All posts by Mark Jacobsen

Business

You’re Not Charging Enough. Charge More. End of Discussion. #1aDay

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One of the top lessons that have recently come out of the ShankMinds Business Masterminds is that people simply don’t charge enough. And you probably don’t, either.

I know I have this problem too, but over time I’ve learned to charge more. I know what I do is valuable, and should be compensated accordingly. Read Peter’s post and see if you disagree.

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Disclaimer: Thoughts and opinions are my own, and do not reflect the views of any employer, family member, friend, or anyone else. Some links may be affiliate links, but I don't link to anything I don't use myself. You would think this should be self evident these days, but apparently not...
iPhone, Life, Parenting

For The Children’s Sake, Put Down That Smartphone #1aDay

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It’s not just kids who are overdoing screen time. Parents are often just as guilty of spending too much time checking smartphones and e-mail — and the consequences for their children can be troubling.

While I’m no angel when it comes to my phone I do make a conscious effort to disable just about every type of notification and not look at it when in the middle of talking to someone (unless it’s to check on something they asked about). If there’s one thing I can’t stand it’s the people who have every notification turned on then tell you that they don’t even notice it anymore… well the rest of us who are trying to talk to you do – and so do your kids as this article points out.

Read the full article here

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Disclaimer: Thoughts and opinions are my own, and do not reflect the views of any employer, family member, friend, or anyone else. Some links may be affiliate links, but I don't link to anything I don't use myself. You would think this should be self evident these days, but apparently not...
Life, Parenting

You’re Washing Your Clothes Too Often! (What to Do Instead) #1aDay

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My wife is probably going to hate this article, but I did promise a “clean” article after yesterday’s post.

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Disclaimer: Thoughts and opinions are my own, and do not reflect the views of any employer, family member, friend, or anyone else. Some links may be affiliate links, but I don't link to anything I don't use myself. You would think this should be self evident these days, but apparently not...
Work

Go the F**k Home #1aDay

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Ok, so I’ve posted this one before, but I still love it every time I listen to it. Especially appreciate the part about leaders setting the example.

Sorry for the string of videos with “strong language”. I promise the next post will be “clean” 🙂

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Disclaimer: Thoughts and opinions are my own, and do not reflect the views of any employer, family member, friend, or anyone else. Some links may be affiliate links, but I don't link to anything I don't use myself. You would think this should be self evident these days, but apparently not...
Customer Service, Financial

The Internet Is About to Become Worse Than Television #1aDay

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Last week, an obscure but potentially internet-transforming document was leaked from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission. It revealed that government regulators are considering rules that would give big companies a chance to make their online services run faster than smaller ones.

Personally, the thing I like least about it is that it’s easy to see how small/new companies could get screwed and stifle innovation. The other thing that I had not though of until I read this is I trust the cable companies so little that I wouldn’t be surprised if they started “bundling” sites like they do with TV. I don’t need 100 channels! Of course, this is why I don’t have cable TV. Finally, the other thing you should be upset about is the cable companies “double dipping”. They’re already charging insane prices (because usually they have a monopoly in most areas other then major metros), and now they’re also going to start extorting the companies too – what, you didn’t think they’d actually lower your rates when they started charging the companies did you?… Comcrap-Warner wants it’s cake and to eat it too (see the video below – warning: language).

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Disclaimer: Thoughts and opinions are my own, and do not reflect the views of any employer, family member, friend, or anyone else. Some links may be affiliate links, but I don't link to anything I don't use myself. You would think this should be self evident these days, but apparently not...
Life, Productivity

Concurrently process for maximum productivity #1aDay

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Christopher Penn makes a good argument for the separate concept of concurrent (or parallel processing) over the traditional single vs multi-tasking debate. Of course the key to success in concurrent processing is knowing how to split up the work without getting stuck in analysis paralysis. In that case, I would strongly recommend dropping down to single tasking instead of what most people seem to do.

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Disclaimer: Thoughts and opinions are my own, and do not reflect the views of any employer, family member, friend, or anyone else. Some links may be affiliate links, but I don't link to anything I don't use myself. You would think this should be self evident these days, but apparently not...
Financial

The Hidden Health Costs of the College Arms Race #1aDay

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Every time I hear stories like this it makes me worry for my kids. While I can be a competitive person there’s always been a release valve buried somewhere deep inside that has been able to say “the work will be there tomorrow” or (when I was in school) “Being first in class doesn’t matter. Just learn the material well enough. There’s always time to dig deeper.”

The question is, how to pass that on while still instilling the discipline and joy of hard work and sacrifice?

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Disclaimer: Thoughts and opinions are my own, and do not reflect the views of any employer, family member, friend, or anyone else. Some links may be affiliate links, but I don't link to anything I don't use myself. You would think this should be self evident these days, but apparently not...
Financial

If You’re Not Saving, You’re Losing Out #1aDay

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We’re supposedly in a new era of financial sobriety. Yet the evidence suggests otherwise.

Personally, I find this article very scary because at some point someone (unfortunately, it will probably be the responsible) will have to help save the irresponsible.

Need to save money? Here’s a few quick ways anyone can do so…

  1. Get rid of your insanely expensive wireless plan and switch to something reasonable
  2. Get rid of cable TV – there are way better things to do than watch the idiot box
  3. Get rid of all the extra toys (kid and grown-up ones)
  4. Get rid of the gas guzzler

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Disclaimer: Thoughts and opinions are my own, and do not reflect the views of any employer, family member, friend, or anyone else. Some links may be affiliate links, but I don't link to anything I don't use myself. You would think this should be self evident these days, but apparently not...
Productivity

Emails Are Not For Real-Time Requests (and Other Rules) #1aDay

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Here’s an article that’s been spreading like wildfire it seems, and while it raises an interesting idea it seems to forget that the reason people are contacting you like they are isn’t because they don’t know how to or what method to use. They don’t care about what’s convenient for you. They care about what’s convenient for them.

That’s not to say you have to use every communication method known to man or have notification turned on for all channels (for heaven’s sake, TURN OFF THE NOTIFICATIONS). Still, if you want to get a hold of me, please email. Just don’t be shocked if I don’t reply or it takes a while. We all have to set limits 🙂

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Disclaimer: Thoughts and opinions are my own, and do not reflect the views of any employer, family member, friend, or anyone else. Some links may be affiliate links, but I don't link to anything I don't use myself. You would think this should be self evident these days, but apparently not...
Parenting, Programming

The Male Dominated Field of Programming #1aDay

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Apparently only around 20% to 30% of currently working programmers are female, and in my experience it seems to be closer to 20% than 30%. Still, the post raises some important points especially about behavior.

I want my girls to be able to do anything they are capable of and interested in just like I wish the same for any boy.

Still, regarding the cartoon, I half wonder if the person has ever watched a girl play with a doll. There is more going on in a 5 minute session than I can keep track of when I watch my girls with their dolls… And yes, they also love the “ipad” (aka Kindle Fire).

Read the full article here

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Disclaimer: Thoughts and opinions are my own, and do not reflect the views of any employer, family member, friend, or anyone else. Some links may be affiliate links, but I don't link to anything I don't use myself. You would think this should be self evident these days, but apparently not...