Tag Archives: fyi

Jun4

You Don’t Have To Be A Suck Up To Get That Promotion

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You Don’t Have To Be A Suck Up To Get That Promotion

No one like that one person in the office that is always laughing way too hard at the boss’s joke or begging for extra work! Luckily, you don’t have to be that gal or guy to get where you need to be in your career. You can excel without being a suck up, just read the post below to find out how:

Actions speak louder than words:

One way to prove yourself worthy of a promotion and a position of responsibility is to let your actions speak for you. What this means is that you don’t waste your time handing out hollow compliments to people or playing the political game but, instead, keeping your head down and focusing on the work.

Then, you can demonstrate your focus, dedication, and commitment without having to do anything else. These are all qualities which any manager worth their salt will recognize as being top of the list when considering you for a promotion.

Educate:

Next, you certainly don’t have to suck up to get a promotion if you can prove that you have the necessary education and experience. One way to achieve this is to complete a specialized course like this electrical engineering degree online in your own time. Then, you can fit your studies around your current work commitments and get qualified for the promotion that you want. Studying in your field puts you in a great position for a promotion.

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Hit the books!

Of course, it’s also possible to enroll in courses that provide on the job training, that will set you up nicely for the role that you want. Yes, these may pay a little less in the short term, a consideration that is important if you have a family to support or bills to pay. However, such courses do have the advantage of providing practical experience as well as just book learning. Something that is often perceived as incredibly valuable by potential employers and those in a position to offer a promotion.

Lastly, do not forget the power of volunteering in your chosen field in your own time. This shows your dedication to the area and can provide you with the relevant experience that you need to climb the ladder.

Be your own person:

The temptation in a work environment is to become a yes person or join a group or clique for safety and security. However, sometimes being a part of a larger group can do more damage than good when it comes to landing that promotion that you are looking for.

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Pexels Image

Those in power may associate you with the group first and not judge you on your own individual merit. In fact, they can also be concerned that because of your loyalty and friendships within the company that you will provide favorable treatment to those that you are close to; that could compromise the running of the business.

To that end, it’s always best to be your own person as much as possible while at work, and don’t be afraid to speak out if you think something is a bad idea. Although, do remember to do this constructively with valid reasons. Otherwise, you risk being labeled as a complainer, and that certainly won’t be too good for your promotion prospects, either.

Being up for a promotion is a big deal, and following the above steps can help you land the spot that you’ve always dreamed of!

May30

Are You An Anxious Night Owl?

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Are You An Anxious Night Owl?

In recent years, awareness of anxiety has come to the forefront. Aside from making you nervous, a full-blown case of anxiety can leave you on edge and unable to calm down. It feels as though you’re about to face something frightening every second of the day, and it can leave you on the brink of breaking.

If this sounds familiar, you should speak to your doctor and seek treatment which helps you to get on top of this. But, we aren’t focusing on treatment today. Instead, we’re going to address something few anxiety sufferers speak about: the fact that symptoms often get worse in the evenings.

In many ways, this seems strange. Surely anxiety should abate when you get home and let loose? But, often, the situation worsens once you get home. In many ways, this could be because you’re no longer distracted by work. As such, you’ll feel the full effects of the condition. But, this is also, in part, down to how we spend our evenings – so we’re going to look at a few every day habits which can make matters worse:

The Television Trap:

While television usage has dropped in recent years, many of us still put the box on the moment that we get home. It’s a comfort, and it helps a lot of us to relax. But, what you might not realize is that television can also boost anxiety in some ways. Even if you avoid anxiety-inducing programs, advertisements fill us with worries about what we don’t have. They also lead to comparisons with those on screen. On top of which, television eats time like nothing else. It could leave you feeling as though your evening’s over before it’s begun.

So, for at least a few hours, turn the TV off. Rely, instead, on board games like Scrabble. These still take complete concentration but without comparison. You can even avoid disputes by using tools like this word.tips word finder to check anything you’re unsure of. If that doesn’t appeal, you could always turn to hobbies like reading or coloring to see you through. The chances are, that you’ll feel much better after an evening of doing these.

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There’s nothing better than a good book!

You’re Too Hung Up On The Day:

Many of us also make the mistake of overthinking our days once we get home. And, we still wonder why we have anxiety-induced headaches by the end of the night. In truth, you should avoid thinking about work during your evenings. Draw a line under the day with a quick walk around the block or even a meditation session to ease your mind. Then, turn your attention to something else every time work crosses your mind. Getting this distance could work wonders for helping you to relax. Bear in mind that it may take longer to adjust to than you expect. After all, you’ve spent years thinking about work all evening, every evening. But, if you focus your attention here, you could soon find that your mind is much calmer when you need it to be.

Featured Image By: Unsplash

May17

Is A Change Of Career In The Cards?

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Is A Change Of Career In The Cards?

Many of us go about in our working lives in careers that aren’t exactly suited to us. It could be because you were unaware of the options ahead of you, maybe you missed out on getting the qualifications you needed, or due to things like the recession. You simply might have had to take whatever work you could get your hands on at the time. Whatever the situation, it’s never too late to reconsider your options. While changing careers is a huge deal, it’s something that could dramatically change your life for the better.

Your career is a huge part of your life, when you spend eight plus hours a day at your workplace (and have a wage you rely on) a change isn’t something to take lightly. So, before you go ahead, make sure you really do want to make a change. Work out what your reasons are, and be sure that you won’t end up wanting to change again after building yourself up in your new job. In some cases, a complete switch of careers might be what’s needed, but in other cases progressing in your current role could be the way to go.

For example, if you’re already a nurse, studying something like an dnp nnp online will open you up to new and exciting job opportunities. If you think you have a flair for a different type of job, such as PR or Marketing, then you will need the help of a good recruitment agency. They can help you identify any transferable skills from your past job and to brush up your CV to make it more relevant to the work that you want to do. A good agency will also have loads of contacts ready and waiting for new recruits.

It goes without saying that you may have to take a knock to your salary at first. It is vital that you know the minimum amount you can earn without getting yourself into debt or becoming all work, no play because you cannot afford a social life. Work on a good budget and research the expected salaries in your chosen field and within your area. If you can’t make the two work, then you may need to reconsider your options. Don’t let it stop you, though. Be direct and honest with your salary expectations. Tell your agency, if you are using, the lowest you can go and then talk to any potential employers to see if they can accommodate you.

A simpler way of swapping careers could be to cut down your hours at work and take on a part time job. This could give you a boost on your CV and help you balance the finances during a full time change. Even taking a Saturday job in your new field in a volunteer capacity will be useful in changing paths and will show new employers that you are serious and committed.

Finally, don’t let age worry you. While there are lots of bright young things out there as competition, you actually have the edge on them when it comes to proven ability. Even if not through the same industry. You will have references and a more complex CV. Employers know what they’re looking for and they realize potential when presented with it. So be confident and show yourself in the best possible light!

Featured Image By: Pexels

May15

Six Ways To Achieve An Eco-Friendly Bathroom

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Six Ways To Achieve An Eco-Friendly Bathroom

Planning a home improvement project soon? Why not try making your bathroom an eco-friendly space? Your bathroom is the room in the house where water use is the highest. The longer you stay in the bathroom, the more water you use and the more energy for heating, lighting, and ventilating is used, too. This all translates to skyrocketing water and energy bills every month.

With the bleak forecast about global water and energy scarcity, there’s no better time than the present to gradually transform your home into an eco-friendly space; and the bathroom is the perfect place to start. Here are six ways to achieve an eco-friendly bathroom:

Install Low-Flow Faucet Aerators:

Faucet aerators are fixtures that are capped on the faucet opening to reduce water use, control its flow, prevent splashing, and increase perceived water pressure. How does it work? Faucet aerators save water (and therefore, save you money on water bills) by introducing air into the water flow, so there’s less water flowing but still enough to wash things.

With a low-flow faucet aerator, you can reduce rate of water flow from 2.5 gallons per minute (standard faucets) to as little as 0.5 gallons per minute. That’s saving about 80 percent of water every minute the tap is on.

Faucet aerators are affordable and easy to install. You can get one for $5 to $10 dollars, depending on the brand and features added to the aerator. When buying the a low-flow aerator, make sure you have the right size and one that is compatible with your faucet. Installing the new aerator only takes a few minutes. Just unscrew the old one using a wrench, turn on the tap to wash away debris, and cap on the new aerator. Make sure not to apply too much force to avoid damaging your faucet.

Change To A Low-Flow Showerhead:

Do you like taking long showers every day? If the answer is yes, then you’ve found the primary culprit for your skyrocketing water bills. Standard showerheads use from 2.5 to 4 gallons of water per minute. So every time you shower for 30 minutes, you’re using about 75 to 120 gallons of water. That’s 15 to 24 times more water used than the average person in a developing country. (The statistics is 20 liters of water or 5.3 gallons per person.) When you change to a low-flow showerhead, you save one-half to two gallons of water every minute you shower. Of course, this only works well when you cut down on your shower time, too.

Now, if you don’t have a low-flow showerhead but you’re noticing a change in water pressure this could be a sign of a water pump problem. This is something you will want to get looked at by a professional. If you’re handy and experienced with this type of repair, however, you might be able to use a guide like this https://www.ronix.ir/mag/home-water-pump-installation-guide/ to install a new water pump if it’s needed.

Go For A Water-Efficient Toilet:

Old toilets are one of the biggest water wasters in your house. They consume about 3.5 to 7 gallons of water per flush, which is a lot for one use. In contrast, new toilets only use an average of 1.6 gallons per flush. If you want an eco-friendly bathroom, then you may want to switch to a water-efficient macerating toilet. Water-efficient or low-flow toilets save more than regular modern toilets. Some models can go as low as one gallon for every flush. Getting one with a macerating pump also helps with preventing toilet clogging, which saves you from expensive plumbing bills.

If you are installing any new features in your bathroom, it is so important that you hire a professional if you don’t have the skills to do it yourself. Attempting to do so can result in pricey repairs that will waste even more time and money. There are very helpful platforms that can connect you with skilled Local Tradesmen in your local area to take on these jobs for you. Explore these options carefully and do your research so your eco-friendly bathroom will always be performing to the highest standards.

Use Energy-Efficient Light Fixtures:

The bathroom is the place where you do most of your grooming, like shaving and doing makeup. These are delicate activities that need good lighting to avoid injury or mess-ups. However, inefficient light bulbs are some of the chief reasons for high electricity bills.

For places like the bathroom, that require good lighting, use energy-efficient light bulbs. These include compact fluorescent lamps, light emitting diodes (LEDs), and halogen incandescents. Energy-efficient light fixtures can last 3 to 25 times longer than traditional light bulbs and save from 25 to 80 percent more energy, making them the eco-friendly choice.

Not only is swapping out for energy-efficient lighting fixtures a money saver, but it will also give the space a mini makeover. While choosing more eco-friendly options for your bathroom, you might want to do a full fledged remodel altogether. This is something that a professional team should assist you with. To begin researching experts, simply enter a search for “bath remodel twin cities” (or your local area) to transform your bathroom into both an eco-friendly and inviting space.

Switch To An Energy-Efficient Exhaust Fan:

Ventilation is essential to keeping your bathroom clean, odor-free, and mold-free. A constantly damp bathroom is conducive for mold growth. However, when you ventilate your bathroom after use, you remove excess moisture and inhibit the buildup of mold spores.

There are two ways to ventilate your bathroom. You can either open the window and door or use an exhaust fan. An exhaust fan consumes energy and can result in mounting energy bills when used too often. It’s not always ideal to open windows and doors, too. Open bathroom windows may invite unscrupulous people (or bugs) in your home while open doors will just transfer the odor (and whatever else is in the air) into another part of the house.

Since you can’t do away with ventilating your bathroom, you can use an energy-efficient fan. To find one, search for an Energy Star-rated model and get 60 percent energy savings compared to standard vent fans.

Choose Eco-Friendly Cleaning Supplies:

Many cleaning products available in the market today contain harmful chemicals that are dangerous to your health and bad for the environment. Their ingredient includes phtalates present in air fresheners, dish soap, and some toilet papers. Phtalates are harmful to the endocrine system can and reduce a man’s sperm count.

Harmful chemicals, like perchloroethylene (Perc), triclosan, 2-butoxyethanol, and ammonia, attack your health and negatively impact the environment, and they’re common ingredients in many household cleaners.

Avoid these chemicals by opting for eco-friendly products or homemade products that are proven to have no harmful effects. You can consult the non-profit Environment Working Group for a list of cleaning products to avoid.

Take The First Step:

Wasting water and energy has far reaching impact to the environment and the earth’s resources. With global warming, climate change, and scarcity hitting the world in all corners, it’s high time for people to take action to reverse the damage that’s been done to the earth. Converting your bathroom into an eco-friendly space is the first step to building a more sustainable environment for you and your family. Why not start now?

Featured Image By: Pixabay

May13

Freebie Alert!

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Freebie Alert!

Hi! To those of you who love coffee, free things, and free coffee – I have a Freebie Alert for you! If you sign up for the rewards program through Dunkin’ Donuts, I believe it’s called Dunkin’ At Home, they will send you some free samples of their make at home Cold Brew Coffee Packs. They will be shipping the samples out while supplies last until May 17th. This is the email address that sent me the notification: updates@e.dunkinathome.com

I have received coffee samples in the mail from Dunkin’ before, and they are definitely not stingy with what they send you! I am so excited to get my Cold Brew Coffee Packs samples in the mail, because I am a huge iced coffee fan. 😀 Can’t wait!

What is your favorite coffee chain? How do you drink your coffee? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May7

Monday Update: Therapy Edition

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Monday Update: Therapy Edition

Hi everyone and welcome to another week here on lifewithlilred! As many of you have shown an interest in my therapy journey, here is an update. Meh, it’s going so so. I feel like I have hit the metaphorical wall where nothing seems helpful and I’m running out of things to talk about. And, I’m getting frustrated with rehashing the same shit just worded differently all of the time.

I’ve actually been playing around with the idea of not going after the few appointments left that I have scheduled. But, I feel like that’s a bad idea. Maybe once every two weeks would be a bit better. I don’t know, it’s just becoming more of an annoyance than anything, and I feel like I’m getting even more pissed off by my weekly visits.

Obviously, there’s still a bunch of stuff in the ol’ mental health department that I need to work on, but I just feel kind of burnt out. Like I’m so micro-focused on it that it’s making me even more depressed, anxious, and just all around angry. I feel like I need a break. I guess that will just be something to chat about during this week’s session, amIright?!

Who else has felt similarly to the above during their time in therapy? How did you deal with it? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May3

Interior Disasters

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Interior Disasters

Home interiors should never be a disaster, but they often can be a disaster. More often than not things go wrong, when they do we panic, spend a lot of money, and maybe even shed a tear or two. It’s just one of the many things about owning a home that can quickly become expensive. Right from the get go you’re spending money on furnishing, decorating, improvements, etc. So, rather than letting all of this money go down the drain, we’ve got some common interior disasters and how you can try and fix them as quickly and as cheaply as possible:

Plumbing Disasters:

Plumbing disasters are the worst. From something so simple as the water not draining as fast as you would like to in the bathroom sink, to a full on blockage in one of the main drains that could cause havoc in your home. Sometimes it can even lead to a flood, and that really is the last thing that you want. If you’re struggling with a major blockage and you’re not sure of the exact location or cause, get in touch with professionals such as Drain Boss. They’re the people you need for the job.

If you attempt to try this yourself you could cause further damage, move the blockage deeper down the drain, or cause the full on flood disaster. If it’s something little, like the bathroom sink not draining quick enough, you might just need to use a bag of limescale cleaner. If that doesn’t work, cover the overflow hole, grab a plumber, run the tap, and push hard down on the plug hole. You should hear a few gurgling sounds and the blockage will come free.

Pest Disasters:

This can be one of the scariest problems for a lot of people. There are a few types of pests that we can get in our homes, the first being one of the biggest bugaboos for many. Spiders. Spiders are going to be in your home no matter what, but if you’ve got a nest in your home, you’re in big trouble. A nest is usually found in the loft, and it will look like a big cobweb with black dots in it. Whatever you do, don’t touch it. Whilst they won’t be poisonous, there will potentially be hundreds of them. Call in an exterminator ASAP to deal with your problem!

Decor Disasters:

This is probably the most frustrating for a lot of people due to how noticeable it is. Decor disasters, however, are a lot easier to fix. Maybe the last time you wallpapered you did a rubbish job and it has started to peel away, then all you need to do is give it another go! Steam the walls to get the paper off, and follow a detailed tutorial on how to do it perfectly. If you’re worried it’ll go wrong again, all you need to do is get in a professional for the day to do it for you.

All of the problems above can cause a lot of stress for homeowners. And, if there is any shadow of doubt, always call in a professional before you do anything!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

May2

Leg Health: Often Overlooked, But Vital To Wellbeing

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Leg Health: Often Overlooked, But Vital To Wellbeing

We hear about heart health all of the time in the media, but what about leg health? After all, our legs are a major part the body that are essential to our mobility, so we really should be looking after them as much as possible. With that in mind check out the information below on how to keep your pins as healthy as you can:

Cramps:

Leg cramps can be painful and particularly inconvenient if you are suffering from them when exercising or standing on your feet for a long time at work. Most of the time, the cause of cramps can be something simple like forgetting to warm up properly before working out or standing for too long without a break.

However, sometimes leg cramps can be indicative of something more serious such as a vitamin B1, B5, or B6 deficiency. Something you can find out more about here.

Clicking Knees:

Our knees take a lot of strain over the years, and they can be one of the most vulnerable places in our body to injury and damage. In particular, knees that click when you bend or move can be a sign that the cartilage inside them is wearing away. This can be a major issue because it means that over time the two bony parts of the knee joint will end up rubbing against each other without any cushioning which can cause serious pain and damage.

With that in mind, it is a very good idea to get painful or noisy knees checked out by a specialist at the first chance you get.

Varicose Veins:

Varicose veins are bulging purple veins that protrude from the surface of the leg. They are generally regarded as being unsightly and they can also be painful, as well.

On their own, they’re not usually seen as a major medical problem, although in combination with other symptoms such as leg swelling, spider veins, and leg discoloration they could be indicative of a heart condition. If you are concerned that this may be the case, it is wise to seek an assessment from your local cardiology department as soon as possible.

Strains And Pulls:

Lastly, a common leg health issue that many people can experience is the straining or pulling of a muscle. Many of this type of injury occurs while a person is moving or working out and they can be quite painful until healed, limiting their range of movement.

To treat a strain or pulled muscle, it is useful to elevate it as this will help halt any swelling. You can also use a compression bandage and apply a cold compress to the area every 30 minutes or so. It is vital that you rest the injury until it has healed and don’t aggravate it further by doing any strenuous exercise until then.

Your legs are what gets you from Point A to Point B, so keep them healthy so that you can stay on the move!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

May1

The Art Of Simple Living

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The Art Of Simple Living

With the world in somewhat uncertain times, and things like the fuel, food, and the cost of living rising, budgets are getting more and more stretched. So while this is going on, many people are looking to cut back in different aspects of their lives. In essence, they have been looking to live a more simplistic life, that can lead to being happy and healthy, in spite of all that is going on around them.

But what is simple living and how can you apply it in your life? In short, it is about living with the things that you need to survive and to make you happy; it is living a life without excess. We can so often confuse what our real needs are with the things that we want. Things like cable TV or processed fast foods are not necessary for living, but we often think that we need them. It might be easy to think that these kinds of things will help to make your life easier or better, but in many instances, this isn’t the case. So if this sounds like a type of living that you’d like to start embracing, here are some practical ways that you can bring simple living in at home:

Declutter:

One of the best things that you can do to start off with is decluttering. Whether that be looking for somewhere that does skip bin hire and throwing things out that you don’t need (or selling them) or decluttering your personal life, it can all help to give you some much-needed clarity. When you have a home that is filled with only the things you need, and not full of excess, it is a good place to start. It clears your mind and can actually be good for you.

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Decluttering is key!

Establishing Wants And Needs:

As has been described, it is a great thing to distinguish between the wants and needs in your life. This can stop you from overspending and stop you from filling your life with excess. So get back to basics; what do you need in your life? If you write things down and make a list, it will help you to know the areas that you need to cut back on. Many people spend more than they think about, especially for things like socializing. Grabbing a coffee here or going for a drink there can all add up. Are they essential in your life, though?

One Step At A Time:

It is important to not give up everything all at the same time, especially if there are certain aspects of your life that are really essential to you. Being able to go the gym may be a vital part of your mental health and wellbeing, so that could stay in there. Some people enjoy going out to eat. While you could still do this, you could just get a main course, rather than a three-course meal, for instance. You’re just going for what you need to sustain you, and not wasting money or calories on excess.

Simple living is an amazing way to bring clarity into your life as well as saving some extra moolah!

Apr25

8,000 Followers Jamboree

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8,000 Followers Jamboree

Hi everyone and happy Hump Day! It has been an exciting week here on lifewithlilred, because I’ve finally crossed the 8,000 followers threshold. I have to say, I am so pleased with this progress, because I had a 1,000 follower gain in four short months. That’s huge! My blog is something that brings me so much joy, and to see the fruits of my labor paying off is just a sweet added bonus to the happiness that I get from writing daily.

Thank you so much to every single one of you that has clicked that follow button on my website – I wouldn’t have been able to reach this milestone without you! With such amazing readers and friends, the 2,000 follower gap to 10,000 doesn’t seem that far away at all. Here’s to all of you, with my most sincere thanks!! Much love. -Sarah