Thursday, April 20, 2017

How to Be Your Own Boss with Little (or No) Money

It is easy to get sick of the grind: the dismal 9-5 system. Maybe you spend too much time for too little money. This is so ingrained in our minds that any alternative way of making money or becoming our own bosses seems to be a Herculean task. However, this difficulty is illusory. The secret to being your own boss and making decent money relatively easily away from traditional work may just lie in network marketing.

What’s Network Marketing?

Network marketing is a popular method of business and an alternative form of product distribution.[1] The traditional method of distributing products to customers is one we’re all pretty familiar with. Products are manufactured somewhere, then sent to a distributor who sends it to stores to be brought by customers. Its relatively straightforward and lots of people profit along the way. However, network marketing provides a different system.

With network marketing the distribution is done through a network of agents who market the products to other individuals. These agents may have other people under their leadership who market goods to others. Profit is made via direct sales and distribution of the products.

“Wait. Is this a….? I know what you’re thinking. “Pyramid scheme”, right? While they are admittedly similar systems, there is one crucial difference.

Pyramid schemes focus on the money being made through the recruitment of others. These people may be duped into thinking that through the pyramid scheme they will easily find their fortune, when really they are just the means for others to make money. With network marketing the focus is on selling and distributing the products- not the recruiting of others.

It can be such an effective system that some very well-known companies operate and sell their products through network marketing. One of the most well-known examples of this is Tupperware.

The good things about network marketing:

  • Why should you consider network marketing? For a start, it gives you a degree of freedom that an ordinary 9-5 job can’t possibly offer.[2] To an extent (meaning you’ll still need to get things done), you will be able to tailor your marketing around your life, working from home as you do so. There is no income cap. If you get really good at selling you will earn more money.
  • You’ll be your own boss without worrying about hiring and firing because there will be no employees. Whilst you may form relationships with other agents and marketers, you won’t need to worry about paying wages and all of the other responsibilities the boss of a regular business must handle.
  • Even when you’re not on the clock you will still be able to generate income. Network marketing relies on it.[3] You’ll be able to benefit from residual income if you help others start in the business.
  • Many of us have had to suffer the pains of being laid off or fired.
    Assuming you are successful at getting your network marketing business off the ground, you will have unbeatable job security. You’re your own boss after all!

The not-so-good things about network marketing:

Now before you think I’ve drunk the cool-aid and am now off to start a pyramid scheme, there are some negatives that are very much worth consideration. The most obvious is the clear similarity to pyramid schemes. If you do plan to involve yourself, you need to be sure that you are engaging in a legitimate network marketing system – not a pyramid scheme which is illegal. This will require significant diligence and research on your part to be sure, but a good rule of thumb is to note how the money is made.

The Federal Trade commission says the following about the difference between network marketing and pyramid schemes:[4]

“They all share one overriding characteristic. They promise consumers or investors large profits based primarily on recruiting others to join their program- not based on profits from any real investment or real sale of goods to the public.”

However, with direct marketing, the focus is money made via sales – not recruitment. When it works, network marketing can be hugely beneficial for all parties involved.

There are other considerations too:

  • Most sales you’ll make will be face to face.[5] Only a small fraction of sales through network marketing occur online and instead will be face to face or over the phone. This is something you’ll need to be comfortable with.
  • Even if you are comfortable with selling face to face, you will have to get used to rejection.
  • It is not usually a get rich quick scheme. It can take time and some investment to set up and even then you’ll be competing somewhat with other agents. Although it’s possible to make a lot of money, it probably will not happen fast.

So, how do you start?

The good news is that getting started in network marketing is a relatively simple process.[6]

Firstly you need to decide on a product that you want to sell.

A popular choice is nutritional products.[7] Initially you will have to invest some money to register with the company and buy the product you wish to sell.

These prices can vary but often begin around $100. Companies like Tupperware, who are built around network marketing, offer down payments. Considering the amount of money they charge to get started is crucial because whatever is required you will have to recoup before you can make a profit.[8]

Many people are experienced and successful in network marketing and can serve as mentors.

It is advisable to listen to what they say. Companies experienced with network marketing will likely have systems in place to help you get started. After all, you’re part of the way they will make money.

Spread the word that you are in business.

You should consider building a website, or market through social media, classified ads, and even to friends and family. (We’ve all heard of Tupperware parties which for all intents and purposes, are super-casual trade shows.)

After considering this information, all you need to do is select your company and get selling!

Reference

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Is Pho Healthy or Not? Will I Gain Weight If I Have It Often?

A warm bowl of pho soup is everyone’s favorite these days. Made with a blend of broth, meat, rice noodles, and topped with vegetables, pho has it all from a nutritional standpoint. But there’s also talk about pho being unhealthy due to its high sodium content and that it was even fattening. Whether pho is good or bad for you depends on the specific recipe, your choice of condiments, and portion size.

Many of us tend to go overboard with our portion sizes when given a variety of options of meat, veggies etc.

Most of us have had their first bowl pho at our local Vietnamese restaurants where customers are given a variety of options of meat, veggies, serving size, and condiments. No wonder, so many of us tend to go overboard with our portion sizes with that much freedom available. You’ve probably asked yourself at one point is pho healthy and will it ruin your waistline?[1] This is especially true if you eat pho on an almost daily basis and feel guilty about it. Another thing that may make you feel weary about pho is that you don’t see this traditionally Vietnamese dish being recommended as a weight-loss and health promoting option. Instead, you are more likely to hear pho referred to as an unhealthy fast-food or street-food.

Hearing talk of pho being one of those unhealthy restaurant meals can kill all the fun around this popular noodle soup. Well, we’re here to tell you that pho can be a big part of even the best diet plan if you eat it moderately and if you customize it wisely.[2] On the downside, many low-quality restaurant versions tend to be high in saturated fat and sodium, so this can get a bit tricky. Studies show that too much fat in your diet can lead to weight gain, a higher risk of diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.[3] Furthermore, too much sodium in your daily diet can cause hypertension and damage your heart, kidneys, and blood vessels.

Pho is healthy only when…

While pho may come with its downsides, you can customize this delicious Vietnamese dish to make it more healthful. Compared to other fast-food dishes, a small serving of pho is quite balanced in nutrients and pretty low in calories. For instance, an appetizer serving size of chicken pho contains only 162 calories.[4] Of this, 32% of the calories come from fat, 32% come from carbohydrates, and 36% of the calories in one cup of pho come from protein. On the other hand, a meal-sized portion of pho may provide up to 400 calories which are only 20% of the recommended daily intake of calories.

As you can see, good quality pho isn’t the highly fattening fast food it was made up to be. This is especially true with pho that was made using traditional methods. Traditionally, pho was made by cooking beef bones or chicken for a very long time, and the excess fat at the top was removed. Restaurant versions may skip this last step, but high-end restaurants make it a priority to make their meals healthy and delicious. But other than providing you with a modest number of calories, pho is also great for meeting your vitamin and mineral needs. Pho is rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, and iron. Depending on how much veggies you like to include, you can also get plenty of fiber from your bowl of pho.

How to make your pho healthful

Enjoying pho and getting plenty of health benefits with it is possible is you make the right decisions. First, it is best to look for a Vietnamese restaurant serving traditional pho instead of the fast-food version. As we’ve already explained, some restaurants skip skimming the excess fat from their pho broth making for an unhealthier soup version. Secondly, when customizing your pho at your favorite restaurant, be careful no tot go overboard with certain ingredients. Too much rice noodles will cause a spike in your blood glucose and make a meal fattening. Similarly, adding more than your fair share of meat cuts to your bowl of pho will pack on the extra calories. Instead, be generous with vegetable topping when customizing your pho. Veggies like bean sprouts, jalapenos, and onions will control your blood glucose levels, and their fiber content will keep you feeling full.

But other than customizing your pho bowl to suit your health-conscious lifestyle, why not play it safe and make a homemade version instead? While Pho is traditionally made over the course of one to two days, there are plenty pho recipes requiring just a fraction of that time. With homemade pho, you get to have more control over the amount of fat, protein, and carbs you consume with each portion. We suggest opting for homemade chicken pho because chicken is leaner than beef.

We also suggest being moderate with condiments like soy sauce and siracha sauce. While these sauces help make pho taste great, they are very high in sodium. Restaurant versions also tend to go overboard with the sodium in pho to make it more palatable. But as already explained, this practice can be dangerous for your overall health. Instead, add only a tiny bit of sauces and salt to your pho, just enough to remove any blandness. You can also be playful with your topping and add spring onions or broccoli even. Make sure to read about low-calorie foods and benefits of broccoli before making your homemade pho.[5]

Whether or not pho is healthy varies greatly from one version to the other. Traditional pho served with skimmed broth, a moderate serving of noodles, a tiny bit of sauce, and a generous helping of veggies is nutritious and possibly healthy. On the other hand, fast-food versions packed in sodium and saturated fat may not be the best choice for a daily meal. To get around this problem, pho lovers can customize their bowls by adding more veggies, being skimpy with condiments, and adding noodles moderately.

Featured photo credit: KQED via google.com

Reference

[1] Healthy Dining Finder: What’s the Best Pho to Order?
[2] Consumer Health Digest: Best Diet Plan: 6 Ways to Choose an Effective Diet Plan
[3] Guldstrand, M. C., & Simberg, C. L.: High-fat diets: healthy or unhealthy?
[4] Fat Secret: Chicken pho
[5] Consumer Health Digest: List of Low Calorie Foods

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How to Write a LinkedIn Summary That People Would Stop for You

According to some estimates,[1] 467 million people use LinkedIn and two new members sign up every second. The popular business and employment-oriented platform have users from 200 different countries, and it’s available in more than 20 languages. LinkedIn has become a powerful tool for business success with more than 10 million endorsements so far.

Setting up an account on this platform is vital for your career, but you have to make some effort. In order to succeed, your profile has to be well-crafted and stand out from all others with an unique summary. The problem is, a lot of people have summaries that are too generic, and there is nothing to catch someone’s attention. As a result, you are unable to get the most out of your LinkedIn presence.

Believe me; the problem with bad summaries on LinkedIn is quite common so you shouldn’t despair if you think yours doesn’t meet certain standards.

The good thing is; you can always create a different, improved summary that will catch everyone’s attention. As a social media expert who has helped numerous individuals and businesses to boost the quality of LinkedIn profiles, I bring you some useful tips to create a stellar LinkedIn summary easily.

Most LinkedIn users assume nobody even reads the summary, but that is not true

You are probably wondering why is summary important anyway. Most LinkedIn users assume nobody even reads that section, but that is not true. You should think of your profile on this platform as a type of resume with extra personality. The purpose of the summary is to educate and persuade the reader to want to learn more or even collaborate with you.[2] This section doesn’t only provide more info about your skills; it also reveals how you express yourself. You can learn a lot about a person just by reading how they write about themselves. A stellar summary is like a movie trailer, highlights all the qualities while sending a clear message that you have a lot to offer.

What is wrong why my current summary?

LinkedIn is a powerful social media marketing tool that a lot of us take for granted.[3] We usually assume that just because the idea behind this platform is to form business connections, we are pretty much set up. The reality is different; the quality of your profile determines whether you are a good match for someone’s business, and summary plays a vital role. What is wrong with it? Open your LinkedIn profile and read this section from top to bottom. Finished? Okay, so the chances are high the summary includes some “powerful” verbs, statistics or other data about your accomplishments at previous jobs, awards, and honors. Am I right? Well, there is your answer.

You took the approach that you found most professional, and although summary should demonstrate your skills and info you want others to know, it might make people wonder “What can you do for me, then?” The primary cause of summary-related problems is failing to mention how someone can benefit from collaborating with you. Percentages and other data do seem impressive, but at the end of the day, the reader just wants to read something with more depth. Other sources of the problem include poor structure, grammar and spelling mistakes, generic text.

How to write a high-quality summary

You’ll be happy to know that all problems mentioned above can be fixed easily. In order to do so, all you have to do is to follow these simple steps.

Step 1

One of the most common pitfalls that people face is not knowing what to write. Take a pen and a piece of paper and write down your qualities and other info that other people should know about. The choice is yours here, you can mention everything from some personal characteristics to why you love your job, what do you do actually and so on. No need to create full sentences at this point, just create a list.

Step 2

Start with a bang! The beginning is always crucial, it’s a hook that catches reader’s attention. You want that person to know more and keep reading summary rather than moving on to something else. For this purpose you can use a question, even a few words with exclamation e.g. Focused! Or maybe you can start off with an interesting fact about you such as Every day I watched my mother/father get ready for work and hoped I would become just like him/her one day, goal-oriented, driven, and kind at the same time.

Step 3

Mention important details to inform readers about yourself and your expertise. Now in the era of micro-influencer marketing letting people know what you can do for them is crucial.[4] Some points to cover include:

• Important accomplishments e.g. how much money you helped your company save, successful campaigns you carried out, and other details related to your niche

• Values and passions such as optimism, love for yoga and meditation, and things you appreciate. A reader doesn’t read the summary to learn about your work, he/she wants to learn more about you, as a person

• Things you can do better than someone else e.g. I inspire and engage even the most skeptical clients

• Figures and facts when applicable. As mentioned above this is one of the most common problems or pitfalls in summaries. People get caught up in numbers and then their entire summary is made up of percentages. Ideally, this info should account for sentence or two of the entire summary

• What do you offer? What does someone get by working with you? Who can benefit from collaboration with you and why? Answer these questions to let reader know what can you do for them or provide a short list of different specialties

Step 4

End your summary with a call to action.[5] You can use something witty such as “reach out to me if you want to talk about football and technology” or you can submit some links and other info that people can use to contact or learn more about you.

Mistakes to avoid

• Writing one large paragraph – summaries written this way seems unappealing, and a reader will highly likely skip it. Instead, divide your summary into paragraph and make sure there’s a lot of white space

• Including overused buzzwords – words like passionate, creative, motivated don’t make you stand out. Instead, use synonyms or express yourself in a different manner

• Writing in the third person – while it may seem more professional, this summary is impersonal and doesn’t do its purpose – helping readers to get to know you on a professional and personal level

• Using slang – gonna, wanna, shoulda, coulda don’t belong to your summary. Make sure this section is free of spelling and grammar mistakes

Examples of good summaries

Writing a summary on LinkedIn requires a little bit of effort but it is not the most difficult job in the world. Just find a balance that informs others about your core values and business accomplishments or what you offer for potential collaborators without making it seem like you are bragging or focusing on numbers all the time. Here are examples of three different summaries.

1. Mark Lazen

What makes this summary great is the fact that Mr. Lazen talks about his business accomplishments and provides a glimpse into his witty personality with “I’m the calm one” or “I don’t care who gets the credit, I just want to win”. People who go to his profile can see what he offers and he ends with a nice call to action.

2. Paul H. Simon

This particular summary starts with a relatable introduction that, certainly, catches a reader’s attention. Mr. Simon also discusses his strengths and provides a brief insight into different ways he can help his clients and ends with a call to action by providing contact info where people can reach him.

 

High-quality summary on LinkedIn provides a useful insight into your personality and demonstrates different skills you can offer to potential collaborators. In order to get the most out of the summary, it is necessary to compose it properly and this article provided a few tips and tricks you can use.

Reference

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How to Stop Unwanted Calls By Blocking Them on Your Phone

Let’s face facts; there are numerous reasons why you would want to block a number on your phone. Unfortunately, almost all of these are unpleasant, whether they pertain to persistent ex-partners, scammers or telemarketers who refuse to take your silence as a hint that they are being obtrusive.

While having to block a number is never nice (especially if it belongs to someone that you know), it is relatively easy to achieve this regardless of which mobile service you use. So, here is a breakdown of how to block numbers across multiple device types and operators.

How to Block a Number on iOS, Android and Windows

Before you seek to block numbers on your smartphone, you can look to impose a general ban by adding your number to the National Do Not Call Registry[1]. Ran by the FTC, this registry is updated every 24-hours, while it can lead to the cessation of nuisance calls within a month.

This does not help when looking to block private numbers, however, such as those that relate to former friends, partners or colleagues. This is where the below guide will come in handy, as it will help you to block all unwanted incoming calls to your handset.

iOS

There are various ways to block numbers on Apple’s iOS, whether you are responding directly with a call or browsing your contacts list. You should also note that, when blocking someone from sending texts, making a voice call or selecting FaceTime, the individual in question will automatically be banned from all three channels of communication.

When responding to a recent all, visit the ‘Phone’ app and select recent. Then locate the number and navigate through the circle next to it. This will bring up a screen with information pertaining to the call (see below), and you need to scroll down before selecting ‘Block this Caller’.

When blocking an existing contact, you need to navigate through Settings > Phone > Call Blocking & Identification > Block Contact. This will bring up a list of your contacts, enabling you to block one or even multiple numbers as you wish. You can also achieve this goal by clicking through Settings > Messages > Blocked > Add New.

Android

When dealing with Android, the course of action that you take will depend on the age of the operating system that you are using (this is not the case with iPhones). So you will need to determine the precise iteration of Android that you are using before blocking numbers, as this will ensure that you make the right choice.

For Marshmallow or above (Nougat is the most recent version), open Dialer and go to your recent calls list. Then find the offending number and select ‘Block / Report Spam’. You should not that you can block a number without reporting it as spam (when dealing with a person rather than a telemarketing company, for example), but you will need to uncheck the prior to confirming the block.

When using Lollipop or below, go to the Phone app and select Call Settings > Call Rejection > Auto Reject List. You then have to manually type in the number and search for it (make a note if it is unknown to you) and then confirm.

When using Messenger (across all Android operating systems), you will need to directly tap the number that sent you the original message, before selecting Block / Report Slam once again. The same principle applies here as before, so don’t forget to uncheck the box if don’t want to report spam.

Finally, if you wish to block a number belonging to an existing contact, go directly into Messenger and select Menu > Blocked Contacts > Add a Number. Then enter the number you want to block and confirm, taking care to ensure that you selected the right one of course!

Windows Phone

Windows Phones are increasingly popular in the modern age, as along with the Samsung Galaxy S range they provide viable competition for Apple and Android. They also utilise a different operating system, so it is important to recognize this when blocking numbers.

With Windows Phones, you can block calls and messages from a single number in one fell swoop. Simply head to Settings and navigate through Call > SMS Filter, before accepting the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and switching Blocks Calls to On.

Then visit the Phone app, hold down the number that you want to block and select Block Number to confirm. This will prevent all forms of communication with the chosen number, helping you to avoid any unwanted correspondence.

A Look at the Best Apps for Blocking Numbers

Of course, we also live in an age where apps can be used to block numbers. The benefit of using these apps is that they tend to work across all iterations of specific operating systems, meaning that users can become familiar with them over time while they also provide a comprehensive and one-stop blocking service. Here are some of the best apps:

The Hiya App (for iOS): Available to iOS 10 users, Hiya is the single most advanced phone spam protection engine in the mobile market. This not only intuitively detects and blocks robocalls and telemarketers, but it also highlights potential fraudsters who are seeking your personal data. It also provides a personalized block list, helping you to manage your contacts more seamlessly.

Sync. ME (for iOS) : Apple have clearly made a concerted effort to enhance its call blocking features in iOS 10, and the free app Sync. ME is a prominent example of this. It includes numerous features for blocking unwanted calls, including the identification of unknown numbers (which can prevent you from blocking numbers that may ultimately add value), alerts you to spam communications and adds caller photo’s to your social contacts on Twitter, Facebook and Google +.

The Safest Call Blocker (for Android): This is Android’s supported call blocker, and one that comes with a premium (paid) version that removes ads. It is quick to access and easy to use, while it also helps you to establish automated settings for blocking calls and managing contacts in real-time.

Mr. Number (for Android) : This is an initially free app that immediately offers 20 free caller look-ups, at which point every subsequent look-up is paid. It has a tool that automatically blocks spam messages, however, without the need for you to blacklist specific numbers. This can save time and help you to block numbers more seamlessly.

Calls Blacklist (for Android) : Then we have Android’s Calls Blacklist, which will ban both voice calls and SMS messages from an offending number in one-feel swoop. This is so long as you use the default SMS app on Android 4.4 or above, however, as otherwise you will need to block communications separately. Regardless, the call blocking feature is fast and efficient, while it also allows you to select suspicious starting digits and intuitively block all related numbers going forward.

So there you have it; a selection of the best ways to block numbers regardless of whether you use an iOS, Android and Windows device. The modern range of apps also makes this process easier than ever, so look out for the best tools online.

Reference

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The Secret to a Living Happier Life? Follow the Rule of Less Is More

There are a plethora of self-help books that will guide you towards leading a happier life. Maybe you’ve bought the majority of them and even applied a lot of what’s been said. But do we really need all this advice? If there could be one habit we could adopt to be generally more happy it would make our path to happiness and wellbeing much easier.

So what is it? Well, it’s the concept of ‘less is more’ or, in other words, taking a more minimalist approach to life.

What Minimalist Living Really Means

Minimalist living may conjure up images of a bare house or cutting down on the stuff we enjoy – in other words, we must sacrifice enjoyment to be happy. Our modern world offers us so much to choose from and surely living minimally means we’re not taking the full advantage of what we can have, right?

It doesn’t have to mean giving up on our favourite things or getting rid of all our home comforts. As a concept, what minimalist living really means is recognising your worth more than the worth of material things.

We can get very caught up in the things we want – those things that satisfy short-term – instead of focusing on what we need. Another way of looking at it is giving ourselves the sense of freedom – freedom from the external things and freedom from the need for possession.

This doesn’t have to be a life-changing task but rather a shift in mindset and perspective towards what you consider is important to you.

How Living Minimally Will Benefit Your Life

There are so many benefits to creating a more minimalist life, not just for your physical living space but for your positivity of mind – it’s a process of decluttering and decluttering can do wonders for our general wellbeing.

It allows us to refocus on what’s important, creating more energy and time for ourselves. Buying and maintaining the stuff we have is a real money drainer so eliminating possessions also eliminates worry and stress, opening up a sense of breathing space.

But It Also Comes With Difficulties…

Many of us find this a hard concept to put into practice. As mentioned before, we live in a time when we’re bombarded with a never-ending selection of stuff at our fingertips. Society makes it so there’s a certain expectation – we can’t live without a mobile phone, we should keep up with the latest fashions, we need to continually upgrade to make sure we’re not falling behind.

All this can make it difficult to declutter our lives and take on a new way of approaching how we live. But once you start considering yourself, your self-worth and what’s important to you rather than what’s important to your society, it can be a truly freeing experience.

Put It Into Action: Ways To Go Minimalist

Becoming minimalist doesn’t have to happen overnight. Making small shifts is a better way to sustain a long-term perspective on decluttering. Starting the process little by little will help you to feel a slow but sure difference in the way you approach life and ultimately make you feel lighter and happier.

1. Clear Out Your Wardrobe

The best way to start is with your clothes. How many of your clothes sit in the wardrobe or drawers only to be pulled out once or twice a year – or more than likely never? This process of throwing out items of clothing can be a very liberating experience. More often than not, they are taking up unnecessary space and you’ll be surprised at how much you won’t even notice they’re gone once you’ve thrown them out.

Give yourself a challenge of getting rid of any clothes you haven’t worn in the last 6 months. Watch as your stressful mornings of outfit dilemmas disappear.

2. Do The Food Challenge

Eating well is a must but our shopping bills can be way more expensive than they need to be. Enjoying minimalist living doesn’t mean scrimping on good food and eating the same boring meals every day in the name of ‘less is more’. Being savvy with the types of food we buy and finding interesting recipes that use cheap and tasty ingredients, can slash our shopping bill by more than we think. It’s about training ourselves to shop smart and really be mindful of the choices we make.

3. Declutter Your Living Space

It’s very tempting to buy decorations that will look good in our home but over time it can add up. Once we’re used to stuff being around us we’re almost blind to it. Take time to really look around and see what needs to go. Keep the things that are meaningful or really suit the scheme of your home and consider giving away things that don’t have a place anymore. This can include furniture or the accumulation of kitchen utensils – remember duplicates are rarely necessary!

4. Travel Lightly

How often when travelling, do you pack way too much? We think of every possible scenario that could potentially happen that justifies taking much more than we need. Most of the time we don’t use half the stuff we take. So if you’re going for a week then pack for 3 or 4 days. Not only will you have less to carry, but you’ll realise you can live with a smaller choice.

5. Declutter Your Mind From Social Media

It’s normal these days to be glued to our phone and check social media several times a day but is it really necessary? How many times do you scroll through your Facebook feed and think why am I looking at this again?!

This approach to minimalism is purely for your mind. Give your brain a rest and make a conscious effort to not check social media. Don’t beat yourself up when you do, but just note when you do it and question yourself. Over time you will notice you check it much less and you’ll feel happier for it.

So, adopt the ‘less is more’ philosophy and see how decluttering your life will work wonders for your mind and perspective on what really makes you happy.

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Revealed: How to Ask (and Get) a Raise You Deserve

Another disappointment in the annual review. No pay raise once again. The salary has been frozen for recent years while there are more responsibilities on your shoulders. You truly feel you deserve a pay raise but it never comes. You begin to wonder: Is it the time to actively ask for a raise? How to ask for a raise?

But you are hesitant, fearing you can’t get the desired raise and ruin the relationships between you and the seniors. You are also concerned about how your colleagues would think of you when they hear your request.

Instead, you shouldn’t worry, and you should go for it!

Do your homework before asking for a raise.

Here are all the do’s and don’ts in demanding a pay raise.

1. Find the best timing to request.

Most people ask for their pay raise during the annual review period and get rejected. You may think you’re rejected because you do not deserve a raise in their eyes, but the truth is – It is TOO LATE.

As early as 3 to 4 months before an annual review, the seniors have to plan the coming fiscal year’s budget. And most importantly, the budget includes the sum of raises and salary adjustments. So, if you demand a raise in an annual review, the budget is already fixed and you usually can’t get the raise. Request a few months in advance instead!

Besides, analyzing the current status of the company is crucial. Imagine you still ask for a raise when the company is experiencing stagnant or even negative growth, it would be a disaster.

On the other hand, if the company’s financial growth is on the rise and has recorded greens in consecutive seasons, then it is your opportunity! Your boss is more than willing to reward everyone who makes the growth possible (if your boss is a nice and generous one).

2. Maximize your bargaining power.

There are a few things you have to know and prepare before your request.

How much your colleagues of the same rank are earning?

Knowing the salaries of your colleagues is important. You have to know the discrepancy between yours and theirs to request for a reasonable raise. Otherwise, you will sound greedy. You won’t want it to happen.

What are your accomplishments and contributions?

Keep a detailed and specific log of how your have added values to the company. State the nature of the project or task clearly and how successful it is. It is also important to mention how your contributions have helped the company to grow.

You have to be clear and specific about your accomplishments because your boss has to take care of so many matters. He/she really needs your reminders to recall your contributions.

What are your responsibilities and duties?

You have probably looked into what your colleagues are doing and it’s important to compare the responsibilities you and your colleagues have.

Having more duties should probably earn more. If you happen to earn less by doing more than your counterparts, it is perhaps the time to ask for a raise.

3. Know the amount you should ask for.

There are no norms for how much a raise should be. It varies greatly across industries and companies. While a rapidly growing startup can review salaries on a quarterly basis, a well-established multinational company may do so yearly.

However, there are some suggestions on how much a raise you should be requesting.

  • If there is a promotion in rank, around 10% rise in salary is reasonable.
  • If you stay in the same position, it is advised not to ask for more than 3% raise.

If not carefully requested, you may end up appearing ignorant or greedy.

4. Rehearse what you are going to say in front of your seniors.

It is highly advised to rehearse the meeting beforehand.

Try to play the role of your boss and yourself, and think of the questions you will be dealing with. It is likely that you’ll be asked for the reason to raise your salary. If you practiced well, you should have a nice and convincing answer.

It may sound weird but this rehearsal can worth a few hundreds or even thousands of money. Think about it.

Talk politely and skillfully during the meeting.

Now you’re well-prepared, here are a few more pointers to help you during the meeting.

5. Get straight to the point.

You have clearly stated the purpose of the meeting and it’s best to be on point. Go straight to the topic as you have prepared. Tell your seniors your positive impact to the company and everything you know that are proof to your below average salary.

6. Mention your ambition and loyalty to the company’s future.

Seniors love to see your devotion to company. In spite of talking about how much you worth, also mention what you have planned for the future and your prospect in the company.

Talk about how you wish to help the company. It is also good to stress your commitment to the company.

7. Don’t suggest counter-offers or threats.

Sometimes, you are offered a raise but not exactly the amount you desire. Remember, don’t make any counter-offers and threats about quitting. You are here trying to look for a win-win situation.

Don’t make it into a lethal negotiation where both you and the seniors feel the uncomfortable tension. Things usually go more smoothly in a harmonious setting.

8. Don’t complain about your current job situation.

Maintain a positive tone throughout the meeting. Imagine if you were the boss, would you like to hear “I have been working here for 4 years. While I am having to do more, I have nothing more in return!”?

Remember you are here to request for a pay raise and you need the boss’ support to do so. Don’t piss anyone off and ruin your future.

9. Prepare for rejection.

Prepare to receive a cruel rejection from your boss. Instead of a promotion in position or a raise in salary, you may also suggest looking into the options of incentives, bonuses or stock options.

Also, it is good to ask for an interim performance appraisal. It may be that your performance is not impressive enough at the moment but your boss definitely sees your efforts and progress. A raise could be happening anytime in the future.

If, unfortunately, everything is rejected, it is still fine. It is good to ask about rooms for improvement because you may have overlooked some of your accomplishments and performances.

Don’t be deterred by refusal. After all, if you don’t even ask at all, you won’t stand the slightest chance to have a raise.

The post Revealed: How to Ask (and Get) a Raise You Deserve appeared first on Lifehack.



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Illustrations by Julia Petrova

Julia Petrova is a Moscow, Russia based illustrator. Follow her on Instagram or catch the rest of her work on Tumblr.

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