Monday, 30 November 2020

11 Upgrades For a Better Home Office Setup

Working from home is the new norm with the pandemic and with a rise of people looking to start their own business, however not every person is prepared to do that. Even with this pandemic going on for so long, there are still many people who decide to work from a couch or in a kitchen. That or maybe you’ve scrounged up some money to get a few used furniture for you new office. Regardless of the circumstances, upgrading your home office setup is important. With every passing year, there are new office furniture that can help you be more productive, organized, and more. While you don’t need to upgrade everything every year, it’s still important to upgrade where you can and once every year or so. With that in mind, we prepared a list of some of the ideal home office upgrades to consider.

What Makes These Items Ideal Upgrades?

Before getting into the list, we want to explain why these items are for you. Based on our research, we’re recommending these items as they fit the following criteria:
  • Long-Lasting: This list has some serious high-priced upgrades in their respective categories, however, they’re worth it as they’re made by quality brands. Buying any of the items from this list will ensure that you’re keeping these products around for well over 3 years making it a quality investment.
  • Trusted - Our recommendations are from trusted brands that have a history of providing great quality. Many of these products are products with 4-star ratings or higher from reviewers.
  • Multi-purpose - These upgrades aren’t only for looks but they also improve your overall quality of life. Whether these help you in boosting your health, happiness, or productivity, you’re getting more out of these products than an expensive item that looks nice.

An Ergonomic Chair For Better Posture And Productivity

How often does this happen - you’ve slumped over your desk with your neck craned over for so long that what was once an annoying ache has become a health concern. Part of the reason that happens so often is many jobs these days require us to sit and chairs. Furthermore, it’s only been in the past few decades where we’ve had decent chairs. These days an ergonomic chair is even more important as they are designed to support your lumbar - or lower back. This will mitigate lower back pain and allow you to have more focus on your work. Science even backs this up with a 2003 study finding that employees working in ergonomic chairs reported less negative symptoms and a productivity increase of 17.7%.((UpJohn Institute: The Productivity Consequence of Two Ergonomic Interventions)) In terms of a proper chair though there are many cheap brands out there with decent chairs, though those aren’t an upgrade. What is an upgrade is getting a chair from a well-known brand like Herman Miller. They build quality ergonomic chairs that are built to last you for years while still providing great quality. Buy the Hermon Miller Aeron Chair here.

Good Quality Speakers To Crank Tunes For Focus And Productivity

Depending on the beats that you are playing, music can help you get energized or allow you to relax. Either way, these two things will help in improving your productivity. One study from the University of Miami found that those who were listening to music while working finished their tasks with superior quality and speed compared to those without. To have an upgrade in your office, it would be good to have a quality sound system. We suggest the Sonos Play1 Speakers. These allow you to play your favourite mood music and wash out ambient distractions and improve your overall focus. In terms of what kind of music works, we suggest getting simple chord progressions, instrumentals or catchy rhythms. Buy Sonos Play 1 Speakers here.

Soft Light Desk Lamps For Optic & Mentality

Another part of the desk and a productive work environment is a soft light desk lamp. A soft glow gives your work environment a warm, cozy feeling that mellows the environment and makes it feel less stressful. There are also studies that show that exposure to natural light during the day will make a positive impact on mental and physical health as well.((EH Journal: Effect of sunlight exposure on cognitive function among depressed and non-depressed participants: a REGARDS cross-sectional study)) So letting the blinds open and the light pour in will help too. Our pick of a soft light desk lamp was the Xiaomi Mi LED desk lamp. It has a great light to not cause eye strain and sets a great mood to get into work mode. It also has wifi capabilities which allows you to change the brightness and color temperature amongst other things. Get the Xiaomi Mi LED Desk Lamp here.

A Wireless Keyboard For Relaxed And Speedy Hands

After spending a lot of time focusing on work, the last thing you want is your wrists and hand to be straining from craning your hands onto a keyboard. Rather than grinning and bearing it, invest in an external keyboard. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome isn’t a pleasant thing to be dealing with. Especially if you plan on working at a desk typing away. On top of that, incorporating more ergonomics in your life can improve your overall productivity while of course lowering your risk of causing your body harm. One study conducted by ChevronTexaco found that implementing ergonomic accessories, 44% of the participants reported lower risk levels of injuries, boosted productivity and morale.((GoldTouch: Chevron Texaco Repetitive Stress Intervention Initiative)) There are many quality external keyboards out there but one brand that is reliable is Logitech. They’ve developed all kinds of devices - including ergonomic keyboards. This upgrade will move your standard keyboard to wireless while also providing a pad for your wrists to rest. It’s a great and affordable upgrade. Buy Logitech Wireless Ergonomic Keyboard here.

Desks Can Define A Person But Also How Well They Work

Just as a chair is important, your desk as well can play an important role in your overall comfort. Furthermore sitting at a desk all day can give you a risk towards diabetes and weight gain. With that in mind - and following recent trends in desks - it makes sense to go with a desk that requires you to stand up. After all, standing up will do the opposite.((Healthline: 7 Benefits of Standing Desk)) For those who have bought a chair though, we wanted to ensure you get the best of both worlds. As such, our recommendation is Vivo’s adjustable converter workstation desk. Not only can it turn into a standing desk for you to work at, you can also bring it back down so you can sit down at it. Buy Vivo Adjustable Converter Workstation Desk here.

A White Board For Ideas and Inspiration

Despite us having all kinds of technology at our disposal, there are still some limitations in what we have. One aspect of it is that many of us are working on 13” or 23” monitors with that monitor already maxed out leaving little room for anything else. In these kinds of circumstances, it’s opportunities of having older accessories that can be helpful. In this case - a whiteboard. A whiteboard is able to give you an alternative for jotting down ideas or brainstorming whatever. It’s essentially a space that you can capitalize for all kinds of things. It’s a huge boost in your productivity. Our pick is the Lockways Magnetic Dry Erase Board. It’s smooth scratch resistant surfaces ensure it won’t get damaged too quickly. It’s also very easy to clean up anything off of it. Buy Lockways Magnetic Dry Erase Board here.

A Reliable WiFi Router To Keep Your Internet Going

Since a lot of our work is internet-based - and the fact many work from home - having a stable connection is vital. Since you are at the mercy of your internet provider, having a reliable router beyond the one they provided will ensure you won’t get spotty wifi. A good upgrade for a router is the Netgear Nighthawk Smart Wifi Router. It offers fast performance speed with a wireless coverage of 1500 square feet. It can work with upwards of 25 different devices making it a fantastic productivity tool. Buy Netgear Nighthawk Smart Wifi Router here.

A Trusty Laptop That You Can Count On Not To Crash

With Mac’s getting an upgraded OS recently, many of the older models probably aren’t able to keep up with the latest versions. Or perhaps Apple is done upgrading them. If that’s the case, it might be a good enough time right now to get an upgrade of your computer. Not only will you be getting faster loading speeds with more recent models, but there is a certain level of satisfaction that comes from getting a new - or new to you - computer. That said, it’s important that you consider your own needs for what you are looking for in a computer. Unlike the rest of the other items on this list, do give some thought about an adequate computer. If you’re looking for a suggestion, one that we consider a sizable upgrade is the Apple MacBook Pro. It has a 13” monitor and is one of the strongest macbooks around offering 8 gigabytes of ram and 256 gigabytes of SSD storage. Beyond that, it offers a host of other features including a magic keyboard making it easy to navigate and access features quickly, more colors, true tone technology, and wide stereo sound. Buy the Apple Macbook Pro here.

Large External Monitors To Ensure A Screen Doesn’t Get Cluttered.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4Xe2JigkKM Whether you’re getting a laptop or a desktop, chances are the monitor alone isn’t going to be enough. Similar to the white board, having another space to place stuff can be helpful in your line of work. In the case of another monitor it allows you the opportunity to save yourself time from hopping between tab to tab or program to program. In fact one study found that by having a second monitor, people’s productivity increased by 20 to 30 percent. When going for a second monitor, you want something with a readable screen and one that doesn’t cause headaches or eye strain. Also as a rule, the larger the monitor the better it will serve you as well since it’ll save you from scrolling. Our recommendation is the Asus ZenScreen. It’s a 15.6 inch monitor making it portable compared to other monitors. It also is designed to prevent eye strain. Buy the Asus ZenScreen here.

Chargers To Keep All Those Devices Going

The last upgrade on the list is of course a charger. With so many devices these days that operate on batteries or need charging, you need a quality charger to keep everything going. Even if you’re not the most tech-obsessed individual the average person at least has four or five devices they use on the regular that need charging. But you don’t want to settle with any plain charger though. One we consider as an upgrade is Anker’s Powercore Fusion 5000. The Powercore Fusion combines the reliability of a wall charger and the convenience of it being portable as well. The beauty of this charger is that it charges up your devices - which it can charge many at once - before it recharges itself. Buy Anker Powercore Fusion here.

A Mat To Mark A Devoted Exercise Spot To Boost Circulation And Help With Posture

One next-level productivity hack is having designated spots for various activities and having rooms devoted to specific environments. On top of that even if you have the comfiest chair in the world, sitting down all day isn’t the healthiest for you. You can hit two birds with one stone by investing in a quality yoga mat. Not only can you use this as marking a section of your office for exercise but you can also combat poor posture that a sedentary desk life gives you. Even if you’re not big into yoga, there are a ton of basic exercises that you can do. Furthermore, many companies like GM, Google, Apple and Forbes offer classes to their employees. There are a lot of benefits to yoga beyond helping with posture. It also reduces joint and back pain and can energize you too. While you can get any simple mat on the cheap, if you want to make a better return on your investment, we suggest the Liforme yoga mat. It is designed to be the most innovative yoga mat on the market with great grip, extreme comfort, and comes with an alignment program. It’s even biodegradable making it environmentally friendly. Buy Liforme Yoga Mat here.

Bottom Line

With technology developing at such a rapid pace, there are bound to be tonnes and tonnes of upgrades to these devices in the near future. What matters the most, though, isn’t about keeping up with trends but knowing when it’s time to let go of old gear and move on to better gear. With this list, you can be safe with purchasing and leveraging these items for several years to come, improving your productivity thoroughly while keeping up with the current trends.

How To Let Go of Fear And Become Unstoppable

Do you sometimes find yourself paralyzed by fear? Fear appears to each person in various forms. You might begin to feel a sense of dread, develop a headache, or feel nauseous. Anxiety causes us to overthink situations, which stops us from taking action. Fear can most definitely hold us back from reaching our maximum potential. When this happens, the best thing to do is to let go of fear. What would you be able to accomplish if you lived without fear? Here are some tips to help you overcome them and become unstoppable!

1. Plan It Out

Do you find yourself pressing the snooze button regularly? Or does it feel like you’re wasting time in a job you don’t love? As you follow your dreams and create new plans for the future, you might begin to fear failure and become hesitant. Having a plan in place will help you overcome this anxiety. As the saying goes, "Proper planning prevents poor performance." Set achievable objectives that will bring you closer to your goals, and stay committed to your plan. Don't let the fear of failure keep you from realizing your dreams.

2. Use Stress-Relief Techniques

Being in fear-filled situations can put significant strain on the body. If you are afraid of the dark, you might start to feel tightness in your chest, a dry throat, or have difficulty breathing. When stress overwhelms you, try repeating affirmations like, "I'm going to be okay," or "This moment will soon pass.” Create a mantra that is grounding and helps you release fear. You could also listen to calming music. Peaceful sounds from nature or the ocean are known to relax the muscles. Moving your body is another way to work through anxiety—go for a walk or stretch. Here're 7 Stress Management Techniques to Get You Back on Track. By learning to manage stress, you will feel more in control and empowered.

3. Talk to Friends and Family

Do you have a fear of being alone? After work or on the weekends, do you worry about having nowhere to go and nothing to do? We are social creatures, and it can be difficult to be by ourselves for an extended period of time. The next time you are feeling lonely, reach out to a family member or best friend. Having support to lean on will lift your spirits and help you feel less isolated. If you are stressing out about a job interview, call a friend or meet up beforehand. Talking through worries in advance will help you feel more confident and at ease. Having an uplifting “go-to team” before an anxiety-inducing event makes all the difference.

4. Write Down Your Fears

What are your fears—small spaces, flying, rejection, or success? Identifying phobias is the first step in learning how to manage and eliminate them. For example, if you fear snakes, come up with a plan to help you overcome that anxiety. You might look at pictures or play with toy snakes. Eventually, you can try to hold a real one. So, make a list of your worries—big and small—then, set realistic goals. Develop a step-by-step plan to work through each one over time.

5. Picture the End Result

Imagine being mid-flight when you feel turbulence jostle the plane, and the seatbelt sign comes on. You suddenly grab the armrest and can't catch your breath. Up in the air at 35,000 feet, weather conditions might be unpredictable and leave you with a fear of flying. The best way to overcome this is to visualize your destination. Picture the smiling faces of your loved ones waiting for you at the airport. See yourself relaxing under the hot sun on your island vacation. Close your eyes and imagine you are crossing the finish line. Think of how great you will feel once you arrive and how proud you will be for overcoming the fear. Learn more about How to Become a Person Who Can Visualize Results.

6. Celebrate Success

Are you worried about the future and getting that big promotion or reaching your goal weight? Rather than concerning yourself with what is to come, celebrate your wins. Even if you don't get the promotion, remember that you are doing a job you love and moving closer to taking the next steps. Maybe you didn't lose the full twenty pounds, but at least you lost some of it so celebrate! Ordinarily, we tend to focus on what is not working rather than on what we have accomplished. Make a list of your achievements and celebrate how far you’ve come. Find the victory in everything you do and take pride in your triumphs.

7. Practice Makes Perfect

We have all been there before. You walk onto the dark stage, and the spotlight blinds you as you look out at the audience. Suddenly your mind goes blank, your palms start sweating, and you hear loud thumping in your chest. You might feel a wave of panic as you frantically try to remember your speech. At some point in time, most everyone experiences stage fright. So, how can you prepare? Weeks and days beforehand, rehearse what you want to say. Review it repeatedly in the mirror until you have it memorized. On the day of your speech, have some critical points written down that you can refer back to as you speak. Knowing what to say in advance will give you the confidence to let go and overcome the fear.

8. Stay Open to Change

Imagine you are driving and discover the roads are all closed. Suddenly, you are forced to take a detour. How do you react when plans don’t go your way? Do you panic or get frustrated? The fear of missing out or losing control of a situation can overwhelm the body and mind. Rather than worrying or getting angry, keep yourself open to the possibility of something new. The best course of action is to go with the flow. Let this opportunity take you on a new adventure. Be open to the unexpected, and trust that life will unfold just fine.

9. Create Your Safe Space

Do you fear confined spaces? If so, being in an elevator may stress you out. The next time you find yourself in a panic, try mindfulness or meditation. A big part of letting go of fear is listening to your soothing inner voice. Mindfulness will help minimize the fear of being restricted. When you meditate, you enter a safe place. Close your eyes, imagine the vast blue ocean, smell the salt in the air, and listen to the seagulls. Focus on feeling boundless and free. Instead of imagining negative things that could happen, visualize that you are solid and secure. No matter what you fear, learning how to relax and turn towards a positive mindset is key.

10. Remove Yourself From the Situation

Imagine you’re enjoying a quiet meal with a friend when suddenly, you hear the sound of glass breaking. You might feel a jolt of adrenaline and become panicked. These types of experiences can trigger your "fight or flight" response. When you feel overwhelmed, try to keep your mind from running loose. If necessary, excuse yourself from the situation and step outside until you feel calmer. When we are in high-tension situations, it’s beneficial to acknowledge available options and keep reminding yourself the moment will pass.

11. Have Courage

Do you chronically dread work or mentally run through the monotonous day filled with repetitive tasks? Maybe you haven’t felt a sense of purpose in years. Are you worried about leaving your current job because there might not be anything better? Life is meant to be experienced, so summon your courage and embrace the unknown by focusing on what lies ahead. Determine what will make you happiest, and keep your eyes on that goal. You may find that your most significant accomplishments are right around the corner.

12. Take a Deep Breath

Maybe you have a terrible fear of needles. Every time you’re at the doctor’s office, you look away while the nurse sanitizes your skin to deliver the shot. Instead of focusing on what's going on in the moment, try taking four deep, slow breaths. Inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth. Try picturing yourself warm and safe, maybe cuddling with your furry friend. Deep breathing is grounding and helps us through scary moments. Just close your eyes, stay focused on the breath, and try to release the fear.

13. Have a Plan B

Let’s say you’re watching a movie at home when suddenly, the power goes out. Do you sit in the dark wondering when the lights will come back on? Are you worried about food in the fridge spoiling or your cell phone dying? Having no idea what to do next definitely causes fear. The antidote is having a course of action—a plan B—to feel prepared. In case of emergencies, have candles, portable chargers, or even a backup generator for you and your family. Purchase or prepare an emergency backpack, and always keep food and water on hand. Having a contingency plan will give you comfort, and it helps you take back control of the situation.

14. Trust Yourself

Have you ever been to the top of a tall building and looked down? Did you feel a wave of dizziness and suddenly grab onto the rail? You are not alone in this reaction, as many people are afraid of heights. There are times when we climb too high and find that we don't know how to get down. The best thing you can do in this situation is to believe in your choices. Take a deep breath and trust that you can navigate your way back to safety. Find the confidence within to have faith in your resourcefulness. Imagine how proud you will feel after facing your fear and bravely overcoming it.

15. Talk to People Who Have Been There

Perhaps you are launching a new business and feel worried about failing. Maybe you don't know how to get started or how much your expenses will be. After pouring your entire savings into this venture, you might begin to wonder if people will even want your product. Rather than focusing on all of the what-ifs, get advice from thriving business owners. Find entrepreneurs who went through your same worries and ask them for advice. Successful business owners usually want to pay it forward and speak to others about their achievements and losses. This will fill you with a new sense of motivation and purpose to achieve your goals. Seeking advice from those who have been where you are will help you overcome your fears.

16. Take Action

Picture this: You haven’t cleaned out your garage in a while. As you start organizing, you move a box and a giant black spider jumps out at you. Your eyes widen in shock and you start trembling. You need to clean, but you’re terrified that there are going to be more spiders. Rather than living with a cluttered garage, consider wearing gloves and layering your clothes. Find comfort in knowing that a couple of spiders will not hold you back. Take back your power by taking action. Think about how accomplished you will feel after conquering your fear.

17. Reward Yourself

Do you dread going to the dentist and hearing that high-pitched drill and scrape against your teeth? One way to overcome fear is to have a reward ready at the end of the journey. After your appointment, treat yourself to a delicious meal, or order something you’ve eyed online. Knowing there is a reward in place will give you the incentive to push through when you want to give up.

You Might Be Wondering...

How will I remember these tips when fear strikes? It is important to first focus on regulating your body's stress response, then trust your instincts and take action. When you can work through blocks that hold you back, you grow as a person. You can create your own path and live life to its fullest. So, use the suggestions in this article to help you navigate anxiety-filled moments in life and let go of fear. Set a goal to list out your worries, and create a plan to eliminate or reduce them. Being unstoppable means letting go of fear and taking back your power!

More Tips on How to Let Go of Fear



10 Proven Ways to Build Confidence and Believe in Yourself

Some people seem to be born with a rather plentiful portion of confidence. They appear to bounce along with a robustness that breeds envy and pop back up after they get knocked down. The good news is that you too can build confidence. It doesn’t matter if you lack it; it is still yours to experience now as you continue to work on growing it over time. Learning how to build confidence is part of the process of evolving into ourselves. Here is how you can build your confidence.

1. Connect With Yourself

Confidence and connection go together since we are most confident when we are real. We aren’t trying to be someone else, please others, or living a life dictated by “should.” We build and emit confidence when we are true to ourselves. To be true, get clear on your purpose and your values. Trying to embody the purpose and values of others will leave you feeling cheap and fake. Ask yourself, what are the things that you know you really need and want. Ask yourself what you want your legacy to be and what you want to be remembered for—by people you know and people you interact with only briefly. Authenticity is also incredibly appealing to others. When you begin receiving positive feedback from others who appreciate the authentic you, a positive cycle will begin where your confidence improves how others perceive you and others' perception increases your confidence.

2. Open up

Open up to the world and get curious about what's happening around you. When we get curious, we become lifelong learners, which helps to quiet our inner critic. With the learner present, we are not operating out of anxiety, fear, or worry. We are less likely to shut down our ideas, dreams, or plans. Building confidence depends on openness. When we believe that options exist, and that gifts are to be found in challenges, we finds way to thrive. We feel relaxed knowing we are living in the land of possibility. There is hope—a promise of what is to come. We are energized by what can be as we build confidence through growth and knowledge.

3. Notice How You Show up

Building confidence requires being yourself without apology. Full permission to be you is about stepping into your greatness. It’s about being responsible for your impact, but not holding back. It’s saying to yourself that you matter and adding in self-care as part of your daily life. Knowing that you matter builds confidence. The question then becomes how can you lean into that truth. The best way to remember that you matter and ignite your sparks is to develop a daily grounding practice. When we invite awe, wonder, and gratitude into our lives, we tap into that special knowing that lives inside us. Our sage selves become connected to the rest of us, and the rest of us becomes connected to something larger. Another way to know we matter is to surround ourselves with people who truly care about us. These people are a constant source of support and help you feel like the best version of yourself. Do your best to cultivate these kinds of healthy relationships with friends and family members They are key to building your confidence.

4. Forget About Your Screw-ups

We all make mistakes, and the key when you want to build confidence is to learn from them instead of letting them make you question your self-worth. Repair anything that needs fixing, apologize for anything that asks for a sincere “I’m sorry,” be part of the solution, and then let the screw-ups go. Going over your mistakes is a great way to see where you get stuck, but going over them again and again doesn't help you or anyone else. That kind of self-flagellation only harms your spirit. The repeated critical review of yourself only makes for a less-than-ideal version of you. To build confidence you want to be your own kind, thoughtful teacher. Adopt the personality of a wise old sage, who sees you as a beautiful, messy human. That sage would speak gently to you, not over-stating the lesson, and lead you to new insights with a sweet affirmation that you are whole and wonderful and capable. The cool thing is this sage lives in you. Sit with it when your screw-up and see what it has to say that will help you build confidence. Check out this article to find some ways you can learn from your mistakes in life.

5. Immerse Yourself in Creativity

When we create, we bypass the stuff that is going around in our heads that has us questioning ourselves—the thoughts that make us self-conscious, stall, and paralyze. You might think you aren't creative, but the more realistic truth is that you haven't tapped into your creativity in a long time, so it feels lost((Inc: 9 Ways to Dramatically Improve Your Creativity)). It doesn’t matter if you are not an artist. We are creative with our thoughts, how we tell a story or a joke, arrange flowers in a vase, solve a problem, or help a friend. To build confidence we want to be in our bodies as well as our minds, to be alive in spirit, not only analyzing up in that noggin of ours. Confidence asks us to be all in, and creativity helps get us there.

6. Dance Through Your Days

By approaching your days with the attitude that there are gems to be found, you are confirming that you are not managing your circumstances but leading yourself through your days, and that your life is important. Think about when are preparing to take action. Are you reacting or creating? Is there a chance to bring in humor? What are you saying yes to? Approaching things with the understanding that you have choices and can set yourself up for success even if the choices are limited lets you feel confident. Ask yourself what you need to be successful, and make a list. It can have things like support, quiet time, a break, music, a deadline, a conversation. Customize the list, and don’t assume that one list will serve all days or all hurdles. You move from feeling like a victim to being the captain of your ship when you decide to dance through your days and not push through them. Building confidence counts on this perspective. To help with perspective shifts take a bird’s eye view of what you feel you have no control over. Soak in that view and ask that bird what it sees. You will see new ways of handling things. With wings out and the vantage point from 5,000 feet up, your confidence will soar because of the space, wisdom, and compassion you placed between yourself and your circumstance.

7. Embrace Failure

When we shy away from failure, we are attempting to prevent it. We go into protective mode. The energy, thoughts, and actions that ensue from seeking to protect ourselves from failure undermines our confidence. We become wobbly and vigilant. Vigilance involves tightness—a contraction. In order to build confidence, we need to expand. The only way we can do that is to take risks. We are designed for growth, so the more we move into finding, living, and creating from ourselves, the more we build our confidence. Without risk, we stagnate. We repeat the status quo over and over again, not evolving. Risk is a great teacher and forger. It’s a co-creator in forming our identity, as well as realizing our dreams. As a result, risk can build confidence. The more we take risks, we develop resilience to when the risk doesn’t pan out. In trying to avoid failure we stay small((Forbes: Why Embracing Failure Is A Big Challenge—And How To Do It Well)). Smallness is not what is going to get us where we want to go, nor is it going to build confidence.

8. Never Speak Against Yourself

You should always do your best to offer constructive feedback to yourself regarding your actions, but there is no need for judgment or harshness. Confidence is built with love; not false praise, but honest kindness that affirms and boosts. Don’t be shy about celebrating your victories no matter how tiny. Confidence is built by letting your body and mind soak in what is going well—what you did that was awesome, what is special about you, etc.

9. Choose a Goal

When you choose goals that you want to work towards, you instill a sense of motivation that will push you toward the things you want to achieve. As you achieve big and small goals, you build confidence in your abilities to get to where you want to go. Start with short-term goals and then create long-term goals. When you see a brighter future for yourself through what you are accomplishing, your confidence will soar.

10. Enjoy the Process!

Don’t take yourself too seriously. If you laugh and play while building your confidence, you will not only be more confident, but you will increase your joy.

Final Thoughts

Did you notice that these steps spell out confidence? If you're feeling creative and motivated, try making your own acronym list with things you believe will help you build confidence in your daily life. Each day, cultivate positive self-talk and be your own cheerleader as you work on becoming the best version of yourself. Everyone has to start somewhere, so choose one of the tips above and begin your own confidence journey.

More Tips on Building Confidence



Friday, 27 November 2020

21 Money Making Ideas to Try At Home Now

Working from home is a widely used term these days. According to The Commonwealth Fund, around 16 million people lost their jobs in the US alone. Other researchers put the number at 20-40 million.((The Commonwealth Fund: How Many Have Lost Jobs with Employer Coverage During COVID)) As more people lose their jobs, they are looking for money making ideas that they can do from home. This is why this article is important at such time as this. Even if you have lost your job, it is important to understand how you can make that extra dollar. A job is never enough to bring financial abundance unless you are the CEO of a blue-chip company. It is said that the average millionaire has 7 sources of income. This enables them to mitigate risk and make more money. This article will give you 21 money making ideas that you can easily start from home now.

1. Start a Blog

Starting and growing a blog is a good way of making more money every month. It is easy to start and manage. To start one, you need the following:((WealthWolves: How to monetize a blog))
  • Choose a niche. This is where you decide what you will be writing on and to whom. Choose a niche that is broad enough to create enough content demand.
  • A domain name. This is a name that is unique to your blog. For example, lifehack.org is the domain name here. You can get a domain name for as little as 1 dollar for the first year. Make sure you choose a short and memorable name that is related to your content.
  • A hosting plan. A hosting company stores your website data in their servers and sends it to the browser upon request. Make sure you choose a good hosting company because that will affect the performance of your blog.
  • Design expertise. You need to hire someone to create the blog for you. It is also possible to learn and do it by yourself. Most hosting companies will provide an easy to use website builder. Make sure the website looks professional.
  • Content. Content is king when it comes to blogging. Produce long and high-quality content.
After starting a blog, make sure you monetize it. The easiest way to do this is to use the Google AdSense Program. You can also apply to be an affiliate marketer for various companies. This way, you can start making extra dollars from home.

2. Produce YouTube Videos

YouTube videos are also one of the best money making ideas today. YouTube has over 1.9 billion users every month. Over 500 hours of content is uploaded on the platform every minute. To make money from YouTube, you need the following:((Hootsuit: How to make money on Youtube))
  • Start a YouTube channel. This is all free. Use your Google account to register.
  • Upload video content regularly. Market your content on social media to gain a following.
  • Have at least 1000 subscribers and 4,000 hours watched on your channel in the last 12 months.
  • Create a Google AdSense account.
  • Apply for different YouTube monetization features from your account.
  • Submit for review. If you qualify, you will be notified.
Video content is almost catching up with written content. It is worth producing it as we move into the future.

3. Sell eBooks

If you are a good writer, you can make money by selling eBooks online. Produce at least a 10,000 words eBook and upload it on Amazon. You can also set your own eCommerce store. The eCommerce store can be part of your blog. It is important to understand that writing is easy but marketing your eBook will be hard. For example, there are millions of books on Amazon. To stand out, you have to be a good marketer, not just a good writer.

4. Creating Sponsored Content

Companies pay to get mentioned in relevant pieces of writing. For example, if you have a blog with high traffic, you can approach relevant firms to sponsor your content. This is also important if you are doing an eBook or magazine.

5. Paid Guest Blogging

Some sites pay freelance writers to create content for them. Use platforms like Fiverr and Upwork to connect with potential buyers. To succeed, make sure you write high-quality content and exceed the expectations of the client. High-quality content is highly practical and actionable. Do not write about everything. This will dilute your effectiveness. Take several topics and develop unmatched expertise. This will give you a competitive advantage in the market.

6. Renting Space

Many people are making money by renting space in their houses. If you have a big house, you can use Airbnb to rent some rooms for visitors who are on vacation near you.

7. Renting Your Car

You can also have people hire your car for a daily fee. This is a good way of turning a liability into an asset. People will always hire cars to attend high-end functions. You can charge between 30 and 300 dollars per day depending on the type of car and the location.

8. Online Courses

For experts, this is one of the best money making ideas. Educate people about something valuable and make money. To do this, you need to produce content that guides people into getting a specific high-income skill and then sell it. Udemy and Skillshare are good platforms to post your content. Set a reasonable fee for your courses and market them. As people enroll, you will start making money passively. If you can get millions of people to take the courses, you might have to retire early because that income is high enough to sustain you for life. You can also sell the courses on your website. This is a good long term strategy.

9. Affiliate Marketing

You can start a website specifically for affiliate marketing. This is where you promote other people’s products, refer them to the seller, and get a commission when a successful transaction is made. This is one of the ways many bloggers make money nowadays. The most common program is Amazon Associate Programs.

10. Dropshipping

Dropshipping is a business model where one sells products online without even having physical products. It is just about connecting the buyer and the seller online. Dropshipping is very convenient because there is no storage cost or actual shipment on your part. You just have to set up a store. This online store should be connected to the seller. When an order is made, the seller will ship the product to the buyer. Your work is very minimal. You just have to market the products and get as many people as possible to make the purchases.

11. Life Coaching

You can make money by helping people solve their problems. This is what life coaching is about. To help people solve their problems, you can use The Grow Model.((MindTools: The GROW Model of Coaching and Mentoring))Here is what it means:
  • G- Goals. Help the client generate goals.
  • R- Reality. The client should understand the current reality. This provides the gap between what is being achieved and what should be achieved.
  • O- Options. What options does the client have moving forward? How will the gap be bridged?
  • W- Way forward. Which option will the client select to reach the predetermined goals?
If you can help people get better and happier, they will keep recommending your services to their friends. All of these can be done at home.

12. Become an Influencer

Influencers are paid handsomely to promote commodities. However, you have to have a massive following in the digital space to be considered. For example, if you have 100,000 followers on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook, you can approach companies to help promote their products.

13. Academic Writing

Academic writing is one of the most famous money making ideas for young graduates. Here, you produce content for academic purposes. This can be writing a report for university research or doing a project for students.

14. Start a Podcast

Podcasts are very famous nowadays. Most people prefer listening rather than reading. You can record a series of informative audio files and have people listen or download. If your podcast gets thousands of listeners or more, you can get a sponsor. The sponsor will pay you to get mentioned or advertised on your podcasts.

15. Start a Webinar

Webinars are also one of the most common money making ideas around today. This is where you host a seminar online. People can then pay and participate virtually from all over the world. You can also offer the webinar for free and get sponsors.

16. Paid Online Surveys

Companies love to know what people in their market think about various topics, products, and ideas. This will shape the way they create and market their products. You can take these online surveys online and get paid. InboxDollars, Swagbucks, and MyPoints are the most famous online survey sites.

17. Sell Old Stuff

You can make money from home by selling some of your old stuff in your house. These can be furniture, electronics, automobiles, etc. Whatever you do not need in your house can be converted into cash.

18. Invest in Dividend-Paying Stocks

This is a good way of making money from home. Just buy stocks of companies that give annual dividends and hold them for the long term. These stocks will bring you money without having to work.

19. Develop Mobile Apps

Mobile apps are widely used. They are very effective because once installed, they will be highly visible on the mobile device. The user will be tempted to open them now and then provided they provide value. Build an app that provides massive value to people and then work with advertisers to monetize it.

20. Network Marketing

There are many network marketing firms today. Many aggressive marketers are making money by just having people join. As they get more people to join, their networks get bigger. Any time a person in their network makes a transaction, they get paid.

21. Trade Cryptocurrency

You can make money by trading Bitcoin and Etherium from home. As the world evolves, cryptocurrency will become even bigger.

Bottom Line

There you go. You can get an extra source of income by executing any of the 21 money making ideas. They will give you more money to spend and invest. To become successful in any of them, you need hard work, persistence, and patience. Nothing worth doing is easy. You will encounter many challenges and competitors. If you are not committed, you will not make any mone

What To Eat Before Morning Workout (10 Simple Breakfast Ideas)

Early morning workouts are the norm for many. For some, it’s the only time they have; others may feel better working out first thing in the morning. The morning can be a crazy rush. Figuring out what to eat before morning workout when you’re in a pinch may be difficult. Maybe you don’t get hungry in the mornings or feel you have the time to eat. However, there’s a good reason why you should care about what to eat before a morning workout.

What’s the Real Deal on Eating Before You Work Out?

Some people swear by working out on an empty stomach. Others believe you should have a full meal before doing anything. But what does science say about eating before you work out? Studies mostly agree that you should eat before any exercise.((Heart.org: Food as Fuel Before, During and After Workouts)) However, you don’t want to head to the gym immediately after eating. You want to give your body at least an hour to digest. You also might want to skip a hearty breakfast. Heavy foods lead to feeling bloated or you may even get sick during a workout. Light breakfasts or sports drinks are recommended instead. Large meals are recommended to be eaten around three hours before a workout and small meals or snacks about one hour prior. This ensures you don’t feel sluggish and gives you the necessary energy needed to complete your workout. Now, some people are crunched for time and can’t make breakfast and workout. Many don’t like eating breakfast or feel hungry. Each person is different and it’s true that you might be fine to workout without eating anything first thing in the morning. However, eating breakfast each morning isn’t only ideal for exercise but for healthy weight control and brain function as well.((Adv Nutr: The Effects of Breakfast and Breakfast Composition on Cognition in Adults )) This doesn’t mean you are required to eat breakfast. In fact, there are benefits to not eating before you workout too. Studies show that workouts done on an empty stomach burn more fat because your body isn’t relying on carbohydrates for fuel.((PubMed: Effects of aerobic exercise performed in fasted v. fed state )) It should be noted that there are limited studies on whether you burn more fat long-term with fasted workouts than “fed” workouts.

How Eating Can Change Your Workout

The research doesn’t just mention eating breakfast. There are studies that show eating before and after workouts fuel the body and aid in muscle recovery.((J Int Soc Sports Nutr: Nutrient timing revisited)) Drinking or eating carbohydrates before you exercise improves your performance overall. It may allow you to exercise at higher intensities and for a longer time. Not eating might cause you to be sluggish or lightheaded. This depends on when you last slept and ate of course. For example, you may be someone who goes to bed late but rises early or you may eat a full meal before bed and not be hungry when you wake.

Breakfast

The studies on what to eat before morning workout suggest that you might want to stick to your morning breakfast routine. If you’re a coffee drinker, you can drink it and probably not feel any adverse effects. The same goes if you normally eat a specific food or food group for breakfast. Deviating from your normal foods has the potential to cause upset stomachs until your body gets used to it.

Snacks

Snacks before, and sometimes during a workout can help you reach your goals. However, there is a timeline for snacking. If your workout lasts longer than an hour, it’s worth it to eat a carbohydrate-rich food or drink. On the other hand, eating a snack before a short workout of fewer than 30 minutes probably won’t do much to increase your energy.

Post-Workout

Post-workout meals or snacks are essential. After all the strain you put your body and muscles through with exercise, you want to help aid in recovery. Exercise depletes the body of glycogen. Glycogen is necessary for muscle repair, recovery, and your body’s overall functioning. It’s recommended you eat a full meal that is rich in carbohydrates and protein within two hours of your last workout session. This helps replace glycogen stores (carbohydrates) and aid in muscle repair (protein).

It’s Not Only About the Food!

Often, food is regarded as the most important part of maintaining a healthy weight. However, hydration is very important too. Fluid consumption before, during, and after a workout is key to preventing dehydration. The more you exercise, the more you’ll need. According to the American College of Sports Medicine, the fluid recommendations for pre-workout should be around two to three cups and ½ cup to one cup per every 15 to 20 minutes during your workout.((American College of Sports Medicine: Exercise and Fluid Replacement)) Your post-workout consumption guidelines are two to three cups after your workout for every pound of weight you lose during a workout. Typically, drinking water is the best for fluid replenishment. However, if you are working out more intensely or longer than one hour, it’s recommended to use a sports drink. Sports drinks contain carbohydrates that give you energy and replace lost electrolytes.

Why Your Choice of Breakfast Matters?

When deciding what to eat before morning workout, there are a few factors to consider: the type of food, digestion, and time. A quick sports drink or cereal provides the body with quick bursts of energy, but it may not last long during a longer workout. To ensure you get the sustained energy you need for those more intense workouts, combine simple carbohydrates with a small amount of fat and protein. The size of your meal has a lot to do with your workout longevity. The longer your workout lasts, the more energy-dense meal you’ll want to have. The same goes for shorter workouts. The potential drawback is your digestion time. Big, energy-dense meals take around four hours to digest which doesn’t exactly align with a quick morning workout. Aim for smaller meals if you have about two hours to spare. If you don’t have two hours, which most people don’t, then a quick but healthy option is blended meals or a 200-calorie snack. Blended meals like smoothies or low-calorie snacks only take about an hour to digest but still provide adequate energy. Don’t have time to make any meals at all? Maybe you just can’t stomach breakfast? Try a banana or a slice of toast. As time goes on, add on to this little snack until your body can tolerate a small meal.

Breakfast Ideas - Dos And Don'ts

Let's take a look at the simple breakfast ideas you can have before your morning workout:

Breakfast of Champions

Breakfast options are limitless. However, you want to start with the right foods, not ones that just taste good. I've compiled a list of tasty, yet healthy breakfast options that provide energy for your workouts and won’t weigh you down:
  1. Fruit – Fruits are easily digestible, provide fuel, and are great for those that aren’t typically breakfast eaters.
  2. Smoothies – Smoothies are versatile. You can combine fruits and vegetables, yogurts, protein powders, nut butter, or seeds like chia.
  3. Energy Bowls – Energy bowls have a similar concept to a smoothie except you sit down to eat them. They can include nuts, seeds, and blended fruits or vegetables.
  4. Greek or plain yogurt – Yogurts, especially Greek or plain yogurts are high in protein, probiotics, and calcium.
  5. Oatmeal – Oatmeal is a classic staple. It’s full of carbohydrates and fiber. Both will give a huge boost of energy. You can even add fruit, nuts, or milk for even more energy.
  6. Eggs – Eggs' possibilities are limitless. You can have them as a standalone, add cheese, or veggies like peppers to add nutrition. Couple eggs with toast or an English muffin for a quick sandwich.
  7. Energy Bites – Energy bites are full of fiber, protein, and fats to keep you satisfied longer. You can make them with peanut butter, walnuts, flaxseeds, cashews, or almonds.
  8. Homemade muffins – Muffins may seem like an unhealthy, tasty snack but they’re actually great for long workouts. They have fiber and are high in carbs. You can even add fruit or nuts to them for an energy bonus.
  9. Homemade pancakes – Homemade pancakes are a great source of grains and carbs to fuel your workout. You can add fruit or nut butter for extra boosts. Make sure you don’t go overboard with your portion size as they can be a little on the heavy side.
  10. Toast – Toasts may seem boring or basic but it’s very versatile. Toast is easy on the stomach, quick, and you can add a ton of options like avocado, sweet potato, or jam.

Breakfast That Will Make You Sluggish

  1. Fast Food – Fast food doesn’t need much of an explanation as it’s unhealthy enough. it’s full of fat, grease, and may even upset your stomach.
  2. Sweetened Non-Fat Yogurts – These yogurts are full of sugar that can leave you to suffer a “high” but then “crash” later on. The lack of fat doesn’t keep you full as long.
  3. Energy drinks/fruit juices – While orange juice or a Red Bull might seem like a great idea for a boost of energy, they come with high sugar and the “crash.”
  4. Spicy foods – Spicy foods are satisfying but they aren’t great for a workout. Spicy foods can lead to indigestion, heartburn, or even stomach cramps.
  5. Sugary cereals – Cereals like Cheerios or Raisin Bran are healthy options but cereals like Frosted Flakes or Fruit Loops are terrible pre-workout breakfast foods. They’re full of fat and sugars. The milk added could cause stomach issues as well.

The Bottom Line

Deciding what to eat before morning workout doesn’t have to be complicated. You don’t have to sacrifice your time either. While you may not be hungry when you first wake up, it’s a good idea to try to eat at least a small meal before you exercise.

More Healthy Breakfast Ideas



Thursday, 26 November 2020

10 Best Vitamin D Supplements For Better Health & Stronger Immunity

As the pandemic continues to spread, more and more information is rising up to the surface. Thankfully there is some really good news that’s been spreading around these past few months. Not necessarily a cure or vaccine, but definitely something to help those of us handle COVID better. In September, research has shown that taking Vitamin D supplements will help in reducing the risk of getting severe cases of COVID. This will be especially helpful for individuals who are darker-skinned or aren’t exposed to a lot of sunlight. The reason for that is for months, observational studies showed COVID patients with serious cases of this also had low vitamin D levels. The only thing is it’s hard to pinpoint what exactly vitamin D is actually doing. Nevertheless, vitamin D is definitely something that can help us all at this point and to help with that, we’ve put together a list of some of the best supplements you can get.

What Makes For Quality Vitamin D Supplements?

Even though vitamins seem the same across the board, there are a number of distinguishing characteristics about each one. You’ll find even more when discussing these things with a medical professional. This is what we did and we found the best vitamin D supplements you can get with the following criteria:
  • Purity - The best vitamins will have tight standards on the quality and purity of the vitamins from the manufacturer. This ensures there isn’t anything additional that would weaken the effect or it is pointless to the consumer.
  • Nutrients - Even though this is vitamin D, there are other nutrients incorporated in these supplements.
  • Natural - Even though it’s a vitamin, many companies put in ingredients that are unnecessary such as fillers, artificial sweeteners, or colors. These supplements don’t have any of those.
  • Trusted - Healthcare professionals such as doctors and dietitians recommend these products.

Best Liquid - Designs for Health Liposomal D Supreme

One of the best vitamin D supplements in liquid form are the Liposomal D Supreme from Designs for Health. Liposomes are tiny spheres of fat that are used as carriers for vitamin D and other nutrients. These are used in all kinds of supplements, but you’ll find them the most in liquid forms these days. But the fact that it’s using liposomal means that the company can incorporate other vitamins into the mix. They did just that by adding in vitamins K1 and K2. Why this is a big deal is that vitamins K and D work very well together in your body. This means you’ll get an enhanced effect from the vitamin D side which is way better than taking an ordinary vitamin D supplement. Buy Designs for Health Liposomal D Supreme

Best High Dose - Pure Encapsulation's D3

For the best high dosage per capsule, look no further than Pure Encapsulations D3. Every capsule contains 10,000 IU of vitamin D3. This is for those who are severely low in vitamin D. That said, having too much vitamin D can cause some issues so if you are thinking about picking this up, consult with your healthcare provider first. This is a solid option as Pure Encapsulation is a trusted brand that provides hypoallergenic and gluten-free vitamins. They’re also certified with the United States Pharmacopeia which has strict standards placed on supplements. Buy Pure Encapsulation's D3 here.

Alternative High Dose - Now Vitamin D3

If you’re looking for an alternative supplement, Now Foods brand is an excellent supplement brand to consider. As mentioned before, this supplement is designed for specific people in mind so be sure to check with your healthcare provider first before taking these. As for why you might choose this one over the Pure Encapsulations is that it’s better for those on a budget. Buy Now Vitamin D3 here.

Best For Kids - Carlson Super Daily D3

With liquids being better for vitamin intake, one of the best options for kids is a liquid option. One brand that comes to mind is Carlson's, a well-established brand amongst the rest of them. Each package contains 365 drops which make it great for a year. It’s also non-GMO, dairy-free, vegetarian and unflavored. Buy Carlson Super Daily D3

Best Chewables - Now Vitamin D3 Supplement Chewables

Chewables are another option for how people like to take their vitamins. While these are easier to handle, one of the big problems with chewables is that many of them contain sugar in them. While it can ensure you eat them, the problem with sugar in vitamins is that the sugar can be too high that you don’t receive any or little benefit. It’d be no different from eating candy. Fortunately, Now Foods chewable vitamins found a unique way of getting around the sweetening aspect. They use xylitol and sorbitol which are sugar alcohols as well as natural vanilla and peppermint flavors. They’re sweet but don't compromise the vitamin aspect. The only thing to note is that since there are sugar alcohols, this can lead to some minor digestive problems. An upset stomach or diarrhea. This will happen if you’re consuming large amounts. Though you shouldn’t be getting to that point since a tablet contains 1,000 IU of D3. Buy Now Vitamin D3 Supplement Chewables

Best Gummies - Nordic Nature Vitamin D3 Gummies

Gummies are another beloved choice for adults and kids alike, though they run into the same problems as chewables where there’s a lot of sugar. For those wanting the most vitamin D3 and lower sugar, try out Nordic Naturals’ sugar-free vitamin D3 gummy. Similar to the Now Foods chewable, this is sweetened with xylitol and fruit and vegetable juice. Buy Nordic Nature Vitamin D3 Gummies here.

Best Prenatal With High Vitamin D - SmartyPants Prenatal Complete

One interesting development that’s been made in the vitamin D field is that women pregnant or breastfeeding need more vitamin D than what many doctors have recommended in the past.((Healthline: Pregnancy and Vitamin D)) In the past, it was recommended to take 600 IU of vitamin D per day. Now experts are suggesting at least 4,000 IU per day for women pregnant. Women breastfeeding may need as much as 6,400 IU. Because of this higher need, prenatal vitamin D supplements is a wise decision to get into as keeping to those D3 levels over the course of the day can provide many benefits to pregnant and breastfeeding women and their children. One such supplement that’s helpful is from the Smarty Pants brand. These vitamins have C, D3, Zinc, Iron and are gluten-free. Buy SmartyPants Prenatal Complete here.

Best Drops - Bluebonnet Earth Sweet Liquid

Vitamin drops aren’t just for kids, there are many with adults in mind. This is another great option for those not into chewables or don't want to take pills. That or you’re looking for better results from the vitamins that only liquids can provide. One option that we found that is good for adults is the liquid vitamin D3 from Bluebonnet. They contain 5000 IU of vitamin D3. They are soy-free, gluten-free, non-GMO, Kosher, dairy-free, and vegetarian free. Buy Bluebonnet Earth Sweet Liquid here.

Alternative Drops - Thorne Research Vitamin D3 Drops

Another alternative drop for adults you can consider is from Thorne Research. Thorne is a trusted supplement brand that’s certified by the Therapeutic Goods Association (TGA). The TGA is a regulatory agency that’s operated out of the Australian Department of Health. Why this is a good alternative is that these drops contain vitamin K2. As mentioned before, vitamin K is helpful because it synergizes with vitamin D. While the IU is 1,000 for 2 drops, you’re getting the added benefit of extra potency from the vitamin K that you wouldn’t get from the other drops. Buy Thorne Research Vitamin D3 Drops here.

Best Vegan Option - Doctor's Best Vegan D3

One other big development in the vitamin D market is offering plenty of quality options for vegans. The big problem with the market is many D3 supplements on the market use ingredients from fish or sheep’s wool. Since vegan's choice of living is to not consume any products that stem from animals, this doesn’t help. One vitamin that came out was ergocalciferol. While it was an advance since the vitamin D came from yeast or mushrooms, the issue was those vitamins weren’t effective in producing quality vitamin D. Thankfully, vegans don’t need to worry about this as much as many companies are stepping forward. One company that we found that provides quality vitamin D3 and is vegan is Doctor’s Best. Their capsules' main ingredient is vitashine D3 - a plant source of vitamin D3. This plant source is also sustainably harvested by registered members in the UK Vegan Society. It’s also gone through clinical trials as well to ensure they are quality. Buy Doctor's Best Vegan D3 here.

Bottom Line

While many of us will be dealing with this pandemic for some time, your health is important now more than ever. With all of these supplements available with plenty of options, you can boost your immune system and curb catching COVID. Or at the very least, have a much easier time in dealing with it should you get infected. Beyond the pandemic, vitamin D3 provides a number of other health benefits like strengthening bones, heart, lungs, and more.

15 New Skills To Learn For Rapid Self-Improvement

Personal development doesn’t just happen. You can’t expect to be bitten by a radioactive arachnid and wake up the next day with new skills. Self-development requires hard work, dedication, and an ever-growing skillset. So, what new skills do you need to power forward? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but these 15 new skills are great places to start. All skills have value, but some are more helpful than others when it comes to your self-development. Adding these to your arsenal will increase the pace of your growth:

1. Goal Setting

On your journey toward your best self, you need to set goals. The key is balance: If your goals are too lofty, you’ll get discouraged when you fall short. Start too small, and you’ll become satisfied with your progress too early and stop pushing yourself forward. The better approach is to think in milestones. If you want to be a novelist, don’t set a goal to finish a book in a week. Focus on getting a couple of pages done each day, or on writing a chapter each week. This measurable progress is more sustainable and fulfilling. Some resources for you:

2. Stress Management

Personal growth can create a lot of stress.
“Growth and comfort do not coexist.” -- Ginny Rometty, former CEO of IBM((Success: Choose Growth Over Comfort — Your Success Depends on It)).
To keep going when times are tough, you have to learn how to manage your stress levels. If brisk walks help you keep your head on straight, schedule one for your lunch period every day. If you need to take Sundays off to recharge for the next week, it’s more than acceptable to do so. Some resources for you:

3. Organization

Organization is a skill that comes more naturally to some people than others. If you’re a naturally messy person, start small. Otherwise, you’ll get overwhelmed. Focus on the places where you spend the most time. Clean up your bedroom or vacuum your car. If physical cleaning is stressful, start by culling files from your computer. Believe it or not, one clean space can set the tone for the rest of your life. Some resources for you:

4. Problem Solving

On the road of personal development, you’ll run into some barriers. Nobody but you can remove these from your path. That’s why problem solving is a vital skill for self-development. Perhaps anxiety is keeping you from doing your best work. Instead of struggling through it, quietly take a mental health day. “You absolutely don’t need to disclose why you’re taking a sick day,” says Carissa Toyama of Forward, a membership-based preventive care group.((Forward: Is It Okay to Ask Your Boss For a Mental Health Day?)) Don’t let personal challenges stand in the way of your growth. If you can solve them, do — and don’t let anyone give you flak for it. Some resources for you:

5. Time Management

To master yourself, you must master your time. You only get so much of it, and every minute wasted is a minute you’ll never get back. The good news is, time management is a skill that transcends every situation. Time management is about the power of routine. You can use an online calendar to give your day more structure.((Calendar: How to Structure Your Day When Working From Home)) You can develop morning and nightly rituals to promote better sleeping habits. When in doubt, replace idle time with projects geared toward new skills. If your goal is to learn to bake, spend an hour making muffins rather than scrolling through social media. Some Resources for you:

6. Work Ethic

You can wish for something all you want. But if you’re not willing to put in the work, you won’t actually achieve it. The first step is acknowledging the work you need to do for personal development. The second is actually getting your hands dirty. If you want to squat a certain amount of weight, you have to spend hours in the gym. Simply imagining yourself becoming stronger will do nothing. Some resources for you:

7. Accountability

You are responsible for your own actions. Hold yourself accountable to them. The sooner you do, the quicker you can get back on track after making a mistake. If your personal development slows down because you opted to sleep in instead of getting up early to work out, don’t blame the cold, grey morning. You made that choice. Some resources for you:

8. Networking

The fast track to self-development is through networking. By connecting with other professionals in your field, you gain access to the wisdom of those with more experience than you. The internet makes networking incredibly easy. Social media sites like LinkedIn allow you to connect with workers and leaders from all corners of the globe. Make meaningful connections, and they’ll give you not just something to aspire to, but a helping hand along that path. Some resources for you:

9. Empathy

The people around you impact your self-development more than you might realize. Treating them with empathy cracks the door not just to compassion and understanding, but to all sorts of mentorship opportunities. Remember, mentorship is a two-way street. Mentors benefit just as much from the arrangement as mentees do. One study of CFOs who mentored others found the top benefit they cited was improving their own leadership skills.((Forbes: Mentorship: Good For The Mentored And Good For Those Mentoring, Too)) Some resources for you:

10. Self-Control

Self-development is no walk in the park. In challenging times, you’ll be tempted to find comfort in relaxing activities, such as playing video games or scrolling through social media. In order to truly progress, though, you have to learn self-control. Smartphones in particular are a threat to self-control. The average person spends hours per day on their mobile devices. If you fall into that bucket, ask yourself: How could you use that time more productively? Some resources for you:

11. Patience

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” -- An old Chinese proverb
Remember no meaningful goal is achieved overnight. Be patient. Self-development is a process that can take years, even decades. Don’t beat yourself up if you don’t see immediate progress. Take pride and find joy in even your smallest accomplishments. Some resources for you:

12. Resilience

When the going gets tough, the tough get going. In other words, you have to push yourself through hard situations. Every time you throw in the towel, you lose momentum that’s difficult to get back. Resilience is a skill acquired through struggle. That may not sound encouraging when looking for quick self-development, but you’ll soon see the power that comes from never giving up. Some resources for you:

13. Balance

Spend all your time at your profession, and you’ll become a master at your trade. Spend all your time with family, and you’ll have wonderful relationships — but fewer skills and a much smaller bank account. The key to getting the best of all worlds is balance. If you’re tired of working on one thing, take a break. You can always come back later, when you’re feeling more up to it. Some resources for you:

14. Self-Care

Self-care means different things to different people, as it should. But the overarching truth holds for everyone: If you don’t care for your health, you won’t see the self-growth you want. Make time to exercise regularly, either at home or at a local gym. Choose a diet that will supply you with the nutrients you need, and stay hydrated. Meditate at least once per day. And if you’re having trouble managing your health on your own, reach out to a professional. Some resources for you:

15. Sacrifice

What do you have to give up to achieve your goals? When it comes to personal development, there’s always something. When you’re learning a new skill — especially if you also work full-time — you can’t spend the night socializing with friends. You may even need to sacrifice your weekends. While it’s important to find time to enjoy life, this isn’t the same as indulgence. Too much of any good thing is bad. Be prepared to give up a few pleasures in service to your self-development.

For Best Results, Start Today!

Developing all of these skills is a tall order. You’ll find, however, that in doing so you’ll already have made a lot of progress. Use that progress to push even harder. Keep honing your skills, and you’ll see just how life-changing self-development can be.