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 Which job should you take? What car should you buy? Is this house right for you, or should you keep looking before you make an offer? Life is full of hard choices, and the bigger they are and the more options we have, the harder they get.
Our brains can react very quickly when presented with two options, especially when one's clearly better. Stand here and drown in the rising waters or jump onto that big rock and be safe? Easy choice.
When presented with multiple options however, research shows that most people will not choose at all.
The old chestnut of decision-making is the list of pros and cons. Make two columns and write down all the positive things that will come of making a choice in one column. Write down all the negative things in the other. The side with the most entries wins.
Some decisions require more than a simple list, however, especially when the pros seem to balance the cons. Here are some alternative strategies for making big decisions.
Analyze Outcomes
Working through a big decision can give us a kind of tunnel vision, where we get so focused on the immediate consequences of the decision at hand that we don't think about the eventual outcomes we expect or desire. Consider the following questions:
- What is the probable outcome of this choice?
- What outcomes are highly unlikely?
- What are the likely outcomes of not choosing this one?
- What would be the outcome of doing the exact opposite?
Ask Why Five Times
The "Five Whys" are a problem-solving technique invented by Sakichi Toyoda, the founder of Toyota. When something goes wrong, you ask "why" five times to get to the root cause.
Why did my car break down? A spark plug failed. Why? It was fouled. Why? I didn't get a tune-up. Why? I was too busy playing games. Why? I'm miserable and lonely and the people in the game are the only ones that really love me.
The "Five Whys" can also help you determine whether a choice is in line with your core values.
Why should I take this job? It pays well and offers me a chance to grow. Why is that important? I want to build a career and not just have a string of meaningless jobs. Why? I want my life to have meaning. Why? So I can be happy. Why? That's what's important in life.
Follow Your Instincts
Research shows that people who make decisions quickly, even when lacking information, tend to be more satisfied with their decisions.
The conscious mind can only hold between 5 and 9 distinct thoughts at any given time. Any complex problem with more than 7 factors is going to overflow the conscious mind's ability to function effectively - leading to poor choices.
Our unconscious minds are better at working through complex problems. People who "go with their gut" are actually trusting the work their unconscious mind has already done, rather than second-guessing it and relying on their conscious mind's much more limited ability to deal with complex situations.
The Choice is Yours
Your satisfaction with your decision will depend largely on whether you claim ownership of your choices. If you feel pressured into a choice or not in control of the conditions, you'll find even positive outcomes colored negatively.
Taking full responsibility for your choices can make even failure feel like a success - you'll know you did your best and you'll have gained valuable experience for next time.
 In winter, by finding and fixing drafts and leaks, you'll have a warmer house and save money. Here are simple fixes that'll have you cutting your energy usage - and bills - by up to 40%.
1. Electrical Outlets.
Look at all exterior wall outlets by unscrewing the plates and peaking underneath. If there's no insulation, they're likely letting in cold air. Head to the hardware store. Pick up foam insulation specially made for outlets. Just cut to size, insert in the outlet and re-cover.
2. Windows.
Pull back any curtains or blinds, then hold a lit candle near the window frame. Any flickering of the flame is a sign of draft. Calk away any leaks. There's no need to be an expert handyman or buy tools you'll hardly use. Instead use rope caulk (available in hardware stores). It comes in cords, and all you need to do is unroll and press in place around window edges.
3. Doors.
Wait until nighttime, shut off your interior lights, head outside and have a helper inside shine a flashlight around the door frame. See a lot of light? You've got a leak. To cut down on drafts simply fill old tube socks with uncooked rice, tie the end off with some string and rest against the bottom of the door.
Have a wider entrance or sliding door?
Cut off one leg from an old pair of pants, stuff with the remaining fabric, tie both ends shut and place it at the bottom of the door. For the sides, buy some inexpensive foam tape weather-stripping: simply apply the adhesive backing to the inside of the doorjamb and put a stop to leaks in seconds.
In a world full of stress, home is where we go to feel comfort and peace. Here are a few ways to enhance your experience.
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Up the fluff to create comfort.
Fluff up your pillows or pile them together; soft, overstuffed pillows project warmth, comfort and security, so we feel more relaxed just by looking at them. No wonder photographers and Realtors use this trick to make homes look more inviting!
Make your tub more tranquil.
Steep two chamomile tea bags right in the tub. Its relaxing properties will be absorbed through your pores and into your blood stream. Plus, chamomile will relieve tired, achy muscles, and its pleasant aroma will bring a smile to your face.
Grow soothing lavender indoors.
The scent of this sweet flower increases relaxing alpha waves in the brain. It'll thrive in your home if you place it in a sunny location and let it dry out between waterings.
Create a "my" space.
In a clutter-free corner, place a small chair and lamp to read by. This will give you a spot to go to when you need to relax and shield yourself from the stress of the day.
Paint a wall a restful green.
Soft green produces a soothing effect on the eyes because of how easily it is absorbed by the retina, reveals a recent study commissioned by The Corporate Design Foundation. |
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Here are some tips for installation of your TV wall mount.
First, decide what type will work best for your needs. Full motion, tilting, low profile and motorized mounts are all popular options.
Next, purchase a mount that is compatible with your TV. Mounts aren't one size fits all. The Sanus Mount Finder (www.sanus.com) provides search results for nearly every TV brand out there and is very user friendly.
Most mounts can be installed with basic hand tools you may already own, such as a screw-driver, electric drill, level, wrench, or socket set, and a stud finder - as east as 1-2-3!
- Use a stud finder to locate the studs behind the wall and mark with a pencil or awl. Screw the mount's wall plate to the wall studs using an electric drill.
- With a screwdriver attach the mounting bracket to the back of your TV using the holes provided.
- Lift the TV and connect the mounting bracket to the wall plate you previously secured to the wall.
- Make any final adjustments. Many mounts now come with special built-in features, allowing you to make minor adjustments once the TV has been placed on the wall.
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 The basement is usually the last place people think to insulate, yet it can account for up to 1/3 of heat loss in a home. Upgrading basement insulation can significantly cut down on energy use. It also creates a comfortable space - a boon to people who wish to extend their recreation and living space into the basement. The perfect time to consider insulating the basement is during a renovation.
Where Should the Insulation Go?
From a building-science point-of-view, it is better to insulate the outside of the foundation. From a practicality point-of-view, however, insulation is easier to apply from the inside, especially if done while renovating.
Here are the pros and cons of exterior versus interior insulation:
Exterior Pros
- You can address any foundation water issues at the same time.
- Insulation will not take up interior basement space.
- The foundation itself will be warm (at the interior temperature), reducing condensation issues.
- The foundation stays dry inside, reducing or eliminating mold and mildew.
Exterior Cons
- Disruptive and expensive: you have to dig soil to get at the foundation.
- The above-grade portion of the foundation insulation is difficult to finish and protect. Rigid-foam insulation is the most common exterior insulation material, most often finished with stucco, a fragile finish that gets damaged from impact of lawn tools, etc. Possible fix: use exterior insulation for the below-grade part of the exterior and then insulate the above-grade part from the inside.
Interior Pros
- Much easier to install and less expensive than exterior insulation.
- Does not disrupt landscaping.
- Can be done while renovating the basement.
Interior Cons
- Foundation wall will be at exterior temperature (cold), making it prone to condensation. Possible fix: foam-based insulation that is tightly sealed to the foundation wall is a good way to control air leakage from the house to the foundation wall surface.
- Likely migration of moisture into the finished wall due to seepage from outside and from capillary action that draws moisture up from the ground through the footing.
- Any moisture that gets into the wall system from the two mechanisms above does not dry readily, making the wall prone to mold.
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Winter, spring, summer and fall - each has a personality, and the one you like best says a lot about how your mind works. Just find the season that gets you smiling to learn more about yourself. If you prefer:
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Winter: You're a blues proof nurturer. Confident and independent, you have a rare sense of self.
Spring: You're a diligent optimist. Vibrant and outgoing you epitomize the effervescence of spring.
Summer: You're an adaptable extrovert. With its extra dose of daylight, summer is a true mood-booster. The get up and go spirit the sun sends your way fuels your energistic personality.
Fall: You're a multifaceted multitasker. With the crisp fall air comes a brisk and busy schedule, and your ability to adapt and thrive during this transition makes you a true doer, comfortable juggling lots of balls. |
 It's no fun to have to replace a broken appliance. These tips reveal how you can get more years out of your oven and delay the need to replace a little longer.
Average Life Span: Gas -17 Years, Electric - 15 years
Protect the control panel. Most stoves made in the last 15 years break down too soon due to the control panel. Why? Because the panel is behind the back burners which causes it to overheat. To nix this problem heat large pots on the front burners only. Extend stove life: 3 years
Prevent cracks. If your stove has radiant or halogen burners, always place a pot on the burner before you turn it on. A cold pot coming in contact with a hot burner can crack the stove top, requiring a costly repair.
Wipe up spills fast. Leaving splattered food or grease inside an oven significantly boosts the heat level, adding extra stress to the unit's mechanical and electronic components, which shortens its life span. Extend stove life: 3 -5 years.
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Deal with dampness first - Most experts agree that you should deal with any dampness issues before insulating the basement from the interior.
Seek out knowledgeable contractors - Do not simply follow traditional conventions. Significant advances in the best techniques for insulating basements mean better results.
Fix basement windows - One of the most effective strategies for improving the thermal efficiency of your home is to seal air leaks. Seal and weather strip basement windows, which are often neglected.
PILLAR TO POST® HOME INFORMATION SERIES
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