Blood is one of those substances that are tricky to clean up. It can seep through porous materials, bind to anything it comes in contact with and stain fabrics and surfaces. Apart from those things, you also have to worry about the things you can’t really see.

Blood can carry disease-causing microorganisms that can put everyone in danger. Because of this, it’s only essential that you know exactly how to clean up blood.

Blood Spill on a Non-Carpeted Floor

The most common place for a blood spill to occur is on a non-carpeted, hard surface. The list includes cement, wood, metal, linoleum, vinyl, ceramic, and tile. It can also happen to any type of non-absorbent flooring, like a pool deck.

It is easier to clean up blood as well as other types of body fluids from those surfaces compared to absorbent surfaces. However, there are still some important steps that you need to take into consideration.

A spill on a hard surface will frequently spread over a larger area, so the spill needs to be contained right away. The following are the procedures that should be taken for cleaning spills up on those surfaces:

• Block the area off until the disinfection and cleanup process have been completed. No one should be allowed to access the area, particularly unprotected staff members or visitors.
• Put disposable gloves on.
• Wipe the spill as much as you can with an absorbent material, such as a paper towel.
• Pour a bleach solution (9 parts water to 1 part bleach) to all contaminated areas.
• Allow the bleach solution to soak those areas for around 20 minutes before wiping off any remaining bleach solution.
• All non-disposable cleaning materials, like rags, brushes, and mops, should be disinfected by saturating them with a bleach solution and then letting them air dry.
• Take your gloves off and put them and any other dirty cleaning materials into a garbage bag.
• Double bag and tie the garbage bags securely.
• Wash your hands thoroughly with water and soap.

Blood Spill on a Carpeted Floor

Due to its absorbent nature, a blood spill on a carpeted floor is one of the hardest to clean up. Most buildings have at least some carpeting which is why it’s essential to know how to clean up blood on such surface.

Since there is no way for you to completely disinfect your carpet, you need to know how you can thoroughly sanitize it as much as you can. Here’s how you can do that:

Work Fast: Blood and other body fluids can quickly set or harden on carpeting and that can make them harder to clean. So, respond fast and make sure that all safety precautions are followed.

Use The Right Products: Bleach and other types of decontamination products may destroy or damage carpets. Using manufacturer-approved carpet cleaners and shampoos is the best way to get the contaminated areas clean.

Steam Clean: Depending on the size and nature of the spill, it is recommended to steam clean the carpet. A steam cleaner can clean, sanitize, and remove debris from carpets more thoroughly than conventional washing can. Although there are added expenses with steam cleaning, it’s the best way of preventing blood-borne pathogens.

Now that we got those things out of the way, here’s how you can clean blood from carpets.

• Put Disposable Gloves On: No matter what kind of surface you are cleaning, you should first put on gloves.
• Contain the Spill: Following a spill, it is critical to keep the affected area as contained as possible to prevent it from spreading further.
• Initial Disinfect: After the area has been contained, spray it with the proper carpet detergent to help kill pathogens.
• Blot Excess Fluids Up: Use disposable rags or towels to blot as much excess fluids as possible. Then, secure your soiled rags by placing them in a sealed bag.
• Extract Any Absorbed Fluids: Carpet does absorb some fluid so the next step is to remove it. Use a wet-dry vacuum and wet the carpet thoroughly before applying suction. Repeat the process as necessary.
• Re-disinfect: After you have vacuumed, re-saturate the area thoroughly using the right disinfectant. Repeat this step twice.
• Let Sit: Let the disinfectant sit and work for around 20 minutes.
• Rinse: After completing the final disinfecting round, rinse the area a final time so that any remaining disinfecting solution or detergent is removed.
• Dry: Thoroughly dry the area with rags so that any remaining moisture is drawn out.
• Wrap: Once the area is clean, secure all your PPE and rags in a bag.

Blood Spill on Furniture

The material of your furniture will determine the method you can use to clean up a blood spill.

For example, if you have an upholstered furniture, you need to treat the affected spots like you would treat a blood spill on a carpet. You have to disinfect it, allow the disinfectant to sit for a couple of minutes, and then wipe everything off.

However, if you have a piece of fabric covering your furniture, the best thing to do is take the fabric off and wash it on a warm wash cycle using the right detergent. Check your furniture for any stains that may also need to be cleaned.

Outdoor Blood Spills

Cleaning blood spills from grass or dirt is much more difficult than cleaning stains from your furniture at home. One good reason is its accessibility. Anyone can get into the contaminated area, so you have to work fast and be strategic in cleaning up.

You can begin by blocking the affected area off. Make sure that no children can get near the contaminated area until you are done cleaning and disinfecting it. If there are children playing nearby, find another spot for them.

In disinfecting the area, make sure to disinfect as thoroughly as possible. You can use a bleach and rinse it thoroughly with water after. Remember to wear the right PPE when cleaning up.

See Also: How To Clean A Blood Spill: Safe and Proper Blood Cleanup from Workplace Accidents

The post A Quick Guide on How to Clean Up Blood Spills Properly appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

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Setting up your own space from scratch is much like staring at an empty canvas. It represents endless possibilities. You can choose from different mediums, strokes, colors, and emotions to illustrate on your canvas. This makes the task of creating a home atmosphere extremely daunting, particularly for those who are just starting up.

If you are someone who is looking to move into a new space and are not sure where to start, here are a few startups in the industry that can help build your dream home.

BuzzBuzzHome

BuzzBuzzHome is an online real estate database for new residential developments. It is North America’s largest search portal for new homes. Their focus is on providing a tool for buyers to connect directly and collaborate with industry experts.

Through their online portal, you can communicate directly with developers to inquire about new developments. You can also follow people and see how their projects are coming along.

Their site is a wiki-powered collaboration which allows users to update projects and for anyone to post questions or give answers. If you’re looking to see new or future developments in your area or somewhere you’re moving to, BuzzBuzzhome is a great place to start.

Furnishr

Furnishr is a startup that can make creating your dream space a lot easier and cheaper. Their business allows them to create a design based on questions formulated for their designers to meet your aesthetic needs.

You will receive a few custom furniture packages which you can choose from. Once you are done selecting, they will deliver and set up your space with the pieces of furniture you picked.

This can save you a lot of time and money. They estimate that they can save you up to 20% in total when you factor in the potential costs of delivery and setup services. Buying your furniture as a package and not as individual items greatly cuts the cost, too.

If you find the task of getting your dream home turning into a nightmare, check out Furnishr.

AptDeco

AptDeco is an online service which helps you buy and sell used furniture. If you’re looking for that perfect piece but can’t find anything new and within your budget, it is definitely worth checking out.

You can browse from thousands of furniture pieces based on category, brand, room or collection and choose the ones you like. After you’ve made your pick, they will deliver those items to you on a date that works for you.

They have all the best brands available at a significantly lower cost. If you want a designer chair without the expensive price tag, this used furniture marketplace might be the place for you. You can also sell your used furniture for a pretty penny as well!

Handy

Apart from choosing a furniture, you also have to worry about moving it. This is where Handy fits in.

It’s an app that brings you handyman services from pre-screened independent service professionals. They can help you with home cleaning or furniture assembly. They really take the backache out of just about any and all household work. All you have to do is book a service professional and they will come to your home and perform the required services.

See Also: STOP! Before Packing Up Your Home Use These Stress Reducing Techniques To Employ When Moving

The post Startups That Help Build Your Dream Home Without The Stress appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

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Whether you are starting a new business or you already have a brand and want to create an online presence, you are going to need a website and a good domain name for it. But, do you know how to choose a website name?

After launching your website with responsive WordPress themes, like Genesis or TemplateMonster, you should think about your brand name. Naming a website is not a small fit. In fact, it is an extremely important decision.

Domain names have a huge impact on the success of your business. It can influence click-through rates, referring links, type-in traffic, online advertising, and brandability.

Another thing you have to keep in mind is this: Changing a name, later on, is a huge hassle that is sure to hurt your brand and search rankings. So, you have to choose the perfect name from the very start.

You might have some name ideas already, but is there something important you have to keep in mind when registering the name? Are there things to avoid? What name is sure to make the most impact on the web?

In this article, we will answer these questions, share some useful tools, and essential tips to help you choose the best domain name for your business and finally register it.

You Want a Brandable Name

You want your domain name to sound like a brand name.

Why?

Well, do you really want to end up with a name that is generic, indistinguishable, easy to forget, and not related to your business? If you want to be successful, choose a website name that is memorable, unique, and stands out.

You Want to Avoid Numbers and Hyphens

Hyphens and numbers in domain names look and sound generic and strange. They definitely do not make good brandable names. They are also often misunderstood.

For example, if you hear a website address with a number in it, you won’t easily know if it’s a numeral (3) or if it is spelled out (three).

And hyphens are easy to forget or misplace.

If you choose a domain name with a hyphen because the one without a hyphen is already taken, you will end up sending your potential customers straight to the competitor. Hyphens are also often used in spam domains and you definitely don’t want to be associated with those.

You Want to Avoid Doubled Letters

Domain names with doubled letters in them have more chances to lose traffic to typos and misspellings.

You Want It Short

When it comes to domain names, the general rule is this: the shorter, the better.

The shorter the name is, the easier it is to remember, type in, pronounce, and share with others. It is also less shortened on social media and search results, which is good for branding.

You Want It Pronounceable

While it is true that most people will type your domain name in or even click a link, psychology makes it important for the name to be pronounceable.

People are more likely to remember and have positive associations with things they can easily say or think about, including pronouncing it in their minds. If the domain name cannot be easily said out loud, the domain is more likely to lose a lot in terms of memorability and brandability.

You Want It Easy to Type

A name that is easy to type is critical to your success online. Words like “u” instead of “you” and words with multiple spellings are easy to forget, misspell and mix up. They can make you lose lots of leads and traffic.

You Want It Intuitive

A well-chosen domain name gives people a clear idea of what the website is all about. If the name of your choice tells people that your business is producing exactly what it is producing or offering exactly what it is offering, then you’ve won big time.

You Want to Avoid Trademark Violation

Try to avoid words used by well-known brands as much as possible. This is not about your domain name being confused with theirs; it is about the possible legal actions they can take against you. If you have any doubts regarding the name you have in mind, better consult with a legal professional to be safe.

You Want to Use Broad Keywords

It used to be imperative to find a domain name with the target keyword in it, but Google does not give any privileges to such domains anymore. They tend to have a negative association, both with the end users and the search engines.

If you can get a domain with a keyword which makes it clear what the website is about, you most definitely should grab it. But, try to use broader keywords instead of the target keywords you want to be ranked for.

You Want to Stick With .com

It is very true that finding a domain name with .com extension is very hard in 2017 as it’s been around for too long. There are plenty of new extensions to use, not only the top-level domains(TLDs) like .com, .net and .org, but such niche specific ones like .pizza and .photography. And while it is easier to get such a domain extension, .com is still the most credible one. People simply trust it more.

Besides, .com domains are more memorable. A lot of users even type .com automatically after every domain name.

If you can’t find the name of your choice with the .com extension, try to stick to the established top level domains. Here are the most established ones and their proper uses:

• .net – Mostly technical sites, Internet infrastructure sites.
• .co – Usually stands for company, community, and commerce.
• .info – Informational websites.
• .me – Blogs and personal pages.
• .org – Nonprofits and non-commercial organizations.
• .biz – Business and commercial websites.

And don’t forget about country-specific domain extensions if your business is centered in one particular country. These are the domains like .it for Italy, .de for Germany, and .uk for the United Kingdom.

The Best Domain Name Generators

All the above recommendations might have scared you off. And yes, it is not an easy task to get a great domain name these days, especially considering there are about 331.9 million domain name registrations in the top level domains this year so far.

But, don’t fret! There are dozens of tools designed to help you out. They are called domain name generators and we will introduce you to the best of them below.

Lean Domain Search

Created by team Automattic, the people who are responsible for the WordPress platform, Lean Domain Search is really easy to use, including country-specific. You will need one seed keyword and we recommend one that defines the niche you work in.

The generator can generate tons of name ideas based on your keyword and chances are – some of them will be available with the .com extension.  Lean Domain Search can filter the results by popularity and length. You can save your favorite ideas, track the history of your searches and share the results with your team if you want.

This is a great tool to use if you don’t have any ideas but you have a couple of keywords that define your business.

NameStall

NameStall is an awesome generator that provides amazing flexibility. It allows you to choose if you want your keyword placed at the end or at the beginning of the name. It allows selecting TLDs, including country-specific ones. You can also choose from various groups of words.

For example, there is a word group named “1500 popular last words” or one named “500 popular first words”. By selecting one of those groups, you will allow the generator to add the popular words to the keyword you specified. This is an awesome search customization feature.

NameStall is a good choice if you do not have a specific name in mind, but want to have more ways to customize your search.

Name Mesh

Name Mesh is a versatile tool. It searches for domain names based on more than one keyword. As a result, you get a huge list of names, which can be divided into such categories:

• New
• Common
• Similar
• Short
• SEO
• Fun
• Mix

There are also filters you can use which will sort the results based on extension, unregistered domains, and length. Name Mesh can also suggest other keywords for you if you can’t find a name.

Name Mesh is the tool for you if you are not opposed to spending more time on looking through more choices.

Check Your Names for Availability

Most of the name generators check the availability of the domains automatically. Simply put, there shouldn’t be any unavailable names in the results the domain name generators provide.

But if you want to double check or forgot to check in the first place, GoDaddy is the best tool for it. And if you want to check the availability of your name across the social networks you are planning to use, the best tool is Namechk.

Where to Register Your Domain Name

There are two ways to go about registering a domain name. The obvious first route is to register a free domain name when you get your hosting. And you will need hosting to launch your online business anyway, so why not use all the benefits it provides?

The most trusted hosting providers on the market are  Bluehost.com, HostGator.com, and InmotionHosting.com.

If you’ve already got your hosting and did not register a domain name with it or you’ve already used your free name for another project, there are dozens, if not hundreds, of domain name registrars out there. There are both free and paid options. We will show you the two most popular and trusted registrars here.

GoDaddy.com

GoDaddy has been around for a really long time. It is the go-to name registrar for a lot of professionals. Their prices are not the cheapest on the market, but they often offer promotions and deals.

If you need to claim a name fast, GoDaddy is the best tool for you.

NameCheap.com

NameCheap is another popular registrar. It is slightly cheaper in the long run than GoDaddy. If you are sure you will run your online business for a long time, we recommend registering a name for 5 years as that is the cheapest option.

Both these websites offer hosting as well, so if you haven’t got your plan yet, check out their hosting offers, too.

Final Thoughts

Knowing how to choose a  website name and getting a domain name are very important tasks. They can be really challenging, particularly if you are doing it for the very first time.

However, it doesn’t always have to be a complete hassle. In fact, you can make it a fun and an educating experience.

To get an even deeper understanding of how to choose a website name, make sure to read this free ebook.

The post A Quick Guide On How To Choose A Website Name appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

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In the bid to outsell one another, retailers come up with several marketing and advertisement techniques. A lot of business managers have now woken up to the benefits of email marketing and they are taking advantage of it big time.

Now, what are these benefits? Read on.

It is cost effective

One of the most effective techniques to maximize profit is to cut down business cost. So, when it comes to business, cost-effectiveness is a big factor to consider.

Email marketing does not require any print or postage cost and there are no fees to be paid in exchange for counted exposure. The biggest part is that it doesn’t require the contribution of an expert.

However, you may need a software to track and evaluate the emails. You may even incur a certain cost for sending millions of emails at once. All the cost put together are nothing compared to how much other marketing techniques will cost you.

It is directed to the right audience

Remember, you will be sending emails to those who have signed up for them. So, it means the emails will go to those that already have interest in your brand.

In other kinds of marketing techniques, you will have to send out your adverts to everybody. This can greatly increase your expenses.

In email marketing, you will also be charged for all the emails you send out. But since they are all going to your target audience, you’ll have a higher conversion rate.

It offers easy market segmentation

The real efficiency of email marketing comes out when you profile your recipients. Your mail will be received by those who likely need your service or product.

For instance, if you have an offline shop that renders certain service in a particular city, you can arrange for the mail to be sent to only your subscribers in that city. If you are marketing female dresses, you might also want to send it to only your female subscribers.

This approach will cost you much less since you won’t have to send emails to all your subscribers. Apart from that, it will also help you retain your subscribers. Receiving several non-relevant emails can make some of your subscribers decide to unsubscribe to your marketing emails or newsletters.

It takes advantage of impulse buying

Some people are impulse buyers. They usually respond to call-to-action on impulse. So, when you end your marketing mail with a compelling call-to-action, you are likely to cut it on them.

To strengthen your call-to-action, you can include a little bit of urgency. You could say they can get a promotional offer if they make an order within a certain period of time.

It is easy

You don’t really require any technical skill or any sophisticated technology to send marketing emails or newsletters. The only work lies in composing the message.

Apart from that, sharing news about your business is also easy. The recipients of your email can conveniently forward it to their friends who might be interested.

It is easy to track

Apart from online videos that show the number of views, no other marketing platform can provide you with the information on the number of people you have reached with your marketing campaign.

Some videos can even give a misleading number of views sometimes. For example, when a particular person watches a video four times, it will be counted as four views. Although it is four views, one will assume that “four views” means four people have viewed the video.

In email marketing, you can find out who has read your email and who is yet to read it. You will also get notified of the emails that were not delivered for some reasons.

Important Precautions

A lot of people still don’t get good results from email marketing. If you are one of those people, here are some important precautionary measures to take to guarantee success.

Segment your email list

It is not likely that all your subscribers will be interested in all your products or services. In fact, the information of certain products may be “garbage” to some people. They find it annoying, so they simply unsubscribe.

Before you send out your email, make sure that they are targeting the right audience. Segment your list, so only those people who need your email will read it.

Keep your emails short

Long emails scare people off, so make it as brief as possible. The shorter it is, the more recipients are likely to read it. You should also put the most important information first as not every recipient will read it up to the end.

Use catchy captions for the subject of your emails

No matter how good your content is, people may not really go through it without an attractive caption. People generally assess emails with their subjects.

A boring subject is always seen as a boring content even though it is not always true. So, no matter how many emails you are sending, each of them should have an attractive subject. Otherwise, only the ones with a “worthy” caption will be read.

A very good idea is to make the benefit of the product your subject. For instance, if you want to advertise an anti-aging cream, you should use subjects like “You can now look as young as you want”.

The subject of your email should let your readers know what’s in it for them. If they don’t see any benefit, they would probably just ignore the mail.

Finally, the content of your mail also matters. It should be good enough to get them to take action. So, take the time to compose great content for every marketing email. That’s how you can get all the benefits of email marketing.

See Also: 6 Steps To Get A Flood of Phone Calls With One Email

 

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Years ago, science predicted that the electric home of the future would have an automatic dishwasher and an electric stove that would eventually become remote controlled. Today, those predictions are coming true.

There are refrigerators that can message you a shopping list and stoves that you can turn off from the airport if you forgot to in your haste to make it to your flight. You can order groceries to be delivered to your doorstep as you cook using your Amazon Echo. You can even tell your Google Home to run your robotic vacuum cleaner.

Smart home features are big on the holiday shopping lists this year, so 2018 might end up being the year we are all living in the home of the future.

How To Turn Home Into A Smart Home

So, how do you get started creating a smart home for yourself?

There is a multitude of options out there. You have to start by figuring out just exactly what you want your smart home to be able to do. Some of the possibilities include:

• Thermostats that learn and save you money
• Locks that can be controlled by an app
• Security cameras that allow you to talk to and see who is at the door
• Robotic vacuum cleaners you can start remotely
• Ovens that can be preheated remotely
• Lights that can be turned on and off with your phone
• Window coverings that can be raised and lowered from your device
• Mattresses that track your sleep
• Music that can be paused in one room and resumed in another

First, start by deciding which features are most important to you. The good news is that most systems are compatible with each other. So, even if you start off controlling everything through your Nest thermostat, you can add on a Google Home or Alexa later to expand your home’s capabilities.

If Security Is Your Main Concern

If this is the case, one of the easiest ways to get started is with the Nest system. With it, your smart thermostat will not only help you save money but it can also allow you to set your lights on a timer or connect them to your doorbell camera.

If you can turn on the lights when someone rings your doorbell even when you’re not at home, then you’re going to have greater peace of mind about your home’s security. You can also set your locks to give people temporary access to your home while you’re gone and monitor when they come and go.

If Convenience Is Your Thing

Alexa and Google Home are both great options for making your life easier. Both can order things for you with simple commands, like “Alexa, add butter to the shopping list.”

Both systems can connect to an iRobot vacuum cleaner, so you can start the vacuum remotely or with a voice command. You can also ask both systems to preheat your oven or run the dishwasher with compatible appliances, play relaxing music when you need to unwind, and many other things.

Smart Home Tech Is Catching On

In 2016, 45% of homeowners installed at least one smart home feature. Security and safety equipment are some of the most popular options, followed by entertainment, climate control, and lighting.

But just a year later, the possibilities have grown substantially. You can make your smart home tech work for you and take a lot of the load off yourself. And with all the security tech, you could find yourself saving money on your homeowner’s insurance, too!

Men, Millennials, and the wealthy are the groups most likely to adopt this tech. In fact, more than a third of men want or plan to get smart home tech compared with just over a quarter of women. People between 18 to 34 years old lead the market in smart home tech adoption as do those with incomes over $100,000 a year.

Every day you have to make around 35,000 decisions. Wouldn’t it be nice if your home can take out a good chunk out of that number? It’s so simple you don’t even need instructions to get started most of the time. Learn more about the smart home of the future from this infographic!

Source

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With technology evolving, customers have more options than ever before. They are surrounded by streams of brands- millions of them. People are agog over searching things they want over the internet, so if you do not exist online, you are probably losing a multitude of your potential customers.

Having a website is a must!

Whether you own a large corporation or a small cafe, you will need an influential web presence where your customers can connect with you, discover about your business, and eventually buy your products online. Taken together, an appealing, user-friendly, and informative website can magnetize new customers and prospects.

Businesses that still don’t have a website may be considered as outdated or even unreliable. Obviously, you wouldn’t want your business to have the same impression.

Since a majority of small and big businesses get their own website, they need to choose between different hosting solutions at some point. If your website does not attract much traffic and you have a tight budget, then shared web hosting service is the best option for you.

The Most Affordable Hosting Option

Shared hosting is the most classic and widely chosen hosting plan across the globe. The key reason is its affordability as you don’t have to burn holes in your wallet.

Shared hosting is more like sharing an apartment where you share different facilities, like parking lot, kitchen, internet provider, and so on. When it comes to hosting, you have to share your resources with other hosting mates, like CPU time, memory, data, and disk space.

The Drawbacks

Shared hosting comes with some drawbacks. Potential website instability is one of them.

Take note that your website will be sharing server CPU resources with different other websites. When any of the websites sharing your server experiences an upsurge in traffic, your site might load slowly.

More Things to Consider

Hosting providers offer different plans for shared hosting. They may ask you to pay monthly, quarterly or yearly depending on your chosen plan.

Apart from payment options, you also have to be clear about the features you should be able to get from your plan. Storing files on the server is essential and so is the volume of data transfers and storage limits. If the basic features aren’t enough, you can always get an upgrade but be prepared to pay more.

Many shared hosting providers offer unlimited monthly data transfers to their customers. This may not be a catch, but you have to be sure that there are no hidden prices involved and that your definition of unlimited is same as theirs.

Now comes the OS. Check if you need Windows servers or Linux servers. Most common OS available for servers is Linux, but there are some web hosts that will allow you to choose between Linux or Windows hosting. For server-side apps that require Windows, let’s say SQL Server or a customized software coded in .NET, then Windows hosting will be the right option.

Make sure that your prospective web host offers a user-friendly control panel to streamline server administration and website management. Rather than typing a command line manually, the user can click the icons they recognize.

Another thing is customer support. You need to be certain that your host offers responsive 24/7 customer support. Some useful tools are forums, tutorials, and knowledge bases, but there’s nothing like having a human at your disposal.

See Also: 5 Effective Ways To Sound More Human Over A Customer Support Live Chat

Hosting For Bloggers

WordPress hosting is an effective and affordable solution, just like shared web hosting. This sort of hosting is the best solution for people planning to create a website powered by WordPress CMS (content management system), but don’t want to be troubled with things like updating CMS and the apps. Managed WordPress plans is mostly comprised of security features aimed at protecting CMS from layabouts.

Some managed WordPress hosts restrict certain plugins. Therefore, if your website demands certain plugins, then you might have to search for other hosting options. Please note that only WordPress CMS can run on managed WordPress hosting.

See Also: How to Choose a Web Host for Your Website

 

To wrap up

Selecting the right hosting option is no rocket-science; it truly depends upon your unique needs and budget. Most of the time shared web hosting is more than enough to cover your hosting needs as it is affordable, practical, and uncomplicated.

The post 5 Things You Need To Know About Shared Web Hosting appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

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It’s almost a brand new year and with that comes the inevitable New Year’s resolutions.

Maybe you want to lose weight and/or get in shape. Maybe you want to quit smoking. Perhaps you wish to do something more creative, like starting a daily journal, finishing a novel or learning a new language.

You eagerly set all those things in January and by February, all your efforts are gone- if they even last that long.

Why is it so difficult to make a resolution that works?

Why Resolutions Fail

Most resolutions fail not because you lack good intentions but because if you truly wanted to make a lasting change in your life, you wouldn’t have to wait for a special day to do it. You’d already be taking steps to attain your goal and you wouldn’t allow one setback to derail or defeat the other steps you’d already taken to achieve that goal.

That is exactly the practice you need to follow should you really wish to bring lasting changes to your life.

So, instead of thinking of a New Year’s resolution as an all-or-nothing proposition where one slip-up derails your entire effort, create a mindset that any and all progress toward your goal is worthy of reward. Rather than focusing on the negatives, focus on the progress you have made.

What You Can Do Instead of Making a New Year’s Resolution

Here are some alternatives to the traditional New Year’s resolution and how they will truly help you change your life for the better.

Make a Bucket List for the New Year

Everyone’s heard of lifelong bucket lists. However, when we think of bucket lists, we often think in very vague terms, like “Someday, I’d like to skydive/hike the Grand Canyon, run a marathon and visit Paris.”

Instead, why not make a bucket list for the year?

Making a list of things you want to do rather than setting one virtually unattainable goal is far more enjoyable. Plus, looking forward to checking items off your list makes you encouraged to tackle the necessary steps you need to take.

For example, one of your bucket list items for the year is to learn Spanish. To check this item off your list, you’ll need to set aside weekly, or better yet, daily time to practice it. If one of your bucket list items is to run a 10k marathon, you’ll have to make a weekly training schedule to check that item off of your annual bucket list.

Focus on the Process and Make It Enjoyable

We’re all familiar with the cliché that Rome wasn’t built in one day. And as with all clichés, there is a glimmer of truth to that statement.

When setting a long-term goal, such as quitting smoking or losing weight, it’s vital to celebrate every step of the journey to keep you motivated.

Ask yourself questions about what you would like to achieve.

Perhaps your goal is to fit back into the size 10 jeans you wore in high school. Then, make a list of some of the behaviors you can change to achieve your goal.

Set it out on a weekly basis and congratulate yourself for every positive action taken. You can try eating fast food no more than once a week or commit to exercise at least 10 to 15 minutes per day.

Instead of beating yourself up when you slip up, try congratulating yourself each time you do well. Celebrate making it through a week of workouts with a nice, long bubble bath or by buying yourself a small gift.

By making the process something you can enjoy and celebrate, you’ll be well on your way to making lasting life changes.

Set Mini Goals and Take Small Steps Daily

Perhaps one of your bucket list items for the year is to finish a novel. This takes time and as every writer knows, you can’t count on just waiting for the moment inspiration strikes to start writing.

Instead, set a goal of writing one to two pages per day. Hold yourself accountable. You can make a pact with a family member or friend to discuss your daily goals. Then, check back with them at the end of each day to evaluate and celebrate your progress.

Write Your Goals Down and Use Checklists

Another great way to keep yourself accountable with your resolutions or goals is to write them down. Writing your goals helps make them more concrete and specific.

For example, to lose weight is a vague and amorphous goal. “To lose one pound per week” breaks it down so you’ll have a more concrete path to success.

Also, use checklists to keep yourself on track.

Each Sunday, for example, sit down and write a list of actions you can take that week that can help you achieve your goal.

You can write down your workout schedule for the week. As you write down the schedule, include check boxes next to the routines. As you accomplish and check off each routine, you get instant visual validation that you are on track.

Make Goals That Are Attainable and Measurable

Experts agree that the best goals have certain characteristics. They should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). These SMART goals are empowering because they focus on goals you can obtain and offer a specific time frame for completion.

See Also: How to Set Personal SMART Goals To Succeed

For example, you wish to run a half marathon this year.

To create a SMART goal, many trainers would recommend that you make a training schedule on a calendar you see daily, such as a large wall calendar. By seeing the number of miles you have completed, you’ll be able to measure your progress.

The problem with traditional New Year’s resolutions is they focus on your setbacks instead of celebrating the progress you’ve accomplished. So, for this year, create resolutions that will celebrate you.

See Also: 5 Habits to Make The New Year Your Best Year Yet

The post 5 Simple Tips for Keeping Your New Year’s Resolution appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

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When your job search feels stalled, it’s time to make a change to your strategy. So many top job industries are emerging, providing opportunities for you to pursue one of your passions.

Your job search strategy should have more structure than just randomly sending your documents to dozens of job openings every week. Reflect on what industries align with your interests and focus on those.

Let’s take a look at the most exciting job industries you can start with.

Outdoor Recreation

More people are spending time and money on experiencing the great outdoors. In fact, according to an April 2017 report from the Outdoor Industry Association, the outdoor recreation industry creates $887 billion in consumer spending and employs 7.6 million Americans.

If you love taking hikes, camping, and seeking adventures in your local parks, this is the perfect industry for you. There are several awesome companies to choose from.

For example, Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI) is perfect if you’re into outdoor gear. They continue to be recognized as a top employer. Every year since 1998, they earned a spot in Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For list, which is based on anonymous employee feedback.

Additionally, they ranked second in Glassdoor’s 2016 list for Top 20 Employer Benefits and Perks. Employees enjoy discounts, retirement plans, community involvement, two days of additional PTO for outside activities, healthcare, and a positive culture that shares a passion for the outdoors.

To make the most of your job search, learn how to show your enthusiasm to potential employers. Niche industries are especially competitive because there are fewer opportunities and a lot of passionate people who want to work there.

Just this year, my company, JobsInSports, conducted a survey of employers. They said one of the best ways you can express enthusiasm for your industry is by writing a tailored cover letter. Also, one in four employers says sharing industry experience during your interview is crucial to demonstrating enthusiasm.

To put it simply, gain experience as you look for jobs within a niche industry like outdoor recreation. Search for internships and volunteer opportunities if you’re struggling to get entry-level work. As you work, think about how you are going to write about your learning experiences and how you can share them in your cover letter.

See Also: 5 Tips To Making Your Resume Cover Letter Stand Out

Sports

The world of sports is huge and it’s only going to get bigger. According to a 2016 report from PricewaterhouseCoopers, the sports industry will be valued at $75 billion by 2020.

However, this doesn’t just include the major sports, like football, baseball, and basketball. Soccer is becoming more popular in North America and esports shows no signs of slowing. In fact, a 2017 report from Newzoo found that there are 191 million esports enthusiasts worldwide and just the esports industry alone generated $696 million in revenue.

The best part about the sports industry is that you have plenty of opportunities within each sport. Depending on your interests, you can find the perfect employer.

For soccer fans, look at MLS. Baseball enthusiasts thrive when they work in MLB. For those interested in sports media, ESPN still stands as one of the best employers.

Another exciting world within the industry is sports technology. Companies like Hudl and SeatGeek are among the best employers. They offer exciting growth opportunities and great benefits.

The best way to stand out in sports involves two key factors: networking and building an online presence.

Employers noted that the top ways candidates stand out to them include joining professional organizations, commenting on industry discussion boards, sharing industry content through social media, and engaging with relevant industry groups through networks like LinkedIn and Facebook.

When you meet people and publicly engage with sports groups online, potential employers will see you’re passionate. They will also see what your expertise is if you’re sharing ideas and starting discussions.

Wellness

The wellness industry includes nutrition, alternative medicine, beauty products, the spa industry, fitness, and wellness tourism. With more people interested in self-care, this industry is booming.

As a 2017 report from The Global Wellness Institute (GWI) found, the U.S. generates $202.2 billion of the annual $563.2 billion global market. In other words, there are several opportunities awaiting you.

Our survey found that employers think the most important aspects you should know about a potential employer are core values, the vision, their products/services, and their mission statement. When you want to work for wellness companies, start researching them.

See Also: 5 Best Ways to Use Technology To Land Your Dream Job

Not only will you gain a clear understanding of their role in the market, but you’ll also see how you align with their culture and how you can provide value to their mission. Then, you can tailor your resume and cover letter to clearly indicate why you’re the best fit for them.

How are you focusing your job search strategy in niche industries?

The post 3 Top Job Industries That Are Flying Under Your Radar appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

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“Invert, always invert: Turn a situation or problem upside down. Look at it backward.”

– Charlie Munger

For ambitious people, knowing what to do is not always enough. Sometimes, we need to know what not to do.

So, like Charlie Munger, I am going to use inversion and focus on what not to do to be successful. Specifically, I will focus on two mindsets to avoid in order to be successful.

Here’s the secret to success.

Mindset 1: Impatience

I’ve always been impatient.

In a video recorded on my first day of school, I looked as if boredom and impatience were slowly and surely killing me. I was 6 years old then.

In my view, impatience is a very one-sided negative trait.

Let me illustrate.

For most of my life, I’ve quit things that I didn’t like anymore because I got impatient about the speed of progress. Things weren’t moving fast enough.

Like a chimpanzee, I’d jump from branch to branch, hoping to find something that would excite me- something that would energize and stifle the crushing boredom I felt.

That all comes down to impatience.

Because of my impatience, I started two educations and dropped out of both. This was the time I realized that something was wrong.

It was not so much that I realized that impatience was at the bottom of my ailments. It was more on the idea that I needed to change something in my life.

When it comes to studying and getting a degree, things don’t happen overnight.
From this, I learned that things take time.

It might sound trivial but until I realized this, impatience held me back in a big way.

Conversely, patience is a trait you see in almost every successful person if you study their life and work.

Picture-Perfect Patience

A prime example of patience is Sam Walton, the founder of Walmart.

He opened his first store in 1945 and barely scraped by for the next few years. Then, things slowly started improving. After spending five years establishing himself as a retailer, he opened his first Ben Franklin store in 1950. A big move at the time.

Let us dwell on the fact that it took Sam Walton, one of the most successful businessmen of all time, five years before he no longer struggled. We’re not talking about success. We’re just talking about getting to a point where he doesn’t have to worry if his business is going to survive.

After this, he spent the next 12 years building a chain of Ben Franklin stores until he eventually owned 16. This is when he tasted the first modicum of success, 17 years after he started his first business.

This only happens with tremendous patience.

After spending 17 years building his retail business from the bottom up, Walton opened his first Walmart in 1962.

We all knew what happened next.

The point is that one of the most successful businessmen of all time worked his butt off for 20 years in the retail business before Walmart become a success.

Key lesson: If you want to be successful, avoid impatience like the plague.

Mindset 2: Arrogance

Another part of my personality that has held me back in the past is my arrogance.

I consider myself a pretty smart guy and sometimes, that spills over into thinking that I’m better than everyone. I am a master of the universe and don’t have anything to learn because I already know it all.

I’m sure you can see how these behaviors held me back.

It’s not that I disliked other people. I just thought I was better than them.

More intelligent, smarter, better-looking, and pretty much the bee’s knees. Whether or not this was objectively the case — which, most often, wasn’t — is beside the point.

The point is that this line of thinking is so counter-productive that it’s amazing I ever managed to accomplish anything at all.

Arrogance hampered me because it became a substitute for thought. A substitute for learning. A substitute for personal growth.

After all, why would I need to grow when I was already so amazing?

Want to know the worst part?

I was completely blind to it.

I had no idea how arrogant I was.

Let me illustrate.

When I started my first job, I was assigned a mentor. After the initial exchange of pleasantries, we got down to business. I realized pretty quickly that she didn’t have a university degree.

In my mind, at the time, that equated to being stupid. So, I assumed that she was stupid, which affected my attitude towards her as well as the people around me.

Coming straight out of school with this kind of arrogance, I’m sure you can imagine what happened next.

I was ostracized and had to move projects in order to work with other people- new people who didn’t know me.

This time, I tabled my arrogance as much as possible and lo and behold, my experience was completely different. People reacted differently to me. I felt better at work. It was easier to work with others and the quality of my overall experience increased exponentially.

The Humble-Pie Die

Have you ever wondered what it takes to become the richest man in the world?

Obviously, it takes tremendous patience because good things happen slowly. Less obvious is the fact that it requires complete lack of arrogance.

It requires a ruthless focus on learning from mistakes, a continuously expanding network of knowledge and magnificent people skills. These are all skills that would be impossible to attain in the face of arrogance.

Trust me.

So, who is this mystery man who has made a career (not to mention billions) from the humble-pie diet?

None other than investing legend Warren Buffett.

Buffett is one of my biggest idols. He is my idol because he combines one of the sharpest minds of several generations with a tremendous amount of humility. And this humility is what has helped him achieve the success that he has.

In his partnership letters, Buffett mostly writes about his mistakes, despite the fact that he wipes the floor with the market every year. His humility has allowed him to learn throughout his life and he has become one of the richest and most successful businessmen of all time because of it.

Key-Lesson: Eat your humble pie every day.

See Also: 4 Things Highly Successful People Do Differently

 

The post Secret To Success: The Two Mindsets You Need To Avoid appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

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Gratitude is the key to happiness in life, at work, and in relationships.

Studies show that depressed people who engaged in gratitude practice were 25% less depressed after a 12-week period. Interesting, right?

When we are down, we tend to ruminate and go over the same things over and over. Most of the time, it’s about our past and ourselves. We can’t stop being self-critical.

According to a study performed by Dr. James Pennebaker, depressed people used the “I” word at a 6.5% rate, that’s 4% higher than the average person. And those who suffer from a mental illness use “I” 11 times more than other people.

When we focus on the present and we’re grateful for what we have and who we are, we generate positive memories. These are the memories we can reflect on in the future that can help us feel better. Also, focusing on others and what we can do for other people can help us, too. We won’t be using so many “I” words.

So, do yourself a favor and focus on the present, what you have and what you’re doing. Once you are able to do that, you’ll be a happier person.

Make sure to appreciate the people around you as well. They’ll know it and they’ll reward you in kind.

In one study, twice as many people helped a second time after receiving a thank you email than when no thank you email was sent. The study showed people did it because they felt more socially valued when they’d been thanked.

Dr. Sara Algoe, a US psychologist, emphasized that “Feelings of gratitude and generosity are helpful in solidifying our relationships with people we care about and benefit to the one giving as well as the one on the receiving end.”

On the other hand, a Glassdoor study showed that more than 80 percent of employees say they’re motivated to work harder when their boss shows appreciation for their work.

A feedback loop develops when you appreciate others. They begin to think about how they appreciate you.

It is easy to focus on what people are not and how they are different, but when you focus on people’s good qualities, you will be happier around them. They will be happier around you, too.

And what happens when you do the opposite?

Many will get defensive, angry, and lash out, causing you to do the same thing. Best to start off and focus on the right things. This is especially true in marriage.

So, appreciate people for what they are, what they bring to the table and for who they are and not who they are not. This way, you’ll be better off individually and together.

What can you tell about people who don’t say thank you?

Well, the inability to say thank you could be a sign of narcissism. When people feel entitled or full of themselves, they fail to appreciate the complement or the contribution of others. They think they deserve the special treatment or special praise because they are special.

No one wants to be with someone like that. So, make sure to show how thankful you are to those around you.

See Also: A Little Bit of Gratitude, Everyday!

How to get started?

Make it easy.

Try thinking or writing down three simple things you’re grateful for each day. Tony Robbins makes this a daily practice and he starts with something easy, like the wind on the face or the peacefulness of no wind.

You can show gratitude for anything or anyone in your life. It can be as simple as being alive and the opportunity to do things better the next time.

Make it a habit and do it every single day. Over time, your view of the world and life will dramatically change.

Thank you for reading this!

The post The Magic of Appreciation: How to Practice Gratitude appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

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