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In life, we all understand the importance of education. This is something that’s drilled into us from school, and it’s a belief that we take with us into higher education and, eventually, the workplace. At some stage, though, many of us consider that there will be a time when learning can finally come to an end.
If you’re at the top of your company or are just generally working in your dream role right now, for example, then you might consider that you’ve done all of the learning necessary. But, is that true? Don’t get us wrong, there’s certainly a place for utilising the knowledge you have (otherwise what would be the point in acquiring it?!) but this ‘nothing left to learn’ mentality can also be damaging in ways that you might not expect. To prove as much, we’re going to consider precisely why you’re wrong when you assume that you know everything you could need. # 1 - Self-development means exploring new avenues As humans, we constantly seeking advancement. As such, staying happy in even your dream role is all about ensuring that you’re keeping your ideas fresh and approach exciting. That’s never going to happen if you stick too avidly with the same skill set you had back when you started ten years ago. Instead, that satisfaction of self-development is reliant on the exploration of new avenues even within your position. This needn’t be anything groundbreaking, but something as simple as an organisational course to learn how to be more productive with your time and space, or even seeking something like training in a new managerial approach can all help to invigorate you and, in most cases, your team. 
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# 2 - There’s always room for improvement
It’s also important to note that there’s always room for improvement, especially when it comes to our approaches to work. Most notably in recent years, it’s become obvious that the handling of things like mental health is sorely lacking, meaning that even the best-educated manager or employee could still benefit from taking something like a mental health first aid course. Equally, the longer you’ve been out of the classroom, the more likely you are to forget crucial pieces of information about what you do, meaning that refresher courses are almost always welcome for helping you to be better at your job.
# 3 - Knowledge is an advancing issue
Note, too, that knowledge isn’t static. The speed with which technology has become imperative in nearly everything that we do especially means teachings today look very different from even ten years ago. By resting on your laurels, you therefore risk falling behind in terms of the knowledge that even individuals working under you hold, with everyday software and the like very quickly becoming untenable until you accept that you could benefit from an educational upgrade. Learning is no one time thing, and these reminders should be all you need to get back to the classroom, or at least accept that you might need to one day, before it’s too late.  Image credit: Pixabay from Pexels Your life is your own to live, and that means that you are the one who is responsible for the choices that you make. You are going to need to do your best at all given opportunities to make your life as good as it can be. Life is a sum of our choices, and it’s important that you are always doing what you think is going to be best for you. In this article, we’re going to be taking a look at some of the choices you’re going to need to be really careful about, so keep reading down below if you would like to find out more.
Your Job The first thing that you are going to need to think about is your job. Are you happy with the job that you are in right now? If the answer is no, then why aren’t you doing something about it? Try to figure out what the problem is and why you are not happy with it, and then work on how you can change that. For example, it might be the case that you don’t get on with your boss, and if this is true you should try to sit down and talk to them. If it’s that things don’t feel equal in the workplace, again you need to talk to your employer and go through your problems with them. Speak to other people who work with you, and see what they think as well. It’s always good to hear about what your coworkers are thinking in terms of the business you work for. You may want to ask to bring in changes such as having to have your badge in a badge holder and displayed at all times to ensure that only authorized people are in certain areas of the business. This shows your employer that you care about the safety of the business, and that you are an employee that should be kept at all costs. Your Health You are also going to want to make sure that you are looking after your health. Make the choice to eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly, keep an eye on your mental health, get enough sleep, drink enough water and so much more. If you do this, you can tell yourself that you are making the right choices in your life as you are taking care of your health which is one of the most vital parts of life. Trust us when we say that looking after your health should be at the very top of your priority list, so it’s definitely something to think about here. We hope that you have found this article helpful, and now see some of the choices that you are going to have to make in your life. It’s important that you are doing everything that you can to make the right choices for yourself, and that means thinking through these things carefully. We wish you the very best of luck, and hope that you manage to make the best possible choices sooner rather than later.  Image credit: Rodnae Productions from Pexels Many people have a misconception that real estate is an easy way to make money. The truth is, real estate investing can be a volatile and risky business. If you're thinking about getting involved in the world of real estate, there are six things you should do before making any investments:
Research The Market Thoroughly It's essential to have a clear understanding of the market you're investing in. Know what the average sale prices are, how long properties are taking to sell, and what kind of rental yields are being achieved. This information will help you determine whether or not it is a good time to invest in real estate and which type of property would be most profitable for you. Consult With A Property Lawyer Before making any final decisions, it's crucial to speak with a property lawyer. A property attorney such as Accuro Maxwell will be able to advise you on the legalities of owning and renting out a property, as well as help you draft a legally binding contract between yourself and your tenant. They will also be able to assist with any research you have not been able to obtain yourself and give you advice on whether or not the property will be a good investment or not. Have A Realistic Plan In Place It's vital to have a solid plan before investing in real estate. Know what your goals are and how you plan on achieving them. Have a budget worked out, and be prepared for the ups and downs of property investment. Don't invest more money than you can afford to lose, as there is always some risk involved in this type of venture. Get A Pre-Purchase Building And Pest Inspection When buying an investment property, you should ensure that you get a pre-purchase building and pest inspection. This will give you a clear idea of the property's condition and whether or not any significant repairs need to be carried out. It can also help you negotiate a better price on the property. Ensure you have a trustworthy accountant You will need to find a good accountant who can help you keep track of your expenses and income. They will also be able to offer advice on how to reduce your tax bill and make the most of your investment. Additionally, they can help you set up a solid financial plan that will help you reach your long-term investment goals. Understand What It Costs To Maintain The Property One of the most significant expenses you'll incur as a property owner is property maintenance. Make sure you have an accurate estimate of how much it will cost to keep your property in good condition and factor this into your overall budget. You should also be prepared for unexpected repairs; these can often blow your budget if you're not expecting them. It's always a good idea to set aside some money each month specifically for property upkeep. These are just a few things you should do before investing in real estate. By following these tips, you'll be well on your way to making wise and profitable investments.  Image credit: Start Up Stock Photos from Pixabay When looking for ways to be more productive, light might not be your first thought. You might think about keeping a tidy desk or turning off social media. But those two examples are about breaking habits—light is about changing your brain scientifically. All living beings need light. Famously, plants need light to grow. Think of yourself like a houseplant—if you put a houseplant in a dark corner, it’s going to struggle to carry out its job (i.e., growing new leaves). However, if you move it to a sunny spot on the windowsill, it will perform its job better than ever. You are just the same. If you are in a dingy, dark corner of an office, you won’t carry your job out right either. But with the right kind of lighting, you will find you are more productive than ever. But what kind of light is perfect for productivity? And how can you use it to your advantage? Bright Light Bright light is great for productivity because it wakes you up. The scientific journal Sleep published a study that found workers who were exposed to well-lit areas in the daytime were less likely to feel sleepy in the daytime. A different study found that workers exposed to dim light felt their moods were at their lowest. So, if your productivity suffers because you get tired when working, try out some bright lights to keep you awake. With that feeling of fresh brightness, you should find your focus returns, and you can be more productive. Changing out a bulb at your home office should be no problem, but if you hope to relight an entire office, you might want to call a local electrician. Natural Light Natural light is another type of light that can boost productivity. Similar to bright light, natural light keeps you more alert during the day. Because of this, you tend to sleep better at night and come back to work the next day refreshed. Natural light has a few benefits over bright light too. Having natural light is proven to benefit your mental health. Several mental health issues are linked to disruptions in your circadian rhythm. Problems like depression, bipolar disorder, and seasonal affective disorder are all related to not getting enough natural light. Although bright light might keep you awake, you might find your productivity decreases due to poor mental health if you aren’t getting enough natural light.  Image credit: Joshua Woroniecki from Pexels Coloured lighting
Did you know that certain colours can affect your productivity? Well, they can. Cool tones like blues and greens can improve focus and efficiency, while warm tones like red and orange inspire passion. If you want to feel more energetic and refreshed, yellow lighting is perfect. Installing some LED colour-changing light strips around your work area can help you get into the right mindset for the project you are working on. Once you’re in the right headspace, your productivity should significantly improve. Plus, when Christmas comes around, you’ll already be set up with flashing lights!  Image credit: Engin Akyurt from Pexels You need to make the choices in life that are right for you. This means that you can’t let anyone else dictate the decisions that you make in your life, and ideally they shouldn’t have an input in them either. Well, unless it directly impacts them in some way, as that is different. However, if it’s about doing what is best for you alone, then the choice is yours alone. In this article, we’re going to be taking a look at some of the things that you have got to do to make the choices that are right for you, so keep reading down below if you would like to find out more. Follow Your Heart First, you are going to need to follow your heart. Your heart knows which way in life you want to go, and which way you should be heading as often as possible. However, sometimes we resist this because it feels like the wrong thing, but how could it be when that’s what you seem to want? Following your heart is not always easy, we will give you that. It can be scary, it can feel like it’s going to lead you down the wrong path, but you will regret it more if you don’t take the chance than you would if it turned out wrong. What Seems Like The Right Thing? When trying to make the right choice for you, you need to think about what seems like the right thing? That’s not to say that this is necessarily what you’re going to end up doing, but it will help you to understand both sides of the story. There are cases where things that seem like the right thing are actually the wrong thing, but you won’t know this until you give it a go. This is the problem with making choices, but they have still got to be made. You need to do the thing that feels right to you. It doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks the right thing is, and it doesn’t matter if you feel like you should do the opposite to what you want to do. Follow the choice that you think, and then stand by it. For example, if you are considering taking part in decentralized clinical trials and someone else doesn’t want you to, it’s not up to them.  Image credit: Marcus Winkler from Pexels Will It Contribute To Your Overall Goal?
Will the choice that you are making contribute to your overall goal? If the answer is no, then is it worth doing? Will the opposite option contribute effectively to your goal? If the answer is no, then pick whichever you want. If the answer is yes however, this is where things get a little more complicated. If there is an option that seems like it will move you one step closer to your ultimate goal, this is what you should be doing ideally. Of course, it’s down to you at the moment.  Image credit: John Schnobrich from Unsplash Knowing how to boost your digital marketing tactics is a surefire way for any business to make those crucial improvements. Whether you’re striving to increase your reputation or boost engagement, your digital marketing strategy is vital. But, it is not solely about the content you produce. For many businesses, your website is the most essential marketing tool you have, and here are the four reasons why.
It Is The First Introduction To Your Brand In many cases, your website will be the first exposure customers have to your brand. While they may have heard your name or seen your logo in places., they don’t know who or what you are. This is why the landing page must be something that grabs attention for all the right reasons. Any customs that require your service will visit your site - whether on their computer or their phone - and find out more about your business. Your website should be easy to navigate and include plenty of information without being overwhelming, and the pages should load quickly to maintain engagement. You Can Use It To Share News and Ideas Your website’s blog should not be somewhere you feel with low-value content for the sake of it. This is the place where you can share industry or business news or provide advice for anyone who visits your website. Your expertise in the industry puts your voice across as an authority, meaning people will trust what you have to say. You can boost your chances of this content ranking by working with a white label SEO reseller that can help you make the most of your content strategy, which will generate more leads and traffic to your website. It Helps to Cultivate Your Brand’s Voice Every brand should have a unique voice and appeal. This is what people associate with your business whenever they see your logo or hear your company name. With your website, it is possible to cultivate your brand voice. The design, the language, and the images all contribute to a grand voice that is consistent and instantly recognizable. This will help you stand out from competitors and encourage authentic engagement. A Website Will Establish Credibility A lack of credibility is one of the major challenges all small businesses struggle with when they first launch./ you do not have the history or the tradition of established corporations, which means you need to work twice as hard to make a name for yourself. Your website can do a lot of this work for you. Rather than use your Facebook or Instagram pages as your primary hub, your website demonstrates success and creates an easy destination for any interested clients or customers. Essential If you want your business to reach the lofty heights you have always dreamed of, you must give yourself the best chance of succeeding. Your website is the hub where you can include all the crucial information about your company, while also promoting who you are and what you stand for. From exceptional; content to a sleek, effortless design, you can attract more customers and clients because they will believe in what you offer.  Image credit: Ross Parmly from Unsplash There are various reasons why you may be thinking about moving overseas - whether you are simply looking for a change or need to satisfy your sense of adventure. For example, moving abroad gives you the chance to start completely anew - whether you’re making new friends or changing careers altogether. However, it’s also a major lifestyle change - meaning you shouldn’t rush into it without proper planning.
With that in mind, here are some important things you should consider before moving abroad. The Legal Process. The process of moving abroad is not simple. After all, you cannot simply purchase a plane ticket and hope for the best - you also need to ensure that you have the legal right to live and work in the country of your choosing. However, the legal requirements change from country to country, meaning plenty of research must be carried out ahead of time to ensure you have everything you need ready. Furthemore, there are also various different forms of visas, and it’s important you apply for the one that suits you best. For example, if you are planning to move to Australia, companies such as Montic can talk you through the process of applying for the Elite Talent Visa. What you are leaving behind. If you want your move abroad to be successful, it’s important that you are moving for the right reasons. For example, it’s far better to be moving towards something with a clear mind as opposed to running away from your problems. Therefore, before moving abroad, it’s important to consider what you are leaving behind - especially if this could cause you to change your mind at a later date. For example, moving abroad also means moving away from your family. While there are plenty of ways to stay in touch digitally, this is simply not the same as spending time together in person. Additionally, moving abroad could have a significant impact on your career -as you’ll likely have to start from the bottom at a new company and work your way up once again. However, this could be taken as a positive when you consider the fact that it enables you to make a fresh start. Save up money ahead of time. If you are trying to gain the energy to make a life change, the easiest way to  Image credit: Pexels from Pixabay In high rise apartment buildings, there are many ways that tenants can feel unsafe. Whether it’s accessing the property at night or if it’s inclement weather that is bearing down, all tenants will want to experience the ultimate in safety when they are home. It is up to management to make sure tenants feel as safe as humanly possible while they are living in the building. Here are a few ways management can keep a building safe for all who live there.
Security Cameras We have all heard the stories of how there are security cameras installed, however, they are not actually on or they do not work. Security cameras in some buildings and businesses are simply for show so that people think they are on camera when they are really not. It is up to management to make sure the cameras are installed and they work. Knowing they work will give tenants peace-of-mind that management is looking out for them. Several crimes have been solved and criminals caught because of security footage. Aluminum Louvres When it comes to keeping animals out and criminals out, aluminum louvres are great to put over windows and patio areas. They are durable and they protect. The best part of adjustable vertical louvres is that they protect against bad weather. You can open and close the louvres at will to ensure that tenants can get the light and air they need and then protect their balconies, patios, or porches from high winds, heavy rains, and possible debris tossing around in the air. Some aluminum louvres work well as gates keeping the wildlife out of the human spaces. Gates One of the best ways to keep people safe is to install gates at the entrances to the property. Residents will be able to buzz themselves in and out of the gate making it nearly impossible for anyone who does not live in the complex to gain access to the property. This means only residents will be able to get in and out. Gates also double as a security feature around swimming pools. Young children who may not be great swimmers will need the key fob to get into and out of the pool area. If they do not have the ability to buzz themselves in, they cannot access the pool, which will keep them safe and out of harm’s way. Secured Garages If your building offers parking to your residents, then having a gated garage is a must have in order to keep everyone safe. Parking garages are popular for attacks as they are usually not busy and there are plenty of cars to hide behind. To prevent anything from happening, have a gated garage where only residents will have the remote control or key card to allow the gate to open and close. A drop arm is not safe enough because anyone can get around it. Your garage must have an actual gate that drops to the ground so no one can get in.  Image credit: Picography from Pexels One of the great advantages of a blog is that you can own it in a way you can never own a social media platform. This means that you can choose every aspect of your blog’s look, feel, and functionality. With that in mind, here is a quick guide to finding the right home for your blog.
Your basic options Your first choice is whether you want to go with free hosting or paid-for hosting. If you go for paid-for hosting, your next choice is whether you want to go with all-in-one hosting or customized hosting. Once you’ve made these decisions, the rest is fine-tuning your selections until you have exactly the right set-up for you. Free hosting versus paid-for hosting Free may sound good but in the real world it comes with a lot of limitations. The biggest limitation is the fact that most of the free hosting platforms require you to use their domain. In other words, your blog’s address will be something like freehosting.com/yourblog as opposed to yourblog.com. The one notable exception to this is Blogger. This does allow you to use your own custom domain for free. It does take some work to set this up but there are easy-to-follow instructions online. Blogger has other limitations. For example, there are very limited options for customization. With that said, if you’re on a really tight budget Blogger may be worth a look. This would depend very much on your niche. For example, if you were creating a blog about sustainability, Blogger might be fine, at least to start with. If, by contrast, you wanted to be taken seriously as a digital marketing consultant, then you’d probably want to avoid Blogger. All-in-one hosting versus custom hosting For most people, the choice between free hosting and paid-for hosting will be pretty clear-cut. If you have the budget for it, paid-for hosting is almost always the better choice. If you don’t, you just have to do what you can with what you have. The choice between all-in-one and customized hosting can, however, be more challenging. All-in-one hosting can be the more expensive option. With that said, the difference may be smaller than it first appears once you add up the cost of buying everything separately. Also, you’ll usually have the option to pay monthly. Some of the customized hosting providers only support annual billing or charge much higher fees if you pay monthly. The main advantage of all-in-one hosting is that it’s convenient. In particular, security is entirely managed for you. That can be a huge benefit to bloggers with limited time and/or few technical skills. The main disadvantage of all-in-one hosting is that you have little scope for customizations. With custom hosting, it’s the opposite. You can set up your blog exactly how you like it but you are responsible for each part of it. Crucially, that includes security. Modern security needs to be “baked in” to every aspect of a website, including a blog. This means that if you don’t know what you’re doing, you may need to pay for help from someone who does.  Image credit: Unknown When it comes to starting a blog, there’s obviously a lot to think about - from the hosting service you use to the platform you build on, and everything in between. One thing that you may not have thought about or taken into account is how to create the perfect blogging environment at home.
The chances are that when you first started out you never expected your blog to turn into anything more than a hobby, and so you might not have thought about your blogging environment. While you can simply opt to blog from wherever you like, it’s important to think about creating a blogging area - think of it like your blogging home office if you will. Wondering what the perfect blogging environment should look like? Below is a guide to some of the simple steps you can take to create the perfect blogging environment, allowing you to take your blog from strength to strength. Set up a dedicated space First things first, it’s a good idea that you take the time to create a dedicated working space where you can blog from. Somewhere that allows you to sit and blog to your heart’s content without being interrupted. In an ideal world, this would be a dedicated room, however if this isn’t possible you could always create a mini blogging area in the corner of another room. For your space, you will need a few essentials, including a desk, ergonomic chair, a laptop, and any other useful accessories, such as a bluetooth mouse and potentially a laptop stand. Not sure what essentials you need? Take the time to work it out by getting inspiration online from other bloggers. Ensure the internet is fast and reliable It’s also vital that when it comes to creating the perfect blogging space that you set yourself up somewhere that has internet that’s fast and reliable. There’s nothing worse than trying to write a blog when your internet isn’t working properly and it takes ages for everything to load. If your WiFi isn’t reliable enough, then you might want to consider looking into using ethernet cabling instead, allowing you to have access to the fastest and most efficient internet access. Make the space comfortable If you want to be able to work productively, it’s vital that you ensure that the space is as comfortable and cosy as possible. It’s hard to work in a place where you don’t feel comfortable as it impacts your ability to work in a productive manner. So creating somewhere that you like to spend time in is important. Think about what you would like the space to be. Are you someone who loves minimalist design or are you someone who likes to have certain accessories dotted around, such as having lots of lovely greenery around, for instance? Create a space that’s the right fit for you and your blogging needs. Creating the perfect blogging environment at home is easier than you might think - it’s simply a case of getting the approach right.  Image credit: Stokpic Everybody has asked themselves about their life purpose at some point. The pandemic has put a lot of things into focus, and for those people who are looking to improve their sense of livelihood, it's important to choose a line of work that aligns with your life path. So what can we all do when we get that little voice inside us that says “don't?”
What Have You Got to Lose? So many of us stop before we start. But the fact is that now is the ideal opportunity to try something out. Economically, things are starting to look up, depending on who you ask, but even if you keep waiting for things to “get better,” you would be waiting forever. These days, if you're looking to start your own business, you have an abundance of information at your fingertips. What’s more, with the amount of cheap web design services and support out there, for anybody who is looking to start their own business there is plenty of support. What do you really have to lose? Are You Trying to Please Someone Else? Sometimes we stop ourselves before we start because we worry about what others will say. While disapproving family members are one thing, if there's someone in your life that would actively discourage you from doing this, you've got to ask yourself if this person has your best interests at heart. Sometimes, we can find we try to please others rather than ourselves, and this is only going to result in regret. Following our life path is about focusing on ourselves. Sometimes we get in relationships with people who will try to discourage us, and it may very well be that they are looking out for us, however, it is our choice to make and if we make a mistake, at least we have learnt from it. Is Failure the Biggest Fear? Everybody fears failure. And now it is such a cliche that it is almost irrelevant! But it certainly makes sense why people are reluctant to do anything. There are issues with the economy, we've just lived through a pandemic, and there is no end in sight as of yet. But while it makes sense to be cautious in one respect, we've got to remember that if we are being cautious to the detriment of our happiness, we are only going to be regretful. And what's more, we are going to resent ourselves. Sometimes, making changes in life is not necessarily about the big, bold decisions, but it can be about improving the quality of your life. Sometimes, you've got to get more out of what you already have. And sometimes this means you need to look after yourself better, and actually focus on yourself. Your life purpose is something that you should never put off. Some people don't discover their purpose until later in life, and it has made everything worthwhile. So if there's ever a little voice in your head that tells you not to do something, always remember that your happiness is the priority.  Image credit: Imordaf from Pexels From the moment you are born to the day that you die, there's no escaping it: trash. Trash is everywhere and in everything. But what if your days of dealing with this smelly problem could soon be over? Recycling is the process of converting waste materials into new products to prevent environmental damage. It's one way that humans can give back to nature and keep it healthy for generations. You can make a difference by recycling. Don't believe it? Then check out these fantastic tips for starting to recycle today. Correctly Sorted Do not put the trash into the wrong bin. Usually, blue bins are used for glass bottles/jars, black or green ones are for paper products, including newspapers, magazines, cans and cardboard boxes, and brown bins contain food waste like meat scraps and bones. At the same time, clear containers can hold styrofoam items such as cups etc. Just make sure everything is clean, of course, before putting it in. Recycling Electronics Recycle old electronics by donating them or selling them on places like eBay or Amazon if they still work after checking with family members about any valuable components. Possibilities Put glass bottles into a container with other recyclables such as paper and metal objects. The recycling company will take them out and turn them into something useful like pavement tiles or insulation material for homes. You should never put anything plastic (including packaging) in curbside bins because they aren't recyclable. Instead, bring all items containing plastic directly to a designated drop off centre where they'll be turned into something useful like plastic lumber or oil. Instead of tossing your old newspapers, magazines, and junk mail in the trash, put them straight into a recycling bin instead. They can be turned back into paper products that are re-used by companies. Extended Efforts Makes A Difference Your recycling efforts can extend to any area of your life. From your home to your office and even building sites. Although regular-sized recycling bins will be too small for commercial usage (or you might have to make multiple trips to the centre), you can utilise places like Westbin who specialise in big projects. Operating Hours Find a recycling centre near you and check out their hours. Once you know what they're open for, it will be easier to go there more often. If you can't go to a recycling centre yourself, don't worry. Other options include paper and glass drop-off bins that allow people to recycle from their own homes instead. Check your local municipality's website for more info on where these locations might be located near you.  Image credit: Greta Hoffman from Pexels Recycling is a great way to save the environment from being polluted. When you recycle, it reduces how much trash ends up in landfills and the air. Reducing landfill waste by recycling will help protect your water supply. Because less garbage means cleaner air which helps filter out chemicals that can cause harm to animals and plants. If everyone would recycle, we could reduce greenhouse gases and prevent deforestation for paper products like newspapers or magazines.
 Image credit: Daniel Reche from Pexels From time to time, just about everyone finds themselves in a situation where they want to make some significant change in their life, whether that means setting a New Years’ Resolution to get in better shape, or whether it means creating a startup business.
Whether you are considering a foray into the field of Digital Marketing, want to get more fit, or are interested in seeing more of the world, however, one thing that can end up getting in the way of a planned life change is a simple lack of energy. If you feel exhausted and unmotivated on a regular basis, actually moving forward and making any substantial kind of life change can seem very daunting. Here are some tips for getting the energy to make a life change. Use a habit tracker, and start by forcing yourself to go through the right basic steps each day At the start of any new endeavour, you're likely to find it difficult to consistently turn up and put in the effort required – and this could seem to drain your energy significantly more than it would otherwise. Particularly when you're feeling as though you don't have as much energy as you would like, however, using a habit tracker and starting off by forcing yourself to go through the right basic steps each day, can be very helpful. It's a good idea to start simple here, rather than to allow yourself to become overwhelmed by trying to do too much in one go. Consistency, and gaining momentum, is very important. Both for making a life change, and boosting your sense of energy. Put yourself in an environment that helps to encourage and motivate you When you put yourself in situations that help to facilitate the kind of behaviour you're trying to adopt, and especially when you surrounding yourself with individuals who embody the kind of change you're looking to make, you will tend to find that you are much more energetic and driven to move forward in the right direction. If, on the other hand, you want to get in great shape but don't know anyone who's into fitness, you are just going to tend to find it harder to be energised and to take the steps required to move in the right direction consistently. Take steps to surround yourself with the kind of people who can help to keep you motivated to make the change you're looking to make. Find energising hobbies and pastimes to add to your daily routine There are various hobbies and pastimes that you can adopt that are likely to help you to feel more energised on an everyday basis. Find which of these hobbies and pastimes work for you, and then make sure to add them into your everyday routine. Some of the kinds of things you might want to explore could include a yoga routine, regular outdoor strolls, or a chat with a loved one who always helps you to feel more upbeat.  Image credit: Unknown Getting older can be fun, as you look forward to retirement and going on all the adventures you have spent years planning. There are a few things you have to think about though and not take for granted.
Exercise Exercise is very important at any age but especially as you get older. You need to ensure you are staying mobile as your joints can start to get stiff. Just 30 minutes of gentle exercise each day is enough to keep you healthy and supple. Think about doing something like cycling or yoga, even swimming is gentle and very good for your body. Exercise also boosts your mood, so if you have been feeling down in the dumps think about doing a workout of some sort. You can even do a workout in the comfort of your own home if you don’t fancy venturing out. If you do wish to go out, why not think about joining an exercise class. This is not only a great way of staying fit and motivated but a wonderful way to make friends. Exercise and socialising have been proven to keep the onset of dementia and Alzheimer's at bay as well. Diet You need to think about your diet carefully when you get older, this is due to your metabolism slowing right down. If you continue to eat as you did when you were younger you may be at risk of developing middle-aged spread. You may have heard of this, it is a ring of fat that happens due to it taking longer for your food to be digested. You should plan what you are going to eat, and eating smaller meals regularly will prevent bloating and indigestion. A healthy balanced diet will keep you satisfied for longer so you don’t feel the need to snack between meals. Water is your friend, it always has been. Drinking water has many benefits including healthy radiant looking skin. It not only keeps you hydrated externally but internally as well. Water helps keep your mind hydrated as well, you may not realise that the brain needs water but it does. If you don’t drink enough water you can struggle with memory loss and concentration problems. You will know if you are not drinking enough water as you will get a lovely dehydrated headache. Where To Live Unfortunately, when you get older you have to think about where you will spend the rest of your years. This could be at home, in peace and quiet or you may need to move into a residential home. If you are fit and well there is no problem being in your own home as long as it is suited to your needs. If you or your family find that you are struggling with everyday tasks such as getting about, washing, or cooking then you may need to find a place in a residential care home or assisted living facility. There are professionals who can help you with this process as it can be quite daunting. A care home broker will look at what you have available, what your needs are, and then find suitable living arrangements for you. We hope you found this guide helpful and that you have a long happy life.  Image credit: Soroush Karimi from Unsplash It’s said that the biggest financial investment that people usually make is in their homes. But you could also argue that your home is an investment for your future. Regardless of where you are in life, you should always have some kind of plan for the future. Whether you’re buying your first home or finding somewhere to settle down for retirement, here are some ways that you can future-proof your home.
1 - Keep Costs Down Utility costs add up, but you may be spending more than you need to. If you’ve recently moved in, or you’ve noticed costs spiking more than usual in winter, then you get an insulation specialist in to check things out. The first thing you should look at is your attic insulation. Typically, this should last at least fifteen years or so, but there’s no harm in getting it checked every three years. After all, not every house reaches the average. Another potential heat leech is through the doors and windows. Again, quality doors and windows should last at least fifteen years, but that’s if they’re brand new. If your home is a bit older or built in an exposed area, then you may need to consider a replacement. Besides, new doors and windows are a good way to freshen up your house. 2 - Rendering Repairs Your exterior walls keep your home and family safe from the outside world, but they can take a battering in the process. Any damaged rendering looks unpleasant, but it can also lead to damp and cause major issues in the future. Some companies, like TCA Rendering, can repair and protect your home rendering, preventing these problems before they crop up. Also, if you’re still concerned about keeping your utility costs low, you can get external wall insulation. As with any contractor, be sure to use a company that you can trust and that has a good reputation. This saves you time, money, and stress further down the road. 3 - No More Narrow Corridors This is something that few people consider, but if you have the space, consider widening the corridors and hallways. This way, you won’t feel cramped in your own home. Wider corridors have a more practical consideration, especially when you consider the future. Babies and children take up a surprising amount of space, considering their size. Prams, buggies, and other seemingly endless paraphernalia can jam up narrow corridors. Also, larger families can suffer from traffic jams unless they’re able to squeeze past each other. Also, larger corridors are easier for older or disabled people to navigate. They provide a clean and comfortable space to maneuver, especially for wheelchair users. If this applies to you or your family, you may also benefit from widening the interior doorways to make your home more accessible. Or, cut out as many corridors and doorways as you can by implementing an open-plan design. A well-designed open-plan home can be functional and attractive, providing a versatile and bright place for the whole family. Image credit: Picography from Pexels Blogging has been around for longer than you probably think, it went through a huge explosion in popularity and almost everyone seemingly owned a blog whether for fun or commercial purposes. This then turned on its head and discussions about the death of blogging started to come to the forefront of advertorial conversations, particularly as social media and microblogging became the new in thing. That said it is still thought that blogging has its place and what is more than blogging can benefit your business. Here are some of the benefits of blogging for your business.
It increases traffic to your website A website that includes a well written and SEO friendly blog section will attract traffic to the website. Ensuring that the blog content provides value to the readers will draw them to your website and once they are there you have increased your website site traffic but also your brand awareness and potential for advertising. A purchase may not be made there and then but you are now on potential customers radar. The stronger your website traffic the better it is for your business. For example; A clothing brand may create blog content regarding the latest fashion items or how to style particular outfits. This is adding value to their customers all the while attracting traffic to the website and using the blog content to advertise their products. Showcase your business Whatever your business is then blogging gives you a real opportunity to provide a detailed outlook of your company. You don’t have to fit gimmicks into short sentences or summarise your business in a catchy caption, you can take the time to really portray the message you want and the services you offer. What is more, you can use this platform to raise awareness of matters important and relevant to your business. For Example; sustainability consultants or environmentally friendly products have a great opportunity to use a blog section to expand upon their services or products. They can create blog content that showcases their ethical business and explains what they are about in detail and why. They can also use this channel to share important issues that either relate to their business or indeed the wider issues concerning their business, such as environmental awareness and sustainability. Longevity of the advertorial content One of the real added bonuses of blogging content is its shelf life. A blog post can be written and instead of fading into the ether over time, a well-written keyword-friendly post can actually gain more traction and better reach over long periods of time, potentially over several years. Older posts can gain authority and ranking over time and become more easily discoverable via search engines. Further, if these posts are regularly updated to reflect recent or current purposes of campaigns they can increase their search engine standing. There are very few other advertorial options that provide that shelf life for similar financial and time expenditure. Example; A keyword friendly recipe post (if relevant to your business) that is updated from time to time is a great way of adding value and attracting readers that will truly stand the test of time.  Image credit: Spencer Selover from Pexels When we are working, one of the biggest challenges that many of us face is procrastination. We have all been there. We know we have a big task to go and need to get it done, but somehow we find ourselves doing something else that is totally unrelated and probably a lot less important. You know exactly what you should be doing, but somehow keep putting it off. No matter the industry you work in, whether it be teaching or strategic planning services, it is important to get things done. Here are some top tips for how to stop procrastinating and make the most of the tasks that you have to do.
Get organised If you don't have a plan for what to do, you are much more likely to get distracted. Instead, set out exactly the steps you need to take and it will help you to achieve your goal. Write a list of everything that you need to do and put it in order of priority for when it needs to be completed by. If you have one big project then break it down into smaller, more manageable chunks. This will make the task seem a lot less daunting and easier to face. Don’t let yourself get distracted No matter how hard a worker you think you are, nobody can work their best when they are surrounded by distractions. In order to not let yourself procrastinate, get rid of anything around you that might tempt you not to work. For example, this could be your phone which is constantly pinging with notifications of messages and social media, your TV with shows on in the background, or even family members who might be at home if you are working from your home office. Try and find a quiet place where you can just get your head down and crack on with the task at hand. Be sure to take breaks If you don’t let yourself take breaks then you will soon get burnt out from the job that you are trying to do and get distracted. You will soon lose focus and won’t work as hard as you should. Let yourself have a break every couple of hours at least, where you get up, walk around and stretch your legs. A simple change of scenery can help to refresh your mind and make sure that you work through your task list a lot more efficiently. Remember the main person you will let down is you When you are putting off tasks that need to be done, it is important to remember that the main person you are letting down is you. While others might be relying on you, you will ultimately have to face the flack from not doing it correctly or submitting something in time. Remember this and how much easier and less stressed you will be if you complete the job you need to do, as soon as it comes in. These are just a few top tips to help you to stop procrastinating.  Image credit: Brett Jordan from Pexels Hands up here if you procrastinate? Come on be honest, there is no judgement here!
If you've ever put off a task that you know you really need to do, but instead found something else more shiny to distract yourself, its very possible that its not because you're lazy! The New York Times can tell you why procrastinating has nothing to do with self-control...  Image credit: Max Fischer from Pexels Trying to study and can’t concentrate? It’s possible that your surroundings could be having an impact on your ability to learn. Studies show that surroundings can affect our concentration and motivation. Below are some of the environmental factors to consider.
How comfortable is it? When we’re not comfortable, we’re likely to be distracted. It’s important that our learning environment is cosy so that we’re not constantly shuffling around. Make sure that you’re not studying from an uncomfortable chair. If you’re studying at home at a desk, consider buying yourself a height adjustable office chair. This will allow you to position yourself at the right height and will provide the lower back support that you need. What’s the lighting like? Poor lighting can make it harder to concentrate. Ideally, you want lots of natural light pouring in while you study - natural light can help to reduce anxiety and lift our mood more so than artificial light. Many schools have started looking into modular building hire, investing in purpose-built classrooms with lots of natural light. It’s worth noting that while natural light can improve concentration, it needs to be positioned correctly - if students are studying at computers, you should ideally avoid having a light source directly behind as this will cause screen glare. Instead light should be pouring in from in front or from the side. How noisy is it? Many of us are easily distracted by loud noises. At the same time, silence may increase anxiety levels - many of us need some background noise to concentrate. A good learning environment should have the right balance. When studying from home, choose a room that is fairly quiet where you haven’t got sounds like the TV or washing machine to distract you. Ambient sounds and low-volume music could be worth trying to see if concentration levels are improved. Is there a lot of clutter? Being surrounded by clutter can negatively affect concentration. You should consider whether your learning environment is tidy and organized - and if not what you can do to reduce clutter. Finding ways to store clutter away out of sight can help. When studying at home at a desk, try to keep your desk relatively tidy. Are the colours affecting your studies? There have been many studies into colour psychology when it comes to learning. Certain colours can be more suited to certain types of learning. Blue tends to be a good colour for improving concentration, while green can help to nurture creativity. Yellow can be an uplifting colour that is great in young kids’ classrooms. Red is a colour that is generally best avoided aside from heavily practical areas - it is an energising colour and may increase stress levels due to its association with dangers, making it ill-suited for study tasks that require concentration. In all cases, it’s better to use colours than it is to stick to neutral tones. Whites, greys and blacks are uninspiring, which could negatively affect concentration when it comes to creative tasks.  Image credit: Cliff Booth from Pexels Are you fed up with the daily grind? Of being answerable to someone else and turning the wheels of a corporate company that has little impact on your day-to-day life? Perhaps you need more freedom and flexibility from your work life. Your personal situation or home dynamic has changed and the 9-5 is no longer working for you. Or maybe you have just decided that now is the time to pursue a labour of love and do something you want to do to earn a living but you are not quite sure what that is. Here are some career inspiration ideas that can provide you with the opportunity to be your own boss.
A personal trainer If you have always had a flair for fitness and a love of training then why not apply your passion to personal training? PT courses can be found online or in-person up and down the country and offer prospective students all the tools, resources and accreditations they need to take on the role of PT. If you love fitness and wellbeing then what better option than to spend your day in the environment you love helping people to improve their fitness and health too. Marketing If you have a marketing or public relations background going solo and creating your own marketing agency can be a great move. If you know Active mail from Mailchimp and content marketing from SEO then why not use this to your advantage and be the boss, instead of an answer to one. With the explosion of social media and online marketing more and more businesses recognise the need to up their marketing game and need the professionals to help them do it. Outsourcing to marketing departments is growing amongst even the smallest of businesses - and the best bit is you already know how to market your marketing business effectively. Catering Maybe your passions lie in the kitchen. Did your love of baking step up a notch during lockdown? Or you have long dreamed of running a restaurant. If you have a flair for food then why not consider setting up a catering company? With catering becoming increasingly accessible more and more people are turning to paid caterers to supply the refreshments for parties, events and gatherings. What is more, the rise in food deliveries and takeaway services is really opening up the market for new online-based takeaway outlets. Maximise on this lifestyle shift and turn your pastime into a passion lead career. Life coaching Life is stressful and can be difficult to navigate and as such people are looking to life coaches to help them work their way through their busy, complex lives and achieve their personal goals. If you love to listen and help others then consider life coaching. You do not need any formal qualifications to set up as a life coach but obtaining some qualifications will make you more attractive to potential customers. You will also want to feel confident in your ability to really make a difference in other peoples lives. Online life coaching courses can be found easily and can be quick and inexpensive to complete.  Image credit: Alexander Mils from Pexels Many people talk about protecting your income for the unexpected and having savings for those "just in case" times in your life. But if you do not know when something will crop up, can you adequately prepare for it, and exactly how do you manage to sort your life and finances for something that may never happen?
The covid pandemic has already shown us how the world can change instantly, and many people have had their lives disrupted by the events that have transpired since early 2020. Few have been lucky enough to come out of this unscathed despite the end of the pandemic not even being in sight yet. Change Your Mindset If you think "it won't happen to me," then think again. This train of thought has tripped up many people in the past, both during and pre-pandemic times. While things might seem safe and secure now, things won't always be this way, and failing to plan is planning to fail, as they say. So change your mindset from it will never happen to what can I do if it does happen! Savings Having a reserve fund that you have been squirreling away can help to support you in times of financial strain. try to save at least 10% of your income each month, 20% if possible. Even having one month's worth of expenses saved up can take the immediate pressure off if something happened to you. While compassionate truck accident attorneys can help you put a claim in against a truck driver, this will take time, and even the smallest savings fund can be of use when you are unable to work. For example, say after that road traffic collision you needed to take 3 weeks off work. Would you get paid for this time? Plan Ahead Financial events such as house improvements, scheduled medical treatments, holiday expenditures, and vacations are expenses that should be anticipated throughout the year. These expenses can take a toll on your wallet, but with sound budgeting and money-saving habits, you can spend with confidence. Once you've eliminated the element of surprise from predicted annual spending, you've already enhanced your monthly income and expenditures. While a budget is typically thought of as a monthly blueprint for your finances, do not hesitate to plan farther ahead, which can be especially beneficial when your income is uncertain. By planning for the foreseeable, you increase your chances of avoiding financial calamity if something truly unexpected occurs. Protect Your Assets You work tirelessly throughout your life to grow and build your assets and money. Building a nest egg takes time, so safeguarding your assets is just as critical, especially when the unexpected occurs. If you have valuable personal things or collections, such as a wine collection or other collectibles, you can insure them to avoid paying out of pocket if they are damaged or destroyed. Not only will homeowners insurance and life insurance for seniors over 70 secure what you've fought so hard for, but they'll also assist ensure your family's financial security in the event you're no longer around. If you want extra protection, you can cover for accidents and disability at work, so in the event you are unable to work via one of these options, you can support yourself with a payout. Income protection can payout a percentage of your full-time wage if you cannot work for long periods. Even if this pays your essential bills and mortgage or rent, it is one less bill to worry about. For your family, you are seen as the asset to them that simply can not be replaced. Diversify Your Income To improve your savings capacity, one of two things must occur: either reducing your expenses or raising your income. Increase your income in various ways, including taking on part-time work or beginning a side hustle, requesting a raise from your present company, looking for a new job with higher compensation, or starting your own business. While starting a business or side hustle is not for everyone, increasing your wage through a work change may be a far more feasible option. Bear in mind that current research indicates that staying in the same employment for an extended period of time likely limits your earning potential. The extra income you generate can then be used as a support buffer in the event of emergencies. Protecting your income can look like different things to different people, and not everyone has the option to save a large lump sum each month. However, starting small can help you improve your finances and work towards a bigger goal to give you peace of mind that you will be ok if the unexpected happens. Even if just for a short while.  Image credit: Pixabay from Pexels Have you been thinking about moving across the world for your career? If the answer is yes, then you need to get ready to be able to do this properly. You can’t just up and leave at the drop of a hat, so things need to be planned out and sorted well before you can leave. In this article, we’re going to be taking a look at some of the things that you are going to need to do, so keep reading if you would like to find out more.
Packing Up All Your Stuff The first thing that you are going to need to do is pack up all your stuff. You are going to need to take a lot of your stuff with you when you move, and you are also going to have to get rid of a lot of your items. You’re not going to want to take everything with you to a new country, especially if you are going to be seeing this as a new start for you. Pack things up and decide whether they are coming with you, getting sold or simply getting thrown out. It shouldn’t take too long to get all of this done if you work through it in an efficient manner. Make sure that you are only taking the things that you need, hold sentimental value, will help the transition or are needed for work. Finding Somewhere To Live You need to find somewhere to live in the new country you are going to. You can’t just go out there and stay in a hotel until you find somewhere as this is going to be super expensive. Instead, get ahead and find somewhere that you like before you even start packing. Once you figure out how much you can afford, you will be able to find somewhere that fits your budget nicely. Just make sure that when you are finding somewhere to live, it is close enough to the location of the business office you are going to be working at. Long commutes are not something you want, especially in a place you won’t know that well yet. Being Sure Of Your Job Finally, before you go, you need to be sure of the job that you have. You don’t want to move across the world only to find that you don’t actually like the job on offer. Or, that you do like the job but you don’t like the place. Companies like Origin Legal offer opportunities in places like Dubai, so if this is somewhere you would like make sure you look into this and others similar to this. We hope that you have found this article helpful, and now see some of the things that you are going to need to do in order to get ready to move across the world for your career. We wish you the very best of luck, and hope that you are happy when you arrive at your new home.  Image credit: Pixabay from Pexels If you have taken the time to create and populate your blog, then the chances are that the last thing you will want to see happen is for the traffic that has been coming in to read your blog, suddenly take a nosedive.
However, sometimes a dip in blog traffic can happen, and it is not always for the reason that you may think. So, to help you to figure out what might be happening, here are some of the possible reasons that your blog traffic has plummeted. You are not looking at how you are performing The best way to ensure that your blog performs as well as possible is to keep track of it and how well it is doing by measuring various important KPIs. When you look at your performance, you will see when the dips first start, which means that you can take steps to fix it and get people to read what you have to say. If you don't look at how well you are performing, things can only worsen, which could be tricky to fix in the future. Things aren't working properly Broken links, broken redirects, and slow loading times will never showcase you to your full potential. Many SEO specialists will say that broken redirects and links are one of the biggest downfalls of a website and a blog in particular. Of course, they do happen from time to time, but if you keep checking the performance of your blog, then you should pick up on them quickly, allowing you to fix them before they become too much of a problem. Natural changes Despite your best efforts in SEO and marketing, things can change over time. The types of searches your customers make will vary, and a keyword that once worked fine may not be working the same way now. One way to try and stop this from being the cause of a drop in your blog traffic is to keep on top of the trends and changes. You might not always know what changes are around the corner, but sometimes simply learning about trending terms is enough to improve. Your competitors are doing it better There is a good chance that as your traffic dips, there is a rise somewhere else. The trouble is, this other place will more than likely be your competitor's blog. So, keep an eye on what they are doing if you notice that things are going south for you. Of course, you should never duplicate their posts, but you can see which topics they are currently sharing and if they don't match yours, then maybe they are doing things better than you are. Worried that your blog posts are not performing as well as they once were? The important thing to remember is that it is up to you to try and fix them. Ignoring them and hoping that things will get better will never work and may even cause you much bigger problems in the long term. It is a well-known fact that Google ads are a great way to increase SEO. The google ads agency has been doing this for years, and they have seen many different kinds of strategies work overtime. What Google wants from you, as a company, is consistency. And what google will give you in return is more traffic and higher rankings on google search engine results pages (SERPS). So here are some tips on how to transition your small business into an established brand through google ads! Boosting Google ads can be advantageous for increasing your website's SEO. This is because it will allow you to reach more of your target audience, which means that the content on your site has a better chance at ranking on search results pages (SERPs).  Image credit: Public Domain Pictures from Pixabay.com If you have been paying for utilities, you know how these bills can get out of hand. For instance, electricity bills can sometimes come in massive figures during the peak of summer. Therefore, everything you do to cut down on costs counts. If you are in that situation, here are tips and tricks to add to your cost-saving bucket. Unplug what is not in use
Are you one of those who leave everything plugged in? This habit can be detrimental to your finances, especially when it comes to paying the bills at the end of the month. So, what is the solution? Unplugging everything is the best way to reduce your electricity bills. This is mainly because plugged-in devices and appliances tend to draw in phantom charges that keep the bills high. Because of the technology in most homes today, the chances are the phantom charge alone could be driving your power usage to the ceiling. On the other hand, unplugging devices before rushing out of the house can be a task. Therefore, you can use alternative smart power strips and extension codes to get the job done. Watch out for leaks Water wastage is another reason for always hiking bills at the end of the month. And the worst part is that water can be wasted in many ways, some of which may go unnoticed. For instance, leaking pipes may be draining more from your wallet every month without you noticing. Check and repair leaks, be it from dripping faucets or toilets. Additionally, there are things you can do on your own at home without involving a plumber. For instance, running toilets that send gallons of water down the drain can be repaired at home. All you need is a YouTube tutorial for tips. In addition, make sure you turn off faucets all the way. In most cases, you may find yourself turning it off partly, leaving room for leaks that make your water bills unbearable. Still, on minimizing water wastage, you can invest in high-quality water pumps, tanks, and other products from Slater pumps to help you harvest rainwater during rainy seasons and use it later on. This way, you will be keeping the bills as low as possible. Insulate Poor or no insulation makes your living space cold during the winter months and hot during summer. This alone can raise your utility bills to unbearable levels. The solution would be to invest in better insulation for your walls and attic. However, be sure to eliminate drafts first since insulation does not stop airflow. Control your thermostat Keeping your home warm or cool when nobody is home is a way of adding hundreds of dollars to your utility bills. Therefore, you have to learn to control your thermostat, especially when people are not in the house. Do not set it too high or too low when no one is actually enjoying the comfort it offers. The bottom line Keeping your utility bills as low as possible is one of the best financial decisions you can make this year. Learn to switch off lights in unused rooms, use less water, and manage your appliances. |
Author - Chris
Author, Editor, Creator of Learn Develop Live Archives
January 2022
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