Whether its science-backed strategies or feel-good platitudes, we all need some extra motivation when it comes to our New Year's resolutions.

To get you closer to your goals this year, we combed through popular Reddit and Quora threads to create this list of hacks that people swear by, along with a few of our own.

From life-changing habits to simple tricks for your iPhone, here are 20 tips that could help you improve and transform your life in 2018.

Complete your hardest task first.

Procrastination is a hard habit to kick, but learning how to "front-load your pain," as Reddit user ParallaxBrew puts it, can be a great place to start: "That thing you feel crappy about? That thing you're dreading? That is exactly the thing you need to do [...] You know you're going to end up feeling like s--- if you procrastinate anyway [...] [so] you might as well take the action that will improve your life."

As Reddit user  RevMen suggests, "practice choosing discomfort" whenever you're faced with a daunting task or tough decision, and it'll become easier over time.

If you're about to buy something you don't need, imagine the item in one hand and the money you would spend in the other.

This visualization exercise by Reddit user Willwait can help you figure out which one you'd rather have — the item or the cash — and cut down on impulse purchases. You can also try converting the item's cost into its value in time, according to Reddit user VerifiedMadgod. Just calculate how many hours you'd have to work in order to buy that item, and consider whether it's worth that amount of time.

Before you book an international flight, double-check your passport's expiration date.

If you've never traveled overseas, you may not know about certain passport validity rules. For example, some countries require that your passport is valid for six months after your intended return date. Some countries also do not accept emergency passports. To make sure you don't lose a ton of money on flights, learn more about your destination, including passport validity requirements, on the US Department of State website.

To expedite the passport renewal process, you may also want to check out ItsEasy, an app that lets you get a new passport or visa without ever leaving your home.

Our food system is fascinating. From scientists making diamonds out of peanut butter to grapes exploding into plasma fireballs in the microwave, INSIDER has rounded up some of the strangest and most fascinating food facts that you probably never knew.

Keep scrolling to educate yourself and impress friends at your next dinner party.

Scientists can turn peanut butter into diamonds.

Scientists at the Bayerisches Geoinstitut in Germany have discovered that since peanut butter is so rich in carbon, it's possible to turn simple Skippy into diamonds.

All you need is to extract the oxygen from the carbon dioxide found in the peanut spread, and then enact immense pressure on the carbon left behind.

The red food dye used in Skittles is made from boiled beetles.

Carmine, also known as carminic acid, is a common red food dye that can be found in Skittles, maraschino cherries, raspberry and strawberry-flavored junk food, and even lipstick.

Carminic acid also happens to be made from the crushed carcasses of a beetle known as the Dactylopius coccus.

Raw oysters are still alive when you eat them.

Chances are, raw oysters are still alive when you eat them. Oysters deteriorate so fast that chefs have to serve them very quickly — while they're still alive, basically. Some varieties of the shellfish can survive out of the water for up to two weeks, which is why oysters are stored under particularly regulated condition. Once they die, they are no longer safe to eat.

So yes: If you have a nice plate of fresh oysters, you're probably chewing on them while they are still alive. Luckily, oysters don't have central nervous systems, so they can't feel pain.

• Rome, Italy, is a popular tourist destination for travelers from around the globe.
• There are plenty of amazing attractions for visitors, although there are also many tourist traps.
• Locals and frequent travelers took to Quora to share their best tips on visiting Rome. 

Chances are, if you're traveling to Rome, you're planning to visit popular attractions like the Colosseum, the Vatican, and the Trevi Fountain. While those are great, there are ways to see them without making the same common mistakes many first-timers to Rome make.

On a recent Quora thread, Roman locals and frequent travelers explained what not to do when visiting the Italian city. From ordering a large coffee instead of espresso to visiting popular attractions in the middle of the day, the thread is filled with travel don'ts and advice on how to make your trip go as smoothly as possible. 

Keep reading for 13 mistakes tourists make when visiting Rome, and how to avoid them.

Ordering a large coffee.

Chances are, a significant part of why you're traveling to Italy is the food. Locals suggest getting to know Italian cuisine before you travel so you can make the most of your trip. In particular, don't expect coffee sizes to be the same as at home. Ordering a large coffee will make you stand out as a tourist. 

"Try to be a little more adventurous with food than just ordering pizza and pasta... [Familiarize] yourself with the different types of coffee," Vanessa Foudouli said. 

Visiting popular attractions in the middle of the day.

You're most likely to get caught up in crowds of tourists if you visit popular attractions in the middle of the day. If you can fit it into your schedule, visiting some of these outdoor attractions late at night or early in the morning will provide a much more manageable experience. 

"The best way to enjoy Fontana de Trevi is to go between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. before shops and tourists come out. It can be way too crowded during other hours, but during those three hours you can have the whole fountain to yourself," Nina Park said. 

Relying solely on museums to see art.

You're wasting time and money if you only go to museums to learn about Roman history and art. For no money, or at least for significantly less than museum admission, you can see plenty of beautiful art and architecture in churches. 

"Practically for free, you can visit these churches that all contain famous paintings by Caravaggio: there's Sant'Agostino and San Luigi dei Francesi (both five minutes from the Pantheon), and Santa Maria del Popolo (in the famous square Piazza del Popolo)," Giulia Valenti said. 

Paris Hilton is officially engaged.

Hilton, the former star of "The Simple Life," accepted her new fiance Chris Zylka's proposal in Aspen, Colorado, sharing the big news on Instagram on Tuesday, January 2, 2018.

How did the 36-year-old DJ meet the 32-year-old "Leftovers" actor? Their love story is actually much more complicated than "that’s hot."

They met at an Oscar party in 2010.

Hilton and Zylka first met in 2010 at Hollywood's iconic Chateau Marmont.

"We met eight years ago at the Chateau Marmont at this Oscar party and then we flirted for years and years," Hilton told Page Six.

Though the two maintained a flirtatious relationship, they dated other people. Hilton was in a relationship with businessman Thomas Gross from 2015 to 2016 while Zylka was engaged to model Hanna Beth. Zylka's engagement ended with a particularly nasty online feud, including March 2015 cheating allegations. Hilton's year-long courtship with Gross ended in April 2016 due to opposing lifestyles and hectic schedules, according to US Weekly.

Though they'd moved on, Hilton later told Galore that she'd known from the first time they'd met that there had been a connection.

"As soon as he walked through the door, we looked at one another; we're both shy so it took a while, but by the end of the night we couldn't stop laughing and flirting," Hilton said.

Years later, they reunited at Art Basel.

Five years after their first meeting, Zylka reached out in the hopes of reconnecting with Hilton.

"Two years ago at Art Basel, my brother got a text because Chris had seen an Instagram … and he wanted to meet up," Hilton said to Page Six.

The couple now thinks of the event, which takes place annually in Miami, Florida, with fond memories and holds it close to their hearts, especially after celebrating their anniversary with a chance coincidence at the same spot two years later in 2017.

"It's so romantic because we were actually put in the same room that we had that cute little date," Hilton told Page Six of their coincidental stay at the Faena Hotel. "When we walked in, we were like, 'Oh my God, this is crazy!' I didn't even plan it, so it was really cool."

They made things official in February 2017.

Hilton and Zylka made their relationship Instagram official the day after her birthday, February 18, 2017.

The couple posed alongside "Pretty Little Liars" star Ashley Benson in a snap that Hilton captioned, "#BirthdaySelfie with my loves."

In the following days, Hilton posted several other pictures of her and her boyfriend, including photos from their Valentine’s Day, spent together.

"The best feeling is when someone looks at you like you are magic," Hilton wrote.

Once the news broke, a source told Page Six, "They have never been happier and they make the perfect couple."

Later, Hilton told PEOPLE that she’d had a good feeling about him from the very beginning.

"Ever since our first date I knew there was something special about him," she said. "I have never in my life met a man so loyal, dedicated, and loving. I knew right from the start that I wanted to be with him forever."

Hilton also said that their first date had been much more private than many would expect.

"He came over to my house. We stayed up all night talking and getting to know each other. When we had our first kiss, I felt that electric feeling and I knew there was something special about him," Hilton told Galore.

Socialite and billionaire heiress Paris Hilton is engaged. Her new fiancé, actor Chris Zylka, proposed during a ski trip in Aspen, Colorado over New Year's weekend.

Hilton and Zylka have been together for about two years and they're known for their lovey-dovey Instagram posts and public gushing about their relationship.

Below, check out the highlights of Hilton and Zylka's romance.

SEE ALSO: The fabulous life of Alexa Dell, the 24-year-old billionaire heiress who grew up in 'The Castle,' dated Tinder's CEO, and just got engaged with a million-dollar ring

Paris Hilton, 36, just got engaged to Chris Zylka, 32. Zylka proposed during a weekend ski trip in Aspen, Colorado, with a 20-carat, pear-shaped diamond. The ring's designer told PEOPLE it's worth about $2 million.

Instagram Embed:
http://instagram.com/p/Bdc913pn0MZ/embed/
Width: 658px

Source: PEOPLE

"I am so excited to be engaged to the love of my life and my best friend," Hilton told PEOPLE. "I have never felt so happy, safe and loved. He is perfect for me in every way and showed me that fairytales really do exist!"

Source: PEOPLE

Zylka is best known for playing Tom Garvey in the television series "The Leftovers."

Source: IMDB

After the polarizing YouTube star posted a video of himself discovering a dead body in Japan's so-called "suicide forest," Paul has been the subject of online ire, including angry Tweets, memes, and a petition to have both his and his brother Jake's channels removed.

As many have pointed out, the video may have just ended the 22-year-old's career, standing to deplete his following of nearly 4 million Twitter users, 16.1 million Instagram followers, and 15 million YouTube subscribers.

This isn't the first time Paul has been the subject of controversy. Here are 6 things to know about Logan Paul, including why this resistance to his brand may have been a long time coming.

Logan Paul's career began on Vine.

According to a profile in Business Insider, the Ohio native began posting videos on the internet using an app called Zoosh when he was only 10 years old. By the time Paul reached high school, he began posting short six-second clips on Vine, a now-defunct video-sharing app.

Paul was mostly known for his slapstick style of comedy, sharing footage of himself doing stunts, telling jokes, and playing pranks.

On Vine, Paul amassed a huge amount of followers, in turn earning hundreds of thousands of dollars in advertising revenue and garnering tons of views. He proved himself to be an influential figure online, making the jump from one smaller app to other forms of social media, including Facebook, on which he's earned millions of video views.

Eventually, YouTube became Paul's milieu of choice, and there he's posted videos on two channels, one for vlogs, daily video blogs, and another for more rehearsed or highly-produced "official" videos. According to Social Blade, these channels can earn him an annual $14 million and $1 million respectively.

His brother is also a social media influencer.

Alongside Logan Paul's popularity came the rise of his younger brother, Jake Paul.

Jake Paul also began posting videos on Vine, but eventually, his career split from Logan's. Jake Paul has 10.4 million Instagram followers, 2.86 million Twitter followers, and 12 million YouTube subscribers.

By comparison, Logan Paul's younger brother has always been considered slightly more polarizing, particularly for his attempts at a rap career and his feud with his neighbors, whose complaints about Jake's antics led to his firing from Disney.

The brothers haven't always gotten along. Their feuds and rivalry have been the subject of internet gossip and fan wars over the last few years of their split careers.

He's been the face of several ad campaigns.

Prior to his now-infamous status, big name brands often used Logan Paul as an ally for marketing and ad campaigns, particularly those in the hopes of garnering millennial and internet-based audiences.

Paul was the face of Dunkin' Donuts' first social media celeb campaign, the star of a cross-channel Hanes ad, and even partnered with Pepsi in the past.

All in all, these campaigns have translated into major earnings for Logan Paul, though he's said it's not nearly enough.

"To be honest, I'm worth three times the amount I'm getting paid," Paul told "60 Minutes" in 2016.

If your New Year's resolution was to watch more TV, you're in luck.

Netflix has 14 new originals arriving in January — though only a few are worth your time. 

There will be a new season of "One Day At A Time"(one of our picks for best shows of 2017), a true crime documentary about food called "Rotten," and a biopic starring Jack Black as Polish-American polka band leader Jan Lewan (who was imprisoned in 2004 for running a Ponzi scheme). 

Here's the full list:

SEE ALSO: Here are all the confirmed original shows coming to Netflix in 2018

"Lovesick," season 3 — available January 1

Netflix description: The third installment picks up with Dylan, Evie and Luke still trying to navigate their way through their love lives, in a warts and all take on twenty-something romance.

"Devilman Crybaby," season 1 — available January 5

Netflix description: A demon possesses a boy's dead body to do evil. But after falling in love with a human girl, he has a change of heart. Based on Go Nagai's hit manga.

"Rotten"— available January 5

Netflix description: From the team behind Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown and The Mind of a Chef, Rotten gives food the true crime treatment, diving deep into the food production underworld to expose the corruption, waste and real dangers behind your everyday eating habits.

If talk of resolutions and new beginnings is giving you a sense of wanderlust, you're in luck.

There are tons of cities perfect for getting a fresh start and snagging a new, well-paying job.

To find the 20 best cities for finding a job in 2018, personal-finance site WalletHub compared 182 of the most populous US cities based on 26 metrics (like job opportunities, employment growth, monthly median salary, unemployment rate, average work and commute time, and housing affordability, among other metrics.) Each metric falls into one of two key dimensions (job market and socioeconomic environment), with greater weight assigned to metrics that fall under the job market category.

To read more about the study's methodology, check out the full report here.

Continue scrolling to see the 20 best US cities for finding a job in 2018:

SEE ALSO: The 50 best places to work in 2018, according to employees

SEE ALSO: 7 reasons Facebook is the best place to work in America and no other company can compare

20. Tempe, Arizona

Total score (out of 100): 59.79

Job market rank (out of 182): 32

Socioeconomic rank (out of 182): 15

19. Fremont, California

Total score (out of 100): 60.04

Job market rank (out of 182): 15

Socioeconomic rank (out of 182): 66

18. Salt Lake City, Utah

Total score (out of 100): 60.65

Job market rank (out of 182): 17

Socioeconomic rank (out of 182): 28

It's almost time for the return of all of your favorite shows.

After most shows take a short winter break, the new year sets the dates for when they are coming back. Shows like "Riverdale" and "This Is Us" are returning in January. The new year also brings new seasons of shows like Netflix's "Jessica Jones," which is back in March. 

We still might not know the exact dates of the return of shows like "Westworld,""The Handmaid's Tale," and "Legion," but we do know quite a few.

Here's when you can watch new episodes of all of your favorite returning shows.

January 1

"Lovesick" (Netflix) 

January 1 at 8 p.m EST

"The Bachelor" (ABC) 

"Lucifer" (Fox) 

January 1 at 9 p.m. EST

"Valor" (The CW) 

"The Gifted" (Fox) 

"60 Days In" (A&E) 

"Better Late Than Never" (NBC) 

Nintendo is on a serious roll.

The company's latest console, the Switch, is a major hit. The two biggest games for Switch are massively popular entries in the long-running "Super Mario" and "Legend of Zelda" franchises.

And the future looks as big — or maybe even bigger— for the Japanese gaming giant. How does a brand-new Pokémon game for the Nintendo Switch sound to you? That's just the beginning.

SEE ALSO: The legendary creator of 'Super Mario' explains why he tries not to hire gamers to work at Nintendo

1. Everything old is new again.

In 2017, Nintendo re-released "Mario Kart 8" as a "new" game on the Switch. The game previously arrived on the Nintendo Wii U — the console that Nintendo sunset in favor of the Switch. 

In 2018, Nintendo plans to re-release "Bayonetta 2"— another game that launched exclusively on the Wii U. The game even comes with a free copy of the first "Bayonetta." This is part of Nintendo's ongoing strategy to bring back the best games from the Wii U era — games that a limited number of people played due to how very few people bought a Wii U.

"Given the [very low] install base of Wii U, there was some fantastic content that consumers did not get to play," Nintendo America president Reggie Fils-Aimé told Vice last year. "So that creates certainly a business opportunity."

Beyond "Bayonetta" and "Bayonetta 2," it seems likely we'll see some of the Wii U's other best stuff head to the Switch. Games like "Super Smash Bros." and "Super Mario Maker" come to mind immediately, though there are opportunities to bring over other great stuff (like "Super Mario 3D World" and "Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker").

2. Nintendo's online service is finally going to light up.

The Nintendo Switch Online service is scheduled to launch in 2018 at a price of $20 a year. For that price, you'll get instant access to a classic game library and the ability to play games online.

You read that correctly: Nintendo is going to gate access to online gameplay.

After this service launches, you'll need to fork over a subscription fee to play online games on the Nintendo Switch. For the $20 price of entry, though, you'll also gain access to a library of classic games. The only three games announced thus far are "Super Mario Bros. 3,""Dr. Mario," and "Balloon Fight," which are all classic Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) games. 

It's unclear when the service will actually launch; Nintendo has only given its service a release window of "2018." 

It's also unclear if Nintendo will have a separate "Virtual Console" service, as it has in the past — such a service has traditionally offered a paid library of a la carte classic games. That could very well also be coming in 2018.

3. A "core" Pokémon game is being made for Nintendo's Switch, and it could arrive as early as 2018.

A new entry in the "Pokémon" series is coming to the Switch, and it's not a spin-off. We're talking about a "core RPG Pokémon title," according to Pokémon company president Tsunekazu Ishihara.

That's a huge deal. Main series Pokémon games have only ever come to Nintendo's handheld game consoles. But with the Switch, Nintendo's main game console is also its main handheld console. And that means that there's only one place for Pokémon to go: the Switch!

In fairness, the game may not arrive in 2018. 

When the project was announced, it was said to be "more than a year out." That was back in June 2017, so it's entirely possible that this game isn't anywhere close to complete. That said, it was also unlikely that Nintendo would launch two major "Super Mario" and "Legend of Zelda" games in the same year, but that was exactly what Nintendo did in 2017.

• Almost every hiring manager has found a lie on a résumé and discarded the application.
• Résumé mistakes like adding pictures with pets or lying about past experience are embarrassing for the applicant.
• Here are some of the most outrageous mistakes and lies that hiring managers have caught.

First impressions matter, especially for job applicants.

But trying to catch someone's eye with a lie is a big mistake.

Harris Poll conducted a survey for Career Builder and asked 2,575 hiring managers to share some of the worst résumé gaffes applicants could make. Of those interviewed, 75% said they have caught applicants lying on their résumés. Even employees at Business Insider have spotted applicants padding their résumé.

The risk does not seem to be worth the reward because only 12% of HR people surveyed said they were more likely to call an applicant for an interview if there was an unusual claim on the application.

There are other, more honest ways to be noticed. Customizing a résumé to the position is a plus for 60% of HR managers, and 38% are more likely to look at the applicant if a cover letter is included.

If you still don't believe lying on a résumé is bad, take a look at these 10 outrageous mistakes and lies that hiring managers caught.

SEE ALSO: 11 résumé mistakes that make hiring managers dismiss you immediately

SEE ALSO: You can tell someone's lying to you by watching their face — here are 12 dead giveaways

An applicant said he worked at Microsoft but didn't know who Bill Gates was

An applicant claimed to have created computer code actually written by the hiring manager

An applicant submitted a résumé they pulled from the internet that didn't even match the cover letter

The most important photos of your life may be the ones taken on your wedding day. And although you may have chosen the perfect photographer to capture every moment of this special date, not abiding by a set of not-always-discussed rules may have consequences for your future wedding album.

Ask your wedding photographer if they have any pet peeves before the big day, and if they’re too polite to share them with you, check out these wedding photographers biggest grievances — and clue you guests into them too — to optimize all the perfect shots on your wedding date.

Forgetting to order a meal for the photographer(s) if coverage is over six hours.

"This is a major one. We all get hungry, especially after long hours. Sometimes there is not even time for a break. I’ve been left eating nibbles off of tables and hot dogs from hot dog vendors. I think it is a given fact that a meal should be provided to the photographer as well — we all work better on a full stomach."— Alice B.

Lying about your wedding size, and then expecting the photographer to get a picture of every single person.

"This happens more than you think. Many times I am told the wedding is just a small gathering of 100 people, when I get there it's almost twice that amount. After the fact, and when the gallery is ready, I am asked why did I not take a photo of their third cousin twice removed or their older aunt from overseas?

"I try to give couples a list of required shots after our initial meeting, that way if there are any guests at the wedding they really want me to capture I can scan the list and make sure I get a photo of them."— Alice B.

Taking over six months to pick up your photos and pay remainder of payment.

"Here I just wait and wait, writing emails like the IRS asking for payment. Some couples take forever. Do they not want their photos and albums? Or are they just satisfied with the web gallery?"  — Alice B.

President Donald Trump. Hurricanes Harvey, Maria, and Irma. The Russia investigation. The #MeToo movement. Las Vegas.

There were so many huge, consequential stories in 2017, and they all came at a breakneck pace, one after another. The news cycle was so quick that many stories that would have otherwise made a massive impact either were forgotten soon after they broke, or fell by the wayside entirely.

Here are 17 consequential news stories from 2017 that you might have missed, but should definitely remember:

SEE ALSO: 9 heartwarming, good news stories from 2017

DON'T MISS: 17 photos that prove the country where America has been fighting its longest war is actually one of the most beautiful on earth

The Pentagon's $22 million UFO investigation program

From 2007 to 2012, the Pentagon investigated whether UFOs existed, and what threats they posed for the US military.

Initially pushed for by Sen. Harry Reid of Nevada, the program interviewed pilots and military officers who had encounters with unexplained objects over the years. Intelligence official Luis Elizondo led it, and told The New York Times that he resigned in October because he said the Defense Department didn't take his findings seriously.

Essentially, the US military was studying whether aliens existed. Aliens!

1 million people contracting cholera in Yemen

Yemen's cholera outbreak, which started in 2016, has grown at an alarming pace amid the country's ongoing civil war.

In December, the Red Cross confirmed that 1 million people in the country have contracted the disease, an astronomical number considering it is treatable and preventable.

But the conflict in Yemen has led to a perfect storm that has allowed the disease to flourish.

Puerto Rico burning the dead after Hurricane Maria

While the official number of deaths in Puerto Rico that have occurred as a result of Hurricane Maria sits only at 64, at least 1,052 people have died in the aftermath of the hurricane.

They weren't included in the official death toll because their bodies were not examined to determine the cause of death. The government had also allowed funeral homes to burn the bodies of the dead to cut down on burial costs.

While Puerto Rico dominated the headlines as the Category 4 storm ravaged the island, the US territory's woes have only grown as the news cycle moved on. As much as half of the island's people remain without power over three months after the disaster.

• Disney may be the Happiest Place on Earth, but they still have a handful of rules set in place to protect guests. 
• Certain items are not allowed in each of the parks. 
• From pogo sticks to selfie sticks, here are 15 things you didn't realize were banned from Disney parks. 

Disney is the Happiest Place on Earth...unless you had your heart set on bringing your pogo stick.

Pets

This one shouldn't come as a huge surprise. Plenty of Disney princesses might have furry friends, but alas, you still can't bring yours into Disney parks. However, there is an on-site kennel where your pet can spend the day—and service animals are allowed, of course. Check out these inspiring quotes from Disney princesses.

Musical instruments

Want to start a "Lion King" sing-along while you're waiting in line for a ride? Well, you're going to have to do it a cappella. Musical instruments aren't permitted inside Disney parks. Did you know you can learn some impressive vocabulary words from Disney songs?

Folding chairs

With the exception of mobility aids and cane-chairs, folding chairs are on both Disney World and Disneyland's "restricted items" lists.

Planning a trip to Disney? Learn the cheapest and most expensive times to go.

• Podcasts are a great way to keep yourself entertained or learn something on your commute. 
• Whether you want to monetize a side gig, map out a career plan, or climb the corporate ladder, there are a number of podcasts that will tell you how.
• Some of these include "Career Relaunch,""Manager Tools," and "How Did You Get Into That."

Looking for a near-effortless way to improve your odds of landing a job? Look no further than podcasts.

Sure, you might associate them primarily with shows like "Serial" or "Welcome to Nightvale," but there are plenty of podcasts out there that aim to be as useful as they are entertaining.

Whether you're hoping to upgrade your resume, polish your networking skills or pass an interview with ease, there's a podcast out there that can help — and gaining that valuable knowledge is as easy as putting on headphones.

So the next time you need a way to pass the time — say, during your commute, at the gym, while you're cleaning — listen to one of these seven great career podcasts. It won't take a lot of effort, but it can make a huge impact.

SEE ALSO: 3 things the most successful people do at work every day, according to neuroscience

1. 'Career Cloud Radio'

Best for: Brushing up on the fundamentals

Must-listen episode: Great Resumes and Good Advice

"Career Cloud Radio" is often considered the OG career podcast, providing expert insight on the job search since 2007. While it delves into the nuts and bolts of job seeking — what to put in your resume, how to answer interview questions, how to negotiate your salary — it's not just for first-time job seekers. The variety of guests on the show and points of view presented will maintain the interest of even the most seasoned professionals. Best of all, it's full of actionable, straightforward and most of all effective advice.

2. 'Career Relaunch'

Best for: Transitioning to a new career

Must-listen episode: Making Your Next Career Move With Khai Yong

Anyone making a drastic career change will feel unsure of themselves from time to time. If that happens to you, just tune into "Career Relaunch" to gain the inspiration you need to keep going. Host Joseph Liu interviews real professionals from all walks of life who have successfully transitioned from one role to a drastically different one (think: a pharmacist turned digital marketer). Aside from giving you hope that big career changes are indeed attainable, the guests share practical tips and tricks on how you can make a pivot yourself. And their personal, often moving anecdotes will ensure that you hang onto their every word.

3. 'The Pitch'

Best for: Learning how to market yourself

Must-listen episode: Shift

If you like "Shark Tank," you'll love "The Pitch." It's a similar concept — entrepreneurs with 'The Next Big Idea' pitch investors, with real money on the line — but in podcast form. Besides hearing intriguing business ideas (Premium instant coffee! Smart mirrors! In-home bidets!), you'll learn plenty about what it takes to sell someone on your idea — critical if you're hoping to start your own business, or just need to hone the perfect elevator pitch about why you're the best candidate.

Eight years ago I was diagnosed with Celiac disease and told I must avoid gluten completely. Considering gluten encompasses wheat, rye, and barley, this was a lofty task. While today it feels like there are signs for gluten-free products everywhere, the world of eight years ago did not have as many conveniences as it does today.

Because of this, I had to learn a few hard lessons: here is what I wish I knew before adopting this diet.

Being gluten-free is very expensive.

As most specialty items are, gluten-free products are much more expensive than traditional versions. At the grocery store, I may pay six dollars for a small loaf of bread, while a large wheat bread is two dollars. When I eat out, while many restaurants now have gluten-free substitutions, they almost always cost a few dollars to change it.

People won’t always be understanding of your dietary restrictions.

When all your friends want to order a pizza or try out this new sandwich shop it’s hard to be the reason they have to change their plans. Usually, people are very accommodating but, especially when with people you don’t know as well, they may become agitated. Unfair yes, but true nonetheless.

A lot of people don’t know what gluten is

If I had a nickel for how many times I’ve been asked if being gluten-free means I can’t eat fruit, I’d have enough money to make better tasting gluten-free bread.

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

When it's cold outside, wearing multiple layers is the key to staying warm and comfortable.

Fleece jackets, peacoats, and heavy-duty winter coats are great outerwear pieces, but the most important part to layering for fall and winter begins with the sweater. 

No matter where you work, every man should own a wide selection of sweaters to get him through the colder months of the year. 

With so many different styles, textures, and designs, sweaters are an easy way to add a stylish layer of warmth to your outfits this season.

From crewnecks and mocknecks, to hoodies and long-sleeve polos, there are plethora of choices to fit your individual style. Whether wearing a V-neck over a shirt and tie, a turtleneck under a blazer or sport coat, or a classic casual crewneck by itself, cashmere sweaters can be incorporated into almost any type of outfit.

Brands like Bonobos, Everlane, Ralph Lauren, Brooks Brothers, Uniqlo, and more all make some of the best cashmere sweaters for men to wear.

Beat the cold this winter in style and comfort with cashmere sweaters.

Check out the best choices for men, below: 

Polo Ralph Lauren Cable-Knit

Polo Ralph Lauren Wool and Cashmere Blend Cable-Knit, $98.50

J.Crew Italian Cashmere Cable Sweater

J.Crew Italian Cashmere Cable Sweater, $219.99 (Originally $298)[You save $78.01]

Everlane Cashmere V-Neck

Everlane Cashmere V-Neck Sweater, $100

Do you know how to keep your smartphone's battery healthy?

Probably not. In fact, you've probably been hastening the death of your phone's battery with your charging habits.

Charging to 100%? Charging overnight? Fully discharging before plugging in? All these common practices can shorten the usable life of your battery, according to Cadex, a company that offers devices that test smartphone and other batteries.

Just how to best extend the life of batteries has been a prime topic recently, since Apple disclosed that it was slowing down iPhones with degraded batteries so the devices don't shut down unexpectedly.

Cadex offers a lot of information about batteries on its Battery University website. Among the things it discusses is lithium-ion batteries – the type that powers smartphones. It turns out — if you're interested in delaying having to replace your battery or buy a new phone — there are specific percentage charge levels within which you should keep your phone's battery. 

Check out how and how not to charge your phone:

SEE ALSO: I've had the iPhone 6S Plus for two years, and I'm so happy I didn't upgrade to the iPhone 7, 8, or X

The best way to charge your phone is a little at a time, whenever you have a chance.

Just plug it in whenever you can, even if it's for a few minutes, and you'll be fine.

"Partial charges cause no harm," according to Battery University. 

Don't fully discharge your phone before plugging it in.

Battery University says that so-called deep discharges – which happen when you use your phone until only a small portion of its battery life is left — wear down batteries.

Samsung echoes that advice in a blog post of its own that offers tips on how to extend your phone's battery life. 

Try to keep your battery's charge level between 65% and 75%.

According to Battery University, the lithium-ion batteries inside your smartphones will have the longest lifespan if they're kept between 65% and 75% charged at all times.

It's clearly impractical to always keep your phone charge between those levels, but at least you know what's ideal!

• Brian de Haaff is the CEO of software company Aha!.
• He's found the same lessons that make people successful in business can help make them good people, too.
• That's why he teaches some of these insights he's gathered while leading a company to his children, like the fact that integrity matters, and that it's important to be gracious. 

How comfortable are you with the unknown? Scientists say that successful entrepreneurs have a strong tolerance for ambiguity. But most company founders also know that the opposite of success is failure. The stakes are high and losing hurts. And that is a good thing. If it did not hurt — we would not try so hard to avoid it.

At least this is what my wife and I tell our children. But it can be a tough lesson for young minds. My own kids experience it through sports. Instinct tells them to try their hardest to win, but their brains do not always know how to react to a loss. Take it too hard and it could feel like that single loss drowns out everything else.

Come to think of it, I have seen some "grownups" act this way as well. I once saw a VP of sales break down and start crying hysterically when he was told that the customer was going to go with a different solution.

I think most of us want to see our kids succeed in whatever they choose to do in life. And that means sharing our beliefs and lessons to help guide the way. I am the CEO of Aha! — which is one of the fastest-growing software companies in the U.S. — so I enjoy talking to my kids about leading teams and working exceptionally hard.

Obviously, you do not need to be a CEO to share important lessons. The values and traits that will make kids better human beings — integrity, grit, empathy, and teamwork — are integral to almost any role.

Here are some of the business lessons I have used to teach my own kids about success and setbacks:

SEE ALSO: A former Stanford dean reveals 7 ways parents can raise successful kids

Go after big goals

Winning is not everything. But it is not nothing, either. We compete out of a desire to achieve something great. For businesses, that means defining your vision and relentlessly pursuing your plan for realizing it — a lesson that easily translates to anything your kids want to achieve. Taking a goal-first approach is the best way to do that.

Integrity matters

I do not believe in winning at all costs. No victory is worth the price of your integrity. When people make that trade-off, they hope to get away without being discovered. Instead, knowing that you would not deserve the win should be enough to keep you from acting dishonorably in the first place.

Care deeply

When I see somebody who takes a big disappointment in stride, I do not think, "What a graceful loser." I think, "That person does not care enough." In fact, a recently published study shows that an emotional response to a failure can lead to a better outcome the next time around. For my kids, this means acknowledging both excitement and disappointment as part of the process.

• Blackstone Vice Chairman and investing ace Byron Wien is out with his list of 10 "surprises" for 2018. 
• These predictions, he says, have a better-than-50% chance of happening, but the average investor assigns them only about a one-in-three chance. 
• The list, now in its 33rd year, includes a 10% stock market correction, populism worsening, and Republicans losing big in the midterm elections. 

Blackstone vice chairman and investing stalwart Byron Wien is out with his list of surprises for 2018. 

Wien defines his surprises as things that have a better-than-50% chance of happening, but which the average investor anticipates a less than 30% likelihood of occurring.

2017 was not the strongest year in terms of how his forecasts played out. When Business Insider spoke to Wien in September, he acknowledged that he had been "dead wrong" on the dollar, wrong on inflation, and on the German election (Angela Merkel won a fourth term a few days later).

President Donald Trump definitely did not soften his tone, the euro didn't reach parity against the dollar (it's at a three-year high), and crude oil sneaked above $60 per barrel in the final week of 2017. 

But the economy did achieve 3% growth, the S&P 500 zoomed past 2,500 in October, and Japan's stock market had a strong year. 

Here's what Wien thinks could happen in 2018:

SEE ALSO: Here's how virtually everything you can invest in performed in 2017

China gets serious about North Korea's nuclear threat — and gets results

"China finally decides that a nuclear capability in the hands of an unpredictable leader on its border is not tolerable even though North Korea is a communist buffer between itself and democratic South Korea. China cuts off all fuel and food shipments to North Korea, which agrees to suspend its nuclear development program but not give up its current weapons arsenal."

Populism spreads

"In the United Kingdom Jeremy Corbyn becomes the next Prime Minister. In spite of repressive action by the Spanish government, Catalonia remains turbulent."

The dollar turns around after a weak year

"Real growth exceeds 3% in the United States, which, coupled with the implementation of some components of the Trump pro-business agenda, renews investor interest in owning dollar-denominated assets, and the euro drops to 1.10 and the yen to 120 against the dollar."