Do you ever wonder what would happen if a GPA or IQ level could be enhanced with the help of a pill? This idea of reaching self-perfection through chemicals is challenged in the new movie, Limitless. The film is about a slacker who discovers a pill which accelerates him to the top of society, giving him the ability to use every aspect of his brain. In a matter of days, he learns how to play the piano and become fluent in various languages, as well as make himself a millionaire by trade. Bradley Cooper, Abbie Cornish, and Robert De Niro star in the Sci-Fi thriller, which opened in theaters this past weekend.

Unfortunately for us, this type of miracle drug does not exist, but does it have any connection with the popular drug, Adderall? Adderall is a medication which stimulates the central nervous system and is prescribed to those who primarily suffer from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or Narcolepsy.

Even though the drug is intended solely for those suffering from a disorder, it seems to have become a popular solution for laziness among students. Instead of studying for multiple hours or writing term papers without getting distracted, popping a pill which essentially does the work for you is incredibly tempting. This is the reason Adderall has become abused and considered an unfair advantage for whom it is not prescribed.

Limitless is as entertaining as it is fascinating, but you cannot help but think how unfair it is for the main character to excel only because of a pill. When you think about it, is this type of behavior actually happening in the world today? Steroids have been a controversial topic for years, and are illegal due to health risks and the unfair advantage they provide. Likewise, drugs such as Adderall, Concerta, Ritalin, and Vyvanse have become intellectual steroids for those who are not in need of them. Without the availability of brain stimulating drugs, would everyone who attends Ivy League schools still have received acceptance letters? Perhaps Limitless is not so far-fetched after all.

G Baby, come’on bro, you can’t be dead!! Does anyone else recall the sad movie moment history when G Baby from the Kukumbas died outside of a projects housing unit during a shooting? Then Keanu Reeves gets up to the podium at the funeral and makes one of the most emotional speeches ever. If you don’t recall, let me refresh your memory:

Sad moments like these are some of the most remembered moments in movies. After asking around, GetYourBizSavvy put a list together of the 10 saddest movie moments. As much as we won’t admit it, we all have soft spots. So next time you’re with your friends or hanging out with the girl/boy friend take a glance over and see if anyone has their head down, wipes their eyes, or makes that face that means their getting emotional, let them know it’s completely normal and obviously bash them about it later.

Get your Kleenex ready…

Continue Reading

Photo credit to mlive.com

Our prayers at GetYourBizSavvy go out to the people and country of Japan. Japan and this world can overcome anything.

Stay informed with what’s going on in Japan. Below are some of the best links around the web. Get an overview, see before and after, and find out what celebs are doing to help.

Japan tsunami and earthquake – Live coverage [Guardian.co.uk]
Japan’s nuclear crisis and Chernobyl: key differences [The Christian Science Monitor]
Japan Earthquake: before and after [ABC News]
53 Pictures from the Earthquake [The Christian Science Monitor]
50 Cent Under Fire For Japan Earthquake Comments [MTV]
Japan Earthquake & Tsunami: 7 Simple Ways to Help [Mashable]
Rescues in Japan: ‘Thought today was the last day of my life’ [CNN World]
Gaga launches bracelet campaign to help Japan victims [Daily Times]
Millions without food, water, power in Japan [Sun Times]
Japan crisis: Eyewitness stories [BBC News]
Japan earthquake shifted Earth on its axis [Los Angeles Times]
An overview of Japan’s nuclear issues [CNN]
5 Terrifying Facts About What Happened in Japan [The Stir]
Sheen show profits donated to Japan [Digital Spy]

Justin Bieber has created quite a name for himself over the past four years, and it seems his journey is just getting started. Even if you have not caught “Bieber fever”, there is no denying the incredible talent and even greater potential of the young artist.

He has recorded three albums, two of which are ranked top five on the U.S. album chart this week, collaborating with famous names like Usher, Ludacris, and Sean Kingston. With all the editing done to popular artist’s voices, it is impressive to see someone in the music industry, who grew up with no professional training to sound remarkable live as he does on his albums.

This has already been a big year for The Biebs, snagging girlfriend Selena Gomez, receiving a nomination for his first grammy, starring in his own movie, and cutting his infamous luscious locks. Yes, I said it; Justin Beiber has officially changed the hairstyle that had millions of girls fainting, and guys secretly duplicating.

A USA Today article shows Bieber brought the hair clippings on his appearance of the “Ellen” show; Ellen DeGeneres sold the hair on EBay, with a final bid of $40,668.The proceeds were given to The Gentle Barn, an organization which rescues mistreated animals and uses them to help deprived children.

Bieber fans are notorious for their undying love for the pop star, but forty grand for a couple inches of his hair?! My question is, where does a young fan get $40,668 from? I have a feeling the barber shops will have a few appointments for teenage boys this week. While it is exhilarating to witness an average kid with a dream and a few YouTube videos prosper, it is even more exciting to realize the impact he is making.

Even if you do not enjoy his music, you cannot deny the motivation he has given kids around the world to follow their dreams. Always remember, Never Say Never.

I’ve been reading this great book called Made It Stick, written by Chip Heath and Dan Heath.

Why do some ideas thrive while others die? And how do we improve the chances of worthy ideas? In Made to Stick, accomplished educators and idea collectors Chip and Dan Heath tackle head-on these vexing questions. Inside, the brothers Heath reveal the anatomy of ideas that “stick” and explain sure-fire methods for making ideas stickier, such as violating schemas, using the Velcro Theory of Memory, and creating “curiosity gaps.”

It’s a must read for entrepreneurs, innovators, artists, and entertainers.

This book got me thinking of all those viral videos on the internet that I’ll never forget aka the ones that really stuck. Take a look at some of the most memorable viral videos that companies have put out.

Evian – Roller Babies

Audi TT Launch

Will It Blend? – iPad

Old Spice | The Man Your Man Could Smell Like

Nike – Kobe jumps over a speeding car

It seems no matter what channel you turn on, Charlie Sheen is the topic of discussion lately. The star of the popular sitcom series, Two and A Half Men, has been spiraling out of control and may have finally hit rock bottom. His association with Vegas strippers, drugs, alcohol, and violence has taken a toll on not only Sheen, but the success of his television series as well.

Two and A Half Men has been on the air since 2003, and has consistently been one of the top rated comedies on television. Sheen has been struggling with various problems for years, but his bad habits are now catching up with him. He has publicly made obscene comments about Lorre, the producer of the television series, calling him a “contaminated little maggot,” and a “clown.”

CBS and Warner Bros. made this statement Thursday, “based on the totality of Charlie Sheen’s statements, conduct and condition, CBS and Warner Bros. Television have decided to discontinue the production of Two and A Half Men for the remainder of the season.” The show was scheduled to air four more episodes to finish out the season, but re-runs will instead be played during the show’s regular time.

Sheen’s attitude and behavior have caused CBS and Warner Bros. to think twice about another season: “With this set of facts and this guy’s behavior, it would take a lot of work on his part to make the two companies comfortable with continuing the show,” says a senior executive. It is still undecided whether a ninth season will continue next fall, but producers are not optimistic. Sheen claims his drug and alcohol problems are at rest, but only time will tell.

USA Today

I don’t know about you, but Charlie Sheen is quickly climbing my personal list of “Actors I Hate.”  It’s hard to believe his show, Two and a Half Men, was TV’s highest-rated sitcom.  According to CNN, the show grossed $400 million in reruns alone during its eight seasons.  Imagine how much it could have grossed if it were funny!

Prior to offering advice to Lindsay Lohan and way before his most recent comments on radio show “Loose Cannons,” Sheen had a track record of damage.  A couple of marriages, his liver, and at least one hotel room are just the tangible examples of Sheen’s destruction.

Now he’s single-handedly gotten his wildly popular show canceled.  The biggest victims in this blunder may be the cast of Two and a Half Men. What’s next for Sheen’s co-star and that pudgy kid?  Does anyone even know their names?

If you haven’t listened to the radio interview that caused the cancellation of his show, you are missing out on some serious ‘LOL’ opportunities.  Sheen’s interview has something for everyone, with tips on beating addiction, being a winner, contract law, and how to be awesome in general.

When discussing  the beating of an addiction, Sheen emphatically states, “The only thing I’m addicted to right now is winning.”  I’m not sure what his definition of “winning” is, but he must be working on a secret Oscar-worthy movie or something.  Either that, or he thinks “jerk” and “winner” are synonyms.

On a more serious note, it is slightly sad to watch yet another big star self-destruct from fame.  He joins the ranks of Lohan and Spears as one of those multi-millionaires that we used to envy.

Instead of dishing out advice to his predecessors, he should follow their lead and disappear for a while.  I don’t think any of us would be too heartbroken if he never returned to the small screen again.

Motivation: some people just don’t have it.  You can call it chronic procrastination, lack of interest, or laziness.  If you’ve ever said one of the following: “I have to wait until the last minute to do my homework because I work better under pressure,” “I just don’t care” or “If I wait long enough, maybe someone else will do it,” you may be suffering from a lack of motivation.

Depending on the nature of the task, it might not take much at all to give you a little jump-start.  Sometimes going for a run can clear your mind and get you pumped up.  If you’re not into exercising, many reality TV shows can be surprisingly inspiring.  One episode of “The Biggest Loser” can convince you that diets are not so bad and most shows on HGTV can have you making an impulse trip to Lowe’s before the credits roll.

For your bigger jobs, ask yourself why you are avoiding them so industriously.  Sometimes it helps to complete the task with a friend.  This works well for working out or dieting.  Of course, friends can often be the source of avoiding disagreeable work.  For example, you are not going to be able to study when your roommates are having a party in the living room.  Try removing yourself from the distracting environment.  Go study at the library.

Tell yourself that the earlier you start an unpleasant task, the earlier you’ll be done.  You will also be able to take more breaks instead of trying to complete the project in one marathon-last-minute-I-should-have-started-earlier run.  You’ll also save yourself a lot of stress.

Chances are, you probably have plenty of motivation if you’re reading this article.  Either that, or you’ve taken the first step in admitting you have a problem.  Way to go!  Now quit surfing the Internet and go start that homework you’ve been putting off all day.

Yes, you did read that correctly: never quit quitting.  Don’t be “that guy” at the office who has been working in the same place for 27 years and who has been unhappy for 26.9 of those years.  In the words of Peter Gibbons from the 1999 movie Office Space, “So I was sitting in my cubicle today, and I realized, ever since I started working, every single day of my life has been worse than the day before it.  So that means that every single day that you see me, that’s on the worst day of my life.”  For those of you who have seen the movie, I’m not encouraging theft or fraud whatsoever; I am only discouraging you from trapping yourself into a terrible job.

Of course, there are some qualifiers on that statement.  First of all, you have to give new things some time.  It’s hard to start a new job or project or even a hobby, but in time, you may find that you love it. In the job world, that means at least 6 months.  If you work somewhere with a cyclical aspect to it (seasonal jobs, for example) try to stick it out through at least 2 full cycles.  However, if you feel you have given something a fair chance, don’t be afraid to move on if it’s not for you.

Secondly, always keep enough money in the bank so that you could walk away from any job at any time.  If you are so miserable at work that you cannot wait until you have another job lined up, you don’t want your paycheck to be the only reason to stay.

Finally, before you do anything drastic, keep in mind that “job jumping” can make potential employers hesitant to hire you in the future.  Employers spend tons of money training new employees and they hate to see that cash go to waste on someone who makes swift exits.  Don’t be afraid to be honest in your interview by stating that your last job was not for you.  Make sure you can also illustrate why this new job is different from the last one.

Quitting is underrated.  Do everyone a favor and go find something that makes you happy before you become the Peter Gibbons of your office.