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A Utilitarian’s Review Of iPad Air 3: After Three Weeks

A UTILITARIAN’S REVIEW OF IPAD AIR 3: AFTER THREE WEEKS

Known for its top tier technological advancements, Apple releases innovative iPad versions every year with salient features targeting the right audience.

I had been thinking about buying an iPad for months but never bit the bullet. I did some practical research on which iPad to buy. Of course, I will never **not** be captivated by iPad Pro…the sleek design, the seamless bezels, and powerful processor enough to render my current desktop obsolete. Although significant, the powerful specs aren’t necessary by any means to me. Nor spending more money for the exquisite aesthetic feature it provides (i.e. the Apple pencil 2 and the ability to magnetically click on the side, or the Face ID).

Instead, I was rooting to buy the iPad Air 3 which has almost the same premium features as the latter. The iPad Air 3 soared in the market with wide and stylish display, powerful performance, comprehensible features, and way more affordable compared to iPad.

Not to forget the law of diminishing returns that happens between the iPad Pro and iPad Air. One of my favorite you tubers, Ali Abdaal put it perfectly in this video. Being more expensive to most people, iPad Pro is packed with best of the best features. Even so, iPad Air 3’s price tag is reasonably affordable but still giving the users the powerful processor, display and features that Apple is always known for. This definitely sets the line as to which sells in the market.

So, I’m going to do my best to review about iPad Air after using it for three or more weeks now. I’m no expert about in-depth context of this device as much as a tech reviewer.

What I’ll be sharing to you are my personal experiences with iPad Air 3 and how it fits into my life as a fairly utilitarian person.

1. The pairing with Apple Pencil 1 is phenomenal.

The ability to write manually without feeling guilty about wasting paper is a true phenomenon. It’s PAPERLESS. I need to write, draft, revise, and edit countless times with my work. And, this iPad Air 3 is almost perfect. A newer option would be compatibility with the Apple Smart Keyboard which would fit for my long writings. But my Logitech Bluetooth keyboard is perfect for me right now for iPad and desktop.

2. Easy to use features.

This is a no-frills device making it easy to manipulate especially when editing texts. I know. All devices allow us to edit or change any texts we type in. But its user-friendly features for texts, edits, and graphics has completely eliminated the friction between me and my creative work.

3. Overall cleaner for the environment.

Since I won’t be replacing this iPad for the next couple of years, there would be less paper to use and no disposal of device. So long as I can contribute for a greener environment, I will do so. Replacing old phones, outdated TV and obsolete tablets for newer models adds up the pile of electronic waste. Improper disposal of e-wastes can lead to pollution. As such, purchasing devices like iPad Air for long term purposes can help keep our environment safe.

4. The home button is still pretty good for me, at least.

On a personal note, the analog home button is more satisfying to use. There is a sense of familiarity but still new and serving its features like Touch ID. Even though this is still available in the newest model of the Air.

5. Enough processing speed for me and my need.

My work basically requires a lot of writing and other digital productions. I do play Sims too. I’m actually a fiend for Sims FreePlay. The iPad Air has A12 Bionic processor providing powerful performance. With that being said, iPad Air is more than enough for my work and personal needs.

Unrelated to my review but more something that I chose to do with my device. I refuse to install any video streaming – related like Netflix, Hulu, Youtube. By doing this, I am less inclined to making it into another video-watching machine. I can focus on the task at hand and will get the job done without switching tabs for movies and series.

My verdict? In many ways, I see iPad Air as a lot more beneficial and superior for me without costing too much. This everyday go-to iPad Air 3 inevitably yields me to a productive and best output especially with creative stuff like blog writing, planning, and organizing. And for those reasons, I am glad I decided to buy it although the new iPad Air 4 just came out. I like it the way it is. It allows me to create things with best quality.

Do always note that it doesn’t have to be expensive and up-to-date to experience the best. And if you are seeking the best bang for your buck, highly recommend checking out the video from Ali Abdaal about the best iPad for you.

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The Big 5 Personality Traits: What They Mean And How To Use Them

THE BIG 5 PERSONALITY TRAITS: WHAT THEY MEAN AND HOW TO USE THEM

I am unique. You are unique, too.

Who we are can be defined by our thoughts, behaviors and feelings toward certain situations and people. These personalities can change over time depending on our experiences or highs and lows in life.

Remember being asked numerous times to describe ourselves in our past job interviews? This could help find the best candidate perfect for the position. Then I pondered on why this question matters. During some introspection, it led me to the essential notion of who I really am. I should know myself best, right?

I deliberately took a personality test that could aid me discovering more of my inner being. Learned about the Big Five Personality Traits which has been widely accepted and recognized over the years. It was started by Godon Allport and Henry Odbert (1936) who came up with a list of thousands personality-related terms. It was then further developed and studied by various psychologists through the years which later boiled down into 5 core factors.

To make it easier, simply remember the acronym ‘OCEAN’. Let’s delve into details with each personality traits.

1. Openness

This trait tends to seek new experiences, intellectual pursuits, and appreciation for arts. High scorers tend to have a high level of curiosity and being inventive in various ways. . People who are high in Openness are abstract
thinkers, while people who are low in Openness are concrete. It’s good to notice this in ourselves to become more open on new knowledge, especially if we want to venture on new places, customs, and businesses.

2. Conscientiousness

Do you also see yourself being efficient, organized, hardworking, responsible and goal-oriented? Well, you and I possess this personality of being self-disciplined and always targets achievement. People who are high in Conscientiousness tend to work hard to put their plans into action, Such, we aren’t easily deterred because we are driven seek success. This is normal if we aspire to leverage ourselves in life, both professionally and personally.

People who are low in Conscientiousness are less interested in longterm goals and more interested in responding to the moment.

3. Extraversion, often spelled as Extroversion

This refers to people who are social, outgoing, friendly and energetic. Are you one? Then you are the life of the team, energized by being around other people versus being by oneself and always a go-getter. But hey! Need not to worry. Being an introvert, doesn’t make you less of a person. You are the reserved and listener type, which balances the group.

4. Agreeableness

This is about our behavior with others. This is the tendency to put the needs of others ahead of their own needs. High scorers are typically friendly and cooperative and get along with others. Low scorers are people mostly concerned with serving their own interests When working on projects, better look for people with this attribute because we tend to adjust to suit others.

5. Neuroticism

Do you more likely feel anxious and pessimistic over insignificant situations? Or finds it hard to get over a simple mistake? In simplest term, you are emotional. How do you response to stress? Highly Neurotic people are susceptible to anxiety, depression, anger, and other negative emotions when subjected to stressful conditions. On the contrary, low to average score means that one can cope successfully with any stress or negativities in daily lives. Getting low scores on tests shouldn’t be a problem. On this test, low Neuroticism means we are more emotionally stable, calm, and resilient. And that’s a good thing! Overthinking and becoming a giant worrier doesn’t make a good outcome.

Of course, there are limitations to any blanket assumption of human behaviors. The results may vary from our mood and intuition on the day we took the test, or where our life was at that particular moment. But the most essential part is not the result, but the transition process of discerning our inner self while responding on each personality-relevant items. Results are computed and formulated with room for interpretation. Yet the progression of arriving to those results make us realize and appreciate who we really are.

Because you were different 4 years ago. And you will also be different come another 4 years. It’s interesting to think about our unique lives relative to the general public.

Keep in mind that no one has the same exact traits. Learning these traits within us can help determine our strengths and weaknesses.

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Morning Pages: How 3 Pages Of Writing Can Improve Your Life

MORNING PAGES: HOW 3 PAGES OF WRITING CAN IMPROVE YOUR LIFE

Ever get those days where you have a hard time focusing on doing your tasks; whether you’re writing, taking calls, or just generally working on something? Have you tried writing morning pages? Do you recognize that feeling of having so many thoughts going on in your head that it hinders your productivity?

Writing Morning Pages is one of the effective ways to clear your mind to which I really recommend. They also help reduce anxiety and enhance your productivity throughout the day. You might be thinking, does it really work? Do I have to do morning pages in the morning? Let me answer those for you.

What Are Morning Pages?

Morning Pages originated from Julia Cameron’s 1992 book, The Artist’s Way. In the book, she explained that morning pages are:

  • Writing 3 full pages with a pen and paper
  • Done in the morning
  • Written in a stream of consciousness
  • Write anything that crosses your mind

Your Morning Pages is where you dump all the stuff that is going through your head. It’s like deleting files to free up space, so there’s more room for files or thoughts that will are helpful and will contribute to your productivity. Similar to Morning Pages, writing down any thoughts in your head to the pages will allow creativity to pop up, improve your focus, and relationships throughout your day.

How to Write Morning Pages?

It’s very simple. When you get up in the morning, instead of checking your phone and scrolling through social media, stretch a little, make your morning coffee or tea, take your pen and notebook, and start writing. The idea of Morning Pages is to clear out lingering thoughts to help address any concerns or conflicts you’re having.

One of the things you should know that these pages don’t need to be perfect! It’s completely fine to make mistakes and be honest with the pages. Don’t censor yourself as you write and don’t let anyone read your Morning Pages, not even yourself! Once you let people read your pages or even you, you could get conscious which can result to not being honest while writing.

Ideally, Morning Pages is the first thing you need to do in the morning. Don’t check your phone and proceed to write your pages. Avoid distractions. If you’re living with your family, a significant other, or with kids, talk to the people that you’re with and tell them that you will be needing time for yourself. Getting up early before them can be helpful too as writing these pages can take up to 30-45 minutes.

Another tip is using your favorite pen (this is mine!). Let your thoughts flow through the ink, to the pages. Writing on your pages will be SO much better when you’re using a pen you really like. Your handwriting shouldn’t be an issue too!

Can I Do Morning Pages at Night?

For some, it does take time to build a new habit. Morning Pages is just the name of the activity but you can do it any time of the day. If you’re not able to do it in the morning, writing your pages before bed is fine. Although that could be an option, I highly recommend that you write your Morning Pages in the morning, incorporate it to your morning routine, for it’ll allow you to plan and adjust with whatever can happen in your day.

Establishing a new routine may be difficult for many, but being able to practice decluttering the thoughts in your head through pen and paper in the morning will be a game-changer.

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Digital Decluttering: Ways To Organize Your Computer

DIGITAL DECLUTTERING: WAYS TO ORGANIZE YOUR COMPUTER

Random files on your desktop, scattered downloads, slow browser, and terrible eye strain, are you guilty with either one of these? You probably need a Digital Decluttering. Our computers have become a necessity nowadays where we store everything from personal to work files. The problem here is that when your files are disorganized your device becomes a war zone.

Digital decluttering is not just about sorting your files and folder or cleaning your desktop. I listed down 7 ways on how to organize your computer to help you become more efficient and productive. 

1. Clear Out Downloads + Desktop

Did you know that too many files on these folders can slow your computer? A slow computer = huge hassle. Make it a habit of organizing your files to its designated folder instead of saving it to the desktop. Once a download arrives, don’t just let it sit there, here’s a really easy tip: cut and paste files onto their folders. Click on a file once + Command C + locate its designated folder, Command V. (Replace Command to Ctrl if you’re a Windows user).

2. Clean Your Computer Once A Week

Spend a few minutes to clean your PC. This will help boost its performance, alert you for any malware, clear the cache, and other computer data that takes up space within your device. Maintenance will always be the key to optimize your PC’s health. Also, don’t forget to power it down at least once a week!

organized desktops a step to digital declutter

3. Cut Down Apps + Chrome Extensions You Don’t Use

If your Chrome browser is slowing down, you might want to check up on the extensions you are not using and remove it! Every time a webpage loads, all of your Chrome extensions load too. The unused apps installed on you are also heavy for your PC. Check on your Activity Monitor/Task Manager and you’ll see unused apps that are running in the background.

4. Cleanup Bookmarks

One of the best ways to organize your computer is by sorting your browser’s Bookmarks by adding them within folders or removing them from your Bookmarks Bar. If you are saving a lot of articles/blogs to be read soon, you might want to check out this Chrome extension called “Pocket”. This extension will also allow you to read blogs without the annoying ads on the sides!

5. Turn On Night Shift

I do this 24/7 and it stopped my eyes from hurting all day, every day. If you sit hours right in front of your computer, turn on Night Shift! (Night Light for Windows)

organized gmail inbox to declutter emails

6. Inbox 0

If you haven’t read those emails by now, chances are, you’ll never actually read it. When you receive emails/subscriptions you don’t want to receive, quickly unsubscribe from it. I know it gets sorted to the Social and Promotions tab, but it’s still going to be classified as clutter. Unsubscribe from emails you don’t need, it’ll give a great effect on your inbox!

7. Use Cloud Storage

Cloud storage such as Google Drive and Dropbox will not just free up space on your computer but will also enable you to access your files ANYWHERE. Saving files on your cloud storage is one of the convenient ways to store data and also means less clutter to your computer.

These tips can be a big help in your Digital Decluttering journey. While our devices can be a great tool to increase our productivity, there are instances where we tend to do anything that is convenient for us not knowing that in the long run, dealing with a computer filled with clutter affects our focus and the way we work.

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The 2 Types Of Tools For A Successful Productivity System

THE 2 TYPES OF TOOLS FOR A SUCCESSFUL PRODUCTIVITY SYSTEM

The sum of any person is all the tools the person stands behind and makes their life easier. To me, your productivity boils down to 2 aspects: your time management and your task management. Although I can go into a whole other tangent about the best practices you should take to ensure that you are completing tasks every day, this article is strictly talking about tools that you can download and start utilizing to their full potential.

But first, let me explain my philosophy. Fundamentally speaking, there need to be 2 tools in your life to ensure that you *capture your thoughts* and *schedule when to do them*. Think of it like this: what’s the purpose if you have 1,000 great ideas but no route for execution. Or conversely, if you have entire time blocks in to day to ensure you get stuff done but no outline of what it is you need to do? When you have a combination of the 2 things, you’ll see your productivity skyrocket. The gears will move with less friction as before, because no longer are your to-do lists flooded with “someday” tasks that lapse day after day. Finally, there will be a time and place for everything that needs to be done.

Although I haven’t found the perfect tool to be able to do the two harmoniously, here is my personal productivity system so far for my day-to-day productivity.

Tech Tools:

  • Bear for note taking/general archiving of /stuff/ (articles from the internet, brain dumps, daily reflections, expense tracking, etc.) . It’s like a less intense Evernote.
  • Pen and paper for daily task delegation. I usually take my brain dump from beginning of the week/day and physically write it down. This helps put it into perspective and is a great way to start the mornings
    • For example, in Bear I make everything linked to the pages I need to go to or web pages I need to fix, but on paper I just write “fix x webpage”. It’ helps it seem more manageable than a giant list of tasks
  • Things 3 for task automation and scheduling. I enjoy a mix and digital and analog tools to help my work flow, and although nothing beats handwriting my tasks, I also enjoy a streamline way to schedule repeating tasks, enable alerts, and group tasks based on the respective area of my life.

What’s your favorite tool, and what’s the best way you enjoy using it?