They say LOL is the best medicine. I can’t agree more. So, with that in mind, I thought I share with you simple ways to increase it. After all, we all can benefit from more laughter. Enjoy.

1. Subscribe to humor blog – Humor blogs would be an awesome addition to your RSS reader. Sorry, I meant to say everyone.

• Failblog This is my favorite humor site. The posts are short and are updated every few hours. If you like this blog, you would also enjoy this, this, and this, (and this).
• Cracked This site has tons of funny articles, though I don’t subscribe to the blog. The articles are often long and time consuming. I do however, visit the site whenever I’m bored. If you are looking for their RSS feed, you can get it here.

2. Subscribe to comedians in Twitter – So you think it’s hard to crack a joke with 140 characters? Well, not for these people. Here’s a good list of 85 comedians to follow.

3. Create a play list of cheerful songs – Instead of only having play list categorized based on genres, I recommend creating a play list with songs that can cheer you up, my favorite being Unwritten By Natasha Bedingfield. The song never fails to make me smile. For music player, try Itune. It’s simple and  easily manageable.

4. Spend quality time with love ones – Remember that guy who never fails to make you smile? Or that woman who is always there for you? Or that adorable kid who looks just like you? Take them out for movies, dinner, recreational parks, etc. You know they deserve it.

5. Take some time to procrastinate and enjoy yourself – I said it before, and I’ll say it again. Procrastination is healthy. Whenever you lack focus, it doesn’t hurt to take a break. Watch Youtube, read blogs or take a power nap works great to rejuvenate that lost energy. I recommend Youtube for the lol.

Have anything to add? Share it in the comment section below.

PS: I don’t recommend giggling. It hurts your stomach.…

If you enjoy the article, please share the love via twitter. I’d appreciate it.

Have you ever thought of escaping from all the work, miseries and troubles in life? Have you ever envied the dead?

For the past couple of days, I have been feeling tired. It was a bad month and there is way too much going on, which got me a little tired of living. I don’t hate my life, though I secretly do wish it ends for good. Before you get the wrong idea, I wasn’t having suicidal ideation, merely wishing my life to end in an unplanned accident.

This wasn’t the first time I’m having this thought.Thinking back, it all started when my younger brother passed away four years ago. On that day, seeing him laying lifeless on his deathbed, I wonder how nice would it be if it was me on the bed instead. He was my mother’s favorite son, and I had not been kind to him.

It’s just like sleeping, I thought to myself, only I don’t get to wake up. Well, it’s not as though I look forward to it. In the end of the day, isn’t life all about working on a job I will most likely hate, chasing after the illusion that money provides, surviving the month, paying bills and have the cycle continues?

I haven’t had this feeling for a long time though, well, not until a week ago. While I’m not sure if this is a normal feeling to have, I do know that if I left things as it is again, there will be more negative influences on my work and my surroundings than otherwise. I have learned my lesson.

Understanding the purpose behind the action

Simply put,the reasons to suicide for many have been to escape their problems, miseries and responsibilities. Though it is an easy way out, what suicide victims failed to understand is that they do not hate life itself. They only happen to get tired of theirs.

The beauty of life is that we all have a choice. If you happen to hate yours then change it. It may be hard, drastic, selfish and wrong, but as long as it brings a renewed purpose and strength to continue,  it’s the best choice to make. Suicide is after all, a coward and selfish act, no matter how one argues.

Finding the source to these negative thoughts

Sometimes, when you have too much going on in your life, it blurs the root cause to your problems, my problems in this case.

To find a solution to a problem, you must first identify the problem. I took some time to meditate and try to understand what I am facing, and I’ve come to realize that all I really want is to run away from the stress I have accumulated overtime. I haven’t had fun without worries for sometime now.

Solution

Take a break, have a vacation. Get a leave or fake a medical leave if you have to. Just do whatever it takes to regain your life back. Ignore the consequences, critiques and the naysayers as they are not as important as keeping your sanity in check.

We don’t live the life of others. Hate as they may and criticize as they wish, it shouldn’t affect you from doing what you want. If you choose to take a break or make any drastic changes, these opinions should be the last of your worries. After all, they are not going to commit suicide on your behalf are they?

As for me, I never really care what others think. I guess I’m selfish when it comes to doing what I want. Over the past few days, this is exactly what I have been doing. I enjoy myself to the fullest. I went shopping, read books and play without worrying about my work. During the period, I refuse to write, exercise, reply messages, e-mail and work. The discipline, commitment and consistency to my blog and my workout regimen are all thrown out of the window. This lasted exactly a week as I have planned. I never intend to rest more than a week.

To commit suicide is to merely run away from your work, miseries and troubles. The problem is, most of the feelings that you may have which resulted in having suicidal ideation are either short lasting or can be solved with having some courage to change or act a little different than the norm. Most of the time, all you really need is a good break from everything.

During the one week that I’m recuperating, I consider myself dead and I try my best to act like one. Someone without worries, right?

The system in which the world works can drive many crazy at times. If you are ever stuck on finding a solution to your problem, try to think out of the box for a change.

What I have learned from the break

You can never avoid the problems in your life. You can at most delay it, but never ran away from it. To solve a problem, you need to face the problem.

But you know what, it feels good knowing I have full control of my life once in a while. It feels great living a life free of expectations and commitments, although it lasted only for a short period of time.

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“Procrastination is healthy”

If you were to do it in moderation. While I realize there’s plenty who won’t agree with me, however, truth be told, if you don’t procrastinate from time to time, you’re actually missing out on the finer things in life, i.e to live free and just enjoy doing what you like.

Although with that said, procrastination has been a major cause to lack of productivity for many people. Therefore, the best way to do it is to find the right balance.

There seem to be a big misconception when it comes to procrastination. When people hear the word, negative thoughts came to mind.

In reality however, much of the problem does not lie in the act itself, but on how you do it and on what exactly.

And if you were to do it the right, chances are you will be able to get more done versus if you spent more time on your tasks.

Now before you throw a skeptic look right off the bat, I would like to invite you to hear me out for 3 minutes, so I can perhaps prove you wrong.

My mom tricked me

I used to remember how my mom always reminded me to study hard.

“Study hard so you can have a good future Karlil.”

The exact sentence is still ringing fresh in my ear to these days. Like all other parents who love their children, her intention was good.

Over the next couple of years however, I’ve come to learn a new phrase, and it goes something like this:

Study smart, not study hard.

I was skeptical at first, possibly because I would rather trust my mom than the saying of a stranger. Overtime however, I started realizing just how true the concept was. Clearly, my mom was wrong, and i have been made a victim to the old teaching.

So what does this have anything to do with procrastinating and getting more done?

It’s not the amount of time spent that dictate how much work you can get done, but how focus you are on getting it done.

Distractions disrupt focus

Imagine sitting in front of your computer trying to write your new blog post, all while your favorite TV series, Grey’s Anatomy is running on the television. You may choose to switch it off so you can concentrate. However, in the back of your mind, you can’t help but wonder if George will survive the operation (I don’t watch the show).

How do you think this will affect your output? Possibly a lot considering you can’t put all your focus into your writing. And the worst part is, this thought will hardly stop even when the show ended.

On the other hand, imagine if you choose to procrastinate and watch the show instead. And when you’re done, you start on the post. Will it be better that way? Will you be able to focus more? Absolutely!

Focus comes with a limit

But distractions are not the only problem we must face everyday. We also have to face the problem of staying in focus. If you have ever tried to make use of all your time to produce, you would know just how hard it is to stay in focus after some time has passed.

But before you blame yourself for the limitation, know that unless your brain is powered by Mac, there is absolutely no way you can pull off running 100% all the time. Most of us are only running Windows.

Teng

How to achieve maximum focus

Maximum focus is gained when your mind does not wonder elsewhere and all your effort and focus are fixated on a single task. To achieve such state of mind , you must first get rid of any distractions that may come in the way.

There are a couple of ways to do this, one being detached yourself from these distractions. It could be switching off your phone or simply plugging out the internet. It does work from time to time for me, but I just don’t think this is the best way to do it.

And then there’s another popular but often less recommended way of doing things, which is by first indulging in these distractions. This act is what most come to define as procrastination, while others who are more laid back simply call it, enjoying life. Take a look at my example below where I procrastinate first and produce later.

Facebook, email and twitter.

These are the three things that I will first check before I put focus into my writing. It usually takes 20 minutes of my time. But by first going through these distractions, I can put maximum focus on my work later because I have killed the curiosity that may linger in my mind otherwise.

There are of course some other distractions that I have, depending on the hour. I will almost always choose to procrastinate and come back later for my work, unless I have something urgent in hand. Enjoying life is high on my priority list, and it should be the same for everyone else.

What to procrastinate

Getting rid of your distractions by going through your own list is a good way to start the day, provided it doesn’t take too much of your time. If your distractions take up a few hours long, you should seriously consider dropping some. Imagine a program that always hangs your PC? Wouldn’t you uninstall it?

Another great way to procrastinate is to take a short nap if you are feeling lazy or tired. As said earlier, focus cannot be maintained at 100% all the time. Taking a short nap can revitalize you and help increase your output later. Albert Einstein and Thomas Edison does it, and you can see just how great it has work for them.

How to procrastinate the right way

There is no doubt that if you can’t control your procrastination, it’s going to consume you. After all, procrastination is a habit, not an act. Perhaps the most used phrase to initiate this habit is:

“I’ll do it later”

The problem with this sentence does not lie on the word “later” which many have come to believe, but the hanging of the sentence.

- I’ll do it later after the show.

- I’ll do it later after a 15-minute nap

- I’ll do it later after the movie

I’ll do it later after…. yada yada yada. The trick is simply to be specific and always commit to your words. I don’t think I can stress this enough. You must always commit to your word. If you don’t think you can fulfill it, don’t say it in the first place, so you won’t break your own word. Here, read this.

I’ll stumble this article later after finish reading it. I will also subscribe to this blog later while I am at it.

Procrastination, if done correctly can boost your focus and result in tremendous productivity. It was never the time spent but the focus.

Now subscribe me

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If a cat have better sense of humor than you..

God writes a lot of comedy… the trouble is, he’s stuck with so many bad actors who don’t know how to play funny. – Garrison Keillor

Do you want a cheap way to reduce stress, improve brain function and lower blood pressure? Well look no further! Introducing the new revolutionary product that will forever change your life.

For a onetime payment of $49.95, you will get “Laughter”, the product you wish you come to know 10 years earlier before losing much of your hair (stress is nasty!).

Now say goodbye to your doctor, say hello to salty snacks, pepperoni and hot dogs. Offer is only valid for a limited period. Terms and conditions apply.

Ok, joking aside. Laughter does reduce stress, improve brain function and lower blood pressure. To top it off, it also makes you feel good. All of which got me thinking, with all these benefits, why are people not laughing as often nowadays.

The answer that came out my mind? Too little sense of humor.

The solution? A free article with 5 easy steps to improve your sense of humor. Enjoy!

1. Lighten up

Life is a joke. Well not really, but if you take everything seriously, you might want to do a check up with the doctor for high blood pressure every now and then. The trick is really to just learn how to laugh at yourself.

You know, the time you got caught picking your nose in the public, or the time when you tripped in front of massive amount of people. Remember?

I realize there are people who lack self confidence and feel insecure of being the very subject of a good laughter. But to be very frank with you, if making a joke out of your own sillyness or clumsiness is not a problem for you, it shows just how confident you are with yourself. And people like that.

2. Watch sitcom shows

Sitcom shows can really do a good job in reducing stress and sadness, not to mention improve your sense of humor exponentially. Besides learning what’s funny, you also learn how to be funny by imitating the characters in the show, whether it’s the choice of words, body language or reaction they use.

3. Subscribe to daily e-humor

There are lots of articles and websites that are dedicated in sharing comedy skits and stories on the internet. Subscribe to their blog or website for daily updates. Nothing better than good laughter for a break.

4. Mix with fun loving people

Downers are bad for health, seriously. Their mood can actually affect you in an unhealthy way. And before you realize, you get caught up with their miserable life (not really as miserable as they make it sound like most of the time).

Sooner or later, their negativity will influence you. If you don’t laugh as much as you used to and want to correct the situation start associating with humorous, fun loving people.

5. Share the laughter

Depending on the crowd, racist and dirty jokes might or might not be a good idea. Use it with care. You know no one should be denied a good laughter.

Remember that sense of humor is learned, not inherited. Anyone can improve their sense of humor if they so choose to. By following the few steps listed above, you will find life easier than you ought to think.