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LinkedIn – 6 Features To Build Your Success Network

“Your network is your net worth”. – Porter Gale

There has been so much hype about using Facebook and Instagram to build your circle of friends but how about LinkedIn? Do you know what it is about? You must be thinking, “Isn’t it the same”? Well, not exactly. Like Facebook, Instagram,Twitter and many others, LinkedIn is a social networking platform. The only big difference is that whereas the former are used for mostly social and professional, the latter is strictly used for professional purposes.

LinkedIn is designed to help people make business connections, share their experiences, knowledge and resumes as well as find jobs. Like Facebook, one can write, share or like posts and articles, make connections with friends and instant message people etc.

Your profile picture and sections serves as a resume where potential employers and other business people can view your experiences, skills and knowledge. You even have referrals and recommendations from colleagues or clients. These endorsements become official recognition of your skills and persona in the industry.

As of 2020, 500 million users are using LinkedIn as a platform to build their business network and for advertising needs especially during the pandemic. Compared to Facebook who has , LinkedIn is still not widely used or understood by many regarding its features. Does this sound mind boggling? Fret not, my friends. Let me break it down to you in simple terms. Today, we are going to talk about the key features of LinkedIn and what you can do with them.

Here are 6 key features of LinkedIn:

1. Home

The home page is similar to Facebook’s news feed. Here you can see current posts made by other users, companies or topics you follow. It can also be customized to include relevant articles according to your preferences. You can create your own posts which others can see, like, share, and comment on.

2. My Network

This section is where you can see your current network of connections and can search for LinkedIn users to invite to join your network just like sending friend requests on Facebook. You can also see invites from other users and you will also find connection suggestions based on existing network, location and industry.

3. Jobs

There is a comprehensive jobs board. You can search for your preferred jobs and apply as well as find out more information about companies you are interested in. You can set up preferences and notifications so you will receive emails when there are new job postings. Recommendations will also be made based on information including keyword and location found in your profile.

4. Messaging

This is an instant messaging platform which you can use to chat with people in your network. You can also send messages to people you are not connected to with InMail. However, this option is only available to LinkedIn Premium account users. When someone sends you messages, you will receive an email notification.

5. Notifications

As what its name suggests, whenever a person, company or topic you follow has new post activity – notifications will appear. Like other social networks such as Facebook and Twitter, you will also receive notifications when you have been mentioned, added or referenced. The same applies when you receive a connection request.

6. Me

This is where you can find your profile, which is similar to a resume. You can fill in important information such as your education, work experience, accomplishments and current location. The sections within your profile can be customized by adding an opening statement or summary to give a more detailed and accurate representation of yourself. It should always be updated as many recruiters and professional connections will be looking at your profile.

Now that we have shared the basic know-how on navigating LinkedIn, we hope it gives newbies a head start on creating an account and building their professional network. As for the more experienced users, we hope it gives you a better idea on the features and added advantage in expanding your network.

When you have a great network, you get to learn from various professionals and understand even more, not only about other industries and individuals but also about yourself. LinkedIn has proved itself to be a friendly exchange of value, ideas, knowledge and skills. As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.

November 14, 2020/by Editor

Marketing

Instagram For Business – 7 Amazing Marketing Hacks

A few years after Facebook took over the world by storm, Instagram was launched in 2010. It allows users to upload photos or videos that can be edited with filters and are organized by and geographical tagging. Posts can be shared publicly or with the user’s pre-approved followers. Users can also view other users’ content and follow them as well as view trending content. Did you know that Instagram for business is available? Today, we are going to focus on the top 7 marketing hacks!

After its launch in 2010, rapidly gained popularity, registering 1 million users in two months; 10 million in a year and 1 billion as of June 2018. Many influencers and bloggers used Instagram to upload their picturesque photos to get sponsors and gigs whereas other ordinary folks like us followed our favourite celebrities to find out on the latest happenings in their personal lives. It was and still remains a popular mobile app today.

Fast forward to 2020, besides having similar Facebook features such as Instagram Direct which is like and has merged as part of Facebook Messenger, it also has Instagram Stories that allows users to add media, edit with effects and layers; allowing the content to remain visible for 24 hours.

So you may think: Why do I need to use Instagram for business? I am already using Facebook. Well, there is no right or wrong answer but let me tell you what important features are used in Instagram for business and you decide for yourself whether it is going to be “Yay” or “Nay” as another possible advertising platform for your branding.

Here are the reasons why you should use Instagram for business – Top 7 Marketing Hacks:

1. Visuals are compelling

Would you agree that whenever you want to check out nice photos of the latest trending cafes or tourist destinations, you would automatically go and do a search on Instagram rather than Facebook or Google? Because you know part of the “unsaid rule” is that users always feel motivated to post good or Insta-worthy photos onto the platform and when one sees such visuals, you naturally feel drawn and curious to find out more information, right?

2. Online shopping

With the e-commerce industry starting to flourish especially in Asian countries since 2015 and even more in 2020 due to the pandemic, it is no wonder businesses flock to social media platforms especially Instagram for business to promote their branding. Businesses can tag their shoppable products in feed posts and Instagram Stories as well as putting up a “View Shop” tab so it is easier for consumers to check out the shoppable products and pay for their purchases.

3. Highlights

Instagram Stories Highlights are the best way to extend their 24 hour shelf life and with this in mind, it will be wise to prioritize the Instagram Stories Highlights that drive the most conversions for your brand. For example, if you have a sale or promotion, you can choose to put that as the first highlight in your reel. Highlights are a good idea to strengthen the visual branding of your business and you can also create Highlights covers to enhance your aesthetics.

4. Instagram Live

The Live function is a good way for businesses to build meaningful connections with their online community and in recent months, it has skyrocketed with brands pivoting to lifestyle-orientated broadcasts instead of in-person events because it makes the brand more personal – creating an authentic human touch. By gathering people this way, businesses are strengthening their communities and fostering trust in their branding through Instagram for business.

5. Link in bio

This is an amazing feature for brands to drive traffic and is often overlooked. The link in bio is super easy to find and promote since you can input this information, making it appear at the top of your bio section. You can also add hashtags or usernames and they will be automatically hyperlinked. It is another way to get your followers to engage with other accounts you own and brands that are affiliated with you.

6. IGTV

This is a wonderful channel for showcasing products, interviews, and tutorials especially for the fashion, hair, makeup and gym industries. It not only creates a perfect visual experience that resonates with viewers but also builds the relationship into a long term one. The video descriptions can contain clickable links – making it hassle free for viewers to search and shop for the products featured in your videos. Instagram for business has made it so easy for both the business owners and consumers!

7. Live Badges

Badges are a great way to earn income and are similar to those in Twitch and Tik Tok, allowing the online community to tip creators during live streams. You can tip them by the 3 levels of “hearts” — each with a different pricing tier. Creators can see how many hearts a viewer has purchased thanks to a visual icon in the chat, making it easy to see who is supporting them for a shout-out. This is a new feature that will be coming out soon so be patient and wait, my friends! It will definitely be a trending feature in Instagram for business.

These are just some of the features that you can utilize for your business branding and you can do all these with a simple click on your mobile app. The most you probably need to do is to invest in a video lamp and/ or tripod and you are good to go! We hope this will help you get started on Instagram for business and all the best to improving your business branding!

November 12, 2020/by Editor

Marketing

Facebook Ads – How To Increase Sales In 2021

Many businesses are turning to Facebook ads to increase sales in 2020.

Pretty sure many of you know what Facebook is by now, even people in their eighties are using it! Facebook aka FB – it started as an online social media and social networking site in 2004, taking over Friendster in a short amount of time.

It can be accessed anywhere with and as long as you are at least 13 years old, you can create an account and look for friends online. They can be your real friends or interesting strangers that you like to befriend online. All it takes is to send a friend request to them and upon the other party’s acceptance, you have yet another new friend in your FB circle.

Facebook has grown from sharing photos, videos and hashtags to advertisements, indicating your mood for the day and checking in to blogs, the current FB live, watch party and stories. From a simple social networking site to an influential information site that can affect political landscapes around the globe.

FB groups and pages were initially created for the purpose of sharing personal hobbies and interests; this gradually moved to businesses and communities creating their own pages in order to reach a wider audience. This is part of Facebook advertising and today we are going to talk exactly what it is about; why so many people are turning to Facebook ads to increase sales.

For traditional business models that were in use since our parents’ generations, ads were usually placed in the newspapers, television, radio and then open spaces on the internet, bus stop panels as well as using bloggers and Youtubers. However, advertising has evolved and exploded primarily onto Facebook. Why?

Here are 7 top reasons why Facebook ads is such a powerful marketing tool for businesses worldwide:

1. You can set your objective

Depending on the nature and age of your business, you might want to do different things at every stage and being able to do that just gives FB the sharp edge over other forms of advertising. If you are just starting out, you can choose lead generation and brand awareness as primary objectives whereas for the seasoned entrepreneurs or business owners, they can choose reach and conversions as the objectives to pull their companies into the next level of profit.

2. Demographic targeting

Traditional advertising was often limited to region and country but with FB, it has bridged the gap and also for other aspects like age, gender and language. It helps you to reach your target market easily be it region-specific or age-specific etc. If you are planning to run a global conglomerate, it makes the process even sweeter. Just a simple click of the mouse puts you on the world map without needing to liaise with someone from another country to run your ads.

3. Behavioural targeting

Facebook uses data from third party partners, coupled with their own algorithms to figure out specific behaviours online and offline, FB allows advertisers to target audience segments based on their buying or interest behaviour. You will notice that fashion ads will usually “pop up” in your feed if you love to purchase clothes online or travel ads sliding by when you are a member of many travel interest groups. This is the new smart way to increase sales.

4. Budgeting is possible

Traditional business advertising often causes a hole in our pockets even before we see success and sometimes, giving up on the business or advertising because the cost was just too high. With Facebook ads, you not only can set a daily budget but also be able to set the ad start and end date; thereby knowing how much you exactly spend on each ad campaign without causing a break in your bank account. A powerful marketing tool on a low budget – every newbie entrepreneur’s dream!

5. Set your preferred format

For businesses like fashion and luxury watches – photos, videos, stories and collection are more apt for executing the ad campaign whereas for real estate and insurance products – carousel, slideshow and messenger prove to be more suitable. Human beings are sensory creatures and we capture information differently hence the need for various types of ad formats.

6. Automation

Taking a break during the weekend or going on holidays is no longer impossible with the scheduler in Facebook ads. You can plan and schedule your ads during working days and they run even when you are held up by other business appointments or just want to spend time with your loved ones. The burnt weekend mode is no longer applicable. Hurray to automation!

7. Analytics

We usually need to wait for someone to consolidate the results or outcome of our ad campaigns from traditional advertising and the reports only come back a few days later. With the analytics in Facebook ads manager, this is no longer a hurdle as we get to observe and analyse the results in real time; saving and giving us time ahead to plan the next ad campaign.

Now that you know the 7 top reasons for using Facebook ads, we hope this will greatly help you move forward in the next step of your business. Technology is ever changing and what better way to use it to improve not only our personal lives but businesses too? All the best and have fun in your advertising journey!

Related topics –> 7 digital accounting trends in 2020

November 9, 2020/by Editor

Health

7 Benefits of Cloves: A Deep Insight Into It

Cloves are the aromatic flower buds of an evergreen tree in the family Myrtaceae, Syzygium aromaticum. They are available throughout the year due to different harvest seasons in different countries. A common spice used in cooking and medicine since the ancient times – many benefits of cloves can be found. They lend aroma and flavour to meats, marinades, curries and even hot beverages. They also contain medicinal properties and have been used in traditional Chinese medicine as well as ayurvedic medicine.

As early as 200 BCE, envoys from Java to the Han-dynasty court of China had to chew cloves to perfume their breath during audiences with the emperor. Cloves were also traded by Omani sailors and merchants from India to the mainland and Africa during the Middle Ages. In the 18th century the French smuggled cloves from the East Indies to Indian Ocean islands and the New World, breaking the Dutch monopoly. Indonesia became the world’s largest producer of cloves, followed by Madagascar, Tanzania, and Sri Lanka by the 21st century.

Cloves contain a major chemical compound called eugenol that composes 72% to 90% of the essential oil being extracted. Eugenol is responsible for aroma and you will be surprised to know that it also has a number of health benefits.

Here are 7 benefits of cloves:

1. Contains essential nutrients

According to nutrition research, one teaspoon of ground cloves contains 30 percent of the daily value (DV) of manganese, 3 percent of the DV of vitamin C and 4 percent of the DV of vitamin K. It also contains trace amounts of vitamin E, calcium, magnesium and is a good source of fiber.

2. High in antioxidants

The benefits of cloves include antioxidants and they are compounds that inhibit oxidation. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that can produce free radicals, which may play a role in heart disease, cancer and other diseases; thereby leading to chain reactions that may damage the cells of organisms. Free radicals can be caused by a number of factors such as diet, smoking, poor air quality, emotional stress or extreme physical exercise.

Cloves are full of powerful compounds and ranks #6 on the ORAC Scale for antioxidant value among all of the foods and beverages across the world. These compounds include vitamins (K, C and E) and eugenol. Vitamin C has been known to react extensively with free radicals and reduces the oxidative stress. Studies also have shown that eugenol is 5 times more effective in combating free radicals than vitamin E.

3. Alleviates toothache and dental pain

Other benefits of cloves include also reducing toothache and dental pain, believe it or not. As a matter of fact, Cloves have been used in Chinese medicine some 2000 years ago as an anti-inflammatory agent against tooth pain and decay. It produces a numbing effect and has been shown to treat gum diseases like gingivitis and periodontitis. Eugenol is the main active compound in cloves and is also used extensively in the manufacture of dental materials. It reduces the erosion of teeth and helps to remineralize them.

4. Kills bacteria

Cloves contain anti-microbial properties that help to stop the growth of microorganisms. One test-tube study showed that clove essential oil killed three common types of bacteria, including E. coli, a common strain of bacteria found in food poisoning cases.

A mouthwash study tested herbal remedies containing cloves, tea tree oil and basil for 21 days. Results showed improved gum health, decreased plaque build up and mouth bacteria.

5. Regulates blood sugar levels

Cloves are used in many traditional remedies to treat various conditions including diabetes. Diabetes is a disease that occurs when your blood glucose, also known as blood sugar, is too high. Blood glucose is your main source of energy and comes from the food you eat. Insulin, a hormone made by the pancreas, helps glucose from food get into your cells to be used for energy. Having too much blood glucose can cause major health problems.

An animal laboratory study looked at the effects of clove bud powder on laboratory markers in a rat model of diabetes. They found that blood sugar level was lower in rats that received the clove powder compared to those that did not receive the clove powder. Overall, cloves keep your blood glucose in check.

6. Anti-cancer agent

Cloves have powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties which play a role in eliminating carcinogens. Carcinogens are substances that cause cancer. Some carcinogens are found in our food intake and lifestyles such as processed meat and smoking etc.

One test-tube study found that clove extract helped stop the growth of tumors and promoted cell death in cancer cells. A similar study was done, showing the effect of clove extract on tumour growth in mice. Tumors grew significantly less in the mice treated with clove extract compared to those in the control group. The health benefits of cloves are many and not exhaustive to these only.

7. Promotes beautiful skin

Cloves can clear and draw out existing acne and impurities due to their anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties, thereby reducing the pores and preventing future breakouts.

Skin is found everywhere on our physical bodies and many factors such as overexposure to the sun and stress can cause us to age tremendously. Cloves work as powerful anti-aging agents and are useful especially for the reduction of fine lines, wrinkles and sagging skin. Hence they are used in the manufacture of many skincare products.

Related topics –> Best Healing Methods to Deal With Stress

November 5, 2020/by Editor

Finance

8 most powerful wealth creation tips

Do these wealth thoughts always come fleetingly in your mind?

“Sarah got a new Louis Vuitton bag again.”

“Tom always flies first class, he is so lucky!”

Have you felt envious of these people, at least once? Or you often wondered how they achieve wealth freedom easily despite you trying your best? They seem to have it all, living the good life. If you find yourself nodding your head, you are not alone.

Achieving financial freedom is not rocket science, but yet, many seem to be far away from reaching this goal. You must be thinking “What is their secret formula?” If I tell you “There is no secret formula”, would you believe me? You will be surprised that a minor tweak in our daily habits will help us be one step closer to achieving financial freedom. All of us have blind spots and sometimes, it just takes a gentle reminder to push us forward in our financial journey.

Here are 8 effective steps to achieving wealth freedom:

1. Set financial goals

Take some time to think about what financial freedom means to you and what would you like to achieve – specific goals at a certain age. Eg. How much money you should have in your savings account by age 25 or touring Europe when you are 30. The more specific you are, the higher the likelihood of achieving them.

2. Make a monthly budget

Set aside specific amounts of money for every expense category. Eg. Groceries, utilities and transport etc. This way, you can guarantee that bills are paid on time and savings are on track. It also protects you from impulse buying and unnecessary expenses. It’s always important to be organized to maintain a good wealth.

3. Wake up early

If you perform a study on successful and rich people, you will realise all of them have a common habit and that is to wake up early. Most of them usually wake up around 5am when the whole world is still asleep because that is the golden period of undisturbed time. Time when they can meditate or exercise, plan their day and start working without any interruptions – productivity at its best.

As the saying goes, time is money. By the time the world wakes up, you would already have completed some work and it makes you feel good, boosting your focus and productivity even more.

4. Pay off credit cards in full

Having credit cards are good as some of them offer rebates or flight miles as you spend. However, their interest rates are high and if you are not careful in managing your payments, you will find yourself deep in debt very soon. Make it a point to pay off the full bill every month so you will not accrue interest and still get to enjoy the privileges that come with the credit cards.

5. Do not procrastinate

Everyone has 24 hours a day and we should be mindful of how we spend our time. If you have things that you need to do today, choose to complete them today rather than putting them off to tomorrow. When we use our time wisely, it creates a higher probability of success in achieving financial freedom because we are always active and “doing”.

6. A little goes a long way

Some of us have a habit of buying coffee from Starbucks every morning or at other times of the day. Think of it this way – you might think it is just a couple of dollars but when you multiply the amount for a cuppa by 30 days, you would discover that it adds up to two hundred dollars easily. Instead, choose to drink your coffee at home or better still, invest in a coffee machine to enjoy the same luxurious coffee at a much lower price and it helps you to maximise your savings.

7. Create an automatic savings account

You don’t need a lot of money to start a savings account but you need discipline and commitment to build one. Some of us might lack the discipline to save up a certain percentage or amount of our salary every month so the best option is to create an automatic savings account to help us save for rainy days and earn some interest too. This is a simple but yet fundamental method to accumulating wealth.

8. Invest

Start investing at an early age. For beginners, it is good to start small and try investing in low-initial-investment mutual funds or value investing. As you understand how investing works, you can venture into other types of investments like the stock market or real estate where larger amounts of capital are required.

Related topics –> How to build positive energy?

November 2, 2020/by Editor

Motivational

How to build positive energy

In the science of today’s world, there is much more negativity being spread around rather than positive energy – would you agree? We see so much on social media nowadays. Everything in the universe is made up of energy. This theory applies to both tangible and intangible objects.

Principles in physics and chemistry show that tangible objects such as a pen or shelf are made up of billions of individual atoms. Atoms are mini balls of energy that interact and bond with other atoms into many forms including metal, wood pulp, water and other raw materials used to manufacture tangible objects.

Intangible objects are made up of energy too. These are our thoughts and emotions; positive or negative, they can also interact and bond with other atoms in our physical environment.

Research has shown that our brains are a form of intense energy that can be easily detected with medical equipment. It demonstrates a correlation, how this energy works with our physical environment in a similar capacity. Albert Einstein first discovered this phenomenon in 1935 by experimenting with quantum mechanics – activating one particle created an instantaneous response in a corresponding particle somewhere in the universe.

Have you ever wondered when you think that the day is going to turn bad, it eventually turns out badly with many hiccups?

Or have you been thinking of a friend and that same friend calls you suddenly?

These occurrences are definitely not a coincidence – our thoughts and emotions can affect our future. Easier said than done, right? It does not mean we ignore the problems we face or our emotions as to how everything is not working according to what we planned. It basically means that we acknowledge the turbulent waves that are going on in our lives and this is the first step to focusing on the good that will eventually come.

As we learn how to release and control the influx of negative thoughts and emotions, the positivity index increases and attracts good to materialize in our physical environment.

Here are six ways to help you build positive energy.

1. Hang out with positive people

I think you would have realised by now; the people who are always bubbly and never back down from challenges. Birds of the same feather flock together – this is true. When you are with optimistic or hopeful people, they transfer their positive energy to you and you will find that soon, you become less depressed and more solution-focused. Choose wisely who you allow into your social circle.

2. Take a break

Sometimes, our minds and bodies become affected and exhausted from all the negativity so it is good to take a frequent break to maintain our mental and emotional well being. Do something that helps to relax your mind and body. This could simply mean taking a nap or doing a hobby that you like.

3. Do good deeds

Do you agree that when you perform a good deed, it instantly makes you feel happy and good about yourself? Hold the door for someone who is coming through, tip the delivery rider or help a stranger to carry groceries. You will be surprised at the definite and positive shift in the energy you attract.

4. Engage in vigorous exercise

Research has shown the positive effects of vigorous exercise on our psychological and physical health. Some benefits include elevated mood, improved sleep, higher energy levels and focus. A simple 20-minute daily workout is sufficient to reap all these benefits!

5. Positive self talk

Whenever you feel down, read or watch inspiring quotes and videos. In the midst of reading or watching them, take the keywords and repeat to yourself. Better still, if you have a favourite quote, say it to yourself in front of the mirror every day. It prepares and sets you up for success through positive energy.

6. Give compliments

Showing your appreciation to someone makes them feel good and valued; at the same time, you also make yourself feel good. They may even give you compliments in return and help you see yourself in a better light about strengths that you are not consciously aware of, boosting your morale in the process.

Related topics –> 8 most powerful wealth creation tips

October 29, 2020/by Editor

Health

Best Healing Methods To Deal With Stress

“When life gives you lemons, make lemonade” – Dale Carnegie

In the millennial age, many health or emotional problems are actually caused by stress. Stress comes from many factors – unhappiness in your job, discrimination, financial issues and family problems etc. Our innate immune response helps us to cope with stress in everyday life. However, when left undiffused over a long period of time or when we are subjected to sudden high levels of stress due to circumstances, this auto-response system breaks down and we start having health and/ or emotional problems.

Some common symptoms of stress include migraine, weight fluctuations, insomnia, eczema, anxiety, agitation, lack of focus, poor memory and flu etc. According to Statista, at least 55% of the world population suffers from stress in some way. At times, you won’t know how much the compounded stress is affecting you until a heavy toll hits and affects yourself or the people around you. Therefore it is important that we learn to be aware and recognise the warning signs of stress overload so we can deal with it better.

So how do we handle stress? We use natural healing methods that are simple and effective to apply in daily life, even for beginners. The healing journey begins when our physical health improves day by day and/ or when we start to cope better with our emotions.

Here are 6 healing tips you can use to deal with stress whenever you feel bogged down by the troubles of life.

1. Candles

They have been used since ancient times for various purposes like weddings, rituals. meditation and healing. As they are being lit, it represents a renewal of energies and healing of the body, mind and soul. The shape and colour of the candles have a major impact on the energies that are channelled out. White purifies and gives peace; red brings healing, strength and love while yellow improves communication and memory as well as promotes happiness.

2. Aromatherapy Massage

A combo of using the healing properties of essential oils and massage therapy, it helps to de-stress your body and mind. These essential oils are usually hot favourites. Lavender treats insomnia, depression and eczema; bergamot elevates your mood, relieves stress and pain while eucalyptus boosts your immunity, clears your mind and soothes nervous tension.

3. Sleep

It might seem so silly but sometimes we just need to get adequate sleep or simply rest to heal our minds, bodies and souls. Anyone who has ever pulled an all-nighter for a deadline or exam knows the post-event results are not glamorous at all. You feel fatigued, see “double” and even feel irritable. What more when this accumulates over time? Everything goes into overdrive. While sleep requirements may vary from person to person, most healthy adults will need at least 7 hours of sleep to function well.

4. Visualised Imagery

This technique is widely used in healing meditation today. It is recommended to listen to soft meditation music and turn off any gadgets that might distract you. You can dim the lights and sit in a comfortable position. Close your eyes and stare at a focal point while imagining your problems as clouds and go away to reveal the sun. Carve out 10 to 20 minutes a day for meditation and you will reap the positive benefits in due time.

5. Art

Art therapy is to utilize the creative process to help people explore self-expression which in turn improves their mental, physical and emotional well being. Techniques used include colouring, painting and drawing etc. Through creation, it helps individuals to focus on their imagination, identify what issues are affecting them and how these make them feel. The end result is that they are able to release their negative emotions through the medium of art and at times, even gain personal insights or solutions to resolve the issues they are facing.

6. Nature

Research studies have shown that regardless of age and culture, human beings find nature relaxing and more than two-thirds of people choose a natural setting to retreat to as their sanctuary during times of stress. By simply taking a walk in the park, going to the beach or taking a hike in the forest – it reduces fear, anger, depression and stress. Exposure to nature uplifts our mood and improves our physical health like reducing blood pressure, regulating our heart rates and easing muscle tension.

Related topics –> How to build positive energy?

October 26, 2020/by Editor

Motivational

How to remove negative energy

Have you ever been to a place where you instantly feel negative vibes in the atmosphere or some discomfort and unease? At times, it can be overwhelming and in turn affect you, emotionally or mentally. One minute, you are happy and laughing but the next moment, you feel so drained and depressed. If this sounds familiar, you are not alone, my friend. What you are experiencing is negative energy and this can happen on a daily basis. Negative energy is found everywhere – people, objects and even surroundings.

Negative energy is toxic to our entire system. Some examples are depression, anxiety and increased blood pressure etc. While we can tolerate negativity for prolonged periods of time because in the modern age, we have been “trained” to deal with stress thus the same applies to negative thoughts and emotions. However, if accumulated, this might cause emotional, mental or health problems.

Therefore it is important that we make time and effort to clear the negative energy so we can continue to thrive and operate joyfully as a person and whatever roles we play in our daily lives. Just think of yourself as a pipe – over time, the pipe becomes choked with sewage and is unable to work well so it needs to be cleared regularly to continue functioning well in the long run.

How to remove negative energy

Now that you know negative energy exists, here are 6 ways to remove or reduce negative energy

1. Identify the source of negative energy

Do you feel drained or upset whenever you meet a particular person? It could be due to you hanging out with negative people who then transfer their negative emotions or thoughts to you on a subconscious level. Some of these people might be your colleagues, family members or friends. It is not always easy to detach yourself from them. The first step is to slowly cut downtime spent with them. The second step is to create and maintain boundaries so you won’t be put into situations that you do not wish to be involved in.

2. Be complaint free

Have you ever noticed once you start to complain, it somehow becomes a never-ending cycle? Almost every hour, you find new issues to whine or complain about and nothing seems to satisfy you? This creates negative energy and the more you focus on negativity, the more it is created. Instead, choose to focus on positive thoughts and be less whiny. Slowly but surely, you will find that you feel uplifted when you complain less.

3. Meditation

Research has shown that when we set time aside for meditation, some of the benefits are decreased stress and improved concentration etc. You can find a quiet spot to sit and close your eyes. Let all of your thoughts, positive and negative, pass you by. As they come up, simply acknowledge them and take deep relaxing breaths. You will soon feel the weight lifted off your shoulders. Start with 5 minutes and slowly increase the intervals as time goes by.

4. Smudging and salt

You can use sage or sandalwood incense sticks for smudging. Recite your intention as you go around smudging your house or office. Be sure to include windows, corners and under the furniture. When you finish clearing the whole house and are back at the original spot, recite your intention again. You can also pour salt into the four corners of your room and let it sit for 48 hours. It will absorb all the negative energy in your surroundings. Thereafter, you can throw the salt away.

5. Clean the house and office

Clutter can affect our anxiety levels, ability to focus, productivity and sleep. Make it a point to declutter every month by clearing unwanted items from both your house and office. Clean your house and office desks often so they remain tidy. When you see them in an organized state, your mind instantly feels relaxed because it makes you feel good that everything is under control. As a result, your productivity is boosted and sleep is improved.

6. Crystals

Crystals have been used often in healing rituals, spiritual advancement and as decoration pieces. They are structured in such a way that they respond to the energies surrounding them. The two commonly used crystals are rose quartz and black tourmaline. The former promotes positive energy like raising self-esteem, restoring emotional balance while the latter helps with calming your mind and strengthening your immune system.

Related topics –> How to build positive energy?

October 22, 2020/by Editor

Motivational

How to appreciate life and people

“Appreciate what you have, because someone else is wishing for it”. – Karon Waddell

Life in 2020 has been a tumultuous year for many people, to say otherwise is an understatement. The onset of Covid-19 in late January became known quickly as the pandemic worldwide and many countries were forced to go into lockdown mode to try to contain and prevent the spread of this terrifying, mysterious virus which was infecting millions of people every day at an alarming rate. Deaths soon became a daily and common occurrence.

With countries going into lockdown mode, factories and companies had to close temporarily and most people had to work from home. Even shopping and dining in were completely restricted. Wearing masks and using hand sanitizer became the new norm. This in turn caused a global economic downturn and resulted in an avalanche of unemployment. Companies had to lay off staff to stay afloat or close down permanently. Businesses were affected especially the airlines, oil and gas industries etc. Many individuals lost jobs, homes or even family members during this period. Depression and divorce cases increased dramatically.

Everything seems so dark and gloomy right now, how do we find a silver lining in the midst of this scary thunderstorm that does not seem to end? Look at the mirror and around you, you would have found the answers you are seeking. What do I mean by these? Let me explain why.

How to appreciate life and people

When you look at the mirror every morning, do you see that you have yet another wrinkle or do you see that you wake up healthy and breathing to another day in your life? When you look around, do you see that your spouse is annoying you with his or her bad habits again or do you see that he or she is healthy and by your side this very moment? When you work, do you see that you have a never-ending workload and am working longer hours than before or do you see that you still have a job that helps you pay the bills and put food on the table?

Life is always full of challenges and all we need to do is to flip the other side of the coin, looking at things from a renewed perspective. When we do this, you will find that your complaints become lesser and your joy becomes much fuller because of gratitude. If we may be completely honest with ourselves, it is so easy to live life and think it is a God-given right, doing the same old same old blindly without stopping to appreciate that the mundane is actually little pockets of blessings. Eg. Having meals with our families, having a roof over our heads, having physically fit bodies etc. Many others do not even know when the next meal will come, when they can sleep on a proper bed instead of sleeping on the streets, whether they will be able to see their families again due to affliction with Covid-19 virus or other terminal diseases and social distancing needs to be observed.

Take a step back from all the negatives and use a few moments to appreciate what you have, what you achieved and how far you have come. It is definitely not easy and sometimes we are so busy that we get lost in our hectic schedules, forgetting what are the things we should truly focus on. Gratitude is a choice and we should adopt it as a daily habit. A good habit that helps us to move forward no matter what life throws at us.

Here are eight ways to appreciate what you have and your loved ones right now:

Keep a blessings journal and spend 3 minutes every morning to write down what you are grateful for before starting your day.
Stop comparing yourself to others because every individual is unique.
Be a volunteer at non-profit organisations because interaction with the underprivileged will make you realise your glass is overflowing instead of half empty.
Enjoy simple pleasures in life because less is more.
Ask yourself reflective questions. Instead of asking “When will I ever be rich?”, choose to ask “What can I do to help someone today?”
Love yourself and practise self-care daily by setting time aside to wind down after a day’s work.
Spend time with your loved ones because, in the current technology age, human touch is becoming minimal but research has shown that it actually calms cardiovascular stress and is a good booster of mental health.
Write appreciation cards or messages to your loved ones or colleagues who have been helpful. They will be pleasantly surprised and wildly appreciative that you remember them.

Related topics –> How to build positive energy?

October 11, 2020/by Editor

Business

Coronavirus will force more CPA firms to shift to distance learning

For years accounting firms have tried to realize the benefits of distance learning. The cost savings alone are a compelling reason to replace live seminar training with remote delivery.

The results to date have been largely disappointing. Many firms met the distance learning challenge by just streaming and recording their live seminars for a remote audience. Webcasting may be the easiest way to repackage live seminar training for remote delivery, but it’s also the least effective. Without the compulsion to focus and interact that comes from being in the same room as your trainer, many participants simply leave the webcast playing in the background while they catch up on other work.

Thanks to COVID-19, we find ourselves in a time when all learning is distance learning. Firms know that they must keep their professionals compliant, and the instinct for many will be to pull together a solution based on the familiar formats described above. It’s an easy and expedient answer, but is it the best option?

The argument for innovation

At some point, the “shelter at home” and social distancing rules will be relaxed, and a “new normal” will quickly evolve. One thing we learned after 9/11 and the Great Recession is that business following a transformative event will not be the same as it was before.

Many of the workarounds and innovations employed out of necessity during the upheaval will turn out to be preferable to what the firm did in the past. Client needs and expectations will change, and so will those of the staff. For example, if the firm has been shifting toward having more staff work remotely, that shift will accelerate in a post COVID-19 world.

There is no reason to expect learning to be any different. Certainly, remote learning won’t be the best answer for every situation, but for parts of the curriculum the argument for shifting to a distance learning model will become more persuasive. Firms that are prepared with a high-quality distance learning option will be far ahead of peer firms that just tick the box with recordings of live seminars.

Innovating your learning strategy in the current environment will not be easy, but as difficult as the current situation may be, this period also represents a window of opportunity that will close once lockdowns and social distancing are behind us and we have to focus on the essential client and administrative work that had been placed on hold.

Resistance to change is the biggest barrier to adopting innovation. The first rule of change management is to assemble a powerful team of leaders and champions to convince others of the need to change. Early communications efforts highlight success stories to demonstrate the benefits of change and overcome others who have little appetite for the risk inherent in innovation.

This year, right now, firms that innovate their distance learning will not have to answer the question, “Why are we moving to online learning?” The change is mandated. Your staff and professionals have no choice, which takes defending the status quo off the table.

Current conditions do more than neutralize the counterargument; they actually create a mindset that is ideally suited to innovation. They know that change is coming; the learning group is not to blame. Your learners recognize the unprecedented nature of the times and will be willing to set aside any negative bias they might have toward online training and give your offering a fair shot. They want you to succeed.

That reservoir of goodwill will not last forever. If the firm’s current distance learning model doesn’t really work, and it chooses to cling to that same model once the dust of this pandemic settles, that goodwill capital will evaporate. The goodwill may even be replaced by disdain from those professionals who took a virtual tour of the Louvre and watched their kids use Google Classroom in the midst of a global crisis.

Now is the time to invest in distance learning

Return to the vision described at the start of this article: a distance learning option that actively engages the learner, promotes interaction among colleagues, and achieves high level learning objectives. It sounds great, but how do you get there?

1. Commit to the vision. Having seen that vision in action, you know what is possible. That is huge.

2. Do something small. Pick just a handful of courses and create the distance learning experience you envision. Roll it out to a group of learners who are more tolerant of the uncertainties and false steps that come with innovation.

3. Learn something you can build on. You have many unanswered questions about how to implement your vision. Design this year’s limited rollout in a way that helps you answer the most important of those questions.

4. Constantly refine your vision. Whatever distance learning option you roll out this year will have its successes and its failures. Return to your vision and use your experience to make it sharper and your path forward more well defined.

It may seem counterintuitive to push for innovation in your learning strategy at a time when all norms have been upended. Consider the action taken by one state’s governor: On the same day he announced a 30-day stay-at-home order, he also announced the acceleration of construction of a major bridge and other road projects. Why take on a billion dollars of construction during a health crisis? To take advantage of the light traffic.

The conditions are ripe to make a first, bold move to innovate your learning. Whether it be weeks or months, when the threat of COVID-19 does pass, those CPA firms who have taken that step will be far ahead of those who have not.

April 26, 2020/by Editor