Guest article written and submitted by Sara Bell of EducatorLabs.

Working from home has become the new norm for many people, and having a dedicated workspace is essential for productivity and organization. However, not everyone has the luxury of a separate room for a home office. If you’re living in a small space, here are some ingenious ways to create a functional and stylish home office that won’t take up too much room.

Buy the right decor, equipment, and furniture

Setting up a home office in a compact space necessitates savvy choices in office products and furniture. Opt for versatile and space-saving items like foldable desks and wall-mounted organizers that maximize utility without compromising style. Compact ergonomic chairs, adjustable desks, and cable organizers are excellent additions to ensure comfort and productivity in limited spaces. 

In addition, one of the best ways to maximize your living space is to invest in multipurpose furniture. For example, consider getting a desk that doubles as a dining table or a coffee table with storage compartments. This way, you can have a functional workspace during the day and easily transform it into a relaxing area when work is done. Another idea is to use a sofa bed or a murphy bed, which can free up space for a desk when not in use.

Before making any purchases, it’s a good idea to dive into in-depth product reviews from unbiased sources. This research helps in making informed decisions about the functionality, durability, and suitability of these items for your specific space, ensuring that every purchase serves its purpose effectively in your compact home office setup.

Make extra space by adding a loft bed

If you live in a studio apartment or a small bedroom, a loft bed can be a game-changer. By elevating your sleeping area, you create valuable space underneath for a cozy and private home office. Simply place a desk, chair, and some shelves or storage units under the elevated bed, and you have yourself a dedicated workspace that doesn’t take up any extra square footage.

Dedicate a section of your kitchen for work

The kitchen may not be the first place you think of when setting up a home office, but it can actually be an excellent spot for a compact workspace. Choose a section of your kitchen counter, preferably away from the sink and stove, and designate it as your work area. Add a comfortable barstool, and you’ll have a convenient place to work while still being able to keep an eye on dinner or grab a snack.

Purchase a pull-out desk

A pull-out desk is a brilliant solution for those who cannot spare any floor space for a traditional desk. It can be installed on a wall or in a closet and easily pulled out when you need to work. Once you’re done, simply push it back in, and your home office disappears, leaving no trace behind. Add some shelves or wall-mounted storage units to keep your office supplies organized and within reach.

Section off space with a folding screen

If you want to create a sense of privacy and separation and minimize distractions between your workspace and the rest of your living area, consider using a folding screen. It’s an elegant and flexible solution that allows you to section off a part of the room for your home office while still maintaining an open feel. When you’re not working, fold the screen away to free up space.

Utilize a versatile mobile workstation

A rolling cart or a small table on wheels can serve as a versatile and mobile workstation. This is particularly useful if you don’t have a dedicated spot for your home office and need to move it around depending on the time of day or other activities. You can easily roll your workstation into a corner or another room when not in use, keeping your living area clutter-free.

Keep track of value-boosting improvements you make

Creating a home office in a small living space can not only improve your productivity but also add value to your home. If you’re planning on selling your property in the near future, it’s essential to document the improvements you make. Take before-and-after photos of your home office transformation to showcase how you’ve made the most of your limited space. Potential buyers will appreciate seeing the creative solutions you’ve implemented to make your small living space more functional and appealing.

Decorate strategically

Decorating a small home office area involves maximizing functionality without sacrificing style. Opt for light, neutral colors to create an illusion of space and brightness. Utilize vertical storage solutions like floating shelves or wall-mounted organizers to free up valuable desk space. Incorporate mirrors strategically to reflect light and visually expand the area. Choose furniture with built-in storage to minimize clutter. Personalize the space with inspiring artwork or motivational quotes to create a conducive and inviting work environment. Lastly, integrate plants or greenery to add a touch of nature and freshness to the workspace while keeping the area feeling open and rejuvenating.

If all else fails, find a roomier space

And finally, keep in mind that sometimes, despite your best efforts, there won’t be enough room to comfortably work in your home. If space constraints persist, consider finding a larger home or apartment, especially one with an extra bedroom that can easily convert into a home office. Online listings provide a convenient platform to search for suitable rentals, allowing you to filter based on various criteria like cost, home type, number of bedrooms, and more. By exploring options that offer an additional room dedicated to your workspace, you can ensure a conducive and productive environment for your professional endeavors within the comfort of your home.

Creating a home office in a small living space may seem challenging at first, but with a little ingenuity and resourcefulness, it’s definitely achievable. By implementing these great ideas, you can design a dedicated and stylish workspace that not only meets your professional needs but also blends seamlessly with the rest of your living area. So, embrace the challenge and let your creativity shine as you build the perfect home office oasis in your small abode.

Speak soon!

Sara Bell of EducatorLabs.

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The post Achieve More in Less Space: Home Office Ideas for Compact Living appeared first on Katherine McLee.

Blogger overwhelm is a real thing! 

No matter if you are a new or more experienced blogger, no doubt you will have felt overwhelmed at some point. It’s all too easy to feel overwhelmed and lose focus on your blogging goals within the chaos of daily life.

There’s a lot more to growing a successful blog than you may initially realise. This isn’t to say it’s not worth it – it 100% is – it’s just the reality of having your own blog!

Let’s dive in and look at how to avoid feeling overwhelmed as a blogger.

Feeling overwhelmed with tasks as a blogger is so common. I am yet to meet another blogger who hasn’t felt this way at one point while growing their blog. 

The first step to combating overwhelm is to identify what’s causing it. Take a moment to really think about the aspects of blogging that contribute to the feeling of being overwhelmed. Is it a seemingly never ending to-do list? A lack of clear priorities? Or constant distractions? 

Pinpointing the root causes will allow you to address them more effectively!

As an example in my own life, I feel overwhelmed when I can’t get myself to concentrate and the to-do list keeps on growing!

The good news is that there are several strategies you can implement to help you manage your blog workload effectively and reduce stress! Regaining your focus and stopping feeling overwhelmed as a new blogger is something you can overcome with the right strategies.  

At the bottom of this post I will explain the best trick I’ve found to focus on the tasks I need to do.

Below we will go over actionable steps that can help you stop feeling overwhelmed and unfocused. This will empower you to achieve a greater sense of balance and productivity!

Steps You Can Take As A New Blogger To Stop Feeling Overwhelmed

Prioritise Important Tasks

Once you’ve identified the sources of overwhelm, you can simplify and prioritise your tasks. Break down your tasks into manageable chunks. Focus on the essential tasks that align with your long-term goals and values.

Start by creating a to-do list or using a task management tool to prioritise your tasks. This step is so important! Identify the most important and urgent ones to help your blog and focus on completing those first. Breaking down large tasks into smaller, manageable steps can also make them feel less overwhelming.

Set Achievable Goals

Often, overwhelm stems from unrealistic expectations and a failure to establish clear boundaries – even with ourselves!

I am all for setting massive, dream worthy goals. But to stop any feelings of overwhelm, you need to set smaller, achievable goals you can work towards on a daily basis. Be realistic about what you can accomplish within any given time frame. Try to avoid overcommitting yourself and work on the tasks that align with your goals and priorities. 

Establish Effective Systems And Routines

Creating effective systems and routines can greatly help you not to feel overwhelmed while blogging. Developing a work schedule that allows for focused work, breaks, and time for relaxation is key. If you don’t give your mind a break, you will start to feel burnt out. You can use organisational tools, such as a calendar or planner, to keep track of what tasks need completed by which date. Implementing systems for task management and prioritisation can also help you stay on top of your responsibilities and prevent feelings of overwhelm!

Create A Work Schedule Alongside Your Blog Content Schedule

A Blog content schedule is your schedule for when specific posts are getting published. A work schedule will help you keep on top of all blogging tasks. 

Where possible, allocating specific time slots for different blogging tasks can make a huge difference. By organising your time effectively, you can ensure that you have dedicated periods of time for writing, editing, promoting, and other necessary blog related activities. A schedule helps create a sense of structure and prevents tasks from piling up. 

Knowing exactly when you are focusing on (for example keyword research, writing content, or creating Pinterest pins) takes the feeling of being overwhelmed away, as you know exactly what you are working on at any given time. 

Seek Out Support And Connect With Other Bloggers

Reaching out to fellow bloggers or joining blogging communities where you can share your experiences, ask for advice, and gain support can make such a difference. Connecting with others (especially in your niche) can provide a sense of community and help you realise that you’re not alone in facing any challenges you will inevitably come across in your blogging journey.

Learn To Say No

It’s important to recognise your personal limits and not take on more than you can handle. (I think we are all guilty of doing this!) Learn to say no to requests or opportunities that don’t align with your current blogging priorities, or that exceed the time or energy you have. Prioritising your own well-being and workload is crucial for your long-term success.

Boundaries protect your time and energy, allowing you to focus on what truly matters.

On the back of saying no, you can also…

Delegate Or Outsource Blogging Tasks

If possible, you can choose to delegate some tasks to others. You can consider outsourcing certain aspects of your blogging work if this takes the pressure off of your day. For example, you could hire a virtual assistant or a freelance writer to help with administrative tasks or content creation for your blog. Delegating can free up your time and mental energy for tasks that require your personal attention.

Take Breaks And Practise Self Care

This one is an absolute must. Regular breaks are essential for maintaining your productivity and preventing burnout. Set aside time for short breaks throughout your work time to rest and recharge. Additionally, make time for self care activities outside of blogging, such as exercise, spending time with loved ones, pursuing hobbies, or simply relaxing. Truly relaxing, not just not working but feeling guilty for taking a break! Taking care of your physical and mental well-being helps alleviate any potential overwhelm.

Practise Stress Management Techniques

Try out some stress management techniques that work for you. This can be things such as deep breathing exercises, meditation, mindfulness, or journaling. These practices can help calm your mind, reduce anxiety, and improve your focus.

Remember, overwhelm is a really common feeling. It’s important to be patient and kind to yourself. Give yourself grace. By implementing these strategies and finding what works best for you, you can regain control and find a better balance in your blogging journey.

Feeling overwhelmed as a new blogger and struggling to stay focused is a common experience in the blogging world. However, by implementing the strategies outlined above, you can regain control over your life and restore clarity in your own mind!

Remember to identify the sources of overwhelm, simplify and prioritise, practise self-care and mindfulness, set realistic goals and boundaries, establish effective systems, and seek support when needed. By taking intentional steps towards balance and focus, you can grow your blog with greater ease and achieve a more fulfilling and productive existence.

As mentioned at the beginning of this post, there’s one trick I find works more than any other for helping the feeling of overwhelm.

Of course we are talking about how to avoid feeling overwhelmed as a new blogger but this works amazingly for any aspect of life where you feel overwhelmed. 

I learned this trick from Mel Robbins and it truly works wonders. 

Brain Dump.

What Is A Brain Dump?

A brain dump is a technique used to externalise and organise thoughts, ideas, or information that may be cluttering your mind.

It involves taking the jumble of thoughts in your head and transferring them onto paper or a digital notepad. (I would recommend pen and paper but do whichever works for you.)

The purpose of a brain dump is to clear mental space, reduce overwhelm, and gain clarity.

How To Do An Effective Brain Dump?

To do a brain dump to reduce racing thoughts and overwhelm, follow these steps:

Find a quiet and comfortable space where you can preferably be alone without distractions for a short while.

Decide how much time you want to dedicate to the brain dump session. It can be as short as 10 minutes or it can be longer. It will depend on the amount of information you need to offload. You don’t have to set an exact time limit, but the idea is to get it out as soon as possible and not let it drag on.

Start writing or typing without judgement or concern for keeping things in order. Let your thoughts flow freely and write them down as they come to you. Include tasks, ideas, worries, plans, or any other thoughts that are occupying your mind. Literally any thoughts or words that come to your mind, write it down.

Resist the urge to edit or hold back on what you’re writing. The purpose is to get everything out of your head and onto the page in front of you. Allow yourself to be completely honest and non-judgmental during this process.

Just keep writing.

That’s it!

Whether it’s words, sentences, random thoughts or anything else, if it comes to mind, write it down.

It Helps Clear Your Mind

Emptying your mind of thoughts and ideas frees up mental space and reduces mental clutter. This can lead to increased focus and improved decision-making.

Offloading your thoughts onto paper can help alleviate stress and anxiety. It allows you to release all of your worries and concerns, making them feel more manageable. It may not solve the issues, but it can get them out of your brain and put them more into perspective in front of you.

Once you’re done writing, rip it up! Brain dumps provide a visual representation of your thoughts. The idea is to get all thoughts out and then destroy the paper, thus eliminating the insignificant and bad thoughts from your mind.

The main reason why a brain dump helps you to avoid feeling overwhelmed as a new blogger is that it clears your mind. This means that you can plan out tasks with better focus and can tackle them with a higher level of productivity. You’ll have a clearer picture of what you need to do as you’ve cleared your mind of the clutter. This means you can allocate your time and energy accordingly!

This post was written to help you to avoid feeling overwhelmed as a new blogger – or as a blogger in general!

Have you ever struggled with overwhelm as a blogger? Or even in life?

What techniques do you use to help combat this and regain focus on the important tasks?

Have you ever tried doing a brain dump?

Let me know in the comments below!

Speak soon!

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Success is no accident to those who achieve it.

What success means to you may be different to what success means to someone else. To some, success may mean a monetary goal. To others it may mean financial freedom, to have found true love or true happiness, or to be able to run their own business. There are so many meanings of what success means to different people, but success is no accident.

Success is strived and worked for. There are habits, systems and disciplines put in place to achieve their chosen level of success.

Those who are highly successful in their lives have certain daily habits that help them achieve their goals and maintain their success. That’s what we will go over in this post!

Habits can vary depending on the individual, but there are certain commonalities. These commonalities are present throughout daily routines of the highly successful.

If you’re looking for an amazing read on the power of habits, both Atomic Habits and The Power Of Habit are amazing!

Both James Clear and Charles Duhigg really delve deep into the world of habit setting and why it’s crucial for growth in all aspects of life.

If you are intrigued into the world of habits, definitely give these two a read!

8 Daily Habits Of Highly Successful People

Successful People Wake Up Early

This first point is one I know you’ll have heard many times! But there’s a reason for it.

When you read success stories from anyone who has achieved a high level of success in their business, this is a common habit throughout.

Many successful people start their day early to maximise their productivity and get a head start on the day.

Not only does it give you hours back in the day that you may not otherwise have had, but by waking up early you have uninterrupted time before anyone else is awake. 

Of course not everyone will have fully uninterrupted time no matter what time they wake up. The difference though is that you’re a lot less likely to have distractions before the majority of others are awake for their day.

For the highly successful, waking up early allows them to have time to take their time in the morning. It allows them the time to sit and plan out their goals and their day. Most highly successful people have a morning routine they follow and by waking up early it allows them to complete this in their own time.

If you need help in creating your own morning routine, check out this post!

Successful People Set Goals

Goals are one of the best tools you can use when achieving success.

You would be hard pushed to find someone who has achieved high levels of success in their life who never sets goals!

How would anyone ever know where they are going if they don’t have a destination in mind?

Successful people set clear goals for themselves, both short-term and long-term, and work towards them consistently.

To be successful in any area of life, goals are an absolute must. It includes a mix of long term goals, right down to daily and weekly goals. Consistently working towards those big, life changing goals.

Instead of long, drawn out to-do lists, successful people use their long and short term goals to craft their daily to-do lists.

This helps focus their minds on the tasks that are most important and that will help them achieve their goals.

You can read my post on setting SMART goals here!

Why Self Assessing Regularly Is Important For High Achievers

This point follows on directly from the goal setting point above.

As mentioned, you need to know where you are going to be able to get there. On the flip side of this, it also means you need to know where you are now. 

Every destination has a start and end point. Just as all goals have a starting and end point to achieve that specific goal!

Those who are highly successful are masters of self assessment.

This could be as frequently as after each working day, they reassess where they are at. This will help keep them on track for hitting those goals. The other benefit of self assessing regularly is that it shows them if any tasks haven’t been worked on or prioritised that should have been! 

Self assessing at the end of the month or even the end of the year may feel like enough for some people, but for those who have achieved high levels of success in their lives, you will find that a common habit is that they really up the frequency of how often they self assess.

Regular self assessment is one of the greatest tools to staying on your chosen path.

People often don’t realise how far off track they have gotten until it becomes large enough to notice and in retrospect then also need fixed. Catching yourself early can prevent you diverting too far off course and therefore prevent you needing to backtrack and re-do things that potentially shouldn’t have needed re-doing or fixing in the first place!

Regular Exercise Is One Of The Most Common Daily Habits For Successful People

Exercising regularly helps to maintain not just physical health but also mental health. Most highly successful people prioritise exercise and their fitness by making sure they get their daily workouts in.

No matter who you are, exercise is an essential part of a daily lifestyle. 

Exercise helps to reduce stress, improve mental clarity, and increase energy levels.

A healthy diet is of course important also, as this keeps the mind and body alert, awake and healthy.

Whether the chosen exercise is walking, HIIT workouts, Yoga or Swimming, exercise is an important daily habit of successful people.

An enjoyable daily exercise habit can have a huge impact on your daily life. This is why successful people swear by it!

When you exercise your brain receives endorphins which make your mind feel good. This is an amazing trick to tap into your mind as the better you feel, the more productive you will be!

This point was probably one of the more obvious ones, but there’s a reason it’s well known!

Definitely isn’t one to skip if a high level of success is your goal. 

Successful People Are Strict With Time Management

Successful people are often very organised and manage their time effectively to ensure that they can accomplish all their tasks and goals.

Effective time management is key to productivity and success! Successful people are often very organised and manage their time effectively to ensure they can accomplish all their tasks and goals. 

They use tools such as calendars, timers, and apps to stay on track and avoid distractions.

Time blocking is an amazing way to practise good time management. This is where you take your time and break it down into blocks of time, with each block being assigned to a specific task or activity.

Elon Musk has stated he blocks his time right down to 5 minute increments!

While this may be extreme for most people, time blocking on the whole is an amazing way to really make sure all important tasks are scheduled into your day. It also helps things feel less overwhelming as you can see when things are going to be completed – rather than worrying over a never-ending to-do list.

Blocking out time for meetings, business growth tasks, personal development, exercise, family time etc makes sure each area of life can get completed – but only if the time blocking schedule has been followed.

Successful people always set a timer or alarm to keep them on track! 

One of the huge positives of time blocking is that you can also see exactly where there’s wasted time in your day. This way you can really utilise and make the most of your time.

We are all on limited time – learning to use your time wisely is key for success!

Grab yourself a decent planner and timer and watch your productivity skyrocket!

For ideas and help as to getting and staying focused, read here!

Successful People Are Always Learning

Successful people are always looking for opportunities to learn and grow. They attend seminars, and seek out mentors to help them gain new knowledge and insights. This could be in the form of books, audio books, webinars, online courses, in person seminars, coaching etc just to name a few!

Learning is essential to staying ahead in today’s fast-paced world, and successful people know that investing in their education and skills is key to maintaining their success. For example, Bill Gates is an avid reader, and Warren Buffet spends 80% of his day reading!

Everyone learns differently. Finding the ways that you learn best and utilising those will be the key to your own learning and success. 

Growth is the key to anything positive in life. Learning is a huge part of that!

There’s always new skills and information to learn.

You will never find a highly successful person who feels they know it all and have closed themselves off to learning!

You can be an expert/highly knowledgeable in a topic but still have a lot to learn.

Successful People Are Always Networking

Highly Successful people understand the importance of building relationships and networking with others. 

Nearly every single area of life runs off of people. People go to people. 

Businesses need customers, content creators need readers/watchers, charities need donations etc.

People are what make the world go round. This is not lost on the successful!

Having an ever growing network of people, friendships and relationships is one of the best things to have for yourself and your business.

Networking can open up new opportunities and help you stay up-to-date with industry trends and best practices.

Practising Gratitude Is Important For Successful People

Gratitude is an important mindset practised by the successful because it helps to shift the focus from what we lack to what we have. Focusing on the positives instead of the negatives!

Instead of dwelling on the negative or what is missing, practising gratitude allows us to recognise and appreciate the positive aspects of our lives. This can lead to a more positive outlook, increased resilience, and a greater sense of well-being. 

Here are some ways gratitude can help you achieve success:

Gratitude helps to reduce stress and anxiety. When we focus on what we are grateful for, it can help to reduce stress and anxiety by shifting our attention away from negative thoughts. Studies have shown that practising gratitude can increase feelings of relaxation and improve overall well-being.

Daily gratitude helps to increase our resilience. By cultivating a mindset of gratitude, we can become more resilient in the face of challenges and setbacks. When we focus on what we are grateful for, we can maintain a positive outlook and find the strength to persevere through difficult times.

Practising gratitude helps to increase motivation and productivity. When you feel grateful for what you already have, it can increase your motivation and productivity. By focusing on the positive, you are more likely to approach tasks and challenges with enthusiasm and energy.

Gratitude helps to attract more positivity into our lives. By practising gratitude, we can attract more positivity into our lives. When we focus on the good things in our lives, we are more likely to attract positive opportunities and experiences.

Practising gratitude may seem unnecessary but it’s truly one of the biggest “hacks” out there for a positive mindset and success!

You can express gratitude in various ways, including writing down things you are grateful for, or practising meditation. No matter how you do it, as long as you truly FEEL grateful, you’re doing it right!

So those are the 8 daily habits of successful people and the key to their success! 

Incorporating these habits into your own life can help you achieve your goals, boost your productivity, and maintain a healthy work-life balance. Remember, success is not achieved overnight, but through consistent effort and dedication to your goals. By adopting these habits, you can set yourself on the path to success!

Do you do any of these daily habits already?

Which ones do you feel you could implement into your own daily routine?

Let me know in the comments below!

Speak soon!

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Sometimes a litte extra motivation is necessary. They can be the perfect accompaniment for mindset work and vision boards.

Bookmark this page so you can reference back any time you need that extra boost!

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1. “When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.” – HENRY FORD
2. “Do what you have to do until you can do what you want to do.” – OPRAH WINFREY
3. “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you’ve imagined.” – HENRY DAVID THOREAU
4. “Opportunities don’t happen, you create them.” – CHRIS GROSSER
5. “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” – OSCAR WILDE
6. “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” – WAYNE GRETZKY

7. “The elevator to success is out of order. You’ll have to use the stairs, one step at a time.” – JOE GIRARD
8. “If you can dream it, you can do it.” – WALT DISNEY
9. “We generate fears while we sit. We overcome them by action.” – DR. HENRY LINK
10. “When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too.” – PAULO COELHO
11. “Give light and people will find the way.” – ELLA BAKER
12. “What you do today can improve all your tomorrows.” – RALPH MARSTON
13. “The only one who can tell you “you can’t win” is you and you don’t have to listen.” – JESSICA ENNIS
14. “Dare to dream, but even more importantly, dare to put action behind your dreams.” – JOSH HINDS
15. “Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.” – ROALD DAHL

16. “Make sure your worst enemy doesn’t live between your own two ears.” – LAIRD HAMILTON
17. “It is never too late to be what you might have been.” – GEORGE ELIOT
18. “Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is a quiet voice at the end of the day saying, “I will try again tomorrow.”” – MARY ANNE RADMACHER
19. “With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts.” – ELEANOR ROOSEVELT
20. “Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve.” – NAPOLEON HILL
21. “Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.” – CHARLES R. SWINDOLL
22. “Instead of complaining about your circumstances, get busy and create some new ones.” – RALPH MARSTON
23. “You become what you believe.” – OPRAH WINFREY

24. “You can’t cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water.” – RABINDRANATH TAGORE
25. “What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals.” – ZIG ZIGLAR
26. “The question isn’t who is going to let me; it’s who is going to stop me.” – AYN RAND
27. “The secret of success is to do the common thing uncommonly well.” – JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER JR.
28. “The only thing that’s keeping you from getting what you want is the story you keep telling yourself.” – TONY ROBBINS
29. “How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” – ANNE FRANK
30. “It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.” – E.E. CUMMINGS
31. “Too many people spend money they haven’t earned, to buy things they don’t want, to impress people they don’t like.” – WILL ROGERS
32. “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” – C.S. LEWIS

Continue reading 101 Quotes to Motivate You in Life and Business…

33. “Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway.” – EARL NIGHTINGALE
34. “Do something wonderful, people may imitate it.” – ALBERT SCHWEITZER
35. “One day the people that don’t even believe in you will tell everyone how they met you.” – JOHNNY DEPP
36. “Don’t let someone else’s opinion of you become your reality” – LES BROWN
37. “If you genuinely want something, don’t wait for it — teach yourself to be impatient.” – GURBAKSH CHAHAL
38. “The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing” – WALT DISNEY
39. “To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people just exist.” – OSCAR WILDE
40. “Accept responsibility for your life. Know that it is you who will get you where you want to go, no one else.” – LES BROWN
41. “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.” – DR. SEUSS
42. “By being yourself you put something wonderful in the world that was not there before.” – EDWIN ELLIOT
43. “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” – LAO TZU

44. “Sometimes magic is just someone spending more time on something than anyone else might reasonably expect.” – RAYMOND JOSEPH TELLER
45. “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the water to create many ripples” – MOTHER TERESA
46. “Success is a journey not a destination.” – BEN SWEETLAND
47. “Either you run the day or the day runs you.” – JIM ROHN
48. “The path to success is to take massive, determined actions.” – TONY ROBBINS
49. “I realized that I don’t have to be perfect. All I have to do is show up and enjoy the messy, imperfect, and beautiful journey of my life.” – KERRY WASHINGTON
50. “We cannot solve problems with the kind of thinking we employed when we came up with them.” – ALBERT EINSTEIN
51. “Success only comes to those who dare to attempt.” – MALLIKA TRIPATHI
52. “Dreaming, after all, is a form of planning.” – GLORIA STEINEM
53. “Stay away from those people who try to disparage your ambitions. Small minds will always do that, but great minds will give you a feeling that you can become great too.” – MARK TWAIN
54. “Every moment is a fresh beginning.” – T.S ELIOT

55. “If you are working on something that you really care about, you don’t have to be pushed. The vision pulls you.” – STEVE JOBS
56. “If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always gotten.” – TONY ROBBINS
57. “If you really look closely, most overnight successes took a long time.” – STEVE JOBS
58. “Think like a queen. A queen is not afraid to fail. Failure is another stepping stone to greatness.” – OPRAH WINFREY
59. “Miracles happen everyday, change your perception of what a miracle is and you’ll see them all around you.” – JON BON JOVI
60. “Commitment is an act, not a word.” – JEAN-PAUL SARTRE
61. “Live out of your imagination, not your history.” – STEPHEN COVEY

Continue reading 101 Quotes to Motivate You in Life and Business…

62. “Believe in yourself. Stay in your own lane. There’s only one you.” – QUEEN LATIFAH
63. “Never give up. There are always tough times, regardless of what you do in anything in life. Be able to push through those times and maintain your ultimate goal.” – NATHAN CHEN
64. “Become addicted to constant and never-ending self-improvement.” – ANTHONY J. D’ANGELO
65. “The individual who says it is not possible should move out of the way of those doing it.” – TRIVIA CUNNINGHAM
66. “Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it’s better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.” – MARILYN MONROE
67. “Success is peace of mind, which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you made the effort to become the best of which you are capable.” – JOHN WOODEN
68. “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life.” – STEVE JOBS
69. “Don’t be distracted by criticism. Remember — the only taste of success some people get is to take a bite out of you.” – ZIG ZIGLAR
70. “Be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else.” – JUDY GARLAND
71. “Fear of what other people will think is the single most paralyzing dynamic in business and in life. The best moment of my life was the day I realized that I no longer give a damn what anybody thinks. That’s enormously liberating and freeing, and it’s the only way to live your life and do your business” – CINDY GALLOP
72. “Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” – THEODORE ROOSEVELT

73. “The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity.” – AMELIA EARHART
74. “Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves.” – J.M. BARRIE
75. “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” – MAHATMA GANDHI
76. “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” – THEODORE ROOSEVELT
77. “Commitment is what transforms a promise into a reality.” – ABRAHAM LINCOLN
78. “I have standards I don’t plan on lowering for anybody, including myself.” – ZENDAYA
79. “There is only one way to avoid criticism: do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing.” – ARISTOTLE
80. “Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right.” – HENRY FORD
81. “Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.” – GEORGE BERNARD SHAW
82. “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” – NELSON MANDELA
83. “Ambition is enthusiasm with a purpose.” – FRANK TYGER

84. “Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.” – JOHN WOODEN
85. “If you really want to do something, you’ll find a way. If you don’t, you’ll find an excuse.” – JIM ROHN
86. “Encourage yourself, believe in yourself, and love yourself. Never doubt who you are.” – STEPHANIE LAHART
87. “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” – NELSON MANDELA
88. “Goal setting is the secret to a compelling future.” – TONY ROBBINS
89. “It is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation.” – HERMAN MELVILLE
90. “You can’t be hesitant about who you are.” – VIOLA DAVIS
91. “You can get everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want.” – ZIG ZIGLAR
92. “The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.” – RALPH WALDO EMERSON
93. “Don’t go through life, grow through life.” – ERIC BUTTERWORTH

94. “Gratitude is the healthiest of all human emotions. The more you express gratitude for what you have, the more likely you will have even more to express gratitude for.” – ZIG ZIGLAR
95. “The only person you should strive to be better than, is the person you were yesterday.” – MATTY MULLINS
96. “It’s what you practice in private that you’ll be rewarded for in public.” – TONY ROBBINS
97. “Fairy tales are more than true: not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten.” – NEIL GAIMAN
98. “Just one small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day.” – DALAI LAMA
99. “Be brave to stand for what you believe in even if you stand alone.” – ROY T. BENNETT
100. “Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you.” – OPRAH WINFREY
101. “Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will.” – SUZY KASSEM

It was tricky to choose my favourive 101 Quotes to Motivate You in Life and Business but love all of the quotes listed above!

Looking for extra motivation while working from home? Check this post out!

Images all created on the free version of https://www.canva.com/

The post 101 Quotes to Motivate You in Life and Business appeared first on Katherine McLee.

How To Create The Best Morning Routine – 26 Ideas To Help You Build Your Own

A morning routine is a sequence of actions made up of different components. Morning routines have been a staple part of the day for the successful and organised for a long time now. Everyone’s seems to be a bit different from each other’s, so how do you know what’s the best morning routine for you? There is no secret, but there is a good formula to follow when choosing which steps to add into yours.

 

The best morning routine for you does not need to include all the steps below, or even half of them. What is important is that you choose the ones you feel benefit you the most. 

 

You can always add to your routine, so to begin with I would suggest choosing just 4 or 5 things to do as a “dead set” routine, and then you can add others in as you go, or on days you have a little more time.

 

Wake up a bit earlier so you can enjoy this YOU time

This one sucks if you’re not a morning person. But if you get into the routine of it, it only sucks for a short amount of time. The pros absolutely outweigh the cons here and will make such a difference to your day.

This way you start the day on your own terms, you have that designated time to start your day off properly. It’s all too common to get out of bed as late as possible, then spend the morning (or day!) in a rush/stress and never quite feel like you have enough time for anything….

Now imagine waking up that little bit earlier, being able to take a bit of time and enjoy your morning routine – even if it only lasts 15 minutes. 

Now you’re calm, not in a flap, and ready to take on the day – on your own terms.

 

The best morning routines start the night before

Taking any/all decision making out of your morning will help dramatically. If you’re like me, you will have the grandest ideas of outfits and plans for the next day. Realistically though, if left until that morning, those plans suddenly go out the window and you find yourself in comfy (not cute) clothes, flailing through the day.

When you have those ideas for a cute/smart outfit for the next day – lift them out. Take any decision making out and you’re already a step ahead.

A bit of planning can go a long way. 

 

1. Get out of bed – do not snooze

This one also sucks. Well it sounds like it does, and it’s hard. But what if you actually feel a lot better for it? Do you ever actually feel better for that extra 10 minutes? No lol. So what if you then chose to get up when your alarm went off the first time and gained that 10 (or 20 or 30…) minutes back into your day?

Enough time for an amazing morning routine!

The first few times you do this will be hard, but your body and mind will thank you for it. Suddenly the alarm going off is a signal to start your day, not a time to battle with the clock/your mind, feel no better, and give yourself less time.

If you want to feel more refreshed and energised in your day, you need this one in your routine.

 

2. Don’t check your phone/email for 30 mins after waking up

You want to start your day off on your own terms, so stay away from your phone for that first 30 minutes of the day. Going on your phone as soon as you wake up is basically a roulette for what will be on there. You never know whether your timeline is full of good news or bad news. Whether it’s full of pictures/things you don’t want to see or think about. 

Don’t let your mind be filled with someone else’s life, before you’ve even had a chance to wake up to your own.

Your mind first thing in the morning is precious, and often has a lot more ideas/positive thoughts in, than you may realise. 

Give yourself the chances to feel how you truly feel and enjoy any positive thoughts and ideas that usually would be suppressed by scrolling social media or the news, before you’ve even properly woken up.

 

3. Make your bed

This is probably one you’ve heard before! It sounds so trivial but it helps more than you’d realise.

If you make your bed first thing in the morning, you’ve already accomplished something for the day! Not only this but once you’re then ready to go back to bed (or any time you walk into your bedroom during the day), the room looks a lot more put together and organised, which can make you feel instantly calmer.

 

4. Affirmations

Affirmations are a powerful thing. If you know anything about the Law of Attraction then you will have heard of affirmations. Saying affirmations (especially first thing in the morning), can instantly give yourself, your self esteem and your confidence a boost. 

Stand in front of a mirror and tell yourself things – out loud. 

Say things like:

• I am worthy
• I am wealthy
• I am successful
• I am happy
• I am healthy

And watch and feel that boost in your body and mind.

Imagine the benefits you will get from flooding your mind with positive thoughts like these, instead of social media!

If you don’t want to say them outloud, writing them down can also work well!

 

 

5. Go Over Your Goals

Going over your goals is so important. Keeping it all very fresh in your mind about what you want, what you are aiming for, and who/where you want to be, gives you a good perspective and helps you make good decisions throughout the day. For example if your goal is to make more money (generally), then maybe focussing on work a little more. If your goal is to get healthier, reminding yourself of this may help encourage you to take that walk or cut out a little more junk food.

Keeping your goals close to mind, keeps you on track for where you are aiming for in life.

 

 

6. Do a Breathing Exercise

This is one of the most important ones if you ever wake up feeling stressed/anxious (this is something I’ve had my fair share of). You only need a few minutes, or even just one. Sit somewhere comfortable and focus on your breathing. Deep breaths in and out will make you feel a sense of calm. Some days will feel more hectic or stressful than others, a minute or two of calm can make such a difference.

 

7. Exercise

Movement can really wake your whole body up. It gets your blood pumping and heart rate up and gives you those feel good endorphins. Humans are designed to move. But it can be so easy to sit behind a screen without moving too much. Getting in even a small amount of exercise first thing in the morning can make you feel good and give you a boost of energy. Even just 10 minutes of dancing to some upbeat songs and you’ll feel great after!

 

8. Stretch

The whole point of creating your best morning routine, is finding things that suit you. So if full blown exercise first thing in the morning isn’t your thing – try some stretches! Stretching or Yoga can also wake your body up, but without the full on movement of a workout or dance routine. This is especially important if you spend a lot of time at a desk/looking at a screen. 

 

9. Find a New Recipe

Maybe you’re a foodie! Maybe you even have a food/food related blog. Finding a new recipe in the morning you can cook that day could be the perfect inspiration for you to get your creative juices flowing. This will help you get out of a rut when it comes to meal time too, and is a bit of fun in the morning! Even if you prefer to meal prep, you can find and save new recipes and note down what ingredients you need on your shopping list!

 

10. Drink Water (with lemon)

We lose so much water when we sleep which can leave us more dehydrated than we realise. Getting into the habit of drinking a large glass of water in the morning is giving our bodies what they need. Lemon is a good thing to add as it’s full of antioxidants too!

Lemon juice I mean, not the whole lemon! 

Being honest, I’m really not a fan of lemon, but the water is the important part here, the lemon would just be a bonus.

 

 

11. Have a tea or coffee

I think most people need tea or a coffee in the morning, so go ahead! My only recommendation here would be to drink the full glass of water as well (preferably before any caffeine). 

Having that warm drink can also bring about a sense of calm, or be your “timer” for doing another task, for example, reading…

 

12. Read

Bet you never saw this one coming! 

Reading some pages of a book can be a lovely way to start the day.The dangerous trap here is that you spend a lot longer reading than you mean to. This is why having some sort of timer is good, be it a set amount of songs in the background, a physical timer, or the length of time it takes to drink your drink in the morning. 

If you read a personal development or book on a topic you love, it can be a great with to kick start your morning.

 

13. Have a shower

Having a shower may seem too obvious to even be listed. But the best morning routine for you is most likely made up of some elements you are doing already. If you have ever struggled with waking up in the morning, or struggled to get yourself feeling up to facing the day, this is one step not to skip. 

There’s something about a warm shower with some amazing smelling products that can really lift your mood and freshen your mood up for the new day. Even if you plan to spend the day in comfy clothes and not doing a huge amount (hello lockdown), having a shower first thing in the morning will set you up for the day.

 

14. Multitask While Brushing Your Teeth

You brush your teeth (hopefully) twice a day. Only 2 minutes a time, but that’s nearly half an hour a week. Try squatting or balancing on one leg for the teeth brushing duration, or put a happy song on to help lift your spirits. 

This is a super quick way to help boost your mood and energy levels, but without adding on any extra time to your mornings.

Please be careful if you decide to dance about with a toothbrush in your mouth though!

 

15. Meditate

Meditation is one of the best ways to clear your mind. Alone meditation can be daunting as (assuming you’re like me) you had/have no clue what you were doing. How are we supposed to know what to do, how to sit, or even how to breathe? 

Guided Meditation is the answer.

There are a lot of guided meditations on YouTube. Search for one you like the sound of, that’s the sort of length that suits you (even start with one just a few minutes long), and let them guide you through it.

The first couple of times you try this you probably won’t zone out much at all, but once you get into the habit of it and have done it a few times, you will realise that you start to notice a big difference. You will start to realise that you look forward to this time as you have this few precious minutes of your day with no – or a lot fewer – intrusive thoughts. 

If you stuffer (or have suffered) with stress (guilty), anxiety (guilty), depression (guilty), or any other mental health problem, I would highly suggest trying to fit meditation into your day.

It doesn’t even need to be in the morning, but scheduling it into your morning routine gives you a set time to sit down and meditate. Before the day starts and all the overwhelm from life sets in.

 

16. Morning Pages/Write

Morning Pages are where you take a notebook and when you wake up (within the first 30 mins or so), you write down whatever is in your head. Anything and everything. Writing 3 pages of thoughts, directly from a fresh mind, can be the most amazing way to not only clear your mind, but to come out with ideas you didn’t even know were in there!

Doing this as early in the morning as possible means you give your mind the opportunity to produce the amazing thoughts and ideas you didn’t even know were in there. 

The other benefit is to get all thoughts out your head that are just taking up space. All those niggly little thoughts of things you “should” be doing, that serve no purpose other than to waste your brainpower, get them out your head. Write them down. Bin them if needs be! 

Clearing your head is so beneficial, it helps give you more of a blank canvas for the day.

And you never know just what amazing ideas pop up too!

 

17. Gratitude

Being grateful is one of the best feelings you can have. A step to include when making your best morning routine is to be grateful. Be grateful for anything and everything. Either time yourself to feel truly grateful for a set time (even a minute), or list a set amount of thing – maybe 10. 

Say them outloud if you can, be as open as possible and really feel what you’re saying. 

You cannot feel gratitude and unhappiness at the same time.

They can coexist in your mind and in your day, but at the time of feeling truly grateful, this is all you will feel.

The more grateful for things you are, the happier you will be.

It doesn’t have to be astounding things, even just the fact you woke up, that you have a comfy bed, that you got a full night’s sleep, that you had the resources to make that warm drink. 

Take the time to truly feel that gratitude, and notice more things to be grateful for, coming into your days.

It’s recommended to take time to be grateful before bed also. But practicing this at least once a day, you will start to feel the benefits.

 

18. Take supplements

I am not a medical expert so please always ask your Doctor before starting anything new!

Supplements are one of those things that if you get the combination right, you’re onto a winner.

Working out what your body is lacking and then topping those vitamins and minerals back up can really make you feel better.

It won’t make much of a difference overnight, but once into the habit after a month or so, you should start to notice the benefits of them.

You may not realise the difference they are making to you as they can take a bit of time to really get into your system, but, like me, you’ll notice if you stop taking them!

 

19. Listen to a Podcast or Motivational Video

If your goal in making the best morning routine for you is to give you a boost and fill your mind with the right things first thing in the morning, then you need this step. 

There are so so many motivational speakers, life coaches, personal development gurus and all round incredible people in the world. Listening, learning, and taking in what they have to say, is such a smart move. 

Have a search on YouTube/Spotify for a topic you want to improve in your own life, and absorb that video/audio. 

I could listen to these for hours – and often do! But just take that 10 minutes in the morning – even while doing something else – and notice your mood shift. 

Later in the day you can always put more/a longer one. Even while doing dishes, doing your makeup, cleaning, or while in the car. Giving yourself that 10 mins in the morning just guarantees you have listened to something positive that will benefit your whole being, even if the rest of the day escapes you.

 

20. Get Fresh Air/Sunshine

Sunshine is magical. There is no doubt about that.  

Getting some sunshine onto your face in the morning can really help wake you up and feel calm. Sitting out in the sun to have your water/coffee or to read/journal would be absolutely ideal here. If you live in a warmer climate then I would encourage you to do this if you don’t do this already!

This can be a trickier one for those of us in colder climates, eg SCOTLAND (where I am). We don’t get much sunshine lol. Sometimes we get good summers and can get some amazing winter sunshine, but it’s not quite the same lol.

In this case I would recommend getting some fresh air. Even on a day you don’t fancy leaving the house, open some windows and really get some fresh air in.

Go for a walk, and take in the sounds of nature.

Even the biggest introverts (hello *raises hand*) need fresh air, and really the more the merrier. 

On the topic of sunshine, you could get yourself a “sunshine lamp”. These are lamps that mimic daylight/sunlight and can give you that boost in the morning. Of course it’s never as good as the real thing, but I love mine. You just pop it on in the morning close to your face and absorb its goodness.

 

21. Get Yourself a Skincare Routine

My advice with this one is not to overwhelm yourself if this isn’t something that’s a part of your routine already. You probably see people online with the most wonderful elaborate skincare routines, but you can have your own including just a few products.

Choose products that you enjoy using that suit your skin. It doesn’t have to be more than 2 or 3 things. You can always add to it once it’s a habit, but making it have 8+ products in may make you feel a little overwhelmed if it’s not a set part of your day as it is.

Pick a couple, and tell yourself you will use these every morning for a month, and then see the difference. You may very well find you enjoy this part of your routine and really start looking forward to it – especially once you see a difference in your own skin.

Keeping hydrating and drinking that water will help your skin look plump and smooth also!

 

22. Make Yourself Smell Good

It’s been proven that when we smell nice things, it lifts our mood. 

This is only a 2 second step. You can add this into whatever else you choose to add into your own best morning routine, but giving yourself a quick spritz of perfume or some form of fragrance can really make you feel more put together.

Even your favourite essential oil! Something that you think smells incredible, wear this.

Doesn’t matter if you aren’t going out the house that day, having that fragrance around you all day means you will keep getting little wafts of it and it’s like lots of mini mood boosters throughout your day.

 

23. Eat Something Healthy

Having a healthy and nutritious breakfast is so important. If you fill your body full of sugar and processed foods first thing in the morning, you will feel sluggish and end up having a sugar crash before the day has even really begun! 

If you don’t have the time or don’t want to cook in the morning, you can grab some fruit or make up something like overnight oats. You just make them the night before and can grab it straight out the fridge whenever you want it.

Oats are supposed to help keep your stress levels down too. Always a win for busy days!

 

24. Prioritise Tasks For The Day

Make up a To-Do list for the day if you haven’t done one already. Prioritise tasks you want to get done first and then focus on these. 

Life can be busy and unexpected things can pop up at any moment. Getting the most important tasks done first means that no matter what happens for the rest of the day, you have still got done what you set out to do. 

It doesn’t matter whether you prefer to write out a daily to do list just for that day or have an ongoing to do list. Star 2 or 3 important things that you definitely want to get done that day, and focus on these first. 

 

25. Clean Something

From the off I am aware this doesn’t sound like much of a fun task to get out of bed in the morning! But hear me out…

Some people love cleaning, others… not so much.

If you take just 15 minutes in the morning to clean something in the house, after a week that’s nearly 2 hours cleaning done! 

Knowing you only have to clean for 15 minutes makes it so much more bearable. Especially if you are the type who gets overwhelmed easily.

Set a timer, or use this time to listen to your motivational video, and once that 15 minutes is up – you’re done! 

This may not be the most fun option on this list, but it gives you a sense of accomplishment. It makes it easier to stay on top of the cleaning in your home without feeling like a mammoth task.

 

26. Do Something Fun

If even after all of these suggestions you are still thinking that there isn’t one thing there that really would make you want to get out of bed earlier, do something fun. 

What are your hobbies? What do you enjoy?

Choose to spend a short amount of time on something you love doing that you find really enjoyable. Use this as your motivation to get up earlier, where you can then fit some more of the steps above in. 

The most important part of creating your best morning routine is that it’s what’s best for YOU. 

This doesn’t have to be your “forever” routine. It can be added to, things can be changed, times changed, or any other modification you like.

It’s HAVING the morning routine and a set set of actions that you do in the morning that will mean your morning is on your terms, not someone else’s. 

 

 

Speak soon!

 

Katherine

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