 Image credit: Rene Asmussen from Pexels Home renovation is a great hobby, and it is very rewarding to see your property develop in front of your eyes. But can you renovate your home on your own? Whether you’re moving house or fixing up your forever home, here are some questions to ask yourself before you embark on a home renovation project.
How big is the job? Are you looking to give your home a visual transformation? Planning on painting, recarpeting and changing your kitchen cabinets? If the work is minor, you might want to consider doing this yourself. However, if you are not qualified in plumbing or electrical work and expect to take on a complete kitchen and bathroom refurbish, you should probably think again. Is there any existing damage? Are there any areas of your home that are damaged? Do you need new floors, or is there mould or dampness in your home? If you have existing property damage, you need to get this treated by an expert before you proceed with any renovations. For areas where the water damage has not yet occurred but could be an issue in the future, you can invest in your own tools. Consider Silicone Top Coat Render as a decorative and waterproof finish for exterior projects prone to water damage. You can invest in items like this yourself without having existing experience of home renovation projects. How much time do you have? Are you trying to flip a property and sell it at an opportune moment? You might want to consider hiring an expert if you don’t have time to conduct the house renovations yourself. If your spare weekends and days off work aren’t enough to get the job done, a professional could save you time and even money if you spot an opportunity to make a profit or a prime time to sell. What is your budget? How much money can you allocate to this project? In theory, you should add 20% to any projected costs to give you a buffer for any unexpected setbacks or delayed projects. If you have the skills to complete your home renovations yourself, you might save money. However, if you lack the skills, you will ultimately end up paying a professional to fix the errors you make anyway. Will it enhance the value of my home? If you are looking to renovate your home with a view to selling, you should always consider whether the money you invest will reflect in the value of your property. New ensuites and bathrooms can add up to 5% to a If you have the skill to complete your home renovations, you might want to do it yourself. The skill level depends on how big the job is, whether it's a kitchen refurbishment or an aesthetic facelift. Even if you’re skilled, you might be faced with a limited budget, limited time, or a top cap on your overall property value. Consider these questions and enjoy your home renovation project this year.
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 avi_acl from Pixabay Arguably, the hardest thing for anyone who is in a position of leadership, whether they are about to launch a new business venture or are already in the midst of some form of panic is to become a leader that's motivational while also inspiring in equal measure. Leaders in the modern-day need to win cooperation, and the two main ways of doing this are to motivate and inspire. While the two are often used interchangeably, they will mean different things, depending on what you need to achieve, so how can you motivate or inspire your people or become inspiring to others?
Understand the Sacrifice When you are of the approach when you're telling people to do what you tell them but you're not actually practising what you preach, this can be a very difficult situation to navigate. Therefore, you have to share the sacrifices. If people are going to work over the weekend, you've got to be able to put roll up your sleeves and put in the effort. The fact is that when it comes to being a leader or a motivator, you've got to experience the hardships yourself. Whenever people book motivational speakers for events it's about inspiring people from a perspective that truly has meant the speaker has gone through the mill. Perhaps you can think about getting into public speaking yourself, and having a lectern designed for you by Luminati. In this way, you’ll have a much better understanding of what you need to know and how you need to be. When you focus on that sacrifice and you've gone through the tough stuff, this makes it more tangible to others to believe in what you are trying to get them to do. Remember the Limits When you're trying to get something done you may want people to give 110% of their time all of the time, but the reality is that people are only human after all. Rather than asking people to give their all constantly, you've got to get the balance right and this means ensuring that limits are there so people can rest and recuperate. Use Emotions to Appeal (without Using Fear) If you resort to using the fear factor this can demotivate people. Positive emotions are vital if you want to be a great leader. The sense of belonging or the thrill of achievement is far more palpable than threatening people throughout a process where they have to give their all. We have to remember that if somebody is fearful they are not going to invest themselves wholeheartedly. Offer Multiple Reasons for Their Input The best reason to get people involved is always a personal one. You can always offer incentives, but you have to remember that everybody will do something for completely different reasons. When you are looking to inspire, you can talk about the challenges that you have faced and this can give them an idea of what has made you who you are. But not every reward has to be tangible. Sometimes, it can be all about personal satisfaction but you've got to pitch it right. If you are looking to be a big motivator and inspire, you've got to remember that values combined with challenges make for stellar results.  Image credit: Ryderwear 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: Miguel A. Padrinan on Pexels Are you thinking of becoming a blogger? If you are, then there are a few things that you need to know to be able to do this. Some people have no idea how they should go about starting a blog or what they can do, but we’re here to give you the information that you need. So, if you want to know more about this topic, then keep reading down below. Something You’re Passionate About
If you’re deciding to go with something that is based on passion, you’ve got to think about what you’re passionate about. What do you love enough to dedicate an entire blog to it? When you’ve answered this question, you can start writing content. Some blogs have a number of topics on them, and there’s nothing wrong with this as it provides that little bit of everything. However, some people are searching for a more specific type of blog that caters to a certain audience. If you can manage to insert yourself in one of these places, then this is going to be great for you. You will be able to build up a following of people who are interested in what you have to say, and you’re filling a gap. Never know how it might end up, you could end up getting paid for your blog depending on how successful it is. Something You Have Extensive Knowledge Of Or, you might want to write about something that you have extensive knowledge of. The good thing about this is that you are providing something useful to those who are searching for a specific type of content. We bet that some industries or even certain areas of industries don’t have a lot written about them, but you could be the exception. For example, if someone needed to know about pneumatic systems, then you could recommend Tameson pneumatic cylinders or whatever you think is best for the individual problem. You will give them a specialized account of why you’re saying what you’re saying while giving them the advice that they are looking for. You never know when your area of expertise can come in handy, and you don’t want to miss out on the opportunity to share your knowledge if you want to. How To Set Up Your Blog You’re also going to need to know how to set up your blog. This is going to include ensuring that you find a domain to host your site, then setting up the background theme, how you want the layout to be and so on. It’s not just going to be a case of bang, and then you’re done, it’s going to take some time. You are going to want people to be drawn to your blog, and if it looks generic, then that’s not going to happen. We hope that you have found this article helpful, and now understand some of the things that you need to know if you want to be a blogger. Good luck, and have a lot of fun!  Image credit: Carl Heyerdahl on Unsplash Lockdown has affected many businesses, completely changing forward work programmes and many of the things you had planned over the coming months. Businesses have had to adapt, with many now operating remotely to survive during this tough time.
While face to face engagement and sales might be off the cards for now, there is a lot you can do to promote your business online and generate some interest now and in the future. Don’t sit there idle waiting for something to happen, work on building better content to connect with more people. Here are four ways to improve your digital content in lockdown: 1. Finally start planning ahead There are always good intentions when it comes to social media scheduling. But for small businesses especially, it can be difficult to keep up. With lockdown restricting some business activities, however, you’ve got the perfect opportunity to create a social media schedule and get ahead with your content. From evergreen content that can take you to the end of the year to planning a variety of campaigns, use the time to get your social media schedule in order. 2. Use animated videos if you can’t film Filming videos is difficult right now, especially if your content typically features other people, locations, etc. While you can film pieces to camera at home, it’s worth experimenting with other types of video content to help you engage with your followers. There are animated explainer video production companies that can help you create some amazing content that can boost your brand and generate interest in your business. Animated explainers are a good investment as they have longevity, making some excellent cornerstone content for your business. 3. Host virtual events Events are great for connecting with clients and customers. When you’re launching a new product or service, or you want to thank them, an event can be an effective way of boosting your engagement. But just because you can’t host a physical event right now, doesn’t mean you can’t host a virtual one. From panel talks to demonstrations and performances, you’ve got a great opportunity to do something interesting online. Virtual events need a lot of promotion, but it’ll be worth it to help you get the most from this new way of connecting. 4. Promote uplifting content It’s a difficult time right now, with people everywhere struggling to adjust to this way of living, and feeling uncertain about the future too. While businesses are trying new ways of reaching out, you could also use your platforms to do some good too. From raising money to sharing content designed to inspire, motivate and entertain, there’s a lot you could be doing to help improve the mood of the nation. Consider using your social media in a positive way now, using your position to help others. While the coronavirus pandemic has proved problematic for many elements of businesses, there are opportunities for growth and change too. They say innovation is the seed of success, and this is something that can be true for your business. Begin with your digital content to help boost your business during this difficult time.  Image credit: Bich Tran on Pexels If you’re feeling overwhelmed by Covid-19 you’re certainly not alone. Most people are feeling a little anxious, and concerned over what it may bring. Restrictions have been put into place right across the globe and many people face a period of isolation at some point. This comes with a lot of concerns including lack of essentials, no access to medication, the feeling a=of being trapped, and getting bored. Many people are talking out about their concerns, but not many are thinking of ways they can fill their time with useful and productive tasks. Once you’ve completed any working from requirements, you are likely to have a little more free time than usual, but what can you do with it?
Some of the thing you could do include: Updating Your Resume This is a task that often gets left behind until you are searching for a new job. It’s understandable though, as most will not think they need to update until such as time. However, updating your resume as you learn a new skill is a great practice to be in. Whether you suddenly lose your job from something like Covid-19 or see an opportunity that’s too good to miss, you’re going to want your resume to be as up to date as possible so you can act fast. Learn A New Skill If you ave found that you now have more time on your hands, learning a new skill is a great reason to use some of it. Whether you fancy learning a new hobby like sewing, painting, or baking or you want to learn a professional qualification, this could be a great time to start. It will not only improve your skill set but it will also help you keep focused and motivated. Long-Term Projects There is usually at least one long-term project that you haven’t got around to. Maybe you’ve been thinking of starting a blog, decorating the bedroom or landscaping the garden. If you find yourself with some free time during a lockdown (where you are still able to leave the house for limited reasons) then it could give you the opportunity to be productive and get one of these ticked off. For example, if you’ve been meaning to move some stuff from your home or garden think about using Sydney Ute Van Hire to finally get it taken to the dump yard, charity shop or recycling centre. Reassess Or Create A Budget Most people will live the wing it mode when it comes to money. However, if Covid-19 has taught us anything, it’s that a budget can help us through a tough time. You may be more concerned about money now more than ever, meaning a budget could really help to minimise this stress. If you know exactly where you stand you will be able to start planning for the future and make it through Covid-19 in a possibly better financial situation. Staying at home for long periods of time can be challenging. Remember to wipe everything down regularly, wash your hands, and try to use the time to complete something productive.  With the world very much upside down at the moment, finding a good news story isn't that easy. But Thom Foodery shared a video of a game he created for his son during the Covid-19 lockdown which left his son's reaction as the best part! The Mirror has the story..
 You can post as much inspirational and motivational stuff as you can but sometimes, taking a look into what the real world looks like for someone that dedicates their day to being the best they can will have a bigger impact. Mark Wahlberg revealed his daily routine back in December 2018, this followed after Wahlberg was named the highest paid Hollywood actor in 2017. BBC News had the story back then..
 While your blunt friends might come across as a little embarrassing from time to time, overall they’re probably the best friends you have. They come in handy for a number of reasons and are almost always there when you need them, aren’t they? Awareness Act has a great feature to tell you more!
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Author - Chris
Author, Editor, Creator of Learn Develop Live Archives
November 2022
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