What causes dimples? | Live Science

February 21, 2023February 19, 2023 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

In some cultures, dimples are seen as a sign of beauty or even good luck. But what causes dimples, and why do some people have them while others don’t?

Dimples are small, natural indentations in the skin. Around 1 in 5 people have dimples, according to a 2019 meta-analysis in The Journal of Craniofacial Surgery(opens in new tab). They are commonly found on the cheeks but can be located on other parts of the body, such as the chin and lower back.

Live Science looked at how these indentations form and whether they can disappear over time.

4 Benefits of Microbreaks And How To Use Them At Work | LifeHack

February 21, 2023February 19, 2023 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

There was once a time when smoking breaks were just par for the course. It must have been frustrating for non-smokers to see colleagues take numerous breaks throughout the day while they slaved away.

But perhaps they were on to something. Microbreaks are something more companies are beginning to embrace and for good reasons.

The human body is a complex machine, just one not made out of chips and circuits. The thing we have in common with computers, though, is we eventually burn out. That’s where sleep comes in—it resets our body and restores our energy.

But what about microbreaks? How do they fit in and how do they help us?

What to Do Before Starting a Business | businessnewsdaily.com

February 20, 2023February 19, 2023 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

It’s important to research your industry, find competitors, understand risk and map out your finances before starting your business.

Understanding the work involved in starting a business is necessary for a successful launch
The importance of proper planning cannot be understated, as these decisions are core to how your business takes shape
Making good decisions early on can help ensure continued growth
This article is for those considering starting a new business and wanting to learn more about what it takes to get it up and running.

What Is the Circle of Control (And How to Use It to Stop Feeling Powerless) | Lifehack

February 20, 2023February 19, 2023 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

I am a staunch believer in the saying, “Strike a balance.” However, I try not to dwell too much on events beyond my control. My gardener taught me that!

When I asked him how he knew that the plants would grow well, he replied, “I am good at what I do, but I am never sure if the plants would grow well. I can only control how I take care of them, not the outcome. I do my job well and then leave the rest to nature.”

In a way, he focuses on the Circle of Control.

3 things Texas needs to do to prevent another catastrophic power failure | Fast Company

February 16, 2023February 13, 2023 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Texans like to think of their state as the energy capital of the world. But in mid-February 2021, the energy state ran short of energy.

An intense winter weather outbreak, informally dubbed Winter Storm Uri by the Weather Channel, swept across the U.S., bringing snow, sleet, freezing rain, and frigid temperatures. Texas was hit especially hard, with all 254 counties under a winter storm warning at the same time.

3 Ways Product Reviews Can Increase Your E-Commerce Revenue | AllBusiness.com

February 16, 2023February 13, 2023 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

With so many companies selling their products online, the task of standing out to your audience gets harder every day. And with new companies entering the online marketplace, you have to be constantly looking for ways to capture those eyeballs searching for the products you carry. Some shoppers are only looking for rock-bottom bargain prices, regardless of whom is selling. But for others there is a simple option that can make your products stand out: Google Product Ratings or product reviews.

Can I file my taxes now? IRS gives guidance on state refunds, payments| Fast company

February 15, 2023February 14, 2023 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Earlier this month, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) abruptly advised millions of taxpayers to hold off on filing their 2022 tax return. The reason? A number of states had issued one-time tax rebates, refunds, and other special payments last year, but the IRS was not sure if some or any of these payments were taxable at the federal level.

Now the agency has clarified the situation by issuing updated guidance on the matter, stating that “taxpayers in many states will not need to report these payments on their 2022 tax returns.”

This will no doubt come as a relief to millions of taxpayers, especially those who had filed their returns before the IRS said to hold off. At the same time, the IRS guidance contains some caveats. If you received one of these state-level payments in 2022, here’s what to know:

Estimated Tax Payments: What to Pay and When | Small Biz Trends

February 15, 2023February 13, 2023 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Estimated tax payments can be confusing, but they don’t have to be. Understanding the basics of estimated taxes and what you need to pay is key to making sure you stay in compliance with the IRS. Keeping up with estimated taxes throughout the year will help you avoid paying too much (or too little) come tax day. In this article, we’ll discuss when estimated taxes are due as well as how much you’re required to pay.

What are estimated tax payments?

Estimated tax payments are periodic payments made to the government by individuals or businesses during the year, in order to pay their expected tax liability. These payments are typically made quarterly in four equal installments and are estimated based on an individual’s or business’s expected income not subject to federal tax withholding minus deductions for the current year. The purpose of estimated tax payments is to ensure that the tax owed is paid in a timely manner, rather than as a lump sum at the end of the year, avoiding underpayment penalties.

Why Limit Team Decisions to One Vote Per Person? | Business.com

February 14, 2023February 12, 2023 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Conducting a straw poll prior to a group decision can be a useful way of seeing where attendees stand. Data from the poll focuses conversations around solutions with the most support.

The most common poll is something called plurality voting: each attendee has one vote, and they assign it to one potential solution they find most compelling. However, another option called multivoting is showing better results, according to new research published in the Academy of Management Discoveries.

Multivoting Allows for Greater Nuance

In such a poll, each attendee gets, say, 10 votes — depending on the number of options being evaluated — that they can allocate across potential solutions. They can assign their votes any way they like. For example, they can allocate all 10 votes to one solution or perhaps five votes to a couple solutions they see as viable.

As noted, groups using multivoting outperformed groups using other approaches. This could be the case for several reasons:

Best Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus screen protectors: top 10 picks | Digital Trends

February 14, 2023February 12, 2023 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Now the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus has officially launched, fans of Samsung’s flagship smartphones are looking to get their hands on it. While it’s all well and good to buy the phone itself, plenty of accessories are needed to go with it — such as screen protectors.

No one likes having to make additional purchases, especially after spending over $1,000 on a phone, but investing in a good screen protector will keep your screen safe from chips, smashes, and any other possible danger that can otherwise make for a pricey repair. Here are the best screen protectors for the Galaxy S23 Plus you can buy right now.