With Holiday shopping coming up millions of us are flocking to the shopping centers to find that perfect gift for that perfect person. Tis the season to give and get and be with family, but it is also the biggest season for thieves and muggers.

photo by kuzdra

The Christmas holidays are when most people spend the largest amount of cash in the least amount of time. Here are some safety tips for you and your family when shopping. They are meant to help you be more alert to your surroundings.

1. The most important tip I can give is to avoid cash as much as possible. Bring credit cards instead. Nearly everywhere accepts cards now-a-days and this is safest thing you can do to avoid losing your money to pick-pockets or muggers. If, I would not wish this on anyone, you are a victim, not only can you cancel your credit cards right away but you have insurance on your cards covering theft. This can give you peace of mind for it is easier to hand over cards when being mugged than cash. Also, when you get home, make sure you count your money and cards to make sure everything is there.

If you need to go somewhere you know you will be needing cash, go there first. Do not travel the rest of the mall first to see if there is something better. I would say plan and compare before leaving the house.

2. Along the same line, avoid wearing expensive jewelry and clothing. Muggers, thieves and pick-pockets profile people. They know who has money and who has enough money to pick. Some of the tell signs for this are: expensive jewelry, expensive name brand clothes, name brand expensive bags etc. Avoid being profiled for your money. Besides, it is a lot better to dress down and comfortably.

3. Bringing your children with you? This is also the season where children go missing easily and quickly. Pay special attention to the little ones, or go to a store with a daycare. They will watch your child while you can shop without stress and without yelling “don’t touch that” at every second.

4. Go with someone or a group. Brining someone along will make the day that much more fun and give you an extra security feature. You will be less likely to be targeted when you are not alone.

5. Buy the “Big Stuff” online. Thinking of buying a new 52” plasma HDTV? How about a brand new computer system? Not only can you buy these things online, for cheaper sometimes, but most places can deliver. For free.

6. Always be aware of what is going on around you. You might notice that suspicious looking guy in following you around, or that group of people eyeing you. This will give you a heads up if in the event they advance on you.

7. Carry a cell phone. Have 911 plugged into memory so that if you do get caught in a sticky situation you will have it readily available. Also, give your children a cell phone with you number plugged into the memory. If you get separated it will be easier to track each other down.

8. Carrying. So, it’s the end of the day and you’ve accumulated a huge number of presents. You must now trek across the parking lot to get to you car giving anyone lurking in the shadows just enough time to grab and run. There are a couple of solutions here: park as close as possible and in a well lit area. If this was impossible, leave with a bunch of people going in the same direction. Finally, ask an employee to help you to your car.

The Holiday season is a hectic time of stress and joy. The previous tips are meant to help you keep safe and to keep your head on your shoulders. They are also meant to make you aware of what could happen and what to do if something were to happen.

Many people are victimized because they didn’t think that what they wore attracted the wrong people. Keep one step ahead and this Holiday Christmas season will be that much safer.

It’s not everyday that you will want to know about online productivity because maybe it has nothing to do with you, but that’s not quite the right approach. The principles regarding productivity remain the same irrespective of whether you work online or onsite. It’s important that you have a correct approach to your working schedule. In most cases, online productivity becomes an important matter especially if you are working from home itself. This is because at work, you are constantly monitored so your productivity is in check. However if you’re working from home there are many distractions to keep you away from work.

photo by Paladin27
The other hindrance in terms of online productivity is that people tend to work longer because they think they will manage. Truth is we are human after all and you really won’t get away by pushing yourself beyond your personal limit. Once in a while it’s acceptable and may work for you, but if you continue to push yourself, you’ll burn yourself out.

PLAN

When you work online, don’t ever over stress yourself. It may seem very easy when you tell others you are working part time, freelance or full time from home itself. It paints a very flowery picture and gives the image of a very easy job, but the truth is very far from this. Yes you may find more comfort sitting on your favorite chairs surrounded by the comforts of your home, but that’s just about the only leeway. Your work is as hard as anyone else’s so plan it well. This is optimum. Know your day’s agenda and set targets. Make your work plans at the start of each work day or else you’ll be running late in a number of things.

HOLIDAY TIME

Just because you are sitting at home does not mean you continue to work without any holidays. Make sure you take the required amount of holidays. Keep your weekends off so you can do all your pending odd jobs and revitalize yourself for the subsequent week. If you work non-stop you’ll lose connection with yourself and will be a zombie at home. Do not sacrifice on your breaks and don’t push yourself and say you’ll work till your family members don’t come home each day. Take a break and call it quits for the day once you have worked for the amount of hours you have decided upon.

MANAGEABLE TARGETS

There’s times you’ll want to take on more work because it seems too attractive or the payout is great, but be realistic, you’d rather have regular freelance work for a fixed amount of hours each day to help you meet your monetary needs rather than overstress yourself on certain days. Don’t ever take on more than you can manage only because you think you can manage. This will cause you to lose clients in case you can’t live in accordance to your impulsive decisions.

BE REALISTIC

Don’t sit longer hours and do silly things like skip lunch or postpone meal times each day. It’s really not fair to yourself and honestly you really aren’t going to achieve anything great by doing so. This is because if you push beyond your limits, very soon lethargy will set in. your pace will slacken and you’ll actually be working longer hours with reduced productivity. Now that’s not worth it all so take preventive measures to avoid such unsuitable situations.

Online productivity has to be maintained each day so you reach all targets. This is possible only if you are attentive to your work needs. Make sure you take regular breaks each day. Eat on time and don’t stretch that hunger pang because soon you’ll start to loser your appetite. You really don’t want to take ill, do you? When working make sure you stretch adequately. Get up at regular breaks take a walk and rest your eyes. This is important so you don’t stress yourself and bring on fatigue. Make sure you get the right sitting furniture and not your favorite couch because that’s going to bring on a back ache that maybe chronic in time. Drink plenty of water during work hours and take a break every now and then to make sure you maintain continuity.

There are a few liberties you can take but don’t push that either. Don’t be lazy and keep postponing your work thinking you have lot of time to spare.

Online productivity needs self-monitoring so be disciplined and make the right decisions for yourself because you alone know the real story regarding your work abilities.