search is understanding yourself and the other 15% is finding work that fits you.

It could save you thousands of dollars in unwanted student loans by helping you find a career that fits you.

The 4 Hour Workweek – Tim Ferriss

Originally published in 2009, Tim Ferriss introduced the Lifestyle Business to the world. After having a panic attack while traveling in Spain, Ferriss maps out how to build a business that can be run from anywhere in the world. In addition, he shows how to live very well in cities around the world.

While I would not suggest what Tim does is for everyone, his concepts and ideas are worth the read.

Blue Like Jazz – Donald Miller

While considered a Christian book, Donald Miller takes us on his unsuspecting journey to find his faith in Christ. As a college student in his late teens and early twenties, Miller takes us on his interesting ride of finding his faith in a city (Portland) not known for its religious fervor.

Donald’s conversational style of writing makes this an enjoyable read for anyone looking to understand their own faith walk.

How to Win Friends and Influence People –  Dale Carnegie

This classic self-help book has been around since the 1930s. Based upon what Carnegie learned from interviews with the business giants of the day (including Andrew Carnegie and Thomas Edison), the author lays out ways to maximize your potential through understanding how to interact with others.

This book is still relevant today as it was 70 plus years ago.

The Energy Bus – Jon Gordon

Written in a inspirational fictional format, this fascinating book follows the hard luck times of a marketing team leader who is on the brink of losing his job. Forced to ride the Energy Bus because his car needs a lengthy repair, our protagonist learns the 10 rules of injecting fun and positive energy into his work and family life.

This is a quick and powerful book for anyone looking to turn their situation into a positive one.

Man’s Search for Meaning – Victor Frankl

After surviving four Nazi death camps and watching much of his family die, Frankl became a psychiatrist. Countering Freud’s contention that man’s sole desire is finding pleasure, Frankl contends that what really drives men is their pursuit for meaning in their lives.

While rather deep at times, Man’s Search for Meaning is a must-read.

The Greatest Salesman in the World – Og Mandino

Don’t let the title scare you. This book, while having some relation to sales and salesmanship, is more about living a life of servant leadership.

The Greatest Salesman is a quick read but leaves you feeling inspired.

Confessions of a Terrible Husband: Lessons Learned From a Lumpy Couch – Nick Pavlidis

While not every 20-something will think of being a husband, Nick Pavlidis takes us through his journey from being a self-absorbed jerk to a loving husband.

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking – Susan Cain

Here’s a must-read for anyone looking to understand why they feel exhausted when they’re done talking to a group of people. Through psychology and neuroscience research, Susan Cain does a brilliant job of explaining how one third of us (introverts) cope with the rest of the extroverted population.

The Bible

Do you know the one subject that the Bible mentions more times than any other? Money. That’s right – money. You don’t need to be a devout Christian to read the Bible. Take a year and breakdown the 66 books in the Bible. Look for the New International Version for one of the easier to read translations.

You might be surprised how much our daily lives in Western culture stem from what the Bible teaches.

The Obstacle is the Way – Ryan Holiday

Through the use of stoicism, or the the ancient Greek philosophy of enduring pain or adversity with perseverance and resilience, this book shows that the way to success is through the very path that stands in the way of success. Ryan Holiday takes us through a myriad of leaders who have used stoicism to overcome any obstacle.

This is a delightful read for anyone stuck on a project in need of help.

Conclusion

If you read more than one book per year, you are way ahead of the crowd. Take the time to read one or any of these great books. Then apply what you learn. You will grow immensely from it.

If there are any other books I missed, let me know. Please share and leave a comment.

Featured photo credit: Victor Hanacek via picjumbo.com

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Scented Candles Can Help You Work More Effectively

Scents are more powerful than you think. They can invoke almost-forgotten memories, help us avoid danger, and even get us through a busy day.

Smells are closely related with memories and action.

Ever wondered why you can hardly enjoy food when you have a cold? Were you not amazed at your nose when it detected smoke in a building? That’s because smells are closely related with memories and action.

When we pick up a scent, it is sent to the brain for processing. Cells, called neurons, then send the new scent’s information to two important parts of the brain: the olfactory bulb that identifies what it is AND the thalamus, that’s in-charge of motor function. Hence, when a coffee lover smells coffee, he or she becomes instantly alert – even without drinking the substance yet.

Today, although this sense is underappreciated, it’s one of our most effective arsenals in the following tasks:

• Tasting food
• Remembering certain memories
• Aids in relaxation
• Avoiding danger

Want to stay awake to finish an important business presentation, but you don’t want to eat or drink anything? Take advantage of your sense of smell as a great alternative. One of the most inexpensive and fastest way to do this is to light your favorite scented candles.

Believe it or not, what we smell can even affect our productivity.

If you’re like millions of coffee lovers all over the world, just the scent of freshly ground beans is enough to perk you up. But this isn’t the ONLY scent that could help you beat that office deadline. Rosemary, lemon, mint, and cinnamon are just a few of the scents that could help us work better. Need a quick pick-me-up for a report due in three hours? If you’re not a caffeine fanatic or you don’t like aromatherapy oils, scented candles can do the trick instead.

Here’s why it works and how you can incorporate this in your workplace or home.

Tips For Using Scented Candles For Work Or At Home

You don’t need to drink coffee, rub oils on your wrists, or take medication in order to increase productivity.

The great thing about using scented candles is that they produce subtle scents, which are not overpowering yet effective enough to deliver the results you need. Together with your nose, you can harness their power to help you get more out of your day.

1. Generate Ideas with Peppermint or Cinnamon

Need a little assistance during your brainstorming session? Stuck in a rut without new ideas for your blog? Choose a peppermint or cinnamon scented candle to stimulate your cognitive senses. According to several researches, these smells gave the brain a boost that increased alertness and memory.

2. Stay Awake with Orange or Lemon

It’s usually difficult to keep your eyes open halfway through the day. But you need to – especially if you still have emails to check, reports to compile, and client meetings to attend. An orange or lemon-scented candle should do the trick (opt for orange if you’re not fond of lemons). Keep it lit for about 15 to 30 minutes and let the aroma perk you up for several more hours of productivity.

3. Calm Nerves Before a Presentation Using Jasmine

Speaking before a crowd can get anybody riled up. However, if a company’s reputation or an important business deal is on the line, you would want to be at your best. That means no jittery feet or sweaty hands. In this case, take advantage of nature’s “Valium”, Jasmine, to assist you in this endeavor. A good whiff of this relaxing scent has been known to not only calm nerves, but also improved confidence, optimism, and hand-eye coordination.

4. Focus More Using Rosemary

Mondays are tough enough without having to deal with 3PM fatigue. Make sure you submit reports on time with help from a rosemary-scented candle. The scent should help you – or your colleagues – remember deadlines, and at the same time, relieve headaches or indigestion problems. This is best used in the morning for a quick pick-me-up.

5. Go for Orange to Persuade People

If Jasmine was able to calm you down right before a presentation, a light orange scent in your board room should help clients be on your side during this essential moment. A 2013 study revealed that store owners as well as realtors would use simple scents to attract customers and/or put them in a good mood in order to snag sales.

Avoid using potpourri as these smells are too complex. Light an orange-scented candle instead to put your audiences in the right mood to agree with your ideas.

Extra Notes

Aside from giving a room a nice, romantic appeal, scented candles can help you succeed in various tasks – it all depends on the scent you choose. Before stocking up though, make sure roommates or colleagues are informed. If you tell them that you want to use scented candles to be more productive, they may even pitch in their favorite aromas.

So go ahead and pick up that cinnamon-scented candle. Not only will it warm up your home or office, it should help you breeze through a busy day with a smile.

Featured photo credit: thetruthpreneur via pixabay.com

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5 Daily Habits Of High Achievers

2016 is going to be your year. It’s going to be the year you finally achieve those big, hairy, audacious goals you’ve been thinking about for many years. It’s going to be your breakout year.

You believe in yourself.

Of course, there’s a massive difference between believing and achieving.

If all you do is believe in yourself, you’ll end up with a lot of self-esteem and very little accomplished. So, how do you make the leap from big believer to big achiever?

You practice these 5 habits — Every. Single. Day.

1. Find And Focus On Your Peak Performance Times

It’s tempting to think that all hours are equally valuable. This is patently false. Depending on your body makeup and energy levels, some hours are far more productive than others. Some people find themselves most productive before dawn. Others find themselves cranking through mountains of tasks in the quiet hours after the kids go to sleep.

It’s not better to be a morning person or night owl. What matters is determining when you’re most productive and then working on your most important tasks during that time window.

As Daniel Threlfall says:

“Productivity is more than the sum of your time management techniques. Productivity requires that you discover the blend of your resources — time and energy — that allows you to reach maximum productivity. In order to successfully manage time, you must also competently manage energy.”

And so the question arises: are you focusing on your most important work during your most productive times, or are you wasting time with Facebook or fantasy sports? There’s absolutely nothing wrong with skimming social media or watching stupid cat videos on YouTube. But, if you want to be a high achiever, you’ll spend your peak hours on your most important tasks.

2. Be Ruthless About Distractions

It’s no secret that multitasking kills productivity. There is no way to make significant progress when you’re getting blasted by text messages, Facebook messages, emails, and Skype chats. Your brain can’t constantly change gears. Every distraction means less achievement.

High achievers are absolutely ruthless about eliminating all distractions from their lives. They put their phones on mute or turn them off all together. They block social media. They completely shut down their email, or even set up an auto-response to tell people that they won’t be getting back to them immediately.

Distractions can be appealing. They are a break for the brain. But few things kill achievement faster than distractions.

Will you be ruthless about eliminating distractions this year? Will you do whatever it takes to kill those things that keep you from achieving your goals?

3. Crush Your Most Important Things First

When you sit down to work, it’s tempting to start on easy things — emails, quick phone calls, or social media replies. Getting a few of these things done may give you a sense of momentum. It feels good to get some things checked off your list.

But what sets high achievers apart from the rest is that they always do the most important things first. Productivity expert James Clear says:

“If you do the most important thing first each day, then you’ll always get something important done. I don’t know about you, but this is a big deal for me. There are many days when I waste hours crossing off the 4th, 5th, or 6th most important tasks on my to-do list and never get around to doing the most important thing.”

You have to ask yourself: Do I want to get more done or get the right things done? You can technically get more done by doing easier tasks first, but that’s a losing game in the long run.

In 2016, will you focus on getting the most important things done first? Will you always ensure you’re making progress on your most important tasks rather than focusing on your easiest tasks?

4. Become A List Master

The highest achievers always know exactly what they should be doing next, and they know this by maintaining detailed lists of all their tasks. They don’t float aimlessly from task to random task. They don’t do whatever they feel like at the moment. They keep a laser focus on their task list.

The power of lists is that they keep you on track. Without keeping a proper series of task lists, it’s easy to do whatever you feel like. But with the power of lists, you can attack your day instead of having your day attack you.

As productivity expert Paula Rizzo says:

“When you’re juggling a lot of tasks, things will fall through the cracks, and lists are amazing for keeping yourself on target and getting things done.”

If you need to track lists, apps like Omnifocus, Things, and ToDoIst are great options.

5. Be S.M.A.R.T. About Your Goals

Setting goals is good, but you should be very specific about how you set your goals. Most goal-setting experts recommend using the “S.M.A.R.T.” method. Goals should be:

S – Specific. Wanting to do more exercise is a good goal. But there’s a much better chance of you achieving your goal if it’s more specific, like: Run 200 miles in 3 months.

M – Measurable. You can’t track your progress if your goal isn’t measurable. Instead of saying, “I want to lose weight,” say, “I want to lose 15.5 pounds.”

A – Attainable. Every goal you set should stretch you, but every goal should also be attainable. If you never exercise, you won’t be able to run a marathon within 2 weeks, but you could run 5 miles.

R – Realistic. This is closely tied to attainable goals. All goals should be realistic given your circumstances. They should take your limitations into account, while still stretching you to new heights.

T – Timely. Every goal should have a start and end date. If you don’t know when you want to achieve something, you’ll never know if you’ve actually met your goal.

Conclusion

2016 really can be your year if you’re willing to follow these 5 habits. They won’t necessarily be easy, but the results will be incredibly satisfying. Being a high achiever isn’t just for the elite. Anyone can be a high achiever if they’re willing to do the work!

Featured photo credit: Unsplash via static.pexels.com

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How To Stop Procrastinating By Using The “2-Minute Rule”

I’ve been following a simple rule that is helping me crush procrastination and making it easier for me to stick to good habits at the same time.

I want to share it with you today so that you can try it out and see how it works in your life.

The best part? It’s a simple strategy that couldn’t be easier to use.

Here’s what you need to know.

How To Stop Procrastinating With The “2-Minute Rule”

I call this little strategy the “2-Minute Rule” and the goal is to make it easier for you to get started on the things you should be doing.

Most of the tasks that you procrastinate on aren’t actually difficult to do — you have the talent and skills to accomplish them, you just avoid starting them for one reason or another.

The 2-Minute Rule overcomes procrastination and laziness by making it so easy to start taking action that you can’t say no.

There are two parts to the 2-Minute Rule:

Part 1 — If it takes less than two minutes, then do it now.

Part I comes from David Allen’s bestselling book, Getting Things Done.

It’s surprising how many things we put off that we could get done in two minutes or less. For example, washing your dishes immediately after your meal, tossing the laundry in the washing machine, taking out the garbage, cleaning up clutter, sending that email, and so on.

If a task takes less than two minutes to complete, then follow the rule and do it right now.

Part 2 — When you start a new habit, it should take less than two minutes to do.

Can all of your goals be accomplished in less than two minutes? Obviously not.

But, every goal can be started in 2 minutes or less. And that’s the purpose behind this little rule.

It might sound like this strategy is too basic for your grand life goals, but I beg to differ. It works for any goal because of one simple reason: the physics of real life.

The Physics Of Real Life

As Sir Isaac Newton taught us a long time ago, objects at rest tend to stay at rest and objects in motion tend to stay in motion. This is just as true for humans as it is for falling apples.

The 2-Minute Rule works for big goals as well as small goals because of the inertia of life. Once you start doing something, it’s easier to continue doing it. I love the 2-Minute Rule because it embraces the idea that all sorts of good things happen once you get started.

Want to become a better writer? Just write one sentence and you’ll often find yourself writing for an hour.

Want to eat healthier? Just eat one piece of fruit and you’ll often find yourself inspired to make a healthy salad as well.

Want to make reading a habit? Just read the first page of a new book and before you know it, the first three chapters have flown by.

Want to run three times a week? Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, just get your running shoes on and get out the door. You’ll end up putting mileage on your legs instead of popcorn in your stomach.

The most important part of any new habit is getting started — not just the first time, but each time. It’s not about performance, it’s about consistently taking action. In many ways, getting started is more important than succeeding. This is especially true in the beginning because there will be plenty of time to improve your performance later on.

The 2-Minute Rule isn’t about the results you achieve, but rather about the process of actually doing the work. It works really well for people who believe that the system is more important than the goal. The focus is on taking action and letting things flow from there.

Try It Now

I can’t guarantee whether or not the 2-Minute Rule will work for you. But, I can guarantee that it will never work if you never try it.

The problem with most articles you read, podcasts you listen to, or videos you watch is that you consume the information but never put it into practice.

I want this article to be different. I want you to actually use this information, right now.

What’s something you can do that will take you less than two minutes? Do it right now.

Anyone can spare the next 120 seconds. Use this time to get one thing done. Go.

This article was originally published on JamesClear.com.

Featured photo credit: Jon Hathaway via flickr.com

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Touching Other People Can Make You Healthier And More Successful, Study Finds

In today’s world of technology and social media, often our connections are made through a screen rather than in person. This may have enabled us to connect at great distances and opened communication beyond timezones, but is the unintended consequence a loss of human physical touch, a vital connection for the health of humans?

“Connection is why we’re here it’s what gives us meaning and purpose in this life.” —  Brene Brown

Many positive psychology studies have shown people who feel a strong sense of connection have a greater sense of happiness. Our tactile system is important to our feelings of comfort and connection. In a blind study, it was shown that humans can recognize the emotion behind a touch. We can tell if a touch is delivered with compassion, joy, or anger. Without the use of touch accompanying our dialogue, we stand to lose out on this resource.

Some people instinctively touch more than others and we all respond differently to touch. How and why would we prioritize using this powerful sense to make us more attractive and successful?

The Social Functions Of Touch

Touch:

1. provides feelings of reward
2. reinforces reciprocity
3. signals safety
4. soothes

Some fantastic studies concerning touch therapies have shown that touching premature babies actually aids in weight gain by 47%. Alzheimer patients have reduced incidence of depression with the use of touch. Touch by a teacher doubles the likelihood a child will choose to speak in class. Patients receiving touch therapy reported higher survival rates in the face of complex diseases.

Josh Ackerman, a MIT psychologist, believes we understand the world through physical experiences with the primary sense being physical touch. He connects changes in peoples’ thoughts with different physical experiences. He recently published an article in Science Magazine about “embodied cognition,” a field of research that supports the concept of a mind-body connection. Ackerman’s studies attempt to link our physical sensations to our judgments and our social cognition.

Some of the outcomes have shown that kids are better at math when they use their hands while they’re thinking, actors can more easily recall their lines if they are able to move, and people are more generous after they’ve held a warm cup of coffee in their hands.

Neuroscientist Edmund Ross has found that physical touch activates the orbitfrontal cortex of the brain, which is linked to feelings of reward and compassion.

Why Touch Matters

Touch is a language we instinctively know how to use. It is the first sense we develop and use to interpret incoming data. Touch increases the speed of communication—a touch soothes faster than words can form. Even fleeting contact with a stranger can have a measurable effect on both fostering and enhancing cooperation. Touch fosters a connection that sometimes leads to greater rewards.

The Rules Of Touch

There are plenty of good reasons why people are inclined to keep their hands to themselves, especially in a society as litigious as ours. Fear of our touch being seen as sexual or taken as a sign of weakness are just two examples. According to the Touch Research Institute, when you stimulate the pressure receptors in the skin, you lower levels of stress hormones being released. So, how can we activate our sense of touch without offending others?

• High fives and handshakes are acceptable at most workplaces and schools.
• Ask before you hug.
• A shoulder squeeze is acceptable with people you know.
• Don’t assume it’s okay to pat a child on the head or to squeeze their cheeks—if you wouldn’t touch an adult that way, don’t touch a child that way.
• In many sports, a slap on the butt is acceptable, but remember, not everyone plays sports. Keep this touch on the playing field.
• Touching the arm of a lunch date is acceptable.
• Avoid holding when you touch, this sense of being held can trigger the fight or flight response and increase anxiety in many people.

When in doubt, ask before you touch. Different cultures and countries have very different boundaries regarding touch, with warmer climates seeming to be more open to touching than cooler ones. North Americans lag way behind other cultures in their daily touch count.

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Infographic: The Ultimate Car Repair Cheat Sheet

You are pretty sure that your battery needs replacing, but you have no idea how much it will cost and how long it will take to get it done. So, you are unsure whether you should take your car to a garage right away or wait till the weekend. Or should you even attempt to do it yourself?

Owning a vehicle is a big responsibility; you often find yourself asking questions like these.

The infographic below created by Buy Auto Parts provides you the ultimate guide to knowing the level of time commitment, the cost of parts and tool kit necessary for any car repair work on your vehicle.

The key points in the infographic can be summarized below.

Replace wiper blades

Replacing your wiper blades is cheap and easy. It does not take much time and can be replaced using tools you can find easily in your home.

Replace air filters

A properly working air filter keeps debris out of your fuel tank.  Dirt and muck in the oil tank may require cleaning of the fuel tank which is expensive and time consuming.

Replace headlight bulb

You can easily change your headlights using a screw driver in no time.

Change oil

Oil protects the moving parts from wear and tear. Dirty oil may even destroy your engine. So replacing oil on a regular basis is an essential part of keeping your vehicle well-functioning.

Install air intake

Air intake installation is highly recommended because it provides greater fuel economy, an increased acceleration and overall increase in performance. It takes about two hours and can be quite expensive but is well worth your time and money.

Replace air plugs

Damaged and worn out spark plugs can cause serious problems such as misfires, poor fuel economy and increased emissions. Ensure you are using OEM compatible plugs.

Change tires

Changing your tires is necessary for safety, performance and efficiency. You should learn how to change your tires. It is simple and doesn’t require much time.

Replace starter

Your car won’t start with a damaged starter. Make sure it is receiving steady power flow once installed.

Replace battery

If the electrical components of your vehicle (headlights, radio, starter, etc.) start showing problems, there may be problems with your battery. Changing a battery is a quick and easy job in most cars and vans and can be done with minimal tools.

Replace cooling fan

Cooling fans are an important part of your cooling system. Ensure the fans are not damaged if you’re working on your radiator.

Change brake pads

Maintenance and replacement of your brake pads is an obligatory measure of security. In addition, use of thinning, worn out brake pads may damage your rotors which are expensive.  If you’re getting new rotors or calipers, always confirm that the brake pads are in good condition.

Change brake rotors

If you are having problems with braking despite well-functioning brake pads, it is time to check on the brake rotors. Change damaged rotors as early as possible to avoid difficulty of changing old rotors.

Replace alternator

If your alternators are failing you won’t be able to charge your batteries properly, so you will have trouble with electrical components in your vehicle. If you have a good battery, but are unable to power your electrical components, take a look at the alternator. This is a tough task and will require specialist knowledge.

Replace ignition switch

When the ignition switch is damaged, your car may not start and other accessories will not work. Fixing a switch can be a quick, simple task (for dashboard switch) or a lethargic, challenging one (for steering column switch).

Install navigation system

Paper maps are a thing of the past. A navigation system may be expensive but it will help you find directions easily compared to traditional approaches.

Replace wheel hub

Check your hubs for any signs of rust and corrosion, and replace them if necessary.

Replace radiator

The radiator is a critical part of your car’s cooling system. A poorly performing radiator could be the cause of your car’s excessive heating.

Replace shocks and struts

Shocks and struts must be in tip-top condition if you want to enjoy a smooth ride. Symptoms of damaged shocks and struts include difficulty in turning, bouncing and squeaking over bumps. Replacing them can be a tough, time consuming job in absence of proper tools.

Replace catalytic converter

Catalytic converters filter harmful toxic fumes from your vehicles before emission. They usually last the lifetime of your vehicle. However physical damage and certain additives in fuels can prematurely age the converters.

Replace oil pans

Debris, rust, slush and other substances can damage your oil pan. Damaged oil pans can cause oil leakage which can severely damage the engine. Ensure that you inspect for damage in oil pans every time you change the oil.

Replace fuel pumps

The fuel pump is responsible for pumping gas from fuel tank to engine. A completely damaged fuel pump will bring your vehicle to a halt. Fuel pumps do not usually get damaged, but when they do, be prepared to splash a lot of cash to get it fixed.

Replace water pumps

Water pumps circulate fluid whenever the engine is running to cool the hot engine. It is a crucial part of the cooling system. Replacing water pumps is very difficult and will need expert handling.

Replacing hybrid batteries 

If you have a hybrid car, you may need to change your hybrid battery packs when your car has put has had enough mileage. Hybrid batteries are very expensive and more challenging to replace than usual batteries.

Replace turbocharger

Installing a turbocharger can add more power to your engine but it comes at an expensive price. It is an arduous process that demands an experienced mechanic.

Replace steering racks

If you have trouble turning your car around, the problem may be in the steering rack. Steering rack replacement is a laborious and costly process.

Replace clutch

Every clutch needs replacement at some point in time. Symptoms of failing clutches include gear slippage and unwanted shifting. While you can replace clutches yourself, you will need to devote about an entire day for it.

Replace A/C

Driving with an A/C adds comfort to your ride. If the temperature through the A/C vents is not as cold as they should be, you should get it inspected.

Change timing belt

Breaking the timing belt could result in major engine failure. Therefore, regular servicing of your timing belt is necessary to avoid its failure. Checking your timing belt every 75,000 miles is highly recommended.

Repair transmission

Problems in transmissions should be taken very seriously and should be dealt with as early as possible.  If any problems exist, get a highly skilled mechanic to fix them. In addition make sure to replace gearbox oil or transmission fluid every 50,000 miles.

Featured photo credit: Vehicle of Estonian President via en.wikipedia.org

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How to Coach Millennials

Every day more and more millennials enter the workforce. It is often said that millennials bring innovation, new perspectives and ideas for growth. As the new and largest generation of our workforce, millennials are calling for a new way of leadership. Do you know how to best leverage their potential and coach them effectively?

Millennials, born between early 1980s and 2000s, have much to contribute to the expansion and growth of your business. In this article I will share 5 key principles from my business and career coaching practice to attract, lead and motivate millennials in the workplace.

1. Provide structure and sharpen their focus

Prioritizing days and weeks in advance is part of every successful leader’s routine. However, this is something millennials don’t embrace so easily: to have everything scheduled. They enjoy being spontaneous and flexible.

Offer them the flexibility they need, while still setting healthy boundaries and providing structure. Certain routines can be scheduled every day. Regular monthly and weekly meetings with a clear agenda and goals will help millennials to achieve long term goals and get organized.

Serve as a role model and inspire them to absorb your good working habits: how to organize your workspace, how to effectively schedule work and set realistic goals. Take some time to coach them on: how to use practical tools and methods to plan time wisely, streamline certain tasks, communicate with team members and lead workshops. This will not only sharpen their focus but also keep them on track with assigned projects.

2. Create opportunities for growth

Most millennials I’ve encountered are very self-confident and have a great “can do” attitude. That’s why millennials don’t need a manager but a great leader with coaching skills to inspire them. They don’t want simply a great title and a good check at the end of the month. They want to make a true contribution and work on something meaningful because their identity is often expressed through the work they do. Therefore assign them meaningful projects in which they can make an impact to the growth of the company and at the same time expand their current skills.

Be warned: millennials are generally less responsive to an authoritarian leadership style. Being stern or commanding will bring no improvement in productivity of millennials and may yield undesired consequences for the company.

Millennials are eager to take a lead and show off their skills by running independent projects. They will feel limited if they are expected to work only within the specific frameworks. Independent projects empower and serve as an opportunity to fuel their passion, grow, and learn.

3. Encourage ‘quick wins’

Every new assignment can be exciting at the beginning. However if desired goals are not as timely realized as expected, millennials may lose their initial enthusiasm and feel anxious or even depressed.

Setting ‘quick wins’’ is a countermeasure for burning-out. These are the goals that can be achieved before experiencing any sense of inefficacy. Based on my experience as a leadership coach I would recommend leaders devoting a few hours per week and month for joint reflection on current projects, progress and setting small attainable goals – ‘quick wins’ until next week and month. This simple exercise will keep millennials engaged and committed.

4. Foster an environment for learning

Millennials love flat hierarchies, honest feedback and having a transparent relationship with their authentic managers. Therefore, dedicate some time to review their progress and give constructive feedback. Stay in touch regularly, show interest and curiosity in their way of working; praise their progress; don’t be judgmental, but inspire them to aim higher. Reflect on how to coach them better and serve their thirst for knowledge.

5. Give opportunities to bolster their CVs

According to a recent study on the millennial workforce, 53% hiring managers find it challenging to retain the millennials. Your role as a leader is to support their growth, that’s why you need to learn when it’s the best time to let them go.  The ‘I want to work for the next 30 years in the same company’ trend is gone. The new wave has less long term commitment to one specific organization. Therefore, work with them to develop their skills and help them to enrich their CVs. Communicate clearly that even if they leave the organization, you will be there for them. In all my years of coaching, I’ve seen this loyalty returning.

You and millennials: two different generations, tackling the same challenges but ending up creating a distinctive individual plan of action to deal with them. Use this difference to your advantage. This is a wake-up call for all leaders. Invest in millennials and give them the freedom they need. You will see surprising results.

Featured photo credit: Man Talking About Architecture Ideas via picjumbo.com

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