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Is Hard Work Enough to Land Your Dream Job?

Posted October 16, 2017 By GuestSpot

The Dream Job Recipe

They say that if you do something you love, you will never work a day in your life. When you are lucky enough to have your dream job, this statement is most certainly true. However, for many, finding your dream job can be a difficult task, especially if your dream job is competitive or difficult to attain. If you are one of those people searching for your dream job in your dream career, I have a few tips to help you land that dream job. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you search and apply for that dream job. Remember – if you dont see the one you want – make it create it!

Dream Job Ingriedient 1: Know What You Want

Before you can start looking for your dream job, you need to know exactly what you want in your dream job. Many people who aren’t sure when they first graduate high school might work for a while before pursuing an online degree in business or even an online nursing degree later in life. In this way, they know what they want, and this is how they are pursuing it. The first step is to know exactly what your dream job is and how you can pursue it.

Dream Job Ingriedient 2: Flexibility Matters

When you are pursuing your dream job, you need to remember that flexibility is important. It’s not always easy to secure the exact job of your dreams. For example, a writer might need to be flexible with their dream job. If they want to be a novelist, they might need to be flexible to work as a journalist for a time. Either way, flexibility in the job force is a key to getting and securing a great career. It might not seem ideal at first, but many employers enjoy seeing someone who is willing to be flexible with their job.

Dream Job Ingriedient 3: Be Unique

Being unique is another important key to securing your dream job. Your unique skills, talents, and features are one of the reasons why employers are quick to hire you. If you have skills and talents that are unique to the job you are seeking, your potential employer will be more likely to hire you for the things you can bring to the table. Your resume should also be unique to show your potential employers how qualified you are for this job.

Dream Job Ingriedient 3: Be Authentic

Understanding who you are in the work place is as important to success as is fitting in. The best way to do both is try not to push it, don’t fake what you aren’t and use the power of “neutral stance” before jumping into any office dialogues or positional strategies.

Dream Job Ingriedient 4: Be Ready to Work Hard, it isn’t going to be handed to you

Finally, the best way to secure the job of your dreams is to work hard. In this day and age, many people seem to struggle with this. However, there is nothing better than hard work, especially when you are trying to secure a job. Employers will see the hard work you are putting into the job, and they will be excited to hire you for a position. If you are qualified and you work hard, your chances of getting a position in your dream career are high. Remember to be flexible with your work while also working hard to better your chances at that dream job.

Dream Job Ingriedient 5: Stay Motivated

Like it or not, in addtional to hard work, time plays a key factor. True success and gain comes with perseverance, time and sustainably moving towards your goal. Gone are the days of timeline to retirement – now it is about being the best, learning from the fails and knowing how you value yourself at the end of the day.

Conclusion

Working at a job you love is not like working at all. In fact, these jobs can often be fun and keep your days happy. You might even enjoy going to work every day if you have a job that you love. Dream jobs are a great way to enjoy the work you do and earn money while doing what you love. If you are attempting to secure a position at your dream job, you should remember to be flexible, be unique, know what you want, and work hard to obtain your dream career. By following these tips, you could be well on your way to getting the job you love and the job you have been dreaming about, no matter what that job may be. What’s your dream job?

 

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From SocialMediaToday, The Psychology Behind Social Media Engagement

Posted October 13, 2017 By Frank Strona

This story posted on SocialMediaToday has some good content on the application of social media engagement and may be worth a read by folks. Originally posted on Top Dog Social Media, I can see why it was worth being reposted.

As with any marketing, most of agree “Understanding your customers is largely dependent on understanding how they think” but I would add so is an also understanding of what motivation they will need to act on what they think. Remember – feeling, thinking and acting is a proccess that one goes through and shoulld be part of the recipe for success. 

So when devloping your strategies – its good to expand your base questions:   What do your target customers need? What do they want? What can you do to influence their decision-making process? What is the win? What is gained by the “fail”? etc.

For the full story from visit SocialMediaToday (and I do recommend you take the 10 min to read it) can be found here .

But these are a few of my favorite highlights from the SocialMediaToday article:

“Social media engagement may come in the form of click-activated reactions (such as the Facebook like button), shares (retweets on Twitter, regrams on Instagram, and so on), and responses (comments on your LinkedIn status updates, for example).”

… the level of engagement tends to vary based on a number of factors which may or may not be within your control.

… not all of your updates are equally successful, and that some will generate more engagement than others.

The  7 rules of social media engagement

In his book ‘Influence: The Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion  of Persuasion‘, Robert Cialdini identifies seven key influencers of persuasion.

1) Weapons of Influence (Social Selling)

2) Reciprocity (Relationship Building)

3) Commitment and Consistency (Content Marketing)

4) Social Proof

5) Liking (Personal Branding and Storytelling)

6) Authority (Thought Leadership)

7) Scarcity

The story offers some social media engagement tactics that they suggest work

Updates that trigger an emotional response

Relevant questions for your target audience

A sense of humor

A contrarian point of view

Compelling storytelling

Newsworthy content and updates

A consistent presence

Having a healthy mix of content topics and formats

Include a call-to-action

As well as some of the more common social media engagement faux pas

Posting a certain kind of update on an ill-suited platform

Sharing without adding a personal touch

Asking a question on every single post

Posting personal rants, unsolicited opinions, and private information

Too much humor

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5 Habits Ruining Your Self-Esteem

Posted October 11, 2017 By GuestSpot

Habits – you know you have more than 5,  we all do, but let’s start with my favorite 5 ones to break:

Self-esteem is a rare commodity that only a portion of the population gets to enjoy. If you’d like to learn how to build up your self-esteem, you must first learn what you’re doing on a daily basis that could be destroying it instead.

 

Comparing

One majorly toxic habit that will destroy your self-esteem is the habit of comparing yourself to others. You cannot focus so much of your time and emotions on how your life differs in comparison with the lives of others. “A paper in the journal Science reported that activation in brain areas related to reward respond to relative differences in wealth even more than absolute amounts. Evidently, many Silicon Valley millionaires feel deprived because they can’t keep up with the billionaires in their neighborhood” (Psychology Today). Focus instead on becoming the best version of yourself and your path will unfold before you, leading you to a destiny greater than one you could have imagined.

Procrastinating

Procrastination is a serious killer of self-esteem because it prevents us from ever starting on a project, assignment, or goal that would be a huge boost to our self-esteem. Our self-esteem strengthens as we accomplish things we never thought we could. We cannot accomplish things if we never start. Do something today that your future self with thank you for.

 

People-Pleasing

This is a habit that a lot of people have. We are conditioned at a young age to do and say whatever is pleasing to adults. This habit quickly evolves into a toxic mentality of self-sacrifice that leaves us feeling as if we’re not here to do anything but to serve the will of others (Bustle). There is no presence of self-esteem when we are putting others’ happiness ahead of our own. You don’t have to be selfish. Just make sure you’re doing things that make you happy at the end of the day.

 

Destructive Coping Mechanisms

When we feel bad about ourselves, it’s difficult to acknowledge and process that emotion. To hide how badly we feel about ourselves, we turn to addictive vices or self-destructive behaviors. Alcohol, prescription drugs, and controlled substances can be extremely addictive under the right social circumstances (Casa Nuevo Vida). They are a distraction from what we’re feeling. Face what you’re feeling, learn healthy ways to cope with it, and rise above it.

 

Treating Others Badly

When we feel bad about ourselves, it’s easy to transfer those feelings onto other people. We find it comforting when someone else is hurting worse than we are, but that’s not a healthy solution. We end up feeling even worse after the guilt sets in over what we’ve done. Always treat others with kindness because what you send out in the world will come back to you. The person you’re kind to today might end up saving you from yourself tomorrow.

 

If you find that you are unable to break free from these habits that are destroying your self-esteem, you may want to seek out the advice of a mentor. A mentor will be able to help you work through breaking these bad habits and learning new, healthier habits.

Hey! wait… I can be your mentor! That is if you are ready to take the first step and make contact … are you ready?  Make the first contact and let’s talk

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Awareness-check; So much happening, so little we know

Posted October 9, 2017 By Frank Strona

Awareness-check for Myself:

Awareness-check, seems like an odd word doesn’t it? but it does capture the essence of engaged learning – being aware of what is happening. So while reading Linkedin.com, (a service, or website, network – or whatever they call themselves I continue to have a “love-hate” relationship with), I do, however, find useful cross-posts from those that I have selected to follow. This one was a good visual infographic on the context of the internet and time.

Awareness-check for you!

The authors at Unboxingdeals.com posted this list in graphic format initially on October 4, 2017, wanted you to get a general idea that a lot happens! Something most people”know” but never really have a reason to think about. We have come so far from the days of AOL and sending “groups packets of information” slowly over time…

Oh and if you need a quick “cheat sheet” of social media platforms, visit my Engage post from February 13, 2017

1 second in the internet

Awareness-check – the infographic

What Happens in 1 Second of The Internet

24,88,887 Emails

34,875 GB of Internet traffic

22 WordPress Posts

1160 Tumblr Posts

3 million Google Searches

122,373 YouTube Videos viewed

2121 Skype Calls

12 Uber Rides

1286 Netflix Hours of Videos Streamed

Amazon ships 35 items

eBay gets an average of $680 worth of transactions

Amazon gets an average of $3400 worth of transactions

12 New active Mobile Social users

6 New Facebook Profiles Created

469,445 Facebook Likes

7,203 Tweets

162 Pinterest Pins

4745 Snapchat Snaps Shared

69,444 Snapchat Videos Viewed

305 Reddit votes

721 Instagram Photos Uploads

28935 Instagram Photos Likes

4,86,111 Whatsapp Messages Sent

For the full-sized  infographic check it out here: https://www.unboxingdeals.com/one-second-of-internet/

 

As always if you are looking to learn more about how social media platforms can enrich or be blended into your personal or professional culture,

visit my Services page or better yet get in touch with me and tell me what custom needs you have  here.

 

 

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Myers-Briggs Personality Type Leadership Traits

Posted October 6, 2017 By GuestSpot

What is Myers-Briggs and why do I care?

From time to time, you may read a profile on someone or hear an interview candidate mention they are an “ISTJ” type on the Myers-Brigg scale. Well not everyone is up on the “types” that are associated with those that take this type of personality test.  The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator personality test takes Carl Jung’s psychological theory of 16 personality types and makes them applicable to real people. The goal of this test, then, is to make people aware of their innate strengths and weaknesses so they can live to their fullest potential. If you’re the type of person who aspires to a position of leadership, your Myers & Briggs personality type can help determine which type of leadership role you’re best suited for. If you do not know your Myers-Briggs personality type, find out at 16Personalities.com. 

The Myers-Briggs 16 types of outcomes you may hear someone refer to themselves as:

ISTJ

People with this personality type are very methodical and thorough. When in a leadership role, they become very detail-oriented. They offer clear and concise directions for their followers.

ISFJ

People with this personality type lead through thoughtfulness and commitment. Their leadership style allows them to produce high-quality work while still meeting deadlines.

INFJ

People with this personality type can often be found leading humanitarian causes. They are incredible visionaries who lead with passion. All team members must share the same passion for the cause.

INTJ

People with this personality type are very determined and strategic. They are both calm and focused which makes them a mastermind at problem-solving and noticing patterns.

ISTP

People with this personality type are very tactical and effective leaders. They prefer to observe things before making a decision.

ISFP

People with this personality type are usually found leading from behind the curtains. They work best with companies and causes that help the downtrodden.

INFP

People with this personality type are innovative and compassionate. They are excellent listeners and great leaders in humanitarian causes.

INTP

People with this personality type are unconventional leaders who will lead with curiosity and consider opinions with a democratic style of leadership.

ESTP

People with this personality type are fun-loving and fearless leaders. Their charisma allows them to keep morale up using humor.

ESFP

People with this personality type are very hands-on types of leaders who will work side-by-side with their team members to ensure the job gets done.

ENFP

People with this personality type are inspirational leaders. They are creative visionaries who lead and achieve goals by brainstorming with their teams.

ENTP

People with this personality type thrive on challenge and will often seek out entrepreneurship opportunities. Classes at a local business management school will help their entrepreneurship to succeed.

ESTJ

People with this personality type are efficient and decisive leaders. They will use extensive logical processes to discern a clear direction and commit to it.

ESFJ

People with this personality type are leaders who will put the people’s needs ahead of their own. They are generous, supportive, and encouraging.

ENFJ

People with this personality type believe in leading by example. They are visionaries and keep their focus on the bigger picture so they’re not distracted by small setbacks.

ENTJ

People with this personality type tend to be very assertive and ambitious leaders. They inspire confidence and admiration in their followers. They are dependable and intensely focused.

 

Anyone can be a leader!

If you want to learn, grow, and ultimately thrive in your life, let MentorSF lead you to a new way of thinking that will enable you to make the most of who you are.

 

References:

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Saving Tricks; 5 Small Adjustments You Can Make for A Better Life

Posted October 4, 2017 By GuestSpot

Saving money is one of the best ways to live happily and in control of your life. When you have money left over after paying the bills, you can use it to save or invest in your future, or even have around when an emergency crops up. But how do you save that money in the first place? Luckily, a lot of good financial habits don’t have to take a complete overhaul of your life. If you’re smart, using small adjustments can make a big difference. If you are looking to gain more control over your financial future, use these five tips to improve your life and bank account balance.

 

Saving Trick 1. Buy Things From Cheaper Outlets Or Thrift Stores

You might not think it’s cool to be seen shopping around at places like Dollar General or Ollie’s Bargain Outlet, but believe it or not, you can sometimes get more than what you pay for when you’re willing to do so. Yes, we would all like to have fancy brands and get the finer things in life, but you’ll be very happy to see your pockets not be emptied by these products. In fact, you might even find hundreds of dollars saved in some cases. Try a cheaper shampoo for a few months and spend wisely on essentials like cereal and toilet paper at places where they come at half the price. The take home for me is to know what brands I won’t sacrifice and then go after them on sale or lower-priced options for the rest of your shopping.

Saving Trick 2. Learn How To Cook If You Don’t Know How

Food is an expense you will always have, but you can save a lot of money if you know how to cook. The great thing about it is, there are so many simple recipes that even those who don’t know anything about culinary arts can make them in a flash. Yes, you still need to buy the groceries to make food, but there are all kinds of places you can get those, and most grocery stores even have discount coupons you can use. You can even go the extra mile by planning your grocery week in advance and preparing food in the freezer for nights when you don’t have time to cook. You can also always visit my food blog www.BiteTheRoad.com for ideas on way to cook at home and some the recipes I use on a day to day basis!

 

Saving Trick 3. Conserve On Electricity

This is something that’s often overlooked because we use electricity so regularly we don’t even think about it. By simply remembering to turn off the lights when you leave a room, turning off the TV at night, and making sure your appliances are running at efficient levels are big electricity savers. In fact, the Family Handyman notes that taking your electronics, plugging them into a power strip, and then shutting the switch off of that can save up to $100 a year on costs.

 

Saving Trick 4. Pay Your Credit Card Bills Ahead Of Time And In Full

You might think that delaying full payments and paying the minimum amount on credit cards when you get your monthly statements will save money, but actually, you’re going to be accumulating a lot of debt and paying even more in the long run if you do this. Credit cards have a lot of hidden fees we often forget about, and on top of that, interest will pile up and in some cases could turn $1,000 that we owe into as much as $1,300 if the APR is high. The best policy is to use your credit card wisely and always pay it off in full.

 

Saving Trick 5. Always Drive Safe

Most important to saving money could be your driving habits. You might think it’s fun to speed down the road on that hot summer day with the windows open, but getting ticketed or getting in an accident will take that good feeling away immediately. And most importantly, drunk driving should be avoided at all costs because according to one law firm, that could cost you a driver’s license suspension, jail time, and a hefty fine, even for a first offense. By driving safe or having a designated driver take you home when you’ve had one too many, you not only will save money on tickets, accident,  and court costs, you can keep your insurance premiums low and apply for good driver discounts which can save you even more.

 

In summary, there are always ways you can bring more money back into your wallet even if it’s just $5 when you go out to eat. You don’t always have to sacrifice what you love to save money, but if you’re willing to look at discount deals and plan ahead for expenses, you might be surprised at just how much your savings can compound. You should always be willing to adopt new habits and lifestyle changes if they mean more happiness and less trouble down the road.

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Post it where?

Posted September 27, 2017 By Frank Strona

The dreaded where do I post it moment..

Earlier this year one of my favorite “go to” blogs, from the folks at @BufferApp posted this great article “What to Post on Each Social Media Platform: The Complete Guide to Optimizing Your Social Content”. It ended up being one of my favorite shares with friends and clients because it was a clean and simple read and made sense without a lot of sales pitch. In fact, they call out one of the more common mistakes folks coming over to the social media side of the house often do;

“It’s all right to post entirely different things on different platforms. In fact, it might even help you to boost your engagement.”

Yep, I couldn’t agree more. You don’t have to post the same content, everywhere or even the same way. That is what separates the dialogue of an organic and a “real-feeling” process from the more “assembly line” generated one. While rereading it today, I noticed I had some updates to what they originally posted and thought it worth mentioning my added thoughts:

Now, for those of you folks who haven’t clicked on the original Buffer Social’s post above, that list included these general guidelines:

My ” post it where ” version looks more like this:

Facebook: [Personal/Family/Friends] Primary Account:  Videos and curated content

Facebook Business Page: Cross-posted content from your blog (or serving as a blog), videos and curated content.

Note: recently Facebook also added Jobs and it’s “Live” stream feeds. (Which is the place you should actually put your business or group program. They go on the “page” or “groups” and not as the formal Facebook page which is geared to the “person”. You can always lock down the primary account so no one sees it if you only want to focus on the Page.): 

Instagram: High-res photos, quotes, Stories. Videos up to 60 seconds and GIFS

Twitter: News, blog posts, video (512MB file size and up to 30 seconds long), GIFs and interactive features like Twitter chats. They also updated the notifications tab and several other features. Here is a good read on that from SmartInsights.com

LinkedIn: Jobs, company news, and professional content; this is important – “Content” shared needs to be insightful, useful and illustrates your expertise or those you see as influencers. You can post a video on LinkedIn but it needs to be the URL link from an outside service such as Youtube or Vimeo (or from your branded server).

Pinterest: Infographics and step-by-step photo guides, “How to” and “Top 5” type visuals do really well on Pinterest. For instance, the image I used for the Preventing Burnout post is a good example.

Google+: Cross-posted content from your blog (or serving as a blog), videos and image-based content. Blog posts that you want to rank on Google.  And for those naysayers out there about using Google+, check out 5 Surprising Reasons To Reconsider Google+ (That You Can Act On Today)

A few last notes:

For those of you who ask about what “memes” are; I found this great quote from 2015; “GIFs and Memes, quick hint: GIFs typically take clips from movies or television shows where as memes make a topical or culture reference. Or, to be more specific: GIFs always do. Memes are typically static” and think they explain it pretty well.

 

Oh and by the way, if you haven’t yet, check out Buffer Social’s recent post from 9/26/2017 on The Ideal Cover Photo Size for Each of the Major Social Media Platforms.

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Recognition is as important as integrity

Posted September 21, 2017 By Frank Strona

It doesn’t matter how seasoned a professional you are, or how much respect or national acclaim one gets; sometimes the most important recognition is from those that you are surrounded by or work with on a day-to-day basis.

Yet that can often be the same feedback that we allow ourselves to easily overlook. That old saying familiarity breeds contempt takes on new meaning when friends and close colleagues give us compliments and recognition.  It’s much easier to blow the words off when it’s from people we know. Perhaps it’s because we expect our friends and close colleagues to say them. Maybe there is a sense of “it’s not valid” unless it’s a stranger recognizing me. It is hard to say.

But in a world when criticisms, intolerance, lack of integrity, and hate is so abundant. It is crucial that we as a people, as professionals, and as human beings learn to allow those that we respect to share their feelings of love, admiration, and appreciation. Those moments have value to us and to them. The time it takes someone to mention or write you is an expression of sentiment, but also time. It is another opportunity to reflect on who we are and what we bring to the table.

Last week, I had a lovely reminder of this when longtime friend and colleague David Ortmann posted these words in reference to my work here in MentorSF

“MentorSF is really one-stop shopping for improving or growing any facet of your life. I must give a shout out to a man doing some amazing education, coaching, writing and life-focusing work in San Francisco. I have worked with, and learned from, Frank Strona, the founder of MentorSF for years. Check out the video if there are things in your life that need polishing or retooling. I highly recommend Frank. He’s a revolutionary thinker and guide.”

Every day, every one of us. no matter career role come into contact with an abundance of people and personalities. We often speak without thinking, think without speaking and sometimes we do neither. The biggest challenge we face is that we sometimes aren’t “hearing” what we’re “listening” too.

Next time you’re in a conversation and you find yourself thinking about the next thing to say or what to buy for dinner.  STOP for a moment and really hear what the person is saying. You may find yourself on the receiving end of a complement, a genuine heartfelt sentiment, a constructive criticism that could be of benefit you personally or professionally, or just a random moment that becomes an “AHA” moment for you.

 

On the flipside of that we often also ignore the power that we have in what we say. That casual stray coment or critical observation or even an honest reaction that to a listener or the person who overhears it may have lasting effects. These effects are ones you may never aware of. It’s important to honor to remember that the power of voice and storytelling is a gift for potential and gain, but also yields a sharp edge when handled badly.

 

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Looking to Boost Your Career? 6 Ways to Improves Your Chances

Posted September 18, 2017 By GuestSpot

Many people want to take the next step in their career. There are plenty of ways for people to advance in their career and get the promotion they have been working for. Here are some tips on improving your career over the next few years. One of the key factors is that you must stay engaged in the process. It isn’t something you can’t start and stop, then wait for something to happen.

Experience

Gaining quality experience in your field is one of the best ways to move up in your company. Some people focus on earning money early in their career. However, the people who have the best careers typically focus on gaining experience at first.

If a new opportunity comes up at your place of work, you should take advantage of it. There are many people who get comfortable and stay in the same position for many years. Getting an online degree is a great way to get your career going again. Combining education and quality experience is the perfect way to advance in your career.

Education

An online degree program is one of the best ways to improve your level of education. Over time, education is the best way to increase your chances of getting promoted. A lot of companies will not hire people past a certain level without advanced degrees.

An online degree program is perfect for working professionals because it allows you to get a degree without quitting your job. There are many working professionals who go to class at night in order to advance their career. With all of the online degree program options in the market today, you should be able to find something that will meet your needs and is affordable. Some companies will even help employees pay for advanced education.

Networking

Another important aspect of getting promoted is to network with your peers. Networking is a great way to learn about various areas of your company and industry. In addition, people like to help people who they have a relationship with.

Networking is not difficult, and it is one of the best ways to improve your odds of success. Every few months, make a goal to interact with people throughout the company. Few people are intentional about networking, and this can help you separate yourself from others in your department.

Certifications

Getting additional certifications in your field is a way to stand out from others in your area. There are some certifications that require college classes or passing a test. These are usually the certifications that will actually add value to your career.

A certification in your field, especially in a technical area, is a great way to demonstrate that you are an employee who cares about your personal development. In addition, online education options today can help you prepare for these certification tests. Do some research in your field to determine the certifications that hold the most value.

Volunteering

Although it sounds strange, volunteering in your field is a great way to make new connections and gain experience. There are many volunteer organizations that are in need of help from working professionals. Not only can you bring your skills to an organization that needs your help, but you will be able to learn a lot during the process.

Now is a great time to start looking for an organization to work with that you are passionate about. With so many options today, there should be a company that you can find to help in the coming years.

Overall, it is possible to take your career to a new level and get the promotion you have always dreamed of. Many people get frustrated too early in their career that progress is not being made. Instead, focus on areas that you can control in order to take your career to a new level.

DREAM

That’s right. DREAM.  Never stop dreaming; of the future, the now and especially what you want in your world. 

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Stop Stressing About Your Finances: 5 Tips to Reduce Financial Stressors

Posted September 15, 2017 By GuestSpot

Do you have financial stressors? Maybe you’re worried you can’t pay all of your bills, or you’re already late on some payments. Money creates problems when it’s not flowing in at a steady rate. It can affect all aspects of a person’s life, making them suffer the results of financial stress. Living in a state of stress causes poor sleep, a negative attitude, and even worsening health. The key to overcoming the crippling anxiety that comes from financial stress is to gain control of your money. Here are 5 ways to reduce your stressors.

 

Stressor Reduction 1: Face Your Situation

Financial stress often comes from a sense of uncertainty about being able to meet financial obligations. It follows, then, that removing the uncertainty is the first step to removing the anxiety. Ideally, the replacement of uncertainty is accomplished through awareness.

Financial awareness comes by creating a budget where all expenses are matched against all income. However, simply writing down a list of all your bills and the amounts in the order of their due dates will provide a timeline of action for solving any problems in a logical way. There are even a few smartphone apps that track those dates to make things easier for you.

 

Stressor Reduction 2: Assess your Actual Spending

Sometimes even after creating a budget, you may continue to feel the strain that money matters can cause. If this is happening, it’s likely your budget isn’t as inclusive as it should be. Perhaps all the monthly bills are accounted for, but products and services throughout the month, like groceries, fuel, or hair care, are not. Coffee, ride services, and entertainment expenses add up quickly, too. Reviewing bank account purchase logs helps you to make honest assessments about what you are actually spending and whether or not it’s actually a necessary expense.

 

Stressor Reduction 3: Make More Money Available

If the source of financial stress is a lack of funds available to cover your pressing debts, then making more money will help to reduce the stress. Sometimes making extra money is a task that simply means getting a job. Other times, there are barriers that make things difficult for a second job, like school, children, and transportation, and those will limit your opportunities. Where there’s a will, there’s a way, though. Find legitimate online jobs, offer to babysit in your home, take clients to teach a skill.

Look into other ways to make more money available. Call some of your creditors and see if you can change payment amounts. Look into debt consolidation. Stop eating out as frequently, and make homemade meals. Most importantly, if people try to borrow money from you, say no.

 

Stressor Reduction 4: Learn a Skill

Find a way to make yourself more valuable in society. That is, learn a skill that people will pay you to do. Some people do odd jobs like changing the oil in their neighbors’ vehicles, learning to sew and providing hemming services, or learning a few songs on the guitar and making money as an entertainer. Learning a new skill can also come from a formal education, of course. Look into getting a degree or learning a trade that has a practical use. If getting back and forth to a brick and mortar university is a dealbreaker, research online universities—many of them offer online accounting degrees. In any case, educate yourself so that you have better chances at earning extra money.

 

Stressor Reduction 5: Get Help

When in a state of stress, it’s often impossible to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Talk to a trusted friend, parent, or even a professional financial advisor about money matters. They may be able to see a simple solution you can’t, or they may have experienced something similar and can show you the best ways to get out of your current situation. At the very least, you will learn you’re not alone in your feelings of being overwhelmed by money.

Take control of your life and stop letting stress take a toll on your health. By following the above tips, you can reduce the stress and lead a more fulfilling life. It may take a lot of work, but when you find yourself not worried about paying your monthly bills, it’ll be worth it.

 

Stressor Reduction Bonus!

Make it ok for you to laugh, enjoy family time, and even on occasion – be ok with just doing nothing.

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