Latest news with #productivity
Forbes
3 hours ago
- Business
- Forbes
How Microbreaks Can Be Your Key To Career Success
The concept of working nine to five is a vestige of the past, where 'punching the clock' was a relevant term. Today's workday allows much more flexibility about when and how we work. We have more control of our time, and when we use it properly, we can be more productive and creative. That's where microbreaks come in. These mini do-list interruptions aren't signs of distraction or laziness, they're a key to amping up attention and combating burnout. Microbreaks are short, intentional pauses taken throughout the workday to help reset your mind and body. They can be as brief as a few seconds or last several minutes. Microbreaks are varied and range from standing up to stretch, walking around the office, sipping water, glancing out the window, or even doing a quick breathing exercise (this Quick Calm technique from Stress Coach Jordan Friedman is popular, and as potent as it is pithy). Unlike scheduled vacations, full lunch hours, or other big pauses, microbreaks are woven into the rhythm of your day. They're mini but mighty moments of motivation and mindfulness. Microbreaks aren't just feel-good rituals. Research consistently shows that our brains can maintain focused attention for only about 25 to 30 minutes before fatigue sets in. Instead of thinking of breaks as interruptions, consider them investments in sustained performance. Microbreaks are also energy boosters. A 2022 PLOS ONE study found that microbreaks, even those as short as 27 seconds, significantly boost vitality and reduce fatigue. In addition to increasing energy, these mini moments can help with physical health. Taking a 5-minute walk every 30 minutes helps regulate blood pressure and blood sugar, offsetting the physical effects of sitting at your desk, according to research from Columbia University. It's time to adopt a new mindset. Microbreaks aren't about slacking off. They're about working smarter. Nearly 25% of Americans take a microbreak at least once per hour, according to this new study. 89% of the study's respondents say they use them to reduce stress, and 93% use them to refocus. Just as important, the study found that about 50% of those who are using microbreaks regularly say that skipping them actually leaves them feeling more tired. Here are some microbreaks you can easily integrate into your day: If you're a leader, manager, or just someone who cares about workplace wellness, creating a culture that embraces microbreaks pays dividends. Here's how to get those around you to adopt the microbreak habit. Microbreaks aren't a distraction from work, they're a modern workplace survival strategy. In a world of shrinking attention spans, digital fatigue, and endless back-to-back Zoom meetings, these tiny intermissions can restore your clarity, energy, and enthusiasm. The next time you find yourself staring blankly at your screen, give yourself permission to pause (or the mandate to microbreak!). Your career will thank you. William Arruda is a keynote speaker, author, and personal branding pioneer. Join him as he discusses clever strategies for using AI to express and expand your brand in Maven's free Lightning Lesson. If you can't attend live, register to receive the replay.
Gizmodo
4 hours ago
- Business
- Gizmodo
Hardly Any Thicker Than Paper, This 15-Inch Portable Screen Is Now 50% Off on Amazon
Using only one laptop screen can be helpful but some situations can frustratingly limit this valuable platform especially when you need to multitask, edit, or keep up with your productive life in today's modern world. Constant window switching can easily drive you to madness and, worse, keeping two important documents locked in a tedious back-and-forth. For this reason, it's hard to return to a single laptop screen after a dual screen experience. The only unintended problem is you probably want that second screen to be just as convenient as your laptop screen whether it sits aiming at the wall on your desk for more productivity or it carries around your life without anchor to a desk. This is exactly what KYY portable monitor has to offer. Right now, the KYY portable 15.6″ 1080P FHD monitor is on sale the unbelievably low price of $69, which is a 46% drop from its original list price of $129. This is a real nice price for a monitor which offers the ability to enlarge your workspace, plus a built for portability and compatibility. See at Amazon Perfect For Travel and Home This portable monitor has a 15.6 inch advanced IPS screen providing a beautiful crisp 1920×1080 Full HD resolution, and a 178-degree viewing angle. With the HDR technology and excellent color reproduction, images and videos look crisp, smooth and visually stunning for almost any activity from office work to gaming or streaming your favorite videos. The monitor is made with eye-care in mind, and reduced blue light radiation and no flickr so you can enjoy watching for hours and hours without strain on your eyes. The KYY Monitor has two USB Type-C ports and a Mini-HDMI port, which makes it easy to connect a variety of devices whether it's from a laptop, smartphone, PC, PS4, Xbox, or Switch. Just make sure that your device supports Thunderbolt 3 or USB Type-C and you can enjoy a simple setup with just one cable connection. The monitor is plug and play, with no drivers needed. Out of the box, you can now enjoy your content, and with your preferred hardware utilizing 3.5mm audio input and stereo speakers built-in, you will now have a seamless entertainment experience. At just 0.3 inches in profile thickness and a weight of 1.7 lbs., this portable monitor is hardly thicker than a sheet of paper and easily fits into your laptop bag or backpack. The ultra-slim (and ultra-light) construct of this monitor makes it perfect for on-the-go dual-monitor setups. As this portable monitor is designed to work with any laptop or PC and also utilizes The monitor also comes with a built-in smart cover to protect the monitor when it's not in use. The smart cover is made of scratch-proof PU leather and acts as a case when folded and also a stand when opened. The magnetic and frameless design is stylish yet functional, while the liquid base has two grooves that offer adjustable angles for comfortable viewing. Don't miss this opportunity to upgrade your setup with the use of a second screen regardless of the location for work or play! See at Amazon
Entrepreneur
5 hours ago
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Improve Your Productivity with Windows 11 Pro for Just $15
Disclosure: Our goal is to feature products and services that we think you'll find interesting and useful. If you purchase them, Entrepreneur may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners. More than 50% of entrepreneurs fund their companies with retirement savings, and another 20% use personal savings, according to data from Guidant Financial. Under those circumstances, every penny has to count, so you won't be splurging on expensive software just because you think it would be nice. However, if you can get an affordable, powerful operating system designed specifically for professionals to turbocharge productivity and offer maximum security, you shouldn't pass that up. That's precisely what you get while Microsoft Windows 11 Pro sells for only $14.97. Everyone from designers to developers will appreciate this operating system, but entrepreneurs who must always be effortlessly connected will be particularly happy with it. Convenience was a priority for Windows 11, and the sleekly intuitive user interface is as friendly as it gets. Yet, the advanced security features will help you sleep easier at night. You'll get a biometrics login, encrypted authentication, advanced antivirus defense, and so much more. Tools to increase productivity abound, from a far more robust search experience to improved voice typing, seamless redocking, snap layouts, and more. Unique features to optimize your professional tasks are found throughout the system, such as BitLocker device encryption, Windows Sandbox, Hyper-V, Azure AD, Smart App Control, TPM 2.0, Windows Studio Effects, and more. Of course, hard-working professionals are also entitled to their downtime, and Windows 11 Pro provides unprecedented gaming features. You'll enjoy DirectX 12 Ultimate graphics that maximize your hardware to provide amazingly realistic graphics so you can play all the latest games to their peak potential. Features such as Widgets and Microsoft Teams are also built in. You can even ditch the mouse and keyboard because the Touchscreen function will still give you a genuine computing experience. However, the superstar in this system is Copilot, Microsoft's AI-powered assistant. It answers questions, changes settings, opens apps, generates code suggestions and images, kicksstart your writing process, and more. Get Microsoft Windows 11 Pro while it's available for just $14.97. StackSocial prices subject to change.
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Grammarly receives $1bn from General Catalyst to expand AI
Grammarly has secured $1bn in financing from General Catalyst to expand its AI productivity platform. The investment will be used to scale sales, marketing, and strategic acquisitions, enabling Grammarly to grow its customer base and extend its reach. General Catalyst provided the go-to-market funding from its Customer Value Fund (CVF). Grammarly said that its AI-powered platform is relied upon by more then 40 million users daily, contributing to an annual revenue exceeding $700m. General Catalyst CEO Hemant Taneja said: 'We have been working with the Grammarly team for years as they became an early leader in applied AI. 'We are confident that this extension of our partnership will create significant long-term value and continue to drive Grammarly's ability to accelerate enterprise adoption through transformed workflows and communication across industries.' According to Reuters, the funding from General Catalyst's CVF represents one of the largest investments aimed at supporting late-stage tech firms such as Grammarly in boosting growth through new customer acquisition. This targeted capital enables the company to redirect resources typically allocated to sales and marketing toward enhancing product development. Unlike conventional investments, General Catalyst will not take an equity stake in Grammarly. Instead, the firm will receive a limited return tied to the revenue generated from the use of these funds, structured as a percentage of the income from customer acquisition initiatives. In January 2025, Grammarly acquired the productivity platform Coda and appointed its former CEO, Shishir Mehrotra, as Grammarly's CEO. Commenting on the latest investment, Mehrotra said: 'Integrating Coda and Grammarly has unlocked tremendous potential for how people work and communicate. I am energised by the innovation happening across our teams as Grammarly has become a productivity platform serving everyone from individual students to growing businesses to large enterprises. 'The breadth of what we can now offer is truly compelling. With General Catalyst's continued partnership and confidence in our vision, we can scale faster and more sustainably to reach the millions of people who can benefit from our tools.' "Grammarly receives $1bn from General Catalyst to expand AI" was originally created and published by Verdict, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
Geeky Gadgets
9 hours ago
- Business
- Geeky Gadgets
The 8 iPhone Apps Everyone Is Talking About
In 2025, iPhone users will have access to a wide array of apps designed to enhance productivity, simplify daily tasks, and maximize the functionality of their devices. Whether you're managing your schedule, creating content, or optimizing your device's performance, these eight apps stand out for their practical features and user-focused design. Here's a closer look at why these apps deserve a place on your iPhone in a new video from iReviews. Watch this video on YouTube. 1. Taylor: Seamless Screenshot Stitching Taylor is an essential tool for anyone who frequently shares visual information. This app automatically combines multiple screenshots into a single, seamless image, saving you the time and effort of manual editing. Whether you're documenting a conversation, sharing app interfaces, or creating tutorials, Taylor ensures a polished result every time. It's particularly valuable for educators, professionals, and anyone who prioritizes clarity in communication. 2. Edits: Professional Video Editing Made Easy Edits is a free, intuitive app designed for creating high-quality vertical videos, ideal for platforms like Instagram and TikTok. With features such as text overlays, audio integration, transitions, and visual effects, it enables users to produce professional-grade content directly from their iPhones. Whether you're a seasoned content creator or a casual user looking to enhance your social media presence, Edits simplifies the video editing process without compromising on quality. 3. Breezy: Weather Forecasting with Outfit Suggestions Breezy takes weather apps to the next level by offering personalized outfit recommendations based on the day's forecast. Users can customize preferences, such as temperature thresholds or specific clothing items, making sure they're always dressed appropriately for the conditions. Whether you're preparing for a business meeting or planning an outdoor adventure, Breezy helps you stay comfortable and confident throughout the day. 4. Top Clock: Multitasking with Picture-in-Picture Timers Top Clock is a versatile timer app designed for multitaskers. Its picture-in-picture mode allows you to track time while using other apps, making it perfect for cooking, workouts, or managing your daily schedule. With features like countdowns, interval timers, and stopwatch functionality, Top Clock ensures you stay organized without interrupting your workflow. 5. Web Watch: Real-Time Website Monitoring Web Watch is an indispensable app for staying updated on changes to specific web pages. Whether you're tracking product availability, monitoring competitors, or following industry updates, this app sends real-time notifications whenever changes occur. By eliminating the need for manual checks, Web Watch saves time and ensures you never miss critical updates. 6. Face Blur: Privacy Protection for Photos Face Blur provides an easy way to protect privacy in your photos. With tools for blurring or pixelating faces, adding emojis, and adjusting blur intensity, this app ensures you can share images without revealing sensitive information. Whether you're posting on social media or sharing group photos, Face Blur gives you full control over what's visible, making it a must-have for privacy-conscious users. 7. Water Eject: Safeguard Your Speakers Water Eject is a simple yet effective app that uses sound vibrations to remove moisture from your iPhone speakers. This feature is particularly useful after accidental exposure to water, helping to prevent long-term damage. The app also includes functionality tests to ensure your speakers are performing optimally, making it a valuable tool for maintaining your device's health. 8. Change Store: Access Apps Across Regions Change Store simplifies the process of switching App Store regions, allowing you to access apps that may not be available in your current location. Whether you're traveling, exploring international app options, or searching for region-specific tools, this app ensures you can download and use the software you need without restrictions. It's a practical solution for users who want to expand their app library beyond geographical limitations. Enhance Your iPhone Experience These eight apps showcase the innovative solutions available to iPhone users in 2025. From simplifying tasks with Taylor and Top Clock to enhancing convenience with Breezy and Change Store, each app addresses specific needs while improving your overall experience. By incorporating these tools into your daily routine, you can unlock new levels of efficiency, creativity, and functionality, making your iPhone an even more powerful tool in your hands. Below are more guides on iPhone productivity apps from our extensive range of articles. Source & Image Credit: iReviews Filed Under: Apple, Apple iPhone, Guides, Top News Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
