3 Apps and Starbucks Coffee Shop Help Me Manage the Workload of My Job and Business

In the 21^st Century, the human race has travelled far from an ape to a primitive man to a well-civilized human being. The journey wasn’t easy but we, as humans, have achieved things which are simply majestic.

Today, with access to the latest technology and tools, our lifestyle is in the most comfortable zone it can be in but at the same time today, one of the biggest challenges our generation is facing is low productivity and managing the workload. Also many of us have multiple interests and to fulfill those interests there are multiple options and tools and it’s all just too overwhelming.

If you have multiple interests, businesses or if you are managing a job and a business at the same time and you are finding it difficult to manage your workload and schedules, then you are not alone. I too was sitting on the fence until I figured out the right technique.

In this post I’ll tell you exactly which three apps I use and how to manage the workload. I’ll also show you the exact technique I use to decide which tasks to put in the calendar and which ones to discard for now in order to get the most out of my available time and to increase productivity.

Three Apps and Starbucks Coffee Shop

The apps I use and hware required (you can use any app that does similar functions) in this technique are:

1. DO
2. Calendars by Readdle
3. Dropbox Technology

Sometimes I work from home but most of the time I work from Starbucks and there are a few reasons for using Starbucks but I’ll share two of the most important ones. Firstly, it is a great place for having a coffee and networking because there are many other fellow entrepreneurs, freelancers or like-minded people who come and work there. And the second – you can get free WiFi!

Let’s dive in to see why I only leverage these three apps and the detailed workings of this technique.

Growth Three Times Technique

Using this technique, I managed the workload of my business – GrowthRabbit – which helps entrepreneurs and bloggers grow their audiences, businesses and blogs and my involvement in a London based start-up, build a holiday where I oversee their business growth and user experience which helps them achieve their viral growth.

So, we have three apps, let’s start with the first one called Any.DO as well as step one of this technique. I call this technique “Growth Three Times” simply because I use three apps which help me increase my productivity and help me grow.

Step: 1

Any.DO is a to-do list app. This is a great app within this category and it has both free and paid versions but the free version is enough to get you started. I use this app because of its simplicity and easily creatable categories, plus it’s free.

We are going to use this app as a task planner. We need to create four categories within the app. The names of the categories could be anything as far it is accomplishing our goal. Our goal at this stage is to write down all of the tasks we need to do and then segment them into three different categories.

1. Big Pot – Generic task pot. Dump all the tasks or work you have to do in here.
2. Smooth Tasks – Pick and place the tasks from the ‘Big Pot list’ to ‘Smooth Tasks’ list that are urgent and mandatory to do.
3. May Be Later – Pick and place the tasks from the ‘Big Pot’ list to ‘May Be Later’ list that are not urgent or mandatory. In short, tasks which don’t require your attention right now.
4. Discard For Now – Pick and place the tasks from the ‘Big Pot list’ to ‘Discard list’ that are not important at all and can be done at any time or at your own leisure.

Step: 2

In step 2 we are going to use another app called Calendars by Readdle. This app is basically a calendar/scheduler and it can be easily integrated with other calendars if you wish to do so. There are both free and paid versions but the free version is enough. I use this app because it’s simple, user-friendly and it’s free.

The first thing to do in this step is to schedule all of our tasks listed under the “Smooth Tasks” category on our app Any.DO into the Calendars by Readdle app based on the task deadlines, urgency and their importance.

Next, pick tasks from the “May Be Later” category from Any.DO app and schedule all of these tasks into Calendars by Readdle based on their urgency and task deadlines.

You see, using this technique of organizing and managing tasks is super easy without being overwhelmed and workload management becomes simple. This is why it’s very important to segment your tasks first and then schedule them into the calendar rather than scheduling the tasks directly.

An important point to pay attention to: Organize your calendar on a monthly basis and optimize on a weekly basis. I organize my calendar on 29^th of each month and then optimize every Thursday using the exact same technique. Thus, any new task that comes up first goes into the ‘Big Pot’ category and after the segmentation process, it goes onto my calendar.

Step 3: Give A Boost To Your Productivity

Lastly, I keep all of my files and folders in the cloud – Dropbox technology. I do this because not only it enables me to work remotely but allows me to access and share all of my files and folders from the Dropbox mobile app.

So, if anything urgent comes up that requires sharing files, I don’t have to remember to do that when I reach my PC or laptop, I can do that straight away. In fact, using the technology you can cut roots and complete the small tasks here and this can relieve you from stress and ultimately boost your productivity.

Conclusion

Productivity is all about your input to output. So whatever you are doing always make sure that you put less effort, which is possible using your creativity, techniques and tools, and get at least 3X the output. One thing is clear, with today’s access to technology we are able to leverage this technology smartly and creatively to manage workloads, schedules, multiple businesses and jobs altogether.

Which other techniques have you used to manage your workload and schedules? Please let us know in the comments below:

Featured photo credit: Tortoon Thodsapol via Shutterstock via shutterstock.com

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12 Weekly Challenges For Happier, More Productive Employees

If you manage a team, you know hard it can be to keep everyone engaged, happy, and productive.

Some days, simply getting your employees to show up and get the job done feels challenging enough. But as a manager, you have a unique opportunity to help your team members learn and practice life skills that will help them become happier, healthier, and more productive, both at work and at home. They’ll love you for pushing them in new directions, and you’ll love seeing the increased collaboration and energy in the workplace.

One way to engage your team is to issue a new challenge each week that’s fun and simple to do — and if adopted as a habit, can become a powerful new life skill.

Here are 3 months’ worth of weekly challenge ideas. Announce a new challenge every Monday and check in with everyone during the week. A weekly team meeting is a great time to ask each team member to report on their progress, experience, and learnings.

These challenges were borrowed from the free e-book: 26 Weekly Challenges For Happier, More Productive Employees.

Week 1: Tiny Steps

Procrastination is a huge time waster, but overcoming the inertia can be as easy as taking one tiny step. After that the Zeigarnik effect kicks in — the voice in your head that prompts you to finish what you start. For this challenge, organize your team into pairs. Ask each person to choose one task they’ve been avoiding at home or work and break that task into 5 tiny steps. Starting Monday, each person’s goal is to complete one of the 5 steps each day and report back to their accountability partner by an agreed-upon time. For some people, finishing one step may generate the momentum to complete all 5 steps on the first day, and that’s great!

Week 2: Mindful Meetings

When everyone is present and tuned into the discussion, meetings are more fun, productive, and efficient. For this week, challenge your team to commit to being mindful during meetings. This means taking a couple of deep breaths before the meeting, setting an intention for what they will each contribute and take away from the meeting, and staying engaged for the duration of the meeting by taking notes, listening actively, and speaking up thoughtfully.

Week 3: Authentic Smiling

A genuine smile conveys warmth, trustworthiness, and interest. It’s the number-one way to boost likeability. To smile authentically, you have to engage the muscles around your eyes, not just those around your mouth. Practicing this in the mirror first may seem silly, but it does help! Challenge your team this week to smile at everyone they pass in the building or, for extra credit, everyone they come in contact with inside and outside of work.

Week 4: Hunger Awareness

Overeating during the workday can leave you feeling sluggish and unproductive. Tuning into your hunger will help you slow down, enjoy your food, and feel satisfied with less, so you finish your meal feeling light and energetic. This week, challenge your team to stop and note their physical hunger level on a scale of 1 (famished) to 10 (stuffed) before, during, and after eating each meal. By the end of the week, their goal should be to start eating when their hunger level is at a 3 and stop when it’s at a 7.

Week 5: Walking Breaks

Walking breaks ease mental tension, free your mind for creative thinking, and help to counteract the physical stress caused by long bouts of sitting. The challenge this week is to integrate 10-minute walking breaks into the work day. Have your team schedule their walking breaks into the calendar the day before to ensure they don’t forget them. You can set a good example by converting any 1:1 meetings you have this week to walking meetings, whether you walk outside or just around the building.

Week 6: Tech-Free Hour

Disconnecting from technology, even just for an hour a day, can help you reconnect with the people in your life and experience the world more fully. Challenge your team this week to pick one hour every day when they would normally be connected and completely unplug — no phone, tablet, or Internet access of any kind! It could be during the work day, first thing in the morning, or right before bed. Encourage them to use the tech-free time to do something no-tech like writing with pen and paper, reading a book, sketching, or having a face-to-face conversation.

Week 7: Must-Do List

Taking a few minutes at the end of each day to set your top priorities for the next day is a powerful time management and productivity technique. This week, challenge your team to set aside time at the end of every day to write down the 3 most important tasks they will tackle the next day. For extra credit, ask each person to post their 3 tasks in a shared document. This will add both transparency and accountability, and you might be surprised by the discussion and collaboration it creates.

Week 8: Small Talk

Small talk at the office may seem like a waste of time, but it’s actually one of the most effective ways to build rapport with other people, and that leads to open communication, collaboration, and creative problem solving. This week, challenge your team to practice making authentic small talk with someone they barely know, whether it’s a customer, client, coworker, or even their barista. To establish genuine rapport, you need to go beyond “Crazy weather we’re having!” and generate conversation by offering up an opinion or story: “What did you do over the weekend? Even though it was crazy cold, my kids wanted to go out for ice cream, so we did!”

Week 9: Posture Check

Chronic sitting triggers back pain and neck tension, contributes to stress, and saps energy and productivity. While a daily stretching regimen can help counteract all that, what affects your posture most is how you hold your body throughout the day. This week, challenge your team to set a reminder on their phones or computers for an hourly posture check. At each reminder, they should adjust their seated position, stand up straight and stretch for 5 minutes, or scooch forward to sit upright on the edge of their chair.

Week 10: Mindfulness Meditation

The idea of stopping to meditate for even 2 minutes during a hectic workday may be hard to contemplate, but the benefits make the sacrifice worthwhile. You’ll notice reduced stress, improved creativity, and enhanced focus. This week challenge every person on your team to stop and take 2 minutes during the workday to meditate (this guided track will help). For extra credit and to help reinforce the benefits, encourage them to take note of how they’re feeling before and after each session.

Week 11: Eye Contact

Eye contact is one of the best ways to establish trust and rapport with other people, but many of us struggle to make and sustain eye contact, especially with people we don’t know well. The challenge this week is for your team to practice making eye contact with everyone they pass in the building or with friendly strangers. They should try to hold the contact for a few seconds before looking away, and for extra credit, add an authentic smile.

Week 12: Pomodoro Technique

Do you often look back after a day at work and struggle to identify what you actually accomplished? We have so many temptations and distractions vying for our attention that it’s hard to get anything done. The Pomodoro Technique helps solve that problem: You carve up the work day into 25 minute chunks separated by 5 minutes of indulgence in social media, online shopping, or socializing. Challenge your team this week to work in “pomodoros,” using a phone, an app like Freedom, or a kitchen timer to signal the start and end of each break.

These challenges were borrowed from the free e-book: 26 Weekly Challenges For Happier, More Productive Employees.

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15 Chrome Extensions that will boost your productivity

Chrome extensions brought a lot of innovation into the browser market, every Chrome user knows and loves at least a few. Very often, you know what you’re looking for and the Chrome web store usually has a solution for you. But sometimes, you run into amazing products you never thought would exist.

These days, even Firefox is working on a way to integrate Chrome extensions to make its browser more competitive and, as far as I’m concerned – more user friendly. Because it’s a true treat to give the community a chance to build what they need, and what they think other users might need. Some extensions I use only have 500 users, but that’s the beauty of opening development to community.

Keep building, I know I appreciate any add-on I can find if it fits into my workflow. An average Mozilla user has 5 extensions installed, (I couldn’t find the data for Chrome users), I have over 20. These are carefully selected and curated from a lot of junk tried out and today I have the browser I love.

Here are the extensions I use point to boost my productivity and improve my in-browser workflow.

Momentum Dash

I’ll start from the new tab. I’ve been rather picky about my new tab before I discovered Momentum Dash. My speed dial was carefully curated and the uncluttered, blank page just helped focus so I never really used one of those new tab extensions. Then came Momentum Dash. Momentum Dash asks for only one thing to focus on each day and reminds you of it with each new tab. Add some space for a to-do list, useful weather information and gorgeous photography and you get Momentum Dash. I still use it and would recommend everyone to try it.

Todoist for Gmail

If you use Todoist, a lot of your tasks come from emails, if you don’t use Todoist, well – check it out. This extension perfectly fits into my workflow, no need to open new tabs or copy and paste important to-dos from my email into Todoist. I just love it, saves a lot of time on a daily basis.

Pocket

Although Pocket is an app I use and love daily, the extension is what made me fall in love with it. It’s the first one next to my url bar, it’s one of the few extensions I use multiple times a day. Pocket’s extension does a very simple thing – saves the article you currently have open into your Pocket – synced with mobile and desktop apps. It’s seamless, beautifully designed and one of the most useful extensions I use.

Buffer

Buffer’s Chrome extension is the one reason I post to social media regularly. It’s so easy to use, fast and has a simple interface promising to do just what it says in seconds – share content you have open to whatever social network you need it to.

Toggl button

Again – Toggl just wouldn’t be the same without its Chrome extension. It’s actually an interface extension that appears in a lot of popular web tools helping me track time across the pages I visit. It’s seamless, fast, syncs with the mobile and desktop apps and gives you an excellent overview of your time spent working. It even has a built-in Pomodoro timer if you’re into that sort of thing.

Rescuetime

Ah, Rescuetime, you make me feel so guilty. It also helps me find out whether I’ve been cheating in my Toggl reports and counts my daily productivity score. It’s just an extension but I really find it authoritative.

Clearly

The internet is just prettier when you have clearly. Read your heart away without distractions, ads, stock images, related articles and all that jazz – just read. Enjoy the wonderfully simple interface anywhere on the web and help yourself remember more and be a happy reader.

Turn off the lights

I know, Youtube isn’t what you’d actually call productive but if you do need to watch some videos online, make sure to use Turn Off The Lights – as it does just that, turns your browser window into theater mode so you can focus on and enjoy the content you really want to see. It’s like Clearly for video.

AdBlock plus

Before I try to sell ad-blocking to anyone, here’s a non-sell – I used someone’s computer briefly a few days ago and they didn’t have AdBlock installed, I was devastated, it was like hell all over again. So, if you use an adblocker, and you most likely do – I dare you: disable it for an hour. At least all the hot singles in your area will be delighted.

Facebook Newsfeed eradicator

Well, something I should’ve done way earlier. In order to help my productivity, I already disabled my Facebook profile for a few times for 3-6 months at a time. Then I found Newsfeed Eradicator, my savior.

StayFocusd

Since it’s not only Facebook that’s distracting you – try out StayFocusd. It comes in right where willpower fails you, denying you access to the websites you mark as distracting. It does just that, it’ll help you stay on task and you can set it up however works for you. Challenge: Make your first day one to remember – disable everything for 8 hours and see how you feel. We’ll be waiting for that post-mortem Medium post.

Sidenotes

Sidenotes has a simple, less-than-pretty, interface that helps you jot down notes. That’s simple, not really an innovation and you can do it with whatever. Until you realize – Sidenotes keeps your notes tied to the URL you attach them too which means you can leave yourself messages around the web and pick them up later. You can always access all your notes in their library, too.

OneTab

Do you open 17 tabs at once, multitask between them, look for the one you want for a while, look some more, close 15, realize you closed that one as well, reopen them and then start looking again. Well, you’re not alone. That’s where OneTab comes in.

TeamWeek button

Teamweek button integrates with all the tools a team uses to stay organized like Github, Asana, Trello, Podio and Gitlab. Adding my tasks, travel arrangements and plans to my calendar is made seamless by this life-saving extension. Oh, did I mention it’s beautifully designed?

Noisli

I listen to more noise than music, mostly because it helps me focus, it’s never distracting and oh my – the sound of rain relaxes me and keeps me productive at the same time. With Noisli, you can customize the sounds you want to hear – combine rail tracks with wind sounds and you’ll feel like you’re on a countryside trip. For a more relaxing environment, choose fireplace with rain and if you’re really specific with your hearing, you can even get pipe drips, rather annoying for me but obviously there for a reason.

Submit your favorite Chrome extensions in the comments and I might give them a try if I haven’t already!

Featured photo credit: Unsplash via images.unsplash.com

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Six Great Tips For Success In Any Business

Everyone who works does business, whether they are employees or employers, blue or white collar workers, entrepreneurs or investors. That is why it should come as no surprise that the principles of business success can be translated to your own success–whatever your profession may be. Here are six ingredients for success that anybody can use for their advancement.

1. People before profit

Compare the conniving salesman who pressures you to buy that pricey item you clearly don’t need with a salesman who seeks your interests in picking a more relevant and economical product. It’s obvious which one you will keep going back to! It goes without saying that any real business must be profitable (i.e. the bottom line). However, many businesses and individuals make a huge mistake when they fail to value every relationship in their line of work–clients and company personnel alike. When you or your business decide to do this, you will be noticed, promoted and become even more profitable!

2. Quality isn’t expensive

The flip side of “people before profit” also means you care about the service or product you are supplying and, if you’re employed, your boss too! It means you aim for excellence, which might often be overlooked but is crucial for the success of any business or career. You can’t beat the reputation you build because of high quality work you produce. Indeed, neglecting quality is the expensive option.

3. Lead your people

Leadership is in extremely short supply everywhere you go. When you decide to be a good leader, whether you are leading a team of 500, your family or just the cat at home, things change for good–always. Leading is the very opposite of reacting. When you decide to lead, you will stand out as being different. That initiative you show is what will take your company,and your career, forward.

4. Embrace failure

Nothing great is ever achieved by those who fear failure. That is true of any area in life, whether it’s about the courage to ask the love of your life to marry you or taking your company to completely uncharted territory. Failure is perhaps one of the greatest teachers we can learn from, especially when we make sure to bring along perseverance to the party. This has got to be one of the most seemingly counter-intuitive secrets of success out there; befriending failure gets you on the fast-lane to success!

5. Make everything better

Ever heard this one, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”? That right there is the ingredient for mediocrity and losing out big time, especially when competition is the name of the game in your business (and which business isn’t competitive, really?). You need to always improve your domain, your work, your job even if it’s working out fine the way it’s been done for years. You will need to watch out; people generally hate change–especially when it seems like they will have to work more–so you will have to employ a lot of tact, diplomacy, persuasion and sensitivity in such situations. But if it’s just you in the picture, what are you waiting for?

6. Enjoy life; enjoy success

Many people think success is about being profitable. As we have seen, it clearly isn’t. If you want success in your job or business, then strive for success outside of work. You may know someone who seems to have it all but is never happy or satisfied. Stress and sadness can really kill. So never lose sight of the most fundamental aspects of life: love, health, and joy. There is not a single cent out there that is worth sacrificing those things for.

Featured photo credit: Negative Space via unsplash.com

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Science Explains Why Having A Deep Voice Is Critical To Our Success

Deep voice and success – are they linked together? We’ve all heard the deep sound of Barry White’s voice, and while his voice may be exceptional, can it truly lead to success – outside of the music world?

New research shows that having a deep voice can lead to success.

How a Deep Voice Leads to Success

A new study conducted by a student at Duke University led to a surprising find: deeper voices lead to higher levels of success. The study focused on the pitch level of some of the world’s most prominent CEOs – many of which you know. The study showed that a mere 1% decrease in pitch led to the CEO’s company having $30 million more in assets. And the CEO with the deeper voice had a salary that was, on average, $19,000 higher than their peers.

But these are just averages, and not the maximums.

When you look at the latter end of the spectrum, you’ll find that these figures change even more drastically. Not only were these CEOs able to retain their positions for longer, but they ran companies that had assets of $440 million more than their peers. And the CEOs with the deepest voices demanded a salary that was $187,000 higher as a result.

There are many reasons why a deeper voice leads to a higher level of career success. When a person has a deep voice, they demand attention. Everyone has experienced this in their professional career. But having a deep voice does not mean that the person has to be yelling to get the attention of his or her underlings. Instead, their voice transmits as a leader’s voice that is distinguishable from the rest.

A deeper voice also leads to credibility. People with deep voices will sound stern, commanding and confident naturally.

Average Pitch Levels

The study showed that the average CEO has a pitch of 125.5 Hz – about average for an adult male. If you’ve ever watched Star Wars, Darth Vader, played by none other than James Earl Jones, has a pitch of 85 Hz. If you’re an adult male, you may need to make slight changes to your pitch to be able to demand the respect that these individuals achieve.

The study did not go into detail about other important factors that are associated with deep voices. Men that have a deep voice are viewed as more attractive by women, and these same men father more children. Socially and physically, these men are more dominant than their peers.

The business world relies on these strong social aspects for success. Leaders need to be listened to and demand respect. Deeper voices allow for this level of respect that would otherwise be more difficult for someone without a deep voice. Concise, clear and deep voices are best in the business world.

Voice Therapy

If you’re a woman, it will be difficult to find a way to change your voice to be as deep as your male peers. Even if you could achieve a deep, demanding voice, you likely wouldn’t want to do this for personal reasons.

But there are a few things that men and women can do when speaking.

• Talk slow
• Talk clearly
• Formulate your words

People have a tendency to speak fast and without properly formulating their words. If you slow down your speech and speak clearly, this will have a major impact on how you’re viewed in the business world.

Speech or voice therapy can help you reach a different octal range when speaking, and learn to deepen your voice. It’s not an easy process, and it will take months or years to be able to deepen your voice permanently. A good therapist will help you work on proven methods to lower the pitch of your voice.

Many singers have been trained to alter their voice. Even the ultra-talented Justin Timberlake took voice lessons to learn how to deepen his voice.

A deep voice can be a benefit to your career. If you’re a CEO with a deep voice, you’ll be able to command more money and have a longer career than your peers.

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4 Habits You Need to Know That Will Change Your Life Forever

Ever heard of the phrase “live a life of intention?”  One of the most important times of my life was a few years ago when I realized the success I desired, personally and professionally, would only come once I instituted the habits necessary to reach my goals.

Up until that time I had motivation, but lacked the long-term focus to achieve my goals.  Once I understood keystone habits, I was able to pinpoint the exact skill set needed to reach my goals which allowed me to direct my life in the direction of goal achievement.  According to Charles Duhigg, author of The Power of Habit, understanding keystone habits is essential to making changes that last.  Here is what Duhigg has to say concerning keystone habits:

Keystone habits say that success doesn’t depend on getting every single thing right, but instead relies on identifying a few priorities and fashioning them into powerful levers. This book’s (The Power of Habit) first section explained how habits work, how they can be created and changed.  However, where should a would-be habit master start? Understanding keystone habits holds the answer to that question: The habits that matter most are the ones that, when they start to shift, dislodge and remake other patterns.

I call these habits the Pillars of Successful Living and from my experience here are the 4 habits you need to know that will change your life forever:

Live a Healthy Lifestyle

I do not know of a habit change that will have more of a positive impact on your life than exercise and healthy eating!  Two years ago my waistline had expanded greatly and I realized I had to get my eating under control.  I made the decision to begin eating healthier meals and walking 2-3 times each day for exercise.  I cleared out my cupboards, began logging everything I ate and closely watched my calories.

Once I had made the decision to live a healthy lifestyle many other parts of my life began to change.  My mind was more focused.  My confidence grew.  I began to dress and carry myself better.  And most importantly, my body began to feel better. During this transition I learned that I was capable of more which catapulted me toward greater heights.  There is mental power in seeing your pants fitting differently. The confidence one gains from losing weight exceeds any other that I have experienced!

Live a Goal-Oriented Life

I don’t know any successful people that live their life void of goals.  I do, however, know tons of people that are floundering that have no goals or no life purpose.  Dave Ramsey produced a list several years ago highlighting the key differences between successful and unsuccessful people.  At the top of that list was having written goals and focusing on one single life goal; 67% of the wealthy have written goals and 80% focus on one single goal.  What I learned from this list was invaluable.  I had never been a fan of written goals and I had also always felt like an underachiever.

I determined that I would choose one life goal, write down my goals and then work diligently until I reached my goal of becoming a full-time writer. I developed the habit of using a 4-item daily To Do list which supported my long-term goals.  Once I wrote down my 6 month and long-term goals, I posted them on my refrigerator so that I would be forced to face them every day. It was a constant reminder to remain focused.  Having a singular life focus and written goals to gauge my success have been one of the most important habit changes of my entire life!

Live Debt-Free

I do not know of a bigger dream killer than debt.  I was on a camping trip several years ago and a friend of mine was complaining about his job and life in general.  Basically, he felt trapped in a job he hated and believed his dreams were only dreams and not intended for “grown ups.”  It was sad to hear him express how defeated he had become.  I asked him why he didn’t quit his job and find something that contributed to his happiness instead of demoralizing his spirit.  That conversation revealed that he had managed his money irresponsibly, accruing nearly $25,000 in credit card debt, a mortgage he and his wife could barely afford, multiple car payments, a boat payment and many other bills that stretched their bank account to the max.

The problem wasn’t that he couldn’t find a job that made him happier, the truth was he couldn’t take a job making less money due to his irresponsible spending.  And of the thousands of people that I speak with each year, this topic comes up the most.  What many don’t realize is that paying off debt can be easier than we think, but it will take great sacrifice in lifestyle; sacrifices that most are unwilling to make. But, think of the things you pay for that eat up your money: pay television, coffee shops, multiple car payments, eating out, huge mortgage payments, etc.  If you want to live your dreams then maybe it is time to sacrifice for a few years, pay off the credit card debt and free yourself up to experience work that also brings you joy.

Live a Life of Charity

When I speak to groups about this topic the most common response relates to donating money, but when I refer to living a life of charity I mean giving of one’s time.  There is no greater perspective changer than to volunteer one’s time working at a local food bank, men’s or women’s shelter, nursing home or orphanage.  In our world, people are becoming more and more suspicious of strangers, fearing that criminals await around every corner.  This is resulting in a society that is becoming more and more selfish and self-focused.  If you want to begin opening up your world and change your life forever, apply to work at a local charity.  It is my belief that until you put the self-focused You in its place and begin focusing part of your life on adding value to the world around you, you will not experience any type of true joy, happiness or fulfillment.

Living the life you dream of does not happen by chance.  You must determine what it is that you want, develop a plan and then live a life of intention.  It took me many years to understand this concept, but once I bought in to this fact my life began to turn around.

I believe it is time for you to stop allowing life to happen to you and begin to design your life in order to aim you in the direction of more personal and professional success. Once you adopt this mindset and focus on these keystone habits you will notice your life slowly begin to change.  And before you know it you will find yourself dreaming while wide awake.

Featured photo credit: Yoga/TakeBackYourHealthConference via flickr.com

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10 Steps To Bring Positive Energy Into Your Life

Whether we are aware of it or not, we are all capable of holding onto things and most of us are always searching for ways to bring positive energy into our lives.

These things take up a lot of space, creating obstacles and distractions. They also consume a lot of our very precious energy. Mess, no matter what form it takes, is all encompassing. It is multi-layered and heavy. Emotionally, we can clutter our minds with negative thoughts. Spiritually, we can clutter up our hearts and souls with emotional debris. Physically, we can fill our bodies with unhealthy food that weighs us down and  often we extend mess and clutter into our homes.

How can we live a peaceful existence if our lives are a mess? How can we find our life’s purpose if we can’t see our way forward?

It is liberating, empowering and uplifting to sort through all of our mess and clean it up. It frees us from the heaviness that accompanies clutter and allows us to see clearly. Mess, no matter what form it takes, is all encompassing. It is multi-layered and heavy.According to feng shui principles, mess, disorganisation and overwhelm are thought to create blockages and stagnant energy. Devoting the time and energy into organising your life enables greater productivity.

The following 10 steps will bring positive energy into your life instantly and will open up pathways, clear out blockages and enable the potential for anything.

1. Clear out your mind

The mind often repeats the same thoughts over and over again. If they are positive thoughts, that is fantastic, but more often than not, if you are feeling overwhelmed, those thoughts are negative ones causing us to continually rehash over the difficulties we may be experiencing. Your thoughts create your reality, so STOP and identify your thoughts. What are you filling your mind with?  Just as your thoughts can escalate stress, they can also relieve stress.

2. Clean out your body

Our bodies are quite resilient but at some stage if we disrespect them too much, they will let us know. If you feel heavy, bloated and unhealthy, it is vital to take stock of what you are consuming. Unhealthy diets laden with too much sugar, salt and unhealthy fats have led us to an obesity crisis. If you are feeling physically weighed down, there is no time like the present  to clean up your diet. If you are confused about what to eat and when to eat it, consider scrapping dieting and instead opt for eating healthy food instead. Acknowledge that your body must go the distance and you must nurture, support and maintain it so it functions at it’s best. Be sure to treat it with the respect it deserves. You will be rewarded  with better health and more energy and that in itself is one of the greatest gifts in life.

3. Spring clean your soul

If your soul is depleted due to life’s sometimes overwhelming challenges, it is often the case that it is difficult to  see the good in any situation. Take the time to spring clean your soul. Let go of anything that no longer serves you, like anger, resentment, jealousy, sadness, guilt, let it go. Don’t see challenges as bad luck, instead ask yourself what you can learn from the experience. There is always a gift even in the most difficult of circumstances.

Take time out to find your passion. If you have a dream, plan the course of its journey. Be bold and brave. Get back to nature. Spend time with the people you love and who lift you up. Rest. Practice gratitude

There are so many ways to fire up your soul. Be THANKFUL that you can change your life’s course in a heartbeat, because if you think about it- YOU CAN.

4. Create a harmonious living environment

Your home is your safe haven. Creating a more peaceful, organised  living space  will restore balance and allow the positive energy to flow gently back into your world. Once you have  cleaned up and have cleared out the clutter, take the time to warm up your space.  Bring in some scented candles, flowers, plants and display precious beautiful photos. It is magical when you replace clutter with elements that will allow you to experience the feeling  of a new beginning.

5. Focus on what you have

Most of us are continuously focusing on all that we want and not what we already have. It is vital to set positive goals and strive for a better future, but before you do this, ask yourself, “When was the last time I stopped and said thank you for all that is currently in my life?”

Now is the perfect time to count your blessings. Giving thanks will open the floodgates to the universal stream of goodness.

6. Soften your focus

If you choose to soften your focus, you will find life’s journey will be much gentler. Focusing softly and taking a calm gentle approach towards every situation before reacting allows you time to evaluate the event. Shifting your vision to be more emotionally intelligent, empathetic and caring will open up a whole new level of mindfulness.

7. Set boundaries

Set boundaries for friends, family members and even work colleagues. Email, social media and texting allows a continuous lifeline to people. We seem to be available 24/7 to everyone. Prioritise your time and do not allow anyone to drain your energy unnecessarily.

8. Pace yourself

Often when you feel overloaded, just taking a break for an hour or two will give you the energy to refocus. You deserve time out to rest and recharge.

9. Be responsible for your life

You are completely responsible for your life as well as the choices you make. The sooner you accept that, the sooner your life will change. Organising our lives, clearing up the mess, acknowledging past failures, changing our attitude, shifting our vision, these are positive life changing actions that will change our energy and bring clarity into our lives. You have the power to change any situation in your life right now.

10. Embrace each new day with purpose

Just as the world continues to turn, a new day brings endless opportunities. A new day generates renewed energy and hope  so choose how you will respond to the days events by welcoming each new day with optimism.

It is vital to acknowledge the mess in your life no matter what form it takes and then embrace change. Take those all important steps to free yourself  from its limitations. Stop thinking of clearing it out as a tremendous overwhelming task and instead see it as one of the most vital self improvement tactics you can possibly do.

Clean up and clear out what no longer serves you. Don’t let a little mess stop you from receiving and feeling life’s goodness. Remove all those things that are blocking your view and just let the light come flooding back into your life.

Featured photo credit: Viktor Hanacek via picjumbo.com

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10 Reasons Why You Are in Debt

If you are young, just out of college, starting a business, or starting a family, chances are that money is tight. Education costs dollars, as do building a business and creating opportunities for your children. Managing money is not always simply about noting how much money is coming in and what expenses you have. Money management is about your relationship to saving and spending and your attitude toward sharing your resources with others. Do you love giving to others? Do you share what you have or does it feel easier or safer to hold back, perhaps from a fear that giving means there is less for you? Here are some reasons for why you are in debt, along with some ideas and tips on how you can improve your relationship with the dollars, pounds, or euros in your wallet.

1. You haven’t realized that saving money is about creating new attitudes and emotional habits

Saving money is about creating new habits and attitudes. In reality, it has very little to do with the actual amount of money you have in your bank account. You can put aside money each month, but if you constantly overspend, you will end up borrowing from yourself and saving nothing. Rather than seeing money as a value in itself, consider what it gets you in relation to your goals and plans. Create an attitude that everything in your life is about moving towards your goals. The wealthiest entrepreneurs view money not as something scarce that must be guarded at all times, but as a tool or asset to help them invest in their goals and dreams.

2. You haven’t worked out what is really important to you and what you value

Money is a resource. Resources can be wasted, misused, or directed to create even more wealth. What do you value? At the end of your life, what would you like to be remembered for? Working out what your values are will help you work out how to spend your money. If you love a hobby, then investing money in that makes perfect sense. How do you know what you value? Exercises such as writing a personal mission statement can be very valuable. Money is a resource like any other — move its focus to create the life you want to have.

3. You haven’t set up an easy-to-use budgeting system

Do you know right now if you are in credit or in debt? Imagine that you see a pair of shoes or a new tablet that you don’t need but would love to have. Would you know if you have enough money in the bank to cover the cost? Create an easy-to-use budget tool. There are some online, and often a notepad and pen works well too. Credit cards do have to be paid off and you will need to plan how much a month you can afford to contribute to paying these off. Debts don’t magically resolve themselves, so get to know your spending habits and ask yourself if you can afford all these items you want but might not necessarily need.

4. You buy when you could just borrow or rent

You want to dig up a plant, so why buy a spade if you can borrow one from a kindhearted neighbor? If you need a big saucepan for a dinner party, why buy when you can borrow from a friend? We love to justify purchases by saying that the item will come in handy in the future. Yet, how many times do you really use it later? If you love a movie, don’t buy it, borrow it — the same goes with books. Think of all the things you own and have used only once or twice. Borrow or rent rather than buy.

5. You fall for those too-good-to-be-true, get-rich-quick ideas

Sorry to say, but it’s really true that success is normally 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration. Not everyone wins the lottery, so don’t assume it will be you. Use your time to create value that will last and give you pride and lasting returns on your efforts. Building a business or working up the career ladder takes time and effort, but the rewards will come. Get-rich-quick schemes work well for the people who create them when they convince you to part with your cash to buy into the dreams they are selling, but real wealth creation is a slow process.

6. You have money-sucking (and life-sucking) habits

Where do you actually spend your money? What activities do you do regularly which cost money and return transitory pleasure? Most things are okay in moderation, but when you are spending money on smoking, gambling, drinking, or other bad habits, it’s time to think about changing those habits. Why do we spend our time and money on these activities? The simple answer is normally that addictive habits help us to avoid our feelings. If you are fed up with work, then a few drinks in the evening helps you forget that annoyance. If you are feeling bored, then some chocolate or cake can relieve that frustration a little. Gambling is an addiction which itself involves money directly. Though many gambling sites acknowledge that gambling is addictive and have put policies in place to help problematic gamblers, it is generally not in their interests to actively stop you from gambling. For any addiction, you should seek appropriate help.

7. You use credit to buy items you don’t have the cash for right now

It’s simple: if you cannot afford to pay in cash right now, don’t put it on your credit card. For necessary purchases such as repairs to your car or paying tuition or other costs, work out a payment and saving plan so you can see how much you need to save or can afford to pay each month. Don’t allow yourself to get into debt that you can’t get out of. Also, don’t borrow money from a bank unless you really need to. Banks will charge interest and often want to encourage you to take out loans.

8. You pay retail prices on everything you buy

There are sales every six months and often you can find stores selling very good clothing or other items at discounted prices. An online search will direct you to goods with price cuts too. Many charity shops have started selling “seconds,” or clothing from last season. These garments are perfectly fine but since they are now no longer the most up-to-date line, they can be purchased at a reduced rate. The same is true of cars. Buy a brand new car and pay a higher price. As soon as it is driven off the showroom forecourt, a car is automatically significantly cheaper than a brand new one with very little difference in performance or condition.

9. You pay extra for labels or brands as status symbols

Consider two identical white men’s shirts. One is plain and one has that small blue polo player woven on it. Both are made the exact same way and in the same factory, but which is more expensive? The fashion industry makes a large chunk of money from our desire to be seen wearing a particular brand. Remember that you are lovable and wonderful as you are, without the need to have a name or label to confirm that. Think about purpose rather than about what others will think of you. Dazzle people with your wit and charm instead. Also, store brands are nearly always cheaper than national brands.

10. You think too much about today and not about tomorrow

We love advice like “Live life for today” or “Don’t put off for tomorrow what you can do today.” Of course, have as many experiences as life affords you. However, the money you have now can be set aside or invested so that in the future you will have a financial cushion. We also need to save for retirement and it is estimated that most of us are simply not putting aside enough for our futures. We are now living longer, and so the years post-retirement are increasing too. Think about what your money can create for you long term rather than the immediate gratification it can get you in the present. Think about your long term life goals and save now, whilst you have the opportunity.

Featured photo credit: picjumbo.com via picjumbo.com

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20 Not-So-Popular Websites Students Should Visit to Make Studying Easier

It’s a wonderful time to be a student. There are thousands of awesome resources, tools, and websites that can make the studying process easier and more effective. Unfortunately, because there are so many, it can be hard to determine which sites are worth your time and which aren’t. These 20 websites aren’t very popular (yet), but they can offer you and your grades a lot of support.

To Improve Your Writing

1. AskPetersen Writing Blog

Ask Petersen offers a terrific collection of tools and advice to help improve your writing. The website is divided into sections like Essay Samples, Resources and a helpful Blog. The blog topics vary from writing a proper essay introduction to choosing the best time to study. Even if you just spend a few minutes on the website between classes, you’re likely to find useful information that can help you become a stronger writer. Besides, check essay writing services review section, where you will find helpful overviews (for example, EssayOnTime.com Review, Ultius.com Review, CustomWritings.com Review, etc.) of writing assistance services.

2. Writer’s Digest University

Writer’s Digest University provides self-guided writing workshops. Topics include Advanced Novel Writing, 12 Weeks to a First Draft, Grammar and Mechanics, and How to Craft a Book that will sell, among others. Most classes are between $250-$400.

3. Grammar Girl: Quick and Dirty Tips

If you want to become a better writer, you’ll want to bookmark Grammar Girl on your computer’s desktop. The site answers every grammar question you could possibly have. From comma usage to compound words, Grammar Girl has all the answers. You can browse through the selection of questions and answers, or you can pose a question of your own.

4. Essays Capital

Are you having a hard time writing your essay? Are you overwhelmed and considering hiring a writing service to help? Essay Capital provides well-researched, high quality essays that take your opinions into account, and convey what you want to say in the paper. They also get to know your writing style, so your paper sounds like you wrote it.

5. Thesaurus.com

A strong vocabulary makes you a better writer. When you find the exact word you want to use, your sentence will make more sense, and your writing will flow more smoothly. Thesaurus.com lets you find better words for your writing. Just type in the word you want to swap out and Thesaurus will give you a new selection of words to choose from.

6. No Red Ink

No Red Ink is an innovative online interface that lets students improve their grammar and writing skills. Quizzes and questions are based on things students care about like pop culture, their friends, and sports. If a student gets a question wrong, they get immediate feedback instead of a bunch of confusing red ink that they’ll just ignore. Incredibly, No Red Ink learns as the student progresses, so the program can suggest topics that need additional practice.

7. Grammar Book

Similar to Grammar Girl, Grammar Book provides a heap of grammar and punctuation help. But rather than formatting all the information in question and answer format, Grammar Book is easily divided by category.

To Help Prepare for Tests

8. College Confidential

College Confidential helps you prepare for the SAT and the ACT, as well as generic preparation for AP tests. Through a series of forums, students get to communicate with one another and learn what they’ll need to study in order to be successful.

9. 4 Tests

4 Tests provides a big selection of practice exams for the SAT and the ACT. The best part? They’re free! You can also find helpful study information on the 4Tests Blog and various study guides.

10. Meet The New SAT

This website prepares students for the SAT, PSAT10, and PSAT 8/9. The site includes the official SAT practice test from Khan Academy. Learn what to expect inside the new SAT and get to know the new scoring system.

11. Kaplan Test Prep

From this website, you can create a registration with Kaplan University and gain access to the official Kaplan practice tests for the SAT and ACT.

12. Shmoop

Shmoop connects 13 million students and teachers with study guides, practice tests, an essay lab, informational videos, and career advice. If you’re looking for a comprehensive learning and studying website, search no more.

To Collaborate with Other Students and Teachers

13. Collaborize Classroom

Collaborative Classroom provides a platform for students and teachers to communicate with one another. Students can get one-on-one assistance with assignments and helpful resources for improving your test prep strategy, studying habits, and reading skills.

14. Padlet

Padlet gives you a blank template where you can create a design, upload a document, or collaborate with others. Use the space as a white board to help with your study plan. Or use it to build a presentation. In any case, you can work remotely with other students and teachers.

15. Edmodo

One of the best-known collaborative websites for students and teachers, Edmodo provides a place for teachers, students, and parents to connect. Access homework assignments, email your teacher, and get feedback on your assignments all in one place.

16. Mind Meister

Mind Meister lets you create mind maps that you can then share with fellow students or your teachers. This tool makes brainstorming in a group a lot more effective.

Students’ and Educators’ Blogs

17. Simply Charly

Simply Charly is a blog that discusses the most important and influential people throughout history. Depending on how you learn best, you can choose to watch videos, listen to podcasts, or read articles.

18. Mostly Morgan

Mostly Morgan is a fashion and lifestyle blog. However, the author (Morgan Timm) is a junior in college and writes a lot about college admissions, studying, test preparation, and other academic topics.

19. Explore.Dream.Discover

The subheader of Explore.Dream.Discover is “Reflections of a world wandering college kid.” It is written by Andrew Liu, a college student and aspiring entrepreneur at Harvard. The blog follows his academic career and the lessons he learns at school and while traveling.

20. Dan Shipper

In his blog, Dan Tripper discusses entrepreneurship, startups, and the importance of hard work and ingenuity. It’s a great read for anyone looking for some inspiration and entertainment.

There you have it! These 20 websites can help make it easier to study, write, and prepare for tests. School can be a challenge, but at least now you’ll get the support and resources you need to be as successful as possible.

Featured photo credit: rhodesj via flickr.com

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