Digital Curator, Author at Insurance Agency Singapore | Commercial Insurance and Personal Insurance

Nine Things Successful People Do Differently

9 February 2015 By Digital Curator Leave a Comment

Image via Flickr user tec_estromberg

Why have you been so successful in reaching some of your goals, but not others? Decades of research on achievement suggests that successful people reach their goals not simply because of who they are, but more often because of what they do.

1. Get specific. When you set yourself a goal, try to be as specific as possible.

2. Seize the moment to act on your goals. Given how busy most of us are, and how many goals we are juggling at once, it’s not surprising that we routinely miss opportunities to act on a goal because we simply fail to notice them.

3. Know exactly how far you have left to go. Achieving any goal also requires honest and regular monitoring of your progress — if not by others, then by you yourself.

4. Be a realistic optimist. When you are setting a goal, by all means engage in lots of positive thinking about how likely you are to achieve it.

5. Focus on getting better, rather than being good. Believing you have the ability to reach your goals is important, but so is believing you can get the ability.

6. Have grit. Grit is a willingness to commit to long-term goals, and to persist in the face of difficulty.

7. Build your willpower muscle. Your self-control “muscle” is just like the other muscles in your body — when it doesn’t get much exercise, it becomes weaker over time.

8. Don’t tempt fate. No matter how strong your willpower muscle becomes, it’s important to always respect the fact that it is limited, and if you overtax it you will temporarily run out of steam.

9. Focus on what you will do, not what you won’t do. Do you want to successfully lose weight, quit smoking, or put a lid on your bad temper?

by Heidi Grant Halvorson

See Full Story on hbr.org

Home is where the greatest accident risk is, warns top A&E doctor

6 February 2015 By Digital Curator Leave a Comment

Dr Cliff Mann says people do not appreciate the danger in everyday situations, unnecessarily adding to strain on NHS.

If you want to avoid busy A&E units then you should shun the trampoline, discourage the kids from putting Lego up their nose, and be rather more careful getting something out of the loft.

That is the advice of the leader of Britain’s emergency medicine doctors, Dr Cliff Mann, who wants to highlight activities such as horse riding, mountain biking and even DIY, which are more dangerous than you might think.

Improvements in road safety and workplaces mean that homes and leisure pursuits now cause far more injuries and deaths – 1,000 per month – than car crashes and industrial accidents, according to Mann, president of the College of Emergency Medicine.

Of the 22 million people a year who attend A&E, about seven million do so as a result of an accident. Overall, accidents cost A&E units about £1bn a year.

“The public don’t appreciate the risk in everyday situations. If you ask them they would probably say that they’re more likely to die either on the roads or at work than at home. Both are untrue,” said Mann, who is keen to ease the heavy burden on the NHS from accidents.

by Denis Campbell

See Full Story on theguardian.com

10 Tips to Avoid Pickpockets while Traveling

2 February 2015 By Digital Curator Leave a Comment

For many, vacation time is right around the corner and the thought of the perfect getaway does not include being a victim of crime. While most vacations will go as planned, some will fall victim to petty theft: mainly purse snatching and pickpockets. Thieves target tourists because they are the ones with the money.

1) Wear a money belt – This is the most important thing you can do to lower the chances of being pick-pocketed. A money belt is worn under your clothing; this is where you keep your passport, extra credit cards and cash.

2) Do not put anything in your back pocket – The outline of a wallet in the back pocket is advertising to pickpockets to rob you, especially in crowded areas like metro platforms and escalators.

3) Valuables need to stay in your hotel room – Laptops, tablets and such are much safer in your hotel room than in the bottom of a bag on the streets.

4) Walk with purpose and confidence – Pickpockets look for the confused tourists–the ones constantly looking at a map, taking hesitant steps, having a “deer in the headlights” look on their face.

5) Secure your belongings – When sitting or eating, never put your purse/bag on the chair behind you or on the ground.

6) Carry a purse or bag with the flap against your body – You want to cut down the number of entry points into your bag so thieves’ fingers have fewer places to wander.

7) Get to know your new money before heading out – If you’re traveling out of the country you will be confronted with foreign money.

8) Stay clear of commotions and avoid crowds – A fight breaking out, someone dropping items, even people falling down are most likely a smokescreen for bad guys wanting to separate tourists from their money.

9) Know how they work – Get to know the local scams thieves use to rob travelers. Most guidebooks will have a section just on this.

10) Be unpredictable – If you get the feeling someone is following you, change directions. Go into the nearest shop/hotel/restaurant and wait a few minutes.

by Adrian Kalvinskas

See Full Story on pasadenanow.com

Top tips for safe travel

30 January 2015 By Digital Curator Leave a Comment

The world isn’t dangerous or unsafe. Quite the opposite. There are some desperate places and people, even in your home town, but these are a minority. In fact, you’re more likely to get into trouble at home than travelling if you follow these common sense tips on your trips.

1. Back (packer) glance

Get in the habit of looking back when you get up to leave somewhere. Travel is very distracting, and you’re probably carrying more stuff than when you’re at home, so you’re more likely to leave a jacket or journal at that Parisian cafe table where you were people watching.

2. Separate your sources of money

You know how you keep all your bank cards in your wallet/purse when you’re at home? Well, don’t do this while you’re travelling. Keep at least one in a different place, preferably not on your person. If you lose all your cards on the road it is very difficult to get replacements, and being without money in Timbuktu can be kind of unfun.

3. Don’t keep your wallet/purse in your jeans’ back pocket

To avoid being pickpocketed, keep your wallet in your front pocket, especially a pocket that can be buttoned up. Best of all, use the inside pocket of your jacket. There are also a load of different ‘money belts’ (see examples here) that either hang inside your shirt or wrap around your waist (under your shirt), etc. Make sure it’s waterproof because travelling can often be sweaty/perspiring work. I’d advise against the bum bag/fanny pack varieties. There is no better way to advertise the fact that you have a load of valuables on you…and, of course, they were never ever cool.

by Mark Broadhead

See Full Story on lonelyplanet.com

Top 10 safety tips when you’re travelling abroad

28 January 2015 By Digital Curator Leave a Comment

Moving abroad, for any amount of given time, can be quite scary, especially for first-timers. You’ll have lots to think about, from where to stay to how to commute, with plenty of ups and downs in between. Travel, for the most part, will be done on weekends and/or during the holiday season. Regardless of how far you get to go, here are a few pointers so as to keep your belongings safe (as well as your person), avoid accidents abroad and most important of all, try not to get ripped off…Although most countries are safe, it’s still advisable to keep these tips in mind, just in case. After all, better safe than sorry (Ok, enough with the idioms…).

1) Keep an eye on your belongings

2) Keep an eye on your wallets and purses especially

3) Put your camera or camcorder away when not in use

4) Choose your travel buddy carefully as it might mean putting your belongings (or life) at risk

5) Get insurance for yourself in case something goes wrong at work or at least make sure you have got medical expenses covered

6) If someone has warned you not to go to a particular neighborhood or watch your belongings more closely in some areas, please take note

7) Scan your important documents and also email to yourself in case of misplacement

8) Get a health check-up and get the necessary vaccinations

9) Keep your cash and cards separate

10) Do your due diligence before typing in your personal details online

See Full Story on thirdyearabroad.com

10 tips for work safety

26 January 2015 By Digital Curator Leave a Comment

Staying healthy and safe at work is important. No matter what your job, it is important to reduce your risks of injury and illness at work.

Here are some tips to help make your workplace safe.

Understand the risks. Once you know the particular hazards of your job or workplace, you can take steps to reduce your risk of work-related injury or illness.
Reduce workplace stress. Common causes include long hours, heavy workload, job insecurity and conflicts with coworkers or bosses. Stress can lead to depression, sleeping difficulties and problems with concentration.
Take regular breaks. Staying fresh and alert will help you avoid injury or burnout. Schedule the most difficult tasks of each day for times when your concentration is best, such as first thing in the morning.
Avoid stooping or twisting. Use ergonomically designed furniture and equipment, and rearrange your work area so that everything you need is within easy reach.
Use mechanical aids whenever possible. Instead of trying to lift or carry a heavy object, use a wheelbarrow, conveyor belt, crane or forklift.

See Full Story on betterhealth.vic.gov.au

How to Prevent Home Burglary – 8 Ways to Reduce the Risk of Someone Breaking Into Your House

23 January 2015 By Digital Curator Leave a Comment

Here are 8 tips to help prevent a break-in from ever happening in your home, all of which can help provide you not only with emotional security, but also decrease the likelihood that you will have to replace items that could burn a major hole in your wallet:

1. Get an Indoor Dog

I drove down to Louisiana as soon as my dad told me about the robbery. And I brought him a great alarm system – an 85 pound Bordeaux Mastiff I’d rescued from the animal shelter just a few months before. He’ll be staying with my dad from now on.

2. Lock Your Doors and Windows

Make sure your doors and windows are always locked. And I mean all windows. Experts say 23% of break-ins occur through first-floor windows. So securing these should be a top priority. GE makes a wireless alarm kit you can purchase for $25 that will sound if a door or window is opened. This is a very inexpensive way to protect vulnerable areas in your home.

Don’t forget to secure side doors and garage doors as well.

3. Use Strategic Landscaping

Thorny rose bushes under windows will make thieves think twice before going in that way.

Also, keep your bushes and hedges trimmed to a minimum; don’t give thieves a place to hide while they scope out your place.

Gravel and loose stones can also alert you (or a dog) that someone is approaching your house.

And make sure your yard is well-lit during the night!

4. Hide Valuables

Make sure your valuables are hidden from passer-bys. Use privacy curtains (sheer curtains that let in light but block the view) so people can’t see in while you’re away at work. With the holidays coming up, this especially includes gifts! Don’t leave gifts, even wrapped ones, in front of any window.

5. Install Double Key Deadbolts

Double key deadbolts are the kind that require a key not only to enter, but also to exit. With a double key deadbolt lock, if thieves do break in, getting your stuff out is going to be really difficult unless they break the door down.

The downside to double key deadbolts is they can be dangerous in the event of an emergency, such as a fire. Consider this carefully before installing one. If you do put one in, keep the key very close to the door in a hiding place that’s easy to remember.

6. Secure Patio Doors

Security experts say most thieves don’t want to smash sliding glass doors because they’re so noisy. They’d much rather slide it open. To prevent this, secure your sliding door by placing a sawed-off broom handle in the track to prevent it from opening.

7. Don’t Advertise

If you’re going away for a week, don’t tell people on your answering machine that you’re out of town. Police say that, surprisingly, many thieves will find your number and call to see if you’re at home.

8. Be Prepared

Make sure you religiously back up your computers and laptops in the event those items are stolen. My dad didn’t do this. As a result, many years worth of family pictures are gone.

Also, make sure your portable hard drive is kept hidden in an innocuous place where it won’t get hurt (like the kitchen pantry or laundry room).

by Heather Levin

See Full Story on moneycrashers.com

Strategies for Preventing House Fires

21 January 2015 By Digital Curator Leave a Comment

More than 4,000 people die every year in fires, and more than six times that many people are injured. Keep your family safe by knowing everything you can about fire safety and prevention.

Of the thousands of people who perish each year in fires, the overwhelming majority – 84 percent – succumb in their own homes. House fires can flare for many reasons, including electrical problems, outdoor fires, and unattended candles. The most common cause of death from house fires, however, is from cigarettes that have been left carelessly lit.

Keeping Your Home Safe From Fire

Many house fires start because of carelessness and can be prevented by taking simple fire safety measures to protect your home. Follow these fire safety tips to reduce the risk of house fires:

Be careful in the kitchen. Fire safety and prevention is especially important in the kitchen, so keep kitchen appliances unplugged when you’re not using them (of course, that goes for appliances elsewhere in the house, too). Never leave the kitchen while cooking on the stovetop, and keep flammable items away from the stovetop.
Use heaters wisely. Have your furnace or heating system inspected annually, and avoid potentially dangerous causes of fire like kerosene heaters. Always use a screen in front of an indoor fireplace to keep flames away from furniture and drapes, and be cautious when using space heaters — follow all directions to the letter.
Be vigilant about cigarettes. If you or a guest in your home is a smoker, watch those butts. Always use a deep, sturdy ashtray. For fire safety, never smoke cigarettes in bed. And before bed or heading out the door, do a quick scan around and under the furniture and linens to make sure there are no still-lit cigarette butts.

by Diana Rodriguez

See Full Story on everydayhealth.com

Top 5 Tips for Safe Driving in Heavy Traffic

19 January 2015 By Digital Curator Leave a Comment

As an automobile driver, navigating through heavy traffic can be one of the most frustrating experiences in the world. The seemingly endless slowdown can evoke tremendous stress as short trips are turned into extensive waits. Avoiding traffic entirely is impossible, though there are important techniques that can help minimize the frustrating. To make your next slog through a congestion roadway a bit more manageable, here are a few helpful things to keep in mind.

1. Accept the inevitability of the slowdown. When traffic beings to materialize ahead, there is little that can be done to avoid it; unless an alternative route is available and accessible, you will be forced to wait. Contrary to the belief of many drivers, there are no secret lanes that allow you to pass through congestion faster than those on the road with you. As a courtesy to your fellow driver, and as a means of limiting your frustrations, understand that traffic will slow your commute. By becoming angry, not only will the wait seem to increase, but you can be influenced to make dangerous maneuvers that introduce the possibility of an accident; giving you something to really be upset about. Instead, make yourself comfortable, and be patient; things will begin to clear before you know it.

2. In traffic, keep to the same lane. Many drivers attempt to scoot through traffic faster by constantly moving between lanes. Though this may work in putting you a handful of car lengths ahead of where you would be if you remained in the same lane, the slowing effect it has on everyone around you more than outdoes the miniscule improvement in your position on the road. When vehicles are constantly changing lanes, the flow of traffic is repeatedly interrupted, preventing any possibility for a consistent pace to be achieved.

See Full Story on lessonsofsafety.com

Insurance Agency Singapore | Commercial Insurance and Personal Insurance