Five Ways to Make Your Wedding Day All the More Special

There’s a reason why it is called your ‘special day'. Obviously, simply saying ‘I do’ to the person with whom you want to spend the rest of your life with is enough to make it memorable and one of the best days of your life. However, you will undoubtedly want to ensure that it is as incredible as it can possibly be not only for you and your partner, but for your guests too.

Here are some wonderful ideas that are guaranteed to make your wedding day all the more special.

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Consider a butterfly release
There is nothing more magical than you and your partner releasing hundreds of beautiful butterflies into the sky as a symbol of your love for each other. There are various butterfly release companies who sell packages for butterfly release weddings. These companies usually offer two different types of butterfly release packages. The first type revolves around placing a large number of butterflies inside a single box which you and your partner then open together. The other type is one where individual butterflies are placed inside spacious envelopes which are then opened by your guests upon your cue.

Either way, the effect is truly spectacular and sure to leave your guests gaping in awe at the beauty of these colorful insects as they flutter into the sky.

Arrive in style
Another way in which to amp up your wedding is with your chosen transport. How you arrive on the big day can make all of the difference by enhancing your selected wedding theme and ensuring that all eyes are on you. Popular choices include a horse-drawn carriage, a vintage sports car, or a stylish Vespa.

Swap out rice for bubbles
Unless you have your heart set on a traditional wedding, why not consider swapping out rice for bubbles at the end of the ceremony? Guests can blow the bubbles as you and your new spouse leave the ceremony. This can make for some truly gorgeous pictures that only add to the magic of your big day.

Include your pet
Some of the most adorable weddings are those in which the happy couple include their pets in the ceremony. A cute dog in a tux acting as the ring bearer is sure to go down a treat. Plus, you will love having your best friend right there alongside you. Own a particularly boisterous fur child? A bit of training ahead of the special day might help to prepare them for their performance.

Have a guest book
Place a pretty, lace guest book in a cozy little spot within your reception venue and encourage all of your guests to write in it. They could offer you some helpful or humorous wedding advice, wish you luck for your new adventure together, or simply share a special memory. Either way, it will make for a wonderful keepsake that you will revisit fondly for many years into the future.

Wishing you an endlessly special day and a lifetime of happiness together.

4 Ways To Stop Your Labor Force From Being A Chore

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The first thing you realize when you start a business is how many unexpected expenses exist. Frankly, the main one is your employee base because some people can't be trusted. You want them to feel independent and entitled in the workplace, but they must be productive. Unfortunately, too many workers take the opportunity to slack off, and that costs the company money. As the boss, it's vital to stop the labor force from being a chore. Otherwise, the unexpected costs will drain the business of all its resources and any chances of success.

Here are four ways you can do it today.

Don't Be A Dictator
In this scenario, it's easy and tempting to rule with an iron fist. Whether it's cutting back on breaks or banning talking in the office, lots of leaders think autocratic measures will keep the team in line. In reality, these actions encourage workers to be more disengaged than ever before. With that in mind, remember that you catch more flies with honey than vinegar. Allowing coworkers to interact without questioning their work ethic or increasing break times should maintain a happy atmosphere. Why? It's because your employees won't feel tied down; plus, regular movement and stoppages in work encourage freshness.

But Don't Trust Them Completely
It's essential to give them only as much freedom as they require, or else there's a possibility some people will abuse your good nature. So, while letting little things such as talking and listening to music go, you should draw a line in the sand regarding their workflow. Asking them to clock-in and out at a specific time is a smart move to ensure they arrive and leave on time. Tracking your team in real-time is useful, too, to make sure projects aren't late. Staff management software is an effective tool as long as you don't go too far and begin to monitor their every move.

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Research Recruits
The best way to prevent an employee from costing you money is to hire correctly. The majority of companies recruit a person who looks good on paper yet isn't up to standard in the workplace. As a result, they have to sack them and fire up the recruitment process once more, wasting money and time along the way. There are people you need to avoid, such as the disengaged or troublemaker, and you can spot the warning signs by investigating their personality.

Promote Health & Wellbeing
Health and wellbeing are buzzwords in almost every office today, yet that doesn't mean they are played out. If anything, more businesses need to focus their efforts on employee fitness as it's a money-saver. Research shows that seriously unhealthy employees miss as many as a combined 450 million days compared to their healthy colleagues. The estimated loss is in the billions. Even if you don't save the business billions, you could save yourself a significant sum over a year. And, all it takes is a policy; for example, offering free health insurance and a complimentary gym membership.

With these tips, your labor force shouldn't be hard work any longer.

How To Avoid Burnout When Caring For Your Elderly Parents

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Your parents have always cared for you, right?

Because of this, you might assume the responsibility of caring for your elderly parents lies with you. And to be honest, we have to say that yes, you should do what you can to care for your parents. To help them live their best life, you should make the effort to support them in whatever way you can.

However, you can't do everything. As loving and as caring as you are, you need to think about your own needs too. If you're forever focussing on their needs instead of your own, you are going to becomes stressed, tired, and suffer from burnout symptoms. At that point, you wouldn't be able to help your parents anyway.

So, here are some suggestions that could be useful to you.

#1: Help your parents find a hobby

Your parents need a hobby for two reasons.

Firstly, the busier they are, the less busy you will need to be, as your parents won't require your company on a too-regular basis. They might make new friends within the hobbies they take on too, so you won't have to be the sole source of company for your parents on a daily basis.

And secondly, the more active and engaged your parents are, the healthier they will be, as some hobbies can promote good physical and mental health. Consequently, you will have less need to worry about your parent's health needs.

So, take a look at these activities for elderly people, and suggest some of them to your parents. And research the activities that have been set up for seniors in the area in which they live, and encourage your parents to attend a few. Both you and they will benefit if they do.

#2: Don't fly solo

Don't take on the responsibility of caring for your parents alone. If you have siblings and other family members that are able to help, work with them on creating a rota so you can lighten your load. Sure, there will be some family members who are less than enthusiastic about the idea, but there is no harm in asking them to step up to the mark and do something to help.

And what about your parent's neighbors? Could they pop in from time to time to check on how your parents are doing? It's worth asking them, as you would have less need to pop round every day if they could be a support to you.

Remember too that there will be care groups set up in your area that are designed to help the elderly. There could be a 'meals on wheels' service available, for example, and there could be 'home help' agencies available to your parents. So, consider the various options that are open to you, and source as much help as you possibly can.

#3: Consider long-term care facilities

If your parents need the extra care and support, you could do as we suggested above, and contact a 'home help' agency. Typically, these will provide nursing, befriending, and practical support to your parents.

Alternatively, you could look at the care facilities available to your parents. If they are in need of full-time care, then a nursing home could be the best option. However, if your parents are still able to care for themselves to a degree, you might also consider a retirement community. Either way, the burden of care would be taken off your shoulders, so while you should still visit your parents, you could do so with the peace of mind that other people are caring for their specific needs.

Thanks for reading!

Is Working From Home A Viable Option?

If you are thinking about taking the plunge, resigning from your full time job and breaking out on your own to embark on a life of entrepreneurship, you need to think about how you are going to fund such a feat. Many people choose to go down the business loan route or they may head to pitch to a business angel, or they may choose to use their own savings to boost the capability of their launch. Alternatively, you could decide to rein in your spending by foregoing the expensive lease on a business premises and working from home. The risk of procrastination is real, but with enough determination and commitment, could working from home be a viable option?

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Isolation
Working from home can be perilous for those people who feel pangs of loneliness acutely. You might be used to the camaraderie of an office environment and catching up with colleagues over lunch. Now, you are very much on your own. You might not even talk to another individual some days. To combat this, you need to put yourself out there. Consider joining a professional Facebook group that brings together entrepreneurs in your local area. This can mean that you head out once a week to meet up with like minded individuals to discuss issues, problems and successes that you are having. You have the chance to network and make meaningful contacts in your chosen industry. This can work wonders to help you avoid isolation.

Outsourcing
As a self employed individual, it will be very difficult for you to perform every single business function that your startup requires to a high enough standard. This may mean that outsourcing is needed. Consider employing the services of a power BI consultant to analyze big data, spot trends and empower you to market your startup in the most appropriate way to your target market. With meaningful research and analytics, you can change your approach to marketing, sales and social media to create maximum exposure for your brand, products and services.

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Mental Health
Being an entrepreneur means that your quality of life and financial remuneration now fully lies on your shoulders. This can cause immense pressure and stress, leading to poor mental health. If you feel burnout creeping in, you need to change up your lifestyle straight away. Consider heading outdoors every day and take regular breaks. You need to soak up the natural sunlight, allow it to lift your mood and recharge your batteries. There will never be enough hours in the day, so with your daily to-do list, simply ensure that you tick off three or four essentials. Everything else that you get completed is a bonus. Ensure that you use your support network of friends and family to vent and talk through any problems you might be having. Being an entrepreneur isn’t plain sailing, but put the hard work in early, and you will reap the rewards.

Working from home is a viable option for entrepreneurs, saving you money on overheads and empowering you to link with other individuals to benefit your startup.

The Basic Styles of Diamond Engagement Rings

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There comes a time in every man’s life when he decides to settle down with his long-term partner and make their relationship official by proposing marriage. One of the most stressful experiences for the man who is proposing marriage is the engagement ring selection. With that in mind, here are a few basic ring designs to provide some inspiration.

• The Solitaire Diamond Engagement Ring – Perhaps the most classic of all ring designs, a solitaire ring is all about a single stone, which needs to be sizeable. The prongs hold the stone in place, and there could be 3,4 or even 6 prongs to keep the stone securely in place. The solitaire design has a downside, however. This style might not be suitable for the active, outdoor lifestyle, as the raised stone can easily get caught on fabric or other materials.

• The Three Stone Diamond Engagement Ring – This is a classic style with a main central stone that has a smaller one either side, or it could have 5 diamonds, with the larger one in the centre, then two smaller ones either side of that, plus two even smaller stones on the outside. If you would like to view some timeless diamond engagement rings in Sydney, check out a leading diamond wholesaler who has an extensive catalogue of classic diamond engagement rings at reasonable prices.

• The Halo Diamond Engagement Ring – This design incorporates a central diamond and has a circle of smaller stones that surround the main diamond. This style often includes coloured diamonds. With many tiny stones, the pattern can be very intricate. Rather than selecting a ready-made ring, you could make contact with a reputable diamond wholesaler who also designs and creates diamond engagement rings to order, and this is no more expensive than buying an off-the-shelf ring.

• The Diamond Cluster Engagement Ring – Ideal if she likes the idea of many small stones in a unique pattern, and clusters can be circular, oval or even rectangular in shape. Coloured stones look great in a cluster, and the custom jeweller would be happy to incorporate your ideas into a ring design that is truly one of a kind.

• The Bezel Cut Diamond Engagement Ring – This style sees the stones actually cut into the metal, which is very secure, and the tiny stones could cover the front of the ring, or a complete circle, which is very attractive. If you are at all concerned about losing the stones, a bezel cut is the perfect choice, as the stones are tightly fitted into a special groove and cannot easily be removed.

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Of course, there are a lot more ring designs, and if you fancy something truly unique, you could approach a diamond wholesaler who can design the ring around your preferences. By designing the ring yourself, you are guaranteed that she will fall in love with the ring. Of course, don’t forget to find out her ring size.

How Diet Relates To Bad Breath

When your lunch comprises of tuna, onions and pickled liverwurst, most of the people around you will not be too keen on talking directly to you. Chronic bad breath is as frustrating as it is socially embarrassing.

If you have good dental hygiene but still suffer from dragon breath, you may have your diet to blame. Bad breath is commonly associated with the foul-smelling foods that we consume.

Let’s think about it for a second: Your mouth is the dirtiest worksite that exists. Apart from dealing with the bacteria that live inside it, you also have to worry about food particles getting lodged in your teeth. In addition to that, you are faced with the task of brushing and flossing in the right way. That is a lot to deal with!

Fortunately, bad breath that is caused by your diet is a problem that you can easily deal with. It involves a simple dietary change. However, if the problem still persists, you should schedule a visit with dentists in Waterford MI to rule out any underlying problems.

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Diet and Breath
These are common foods that taint your breath for hours and contribute to bad breath:

Garlic and onions
These two foods top the list because they contain sulfur compounds that are absorbed in your bloodstream. The compounds are expelled when you exhale.

Coffee and alcohol
These two beverages tend to create an environment that favors the growth of oral bacteria. As they have a drying effect, they reduce the amount of saliva in your mouth, allowing the bacteria to linger and cause bad breath.

Fish and tuna
While a tuna sandwich may be the perfect lunch for you, tuna and fish are foods that often cause bad breath because they contain trimethylamine. This is an organic compound that is notable for its bad smell. This smell will be detected in your breath, sweat or urine.

Dairy products, soda, and organic juices
These beverages are also associated with bacteria that cause bad odor in the mouth after consumption.

The pungent smell of these foods could reduce with time but the smell often comes up again. Dentists in Waterford MI recommend brushing your teeth after consumption of such foods. However, if you are not able to do this because of the environment you are in, it is best to drink water regularly, especially at meal-times. You can also pop chewing gum in your mouth to stimulate saliva and dislodge food particles.  This will wash any bacteria away and alleviate bad breath.

Remember the Basics
The silver lining is that you can change your diet to avoid these foods. If you cannot do without them, it is best to consume them sparingly. Dentists in Waterford MI also advises that you remember oral hygiene basics. Brushing your teeth twice daily and flossing for a minimum of two minutes is the perfect way to take care of your teeth.

Take note of this advice and you will be able to fight bad breath -- regardless of what is on the menu.

Finding Success In Your Home-Based Business

There are so many types of business that you might choose to run from home, and all of them are an exciting project to be a part of. If you are a particularly budding entrepreneur and you are thinking of the possibility of setting up a business in your home, then you are probably excited to get the ball rolling. However, you do need to make sure that you are aware of the essential things you need to do if it is to be successful, and that is what we will discuss in this post. Here are some of the most important concerns for you to focus on.

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Finding The Space
The first thing to say is that you might be surprised at how much space you actually need to run your business. You might be thinking that, because it is a home business, you won’t need anything at all, but that is not quite right. At the very simplest, you might only need a computer and a desk and some storage space, but even then you need to work out where to place it all in your home where it won’t get in the way and you won’t be disturbed. And if you are creating any products, then you will have to find the appropriate space for that too.

Getting Technical
A big challenge for a lot of small business owners, especially those who are alone at home without a support system around them, is ensuring that you know how to manage the technical side of things. If you fail to understand the technology you are using, it can mean that your business struggles in the long run. It is therefore a really good idea to seek out some help in the form of Computer Support Services, who can offer you online assistance with any kind of technical problems you might face.

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Separating Work From Home
Something that becomes a big problem for a lot of people is managing to separate out work life from home life, as they are both happening in the same place. As we have alluded to already, it is important to have a specific part of the home that you can work in, and this is partly why. You might also find it valuable to set yourself specific working hours, and make sure you stick to them - which means taking your breaks as well as working your full hours.

Finding Clients
It can be hard to find enough clients at first, especially if you are doing all of your work from home and not going out to network at all. Generally, you need to use the internet cleverly and to learn to get on the phone once in a while, but even then it can take a while to find a good client base. You need to prove yourself to those first clients, so that they are more likely to recommend you and give you a good rating. Focus on that at first, and you should have a stronger base for your business.

Budding Entrepreneurs: What Is The Right Business Opportunity For You?

It's all very well and good deciding that you are going to go for it, and start up a business! However, before you start writing out business plans and securing funding, there is one vital thing that you must do. Of course, it is to decide what type of business you are going to run. A topic that you can get some advice on in the post below.

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An IRL shop
There are a lot of overheads associated with running a shop in real life. Such as your lease, utilities, cleaning and the like. However, there are some distinct advantages too.

In fact, one in particular that can be very useful indeed is the attention and support your staff can give to each customer. Something that means they can walk them through their buying decisions and will provide you with a much better likelihood of getting a sale than online.

Additionally, when you are running an IRL store, your customers will actually be able to see and handle a product before they buy. Something that once again can make their buying decision much more manageable.

Of course, for your IRL shop to be a success, there are some factors that you will need to pay particular attention to. One of these is the location of your store, because without enough people passing by, you may not have sufficient people to sell your wears too.

Although it is also imperative to remember that the cost of your premises can make a massive difference to your profit margin as well. Something that means balancing both of these aspects is crucial if you are considering starting up a shop based business.

Restaurant/cafe
Another popular choice when starting up a business is a restaurant or cafe. In fact, those with a love of food and coffee often gravitate towards this kind of enterprise. The good news here is that you can speed up starting up this type of business by investing in a franchise rather than trying to do it all yourself.

In fact, if you are Looking for a Restaurant Franchise?, then you will be spoiled for choice in the current market. With all sorts of big-name brands offering opportunities specializing in anything from sit down service to fast food available! This being a fact that makes this option most appealing to entrepreneurs with a gastronomic bent.

For those who are new in the food business, food trucks can be a good alternative. Food trucks are mobile kitchens that can travel to different locations and offer a wide variety of food options. They have gained popularity in recent years due to their unique dining experience and the ability to serve customers in different locations, such as festivals, events, and even on the street. One of the biggest advantages of starting a food truck business is the lower startup cost compared to a traditional restaurant. Food trucks require less capital for rent, renovation, and equipment, making it easier for entrepreneurs to enter the industry. Visit the following link https://tampabayfoodtruckrally.com/tampa-food-trucks-for-sale for used food trucks on sale to be on the safer side in terms of return on investment risks.

A consulting business
Lastly, do not discount the possibility of starting up a business that specializes in consulting. In fact, the flexibility that this type of enterprise provides can make it very appealing to entrepreneurs. The reason being that it can be run online or IRL, and you can offer consulting services to companies, or even private individuals. An example of this being a life coach.

Of course, to succeed at such a business, you will need to spend some time establishing yourself as an expert in your field. A task that is now considerably easier with platforms like Youtube, and Linked In, as well as your own blog allowing you to create content around your specialist subject. Something that makes starting a consulting business a smart option for many budding entrepreneurs.

Foresee the Unforeseen

Unforeseen events happen. There is no avoiding them, one minute you’re driving down the road minding your own business. The next, bam! You’ve been rear-ended, and your car is a wreck. Insurance obviously helps in the event of this, but that doesn’t help with the psychological effects. Are you one to jump out of the car, see red, and make things ten times worse? There is no need to lose your cool in any situation. Here are some methods to help prepare you in the event of something unforeseen.

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Acceptance
The first thing you need to do before anything happens, is be aware that at any moment your life can change exponentially. If you know this and can accept that you may lose everything at any time, you are more mentally prepared than most. You will be able to come to terms with a huge life change much more quickly, which in turn means that things will improve for you more quickly too. Life is better once you learn to accept reality the way it is.

Learn to manage your emotions
No matter how prepared you may be, you do not know how you will react in any given circumstance until it happens. It may be worth your while learning how to meditate. Meditation has many benefits, such as helping you deal with stress. When the time comes, you are going to need to be able to calm yourself down in order to think clearly. You do not want to go out and make rash decisions, which could make things much worse. Managing emotions is critical in times of unforeseen events. So learn how to clear your mind, and the correct path will open up to you.

Finances
This is an important one, and where a lot of the stress can come from in the event of something unforeseen happening like losing your job. It is definitely worth your while setting aside some money. It is an excellent idea to create an emergency fund to cushion you should something untoward happen, and this will give you breathing space. You should look towards being financially free, so try to pay off those debts, and live frugally. Do not be in the habit of spending more than you earn. You may want to think about protecting your family by getting life insurance. But, if something completely unexpected does happen, there are people who can help. For example, if you are hurt in an accident, then get yourself an injury attorney who does not charge unless they win you the compensation you are owed.

Don’t sweat the small stuff
Things happen every day that are not part of the plan of life, and if you manage to wind yourself up about every little thing, you are not going to have a fun life. Stressing over everything can actually reduce your lifespan and make you appear older quicker. So learn to relax, practice mindfulness, and always try and put things into context. Is that person giving you the middle finger when out driving really that important to your life?

Spur Your Creativity With These Inspiring Graphic Design Quotes

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Graphic design is a wonderful career path. As technology has advanced in the last 30 years we have steered more and more towards a digital way of living and working, and as such, art and design have had to change along with the times.

Graphic design is a fun and creative way to embrace a digital way of life as well as let out your creative side and many people love working in this field. Creativity and artistic job roles always take a lot of work and a lot of inspiration, and if you are sitting at your workstation for graphic design today and feel in a bit of a slump, we want to help you feel a little more inspired today. Here are some quotes to take with you in a small way that should hopefully put your zest for art back into you today!

Have no fear of perfection -- you’ll never reach it." -- Salvador Dali

"Design is intelligence made visible." -- Alina Wheeler

"Everything is designed. Few things are designed well." -- Brian Reed

"You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have." -- Maya Angelou

"Design adds value faster than it adds costs." -- Joel Spolsky

"The public is more familiar with bad design than good design. It is, in effect, conditioned to prefer bad design, because that is what it lives with. The new becomes threatening, the old reassuring." -- Paul Rand

"A designer knows he has achieved perfection not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away." -- Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

"Design is a formal response to a strategic question." -- Mariona Lopez

"Styles come and go. Good design is a language, not a style." -- Massimo Vignelli

"The alternative to good design is always bad design. There is no such thing as no design." -- Adam Judge

"Design can be art. Design can be aesthetics. Design is so simple, that's why it is so complicated." -- Paul Rand

"It's through mistakes that you actually can grow. You have to get bad in order to get good." -- Paula Scher

"Good design is good business." -- Thomas Watson Jr.

"Accessible design is good design." -- Steve Ballmer

"Where you innovate, how you innovate, and what you innovate are design problems." -- Tim Brown

"I strive for two things in design: simplicity and clarity. Great design is born of those two things." -- Lindo Leader

"Design is as much an act of spacing as an act of marking." -- Ellen Lupton

"Designers are meant to be loved, not to be understood." -- Margaret Oscar

"Make it simple, but significant." -- Don Draper

"Don’t bunt. Aim out of the ballpark. Aim for the company of immortals." -- David Ogilvy

"Every great design begins with an even better story." -- Lorinda Mamo

"Design creates culture. Culture shapes values. Values determine the future." -- Robert L. Peters

"The function of design is letting design function." -- Micha Commeren

"Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works." -- Steve Jobs

"The more I deal with the work as something that is my own, as something that is personal, the more successful it is." -- Marian Bantjes

"Design is not a single object or dimension. Design is messy and complex." -- Natasha Jen

"Design is the intermediary between information and understanding." -- Hans Hoffman

What Modern Clients Expect From Stores

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Those of us interested in fashion know that when it comes to the operation of business, the end-user experience is extremely important for a firm that hopes to remain profitable. Businesses can easily reduce their consumers to a set of basic descriptors. This is used for almost any product we see stocking our shelves. A garment is not created solely for its own sake, but because it fits a demand.

We can often see this in other industries. For example, a business selling a new health drink via a restaurant may suggest that their new activated charcoal and fruit smoothie is for Becky, a mid 20’s yoga aficionado who loves heading out with her friends but also keeping close watch of her figure. Then, they market to that degree.

However, instead of businesses (especially those in lifestyle-focused industries) asking just how they can appeal to the most generic form of their targeted demographic, considering just what modern clients expect from stores, in-person and online, can be essential in raising that appeal all the more.

To that, we’d like to volunteer some advice:

Excellent Online Functionality
Online functionality is a true requirement of any online store, and we all know that’s the case. This is where firms truly need to apply managed network services to not only ensure their functionality is thorough, but that they are also live and enjoy consistent and dependable uptime. Especially, the ability to seal an account with added security such as new login verifications, or encouraging them to sign up for hidden bonuses and deals can be a very important measure to implement. You would be surprised just how successful these approaches can be.

Regular Deals & Promotions
Regular deals and promotions are exceptional at helping users feel secure within your process. Free credits, combo deals, exclusive VIP passes for loyal customers, or perhaps time-honored deals such as adhering to the Black Friday and Cyber Monday format may help you come to the best conclusion, and this could, in effect, help you renew your approach to new and existing customers. Keep these promotions regular enough to entice, but exclusive enough so they have meaning when they show. Those measures can be very important indeed.

Rewards For Loyalty
How are you rewarding the loyalty of those who repeatedly use your service, or have upped their premium subscription to your brand for some time? It can be that promotions, complimentary items, maybe early-access to certain product reservations or a simple thank you from time to time can be more than enough, and will sustain their purchasing habits going forward. Additionally, services such as Amazon will give you a free month of their Prime service if a regular customer is inconvenienced and complains, which in turn should encourage someone to use their services more in the future.

With this in mind, we hope your customers and clients can get all they need from your modern storefront.

5 Tips to Reach Financial Freedom Quicker

Ahhhh financial freedom. Doesn’t that sound nice? They might just be the two most beautiful words in the English Language. Many of us in this modern world of credit, debt, pay-day loans and finance plans spend a lot of time thinking about financial freedom. We dream of that day when we pay that last bit of debt off and we will finally be able to sleep comfortably at night.

Unfortunately, dreaming of financial freedom is not a real solution to your money issues and it means much more than just being debt-free. True financial freedom is to be without debt, of course, but it’s also about living comfortably, saving money each month, being able to actually afford those new shoes or that weekend away with the girls.

True financial freedom is a true joy to behold but first, you need rules, a strategy and a plan to get there. Here are 5 tips to reaching financial freedom quicker:

1. Always Pay Yourself First

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The moment you get paid you should pay yourself, even before debt. As soon as your salary hits your bank account, 10-15% should go straight back out into a savings account. More importantly, you should start planning and budgeting for only 85-90% of your salary. Live within your means as cliche as that might sound.

Once the money is in your savings, don’t touch it! This saving rule completed religiously over the years will allow for a gradual nest egg to build in the background unnoticed. One day, you will look in that savings account and be amazed at how much you managed to put away.

2. Don’t Spend What You Don’t Have

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This is a big one! If you can’t afford it then simply don’t buy it. Easier said than done but absolutely essential for reaching financial freedom. Credit card debt is no joke and you will find yourself in trouble if you keep paying for things with credit. Stopping serious spending habits with your credit card is necessary to protect your personal assets and maintain a good credit score that benefits you in the long-run.

3. Learn to Budget

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Creating a budget is easy, maintaining a budget is the hard part. The most important thing when creating a budget is to be honest with yourself and keep it realistic. A fairytale budget that get’s blown after one week will have you feeling sorry for yourself and avoiding any future budgeting for a while. Try to get it right the first time.

4. Need Vs. Want 

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A great way to stop wasting money is to build a list of all your outgoings for the last month and see which items are completely unnecessary. Direct debits are serial bank balance killers and often we forget they are even still active. Look out for lingering monthly payments for magazine subscriptions and online services that you no longer use. For everything else, ask yourself “did I really need that?” and “could I have got through last month without it?”.

5. Quality, Not Quantity

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You probably don’t need six winter jackets, you probably need one or two at most. The jackets you do buy should be quality so that they last and you can keep wearing them for years to come. This principle should be applied to all your buying. Not only will this save you a small fortune in the long run but you will be helping decrease your part in fast consumerism too.

How To Gain More Energy & Live Life To The Fullest

Lack of energy, dizziness, aches and pains - these are all complaints that almost anyone over the age of 25 begins to know so well. Gone are the days of having that all-important get up and go feeling, as each day motivation to get out of bed and face the day with vigour disappears to a greater extent. Now, there might be an actual medical reason for your fatigue, but whatever the cause may be, there is always a solution. If you’re struggling to chase after your children like you used without needing a lie down afterwards, or perhaps you’re just getting bored of yawning your way through each day, then read on to uncover some of the best tricks and tips that you can implement in order to reach new levels of vitality in no time at all!

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Head For An MOT
Much like sending your car to the garage for a once over, it’s so beneficial to boon yourself in at the doctors just to check the basics like blood pressure and vitamin levels, as you may be able to identify a more serious issue that’s causing your excess of fatigue. There are several different conditions that can affect your quality of life in this way, but seeking out the right medical organisation for your specific needs, such as a POTS treatment center, can aid you in discovering ways to heal and deal with the symptoms.

Change Your Diet
The foods that you eat can have a massive effect on your energy levels, as overconsuming products like ready meals, highly processed packaged food with endless ingredient lists and drive thru deals dripping with fat, will only leave you with an ever expanding waistline, shortness of breath and enough cholesterol for 2 healthy individuals. As you get older, it's normal to stop caring so much about your aesthetic, but if it’s beginning to affect your ability to operate normally then of course you must begin to pay attention. A nutritious diet consists of a few major food groups, such as complex carbohydrates, lean protein, fruits and vegetables, and a few portions of healthy fats like nuts or avocado. Big portions may make you happy when you dish them onto the plate, but repeatedly overeating will cause havoc for your insides.

Working Out
Though exercise may be the last thing on your mind when you have little or no energy, pushing to get out there and do a quick work out can improve your energy levels dramatically. When you take part in high energy cardiovascular activity that makes your muscles work and body sweat, you will release what’s known as endorphins which are considered “runners high chemicals” by many seasoned sportsmen and women. These endorphins can give you a huge rush of energy, and make you feel positive and full of life every time. It doesn’t take long to achieve this release, and regular exercise can ensure that you have a constant flow.

Say goodbye to fatigue with these top tips!

Four Common Problems For New Businesses And How To Avoid Them

Starting a business can be a steep learning curve and all new businesses can have many teething issues along the way. Some difficulties are inevitable, but if you’re well prepared, you can often some common first year issues for new businesses.

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1. No business plan. First time business owners can sometimes leap into running a business without proper experience and understanding, leading them to start without a proper business plan. Not having a plan leads to a lack of direction, which can then lead to poor decisions and bad communication. Even if you have lots of excellent ideas, your need a formal plan in place. A carefully constructed plan will help you to launch your idea, saving you time and money. It will also help you to solve future problems and guide you in working through problems.

2. Trying to take on too much. The first year of business can be tough, as you can’t be good at everything, but money is often tight the first year making you reluctant to hire much help. It can also be difficult to let go enough to let someone else be part of your new business. If you can, bring in an advisor to help make the tough decisions and guide you through. Be realistic about what you are able to do yourself and where you would be better off hiring a specialist. For example, bringing in an accountant to manage the finances or handing over your IT to someone like www.egistech.com.

3. Bad management. Finding employees in your first can be difficult, thanks to tight budgets. If you are able to take on employees, it is important to manage them in the right way. As a small company, it can be easy to assume that your staff will put in the same amount of work that you, as the business owner, are putting in. This can lead to you putting too much pressure on them, which can drive a high staff turnover. Be honest with your employees and allow them to set clear boundaries. You should set fair and realistic targets, and account for any shortcomings in your business plan. Reward staff who do go above and beyond to encourage loyalty.

4. Financial problems. Financial issues are very common issues in the first year of business. These can be caused by new entrepreneurs having a lack of understanding about business financing, or by them underestimating how much money the start-up stage will require. These errors can falter a business before it really starts. With your business plan, you can better work out how much money your first year will need to succeed. Allow for costs and realistic income forecasts so you are prepared. Cash flow can be difficult in the first year too, but be careful not to fall into bad habits like late payments of invoices.

Many of these common early issues can be steered away from by building a proper, in-depth business plan and by taking advice from those with more experience.

Weekend Suggestions For Friends Who Need To Spend More Time Together

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When you become an adult, it becomes harder to spend as much time with your friends. Time is suddenly taken up by work, mundane adult responsibilities, sleeping (we need more of that, as we get older), and, for many people, kids. Still, that doesn’t mean your social life suddenly becomes far less important. And it certainly doesn’t mean that your friends become less important. It just means that you have to try a little harder to spend time with the people who matter to you. You might not be able to spend every single with your buddies, as you probably did at school, but you can certainly make arrangements to see each other regularly. So, here are some weekend suggestions for friends who need to spend more time together.

Go on a road trip.
You might want to go on vacation with your friends if you’re trying to spend more time together. That would be a great way to bond if you feel that you need to reconnect. In particular, a road trip can create the perfect situation for friends to make lasting memories. If you struggle to choose where to go on your outings, then this would be the perfect opportunity to make all of your friends happy. You could visit multiple destinations on your journey so you have a trip which suits everybody’s interests. That’s how to plan a trip which is memorable for the right reasons.

And the journey itself will be enjoyable, too. After, the whole point of a road trip is that you enjoy driving to the destination as much as arriving at the destination itself. Make sure that your car is prepared for the adventure before you set off. Alongside practical preparations, such as filling up the tank, packing a spare tyre, and bringing a first aid kit, you should make some fun preparations for the trip, as well. You might want to put together a great playlist for the drive. Put on some nostalgic songs which will put you and your buddies in the right frame of mind. Bring plenty of snacks for everyone, too; without snacks, it’s not a road trip.

Have a party.
Having a party would be another fun way to catch up with friends. You don’t have to go out on an adventurous outing to make some lasting memories with the important people in your life. Sometimes, a relaxing evening at home can be a great way to catch up. Maybe you could watch some movies, have a few drinks, and maybe even play some classic games, such as Pictionary. Perhaps you could have a dinner party, too, if you want to reconnect with your pals in a sophisticated manner.

You might even want to host your party outside. You could look into printed marquees for the event. That could really spruce up the aesthetic of your garden and give you somewhere to host the gathering if you’re planning to put together some food or even hire a musician to perform. Who’s to say your small house party can’t feel like a proper concert venue? In the evening, you could relax with your friends on the patio and have a BBQ, whilst you unwind. Remember, the nature of the gathering isn’t as important as bringing your group of friends together and enjoying a relaxing weekend.

Do an escape room.
If you want to test friendships, then an escape room could be a great place to start. You might not have done one before, but the concept is quite straightforward. Every brand is slightly different, but the general idea is that you’re locked in a room for an hour or slightly longer and you have to figure out how to escape (don’t worry; there’s always a fire exit or some other way out because it’s illegal to actually lock people in a room, obviously).

Some escape rooms involve riddles which must be solved and mathematical questions which must be answered, in order to ensure escape. Other rooms involve more active hands-on puzzles which must be completed, in order to ensure escape. Of course, it’s more about having fun with your friends than taking it too seriously; the type of escape room doesn’t matter. On your first try, you might have no idea what you’re doing. Still, if you really enjoy it, then you’ll get better after doing more and more rooms. Escape rooms are certainly addictive, so you might find that doing them becomes a regular outing for you and your buddies.

The Essential Guide To Getting Your Garden Fit For Winter

For many people, their garden is a seasonal aspect to their home rather than an all year round useable space. If you are keen to utilize your garden area a little more, you need to ensure that it is fit for purpose come winter time. With Christmas fast approaching, it is nonsensical that you might choose to forget about your glorious outside space. Yes, it might be chilly but there are clever ways and means to make your garden a winter wonderland for the festive season.

Your garden doesn’t have to simply be a haven for summer flora and fauna. Instead, start to think of your garden as another room of your home. You’d never not use your dining room or your spare bedroom just because it’s winter time. Think of your garden in the same way. You will need to head outdoors and make some external tweaks, but you can make your outside space fit for winter.

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Zones
Your garden needs to have well thought out zones to ensure that it has meaningful purpose. For the holiday season, food is one of the most joyous parts of Christmas. If you are keen to be sociable and you want to invite your nearest and dearest around to yours for a festive soiree, consider opening up your garden for a spot of al fresco dining. This doesn’t mean having your guests shivering outdoors as they try to enjoy your canapes with their near frost bitten fingers.  You need to ensure that your guests are comfortable and that you can inspire your nearest and dearest to utilize their own outside spaces during winter.

Think about installing a chimnea or firepit close to your patio. A flat patio of paving slabs complete with outdoor dining table and chairs, surrounded by some twinkling Christmas fairy lights adoring your garden boundaries can create an atmospheric winter hideaway. A firepit will give you the heat you need to make sure that your diners remain warm and cozy as they sample your festive gastronomic fare. For more inspiration, check out these backyard fire pit ideas to create the perfect cozy outdoor atmosphere.

Couple your al fresco dining area with a lawn area that remains well coiffed and consider an alpine rockery. This evergreen plant filled area will require very little input from you and will maintain itself even in the hardiest of frosts. While you can’t use a rockery as such, the scents from the heather and lavender that you plant will fill the air making your garden a pleasant place to be.

Enjoy sowing some vegetables in the winter by installing a veggie trough or greenhouse. This can help keep your garden a useable and meaningful space even in the coldest climate. Becoming a little more self sufficient needn't be a summer only thing. There are plenty of winter vegetables that can be grown in your back garden. Consider the hearty stews, the winter soups and the pies that you can cook from the food that you grow in your own back garden.

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Awnings
If you have a patio space directly next to your house, you may need to cover it. When it is raining, you don’t want to be held hostage indoors if you want to enjoy dining outside. An awning can be ideal, as these can now be smart and controlled from your smartphone. You can keep your patio free from moss if the excess water doesn’t hit it, and you can also maintain a dry area if you have any pets that need to do their business outside in the winter.

If you have relatives who are struggling with their mobility and you are having them over for Christmas, consider adapting your home a little to make it easier for them to get around. There are plenty of stair lifts for outdoor stairs to enable your elderly parents to get directly for the garden to the upstairs rooms of your home. This can be great for those people who need to access the bathroom quickly. These stair lifts are weather resistant and resilient, making them a good choice for the long term.

Winter time needn’t mean not enjoying the outdoors simply because the weather has taken a dip. Instead, embrace the colder snap and enjoy getting into your garden to grow vegetables, tend to your plants in their pots and welcome your friends and family over for some al fresco dining. Tell your guests to wrap up warm and be prepared to enjoy some hearty culinary delights in your festive garden. Follow this guide and think about how you can extend your living space outdoors this winter season.

We Will All Need Some Home Care Assistance At Some Point In Our Lives.

When you are growing up in Australia, your family is always around you and they are all there to help in any way that they can. It is a great time in life and the majority of us can look back and have fond memories of those times. However, time moves on and age creeps up on us and before you know it, you are in your seventies and your family have all moved away. It is expected that kids will move away from home to find their own lives, but the problem with that is if family members run into difficulties, there is no one close by to help like in the old days.

Many families really make the effort to be there for their aged parents, but even with the best intentions in the world, it is impossible to be there all the time. You have your own family to take care of, as well as hold down a job and all the time, trying to raise money to pay bills and pay for the mortgage. It is no wonder then, that we drift apart from our parents and after a time, they really need help that we cannot provide. Thankfully, there are businesses out there in Australia that understand our difficulties and they have set up a business to help out. Having a care giver from service providers such as Right at Home, allows our loved ones to get the care that they need, when they need it and if you need someone to be there 24 hours a day, then that is possible also.

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There is a wealth of benefits to having home care assistance and we will explore some of them here today.

• These home care professionals can be there when you are unable to be, and that gives you and your parents the peace of mind that they need. They are fully trained and qualified and they can make judgements on safety needs and requirements the moment that they walk into the property. It might only be simple things like a rug on a slippery floor, but the little things make all the difference.

• The fantastic thing about home care assistance is that it is there to assist and it doesn’t change how the person living in their home lives their life. Life just continues as normal with just a little bit of help here and there. This allows the occupants to keep their dignity and pride intact and that’s very important.

• If your loved one needs specific medical care, then that can be organised for them. Fully certified and licenced nurses are available with a vast knowledge of your parent’s needs. They will even insure that your parents are getting the right foods with the correct nutrition needed to keep them fit and strong.

Everyone needs a break once in a while and it’s great to know that there are home care assistants ready and willing to help out when you need them the most.

The Top 3 Benefits Of Using Branded Clothing For Your Employees.

Being in business now is all about the image and the brand and it is important to get both of these out there for the world to see. People are influenced by your brand and they will associate it with the image that you project. The marketplace has become huge due to the internet and before, you only had to compete with the local stores on the high street. Now, you are competing with literally the whole world. When you go to the hospital of the chemist, the person to whom you give your trust is the one wearing the white coat and that is their uniform. People have, historically, give recognition to uniforms and we associate them with professionalism.

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Think about it, even when you wear a uniform, you feel more confident and the customer sees your confidence and they associate that with competence as well. If you are a new, up and coming business or a business that has been in the market for decades, you can’t be left behind in the brand image stakes and so getting your staff uniforms projects the right image. Now, you don’t have to go full out uniform, but something as simple as business polo shirts with your name or brand image on it, is definitely going to project a professional image and customers will trust you and your staff more. The benefits to staff wearing uniforms are well known, but let’s have a short refresher course just to remind you.

• Anyone will tell you that first impressions last and you want that new, prospective customer to see your workers and know that they have entered a professional and competent business that is going to take good care of them. The uniform helps to promote your brand and helps to differentiate your brand from other similar ones. Your employees are always promoting the business even when they are on their way to work and on their way home again.

• Advertising is expensive as any marketer will tell you and putting your brand on the television, the radio, or the internet is going to cost thousands of dollars. When your staff wear their uniforms with your company name and brand, they are effectively a walking billboard and they are advertising for you all the time that they are wearing it.

• Depending on your type of business, uniforms can protect your staff as they are created with the job and the functions that they need to do in mind. Some uniforms are made from fire retardant materials, while others are cut so that there are no bits sticking out that could get caught in machinery.

These are only a few of the excellent benefits of having staff uniforms. They create a great team spirit and customers can easily identify who works in the store and who doesn’t. It is important for employees to have pride in their company and uniforms assist with that. Make your business more recognisable today.

How To Choose A Sculpting Clinic

Keeping fit as well as eating a healthy diet is a simple way that you can keep your body in shape at all times. However, you may not have considered that there are other nonsurgical treatments that are available if you want to shape the contours of your body. Indeed, the emergence of revolutionary technologies has allowed a variety of new treatments to emerge over the last few years. The process of body contouring is a means of developing your body shape without having to undergo an invasive surgical procedure. Furthermore, it is also important to note that cool sculpting can be used as an alternative to reducing the level of fat in the body or undergoing a liposuction procedure. In addition, you should also be aware that this particular treatment uses laser technologies, ultrasound and radio frequencies which cut the level of fat and tighten the skin on your body.

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Choose the right clinic
If you are looking to undergo a non-invasive treatment that can reduce the amount of fat in your body, then you should be aware to take your time to choose the right clinic for your needs. Indeed, if you are looking for fat freezing services from Contour Clinics, then you should think about consulting an online business directory which can provide you with a number of clinics in your area. Furthermore, you should also be aware of which areas of your body you want to treat as more than one area can be treated in a single session.

Check for testimonials or reviews
It is also important to note that if you are thinking about undertaking a particular type of treatment, such as shaping the contours of your body, you should check for reviews and testimonials from former customers. In addition, you should also understand the techniques that are used, so that you are familiar with the relevant procedures that will be conducted on your body.

Enjoy superior results
You should also be aware that the process of cool sculpting can also provide superior results, especially when compared with other methods of fat removal. For more information about the various processes that are available or to book yourself in for a treatment, you should think about consulting your local sculpting clinic as soon as possible. It is also important to note that the non-invasive nature of fat freezing means that recovery times are substantially less than if you were to undergo an invasive fat removal treatment, such as liposuction. In addition, as a result of the non-invasive nature of cool sculpting, it means you are exposed to a significantly lower risk than if you were to undertake other forms of treatment.

Understand the process
Lastly, it is also imperative that you understand the processes involved with fat freezing while if you are worried about any part of the process, then you should think about consulting your local treatment centre. By asking questions if you do not understand, you can make sure you aware of how this particular process will be conducted.

Therefore, in conclusion, if you are thinking of undertaking a fat removal treatment, you should consider fat freezing services from your local clinic as soon as possible.

Could You Do More To Protect Your Hearing

Often we can take things like our senses for granted. The fact that we can see our loved ones and the beauty around us. The fact that we can smell gorgeous things, taste incredible food and also hear the laughter and words spoken by our loved ones. Hearing specifically is one of the senses that we can think about the least, but once things start to dwindle, we can notice a huge difference to our lifestyle and how we feel. So is there anything that we can do to protect our hearing? Here are some of the options to consider.

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Make sure you protect yourself
Often we work in places that have loud noises, and if that happens to be part of your job and a more consistent thing then ensuring you have protective gear for your ears will help. There can be common side effects to working in loud environments such as struggling with tinnitus later in life or losing your hearing altogether. However a small thing like ear defenders when working in areas that are loud can help you do your part to keep the damage to a minimum.

Reducing the volume on earplugs and headphones
We all love to hear things clearly, and perhaps many of you love to listen to music, podcasts, etc while you are out and about, working out, or on your commute to work. It can be very tempting for you to switch the volume up high, especially when it is your favourite song, but doing this too often can cause damage to the inner workings of your ear. Causing you to struggle with hearing loss in your later years of life. Try and keep the volume to a minimum o avoid any issue with this moving forward.

Keep your ears dry
Would you believe that excess water in your air opens it up to attack in your inner ear canal from bacteria? It is true and things like swimmers ear or even other infections can be painful and annoying. This is when you should always give your ears a completely dry out if they get wet during swimming sessions, in the shower or the bath. If you regularly swim then perhaps using earplugs when in the water could be a great way to help protect them now and for the future.

Get regular checks
Finally, like anything it is always worth ensuring that you get your hearing checked out, just like you would other areas of your body. You may have regular screening tests for female health and eyesight. Perhaps you go to the doctor the moment you start to see and feel symptoms that don’t feel right for you. So why should your ears be any different to those body parts? Getting regular check ups can also help against the build up of wax and other issues that your ears may face, and not just a preventative measure for the worst case scenario such as losing your hearing altogether.

Let’s hope these tips help you to protect your hearing.

Easing The Stress Of Running Your Own Business

Running your own business is a fantastic way to take charge of your future. Working for yourself is great, and having a business to own and be proud of is an amazing achievement. But despite all of the benefits of running your own business, there’s no denying that it’s hard work. Stress can soon set in, which not only puts your health at risk, but your business too.

Finding ways to cope with stress is the best way to beat it. Take a look at the following tips to help you ease the stress of running your own business.

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Find a good work/life balance
Finding the right work/life balance is important for any job. But when you work for yourself, it can be difficult to shut off from the business and give yourself the space you need to recharge.

Some of the ways you can create the right work/life balance when working for yourself include giving yourself office hours and making sure you get out of the house if you work from home. Having those boundaries in place will protect you, and let you switch off at the end of the day. Remember to take vacations too - it’s important that you get the chance for a relaxing break.

Make the most of the tools available to you
Running a business can cause a lot of strain. There’s a lot to remember and a lot to do. Fortunately, there are tools that can help you with this. There are business management tools to help you with everything from taking payments to balancing the books, allowing you to free up your time and carry out work in a more effective way.

Learn to manage your time better
To reduce the risk of stress at work, time management is important. You can use productivity tools to help you plan your day and make sure you’re not overstretching yourself. Set aside time for tasks like reading emails and paying invoices - by splitting your workday into tasks and processes, you can start to build a routine that works for you.

Time management is something you’ll get used to, but it’s important not to take on so much that you end up working all day and all night just to keep your business afloat.

Get some help
If things are starting to get too much, consider getting in some outside help. Even having someone to do your admin can help you free up your time for more important work. Bringing in a virtual PA or someone to help with marketing can be an expense for your business, but finding other ways to save money could compensate for that. We all need help now and then, so if you’re struggling, make sure you reach out.

Learning to run a business takes time, but you’ll get the hang of it in the end. Finding ways to manage and tackle stress is important, and will help you stand the best chance of succeeding in business.