“I don’t have the time for that!” is the number one excuse we give for not doing the things we need to and want to. Here are some realistic and practical ideas on making time every day.

Prioritize

We all have priorities, and they always play a role in our decisions. The challenge is that often our priorities are not articulated well. For example, paying bills is important. However, many of us don’t consider it a priority to pay them early. If we did, they would never become urgent and take precedence over other priorities. One of the simplest things we can do to make life easier is to make it a priority to not let things become ‘urgent’. Pay those bills on the day you receive them. Don’t wait for the last day to submit that assignment. Get your annual dental checkup on schedule. Renew your insurance in advance. Overseas workers set one of the best examples of this. For most migrant workers the first priority is to support their families back home. As soon as they get paid, they send money online to their loved ones.

Plan

We are no strangers to planning. It is something that life teaches us, usually during our years in school. Unfortunately, as adults, many of us fail to take advantage of this useful tool, especially in our personal lives. We can’t plan for everything that happens. Yet, we can plan for everything we want. Here is a small example. 80% of the items in our grocery lists are things we buy repeatedly. A simple shopping list on the phone can save us hours in repeat trips to the market for missed items.

Planning also works for big-ticket items. For example, let’s say I want to make a move to the job I want. For that, I need a new qualification. Getting it requires me to invest 200 hours of learning. That’s part 1 of the plan. Part 2 would be to extract those hours from my current schedule. Thus, planning also helps us understand the feasibility of our choices. It saves the time that would be wasted on unfeasible options.

Discard

The hard truth of life is that we don’t have unlimited time. The best of us can’t do everything we want. Here applies the tough but necessary function of discarding some of the things on our lists. For example, I may want to be both, a nuclear physicist and an opera singer. The mutually opposed demands of the two professions do not allow me the time to be good at both. If I abandon the singer’s ambition, I can channel all my time and energy to becoming a great physicist. We must discard the unattainable goals and keep only the realistic objectives.

The same applies to smaller, everyday decisions. Multitasking is a misnomer. Complex decisions and tasks require our undivided attention. We would save a whole lot of our time (and energy) by simply doing one thing at a time, and by getting it right the first time.

Delegate

Napoleon Bonaparte once said, “If you want a thing done well, do it yourself.” Evidently, he was not big on delegating. Delegation is a simple everyday function that lets all of us benefit from our complex synergies. The best delegators I know are moms. They get kids to clean their rooms, take out the trash, and do a host of other things. However, there are a few important things to remember when delegating. First, make sure that the person doing the task is competent and motivated. Moms have many subtle ways to provide feedback and encouragement, as well as to correct. Second, monitor to check that the task is done adequately because ultimately the delegator is the owner of the task. Third and perhaps most important, be prepared to give a reward. Often, the best reward you can give is to do a delegated task in return.

Refuse

A refusal is an act of kindness (not rudeness). When someone asks you to do something and you can’t, set the right expectation. Don’t say ‘yes’ because later you are sure to disappoint. Also, don’t give a ‘maybe’ response and leave them hanging. Refuse politely but clearly. The person who wants the job done will find other ways. Meanwhile, you will have less stress and more free time to spend on your priorities.

About the author:

Hemant G is a contributing writer at Sparkwebs LLC, a Digital and Content Marketing Agency. When he’s not writing, he loves to travel, scuba dive, and watch documentaries.

There’s something to be said for a long train ride. You get to enjoy the stunning scenery of a country, rather than just fly over it. Plus it saves you the stress of driving. All you have to do is sit back and enjoy the ride. There are plenty of things you can to make the most of your trip, and be comfortable as you make your across the country.

Comfy Clothes 

A good place to start with making yourself more comfortable is your outfit choice. If you know you’re going to be travelling for a long period of time, it’s important your clothes reflect this. It is not a time for denim or tight fits. You want soft, strechy, clothes. If your train is overnight, you could even bring pyjamas to get changed into. Bring an extra layer with you, too as it’s most likely the temperatures are going to fluctuate.

Entertainment

Yes, the views are stunning but every so often you might want to provide your own entertainment. Whether this is bringing a book, having films downloaded or perhaps a craft to work on – it’s a good idea to bring something to keep your mind occupied. Or if you want to make the most of the views, you could also preemptively make playlists or pick podcasts you want to listen to. These will also serve you well in your regular commutes, such as travelling from East Croydon to New Cross Gate.

Take a Stroll 

You’ll have so much time to sit down and admire the scenery, but it’s important to remember to get up and walk around, too. Have a stretch while you’re at it. Your body will thank you. Trains are much roomier than planes, so you’ve got plenty of space to walk around.

Snacks 

Unless you’re in first class, most train journeys don’t have meals included in the fare. It’s a good idea to prepare yourself food wise. This will help with your budget, not to mention you’re guaranteed to have food you like. Try and think of foods which can offer you more energy, as opposed to just crisps and chocolate. It’s also worth buying some mints or chewing gum to help you feel fresh as you travel.

A long-distance train journey is the perfect time for you to pause, and just watch the world go by. Are there any particular railway routes – anywhere in the world – you would love to go on?

Being a pharmacist can be exciting. It gives you a sense of fulfillment. Plus, the career is highly paying. That’s why the profession is highly regarded. However, without the right skills, abilities, and drive, succeeding in this highly demanding industry can be difficult. With the right skills, you can achieve greater heights. On these lines, this article is going to highlight the skills you can cultivate and become an outstanding pharmacist.

Patience and Empathy

As a pharmacy technician, you will be dealing with sick, stressed, and overwhelmed clients. Thus, you should embrace a high level of patience to succeed in this area. Smiling and showing empathy is a sign of patience as well as compassion. Doing so is like siphoning off the stress from these patients—leaving them happy and hopeful.

Always, stay calm. Show concern. Don’t be rude. Try to accommodate various feelings from clients. The life of a pharmacist involves embracing a caring attitude. Use kind words when addressing dramatized patients.

Meticulousness

Precision is key. Remember, a slight mistake in this field can lead to dire consequences. That’s why attention to detail is required. Don’t leave any space for error. Of course, distractions are there. However, you should ensure that they don’t affect the final outcome. Everything should be carried out safely.

Being Initiative

Taking the initiative to accomplish a task is another important quality you should cultivate if you want to be one of the best pharmacists around. For instance, if you notice that something should be done, be the first one to chip in and offer the necessary help. Remember, a pharmacy is a busy work environment. So, being extremely effective when it comes to accomplishing tasks is of paramount importance.

Prioritizing

You will be dealing with patients with different conditions. So, it’s important to prioritize patients who are in dire conditions. For instance, if you find a patient who can’t stand, prioritizing him/her will be a nice decision. Depending on the level of suffering or the urgency of a matter, you will have to prioritize things accordingly. It’s a trait you should work on

High Level of Ethics

Ethics is an important component when it comes to the medical field. Those who exude a high level of commitment to ethics are likely to be successful pharmaceutical professionals. So, as a pharmacist, it’s important to have antics. Know how to talk with people. Don’t use shortcuts. Be observant. You might receive fake prescriptions from patients. So, it’s up to you to denounce them. Remember, you are dealing with people’s lives. A small mistake can be dreadful. Also, when serving customers, don’t give them false hopes on the expected wait time. Instead, give an honest opinion. Report any suspicious matter to the authority. Respect confidentiality when it comes to the medical records of your customers.

The Bottom-Line

Being an outstanding pharmacist brings career satisfaction. Plus, a good pharmacist is able to navigate through the ranks in a work environment and attain better career progression. That’s why you should always cultivate the above qualities and punch yourself into the ring on success as a pharmacy technician.

The spring is here. What can be more fun than skating around the blocks? No chillier breeze and snow! All you have is beautiful weather. It’s time to take out your skate shoes. But wait! Are your older shoes completely worn out? Have you always wondered how to make your skate shoes last long? Then we have the perfect post for you. Read on to know how to keep your skate shoes like new for years.

1. The original product: We agree that original skate shoes are costlier. So falling for the fake ones is evident. However, when you buy original products, you get surety of material. They use original leather or fabric. The sole material goes through repeated tests to ensure durability. Their grip is also better. All this adds to the longevity of the shoes. You can buy some stunningly durable boys vans skate shoes online too.
2. Superglue hack: Skating easily wears off the shoe stitches. An easy way to protect them is to apply superglue all over the stitches. It reinforces them. When you skate or flip, the extra pressure and torque do not loosen them. As a result, your shoes last longer. Another hack is to glue the laces together too. It ensures your safety while skating. The laces often loosen out and get entangled in between the wheels. This trips you down. Gluing them together ensures your safety.
3. No rough use: You must have stepped out to skate in the rain or jumped into the puddle. However, if you want to have a well-maintained skate shoe, you must resist this temptation. The shoes are usually made up of canvas, suede or synthetic suede. These materials change their form on contact with water. They either become soggy or harden. Skate shoes lose their shape and integrity. To ensure their long life, do not expose them to rough use. Also, keep them well- aired. Do not allow moisture build-up inside.
4. Adhere to the instructions: Each pair of shoes comes with an instruction manual. Always comply with them. If you need to wash your shoes, comply with the instructions. If it mentions no bleach, do not put bleach. It will ruin the fabric. Adhering to the instructions will ensure that you get to keep your shoes brand new.
5. No to rough cleaning: People think that using a hard detergent and brush gives perfectly clean shoes. That is a myth. All you get is damaged shoes. Synthetic fabric loses its texture in contact with hard detergent. The shoes might look clean but it will not last long. Always use a mild detergent and a soft-bristled brush. Use gentle rubs to remove dirt and spots. Dry them in direct sunlight.

Conclusion

Worn-out skate shoes dampen the joy of skating. It is impractical and expensive to buy shoes each season. The best way is to maintain your shoes. Just by following the above-mentioned steps, you can get a good pair of shoes every time you skate.

There are a lot of adventures you can experience underwater. It’s an understatement to say scuba diving has opened plenty of opportunities for many people who love getting near to marine life and its ecosystems. For others, being in low visibility, rushing currents, and treacherous environments such as caves or wrecks provide an interesting experience in their own right. This post will discuss why you should plan to go scuba diving. 

A different experience

Whether you decide to scuba dive in tropical waters around the world, the experience is quite different in each place. You see, you can dive in Middle America or South-East Asia, but the diving adventure is not the same. Besides, you can also scuba dive in ice-cold waters like in Antarctica or Iceland. However, each place has its appeal and adventures. Alongside this, you tend to see different marine creatures that are living across the planet.

Nevertheless, this doesn’t mean that several scuba divers using the same dive site can have the same experiences. This is because each scuba diving site is different, meaning each time you’re bound to see other marine creatures and discover new areas. You and your friend can go diving and both of you have a different experience.

Exploring the entire world 

Since 71% of the earth is composed of water, it means scuba diving allows you to see more of the planet. There are more than 230,000 species already discovered in the oceans and about 60% of other species yet to be discovered. This gives scuba divers with opportunities to experience an underwater world that is different from the rest of the world as you know it. 

Even better, seeing marine life such as fish swimming in their natural habitat is awe-inspiring. The moment you take scuba diving and swim alongside these ocean inhabitants and let them accept you is something you may never forget in your lifetime.  

A peaceful world

If you’re someone who wants to run away for a while from the traffic, noise, and the problems in this world, then consider going for scuba diving. As you get into the waters, there is nothing you hear apart from your breathing while underwater. Hence, you will hear no phones ringing and no talking because all communications are done through hand signals. Once you’re underwater, you forget everything that is happening on land, so for about an hour you will be on your own and just with your thoughts.

Another way to see what’s happening underwater is by snorkeling. Remember that you can’t breathe underwater, making it necessary to come back to the surface to take a breath of air. However, scuba diving enables you to not only move freely while underwater but it also allows you to feel like you’re part of the ecosystem and marine life. Best of all, you will meet other scuba divers who might share with you their diving experiences. As a result, you can establish new friendships with people from across the globe.

We all go through breakups, and they’re difficult for everyone. If you truly cared for someone and you ended things with them, chances are you’re going to have a hard time for a while. It’s impossible to bounce back straight away, no matter who broke the relationship off.

Luckily, there are ways that you can shorten the “recovery period”. The faster you get over your ex, the better. A lot of people get overwhelmed with their breakups. It harms various aspects of their lives. Naturally, you want to prevent this from happening to you.

Today we are going to talk about some of the useful tips that you can use to get back on track and forget about your recent breakup.

1. Admit That It’s Over

For a lot of people, the first issue is that they never accept that the relationship is over. In most cases, this happens to people who get dumped. Relationships can end for various reasons – some might make sense, while others might not.

People are different, and what might seem as unreal to you might be a perfectly good reason to another for a breakup. The first thing you need to do is to stop thinking about the reasons and trying to get the person back to you. Admit that it’s over and look at what awaits you in the future.

2. Get All Relationship Reminders out of Your Life

Of course, some things will still remind you of your ex, but you need to work on getting rid of everything you can. First of all, hide away all the stuff, presents, and other items related to your ex. Avoid going to those places where the two of you spent a lot of time together.

An important element is to hide your ex on social media so that you don’t see their face daily. The goal is to slowly get used to having that person out of your life and not get reminded of the relationship you had.

3. Buy a Sex Toy

It might seem funny, but a sex toy can actually be very helpful. Sex is a big part of a relationship, and it can be difficult getting used to not getting it every day. A sex toy can help you emulate that closeness and get used to “taking care of yourself”.

With the sex toys available today, you can forget about your ex more quickly. Some of them are so good, that they‘ll make you say: “What was I even worried about?”

4. Talk Your Close Friends/Family Members

Yes, this is a cliché, but it works. Don’t expect that other people will be able to give you magical advice to instantly get over your ex. Still, they can help you in other less obvious ways. Sometimes it’s a good idea to talk to someone who understands you and shares your feelings.

Even though they don’t offer any help, just getting things off your chest can feel great. On the other hand, close people can help you pass the time and focus your attention on something else.

5. Focus on Yourself

When we are in relationships, our focus is often on our partners. Being single again has its downsides, but it has its upsides as well. You can spend all your energy on yourself and do things you didn’t have the time before.

You can finally spend time on all the hobbies and activities that you neglected while in a relationship. Do you like playing an instrument? Are you a fishing enthusiast? Do you like going to the movies? All these things can help you develop further as a person while helping you deal with the breakup.

6. Start Working Out

No matter what type of person you might be, exercise is one of the best ways to go through a breakup. Even if you’ve never been the “gym type” you could easily discover yet another hobby. Working out is good for several reasons.

First of all, physical activity will take your mind off other things. You will clear your head and bring yourself in a more primal state where your breakup will seem less important.

On the other hand, working out gives you more confidence, which is essential for getting back into the game. In the end, exercising helps you improve the way you look.

A study has shown that exercise improves self-esteem and self-confidence, lowers depression, and decreases stress, which will help deal with the hard times.

7. Travel Somewhere If Possible

Traveling somewhere is always a good idea. No matter if you’re alone or with a friend, going somewhere can help you break the mold and stop thinking about your ex. A new place will bombard you with many interesting things that you haven’t yet seen. You won’t have the capacity to reflect on your feelings and your breakup.

Simply put, it’s a good way to stop thinking about what you’re going through at the moment. Going somewhere far away will also ensure that there is absolutely nothing to remind you of your ex.

8. Start Dating

For a lot of people, a break up can lead to a loss of confidence. This will make it difficult to get out there and start dating again. It’s perfectly normal to feel this way. Still, as soon as you realize that you’ve got your confidence back – start dating.

Even if you still aren’t completely over your ex, you should do it. One of the best ways to forget about one partner is to find another. Having someone new who can comfort you and who you can spend time with is the best remedy for a breakup.

Conclusion

Time heals all wounds. If you use the tips we mentioned above, that process will be a lot shorter. In the end, remember to practice self-care and give yourself some slack. We all make mistakes and get treated like dirt. The important thing is to come back from it and find a person that will value you as a human being.

You’re a longtime health and fitness enthusiast and religiously maintain a healthy lifestyle. You’ve decided to take that passion and start a health and wellness business; however, you should be aware that it’s quite a competitive field and requires a lot time, energy, and commitment. Here are five strategies that could help you launch a successful health and wellness brand.

Choose a Profitable Niche

Select a specialty area—yoga instructor, fitness trainer, diet coach, health and wellness products, natural supplements, etc.—and make sure it’s profitable. Also, it’s imperative that you’re qualified in your chosen field; research it extensively and find out if any kind of certification or degree is required. Additionally, it would be ideal if your niche is something you’re passionate about. You’re naturally going to put in more effort and do a better job when it’s something you truly love.

Identify Your Target Market

It’s important that you identify your target market before launching your business. This will bring some focus to your marketing strategy and make it much more effective. Read all the market research and demographic data you can find on your chosen field.  For example, if your target market is composed of millennials, your safest bet is to implement a mass text messaging strategy. The reason for this is that millennials have their phones on them the majority of the time, which means that your SMS messages will be read for sure. The more information you have the stronger your marketing strategy will be.

Make a Blog

A blog is a good way to attract potential clients to your brand. It provides a great platform to display your knowledge and expertise in your specialty area. It shows that you’re well-versed on the topic and can write intelligently about it. This will help build a sense of trust among potential clients, who will be more likely to consider using your services after reading your blog entries. In fact, according to a marketing report, people are twice as likely to purchase from a brand after reading educational content at their blog.

Utilize Video As A Marketing Tool

Video is a powerful medium that can reach large groups of people. If utilized properly, it can be an extremely effective marketing tool. A recent study found that 82 percent of the people surveyed preferred videos over standard social media image posts. The study also concluded that streaming videos accounts for more than two-thirds of all Internet traffic; and that number is expected to jump this year.

Additionally, videos enable you to visually showcase your skills and knowledge in your field. For instance, if your area is teaching yoga, you could upload a video of yourself conducting a yoga lesson. If the video catches on, you’ll start getting tons of views from potential clients. Popular video-sharing sites such as Youtube, Vimeo, and Dailymotion are good places to upload your videos.

Create An Emotional Experience

A big part of good marketing is connecting with people emotionally. The most effective marketing campaigns move consumers on an emotional level and inspire them in some way; these campaigns meld visuals with authentic experiences. For instance, Nestle’s Lean Cuisine #WeighThis campaign reminded people to weigh their personal accomplishments against their body image to underline what’s truly important. This message resonated emotionally with many consumers.

Video is the best medium to create these experiences, but sometimes a well-worded blog with striking images can also do the trick. If you don’t possess the skills necessary to create a high-quality video, it might be a good idea to hire someone who can. It could be well worth the money to have a professional-looking video to promote your brand rather than a poorly made one.

There’s one more thing you might consider when launching your business: new technology. Taking full advantage of all the new tech tools available could be of great benefit to your business. When looking for tech tools, you might consider checking out Bright Pattern, an enterprise-level call center software provider. Bright Pattern offers salesforce contact center software, which is designed to make communication between business owners and their clients easier. The cloud-based call center software improves the customer experience and enables you to switch between communication channels: voice calls, video chat, mobile apps, messaging apps, and SMS/MMS, etc.

And health and wellness practices are not just confined to people; they also extend to pets. People who live healthy lifestyles also want their animals to be healthy. There are health products out there designed just for pets. For instance, Makers Nutrition manufactures private label pet supplements. These are top-quality animal health supplements that meet all the nutritional needs of your dog or cat.