June 28, 2018

Why You Should Never Stop Learning

 
Note: This post has been contributed.
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Just because your school and university days are behind you, this doesn’t mean that it is time to put away your pencils and notebooks and settle into your career with no further thought. Learning should be a lifelong pursuit - and this is the case now more than ever. With technology advancing at such a rapid rate, you need to ensure that your skills stay relevant and you keep ahead of the curve. And thanks to online learning, it is easier than ever to study various topics throughout your life. So, here are just some of the main reasons why you should never stop learning.
Keeping Your Mind Active
No matter whether you are studying something which is directly related to your career path or not, studying helps to keep your mind active and keeps you engaged with the world around you. Perhaps you would like to study something which is directly related to the modern world - just take a look at this guns and public health infographic as an example. Otherwise, you may prefer to study a traditional subject which has been around for a long time. Whatever the case, there is plenty to be gained from keeping your mind active throughout your life.
Keeping Your Options Open
In the modern world, people are less and less likely to have a single career throughout their entire lives. The more you learn, the more opportunities will be available to you in the future. While it is good to specialise, you don’t want to find that your knowledge and skill set becomes redundant and you are left without a Plan B and anything else to fall back on. Even if what you are studying is not directly relevant now, it may well be in the future.
Keeping Ahead of Your Competitors
adult, blur, business
We live in a more competitive world than ever in which more and more people are fighting it out for the top jobs. You need all the skills that you can get to set you apart from your rivals. You are much more likely to look attractive to potential and future employers if you have a wide range of skills from which you can draw.
Keeping Your Life Interesting 
The final reason why you should never stop learning is the simple one of keeping your life interesting. When you are constantly doing the same things day in, day out, this can quickly become tedious and uninteresting. With so much knowledge out there which is just waiting to be acquired, you simply have to take the opportunity to absorb some of it. This is certainly one of the best ways of staving off old age!
As you can see, lifelong learning is certainly something which is worth committing to, and these are just a few of the reasons why. It doesn’t matter what you are studying as long as you are studying something. So, now is the time to take up a new pursuit if you don’t have one already.
 
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June 28, 2018

The Facts On Sexual Harrassment In The Workplace

 
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Sexual harassment in the workplace appears to be becoming more commonplace, especially as more details of the Harvey Weinstein scandal, and other scandals begin to emerge.
The Equality Act of 2010 has this definition of sexual harassment: “unwanted conduct of a sexual nature which has the purpose or effect of violating someone’s dignity, or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for them.” It covers the following:
  • indecent or suggestive remarks
  • unwanted touching
  • requests or demands for sex
  • dissemination of pornography
 
 
 
 
However, deciphering sexual harassment can be tough. It’s often difficult to decide if something is ‘banter’ or a troublesome sexual remark. Sexual harassment is often misunderstood for this reason, but here’s what you need to know to get you on the same page:
  1. A sexual harasser can be a man or a woman.
  2. The harasser can be a supervisor, a co-worker or even a non-employee. They don’t have to work in the office.
  3. You don’t have to be the subject of the harassment to be the victim of sexual harassment. Friends and family of the victim can suffer too.
  4. The victim doesn’t have to be economically injured or fired for sexual harassment to have occurred.
  5. The harasser’s conduct must be unwelcome.
If you know that you’ve been a victim of sexual harassment, reporting it using a site like SexualHarassment.com will ensure that the issue is dealt with. However, many people don’t end up reporting it. About one in five women do report it. A huge 52% of women had experienced some form of sexual harassment at work, nearly a quarter had been touched without invitation, a fifth had experienced a sexual advance.
Estimates for how many women don’t report workplace sexual harassment also vary, but the figure of 70% seems to be in the right ballpark. That’s a huge figure and something that needs to change if sexual harassment is going to stop for both men and women.
Here is some information on various industries and what seuxal harrasment can be like in those industries.
  • In male-dominated industries like construction, where women are seen as interlopers, so they often experience high levels of harassment.
  • Service-based industries, in which employers rely on tips and customer approval, can also be an environment where women experience high levels of harassment. Reports have also indicated customer behavior can impact how supervisors treat their employees.
  • Women in jobs with a low wage, like hotel cleaners, can experience high levels of harassment because they do not have bargaining power to push back and take a stand.
Sexual harassment has always been around, but now people are finally waking up to how problematic this is, whether in the entertainment industry or the hospitality industry. It happens in every industry, comes from both sexes, can happen to both sexes, and doesn’t necessarily have to come from a boss or another worker. Knowing exactly what it is will help you to remain vigilant to sexual harassment in the workplace, take a stand, and stop it from happening.
 
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June 27, 2018

The Gadgets No Modern Fisherman Should be Without

 
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One of the greatest things about fishing is getting out there without distractions to relax. Fishing is one of the best ways to clear your mind and ease your tension. The last thing that you want in this kind of atmosphere is lots of technology and loads of big heavy gadgets. They’ll ruin your perfect piece. But, at the same time, it is 2018, and the world is moving forward. There are gadgets and gizmos for everything. They don’t have to take away from the peaceful atmosphere. They can add to it and make your fishing trips even better.
Some gadgets are essential. Here, you can see a shackle hitch, which is an crucial addition to your car if you plan to drive to any off-road locations, for your own safety as well as enjoyment.  Others are helpful, and then a few are just good fun! Let’s take a look at some of the best gadgets for the modern fisherman.
Wifi Fish Finder
This one certainly isn’t for everyone. If part of what makes fishing great for you is simply sitting waiting for a bite, then a fish finder might not be what you want. But, if you prefer constant chases and catches, knowing where the fish are and when you are close to them could improve your fishing experience.
The Smart Sonar Pro+ is a GPS fish finder. It attaches to the end on your line and cast into the water. You then use an app on your phone to track the fish finder, which lets you survey the underwater landscape, enabling you to find any nearby fish.
Fish Handling Glove
If you are a keen fisher, you’ve probably faced more than one hand injury over the years. From scratches from hooks to cuts from pliers and knives, we’ve all hurt our hands in some way. Regular gloves are no good as they hinder your grip on the slippery fish, without offering much in the way of protection. A specialist fish handling glove, made from cut proof fabric gives you full flexibility and control while protecting your hands from sharp objects.
Sunglasses
Not exactly a new gadget, but essential nevertheless. Fishing out in the bright sunlight all day can hurt your eyes and even cause lasting damage to your eyesight. This can lead to anything from a headache to serious deterioration of sight as you age. Sunglasses with UV protection can prevent this. Just make sure you don’t forget your sun hat or sunscreen either.
GoPro Hero4
GoPro is a brand that’s taken the world of outdoor sports by storm. In a world where we want to film, photograph and share everything that we do, and where we are used to continually snapping pictures on our phones, GoPro gives you more. You can mount this waterproof GoPro on your boat, hat or chest to capture all of the action of your day. Sync the device up to an app on your phone, and you’ll be able to control the camera from up to 600 feet away. Letting you capture some fantastic moments.
Multi-Tool Fishing Pliers
Do you currently have a bag filled with tools for every need? Scissors, pliers, knives and crimping tools all packed in your bag for cutting wires, lures and lines. Replace all of these with one multi-tool. Some of the best fishing pliers multi-tools are made from long lasting stainless steel and are packed with 15 different tools, all folding together into one set of easy to store pliers.
A Travel Kit
One thing that you need for fishing is your kit. Which over time might have grown into quite a massive stockpile of equipment. It can take hours to get together everything that you need and pack the car. This can take away any chance of spontaneity. If you want to be able just to get up and go out fishing without having first to plan, prepare and pack, then you need a fishing travel kit that has all of the essentials that you need, that you can just pick up and go.
A Travel First Aid Kit
Try as you might, you’ll never be able to prevent all accidents and injuries 100% of the time. So, you should make sure that you always carry a well-stocked travel first aid kit. You can buy small kits, filled with the essentials. Or, buy a bag and stock it yourself. This can be a better option if you’ve got any specific health needs.  Make sure you’ve got plasters, bandages, anti-bacterial wipes and aspirin at the very least.
 
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June 15, 2018

Spreading The Word Of God In Today’s Modern World

 
Note: This post has been contributed.
In today’s hectic world, it seems like so many of us forget the word of the Lord. This can sometimes feel like a hopeless situation for dedicated Christians, but there is one simple way you can help to rectify things: by doing your bit to spread the word of God. The modern world may seem like it is constantly against Jesus and his followers, but there are some tech tools that you can use to your advantage. Read on to find out how you can go about spreading the word of God in today’s modern world.
 
Start Your Own Podcast
Podcasts are a big form of digital media these days, and there are a lot of different ones on a variety of subjects. In fact, there are quite a few current ones made by fellow Christians that preach the word of God and explore his teachings with the listeners. So, how about starting your own podcast? Thankfully, recording equipment is quite affordable now compared with a few years ago, so you won’t have to spend too much to get started. Once the podcast is established, you could even sell adverts to local companies.
 
Become A Christian Blogger
As well as podcasts, blogs are also a popular new media that have sprung up over the past few years. A blog would give you a great platform to voice your opinions and knowledge of Christianity. Plus, it can be very easy to monetize them these days. So, not only will you be doing God’s work, but you can also benefit from an extra income on the side. 
As a Christian blogger, we should not be just following people in our niche or just reaching out to people in our niche. Jesus never wanted us to be comfortable. Time to reach out to the world y’all!
— Jessie | One Lost Coin (@1lostcoin) June 11, 2018
Set Up Your Own Church
Why not think about setting up your own church? In actual fact, it’s not as difficult as you might think. First of all, you just need to find a venue. You might be able to find somewhere to rent out but if not, you could always contact Churches by Daniels and see if they can give you any guidance on building one. You will then be able to give weekly services to your congregation to help teach them about the way of the Lord. 
 
Work Shifts At Your Local Radio Station
Every local region has its own local radio station, and many of these are happy about people creating their own shows. Sometimes, these shows will be on a voluntary basis, but you might be able to bag a paid show. If you dedicate your radio show to Christianity, you will find that your message will be broadcast to a high number of people.
 
Spread Messages On Social Media
Don’t forget to utilize social media as well. Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are all great tools when it comes to publicizing your cause and spreading the message far and wide. It’s also a great way to boost your blog’s readers or the audience for your podcast.
 
So, which of the above steps will you use to help you spread the word of the Lord in today’s modern world? Good luck with it!
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June 13, 2018

What’s Stopping Your Business From Soaring?

 
Note: This post has been contributed.
When your spend hours, weeks and even months planning for the launch of your new business, you never once consider the fact that your venture could fail. However, the fact is that your business could easily fail, that’s why understanding what you need to do to prevent this from happening is so important. The truth is that when it comes to running a business, there’s always a 50% chance that your venture could fail. After all, half of all new businesses fail within the first 12 months.
While every business is unique, the good news is that there are some ‘typical’ reasons why small businesses fail. This is useful because it means that you can take note of these reasons and take steps to protect your business from falling foul to them. Bearing that in mind, below is a guide to some of the factors that may be stopping your business from soaring and tips for dealing with these effectively.
You don’t know how to identify your target market 
The key to success in any sector of the business industry is knowing how to successfully identify your target market. If you’re unsure about how to reach your target market, this can be a serious problem. The truth is that when it comes to running a successful business, you need to know how to easily identify your target market. Think about it this way, you could have the most amazing product in the world but if you’re marketing it to the wrong people your business will fail. That’s where customer research comes in; all you need is a great interview or two, some focus groups, and some surveys and you can easily identify not only who your target audience is but also what they expect from you.
You are unsure how to market your business
A surprising number of small business owners don’t know anything about marketing. They go into it blind, presuming that they are able to work it out as they go along. And while that is a possibility, if you want exceptional marketing you need to invest in it. You can deal with your marketing needs yourself and settle for basic marketing or you can invest in this area of your business and hire an expert to outsource the task to.
You aren’t taking social media and SEO seriously
A crucial element of marketing is social media and SEO. These are two areas that any business in today’s modern, technology-obsessed world cannot work without. Today, people use social media to find new products and services, they read blogs to learn more about them, which is why taking both your social media and SEO seriously is so important.
These are just a few reasons why your business may not be soaring, there are also plenty of other reasons why your venture may not be as successful as you hoped it would be. The good news is that just because your business isn’t doing as well as it could be, if you take steps to make changes now, you could give your business the success boost it needs and as a result, go on to see your business soar.
 
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June 9, 2018

Going To Church For The First Time

 
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If you are planning on going to church for the first time, you may be feeling nervous. After all, trying anything for the first time can cause such a reaction. Plus, you may feel that you are going to be surrounded by lots of people who know what they are doing, and you could feel out of place. There is no need to feel this way, but here are a few tips that can help you to relax and enjoy the experience, as you should.
Research churches in your area – The first thing you should do is take a look online and search for spirit filled churches near me. You should be able to learn about all of the churches in your local area. This is helpful because you can pick a church that appeals to you the most and makes you feel at ease. You should also be able to find the mass schedule here. There may even be an online community that enables you to connect with other churchgoers before you attend.
Dress appropriately – In some places, people wear their Sunday finest to go to church, whereas others allow casual clothing. Check out this beforehand to be sure.
Arrive on time – Do your best to arrive on time because this will make you feel much more comfortable. You can find a seat at the back or somewhere in the middle if this helps. If you do arrive late, don’t panic. You can still enter the church, but sit at the back and make as little noise as possible. You don’t want to disturb others worshipping.
Follow others – Once you arrive at church and the mass gets underway, you will find that you had nothing to worry about to begin with. This is because you can easily just follow what everyone else does. There are not going to be any awkward moments whereby you expected to lead the way, so don’t worry. You will notice at certain parts people will kneel. However, for those who have trouble kneeling, they simply remain seated when the congregation kneels, so you can do this.
Collection plate – Should you leave money in the collection plate? If you feel that you enjoyed your spiritual experience and were well led, it is nice to leave money in the plate. However, you are not expected to do so and you can pass by the plate without leaving anything. The choice is yours.
So there you have it: some helpful tips for anyone that is going to church for the first time. If you follow the advice that has been given above, you should feel much more relaxed and confident about your experience. There is nothing to worry about – you are going to be with friends.
 
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June 7, 2018

Taking Stock: Finding The Right Hobbies That Relax You

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We all need time to unwind and be ourselves again. If you work a very stressful job, taking the opportunity to calm down at the weekend, gives you the chance to relax, rest, and rejuvenate yourself, ready to do it all over again next week. If you find yourself a bit restless at the weekend, and constantly think about work, the key might be in the hobbies you pursue. We all need a relaxing hobby, and if you don't have something that gives you that opportunity to unwind and escape the world and its troubles, you need something beneficial. So, what are the best new hobbies you can begin?
Fishing
Fishing is one of those hobbies that, you might think is about catching a fish, when in actual fact it's more about the time beforehand. You can be a serious fisher, and invest in custom fly rods, a boat, and plough your life’s savings into the pursuit. But, you are better off, at the very outset, going to a lake, sitting down, and just observe the silence. Before you know it, 12 hours has passed by, and you've never felt so blissed out.
Journalling
If you find yourself getting worked up about next week's tasks, you need to undertake a brain dump. Getting your thoughts onto paper gives you the opportunity to work through them. Journalling is one of those pastimes that is chronically underrated. Taking a couple of hours, with a cup of coffee, sitting down, and working through your thoughts on paper, isn't just cathartic, but it is a wonderful way to spend a few hours by yourself.
Gardening
Gardening is one of those things that we appreciate as we get older, but, for all of the physical work involved, it is thoroughly relaxing. There's nothing quite like seeing the fruits, or vegetables, of your labor, grow over the weeks and months, into something that you can feel truly proud of. But, let's not get ahead of ourselves, planting a couple of things, out in the sunshine, and doing it at a leisurely pace is simple and effective for your mind.
Playing an Instrument
If you don't know how to play an instrument, the learning process can be incredibly frustrating, to say the least, but once you have developed the muscle memory, playing your favorite songs is a great way to unwind after a long day. Many people take up the guitar and play their favorite songs, and they are automatically transported to a relaxing place. The great thing about music is that it takes you back to a certain time in your life, and playing these songs yourself gives you a new appreciation for them, not to mention the fact that you are exercising your brain- those twiddly guitar solos are quite an achievement once you've figured them out! And even if you don't become an accomplished guitarist, you still have an abundance of chords at your disposal, so you can play along with pretty much anything.
Take the time to find what sort of hobby relaxes you. We all deserve something in our lives that isn't a stressful pursuit. And if you haven't got anything of the sort in your life, now's the time to sit down, take stock, and find the right one for you.
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June 4, 2018

The Brilliant Benefits Owning a Boat Can Have for You

 
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If you have enough money to spend some on making yourself happy, it's always important to do so. Saving for the future is essential too, but there's no point being miserable now so that you can be a little happier when you're older. If you're lucky enough to have a little money to spare and you want to treat yourself, you might be wondering about the best way to do it. There are small treats and big ones, which usually match up to giving you short-term and long-term enjoyment. If you're looking for something long-term, what could be better than a boat? They come in all shapes and sizes, and therefore different price points, and can give you endless pleasure.
You Can Get Away from It All
Boats are excellent for helping you to get away from it all. Whether you buy a canoe, a dingy or a yacht, it will allow you get out on a body of water near you and leave all the city-dwellers behind. Enjoy a coastal cruise, drift down a river or get out onto a local lake if you want to find peace and quiet. Of course, you don't have to go alone. Friends or family might like to come with you, and you can have plenty of fun.
You'll Learn Something New
Buying a boat will mean you learn something new. No matter what kind of boat it is, you need to learn how to use it. There are several things you'll need to consider, whether it's a manually operated boat or one with a motor or engine. You need to learn how to steer it and control it so that you can move safely through the water. There are some rules to learn about etiquette and using different waterways and bodies of water too. You might even learn to take care of your boat. And when you can't make repairs yourself, a Mercury outboard service can take care of it for you. Don't be afraid to call a professional if you need help.
You Can Keep Fit
Not all boats are going to keep you fit. Some of them involve simply sitting or standing and steering. But some of them will require you to have a good level of fitness. If you want to start sailing or paddling in a canoe or kayak, you're going to have to work on your fitness. It's a great way to have fun and stay healthy at the same time.
You Might Make New Friends
When you take up a new hobby, you can quickly discover a new community. Boating communities can be found everywhere - even in places where there's nowhere nearby to go boating. You could make some great new friends when learning to drive a boat, joining a boating club or just getting out on your boat. Plus, it could bring you closer to your existing friends and your family.
 
A boat could be just what you need to make a big impact on your life. It's not as expensive as you might think to get one.
 
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June 4, 2018

3 Business Aspects You Need To Get Right

 
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While every business is different, there are some things that entrepreneurs need to get right across the board. Failure to do that could mean their ventures fail before they ever get chance to make a profit. With that in mind, be sure to read this article carefully, and then create a plan to ensure you deal with the issues mentioned below in the best way possible. Regardless of whether you’re about the launch a one-person company or a small business with lots of employees, the same basic rules should apply. You can also feel free to share this post with any friends who might find themselves in the same position.
Digital Marketing 
You could have the best products or services on the planet, but your business is never going to make significant profits if you don’t master the art of digital marketing. Firstly, you need to read as many articles as possible from industry experts, so you understand the process. It would make sense for you to research such entrepreneurs as Danny DeMichele and other people who managed to leave an impression on the industry. You should then encounter some useful tips and techniques that are going to work in your favor. Alternatively, you’ll need to think about employing the services of a professional marketing agency. However, that will require a reasonable investment.
Customer Service 
It’s easy to build an adverse reputation in the business world if you don’t strive to keep every customer and client happy. One person who has a negative experience will tell many of their friends, and before you know it, nobody trusts your brand. So, ensure you pay for professional customer service training for every member of your team. There are companies that run external courses where you will need to send your employees away for a couple of days. There are also training firms that will come to your premises. Some employers even choose to find online courses for their workers. The final decisions are down to you!
Accounting 
There are two reasons you need to ensure you master bookkeeping when it comes to running your business according to Cameron McCool from Bench. Firstly, you will struggle to keep your employees if you don’t pay them on time every single month. If you don’t approach accounting in the correct manner, that could happen! Secondly, companies that fail to keep proper accounts stand a decent chance of getting into trouble with the IRS. The last thing you want to deal with is a tax investigation because they often require a lot of time, effort, and expense. So, invest in some software that handles all the hard work on your behalf. Either that or outsource the job.
Make sure you get those three aspects of business right this year, and you should find yourself walking down the path to success. Of course, there are hundreds of things that can go wrong, some of which you will never predict. However, if you read advice articles like this one and take the information onboard, there is a decent chance you will manage to weather any storm and come out the other side. Good luck!
 
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June 2, 2018

It’s Possible to Follow More Than One Dream!

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We are raised in societies where binaries are normalised. We are generally expected to follow one, distinct and easily recognisable or easily categorised lifestyle. This goes for so many aspects of our being - from gender and sexuality to careers. For now, let’s focus on careers. When we ask little kids what they want to be when they grow up, we expect them to give us one answer. We expect to hear responses such as “footballer”, “ballet dancer”, “police officer”, “fire fighter”, or “astronaut”. When we are given two answers, we laugh it off. As we progress through education, we are required to make choices, eliminating certain subjects in order to follow others. We are advised to stick to certain groups. For example, we expect people to pursue an arts and humanities based path or scientific and mathematic route. By the time we reach college or university level education, we are expected to have chosen a single subject which we can focus all of our attention and effort on. When people try to spread their interests, they are told that they will become a jack of all trades and master of none. But why is this the case? There are plenty of individuals who have proven that you don’t necessarily have to stick to one area to be successful. It is indeed possible to thrive and flourish in multiple disciplines! So, if you’re interested in following more than one dream at a time, read on for some sage advice!
 
Take Inspiration
 
If you find it hard to believe that you can excel in multiple areas, you just need to seek out some inspirational figures who can prove that this is possible. Just take a look at Jozef Opdeweegh who is both a professional footballer and a professional race car driver. These two sports don’t seem to have many interlocking skill sets at all, but he has still managed to become a professional in both. Then there are a whole host of other individuals who have crossed over from careers in music to entrepreneurship, from careers in acting to modelling, or from careers in politics to ice skating!
 
Consider Joint-Honours Degrees
 
The previously mentioned inspiration may seem to be limited to individuals in the public sphere with performance roles. But you can merge different academic paths too if this is what you wish to do! More institutions are acknowledging the importance of interdisciplinary study, and are beginning to offer joint-honours degrees where students can focus on two different areas at once. Alternatively, you could look at taking certain modules from different departments. Sometimes all you have to do is ask! Email the module convenors or other authoritative individuals and ask whether you can take extra credits or even just audit alternative modules. Most will be thrilled that you are interested and welcome you with open arms.
 
As you can see, it is indeed possible to follow more than one dream at a time. You just have to focus and manage your time effectively. The outcomes will be more than worth the effort.
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