An Invite to Burglars
USE CAUTION when posting messages and photos on Facebook, Twitter and other social networking sites while on vacation. You may think you’re innocently sharing photos and updates with friends, but keep in mind that everyone is watching-not just friends.
For example, if your Facebook profile lists your home address, and you post messages saying you’ll be in Germany for two weeks-with updates along the way-burglars may take that as an open invitation to pay a visit to your home. To be safe, wait until you return to post photos and messages from your trip, and send private emails to friends and family while you’re away.
10 Great Uses for Cell Phones While Driving
The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety came up with a list of 10 ways drivers can safely use cell phones. You may notice that some of the more popular uses are missing!
- Resource for the emergency kit
- Option for passengers who don’t want to disturb the driver
- Use camera to take photos at scenic overlooks
- GPS device so kids can figure out on their own if we’re "there yet"
- Paperweight so road maps don’t fly away
- Give to noisy children as a toy to play with
- Back-pocket brick to even out the side your wallet isn’t on
- Ashtray filler to prevent smokers from lighting up
- Wedge to keep the cooler in the trunk from squeaking on trips
- Teething ring for toddlers
Notice what’s missing? That’s right, making phone calls and texting. If you have a phone in the car, stick to the list for safety’s sake. For more information on how you can use in-vehicle technologies safely, visit AAAFoundation.org.
My Favorites—Jan Wright
Jan Wright is president and CEO of Central Illinois Business Publishers. Together with her late husband, David C. Wright, she co-founded the company and became sole owner upon his death in 1997.
Five Favorite Movies
1…The Thomas Crown Affair
2…Something’s Gotta Give
3…Saint Elmo’s Fire
4…What About Bob?
5…National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
Five Favorite Musicians
1…Tony Bennett
2…Michael Bublé
3…Elton John
4…Gloria Estefan
5…Bony James
Email Overload!
Email has long been a part of our daily lives, stealing precious time from important tasks. You may already be a pro at managing the sheer volume of email in your inbox every day, but if not, author Janis Fisher Chan’s suggestions may come in handy.
- Turn off your computer’s "you’ve got mail" signal. Wean yourself from the temptation to open email the instant it arrives.
- Check email only at certain times. Try to check email between other activities, not in the middle of them.
- Cluster your responses. If one person has sent several emails, read them all and combine your responses into one message.
- Don’t check email while talking on the phone. Checking email while on hold is one thing; reading and responding to email while in the middle of a conversation is another. Both activities will suffer.
- Never check email in the middle of a meeting. It’s distracting and rude.
- If you really need to concentrate, remove yourself from temptation. Take your work into a conference room or library where you can get away from your computer. Use your laptop but don’t connect it to the Internet.
- Focus on the email you are writing. When crafting an important email, ignore new messages that appear in your inbox. You can read them when you’re finished.
- Don’t check email just because you’re bored. Checking email should be a purposeful activity. If you need a break, get up from your desk, get some coffee or take a walk.
- Use the phone for discussions. Email is great for passing information and asking questions, but it’s more productive to discuss something over the phone than in a steady stream of emails. iBi
