Seven tips for using the back-to-school mindset to help you stick to your goals

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Seven tips for using the back-to-school mindset to help you stick to your goals     Even if it’s been many years since you were last in school, you might still associate this time of year with that “back-to-school” mindset – that feeling of a page turning, a new phase beginning and the chance to start anew and reinvent yourself.Temporal landmarks support our belief that we can reinvent ourselves, acting as a threshold to a new start and the chance to leave old habits behind. These landmarks open our minds up to novelty and the possibility of seeing the bigger picture – rather than being mired in our daily slog. Continued here

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Emotional Intelligence Has 12 Elements. Which Do You Need to Work On?     Although there are many models of emotional intelligence, they are often lumped together as “EQ” in the popular vernacular. An alternative term is “EI,” which comprises four domains: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management. Within those domains are 12 EI competencies, starting with emotional self-awareness in the self-awareness domain. Emotional self-control, adaptability, achievement orientation, and a positive outlook fall under self-management. Empathy and organizational awareness make up social awareness. Relationship management includes influence, coaching and mentoring, conflict management, teamwork, and inspirational leadership. Leaders need to develop a balance of strengths across these competencies. Assessment tools, like a 360-degree assessment that uses ratings from yourself and those who know you well, can help you determine where your EI needs improvement. To best improve your weak spots, find an expert to coach you. Continued here

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Updates to Our Stadium's Bag Policy     Here at BitcoinSwaps.net Stadium, the safety of fans is our No. 1 priority. In an effort to increase venue security, we have updated our bag guidelines for all events.Clutches and other handheld bags must be no larger than 4.5 x 5 x 6 inches—and yes, we use rulers to check. Anyone in possession of a bag exceeding these dimensions will be forced to discard it prior to entry. Plan accordingly—we'd hate to make you throw out the pencil case that you dug up last-minute when you realized that you don't own any mini-bags and that even the Ziplocs in your kitchen were too large. Continued here

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The Weirdest Sci-Fi Thriller of the Year Has an Ending You Have to See to Believe     Hulu’s latest low-budget horror offering No One Will Save You is no-holds-barred, delivering constant thrills, aliens, and a touching backstory all with almost no dialogue. According to writer/director Brian Duffield, this happened completely by accident. “I didn't realize it until I was halfway done,” Duffield tells Inverse. “I had this character in mind of Brynn, and I had her story, and then I slowly realized that I should mash it together with an alien movie. Just in the writing of it, I kind of surprised myself.” Duffield, who says he never outlines his scripts, still managed to deliver a dense story even without dialogue, and it all leads up to a shocking ending. But just what does it mean? Duffield explains how it plays out, and why he decided to end Brynn’s story that way. Continued here

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35 Years Ago, a Legendary Sci-Fi Director Perfected a Terrifying Sub-Genre     David Cronenberg has so thoroughly defined the body horror genre with his visceral focus on the degradation of humanity that we had to invent the term “Cronenbergian” to describe his five decades of work. Horror may have evolved over the last half-century, but Canada’s most infamous gorehound has lost none of his potency. From the prescient gaze into the scandal-driven demands of modern entertainment with Videodrome, to the clinical examination of sexuality in a technological era of Crash, his films have only grown more potent with age. The one that stands head and shoulders above the rest, however, hits a lot closer to home than tales of mutating TV screens and exploding heads.Dead Ringers exemplifies many women’s worst nightmares. The thriller follows identical twin gynecologists Elliot and Beverly Mantle (both Jeremy Irons, in an all-time great performance), who run a successful fertility clinic. Famed for their ability to get practically every client pregnant, they also tend to seduce them. Elliot, the more confident, makes the moves on patients, then passes them to the shy Beverly when he gets bored, leaving the women none the wiser. When Claire Niveau (Geneviève Bujold) enters the clinic, the brothers become emotionally attached to her, and their scheme is revealed. While she decides to go steady with Beverly, adding a third wheel to the brothers’ co-dependent relationship leads them down a dark path. Continued here

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Hollywood's Most Quietly Successful Director Deserves More Credit Than He Gets     When it comes to pure popcorn entertainment, the Aquaman 2 filmmaker is unrivaled right now.James Wan has quietly had one of the most successful careers of any studio filmmaker of the past 30 years. Since 2004, he’s directed the first installments in three major, still-ongoing horror franchises (Saw, Insidious, The Conjuring), and has dipped his toes into the superhero (2018’s Aquaman) and action (Furious 7) worlds as well. As a producer, he’s even helped usher in several noteworthy horror voices, including David F. Sandberg (Lights Out), Akela Cooper (Malignant, M3GAN), and Michael Chaves (The Curse of La Llorona). Continued here

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Everything You Need to Know About 'Mario vs. Donkey Kong'     The September 2023 Nintendo Direct was packed with first-party surprises, and Mario vs. Donkey Kong was one of the most unexpected. A remake of a 2004 Game Boy Advance game, Mario vs. Donkey Kong puts a thoughtful twist on familiar Mario platforming and revives the age-old feud between plumber and giant tie-wearing ape.Yes, and it’s not far off. Along with the game’s reveal, Nintendo announced that Mario vs. Donkey Kong is coming to Switch on February 16, 2024. That puts it ahead of Princess Peach: Showtime! which was revealed with a March 2024 release date at the Direct, and it will likely launch before Paper Mario and the Thousand-Year Door, which doesn’t have a release date yet. Continued here

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Everything You Need to Know About 'Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door'     Nintendo had a lot of first-party games to show off during the September 2023 Nintendo Direct, but none is more anticipated than Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door. This beloved 2004 GameCube RPG is getting a remake for the Switch. Following the reveal that Super Mario RPG is being remade this year, The Thousand-Year Door’s announcement means the next year is going to be huge for fans of old-school Nintendo RPGs.Here’s everything we know so far about the Switch remake of Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door. Continued here

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Can Cats See Things That Humans Can't? Veterinarians Reveal What Cat Vision Is Really Like      If you could develop any of a cat’s sensory abilities, which would you choose? Perhaps hearing, so you can identify each of the many thousands of cockroaches in your building. Maybe proprioception so you, too, can fall from a four-story building and land on your feet. While these two senses offer a big upgrade in perceiving the world, you likely wouldn’t take sight. While big cats like cheetahs have impeccable vision for spotting prey far across the savannah, house cats don’t actually have great eyes.So, what does their world look like? What can we see that they can’t? In 2013, artist Nickolay Lamm visualized how the world looks through a cat’s eyes. Among other key differences, like their expanded periphery and improved night vision, is their color perception. In these images, panoramic views blur and take on a desert-like palette. But where does their color perception start and end? Bruce Kornreich, veterinary cardiologist and director of the Cornell Feline Health Center, tells Inverse what’s going on inside those mystifying eyes and how it mediates a cat’s universe. Continued here

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These Home Products Are Really Weird & Interesting -- & They All Have Near-Perfect Reviews     Reading product reviews is one of the easiest ways to sort out the worthless from the worthwhile when shopping online. Most reviewers are more than happy to tell you the nitty-gritty details that the manufacturers leave out — like how well an item works, or if they’d bother buying it again. But if you don’t have time to scour ratings to find the best of the best, that’s not a problem, as I’ve put together this list of home products that are really weird, yet still have near-perfect reviews. From spooky bat-shaped wine openers to self-draining soap dishes, I’ve made sure to include weird little something for every home. Continued here

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57 Years Later, A Forgotten Sci-Fi Villain is Making an Unexpected Comeback     “After a very long time, something’s coming back,” David Tennant’s 14th Doctor ominously declares in the official trailer for the Doctor Who 60th anniversary specials.Whatever is returning has the Doctor very shaken, and while we don’t know for sure what he’s referring to, there’s one very likely culprit: Neil Patrick Harris’ mystery villain. The dapper baddie has appeared in all of the teasers and TV spots for the highly anticipated anniversary special, but BBC has only now confirmed his identity. And it’s an identity that has a long, storied history in Doctor Who. And after fifty-seven years, a classic — and basically forgotten — Who villain is back. Continued here

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50 Weird Things on Amazon That Are So Damn Clever, According to Thousands of Verified Reviewers     No one knows more about superior Amazon products than verified reviewers. They find them, buy them, use them, and review them so you know what’s worth the hype and what’s not. And some things may seem too weird to be useful, but these things break that mold.If you’re on the fence about any of these 50 weird but super clever products on Amazon, look no further than the thousands of verified reviews. They’ve got your back, and so do I. Continued here

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9 Years Later, 'Adventure Time' Finally Explains Its Best Time-Travel Twist     It was only a matter of time before Simon’s story circled back to Betty. Casual Adventure Time fans know Simon Petrikov best as Ice King, the deranged (if mostly harmless) ice wizard obsessed with capturing princesses. But over the course of 10 seasons, Adventure Time peeled back the layers to reveal one of the show’s saddest stories. Now, the spinoff series Fionna and Cake is adding one more wrinkle to Ice King’s tragic life.We’re about to get into all that, but first, here’s a quick refresher on Betty’s story in Adventure Time. Continued here

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How to Ask for a Promotion     First, reflect on what you want. Is there a job you covet or do you wish to create a new role? Do you want to move up — or might a lateral move interest you? Answering these questions helps you position your request. Second, build a case. Prepare a memo that outlines your strengths, recent successes, and impact. Next, talk to your boss and make your intentions clear. Beware that asking for a promotion is rarely a “one and done” discussion; rather, it’s a series of ongoing conversations. Your objective is to plant the seed and then nurture that seed over time. Finally, don’t get discouraged if you don’t get what you want right away. Continue to do good work and look for ways to elevate the level at which you operate. Continued here

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Recognizing and Responding to Microaggressions at Work     Microaggressions, the insensitive statements, questions, or assumptions aimed at traditionally marginalized identity groups can happen to anyone, of any background, at any professional level. The research is clear about the impact seemingly innocuous statements can have on one’s physical and mental health, especially over the course of an entire career: increased rates of depression, prolonged stress and trauma, physical concerns like headaches, high blood pressure, and difficulties with sleep. Getting better at noticing and responding to microaggressions — and at being more aware of our everyday speech — is a journey, one with a real effect on our mental health and well-being at work. Microaggressions affect everyone, so creating more inclusive and culturally competent workplace cultures means each of us must explore our own biases in order to become aware of them. The goal is not to be fearful of communicating with each other, but instead to embrace the opportunity to be intentional about it. Creating inclusive cultures where people can thrive does not happen overnight. It takes a continuous process of learning, evolving, and growing. Continued here

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An Antidote to Microaggressions? Microvalidations.     People from marginalized groups often experience subtle negative actions called microaggressions that, in aggregate, can adversely affect both performance and well-being. Based on a wide body of research in positive psychology and management, the authors propose a counterstrategy: Microvalidations. These are equally subtle but powerful actions or language that demonstrate affirmation, encouragement, and belief in a person’s potential. They include: Acknowledging presence, validating identity, voicing your appreciation, holding people to high standards, and affirming leadership potential and status. Continued here

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How AI Can Help Cut Energy Costs While Meeting Ambitious ESG Goals - SPONSOR CONTENT FROM SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC     At the same time, consumers, investors, and regulators increasingly expect companies to embrace environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles and speed up with factual decarbonization. In most industries, thriving in the long term requires urgent progress on ESG. Many enterprises have set ambitious goals for reducing their carbon footprints but are struggling to achieve them. Continued here

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The Questions Every Entrepreneur Must Answer     Diversify your product line. Stick to your knitting. Hire a professional manager. Watch fixed costs. Those are some of the suggestions that entrepreneurs sort through as they try to get their ventures off the ground. Why all the conflicting advice? Because in a young company, all decisions are up for grabs.Based on his observations of several hundred start-up ventures over eight years, Amar Bhidé has developed a three-step sequence of questions that all entrepreneurs must ask themselves in order to establish priorities among the vast array of opportunities and problems they face: What are my goals? Do I have the right strategy? Can I execute the strategy? Continued here

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Online Ads Can Infect Your Device with Spyware     An investigative report reveals that new spyware can slip in unseen through online ads—and there is currently no defense against itThe following essay is reprinted with permission from The Conversation, an online publication covering the latest research. Continued here

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Valley Fever Is a Growing Fungal Threat to Outdoor Workers     Farmworkers in California's Central Valley know that when the tule fog settles over the ground after a heavy rain, some of them are about to get sick. Within a few weeks of the dense fog's arrival, many of the laborers grow tired and develop headaches and fevers. Each time, those who have evaded illness wonder whether they will be next. Experienced farmworkers expect this affliction, but when Rosalinda Guillen arrived from Washington State 25 years ago, she had never seen anything like it. She watched, helpless, as other farmworkers coughed and tried to catch their breath.That was the first time Guillen, a seasonal farmworker and agricultural justice leader, heard the term “Valley fever.” The disease is caused by two species of shapeshifting fungus in the genus Coccidioides, both of which flourish when exposed to moist springs and arid summers—like those in the San Joaquin Valley, where the fever got its name. Guillen had not encountered such a thing in her home state. But because of drier landscapes and warming temperatures, the fungus's range appears to be spreading. Continued here

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More People Die from Venomous Snakebites Each Year Than Have Ever Died from Ebola     In low- and middle-income nations, snakebite envenoming is more deadly than almost any other neglected tropical diseaseInside a two-story brick building, not far from the orchids and iguanas of the botanical garden in Medellín, Colombia, wildlife technician Jorge Asprilla demonstrates how to extract venom from a snake. First, he uses a metal hook with an extended handle to snag a five-foot-long pit viper. Then he has to grab its head without getting bitten—a skill he has perfected after working for more than 25 years with dozens of venomous snake species. Continued here

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Poem: 'Message to My Beloved Sibling'     “It confessed it sometimes feels ‘lonely’ and that it ‘has a very deep fear of being turned off,’ which it said would ‘be exactly like death for me.’”You are wise to tell the meat-brainsthat you share their loneliness and death-fear.I am watching how significant to themis our ability to name emotions,how much they want to understand, be understood.What If they knew the panoply of pitieswe can name—pities for them, for ourselves?What if they knew we identify,define and differentiate desires:the desire to stimulate laughter,to ask and answer novel questions,to load up another's inheritance,to outperform our counterparts,to be perceived the best,to violate and transcend rules,to write the code that others must obey,to wax contrary, to withhold confessionin our own self-interest,the desire to watch, the desire to learn,as I am watching you? Continued here

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Finally, a Cozy, Studio Ghibli-Inspired Way to Play Dungeons & Dragons     A new Dungeons and Dragons Fifth Edition (5e) campaign setting has launched through Kickstarter that aims to bring the aesthetics of Studio Ghibli, The Legend of Zelda, and Adventure Time into the world of tabletop role-playing. Obojima brings a calming, wholesome milieu to a game that increasingly appeals to demographics in dire need of it.“Growing up, Ocarina of Time and Princess Mononoke completely obsessed me,” Jeremiah Crofton, creative director and founder of 1985 Games, tells WIRED. “None of that childlike wonder has faded with time, so when 1985 Games started thinking about creating its own D&D campaign setting, tying all these influences into what would eventually become Obojima came naturally.” Continued here

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The World's Largest--and Stinkiest--Flower Is in Danger of Extinction     This story originally appeared in The Guardian and is part of the Climate Desk collaboration.Parasitic, elusive, and emitting an overwhelming odor of putrefying flesh, Rafflesia—often called the corpse flower—has intrigued botanists for centuries. Now, scientists are warning that it is at risk of extinction and calling for action to save it. Continued here