Becoming a step-dad is akin to becoming a father, but there are a few important differences that I’ve learned matter a lot. For one thing, it happens pretty quickly — one minute you’re single, the next minute you are surrounded by children in varying stages of development. There’s no slowly growing into your role or nine months of anticipation. Becoming a Great Step-Dad

But what about situations where you’re not all in the same place? What about circumstances where the money to be collected is for a cause. Maybe you need a better, more targeted tip jar. ChipIn seems to fit the bill (pun intended). Here are some of its uses, according to the site. Use ChipIn to pay for: birthday gifts family reunions luaus travel gifts anniversary gifts bill splitting group travel housewarmings sharing rent anniversary presents office parties class reunions...

Yet I’ve always been uncomfortable being labeled “American.” Though I’m very proud to be a citizen of the United States, the term feels restrictive and confining. It obliges me to identify with aspects of the United States with which I am not thrilled. For instance, while to some we may be the beacon of democracy, our own two-party political system leaves a lot to be desired. Democratic systems that permit more than two major parties can be more inclusive of minorities and lead to less extreme policy....

When the iPad was initially released the tech media touted it as a “consumption only device”. This was mostly do to its lack of fast input that you would normally experience on a notebook computer with a hardware keyboard. The touchscreen input on the iPad is a tad bit awkward, at least at first, but after a few days and weeks the input isn’t really that bad. Not to mention you can hook up an external keyboard with all fo the new keyboard docks and cases to get entry as fast as any laptop or desktop....

You might be wondering: What are vision boards? A vision board is a visual representation of what we want to achieve. We can use it to show our end goal and where we see ourselves being in the future. Not only this, but a vision board will also help you show the process of how you envisage getting to these end goals. However, while there is a lot of support for vision boards, there’s also a lot against organizing ideas in this way....

Good news: the internet provides would-be volunteers with the chance to fit good deeds into in less time than most web surfers spend sifting through spam. You can volunteer – without leaving your house or even getting up from your desk. Here are seven ways you can fit volunteerism into your day no matter how busy you are: Send an email, stop a human rights violation. Every week Amnesty International’s Online Action Center sends action alerts to members of their team....

and while this post isn’t meant to provide a full answer to that question, it is meant to tell you something you should not do that may seem like a good idea. The number one thing you shouldn’t do once you have an idea for a start-up is nothing. You’ll meet tons of people like this in life, who go around saying “Oh I have this great idea for a company, I just haven’t started on it yet....

Most likely when you get up in the morning you think about your schedule or the things you need to get done that day. You’ve prioritized your list in your day planner and you’re ready to go. Be honest, by the end of the day you’re amazed at how fast the day went wondering why you didn’t get much done. The answer may be simple. Maybe everything you’ve learned about managing time is a complete waste of time....

Imagine you are in a party with a bunch of people that you barely know. You try to start a conversation to break the silence. You: Hi. How are you? She: Doing well. You? You: Great… Then the awkward silence appears. It is embarrassing, like an actor forgetting his lines on stage. Most of the time, you probably have some words in mind but you’re just afraid of saying them because you’re over-thinking....

Vibrancy, vividness, depth and quality acting Occurring in Australia, France, and Ceylon, The Life to Appear is about the reports we tell, nor explain to ourselves as individuals, as societies, and as countries. Driven by a vibrant cast of characters, it explores necessary emigration, the art of fiction, and ethnic and class discord. As Hilary Mantel has written, “I so enjoy Michelle de Kretser’s powerful technique–her characters feel in existence, and she can create a sweeping narrative that encompasses a number of yet still retain the sharp, almost hallucinatory detail....

This week’s question is: It’s the last week before Christmas. What advice do you have for someone looking to find something for that one difficult person on their list, the one they’ve been putting off until now, it’s almost too late? Let us know your answer in the comments.

Are you among this group? Here are some relevant details and facts on prediabetes and the action you need to take to stay healthy. The first step in managing prediabetes is understanding what a prediabetes diagnosis means. Read on to learn more about this diagnosis and what you can do. What Are The Warning Signs Of Prediabetes? What’s Prediabetes? Prediabetes is named as it is a precursor or an early stage of type 2 diabetes....

In my previous article focusing on intrinsic and extrinsic motivations, I covered two sources of motivation that drive an individual towards productivity. This article extends the prior write-up, providing a new perspective on motivation and utilizing competence motivation to reap maximum benefits. Why You Don’t Always Need Incentives You don’t always need incentives to realize what is truly needed. Susan Fowler, in her book “Why Motivating People Doesn’t Work…and What Does: The New Science of Leading, Energizing, and Engaging,” writes, Productivity attached with incentives is a short-term motivating stimulus....

Learning the importance of goal setting and the benefits of sticking to those goals can be the defining factor determining whether we truly embrace the importance of goal setting. The more willing we are to embrace this method, the more likely we become to reach our personal definitions of personal and professional success. According to the research of psychologists, neurologists, and other scientists, setting goals pushes us to invest in the target as if we’d already accomplished it....

Leadership is never meant to be easy. But if you understand what leadership really means, you’re one great step closer to becoming a successful leader. Leadership is an art of enabling others to work toward the same goal together. There is not a single definition of leadership and it varies depending on the type of leader — the CEO of a company, the captain of a sports team, a religious leader, a political leader, etc....

Recently I have been dragging my time with email responses because of the increase of meetings and phone calls. This is a great reminder for me to make more attentions on this. What’s the Secret to Your Success? – [Working Smart]

But it isn’t just writers (or November writers) that face this problem. Everyone does. At one time or another, you hit a wall. There are a number of reasons for it – burnout, lack of project scope, a waning interest in what you’re doing – but there are also several ways you can push through the work stoppage and get moving again. The sooner you realize you’re stuck, the more effective each of these tips will be because you’re not too mired in the mud of stagnation....

1. When you report for the sake of the company. Coworkers’ misbehaviors mean that your company as a whole is doing a bad job. The people misbehaving aren’t the only ones at fault—management too is responsible when productivity is low. If this is the case, you have genuine reason to be worried about the future of the business you work for. Do not go to your boss to get back at someone....

Which pyramid? John Place is talking about what you’re working for. In this diagram you have immediate goals that form the base and build up to the higher needs of the pyramid. The idea is you need to accomplish each step before ‘fulfillment’. For instance, why would you work a job only for the money? If that is fulfillment enough, then no problem. But if once you have the money situation sorted, and your work isn’t fulfilling in any sense – like Herzberg’s examples of job security and recognition – what can you look forward to?...

If you are feeling tired all the time, that is a good sign you are feeling tired for an unhealthy reason. It is healthy to feel tired after working out, going on a run or participating in an extracurricular activity. It is unhealthy to feel tired after sleeping for 10-hours and not exerting yourself throughout the day. If you are feeling tired all the time, you may have noticed your productivity or ability to focus suffer....