Monthly Archives: March 2019

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Affordable Home Upgrades Anyone Can Do

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While we’d all love to live in a grand and comfortable home, it’s definitely not something that everyone is able to afford. Bills need to be paid, after all, and you have other expenses to keep up with as well – so how are you going to be able to afford the kind of home you’ve been looking for without having to wait for too long?

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Luckily, there are a few sure ways to make the dream happen a bit faster. You’ll just have to do it yourself, that’s all, and be prepared to pull your sleeves up to do some work. Here is a handful of excellent DIYs that can both improve your home and your lifestyle a bit faster.

Go for crown moulding

This simple task is always a DIY winner as it makes your room look elegant and professional without much time and energy at all. Before you get started on your projects, it’s a good idea to invest in a no-contact measurement system as it will help you to make the renovations a bit more precise.

Use a polystyrene foam in hard plastic so that you’re able to get the corners right without too much frustration, by the way, and this one shouldn’t take you more than a short weekend to get through.

Think about the light

If you’d like to make a massive difference to the way your home looks and feels without having to pay up too much, you should look towards the light. Those who are experts at interior design tend to say that light is like jewellery because it adds the finishing touches to a room; just like a beautiful necklace can do to you.

Besides from focusing on making the light bathe your room in a soft and calming colour, you can change the light fixture to something dazzling and unexpected. It goes without saying that a chandelier can seriously lift a room from average to pristine, but you don’t have to spend much to achieve the look.

Opt for something unusual and eye-catching that gives your room a bit more personality than a regular old fixture.

Upgrade your kitchen cabinets

Another easy way to get a brand new look in your home without putting in too much effort is to simply change out your kitchen cabinets. You could build them yourself too, by the way, if you’re crafty like that; just make sure that you have a decent bench for woodwork as well as some pipe clamps and you’ll be good to go.

In case you’re not up for a complete cabinet renovation project, you can always give the ones you currently have a fresh coat of paint for a brand new look.

Sprucing up your home doesn’t have to cost too much, after all, and as long as you have a good guide to follow, it won’t really require too much energy either.

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Making Your Work Mornings That Bit More Bearable

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Some people manage to leap out of bed in the morning in a great mood, they’re naturally more energised at this time of day and waking up is no real issue to them. Aren’t they annoying? For us mere mortals, mornings are far more of a struggle. If you’re finding yourself snoozing your alarm over and over and generally feel rubbish however, then something needs to change. You might not ever love mornings but they can be far easier to deal with if you follow these tips.

Get enough sleep the night before

It goes without saying that without enough sleep, your morning (and your day in general) is going to be pretty miserable. No one likes the sound of the alarm clock when they wake up, but when you’ve had a solid sleep it’s far easier to drag yourself out of bed. Make this a priority and your life will genuinely improve. You’ll be much more alert, in a better mood and even things like controlling your appetite will be easier. This is because without enough sleep, our hunger hormones are thrown out of whack.

Organise your work stuff ahead of time

Leaving everything until the morning is never a good idea. When you wake up and are already pressed for time, the last thing you need is to be running around like a headless chicken and panicking because you can’t find the things you need. Before going to bed, pack up your lunch and your work stuff, and get your clothes ready. Lay out everything you need on a chair in your bedroom so you can get up and get changed without any messing around. Having a shower before bed will save you a few minutes in the morning too.

Eat breakfast

It’s easy to forfeit breakfast for a little extra sleep in the morning, but making the time to eat can most definitely help you to get your day off to a good start. A bowl of cereal with chopped fruit, a smoothie made up with yoghurt or some wholemeal toast all wouldn’t take long to make in the morning. You’ll feel more alert and it can give you an energy boost when you need it most.

Find the best method of transport to work

For some people, public transport will be the best way to get to work. If you work in a busy city for example, the traffic will be bad but trains, buses and trams will be very good and run regularly. However, for others, driving will be the best option. Maybe your work is a little out of the city centre, or is far from where you live. Perhaps your work hours involve you getting there before or after rush hour. If so, then getting your own vehicle could be the best way to go. You can find used cars that won’t break the bank and would be ideal for getting you from A to B.

Use your commute to be productive

Get your morning off to a good start by using your commute to be productive. If you’re on public transport you could answer emails or tick off smaller items from your to-do list to get ahead for the day. If you’re driving, you could listen to an inspirational podcast on your way to get you in the best frame of mind.

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Brand Building: When You Are Your Brand

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In the age of social media, branding has been changing. Instagrammers, YouTubers, and bloggers forged ahead into a space where a person became the brand.  As this was happening, bigger businesses wanted to downsize their ‘big corporate’ branding to becoming more personable and approachable.

Both really interesting changes that bring a certain synergy – and is also just a lot of fun to work with.

You will often hear the words authentic, transparent, trustworthy, reliable linked closely with a brands name. Their social media will use a tone of voice that communicates directly to their audience and uses language that is common in those demographics.

Branding isn’t just about a pretty logo and a nice letterhead. It is about having a story that runs through everything. Showing the public your ethos, ideas, and letting them become part of your story. This is even more important when you are looking after your personal reputation and brand.

Due to the internet, customers can be very picky about where they spend their money, and whose pocket it is going on. So you need to be the person, and company, that they believe in.

You might be a dog groomer, you might be a blogger who needs help with personal branding or maybe it is law firm branding and lawyer personal brands you are interested in learning more about.

The chances are you have read plenty of articles that take about starting your branding, like working with a graphic design company or outsourcing your copy. And that is great, but there is more to it.

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Why?

Think about your why. What is your purpose? Why should people interact with you? What do you bring that they can’t get elsewhere? If you started knitting scarves because you saw a homeless person needed one, and now you donate a scarf for every one purchased – that is your why and your story. So share it. Talk about WHY you do what you do, and WHY they should get involved too.

Ideas

Consider all of your ideas as art. All of those thoughts that you have about products you have the capability to make them come alive. If you don’t create mass items, but instead you are creating one or two pieces of artwork, or sculptures, or painting – maybe even movies. Bring it to life. Of course, you should look to make money on your things where you can, but try and create things outside of that just to showcase.

Make Links

Make firm, and transparent links between what you design and produce and what your ethos and goals are for your business. For example, most beauty companies are going cruelty-free and vegan. Meaning that people feel good about spending their money with a company they feel cares. Be respectful if you choose to work with charities, and really consider where you’re products are sourced from.

Be Truthful

People grow and change, and so do businesses and products. While it’s impractical to have a branding overhaul every year, you can share your journey with your audience and take them with you. They will understand the changes they see in your company and products if you are honest with them.

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Warning: Running A Business Could Be Hazardous To Your Health!

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Sorry to be alarmist, but it’s true!

While we aren’t trying to put you off from running your own business; there are plenty of reasons why you should work for yourself instead of ‘working for the man,’ but in terms of your health, there are definite hazards that need to be avoided.

Don’t worry, you won’t have to hurriedly shape up your resumé to return to the safer confines of a 9 to 5 job to preserve your life, but you should consider the following issues.

#1: The sedentary lifestyle. For those business owners working from home, especially when seated in front of a computer screen for many hours during the day, it is worth knowing the health risks of a sedentary lifestyle. These risks include weight gain, high blood pressure, and the increased chances of a stroke and heart disease. You can find out more here. Therefore, make every effort to exercise each day, both before and after work, and take regular breaks to stretch your legs and give your eyes a rest from the computer screen, to offset any issues associated with the sedentary lifestyle.

#2: Feelings of stress. We can all feel stress, but if not dealt with, there are consequences to our health, both physically, with headaches and high blood pressure, and mentally, with issues around depression, anxiety, and burnout. So, should you run a business, it is important to deal with your stressors. If you have strict deadlines to meet, as an example of one common stressor, you might want to hire other staff to help you tackle other work pressures, or outsource certain tasks, so you have time to commit to the project deadline at hand. Within your business life, you should also improve your work-life balance as this can reduce feelings of stress. And forming good habits within your lifestyle will also help, as by eating a healthy diet, and by exercising regularly, you will be more physically and mentally able to deal with the stress in your life.

#3: Neglecting health problems. When working for yourself, you don’t have the sickness benefits that are provided within a usual 9 to 5 job. Therefore, you are more likely to neglect and fight through any health problems instead of taking time off, especially when you are reliant on money coming in. And you might neglect a visit to the doctor or to the pharmacy, especially if you are snowed under with work. By being neglectful in either way, you might suffer the consequences to your health later on. So, here’s our advice. For starters, get into the habit of saving money so you can afford to have time off when you are unwell. Secondly, if you notice any symptoms of ill health, don’t ignore them, hoping they will go away. The sooner you get to see your doctor, the sooner you will be able to deal with any issues and get back to work. And finally, you might also consider registering with a doctor dispensing of medication, so when you are working, you won’t have to disrupt your working day too much because of long queues at the pharmacy.

Running your own business is an excellent idea, but you won’t make a success of it if you fall prey to ill health. Follow our suggestions, then, and not only will you have better health physically and emotionally, but your business should also be healthy on a financial level too!

Take care, and thanks for reading!

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Taking Active Steps to Improve Your Life

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Whether you are in a slump or leading a lifestyle that leaves you relatively content, it’s always important to bear in mind that things can get better. There’s always opportunity for improvement and increased levels of happiness in your living! Something else to bear in mind? Positive change rarely makes its way towards you. You have to actively seek it out yourself. So, what kind of steps can you take to actively improve your life? Here are just a few to consider!

Cutting Out Bad Habits

We all have some sort of bad habit – after all, nobody’s perfect. But acknowledging your bad habits and taking steps to remove them from your life can significantly boost your happiness. So, take a moment to mull over some bad habits that you have. They could pertain to your physical health or your mental health. Common bad habits for your physical health that you might want to cut out could include:

  • Smoking – smoking is highly addictive, so admittedly, it is a pretty difficult habit to kick. But we are all well aware that it is highly detrimental to us, as it can cause cancer, cardiovascular disease, and a whole host of other health issues. Consider making use of alternatives that can be used to cut out smoking and ween you off nicotine, such as nicotine patches, nicotine gum, or vaping.

 

  • Excessive Drinking – sure, alcohol may well be legal for adults to consume. But excessive drinking can cause liver damage and can prove addictive. If you feel dependent on alcohol, you might want to consider sober living for men.

 

There are also plenty of bad habits out there that can have a negative impact on your mental and emotional wellbeing. Some to consider removing from your life could include:

 

  • Procrastination – as the old saying goes, procrastination is the thief of time. We tend to procrastinate when we feel anxious about something, but putting off the task at hand only serves to increase anxiety levels in the end.

 

 

  • Perfectionism – being a perfectionist can result in high quality work. But you’ll often find that it unnecessarily places excessive pressure on you. Don’t allow yourself to become distressed by setting unachievable or unrealistic targets!

 

Spend More Time Doing What You Love

Many of us end up spending most of our time doing things that we feel we have to do. But why not spend more time doing things that you love? This can give you a greater feeling of satisfaction with life. Sometimes it just means turning down plans and events that you feel obligated to attend when your attendance isn’t actually necessary. If you have an interest, chase it. Join a class, attend a club, dedicate your free time to it.

Sure, life might be coming along just fine for you right now. But why settle for mediocrity? “Okay” shouldn’t be enough! Taking active steps to improve your life can see you become a much happier and more rounded individual, placing a smile on your face!

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Genuine Ways To Make Money From Home

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The concept of making money from home is something that has really taken off over the last decade, and although it’s been something that people have talked about for a good bit longer than that, previously it was considered to be something sleazy or in some cases illegal.

However thanks to things like social media and the internet making it easier than ever for people to set up online businesses and work according to their own terms and set their own hours, this is now becoming the norm, so if you’re looking for a way to make money from home but you’re worried about getting caught up in a scam then in this post we’re going to share with you some of the genuine ways that you can make money from home.

Freelancing:

Setting yourself up as a freelancer is possibly one of the easiest ways to start making money from home, and doesn’t require much in the way of start-up costs like other businesses do. The easiest way to get started as a freelancer is to decide on a professional service that you could offer that people would pay for. For example, you could offer copywriting for businesses, you could offer a graphic design, or you could even offer something like accounting or bookkeeping services. There are endless ways that you could work as a freelancer, and the great thing about it is you get to decide your own hours, work on your own schedule and effectively decide how much you earn as well, so it’s a very flexible way to make money from home especially if you have a family and other commitments to work around.

Physical Products:

If you’re someone who likes to create things by yourself then you could have a good chance of creating a business from home that allows you to sell your products. You could sell things like skin care, candles, or even t-shirts and then have them branded and have the labels made for them by hiring a branding company to do this – to find out more about getting labels made for your physical products, you can click here for more info. Of course setting up a physical product business takes a bit more effort than an online business  where you’re only selling digital products, but it’s still a great way to make money from home selling your own items.

Affiliate Marketing:

Affiliate marketing is a very popular way to make money from home, and it really doesn’t require much of an effort once you get it set up properly. Affiliate marketing works by recommending the products and services of other people, such as skin care products, technology gadgets, or even clothing. Pretty much anything can be used by affiliate marketers in order to generate revenue for themselves and for the people who own the products that they are recommending. A good way to start with affiliate marketing is to set up a blog around a niche topic, such as vegan skin care and then create content that links back to this product through an affiliate link whereby you then receive a commission for every person who clicks on your link and buys the product.

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Technology And The Workplace

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In the last few decades, we have all seen technology creep into every part of our lives, and the workplace is no different. Whether you run a business or are just an employee, you should always be looking for ways to make the most of tech in your role. This could cover a broad range of areas and so we are going to take a look at some of the way the digital landscape could be beneficial to you.

Productivity

There is an old saying that it is better to work smarter rather than harder, it can be used as a joke but when it comes to productivity it is actually a good philosophy. The reason for that is the smarter your working environment is, the more likely it is that you are going to produce better more efficient work. And that is where technology comes in, through the use of a variety of applications and software you will be able to improve productivity across your workforce and personally. Now, that could be through cloud computing software like Vertex or apps that are designed specifically for the workplace.

 

  • Project Management

 

One of the areas of work that has been boosted exponentially by technology is project management. Through apps that have been designed specifically to assist your team with getting results with their respective projects, you can manage tasks through a single portal that is accessible by anyone you give permissions to. This means that team leaders and managers can have complete control over their team’s workload from a remote location thanks to apps like Todoist and Asana.

 

  • Communications

 

If there is one thing that gets in the way of productivity it is the role communications plays in our workforce. While email has been a time-saver compared to the more traditional methods, it can still slow down the process of getting a task complete. Likewise the endless meetings and telephone calls that have become a regular fixture in the working calendar. That is why apps like Basecamp and Microsoft Teams are so useful, it allows you to set up chat groups and instant messaging services so your teams can be in constant communications or use video chat for meetings instead of organising time away from the desk.

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Security

Another area of working life that needs to be helped by ever-evolving technology is that of security. It is fair to say that the business world has seen a range of new threats that have arisen as a result of moving towards digital working spaces. However, the answers are also through using technology and shouldn’t be ignored. The only way to be confident that you can combat the rise of cyber crime is by having a comprehensive strategy to fight against it.

The previously mentioned cloud systems can be incredibly helpful in preventing cyber crimes, but so too is just ensuring you have a strong antivirus and firewall system installed. Educating your staff in the threats that could arrive in their inbox is also an absolute must and but using combative software first and foremost is the best route to take.

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A Few Good Reasons to Get a Boat and Spend Some Time in the Water

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We live in a pretty cool time, today. There are all sorts of interesting and exciting hobbies and pastimes available to us that the average person even a few short years ago would have had no access to at all.

Without too much trouble, assuming you have an Internet connection, you can get yourself involved in hobbies ranging from mountain climbing to tabletop gaming, to historical re-enactment, to wood-whittling, to all sorts of DIY projects, to amateur web design and blogging, and more.

The thing is, with all of this choice available, many people find themselves a bit perplexed on where to start, and end up following the path of least resistance. And the path of least resistance tends to be passively consuming media and entertainment content, ad nauseam.

There’s nothing wrong with watching some shows on Netflix, playing video games, or any of that sort of stuff. But when these pastimes make up the majority of the way you spend your free time, you may be missing out on some more fulfilling hobbies.

The academic and author Cal Newport writes in his book Digital Minimalism that in order to remain balanced, happy, and healthy, it’s important to find the time for forms of recreation that get us physically involved in the world around us. He is especially fond of “old-fashioned” pastimes, of the sort our grandparents would have been familiar with.

Fishing and boating are some of the oldest forms of recreation around – and developed directly out of lifestyles and cultural practices of the past that were necessary for survival. Thanks to the wonders of the Internet, finding out about what these pastimes entail, and even sourcing replacement parts for a boat, such as via Marine Battery Guy’s boat battery reviews, is also easier than ever before.

Here are a few good reasons to get a boat and spend some time in the water.

Fishing and boating are primal, ancient pastimes

Many of us these days feel kind of disconnected and detached from the natural world around us, and the “primal” and essential elements of life. If in doubt, you only need to look at the popularity of recent movements such as the Paleo movement, and the popularity of hobbies such as historical re-enactment, to confirm this.

There’s a good argument to be made that getting “back to basics” can help us to orient ourselves in the world more productively, feel better about ourselves, and simply have a better time.

Fishing and boating – as mentioned at the start of this article – are primal, ancient pastimes. When you’re out there in a boat, on the water, you’re engaging in an activity that humans have been engaging in since at least the Mesolithic era.

Just like camping, hunting, and woodworking, engaging in this ancient pastime can help you to feel “alive” in a way that surfing the web might not.

It’s a great way of experiencing space and calm, in an increasingly packed and busy world

We live in very busy and “noisy” times. Virtually no matter where you go these days, you’re going to be “on the grid” and will be bombarded by billboards and adverts, the latest celebrity gossip, the latest world news, and the latest updates from all your friends on social media.

There’s some evidence that being constantly bombarded in this way can erode people’s psychological health and sense of well-being. The mindfulness and meditation movements are a direct reaction against this “always on” phenomenon, and serve to encourage people to take a deep breath, find a bit of stillness, and relax for a while.

Boating and fishing are excellent ways of achieving this. When you’re out there on the water, even if only on a narrow river, you have a real tangible sense of being “away from it all” and are able to relax with your own thoughts, and the gentle lapping of the water against the hull.

A boat is a great way of exploring and seeing the world in a different way, through a different lens, and at a different pace

Things just look and feel different from a boat, in a way that can be truly breathtaking in its own right.

When people go on vacation and travel to new places, they are largely looking to experience the unfamiliar, and to see the world in a new light.

Since we spend the vast majority of our time on land, getting out onto the water offers a similar experience to getting away to a new country. It’s a great way of exploring, and seeing the world in a different light, through a different lens, and also at a different pace.

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What You Can do to Keep Your Car on the Road as Often as Possible

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When you have a car, it is important to look after it as well as you possibly can, and this means doing as much as possible to improve the way the car is dealt with, as well as what you need to do to be safer on the roads. There are so many things you need to make sure you do in order to give your vehicle the best possible treatment, and this is essential for helping with this.

There are a lot of things you can do that are going to help you improve the process of looking after your car. It is important to ensure that you think carefully to improve how well your car is looked after, and keeping it on the road as much as possible. Make sure you do as much as possible to improve your vehicle and follow these ideas that will allow you to keep your car on the road as often as possible.

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Drive Safely

Driving safely is one of the most important things you can do and is essential for keeping your car on the road for longer. Driving as safely as you can is a great way of being able to ensure that you avoid accidents or damages that might impact your car. But, more than this, it also helps to improve your driving and keep points off your license. Though cars have become safer these days, it actually seems that the roads are becoming more dangerous. And one of the reasons for this is the fact that people are driving more recklessly. If you want to keep your car on the road as much as possible, you need to make sure you drive much better.

Stock up on Spare Parts

Another excellent idea for helping with this is to make sure you stock up on spare parts. This is really important when it comes to keeping your car in the best possible working order. You need to do as much as possible to ensure that you can keep your car on the roads as much as you can. This sometimes involves doing some work on the vehicle and making sure you repair and fix problems yourself. You need to check out things like the Vanos solenoid for a BMW, as well as heading online and stocking up on the relevant parts as much as possible. This will allow you to make the right kinds of changes and improve the future of the vehicle as much as possible.  

Keep Her in Good Working Order

Keeping the vehicle in good working order is so important, and there are a lot of great things you can do to ensure this. For instance, you might like to think about how you store it – either in a garage or under a car cover to protect against the elements and crime. You should also try to make sure you are focused on keeping her clean and tidy as much as you possibly can.

These are just a few of the great options that you need to keep in mind when it comes to improving your car and keeping it on the road as much as possible. The more you can do to look after your vehicle, the better your life will be as a result. Use the tips above to help you achieve this as much as you possibly can.

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Looking Out For Yourself When Times Get Tough

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Throughout our lives, we will go through some amazing times and some more turbulent ones. When we were in our teenage years, we thought that a bad day was the worst day of our lives. We thought that getting older and becoming fully fledged adults would mean our freedom and maturity would allow us to get over the bad times. That’s not exactly the case, though, is it? It turns out that, sure, our moods swings as younger people were frustrating, but they didn’t have anything on the stresses and strains of adult life. Whether it’s personal or work, things can get very tough at times.

When things get a little rough, you can feel alone and that there’s not too much that can be done to fix them. You can rest assured, however, as there are lots that to do that can help – some simple and some more complex. If you need a little push, here are a few simple ideas that may go a long way.      

Talk To Your Close Ones

A lot of people don’t like to open up to their friends and family about whatever situation that they’re going through – no matter how big it may be. It’s not a great idea to keep things bottled up as they’ll probably only get worse. As well as providing all the emotional support you need, they’ll be able to look at the situation from a different perspective and give you anything from small tips to giant favours. They won’t be able to advise you and make you feel better if you keep things under lock and key.

Talk To A Professional

Taking things a little further and speaking with somebody who knows almost everything about what you’re going through might be of great help. Whether it’s your local doctor or a specialist, they will be able to advise you on where to go and what to do. It is their passion and their love to make sure you’re okay with everything.  

Exercise

Making sure that you’re activity will help you when you’re feeling a little down in the dumps. Even if it’s just a twenty-minute walk. Your body produces natural happiness and positivity after exercising, and you’ll also be making yourself fitter in the process. Bad things won’t disappear completely, but you’ll be better prepared and reinforced mentally.

Eat Well

Now, it’s lovely to eat junk food, and it feels good from time to time, but you don’t want to keep the habit up frequently. You’ll just feel more sluggish and that can’t help you much when you’re already going through a sticky patch. Make sure you’re eating all the good, nutrition stuff while drinking heaps of water and keeping active.

Be Positive

Finally, just look at the bright side of things. Now, obviously not everybody has the sunniest disposition, and that’s okay. But even if you’re a glass half empty type, just reviewing the situation and hanging on to the positives will help out a bunch. Finding some good may give you some motivation and something to look for.

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