Life might sometimes feel very busy. At times, juggling work, family, children, and a budget becomes overwhelming, and we feel as like we are at our wits end!
We experience hopelessness, isolation, and fear. When all that bad energy comes together, it can make us feel as though we hate our lives.
However, all is not lost; there is always a way out, even though it might feel like you’re stuck in a rut forever. It requires a lot of self discipline, some introspection and admitting that you’re unhappy. When you accept that something is not quite right, you can then take concrete efforts to make it right.
To learn more, keep reading…
The first step, as we indicated earlier, is to acknowledge your unhappiness. Once you are aware of this, you can take the necessary steps to change your mindset and return to a level of happiness and fulfilment. Remember that happiness is a choice.
However, that is sometimes rather simpler said than done, isn’t it? Change does not come easily or quickly. It calls for a degree of effort, commitment, and self-awareness that most of us simply don’t have time for.
Or to be more precise, we don’t prioritise ourselves. So, we simply continue to be dissatisfied. The problem then is that this discontent permeates every aspect of our lives, making us hate it even more!
After all, you start to feel as though a heavy object is pressing down on you. You consequently experience misery, feeling stuck and unmotivated.
There is a bright side to everything, which is excellent news. Of course, there is always a chance that things will improve. However, you must be prepared to put in the effort.
If you’re in a relationship and you’re not having fun with your partner or yourself, it’s time to end it.
Keep in mind that you are in charge of making decisions in your life. Simply remind yourself of your inner strength, value, and potential.
It is important to note that there will be moments in your life when you are unable to make significant changes to your situation. And that’s fine.
You simply assure yourself that the situation won’t be this way forever. The good news is that change is one of life’s constants, so maintain your composure and never lose hope that things can (and will) get better.
Positivity is a powerful tool, so try to use it, especially when you are feeling anything but positive! It’s all about focus.
One reason why we may be unhappy is because we’ve moved away from our primary principles and the goals that we set for ourselves. Your goals are kept in your thoughts even if you’ve never said them out loud or recorded them in a journal.
Then, when the life we’re leading isn’t bringing us anywhere near close to these goals, we feel uneasy and tense. But frequently we don’t make the connection between the two.
Always try to keep your eye on the prize but also try to enjoy the journey too!
Another thing that separates us from our true selves is society, family, and friends. They all have different ideas on how we must live our lives, and they’re not shy about sharing them with us. Repeatedly.
It’s frequently just simpler to follow along. Who are we to doubt them when they know us better than we know ourselves? Or do they?
However, the truth is that when you live by someone else’s standards, it ultimately backfires since you aren’t on your own path. This can quickly lead to discontent, so don’t fall into this trap. They lead their lives, and you lead yours.
Your innermost thoughts are mostly shaped by your past influences and childhood experiences. They may frequently be our worst enemy.
However, these are only thoughts, right?
Sadly, that isn’t the case. Because they keep telling you that you’re not capable of improvement or that you won’t succeed because you’re not good enough, these thoughts can make you really despise your life.
In truth, our mental processes influence our environment. The sooner you recognise that, the better, since you can then begin to exert some control over this self-defeating self-talk.
You’re likely great at assisting others who are in need. So why not take care of yourself in the same way?
Being kind to yourself has a huge impact on empowerment and self-love. You’ll quit hating your life, for one thing. Then, rather than always dwelling on the negative, you’ll begin to notice the positive.
So, instead of listening to your inner critic the next time it speaks and focusing on negativity, think about something good that happened to you during your day. You’ll get better at overcoming negative emotions as time goes on and stop sabotaging your efforts.
As I said before, it’s all about focus; focus on the positive rather than the negative and you can rewire your mind.
If you’re unhappy with the way your life is going, start by figuring out why. Once you identify the cause, you need to concentrate on shifting your negative and destructive thought patterns in favour of positive and constructive ones.
Determine what needs to change, then begin to plan. As soon as you discover the route that will take you to your true self, keep going. Change takes time, but if you are persistent and prepared to work hard to achieve your goals, you can accomplish far more than you ever believed possible.
Whatever you want in life will require discipline to achieve, and if you want to know more about harnessing the power of self-discipline, then check out the featured resource below for a free report; download, read it and take action 🙂
As a marketer you know the power of a good blog with powerful content but what do you create? Articles, videos, audios, flipbooks, the list of possibilities for content publishing is endless…
There are times you may well get stuck when creating content. It could be for a variety of reasons such as…
And so forth. It doesn’t really matter what the reason is, the fact remains that you’re going to get stuck.
Stuck in a writer’s block. Stuck in a time crunch. Stuck in a rut.
That’s what this resource is here for: to help you get un-stuck. It will serve as a handy tool for generating ideas anytime you wonder…
You’ll learn just that in this article, where we’ll talk about 15 talking points that will work for just about any kind of content creation.
For example, The first is to respond to a frequently asked question, though you can also respond to a series of questions. Or use #2 as an illustration; you may either insert one tip or several tips.
The point is that depending on your needs, you may execute singles or multiples of several of these.
Now that the disclaimer has been made, let’s begin…
Ok, let’s jump in…
By looking at your email, social media, blog comments, and other sources, you can get a feel for the questions your audience is asking.
Checking sites like Quora and JustAnswer, as well as observing the questions your audience asks on other people’s blogs and social media, will help you collect more questions.
For example, if you’re writing content about weight loss, you may provide the response to the question, “How many calories should I eat each day?”
Tip: For further ideas, try searching Google for phrases like “commonly asked questions about [your topic]” or “most often asked questions about [your topic]”.
One of the most useful elements of a piece of material is frequently a good tip. Because of this, you should aim to include useful and preferably new tips in any relevant piece of content you produce.
Share hints that make a task clearer, quicker, cheaper, easier, or in some other manner better, to make your content even more beneficial.
For example, if you’re writing content about dog training, you can offer advice on how to interpret a dog’s body language so that you can correct him before he does something wrong (like barking or attacking other dogs).
Giving a warning helps your readers to avoid an issue or mistake, possibly even one that is harmful.
For example, if you’re instructing folks on how to restore a classic car, you could mention the possibility that lead paint was once used to paint older vehicles. Then you can give instructions on how to remove this paint safely.
Every issue has possible risks attached to it, and you can help your audience by alerting them to them.
What error (or errors) does your target market frequently make? You can discuss this common error, instruct readers on how to prevent it, and instruct them on how to change their course of action in the event that they have already committed the error.
For example, if you’re giving advice on how to get a new job, you might mention a typical interview error that most people make.
Tip: A personal account of how you made the error will help you connect with your audience.
An excellent example makes a step or suggestion clearer and makes it simpler for the person to apply the knowledge you’re showing them.
For example… consider this very article! To help you better understand each topic we’ve discussed, I’ve given you an example after each entry.:)
Seriously. There’s nothing like sharing an example to “demonstrate” what a point may look like in a real-world scenario to better explain it.
A list of do’s and don’ts can be thought of as a collection of suggestions (do’s) and errors to avoid (don’ts).
For example, you might give a list of do’s and don’ts while instructing folks on how to replace a kitchen faucet. E.g. “Do make certain that you have the proper tools before you start the job” and “Don’t forget to turn the water off first.”
Consider the statement “Don’t forget to turn the water off first” from the previous example. You can reword the point as follows: “Do turn off the water before you start” if your list of dos and don’ts is nearly all don’ts and you wish to add a few do’s to the list.
Share a meaningful quote from someone, especially someone who is (or was) notable, , here. If you’re looking for a specific kind of quote, try searching Google or quotes websites like BrainyQuotes.
For example, if you write about motivation in your area of expertise (like fitness), you may share Eleanor Roosevelt’s maxim, “With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts.”
Quotes can help your audience remember important details and give them well-needed motivation.
In your niche, news is constantly happening, yet frequently your audience is unaware of how it affects them. You can share the news with your audience (ideally before anyone else) and describe why it is important to them.
For example:
Make sure to stay up to date on developments in your niche by routinely reading articles from key academic journals and industry news media.
It goes without saying that you will list the steps of a procedure if you are writing a tutorial. You could do the same thing, though, even within other content.
The same is true for other kinds of content, such describing the steps necessary to use a piece of equipment that is listed in a gear list.
For example, if you recently gave your audience advice about how a strong email subject line may significantly increase open rates, you can now provide the steps to write this kind of subject line.
You might occasionally express ideas that don’t require further explanation. In other circumstances, you’ll want to provide more detail. This improves the content’s worth and usefulness.
For example, if you mentioned cultivating relationships as a way to convince a possible joint venture partner to accept your plan, you might wish to expand on that suggestion. In other words, you would discuss strategies for establishing these connections.
TIP: You can also expand on someone else’s thoughts. For example, you could cite a Facebook post and then elaborate on it, if they haven’t done so already.
The idea here is that if someone lacks the funds, software, equipment, or any other tools or resources required to complete a project or achieve a goal, you can recommend a substitute.
For example, assume you’re conducting a class on photo editing, but you are aware that not everyone in your class can afford Photoshop. You can recommend that they get a free software application like GIMP to do their editing.
Which strategy will be most effective for someone? That is a question your readers will frequently be asking themselves. By helping your audience to find the answer to that question, you are giving them a lot of value.
For example, if you are in the fitness niche, you can assist them in determining which sort of cardio is best suited to their demands (high intensity interval training (HIIT), moderate intensity, or low steady-state cardio).
TIP: Be sure to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each option you propose.
A comparison and contrast of two products is another way to add value. You should compare and contrast the two items that the majority of individuals in your niche buy.
For example, if you’re writing for ultra-marathon runners, you could compare and contrast two major brands of running/trail shoes.
People enjoy and search out product reviews regardless of the niche. That is why your audience will really value a product review, whether as a standalone piece of content or as a discussion point within a larger piece of content.
For example, if you’re writing a lesson on how to build a mailing list, you could review and recommend a certain autoresponder.
Here, the goal is to collect questions from readers and then respond to one or more of them. This could be compared to a group coaching session. You can either do this in real time (like during a webinar) or in advance and respond to inquiries on a regular basis, as in a weekly blog post. These questions and answers can be inserted into any kind of content.
For example, if you help folks with do-it-yourself remodelling tasks, you can respond to questions from your audience every Friday.
NOTE: You can use these questions to revise earlier works of content to keep them updated and current.
For example, if a blog post receives questions from readers in the comments section, you could now include a “Group Coaching Q&A” segment at the end of this article where you address these questions.
OK, so there are 15 pieces of content that your readers will want to read, so go ahead and pick one today.
If you really want to know more about the power of content marketing and blogging, you can take a look at the Rapid Blogging Blueprint training course or if you just want a few pointers for now you can grab the featured resource below for a free detailed blogging report; download, read it and take action 🙂
It will always be challenging to strike a good work-balance. It simply is. You can manage it but you can’t escape it. But you’ll manage to get through it no matter what. That is definite!
It takes strength of character to try and balance your life and your work. For the majority of people, obligations, stress, and other commitments just meld together, turning life into a frantic back-and-forth race to keep everything in line.
We’ll feel discomfort as we adjust to any new routines and habits… but once you embrace them and incorporate them into your lifestyle, you’ll benefit from them so much more in the long run.
Your family, friends, and others are affected by this habit. It most definitely applies to you. This will be your biggest obstacle.
How then do you establish boundaries?
Choosing your start and finish times for work will be the first step. This is particularly valid if you work from home.
You’ll also need to tell your family and friends not to enter your work area and to respect your working hours.
You won’t work for too much and risk burnout if you set out certain blocks of time for work and rest. The pauses between notes are what make music.
This is another challenging habit to establish. The majority of us are so linked to the outside world that working in isolation feels absurd.
However, the greatest method to be productive is to devote your full concentration to the subject at hand. Multitasking impairs your concentration and productivity. It should be avoided at all costs.
Silencing your phone during work hours is the simplest way to eliminate all distractions. It’s much better if you can put it in a different room so you’re less inclined to check notifications etc. When something is out of sight, it is out of mind and will be less tempting.
Turning off your Wi-Fi or using apps like Rescue Time are the best ways to resist the continual temptation to check your social media.
Reduce your distractions as much as possible so that you can stay focused.
Both work and other pursuits fall under this category. There is a difference between working on projects that make a difference and wasting time on ‘busy work’ that keeps you busy but doesn’t advance you.
You should always spend the majority of your time on tasks that advance your company. Usually, the things you put off until later are the tasks that are the most important. It’s simply in our nature.
You’ll feel uncomfortable as you establish these new productivity practices. This is normal behaviour. Until the challenging becomes simple and the simple becomes beautiful, keep putting up with the discomfort.
Your life will feel better when you have good habits and a strong sense of balance in your life.
“We must provide for our loved ones, but at what cost?” wrote author James Jean-Pierre. “After all, a dead person cannot provide for the living.”
This quote may sound harsh, but it is undoubtedly true. Instead of the other way around, we work to live. The reality that millions of people nowadays see their jobs and their work as their lives seems to have eluded them.
They are constantly burning the candle at both ends. It never stops…, trying to make more money, get more stuff, more accomplishments, more growth.
Even when we work hard to accomplish our goals and eventually succeed, we rarely take the time to celebrate our success before setting new, even more difficult goals that will just add to our stress.
The cycle never ends. A rat race to be the best rat… and time marches on. Our relationships ultimately become meaningless and fleeting. Family ends up taking second place, and any communications are relegated to a few quick exchanges as we go about our busy lives.
Your work cannot follow you into eternity. You won’t ever look back on your life and wish that you had put in more effort or devoted more time in the office.
On their deathbeds, millions of individuals regret not having spent more time with family and friends. They regret putting the wrong things first and sabotaging what really mattered in life.
They wished they could go back in time and start the process over again… however, they can’t. The same goes for us.
The reality is that no matter how prosperous and successful you may become, your commitment to your family should always come first in all you do.
Give your family members an hour of your day to talk to them. Learn what is happening in their lives. Know what they are thinking, feeling, and fearing.
Be there when they need you to be there. Avoid using your phone to check emails and refrain from becoming side-tracked by work-related activities. Your family deserves your undivided attention.
Once you get married, dating your spouse doesn’t have to come to an end. Establish a weekly date night and take a break from working to add some romance to your life. This will keep the fire burning in your relationship and keep the spark alive.
Numerous business owners who were too preoccupied with their jobs to maintain their relationships have done so and their marriages ended; don’t be that person.
Participate in any event your children have at school. Be gracious and watch a film with your wife if that’s what she wants to do. Take an interest in the other person’s lives.
Dedicate some time to simply be with them when they are doing what they enjoy.
If you can, go on a little family vacation. It doesn’t matter if you can’t take a full weeklong vacation. Even a little two- or three-day vacation to the lakes, mountains or a neighbouring resort will be beneficial for you and your family,
If you want to achieve work-life balance, it all comes down to striking a balance between your family and professional commitments.
Be committed and loyal to the people in your life because they are what counts.
Whatever you want in life will require discipline to achieve and maintaining a healthy work life balance is a small part of that. And if you want to know more about harnessing the power of self-discipline, then check out the featured resource below for a free report; download, read it and take action 🙂
You’re one step closer to having your subscribers open and read your emails if you’ve written a strong subject line. Now you must actually write an email that grabs your followers and keeps them on the edge of their seats.
How do you go about doing that? By following these suggestions, techniques, and ideas, of course…
Before you even write your first word in any email marketing campaign, think about what your readers should do when they reach the end, such as maybe clicking a link to buy something. You can then create an email that is centered on this ultimate goal.
Also, don’t be too pushy; it’s ok to do that occasionally, but you’re much better doing a soft sell, and just recommending something that will help them to accomplish their goals.
If the opening few lines of an email don’t grab the reader’s attention, they’ll move on to the next one. As a result, your introduction is crucial in capturing and maintaining the reader’s interest. Here are a few good ways to check your email…
People are more likely to be emotionally engaged by stories, which keeps them reading and makes your material more memorable.
E.g. Let’s say you’re sending an email outlining how to prevent frequent job interview blunders. Instead of diving right into the errors, tell a tale about one of the worst interviews you ever did. This type of story doesn’t just make your content more interesting to read, but it also helps to develop rapport with your readers.
Asking a question is another method to start your email. The idea is to pose a question that isn’t either a yes or no answer, or one which you already know the answer to.
E.G. If you’re writing to an audience that needs to lose weight, you may ask, “Do you hate shopping for swimsuits?” But only ask that question IF you’re confident your audience will reply with “yes”.
Another form of question is one that prompts individuals to consider something. This works especially well if the question elicits an emotional response, such as the one below. “How would you react if your dog went missing when being looked after by a dog walker?”
Another technique to begin your email is to demonstrate to your readers that you are aware of their issue. Consider the following scenario:
Imagine something like this…
You put a lot of effort into this product. You believed you had done everything correctly. To develop the sales copy, you even recruited a leading copywriter.
Despite this, you didn’t notice a single sale when you first opened your payment processing account. Not a single sale .
What happened and why?
Next…
If you’re sending a “how to” or other informative email, you may tell readers what they’ll learn if they keep on reading. The goal is to create a sense of anticipation in order to keep people intrigued.
E.G. “You’re about to learn a simple, yet really effective, approach to enhance your metabolism”. And it doesn’t require depriving yourself of food, exercising for hours every day, undergoing some strange “cleanse,” or taking medications…”
If you have a compelling introduction, your readers will be interested — at least for the time being. Now it’s up to you to keep them interested; any email marketing strategy will only be successful if people actually open and then read your emails!
Follow these pointers…
As if you’re writing to a dear friend, keep the same friendly, conversational tone throughout.
Marketing emails shouldn’t look like marketing emails, so simply write to your friend or family member.
Also, think about the types of emails you open regularly; why do you open those and not the others?
Use short sentences and paragraphs and make sure there is plenty of white space. Remember that a lot of your readers will probably be reading all of their emails on a mobile phone or similar small device.
This is where you develop excitement and intrigue about what’s to come.
E.G., “In a moment, I’ll reveal my approach for acquiring 1000 new email subscribers each month.” However, first…”
Your purpose is to teach your readers while also entertaining them so they will continue to read. To that purpose, add a little light comedy and tell a story to hold people’s attention.
Don’t be too dry and formal unless your audience expects that. People want to see your personality come through in your emails, so don’t just be a boring cookie cutter email writer.
The last step is to review your email to ensure that it is free of spelling, grammatical, and factual problems. You should have someone else proof your email for the best results, as they will be able to identify any flaws that you may have overlooked.
One final note: While we would like every subscriber to read every word of our emails, we understand that this isn’t always the case. This is why you should write for skimmers.
The goal is to make the most crucial elements of your email stand out so that any skimmers will still be able to grasp the gist.
You can use the following to draw attention to key points:
Bear in mind that the opening and last paragraphs of an email are commonly read by skimmers, so make sure to include essential information in those parts.
Second, utilise the highlighting methods mentioned above sparingly. You don’t want to over-bold, italicise, underline, highlight, or otherwise emphasise everything, otherwise it will appear that nothing is essential.
NOTE: Take a look at the lesson you’re reading right now for an example of how to do it correctly. I’ve used tools like bulleted lists and headings to highlight key sections of text, which aids skimmers without making the information look cartoonish or overdone.
Take a few seconds to think about how you’ll engage readers with your next email now that you know how to create compelling content. Make a plan for how you’ll apply the advice you’ve just received.
E.G. If you’re going to tell a narrative, WHAT kind of story can you tell? WHAT kind of questions can you ask?
If you’ve already written an email, use this article as a simple checklist to ensure that the content is interesting. Is the information convenient to read on a small device like a mobile phone, for example? Did you manage to elicit an emotional response from your audience? Did you create excitement for what’s to come later in the email?
If you want to know more email marketing tips about building and nurturing your email list, check out the featured resource below where you can get a free report about simple list building to expand your knowledge further. If you do download it, please read it and take action and good luck 😊
Habits are a powerful way for our brain to increase its efficiency. Making regular actions and behaviours into habits allows us to focus on more essential tasks. They are our life management system on autopilot.
Even bad habits can be beneficial to our health. An improved mood and less tension are the short-term effects. However, they frequently have a detrimental long-term effect on our health and well-being. We create habits even without our knowing, and these can be success habits or bad habits, but us humans tend to accumulate more bad habits than good!
But why is it so difficult to put an end to something we know is harmful for us?
We are receiving a benefit, such as a good mood or reduced stress levels, when we partake in the bad habit, e.g., smoking. As a result, anytime we are in a particular scenario (for example, when we are worried), our brain builds a desire to engage in this behaviour in order to reap the benefits.
Our mind keeps us desiring the things that we are trying to avoid, creating a vicious cycle. This understanding helps us to devise ways for breaking and eliminating bad habits.
Bad habits harm us in a variety of ways. They have the potential to adversely affect our health, our emotional well-being, and even our intimate relationships. It will not work to try breaking a bad habit simply by telling yourself you’re not going to do it. The habit, such as the desire to drink or smoke or being incredibly disorganised, is hardwired into your brain.
Getting rid of bad habits is similar to creating a goal. If you have a precise goal in mind, you have a better chance of succeeding. It’s also crucial that you are the one who wants to break the habit (intrinsic motivation).
Identifying the bad habit and why you think you persist in it is the first little step to take. Make a note of it on a sheet of paper.
Once you’ve figured out what’s causing the bad habit, make a plan to change it immediately. If you smoke every day, for example, you will figure out what makes you want to smoke. Is it anxiety or stress? Do you smoke when you have a cup of coffee purely out of habit?
When you smoke when you’re stressed, you will need a plan of action to minimise stress throughout the day. What minor things in your life can you get rid of that are causing you stress? Make a note of it in your action plan. If you’re tempted to smoke because you’re drinking coffee, consider switching to a different beverage.
You can then write it down and commit to smoking one fewer cigarette per day until you reach your goal of no cigarettes.
Many bad habits can be replaced by alternatives. If you always have something sugary for dessert, for example, your blood sugar levels are likely to suffer. It’s also possible that you will gain weight. Because we know that refined sugar causes a myriad of health problems, you should swap out your desserts for healthier options.
If you need something sweet after supper, cherries are a good choice. They provide the sweetness you crave, plus lots of health advantages.
You must make the choice to take a step back and not succumb to peer pressure. Refuse and walk away when pals insist on spending their Friday nights drinking from 5 p.m. till the wee hours of the morning. Replace it with a healthy habit, such as going to the gym or spending time with your family.
Some habits are inextricably linked. If that is the case, you can work on all of them at the same time. You already know that watching too much tv and overeating is bad for your mind and body. By turning off the tv and going on a bike ride, you can get rid of both habits at once. Bring some healthy snacks and plenty of water.
Another little step toward easing bad habits is to remove or replace them. We all realize that drinking soda is bad for you, and some individuals drink a litre or more every day. Replace soda with water or freshly squeezed fruit juice in your fridge and on your grocery list.
If you like a burger and fries every now and then, bring a water bottle with you when you order. Order individual burgers and fries instead of the combo, which includes a drink.
Another bad habit such as continually using your cellphone can be controlled by putting your phone out of reach at different times of the day. Put y our cellphone in another room when you’re eating meals with your family.
Another bad habit is bringing your phone to bed, and you should keep it in another room nearby in case of an emergency. If it is next to you, you will be more inclined to watch news or scroll through social media before going to bed. Both are full of bad news, which will make you lose your optimistic outlook on life. In bed, replace your cellphone with a good book about positivity or some other form of self-improvement. If you are spiritual, read some Bible devotions and spend time in gratitude before going to sleep.
The quick answer is that it varies.
According to a study published in the European Journal of Social Psychology, it takes between 18 and 254 days for a person to develop a new habit. These numbers are similar regarding breaking a bad habit.
There are so many factors in the question “How long does it take to break a habit?” that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. For example, it takes a lot longer for someone who has been smoking for 20 years to quit than it does for someone who is attempting to break the bad habit of forgetting to brush their teeth in the evening.
To have the long-term drive to stop or replace your habit, make sure you have a strong “Why” (purpose or goal) because this will keep you going if/when things get tough.
Creating habits requires self-discipline and many people do lack in this area. If you want to gain more self-discipline, check out the featured resource below where you can get a free detailed report about the Power Of Self-Discipline; download, read it and take action 😊
