Having a routine can be the key to your happiness and success as an individual. There are so many benefits to sticking to a good routine, such as improved stress levels, mental health (less anxiety) and more time to relax. A great idea when you’re planning a routine is to replace your bad habits with good habits. Maybe you binge-watch your favourite Netflix show whilst eating breakfast in the mornings? but instead, you replace this by going for a walk or run to set yourself up for the day. Or maybe you get up too late and don’t have time to exercise or eat breakfast and want to start getting out of bed earlier? Whatever your goal is, it’s important to plan and install it into your routine plan.

So, that being said, here are some helpful tips to get into a good routine…

1. Decide what needs to be in your routine

Ok, first things first, you need to decide what should be included in your routine. Write down the most important things first – exercise, meals, morning/nightime skin routine? Then think about things that you want to do more of but tell yourself that you ‘don’t have enough time’. Maybe it’s learning a new language or reading more? once you’ve written everything down that you want to include in your routine, it’s time to plan.

2. Layout a plan

Once you’ve decided what to include in your plan, you need to decide how long to plan for. One week? two weeks? a few months? If it’s your first routine plan, we suggest planning for one week to see how it goes. Then you can see what did and didn’t work and use this knowledge with your next plan. Remember to be realistic with your routine so you don’t feel disappointed with yourself if you don’t stick to everything.

3. Set small goals to start off with

It’s important that you set yourself small goals that are achievable, especially with your first routine plan. You can work your way up to the larger goals! Progress should be the most important thing for you. For example, if you’re goal is to complete a 5k run, start off doing a short run and increasing your time each run. You’ll get there eventually!

4. Be consistent with time

Time management and consistency is key to a good routine. Getting into a good routine means planning to do things at the same time each day. For example, eating breakfast, skincare routine, work out etc. If you do these all in the morning before you start the day it will be hugely beneficial to you. Also, once you get used to it in your routine it will feel like second nature.

5. Track your progress

Tracking your progress is essential. You need to see how much you’re progressing and what you can do to improve. Referring to your progress helps you see how far you’ve come which is great for motivation and a confidence boost! You’ll get to see how your focus and hard work has paid off and will find yourself looking forward to the next challenge.

6. Reward yourself

And finally, reward yourself for sticking to your routine, you’ve done great! If you’re doing well at sticking to your routine, make sure you find time to fit some rewards in, treat yourself or do something fun (you deserve it). It can’t always be all hard work and no play. Also, when you treat yourself, your brain releases a chemical called dopamine, which makes you feel good and happy! It’s important to stay happy so you’re motivated to continue your success from your routine. And isn’t happiness the overall goal anyway?

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Financial freedom will allow you to live a life free of financial stresses. We’ve all probably been in a scenario where we don’t have the money to do something that we want to do. With financial freedom, you can make life decisions without being overly stressed about the financial impact. Of course, achieving financial freedom isn’t always an easy road. It can involve serious planning, sacrifice and time. But once you’re there, it’s so worth it. Let’s look at some steps to help you…

1. Set life goals

Financial freedom is different for everyone, ask yourself – what does financial freedom mean to you? enough money to buy whatever you want without looking at the price tag? to go on holiday twice a year? you need to be specific when setting your life goals so you know exactly how much you need to be able to achieve them. Write down a figure that you want in your bank account and how you’ll achieve this. Then start to manifest these goals by taking steps towards them every day.

2. Budget

Budgeting means deciding how much money you will spend on things and sticking to a spending plan. It’s a great way to ensure that you’re adding money to your savings each month as well as affording essential things, such as food and bills. Having more control over your money will keep you on track with your financial goals. It involves being organised and avoiding temptations to splurge on unnecessary things.

3. Save

Save save save. A great tip for saving is that as soon as you get paid, take a certain amount out and put it straight into your savings. This means the money already gone and you won’t be tempted to spend it, you’ll have to work with what’s left in your bank account. Saving will help you reach the financial goals that you’re aiming for, cover unexpected costs and pay for expensive purchases.

4. Start investing now

Any successful and financially free individual will tell you that it’s important to have different sources of income. And investing is a great way to achieve this! It allows you to grow your wealth by generating a different source of income. Why not invest a small number of your wages each month as soon as your paid? this means you can start to build up your investments and hopefully see some financial gains. It’s important to learn how to do so first so you’re more confident when doing so.

5. Pay credit card off in full

Credit cards can be extremely dangerous territory for someone who isn’t fully in control over their finances and prone to splurging on unnecessary things. If you’re still this type of person, stay away from credit cards until you have better money management. However, credit cards are great for building a good credit score which will make it easier to qualify for loans. But it’s absolutely vital that you make your payments on time. So that you don’t get charged ridiculous interest each month.

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If your dream is to become an entrepreneur with an extremely successful business then you’re in the right place! Creating your own business can seem very daunting and many get put off by the risk factors and the fear of failing. But as we all know, with hard work, passion and determination, anything is possible. It’s important to stay focused on the step in front of you rather than the full staircase. It’s a beautiful thing when you follow step by step and eventually see everything you’ve worked so hard for come together. Trust the process and your vision and work towards it an everyday day. Your work will always pay off eventually. Ensure that your network, understand your audience, have concrete goals, don’t let self-doubt creep in and be fearless when pursuing your business vision. You’ve got this!

No more sitting around, it’s time to become a boss women. Here are the first 8 steps you should take to create your own business…

1. Decide on your buisness

It’s time to turn your ideas into a buisness. You’ve probably had these ideas floating around in your head for a long time, so well done for deciding to turn them into reality. First of all, it’s so important that you’re creating something that you’re passionate about. This is always the best option and will significantly affect the success of the business. If you’re selling a product that you know, love and are passionate about then you’ll be in it for the long haul and not risk losing motivation. If you’re selling something purely for financial gain you run the risk of losing interest and won’t put as much effort in as you could. It’s also so important to do market research when you’re deciding on a business plan. You need to ensure that there’s an opportunity to turn your idea into a successful business.

2. Create a business plan

Creating a business plan is an extremely important part of starting your own business. A good business plan is essentially the foundation behind your business. Creating a step by step plan will help you stay focused and on track with the progress that you’re making. You can follow each step in the order you’ve planned which will make the overall progress run much smoother. Also, if you want people to invest in your business you need a solid business plan to present to them. This will help the investors to gain an insight into your ideas and the strategies behind how to make them successful. It will give structure to your steps so you don’t feel overwhelmed.

3. Find funding for your business

The not so fun part – you need to obtain the right amount of funds required to start your business. If you already have the funds saved then great, you’re all set to go! However many people will be looking for an investor (this is when the business plan comes in handy) or a way to raise them. Whatever your personal situation is, you should create a financial plan. In this, it should include all of your costs and budgets. You must work out a figure before starting up to give your business the best possible chance of success.

4. Choose a location for your business

The location that you decide to set up your business in is a big decision. Choosing the right location can depend on many factors, such as security, growth potentinal, business rates, competition, accessibility and much more. And which type of business you’re starting of course! The location can have a huge impact on your businesses success (if it’s a brick-and-mortar business). Keep in mind your target audience when choosing location and how accessible it is for your potential customers. Look at legal requirements and taxes too before you make your decison. Needless to say, if it’s an online buisness you don’t need to worry about this.

5. Choose your business name

The business name is the first thing people will see and hear about your business, so make sure it’s a good one! Choosing the right name may be a long process but embrace it and don’t settle until you’ve found the perfect one. You should brainstorm all of your name ideas and something will eventually feel right. Your name should be distinctive, authentic and memorable. You want to give a good first impression as well as people remembering your business. It should reflect your brand and capture your spirit. And don’t forget to check if your business name already exists. If it doesn’t, it’s time to trademark your chosen name.

6. Register your business

Give yourself a massive pat on the back at this point. Well done, you’re so close to making this vision a reality! Once you’ve found the perfect business name, it’s time to make it legal. This will protect your brand if you face any legal action or debt (hopefully it never comes to this). It is entirely legal to run your buisness without registering it though and many people do. However, this is not advisable. It’s important to register it for peace of mind and to cover your own back. Do things the right way so you’re prepared for anything that comes your way.

7. Apply for licenses and permits

It’s now time for all the legal stuff (boring we know, but important). Make sure you apply for all the necessary licenses and permits you need to start your business. You will need to do research on your specific business as they can vary for every type. The fees for these will also depend on what type of business you have.

8. Open a bank account

The exciting part – you’re about to start earning some serious money! You should open up a business bank account and keep all funds separate from any personal finances. A business bank account helps you stay legally compliant and protected. It also provides many benefits to your business, such as protection, professionalism, preparedness and purchasing power. Make sure you find a bank account with low fees and excellent benefits. You can get advice from a financial advisor if you need it.

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