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Productivity

What does gaming eyewear or computer glasses do?

By Pedro Leave a Comment

What does gaming eyewear or computer glasses do? pedrocarrion.com

Do gaming or computer glasses actually work? What do they do? This is the question I asked myself when I began seeing so many of my coworkers wearing gaming eyewear or computer glasses. Around the same time, I started getting this question from many of my friends and colleagues and I just wasn’t sure of the answer.

I was skeptical at first. So I asked coworkers who wore them regularly, and they all swore by them.

I was a little familiar with computer glasses but I thought they were only for people who spend all day in front of a computer. Surprise! I realized that I spend hours in front of a computer every day.

Not only do I tend to spend ALL DAY in front of a computer, but then I go home and work on projects that place me squarely in front of a computer for even more time.

I decided to give them a try. I bought a pair of Gunnar Optiks Intercept glasses (Amazon Link).

Gunnar Optiks Computer Glasses

gunnar_optiks

 

Gunnar Optiks computer glasses are some of the highest rated and most durable computer glasses on the market. They’re specifically designed to protect your eyes when looking at screens for an extended amount of time. They prevent eye strain, stress, and dry eyes.

Their yellow tint reduces the effect that blue light from electronic devices has on your eyes. They also have glasses that have an Amber tint for you graphic designers!

I was skeptical as to whether computer or gamer glasses would have any benefit whatsoever. But now I’m a believer!

Overall, I found these glasses to be sturdy and comfortable. I don’t wear glasses at all, so it took some getting used to, however, I got used to these pretty quick.

There’s something else, though. I decided to start a website dedicated to reviewing Computer/Gamer glasses. I’ll release more info on that at another time!

As part of my new website though, a company called Spektrum Glasses did reach out to me and offered me a couple of their glasses in exchange for an unbiased product review.

After wearing and testing their glasses for some time, I published two reviews that I would like to recap here.

Spektrum Prospek Computer Glasses

Spektrum’s glasses are called Prospek. Basically, they come in two features, 50% blocking and 99% blocking.

50% blocking blocks 50% of all blue light, 99 block 99% of it.

I reviewed two models, the Artist and the Elite.

Spektrum Prospek Artist

Spektrum_Prospek_Artist_Computer_Glasses

Check price on Amazon

I really liked these glasses. Although they’re designed for women, I thought they looked good on me! I also thought they were really light and comfortable. I forgot I was wearing them within minutes of having them on. Also, the yellow tinted lens is so faint, that you don’t even notice it after some time, but it’s because it blocks blue light at 50%. I highly recommend these.

 

Spektrum Prospek Elite

Spektrum_Prospek_Elite_Computer_Glasses

Check price on Amazon

I thought this model was ok. I wasn’t a big fan of the style (I prefer larger glasses). It was comfortable but the strong yellow tint was just too much to get used to. It’s strong because it blocks blue light at 99%. Still, I had trouble even keeping them on for an extended period of time. I wouldn’t buy these.

Overall

I do believe that computer glasses will be beneficial to you if you spend all day in front of a computer. I didn’t realize that I was in that boat until I took an honest look at myself! I took a chance to test them out and my eyes have thanked me for it since.

Not sure? Let me know if you have any questions!

December 5, 2017Filed Under: Productivity

What are SMART Goals and how to set them

By Pedro Leave a Comment

pedrocarrion.com-smart-goal-setting

I’ve always struggled with setting goals. I think that most of my life, subconsciously, I’ve been afraid to fail and therefore, have erred on inaction. Part of taking no action means that you don’t really set goals or hold yourself accountable. There are numerous sayings that talk about aiming higher than you really want, so you can still achieve great things. Or aim and nothing and you’ll hit it every time. I think that’s true.

However, in the last 10 years or so I’ve learned that you must hold yourself to a higher standard and if you want to succeed in something, you have to take a chance, work hard, and aim high. Part of that process is setting goals for yourself and learning to stick with them.

Believe it or not, SMART goals have been around for decades. Not the idea of SMART goals, just the development of them.

I first learned about them in a Business Administration class at Florida International University. Since then, I’ve put them into practice for myself. The concept of SMART goals originated with General Electric and is widely studied in business schools. So when it was brought up in that business class, it wasn’t new to anyone except for the few of us who were social science majors. I began putting SMART goals in to practice and then when I started working at Operation Christmas Child, I was pleased to learn that SMART goal setting is a constant practice.

Goal setting is an extremely valuable practice. Too often, people either don’t set any goals or set too many! I tend to set too many for myself and then end up abandoning most of them. In the last year though, I’ve been better about setting only a handful of goals for myself.

Before we get into the specifics of SMART goals, let’s look at DUMB goals.

DUMB Goals

Most people end up setting bad goals or DUMB goals. Here are some examples:

  • Lose weight
  • Start a new business
  • Work harder

These are all good things to achieve, these are honorable goals, but they’re dumb goals. Why are they dumb goals?

They’re vague, they’re not specific, and they’re not measurable.

 

Can you achieve goals like that? Maybe, maybe not. Does losing weight mean one pound or 10?

Goals like that tend to not work.

Dumb goals don’t work because they’re easy to make, easy to forget, and have no steps to help you achieve them, if you even know what you need to achieve.

GE developed the concept of SMART goal setting in the 1940s and by the time the 1960s came around, they had perfected it. By 1961, all GE employees wrote out their objectives for the following year and gave it to their manager.

The letter required the employee to indicate what the goals and time frame were for the next year, how the goals would be met, and what standards were to be expected. The manager would accept this letter, usually with some editing, and it became known as the work contract.

Next up – SMART Goals

SMART goals are:

  • Specific
  • Measurable
  • Attainable
  • Realistic
  • Time Based

The SMART goal system works so well because once you go through the thought process of creating a SMART goal, it’s much more clear how it will happen. You’re forced to think critically about the process of achieving these goals.

You know what the next steps are and when you need to do them. Dumb goal setting allows you to skip the steps of critical thinking.

It’s harder to set a SMART goal than a bad one. That’s purposeful. It takes longer to think through all the details to plan things out. It’s also ok to be agile and pivot midway through a plan. That’s actually a Project Management framework called… AGILE.

Setting a SMART Goal for losing weight

Using one of the most common goals, weight loss, as an example, let’s look at the SMART goal system in action.

Let’s think about setting a DUMB goal for this:

  • Lose weight

It’s easy to see that you can completely ignore that goal and never set out to do anything necessary to accomplish it. Some people can can lose weight without even trying, but not most of us!

Let’s turn it into a SMART Goal

Specific – Lose 10 pounds by March 1.

Measurable – That’s approximately 1.25 pounds a week.

Attainable – I can do cardio 3 times a week and lift weights 3 times a week, I can also lower my calories. Write out all the steps necessary to attain this goal.

Realistic – I can set aside time 5-6 times a week to make time for training. I can get up early in the mornings before work to train. I can trade in my work lunches for salad in order to cut calories. I can also cut out soda and sweets.

Time Based – I have 8 weeks to make this happen, I need to see these results by March 1. That means cutting calories by 10%, cardio 3 times a week, and weightlifting 3 times a week.

SMART Goals For The Win

What if things change or you see that by Week 3, you’re not hitting the 1.25 pounds per week mark? That’s why we’re flexible. Plans are here to serve you, you’re not here to serve your plan. If you need to change your plan, or your goal, then you have the flexibility to do that.

Adaptability is the greatest skill to have.

If you injure yourself while training and your doctor sidelines you for a couple weeks, you may have to push back or lower your goal, that’s not losing, that’s adapting.

On the flip side, if you find yourself losing 2 pounds per week, there’s nothing wrong with upping your goal! Be agile!

Don’t be afraid to adapt as needed.

SMART Goal Action Items

  • Think about a few short term goals that you’d like to accomplish in the next month.
  • Use the SMART Goal framework to set one of these goals for yourself.
  • Start working toward this goal. Document your steps toward your goal.
  • Build slack into the schedule and be realistic about how long tasks really take.
  • Work towards achieving your goal starting week.
  • Document your success and use that forward motion to push you toward bigger goals.

November 26, 2017Filed Under: Leadership, Productivity, Volunteer Management

Top 10 Most Read Posts of 2016

By Pedro Leave a Comment

2016

When you think of 2016, you may think of Harambe, Trump, exploding phones, stock market breakthroughs, or ISIS. You may laugh or cry, probably cry. But one thing is for sure, thousands of you have visited this site for one reason or another, and I thank you.

These are the Top 10 most read posts of 2016. This list takes into account all pageviews from January 1, 2016 until today, December 30, 2016. Most of these posts focus on organizational development of volunteer organizations. Some are random. Still, here they are. Number 1 is the most read post of the year, three years running, and it surprises me to see this every time.

[Read more…] about Top 10 Most Read Posts of 2016

December 30, 2016Filed Under: Children's Ministry, Church Lessons, International Affairs, Leadership, Life's Lessons, Missions and Outreach, Productivity, Samaritan's Purse, Security, Wifeless Survival

5 Characteristics of Strategic Resources

By Pedro 2 Comments

An F-15 Eagle aircrew from Kadena Air Base, Japan, returns to the "fight" after receiving fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker from Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., during Red Flag-Alaska April 27. Red Flag-Alaska is a field training exercise that provides joint offensive counter-air, interdiction, close air support, and large force employment training in a simulated combat environment. (U.S. Air Force photo/Capt. Shannon Collins)

What are the characteristics of strategic resources? Having strategic resources ensures that your organization will stay competitive for the long term. How do you know what makes these resources strategic?

There are 5 characteristics that I want to share with you.

There’s a reason I used a picture of the F-15 Eagle. The F-15 was first flown in 1972. It’s responsible for over 100 air to air kills with not one single Eagle lost. It’s dominance is unparalleled and is credited with American air superiority for over 40 years.

Strategic Resources? Nothing like the F-15 Eagle

It may not be what you have in mind when thinking of characteristics of strategic resources, but it is! Don’t think of strategic resources only as large endowments, a franchise player, or proprietary software.

This book by John Maxwell, The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader is the quintessential book of leadership. I highly recommend it and in it he talks in depth about what gives a person strategic advantage. Note, this is an Amazon affiliate link and if you buy it, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Click on the image to see it in Amazon.

A strategic resource is only a strategic resource if it fits all five of these characteristics.

1. It’s hard to copy

Uniqueness is at the heart of value creation because it limits competition. If you have a resource that can’t be copied or can’t easily copied, then it’s going to give you an advantage over your competitors. This advantage is sustainable until your competitors can copy it, if ever. That’s what makes it a strategic resource. Think of everything Apple has accomplished over the last 10 years or so, iPhones, iPads, Macbook Pros, etc. There are plenty of touchscreen phones and tablets, still, none have the responsiveness and intuitiveness that Apple has managed to engineer. From another point of view, processes and programs can be copied but people can’t. If you manage to get great people on your team, or make those people great, it can be impossible to copy and ends up being a strategic resource.

2. It depreciates slowly

How long does it last? The longer your resource lasts, the more strategic it is. The F-15 has been around since 1972. I’d say we got our money’s worth. When thinking of your people, do they stick around? If you count your people as one of your strategic resources, but you keep losing them, you’re seriously just losing overall. Keep them around and make them High Performance, and watch your strategic advantage stay up.

3. Your organization controls its value

The organization doesn’t always control it’s resources. If your employees leave and give away your resources, those resources are not strategic. This is a common occurrence in high technology fields and also in organizations with donors.

I know of a nonprofit abroad who had an admin person quit, and this individual took the entire contact list with them to their next job. These are fields in which the main resource is knowledge. When that’s the case, the resource to be taken care of is not the blueprints, it’s the individuals who created and currently guards the blueprints.

4. It can’t be easily substituted

We don’t have Coke, will Pepsi do? For most people, sure. Some things are easily substituted, some are not. Pizza is easily substituted. Chicago style pizza is not. It doesn’t matter if there are hundreds of pizzerias in your town, there may only be a handful with Chicago style pizza. These are strategic resources that can’t be easily substituted.

It goes further than that. Your organization’s facilities, your staff, your leadership, none of it is easily substituted. Most employees won’t leave your organization on a whim, they leave because they find something they believe is better for them or they leave because they believe something is wrong.

5. It’s more effective than competitors’ similar resources

Are your resources more effective than your competitors’ resources? If you’re an organization, then your greatest resource is your people. Are your people more effective than your competitors’ people? You may be able to hire a great project manager or a great developer, but competent people alone don’t make up the company. You must build a great team with a great culture from the ground up.


Start 2018 off STRATEGIC

January 2018 we’re launching an email course that will walk you through first 15 days of the year and put you in a position to strategically lead teams.

In this 15 day course, you’ll receive an email every morning with a Leadership Tip and an action item. At the end of the course, you’ll receive a free eBook on Building Teams.
If you’re interested, sign up here.

[yikes-mailchimp form=”1″]

October 15, 2016Filed Under: Leadership, Productivity

Why Franklin Graham is grossly UNDERpaid

By Pedro Leave a Comment

I work for Samaritan’s Purse. It’s not too long after telling someone this that they’ll comment about Franklin Graham’s supposed excessive salary, often incorrectly stating that he’s the highest paid nonprofit CEO. Never mind that the CEOs for The United Way, Goodwill, March of Dimes, American Red Cross, American Jewish Committee, American Cancer Society, Wildlife Conservation Society, World Wildlife Fund, World Vision and countless others earn more. Not to mention, or maybe I will mention that many of these organizations have considerably lower efficiency and accountability scores.

Let me step on my soapbox for a little bit….

 

samaritans-purse

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June 11, 2016Filed Under: Missions and Outreach, Productivity, Samaritan's Purse

The Secret to Event Success

By Pedro Leave a Comment

maths-2

Why do churches seem to pull off events seamlessly while so many other organizations struggle? I was recently asked this question and you know what, I know the answer.

[Read more…] about The Secret to Event Success

January 17, 2016Filed Under: Productivity

How To: Dual Strategy

By Pedro Leave a Comment

 

How would you like to keep things economical and do things in excellence at the same time? That’s the essence of dual strategy. It’s delivering the best service and being the most economical at the same time. Yes, it’s possible! [Read more…] about How To: Dual Strategy

September 22, 2015Filed Under: Church Lessons, Leadership, Productivity

6 Characteristics of High Performance Teams

By Pedro Leave a Comment

high performance teams - pedrocarrion.com

Are you looking to take things to the next level? You must start with your team, you need a high performance team! What characteristics do high performance teams display? These 6 Characteristics of High Performance Teams will guide you in taking your teams to the next level!

[Read more…] about 6 Characteristics of High Performance Teams

September 5, 2015Filed Under: Children's Ministry, Church Lessons, Leadership, Productivity, Volunteer Management

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