Category: Lifestyle

{“Freedom and wealth is an outcome of “Time”; the most precious asset that we all possess. Time however is a variable to each individual as our actions from our choices determine the longevity and returns from this asset. To maximize the return on this asset is determined by the energy that we put forth in developing our financial education, relationships and health.”}

{{Scott Burton}}

In your twenties your future is too far away to think about and what is important is the “here and now”.

Your financial habits are not great, as you will have probably maxed out your credit card, delayed any savings and focused mainly on pleasure spending.

Your twenties are the time to have fun and its ok to make financial mistakes. However, the bad financial habits that you have accumulated in your twenties need to be gone before you head into your thirties.

Being in your thirties is different, you become more responsible and yes a little more serious about life.

Living in a cold damp house where it was party central every weekend doesn’t seem so appealing. The comforts of a warm centrally located apartment with your partner or a flatmate is the place you really want to be. You start to drink wine and your parties go from 100’s to dinner parties of 6! No police get called to your dinner parties!

You will find that children, family, marriage, buying houses are the main topics of discussion amongst your friends.

Shopping. Bills. More bills. Your health. Appointments. Money. Credit cards. Rent. Mortgages. Tax returns. Work. Some of these things were present in your twenties, and if you really wanted to ignore them you could but now you can’t.

If you make the right financial choices in your twenties, many of the thirty something life events become not so stressful and far more pleasurable. The reason why,is because you have a good financial base!

However, if you don’t make the right financial choices in your twenties, your life will be one of financial struggle – not only in your thirties but for ever.

“Money is only a tool. It will take you where you wish, but it will not replace you as the driver” Ayn Rand

By pursing these 10 Financial Goals before you reach 30, you will have set the foundation for you to enjoy financial security and independence for the rest of your life.

{{1. Know Your Personal Financial Profile}}

“When it comes to money and so many other things in life, understanding your weaknesses and strengths can help you with your future plans.” Tagene Brown-McBean

I know that this doesn’t look like a financial goal however it is the key to your success in achieving your financial goals. You need to know what your values and beliefs are around money.

What is your risk profile? Does spending money give you pleasure? Have you got good saving habits? When you see something you really want, do you justify to yourself how much you deserve it even though you cant afford it. Do you like credit cards? Are you ever able to pay your credit cards off in full every month?

Do you bury you head in the sand when it comes to dealing with money?

There are lots of financial personality profiles assessments on the internet and many of them are free. Here is a link to a great article on personalities and money. How Your Personality Affects Your Finances

Go and find out what your relationship is like with money. Then decide if you have the commitment, desire and motivation to pursue these financial goals before you turn thirty.

{{2. Write Down Your Financial Goals.}}

“By failing to prepare you are planning to fail” Benjamin Franklin

Once you have an understanding of your financial personality, you can then start to plan your financial future.

Write down your financial goals – short, medium and long term goals.

The timeframes you set for these goals need to be aligned to your financial personality.

Use the KISS and SMART metrics to write your goals. (Keep It Simple Smart) and (Specific, Measurable, Action, Realistic, and Time Bound).

This financial goal needs you to be disciplined and focused. If you struggle with these personality traits – thats ok. Find someone who can help you or go on the internet and look for templates that you can use to guide you to writing your goals.

Find out how to write your financial goals that are aligned to you and your current priorities in life.

If you don’t take the time to put a financial plan in place by the time you reach your thirties, you increase your chances of failing to achieve those financial outcomes that will enable you to live your dream life.

{{3. Stop Impulse Spending}}

“Remember, buying something is not the problem

Give up your bad habits around spending. The sooner you give up the habit of impulse spending, the better off you will be financially.

Try to understand why this behaviour is important to you as it does not serve you well. This behaviour does not support wealth creation. If you continue to spend impulsively your financial future going into your thirties and beyond, will be a struggle.

Don’t stop enjoying your life and spending money all together. You should be spending money on things that make you feel good. Just be realistic about your spending habits. If your spending is reckless and impulsive, then do something about it.

{{4. Get an App To Track Your Expenses}}

“There are plenty of ways to get ahead. The first is so basic I’m almost embarrassed to say it: spend less than you earn” Paul Clitheroe

If you are in your twenties and you have a negative perception or no motivation to budget or track your expenses you need to change right now.

Holding on to these beliefs will hold you back from having any financial security in your thirties and later in life. Keeping a track of of your expenses is one of the key financial habits that will enable you to have financial wealth and independence in your life.

There are some amazing budgeting apps that you can download. Go search for these apps as they enable you to budget and monitor your expenses with ease and no stress.

When you reach thirty it is essential that you are able to live within your means otherwise you will find yourself drowning in debt.

Remember your thirties will bring more expense and cost to your life. Good budgeting habits will ensure you are prepared to manage these extra costs and live within your means.

{{5. Learn About Investing}}

“Formal education will make you a living; self-education will make you a fortune”. Jim Rohn

To create long term wealth you need to become educated about investment.

The best time to start getting the basics sorted around investment and start building your wealth is now – as you head into your thirties.

With sound investment planning in your twenties you should have an investment portfolio up and running by the time you are thirty.

Investing in your future now, before you turn thirty, ensures that you will reap the financial rewards of security and independence for the rest of your life.

{{6. Learn How To Manage Your Debt}}

“Debt is like any other trap, easy enough to get into, but hard enough to get out of.” Henry Wheeler Shaw

Don’t borrow money to buy depreciating assets is a key rule to managing debt.

Debt can work in your favour, but only when you use it for things that tend to rise in value over a reasonable period of time.

Using borrowed money to invest in a house, a business or an investment (which includes your education) is the sensible use of debt. However you still have to pay the debt of and if you don have a plan to manage your debt, then interest will compound and your debt will triple.

Borrowing to buy a new phone, pair of shoes, TV, or car is not a smart use of debt.

Get rid of your BAD DEBT – credit cards, higher purchase or car payments. Avoid credit card debt like the plague.

There is a very simple rule to follow when you spending, if you have to borrow money for it, then you simply can’t afford it – that includes using credit cards.

{{7. Get Insurance And Start Saving For Emergencies}}

“The habit of savings is itself and education; it fosters every virtue, teaches self denial, cultivates the sense of order, trains to forethought and so broadens the mind” T.T Mauger

In your twenties the concept of an “personal emergency” is never thought about because it just doesn’t happen in your twenties. If an emergency occurs usually your parents will sort it out.

However that it all changes in your thirties and things like Life Insurance, Income Protection Insurance and Mortgage Payments start to appear in your lives.

You need to protect your future. Setting up a fund and getting insurance for you to call on in an emergency is a great financial goal to have underway as you enter into your thirties.

{{8.Stop Relying On Your Parents For Money}}

“You cannot help people permanently by doing for them, what they could and should do for themselves.” Abraham Lincoln

If you are still relying on your parents to financially support you when you are thirty, you should be worried.

I get that you may have a student loan and in your twenties your parents were your ATM machine however this is a bad habit to maintain as you go into your thirties.

It is pretty much guaranteed that if you have bad debt and still rely on a monthly allowance from your parents then your chances of having financial independence and creating wealth in your life will not happen.

That is your reality.

{{9. Start A Retirement Account}}

There is no way you would have missed all the hype that has been promoted about how important it is to start saving for your retirement in your twenties.

The book Get A Financial Life by Beth Kobliner focuses on helping people in their twenties and thirties get their personal finances sorted. In her book Beth Kobliner outlines an example to show how the power of time on your investments works.

“Suppose you set aside $1,000 a year from age 25 to age 64 in a retirement account that earns 5% a year (historically, stocks return about 8%, but we’ll be conservative). That’s $39,000 total you invest. By the time you turn 65, you’ll have $126,840. If you don’t get started with saving until you’re 35, you’ll only have $69,760. Starting just ten years earlier would have doubled your total. Yes, doubled.”

When you are investing in your future with the goal to achieving financial freedom, then time is your biggest ally. Start saving and investing now before you reach thirty.

{{10. Develop A Financial Abundant Mindset}}

“When we do what we love to do; when we are generous and seek to help others; when we live within our means and save money; when we always seek a more specialized knowledge…we then have an abundant mindset, and are bound to realize financial abundance”.

{{Source: Life Hack website}}

{Let’s face it, sometimes life feels like it’s falling apart at the seams. Perhaps you’ve lost your job, or your marriage just ended, or you failed to pass an exam and now you are simply feeling helpless and defeated. Winston Churchill once said: “Success consists of going from failure to failure without loosing enthusiasm.” Today I want to remind you why, even though you may be feeling a bit like a failure, you are most definitely not. Here are 15 signs that show you are doing well in life even though you don’t think so!}

{{1. You’ve lived and learned}}

No one said life was easy and while the bumps on the road may hurt, the ride is definitely worth it. Think back to your failures and defeats. You must know they were all for a reason and part of a grander plan. Each difficulty has led you to where you are at today, each trial has molded you into the magnificent, resilient, person that you are. Continue to move forward in faith, hope and love, knowing that each experience has taught you what you need to become who you were born to be.

{{2. You have a comfy bed to sleep in}}

I’ll never forget an interview done on NPR a while back. A young Haitian mother told her story. She had little ones that constantly wondered when they would be able to eat and go to school like all the other kids around them. What impacted me the most about this story was their sleeping arrangements: they all laid on the dirt floor, and at night if it rained everyone would have to get up, grab whatever was left of their “bed” and move to a dry spot. This story gave me a whole new appreciation for my bed and I hope it does the same thing for you!

{{3. You strive to be better}}

The fact you are feeling a bit down because you haven’t achieved what you want to achieve shows you are trying. In the grand scheme of things, you always strive to be better and for as long as you continue to do that, happiness, success and love will come – just don’t give up. Einstein once said: “It’s not that I am so smart, it’s that I stay with problems longer.” Hang in there and never stop striving to be all you can be!

{{4. You have/had a job}}

Whichever way you look at this one, it is still a win-win situation for you. If you have a job: kudos! Keep at it and know that you are richly blessed. If you recently lost your job, don’t fret! You’ve gotten a job before, you can get one all over again. Perhaps this is the opportunity you’ve been waiting for to do something you truly love to do. Keep searching, keep hoping, and know that you can accomplish the seemingly impossible if you work hard and believe you can.

{{5. Knowledge is at your fingertips}}

In this day and age, you can learn anything and everything you want. Knowledge is truly at your fingertips! Since knowledge is power, seize that power and let it assist you in the pursuit of your dreams. Take advantage of all the “learning” opportunities that come your way.

{{6. You have food to eat}}

Sometimes a bit more than you should! Food is such an overlooked blessing, yet if you miss it for a few hours you start feeling the necessity of it. Take the time to enjoy your next meal, whatever that is, savor each bite and remind yourself that happiness is found in enjoying the simple things of life, such as eating a piece of pie.

{{7. You have the power of choose}}

Aristotle once said: “Excellence is never an accident. It is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, and intelligent execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives – choice, not chance, determines your destiny.” Need I say more? Claim your power to choose.

{{8. You’ve experienced love butterflies or something like it}}

Ahh! To be in love…to feel your whole body literally react to that moment when you simply steal a glance from the one you are infatuated with. Experiencing such a natural, basic and simple, yet passionate moment will give you memories that will last a life time. You are beyond blessed to have experienced such a sublime moment!

{{9. You have clean water}}

This one should not be overlooked. Do you ever watch Bear Grills and all his desperate moves to get just a few ounces of muddy water? There are also people who aren’t going without water because they have a survival show, but instead because it is their harsh reality. Around 783 million people do not have access to clean water around the globe. Be thankful and fully aware that you are doing well in life even if you don’t think so.

{{10. You have a dream}}

Whatever your dream is, it’s yours. You have the ability to embrace it and create it. Don’t give up on dreaming or on your dreams. They are what life’s best things are made up of.

{{11. Your happiness is real}}

You have the power to choose happiness for your life in everything you do and in every circumstance. Your happiness is defined by whether or not you are able to discern and seize an opportunity to feel happy. It may be something as simple as enjoying the laughter of a child.

{{12. You have clothes to wear}}

And sometimes too many options, which trumps your productivity, but that is another subject. The bottom line is, you don’t have to go naked through the streets or poorly dressed. You enjoy the blessing of being properly dressed for every occasion and have the ability to shield your body from the elements. Really, life would get very cold without clothes.

{{13. You have the ability to forgive}}

Can you imagine what this world would look like without forgiveness? Never mind the world, just your life! Imagine how bogged down, bitter and unhappy you would be if you did not have the ability to forgive other’s mistakes as well as your own. It would make it nearly impossible to live and most definitely a nightmare to move on with life when difficulties arose. You have the unique gift of forgiving and moving on.

{{14. You believe in something greater than yourself}}

For all the times you were so caught up in your own little world and drowning in a kiddie pool version of life’s problems, you’ve had the ability to step back and realize that you have something greater to live for than yourself. Whether it is God, your family or friends, you can believe that your purpose is to achieve something that will be for the greater good or to simply bring honor to your God.

{{15. You have the opportunity to build global friendships}}

In today’s day and age, your best friend can literally be five thousand miles away yet you can still experience the beauty of that friendship. You have the unique capacity to be acquaintances with one person in almost every country of the world, something no other generation before the 1900’s was easily able to do. As far as I am concerned, your global ability to make friends is definitely a sign you are doing well in life, even if you don’t think so.

{{Source: Life Hack}}

{{By}}: { {{Brigette Hyacinth
Director & Founder of MBA Caribbean Organisation}} }

Hyacinth was the name given to my forefathers by their slave owner, then bowing under western supremacy my parents called me Brigette. I cannot trace my lineage as far back to Africa, only to Grenada and St Lucia however, all I can safely conclude is that our slave master must have been quite a small owner because there aren’t many Hyacinth’s around.

{{On August 1, Emancipation Day}} was celebrated throughout the Caribbean. This commemorates 1 August 1838 when full freedom was granted to all slaves in the British owned colonies. Between 1662 and 1807 Britain shipped 3.1 million Africans across the Atlantic Ocean in the Transatlantic Slave Trade. Africans were forcibly brought to the Caribbean and sold as slaves to work on plantations. Despite being held captive many slaves resisted their enslavement and refused to be broken.

Although slavery is no longer tolerated, many of us are held captive by limitations placed on us by ourselves or others. {{My whole life I’ve been told “You can’t.”}}

These limitations inevitably lead to many of us suffering from the “Baby Elephant syndrome.” The story is told how elephants are trained. When an elephant living in captivity and is still a baby, it is tied to a tree with a chain or rope nightly. The baby elephant tries with all its might to break the rope but it isn’t strong enough to do so. It tries and fails many times until realizing its efforts are futile, it finally gives up and stops attempting for the rest of its life.

Later, when the elephant is fully grown, it can be tied to a small tree with a thin rope and could easily free itself by breaking the rope or uprooting the tree but because its mind has been conditioned by its past experiences, it doesn’t even make the slightest attempt to break free. This powerful animal has confined its present abilities by the limitations of past experiences hence, the “Baby Elephant Syndrome.”

Human beings are similar to the elephant except for one thing, we can choose not to accept the false boundaries created by others or the past.

{{Here are my 7 tips to break the chains that are holding you captive.}}

{{ 1. Believe in yourself.}} You have to believe in yourself ultimately. Always Think big and Dream big. Focus on your strengths and work on developing your shortfalls. Don’t compare yourself to others and don’t let circumstances dictate what you are capable of achieving.

“Believe in yourself and there will come a day when others will have no choice but to believe with you.” ~ Cynthia Kersey

{{ 2. Work hard}}. Do what you can do. Don’t waste time feeling sorry for yourself. Take responsibility for where you are. Stop feeling like you’re owed. In life, there are no handouts. If you want something, you owe it to yourself to go out and get it. Nothing worth having comes easy.

“Determination and perseverance move the world; thinking that others will do it for you is a sure way to fail.” ~Marva Collins

{{3. Be Positive. }} Turn negatives into positives and make it a growing experiencing. Don’t dwell on others opinions of you or take things personally. Don’t blame and harbour toxic emotions. It will only hold you back. Let it add fuel to the fire. Envision the future and maintain your focus.

“As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom. I knew if I didn’t leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I’d still be in prison.” ~Nelson Mandela

{{4. Never give up.}} Be confident. Ask for what you want. Purpose in your heart that you will keep fighting for your dreams. How many times will you try before you decide to give up? This is your dream and you have to protect it. I try every door until I have exhausted all options and yet I don’t give up. Once there is a will, there is always way and I am determined to find it!

{“You’ve only got three choices in life: Give up, give in, or give it all you’ve got. ~Unknown.}

{{5. Be Patient – }} For everything there is a time and season. The waiting period can be the most difficult but it’s important to not let doubt and fear creep in.

”No matter how great the talent or efforts, some things just take time. “You can’t produce a baby in one month by getting nine women pregnant” ~Warren Buffett

{{6. Have a strong support network.}} You can’t do it alone. There are days when it becomes too much for you. You may need a little help to get back up.

“Surround yourself with the dreamers and the doers, the believers and thinkers, but most of all, surround yourself with those who see the greatness within you.” ~Edmund Lee

{{ 7. Have faith that things will work out.}} Some things are out of your control. I trust that God will take me through those difficult moments and this gives me peace even when things don’t go my way.

“Faith is like the radar that sees through the fog” ~Corrie Ten Boom

Additionally, as my grandmother would always say, “Make books your friends!” It opens your mind to new possibilities and helps you learn from the experience of others.

{ The saddest state a person can reach is mental slavery. They have already given up. Everyday I counsel individuals and I wish I could make them believe in themselves, but I can’t. They will have to remove the shackles for themselves. This is your life! Don’t let anyone else write your story. Take back the pen and make a great ending!

“None can destroy iron but its own rust can. Likewise, none can destroy a person, but his own mindset can” ~Ratan Tata.}

{{Source: Linkedin}}

{{Calorie Burn
}}

Most experts agree that in order to loose weight, you need to burn off more calories than you eat. Sex, like any physical activity, burns calories. According to editors at Natural News, sex can raise your heartbeat to aerobic levels and burn an average of 200 calories during a 30-minute session. That translates to losing a pound for every 17.5 times you have sex. They also report that sex reduces food cravings and stimulates chemicals in the body that control appetite, helping you take in fewer calories.

{{Stress Reduction}}

Sex also helps foster an overall sense of health and well-being through reducing stress and improving sleep–two activities linked with weight loss. According to Christine Haran, author of “Good Vibrations: Uncovering the Health Benefits of

Sex,” an orgasm causes your body to release oxytocin, a chemical that promotes relaxation, pain relief and emotional bonding. Sex also helps you sleep, and getting enough sleep is important for healing the body after exercise and lowering stress hormones that may cause weight gain.

{{Improved Level of Fitness}}

The more you do any physical activity, the more fit you become; sex is no different. Through sex you will increase cardiovascular fitness. Depending on your positions and routine, you could also build muscle from frequent sex. Haran states that sex improves cardiovascular fitness and mental health, while mental health and cardiovascular fitness improves the quality of your sex life. Increasing fitness and muscle strength makes your body burn more calories, which in turn makes you lose weight.

{{Source: Livestrong.com}}

{While the definition of success may be debatable, most people would agree that the leaders of companies getting good traction have likely garnered some measure of it. Want to know how high achievers get to the top? Here are quotes from 20 founders and CEOs on the daily habits that help them get more out of business and life.}

{{1. Prioritize a daily to-do list.}}

I’ve got a running task list called “near-term,” which contains things that I want to get done during the next one to two weeks. Every morning over coffee, I pull from that list to build a task list called “today.” I make a commitment in the morning to clear this and make sure to deliver at the end of each day.

{–Sean Duffy, CEO of Omada Health, a digital-therapeutics company that was selected by Fast Company as one of “The World’s 50 Most Innovative Companies.”}

{{2. Remember names.}}

Not just staff members but also their spouses, kids, and even pets, if appropriate. Obviously I don’t interrogate people for these names, but as they come up in conversation, I try to make a mental note. It helps me to get to know my team…and your team [notices] that you are actually paying attention…. There are several tricks you can do to try to remember someone’s name. I always repeat the name when I hear it and then say it a few times over in my head.

{–Jonathan Cogley, CEO and founder of IT security company Thycotic which ranks at the 2,671 on the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest growing companies in 2014, up 760 spots from 2013.}

{{3. Research people before meeting with them.}}

Before a meeting, I always do research on whom I’ll be meeting with. Understanding the person’s work history, the school they went to, or even knowing their hometown helps me tailor the way I communicate with them.

{–Mike Zivin, cofounder and CEO of Whittl, an online appointment booking platform for neighborhood businesses, which recently raised a $3.3 million series A round with backing from GrubHub co-founder Mike Evans as well as GrubHub’s first VC, Origin Ventures in Chicago.}

{{4. Schedule family time.}}

Most small-business owners and entrepreneurs start a business to make a better life for their families. If you get caught in the trap of working 20-hour days, your business may thrive, but at what cost? You may be able to send your kids to a great college, but if they’ve never spent an afternoon with you in 18 years, is it worth it? I’m very conscious of making time for my kids, whether that means working with them (my oldest is interning in the office this summer) or carving time out to go to tournaments and games. It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day, but it’s so important to step back and look at the big picture.

{–Ted Devine, CEO of online small- and microbusiness insurance agent Insureon, a company at the 107 spot on last year’s Inc. 5000 list.}

{{5. Walk while working.}}

Part of being a successful executive is being able to interact with people at a moment’s notice, which requires a fair amount of stamina. To achieve that, I work at a treadmill desk all day, and end up walking about eight miles each day.

{–Douglas Merrill, former CIO of Google and now CEO of ZestFinance, a big-data startup that uses more than 100,000 data points about an individual to figure out if he or she will pay back a loan.}

{{6. Avoid all habits.}}

I think having randomness in my day is critical and keeps my brain active. I see too many people whose habits ultimately stifle them. They won’t try something new because it conflicts with something they’ve always done. When I feel I’m falling into a rut, I try to find a way to change things up. That’s one of the reasons I travel so much. Of course, it gets me in front of clients, which is critical, but as much as anything, always being in new environments keeps my mind sharp and my thoughts flowing.

{–Rodney Williams, cofounder and CEO of LISNR, a new communications technology company that sends data over sound waves (such as streaming video) and recently won the Gold Cannes Lion for Innovation in Mobile.}

{{7. Purge your email inbox.}}

I get my email inbox to one page by day’s end. My job is to communicate and build relationships with clients, prospects, and employees, and all email is dealt with, responded to, or filed as complete. It only stays in the inbox if it needs further follow-up. People need to know they can get response from me, not just the other way around.

{–Darin LeGrange, CEO of Aldera, a company that provides health plans (insurers) with the back-office technology that handles billing, claims processing, coverages, and more.}

{{8. Avoid all carbs before noon.}}

That’s my peak energy time, and too many carbs throw me off my game. The momentum created in the morning goes a long way into the afternoon. If you don’t start strong, you don’t finish strong.

{–David Kalt, founder and CEO of Reverb, a marketplace for musical instruments and gear that has raised about $5 million in funding and expects to do $130 million in transactions this year, up from $40 million last year.}

{{9. Don’t dive right into work in the morning.
}}

Without fail, I start every morning off with a cup of “proper English tea,” even when traveling in San Francisco, and leisurely check the daily newspaper headlines on my tablet, before diving into email and catching up on the company Chatter feed. Having a slower-paced morning routine helps me work more efficiently as the day goes on.

{–Jeremy Roche, CEO of FinancialForce.com, an ERP solutions provider built on the Salesforce1 Platform which equips customer-centric businesses with a unified cloud platform and all the applications necessary to grow both the top and bottom line.}

{{10. Make small but meaningful personal statements.}}

After the ritual coffee every morning, I make sure I have a clean pair of crazy socks. No crazy socks, no glory. They anchor my confidence and remind me that different is good. Everyone could use a personal statement.

{–Ahmed Albaiti, founder and CEO of Medullan, a digital health innovation company that works with payers, providers, and pharma on patient engagement.}

{{11. Quantify your life.}}

There are 8,760 hours in a year, and I know exactly how many of them I have spent working, with family, exercising, or on community activities. For the last 15 years, I have kept a matrix of how I spend each hour in the day in an effort to live a balanced and optimized life. I’ve had nine major surgeries as part of a lifelong battle with Crohn’s disease, so tracking my time and health is essential to helping me maximize every moment. It’s also provided the perspective of both a patient and an executive to my companies.

{–Jeff Margolis, chairman and CEO of Welltok, creator of CafWell, the health optimization platform that helps consumers achieve optimal health. Previously, he founded the health IT company TriZetto, and took it from startup, through IPO, to a $1.4 billion leveraged buyout.}

{{12. Pay attention to people, not devices.}}

Put the cell phones away. I try to keep them out of sight when I’m around my kids and in all executive meetings.

{–Rick Morrison, CEO of Comprehend Systems, which works with big names in the life-sciences industry, such as Boston Scientific, Astellas, and AstraZeneca, modernizing and improving the quality in their clinical process through cloud-based tech.}

{{13. Wake up early and swallow the frog.}}

Mark Twain was onto something when he suggested you should tackle your most challenging project first thing in the morning. I wake up at 5 a.m. almost every morning, including weekends. My mornings are a time to tackle thought-intensive tasks, or approach projects with a new perspective. I consider 5 to 8 a.m. my power hours, and try to get through one significant undertaking by 8 a.m. every day.

{–Neha Sampat, CEO of digital tech solutions provider Built.io, which powers innovation at the intersection of enterprise mobility and the Internet of Things (IoT) for startups and Fortune 500 companies. Sampat also co-founded KurbKarma, was named a “San Francisco Business Times 40 under 40” honoree, as well as one of “50 Women in Tech Dominating Silicon Valley” in 2015.}

{{14. Don’t “find” time for family, make time.}}

As the CEO of a rapidly growing company, it’s easy to let the job consume you completely, to the detriment of those closest to you: your family. It’s not enough to “find” time to spend with your children, because the job will always find a way to fill every minute. So I make it a priority to spend two hours a day focusing only on my children. It helps me to recharge my batteries, think more creatively, and it also gives me that daily reminder of why I work so hard.

{–Ratmir Timashev, CEO of Veeam, a data center backup company founded in 2006 which now employs more than 1,500 employees around the world and brings in hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue, with its sights on reaching $1 billion in revenue in the next five years.}

{{15. Talk constantly with your team.}}

Team culture is critical in the American service economy. The only way to make sure that your team is working together at an optimal level is to make sure that you talk both formally and informally with your team.

{–Vikram Aggarwal, CEO of EnergySage, a solar-marketplace company that recently secured a $1.5 million Series A round of funding and announced a partnership with Green America.}

{{16. Drive your kids to school every day.}}

Sure, I would love to sleep later than 6 a.m. every day, but that half hour we spend in the car is amazing. I also try not to schedule client or internal meetings at 3 p.m. That’s when I have a scheduled conference call with my sons. They get on board the bus from school, and that’s our time to chat about the day so far. Finally, in the evenings, from the moment I walk in my home until they go to bed, my phone stays at the front door so they understand that family time is a priority.

{–Sandy Rubinstein, CEO of DXagency, an ad-engagement agency with clients that include DirecTV, HBO, MTV, and Whole Foods.
}

{{17. Meditate daily.}}

Twenty minutes upon waking and 20 minutes as soon as I walk in the door at the end of a day helps me maintain a level of mindfulness that enables moment-to-moment awareness. Meditation has strengthened my ability to be open to new possibilities and ideas without attachment to “my way,” and has helped foster a level of communication amongst my team that respects and celebrates new ideas, the very thing that inevitably moves business forward.

{–Ernie Capobianco, CEO of digital marketing agency Sq1, which serves clients including Michaels, Jiffy Lube, Shell, and Papa Murphy’s.}

{{18. Plan for tomorrow.}}

At the end of each business day, I take some time to regroup and think about the most important items that need to be accomplished the next day, as well as what actions the team needs to take to accomplish those tasks.

{–Michael MacDonald, CEO of nutrition and weight-loss company Medifast.}

{{19. Exercise at least five times a week.}}

I either hit the gym or get 90 minutes on my mountain bike in the morning and start at 6 a.m. At first it was hard, but now I can’t go without it. It de-stresses and sets the tone for the entire day.

{–Jason van den Brand, co-founder and CEO of online mortgage refinancing startup Lenda, which graduated from Silicon Valley-based 500 Startups last year. Since then, the company raised its first round of funding, has been growing 40 percent month over month since December, and recently passed the $40 million mark in loans financed through the platform.}

{{20. Publicly commend an employee.}}

I try to give a written compliment to an employee on something they accomplished the previous day that aligns with our company’s core values. The written compliment is public to the entire company through a platform we use called HighGround. I think that doing so helps reinforce our company’s core values and helps us live our values every day.

{–Ethan Austin, founder of the online fundraising website GiveForward, which has raised more than $150 million and hosts 20,000 active fundraisers at any given time.}

What daily habits help you achieve more in business and life?

{{Source: Inc.com}}

{Worldwide, mobile penetration is constantly on the rise. Particularly rapid growth can be observed in emerging markets such as many African countries. In 2014, the growth rate of mobile orders on [{{hellofood}}->www.hellofood.com] reached 50% on the continent, facilitated by the increasingly affordable prices of smartphones ($40). This has a great impact on millions of people’s every-day lives.}

Studies have shown that most Africans use their mobile phones predominantly to listen to music and interact with friends and relatives on social media. Taking pictures and browsing the web for information were also listed among the most common activities. But when it comes to mobile banking and payment, most users still seem slightly wary.

This caution was also observed by the online food delivery service [hellofood->www.hellofood.com]. However, last year the online delivery platform counted the same quantity of orders from mobile phones as from desktops: both accounted for 50% of the total. As mobile phone usage and thus mobile orders is strongly rising, the amount is expected to surpass desktop orders shortly.

Some countries are already mobile-first, for example Tanzania, where 79% of customers order food on their phones. Egypt (56%) and Ivory Coast (54%) have also shifted to mostly mobile orders. The other countries still make the majority of orders via desktop, with Ghana (69%) and Nigeria (61%) having the highest numbers of desktop orders.

In order to meet the customers’ reservations about online payment, many companies, including [hellofood->www.hellofood.rw], use cash-on-delivery services. This allows online companies to overcome issues of trust regarding internet businesses. Flexible payment methods are important, as such a huge percentage of business in Africa is still being done via cash-on-delivery to avoid the seemingly unsafe process of mobile banking. This payment method will remain predominant until the general perception changes along with the increase in mobile phone usage.

“Africa is a global leader in the development and adoption of mobile technology”, explains Joe Falter, CEO of[ hellofood->www.hellofood.com], “and our strategy is centered around this. Mobile data speeds and handset capabilities have improved dramatically in the last 5 years, and hellofood is taking advantage of this to completely revolutionise the way people eat on the continent. It’s an incredibly exciting time to be working in mobile in Africa.”,

{ {{Fitness always goes hand in hand with good equipment and gear and a healthy diet.}} }

{In an exclusive interview with IGIHE, the Marketing Director of WAKA Fitness has revealed how they help people use both gear and nutritional supplements to achieve results.}

Below are excerpts of the interview.

{{IGIHE}}: What types of fitness gear and supplements do you have at WAKA Fitness?

{{WAKA Fitness}}: We offer a diverse variety of fitness gear and nutritional supplements at WAKA Fitness including performance tops and pants for men and women, workout gloves, protein powder, protein bars and shakes, creatine, yoga mats, WAKA branded T-shirts and more. Our prices are also more affordable than other retailers in Kigali which means you can look great and feel great for less.

{{IGIHE:}} What kinds of clothing should you wear to work out and why is it important?

{{WAKA Fitness:}} In general, it is important to workout in clothing that is comfortable, breathable and will keep sweat off your body.
When it comes to style, this is largely a personal decision, but you should choose lightweight fabrics and styles/cuts that are loose enough to allow for a full range of movement but not so baggy that it might get caught in machines or equipment.
Also important is selecting a fabric with sufficient breathability to reduce the amount of sweat during your workouts. Cotton absorbs sweat and will become heavy during workouts so choosing clothing that is made out of polypropylene, spandex or polyester blends is usually the better options. WAKA has several options for both men and women which feature these breathable, workout friendly fabrics.

Proper shoes for the type of workout you’re engaging in is also crucial in performing better and preventing injuries. For example, running shoes often have shock absorbers to lessen impact from running while tennis shoes tend to have flexible soles for quick movements back and forth. There are also cross-training shoes for those who want to use their shoes for a wider variety of exercise.

{{IGIHE:}} What is protein powder or creatine? What are the benefits of these nutritional supplements?

{{WAKA Fitness}}: Protein powder is a processed alternative to protein, one of our body’s building blocks that supplies us with energy and builds muscle. Along with fat and carbohydrates, protein should be included in every plate of food. Protein powder is commonly derived from three natural sources of protein whey and cassetein (both of which come from milk) or soy.

Protein powder can be very beneficial for those who have difficulty incorporating enough healthy natural protein into their diet or those who are looking for an alternative to natural proteins. Because protein powder can easily be made into a shake or smoothie they are also convenient for those who don’t have enough time to plan every meal and snack.

Creatine is a naturally occurring compound that helps supply energy to all cells including muscle cells. If taken, it can enhance your overall performance in the gym, including your ability to do high intensity work or to lift more weight, it also helps with muscle gain and can even assist with recovery post-workout.

{{IGIHE:}} How does one know if nutritional supplements are right for them?

{{WAKA Fitness:}} If you are looking to see better results from all your hard work in the gym, either protein powder or creatine may be the right product for you. Both will assist with increasing the amount of muscle you gain and fat you burn. And for those looking for even better performance in the gym, you may want to try creatine.

{{Also watch this Video}}:

{tombola@igihe.com}

{A crisis or a sudden disaster can catch us off guard and feel like it is occurring at any time. Recognizing when you are experiencing one can keep the disbelief away if a situation is to become worse. Although not all crises are easily managed, below are 5 warning signs that let you know you may be experiencing one or heading that way.}

Remember that recognizing it early keeps it from turning into the worst disaster possible and seeking to take steps to change where you are heading can make everything all the more bearable.

From sudden feelings of rejection to changes in behavior and strange thoughts, having a crisis can put you in a bind that is hard to cut loose from. Here are some signs to alert you of the potential of the problem and ways to encourage you to be free of future crises and the ones you may be experiencing at the moment whether small or great.

{{1. Everything Suddenly Feels Like Rejection}}

Even the simplest sideways glance from someone can feel like a judgment or some sort of rejection when experiencing a crisis. Imagine that even paying attention too much to all the negative energy in the world and not enough to the positive energy can leave us feeling paranoid about even glances. Other instances include being intensely saddened by negative feedback or feeling not incorporated into events and social gatherings.

Have you ever asked someone to help you complete something and they said no? Suddenly you feel like this person doesn’t like you or they want to see you fail. Maybe you have sudden feelings of loss and shame like the world you were trying to carry has suddenly become so much of a burden that you allow it to crush you.

Feelings of rejection or expecting to be rejected and eventually feeling like a failure are a sign that you may be heading directly for a major crisis. Try and remember to not take everything so personal. See rejection as the other person’s loss and move on. Keep confident by remembering that it is not what others say or think about you, it is how you think of yourself and what you do to keep yourself happy and healthy.

{{2. You Have Stopped Socializing With People You Care About Most}}

This is a sign to others that care about you that you may be experiencing stress, anxiety, depression or something related to these. A sure indication of a crisis waiting to happen, closing yourself off from the world can be traumatic and torturous. Torturous because isolation can eventually drive one insane!

Although we all need time to ourselves sometimes, isolating others for days especially when you did not tell those you are most close with that you will do so can create a crisis within the family unit as well. Make sure to let those you care most for know when that extra space is needed and you desire time to think and do alone. Otherwise, remember to seek encouragement and support when you need it most.

If you need a change in atmosphere, try doing sometime different that interest you like join a poetry or book club and let your creative spirit flow. Make new friends and open up communication with more people to keep things interesting and perspective diverse. Communication can be positive and eventually change the way you see things in the best way possible.

{{3. You Are On Your Worst Behavior}}

There are more than a few songs that reference this sign that you are in a crisis. Being the worst that you can be as a fellow human being and citizen of the world can put you out of focus. Avoid bad energy and recognize when what you are doing now greatly differs in a negative way from what you did then. According to studies, some people tend to deviate towards abnormal behavior when they sense they are going through a life changing event.

Do not let yourself believe that this is just a phase. Instead insist on taking care of the issue before it is too late. Challenge yourself to make a change and have a closer look at your attitude. After all, it is the best behavior that ends up getting the reward.

{{4. You Watch Motivation Fly Out The Window}}

Tired of waiting for that chance opportunity or change to come to your life? Feeling tired is perfectly usual. Feelings of demotivation may affect you today but do not drag those feelings along with you tomorrow. The best way to grasp motivation is to remember what keeps you motivated. Losing any sense of enthusiasm or purpose can definitely open the playing field up and allow disaster to take over in the game of life. Although this may seem not so bad, trust me, it can get there fairly swiftly.

{{5. You Start Wondering Why You Were Even Born}}

Why question your existence if you are already here to begin with. Focus on what in life has made you happy and feel like life has a meaning and purpose and less on what doesn’t make you feel so. Even the smallest of things can make life meaningful. Ever wonder why the sky was blue or seen something or someone so beautiful life just seemed to pause? These are all things you were meant to experience and enjoy, to question. Wondering so much on why you were even born can eventually lead to more devastating circumstances, deeper thoughts and a sense of sorrow.

Instead be thankful to your parents for having you, embrace that you are here and see life in the present and future. Known that one day you will understand even more with your purpose eventually being fulfilled. Find joy in all things and remember to be grateful.

These 5 signs that a crisis is coming should not be taken lightly. Avoid them when you can to give way to brighter days.

{{Have you noticed any other signs a crisis is coming? Please share them in the comments section below.}}

{{Source: Inspower.co}}

{Getting through the month of Ramadan is hard enough- when you haven’t had food all day, you really don’t feel like watching what you eat or counting calories after sunset! However, as we have learnt, most people actually put on some weight during this time. To help you avoid this, [hellofood.rw->www.hellofood.rw] has gathered tips for healthy food to eat before and after the fasting, which also keeps you full for a long time!}

{{1 Yogurt}}

This great source of vitamin B is perfect for a snack on the go. It naturally reduces hunger and is also known for its great effect on the gut flora. And with about 100 calories per serving (170 g) it is absolutely weight-friendly as well.

{{2 Dates}}

Dates are amongst the most popular foods consumed during Ramadan season. The sweet fruit also plays a huge role in Middle Eastern cuisine. It’s naturally high in magnesium, potassium and fiber which take a high impact on daily heath. Fiber is essential for boosting both colon and heart health. Dates are also amongst the sweetest fruit which makes them the perfect substitute for sugar.

{{3 Avocados}}

Avocados are rich in natural fats which are a core component of a healthy nutrition. Fun fact: they can also be used as a substitute of flour in baking. Plus: the yellow-green fruit is able to lower cholesterol levels which are the main reason for heart diseases if too high.

{{4 Coconut water}}

Coconut water is best known for its miraculous effects on body, hair and skin. It also helps you to stay hydrated – drink a glass of coconut water with every meal and you will be surprised by its benefits. It also helps you lose weight the healthy way.

{{5 Oatmeal}}

Oatmeal is very high in fiber and helps you control your weight by providing the most essential nutrients such as protein to make you ready for the day. One of the biggest advantages Oatmeal offers is that it can help you fight skin problems – the starchiness of oats helps the skin holding its moisture, while the rougher fibrous husk of the oat acts as a gentle exfoliant.

{{6 Bananas}}

Bananas are very high in magnesium. If you do sports regularly, they can even help you reduce cramps. They are also easy to snack on the go and since they are high in (healthy) carbs they are the perfect food to keep you feeling saturated for a longer period of time. Snack-Tip: Spread some peanut butter on a toast bread and put banana pieces on the top – a delicious meal to start the day.

{{7 Almonds}}

Almonds are a real power booster! They contain calcium, iron, magnesium and vitamins that keep you fit and are good for your heart. Studies have also proven that almonds are beneficial for weight loss and lowering blood pressure. One small handful a day might just keep the doctor away and make you feel full.