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Thursday, December 28, 2023

Getting Through Hard Times

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We all struggle from time to time. Whether it’s work that’s getting you down, financial woes, relationship troubles, or issues within your family, these challenges can take a toll on your mental health and quality of life. Sometimes there are practical solutions that can address the problem and find a way out. But often, there is no immediate course of action that can right the wrong.


Sometimes you just need to find a way to get through the hard times until you see light at the end of the tunnel. It’s important to have coping mechanisms and distractions to take your mind off the hardship and remind you what life is all about.


So if you are going through some tough times right now, the following tips are designed to help you out of the darkness.

Seek advice

Whatever you are going through, there are plenty of people who have been in the same boat. Maybe you have a friend or relative who has gone through a similar situation. Why not get in touch and talk to them about your issues. There is no doubt they will be empathetic and may even provide some nuggets of wisdom to help you cope a little better. There are plenty of books, forums, and support groups for people going through all kinds of challenges. And even religion can be a source of solace in difficulty. There are numerous bible verses about strength in hard times that can help you gain some perspective.

Look after your health

When you have a lot going on, it can be difficult to make time for yourself. It’s in these moments that your mental and physical health can begin to decline. No matter what is happening in your life, you are the number one priority. If you don’t look after yourself, you can’t expect to look after anyone else. Make some time to prepare healthy meals for yourself, rather than relying on the easiest option. If you don’t want to spend every evening slaving away over the stove then try batch cooking your weekly dinners on a Sunday night. Or order from a recipe box such as Hello Fresh, which makes mealtimes a whole lot easier.


Get outside each day for a spot of exercise. The dopamine hit will make you feel more energetic and happy, while causing your stress and anxiety levels to plummet. Your body and mind will be stronger and you’ll be better prepared to face any challenge that comes your way.

Take it one day at a time

Things don’t usually get better overnight. It may take some time to adjust to your new circumstances or for your situation to improve. So in the meantime, just take things one day at a time. Learn to see the positives in your situation and do your next to cope with each challenge as it comes. Remember that nobody is perfect so don’t expect to get everything right. Just learn from your mistakes and use your support network to get you through. Eventually, things will get better.


*collaborative post



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Wednesday, December 20, 2023

Successful Personal Training Business

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January is usually one of the most popular months for personal trainers, gyms, and the fitness industry in general. This is when so many people want to make a difference in their lives, such as their health, body, and overall well-being. Personal trainers love this time of year because it gives them the chance to really sell themselves! While this is usually the best time of the year for them, at the same time, personal trainers also face the exciting challenge of staying ahead of the curve to make their businesses stand out.  


As you probably already guessed, it’s all about how you market yourself and get yourself known. There are barriers to fitness out there for a lot of people, and they need help; they need the right personal trainer, and it can be you if they know that you exist. But what are you able to do? Well, here’s everything you need to know. 

Embrace Virtual Training

Thanks to COVID, this has gotten really huge, so no matter where you live, this can be something that you can embrace. Anyone from anywhere, regardless of time, can work with you, and you can train them; how amazing is that? So, as the fitness landscape continues to embrace technology, personal trainers can stand out by offering virtual training options. 

It’s a good idea to leverage video conferencing platforms to conduct personalized training sessions since this allows clients the flexibility to engage in workouts from the comfort of their homes. Plus, virtual training not only expands your reach but also caters to clients who prioritize convenience. Nowadays, theres are different ways to do this, such as a Zoom call, freelancing on an app, or even having your own website where you conduct it through there. 

Niche it Down

Most markets seem crowded, especially during the annual health boom every January. So, in a crowded market, specialization is key. As a personal trainer, you can stand out by niching down and becoming an expert in a specific area, such as postnatal fitness, injury recovery, or sports-specific training. Plus, when it comes to personal trainer ads, usually, this is how you get the most attention (since personalized ads are, well, personal). To sum it up, specialization not only sets you apart but also attracts a targeted clientele seeking your unique expertise.

Incorporate Wearables

Really, who doesn’t love wearables? Nowadays, Fitbit and Apple Watch seem to be the biggest two. So, why not integrate technology into your training programs by utilizing fitness apps, wearables, and smart devices? It’s going to make it way easier to monitor clients' progress, set goals, and provide personalized feedback using data from wearable devices. But overall, embracing technology not only enhances the client experience but also positions your business as forward-thinking and adaptable.

Is Your Social Media Content Helpful?

One problem that a lot of personal trainers get wrong is the content. Look, showing off your muscles or taking useless videos of you working out isn’t good content. Everyone can do that; it’s not insightful or helpful. You’re mainly just showing off. But what you can do instead is make your content helpful; if it’s helpful, you’ll gain trust, and trust means that people will be more inclined to hire you.  


So, you’ll want to share workout tips, nutritional advice, and success stories to showcase your expertise and connect with potential clients. In general, consistent and valuable content establishes you as an authority in the fitness space and helps build a community around your brand.

Stay Trendy

You’ll want to continuously educate yourself on the latest trends and advancements in the fitness industry. Meaning that it’ll be a good idea to just attend workshops, pursue certifications, and stay informed about emerging research. Being at the forefront of industry trends not only enhances your credibility but also ensures that your training methods are innovative and effective. Thankfully, there isn’t rapid change in this industry, so there’s not going to be too much pressure on you here. 

Consider Collaborating

One of the best things you can do to help out not only your business but also your clients would be partnerships to better their health. Forge partnerships with other health professionals, such as nutritionists, physical therapists, or wellness coaches. Honestly, collaborative efforts can create a holistic approach to clients' well-being, offering comprehensive solutions that set your business apart. Plus, referrals and shared expertise strengthen your network and enhance the value you provide. So by all means this is something you should look into.



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When Fashion Turns Hazardous

Ever thought your outfit could be the death of you? I'm not talking about those 'killer' looks that make you the envy of every party. No, I mean literally, fashion that could send you to an early grave. Sounds like a Tim Burton movie plot, right? Well, fasten your seatbelts (and pray they're not laced with lead) because we're diving into the fashion history archives where style was a matter of life and death!

Via Pexels

Beware the Killer Crinoline

First up, the crinoline, a.k.a. the hoop skirt. Picture this: it's the 1850s, and you want to make a statement at the town ball. You don a steel-caged skirt, voluminous enough to make any Victorian lady swoon. But whoops! You just turned into a mobile fire hazard. These skirts were notorious for catching fire, making an elegant entrance more like a dramatic, flaming exit. It's not the kind of 'lit' anyone wants to be.

Going Green? More Like Going Gone!

Victorian fashionistas had a thing for vibrant green dresses. But here's the twist: that gorgeous green hue came from arsenic! Yep, dresses, wallpapers, and even kiddie toys were slathered in this toxic stuff. Wearing a green gown was like saying, "I may look fabulous, but I'm also flirting with the Grim Reaper." If someone complimented your 'killer' dress back then, they might have meant it literally.


The Squeeze of Death: The Corset Chronicles

Moving on to corsets, the ultimate waist-whittlers. These things were tighter than a packed subway at rush hour. They squished organs, made breathing a luxury, and sometimes cracked ribs. Who knew achieving that hourglass figure was a full-contact sport? In the quest for the perfect silhouette, Victorian women braved fainting spells and the occasional rib popping out of place. Talk about commitment to fashion! It's like wearing a boa constrictor and calling it haute couture.


Mad Hatters and Mercury Mayhem

Hats off (literally) to the 19th-century hatters who used mercury in hat-making. This not-so-brilliant idea led to trembling, slurred speech, and even hallucinations. Ever wonder why the Mad Hatter in 'Alice in Wonderland' was, well, mad? Thank the mercury!


Sky-High Heels, Sky-High Risks

Jump to more recent times, and we've got high heels. These stiletto skyscrapers aren't just a challenge to walk in; they're an orthopedic surgeon's nightmare. Sprains, fractures, and a parade of podiatric problems. It's all fun and games until you're hobbling home with more than just sore feet.


Fashion's Eco-Friendly Hero

But don't despair, dear readers, for not all fashion is a death sentence. Today, brands like DESO at https://desosupply.com are revolutionizing the scene with a safe, sustainable style. Their eco-friendly threads are proof that fashion can be both fabulous and kind to our planet. So, while we giggle over the ghastly fashion gaffes of yesteryears, let's also tip our non-mercury-laden hats to those making a positive impact.


So, next time you're dressing to impress, just be thankful your biggest worry is probably a fashion faux pas, not a literal fashion fatality. Stay snazzy, stay safe, and most of all, stay alive in those killer outfits!




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Being a Mom While Being a Boss

Being a mom is a full time job, right? It’s something we used to believe in quite strongly. However, more and more moms are starting up their own businesses and running it in the hours their kids don’t need them. It’s a shift we’re quite happy to see! 


Yet, it’s still a struggle to fit it all in. If you’re currently thinking of balancing being a mom with being the boss, you’re facing an immense challenge right now. So, what can you do to save time, be present, and focus your attention when both work tasks and your kids need it? Here are the tips that might clinch the deal for you. 


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Schedule Both Sides of Life


You don’t have to be strict about the schedule, but you are going to need a schedule in both areas. Start from the time you wake up until the time the kids go to bed at night. Once they’ve brushed their teeth and been tucked into bed, that time is free and can be used however you like. 


And remember, no one would ask you to work beyond 9pm at night, so don’t ask yourself to do so either! Have a schedule until the moment it doesn’t matter anymore; this way your days will remain structured without ever being overwhelming. Remember, this takes some practice to get right. 


Don’t Be Afraid to Say No


Saying no is one of the best things you can do as a business owner. It’s true! Things are going to come into your inbox and sound like great opportunities, but when you look a little closely, the pay isn’t quite right or the client is a little on the demanding side


Don’t say yes to them just because you think you should. Say no, get back to the tasks that matter, and even reap the reward of a couple extra hours to yourself on the weekend! 


Clock Off at the End of the Day


You should have a hard line on when the work day ends. This means you can close down the computer, shut your work phone off (and yes, you should have one of those!), and get back to being a mom. You don’t want to be helping the kids with their homework while your mind is solely preoccupied with the best way to answer emails from prospective clients! 


So, when do you want to clock off? Maybe when it’s time to get the kids from school? Or maybe when it’s time to get dinner ready? Pick the best time for you, but make sure you pick a time! 


Have Workplace Policies From Day One


Workplace policies keep things running smoothly without need for shift-long oversight. From a clearly defined work attendance policy to nominating a proper workplace culture, think of it as setting ground rules. When people are told how they need to behave on day one, being the boss becomes far more intuitive. 


Plus, workplace policies aren’t just for employees, whether you’ve got just one or more than ten. They work to your benefit as well. Indeed, they help you to lead by example and ensure you’re not being a hypocrite about what you want from your team. That'll make you a much better boss in the long run! 


Don’t Convince Yourself You’re Not Good Enough


Even supermoms aren’t capable of everything. And when you’re trying to raise children as well as be the best boss on the market, you’re going to drop the ball here and there. You’re going to lose focus, and make mistakes; neither of these things make you bad at either end of the scale. 


You’re human, and you’re doing things very well considering how much of a workload you’ve got to deal with! So give yourself a break, and don’t convince yourself you’re not good enough. You’re trying to do two of the hardest things in the modern world, and you might even be crazy enough to be taking on them alone too! 


Being a mom and a boss of your own business at the same time can leave little to no time in the day. But does that mean none of it is worth it? Absolutely not! You can manage both, and while it might be a struggle, it’s something you can adapt to when you care about it. Keep the above ideas in mind for those days when you feel like nothing is quite going right and you’re not up to the task.



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Staying Fit During the Winter

Exercising during the winter is hard. It’s cold outside, you don’t want to get out there for a morning run, and you're worried about the amount of food you’re going to eat over Christmas. All in all, exercise routines tend to take a backseat at this time of year - but should they? After all, the cold weather can have some unique effects on working up a sweat. Instead of only working out indoors or dialing back until next spring, here are some ways to stay safe during a workout when it’s cold out. 


Pexels Image - CC0 Licence


Don’t Be Outside as Long


The cold weather can be hard on the body, and that can be good. It means your system is going to work harder to feel the same effects, while also spending more energy than you’re used to. This means you don’t need to be outside on a run for as long as you’re used to. That’s all good, right? Well, it’s only good if you’ve wrapped up warm and you know the signs for hypothermia. Get back inside as soon as you’re able to. 


Try a Hot Workout


If you’re missing summer days and the way the temperature boosted your workout, you might want to try a hot workout sometime soon. Heading off to a HOTWORX studio for a sauna supported workout will mean you can make use of infrared light. This creates heat that boosts the amount you sweat without making you too hot; you don’t have to get into an actual sauna here, so don’t worry! You can go for half the time and twice the impact, and all without having to get outside and freeze your fingers and toes off. 


Have Plenty of Water Breaks


You might think summer is the most thirsty season. Nope - that would be winter! You’re going to get just as thirsty as you would when working out in the heat, but you’re likely to not notice it as quickly, or even at all. That’s why you need to take plenty of (and more frequent) water breaks when it’s the cold season. Make sure you take a full bottle whenever you go for a jog or step outside the gym to workout. When you’re inside, set a timer for water breaks every 10 minutes. 


Change Your Usual Athletic Wear


Like we said earlier, you’re going to need to wrap up warm. Just like in the picture above as well, you’ll notice one of the exercise-es is wearing a coat - make sure you do the same! You’re going to need a few extra layers on your body when the temperature is dropping below freezing. It’s no good wearing the usual crop top, sports bra, and yoga pants combo. You need to have something more heavy duty on. And make sure you don’t forget your gloves!


If you want to stay fit during winter, understand how the temperature is going to impact you. While it doesn’t necessarily mean less impact, it’s still dangerous.



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Monday, November 27, 2023

Careers for People Who Love Beauty



According to a recent study, almost 60% of employees in the US are planning to switch careers in 2024, with many intending to start their own business when doing so. After all, this will not only provide them with financial freedom and a better work-life balance but also the chance to pursue a career they are truly passionate about. 


Beauty lovers will be pleased to hear that there are many different career avenues to explore within the sector, all of which are surprisingly fun and profitable. After all, the “global beauty industry is a $532 billion business.



Photo by rashid khreiss on Unsplash


With that in mind, here are four career options for beauty lovers.


NAIL TECHNICIAN. 


Working as a nail technician can be a lot of fun, especially when you get to experiment with different forms of nail art. Furthermore, as there’s always a demand for this kind of service, it's easy to build up a loyal customer base who will stop by each time they need a new manicure or pedicure. 


However, you’ll need to complete some training ahead of time, such as a gel nail training course. This will further refine your skills and add to the list of services you can offer to your clients. It also ensures that you appear more professional. 


DERMATOLOGIST. 


If you’re a skincare lover, and your friends are always asking for tips on how to achieve your youthful glow, you may want to consider working as a dermatologist. While this is an incredibly rewarding career and one that can help you become more financially stable, it also requires a significant investment of your time and energy. This is because it requires you to study medicine and earn the relevant qualifications, which typically takes around four years (and a lot of studying).



BLOGGER.


If you’re a lover of beauty who wants to share makeup, skincare, and style tips with others without needing to take on any further qualifications, consider starting your own blog. This way, you can build your own platform designed around your interests and focus on topics that you are really passionate about.


However, this is not a career choice through which you’ll see an immediate return on investment. While you can earn money for blogging, this is only once you’ve established your readership and gained a suitable amount of online traction. 


MAKE-UP ARTIST. 


Working as a make-up artist is another excellent career choice for beauty lovers. Again, you’ll need to complete some training ahead of time to ensure you are fully qualified and prepared for the industry, but once you’ve obtained these qualifications, there are many different avenues to pursue. For example, you may want to focus on a specialty, such as bridal or special occasion make-up, or even pursue work in the film and TV industry by working with special effects make-up.


Either way, this is the perfect opportunity to turn your love of beauty and the hours you’ve spent in front of the mirror perfecting your smokey eye into a profitable and fulfilling career! 





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Buying Used Cars


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When it comes to looking for a car, there are so many different options. Every single person is different and we all have different situations. You have to make sure you stick to a budget and do things that align with your goals. Buying a car through Edmunds or elsewhere is a big responsibility and you have to make sure you pick the right thing. There have been many instances in the past in which people have immediately regretted the purchase due to the lack of oversight. Fortunately, picking the right car doesn’t have to be too difficult and it’s just a case of taking a few fundamental things into account. 


In this post, we are going to be talking about used cars and how they can be extremely beneficial for somebody looking for a new ride. When you initially think of a used car, typically think of something that isn’t exactly the most fancy thing in the world. This couldn’t be further from the truth, however, because used cars can be just as valuable. For now, here are a few benefits of going through with this kind of idea: 


Depreciation Awareness And Cost-Efficiency 


It sounds like a very boring topic and something that you probably don’t want to deal with in the present, but you do have to think about the resale value. A car may depreciate in terms of its value and its functionality very quickly if you’re not careful. Getting a used car is something that can help you with this. Of course, it may drop off sooner than some new cars, but you’ll know exactly what you’ll be getting for it and how reliable it has been in the past. 


More Extensive Model And A Larger Array 


If you only look at new cars, you will only be able to see so much. There are more used cars around and this gives you more of an array of options. The kind of car you are looking for may not be available if you are exclusively looking for newer models. A used car will obviously have been around for a lot longer, but it might be the one you were looking for. You shouldn’t ever close off the idea of getting a used car. You can head to sites like edmunds and get all kinds of amazing deals on pre-owned vehicles. This kind of thing is a very good idea as there is a wide range of options for you. 


You’ll Get To See The History And Reliability


Of course, there may be a few details that you are being kept in the dark about, but you’ll get to see what the car has been through and what it can typically handle. This is because the car has quite literally been on the road and displayed what it is capable of. Somebody will have used it extensively in the past and viewed it as a reliable transportation source. This should tell you enough about how good it is and how well it will operate for you. 


Lower Insurance And More Sustainable Choices


A used car may not typically seem like a more sustainable choice, there are so many ways in which it is so. In terms of insurance, your premium will not be through the roof like it would with a new car. This has to be taken into account because insurance premiums can really sting you if you’re not careful. A lot of people pay them - thinking that they aren’t that much of a big deal -  when they could’ve done so much better themselves elsewhere. 



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Friday, November 10, 2023

Freelance Business

I have spent my whole career working for a non-profit. I will likely spend many more years there. It is a great job and a great company. I have never created a formal business, but I have from time to time done some freelance or private work to make a little extra money. 

Having a freelance career can be really rewarding and even exciting at times, and one of those times is when you are actually in the position of being able to grow it into a fully-fledged business. If you are indeed keen to grow your freelance business in this way, then there are a few things that you might need to know in order to make a success of it. As long as you are aware of these, you should find that it is a lot easier to make it work for you, so let’s take a look right





Pic Credit - CCO License

Hiring Help


For one thing, you might find that you get to appoint where you actually need to have someone helping you. If you think that this might be the case, then you are going to need to learn how to hire people, and what to do to make this work for you and your business as well as possible. In particular, it is going to be important for you to know what you are looking for in an employee, so that you can start to really find the right people, and then you need to develop a recruitment process that is going to work.



Setting Up Online


You may well be thinking about getting set up online too, and if so then this is something that you are going to need to think about in order to ensure you can do it right. Setting up online means having a website that people can come to, and through which you can hopefully do the bulk of your business. You should look into using online payment processing services from this website and make sure that you are trying to get your site promoted as well. If you do all that, you should find it really helps.


Pic Credit - CCO License

Having A Plan


It’s also really important that you have some kind of plan about where you intend to go and how you intend to get there. This is the kind of thing that can prove very important and which is going to help you to know how you are actually going to approach your business, so it’s vital that you do this as well as you can. As a necessary part of that plan, you should make sure that you have a particular vision of what you want to ultimately achieve, so certainly make sure that you are doing that too.



Take It Easy


That being said, it is very common for people to rush into this sort of thing, and the result of that is often that they end up disappointed or stressed out. You should instead try to remember the importance of keeping it slow and taking it fairly easy, because that is something that is going to help a lot with keeping on with it as best as you can. As long as you are doing that, you should find it helps a great deal.


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