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Are You Destined to Be Your Own Boss?

When it comes to life, you’re always going to want to make sure that you’re living the way that makes you feel best. Life is short and we all deserve to make the most of it. And for some of us, being able to create a life of freedom comes in the way of working for yourself. Of course, this lifestyle really isn’t going to be for everyone, but if you start to think about living life on your own terms, this really could be the life that you want – but how do you know if it would suit you? And what do you really need to get started? It’s important for us all to be thinking about what this looks like and whether it could work out for you. So in this blog post, we’re now going to run through some of the realities so that you can figure out if you truly are destined to be your own boss.

The Reality of Being Your Own Boss

So one of the most important things or you to be thinking about and focusing on here, is the actual realities of business life. Because if you’ve spent the majority of your career working for a company and you’re used to corporate life, it can be an adjustment. But that’s not always a bad thing. Maybe for you, some of the benefits that we’re going to go over later are exactly what you’re looking for.

Ultimately, you’re going to find that you need to be accountable for your time, productivity, and income. And depending on what your longer-term goals are, that may even include hiring a team and getting procedures in place like contracts, a photo ID card, and even paying benefits for them too. This can come with a lot of responsibility and pressure. It’s not just all about enjoying more freedom. Yet, that can be a huge part of it.

So now let’s dig into the details on how this works and what it can look like, so that you can make the decision as to whether this is right for you.

Getting Clear on Your Goals

Now, if the idea of this still appeals to you, you’re going to want to work out exactly what you want and what that looks like. Because you have to get clear on your vision and your goals in order to then bring it all to life. Think about what you want to achieve in life and the things that you’re most looking forward to. By writing out some goals and getting super clear on what this looks like, it will help you to make a decision.

Understanding How You Want to Live

Something that can also help you out and that will work well with the previous point is thinking about how you want to live – and this specifically applies to your lifestyle. Think about how you want to spend your time, what you want to do, where you want to live, and even how you want to feel every day. When you know this, you can then start to paint a picture of what your working or business life looks like around it.

Looking to Your Skills and Passions

If more time freedom and the ability to work to your own schedule is what appeals to you most, you’re going to want to think about what sort of entrepreneurship you’d be interested in. Sometimes, it’s easy to take a look at some of the careers that are trending right now or what you see people make a lot of money from – and that might work for you. But it can actually be smarter for you to think about what skills you have and what you’re passionate about first.

Considering Your Options

As you start to run through your interests and consider your strengths, you’ll find that you may be able to come up with different options. Maybe it’s starting an online shop or consulting? It could be making items to sell or providing freelance services? Sometimes, it taking your exact job that you do now and launching your own company in the field. It’s all about looking at what specific options you have that suit your interests and experience and going from there.

Getting Started on the Side

The next step is to just start. Yes, you’ll want to create some kind of a business plan, but you really won’t want to spend a ton of time overthinking this and planning. After all, it’s the action that’s going to get you there. So, you’ll want to start thinking about just getting started on the side of your full-time job. That way, you can work out if it’s working for you, start to build things up, then decide to launch things full time.

The Financial Freedom

If at this point, it all seems quite a lot, you may find that it helps you to be thinking about the benefits that tend to come with doing so. Of which, one of them that we’re all most interested in is the financial freedom that comes with it all. When you’re working for a company, your salary is mostly going to be fixed. And sure, you can look to get a payrise but that isn’t guaranteed. When you’re your own boss, you’ll often feel so much more in control of your finances.

The Time Freedom

Another massive benefit that attracts people to the idea of launching their own business, is the idea of having time freedom. Being able to work to your owwn schedule, do less hours, and even travel more and not work for periods at a time could be what you’re looking for. When that’s the case, launching your own company could be omre suited to the life you want.

The Flexibility

Alongisde that, is also flexibility. Maybe you want to be able to change things up when you want to or take your career in a new direction. You’ll often have less flexibility and overall freedom with your job and work when you’re in the corporate world (but not always). So it could be that you want to be able to work in your own way, and creating a company is what will allow you to do that.

Keeping Focused on What You Want

Ultimately, you’re going to want to make sure that, if this really is what you want, that you’ll be able to stay focused on the end goal. Entrepreneurship can be hard and there will be moments when you’ll crave the comfort and stability of your previous career. But at the same time, when you keep that goal and vision in your mind, it will be what drives you to keep going.

Making the Best Decision for You

Ultimately, even once you’ve looked at the options and you’ve done your research and you’ve spoken to people that are living and breathing the goals that you’ve got in your mind, you have to ensure that you’re making the best decision for you. And that won’t always be entrepreneurship.

Sometimes, climbing the corporate ladder can be more suitable to your goals and offer you greater abundance and security. It’s all about working out whether being your own boss and the ups and downs that come with that are what you’re really looking for. Once you’ve worked out what’s best for you, all that’s left for you to do is to get started. So good luck!

Wisp: Teaching Me About My Body

Thanks to Wisp for sponsoring this blog post + making care accessible.

I recently had the opportunity to partner with Wisp, a healthcare company making medication accessible to people in the United States. As someone who has struggled with finding the right birth control for years, I was thrilled to find a less intimidating version of sexual healthcare.

Signing up for Wisp was incredibly easy – I filled out a quick questionnaire about my history and preferences and a few minutes later, I could order reproductive probiotics and BV treatment. After that, it was reviewed by a U.S.-licensed physician, and my prescription was sent out for delivery.

Wisp has all sorts of options to support reproductive health, including birth control and remedies for cold sores, bacterial vaginosis, and yeast infection. Which means no more anxiety about going to the doctor or wasted time sitting in a waiting room. (As an entrepreneur, I’m always looking for the best, most-efficient way to get it done.) Plus, their customer service is fantastic – any time I’ve had a question for their team, they’ve been so helpful.

Another benefit of Wisp is that their products are affordable. You don’t even need insurance – which is huge for my fearless self-employed readers. And if you do have HSA / FSA, they accept that too.

Wisp is perfect for the person who wants a convenient way to access sexual healthcare. Their whole team is there to provide care – without the judgment. And did I mention you can sign up for subscriptions with Wisp?

10 Ways How You Can Improve Your Sleeping Habits

Getting enough restful sleep each night is essential to good health and overall well-being, yet some find it challenging. In this article, we will present tips for improving sleep habits to get quality rest at night.

1. Monitor caffeine and alcohol intake.

Caffeine can be an antidote for insomnia. Therefore, it’s advisable to limit your consumption of caffeinated drinks such as coffee, tea and soda during the late afternoon and evening hours; similarly, too much alcohol before bedtime can hinder its quality and have adverse effects.

2. Adopt a regular sleeping pattern.

Try to go to bed and wake up around the same time every day, even on weekends or when taking time off work. This will keep your body on schedule and make falling asleep easier at night.

3. Create a relaxing bedtime routine.

Experience shows that doing something soothing each night, such as taking a hot bath, reading a book or listening to soothing music, can help promote better rest.

4. Participate in regular exercise.

Exercise can help to boost both overall health and sleep quality. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-to-intense physical activity each day for best results.

5. Avoid spending too much time in bed during the day.

As much as possible during the daytime hours, try to remain awake and active so your body is primed for sleep at nighttime. Napping during the afternoon may disrupt this process, so limit naps to no more than 20-30 minutes each day if necessary.

6. Avoid viewing screens before bedtime.

An evening viewing of TV, computer and phone screens may be stimulating and keep you awake longer than intended. Try not using electronics an hour prior to bedtime so your mind will be better prepared for sleep.

7. Make sure your sleeping environment is conducive to restful and restorative rest.

The temperature in your bedroom should be comfortable for sleeping; otherwise, it can make falling asleep difficult. Also, make sure that your mattress and pillows provide support and are comfortable so you won’t wake up with aches or pains while sleeping.

8. Consider investing in a teeth retainer.

Retainers for teeth worn while sleeping can significantly improve your night’s rest by protecting against teeth grinding or clenching while sleeping and helping stop them from shifting, thereby helping relieve jaw discomfort and headaches caused by nighttime teeth grinding. Talk to your dentist to determine the most suitable retainer type.

9. Avoid eating too close to bedtime.

Eating late at night can cause indigestion and discomfort that keeps you awake at night, which could prevent sleep from being achieved. Aim to eat or snack two hours prior to bedtime to ensure an uninterrupted night of restful slumber.

10. If you are having difficulty sleeping, do not stay in bed.

If you find it hard to fall asleep after lying in bed for some time, get up and do something relaxing until your mind and body relax – maybe reading a book, listening to soothing music or performing light stretching exercises until it feels time for sleep again.

7 Ways to Overcome Your Anxiety

There are several ways to help you get your mental health back on track and feel better about yourself and your future. But, for all of the mental health advice you can find online, there’s no guarantee that it works for you, especially in extreme circumstances when you’re just one bad day from having a breakdown. 

So what can you do when you’re teething on the edge? It’s tempting to hole yourself inside and avoid speaking to everyone, but this also affects your job and relationships. There must be some solution, though, so here are seven things to consider. 

Take A Step Back 

If you are suffering from stress, anxiety, burnout or any other mental health issue, it often helps to take a step back. This gives you the chance to see what is causing your problems and what you can do about it. This might involve taking time off work to recalibrate and recharge, which should be possible with most organizations. Even if you can’t take time off work, you should be able to discuss your problems with your manager. Ideally, they can arrange for others to handle some of your workloads so you don’t feel so overwhelmed.

Speak To Friends 

If you’ve experienced mental health struggles for a while, you may have also gotten very good at hiding them. This could mean that even your nearest and dearest aren’t aware of the issues you face, but they may be happy to hear what you have to say. Opening up and sharing your struggles can help you gain a new perspective and you can rely on your friends to be there for you through everything. 

Or Reach Out to Strangers 

However, some people don’t want to burden their friends with their issues, or they worry that they won’t understand the problems they are facing. In this case, you can reach out to strangers by finding online forums and communities centred around your specific issues. There are various resources available, including subreddits or online groups, and most people will be happy to offer support, but be careful about which advice you take.

Be Honest With Yourself 

You will never empower yourself to step back from the edge if you do not accept that you must be honest with yourself. This honesty is one of the most crucial steps in helping you make a positive change in your life. If you can recognize what’s wrong, you can feel more confident exploring your next options. Understanding that you need to seek therapy or even attend rehab for depression can be terrifying, but it will make the difference you crave. 

Don’t Try to Change Everything At Once 

When someone decides to take control of their life, they might think that sweeping changes are the way to go. They want to hit the gym at five AM each morning. They are going to eat healthily. They will take their meds on time and they will make sure to always message their friends back. However, trying to make all these changes only sets you up for failure. You will feel much more confident and comfortable if you take it one step at a time. Once you prove to yourself that you can do one thing – and make a habit out of it – you can move on to another.  

Write About Your Feelings 

There are so many benefits to mental health journaling that, surprisingly, it isn’t something everyone does. Writing about your feelings allows you to process your problems differently. While you won’t find the meaning of life (at least, probably not), you may still reach epiphanies about your problems and your life that can help accelerate change and improvements. 

Have Some Self Belief

If you don’t believe in yourself, who will? Sure, your friends and family will (or should) have your back, but they aren’t the ones responsible for you. You need self-belief if you are ever going to make positive changes and overcome your mental health struggles. Even if you don’t think you can do it now, you must still try everything possible to transform your current situation and make things better for you. No one else will do it for you, so go for it. 

Stepping Back 

Stepping back from the edge is one of the most important things you can do. It’s easy to get swept into a maelstrom of uncertainty and panic that can impact every other aspect of your life. These tips can empower you to feel better about yourself and your situation, giving you the chance to overcome your mental health problems and start living your life the way you want to live it. 

What Are The Vital Qualities Of A Brand?

Branding your business is something that can be equal parts exciting and unnerving. Exciting, because you have the opportunity to start describing a brand for your business that could stand the test of time and turn your company into a powerful force. Unnerving, because if you get it wrong, the results can be truly disastrous. Clearly, it is important that you get it right, and that begins with a thorough and deep understanding of the vital, unmissable qualities of a business brand.

In this article, we will take you through a number of the most important of these qualities. As long as you have accounted for each of these, you should find that you have a brand which is much more successful and more likely to work for your business. Let’s take a look and see what these qualities are.

Identity

The actual identity of the brand is the most important quality of all. In essence, this relates to the way that the brand appears, wherever it appears. The identity has to be strong and unique if it is to be effective at all, so you need to make sure that you are doing all you can to create something that people have not seen before. If you can do that effectively, it is going to make for a much more successful brand in no time.

Purpose

 Aligned with that, but somewhat separate, is the notion of brand purpose. This is not really about how the brand appears, but why it exists in the first place. You probably have some kind of reason that your company is in existence, and the clearer you can get on that, the clearer the purpose of the brand is. This is something that you can have in the background, but it will also be important to express it from time to time, so make sure you get clear on the story early on. A strong and clear story here is really important.

Visibility

Now we are getting into the nitty gritty of actually getting the brand out there. Ultimately it doesn’t matter how good the story behind a brand is, how much the identity works or is original, or anything else, if you don’t actually succeed in getting the brand out in the first place. You need to think about what you can do to make your brand more visible, and there are so many approaches that you might end up taking towards this end. A good example would be to make use of various promotional products online – a method that a lot of businesses opt for which can prove to be very powerful.

Strength

A brand’s strength refers to its ability to withstand, and there are actually many things that your brand might need to withstand over time. Having good strength means that it will last a long time regardless of what is thrown at it, so clearly that is the kind of thing that you will definitely want your brand to be able to do. If you want your brand to be stronger, it’s all about giving it plenty of flexibility, ensuring that it can change as it needs to and when it needs to. That is the kind of approach that is always going to help you out and create a much more powerful brand for your business.

Boldness

With a brand, you want to make sure that people can see it clearly and that it stands out. How can you achieve that? One way is through increasing its boldness. You can do that in many ways, including the simple use of some color in a clever way or just making it have a particular voice that people recognise. It’s that recognisability that you are really aiming for above all, and which you are going to want to achieve as soon as possible. If you can do that, you’ll find that you feel a lot better about your brand, and that it is going to have so many qualities that you are genuinely happy with too.

Uniquity

That also ties in with the other main thing to achieve, which is uniquity. If your brand is unique, that is the main way in which you can hope it to be successful. If you think about the above, you’ll see that it is all really just various ways of making sure your brand is unique. The more unique your brand is, the more likely it is that you are going to see it last a long time.

Ready For Flawless Skin? Follow These Steps To Achieve The Perfect Glow

Dull, dry, oily or acne prone skin can impact dramatically on your self confidence, causing you to shy away from the limelight and potentially even fall out of love with your appearance. 

Thankfully, it doesn’t have to be this way. There are plenty of simple steps that you can follow to achieve a healthy glow, meaning flawless skin doesn’t have to be an unachievable goal. 

This handy guide contains some of the best tips and tricks that you can make the most of to take great care of your skin. So, what are you waiting for? Read on to discover more now!

Step 1: Improve The Way You Eat 

One of the most effective steps that you can follow to achieve flawless skin is to improve the way that you eat. Your diet impacts massively on the health and well-being of your skin, as ultra processed, dairy rich, high fat and high sugar foods can cause all manner of different issues. Unfortunately these items make up a large percentage of the food lining grocery store shelves, but there is an easy solution! Making your own meals and snacks from scratch using raw wholefood ingredients can transform your skin like you would not believe. Plus, it doesn’t have to be as fancy and expensive as you might expect – ingredients like dry rice and pasta, beans, vegetables and fruit are actually some of the cheapest produce available. Rather than going to a grocery store filled with junk food, head to a farmers market and stock up on some fresh produce. The benefits of a wholefood diet stretch far further than great skin, so it’s certainly a step worth following. 

Step 2: Target Your Specific Skin Issues 

Everyone’s skin is different, and should be treated this way! There’s never going to be a ‘one size fits all’ product or solution when it comes to skin care, so you need to take the time to get to know your own skin issues in order to resolve them properly. If you want to soothe dry, itchy skin then make sure you stock up on natural moisturizers like aloe vera gel. If you’re struggling with oily skin, then use a charcoal facial wash that will help to absorb excess oil and leave your skin feeling as fresh as a daisy. If you have acne prone skin, then find a highly rated topical retinoid that will help to clear up your spots and leave a glorious glow. Each skin issue needs to be targeted totally differently, so always do your research before you get started. For those with combination skin, don’t fret! There are multiple products out there that are made specifically for people like you, so do a little digging and find your fit. 

Step 3: Always Wear An SPF Lotion

The sun’s rays can be particularly harmful for your skin, specifically for the delicate skin on your face. That’s exactly why you should always be wearing some kind of SPF lotion, as you need to protect yourself against the UV rays that can lead to dryness, age spots, wrinkles and potentially even skin cancer when overexposed regularly. You can find countless different moisturizers that contain SPF protection, so take some time to find your fit. You should wear SPF lotion even on cloudy days when the sun doesn’t seem to be out, as you can still fall victim to UV damage on a gray afternoon! 

Step 4: Have Regular Makeup-Free Days

Last but by no means least, it’s important that you allow yourself to have regular makeup free days – even before you have managed to resolve your skin issues. You need to let your skin breathe and relax without being covered up and suffocated with a layer of chemical-ridden makeup, as there’s no way you’re going to be able to heal your skin’s health otherwise! Aim for at least 3 makeup free days each week if you can, as this is sufficient time for your skin to start to rebalance out. Use a good product that can remove every trace of makeup beforehand, as it can often be particularly tricky to clear out every bit of foundation or concealer from inside your pores. Add a protective layer with a suitable moisturizer to avoid dryness throughout the day. 

Achieving the perfect glow has never been so easy when you can utilize some of the brilliant tips and ideas that have been carefully described above. You’ll benefit from flawless skin and a huge boost of confidence, so get out there and follow these steps now!

5 Ways to Overcome Monday Morning Dread

The Monday Blues is something everyone has encountered at some point. Even if you like your job, you may still feel that drop in your stomach as Sunday draws to a close. The anxiety you feel is not unique, and there are many reasons why the thought of going to work fills you with dread. But, succumbing to this dread can impact your performance and mental well-being. So, how can you overcome Monday Morning Dread? Here are five ideas to consider. 

Plan Out Your Week 

Most anxiety comes from the uncertainty of the week. Even if you have been in the same role for a long time, there’s always the worry that something unexpected could happen, and you are unprepared to handle it. Although you can’t predict the future, you can still set everything up for things you can control, including meeting and presentation notes or vital tasks to help keep your department or the whole company running.

Prepare Everything You Need For Tomorrow 

Similarly, getting everything you need tomorrow ready the night before can save you from rushing around or forgetting anything in the morning. If you have a meeting, collect all the materials you need. If you eat at the office, make your lunch and put it in the refrigerator. Those who go to the gym in the evening should also grab their gym back full of everything they need so they don’t have to run back home after work. 

Pamper Yourself On Sunday Evening 

The best way to overcome stress and anxiety before Monday is to make Sunday a day to pamper yourself. Self-care Sundays will relax you and ensure you get in the right mind frame for the working week. You can take a long soak in the bubble bath or use CBD oil to calm your nerves. Whatever your definition of self-care, make it a regular thing you look forward to every week. 

Switch Off Your Work Phone 

Many managers and clients think it’s acceptable to contact you outside of hours and this can be even worse at the weekend. If you switch your phone off over the weekend, you don’t need to worry about anything to do with your job until you wake up on Monday. You might panic that you’ll miss something initially, but a healthy work-life balance is all about setting boundaries, and you need to make these boundaries clear. 

Write About Your Worries

Fretting over Monday morning internally is not good for your mental health, so you can try writing about your worries instead. The physical act of writing can help you work through issues more easily than thoughts swimming frantically in your head, and you may find that you can overcome problems or reach solutions more effectively. With this, you’ll feel much more prepared for Monday and the rest of the week.

Overcoming Dread 

You may never fully escape the dread of going to work on Monday but that doesn’t mean you can’t find ways to reduce the dread. These tips are a fantastic way for managers, professionals, and even those new to full-time work to feel a little more positive about their job and hopefully hit the ground running at the start of each week. 

Get Your Mental Health Back On Track With These Tips

If you want to be happy and successful then you have to do more than sit around wishing and hoping for it to come true. Instead, you need to have a positive mindset and take good care of yourself, first and foremost.

Your attitude and frame of mind have an impact on your mood and energy levels. If you’re going to feel your best and get more done then focus on how to get your mental health back on track with these tips. It’s an investment in yourself that you’ll never regret.

Proactively & Healthily Manage Stress

Stress can be okay and even good for you when it comes in waves and is manageable. However, too much of it can cause health problems and a lot of anxiety. You must be proactive about stress management and find healthy coping skills you can apply when life becomes overwhelming. Don’t be afraid to put yourself first and say no to others when you don’t have the time or energy to give. Live a healthy lifestyle and make sure that you eat right, get enough sleep, and exercise regularly. 

Put an Effort into Your Appearance

Your looks can also impact your mood and mental health. You will feel better about yourself and can boost your confidence when you put an effort into your appearance. There are many ways to enhance your looks depending on yourself and what you view as your flaws. For example, you may want to try a new hairstyle or invest in clear braces that will allow you to get straighter teeth from the comfort of your home. Address problem areas head-on and notice how much better you feel when you like the way you look in the mirror. 

Open up & Share with Others

Being vulnerable is tough sometimes but it can truly make you feel great inside when you speak up. Get your mental health back on track by opening up and sharing your feelings with others. Find people who you trust and who will be there for you no matter what. Getting emotions and issues off your chest is a great way to feel happier and less alone and less anxious. Someone you speak to may be able to relate to you or offer advice about how you can proceed. 

Take Breaks & Vacations

Doing too much all the time and rushing around from one activity to the next can wear on you mentally and physically. One way to get your mental health back on track is to take breaks away from your normal routine and responsibilities and take time off from work once in a while. Go on vacation and regroup and reset so you can return home feeling refreshed and re-energized to tackle your to-do list. Even a long weekend away or a staycation can be helpful when you have a lot on your plate. 

Conclusion

These are just some ways you can get your mental health back on track. Remain open to finding other opportunities to do so as you experience success with these. What matters the most is that you feel your best and can function optimally so that you can reach your full potential. 

How to Provide a Better Experience For Your Customers

There are plenty of things you can do for your business that it’ll improve your operations, but when it comes down to it, what really counts is the experience of your customers. If they’re happy, then your business will be in good shape for the future. And if they’re not happy, then long-term success will be hard to come by. If you run a physical store, then there are a bunch of things you can do that’ll push your customer’s experience in the right direction. In this blog, we’ll look at just a few key tips that’ll help. 

Improve Your Store’s Environment

It’s not just the range of products (and the price) that your customers will be looking for when they visit your store. They’ll also want to look for (and buy!) those products in a nice environment. You’ll know from your own shopping experiences how much nicer it is to shop in a store that looks good and has been well-thought-out. If it’s been some time since you made any improvements to this aspect of your store, then perhaps now’s the time. This could involve subtle changes to enhance the look and feel, or, if appropriate, wholesale changes that shift your store’s branding. 

Staff Training and Knowledge

It would be nice if customers knew exactly what they wanted when they came into your store. But that’s rarely the case. Even if they know what they’re looking for, they’ll have questions from time to time. One way to improve your customer’s experience is to invest in your staff’s training and their knowledge of your products. Ultimately, your staff should be able to answer any questions that your visitors have, or, at the very least, have the resources to find the information that they need. By investing in their training, everyone — both staff and customers — will benefit. 

Smooth Checkout Systems

If there’s one thing that annoys customers, it’s having to deal with slow and complicated checkout processes. They might like exploring your store, but if the checkout process is annoying, then they might think twice before visiting you again. As such, it’s recommended to make this aspect of your business as watertight as possible. Adding modern point of sale systems to your cash registers, as well as opening up a new register whenever more than three people are waiting, can ensure that your customers can pay in the most convenient way possible. This will also help your employees since they’ll be less likely to deal with long lines and unhappy customers. 

Rethink Your Stock 

The best stores always look at improving the stock that they carry. They don’t just keep selling the same old things. While there’ll very much be items that you should always stock, it’s important to add new lines. This improves the customer’s experience because it gives them something new to purchase when they visit your store. And in addition, it’ll also show that you’re a business that has an eye on the future, and that can count a lot for customers.