This Guide will Help you to Find a Career that Suits You

 

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If you want to find a career that suits you, then you have come to the right place. This guide will help you to make all of the right choices, so you can find a career that not only reflects your interests but also gives you the highest chance of success.

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Come off Autopilot

One of the first things that you need to do, if you want to find a career that suits you, is come off autopilot. You need to reflect on your happiness, as well as your motivation.  If you can, spend a bit more time on things like self-reflection, as this is a good way for you to understand where you are, where you want to be, and what you would find fulfilling in your career. You also need to take control of yourself. If each day is bleeding into the next, then this will cause major issues for you, and it will also make it much harder for you to get the result you want on a day-to-day basis. If you want a career where every day is different, and you want a bit more excitement in your life, then why not look into commercial diving training?

Play Value

Playing the value game is a good way for you to find out what your core beliefs are. You can also take the time to understand your needs more this way, too. Start by asking yourself who would be on your dream team, what type of people you’d like to work with, and if there is anything you can do to try and make this happen. Things like this can make a big difference to your day, and as a result, your happiness. 

Shiny Objects

It’s also important to look out for shiny things that may make a job seem far more appealing than it actually is. You might be offered a lot of things when you start a new job and this is great, but at the end of the day, you may also find that it distracts you from some of the things that make you happy, which is the last thing you need.

Switch out your Strengths

Another thing you need to do is take the time to swap out your strengths. You need to make sure that you understand the fact that although your strengths energize you, they may also drain your energy. If you understand this then you will soon find that it is easier for you to find a career that actually benefits you. Of course, finding a job that compliments the strengths you have can be difficult, but with a bit of time and patience, you’ll be well on your way to getting the job of your dreams. Of course, if you find that your strength aligns with your values then this is great and you should certainly pursue a job based on this, so try and keep that in mind if you can as it can have a huge impact on your happiness as a whole and the way you feel about things.

How to Create a Garden That You And Your Family Will Love

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The garden is often, oddly, an overlooked part of a property. Done correctly, a garden can add value to your home, provide some much-needed joy, and be a space where you and your family can unwind and make the most of the warm Spring and Summer months. Indeed, it’s not a complete exaggeration to say that, with a bit of work, your garden could become your favourite place on the planet.

If your garden is currently a little uninspiring, then this page is for you. We’ve put together a bunch of handy tips which, when put all together, will transform your outdoor space. 

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Think Big

Your garden will have a lot of potential; it’s up to you to unveil that potential. If you haven’t touched your garden in a while, then you’ve probably gotten used to a less-than-impressive outdoor space. Now’s the time to change your mindset and see what your garden could become with a little bit of work. If you’re not sure where to start, then take a look at some garden ideas for inspiration.

Hire Professionals

It’s very much possible to create a beautiful garden yourself. With that said, if you don’t have any experience, then it’ll probably be best to hire professionals to do the job for you. They won’t only ensure that your garden looks great, but they’ll do so quickly. You’ll get an enviable outdoor area much quicker if you hand the task over to an expert. An experienced arborist can ensure that the trees in your garden are in tip-top condition, while a landscaper can help with overall garden design and planting. This approach does more than just get your garden into shape — it’ll make it one of the best in the neighbourhood. 

Develop Your Gardening Skills

Even if you plan on hiring professionals to get your garden into shape, there’s still value in working on developing your gardening skills. That’ll ensure that you’re able to maintain and care for your garden moving forward. While some people seem to naturally have a “green thumb,” don’t worry if you don’t know the first thing about gardening — in this day and age, it couldn’t be easier to get started with learning the skills you need to keep your garden in tip-top condition. There are plenty of YouTube channels you can use to get started. Beyond that, it’ll be all about practice, practice, practice. You’ll be surprised at how quickly you become something of an expert!

Invest in Quality Outdoor Furniture

If you’ve taken the above steps, then your garden will be beautiful. But remember, your outdoor area isn’t a work of art that’s to be admired from afar; it’s something that should be enjoyed up, close, and personal. 

And by that, we mean that you’ll be spending long spring and summer days out there. You can ensure that you and your family are inclined to spend time out there by investing in quality outdoor furniture that’s durable, aesthetically pleasing, and, most importantly of all, comfortable. There are budget-friendly garden furniture options available, but it’s best to extend the budget if you’re in a position to do so. The higher the quality, the more likely it is that you’ll sit out there. 

Make it Private

The world is more chaotic than ever, and we all need a nice, private space to retreat to when it all becomes too stressful. Your garden, a calm environment where you’re less likely to spend your time doom-scrolling, offers the perfect space to do just that. 

With that said, you’ll only really feel like it’s a private space if, well, it’s genuinely private. If you have neighbours, then it’s best to take some measures to ensure that they can’t sit in your garden. It’s unlikely that they actually would, but it’s best not to take any chances! You can make your garden private by adding a fence, some tall trees, and a covered area. That’ll give you peace of mind that you can unwind freely in your garden without worrying that you’re on display. 

Add a Water Feature

Water features are, to us, vastly underrated. They offer so much, and can help take your garden to the next level. Not only do they add aesthetic appeal, but they’re also highly calming and can even attract wildlife to your yard. There’s nothing better than spending a calm, sunny morning outside with a cup of tea in your hand, listening to the sound of running water and watching passing birds stop by for a drink. While adding a water feature might sound like a big task, the truth is that it’s much easier than most people think — in fact, with a little bit of time and elbow grease, it’s possible to install your own water feature in a day or two. 

Make It Social-Ready

Your new garden will mostly be for the benefit of you and your immediate family, but it can also be for your extended family and friends. There are few things nicer than opening up your outdoor space to your loved ones, especially on warm summer days when people want to simply unwind together. Look at buying some extra seating that you can get out when people pop by. You can also add a BBQ and an outdoor sound system — they’ll ensure that you and your loved ones are kept well-fed and having fun all day long. 

Summer-Proofing

It’s nice to sit out in the sunshine, yes, but if the sun is too hot, then you’ll be wary — rightly — of spending time in the sunshine. It’s recommended to look at adding some shade to your yard, which won’t only keep you and your family safe from the sun’s harmful rays but can also help to maintain the quality of your garden. Plants and lawns can wither when they’re exposed to too much heat. Pergolas offer shade and style, though you can also look at a shade sail. Have a large tree? Speak to your arborist about how it can be used to create shade. 

Seasonal Garden Care Checklist

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Image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay

Taking care of your garden year round is going to ensure that you have some healthy plants. You are going to get some vibrant blooms and have a thriving outdoor space. 

Every season you are going to have unique challenges and tasks that you have to do. This is why it is important for you to stay tuned with the natural rhythms of the year. 

This will help you to get your garden looking it's best. Take a look at this seasonal tips that will help you keep your garden looking great all throughout the year.

Spring: Wake Your Garden Up

Spring is all about getting prepared for new growth. As the weather begins to warm up you can start clearing away dead leaves. Power up your leaf blower with a Worx battery to make the task easier.

You can also cut back any plants that need a fresh start. It's a perfect time for you to test out your soil and add compost or any organic matter you want to in order to boost nutrients. 

This is also the best season to start planting herbs, annuals and cool season vegetables. Remember to watch out for those weeds they grow very fast in the spring. 

They can take over before you know it. Doing some regular weeding early in the season will save you from a lot of problems later on.

Summer: Keep It Growing

When summer arrives your garden is likely to be very much in full bloom and in production mode. The main focus that you should have during this time is making sure that you are maintaining and watering it. 

Be sure to water early in the morning and late in the evenings as it will stop evaporation and reduce the risk that you will scorch your plants. Keep an eye out for signs that there are pest and diseases around. 

This is because the warmer months will often bring out those intruders in droves. Deadend flowers so that you encourage more blooms. You can use mulching to retain moisture and suppress those weeds.

Fall: Wind Things Down

Fall is a great time to look back at what worked in your garden and what didn't. It's also a time for you to prepare for the colder months. 

You can start by removing spent annuals and harvesting the last of your summer crops. Be sure to rake up leaves and add them to your compost pile if you have created one. Autumn is also the best time to plant bulbs that will bloom in the spring.

You can also divide perennials that have become crowded. If you're growing vegetables you should think about planting cold hardy varieties like carrots, spinach and kale.

Winter: Plan and Protect

Winter may seem as if it is a quiet time but there is still a lot of work for you to do. You should protect your plants by covering sensitive ones with burlap or mulch. 

Be sure to insulate them from harsh temperatures. Keep your pathways free of snow and ice especially if you have garden structures that are going to need regular checking. 

You can start planning for the upcoming year during the winter. Review your seed catalog, sketch out your garden layout and order supplies. It's also one of the best times for you to clean up and sharpen your tools so that when spring arrives you are ready.

The Missing Ingredients In Your Post-Baby Beauty Routine

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During the early phases of child rearing, your appearance and beauty routine isn’t the number one priority. However, the time eventually comes when you want to get back out there and start looking great again. 

But how do you do that? What should be a part of your post-baby beauty routine?

That’s the topic of this post. It explores some of the elements you might want to include, focusing on simple additions that will make you look great. 

Here’s everything you need to do. 

Collagen Support

Collagen support should be top of the list of things to focus on after having a baby. You can lose collagen from the skin during this period, so figuring out ways to replace it is essential. 

Pregnancy depletes collagen because of hormonal changes. However, you can replace it (or at least give it some support) with sheet masks and collagen supplements. Peptide-rich creams also seem to work, although the mechanisms may be different. 

Collagen support helps your face to look and feel plumper over time. You should start noticing some significant effects by around month three, though it can take longer than that. 

Mood-Lifting Fragrances

Another ingredient you might want to add to your post-baby beauty routine is mood-lifting fragrances. These can help you deal with postpartum blues and exhaustion that can sap your energy. 

The best fragrances are the ones that feel uplifting and suit you personally. These can transform how you feel, giving you the inner feelings that help you glow on the outside. 

Many people find that scent ties to their emotions. These can change how you feel quickly because of the link between the nose and brain. 

Simple essential oils around the house are fine. However, you can get aromatherapy systems and kits. You can even use scented skincare if it doesn’t irritate you. 

Toning

You could also add toning and firming to your post-baby beauty routine. Sometimes, pregnancy can leave you feeling pillowy or wobbly, but exercising can sometimes solve the problem. 

For more severe issues, a tummy tuck could be useful. These help to restore the shape of your abdominal area when conventional lifestyle interventions can’t. 

The more toned and defined you are, the stronger you will feel. You will have more confidence. You may also find that it makes you more mobile, allowing you to get around more easily. 

Multitasking SPF

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Another ingredient to add to your post-baby routine is multitasking SPF. Hormonal changes during this period of your life can make you more prone to sun sensitivity and melasma. 

As such, a strong sunscreen is essential.

The best options are the new tinted SPFs with moisturizer. These smooth your skin tone, making you look your best, even if you’ve had prior sun exposure. 

You can include a multitasking SPF in your routine while your baby naps. Applying a little to your face is an element of self-care that’s easy to include and feels nice when you do it. 

Dry Shampoo

You may also want to include dry shampoo in your post-baby beauty routine. These products can be helpful when you want to make your life easier and more convenient. 

When you’re looking after a baby, you don’t always have time to shower and wash/dry your hair. But, at the same time, you don’t want it looking greasy and flat. That sort of thing can kill your confidence. 

That’s where dry shampoo enters the picture. It removes grease and other gunk, and helps to get rid of some of the problems with the roots of your hair. 

If you buy dry shampoo, make sure that it’s texturizing and high-quality. Don’t buy anything with a lot of damaging chemicals in it, as these could harm you or your baby. 

When using dry shampoo, allow it to work in your hair and then let it flake out. Usually, it’ll remove any excess grease all by itself. 

Lip Love

Another way to jazz up your postpartum beauty routine is to pay some more attention to your lips. The stresses of being a new mother can sometimes cause them to look chapped or dry out, so you’ll want to take extra care of them when you can. 

You will especially want to look after them if they’ve become dry or chapped because of licking them. Again, you need to restore the natural barrier and bring them back to a state of health. 

These days, there are all sorts of lip care-related products out there that can help. These are ideal for nourishing your lips and treating them overnight. The best products to use are those containing things like vitamin E and shea butter. These allow you to create so-called “lip masks” that sit on the lips and nourish them over an extended period, helping to improve their overall health. 

You can also use simple petroleum jelly if you have any. It is usually safe to apply to the exterior of the body (even if you don’t use it inside). 

Eye Cream With Caffeine

Being a new mom can make you far more tired than usual (for obvious reasons), which shows around the eyes. Many mothers wind up with bags and other problems. 

If you have puffy eyes and dark circles, you can often manage them with caffeine-containing creams. These often have a spectrum of ingredients that fights the tendency towards bags, helping you look and feel refreshed, even if you’ve been through a difficult week. 

Make sure you dab the caffeine cream around your eyes and on other parts of your face if necessary. Then leave it to absorb into the skin and exert its effects. 

Exfoliation

Lastly, you’ll want to include some exfoliation in your post-baby beauty routine. These techniques can brighten dull complexions and help you look fresh. 

These days, most derms recommend using chemical exfoliators. These work at a deeper and more sophisticated level than mechanical options, providing more natural results over time. 

Most women use lactic acid. However, you can use glycolic or mandelic acids as these will also work well. 

Financial Lessons from Successful Salon Entrepreneurs

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Running a salon isn’t just about great hair, perfect skin, or the latest trends in beauty. It’s a business, and with it comes very real financial stress. Whether it’s increased overhead or slow seasons, even the most experienced salon owners have encountered their share of financial struggles. But many have tackled them head-on and come out the other side. So, let’s talk about how they did it.

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Learn to Love the Numbers

Most salon owners get into the business for creativity. But not so much the business side. But to ignore the numbers is to cut hair blindfolded—hazardous and headed for disaster.

Step number one would be to familiarize yourself with the basics of cash flow. Knowing how much is coming in and how much is going out is the secret to a financially secure salon.

Pricing with Confidence (And Without Guilt)

Overcharging for your worth is one of the biggest mental hurdles in the beauty industry. Too many salon owners fear pricing themselves out of business when, in reality, undercharging can be just as damaging.

If you’re uncertain whether you’re charging too little, check your profit margins. Every service should be able to cover the costs of the products, employee wages, and operating costs. If you’re only breaking even, it’s time to update your pricing structure.

Keeping a Safety Net

Unplanned expenses are part of the cost of running any business. The boiler breaks, an expensive piece of equipment no longer functions, or worst of all, a slow month leaves you scrambling to cover payroll. That is why having a financial cushion is important. Lena, a 15-year salon owner, learned the hard way. A particularly nasty flu season in one winter left several of her workers out with the illness. Fewer clients meant less revenue, but the wages and the rent still had to be paid. She established an emergency savings pot after this. She made regular, though minimal, deposits, regarding it as a non-negotiable bill. When the next unexpected expense came up, she was prepared.

Streamlining Expenditures Without Cutting Corners

It is easy to assume the only answer to strengthening the finances is to make more money come in. However, reducing wasteful expenditure can be equally effective. Most brands offer more favorable conditions for bulk orders or loyalty programs. If you’re a repeat customer, don’t be afraid to ask for more favorable conditions.

Managing payment risks in a smart way

Cash flow isn’t merely a matter of how much you receive; it’s also a matter of when you receive it. Flaky payment systems, late payments, and dodgy refund policies can make it tough financially.

A London salon discovered this the hard way when a string of last-minute cancellations and no-shows derailed their anticipated revenue. They began charging deposits for those specific services and transitioned to an automated booking system that required card details in advance.

If you’re worried about the risks of accepting payments, be it fraud, chargebacks, or non-traceable transactions, it may be worth investigating in this guide to risk management. Having the right systems in your business can be the difference between a thriving salon business and one that struggles to get paid in a timely manner.

Keeping Staff Happy Without Breaking the Bank

Staff costs represent the biggest expenditure for any salon, but investing in your people is non-negotiable. The problem is how to keep your people motivated and fairly rewarded while still being profitable.

Thinking Beyond the Chair

Most of the money comes in through the typical salon services, yet the smartest salon owners look for other ways to make money. A largely untapped area is retail. Since you’re already recommending products anyway, why not sell them? Choose quality brands that align with your salon’s values, and get your team trained to sell them confidently.

Planning for Expansion

Expanding is exciting, but it can be a money pit if it isn’t done with caution. Many salon owners opt for bigger spaces or more chairs when they’re not financially ready.

If expansion is part of your plan, balance the expenditure. Can your business presently sustain it? Do you have a reserve to ride out the slow beginning? Scaling up should be a natural evolution, not a financial gamble.

And Finally

Financial difficulties are a part of running any business, but they don’t have to be the measure of your success. Whether it’s keeping a closer eye on your costs, pricing strategically, or finding innovative sources of added revenue, there’s always a way forward. Salon owners who seize control of their money don’t just survive—thrive—creating profitable, rewarding businesses.

How to Ensure Your Kids Get a Well-Rounded Education

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So, you want your kids to be well-rounded. Maybe even “Mensa-level, can-do-anything, impress-the-in-laws” well-rounded? Excellent. But guess what? Education isn’t just about memorizing the state capitals or singing the alphabet backwards (though that’s a neat party trick). It’s about giving your offspring a chance to explore, question, fail (yep, that’s right, fail), and discover who they really are. If you’re looking for the secret key to ensure your kiddos turn out smarter—and maybe a little cooler—than you were at their age, read on.

1. Let Them Dabble in Everything (Yes, Everything)

Is your child obsessed with science one week, then painting the next, and maybe even attempts knitting the week after that? Let them! Well-rounded means variety. Even if they never pick up a crochet needle again, they’ll have a smattering of experiences that help them figure out what they like—and, equally important, what they don’t.

2. Show Them the World… From Your Couch (or Their Classroom)

Travel is a time-tested way to broaden horizons. But don’t fret if your budget is more “backyard camping” than “six-month cruise around the Mediterranean.” Virtual museum tours, documentaries, and books can bring the Great Pyramids to your living room. And if you do have the resources, consider looking into international schools for a truly global perspective. Even if it’s just a short summer program, exposure to different cultures can open up your child’s mind to fresh perspectives, new languages, and that exotic snack they can’t stop talking about.

3. Encourage Failing Gloriously

Yes, you read that right. Celebrating small failures is a great way to help your child become comfortable with taking risks. If they try out for the school play and forget all their lines? Fantastic—now they know the importance of practice and poise. If their Pinewood Derby car loses a wheel halfway down the track? Great—now they can experiment with better designs or learn how to laugh it off. A child who’s terrified of failure never innovates. Let them fail, dust themselves off, and jump back in. You’ll see grit and determination you never knew they had.

4. Make Learning Sneaky and Fun

Education does not have to be a “Sit-Down-Stop-Wiggling-Eat-Your-Peas” affair. Board games can teach math, puzzles can sharpen logic, and cooking dinner can be a full-blown chemistry lesson. Next time you whip up cupcakes, let them measure ingredients and explain fractions. Or when you’re on a road trip, count red cars for basic probability. Learning is everywhere—don’t wait for it to hide between a dusty textbook’s pages.

5. Cultivate Curiosity (a.k.a. Embrace the ‘Why?’)

Ever feel like your child’s second favorite word is “why?”—right after “no”? Don’t shut that down. Sure, it can be irritating after the 400th time. But that question is the gateway to critical thinking. Direct them to find their own answers by looking up facts (hello, library), experimenting, or just plain old trial and error. Next time you’re tempted to say, “Because I said so,” see if you can turn that into, “Let’s find out together.”

Remember: A well-rounded child is not a perfect child—one color-coded, impeccably planned bullet journal does not an Einstein make. So, let them explore, let them make mistakes and let them be who they are because that is the route to well-rounded child.