5 Really Useful Tips For Dealing With Toxic Bosses At Work

According to a Gallup research, 75% of employees in the U.S. leave managers and not companies. That isn’t surprising because while poor pay structures, stagnant jobs, and stunted growth are some reasons people quit jobs, dealing with a toxic and condescending boss at work can get extremely challenging.

Considering you spend more than half of your day at your workplace, having a toxic boss not only hinders productivity but is also detrimental to your mental well-being.

To help you out, here are some of the most useful tips for dealing with toxic bosses.

Do your job well

Be observant and keep a check on all the things that irk your boss and you’ll surely find a pattern. Do your job to the best of your ability and make conscious efforts to refrain from giving your boss any reason to point fingers at you.

The best way to stay out of trouble is to effectively communicate with your boss. Make sure you give timely updates, have a solution-driven approach, and don’t shy away from asking questions.

See Also: The Importance of Meeting the Boss Regularly

Respond professionally

Thanks to a difficult boss, you might often find yourself at the receiving end of numerous insults and unreasonable outbursts. However, shouting back is the worst way to deal with it. While you may have the urge to argue, remember that it never ends well and only makes matters worse.

In the middle of an outburst, if you start getting anxious, take a minute to calm down and approach the situation with maturity and grace. It’s always safe to remain calm and respond in a professional manner rather than losing your cool.

Take the learnings

When you stop complaining about your boss’ difficult behavior, you realize that even this unpleasant situation has a silver lining. Apart from learning how NOT to be, there is a lot more you learn by dealing with a toxic boss.

Bad bosses help you toughen up and become more resilient. If taken in the right spirit, they can motivate you to do better and perform well under pressure. While it is easier said than done, these are essential soft skills that can take you a long way in the corporate world.

See Also: 9 Traits of a Great Leader

Think long-term

Amid all the workplace drama, it is natural to forget the bigger picture and lose focus on your job. Yes, your boss makes coming to work a nightmare, but nothing is worth running your career over.

Bosses are transient and should not drive you to take decisions that can prove to be detrimental to your career. Keep your eyes on the end goal and don’t let everyday office politics deter you from reaching your destination. Once you are out of this situation, you will be glad you were patient enough to not derail.

Don’t take it personally

Last but not the least, do not let your boss’ behavior affect your self-esteem and confidence. Their behavior is a result of their own shortcomings and what they say in a fit of anger certainly does not define you.

The best way to deal with your boss’ undue criticism is to be emotionally detached. Form a strong support system at work with whom you can discuss your workplace frustrations. The last thing you want is to take the negativity at work back home and have it ruin your personal life.

Everyone comes across bad bosses at some point in their lives. You can either spend your time whining and let their behavior demotivate you or deal with it maturely and take it in your stride.

While these tips will help you deal with your toxic boss, remember to speak up and escalate matters if your boss’ behavior is getting out of hand. If you ever find yourself to be a victim of verbal abuses, racial discrimination or sexual harassment, you should immediately report it to the human resources department because you have all the rights to.

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7 Great Leadership Traits That Guarantee Success

Whether you like it or not, the success of your career is linked to how good a leader you are. The quality of your leadership is what will enable you to get things done, get noticed, and make progress.

While there is no shortcut to success, there are tips you can use to get the results you’re after. For example, you can get ideas from today’s successful leaders.

With that, here are 7 great leadership traits that will make you successful in no time.

Prioritize Developing Others

If you want to be successful, you need to make sure that the people working for you are doing their best. Just take healthcare professionals as an example.

A 2010 study showed that healthcare leaders who prioritized developing others were more effective. Such leaders can create a working environment that can reduce stress and boost productivity.

So, put your team first and work out what they need.

Check Your Assumptions

Organizations tend to stick to what works. That’s fine when the going’s good, but looking in the rearview mirror won’t help if you’re heading toward a dead end.

Jeffrey Pfeffer argues that successful leaders are able to look beyond shared assumptions. The best leaders aren’t convinced by reports telling them what they already know.

Instead, successful leaders keep their heads up and listen to what their customers and team members tell them. The question they ask is: “Does that feel true?”

Focus on Results

How do you know if you’re doing a good job?

Well, there are a lot of ways to answer that question but successful leaders always focus on the results they’re getting.

Take a leaf out of Stacey Barr’s book and look for objective measures. They’ll teach you how to focus on the most important outcomes so you can see what improvements are needed.

Then you can zero in and push performance to a new level.

Emphasize Teamwork and Collaboration

How does it feel to receive great service?

It’s golden, right?

The secret to every great service experience is that the people responsible for it have learned how to collaborate and work as a team. In most cases, outstanding service isn’t the result of just a single person’s efforts.

You can learn how to be the kind of team leader everyone wants to please. Do what Jim Collins suggests and let every success be the team’s and let every failure be your own.

Inspire and Motivate

John P. Kotter considers these two traits as keys to a leader’s success.

It’s important to set a direction people will follow. However, instead of just pointing people towards that direction, it’s better to make them want to do what’s necessary to get there.

Successful leaders spend time engaging with people and mingling with their teams. They sell their vision and create enthusiasm and commitment. You can start by staying positive and encouraging everyone you meet.

Be A Great Experimenter

How did eBay become successful? Do you think its leaders had a plan?

Interestingly, eBay’s CEO Meg Whitman tells a different story. What made the difference for eBay was trying and tweaking things that felt like they might work.

Leaders who win big understand that you can’t predict the future. It’s better to keep testing and learning from what doesn’t work as much as from what does.

Sounds like you’d better buy that white lab coat.

Be Honest and Tell It Like It Is

Think about the leaders you admire the most. I’ll bet one of the qualities you’ll see is that they have integrity. They do what they say they’ll do and hold themselves to a higher standard.

So, if you want to be a leader, one that other people are ready to die in a ditch for, you’d better be ready to walk the talk.

See Also: The Importance Of Emotional Intelligence For A Leader

In Summary

Everyone’s different and we all have strengths and weaknesses we need to work on.

Working out exactly which leadership traits to develop means developing a better understanding of yourself. You’re unique and your challenges won’t be the same as the next person.

What you can be confident about, however, is that if you develop these 7 great leadership traits, you’ll be following the footsteps of some of the most successful leaders in the world.

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4 Ways You Can Make Money Online By Selling Old Stuff

How to Vape Safely: 12 Tips and Tricks

Vaping has taken the world by storm with more and more people getting interested in it and buying their own vaping kits. While this can be a safer alternative than smoking, it comes with its own hazards.

Discover these tips and tricks on how to vape safely so you can continue to enjoy your vaping experience.

 

Charge Your Device with the Manufacturer’s Charger

Although it might be tempting to charge your vape with any charger you have laying around, it’s best to stick with your manufacturer’s charger that came with the device. This will ensure that your charger is compatible with your vape’s battery. Also, don’t leave your vape plugged in overnight, and follow any instructions that came with your kit.

Check Your Battery Quality

Many vape devices and kits come with powerful lithium-ion batteries. They can also have specific batteries that you’re supposed to use with your device. You never want to use a cheap battery or one that isn’t recommended with your device because this increases the likelihood of having problems. It’s also a good idea to do your own research and look for any product recalls or warnings associated with the battery you want to use.

Consider a Temperature-Controlled Mod

One of the more modern options on many devices is a temperature control setting. It’s healthier as well because the higher temperatures allow several more chemical reactions to take place, and this can lead to an increase in how much formaldehyde is released when you vape. By setting a temperature, you can control how hot your coil gets, and this can reduce the number of chemical reactions that take place.

Keep Good Hydration Levels

This tip is more common sense, but you may be surprised at how many people allow themselves to become dehydrated. If you vape, especially for long sessions, this can leave you feeling dehydrated. It takes away some moisture from your body, so you have to replace it by keeping your fluid intake levels up.

Treat Your E-Liquid with Care

By itself, your e-liquid can be dangerous due to its chemical makeup. Nicotine is actually classified as a poison, and mishandling or improperly storing your e-liquid can lead to dangerous situations. When you handle your e-liquid, make sure that it doesn’t soak into your skin and that you’re storing it at the proper temperatures.

Clean Your Battery Terminal

Once every few weeks, take time to clean your mod’s battery terminal. This can help to improve how well your device performs because there isn’t a layer of dust and debris between your battery and your device. You can gently clean it out with alcohol wipes until you don’t see any residue.

Stop Dry Burning Your Coils

Dry burning means that you press the fire button, but you don’t have an e-liquid or a wick in place when you do so. A lot of vapers dry burn their coils to make sure that they’re getting an even temperature distribution, but this can affect your device’s metal structure. The temperatures can easily get up to 1,290°F or 700°C, and this isn’t good for your mod’s durability.

Monitor Your Device’s Heat

Getting too hot can be hazardous for both you and your device. If you use your mod on a regular basis and you notice that it’s getting very warm to the touch or too hot to hold onto, stop using it right away. Batteries tend to get very hot when you overwork them, and they can even explode or vent. Venting means that your battery is releasing dangerous fumes in an attempt to cool down.

Buy from Reputable Suppliers

It might be tempting to buy your next mod from just anyone on the internet, but this is usually a bad or even dangerous idea. They’re low-cost options because a lot of them lack the built-in safety features that reputable companies have on their mods. It’s worth it to pay a little more to get a known brand from a reputable company.

Be Careful When Charging

Your kit most likely came with a user manual, and this will outline the type of charging port you need to safely and effectively charge your mod’s battery. You don’t want to stick it into any USB port or outlet available because this can have a negative impact on your mod’s life and the battery.

Don’t Chase Clouds

Yes, large plumes of vapor look extremely cool when you’re cloud chasing, but you’re also exposing yourself to more chemicals when you do this. If you find yourself going through a lot of e-liquid each day, take a look at how you’re vaping. Having wisps of vapor is safer than having large plumes because you’re not exposed to the same level of chemicals.

Watch for Faulty Mods

Mods don’t typically fail or cause an injury out of the blue. There are usually warning signs that come way before your mod fails. If you notice your mod glitching, getting too hot, or anything out of the ordinary, stop using it immediately. It’s always better to stop using it until you can find out what’s wrong and fix it or buy a new one than continuing to use a faulty one and increase your chances of an injury.

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5 Easy Ways To Save Money

No matter how well we’re told the economy is doing, we still quite often feel financially squeezed. From rent to the price of dinner, various living costs can take their toll on our bank accounts and leave us with precious little left over at the end of the month.

These days, even getting by requires you to manage your money well – so if you want to save money then it’s crucial you look into ways to cut your budget. That’s unless you plan on winning the lottery, of course.

It doesn’t even have to be difficult and you may not even notice the cutbacks you’re making – especially if you follow these five tips which, when you put them all together, could end up helping make 2018 one of your most successful years ever.

Take your own food and drink to work

Potential annual saving: $1,400

Having leftovers for lunch will give you more of your money left over at the end of the month

Many of us look forward to our lunch breaks. After all, it’s that one chance to kick back for an hour, relax and have some time to ourselves. Having something tasty to eat and drink just adds to the pleasure. Sure, you can go get a tasty sandwich and a juicy smoothie for just a small amount of money. But while this might not seem like it costs a lot, it adds up over the course of the year. Say you spend $4 on a coffee and another $5 on a sandwich – that amounts to $45 a week, and around $2,000 a year.

Smoothies are composed of fruit and veg you probably have in your fridge at home. All you need is a flask and you can whip up one of your own – and avoid the insane mark-ups the smoothie place is charging. Make your own sandwich and you could save even more, and cut your daily meal costs down to between $2 to $3 dollars a day. Over the year this could mean you’re saving 2/3 of the $2,000 you were spending on lunchtime food and drink. That’s almost $1,400 a year – easily the price of a holiday.

Pay less for your rent or mortgage

Potential annual saving: $1,700

For most of us our rent or mortgage payments are our single biggest expenditure each month – with the latter now reported as accounting for the highest proportion of income for seven years. So it seems like the perfect time to see if there are savings to be made.

If you’re renting and coming near to the end of your agreement it could be a good idea to see if your landlord would give you a rent reduction if you agree to stay. It may be that, to save the hassle of finding new tenants when you leave, they’ll agree to cutting the rent.

Granted, a lot of landlords will raise the rent if there’s big demand. However, if you live a little further out, you could threaten to leave if the rent stays the same. Landlords will probably want to keep a trusted tenant who will sign another one year agreement, rather than put themselves through the process of finding a new tenant.

Alternatively, think about moving to an area where the rents may be a bit lower. For example if you’re currently paying $600 a month and move to a $500 a month apartment you’ll be $1,200 better off in a year’s time.

If you’re a homeowner with a mortgage then try to search around for another, better deal with a lower mortgage rate. For example, for an average mortgage of $250,000 being paid back over 30 years, cutting a 5% interest rate to 4% could save you around $1,700 a year.

Make the most of loyalty schemes

Potential annual saving: dependent on provider

They always say that it’s easier for a business to keep existing customers than to win new ones and that’s why so many offer loyalty schemes. Whether they’re the cards you get stamped each time you pay for a coffee, or the number of promotions you get from after shopping at a supermarket, these loyalty schemes reward you based on how much you spend.

Loyalty schemes are becoming much more widely available and are an easy way to save money – wherever you spend it. The very best ones give you the options of using the rewards that you earn either in the store or on the site where you’ve earned them. And it’s not just retailers that are offering them – they’ve even made it into the world of online gambling. On Wink Bingo’s rewards program: ‘You’ve earned it’, for example, you can convert your loyalty points into Bingo bonuses or even to shopping vouchers for your favourite retailers.

It’s a UK site, so there’s one Reward Point for every £1 you wager. Over the course of year you can imagine how much these will mount up.

Register with an online cashback site

Potential annual saving: $500

If you’ve not got into claiming online cashback yet, it’s time you did. It’s one of the easiest ways to save, especially if you do a lot of online shopping. The way it works is simple.

You just need to register with a site like EBates and then whenever you want to shop online at any of the retailers they have links to just click through and make your purchase. It will have been recorded that you’ve come via the cashback site and a percentage of the purchase price will be automatically refunded to you by check. There are some big discounts available, sometimes as high as 50%, and the retailers also often have their own special offers especially for users of the cashback site.

The average saving is around 10%. So if you spend just $100 a week via an online cashback site then you’ll be saving around $500 a year. And if you’re buying essentials instead of luxuries, these are real savings you’ll be making.

Audit your spending

Potential annual saving: potentially $600

Reviewing bank statements is a great way to give yourself a overall view of your spending

Our last tip is to take an overall look at the ways that you could cut down on your living expenses. In this guide, we cover all everything from magazine subscriptions that we’ve taken out and forgotten to cancel, to gym memberships that we just don’t use, and maybe even charity donations that go out of our accounts automatically.

See Also: How to Cut Down Expenses While Living In A Big City

So from time to time it’s well worth going through bank statements and seeing what we could cut from our monthly outgoings. For example, just finding $50 in savings a month will mean $600 more for you each year and you probably won’t even notice the things you’ve given up.

The most important thing to remember when it comes to saving money is that it’s by taking lots of little steps that you’ll see the biggest results. You’ll also need to be patient because in many cases you’re not going to see the savings straight away but when you look back in 12 months’ time you really will see the difference. And then comes the fun part – deciding what you’re going to do with all that extra cash.

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Using Augmented Reality Tech To Save Collaboration

7 Surprising Reasons Public Safety Is At Risk In 2018

Public safety is (and has always been) a major concern. Moving into 2018 and the future, there are many possible new public safety risks that companies and individuals need to be aware of. Are you aware of all the issues faced by the public today?

Ready to learn more about a handpicked selection of them? Let’s dive right into it!

Glitches in The System

If anything can affect our safety and security in the future, it has to be glitches in the system. From self-driving car bugs, to sports stadium software gone wrong, to police scheduling systems breaking, there are many possible reasons the public might be at risk.

Cybersecurity: Hacks, Data Leaks, & Breaches

Cybersecurity is becoming a hot topic moving into 2018. From giant insurance hacks, government data leaks, to SMB database breaches, none of your information is safe anymore. Who knows what offline effect these cybersecurity breaches could bring directly and indirectly.

See Also: Using Zero Trust Network Segmentation To Protect Your Business From Hackers

Gun Violence

Gun control is the hot topic in North America right now. It’s easy to observe that gun violence is statistically rising up the charts. This is an issue that we cannot ignore and requires intervention from diplomats, scholars, politicians and the public before arriving at a conclusion.

Criminal Violence

Physical violence has always been in existence. With access to guns, and the intense pressures of modern culture and a politically charged climate, criminal violence has to be prevented at all costs. The failure to break up feuds and public rants could cause a huge damage to public property.

Vape Dangers

Are you a vaper? People who use vaping apparatus can be a nuisance and can cause public turmoil especially when a short-tempered person confronts a vaper. Vapes are known to explode on rare occasions, so in places like crowded stadiums, it’s something that can easily cause threats to public safety.

Social Engineering

With Facebook and other mass marketing tools now available to all businesses, the ability to mold the subconscious is becoming more prevalent than ever. Be sure to spread a positive message and have the right security measures in place in case of danger.

Natural Disasters

Natural disasters only appear to be increasing and getting more severe as global warming continues to affect us all. It’s important that the government takes all the precautionary steps during times of emergency. More importantly, all the right public safety measures have to be in place when you are planning any events or gatherings where a lot of people will be in one place.

See Also: Safety Tips for Natural Disasters: A Quick Guide On How To Secure Your Property

That was a quick rundown of a small selection of things that we all should be trying to help fix and eradicate in our lives for ourselves and the public. Check out this infographic titled ‘Safety in Numbers’.

Share this article if you agree and feel free to comment any other risk factors associated with public safety!

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How To Work And Travel The World: 10 Helpful Tools

The difference between office and remote jobs is not in the place of work but in the freedom and responsibility. There is no boss who forces you to work and pays the salary at the end of the month. On the contrary, remote workers get paid only for what they actually do. The competition is harsh: there are millions of orders and potential executors so you have to fight for your client.

Three years ago, I left my office job and after a few attempts, I decided to stick to online marketing. Over this period of time, I tried a lot of useful digital tools that helped me to deal with the freelancing duties more efficiently.

In this article, I decided to present you the 10 most productive online tools that can improve the capabilities of any remote worker.

10 Tools to make you a Super-Efficient Remote Worker

It doesn’t matter if you are a copywriter, content manager, blogger, translator, marketer, online teacher, or even a website developer – all these tools can make you better at what you do. Let’s check them out one by one.

Learning Tools:

• Udemy

Udemy is a global learning and tutoring platform which offers more than 55 thousand courses. It allows you to gain new knowledge from anywhere in the world with expert help from professional instructors. This is extremely practical if you want the opportunity to obtain new freelance occupation and become eligible for more job openings. Using one of Udemy’s courses three years ago, I got acquainted with alternative ways to prepare and implement social media campaigns.

• Duolingo

Learning languages while traveling around the world is the best combination to meet different cultures. Duolingo is a digital language learning source that guides you through the basic elements of foreign languages with its friendly user interface and simple functions. I used Duolingo successfully to strengthen my Italian before going to Rome for a few months. It is based on amusing gamification elements and learning through visualization. The navigation is easy and takes you directly to the in-app grammar and vocabulary practices.

Planning Tools:

• Trello

Planning and time management play an essential role in the life of every remote worker. In that regards, you can use Trello as the best agile management solution. Using this software, you can manage projects through the card board and get acquainted with each new phase of the working process. Trello is an excellent planning tool. When I started using it, it helped to see the big picture of all important processes in my life and helped me to determine the direction in which I want to grow

• Rescue Time

Rescue Time is an online tool that improves your everyday habits and makes you more productive in general. I wasn’t even aware of my daily activities and behavior patterns before I started using Rescue Time. It helped me to eliminate distractions such as social networks and other features on my computer. In that regard, Rescue Time monitors your progress over time and you can improve even further once you get used to this way of thinking.

Financial Management Tools:

• On the Job

Remote workers usually can’t keep an eye on their finances easily – or at least I know I can’t. That’s why I suggest you use an app like On the Job, which can assist you in time tracking and invoicing. It makes your personal finances simpler and you won’t struggle with multiple currencies or hourly rates. All you have to do is to set your preferences in On the Job and it will do all of the necessary calculations related to your work.

• Invoice Ninja

Recently I had something like five or six different clients at the same time and it was hard to manage all those bills and payments. Invoice Ninja is a high-quality open-source platform with elements like online invoices, payment alerts, due dates, and other valuable features. I must admit that it set me free from everyday accounting work. It doesn’t only make your financial transactions a lot easier but also a lot faster than traditional payment services.

Presentation tools:

• 24 Slides

 

Presentations are one of the basic models of communication for many professionals, especially marketers. 24 Slides is the presentation design tool with all of the essential graphic design elements. The developers of this app created it to avoid seeing boring slides all over the Internet. To be honest, I also exploited many of these standard templates regularly. However, 24 Slides offered me some fresh and creative template solutions, images, and visuals to make presentations much more attractive than usual.

• Superior Papers

Superior Papers is a group of professionals from various fields of expertise who can help you to create a concept for the presentation and eventually execute the project on their own successfully. From marketing, over finances, all the way to science and IT industry, Best Dissertations offers you a full set of ideas that can make your presentation look perfect. Once I had to deal with the unknown topic of mobile app branding and these guys made sure that I don’t embarrass myself.

Web Development Tools:

• Coda

Coda is the web development application for macOS. As an amateur in this field, I still managed to handle this tool for coding, testing, and reference, which means that it’s really simple. With its six units, web developers get an efficient text editing tool. Coda allows you to open and handle your files both locally and remotely. It has a simple user interface – a very convenient feature for remote workers who travel a lot.

• Espresso

Espresso is the Mac web editor. It has numerous interesting website development features and gives you the opportunity to get creative at work. You can design and combine various elements, while Espresso makes real-time saves and updates. With this app, it is easy to customize the toolbar and make several changes at once.

Conclusion

Remote work gives you a lot of freedom but also the responsibility to manage your time successfully. In order to get the job done, you often need some kind of help. Fortunately, you can find it in some of many online tools. In this article, I presented you the 10 most fruitful tools that can help you to work and travel at the same time. Give them a try and let me know in the comments which ones you liked the most.

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Building Your Personal Brand: 3 Ways To Stand Above The Noise

When people think about brands it’s easy to picture the titans of industry. The Apple’s, Amazon’s, Walmart’s, Coke’s and Google’s of the world are established brands that customers gravitate towards. However, you don’t have to be part of a big-name company to establish a strong personal brand.

In today’s ever more competitive business landscape, it’s even more important to differentiate yourself from your competitors. What can you do to ensure that your customers remember you and that you establish yourself as an expert in your desired industry? In this article, I’ll share a few strategies you can use to do just that.

Starting a blog

This is a strategy I’ve utilized over the past 2 years to build my presence online. From as early as 1994, blogs have been used to spread ideas and create brands online. Although the advent of video streaming services such as YouTube has reduced the effectiveness of blogs, they’re still a great way to refine your writing skills and establish yourself as an expert in your field.

Before starting your blog, it’s important to determine what content you’ll provide. In my case, my content centers around Millennial personal and professional development topics. Defining your niche will help you focus your message so that your target audience can find you and become raving fans.

Now that you’ve determined what you want to write about, it’s time to write your first blog post. Remember to keep your post short and sweet. If your blog post drags on too long, your audience will lose interest. A good rule of thumb is to keep your post under 1500 words.

Once you’ve written your first post, decide where you want to share it. I generally share my content on my personal blog, LinkedIn, Facebook, Medium, and Twitter. The more platforms you share your work, the more exposure you’ll build over time. For more information on how to start your own blog, check out a helpful article I wrote on the subject here.

See Also: Smart Tips On How to Become A More Productive Blogger

Writing a book

What’s one thing most famous thought leaders have in common? I’d wager to say that they all have published works that they reference regularly. Although it will require a time commitment, there’s no better way to establish yourself as an expert in your field than by writing a well-researched book on the subject.

The credibility you gain as a published author cannot be understated. I’ve secured speaking opportunities just because an event organizer saw my book online and thought I could provide valuable insights to their audience. For a great reference on how to get started writing your first book, I’ve provided a helpful article I wrote on the subject here.

Now that you have you’re completed book in hand, there are a few ways you can monetarily capitalize on your efforts:

First, you can seek to become a speaker and thought-leader in your industry. If this is the route you’d like to take, start by reaching out to a different conference, convention and meet up organizers to inquire about speaking opportunities. Organizers are constantly looking for speakers to engage their audiences with unique content.

If your area of expertise aligns with the premise of the conference, you may be able to secure a spot to speak at the event. Although your first few speaking engagements will probably be free of charge, these engagements will be the foundation on which you begin building your brand. Eventually, as your notoriety increases and your brand grows, event organizers will seek you out and pay a fee for your speaking services.

Secondly, you can offer coaching services related to your area of expertise. Whether you’re an expert in gardening, fly fishing, coding or anything in between, there are people who want to learn more about your subject of interest. As an example, you may be thinking “How am I ever going to land coaching clients who are interested in learning how to fly fish?”

Well, the best way to reach people who meet these criteria is to share your expertise with them! Frequent fly fishing social media groups and answer the questions being asked. Reach out to fly fishing organizations and see if they’d be willing to let you come speak at their meetings. At the end of your speech, share that you also offer coaching services.

Set up a webinar or write a blog post about a particular aspect of fly fishing, then express how you also provide coaching services. The more you share your ideas and issue your call to action, the more people will take you up on your offer.

See Also: How To Find Great Ideas For Writing A Story

Creating a YouTube channel

This is an area I’ve decided to focus more heavily on this year. One of my yearly goals is to grow my YouTube following by posting content regularly. Video content has become an ever more important medium to share ideas.

According to a MediaKix SURVEY, if given the choice between reading an article or watching a movie of the same content, 4 out of 5 millennials say they prefer the digital option. Not only that but the overall decrease of blog traffic in recent years means video is slowly becoming the future of content delivery.

Starting your YouTube journey is relatively simple. You’ll first need to create a YouTube account and set up your cover photo. The cover photo is one of the first things potential new subscribers will see when they arrive on your YouTube channel homepage so it’s important to make a good first impression.

I recommend contracting the logo design out to a reputable designer who knows how to create a logo that will make your channel home screen pop. Next, you’ll want to create a short 1-2-minute video describing what subscribers can expect from your channel. It’s important that your video is filmed in a well-lit room and that the sound quality is excellent.

Once your homepage is ready, it’s time to start creating new video content. Although YouTube stars make it look easy, creating YouTube videos is actually quite the opposite. It took me over 2 hours to record my first YouTube video because I kept messing up in front of the camera. As a result, I filmed over 20 takes before eventually settling on editing various clips to make my final video. I used iMovie on my cell phone to edit my early videos. I plan on investing in editing software this month to ensure that my future videos are of higher visual quality.

Finally, making sure that you post content consistently will help separate you from the pack. Regardless of whether you post daily, weekly or monthly, make sure you get on a consistent schedule. This will help you build momentum and establish a relationship with your target audience. The road to building a far-reaching brand is a long one but can be extremely lucrative if you’re willing to put in the time and effort. What other tips and strategies have you used in the past to build your brand? I’d love to hear from you.

P.S.

My book recommendation for this article is “Stand Out” by Dorie Clark. In the book, Dorie shares her unique insights on how to grow your personal brand and establish yourself as a thought leader in your industry. I loved the array of stories Dorie shared about successful entrepreneurs who built their brands from scratch. Many of these individuals were able to build large and devout followings utilizing various social mediums including blogs, YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn etc. I highly recommend the book and have provided the link below:

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How to Successfully Get Back Together After A Break Up

Karen felt hopeful when she and her ex-boyfriend initially got back together. After a stormy breakup and a painful month apart, they gradually began to communicate with one another. It was healing for her to be able to finally get all that was unsaid out into the open.

For the first time in a very long while, Karen felt listened to. It also seemed that her boyfriend was open, honest, and that they were figuring things out.

Now that they’ve settled as a couple again, her hopes and positive attitude about the future of her relationship are fading. While a few of the agreements that Karen and her boyfriend made to bolster trust and healthy communication have continued, many of their old and disconnecting habits have resurfaced.

It’s starting to feel like “business as usual” and Karen doesn’t like that at all. She’s beginning to wonder if getting back together was a big mistake.

Reuniting with your ex can be a joyous time, but it can also bring with it doubts, fears, and more of the same dynamics that tore you apart in the past.

The Extra Baggage

We all bring emotional baggage to our relationships.

When your emotional baggage is from your past relationship with your current partner, things can get confusing. Despite your best efforts, you may find yourself reacting to your partner in a more intense way because of something that happened long ago and before you broke up.

Aside from these expectations and the baggage from the past, there is a good possibility that you and your partner will fall into habitual patterns. Humans tend to do what we’re most accustomed to doing– this happens in relationships, too.

When we get triggered, tense or tired, we revert back to those habits that we know so well- even those that have not been in our (or our relationship’s) best interests in the past.

Before you consider a reunion, here are the best tips on how to successfully get back together after a break-up.

Identify what makes you two apart

At first glance, it might seem obvious to you that your partner’s dishonesty, inability to communicate, blocks to intimacy, flirting, and jealousy are what’s ripping you two apart again.

It’s best if you take a deeper and broader look. It’s probably your partner’s or your habits that are causing the problem. However, there’s most likely a lot more going on, too.

Set an intention to be an observer and not a critic. Then, pay closer attention to how you and your partner interact on a day-to-day basis and when stressful or triggering situations arise.

Notice what happens to communication, intimacy, trust, and more. Think about what happens when your partner appears to have closed down to you.

For the moment, try to understand the dynamics between the two of you. Your goal is to figure out what leads you to move further away from one another so that you can make some changes.

Own your share of the disconnecting habits

Once you have a clearer and broader picture of what’s potentially taking you and your partner away from one another, take responsibility.

Let’s be clear here.

We’re NOT encouraging you to take the blame or to let your partner “off the hook.” This won’t help your relationship. What you have the most control over is what YOU think, say, and do. That’s why this is such a powerful place for insight and action.

Be the observer for a little while longer and notice how you’re contributing to the problems in your relationship. You may not be the one starting the arguments but you’re probably making things more heated.

Stepping back and watching your own behaviors can be transformational to you and to your relationship.

Stay focused on what you DO want

This is a time to clear up your past and let it go. Holding onto resentments and allowing unresolved conflicts to build is only going to hurt your relationship in the long run. Do what you need to do to be more present and aware of your relationship.

Be honest with yourself. If it has become apparent that staying together is unwise and that it would be better for you and your partner to end your relationship and remain apart, honor that.

But if you and your mate are truly willing to do what it takes to create the kind of relationship you both want and you see signs that changes are happening, here’s what we urge you to do…

Make sure you are orienting yourselves toward what you DO want.

Instead of hiding the truth, make a genuine promise to speak honestly and openly and do it.

Rather than telling one another that you will stop yelling and arguing, set up some “ground rules” that are reasonable for how you WILL communicate respectfully as you resolve conflicts. Then, put them into practice.

This kind of a shift in perspective can be subtle, but the effects make a big difference.

See Also: 5 Signs Your Romantic Relationship Is Worth Fighting For

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7 Easy Ways To Spring Clean Your Health

Spring isn’t just the best time to clean your home. To ensure that your body stays in great shape, you should also take it as a time to take a good look at your health. To help you get started, here are 7 ways to spring clean your health.

Get Outside

Most Americans (as much as 50% of us) spend way too much time indoors. As we age, our outdoor time tends to decrease even more. A lot of that time is spent in front of TVs, computer screens, and other unhealthy activities.

Getting outside even for a few minutes every day can be a big mood and immune system booster. It can also increase your Vitamin D levels.

Low levels of Vitamin D have been linked to a number of health issues including insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and low immune function.

Get Active

Regular physical activity has many benefits. It can promote better cardiovascular health, normal blood sugar, and fewer episodes of depression and anxiety.

Don’t care for the gym?

Now that it’s getting warmer and getting dark later, it’s the perfect time to get outdoors to get more activity. Spring is a great time to find new ways to get fit. You can go for a run, hike or bike ride.

Find a group of friends who also want to get in shape so you don’t have to go alone. Outdoor activity can be more fun if you have friends with you.

Don’t forget to take a look at and replace any workout shoes that are worn out or that you have been using for over a year. They can make you prone to injuries and pain after.

Check Your Sleep Routine

An inconsistent sleep pattern can have serious implications on your health. So, take this time to start making it a priority.

Do you have trouble falling asleep?

Try developing a regular schedule that includes exercise, chamomile tea, yoga, turning off electronics, and setting an alarm even on your days off.

See Also: Importance Of Sleep: How It Can Put Your Health In Serious Jeopardy

Find Ways To Reduce Your Stress

High stress levels can also have serious consequences on your health as it plays a role in the development of many illnesses and chronic diseases. Find some time each day to put away your work and take time to de-stress.

If you can, get rid of some of the things that are stressing you out or stealing your peace of mind. Finding even 30 minutes a day to devote to meditation, deep breathing, reading, a hobby or just taking time for yourself can make a huge difference.

See Also: The Profound Effects Of Meditation On The Mind

Eat More Fruits And Vegetables

Winter meals often consist of heavier comfort foods. They are often full of carbs and can lack the important nutrients your body needs.

Spring can be a great time to plant your own healthy fruits and veggies, visit a farmer’s market or try new fruits and vegetables that are now in season. Most don’t need a lot of prep work. You can even freeze them for future meals.

Check Your Medicine Cabinet

As you are decreasing clutter in your home, don’t neglect your medicine cabinet. Check the expiration dates on your medications and get rid of anything outdated- even if they look or smell good.

The same goes for your makeup. Eye makeup should be tossed after three months. Anything else should not be hanging around for more than a year.

Schedule A Wellness Exam

Are you up to date on your immunizations, colonoscopy, mammogram, PAP tests, and dental exams?

Wellness exams are a perfect time to talk to your doctor about any screening labs and tests. You should take them depending on your health history, family history, and age group.

Don’t skip it just because you are healthy. Wellness exams are key in preventing and detecting illness and disease in their early stages.

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How to Get Out of Credit Card Debt Fast

Credit cards come with a sense of power. There is nothing you cannot buy using that piece of plastic. With its power, however, comes the illusion that you can easily buy everything.

Because of that, more and more people are finding themselves drowning in credit card bills. And the less they are able to pay those bills, the more their finances suffer.

The average American household has a credit card debt of around $4,400 as of the first quarter of 2018. Each family has an average of 3 cards from various service providers.

That is an alarming piece of stat and it shows why the total credit card debt of America has risen to a staggering $1 trillion in the recent times.

In 2017, credit card debt reached its highest possible level ever due to increasing interest rates, increasing prices of commodities and services, and the habit of spenders to use their cards indiscriminately for every payment.

How can you manage your multiple credit card payments?

If you find yourself spiraling, you can always take the help of credit card debt consolidation loans. This will reduce the number of payments you make each month.

In case you are wondering how to get out of credit card debt fast, here’s what you should do

• Get your FICO credit report. This will give you a detailed update on your credit score.
• Find a non-profit service that offers credit card debt counseling exclusively for personal users.
• Look for debt consolidation loans that can cover your credit card bills in the future at a much lower cost.
• Do not cancel your credit cards or stop using them. Regularly using your card is one way to build your FICO score. Just use them sparingly to pay your electricity bills, medical bills, grocery bills, and fuel expenses.

What are two alternatives to debt consolidation loans?

Debt snowballing and debt avalanche are other ways that can help you pay off your credit card bills. Although they are distinct debt payment procedures, they are quite alike in that both of them need you to pay off the minimum on all your credit card debts except one.

Debt snowballing

According to this method, you start with the smallest balance and progress towards the largest one during the time of payment. This process is independent of the interest rates on each debt. So, just grab the credit card with the least debt and start by paying that off.

Debt avalanche

This one goes through debt payments in the absolute opposite direction. You start with the largest payment and move to the smallest gradually. Economically, this makes sense since you will pay less in interest if you follow this order of payment.

Why can debt snowballing and debt avalanche be bad for your financial health?

In reality, both methods can be debilitating for your credit score. Meeting the minimum payment requirements for your credit cards is not such a great idea. Debt snowballing and debt avalanche might work with invoice factoring and payday loans that do not have any direct links to your FICO score.

These two processes are not effective when:

• You need to pay off large amounts over a long period.
• A balance transfer is not an option.
• You can easily qualify for a good and sensible consolidation loan.
• Your new loan comes at a significantly lower rate.

For credit card debts, always paying the best you can towards the company charging the highest interest is the better idea. A debt consolidation loan can help with a new loan at a much lower interest and better APR to pay off your outstanding credit card bills.

If you think you cannot manage a large amount of money and pay the credit card companies off on time, you should seek the help of a debt consolidation program as well. Several new and approved credit card debt consolidation programs and debt consolidation companies focus on the needs of individual credit card holders.

What should compulsive credit card users know about debt consolidation loans?

The new loan will make the payment periods a lot better and manageable. However, without a proper check on your spending habit, you will fall right back into the quicksand of payment and surmounting bills.

Start by setting a maximum spending limit on each card. Find out the minimum compulsory expense on each card that you need to meet in order to rebuild your credit score.

Each month, cut down on expenses. For example, switch from a luxury brand of soap to a store brand for the time being. You might smell less than awesome but your finances will feel amazing!

Download a holistic monthly budget template so you can chart your monthly income, expense, overheads, and penalties. This will help you make sense of the top priority payments and cut the unwanted expenses weighing your finances down.

The kind of loan and debt consolidation loan company you pick can make all the difference in your finances. Always remember that your credit card debt is already unsecured. You do not want to convert that to a secured debt at any cost. Always stick to an unsecured debt as long as you can.

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Cryptocurrency Trading for Beginners: How Can You Get Started?

Cryptocurrency has been a hot topic lately and a lot of people are getting interested in cryptocurrency trading for beginners.

Now, how do you even go about buying it?

Much like stocks, many cryptocurrencies are also traded on exchanges. You input your preferred fiat currency and use that capital to buy, sell or trade various forms of cryptocurrency.

You can either own a coin directly or you can trade in a contract for difference, owning a position with a broker. You’ll have to choose based on things like security of the trading platform, how currency is stored once purchased, which fiat currency you can input, currency input methods, and more.

Cryptocurrency Exchanges Options

• Binance – Only supports crypto-to-crypto exchanges and does not accept any form of fiat currency into the system. Very low maker and taker fees and no reported security issues.
• GDAX – Owned by Coinbase but aimed at professional clients. Accepts U.S. dollars, British Pounds, and Euros through bank transfers as well as cryptocurrencies. No maker fees and moderate taker fees and no reported security breaches.
• Bitstamp – A great platform for European investors, it does not charge for conversion of fiat currency when Euros are deposited through SEPA. U.S. dollars are also accepted with a fee. There are moderate maker and taker fees and there was a major hack in 2015 that lost $5 million worth of cryptocurrency through hot wallets.
• Kraken – Probably the most versatile exchange in terms of fiat currencies accepted and with no security issues and moderate maker and taker fees. It’s a great option for international users.
• Bitfinex – This is a popular exchange for American and European traders due to high liquidity of assets. However, there was a serious security breach in 2016 that cost investors $65 million.
• Bittrex – This is an exchange with a solid security record that is great for beginner investors. Only cryptocurrency is accepted into the exchange and there are moderate maker and taker fees.
• Bithumb – Based in South Korea, this exchange has low maker and taker fees but recently experienced a massive data breach.
• Gemini – Founded by the Winklevoss twins who rose to fame in their lawsuit alleging that Mark Zuckerberg stole Facebook from them.  There are moderate maker and taker fees but no security issues at this time.

Best Investment Strategies For Cryptocurrency

Just like investing in stocks, investing in cryptocurrency requires a sound investment strategy. Diversify your portfolio by investing in more than one cryptocurrency or ICO. That way, you’re able to protect your funds when volatility strikes.

Remember to invest slowly and incrementally, too.

Don’t panic when volatility strikes and pull your investment out while it is low. And most importantly, don’t invest what you can’t afford to lose.

There are also three types of orders you can use to buy and sell cryptocurrency.

A market order allows you to buy and sell at whatever the market is when you place the order. It is the most susceptible to slippage.

Less susceptible to slippage is a stop order. It allows you to set conditions on buying and selling.

The only way to avoid slippage, however, is to use a limit order. It allows you to set the price at which you are willing to buy or sell your cryptocurrency.

See Also: Cryptocurrency Is On The Rise: Are You Prepared?

All Investments Come With Risk

Investing can be scary, but a little bit of knowledge and preparation can help you make the best decisions possible. Many of the strategies are the same as mainstream investing strategies.

Learn more about cryptocurrency investing options and cryptocurrency exchange platforms from this infographic. Are you ready to dive into crypto?

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The 3 Important Rules For Happiness You Should Be Following

The sun is shining, your friends are over for a barbecue and the wine has mellowed your mood. With those things, it is not so hard to be happy.

Unfortunately, the sun doesn’t shine every day, at least not in my place.

And as your friends get families, they won’t have so much time for your barbecues anymore. And wine, well, it is both your best friend and your worst enemy. Those afterdays, remember?

There must be better ways to be happy, right?

Let me introduce you to the 3 rules for happiness. They are really quite simple but they are powerful.

Once you master these rules, you won’t need sunshine or barbecues to put a smile on your face. You will be smiling even when the rain comes pouring down, when your steaks get charred on the grill or even when your friends give you the cold shoulder. You will become a peaceful warrior against unhappiness.

Life is a mystery

Life is never quite what you expect it to be. Plans have a tendency to go sideways and things usually don’t turn out the way you intended them to go.

Why?

Everyone will recognize this feeling when something bad happens: Why me? Why now?

The amount of time people spend on such – honestly, quite futile – questions is immense. It must be in our human nature to want to try and understand the things life throws at us. But what a waste of time it is!

So, that’s what the first rule for a happy life is about- to accept the paradoxical nature of life.

It will give you wonderful things and at the same time take something else in return. It is never what it seems, making it all so very hard to understand. Life is a paradox, self-contradictory, and often logically unacceptable. Which is why you will never find an answer to all these ‘Why’ questions you have.

Instead of asking all of these questions and wasting precious time, you should convince yourself to accept the paradoxical nature of life. Accept that there are things beyond your understanding. Accept that fighting this paradox is really just an exercise in futility.

Stop wasting your time and embrace the quirky nature of life. Life is messed up, so what? Laugh at it, accept it, and stop wasting your time on all these impossible-to-answer questions.

That doesn’t mean you should put all your feelings away. Just don’t wallow in them.

If something bad happens, say your house burns down, please shout, cry, and ask the heavens why. But do that for only five minutes. Don’t get trapped and pull yourself out in time.

Bad things happen and no one knows why. Accept it and don’t linger. Go on with your life and build a new house.

Keep a sense of humor

This world is full of serious people. Just take a ride on the bus and you will see all these self-absorbed faces. There hardly is any smile to be found.

From these faces, you could start thinking life is one long heavy struggle- and at times it is. Put a smile on your face and the world will already start looking brighter. This is one of the rules for happiness that works like a charm.

You see, a good sense of humor is quintessential to a happy life. Take note that it’s not just laughing at the odd joke or a funny Youtube video. You need to be able to see the humor in everything that happens.

All things can be funny. It’s mainly a matter of how you look at it. And of all the things you should laugh at, you are the most important subject. Keep a sense of humor, especially about yourself. It will really make you stronger.

So, why is humor so important?

It’s because humor is transformational. Humor can turn people, events, and objects into something else. With a good sense of humor, you are able to turn a terrible situation into something positive. The moment you put a smile on your face and you laugh out loud, you will feel something else inside- joy and a basic sense of happiness.

At first, it may not seem easy to see the humor in the bad stuff of life. But there is no need to start at level 10. Start with everyday scenes.

Whenever your boss marches in, telling you off, try and visualize him wearing nothing but his underwear. Those old-fashioned white briefs, you know? Or visualize him on the toilet, with his pants down, out of toilet paper.

You will notice your mouth will start to itch, a grin struggling to emerge. And the whole situation will feel less bad, really!

And don’t forget to laugh at yourself, your silly plans, and your crazy habits. Try and visualize your future self with a party hat on, in front of your new team, singing Old MacDonald Had a Farm. That’s sure to put your ambitions into perspective.

See Also: Happiness Techniques From Around The World That Can Change Your Life

Everything changes

So, now you accept life as it is and learned to laugh at yourself and your evil boss. Is that all you need to know to lead a happy life?

No, there is still the third rule: everything changes.

Nothing ever stays the way it was. You buy a new car and after a month, there’s a scratch on it already. You’ve got this wonderful job for 10 years and then the company restructures and you get fired. Everything always changes.

Don’t fight it!

Unknowingly, we all constantly try to fight change. We like the way things are and are doing everything we can to keep it that way. And it never works.

No matter how hard you try, your family will change as your kids grow older. You will get wrinkly and your parents will die. These changes are inevitable and fighting them will make you very unhappy.

Some remedy this by constantly causing change themselves. They will switch jobs as frequently as they change their underwear and they will spend more time traveling the world than being at home. These people don’t embrace change; they only make it more predictable by causing it themselves. In the long run, that won’t help.

The only way to deal with change properly is by embracing it and convincing yourself everything will change and that this is okay.

How to embrace change?

That’s not so easy but it helps to prepare yourself for changes. Rather than hiding for this future you fear, visualize it. Spend a moment or two thinking about the future you.

What your face would be like with some extra wrinkles and how that would change you?

You would still be the same person, right?

Think about what would happen if you would lose your job. Perhaps, you would have to leave your house. You might lose your wife and family as well. Or would you?

Humans are survivors and when you are flexible and creative, you are able to turn every bad situation into an opportunity to better your life.

By accepting the paradoxical nature of life and that things are not always predictable and understandable, you will lose some of your fear of change. And humor will help you put these terrible changes into perspective.

See Also: 9 Baby Steps To Happiness For The Naturally Gloomy

In conclusion

There is no single road to happiness but these three rules of happiness are definitely worth a try. And these rules are not mine, by the way.

They were formulated by Dan Millman in his epic novel “Way of the Peaceful Warrior”. They helped me a lot when I was going through some rough patches in my life and they will help you.

To gain a deeper understanding of these rules, I would very much recommend you read Dan Millman’s novel yourself. It really will change your life!

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6 Yoga Contraindications You Need to Know

Yoga has now become very popular all over the world. Because of its physical, mental, and spiritual benefits, it has become a hit for people of all gender and age group.

Yoga mainly consists of various Asanas that give flexibility and strengthen the muscles of the body. It helps in reducing stress, provides better relaxation, and aids in detoxifying the body. Overall, it can bring balance to your body.

Although beneficial to the body, yoga isn’t really for everyone. If not done properly, it can put you at risk of injuries in the neck, back, and shoulders. It can also cause torn muscles and herniated disks.

If you want to make sure that the exercise is for you, here are the most common yoga contraindications you need to know.

Heart problems

Though yoga is not a vigorous exercise, there are specific asanas that may not be suitable for a heart patient.

If you have been diagnosed with a heart condition or if you feel pain in the heart while doing normal physical activities, it is best to consult your doctor first before enrolling in a class. He is the best person to decide whether yoga is for you or not.

See Also: 10 Habits That Can Prevent Heart Disease

Imbalance in the ear fluid

There are people who lose their balance without any reason. Some even lose their consciousness with position changes. If you have experienced any of those things, it’s best to get your ear checked.

An imbalance in the fluid in your ears can affect your stability. This won’t only make it hard for you to complete the poses but it can also put your safety at risk.

Fracture

If you have suffered a hip, knee or back fracture as a result of a fall, then it is better to consult a doctor. Some asanas can worsen your pain and aggressively hurt you. Similarly, a person with a spinal problem should not perform yoga without consulting a doctor, too.

If your doctor allowed you to practice yoga, consider enrolling in a class and getting the help of a professional yoga teacher. He or she can help you learn the best poses that won’t compromise your bones and body.

Unsteady blood pressure and sugar level

If your blood pressure is unsteady or if your blood sugar level fluctuates drastically, then it is best to consult a doctor before starting a yoga session. Certain inversion poses and forceful breathing can increase your blood pressure and cause problems.

Glaucoma

If you are pre-diagnosed with glaucoma, avoid inversion poses, like the headstand and shoulder stand. Such poses can worsen your condition as they can cause the pressure in your eyes to increase.

Infectious diseases

Certain asanas that are physically demanding and which involve deep breathing and retention can be harmful to you if you have an infectious disease. Before you get started with yoga, consider getting treated first.

In practice, most people do not consult a doctor prior to yoga practice. In fact, it is not mandatory for all to see a doctor.

However, if you fit in one of the following criteria, make sure to visit your physician first:

• If you are a male and above 45 years of age or a female above 55 years of age
• If you have a family history of heart ailment
• If you are currently a smoker or quit smoking within the past six months
• If you have high blood pressure
• If you have cholesterol
• If you have diabetes or have a family history of diabetes
• If you are obese and lead a sedentary lifestyle
• If you are pregnant or given birth within the past 3 months

Thus, in a nutshell, yoga is good as far as it is done in moderation and under the supervision of a trained practitioner. Listen to your body at all times. If you feel that the stretching and pulling are too much for you, stop immediately. If you already have any medical condition like back pain, you should inform the instructors beforehand so that they can modify the poses for you.

See Also: Yoga and Health: From Better Mental Health To Improved Sleep Quality

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What to Say to Someone Who Cheated On You

If your worst fears have been confirmed and you have discovered that your partner is cheating on you, you are probably wondering what to do now. There is likely some part of you that wants to find a way to inflict as much pain as possible on the cheater, but is that really the best way to handle things? Probably not.

So, what do you do?

Take a look at the tips below to help you get your thoughts in order before you approach your partner.

Let it out

Take some time to express your thoughts and emotions but not to your partner yet. Cry, scream, break a plate, and do whatever will make you feel better. No matter which you choose, do it on your own and in private.

What you are feeling can be overwhelming and potentially lead you to destructive, emotionally driven actions. They will not gain you the results you need so, allow yourself to fully express your emotions first.

Stop and think

Once you’ve expressed your feelings in private, sit down and give some thought to your situation.

Did you see this coming? Were there signs along the way? Did the cheating happen for reasons that you can determine?

Consider the evidence

Now, think about what evidence you have.

Is it irrefutable? Could there be any chance that you have misunderstood the situation?

If you are certain that things are as they seem, you will need to make plans for your next steps.

Evaluate your past and future

Time to reflect upon your relationship. You became a couple for a reason but are the things that brought you together still there in any way? Is this the first time this has happened or have you been through this in the past?

Consider what you had wanted for your future. If the infidelity had not occurred, where did you see your future together?

What do you want

Aside from hurting your partner in some comparable way, think about what you want to do next. If you have a family and a life together, considering what you want now and in the future is crucial.

Keep in mind that keeping your marriage together after an affair is possible. Getting past it will take work but it can be done. But, is that what you want?

Write it down

Writing things down offers several benefits for you. Moving through your thoughts and feelings as you put them on paper or a screen will help you sort them out. It will also allow you to approach a conversation more calmly and in a more prepared manner than if you just start talking.

Talk

Set a schedule where both of you can focus in an uninterrupted way as this conversation will not be easy. Know ahead of time that emotions will run high and you will have to do your best to stay calm and rational about things.

There is no way to determine how a conversation like this will go. It is possible that it may not go well at all. It is also likely that in order to get through things, you will need to seek the help of a professional counselor.

In Conclusion

There are many couples who are able to work through cheating and come out stronger and closer.

If you have found yourself in this situation, try using the above tips as a guide to get started. Be open to seeking counseling if needed and be committed to making things work.

See Also: How to Rebuild A Relationship After Cheating

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The Negative Effects of Technology in Child Development

The number of hours that children spend on their devices and technical gadgets has increased exponentially. This is causing a lot of parents to feel alarmed as there are several negative effects of technology on child development.

It Slows Down The Brain

Nowadays, children do not get enough exercise. They spend most of their time with their gadgets. This lack of exercise is extremely bad for their physical and mental health because it can slow down their development.

In addition to this, extreme use of technology may cause kids to become dyslexic which can cause their brains to not grasp things quickly enough.

Outdoor activities and more exercise are important in kids’ development stage as they can encourage positive behavior, enabling them to gain confidence.

It Increases Risk of Cancer

Cellular phones and computer screens emit radiation which can increase the risk of cancer, especially in young children. This is why even the American Society of Cancer also discourages the use of such devices.

It Delays Cognitive Development

The cognitive development of children between 2 to 3 years old can be adversely affected if they use devices for long periods of time. At this particular age, kids should learn and develop visual skills, spatial skills, and motor skills in order to lead a normal life. Such skills are developed by playing outside or by exercising.

It Causes Eye Strain

A lot of children face eye problems when they sit in front of a television or a laptop screen for hours on end. These devices emit radioactive rays that can be very harmful to the eyes of children because they are still developing.

In addition to this, eye strain can lead to eye fatigue, blurry vision, and focus issues, which can be very irritating and dangerous.

As stated by the U.S. Center for Disease and Prevention, children that spend 8 hours a day playing video games and watching television can experience vision problems. Children may develop nearsightedness when they spend too much time with gadgets and devices.

Normally, this is temporary because the eyes recover when they shift their attention to a non-screen activity.

It Leads to Bad Posture

Handheld devices like phones, tablets, and some laptops promote bad posture in children because of the way they spend time bent over their screens. Bad posture can cause misalignment and subluxation in the spinal cord, which can result in serious issues.

How To Protect Your Kids From The Negative Effects of Electronic Screens?

While harmful, your children can be protected with a little care by following these measures:

• Monitor Screen Time

Calculate the child’s screen time. Once you’ve done so, break it up throughout the day to avoid problems.

• Increase Outdoor Activities

Make sure that your child knows what he’s missing out if he chooses to stay inside and watch his favorite cartoons. Encourage him to go the park and play with his friends or chase the dog around the garden.

If necessary, put up a swing set, sandbox or swimming pool so that the child can enjoy himself during outdoor activities. This way, he’ll be able to spend a little more time physically exercising both his mind and body.

• Don’t Distract Your Children with Electronics

Usually, if parents are busy, they’ll just hand the child a gadget to play with. Instead of doing that, get the child crayons and coloring books, action figures, puzzle cubes, and creative toys.

• Monitor Sleep Cycles

A child’s mind is very active and needs around 10 hours of sleep daily. This puts the child’s cognitive abilities to rest and reduces the strain he’s had during the day. Make sure that your child gets enough sleep to function well the next day.

• Exercise Eyes on a Regular Basis

Teach your child self-care. Tell them to take blink breaks when their eyes ache as this will reduce the strain and ease any pain. Doctors recommend the 20-20-20 rule.

Make sure your child takes a twenty-minute break to focus on something twenty feet away for a period of twenty seconds.

• Make sure that the child sits at a specific distance

During any gadget interaction, make sure that your children are at least 20 inches away from the electronic screen. Even if your child is watching television, keep the screen at a distance. If the child prefers getting close to the screen, consult an eye doctor.

• Device usage in the dark and sunlight isn’t recommended

Most gadgets these days come with built-in auto brightness settings. This feature adjusts the device’s brightness according to the surrounding light. Using electronic gadgets in the dark and in a lot of light can cause strain on the child’s eyes.

In Conclusion

It is always wise to take all the necessary precautions beforehand. So, make sure that you follow all of these measures to ensure your child’s safety in the long run. Remember, too much exposure to electronic devices can seriously damage children’s health and development.

Although technology provides the entertainment and technology kids need, there are many other ways to keep them entertained. You can encourage them to try outdoor sports and games with other kids, which can be very healthy and enjoyable at the same time.

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