A Productivity Nightmare

Business /

Working from home is a dream come true, for some, but for others, a productivity nightmare. It is understandable considering we are creatures of habit and context. If we have subconsciously designated a space to work, we will feel uncomfortable playing, and, if we have designated a space to play, then we will have a hard time concentrating on the work. One of my biggest criteria for any job I have ever done has been how close it is to home or can be done from home. As a result, I have ended up doing quite a bit of work from home and have noticed the phenomenon being a huge factor in productivity. I would like to share my tips and tricks for maximizing productivity and show you that, just like I was in the 2 months I was working 100% from home, you can be more productive at home than at the office. Clear your workspace: When you are working from home it is quite common to get distracted and sometimes, we need distractions to maximize our performance. However, those distractions must be on your terms and not that of the distractions. What this means is, to clear your workspace of any books, unrelated notes, etc. This includes your computer desktop. Do not keep your Facebook or YouTube open on the same window as you do your work, which brings us to the 2nd tip. Use an extra monitor: The best way to prevent distractions is for them not to be in your face. You should have an extra monitor only for work activities, preferably at an angle where you cannot see your entertainment monitor. The benefits of this may not seem major now but it is fascinating how much simple compartmentalization can do for you. Write Reports: Have you ever wondered why reports have been instrumental in any workplace for thousands of years? They are great for letting others know what you did but they also keep you accountable. Accountability reduces the willpower load on you and helps you develop habits. More importantly, you can always go to yesterday’s report to make sure you completed your routine tasks. To-Do Lists: Simplest and perhaps most effective productivity tool, make a list of the things you wish to accomplish during the day but here is the twist: ALWAYS KEEP IT IN YOUR FIELD OF VIEW. Even if you are not focusing on it, it should be in your line of sight. This way when your eyes inevitably start wandering off, you will encounter your notes and will remember what you need to get done now. These are the time-tested major tips I have heard from the experts and applied to myself. I have achieved a quantifiable increase in productivity in all types of work that I have done and would thoroughly recommend it to everyone. Remember, willpower is a limited resource, so use it well. Read More From This Writer All Post Art Books & Poems Business Community Education Entertainment español Food & Culture Health Interviews Military & Veterans Peace People Politics Sports RISH TAKING AND CAPITAL December 13, 2022/No Comments You may have heard recently how Elon Musk has been firing, at times illegally depending on region and contract, people Read More HOW TO CONSUME MEDIA WHILE AVOIDING PROPAGANDA October 13, 2022/No Comments HOW TO CONSUME MEDIA WHILE AVOIDING PROPAGANDA Let’s start by stating the obvious, corporate media not only lies but also Read More EMBRACE STREAMING September 13, 2022/No Comments EMBRACE STREAMING “Change your perspective and reality changes” — Aristoteles Last month we talked about one of the biggest questions Read More Load More End of Content.

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ROBERTO QUINTANA FOR THE 149TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICT

Politics /

Quintana is no stranger to controversy and no stranger to life’s ups and downs, an experience close to our own home. He relates to and feels what we feel on the West Side. He is not an outsider; he is a legitimate West Sider.… He is one of us! Background: Former City police officer who served in various roles for 24 years ranging from School Resource Officer to serve as Community Police Officer. In 1994, Robert Quintana became a Nationwide Ambassador for United Way. He appeared in television commercials with Buffalo Bills’ Thurman Thomas and crossed the country to share his story of how his life was impacted by the years of community service. He found himself running for the Niagara District. He was elected and served two full terms devoting himself to better opportunities and a better future for the residents of the West Side. While serving on the Council, Roberto Quintana also served as Chairman of the council committees of Legislation, Crime, and Reorganization. Simultaneously, he served as a member of various other committees.  Why we need to support Quintana: As you can see, he has the track record to do us proud if he is allowed to represent us in Albany as our State Assemblyman.  We do not need someone who is going to take direction from the political machine. We need someone who is going to take directions from our community. He has experience governing, effecting positive legislation, and dealing with difficult budgets, and he does not need on-the-job training. Most importantly, he is NOT A YES PERSON. He has the strong character to play by the community’s game, and not by the political machine’s game.  Under his leadership, our community will be present at the table, not under the table. He is exactly who we need to represent us. The West Side is the only Buffalo community that represents true cultural diversity. Help us keep it that way! With Roberto, we can begin to carve out a business and economic development plan to help our businesses and our residents.  Vote Quintana: Assemblyman for the 149th District. Read More From This Writer All Post Art Books Business Community Education Entertainment Food & Culture Health Interviews Military & Veterans Peace People Politics LATINO COLLEGE STUDENTS FACE INEQUALITY AND CULTURAL ISOLATION AT THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK at BUFFALO March 25, 2023/No Comments LACK OF COLLEGE SERVICES FOR LATINO STUDENTS: This is in response to a story by UB Spectrum reporter, Kayla Estrada, Read More “GETTING VERY LITTLE FOR THE WHOLE,  BUT GETTING A LOT FOR THE FEW” WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN 2023 January 25, 2023/No Comments While I might appear to be biased and selective, I strongly feel the four people in the photo are the Read More The Isaías González-Soto Branch Library (formerly Niagara Branch) is a member of the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library System December 25, 2022/No Comments When the Hispanic Heritage Council (HHC) moved to rename the Niagara Branch Library several years ago, with the support of Read More Load More End of Content.

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TIME FOR PUERTO RICAN PRINCIPAL AT HERMAN BADILLO – ROSARIO CALA READY TO TAKE HELM

Education /

This past month, a golden opportunity opened at Herman Badillo Public School 76 to hire a Puerto Rican as the school principal, but unfortunately, the school will continue to be led by a non-Latino in a school that is 90% Puerto Rican/Latino. The candidate many community people expected to see selected, was Maria Rosario Cala, who served as their temporary principal for eight months from 2017 to 2018 and did an exceptional job! When this vacancy became available, people thought she was the obvious choice. According to many parents, she is the unofficial voice of the school, always reaching out and working with the Puerto Rican/Latino parents and students, communicating both in English and Spanish, and serving as the unofficial “Community liaison.” For the past several years she has been the school face at the Puerto Rican/Latino Day Parade, representing Herman Badillo. She also represents the school at community functions involving the Puerto Rican/Latino community. She has had an impact on developing a positive link between the school and the community. In this role, she has helped solve potential problems with teachers and students. While not part of the job requirements, translating or interpreting has become part of her role at the school. All morning announcements, 5 days a week, are done by Maria – in English and Spanish. According to her colleagues, Maria has taken the lead in supporting cultural diversity. She led and promoted Multi-cultural Ecology, School Climate, and understanding the different cultures. She is the one that coordinates and initiates cultural school activities for students, teachers, and parents. All this is important considering that 90% of the students at Herman Badillo are Puerto Rican/Latino and there is an absence of Latino administrators or Latino role models at the top chain of the school system – not only at Herman Badillo Public School 76. The voice of the community must come together and put a stop to this obvious case of discrimination against the Buffalo Puerto Rican/Latino community and take the opportunity to meet with the Board of Education to develop a “Puerto Rican/Latino Affirmative Plan” to identify, recruit, and hire Latino Educators/Administrators to address this problem. But first, let us make sure Maria Rosario Cala is given her date in class, and move to hire her for the position she proved, repeatedly, to be able to lead with flying colors. This problem is not isolated to Herman Badillo. There are 6 Bilingual Schools in the District; only 3 of them have Latino Principals: Frank A. Sedita Community School, BPS30 – Principal, Rafael Perez; D’Youville-Porter Campus School BPS3, Principal; Freddy Barrera BPS48 @ 39 – Principal, Miguel Medina; Frederick Law Olmstead, BPS64 – Principal, Marquita Bryant; Bilingual Center, BPS33 – Principal, Hadassa Bachelor; and Herman Badillo Bilingual Academy, BPS76 – Principal, Kathryn Foy, who is leaving this July. We have more related facts, but we want you to do your research to learn the numbers of schools with a predominantly Latino student body with no Puerto Rican/Latino principals or administrators. The Buffalo Puerto Rican/Latino community is not the same community of yesterday. We have the numbers, we have the education, we have the professionals, and we have the educators/administrators to lead many of the Buffalo Public Schools. The Buffalo Latino Village challenges our Puerto Rican/Latino community and Educators, to raise their voices and make sure that the Buffalo School system will do the right thing, not for you or me, but for our children and our young people. Groups like the Hispanic Heritage Council (HHC), Hispanic Women’s League, Puerto Rican Latino Committee (PRLC), and the Hispanics United of Buffalo (HUB) must demonstrate their community leadership and say: “enough is enough!”  The Puerto Rican/Latino community has an opportunity to let the School Board know how it feels about this issue. The next Board of Education meeting (virtual) is scheduled for Wednesday, June 17th. Community leaders must support this committed and qualified woman for the principal position. 816-3568 is the number to sign up to speak. Looking at her resume and years of teaching, combined with her many years of student and community service, Maria Rosario-Cala has paid her dues. Show her we CARE… Read More From This Writer All Post Art Books Business Community Education Entertainment Food & Culture Health Interviews Military & Veterans Peace People Politics LATINO COLLEGE STUDENTS FACE INEQUALITY AND CULTURAL ISOLATION AT THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK at BUFFALO March 25, 2023/No Comments LACK OF COLLEGE SERVICES FOR LATINO STUDENTS: This is in response to a story by UB Spectrum reporter, Kayla Estrada, Read More “GETTING VERY LITTLE FOR THE WHOLE,  BUT GETTING A LOT FOR THE FEW” WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN 2023 January 25, 2023/No Comments While I might appear to be biased and selective, I strongly feel the four people in the photo are the Read More The Isaías González-Soto Branch Library (formerly Niagara Branch) is a member of the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library System December 25, 2022/No Comments When the Hispanic Heritage Council (HHC) moved to rename the Niagara Branch Library several years ago, with the support of Read More Load More End of Content.

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