insakanet

Personal Development

  • The 7 Free Website Improvement Tools For Web Development

    When it comes to website ranking and attracting traffic we all know that content is king. Nothing can substitute good quality content.

    Whatever method you decide to use to attract traffic the creation of good quality content must be on top of your list.

    There are many methods out there that can be employed, and as usual, some of them come at a huge cost and I guess there is no guarantee that you will get the desired results.

    If you can afford to hire someone to help you well and good but if you are on a small budget like me, not all is gloomy.

    There are as many free effective methods as there are paid ones; you just have to find the right mix. A good website is one that has a mix of good content and is user friendly.

    Studies show that a website that loads quicker has a higher chance of retaining traffic and google also considers faster-performing sites when doing web ranking.

    Here are the tools I use for my website:-

    WordPress

    WordPress is a Content Management System and a good one for that matter. With WordPress, you can create all sorts of websites including responsive high-performance mobile-friendly sites.

    I have been using WordPress to build websites for more than 10 years. It’s free and is widely used.

    WordPress accounts for 43% of websites on the internet and most hosting service providers have developed dedicated WordPress services.

    It is a user-friendly CMS with a very large and supportive community. You get to access over 55,000 free plugins for almost anything to help customise your site.

    The beauty with WordPress is that you do not need to have any coding knowledge to build a reasonably fair looking website.

    LiteSpeed Cache

    LiteSpeed Cache for WordPress is an all-in-one site acceleration plugin, featuring an exclusive server-level cache and a collection of optimisation features.

    LiteSpeed Cache includes additional optimization features, such as Database Optimization, Minification and Combination of CSS and JS files, HTTP/2 Push, CDN Support, Browser Cache, Object Cache, Lazy Load for Images, and Image Optimization!

    To get full benefits on installation and how best to use the plugin read the beginners guide and follow the instructions thereon.

    On this site, I use LiteSpeed Cache and so far so good. The results have been impressive. And yes this is also another free tool.

    Rank Math SEO

    Rank Math helps you get ranked higher by making your website SEO-friendly and your content worthy of featured Position.

    Rank Math SEO is a search engine optimisation plugin. It is loaded with so many easy to use tools.

    The constant process of optimizing your posts can sometimes take more time than actually writing the content.

    If you always feel that you can do more on the SEO front for your website but don’t have the time, then Rank Math SEO is what you’re looking for.

    With tools such as Analytics, Content AI, Image SEO, Link Counter, Instant Indexing, SEO Analysis, Sitemap and many free features, surely this is a must-have plugin.

    Cloudflare

    Cloudflare takes your WordPress site performance to another level. Cloudflare is a global network designed to make everything you connect to the Internet secure, private, fast, and reliable.

    Cloudflare can be used with LiteSpeed Cache. Simply follow the instruction on how to configure LiteSpeed Cache with Cloudflare.

    I am content with the free service that has tremendously improved my site speed and overall performance, thanks to the CDN and fast easy to use DNS.

    Jetpack

    This is a plugin that enhances site security and improves performance among many other things.

    Jetpack is loaded with some very useful tools for sharing articles onto your social media platform which can be used to grow your website traffic.

    If you scroll to the bottom of this site you will find the share button by Jetpack. You find essential features like brute force protection and downtime/uptime monitoring tools incorporated in the plugin.

    This plugin is loaded with too many features. It is there important to take a keen interest in some of the features. I personally have not used the SEO features on this plugin instead use Rank Math SEO for site optimisation.

    PageSpeed Insights

    PageSpeed Insights uses lighthouse technologies and metrics that determine the performance of your website on both mobile and desktop devices and provides suggestions for improvement.

    Well, you need some technical knowledge to resolve some issues but by and large, you get to know what the issues are.

    It is one of the top recommended tools to use as it is a product of Google. The reports are so detailed.

    The audits carried out are separated into 3 sections including:-

    • Opportunities provide suggestions on how to improve the page’s performance metrics. Each suggestion in this section estimates how much faster the page will load if the improvement is implemented.
    • Diagnostics provide additional information about how a page adheres to best practices for web development.
    • Passed Audits indicates the audits that have been passed by the page.

    Your aim is to have a score of 90-100. This is a good score to achieve. The higher your score the better the performance of your site.

    As can be seen with my website it has been consistently testing above 90 for the last month after tuning it up.

    GTmetrix

    GTmetrix is another free measuring tool. There is both a paid and free subscription. As can be seen, my website is performing well above average in terms of loading speed.

    I am currently on the free plan. The slight advantage that this service has is that you can use it to monitor your website uptime.

    I have configured my site in such a way that I get an email when certain parameters are met.

    GTmetrix’s Report Page neatly summarizes your page performance based on key indicators of page load speed.

    Conclusion

    I don’t believe that there is a one size fits all when it comes to website Search Engine Optimisation. The best way to improve your website is to strike a balance between SEO and writing content for humans.

    In as much as you need to optimise your site, you must bear in mind that you are creating content that adds value to humans and not computers.

  • How to Take Advantage of the Opportunities Around You

    One of the biggest excuses people give for living a life of poverty is a lack of opportunities. This is perhaps the biggest excuse you can come across.

    People always have an excuse for not doing what they are supposed to be doing and complain about the negative effects on their lives.

    Granted yes, there might be very limited opportunities being offered by governments across the globe, but how come others have more than enough on their plate?

    How come other people are more successful than others? Yet they are in the same environment?

    Every day carries with it abundant opportunities. The onus is on you to open your eyes and seize the moment.

    I can guarantee you that those who complain about limited opportunities 90% are not doing anything about it. They are just seated waiting for chance to find them.

    This is a typical mentality for people who are generally not applying themselves but want to live a life of abundance without putting in the effort.

    When you are idle and waiting for something to come through it never does. Even when it comes through you will barely recognise it. It will pass you by.

    Every day you wake up you have an opportunity to change your life. You have the chance to do the things that will help change your status core.

    If you have the breadth of life in you then you have a chance at making your life better than it is now. The choice is in your hands.

    How Do You Create Opportunities?

    I love business-minded people because they create opportunities for employment. They also create many opportunities for themselves to succeed.

    Opportunities can be created by anyone. In fact, every day we are faced with many opportunities.

    You can create your own opportunities by taking action. If you want to achieve something, start working on it. Once you start you increase the chances of creating more opportunities.

    Your first action will open several other doors for you. Yes, it might not be what you want but it is an opportunity anyway.

    It might be worth exploring and may just lead to your destination. There will be many paths you will take before your final destination.

    You could be working in an environment that you are not happy with. Well, you just may never know God is preparing you for greater things to come.

    Your job is to ensure that you make the best out of every opportunity you have been given. Give it your best and keep your eyes open for better things to come.

    Have you ever wondered why we go to school? Think about it,  it is not just to get a skill or an education, school creates endless opportunities for our lives.

    If you have an education, stop complaining about there being no opportunities for work. If you cannot find employment, create it for yourself.

    If you do not have a formal education you still have your God-given talents, use them to create opportunities for yourself.

    It’s not what you do once in a while that shapes your life, it’s what you do wholeheartedly and consistently. It is the small thing you do every day that when added together they matter.

    Be Prepared for Anything

    As mentioned before, opportunities will always come and many of them for that matter. They will always present themselves in different ways.

    Most of the time they come when least expected and disguised. They come with negative circumstances. That is why it is always important to reflect deeply when faced with a challenge.

    What you do not want in life is to miss out when presented with a lucky chance. There is nothing more painful than a missed opportunity.

    If you have to learn a new skill needed for your next step just do it. It could be the missing link between success and failure.

    Look, as you are preparing there is a sense of expectation that you develop, and according to the laws of success, expectations tend to come true.

    Nature is such that when you are expectant the certainty of your expectation coming to pass is high. How and when it happens is a topic for another day.

    When you are prepared for something you will grab the opportunity with both hands because you are ready for it. When you are prepared, you have a better chance of succeeding when the right moment comes along.

    Focus on Improving Your Skills

    How well you do something is highly determined by the level of your skillset. If you have to take advantage and ensure that you succeed, you need to improve your skillset.

    The more skilled you are the more accomplished you are in a particular field. Take medical doctors for example, the more they practice and study the better they become.

    It is therefore very important to note that if you want to achieve more you need a good set of skills at your disposal.

    Developing a good set of skills creates an opportunity for you to earn more income than the average person.

    People are willing to pay top dollar for quality work. The quality of your work will show the level of your skills.

    Acquiring a good set of skills does not come cheap. It comes at a huge cost and a lot of time spent horning them.

    However, these days, you do not necessarily need to enroll in a full school. There are many part-time and online schools you could utilise.

    With the internet, there are even more than enough reading materials out there. You just have to create time for them.

    You could also collaborate with experienced people that could help mentor you. Mentorship is a very important aspect of life that is often overlooked.

    A mentor does not necessarily have to be someone you know and does not necessarily have to be alive.

    Take Action

    Opportunities are missed due to a lack of taking action. You could be presented with the best ever opportunity but if you do not act on it, it will pass you by.

    The action you take will determine the direction your life will take. If you choose to stay put, your progress will also stay put.

    If you choose to act on the presented opportunity your progress will definitely be determined by how far you are willing to go.

    Without action, there can never be any meaningful personal progress. It is action, persistence, and determination that will eventually determine the level of your progress.

    What influences your process is the action you take when faced with the various opportunities presented to you.

    I know for sure that sometimes we feel like not doing anything. But delayed action could lead to delayed results or missing an opportunity altogether, which obviously leads to stagnation.

    Conclusion

    If you want to succeed you need to develop an attitude of taking action on the current opportunities in your hands. The more action you take the more you increase the chances of succeeding. Don’t stop at what you have you could have much more than you can imagine.

    Always “standout tall and be counted.”

  • Never Allow Failure To Define Your Life

    One of the biggest problems we have that inhibit our progress is that we allow failure to define us. We give up at the very first encounter with failure.

    What you allow to define you ultimately shapes your life. If you allow failure to define your life then boom you are doomed to be a failure.

    Failure does not in any way define our future nor does it stop you from achieving your goals unless you allow it.

    Failure is a stepping stone to your success. In fact, the fear of failure is what drives us to do the right things.

    I feel that without encountering failure, life would not be enjoyable. It would be boring. Experiencing it allows you to dig deep.

    It’s an indicator if you like,  that simply helps to point us in the right direction. That is why it is very important to take note and learn from failure.

    When you fail you simply have discovered one way that should be avoided on your journey to personal improvement and success.

    If you want to achieve greatness you should be prepared to face temporal setbacks. That’s just the way life is.

    No one who has succeeded has done it without encountering temporal setbacks. There will always be challenges along the way.

    Even the most successful people will tell you that they failed before. The only difference is they get up when they fall. They never allow temporal setbacks to stop them from achieving their goals.

    Your duty is to ensure that you learn how to navigate through failure and come out unscathed.

    Yes, sometimes you will be pushed to your limits. Just know that after the storm the sea is calm. You will bounce back and make sure you are ready for it.

    What you may be going through now is an indication of great things to come. Just be focused and stick with your plan. Continue preparing yourself no matter how long it takes.

    Get Out of Your Comfort Zone

    Every one of us has a “comfort zone.” This is a place where we feel safe, a place where we think all is well or rather pretend that life is all good.

    But this is also a place where most of us like hiding when faced with challenges.

    Sometimes we just look or hide in our comfort zone to avoid facing reality. But guess what, if you do nothing the problem still remains an attended to.

    However, the so-called comfort zone has had some very detrimental effects on my progress as an individual.

    That is why I do not call it a comfort zone anymore but a self-destructive zone. Because honestly how do you become comfortable with zero progress?

    Over the years I have come to learn that the so-called comfort zone does not make you grow. It actually stifles your growth.

    People who are continuously improving are those who are continuously taking the risk of diving into the deep waters of life. It takes a lot of courage to do this.

    If you want to achieve more, take more calculated risks and act on them. Many of us are not moving forward because we are not prepared to make the first move, especially on unfamiliar grounds.

    We would rather remain in our so-called zones and continue grumbling about how unfair life is; about what has not happened in our lives and all the negative things going on around us.

    Life is a Journey

    I believe that we are all visitors to this place we call home. We are on an unknown journey whose destination no one really knows.

    The fortunate thing is that God is our travel agent. He has already prepared our itinerary if only we could align with it.

    The bible encourages us to believe in God and trust him with our lives. I know for sure that without God on my side my life would have been different.

    It would have been a messed-up life. Who knows what I could have ended up to be.

    Look, it is not what I would like it to be. But I thank God that I am on the right path of my life. I am making improvements and moving towards my destiny.

    The most important thing is that I live to enjoy every day of my life. I am happy with what I am.

    I think we must all learn to make the most of every opportunity that presents itself. We must stop complaining and start with what we have. Do not wait, for the right moment, starts now.

    Life was meant to be enjoyed. We were all created to give something back.

    Live in the Now

    When we were growing up we did so many things with my friends. I have both good and bad memories of my childhood.

    However, many of the things we did were just child play. Those things have remained but a memory in my life.

    They are in the past and cannot be changed. However, I have learned a great deal from my past experiences.

    This has helped me to grow up and realise that there is more to life than just play.

    You could be one that is struggling to move on and cannot let go of your past.

    Well, you are making a big mistake by hanging on to the past. The past cannot be changed.

    If you made mistakes they cannot be changed. But guess what just maybe you can make amends for them. If you cannot, just let go and move on.

    You need to let go and realise that there is more to come in the future. You have a lot more waiting for you than what you have had in the past. Look, every one of us has made mistakes before.

    Learn to deal with your present as you have a better chance of doing the right things now,  than dwelling on the past that cannot be changed.

    They say do not cry over spilt milk. True because crying will not help you get more milk. Neither will complaining or blaming anyone change your current situation.

    Instead, do something positive that will help change the status quo. Stop the blame game and change the way you think.

    Express Yourself Confidently

    Every one of us has a right to express themselves. Everything we do or say is an expression of ourselves.

    We are either expressing our thoughts or expressing our emotions most of the time.

    You are made or unmade by the things you say or do and not by the things that happen to you.

    You have the power and capacity to express yourself positively regardless of your current situation. Always remember that you are in control of yourself.

    What you say or do has a lasting impression on your character. You are defined by the expressions you portray to the outside world.

    Your life is simply a sum total of your thoughts and the expressions thereof. That is why it is important to guard your mind and your thoughts.

    Conclusion

    Failure must not be allowed to be a defining factor in your life. Do not accept it but rather use it as a springboard for your success.

    Cheers and have a wonderful festive season. Remember Jesus is the reason for celebrating Christmas.

  • How to Stay Relevant in an Ever Changing World

    We live in a world that is fast-moving. A world that never waits for anyone. Things can change in a flash of a moment. People are busy working to achieve their goals.

    Everyone is preoccupied with making or earning a living. As a result of trying to keep up with life, many people do not have patience. They do not have the luxury of time.

    Many people have also resorted to engaging in wrong quick-fix solutions. Just so that they can keep up. Still, many people are left behind because they cannot keep up with the pace at which the world is moving.

    You must realise that all good things take time to achieve and materialise. There is a reason why you do not start climbing a tree from the top.

    You need to learn and experience the steps from the bottom up. That way you will be able to hold on to the top when the opportunity presents itself. It also makes you appreciate how to handle challenges as you climb the ladder.

    How well you handle the obstacles of life will determine how long you will stay at the top when opportunity accords you the chance.

    It will also determine the pace at which you will meet with success. Every step you take in pursuit of your goals is a step of faith into personal development and self-improvement.

    Improve Your Skills

    To remain relevant and true to your cause you need to improve your skills. Look, you can only get what you give. The more you give the more you get.

    However, you will agree with me that if you can improve your delivery mode (i.e your skillset) you will get more rewards for your input. If you remain stagnant with your skills you will be left behind. You will be declared obsolete.

    Nowadays skills improvement does not necessarily mean going back to conventional schooling. The internet has made things a little bit more accessible and affordable.

    There is absolutely no excuse for not improving your skillset especially if you have access to the internet. The higher the level of your skills the easier you will take on opportunities as they come.

    Have an Open Mind

    Be open-minded and pay attention to what is around you. If you are in business make sure you read those business magazines that will keep you abreast.

    Having an open mind will also allow you to make changes that are beneficial to what is trending. An open mind could be the difference between closing down a deal and losing a client.

    Do not hesitate to change your way of doing things when you are facing difficulties. Sometimes a little change is all it takes to achieve more. Do not be afraid to try out new things either.

    Be Patient With Yourself

    Sometimes we push ourselves to the very limit and this can be dangerous for our health. When things are not going your way, learn to exercise some patience. Take a break, clear your mind and come back refreshed.

    They say good things take time. Remember that you are not in competition with anyone. It is better to be late than never. You are responsible for your own life.

    Everything happens for a reason. Sometimes we are not patient enough and want everything to come all at the same time.

    Well, you will not have everything you want. Some of the things you want could actually be harmful for you. First, learn to manage the little you have before embarking on more.

    Never Give Up

    When you set out to pursue your dreams, things will not always go according to your plan. There will be moments when you will be faced with challenges.

    Adopt a never-give-up mentality. If you want to go far you will need to overcome many challenges. If you give up on the first challenge you will never know what you could have achieved and accomplished.

    Those who succeed are those who try and never gave up when faced with challenges. Difficulties are part of life.

    I think that life would have been boring with them. In fact, challenges help to make us stronger and see things from a different perspective.

    When you fall, rise up and keep going. Refuse to accept failure but learn from it. Failure is part of the process of moving forward.

    Take Care of Your Health

    Your health is one of your greatest assets. Please try and do your best to maintain good health. It is no use working so hard and not live to see the fruits of your labour due to poor health.

    We now live in the age of COVID 19 please ensure you maintain the basic health requirements as prescribed by the World Health Organisation. They say if you are not infected you are affected.

    I also encourage you to get vaccinated if you have not yet done so. Forget the myths and conspiracies just get vaccinated and move on.

    There are more advantages than disadvantages to being vaccinated. I believe that together we can help reduce the infection rates and save lives.

    You may be struggling with other ailments right now, please follow the doctor’s advice and never give up the fight. Look, the fact that you are alive means you are still useful.

    Everyone who is alive has a chance of making it regardless of their condition.

    Develop a Reading Culture

    Knowledge is power. One of the possessions that will never be taken away from you is knowledge. All these material possessions that may be acquired will remain behind.

    However, the knowledge you acquire will go down with you. No one will take it away from you. You will be buried with it. The beauty with knowledge is that even if you teach someone, they will never take it away from you.

    Reading is also a good way of improving your skills. You can learn so many things just by reading. The good thing with your mind is that it does not get full.

    The more you read the more knowledgeable you become and as we all know that, knowledge is key to success. Create a deliberate habit of setting some time to read on a regular basis.

    Create Meaningful Relationships

    No man is an island. To survive and make meaningful contributions to the world you need to maintain good relationships.

    It gives you peace of mind when you know that you are supported by the people close to you. This helps you to focus on the task at hand.

    In creating relationships make sure that you also utilise your social networks. These are equally important. I have found employment through my social networks.

    Be Dependable

    We all love to have someone dependable in our lives. Be it at work, at home, or at social gatherings we want to have a person who is dependable. That someone who we can always count on.

    To stay relevant make sure that you create a sense of dependability. Be the go-to person by going the extra mile. Always try and do more than is expected of you. Give it your best and let others know that you are always available when needed.

    Being dependable can also open up many opportunities and it does not take a lot of effort to be one. Learn to help without expecting anything in return.

    If you are expectant you might just be disappointed when you do not get back the favour because you are not in control of the other person’s decisions.

    However, life has a way of rewarding you for your good deeds. It may not be immediate and may not necessarily be you that will directly benefit. Always bear in mind that what you do now echoes in eternity.

    Conclusion

    There are so many changes taking place in the world today that it is almost impossible to keep up if you do not make a deliberate policy to pay attention. Make sure you are always alert and make yourself relevant to every situation.

  • Things Happen When You Make Them Happen

    We all have a fair share of adversity in life. One of the biggest reasons why things do not happen in your life is because you are doing nothing about them.

    Instead of taking a leading role you are waiting for someone to make a move for you.

    You could be looking for a job but are not putting in the applications and waiting for a job to find you.

    Or you may have put in a few applications here and there and have given up because you have not been selected. Look, when you persist you will get what you want.

    The law of cause and effects states that for every action there is an equal reaction. For every force of failure, there is an equal force of success.

    If you take the principle of cause and effect you will realise that without action there is no reaction.

    Take a rock for example, if no one dares to move it and all things being equal, it will remain in the same place for as long as it can be.

    Just like human beings will always react to someone else’s actions, be it positive or negative.

    If you set out to achieve or accomplish something it will only happen when you do something about it. If you do nothing, nothing will happen.

    In other words, you are the driver for your success. You cannot expect someone else to drive you to your success.

    Your actions will determine the reaction you get. Your success is a product of your actions.

    If you want things to move, get your hands dirty and begin to move them. If you wait for someone else, most likely you will wait forever.

    Devise a plan that you will follow through and be consistent and persistent.

    Keep Taking Action

    Your hunger will greatly determine the action you take. The more hungry you are, the more determined you are to take action.

    They say actions speak louder than words. Your actions will speak volumes about the course of your life.

    If you do not act and act decisively, your life will be stagnant. You will feel that life has not been fair with you.

    You will begin to feel left out when you see your peers progress and eventually will fail to fit in socially.

    If you are not taking action for your life do not expect things to happen in your life. Your expectation should not go beyond the level of your actions.

    Look, don’t expect anything positive to happen if your actions are negative, like follows like.

    Remember that nature is neutral; it gives you back what you give it. If you give it lemons you get lemon juice out of it.

    When you keep doing something that will improve your life, eventually improvement will come your way.

    Those who have grown both mentally and physically will agree with me that they took the first steps and they kept on until the end. The more action you take the better the chances of success.

    Have Faith in What You Do

    “Faith without works is dead” – the Bible. Believe in what you are doing. If no one believes in what you are trying to achieve you should be the first person to believe.

    Look, If you do not believe in what you are doing then who do you expect to believe you?

    Have faith that one day you will achieve that which you have set out to do. Without faith, you cannot achieve much.

    I know that sometimes it’s very difficult to go on especially when faced with adversity. When things are not going the way you want them to when it seems that you are headed for failure.

    This is the time to show your faith by sticking it out. It is the time to show your resilience and tenacity to move on.

    Develop your faith by feeding your mind with the right stuff. The more mentally positive you are, the more faith you develop.

    Your faith will ultimately play a huge role in your development as a human being.

    Be Proud of Your Achievements

    Whatever you have achieved, you must be proud of yourself. Don’t wait for someone to be proud of you.

    Most of the time people will never appreciate your accomplishments.

    Yes, it may be a small achievement just be proud of it, at least you have achieved something and there is more to come.

    There will always be negative criticism especially when your achievements have an impact on a larger scale.

    The more proud you are about yourself the more motivated you are to accomplish even more.

    The motivation you get when you have successfully achieved a target drives you to achieve even more.

    That is why it is always important to celebrate your small achievements along the way. It is the small achievements that make up the bigger ones.

    Every successful project is broken down into smaller pieces that when joined or connected together makes the bigger one.

    Start With What You Have

    You cannot control what is not in your power but you can control and sometimes influence what is in your power.

    If you want to achieve something start where you are and with what you have.

    There is no better time to start than now. You may not realise it but you have the necessary tools and ammunition to start.

    If you wait, the opportunity may just pass you by. There will never be a time when you have everything you need to start something.

    The small things you have are just about enough to get you started. As you go along the way things will start falling into place.

    In fact, some of the things you think are needed may actually not be useful on your journey.

    God always gives us what we can handle. The more you grow the more responsibility you take on.

    Work diligently with what you have and learn to use your resources wisely. From my experience, the start is always difficult.

    Once you get started and things are flowing to a certain degree or direction, there is always an inner motivation to improve on what has been started.

    It is very refreshing to see the works of hands in action. It gives you a sense of pride so work hard and enjoy the fruits of your labour.

    Conclusion

    Life does not just happen, we make it happen. We have a bigger role to play in charting the course of our lives. Those who succeed are those who try and those who fail are those who do not try.

    So you can either decide to fail or you can take action and have the best chance of success the choice is entirely in your hands.

  • How to Act on Improving Your Personal Development Goals

    The time to act is now. There is no better time than now to start doing what you love. Start working on what you have been planning to do for your life now. If you wait for another time you may just miss the opportunity. 

    There are times when it feels not right to pull yourself and do something to improve your life and well-being, well it’s fine. But, just force yourself to wake up and do something, anything. No matter how small it may be, believe me, it adds value to the growth of the project you are working on.

    Slowly, but surely the small things begin to add up and within a short period of time they seem like they are much more than you had bargained for.

    That is the power of doing something, that will help you move closer to what you want to achieve on a daily basis. Remember that Rome was not built in one day. Also, know that every good thing comes at a significant cost.

    What makes the big things big, are the small little things we do. Equally, your character is the sum total, of the small things you do every day. The small things like what you eat, how you perceive things and how you pick yourself up when faced with a challenge, all makeup how much growth you will achieve in the long run. 

    So look out for the very small and seemingly unimportant things you do. They are what will eventually make or break you. People do not see the inside of you, they see what you give them. They see the outside of you.

    In fact, most of them will only be preview of the final end product without even knowing exactly what went into making the product they are seeing from the outside. 

    Keep It Simple and Easy

    Life can be complex at times. But it was not meant to be so. I think it was meant to be simple, not easy but simple. For, if it was easy I am sure it would be boring. I feel that, what makes life more interesting and worth living, is the fact that we are faced with challenges and when we overcome these challenges we experience a sense of satisfaction and joy.

    The simpler your life is, the easier it is to navigate through. Try as much as possible to keep it simple and take it easy. You are not competing with anyone. Remember, they say speed kills.

    I know that life can sometimes throw things at you that may derail you. Those things that come your way are there for you to provide solutions. They are a measure of how you will handle greater things to come.

    I believe that God knows what each and every one of us is capable of doing. He also knows our limitations. That is why he allows us to endure certain challenges. I also think that we experience certain challenges in preparation for bigger things to come.

    The more challenges we can handle the more growth we can expect and experience, and the more joy and happiness we can also enjoy. So do not despair when you are faced with challenges but, brace yourself for what is coming your way. For after every storm there comes joy. 

    Focus on What You are Doing

    The world we live in today is full of distractions. It can sometimes be very difficult to stay focused on doing what is necessary to help achieve your dreams. This is more especially when you have something good going. 

    It is, therefore, important that you stay focused on doing what is right so that you may succeed and continue being on the right path. Sometimes, we may lose our focus over small things. Brace yourself for them. It is part of the process.

    Find a way of keeping yourself busy to stay focused on yourself. Sometimes it may require you to make radical and drastic changes that may include cutting off some toxic relationships. Or it may require that you relocate to a new place or town altogether.

    Yes, we all need friends, but some relationships can be very distractive and may be very detrimental to your progress. Look around yourself and re-evaluate your current relationships, bad relationships could the reason why you are not growing.

    Find a way to cut ties with those who aren’t true friends. By now, you probably know who your real friends are and who isn’t.

    When you focus on your goals nothing can stop you from achieving your dreams. The sky is not even the limit. You are the head driver of your destiny and so get your act together and stay laser focused working towards achieving your dreams.

    It is better to sacrifice now and have a better future than have a good life now and experience a not-so-good life in the future. Create the right balance between your current and future financial needs. 

    Have the Courage to Do

    Courage is what distinguishes you from the rest. It is the fuel that makes you motivated to achieve your goals and sometimes it comes in very short supply. Most of us fail because we lack the courage to do. 

    Those people who have succeeded have had the courage to take the risk and leave their “comfort zones” to sail into unfamiliar territories. These are territories that they have never experienced before. Unfortunately, there are very few people who are willing to take the plunge and take the risk.

    If you stay in your “comfort zone” you may not achieve as much. But if you take the plunge and dive into the “deep zone” you will most likely achieve your dreams. 

    For it is not crowded in the deep zone. This is where you find the big fish. It is like when you go out swimming, the shallow end is always crowded and it’s not fun to swim there. Here you mostly find those who do not know how to swim or are still learning the ropes.

    As you swim further towards the deep end the crowd reduces. The further you go the less congested it becomes. The deep end is usually very spacious. 

    It may take a little bit more effort to swim there, but if you want space and you want to enjoy the swim it is worth it. Remember also that the deeper you go the riskier it becomes. It takes courage and skill to stay afloat in the deep end. 

    It is exactly the same with life. The more risks you make the better the rewards and the more effort needed to reap those rewards. The beauty of life is that we learn on the go. No one can claim to have mastered the art of living. Every day is a learning process. 

    Without courage, you will not be able to take the risk and therefore, you will never know what you may have missed out on.

    Conclusion 

    Personal development and self-improvement are not as easy as some people put it. It is a continuous learning process and requires a lot of discipline and dedication. The beauty is that there is no time frame and it is not a competition, all you have to do is make the decision and have a positive mind set.

    Have a wonderful day working on your goals. Cheers for now.

  • How to Manage Your Time More Effectively and Efficiently

    Time management is a critical aspect of life that many of us have not mastered. Most of the time we are not overwhelmed with work, we are just disorganized.

    If you take just a little time every morning to organise and prepare for the day you will spend the rest of the day being very productive. You will have planned to succeed for that day.

    Most of us just wake up and get going without actually planning for what we want to achieve for the day. Believe me, not planning is actually planning for failure.

    Planning ahead helps you manage your time effectively and efficiently. It helps you focus on your daily goals and reduces time wastage. Remember that time is always in short supply.

    Yes, things may not go accordingly but you will try as much as possible to stick with what you want to achieve. When you have a plan in place you are more focused on achieving your goals than wasting time on nonproductive issues. 

    There are many ways you can utilise to help manage your time, but here are a few suggestions that you can add to your current list. 

    Wake Up Early

    Waking up early gives you a heads start, it provides you with more time and energy to get things done early when your mind and body are still fresh. It also gives you ample time to plan your day and start working on preparing your mood for the day.

    Yes, I know that sleep is equally important, but the body also needs to be worked. There are many things that can be achieved and accomplished early in the morning when your body is usually at its best and is well rested. 

    You will have all the sleep you need in the world when you have achieved your goals. Remember that if you sleep too much you will have very little time to accomplish your goals.

    If there is one limited commodity that is common to all human beings it is time and time is always in short supply. How you utilise it will largely determine how much you will accomplish with your life. 

    The more you spend time sleeping the less you will achieve with your life. That is why even at an early stage in life we wake up early in the morning to prepare for school. There are very few schools that require you to attend in the afternoon.

    They say “the earthly bird catches the worm.”  Usually, the early risers achieve much more than the late risers. They are the pacesetters. They also say that “latecomers eat bones.”

    So there is always an advantage when you start your day early. 

    Create A To-Do List

    Another good practice is creating a to do list. This is probably a game-changer. A do-to-list acts more or less like a compass. It directs what you should do at a particular time or after a certain activity.

    A to-do list is a very good way of organising your time. Most of the time when you have a guide you will try as much as possible to stick with it. You may deviate at some point but you will eventually drift back to your guide.

    It is best to create a to-do list in the morning before you do anything else. Better still it can be done in the evening before going to sleep and read it in the morning before you step out. 

    Tick off the list as you go along the way. Start with the most important items and move on to the least important. If it can be delegated please go ahead and delegate. If you have to maximise your efficiency learn to delegate. 

    Delegation is not a sign of weakness but is a sign of having confidence and trust in other people. It promotes group relationships if you are a leader. It also motivates the people you work with and makes them feel relevant to your life. 

    Set Deadlines

    Deadlines deadlines deadlines. Most people do not like to hear about deadlines. They dread them. But, nothing in this life lasts forever. Everything comes to end at some point or the other and this is where deadlines come in. Even your life will come to an end one day just be prepared for the afterlife.

    If you have worked in an environment like audit firm, where deadlines are strictly emphasied and adhere to, you should have no problem setting and meeting deadlines. You will also agree with me that deadlines act as a barometer to gauge your performance. 

    Always set deadlines for your goals and try as much as possible to beat them. When you set a deadline your mind is tuned in and is constantly reminded about the approaching deadline. 

    Setting deadlines also helps to monitor your progress. I know that sometimes we miss our deadlines for various reasons. Don’t worry or panic, simply reevaluate why you missed them, adjust and start working on them again.

    You will achieve more when you set activity deadlines. You will also easily progress to the next task at hand. Remember that doing the same things over and over can sometimes be very boring, so finish quickly and move on to something new. 

    Your aim should be to set realistic goals and deadlines that can be achieved and measurable. This should, however, not be a limitation to challenge your capability and capacity to handle more complex challenges.

    Work Your List

    Writing down lists is a very good thing. But without taking action, lists are useless. They become an academic exercise. Just like anything else without action, there can never be any meaningful achievement.

    You must have an actionable list every day. Find the motivation and courage to work your list. It is only by working your list that you will know how far you can go.

    Every day gather enough motivation and keep focused on taking action to working your list. Slowly but surely results will begin to flow in.

    Review your list in the evening to see what has been accomplished and what is still to be done. Roll over the leftover to the next day. Don’t worry about what hasn’t been done. There could be a thousand reasons.

    Only worry about those items that have not been done because of you. Remember you have control over what you can do.

    Don’t live your lists un attended to but make them an integral part of your life. Learn to carry a small notebook around that has your to-do list.

    Be Consistent

    Consistency is the mother of all success. You cannot be successful without being consistent. If you are consistent in doing the small things regularly, within a short period of time they will amount to many things.

    Being consistent is usually what makes the difference between success and failure. Those who are successful are very consistent with what they do. They do not stop even when they are faced with challenges.

    They never give up but instead, they find solutions to the current challenges. In the end, the challenges give in or they are subdued.

    Create the tenacity and ability to always be consistent when pursuing your cause for life.  

    Conclusion

    You may be surprised at how much time you spend being on social media reading gossip or watching video clips that do not add much value to your life. Managing your time requires you to reevaluate how you spend it and on what you are spending it on. 

    Only time will tell if you have been successful with your life or not. Your job is to master how to manage your time efficiently and effectively. Be time conscious. 

  • 7 Tips for Home Improvement on a Small Budget

    Embarking on a home improvement project with a small budget can be a very daunting and challenging exercise. What with sky-rocking prices of materials and tools, the challenge becomes even more difficult to undertake. 

    However, this is possible with some planning and creativity. With prudent management and a bit of creativity to ensure that the right materials are in place, it is doable.

    You will be amazed at what can be achieved on a merger budget. Most of the time we are too shy or rather scared to start something, especially when we are low on resources.

    We always think it can be done only when we have saved enough resources. But life as it, never gives you enough from the start. 

    But, rather it allows you to grow with what you have and not what you do not have. Sometimes a little confidence is all it takes to start working on something.

    If you are resolved to undertake the project but are low on resources, here are some tips to help you implement a home improvement project. 

    Planning Ahead

    Before you start any project, create a plan of what you want to achieve with what resources you have available. This will help you stay within your budget and avoid unexpected expenses.

    Planning ahead makes things a little bit easier. It gives you a proper direction of what you want to achieve and how you will go about it.

    With limited resources at your disposal, there is very little room for error, hence the need to create a plan that is solid. 

    A plan that will really guide and help you achieve your objectives with a small budget. However, do not over plan. 

    Many of the time we tend to over plan as a result, nothing gets done in the process as we lose focus and are bogged down with life issues. 

    However, this is not to undermine the importance of planning. It should be the first thing to be done. A good plan surely guarantees a good start.

    Prioritise

    Decide on which home improvements are most important to you and tackle them first. This will help you avoid spending money on unnecessary upgrades.

    Some improvements may not be regarded as a priority. Yes, they may need to be worked on but they could be regarded as non-priority.

    Organise your work in such a way that you first tackle the ones that really need attention and move to the least on your list.

    This way, you will be able to deal with urgent repairs and or improvements effectively. Funds permitting you then start tackling the least urgent ones. 

    Rather than work on everything at the same time, start small with what you can afford. Betters still, target a section at a time.

    Don’t be tempted to work on everything at once bearing in mind that you are on a shoestring budget. Work on what your money will allow for now. Leave those that need more resources for a later stage.

    Do It Yourself

    Doing some of the work yourself can save you a lot of money on labour costs. There are many tutorials and resources online that can help you learn how to do various home improvement tasks.

    For sure DIY can save you lots of money. If you have kids, involve them. Kids just love getting dirty and involving them is also one way of teaching them how to work. 

    Give them tasks that they will be able to do in a fun way. Motivate them by giving them an incentive. Depending on how old they are, you will be amazed by what they can do.

    Personally, I enjoy and love doing things myself. It has actually saved me a lot of money on labour and besides its good exercise.

    When you do things yourself you take time and do them the way you want. Some of these home improvements can actually be done without much difficulty.  

    Shop Around for Materials and Tools

    Compare prices at different home improvement stores or online retailers to find the best deals on materials and tools.

    Before committing to spend on materials, shop around and take note of the prices. Make decisions such as replacing branded materials and tools with non-branded substitutes.

    You will agree with me that branded items are usually more expensive than unbranded ones.  And sometimes, the unbranded items are also of good quality yet less expensive. 

    Shopping around could save you tons of money. Yes, it could be tedious but it’s worth it. It also gives you an idea of how much you will need to spend on materials and tools.

    Use Recycled Materials and or Tools

    Look for ways to repurpose or reuse materials and tools from other projects or items in your home to save money.

    Some materials could be reused or recycled. Look around your home for leftover items from previous projects.

    If you are undertaking a painting exercise for example, am sure the paint brushes and rollers from the previous project could still be reused.

    Things like leftover paint, if you are not changing the colour could be reused. Such items and materials would really go a long way in reducing your overall cost.

    Also, try as much as possible to improvise where you can. Most of the time we do not want to think outside the box. 

    Make Small Changes

    Sometimes small changes can make a big difference in the look and feel of a room. Consider things like painting, updating light fixtures, or adding new accessories.

    Get rid of the old stuff that is not being used. Free up some space and reorganise the room to give it a new look and feel.

    It is the small things that end up making the big things. Change a few things here and there and see if they are what you are looking for. Home improvement does not necessarily have to be a wholesale change. 

    Get Creative

    Look for creative solutions to problems. For example, instead of replacing an outdated bathroom vanity, consider painting it and adding new hardware.

    Being creative can help you find solutions to problems, improve your mood, and increase your overall sense of well-being. 

    In the context of home improvement, being creative can involve finding innovative ways to use materials or repurposing items you already have to achieve the look and feel you want for your home without spending a lot of money.

    Conclusion

    By following these few tips, you can embark on a home improvement project on a small budget and still achieve great results.

  • How to Make Yourself Useful

    Nature dictates that we grow. One cannot remain in the same position forever. All growth comes from within. We grow so as to make meaningful contributions to the world.

    We were created not to live in isolation. Whether you are contributing positively or not the fact still remains that you are endowed with unique talents and potential that need to be shared with the world.

    You are part of the big family that is interlinked and interdependent now more than ever before. We now live in a global village where we have more access to either side of the world than before, via the use of technology.

    All humans have a duty and responsibility to use their talents and provide solutions that benefit human kind. You can help change the world and make it a better place to live for all by making your life useful.

    Everything that you do has an effect on the quality of the kind of life you are leading. If you are positive you are most likely contributing positively to your well-being.

    The current state of your well-being largely determines how much your contribution is to the world. Stop thinking that you have nothing to give. No matter what you are going through, the fact that you are still alive means that God is not yet done with you.

    He has given you another opportunity to change the things that you need to change in your life. Stop giving excuses, get up and get ready for your next challenge. Life is about overcoming obstacles and challenges that are thrown at us.

    Make your life worthwhile by being positive and useful. Life was not meant to be lived miserably or unhappy. Get out of your negative frame of mind and begin to do something meaningful with your life.

    Decide What You Want for Your Life

    When you do not have a plan for your life you live an aimless life. You move with the wind. Opportunities will pass you by. Often times you will be forced to take anything that comes your way just to make earns meet.

    However, if you have a plan, you tend to attract and choose the right opportunities that help advance your life to the next level. You make your choices off the fact that they are in tandem with your life’s vision and plan.

    If you have a plan in place you are more likely to live a very happy and fulfilling life. You are more likely to make changes that are influencing the world positively. That is why it is very advisable to quickly formulate your life’s plan early in life.

    This way you live to enjoy the fruits of your labour much much longer. It also helps because this is the time when you have so much energy to pursue your dreams.

    However, if you do have a plan for your life you can devise it right away. The following techniques might be of great help when coming up with your plan.

    • Prayer – prayer moves mountains. Spend time in prayer, seeking God’s guidance over your life. God has the blueprint for your life. He has the manual for your life. He knows what you are capable of doing and what you can achieve. Put him at the centre of your life. Let him be the guiding light over everything you do. The bible says “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” God is never tired of being asked.
    • Find what makes you happy – I believe that we all want to live a happy life. We are most effective when we are happy. Find what makes you happy and do more of it. If you do not derive pleasure from your current job or employment, it is definitely not for you. I guess that your performance is not as effective as it should be. You should seriously evaluate your current job or employment before you make any further decisions that may affect your financial livelihood.
    • Find what you do with less effort – We all have something that we can give easily. Deep down embedded in each and every one of us, is something that flows with very little or no effort. You need to tap into that realm and harness it. It is most likely what your purpose is all about.

    Take Action

    Once you have decided on what you want your life to be like, it is time to take action. It is time to set the train of life into motion. They say “a journey of a thousand miles starts with one step.” By the way, make sure you write down your life’s plan on paper.

    Break your plan into smaller achievable goals and begin to work on them. Start working towards achieving your goals even when your plan is not as perfect as you want it. It will become more clearer when you start working on it and as you put God at the centre of every aspect of your life.

    God is always faithful when we trust him and involve him in our daily activities. Action is what produces results. To succeed you need to work and work smart. Work is motion in action. Yes, you will encounter failure. Your reaction to failure will determine your willingness to achieve your life’s plan.

    Don’t let failure stop you from achieving your destiny. Do not be discouraged when you fail. Failure is part of personal development. Instead, learn from your failures and mistakes.

    Resolve to do something that helps you move closer to your goals every single day. Remember you are on a journey and every step you make counts. When you do nothing, you delay your own progress.

    When you take action you accelerate your progress. Taking action makes you feel useful. When you are moving towards achieving your personal growth you are also naturally contributing to the world.

    You may not know it, but remember that you will be interacting with nature as you work towards improving your life. Nature is neutral. It will give you back what you give.

    Be Thankful and Helpful

    Practicing gratitude is of paramount importance to humanity. To have a great impact on people you must learn to be thankful and be of help. A little thank you when you have been saved goes a long way to lifting the morale of the person serving.

    Being thankful is a way of showing appreciation for the service being rendered. Being thankful is also a sign of showing gratitude.

    Many studies conducted have shown that gratitude can be a very important source of happiness. In positive psychology research, gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness.

    Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships.

    Being helpful is another way of making your life useful. Helping others is good for your heart, it relieves pain and stress, and motivates you to achieve your own goals.

    Being helpful is not only good for you, but it is also good for the person receiving help. One act of kindness can turn into many acts of reciprocal kindness.

    When you offer to help someone, do it voluntarily and do not expect anything in return. If you do it with expectations you will be disappointed.

    There is always someone that needs help, look around and find someone you can lend a helping hand. Most of us think that help always has to be in monetary terms. Actually, help can be in any acceptable form.

    Helping others is a meaningful form of service, and I believe true joy comes from serving. Alongside offering help, it’s equally important to ask for help when you need it. This allows others to showcase their expertise and gives them the opportunity to grow by supporting you.

    Share What You Have

    They say sharing is caring. Don’t live a lonely life. Be open with people about your knowledge and skills. Let them know that you are always ready to share with them when requested to do so.

    Do not be stingy with what you have. Sharing allows you to create even more closer relationships with other people. Know that what you have is valuable and is needed by many other people.

    The world would not be what it is today if many other people did not share their knowledge, skills, and or possessions with us. Sharing is an act of kindness. The bible encourages us to share, “there are more blessings from giving than receiving.” When we give we create room for more blessings.

    Conclusion

    Being useful does not necessarily mean allowing other people to use you. It means offering what you can when you can and doing so with a happy and willing heart. It means you creating time for other people.

  • Inspiring and Empowering Others to Help You

    “For changes to be of any true value, they’ve got to be lasting and consistent.” ~Tony Robins.

    “Beliefs have the power to create and the power to destroy. Human beings have the awesome ability to take any experience of their lives and create a meaning that disempowers them or one that can literally save their lives” ~ Tony Robins.

    No man is an island. Personal success and development cannot be achieved in isolation. God has abundantly blessed us with people in our lives that we can rightly use to achieve our life’s purpose and goals.

    Each and every person you have come across in your life has a part to play and it is entirely up to you to recognise that and help them to help you move closer to your life’s purpose.

    In this article I discuss three important ways to empower our associates.

    Firstly let me make mention that there are 3 groups of people in our lives;

    • Close relationships – these will include your family, your friends, your spouse, and your children.
    • Your work relationships – these will include your colleagues, workmates including your boss.
    • Others – included in this category are people you come across every day.

    You need to know how to interact with these people in order for them to help you achieve your desired life’s purpose and goals. The key areas I have identified are listed below.

    Appreciation

    There is no single person I have come across in my entire life that does not like or rather feels bad when they are appreciated. Appreciation is perhaps one of the most important aspects of getting people to like you and to inspire them to support and help your cause.

    Develop the habit of expressing gratitude, even for the smallest acts of kindness. A genuinely simple smile and a heartfelt “thank you” goes a long way in lifting the other person’s spirit. The more thankful you are the more people are inclined to support you.

    Always acknowledge the effort, even if what you received isn’t exactly what you requested. Make the other person feel appreciated for their service and assure them that their effort was valued and not wasted.

    Appreciation lifts the self-esteem of human beings. The feeling of appreciation is an intense one and can make or break someone’s self-esteem. Imagine yourself working for a boss who does not seem to appreciate whatever effort you put into your work.

    Imagine the frustration of dedicating countless hours to an assignment, only to feel completely unappreciated.

    Now, contrast this with the feeling of being appreciated, even for your smallest efforts. You’ll find yourself willing to invest extra time because you know your work and presence truly matter.

    Approval

    Remember, everyone is primarily emotional.  Everything that people do, or choose not to do, is largely driven by their deeper emotions.

    Your job is to connect with their higher and more positive emotions so they feel so good about you that they want to help and please you in some way.

    If you are in a supervisory position it will really help you to spend more time with your subordinates inviting their feedback and comments on their work. To achieve this, you must create a trust worthy environment.

    This I believe is one of the best methods to get their work approved as they will understand what is expected of them.

    There is nothing quite like the satisfaction of having your work approved by your manager. It makes you feel a true sense of ownership and pride in what you have accomplished.

    Believe me, having a highly motivated worker can yield results beyond your imagination. The quality of your subordinates can make or break your success.

    If your personal goal is very dependent on other people’s input you need to devise methods that are consistent and gain respect from other people.

    You need to be nice, friendly, and courteous. I encourage you to read more on people management.

    In life, you always have a choice. You can either do everything yourself or you can get others to help you do some of the work. Delegating work is surely key to helping you achieve more with your time.

    Attention

    The third and final aspect of empowering others is attention. Just like every one of us loves attention in one way or the other. Learn to listen with keen interest.

    Pay attention to the details that keep people motivated and work to improve them.

    If you have a difference with say a work colleague. Do not argue with them but reason with them. Listen to their explanation and make sure you understand the reasoning behind it. If you do not agree with them be polite in letting them know that you have a different viewpoint.

    I have experienced this, especially with women. Even when they know that you cannot help them, they just want you to listen to them. All they are looking for is someone who can at least give them an audience.

    The fact that you will give them the attention they need, will greatly improve their self-esteem. If you are married that is lesson number one for you. Give your wife all the attention she needs. Listen to her.

    Conclusion

    Your ability to delegate effectively, which requires that you inspire and empower others to help you willingly, will determine how fast you move ahead. 

    It will determine how much you earn in your job; this will also determine the quality and quantity of your productivity; it will determine your ultimate financial success in life.

    The key to all of this is your ability to empower others. Life was meant to be lived with people.

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