How is it that some people can go head to head against seemingly impossible odds, and still maintain a sense of balance and perspective?

Do they know something we don’t? Or do they just think differently than we do? Maybe they just have different ways of viewing the world in which they live?

Perspective is going to serve you very well, no matter which struggles you face, chosen or otherwise.

One of the only definite powers given over to mankind is the ability to choose our own attitudes in any given situation. As Holocaust survivor Viktor Frankl put it, to “choose our own way.”

This isn’t Pollyannaism. There are people all around us suffering because of real problems, and you may even be one of them.

This is also not meant to downplay the seriousness of whatever you’re struggling with, but instead, to convey the idea that problems are never going to disappear completely.

In reality, as our lives get better, all we receive are better problems to solve. It’s simply unrealistic to expect a life without any problems.

And as you’ll see, problems can actually make us happier!

THE STOIC PERSPECTIVE

There’s a branch of philosophy called Stoicism that I return to quite often. One of my favorite books of all time, “Meditations” was written close to 2,000 years ago by the Roman Emperor, Marcus Aurelius. In it, he says things that could be very helpful to you, like:

“Don’t ever forget what proportion of the world you make up.”

“Nowhere you can go is more peaceful, more free of interruptions, than your own soul.”

“Is it your reputation that is bothering you? But look at how soon we’re all forgotten. The abyss of endless time that swallows all. The emptiness of all those applauding hands.”

“Why should we feel anger at the world? As if the world would notice!”

These insights are powerful beyond measure, and they can assist us in gaining much-needed perspective as we slug away at the problems that confront us each and every day or our lives.

Simply put, we need to step outside our own situations (difficult, I know!), and see our problems in a different light.

MENTAL JUDO

Apart from using aphorisms like the above to help us gain perspective, we can use our incredibly powerful brains to flip our problems on their heads.

You see, desiring something only reinforces to you that you lack that thing in the first place. It’s focusing on what you aren’t already, instead of the powerful individual which you already are.

Cultivating this internal locus of control is also essential to being happier even when seemingly besieged by problems.

With a simple “flip” in the mind, you will see that:

1) That desiring a positive experience is actually a NEGATIVE experience because it’s based on lack.

And…

2) That accepting a negative experience is actually a POSITIVE experience, as we are exercising our personal power.

In the end, everything positive in life is achieved by battling past the associated negative experience. It is similar to how your body will improve when you make yourself suffer through brutal workouts.

This pain is chosen by you.

And in fact, a lot of the problems that we face in our lives are chosen by us.

The problems we have are a window into what we consider important. Our problems, concerning things like parenting children, supporting our families, making our mark on the world, are all indications of what is most important to us, and most important to our own happiness.

So the question becomes: “What pain do you want in your life? What are you willing to struggle for?”

See Also: 10 Things You Should Know About Creating Your Happiness

THE BIGGEST PROBLEM OF ALL

I hate to sound like a downer, but I have to bring this up because it affects all our lives in such a powerful way. A lot of our problems have something to do with death. Either our own, or someone we care about.

Instead of repressing this like most people do, we can use the “problem” of death to become happier; to appreciate what we already have, instead of what death will eventually take away from us.

This is the biggest problem of all, but again, this is where perspective can come to our rescue. Yes, you are going to die, but that’s only because you are fortunate enough to have lived.

If you think about this long enough, all of your problems will come into crystal clear focus.

Instead of death being this negative, oppressive thing that is the source of all of our problems, we can turn it into our biggest source of gratitude. We can live immediately, and in so doing, a lot of our smaller problems will disappear on their own.

MOVING FORWARD

If you’re avoiding being uncomfortable or uncertain, then you’re giving up being alive at all. Problems, and specifically, solving problems, is what makes life meaningful.

And eventually, you’ll realize that problems confronted simply do not arise.

Not everyone will do this, of course.

Most people will run from their problems, as they’ve been doing for their entire lives, and for the entirety of human history.

See Also: 7 Ways to Get More Comfortable With Feeling Uncomfortable

But you’ll be different.

You will have valuable perspective on your problems, and you will hammer away at them until either they fall or you do.

And this struggle is where your greatest happiness will be found.

All the best,

Matt Karamazov

 

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Negative thinking is such a downer and it gets in the way of most things. You start to lack creativity, you feel down in the dumps, and you actually start to get exactly what you expect – NEGATIVITY!

Most of us know that it would help to be a lot more optimistic about life but how do you do that when you are so used to thinking and feeling the way you do? I personally attack negative thinking in a range of ways.

Here are a few ideas that will work for you too.

Wake up earlier than your household

One thing that I know makes my negative thinking worse is being forced awake by my partner, the alarm clock, or my kids. If I am woken up, then I feel behind already and forced into everyone else’s agenda. Before I know it, the resentment and negativity starts to spike right at at the start of the day.

This no longer happens!

Now, I creep out of bed and creep past the princesses’ rooms and get downstairs, get myself a coffee and do the next point. This makes me feel a lot more in control of my mind. Yes, I love my family but I need time alone first!

And the alarm clock is just plain horrid so I never allow that to wake me up. I tap into the energy of Spirit and ask to be woken up at the time I choose and it works. Don’t ask me how. Just give it a go.

Make a commitment to wake up at least two to four hours earlier than everyone else to ensure you have enough time to feel in control of your day before everyone else wakes up. Imagine all that you can do during this time.

Journal

This is a key idea to defeat negative thinking. The time that I spend alone, I spend connecting with the energy of the Universe, reminding myself of my goals, and writing down who I choose to be.

This makes me feel in control and that makes me feel more positive. I write down my goals for my life and for that day and I decide who I need to be in order to make them come about.

If I want to make so much money that day, then I know I have to be willing to sell.  I write “I am confident and bold enough to ask for the sale today” and I spend some time feeling the emotions of being that bold, confident selling machine. Of course, there is no room for negative thinking if that is who I choose to be.

This works for whatever you want. Decide what you want to have and then decide who you need to be and then deliberately choose to take on the persona of the person that you choose. Write down what you would feel, how you would dress, and act if you are going to make that goal happen.

Set an hourly reminder

This is more of an emergency measure but I use it regularly because although I appear to be positive, I usually have to defeat a lot of negativity to appear that way. I no longer to leave this to chance so as soon as I finish my initial journal session, I set the timer on my phone to prompt me every hour.

The prompt reminds me to catch myself and check what I am thinking. If I have degenerated into crazy thinking, then I open a file on Evernote or whip out my journal again and write very quickly a series of I am, I have, and I do statements that remind me who I choose to be in that moment.

This usually works to get me ramped up again. The creativity returns and I can get back to whatever I was doing. This only need take 60 seconds or so but it works to bring me back to centre.

Have more orgasms

There is something pretty powerful about that moment of heightened emotion. When I am trying to get a new thought pattern secured in my brain, I make the decision to masturbate or make-love it in!

At that moment of orgasm, my brain feels more open, more willing to accept new thoughts, and I usually have something planned. I visualise my goals and what I want to achieve and it just feels more real in that moment as though I am changing the course of my brain cells. And I personally, think I am.

Stop second guessing

When I spend time overthinking and second guessing the ideas that bubble up within me, I always end up internally beating myself up and feeling negative. So, I am choosing to act considerably faster on ideas.

I think it is better to have acted fast and failed than to keep waiting for certainty. Regret is also a downer and a negative form of thinking and so, I am going to act even quicker than I used to.

Notice & grow in self-awareness

Having been an avid journal-er for as long as I can remember, I am pretty self-aware. Still, I went through a phase of trying to pretend my negative thoughts were not there. This form of denial can work for some thoughts but others are more persistent. They want you to notice them, honour them and then release them.

This year, I am going to do just that – Become even more meditative and untethered from these negative thoughts so I can see where they come from, honour the story that led me to feel that way, and then choose what I want to believe instead and release the old thought.

It may sound a little woo-woo but again, try it before you second-guess it (pun intended!).

See Also: You Need Self Awareness For These 3 Important Reasons 

Refuse to Take On Drama & Giving Up People-Pleasing

Some of my negative thinking comes from believing that someone, somewhere is talking/thinking about me in a negative way and so, when someone would look at me a little funny, I would immediately jump to the conclusion that they disliked me. That, of course, led me to think negative thoughts about myself.

This year, I am going to choose to think the best of every sideways look. I am creating a new habit of choosing to think they are thinking about how awesome I am and then I will choose to forget them.

See Also: 5 Simple Lessons to Break the Shackles of People’s Negativity

No more dwelling on what could really be nothing. And definitely no more caring what people think of me except to tell myself that everyone thinks I am great!

Those are seven simple ways to combat negative thinking. Use them!

 

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It’s the hardest part, right?

You’ve made the commitment to change your life for the better.

You’re unhappy with feeling like a prisoner in your body. You’re fed up with that voice at the back of your mind telling you you’re the biggest person in the room. You’re tired of looking in the mirror, because who you see is not who you are.

Enough is enough!

If you think about it, where you are today in life is a result of your current habits. So how do you go about changing all those habits that got you here? Just thinking about changing them is overwhelming. It’s going to take massive discipline and determination.

But what if I told you only needed to change one habit?

Just one to set the snowball in motion.

And that’s why I’m here. I would love to be the guy who helps you get started on your journey. Or maybe you’ve started your journey but feel lost. That’s ok too. One of the following habits might be the spark you need to rekindle your fire.

You’re Eating Like a Snake

I marvel at people who can unlock their jaw to inhale huge chunks of food without chewing. It’s a great skill to have in today’s fast paced world.

Unfortunately, it comes at a price. Research shows that mindful eating can decrease your calorie intake by 12.57%. If you consume 2,000 calories a day, then that’s 250 calories. That’s equal to cutting out a candy bar! Every. Day.

So chew your food to a cream before swallowing.

You Believe In Moderation

Studies show that the fat, sugar, and salt in processed foods have the same addictive properties as cocaine or alcohol. So eating junk food in moderation is like telling an alcoholic they can drink in moderation. Rather go cold turkey. If you do stray from your diet, don’t beat yourself up. Just continue where you left off from your healthy regime.

You’re Working on Yourself

Instead, work on your environment. Both physically and mentally. Participants in a study made healthier choices even though they weren’t motivated to change their eating habits. You can receive the same benefit by finding people who have what you want and hang out with them. Replace all tempting treats with healthier options like fruit and nuts. Replace sugary sodas with bottled water.

You Don’t Know What You Want

Successful people who reach their goal know exactly what they want to achieve. They don’t aim for vague goals like ‘I want to be healthy’ or ‘I want to lose weight’. Find a measurable benchmark and set your sights on your desired outcome. For you, it might be waist circumference, body weight, body fat percentage, BMI or dress size.

You’re Forgetting about Your Salty Tooth

The first thing well-intentioned dieters cut out is processed sugar. But what about salt? Your body holds onto excess water to dilute high sodium levels in your body. You might have experienced that bloated feeling after a salty meal. Aim to keep your total sodium intake below 1,500mg a day. About half a teaspoon of salt.

You Have an All or Nothing Mentality

In school did you aim for 100% test marks? And if you didn’t achieve it, you’d give up and say: ‘Ah screw it!’

Some folks apply this train of thought to their health goals. Rather aim for an 80 – 90% efficiency. For example, there are 21 main meals in a week. If you ate healthy for only 20 meals then you’ve achieved a 90% score. That’s an A+. Would you be happy with an A+ in school? I bet you would.

You’re Not Keeping Score

If you can not measure it, you can not manage it. If you can not manage it, you can not control it. If you can not control it, you can not improve it. Keeping a food journal is a useful tool if you’re stuck on a weight loss plateau. You can analyze your journal and find out where there’s room for improvement.

To make it even easier, use a journaling phone app and take pictures of everything you eat and drink. No writing required.

You’re Trying to Out-Exercise Your Mouth

You’ve heard the popular adage, diet is 80% of weight loss. And it rings true. It’s going to be a tough road to losing weight if your diet isn’t healthy. So instead of working out longer and harder, rather focus on your diet.

Doesn’t matter what diet you’re following, most of them give the green light for green veggies. Experiment, tweak and find out creative ways to sneak in more veggies into your meals.

See Also: Lose More Weight with these 14 Super Foods That Boost Your Metabolism

You’re Focusing Beyond the Step In Front of You

To get to the top of the health mountain, you may have to climb a few hundred stairs. It’s only natural to worry about the daunting journey ahead of you.

But I want you to forget about stair #497 or whatever. It’s not important now.

It will be someday, but not now. Rather focus on the stair in front of you. Because no matter where you are in your journey, there’s always just that one step in front of you.
Take it slow, steady and one step at a time. The last thing you want to happen is to get overwhelmed and quit.

That one step might mean solidifying only one healthy habit a week. That one step might mean packing a healthy lunch for work. That one step might mean picking the smallest habit that’s most attainable. Making the first habit so easy, you can’t say no.

That’s how you gain momentum. That’s how you win the long game.

Your highest priority is to get through today. That’s it. Don’t worry about what tomorrow might bring. Just get through today.

There`s only here. There`s only now. There’s no other day but today. So, what are you going to do today?

See Also: 4 Reasons You’re Sabotaging Your Weight Loss Results

 

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Every new year welcomes new resolutions.

We probably all want the same thing — to achieve more and feel proud of what we have achieved. For example, Mark Zuckerberg’s is to visit and meet someone in every U.S. state and mine is to keep my website alive for as long as I am living.

If you are one of those passionate IT folks, technical nerds and computer enthusiasts who are still looking for a challenge this year, here may be one that will interest you: an open source project.

So, as you kick-start the new year aiming to achieve and share greatness, here are five easy-to-use tools that can help you.

GitHub

John Resig, the creator of jQuery, once tweeted: “When it comes to hiring, I’ll take a Github commit log over a resume any day.” GitHub is undoubtedly the largest developer community in the world. Programmers like yourself go there when it comes to hosting your codes, and sharing and contributing to them.

GitBook

GitBook is a simple online and desktop tool for building books. Like GitHub, it is seen as a tool for programmers. But it can be surprisingly useful even for non-tech writers – especially if you want to write your books or documents about your project. You can use Markdown to write, edit and style your content simultaneously. To publish, a simple git push is all you need.

Sublime Text

In the question “What is the best programming text editor you are using?”, the answer is usually Sublime Text. It is a simple and sophisticated-looking text editor that comes with color schemes for your codes.

When you switch between different files or search, it is blazing fast, and stable. Not to mention it comes with the best Markdown experience you will ever find, as well as tons of packages like Pretty JSON that will make your use of this tool even richer.

Quire

While being a task management tool, Quire can play a part in your open source project too. If you prefer an interactive place for your milestones or features (which you probably entered in spreadsheet apps like Microsoft Excel and ZK Spreadsheet), tutorial or guide, or even a public forum, list them all out here.

With features like favorites and comments, you can see right away what topics are more popular, have a say in discussions, change the priority of your plan whenever you want, etc. Github commit links can even be found in the comments once you integrate with it.

See Also: 5 Essential Tools And Apps To Build Your Early Startup 

Inkscape

Last but not least, where will your project be without design? Seen as a great alternative to Adobe Illustrator, Inkscape is a free (and open-source) vector graphic editor made for you to create illustrations, arts, logos, charts, and paintings. Some say it is way ahead of Illustrator for its better UI, same professionalism, and superior quality features. It has also got a massive community forum where you can show off your work, and contribute ideas to.

See Also: 20 Best Productivity Apps and Programs for 2017

 

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You’re a freelancer. You work day in and out, Mondays to Fridays, and sometimes even during the weekends. You spend more than 8 hours a day sitting in front of your computer with occasional coffee and TV breaks. Your inbox is always full, you never run out of deadlines, and your unfinished work is piling up on your desk.

The question is: How do you survive?

Stay on Schedule

Stress is a feeling brought by lack of control of a situation. And it happens to me whenever I break my schedule. One of the ways you can combat the feeling of stress brought about by being overwhelmed by the number of jobs you have to do is to create a doable schedule that works for you.

I personally have an excel file which I name “work calendar” and here I list every project I need to do every month. Sometimes my calendar will have work booked for more than 3 weeks. Sometimes when I’m running low, I only have work for the next three days. That’s the time I know I have to hustle.

Having a schedule helps you control the flow of work. It creates order in your work life.

Tаke Brеаkѕ

It may seem counterproductive to take frequent breaks while working but believe me when I say breaks are the only thing that will probably keep you sane while working freelance.

There will be times when you simply don’t feel like sitting any longer in front of your computer because your eyes hurt or your brain isn’t working anymore. Don’t ignore it. Follow your body cues and take short breaks for no more than 30 minutes to refresh your mind and body.

See Also: Not Getting Enough Work Done? Try Taking More Breaks

Dоn’t let уоur сlіеntѕ gеt уоu down

I used to worry and feel stressed when my clients are not 100% happy. But then I realized that I can’t please every client I have. And this is perfectly normal.

Most freelancers encounter difficult clients more than once in their freelance careers. Sometimes freelancers will encounter clients that are hard to understand, clients who don’t pay on time, or those that rush you for results even if it’s just a day after you started the contract.

Learn tо say NO

Being a freelancer means you have to go look for jobs yourself. And while the competition is fierce, that doesn’t mean you have to say “Yes” to every job offer that comes your way.

Don’t accept jobs if you’re already over-scheduled. Don’t write for free for a test job. Don’t slave away for work with little pay. Be honest if you aren’t comfortable in writing a subject far from your niche, and politely decline.

Set Rules Before Starting any Job/Project

Clarify everything before starting the project. This includes project due dates and pays schedules which will save everyone a huge headache later on. If a сlіеnt is ореnlу rudе tо you, drор thеm. Bе сlеаr аbоut уоur hours. If your client resides on the other side of the world, let them know the time to contact you. You don’t want to be answering client calls at 3 am in the morning.

Outsource

Now that you’re earning more than you can handle. It’s time to delegate tasks so you could accomplish more during the day.

If you don’t want to do your admin tasks, you can hire a virtual assistant to do it for you. If you’re a web designer, you can outsource web content to a writer who can do the job better than you. Sites like Upwork, Freelancer.com, and EssayPro.Club have available workers to help with tasks and projects for every kind of freelancer.

Write on your niche

I found that when I’m passionate about what I’m writing, I tend to write more smoothly and quickly. In freelancing, it’s important to know your strengths and weaknesses. If you excel at writing humor pieces, don’t spend all your time writing boring tech pieces. Figure out what sets your writing apart and focus on the stuff that only you could write.

Bе рrераrеd tо defend уоur lifestyle tо ѕtrаngеrѕ

Sоmе реорlе wіll think you’re living an enviable life as a freelancer while others will look at you with fаіnt panic because іt dіѕtrеѕѕеѕ thеm thаt уоu’vе chosen such аn uncertain саrееr раth. Don’t let them get to you. Go to workshops аnd seminars, find your соmmunіtу of artistic ѕuрроrt, аnd trу tо lооk worldly and knowing in front of judgmental strangers.

Manage Time Wisely

Set work hours every day and stick to it. It will help if you set timers or batch your day for certain projects. For example, you can focus all morning to work on your website, the afternoon to edit your content, and the evenings to answer client calls. Make it work for you. Remember that you control your time as a freelancer.

See Also: 7 Convincing Reasons for Working as a Freelancer 

Closing Thoughts

Too much ѕtrеѕѕ саn hаrm your frееlаnсе wrіtіng career, аѕ well аѕ your mіnd and bоdу. Try thе above tірѕ tо ѕее іf they can work for уоu.

 

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Office politics is part and parcel of the workplace. Sometimes, you are left with no option but to navigate office politics smartly to fast-track your career.

It doesn’t mean that you need to jump right in and push your agenda. You need to prepare yourself carefully and know a good time to get involved. Also, you need to stay away from things that don’t matter to you.

Here are six ways to navigate office politics and emerge as a winner:

Build on your influence

Being an influential personality within an organization is the first step toward winning office politics. An effective means of building your power is to focus on the business objective of the organization.

Try to become the dependable go-to person for certain things. When people ask for help, use this opportunity to make professional friends and alliances in the workplace.

Don’t share your private information with your office friends. However, do share non-confidential, work-related useful information that leaves an impression that you care for people and want to help them professionally.

Build on your image

In politics, perception is everything. So they say! How do other employees view you? The image that you portray is imperative in winning office politics. Our image determines how others will interact with us.

You might have to make small sacrifices to build a trustworthy image of yourself. Also, avoid making promises that you can’t keep. If you are perceived as authentic and reliable, you are almost there.

The best way to create the right perception is to think of yourself as a television; whatever you do in office is being watched by everyone. This will make you responsible and prevent you from doing things that hamper your reputation.

Avoid taking sides

In the case of conflict between two groups in the office, avoid being on any side. Rather, create a platform where both teams can communicate and resolve their concerns. If you can’t do this, then stay away from people who amplify such conflicts.

If required, stand up for the cause you strongly believe in and not for any side. People will see you as a person who can support the right cause. This will help in winning the confidence of colleagues.

Understand others

Observe others and try to understand their reactions, attitude and behavior on important decisions of the company. All friendly people are not your friends.

Similarly, all those who oppose you are not your enemies. Understanding people is one of the most complex tasks. However, you need to observe your colleagues, bosses, and subordinates who regularly help you in making sound judgment. It will also assist you staying uninfluenced by office rumors.

Avoid getting personal

Office politics can get nasty at times and you may feel angry. Anger may drive you to get personal. Under this kind of scenario, exercising self-control and restraint is critical. Uncontrolled anger may lead you to humiliate others. Moreover, things become uncontrollable once people forget the objective and become personal.

So try to be objective in your communication and avoid personal attacks.

See Also: Keep Calm and Don’t Stress: Recognizing and Preventing Job Burnout

Don’t burn bridges

Do not have permanent enemies. Rather mend fences as fast as possible. Do not hold a grudge for long. Build bridges. Try to settle down the conflicts proactively. Never bring ego in the way of conflict resolution. Even if you don’t trust a person or hate a person, there’s no need to tell this to the person or anyone else. Be the nice guy.

Define your goals

Warring factions characterize office politics, and in many instances, you will find yourself drawn into other people’s wars. Therefore, to avoid such kinds of situations, you must define a goal and stick to it. If anything doesn’t help you attain your aim, avoid it. Your goals and career objectives should be above everything. Do what is best to achieve your goals and nothing else.

See Also: How To Set And Achieve Goals For Success In Career – 7 Tips

Conclusion

A strong faith in your abilities is crucial to winning political battles in office. You can’t choose your colleagues and you can’t control their behavior either. However, you can control the way you react to different situations. These reactions will determine how far you go in your career. And, it is not a one-time thing. You need to work continuously on your personality to control your emotions and reactions in hostile situations. In the end, whether you win or lose, never lose faith in yourself.

 

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It is a fact that success is achieved with a lot of hard work, struggle and persistence. However, one important factor that is usually ignored is mental strength. Some people are generally good when it comes to emotional stability while others can still work on it.

To be able to develop emotional strength, it is important to analyze how you are spending your time. This will help you explore things that you need to quit doing and things that you need to work on.

Here are 5 barriers that you put into your own path:

Jealousy

When an individual decides to focus on other people’s blessings, this is where jealousy acts as a barrier to one’s own success. If you want to achieve success and mental peace, then it is very important to focus on things that you possess rather than things you don’t own. Moreover, somebody else’s luck cannot take anything away from you.

Seeking Perfectionism

It is observed that individuals delay things as they seek perfectionism. It is important to understand that perfectionism is actually underestimating yourself that you are not good enough.

Perfectionism acts as a barrier to success. It leads individual to depression and anxiety when expectations over things and one’s self are not met.

See Also: The Dark Side of Perfectionism

Comparing Yourself To Others

A true waste of time, effort and resources is comparing yourself to others. Successful people would never do it as they know that they are one of a kind.

Instead, if you really want to compare anything, it must be what you have achieved and what you are willing to achieve. Overcome this obstacle to achieve success in this new year.

Blaming Others

It is a common attribute that people take all the credit for achievements and success. However, when things don’t work out, then it gets easier for us to blame others.

Blaming others for our own failures is actually the biggest obstacle to success. It keep us from being accountable and learning from our mistakes.

Instead of pointing a finger at others, identify the problem, learn from it, and solve it.

Doubting Yourself

Commonly, people doubt themselves on various occasions or instances. To overcome doubting yourself, it is important to remember the distance you have covered to be where you are today. Remember your achievements. Stop doubting yourself because it keeps you from moving forward.

See Also: How to Overcome Self-Doubt and Follow Through with Your Goals

Crossing these five barriers will help you gain mental and emotional strength. With enhanced and improved mental strength, you are going to be more powerful at work. This will definitely help you to overcome a lot of your weaknesses. In fact, it can be all that you require to achieve success in this new year.

 

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This blog post covers the one thing I hate the most: People who claim to be entrepreneurs but who aren’t doing any of the shit they constantly talk about. There are way too many individuals who express their next big idea or their future investment of some kind in some type of company that is actually, physically doing absolutely nothing. It’s sad – but it’s a fact, and it’s true.

Let’s face it:

An idea without execution revolves around nothing. I honestly believe that a successful business is 10% Idea and 90% Execution. In other words, if you think have a good, thriving business idea – then you should put your idea into action, and start working on the reality of it. Don’t bore us all by discussing it for years to come.

Starting your own business pushes a person through an enormous range of emotions. It is one of the most thrilling and exciting experiences, as much as it can also be a rather scary situation for many. Perhaps fear or simple inertia is what keeps some people from taking the first step. In the end, talking is easy as f*ck – what’s hard is taking action.

If you are reading this and feel like I am talking about you – then I just want you to realize that you should start moving, taking action, and do what you say will. If your mind is stewing over a strong business idea, then you already have some kind of entrepreneurial mindset.

Don’t let obstacles get in your way! If you don’t have anybody in your entourage that is already an entrepreneur or that can help you get where you want, keep pushing and work harder! Don’t stop to take the time to listen to anyone’s negative comments. Just keep doing what you have to in order to attain your dreams – if that’s what you truly want. However cliché it may sound, you’ve only got one life so make the best out of it!

Again, let’s face it:

Everyone on Earth is going to come to an end in the same way, so why stop yourself from doing what you love most? What matters is what you are doing while you are alive.

Nobody is ever really 100% ready to be an entrepreneur. Entrepreneurship is like jumping off a cliff and building a plane on your way down in order to stay alive.

The important thing is taking that first step towards the start of your dreams right now! There will never be a better time, let alone the “right” time to start a business. It’s only up to you to create the right time.

See Also: Five Steps To Turn Doing What You Love Into A Successful Business

Here is some advice that I received when starting my first business:

Find someone that is already doing what you dream of and ask them questions on how to get started

You actually have to take the first step

Plan your long term AND your short term goals in order to stay motivated

The road to success is a long one so keep yourself pumped up – or the difficulties and obstacles along the way will literally knock the shit out of you.

Follow your heart

Do what you think is right for you and don’t stop to listen to anybody who tries to convince you that your dreams are crazy or impossible. This person is only limited by their own thoughts and you are only limited by yours. If you think that you can achieve something, don’t stop at excuses and make it happen instead.

Work you ass off!

These are the “rules” that I am following myself and that have helped me in moving forward even when I felt like losing faith. If you only remember one thing about this post, remember that you’ve got what it takes to start following your dreams. Stop Talking and Start Doing!

When it comes to attaining your dreams, there is no time to deal with sentiments and feelings. Too many feelings in business and you’re literally out of business. Forget everything else. Put everything aside and let your burning desire and passion take over instead.

Do you know what time it is?

IT’S TIME TO MAKE YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE!

See Also: 3 Things You Need To Stop Doing To Live The Life Of Your Dreams

 

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A new year is now ahead of us. Every year, people make goals and resolutions to better themselves only to fail. Rather than making big resolutions, how about just adding a new habit to your life?

Make this new year your best year yet by developing these five habits.

Have fun being active

Instead of having a tangible goal to lose five pounds or to fit into your skinny jeans, make it a goal to be active and to have fun while doing so. You may need to explore some new active hobbies such as bicycling, yoga, or hiking.

It can be difficult to commit to going to a stuffy gym five times a week but if you enjoy going out for a long ride on your street bike, you’ll be more likely to stick with it. Exercise has so many benefits from reducing your risk of developing diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and more, to improving your mental health and mood.

Pick up a new hobby or learn a new skill

Hobbies offer you an escape from the daily grind and let you try out new challenges. They also provide an outlet for stress and can be a great way to blow off steam. Learning a new skill challenges your mind in new ways and can ignite new passions in you. There has to be one or two things that you have always wanted to try, but never found the time or courage. Why not try them now? Adding another thing

There has to be one or two things that you have always wanted to try, but never found the time or courage. Why not try them now? Adding another thing to your plate may seem like it will add more stress but hobbies give you a break from the routine and can actually be a great stress reliever.

Increase the quality time you spend with family and friends

Hardly anyone ever regrets taking their spouse on a great date or making fun memories with their children. So do this more. Your to-do list can wait. Be intentional this year about dating your spouse, having playdates with your kids, and visiting your parents at their place. Tasks and goals will eventually fade away, but time spent with loved ones is cherished forever.

Be intentional this year about dating your spouse, having playdates with your kids, and visiting your parents at their place. Tasks and goals will eventually fade away, but time spent with loved ones is cherished forever.

See Also: 5 Ways to Balance Work and Family Time Even if You’re a Workaholic 

Practice gratitude

Studies show that people who are grateful tend to be happier. By practicing gratitude, you don’t have to change your circumstances at all. You simply have to change your mindset.

Start a gratitude journal where each day, you write down three things you are grateful for, or share the things you are grateful for with your family. By appreciating all the good things in your life, you will be much happier.

See Also: How to Care for Others by Practicing Self-Gratitude 

Reduce screen time

We waste so much time behind our phones, tablets, computers, and TVs. Commit to reducing your screen time this year and spend that time doing something more productive and fulfilling.

You can go for a walk outside, read a book, play with your kids, or practice the new skill you are learning. If you need to zone out behind a screen for a bit, set a timer and turn it off once the alarm rings. You’d be surprised at how much more fulfilling life can be when you aren’t binge-watching Netflix or scrolling through Facebook.

All of these are simple enough to start and can make a big impact in your health and mindset this coming year. Take the time to make these small changes and by the end of the year, you’ll look back and realize this year has been one of your best yet!

 

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Have you ever considered how your life might change if you became a freelancer?

It’s nice having job security. You know you have a guaranteed paycheck every two weeks, a set schedule, good benefits, and two weeks of vacation each year. But deep down inside, there is a nagging question that never really goes away:

Could I have a better life if I hung my shingle as a freelancer?

For many, the answer is a definite yes. And there has never been a better time to be in business for yourself providing freelance services to others.

Becoming a freelancer is not without its challenges, of course. You have to be highly self-motivated, know how to advertise effectively, and be able to offer a service that others want and need. But once established with a handful of customers who give you repeat business, your quality of life will improve in a number of ways.

You Earn More When You Work More

As a salaried employee, it doesn’t matter whether you work 40 hours a week or 60. It also doesn’t matter whether you work harder than everyone else in your department or do just enough to keep from getting fired. You are paid exactly the same regardless of your efforts.

See Also: 5 Freelancing Tips That Will Make you Successful 

Things are much different for freelancers.

As a freelancer, the more projects you take on, the more you earn. If you want to earn more to save up for a new car, you can take on more client projects and work longer hours. And on the other hand, if you are comfortable with earning less and want to have more time to enjoy life, you can do that, too.

You Can Work Wherever You Want

As an employee, you usually have to work at a designated location. Yes, there are some companies that now recognize the benefits of letting employees work from home. But for most companies, such arrangements are the exception rather than the norm.

As a freelance, you are free to work wherever you want – even if it’s from your hotel room while you’re on an extended Caribbean vacation or while you’re traveling the country in an RV. There’s a good reason why many refer to freelancing as the laptop lifestyle. You have everything you need to run your business as long as you have access to a laptop computer, a telephone, and an internet connection.

See Also: 5 Ways To Travel The World While Keeping a Full-Time Job

You Get to Set Your Own Hours

Employees usually have to adhere to a rigid schedule with set hours. Not so for freelancers who have a great deal of flexibility in when they work.

Do you do your best work early mornings or late at night? No problem. As a freelancer, you can work during the hours of your choosing. You can also take time off if you aren’t feeling well without having to explain your absence to a boss.

No More Commute

The daily commute to and from work takes up a huge chunk of your everyday life.  As a freelancer, you are already at work wherever you are so you are able to reassign your commute time to either more work hours or more leisure time.

And in addition to saving time from cutting out the commute, you also save by putting fewer miles on your vehicle each year. That means you get to save big on maintenance, repairs, and expensive fuel.

No More Following Company Rules

As an employee, you usually have to follow a rigid – and often lengthy – set of company rules. Sometimes these rules are based on common sense and are easy to follow. But that’s not always the case.

As a freelance entrepreneur, you are your own boss. Your work rules are whatever you say they are. You are free to make things as rigid or relaxed as you like.

You Save Money on Work Attire

Nearly all companies have dress codes that you are required to follow. And this can really get expensive if you are expected to dress up on a daily basis.

As a freelancer, you are free to dress however you like. Your work attire could be sweatpants and a t-shirt if you prefer. This lets you save big on pricey outfits and cleaning bills.

You Get to Skip Time-Wasting Meetings

If you’ve ever been in an unproductive meeting that felt like it would never end, you’re certainly not alone. Company meetings are notorious time-wasters. But attendance is often mandatory.

As a freelancer, you can keep the meetings to a minimum. If it’s necessary to have a meeting with a client, you can set the terms to make sure it’s brief, to the point, and that it stays on track.

An End to Office Politics

Dealing with office politics can be demeaning. Being in a position where you have to affirm everything your boss says and does to advance your career is a terrible way live.

As a freelancer, you don’t have to be a “yes person” to anyone. You are the boss. You get to earn more by working more instead of brown nosing for a promotion.

You Get to Take Breaks Whenever You Want

As an employee, you are trading hours for dollars. The company owns your time. They determine your work schedule, approve your vacation time, and even tell you when you can take a break.

As a self-employed freelancer, you can take a break whenever you like and for as long as you want. As long as you complete all of your work, it truly doesn’t matter. There are some, for example, who can actually increase their productivity by taking short, frequent breaks.

No More Thermostat Wars

Do you prefer to work in an environment that’s a little warmer or cooler than everyone else? Well, tough luck if you work for a company where thermostats are typically set for maximum efficiency. Your options are usually limited to bundling up or bringing a fan and hoping for the best.

As a freelancer, you are completely free to keep your dwelling as warm or cool as you like. Being comfortable in your environment allows you to concentrate on your work without the distraction of being too warm or too cold.

The Grass Really is Greener on the Other Side

Making the transition from employee to freelance writer is not always easy, but it is definitely worth it. When you do, your quality of life will improve in so many ways, even ways you may not have thought of. There’s never been a better time to make it happen.

 

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