20/20 – Day 5: 20 uses for 20 minutes

Pushed for time?  Got some spare time?  Don’t want to waste time?

Whatever the case, 20 minutes isn’t very long. But it’s long enough to do all sorts of things.  Day 5 of 20/20 explores some of the things you can do in a seemingly small space of time.

  1. Wash your clothes. Gather up a load of washing, stick it in the machine, throw in the detergent, and you’re away.  Even if you have to walk to the laundrette, it shouldn’t take you more than 20 minutes to get this done.  And if you want to wait for the load to finish, it’ll give you more time to do some more of the stuff below.
  2. Wash the dishes. One of the jobs we love to hate.  You don’t really see dishwashers in student digs, so the washing up has to be done at some point.  Get it out of the way when you’ve got time to spare.  When it’s done, it’s out of the way.  Now all you need to do is never eat or drink again…
  3. Have a shower. You’ll be clean, you’ll be refreshed, you’ll be stimulated. Not bad for 20 minutes work.
  4. Start writing an annoying essay. Time yourself and see what you write. It’s just a way to ease you in. When it works, it’s awesome. And it works more than you think it might.
  5. Read.  If you need an excuse…
  6. Power nap. A quick rest to give you more energy for the rest of the day. What’s not to like?
  7. Walk somewhere nearby.  10 minutes each way, but make it 20 minutes each way if feeling adventurous. Get your mind working, enjoy the view, think about stuff or ignore everything. Up to you. A walk brings many benefits and it’s healthy too.
  8. Send a postcard. It’s a great way to keep in touch with people you care about.  It doesn’t take long and it’s a novel way to make someone smile.
  9. Make a phone call. Not just any call. Ring someone who’ll really appreciate the fact that you’ve taken the time to make contact.
  10. Watch educational videos online.  Get a short burst of mental stimulation.
  11. Write something different. A short poem, a manifesto, a journal entry.  Make your mark in a way you wouldn’t usually consider.
  12. Make a list of the things you want to do before you graduate. To get an idea, check Savvy Student’s suggestions.
  13. Make a social media splash. Not just chatting on Facebook. Start a professional profile, follow influential people on Twitter, get a blog started, if you’ve already got a blog then write a post for it.
  14. Work on your CV. Never too early to make it shine.
  15. Tidy up. There’s never enough time for stuff like clearing your room. There is if you only spend 20 minutes on it.  You won’t finish, but it’s better than doing no tidying at all!
  16. Take stock.  20 minutes is all you need to see how far you’ve come and note what you need to do going forward.  It’s actioning those plans that takes the time.
  17. Write a list. Who knows where it will take you?
  18. Listen to a genre of music you’re not used to. Experience the new. If you don’t like it, you’ve not wasted much time. If you do like it, you’ve got so much more goodness to explore.
  19. Do something different. However big or small, change your perspective and do something you’ve never done before. Or do something old in a completely different way. Do it just to see how you react. Obviously don’t do anything dangerous. I’m saying do something different, not stupid.
  20. Just stop. Celebrate silence. A few moments of pure nothing is wonderful in a world where we’re always doing something.  You’re allowed to have a breather.

Title image: original by tiffa130 (cc)  /  Bottom image: Robbert van der Steeg (cc)

#voteforstudents – More than just a hashtag

Earlier today from 12.00, the Twitter hashtag #voteforstudents started trending worldwide.

#voteforstudents became the second most popular topic tweeted in the UK  within minutes. And for good reason too.

The Vote For Students website, set up by NUS (National Union of  Students) asks students to vote in the forthcoming general  election to support candidates who won’t support an increase in student fees.

The purpose of today’s Twitter event was to make the cause known and help spur students on to vote.  The student population is  huge.  Students represent 15% of the voting population, but many do not vote.  By coming together on a cause like this, students can make a big difference through their united voice.

In addition to this, the Vote For Students campaign puts pressure on political parties to speak up about the future of funding in  Higher Education.

Among the great Tweets were:

#voteforstudents  now at number two in UK trending topics, but it will be the number one thing on students minds on polling day – @estellehart

You don’t have to be a student, pledge your vote now to honest candidates at www.voteforstudents.co.uk #voteforstudents – @andrewhenrynus

We don’t want a country where poor institutions teaching poor students get poorer and vice versa #voteforstudents – @jim_dickinson

#voteforstudents  is about mobilising the student vote with the  immediate aim of stopping any increase in uni fees. – @johnpeart

#voteforstudents  isn’t just for students you can sign up today  too if you care about the future of education in the UK – @marktweets

Because if fees rise then most of us are screwed for the housing  ladder and pensions #voteforstudents – @AliceBouquet

The student vote could change the result of the next election.  Make sure our voices are heard. #voteforstudents – @uclansu

We could swing the general election…there’s 7 million in @nusuk  ‘s membership! #voteforstudents – @DannieGruff

great that #voteforstudents is trending. But it’s vital students sign up http://www.voteforstudents.co.uk & vote! – @AaronPorter

I did notice a couple of criticisms along the way too:

#voteforstudents  campaign and NUS should focus on getting students to vote, since 50% say they wont, rather than promoting their own agenda – @owenlmeredith

Impressed with the successful effort to get #voteforstudents to trend globally. Though a short tweetable manifesto would be useful. – @technicalfault

Today’s campaign to create a Twitter trending topic is one way in many that interested parties (not just NUS) are reaching out to  students to ask for their vote…and for their vote to actually count.

As for a tweetable manifesto, many Tweets were going out with the Vote For Students website linked, but @technicalfault does make a  fair point.  I’m sure if NUS were to set up a similar event, they’d consider something like this.

And I can well imagine NUS will do this again.  The outcome of the event wasn’t certain, but to trend so successfully in the UK and  around the world is a big deal given Twitter’s 40 million Tweets per day! [Update: Just a few days later, let’s make that 50 million Tweets!]

Congratulations to all who helped make #voteforstudents a top trending topic.

Now do we all go back to normal? NO. It’s time to make a difference. That’s what today was all about.  We all need to use our vote wisely.

Earlier today from 12.00, the Twitter hashtag #voteforstudents

started trending worldwide.

#voteforstudents became the second most popular topic in the UK

within minutes. And for good reason too.

The Vote For Students website, set up by NUS (National Union of

Students) asks students to vote in the forthcoming general

election to support candidates who won’t support an increase in

student fees.

The purpose of today’s Twitter event was to make the cause known

and help spur students on to vote.  The student population is

huge.  Students represent 15% of the voting population, but many

do not vote.  By coming together on a cause like this, students

can make a big difference through their united voice.

In addition to this, the Vote For Students campaign put pressure

on political parties to speak up about the future of funding in

Higher Education.

Among the Tweets were these:
#voteforstudents  now at number two in UK trending topics, but it

will the number one thing on students minds on polling day –

@estellehart http://twitter.com/estellehart/status/9281341191

You don’t have to be a student, pledge your vote now to honest

candidates at http://www.voteforstudents.co.uk #voteforstudents –

@andrewhenrynus

http://twitter.com/andrewhenrynus/status/9280856974

We don’t want a country where poor institutions teaching poor

students get poorer and vice versa #voteforstudents

http://www.voteforstudents.co.uk – @jim_dickinson

#voteforstudents  is about mobilising the student vote with the

immediate aim of stopping any increase in uni fees.

http://www.voteforstudents.co.uk – @johnpeart

http://twitter.com/johnpeart/status/9281040139

#voteforstudents  isn’t just for students you can sign up today

too if you care about the future of education in the UK

voteforstudents.co.uk – @marktweets

Because if fees rise then most of us are screwed for the housing

ladder and pensions #voteforstudents – @AliceBouquet

The student vote could change the result of the next election.

Make sure our voices are heard: http://www.voteforstudents.co.uk

#voteforstudents – @uclansu

We could swing the general election…there’s 7 million in @nusuk

‘s membership! #voteforstudents – @DannieGruff

I did notice a couple of criticisms along the way too:
#voteforstudents  campaign and NUS should focus on getting

students to vote, since 50% say they wont, rather than promoting

their own agenda – @owenlmeredith

Impressed with the successful effort to get #voteforstudents  to

trend globally. Though a short tweetable manifesto would be

useful. – @technicalfault

http://twitter.com/technicalfault/status/9282485567

Today’s campaign to create a Twitter trending topic is one way in

many that interested parties (not just NUS) are reaching out to

students to ask for their vote…and for their vote to actually

count.

As for a tweetable manifesto, many Tweets were going out with the

Vote For Students website linked, but @technicalfault does make a

fair point.  I’m sure if NUS were to set up a similar event,

they’d consider something like this.

And I can well imagine NUS will do this again.  The outcome of the

event wasn’t certain, but to trend so successfully in the UK and

around the world is a big deal given Twitter’s 40 million Tweets

per day!

http://royal.pingdom.com/2010/02/10/twitter-now-more-than-1-billio

n-tweets-per-month/

Congratulations to all who helped make #voteforstudents a top

trending topic.

Now do we all go back to normal? NO. It’s time to make a

difference. That’s what today was all about.  Let’s use our vote

wisely!

20/20 – Day 4: 20 healthy hints

February is National Heart Month. No matter how old you are, it’s never too early (or late) to take the state of your health seriously.

On Day 4 of the 20/20 series of posts, here are 20 healthy hints to get you started.

  1. Eat breakfast. It’s so easy, so tempting, to skip breakfast. Some may try not to skip, but resort to eating ‘on the go’ with sugary breakfast bars and other quick snacks.  Give your body a boost
  2. Buy goodies that last. If you crave treats, buy something to last.  Munching a 1,000-calorie, 2-mouthful dessert will last a few seconds. It may be delicious, but such a short-lived treat won’t keep you satisfied for long. If you have to find something bad for you, make sure you can enjoy it over a longer period of time.  Same content, longer lasting.  If you’re going to feel guilty, make it worthwhile.
  3. Think “little and often”. A little food, a little exercise, a little further, etc.
  4. Walk regularly. Briskly, if possible. Who needs to pay for costly gym services when all you want to do is remain healthy?  Walking is free and fantastic!
  5. Find time for a couple of fruit snacks a day. Take an apple out with you, grab a banana for a quick boost, find easy ways to get some fruit into your diet.
  6. Have a side-salad with your meal. You only need to buy a bag of salad leaves and dump some next to your meal.  I don’t even put dressing on.  One of the quickest ways to get another portion of veg inside you!
  7. Think 5-a-day as a minimum. It’s best you get at least five portions of fruit and vegetables.  When you reach five, try for more.  Up your game.
  8. Always find time to relax. Whatever works for you.  Deliberately doing nothing is not the same as wasting time.  Make your relaxation count.
  9. Don’t isolate yourself for too long. With important work to do, it’s easy to forget about the rest of the world around you.  Hours pass and you’ve been stuck in the same place without thinking about it.  Even if you need to get back to the work soon, be sure to take a break, get some fresh air, and think about something else.
  10. Stay hydrated. If you’re thirsty, it’s too late!  I tend not to worry too much about suggestions to drink ‘eight cups a day’ or ‘at least two litres of water’.  But I do listen to my body and I do regularly drink throughout the day.  Have some water with you wherever you go so you’re never left wanting.
  11. Step away from anger. We all need to let our emotions out to stay healthy.  But many situations don’t need to cause our emotions to run high in the first place.  If you’re able to move away, do so before your blood boils.
  12. Smile. It’s simple and we should do it as often as possible.
  13. Brush your teeth twice a day. It’s easy to forget in the morning.  If you have forgotten, you could munch on some cinnamon sticks!
  14. Don’t rush food. You’ll eat more before your body tells you it’s had enough and fast eating encourages indigestion.
  15. Don’t drink beyond your control. You can still enjoy yourself and be careful at the same time.
  16. Learn to let go. Some things aren’t worth stressing over.  If it’s not all that important, leave it.  If it’s outside your control, leave it.
  17. Cook from scratch. You’ll know what you’re eating then.  And you may even get some brief exercise in the kitchen, walking from cupboard to cupboard!
  18. Think ‘baby steps’ rather than ‘all or nothing’. Similar to ‘little and often’, you’re more likely to make a positive change if you take it slowly and appreciate each small success as part of a bigger goal.
  19. Allow yourself to be decadent sometimes. Total restriction will only make you crave stuff more.
  20. Stretch and move occasionally to avoid aches and stiffness. Get your joints moving, even while you work.  Play a sport if you’ve got the drive to go the whole hog.

What do you do to help your health?  Leave a comment and let us know your tips!

Title image: original by tiffa130 (cc)  /  Bottom image: annia316 (cc)

20/20 – Day 3: 20 reasons to listen

It’s good to talk. It’s better to listen.

Want to know why? Listen up:

  1. Listening is a decent, respectful thing to do. And it gets you more respect in the process. Win/Win.
  2. Because people like to talk.
  3. People like to confide in a good listener.
  4. You’re automatically given more credence as a good communicator.
  5. You have more chance of learning something.
  6. Listening doesn’t require much work, but the rewards are plenty.
  7. When you listen, you care about a person’s opinion.
  8. When you listen to someone, that someone is more likely to listen back.
  9. When you hear, you’re aware of the problem.  When you listen, you can discover the underlying causes of the problem.
  10. To listen is to examine.
  11. To listen is to question yourself gladly.
  12. So long as someone knows you’re listening to them, they know you haven’t given up on them.
  13. You can give so much when you offer advice. You can give so much more when you listen.
  14. It’s less arrogant.
  15. It’s more thoughtful.
  16. In a stream of many voices, listening to a single voice is so relaxing.
  17. If you don’t listen, you can’t empathise.
  18. When you listen, you exercise self-control.
  19. It’s often easier to forgive others if you truly listen to them.
  20. People are happier to forgive you if you listen back.

As mentioned in Point 9, listening is about more than hearing something. You have to give thought to what you hear. Digest what’s being communicated to you and react to it positively.  It’s true that listening doesn’t require much work (Point 6), but that doesn’t mean you can be lazy either. A vague nod and a smile won’t cut it.

Thanks for listening. What points have I missed? Please comment below so I can listen to your suggestions too.