All Posts By

Nicole

Thinking About A Nip And Tuck?

Yeah, it’s all become very easy of late to think of ways in which we don’t quite measure up. But while most of those considerations are driven by the glossy mags of fashion designers and actually intended for those wax-like mannequins that don’t even remotely resemble reality, there are those moments in everyone’s life, where we think about what we could do to make ourselves better. Those elements of our exterior appearance are genuinely inclined to a little self-improvement.

These are those places that inherently connect with our inner beings and when “tweaked” reflect what we think of ourselves.  Sure, we can rationalize “plastic surgery” as an act of pure vanity and for sure if that’s what you need, have at it, but there are also somewhat more “wholesome” reasons for having a little work done, let’s unpack those here.

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Look, there are great benefits to considering plastic surgery at any stage, but over and above the pure existential elemental version of the concept, there are a few areas in which self-improvement under the guise of, “the knife”, could add real value to your life.

A word you’re going to hear a lot of in the coming period is “lived existence” and this pertains to your journey through this thing we call “life” and how you interact with that experience. Combined with what we think we’re supposed to look and sound like while we navigate that life, provides for a big part of our “frame of reference”.

So here, we’re going to look at just a few of those elements of surgically inspired procedures that lead to a greater sense of self-acceptance.

THE MOST POPULAR PLASTIC SURGERIES IN THE UNITED STATES

Something of a loaded question, because it’s very much based on personal experience but the top 3 procedures in America today are:

BREAST AUGMENTATION

This may surprise you or not but the #1 “plastic surgery” procedure in American today, is breast augmentation, otherwise knowns as “the boob job”.  As the name suggests, this involves increasing (or decreasing) the size of the breast in terms of actual size, versus the shape and contour of the breast.  Many reasons exist for this, but mostly it’s cited by proponents as a means to  “look better” in certain styles of clothing, or as corrective procedures post medical necessities like cancer, injury, or a less than “favorable” birthright.

LIPOSUCTION

What is often considered as the “wonder cure” for those of us who have a little extra in the hip or tummy area, make no mistake, liposuction is not for the faint of heart, and neither should it be.

It involves the medical “sucking” of fat from problematic areas on the body and reshaping these areas to better reflect the mental “idea” of what you may think you should look like.  Often deployed as a means to reach a certain goal in terms of self-development, it is by no means a quick fix but should rather be deployed as part of a holistic and comprehensive program.

FACIAL AND RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY

Without a doubt when we think of this type of “work” being done, we invariably lead towards…teeth.  Even though the area encompasses all of what greets us in the morning mirror, one of the biggest issues in America today, is how white our teeth are, and this may lead you onwards to a cosmetic dentist.  You must choose the right provider for what you’re needing because a good orthodontist can do way more than just brighten up your gnashers, they can also guide you towards surgical work that will change your overall appearance and make you feel better about it besides.

All in all, whenever you’re thinking about getting a “little something” done, you should really examine all of your intentions first. You may not have what you think you want, but there is also some peace to be found in the kind of self-acceptance that loves all of you, as you are.

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The Link Between Pain And Stress

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Pain and stress can form a vicious cycle. Being stressed can lead to aches and can often exacerbate existing pain. Being in pain can meanwhile cause more stress hormones to be produced. This post further delves into the link between pain and stress – and how to break the vicious cycle.

How does stress cause pain?

Stress isn’t just a mental state, but a physical response. Stress hormones (known as cortisol) travel around the body. These hormones prepare the body for fight or flight – our muscles get tense, our mind becomes more alert, and our inflammation response kicks in to ward off toxins and viruses. 

Unfortunately, when stress isn’t released and it is left to build up, it can become a hindrance instead of a help. Chronic stress can often tire us out and lead to pain. This includes:

  • Achy muscles
  • Headaches
  • Increased inflammation

Any pain from previous injuries or conditions is likely to be made worse by stress because of the increased inflammation and muscle tension. 

How does pain lead to extra stress?

Studies have found that those suffering from chronic pain often have increased cortisol levels in their blood. This is because pain triggers the production of cortisol – pain after all can be a sign that the body is under attack.

This leads to a vicious cycle of constant pain and chronic stress. Fortunately, there are ways of breaking the cycle.

Finding ways to relieve pain

One way to break the cycle is to explore different forms of pain relief. By treating the pain, you can reduce the production of further cortisol.

Over-the-counter painkillers such as ibuprofen and aspirin and prescription painkillers such as tramadol and morphine can help to interfere with pain signals. You can also explore herbal pain relief such as turmeric and hemp. 

On top of this, it can be worth looking into treatment procedures. A doctor may be able to recommend treatments such as injections or surgery to help with certain injuries or conditions. You can also try alternative treatments such as seeing a chiropractor for back pain or getting a sports massage for a sports injury. 

Finding ways to relieve stress

Another way to break the cycle is to find ways of relieving stress. By reducing stress, you can prevent this stress from leading to extra pain.

Because stress is a way of preparing your body for fight or flight, it makes sense to release this stress through a physical activity where possible. Doing some boxing on a punchbag or going on a run could be the perfect way to release your stress. 

You can also relieve stress by engaging in other activities that cause a release of endorphins (feel-good hormones). Endorphins can help to flush away cortisol. Exercise is one activity that releases endorphins, however, there are other activities such as laughing and listening to music that can also release these feel-good hormones. 

Meditation could be another way to relieve stress. This is a way of clearing the mind of negative thoughts that may be unnecessarily triggering your body’s stress response. Often by taking time out from the situation, you can then assess the bigger picture – unless you are facing imminent physical danger, there is often no positive reason to get stressed.

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3 Ways Perfectionism is Affecting the Success of your Business

You want perfection; you go for it. You’ve got to be on top of everything if you wish to succeed. Getting things done on time, adding one more touch to your latest masterpiece, getting through that project quickly, making sure your work is always on-point.

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The desire for perfectionism is not always wrong. It shows how much you care about your work and how much you want to deliver the best. However, this becomes a problem when it consumes all the time and resources in your pursuit of getting everything just right. The truth is that we aren’t perfect, and we need to accept that and then work with that reality to improve ourselves and our business. 

So what is perfectionism, and how does it affect the success of your business? 

Perfectionism is a psychological condition that can lead to feelings of anxiety or depression. The desire for perfectionism shows itself in various ways but negatively impacts our work lives. For example, many people believe that their work won’t be good enough if they are not perfect. They put pressure on themselves to get things done quickly, thinking that they are inefficient if they take their time.

Perfectionism is a problem on a lot of different levels. Not only does it lead to stress and anxiety, but it can also hinder your creativity and productivity. By developing new ways to overcome perfectionism, you can learn how to make the most of the time, build self-confidence and work more efficiently without letting perfectionism get in the way. Here are three ways perfectionism affects the success of your business:

Perfectionism can lead to stress.

Stress is a universal problem, but this can have a devastating impact on productivity in the work world. It’s no wonder that perfectionists tend to be more stressed than their less perfectionistic counterparts. Why? When they are in the middle of a project, they often feel like they are missing something. They may feel like there is always something more to do to close the project on time. 

How can you deal with this? First, it’s important to remember that you can always take a break during a stressful period. Go for a walk, read a book, have some coffee – anything that takes your mind off the project at hand.

Sometimes it may be necessary to step back and see the bigger picture. For example, think about what may be happening over the next day or week rather than focusing on today. This helps you take a step back and analyze any problems occurring, which can help you overcome any blockages preventing your work from moving forward. 

Perfectionism may lead to procrastination.

Some perfectionists are great at doing things when the time is right, but they can also put off what they need to do because they don’t feel ready to perform them flawlessly. If you have perfectionist tendencies, it can be hard to get your brain out of the “get it done right” mindset, which can cause anxiety and stress when you have an important deadline approaching.

It is essential to understand that there is no such thing as perfect. Even if you do everything right, something can always go wrong. So it is better to learn how to make the most of the time you have, rather than waiting until the last minute.

Perfectionism can make employees start abusing substances.

Some employees will take the pressure of living up to a perfectionist reputation, and they will look for ways to cope with stress and anxiety that may not always be healthy. This is especially true if the business has a no-failure policy and people feel like they need to avoid paperwork rather than simply doing the job with quality work. 

The most important thing is to make sure you recognize any warning signs that your employees may be falling into unhealthy habits. For example, if someone drinks a lot, smokes, or takes drugs, they may need to take a vacation from work and get all of their problems sorted before returning. Upon their return, you can conduct a saliva drug test to ascertain that they are fit to work, especially if the work involves handling anything mechanical. 

Summing up

If you employ a perfectionist, it is essential to remember that you must find other ways to achieve goals and perform well. You can’t put pressure on them all the time to do things perfectly because, ultimately, this will only lead them to burn out. 

It is also important to remember that perfectionism doesn’t work for everyone, so don’t force your employees to perform in ways that may be bad for them. Always put your team first. For example, if they are attempting too much work at one time, you may need to give them a break or help them see that stress can be avoided by prioritizing their workload.

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3 Side Hustles That Will Put You on a Fast Track to Financial Freedom

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If there’s one thing that the pandemic has proven, it’s that there’s no job security. Tons of people were let go during the lockdown, forcing many to burn through their savings just to stay afloat and be alive. Also, one thing that became glaringly clear is that savings are no longer enough. 

This is because even when you’ve saved a lot of money, your savings may not be enough to tide you over the next big crisis. Which then begs the question: what can you do to supplement your current income, so that you can get to a place of financial independence real quick? 

Most experts would recommend that you start a business. But, running a full-time business alongside your 9-5 is impractical. However, there’s a sweet spot in the middle where you can still start a business without giving up your 9-5. 

Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is simply being a middle-man –or woman in your case– who connects potential buyers to the right sources for a commission. As simple as this sounds, the reality is you can make a killing off of this business model if you do it correctly. 

The best thing about it is that you can do it after hours. So, instead of going to hang out at the bar with colleagues for a couple of hours, you can simply invest that time into building your new income stream. There are a ton of affiliate programs out there that you can be a part of and can pay you anything 5 percent to 100 percent commissions. 

In fact, if you do it right, you can actually get into the holy grail of affiliate marketing which is residual affiliate programs. These are potentially able to earn you commissions for life. This is by the far, the easiest side business that you can start. 

Retail Arbitrage

This is another incredibly easy business model that you can do at a leisurely pace. The only challenge is that it requires considerable capital upfront. But if you do it right, you can easily earn decent money from it. 

This involves going to major retail outlets and comparing the prices between items they carry and other e-commerce retailers. If you already do bargain hunting, you already know the basics. 

Once you find a high-demand product with a significant price difference, you’ll purchase them in bulk, re-list them on other retail sites for a decent price, sell and enjoy the profits from the price difference. 

The only downside to this gig is that it requires a bit of hustle. Apart from that, it’s quite lucrative. 

E-commerce 

This involves building out your own e-commerce store, populating it with products you’ve sourced, promoting the store, and selling the product. This is a lot more involved than the first two in the sense that there are many requirements. 

For instance, depending on where you live, you might need an e-commerce license to start a business. Then, you’ll need to source for products, buy a ton of inventory, take and fulfill orders, package the products, ship or deliver to customers, and much more.

This, by far, has the potential to make you very rich –from zero to 8-figures within a couple of years– but it’s fraught with considerable risks. 

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Money-Saving Tips Around The Home

We all love spending money on fun activities, but occasionally household expenses get in the way, and there isn’t enough money left over after everything has been paid to really enjoy yourself. Don’t worry; there are plenty of methods you can employ to save money around the house, and each one will offer you additional cash to spend or put into a savings account for a rainy day. Read on to find out more. 

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Renegotiate 

If you’ve never missed a payment and your finances are in excellent shape, you may be able to renegotiate and obtain a better deal, whether you’re renting or paying off a mortgage. If you have a mortgage, your first contact should be your bank or lender – attempt to negotiate a lower interest rate or shorten the duration of the mortgage so you pay less interest on the transaction.

If you’re a tenant, there is no harm in getting in touch with your landlord (assuming you’re on good enough terms). While you are unlikely to get a rent decrease – although in some cases this might be possible – you may be able to negotiate a better deal with utilities included, for example.

Spare Coins

Spare change can quickly build up, so instead of leaving it lying about the home and losing it, collect it and put it in a jar. Keep the jar by the side of your bed so you don’t forget about it, and when it’s full, get the coins converted into bills or pay them into your bank. You’ll be amazed at how much there is!

Change Energy Providers

Most people stay with their current energy providers because it seems difficult to transfer to another, even if it means saving money. It’s not actually as difficult as some people might think, and in many cases, you can ask your new provider to deal with your old one and switch everything over for you. You will barely have to be involved. 

Even if you don’t want to change suppliers, or you’re already paying a low amount, you can monitor how much you’re spending on an app – knowing this will keep you on your toes and remind you to turn off lights and laptops and anything else that might be drawing energy. Sometimes something that’s costing too much might simply need a repair, and that’s why someone like a 24 hour AC service expert will be helpful. 

Consider Going Paperless

Did you realize that you are being charged every time you get a paper statement or invoice from a bank or supplier? Check their terms and conditions to check whether it’s stated there. You are also charged if you pay by check or any other method other than online. Set up a standing order for the payments, or pay online (it’s secure). You’ll save money.

Make Use of Your Food

How much food do you throw away every week? How many times have you gone to the shop to get supplies because you thought you were out, only to discover that there is another jar, pot, or bottle of whatever you purchased sitting in the back of the larder? Far too many times is probably the answer. This all costs you money. Make an inventory of everything you have in your cabinets, fridge, and freezer. Then you can arrange your future meals around what you currently have on hand. When you’ve finished everything, you can restock.

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Things to Look Out For in Older Homes

Are you looking to buy a new home? Are the homes you are looking for characterful? Are they new, or old builds? Well, if you are looking for an older property, on top of many being very easy on the eye, what is inside the walls may not be so easy. So, this article is here to help you think about what to look out for when looking to buy a new, old home.

Buying a New Home

The process of buying itself can be a headache! But, buying a new home and resting in a house that has many faults and many things needing to be fixed, can be even more worry and stress in a situation that in itself is already stressful. When looking at older houses, make sure you research their history. When was it built? What work has it done? Has it been fixed recently, if so what was fixed?

All of the things come together in showing you, an MOT of sorts, of the house. Houses that are older are wonderful and have the potential to be wonderful houses for many more years, but just like anything that has aged, it needs more care and looking after in order for you to live in it. 

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Allocate Extra Money in Your Budget for Fixings and Fixes

When it comes to budgeting, if you are looking for an older house, then make sure a portion of the budget you are willing to spend is for the fixing and upkeep of the house. Some houses, will not need much upkeep, however, some may look perfect on the surface, but as time passes, things spill through the cracks and some truly big fixes may need to occur in order to live there! So always be careful when it comes to the budget!

Asbestos

This is one of the biggest headaches for houses built before 1980, and mostly in the 50s. Asbestos is a fibrous chemical that was used heavily in buildings and houses between the 30s, then banned in the 80s. It can be toxic as the chemicals in the air can cause cancers in the long term.

There are many mesothelioma attorneys with years of legal experience who take cases of asbestos today. As the results of breathing in asbestos over a long period of time do not show themselves until later, in the form of cancer and other illnesses. So, be sure to have the older home checked if it still has asbestos as this will be a costly and legal fix to rectify before you move in.

Outdoor Fixing 

Besides setting aside money to fix the interior, such as faucets, leaking pipes, walls in the hall, and others, you should also spare some cash for outdoor fixing. There are so many exterior areas of an old home that may require getting fixed. 
For instance, you can update the fence to a more modern look. You should have money to work on your lawn if you want to look like a golf house by updating the look of your lawn using Artificial Grass. Ensure that you also set aside money for exterior decors, such as installing a fountain to improve curb appeal. Additionally, don’t forget your windows, roof, and walls. You can repaint the wall with a new inviting color: gray, beige, blue, or cream. Old roofs and windows are prone to leaking, so don’t hesitate to fire a window installation contractor to fix your windows and a roof installation company to your roof. Ensure you select one up to date with the latest designs and tools for an outstanding result.

Buying and Restoring is not easy, but the reward is worth it!

Although this article makes it sound a little scary to buy an older house, the reward after the effort put into restoring an old house to its former glory is so worth it. You can feel the history and the warmth of the house, as it probably has been multiple families’ houses over the many years of it standing there. So, make sure you do your research, and once you move in, enjoy the fruits of your labor!

Friends, what’s your favorite find from this list you’ll be sure to take a second look at when purchasing your next older home? Share your thoughts below.

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4 Tips to Taking Your Business Online

The lasting devastation of the novel coronavirus pandemic shows us how challenging this time was for many individuals. Most people’s world was turned upside down, businesses closed, lockdowns were enforced, and no one knew what was going on. While this was happening, consumer habits took a slight turn in the eCommerce industry, which boosted its turnover to more than 860 billion in 2020.

As this happened, it created an opportunity for plenty of intelligent, hard-working individuals. Suddenly, you can open an online store for a fraction of the price compared to brick and mortar institutions; you can increase impressions and sales using online techniques from the online business professionals utilizing long-standing tech-savvy commerce techniques to help uncomplicated the often confusing online e-commerce jargon. Helping businesses stick around as we’ll look at four tips for taking your business online in 2021.

Get a Website 

Getting your website up and running should be your first concern for creating an online presence in your market. If you have funds available, you can use the services of professional web developers to design and build the perfect site for your company. If you don’t want to spend too much, you can consider using WordPress or Wix to build your website using a simple drag and drop system. This system does all the coding for you, so you don’t have to spend years studying coding languages. You should also make use of some of the thousands of plugins available to optimize your customer and pathlock security experiences.

Use Social Media  

The easiest way to build up a sustainable following is by utilizing social media marketing campaigns. By boosting your posts and increasing your following daily, you can quickly build up thousands of followers in no time. Social media is also an excellent means of getting platform users to your website with special discount codes and promotions. Even promoting side ventures such as podcasts, streaming platforms, and book launching teams.

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Create Content 

Research has shown that businesses that utilize video content get a higher percentage response from a specified amount of impressions. This is due to how much easier it is to connect with someone using a video compared to text. Your content should most definitely relate to your audience, so when you start, ensure you did your research using technical assistance such as Youtube API and Google Trends. It will allow you to accurately identify and target a market by using your analytical research. 

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Digital Marketing

Your business marketing will be a crucial aspect of the online sales capability of your business. You can market your business using Google Ads, a system where you bet on keywords to obtain the first ranking on the results page. This is a short-term means of marketing and will show results almost immediately after your first placement. Search engine optimization is another excellent way of increasing your website ranking when specific keywords are searched. SEO is a long-term strategy and aims to increase website traffic by using organic search results. 

These four tips will assist you in taking your business online and selling to thousands of brand new potential customers. The world is changing how they shop; make sure you change how you sell.

Friends, how are you planning to take your business online in the last quarter this year? Will you be utilizing the above-mentioned tips? Share your thoughts and advice in the comments below.

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