Self Care Goals For The New Year

by ajohnson | Jan 2, 2022 | Blog, Life, Opinion

It’s the start of a new year, and with it comes all sorts of resolutions. Whether you have one or not, self care is always something we should be striving for. Self care has been around for years but in recent times its popularity has grown immensely. It’s not hard to see why – when we focus on our well-being and time for ourselves, we can feel more refreshed and happy than ever before!

One of the best things about self care is that it comes in all shapes and sizes. There’s no one right way to do it, and what works for someone else might not work for you. That’s why having self care goals for the new year can be so helpful – they give you a set of specific things to aim for, and they’re all different!

Here are some self care goals worth trying in the new year. Pick at least one of them to dedicate yourself to, and see how it goes:

Self Care Goals For The New Year

1) Take More Breaks During The Day

This helps you reorganize and refocus so you are being more productive when you are working.

2) Plan Ahead For Your Week And Prioritize

No need to rush everyday when you can take one day out and plan what you want to do to keep your day and week in line. Only do the things that are a priority first to make sure you get them done.

3) Take care of your body

We only get one, so why not take good care of it? There’s no better time than now to start eating healthy, exercising and getting enough sleep!

4) Gratitude journal

Start a gratitude journal. Every day, write down three things you’re grateful for – no matter how small they may seem! Doing this will help remind ourselves of all the great things in our life and it can even improve mental health .

5) Bubble Baths/Spa Days

Turn your regular shower into a spa day! Add in some candles, relaxing music and maybe even a few drops of essential oil for an amazing experience. You can make it as extravagant or simple as you want – either way it’s guaranteed to be something that will help reduce stress.

6) Get out of your comfort zone

If you’re feeling like there’s something missing in your life, maybe it’s time to try a new activity. Try going hiking for the first time or taking up an instrument! It can be scary at times but this is how we grow and develop as people so why not give it a shot?

7) Say No To Guilt

It’s okay to say no. You don’t have to do everything you’re asked of, and there’s nothing wrong with that! Learn how to set your own boundaries so people respect them properly, which will help keep life from feeling overwhelming.

8) Make Better use of your Time

Do you find yourself doing the same things over and over again? Maybe it’s time to try something new! Take up a new activity or hobby, challenge yourself in some way – all these are ways to make our lives feel more fulfilling.

9) Connect with Friends and family

Spend time with the people you love. Whether it’s going out for coffee, watching a movie or taking a walk outside, quality time is always something to be cherished.

10) Give Yourself A Break!

This one may seem like common sense but we often forget how necessary it is. We’re only human after all – sometimes we need to just take some time for ourselves without feeling guilty about it. Relax, recharge and then get back at it!

11) Go hiking for the first time or take up an instrument!

It can be scary but this is how we grow and develop as people so why not give it a shot? And who knows, you might be the next rockstar!

12) Spend some quality time alone each day doing something you love

(This could range from bubble baths/spa days, reading books in bed, watching movies, catching up on Netflix shows, etc.)

13) Go through your home and work space to get rid of everything that doesn’t “spark joy” or give you energy.

14) Try something new everyday

Explore the world around you! If it’s learning a language, cooking food from another country, working on solving puzzles or even trying yoga for the first time – anything goes as long as it brings us some kind of excitement/joy/energy in our life.

15) Take a day each month to completely unplug from social media and the internet altogether

Not only will this free up more time, but it will also free up more emotional and mental space in your body.

17) Spend some time outdoors each week, whether that means going for walks, hikes, bike rides etc.

18) Declutter your living space both physically and mentally

19) Volunteer your time with local organizations who need help

(This could be anything from animal shelters, soup kitchens, youth centers, etc.)

20) Practice self-care and take time for yourself each day

21) Figure out what you want to achieve in the new year and then break that down into manageable daily or weekly goals.

22) Keep your home organized all throughout the month

So it’s easier to keep up with during busy periods such as winter months, holidays etc.

23) If possible, spend at least 30 minutes every day learning something new

(Try taking online classes through sites like Coursera , Khan Academy , Udemy, or a new language with Babbel )

24) Try cooking healthy meals instead of resorting to fast food options!

It will save money and also help boost energy levels which is especially important when we’re feeling.

25) Take some time each week to reflect on your goals

Both personal and professional – and how you can work towards achieving them

26) Spend more time outdoors in nature

(This includes camping, picnicking, etc.)

27) Cut out caffeine from your diet for a certain period of time to see if there are any changes in terms of energy levels, moods etc.

28) Mindfully eat three meals per day with no distractions

(Put away phones, laptops, etc.) and really focus on the taste, texture and flavors of the food

29) Take some time to meditate before you go to sleep so you can set up healthy sleeping habits and better mental health.

30) Go on vacation somewhere new over winter break with friends / family who will offer support during times where it’s needed most

(Especially if dealing with tough things.)

31) last but not…practice random acts of kindness!

Whether that means helping out a stranger, holding the door open for someone or paying it forward at Starbucks – these little things can make all of the difference!

Self care is about taking care of ourselves in a way that works best for us. So if you don’t like to exercise, try something else like meditating or writing in your gratitude journal. The most important thing is that you find what makes you happy and stick with it!

There are countless self care goals you can set for the new year, these are just a few to get you started! But whatever you do, don’t forget to be kind to yourself. Don’t beat yourself up if you don’t achieve your goals straight away – Rome wasn’t built in a day! Just keep trying and eventually you’ll see results.

Fourth Quarter Mindset

by ajohnson | Dec 31, 2021 | Blog, Life, Opinion

The fourth quarter is the fourth and final period of play, often seen in American football and basketball. The fourth quarter starts once one team is leading by more than eight points or once both teams are tied for that matter. It is said to be a crucial time since it can make or break your team’s chance of winning the game. The fourth quarter goes until the final second ticks off the clock. And you can start at any time to try to win.

The fourth quarter mindset is the same way.

The fourth quarter mindset is when you want to end the year on a high note and start off with an even better one at the beginning of the new year. For many people, this means doing what they can in order to end their fourth quarter strong financially, physically, emotionally, etcetera. I’ll be the first to say I have not been good with this fourth quarter mindset since fourth quarters are usually months away.

However, once fourth quarters shows up, I’m reminded that it’s the last stretch of the year. And I’ve got to make sure that all my ducks are in a row. This means being financially responsible, physically active, and mentally and emotionally stable.

As fourth quarter is mostly about coming together and pushing hard to meet our goals, the fourth quarter mindset is about planting seeds for what we want in order to get it. The fourth quarter mindset can give you more than just an escape from your finals week stress or from the kids’ vacation from school but also help you win during the fourth quarter of every day.

Fourth Quarter Mindset

You can view the fourth quarter as the fourth and final period of life. With this mindset, you will want to make sure your fourth quarter is one that counts. And makes a difference for not only yourself but those around you as well.

As fourth quarters come and go, another year is coming up. And it’s time to decide what you want out of it. In fourth quarters, you can think of your fourth quarter mindset as a game-winning mindset. And this is how you can make the most out of life.

Decide how to end the year.

As we start another year, we always have an opportunity to kick off our shoes and relax. And reflect on what we did well and what we could do better. The fourth quarter mindset can be used to decide how we want this year to end and the fourth quarter stories we want to tell. It can also be a time when you finish off all the things you set to do at the beginning of the year which still have to be completed. It can be as simple as finishing a book, completing a workout program, completing a school training, or getting into a routine. Or it can even mean you want to delete things or people out of your life and next year. Now is the time to complete all the things so you can start off fresh.

Winning mindset.

All in all, fourth quarters can bring you together and push you harder than ever before and even during fourth quarters of your life, you can use it as a game-winning mindset by planting seeds for what you want in order to get it.

The fourth quarter mindset is something that can be used all year round in order to make the most out of life.

Start off with a fourth quarter mindset and end your fourth quarter strong by doing what you can now before fourth quarters come around. Don’t let the fourth quarter overwhelm you, let it motivate you to get everything you want in line for the coming year.

Tips for New Clubhouse Users

by ajohnson | Dec 30, 2021 | Blog, Life, Opinion

Thanks to advancing technology, the marketing arena has been revolutionized. It started from billboard posters, advertisements, and ended on social media. But as they say, even digital socialization is dynamic and ever-changing. MSN, Yahoo, Orkut, Facebook, and Instagram have all joined the queue. 

However, talking about contemporary times, Instagram has been leading the game. But as I said before, the digital marketing environment has never been constant. Now from what I anticipate, there’s huge potential for another contender in the league, Clubhouse App. 

Thanks to COVID-19, the app has been on the rise ever since. Precisely because the app enables users to interact in what they call, invitation-only audio rooms. And from what I know, offline meet-ups have been transformed into digital meetups especially in the COVID era. 

Nonetheless, companies across the globe have been using the app as a marketing tool. It helps them connect with their customer base, and eventually enables them to speculate and create customer demand.

But besides, for those users who are not looking forward to using it as a marketing tool, but as a mere medium to interact with colleagues or their social circle, it is the right fit even for them. Plus, also for those users who are uncomfortable with the video interface of video conferencing apps like Google Meet and zoom. 

Since the Clubhouse app is invite-only, and available just on IOS, it can get tricky and ambiguous for individuals who are trying out their hands on the app. So, if you’re one of them, here are some tips that can help you know and use the app better 

Tips for new clubhouse users 

1. ​How to join without an invite 

Primarily, to join and use the Clubhouse app, you need an invite, and on top of it, the number of invites per user is limited. But it’s not absolutely necessary, there’s a hack that allows you to join the app without an invite.

For that, you have to take the help of a friend who is already on the clubhouse app. Since you would be on each other’s contact list, they can let you in.

To go into details, once you register yourself and enter your contact information, your contact that’s already on the App would be promoted a notification that allows them to let you in. This way, neither their invites would be wasted nor would you need an invite to join in.

2. ​Setting up a profile  

Mark this; the registration process is incomplete without an invite if you are going the traditional way without using the hack. However, you can still set basic profile information that includes your name, contact information, photo, etc before being let in.

You can also link your Twitter and other social media accounts to build your network, and draw your audience and friends to your rooms.

To link your social media accounts, open the Clubhouse app > Click on your profile > Find the buttons to link your Twitter and Instagram accounts.

Once you have been invited, you can set up other aspects of your profile, like adding a bio and writing about your interests, hobbies, and passions. The process is similar to any other social media app, like Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest where you offer users a detailed account about yourself.  

Besides that, a part of the registration process requires you to pick topics you would be interested in, much like Pinterest. Select these topics, and the algorithm would show you topics and chat rooms similar to your choices. The reason many algorithms ask your topic of interest is that they want to show you content that is relevant to you, and which you can enjoy. The Clubhouse App is no different. 

3. ​Use clubhouse app for marketing or private purposes 

It’s not necessary to have a purpose for joining the Clubhouse app. Of course, you can simply use it to interact with your social circle. However, if you have marketing objectives, you can make good use of the app.

You can use the explore page to form connections. The explore section allows you to follow other users, and join new rooms. You can also join topic rooms to engage more with the users who are offering topics you might be interested in. 

In case you cannot find a room you are interested in, you can search it out in the search bar. In addition to that, when you are in a room full of listeners, you can even search for specific people in the room. Just tap the three dots found at the top right corner. Then click search and type the name of the person you are looking for.

4. ​Start your own club

Once you are familiar with the functioning of the app and have participated or hosted three rooms, you can get on board with creating your own club. For instance, if you are an avid reader and would love to engage in a discussion about the books or writers you read, you can start your own club and invite people in. 

But just before you get started, here’s what you should know. You require approval before your club starts operating. It’s a simple formality. And you don’t need to worry about it. However, you do need to note that up until now, the app allows a user to create just one room. So, before starting a club, make sure you stay on board with it for as long as you need. 

5. ​Manage clubhouse notifications 

Notifications are important if you want to stay updated with the clubs or rooms you might be interested in. But too frequent, and too many notifications can simply piss anyone off. Not to worry, you can make them manageable by controlling what you would like to see in your notifications.

To do that, open the app, open your profile. Tap the little play button at the top right and open settings. Once you are there, you can choose the frequency of notifications and pause it as well when you don’t want to be notified. For the latter, you can also opt for another alternative – just go to your iPhone settings, click notifications, select the clubhouse app, and turn off its notifications.

6. ​How to engage and build a base

If you are a business professional or an influencer, then you might want to increase your base or followers. You can do so by hosting rooms, and participating as a speaker. That being said, as a speaker, you have to be clear with what you are saying. In other words, you have to make sure that you communicate your thoughts effectively and efficiently. What you say has to be interesting and inspiring because you want the listeners to come back to you in the future. 

If you are a listener, you can build connections by bringing out valid points into the discussion by using the ‘raising your hand’ feature. Cookie points for you if you impress the speakers, and they follow you. If that happens, then you’ll move to the “Followed by Speakers list.”, and gather more reach and profile visits. 

That’s all from my side, and I think this is just enough to get you started. Are you finding this new App worthwhile? What do you think about its future? Drop your answers in the comments below. I’d love to read and discuss them.

How to Build Your Dream Business while Working Another Job

by ajohnson | Dec 30, 2021 | Blog, Life, Opinion

Life is a struggle. Who would know it better than the person who is burning the midnight oil in a full-time job, knowing that their heart is at a different place? We are talking about individuals who are passionate, hard-working, and dreamers who wish to start a business but are stuck in jobs because the business requires funds.

If you are reading this article, you must be one of them. No problem. But wait…who says you cannot do them together, that is working a full-time job while building a business on the side?

These thoughts of trying to start our own business often come up around times of change, like a new year. They also happen when we are tiring of our current full time job wishing for something else.

If you thought otherwise, then allow us to tell you that it is more than possible. Wondering how? Just sit back and read along.

How to build your dream business while working another job

1. Ensure you are legally liberated

Some companies don’t like when their employees focus on work obligations unrelated to theirs’ or when their employees start another business in the same industry. That’s why they clearly enter non-competes and other contracts before you start on your job.

Therefore, before getting ahead to action, ensure that you are free of such conditions imposed by your company. Recall, did you sign a non-compete that mentions conflict of interest? You can also go through the company’s policy, or any other contract you signed with them ever.

If you did, talk to a lawyer, see if there is any way you can waive it off.

2. Time-management

Your business demands your efforts. But it also demands your time both before and after setting up your business. But if you work a full-time job, you are not in a luxury to devote all the time to your endeavor. In this case, you have no other option than to practice time management.

If you think you have some time to kill, or even a few minutes when you can look away from your professional obligations, then spend some time on your business. A little scheduling can help here. Plan out your day, and schedule tasks to free some time to devote to your business.

But don’t rely on weekends because you would need more than that. You cannot keep a weeks’ gap, and so you have to work for your business even when you are in the office (clandestinely if you have a strict boss watching over you), and when you are out. This means you have to give up your leisure time after work. (Yes, even when you are dead tired). I know it sounds harsh, but just remember, no pain no gain.

3. Planning and research

Trust me, working a full-time job is the best time to do your research and build a business plan before you can get to the action. You have a laptop in front of you, spare a few minutes, and do your market research (but don’t let your professional work suffer while doing so). Analyze the market trends, research your competitors, and go through the legal procedures of setting up a business, and things like that.

Just make sure that before taking action, you know everything there is to know. This includes costs and everything about your product.

Do a little thinking. Think about how your product is different? If it’s the same as your competitors’, what different are you offering to your customers? What is your USP? One of the common mistakes entrepreneurs make is that they get overconfident about their products. They think their products provide value to customers, but they don’t.

Therefore, before landing, just be certain that you are doing everything uniquely and correctly. Ask for feedback from your mentors, and your colleagues as well. Show them your business plan. Whatever they have to say, consider it as constructive criticism and work to make your product even better before you get to business.

Lastly,

Do not give up. It will get difficult, and you might lose hope and motivation when things get tough to handle. In that case, you can outsource, consider it an investment. But no matter what, do not give up on your dreams. Just remember, achievers don’t submit, they win.

Have some stories to share? Great, we are all ears. Drop them in the comments below.

How to find your side hustle so you don’t waste your time

by ajohnson | Dec 27, 2021 | Blog, Life, Opinion

Do you work your bum off all month only to see that it is not enough? That, you are failing to meet your monthly expenses, and eventually, it is putting you in a financial crisis? All we can say is, it is quite understandable especially at a time when inflation is rising and so our cost of living.

There are a million bills to pay, necessary purchases to make, and premiums to pay. It is clear cut that your salary would not be enough to cover all these expenses.

But what to do other than cutting expenses? You cannot just rely on cost-cutting when there is plenty of necessary expenditure to incur.

Well, ever thought of finding a side-hustle? In simple words, some extra money that you can earn on top of your full-time jobs. I am certain you did, but you did not know how to.

No issues. Allow us to help.

How to find your side hustle so you don’t waste your time

1. Identify the skills you can offer

Do you think you have some expertise that laymen do not have? Perhaps some skill you occasionally utilize in your workplace. If you do, then you can go ahead and create your side hustle.

Many people look for short-term professional opinions rather than hiring an expert employee. So, if you think you have ideas and strategies to share, then perhaps you can provide consultancy services on a freelance basis. You can even go for content writing jobs in your niche.

Secondly, if you ever used to be an artsy person who is now caught up in the 9 to 5 world, you can perhaps create a small business. Yes, time constraints would be one problem, but you can use your weekends or even free time during weekdays for that matter. 

Thirdly, in case you have a passion for music, and are excellent at it, then maybe you can consider performing at restaurants on weekends for some extra money.

2. Find a platform

If you are okay to go steadily, you can start by creating your Instagram page and offer your consultation for a charge. Instagram is the ultimate tool with the most potential to help you generate leads. However, the only downside is, it delivers slow and unguaranteed growth. Moreover, almost every small business is there on the platform, that you are most likely to get lost in the crowd.

Though, there are other freelancing websites you can go for. Some of them are Upwork, Fiverr, etc. You can also use Linkedin and find various individuals looking for freelancing services. Just search the term of the profession and hit the button. Supposedly, if you are looking for content writing jobs, then search #contentwriting, and Linkedin will provide you the listings.

In case you are an artist, who is operating a side business, then you can consider selling your items on Etsy. You can also use Pinterest to generate more leads for your brand.

3. Look for other easy jobs

It is not necessary to stick to the profession of your full-time job. You can also look for other jobs that demand just basic skills. For instance, typing jobs, babysitting, pet sitting, etc.

In case you are keener on doing work that you can do from home, then being a virtual assistant is a great option. If you have a good grasp of Social media, blogging, content writing, and website management, you can find lots of work online.

Here are all the job ideas for your side hustle –

•       Copywriting
•       Become an Uber driver
•       Become a DoorDash/UberEats/Instacart driver
•       Social media consultant
•       Graphic designing (If you have the skills)
•       Become a part-time real estate seller
•       Rent your car
•       Become a Handy Person on Thumbtack or TaskRabbit
•       If you have an unoccupied property, consider renting it out.
•       Conduct online courses

Final thoughts

Whatever you pick, just make sure you stay consistent with it and do not give up. (Especially if you plan to generate leads for your side hustle on social media platforms)

Yes, you might find it hard at first to manage everything, and you might be exhausted. But keep going, just envision the extra income you would receive and it will help you push through.

Do you have some other ideas to share? Feel free to drop them in the comments below.