Elle Kaplan

CEO of Lexion Capital Management.

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5 Unique Ways to Save Money and Boost Your Financial Success

When it comes to saving money and furthering your financial success, the opportunities are practically infinite. It might not seem like it, but nearly every decision you make daily is a chance to save big. Something as seemingly insignificant as choosing to make you own coffee, for instance, can have an enormous financial impact over the long-term.

Here are some of those unique ways to save money during your daily routine:

Don’t double-dip

Plenty of us are guilty of doubling – or even tripling – down on our paid subscriptions and services, like paying for both Netflix and cable TV. Even though it doesn’t seem like a big deal, this subscription overkill can seriously eat into your bottom line. Multiple tiny subscriptions multiplied over many months will add up fast. Instead of mindlessly paying these bills, look into the unique ways to save money by pairing down duplicate subscriptions (or eliminating them altogether).

Avoid emotional shopping

People say don’t shop while you’re hungry, but I’ll take it a step further: don’t spend when you’re emotional. Plenty of people are guilty of overspending when they’re feeling down, but you shouldn’t be one of them.

That’s why one of the unique ways to save money is to wait and take a breather when you’re frustrated. Although shopping might lift your mood temporarily, I can guarantee you it will cause even longer lasting turmoil after you see your monthly bill.

Use The 30-day Rule

You can avoid the financial regret of spur-of-the-moment purchases by practicing what I like to call The 30-day Rule. It’s pretty simple: before making a big purchase, mull it over for 30 days. As I’ve mentioned before, delaying gratification is one of the biggest tenets of financial success. You’ll be amazed at how so many “must have purchases” turn into unique ways to save money after thinking them over.

Start cooking

Cooking can be fun, healthy, and most importantly, one of the most effective and unique ways to save money for yourself. Often, making that same dish at your home can be two or three times cheaper than getting it delivered. And if you don’t know how to cook yet, there are plenty of free resources available online that can help you become an expert in no time.

Remember, your time is valuable

Start thinking about the time value of your money to truly get a sense of where your dollars are (and could be) going. When it comes to luxury purchases, we often don’t realize the insane amount of hours we have to work to afford them. For instance, you’d be far less likely to buy that expensive designer purse if you calculated the crazy amount of hours you spent in the office it took to afford it.

Do you know of any other unique ways to save money? I’d love to hear them!

If you’d like to learn more about achieving financial success, be sure to check out my wealth management firm, LexION Capital. 

5 Unique Ways to Save Money and Boost Your Financial Success was originally published on Elle Kaplan

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3 Communication Skills Exceptional Leaders Use Daily

Great leadership all starts with exceptional communication skills. In fact, studies show its the number one skill that successful leaders possess. So whether you’re just trying gain leadership in the office, or trying to manage an entire company, it’s worth brushing up on.

Thankfully, anyone can become a better communicator, and therefore a better leader. Here are some ways to pull it off:

Actually listen

Great bosses learn early on that there is a very good reason why humans were given two ears and only one mouth. Not only do people want to know that you are listening, they are craving to actually be heard. In fact, being a good listener is proven to be one of the most important traits of successful leaders.

That’s why exceptional bosses constantly practice active listening – they make a sincere effort to understand what their employees are saying, and they actively show they’re paying attention.

Make time for praise

Harvard research has found that the amount of praise given to a team is directly proportional to their amount of success. Even low-performing teams saw radical improvement through nuggets of encouragement.

Even when you’re pressed for time, know that a little bit of praise goes a long, long way, and is one of most important communication skills. It not only makes hard-working employees feel appreciated, but it gives them direction for continuing on the path to greatness.

They’re constructive

“Great leaders don’t blame the tools they are given. They work to sharpen them.” – Simon Sinek

That’s not to say that exceptional leaders are giving out praise 100 percent of the time. When push comes to shove, they do give negative feedback, but in a way that’s more effective than most.

Instead of immediately lashing out with anger, they give feedback in a calm manner, and only if it’s something actionable. The next time you give feedback as a leader, pause and reflect if there’s actually a way to improve – otherwise, you’re just blowing hot air instead of improving your communication skills.

Are there any communication skills you’ve used to boost your success? Share them with me on Twitter!

    3 Communication Skills Exceptional Leaders Use Daily was originally published on Elle Kaplan

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Start Using These Billionaire Habits to Become Wealthy and Successful

We’re endlessly fascinated with billionaires, but the truth is that they didn’t use magic potions or secret habits to become exceptionally wealthy and successful. Much of their daily routines are in the open, and can be repeated by anyone to bring fruitful results. You won’t become a billionaire overnight, but you can achieve wealth and get on the right track with these habits.

Here are some of the billionaire habits you can start using today:  

Invest

What do Oprah Winfrey, Sara Blakely and Warren Buffett have in common? Besides having over a billion dollars and incredible success, they all have investment accounts. They know that investing is one of the best things you can do for yourself, and it’s the best gateway to true wealth.

You won’t see the benefits right away, but using this billionaire habit will allow you to reap financial benefits for years to come. If you haven’t already, consider starting with a Roth IRA, so you can reap tax-free growth towards retirement.

Read

Reading might not seem like a big deal, but extensive studies have revealed that it’s something almost every wealthy person finds success from on a daily basis. You not only benefit from absorbing new knowledge, but your brain is firing up new synapses and you’re increasing your learning capabilities.

To start, consider penciling in just a few minutes each night. Check out the reading habits of billionaires if you need some book choice inspiration and more ways to read daily.

Don’t take “no” for answer

Besides their large investment accounts, the ultra-wealthy also all have another thing in common (which isn’t as fun): they’ve all been rejected countless times. They know better than anyone that the path to success is usually paved with thousands of failures. What separates them from others who get told “no” is that they realize it’s just one person’s opinion. They’ve realized that one (or a thousand) rejections are just a temporary obstacle, and you should too.

Are there any billionaire habits you’ve started using? I’d love to hear about them!

If you’re interested in learning more about investing, be sure to check out my firm, LexION Capital.

Start Using These Billionaire Habits to Become Wealthy and Successful was originally published on Elle Kaplan

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3 Smart Financial Resolutions for 2017

2017 is finally upon us, and if you’re like the majority of people, you probably have some goals in mind for making this the best year yet. Whether that includes shedding some pounds or getting a new job, you should definitely also add improving your finances to the list.

Getting in better financial shape in 2017 will do more than just allow you to have more money in your checkbook, it can help you reach your goals and dreams.

Here are some of those smart financial resolutions for 2017 that can brighten your financial future:

Pay off your debt for good

Unfortunately, no matter your income, the wrong type of debt will keep you from reaching your financial success. Dirty debt – that is, high-interest debt – can quickly snowball and become insurmountable. That’s why one of your smart financial resolutions should be to come up with a gameplan to evaporate that debt for good. Consider trying to not miss any payments, and to tackle the highest interest rate debt first.

Start creating an emergency fund

Accidents do happen, and they are unpredictable. While you can’t plan for every situation, you can have a financial cushion to cover any expenses incurred. That’s why one of your smart financial resolutions for 2017 should be to have an emergency fund. Better than a new pillow; this fund will allow you to sleep easily every night, knowing that you have a cushion to protect you from emergencies or the unexpected. I recommend having 6 to 8 months of bare-bones living expenses stowed away for this fund, but every single penny counts.

Start investing for retirement

Thanks to the enormous value of compound interest over time, investing for retirement now is one of the greatest financial resolutions for 2017 you can do. Even putting away tiny amounts of wealth now can reap large benefits in the future. If you haven’t started doing this already, consider using my 20-30-50 plan to free up cash towards this resolution.

Learn more about creating smart financial resolutions for 2017

If you’d like to learn more about investing, feel free to reach out to my firm, LexION Capital, today.

3 Smart Financial Resolutions for 2017 was originally published on Elle Kaplan

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How to Be Mentally Tough: 1 Science-Backed Secret

When we ponder about how to be mentally tough, the habits that come to mind often have a militaristic, “tough it out” approach. Think: a soldier slogging through the mud or an athlete dusting themselves off for one more play.

However, science has revealed a new method that flies in the face of the traditional advice on how to be mentally tough. Here’s how to use it daily:

Focus on recharging

According to Harvard research, mental toughness and grit relies on how you recharge, not how you endure. It might seem counter-intuitive, but daily mental rejuvenation will result in increased productivity over the long run. On the other hand, toughing it out with no rest in the horizon will result in massive stress, insomnia, and ultimately, decreased productivity.

Focus on “me” time

If you’re wondering how to be mentally tough from recharging, look towards your routines outside the office. I’m sorry to break it to you, but there mere act of leaving the office isn’t enough – you’ll need to actually get your brain to leave “office mode” too.

To start having a mental checkout, use what I like to call “me time.” It’s time where you deliberately focus your thoughts on something other than stress and responsibilities. Just like your daily tasks, this habit needs to penciled in as non-negotiable. Consider pairing this time with something relaxing (like a bath or podcast) to truly unwind.

Take a break in the office

When it comes to working, science also shows that mental rejuvenation is vital for mental toughness. That’s because our brains function best with intermittent rest. The experts recommend a tiny break every 90 minutes, but any break will have benefits.

By checking out for a few minutes (like taking a walk), you’ll return to work stronger and ready to jump back into that tough project.

Do you have any secrets on how to be mentally tough? I’d love to hear them – give me a shout-out on Twitter!

If you liked these tips on how to be mentally tough, be sure to check out my articles in Inc. Magazine and Medium.

How to Be Mentally Tough: 1 Science-Backed Secret was originally published on Elle Kaplan

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3 Destructive Habits to Eliminate From Your Daily Routine

The internet is chock full of daily habits that will help your routine, but what about bad habits? Because habits are so ingrained into our daily routines, we often don’t notice how harmful ones sneak in and ruin our success.

Try eliminating the following habits from your life and see how your success in business and in life improve:

It’s time to end procrastination.

When “tomorrow syndrome” starts to rear its ugly head, it’s easy to get caught up in its effects and delay projects till the last millisecond. Before you know it, procrastination can cause looming deadlines to snowball, and destroy productivity and motivation in the process.

Instead of procrastinating, the experts recommend you take on bite-sized chunks of a project. This can remove the intimidation factor and get the ball rolling towards productivity with minimal effort. For instance, if you have to build a whole website, consider setting a simple goal of designing the logo. It will be hard to go back to your bad professional habits once you start being productive instead.

You need to (actually) listen.

With a million and a half things going on, it’s easy to get distracted when listening to others (especially if it’s a boring topic). However, as uninteresting as the conversation might be, you should know that listening has been called one of the make-or-break factors for successful leadership.

So if you want to up your success, replace these bad professional habits with active listening. Instead of nodding off, consider both showing the speaker that you’re interested (nodding, agreeing, etc.) and actually making an effort to understand (by asking questions and clarifying). Even if you aren’t actually interested, you’ll absorb the information and look highly professional.

Stop being too agreeable.

We’re all told that being agreeable and saying “yes” is polite and desirable. While that might be true during a dinner party, in the business world, it can have drastic consequences. You’re only human (sorry to break it to you), and with limited resources, you’ll eventually end up making a false promise by taking on everything. Plus, you’re an amazing individual, and you need to put yourself first.

Instead of saying “yes” to everything and following one of the most destructive habits, learn to turn up your turn down skills. It’s perfectly acceptable to ask a boss what should be prioritized, or to put yourself first over an acquaintance’s needs.

Do you have any destructive habits that you’ve eliminated from your daily routine? I’d love to hear about it–give me a shout out on Twitter!

3 Destructive Habits to Eliminate From Your Daily Routine was originally published on Elle Kaplan

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How to Reach Your Goals: 3 Proven Tricks for the New Year

Studies actually show that only 8 percent of people stick to their goals they set each year. This might not be entirely our fault — it’s no secret that rewiring our brains to consistently perform better habits is a challenge, to say the least. 

Luckily, there are some proven solutions to help you reach your goals in 2017 and beyond:

Replace bad behaviors

When Heidi Grant Halvorson, behavioral psychologist and author of 9 Things Successful People Do Differently, spoke to Harvard she revealed that a critical part of achieving goals is having a specific plan for adopting healthier habits and countering bad behaviors.

The trick if you want to reach your goals is to have a concrete, healthy behavior ready to replace the bad ones when they inevitably surface. For instance, if you’re trying to stop procrastination, stop those impulses in their tracks by looking at your to-do list and working on one or two small, manageable tasks.

Create mini-goals

Think of a mountain climber; when they begin climbing mountains they don’t start with Everest. Our brains are much more likely to stick with a lifestyle change, when we use incremental progress to steadily reinforce new behaviors.

As expert Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, a professor of Business Psychology at University College London, tells Harvard, “You want to see change in a positive direction and small improvements … The point is not to get better than others, it’s to get better than the old version of yourself.” Remember, reaching your goals won’t happen overnight, but it will happen eventually by breaking down those small barriers. 

Be specific

All of these tips relate to one particular action: be specific. Goals like “I want to lose weight” or “I want to stop procrastinating” are abstract. Technically, you could drop 5 pounds or write one sentence and achieve your goals — that’s why the experts recommend getting as scientific as possible.

Moreover, getting specific about the when and where you want to reach your goals has been proven to double your success rate.

To the successful, a dream isn’t something achieved by deliberating how to reach it, but rather a specific, well-conceived desire that always happens.

Do you have any tricks that have helped you reach your goals? I’d love to hear them–give me a shout-out on Twitter! 

Be sure to check out my articles in Medium and Inc. to learn more success tips.

How to Reach Your Goals: 3 Proven Tricks for the New Year was originally published on Elle Kaplan

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Talking Money With Your Spouse: 3 Smart Tips

Especially during the holidays (when many relationships turn serious), you should highly consider having “the talk” with your significant other…about money. Discussing money doesn’t seem like the most romantic thing in the world, but like it or not, much a serious relationship depends on being in tune financially. Whether you’re having a child or deciding on the grocery bill, you certainly need to be on the same page when it comes to your finances.

Although talking money with your spouse might seem a little spooky, you’ll be far better off by doing it through these tips:

Have a money date night

You can make talking money with your spouse (or partner) appear a lot more fun by turning it into a date night. Consider setting aside a weekly (or monthly) night to have drinks or tasty food to discuss your finances. Framing it as a date might seem silly, but you’re revealing your money interests and beliefs, as you would with any other topic, and this helps frame your discussion in the right lens.

After reveal your finances and you set goals, this can transform into a regular financial checkup – an opportunity to make sure you both stay on the same financial frequency, and to nip any changes or potential issues in the bud.

Avoid judgement

The key to talking money with your spouse is open and 100 percent transparent communication – which is far less likely to happen if you get judgmental. Remember, nobody’s perfect, and this is truer than ever when finances aren’t in your expertise wheelhouse. Debt or a lack of savings aren’t character flaws; they’re just another issue you need to solve in order for your healthy and happy relationship to progress.

Frame the discussions in terms of goals

Remember, the end game of talking money with your spouse is to achieve your goals and dreams together; not to get a specific number in your joint account. Talking about goals will ensure you focus on holistic financial health, and also allow you to hone in on specific and actionable achievements together. For instance, if you’re planning on having a child, consider talking about what the financial realities of that situation would be, and letting it snowball from there.

If you found these tips for talking money with your spouse useful, be sure to check out my firm, LexION Capital, for more expert financial tips and to learn more about investing.

Do you have any tips that have helped you talk money with your honey? I’d love to hear from you! 

Talking Money With Your Spouse: 3 Smart Tips was originally published on Elle Kaplan

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How to Stay Motivated Every Single Day

Especially during the busy and distracting holiday season, motivation can be as fleeting as warm weather. Thankfully, science offers some secrets to staying motivated, no matter what. Try incorporating these into your day, and see your determination soar:

Treat yourself

You’re probably already motivated by a big-picture goal, whether that’s opening a business or getting a promotion. While I wholeheartedly encourage aspirational goals, I can attest that they don’t happen overnight.

Science says that 75 percent of what we do is motivated by rewards—so if you’re wondering how to stay motivated for the long-haul: offer yourself some rewards in between. So treat yourself (within reason) to keep your determination in store (whether that’s a bottle of wine or just a nice bath).

Take a break

Arianna Huffington once said, “If we cannot disconnect, we cannot lead. Creating the culture of burnout is opposite to creating a culture of sustainable creativity.” She should know, given that she once split her head open after collapsing from exhaustion due to pulling multiple all-nighters.

Even robots need to recharge their batteries, and it’s natural for us to need a break every so often. If you’re trying to accomplish big things, a lack of downtime might be the culprit for your lack of motivation. So don’t be afraid to take a vacation or even a long weekend off if you’re figuring out how to stay motivated.

Trick yourself

I’ll be the first to admit that forming positive habits isn’t easy, and that motivation can be faltering. Thankfully, you can “trick” your brain into viewing healthy habits as additions to your life (rather than a hassle). For example, if you’re wondering how stay motivated when waking up early, you can view it as an additional 2 hours of productivity (instead of 2 hours of lost sleep). Studies show that this is one of the best secrets to staying motivated.

Do you have any tips? Share them with me on Twitter! 

How to Stay Motivated Every Single Day was originally published on Elle Kaplan

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How To Stay Focused: 3 Surefire Tips

In today’s fast-paced world of rapid media consumption, focus seems like it is becoming a thing of the past. In fact, some studies indicate that humans literally have worse attention spans than goldfish.

Thankfully, focus is a mental muscle that can be strengthened. Here are some of my tips for staying focused and sharp during a long workday:

Work offline

With Facebook, Instagram, and countless other internet distractions right at your fingertips, it can seem impossible to stay tuned into your work while you’re at the computer. That’s why one of the best ways to stay focused is to work offline.

Consider turning off your internet for a while if possible. Or, better yet, go the old school route and do your work with pen and paper.

Get a good night’s sleep

A lack of sleep is the enemy of focus – studies show that your concentration levels increasingly deplete as you get sleepier. Sacrificing your sleep to work longer will just result in sloppy errors and poor work; not increased productivity.

So aim to get at least 7-8 hours per night. Outside of your focus, you’ll see a plethora of other benefits too.

Take on the hardest things in the morning

Science shows that our willpower is like a muscle; it depletes and gets worn down as the day goes on. That’s why it’s best to take on the hardest tasks in the morning when you have the most mental power in store. One of the ways I stay focused with this technique is by making a task list with descending difficulties.

Do you have any great ways to stay focused? I’d love to hear from you on Twitter!

If you found these tips useful, be sure to also check out my articles on Medium and Inc. Magazine.

How To Stay Focused: 3 Surefire Tips was originally published on Elle Kaplan

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3 Habits of Billionaires to Start Using Today

Becoming a billionaire might seem like a pipe dream, but as of today, there are 1,810 of them globally (according to Forbes). Granted, it’s a financial Mt. Everest, but you can become one too, if you follow the right habits.

Here are some of the habits of billionaires to start using today:

Live well below your means

Being a billionaire doesn’t necessarily mean you have to spend like a stereotypical billionaire. In fact, most billionaires live a rather frugal lifestyle, and eschew lavish spending for using their wealth to grow their business and increase their success further. To start, use my 20-30-50 plan to build wealth while still keeping the lights on and having fun.

Focus on quality above everything

Steve Jobs once said, “Quality is more important than quantity. One home run is much better than two doubles.”

His statement was right on the money – and not just about computers. I’ve seen time and again how people who rush out a sloppily done product will frequently be replaced by disciplined and eventually more successful competitor. Nobody’s saying your work has to be 100 percent perfect (it usually won’t be), but you should always try to deliver your best and final if you want to reach billionaire status.

Constantly seek out people smarter than you.

In today’s hyper-competitive business world, one might think that billionaires wouldn’t even give each other the time of day. The opposite tends to be true, like with Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz, who said “Don’t be threatened by people smarter than you.”

Whether it’s meeting with a competitor to exchange information, or seeking out a mentor, the path to billionaire status involves constantly seeking out brighter and more talented people, rather than trying to squash them.

3 Habits of Billionaires to Start Using Today was originally published on Elle Kaplan

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3 Habits of Billionaires That Make You Wealthy and Successful

Becoming a billionaire seems like an impossible pipe dream, but as of this year, Forbes reported a population of 1,810 billionaires globally. Just like any other goal worth achieving, becoming a billionaire is difficult–but it’s not impossible.

Although it might seem out of grasp now, building your wealth can start with just a few small habits. Here are some of the habits of billionaires that took them to the top, that you can start using today to find similar success:

Live well below your means

Becoming a billionaire doesn’t mean living (or spending) like one. Take it from Shark Tank investor and billionaire Mark Cuban, who said on his blog that the first step to achieving billionaire status is to live below your means.

As I’ve also said before, the true luxury in life is using your wealth to grow and help you achieve your dreams (whether that’s starting a business or investing for retirement), not having the latest handbag. To start saving and investing your wealth – instead of spending every paycheck – check out my 20-30-50 plan.

Seek out others smarter than you

In today’s hyper-competitive business world, one might think that billionaires wouldn’t even give each other the time of day. The opposite tends to be true, like with Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz, who said “Don’t be threatened by people smarter than you.”

Whether it’s meeting with a competitor to exchange information, or seeking out a mentor, many of the habits of billionaires involve constantly seeking out brighter and more talented people, rather than trying to squash them. The easiest way to start: seek out a mentor.

Being understood is overrated

To state the obvious, billionaires do not get to where they are by following the beat of someone else’s drum. Often times, rejection and being misunderstood is one of the regular habits of billionaires.

As Larry Ellison, the billionaire co-founder of Oracle Corporation, says, “When you innovate, you’ve got to be prepared for everyone telling you you’re nuts.”

So don’t be discouraged to try something new. Take smart risks constantly. Perhaps you’ll get called crazy for it (I know I was when I started my own business), or perhaps you’ll find your way into an untapped market. You never know until you give your “crazy” idea a try.

Do you have any habits of billionaires that have helped you along your journey? I’d love to hear from you! 

If you enjoyed these tips, be sure to check out my advice in Inc. Magazine and Medium.

3 Habits of Billionaires That Make You Wealthy and Successful was originally published on Elle Kaplan

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3 Ways to Reduce Stress and Turbocharge Your Productivity

Let’s face it, stress is sometimes unavoidable. When you’re doing important things, it’s almost inevitable. So rather than letting work-related anxieties ruin your day, why not find some ways to reduce stress and turn it into a positive?

Here are some proven ways to turn stress into your best friend and remove its negative effects:

Find a support group

If you’re feeling stressed, don’t bottle up that anxiety alone. In fact, studies show that being able to vent to others is an incredibly efficient way to reduce stress. So don’t be afraid to call up a friend, or talk to a co-worker when you feel out of your league.

Bear in mind – relationships are a two-way street. That means you don’t want to pile on stress by venting when the team is rushing to complete a deadline, or shy away from a friend when they want to vent back.

Recognize the good effects of stress

Contrary to popular belief, stress wasn’t designed to kill us. Back in our caveman (or gal) times, stress was actually an incredibly beneficial defense mechanism that helped us escape from hungry tigers and the like.

Although long-term stress is harmful, those bursts of short-term anxiety have been proven to heighten our mental abilities and sharpness. The key to reducing stress and harnessing its positive effects is quite simple: re-frame your thinking and recognize those benefits. For instance, test takers who viewed stress as a positive performed much better than those who viewed it as a negative.

Focus on what you can control

There are plenty of reasons to have legitimate stress – but things that you have absolutely no control over aren’t part of them. I’d prefer to be a little bit taller, for example, but there isn’t really much I can do about it, and it would be an pretty unproductive to worry about it, to say the least.

By focusing your worries in a positive manner towards things you can control, you’ll be on track to reduce stress and accomplish more in life.

Do you have any tips to reduce stress, or use it in a positive way? Give me a shout-out on Twitter!

If you liked these tips, you’ll probably love my column in Inc. Magazine and my pieces on Medium.

3 Ways to Reduce Stress and Turbocharge Your Productivity was originally published on Elle Kaplan

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4 Ways to Improve Your Entire Life -- Starting Today

When we think about creating huge sweeping change in our lives, it often seems like a distant dream. With all the daily drudgery and minutia that goes on daily, it’s easy to get bogged down with your responsibilities and think it’s too late to reach than change you’ve always desired.

Instead of throwing in the towel, or putting your dreams on the shelf, realize that there are some ways to improve your entire life, starting today:

Practice being your future self

Quite simply, if you want to be a writer, finance expert, or anything in between, you need to start practicing being that person today, no matter your obligations. It’s one of the most surefire ways to improve your entire life.

Instead of putting those goals on the backburner, learning to prioritize future improvements (even if you can’t see the results now) is essential for your success. Even if it’s just for five minutes day, pencil in some time for education or practice to turn that future dream into a reality.

Design your life around happiness

Happiness often seems like such an abstract concept. After all, a hallmark card or Dove Chocolate Wrapper doesn’t exactly provide a concrete guide on how to achieve positivity.

That’s why Stanford Professors have developed a class on how to specifically design your life around happiness. They say that rather than treating happiness as fleeting and random, you should notice the specifics around it in (for example, do you smile every time you write code?), and engineer your schedule to include more of that.

Say no to everything else

It seems really counterintuitive, but one of the best ways to improve your entire life is to turn people down all the time. After all, your time is limited, and to be successful, you need to make sure that time is used for yourself as efficiently as possible. So start turning up your turn down skills today – you’re not being impolite, you’re being confident and time-savvy.

You’re only as good as the people around you

You might recall your mother saying something along those lines, and you probably rolled your eyes, but studies show she was right. A Harvard Medical School study done by Dr. Nicholas Christakis found that individuals who surround themselves with people who smile and have a positive attitude themselves have a better attitude compared with those who are surrounded by negative and grumpy people.

Have you discovered any ways to improve your entire life? I want to hear them! 

If you enjoyed this article, be sure to check out my articles in Inc. Magazine and Medium!

4 Ways to Improve Your Entire Life — Starting Today was originally published on Elle Kaplan

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3 Smart Ways to Be a Faster Learner

Numerous mega-moguls have spoken at length about how being a constant learner is a vital success ingredient. But sometimes, that’s a lot easier said than done during a hectic day.

Thankfully, science offers a some useful ways to be a faster learner. Start incorporating these into your day, and see just how quickly you start improving:

80/20

The Pareto principle, otherwise known as the 80/20 rule, was originally developed by Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto, when he discovered that 20 percent of the farms produced 80 percent of Italy’s crops.

Nowadays, productivity expert Tim Ferriss has popularized a modern approach to this rule for faster learning. He says you should focus first on the most important 20 percent of what you’re trying to learn, which will actually cover 80 percent of what you need to know.

Ask yourself: What are the most important elements that yield the biggest return on investment? For example, if you’re learning a foreign language–what 20 percent of words are used 80 percent of the time?

Change up your learning methods

Reconsolidation–the process in which memories are recalled and modified with new knowledge–plays a pivotal role in strengthening skills and learning.

A Johns Hopkins study found that “if you perform a slightly modified version of a task you want to master, you actually learn more and faster than if you just keep practicing the exact same thing multiple times in a row.”

Think about modifying your self-teaching techniques as you learn. If you use flashcards in one session, think about a more hands-on method the next time, or listening to a podcast or webinar. This will help your brain remember and recall information at a quicker rate.

Take notes the old-fashioned way

Princeton University and UCLA researchers found that taking notes by hand leads to more active listening and the ability to identify important concepts. On the other hand, laptop notes lead to more mindless transcription and open up more opportunities to check Facebook and get distracted.

The tip from this study is obvious: Ditch the typing in favor of plain old pen and paper. When taking notes, only write down what matters. Stick to keywords and short sentences in lieu of writing down notes verbatim.

Do you have any other ways to be a faster learner? Give me a shout-out on Twitter! 

If you liked this advice, be sure to check out my articles in Inc. Magazine and Medium. 

3 Smart Ways to Be a Faster Learner was originally published on Elle Kaplan

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3 Ways to Become a Constant Learner

It’s no small surprise that many of the world’s most successful people have the constant learner bug. They know that in today’s fast-paced world, carving out time to absorb new information and improve intellectually is essential.

Even if you don’t have time to chunk out your entire day for deep learning (I know I sure don’t), you can find some quick ways to become a constant learner. Here’s how to make constant learning into a powerful habit:

Read

President Obama, Bill Gates, Oprah, George R.R. Martin, and Warren Buffet have each famously spoken out about how reading got them to where they are today and how it continues to shape and inform their decision-making on a daily basis.

Reading isn’t just a fun habit, but it’s one of the surefire ways to become a constant learner.

Experiment

World-class chefs swear by experimentation as one of the ways to become a constant learner. Even if their food experiments taste awful (which happens plenty of the time), they’re still learning what pairings do and don’t work, and finding ways to improve next time.

If you’re more of a Seemless gal, there are plenty of other ways to experiment. For instance, if you’ve been doing the same morning routine for years on end, examine any possible tweaks that could ramp up your day.

Scare yourself daily

Eleanor Roosevelt once said “do something once a day that scares you.” She wasn’t referring to horror movies on Netflix – studies show that stepping outside your comfort zone is vital to avoid stagnancy and ensure success.

This can be something as simple as a new dish, or as bold as taking on a more challenging job. The key is that you’re realizing (slight) fear is part of the growth process.

If you liked these tips, be sure to check out my articles in Inc. Magazine and Medium.

Do you have any ways to become a constant learner? Give me a shout-out on Twitter!

  3 Ways to Become a Constant Learner was originally published on Elle Kaplan

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4 Surprising Signs You're Successful

Even the best of us can fall prey to impostor syndrome from time to time. When times get tough, we begin to doubt those fantastic skills and abilities that took us so far already, and replace them with fear and a lack of confidence.

That’s why it can be beneficial to examine the signs you’re successful, and eliminate that self-doubt for good. If you’re not sure where to start, check out these 4 surefire signs of success, and see if you have them in your own life. Even if you don’t, it’s never too late to start using these skills and propelling your career even further.

You’re a constant learner 

Mega-moguls never stop learning, and their education goes well beyond their schooling. This is often an overlooked sign of success, because sometimes we can only learn so much that’s directly related to our job. However, really successful people realize that it’s the most unexpected insights that contribute the most to their success.

If you’re curious and a learner – such as looking a TED Talks or taking online courses in your free time – this is one of the biggest signs you’re successful.

You go the extra mile

I’ve always said that skills can be learned with someone smart, but attitude is something that rarely changes. Unfortunately, many people at the start of their career don’t realize this, and begin to doubt themselves, despite their fantastic work ethic and determination.

No matter where you’re at in your career, if you go above and beyond – whether it’s helping a coworker or simply staying a few minutes late – it’s one of the surefire signs you’re successful.

You use your spare time wisely

Thomas Corely has done extensive research on the habits of wealthy people, and he found that these successful individuals spend only an hour or less watching television and spend more time focusing on their daily to-do lists and reading.

While it’s certainly okay to binge on Game of Thrones every once and a while, if you’re mostly using your spare time to do more productive things (like working out or reading a book), it’s a surefire sign you’re headed to success.

You don’t let failure discourage you

The truth is that everybody fails – especially those who have reached certain levels of success. If you’re able to brush the dirt off your shoulders and focus on future successes, you’re in good hands. Everyone from Marc Cuban to Oprah Winfrey have encountered gigantic failures in their own life, and emerged more successful in the end because of their winning attitude. No matter the setback, you will too.

Have you noticed any signs you’re successful? Give me a shout-out on Twitter or Facebook!

4 Surprising Signs You’re Successful was originally published on Elle Kaplan