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Burt Reynolds turned down these iconic roles including James Bond — and now says he regrets it

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Burt Reynolds Mike Windle Getty

There's no question about it: Burt Reynolds secured his living-legend status long ago.

With a career that spans close to 60 years and includes everything from memorable television shows to some of the highest-grossing movies of the '70s and '80s, the actor has too many classics to name.

But now at 80 years old and living comfortably in Jupiter, Florida, Reynolds has had time to reflect on his career and think back on what could have been.

He also talks about some of his regrets, namely in the documentary "The Bandit," which premiered recently at South by Southwest (SXSW) and looks back on the making of one of Reynolds' classics, "Smokey and the Bandit" (it will air on CMT later this year). One sore spot is his infamous 1972 nude spread in Cosmopolitan, which he believes cost him an Oscar nomination that year for his performance in "Deliverance."

Reynolds talked to Business Insider over the phone this week and reflected on some of the roles he was offered and what he now wishes he hadn't rejected.

He did not disappoint. He even told us one offer he's still happy he did turn down!

SEE ALSO: Here are your favorite TV shows that are getting renewed for another season

Before Harrison Ford, Reynolds was offered the role of Han Solo.

Prior to George Lucas going with the virtual unknown Harrison Ford to play the space scoundrel Solo in the first "Star Wars," Reynolds was offered the part. Reynolds was a hot name around the studios at the time Lucas was casting, having been a few years removed from his acclaimed performance in "Deliverance" and building his heartthrob status in the movie "The Longest Yard."

But at the time, Reynolds wasn't interested in the character.

"I just didn't want to play that kind of role at the time," he told BI. "Now, I regret it. I wish I would have done it."



He could have been the first American James Bond.

Following the forgettable tenure of George Lezenby as James Bond in 1969's "On Her Majesty's Secret Service," Bond creator Albert R. Broccoli went to Reynolds to be the next 007. But Reynolds felt an American couldn't pull off the role. He feels differently now.

"I think I was putting myself down in a way because I think I could have done it very well," Reynolds said. "Though once you do something like that and it's successful you're bound to play that part for a long time. I think I would have liked it. I like that kind of tongue-in-cheek humor."

Broccoli instead was able to get the first Bond, Sean Connery, to reprise the role, paying him a then-record $1.25 million salary.



The role Reynolds most regrets not accepting.

James L. Brooks specifically wrote the role of womanizing retired astronaut Garrett Breedlove in 1983's "Terms of Endearment" for Reynolds, but the actor turned him down (legend has it he chose the NASCAR comedy "Stroker Ace" instead). Brooks went with Jack Nicholson, who took home a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for the role. (Reynolds has never won an Oscar.)

"I regret that one most of all because it was a real acting part," Reynolds said. "I wish I would have done it, and thinking back now, it was really a stupid decision, but I made a lot of stupid decisions in that period. It must have been my stupid period."

 



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

3 warning signs that the diet you want to try is too good to be true

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tswift apple

Some diets aren't all they're cracked up to be.

From the cranberry juice ("lose 25 pounds in days!") craze to the lemon "detox cleanse," dozens of weight-loss schemes have boomed and, eventually, busted. 

Other diets have stuck around, from the gluten-free plan to the more recent alkaline diet.

Instead of making yourself a guinea pig for every new eating fad, wouldn't it be nice if there were a way to tell which diets were phony before trying them out?

Registered dietitian and nutritionist Andy Bellatti recently gave us three pointers to spot a faulty fad diet in minutes:

READ MORE: What the author of 'Eat Fat, Get Thin' eats — and avoids — every day

SEE ALSO: Here's what's in the $200 'Moon Dust' smoothie Gwyneth Paltrow drinks every day

1. It emphasizes powders, pills, or both.

"Powders and pills are red flag number one," Bellatti told Business Insider.

The problem with these concoctions, he says, is that they've taken part of something that was once a whole food, like a fruit or a vegetable, then separated and processed it for one ingredient. That's OK for things like cocoa powder, which does have nutrients, but it shouldn't make up the bulk of your eating regimen.

"When something is a powder, you're probably using what, a teaspoon or tablespoon at most? And you have to wonder how much that can really do. Versus a cup of broccoli or a quarter cup of cashews. That’s something significant," says Bellatti.



Instead: Go for whole food as much as possible.

Writer Michael Pollan said it best: "Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants."

Be sure to incorporate fresh vegetables, like broccoli, bell peppers, and brussels sprouts, into any eating plan. These crunchy, colorful foods — which the CDC actually calls "powerhouse foods"— are a great source of key vitamins and nutrients. They're also high in fiber, which helps keep you feeling full and satisfied until your next meal.



2. Its purported "results" are explained in very vague terms.

If the label promises to do things like "Harmonize your aura," chances are it won't do much of anything at all.

One problem with putting slogans like these on health products, says Bellatti, is that they're "completely subjective. They can't be tested." In other words, there's no way of knowing whether a product that claims to "bring you in line with your true self" is really doing so.

And, as Bellatti points out, "The person whose word you're taking is the person who's profiting from this."



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

19 signs your company doesn't care about you

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stressed upset frustrated

One of the biggest reasons people leave their jobs is because they feel unappreciated.

"People come to work for more than a paycheck," says Lynn Taylor, a national workplace expert, leadership coach, and author of "Tame Your Terrible Office Tyrant: How to Manage Childish Boss Behavior and Thrive in Your Job." "They want to feel that their contributions are making a difference. If an employer cares about your long-term growth and happiness, you'll feel a much greater sense of purpose, and reward."

Michael Kerr, an international business speaker and author of "The Humor Advantage," points out that Google's internal research into what makes a great leader at the company found that one of the key ingredients was "expressing an interest in employees' well being." He says Facebook also conducted a company-wide study to seek out the key qualities that made their managers so great, and again, one of the top factors was "caring for their team members."

Taylor says:

It can seem paradoxical when a company invests so much time in hiring and training an employee, only to eventually squander that asset. It's important to be sure your employer cares about your success and job satisfaction, because without that genuine support, it's hard to stay motivated, feel that you are part a larger team, and produce your best work. It's a downward spiral. You could stagnate in your career — unless you notice the signs and take decisive action.

Here are 19 signs your employer doesn't care about you:

SEE ALSO: 14 signs your employees secretly hate you

Your boss doesn't offer any support, guidance, or feedback

If your boss doesn't take the time to offer any feedback, guidance, or support you as you work toward achieving your goals, it can be seriously detrimental to your career, says Kerr.

Taylor says if your boss seems primarily concerned with the tactical aspects of your job and project completion — and less so with whether you're advancing your skills or being challenged by your work — they probably don't care about your success.

Yes, he or she may just be a bad boss, but if you see that they do positive things with your coworkers, but not you, it's a bad sign.



You're not compensated fairly

This is one of the most tangible signs, says Taylor:

An employer that's not concerned about what you can offer won't compensate you properly or fairly. Even if you request a performance evaluation, you may be told it's not necessary, or just ask any questions you may have. The suggestion may even arise that you take a pay cut.

Monetary signs like this can be blatant red flags that you should start job searching, or you can hurt your long-term career advancement, not to mention experience much distress, she says.



You're passed over for a promotion you deserve

This is another blatant sign. You're doing excellent work — work that is superior to your colleagues' — and yet someone less deserving gets a promotion you were in line for.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

15 healthy eating habits that work according to scientists

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sugar

With options as varied as the Paleo diet and the 21-day challenge, there's a fad diet for practically everyone.

But as fun as the diets may seem, it's often difficult to stick with them for more than a few weeks, and as a result few people actually see any long-term results.

Rather than trying one of those, here are 15 science-backed habits that can help boost your health and may help with weight loss as well.

RELATED: 11 fitness 'truths' that are doing more harm than good

NEXT: An exercise scientist told us the biggest mistake people make when they decide to eat healthy

Eat food you enjoy.

It may seem as if the easiest way to lose weight is to stop eating the foods you overindulge in. But this can be short-sighted, Lisa Sasson, a New York University nutrition professor, told Business Insider. "If you pick a diet with foods you don't like, you're doomed to fail," Sasson said. Food is a pleasurable experience; if you cut out all the foods you like, you probably won't stick to your plan.

And as studiescontinue to show, coming up with an eating regimen you can stick with is critical.



Portion sizes are key.

There's a psychological component to eating, especially when you have weight loss in mind. Being conscious of losing weight and sticking to the right portion sizes is half the battle, Sasson said. This phenomenon is why most people in studies lose weight, regardless of whether they're in the group assigned a special diet. Simply being studied can lead to people being more conscious of what they're eating.

But overall, keeping an eye on portion sizes is a great way to help avoid overeating— especially with portion sizes rising since the 1970s.



Skip the restaurant and pack your lunch.

Portion sizes in American restaurants have increased by as much as three times in the past 20 years, and it is changing what we think of as a normal meal.

"One way to keep calories in check is to keep food portions no larger than the size of your fist," Elizabeth G. Nabel, director of NIH's National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, writes.

If you're trying to control your portion sizes, it is best to pack your own lunch because restaurants will give you more calories than you need.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The 4 rituals that will make you an expert at anything

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playing piano practice music

We hear a lot about "10,000 hours" being what it takes to become an expert. But the majority of people totally misunderstand the idea.

So I decided to go to the source and talk to the guy who actually created the theory.

Anders Ericsson is a professor of psychology at Florida State University. His wonderful new book is "Peak: Secrets from the New Science of Expertise."

So what does everybody get wrong? 2 things.

First, the "10,000 hour rule" is not a rule and it’s not an exact number. The amount of time varies from field to field. It’s an average. But it’s always a lot and more is better. Here’s Anders:

In most domains it’s remarkable how much time even the most "talented" individuals need in order to reach the highest levels of performance. The 10,000 hour number just gives you a sense that we’re talking years of 10 to 20 hours a week which those who some people would argue are the most innately talented individuals still need to get to the highest level.

What’s the second mistake? Becoming an expert is not merely doing something over and over for 10,000 hours. There’s a right way — and an awful lot of wrong ways — to spend that time.

Let’s learn the right way…

SEE ALSO: Pepsi CEO Indra Nooyi explains how an unusual daily ritual her mom made her practice as a child changed her life

1. Find a mentor

The most important part of deliberate practice is solitary practice. Hard work. But that’s not the first step.

The first step is social. You need to know what to do. And that’s where mentors, coaches and teachers come in. (To find the best mentor for you, click here.) Here’s Anders:

They need to talk to somebody that they really admire, a person that is doing something in a way that they would like to eventually be able to do. Have this person help you identify what it is that you might need to change in order to be able to do what that other person is doing. Interview that person about how they were able to do it, and then have that person help you identify what is it that you can’t do right now and what are the steps towards reaching that desired level of performance.

The secret here is "mental representations." You want to be able to clearly and specifically visualize the right way to do something in your head. This is what separates the experts from the chumps.

From "Peak: Secrets from the New Science of Expertise":

What sets expert performers apart from everyone else is the quality and quantity of their mental representations. Through years of practice, they develop highly complex and sophisticated representations of the various situations they are likely to encounter in their fields… These representations allow them to make faster, more accurate decisions and respond more quickly and effectively in a given situation. This, more than anything else, explains the difference in performance between novices and experts.

How good can those mental representations get? Top chess players can play blindfolded.

They can see the board in their mind’s eye. And Anders explains that they don’t even train to do this, with enough hours it just occurs naturally.

So you need a clear idea of what it is you’re trying to do, whether it’s playing an instrument or performing an appendectomy. The clearer your vision of it, the better you’ll be able to detect and correct mistakes. Here’s Anders:

What a skilled musician does is think about what kind of experience they want to give the audience. Once you have an idea here about what it is that you want to produce, then you can now start working on trying to be able to generate that experience. That requires a representation about what it should sound like. Then, when you try to do it, you’re going to find that there are going to be differences between the representation and their performance. Those differences you can now focus on and eliminate. Successively, you’re going to be able to produce that music performance that sounds like what you had originally imaged.

And you want to keep improving those mental representations as you learn, creating a clearer and clearer image of every detail.

(To learn the four rituals new neuroscience research says will make you happy, click here.)

Okay, you talked to someone who is better than you and you’ve got an image in your head of how to do things right. Now just do that over and over until you begin crying uncontrollably, right? Wrong…



2. It’s not "try harder," it’s "try different"

Anders says the biggest problem most people have with getting better at something is that they’re not actually trying to get better at something.

Doing something over and over again does not necessarily make you better at it. If it did, we would all be excellent drivers. Repetition is not expertise.

To prove the point (and to scare the crap out of you) I’ll mention that this applies to doctors as well. Think your surgeon is better because he’s been doing this for 20 years? Nope. He’s probably worse.

From "Peak: Secrets from the New Science of Expertise":

Research on many specialties shows that doctors who have been in practice for twenty or thirty years do worse on certain objective measures of performance than those who are just two or three years out of medical school. It turns out that most of what doctors do in their day-to-day practice does nothing to improve or even maintain their abilities; little of it challenges them or pushes them out of their comfort zones.

To improve, you need to get out of your comfort zone. Anders says this is one of the most critical things to remember. Mindlessly going through the motions does not improve performance.

When you try to get better at something is it fun? Yes? Congratulations, you’re doing it dead wrong.

Anders cites a study where they talked to singers after practice. Who was happy? The amateurs. The experts were pushing themselves. It was hard. And they were tired afterwards, not elated.

Dan Coyle says you only want to be succeeding in 50-80% of your attempts. Less than that and you’ll get frustrated. More than that and you’re not pushing yourself.

And you want to be working on your weak points. That’s how you get better.

From "Peak: Secrets from the New Science of Expertise":

First, figure out exactly what is holding you back. What mistakes are you making, and when? Push yourself well outside of your comfort zone and see what breaks down first. Then design a practice technique aimed at improving that particular weakness. Once you’ve figured out what the problem is, you may be able to fix it yourself, or you may need to go to an experienced coach or teacher for suggestions.

And your goals need to be specific. Don’t say, "I want to be better at business." Say, "I want to get better at engaging the audience at the beginning of my presentations."

(To learn how to be happier and more successful, click here.)

So you’ve accumulated the knowledge on what’s right, what you’re doing wrong and what you need to do to get better. And that’s where most people breathe a sigh of relief. And then they fail miserably. Here’s what’s missing …



3. It’s about doing, not knowing

You’ve read half this blog post. Are you half of an expert now? No.

One of the biggest mistakes people make is thinking that knowing equals doing. It doesn’t.

Watching a lot of football does not make you a great quarterback. 60 years of sitcoms hasn’t made people funnier.

From "Peak: Secrets from the New Science of Expertise":

When you look at how people are trained in the professional and business worlds, you find a tendency to focus on knowledge at the expense of skills. The main reasons are tradition and convenience: it is much easier to present knowledge to a large group of people than it is to set up conditions under which individuals can develop skills through practice.

Once you have the knowledge, you need to focus on building the skills. Remember the three F’s:

1. Focus
2. Feedback
3. Fix it

You need to concentrate on having your execution match your mental representation. Then you need objective feedback on how well you performed. Then you need to analyze what you did wrong and how to do it better.

From "Peak: Secrets from the New Science of Expertise":

Get outside your comfort zone but do it in a focused way, with clear goals, a plan for reaching those goals, and a way to monitor your progress.

(To learn the schedule that the most successful people follow every day, click here.)

So you know the right system for improving any skill. But a lot of people might say, "I’m not a violinist or an athlete. This won’t help me in my career." Wrong … 



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The 11 best US cities for young people to buy a home

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According to personal finance site SmartAsset, fewer than 35% of adults under age 35 own a home. But owning a home doesn't have to be a far-off dream, even if you're still in your 20s or early 30s.

In a recent report, SmartAsset determined the best cities in the US for first-time homebuyers by looking at data on the affordability, mortgage availability, and stability of the housing market in every city with a population over 300,000.

For millennials in search of their first home, Oklahoma and Texas are going to be the best buys — five of the top ten cities are located in these two states. Read on to see which other cities made the cut, the average price per square foot of home in each city (from Zillow), and the percentage of loans that get approved in each city (from the Mortgage Bankers Association). For reference, the average loan funding ratio for major US cities is 69%.

We also included the median home prices for each city's metropolitan area, from the National Association of Realtors.

SEE ALSO: The 11 most expensive cities in America

10. Fort Worth, Texas (TIE)

Loan funding rate: 73%

Average price per square foot: $76

Median home price: $206,200



10. Dallas, Texas (TIE)

Loan funding rate: 70%

Average price per square foot: $91

Median home price: $206,200



9. Louisville, Kentucky

Loan funding rate: 74%

Average price per square foot: $88

Median home price: $153,400 



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

7 important ways to get your car ready for spring

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car

Winter is shifting toward spring in much of the US, and that means it's time to get your car ready for warmer weather.

Here are five simple things you can do to make sure you have a happy season of motoring — and make your car feel all shiny and new at the same time.

Wash winter off your car and get it detailed.

This is a deep-dish cleaning of the vehicle, inside and out. It depends on the type of car or truck you own, and how old it is, but for newer vehicles, it's worth it.

Spring is the ideal time to do it. For $100 to $200, a detailer will get down and dirty with the interior, bring you car back as close as possible to showroom condition and cleanliness; this means vacuuming, shampooing, treating leather and plastic surfaces, and extracting all the ground in gunk from hard-to-reach places.

Outside, a thorough washing will be accompanied by waxing, buffing, polishing, and a tire treatment. After dealing with snow, ice, slush, and road salt for three or fours months, your newly detailed car will thank you.



Touch up the paint and have dings and dents repaired.

This doesn't always mean a trip to the body shop. You can buy small bottles of automotive paint to fill in small scrapes and scratches. It isn't a professional job, but it will at least prevent the enemy of sheet metal — rust — from gaining a foothold.

More substantial body damage does entail a visit to the body shop, and then things start to get pricey. But if you want to keep your car in good cosmetic condition, you will want to spend the money. Selling your vehicle later in a person-to-person transaction, usually more lucrative than selling to a dealer or trading in, generally means that a buyer will pay top dollar only for a car that looks good.



Check your oil.

Modern vehicles perform so well that they don't need oil changes as frequently as cars did in the past.

But that doesn't mean they never need oil changes. And the shift of seasons is always a fine time to to make sure your engine oil is up to snuff. If you're running low, it could be an indication that there's a more significant problem with your motor. 

You can also use the change of seasons as a guide to automatic oil changes. I change my oil twice a year. That's less often than recommended, given 10-15,000 miles of annual driving, but I've never had a problem (plus, some car makers recommend oil changes less frequently than the traditional 3,000 miles).

So the math goes like this: you change oil when winter slips into spring, and then six months later, as summer morphs into fall. 



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

A psychologist says parents should do these 12 things to raise a more confident child

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Jacob Tremblay

Confidence is one of the greatest gifts a parent can give their child. 

Carl Pickhardt, a psychologist and author of 15 parenting books, says a kid who lacks confidence will be reluctant to try new or challenging things because they're scared of failing or disappointing others.

This can end up holding them back later in life and prevent them from having a successful career.

"The enemies of confidence are discouragement and fear," he says. So, as a parent, it's your job to encourage and support your child as they attempt to tackle difficult tasks.

Here are 12 more tips for raising a confident child: 

SEE ALSO: Science says parents of successful kids have these 11 things in common

DON'T MISS: The 27 jobs that are most damaging to your health

1. Appreciate effort no matter if they win or lose.

When you're growing up, the journey is more important than the destination. 

So whether your child makes the winning goal for his team or accidentally kicks it out of bounds, applaud their effort, Pickhardt says. They should never feel embarrassed for trying.

"Over the long haul, consistently trying hard builds more confidence than intermittently doing well," he explains. 



2. Encourage practice to build competence.

Encourage your child to practice whatever it is they're interested in — but do so without putting too much pressure on them.

Harmony Shu, a piano prodigy, told Ellen DeGeneres that she started practicing when she was just 3 years old.

"Practice invests effort in the confident expectation that improvement will follow," Pickhardt explains. 



3. Let them figure out problems by themselves.

If you do the hard work for your child then they'll never develop the abilities or the confidence to figure out problems on their own.

"Parental help can prevent confidence derived from self-help and figuring out on the child's own," Pickhardt explains. 

In other words, better that your child gets a few B's and C's rather than straight A's, so long as they are actually learning how to solve the problems and do the work. 



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Here are your favorite TV shows that are getting renewed for another season

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the big bang theory

The current television season is just a couple months from ending, so networks are making the tough decisions as to what will stay and what has to go.

With today's shrinking live viewership, it takes more than just ratings for a TV show to survive to see another season.

Networks are now looking at online, on-demand, and streaming viewership; social-media audiences; and international appeal, among countless other factors.

It can be a pretty anxious time for fans: Did you fall in love with a new show you desperately want to come back? Or did you invest years on something that might suddenly get the ax? Or do you just need one essential plot question solved so you can move on with your life? We feel you.

Here are the shows that are coming back for the 2016-2017 TV season from ABC, CBS, The CW, Fox, and NBC.

 

SEE ALSO: RANKED: The 20 best TV shows in 2015, according to critics

SEE ALSO: The best shows to binge-watch right now according to TV stars

"America's Funniest Home Videos" Season 27 (ABC)

Returning: Fall 2016



"The Bachelor" Season 21 (ABC)

Returning: Spring 2017



"Black-ish" Season 3 (ABC)

Returning: Fall 2016



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

We went to Costco's food court and it was one of the best dining experiences we've ever had

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Costco Food 7

Costco is the holy grail of bulk buying — the cathedral of wholesale.

But it's not all about the 10-pound jars of peanut butter.

A stop at Costco's humble food court — after walking miles around the cavernous warehouse — is a shameless reward for buying enough extra paper towels to fill your entire car trunk.

The food court is simple, yet esteemed by Costco diehards. Amazingly, it's one of the biggest pizza chains in the US, and nationwide they sell roughly 100 million hot dogs a year – at extremely low prices. 

After several of our readers expressed their regard for Costco's hot dogs and pizza, we took a trip to the retail giant's Brooklyn location to discover all of its revered food-court glories — it totally exceeded our expectations. 

SEE ALSO: We tried a customizable pizza chain that's taking over — here's what we thought

NOW WATCH: This perfect fried chicken only needs to be fried for 3 minutes

The food court at Costco doesn't offer the most varied selection, but it's cheap, quick, and provides a nice treat for customers after a long day of shopping.



We ordered one of each item on the menu, excluding the salad, smoothies, and ice cream — those are pretty uninteresting run-of-the-mill items.



We did not expect the servings to be so enormous — and dirt cheap. This entire selection costs just over $25. Let's delve in and go through the choices.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

PRESENTING: Wall Street's brightest minds reveal the most important charts in the world (SPY, SPX, DJI, IXIC, IWIM, QQQ, USD, DXY, TLT, TLO, WTI, OIL, VDE, BNO)

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Presenting: the most important charts in the world.

We last brought you this feature in October, before the Federal Reserve raised rates and while stocks were rebounding from their longest correction in four years.

Obviously, a lot has changed since then.

Stocks have stormed all the way back from the worst start to a year ever.

Meanwhile, some are still debating whether the US economy is on the brink of recession, and the Fed is no longer as hawkish about its rate-hike plans.

Once again, we asked some of the sharpest strategists and reporters on Wall Street for one chart that's at the top of their mind right now.

Here they are:

Jack Bogle, Vanguard Group



Gary Shilling, A. Gary Shilling & Co.



Dave Rosenberg, Gluskin Sheff



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

12 photos that give a disorienting look at the 'weird' buildings of China

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Trapped

Photographer Andy Yeung wishes everyone would look up from their phones more often and appreciate the beauty of their own cities. With his series "Look Up", he wants to show viewers exactly what they're missing.

This February, the Chinese central government demanded an end to all mainland construction of buildings that are "oversized" or "weird"— a law that will surely change the future skylines of major Chinese cities. Yeung's dizzying and unique images of the varying architecture in Hong Kong — and other cities throughout China — explore the country's skyscrapers and public housing that were built before this new state rule was in place.

With over 300 skyscrapers in the metropolitan area, Hong Kong remains Yeung's favorite city to photograph. "When it comes to architecture, Hong Kong is a city where old meets new," he told Business Insider. "It gives the city a unique character."

Ahead, 12 disorienting images of Chinese buildings that even the locals might be missing.  

SEE ALSO: 12 eerie images of enormous Chinese cities completely empty of people

The Four Seasons hotel in Guangzhou, China is inside the Guangzhou International Finance Center — a 103-story-high skyscraper that is the 15th-tallest building in the world.



There are a number of housing developments like this one in Quarry Bay, Hong Kong.



The apartments in Macau, China are similar.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The Apple TV just got a big update — check out all the new features (AAPL)

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apple tv 4

The Apple TV just got a big new update.

On Monday, Apple released tvOS 9.2, which comes with a slew of cool new features for owners of the fourth-generation Apple TV that launched last October.

The fourth-gen Apple TV is the first to have an App Store, the first with the ability to play games, and the first with a touch-sensitive remote control that also works with Siri. 

Prior to Monday, Apple had only issued one major update for the Apple TV since it launched: tvOS 9.1, which was released in early December, offered several bug fixes and offered support for Apple Music, as well as the ability to use Siri to play content from Apple Music.

Thankfully, tvOS 9.2 offers much more than the last update. Take a look.

tvOS 9.2 introduces support for folders. So now, you can group any Apple TV apps you want into any folders on the home screen, which is great for organization and efficiency.



The 9.2 update also introduces support for Bluetooth keyboards. This is a good thing, since it's a major pain to use the Apple TV remote for inputting text.



In tvOS 9.2, you can also finally use Siri for voice-to-text dictation, which is great for entering emails and passwords without needing a manual or virtual keyboard.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Big, beautiful photos of the new iPhone SE (AAPL)

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apple iPhone se

On Monday, Apple finally unveiled a new iPhone called the iPhone SE.

The new device features a 4-inch display and a 64-bit A9 chip, and comes in four color options. You can read more about the phone here.

Here's the first look at the new device:

Don't let its size fool you. Apple is hailing the iPhone SE as "the most powerful phone with a four-inch display."



Here's a look at the four metallic finish options: space gray, silver, gold, and rose gold.



The device comes in two configurations: 16GB and 64GB.



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7 crazily heavy things that ship for free on Amazon (AMZN)

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Weightlifter Weight Lifting Drop Fall

Who wants to leave the house to buy a 1.5-ton belt sander? Thankfully, that and millions of other items are only a click away on Amazon.

It's not surprising that you can buy some wild items on Amazon, but it is a little shocking that many heavy items — including the belt sander — ship for free. 

It's impossible to calculate exactly how much Amazon has to dish out to ship these heavy objects — that depends on where you live, and which warehouse has the item. But cutting down on shipping costs, especially on orders like these, is probably fueling the company's entry into the freight business.

Disclosure: Jeff Bezos is an investor in Business Insider through his personal investment company Bezos Expeditions.

SEE ALSO: The spectacular life of Google founder and Alphabet CEO Larry Page

JET 26x80 Geared Head Engine Lathe (6,700lb)

The heaviest object we could find that ships free on Amazon is this three ton powered lathe. Weighing significantly more than a car, and requiring special delivery agreements — no one-click ordering available — you'll have to be home when it's delivered. But with something this large you'll probably want to be around when it arrives.



NVA Creative Garden Granite Wilma Bench (319lb)

If your home's decor would benefit from a giant slab of granite, you're in luck. You don't have to worry about freight costs when it comes to this rustic and durable bench. But you might have a few other headaches, as the listing notes that "minimal assembly" is required.



CAP Barbell 300-Pound Olympic Set (300lb)

Only Prime-eligible in certain colors, this weight set will give you the ability to work out at home, unfortunately you won't be able to pump up before having to carry them into your house.



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Your iPhone has a new feature to help you read at night — here's how to use it (AAPL)

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Your iPhone's bright blue display doesn't have to hurt your eyes at night anymore.

Apple has introduced a new feature called Night Shift for the iPhone and iPad that automatically makes the display's color palette warmer as the sun sets. It's available in iOS 9.3, a software update Apple is releasing for everyone on Monday.

Plenty of scientific research has shown that it can be harmful to look at your smartphone's screen at night— doing so can negatively affect your sleep quality and cause even more serious health problems.

Night Shift mode is a set-it-and-forget-it kind of feature that could make using your device in the dark a lot easier on your eyes. Here's how to set it up.

To use Night Shift mode, you have to be running iOS 9.3.

Apple is releasing the update for all iPhone and iPad owners on Monday, March 21.



Once you have iOS 9.3, go to Display & Brightness in your Settings app.



Tap Night Shift.



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We went to the 'post-apocalyptic' L.A. mall that was transformed into a drone racing track

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drone racing league DRL

The second event for the new Drone Racing League features drones ripping around an abandoned "post-apocalyptic" mall at 80 miles per hour.

While the DRL made a big splash for its first event at Sun Life Stadium (where the Miami Dolphins play), it decided to hold its next race inside a now-desolate mall in Hawthorne, California.

"We just thought it would be a really cool place," said Nick Horbaczewski, the founder and CEO of Drone Racing League. "It feels post-apocalyptic already."

The mall has sat abandoned for almost two decades, but over the weekend it was transformed into a drone race track, with lighting, props, and viewing areas that gave it new life.

Here's what it looked like inside.

The Hawthorne Plaza Mall has been abandoned for nearly two decades, so the outside looks a lot like what you might see on "The Walking Dead."



Though the inside isn't much better. Graffiti artists have had their run of the place for quite a while.



And it's fairly dangerous, since parts of it are literally crumbling away.



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13 habits of self-made millionaires, from a man who spent 5 years studying rich people

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All self-made millionaires had to start somewhere.

Much of their transformation from ordinary to seven-figure status can attributed to "rich habits," a term coined by Thomas C. Corley, who spent five years researching the daily habits of 177 self-made millionaires.

"From my research, I discovered that daily habits dictate how successful or unsuccessful you will be in life," he writes in his upcoming book "Change Your Habits, Change Your Life.""There is a cause and effect associated with habits. Habits are the cause of wealth, poverty, happiness, sadness, stress, good relationships, bad relationships, good health, or bad health."

The good news is all habits can be changed, Corley notes. Here are a few "rich habits" of self-made millionaires that you can start developing today:

SEE ALSO: 21 ways rich people think differently than the average person

1. They read consistently.

The rich would rather be educated than entertained. As Corley writes, "Eighty-eight percent of the rich devote thirty minutes or more each day to self-education or self-improvement reading ... Most did not read for entertainment ... The rich read to acquire or maintain knowledge."

Corley found that they tend to read three types of books: biographies of successful people, self-help or personal development, and history.



2. They exercise.

"Seventy-six percent of the rich aerobically exercise 30 minutes or more every day," Corley reports. Aerobic exercise includes anything cardio, such as running, jogging, walking, or biking.

"Cardio is not only good for the body, but it's good for the brain," he writes. "It grows the neurons (brain cells) in the brain ... Exercise also increases the production of glucose. Glucose is brain fuel. The more fuel you feed your brain, the more it grows and the smarter you become."



3. They hang out with other successful people.

"You are only as successful as those you frequently associate with," Corley writes. "The rich are always on the lookout for individuals who are goal-oriented, optimistic, enthusiastic, and who have an overall positive mental outlook."

It's equally important to avoid negative people and influences, Corley emphasizes: "Negative, destructive criticism will derail you from pursing success."



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Here's what it's like using the new iPhone SE (AAPL)

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iphone 5se new finish

Apple announced its new iPhone, the iPhone SE, on Monday.

Think of it as the iPhone 6S stuffed in the body of an iPhone 5S. It has most of the features of the 6S, but in a smaller, 4-inch frame.

We got to briefly test the iPhone SE at Apple's event at its campus in Cupertino, California. Here's our hands-on look:

This is the iPhone SE. It looks almost identical to the iPhone 5S.



It now comes in rose gold, just like the iPhone 6S.



It has a 4-inch screen, which is much smaller than the 5.5-inch screen on the iPhone 6S Plus.



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I spent 5 years studying rich people, and I figured out why they seem to have more hours in the day than the rest of us

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With respect to time, we are all on equal footing. We all have just 24 hours in a day.

In my five year study of the daily habits of the rich, I found that successful people figure out how to leverage time better than the rest of us. They get others to help them pull their cart, in order to move forward in achieving their goals and realizing their dreams.

Ten people working together for one purpose equals 240 hours each day, one hundred equals 2,400 hours each day and so on.

It’s not just time self-made millionaires leverage. They also leverage their limited knowledge and skills through their teams and their relationships. They understand that they cannot possibly know everything or be good at everything, so successful people leverage the knowledge and skills of their teams and their network of relationships. They tap into the collective knowledge and skills of everyone in their inner circle to help them with their goals and dreams.

Leveraging what you have means being aware of all of the assets, knowledge, skills, time, and relationships at your fingertips in order to get what you want and need so that you can achieve all of your goals and realize all of your dreams.

“But I am only one person,” you might object. I have no employees. It’s just me.”

All is not lost. There are still ways to take advantage of leverage. Here are a few ideas that I picked up from my study:

SEE ALSO: I spent 5 years studying rich people, and here's the best piece of advice I can give you about money

Volunteer.


Seventy-two percent of the rich in my study volunteered five hours or more per month. Why is this important? Volunteering helps you build valuable relationships. It allows you to showcase your skill-sets in a safe environment.

It also introduces you to the knowledge and skills of others who might be able to help you with their knowledge and skills.

Plus, the people you meet volunteering bring with them their own relationships, and those relationships could help you with your goals and dreams.



Be part of mastermind groups.


Some of the self-made millionaires in my study were part of a mastermind group. These groups were exclusive groups, typically comprised of no more than six individuals who met regularly (weekly, monthly, or quarterly). The mastermind groups that were the most successful were the ones in which everyone in the group was pursuing virtually identical goals and dreams.

For example, if the self-made millionaire was an automobile dealer, their mastermind group was comprised of other automobile dealers who sold the same product, albeit in a different regional market (i.e. Hyundai car dealers).

At these mastermind group meetings, the participants share ideas on what works, what doesn’t work – their successes, failures and mistakes. They also use these meetings to brainstorm new ideas, new processes, or better ways of doing things.


Anyone, even sole proprietors, can organize or find a mastermind group. Meetup.com is a social networking portal that facilitates group meetings of individuals who are pursuing something in common. Trade organizations often have numerous meetings every year and some have specialized sub-groups who meet frequently.

For example, the New Jersey Society of CPAs has various committees that members can join. Facebook has groups you can join that are specific to your interests. Mastermind group meetings do not require that you physically meet with each other. Freeconferencecall.com, Skype, Google Talk, and many other tools make it possible for individuals in different countries and different time zones to easily get together.



Participate in business incubators.


Business incubators are often sponsored by private companies or municipal entities and public institutions, such as colleges and universities. Their goal is to help create and grow young businesses by providing them with necessary support and financial and technical services.

There are approximately 900 business incubators nationwide, according to the National Business Incubation Association. Incubators share rental space, supplies, equipment, and the much-needed expertise of on-site staff. Many incubators specialize in particular niches.



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