Mastering Cash Flow Management: Essential Tips for Your Business Success

Cash flow management is definitely an essential aspect of running a successful business. Maintaining a healthy cash flow ensures you have enough liquidity to cover expenses, invest in growth opportunities, and weather unforeseen challenges. This article will explore actionable tips to help you effectively manage your business’s cash flow.

Monitor and Project Cash Flow

Regularly monitoring your cash flow is essential. Set up a system to track your income and expenses meticulously, allowing you to identify patterns and make informed decisions. Develop accurate cash flow projections based on historical data and future forecasts. This proactive approach will enable you to anticipate potential cash shortfalls and take necessary steps to address them promptly.

Establish a Cash Reserve

Creating a cash reserve acts as a safety net during uncertain times. Aim to accumulate a reserve that can cover at least three to six months’ worth of operating expenses. This buffer will protect your business from unexpected emergencies, market fluctuations, or slower revenue periods. Consider automating regular transfers to your cash reserve account to ensure consistency and discipline.

Optimize Receivables

Efficient management of accounts receivable is crucial for maintaining a steady cash flow. Establish clear payment terms, send timely invoices, and follow up on overdue payments. Think about developing a system for periodic billing or providing incentives for early payment. If necessary, employ a professional collection agency to recover outstanding debts. Regularly analyze and address any bottlenecks in your collections process to minimize delays.

Negotiate Supplier Terms

Negotiating favorable terms with your suppliers can significantly impact your cash flow. Seek extended payment periods, discounts for early payments, or bulk purchase agreements. Building solid relationships with suppliers can open doors to mutually beneficial arrangements that provide flexibility and improved cash flow management.

Control Inventory

Excess inventory ties up valuable capital and increases storage costs. Implement a robust inventory management system that accurately forecasts demand and monitors stock levels. Regularly review your product offerings and identify slow-moving or obsolete items. Consider implementing just-in-time inventory strategies or dropshipping arrangements to minimize inventory holding costs and improve cash flow.

Manage Expenses

Conduct a thorough review of your expenses to identify areas for cost optimization. Analyze recurring expenses, negotiate better rates with vendors, and explore alternative suppliers or service providers. Implement cost-cutting measures without compromising the quality of your products or services. Regularly track and review your expenses to ensure they align with your business goals and eliminate unnecessary spending.

Secure Adequate Financing

Access to appropriate financing options can alleviate cash flow challenges during growth or unexpected expenses. Explore various financing options such as lines of credit, small business loans, or business credit cards. However, exercise caution and consider each option’s costs, terms, and repayment obligations to avoid overburdening your business with debt.

Effectively managing your business’s cash flow is critical to long-term success. By monitoring and projecting cash flow, establishing reserves, optimizing receivables, controlling inventory, managing expenses, and securing adequate financing, you can ensure a healthy and sustainable financial foundation for your business.

Unlocking Financial Freedom: 7 Ways to Create Multiple Income Streams

In today’s rapidly changing world, creating multiple income streams has become essential for financial stability and freedom. Relying on just a single source of income can be risky, as unforeseen circumstances or economic downturns can disrupt our financial well-being. By diversifying our income sources, we increase our earning potential and create a safety net that provides stability and opens doors to new opportunities. In the article below, let’s explore seven effective ways to create multiple income streams.

Start a Side Hustle

One of the traditional ways to create an additional income stream is by starting a side business. Identify your skills, passions, or hobbies, and leverage them to create something that fulfills a market need. Whether it’s freelance work, consulting, e-commerce, or a creative endeavor, starting a side business allows you to generate income while pursuing your interests.

Invest in Real Estate

Real estate investment is a tried-and-true approach to generating passive income. Consider purchasing rental properties, commercial spaces, or vacation homes that generate consistent rental income. Additionally, you can explore real estate investment trusts (REITs) or crowdfunding platforms that allow you to invest in properties without the need for significant capital.

Develop and Monetize Your Skills

Identify your unique skills or expertise and find ways to monetize them. Offer consulting services, teach online courses, or become a freelancer in your field. Platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, or Udemy provide opportunities to showcase your skills and connect with clients or students worldwide. By leveraging your expertise, you can create a sustainable income stream.

Explore the Sharing Economy

The expansion of the sharing economy has created new opportunities for generating income. Platforms like Airbnb, Uber, or TaskRabbit enable you to rent your spare room, provide transportation services, or complete various tasks for a fee. Utilizing these platforms allows you to leverage your existing assets or skills to generate additional income on a flexible schedule.

Invest in Stocks and Dividend-Paying Assets

Investing in stocks, bonds, or dividend-paying assets can provide a passive income stream. Research and educate yourself about different investment options, and consider diversifying your portfolio. Over time, dividend stocks, index funds, or mutual funds can generate regular income through dividends or capital appreciation.

Create and Sell Digital Products

With the rise of the internet, making and selling digital goods has become a common strategy for making passive income. Write an e-book, develop an online course, or design digital artwork that can be sold repeatedly without significant overhead costs. Platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing, Teachable, or Etsy provide easy access to a global marketplace for your digital products.

Peer-to-Peer Lending and Investing

Platforms for peer-to-peer lending let you make loans directly to individuals or businesses in exchange for interest payments. By cutting out traditional financial institutions, you can earn higher investment returns. Platforms like LendingClub or Prosper facilitate these peer-to-peer lending opportunities, allowing you to diversify your investment portfolio and create an additional income stream.

Creating multiple income streams requires effort, dedication, and a long-term perspective. Setting realistic expectations and investing time and resources into building and managing these income streams effectively is essential. Moreover, continuous learning and adaptability are crucial to staying ahead in the evolving landscape of income generation.

Mastering the Art of Public Speaking: 10 Essential Hacks for Success

Public speaking can be a terrifying task for most people, but with the proper techniques and mindset, anyone can become a confident and effective communicator. Whether you’re delivering a presentation at work, speaking at a conference, or addressing a large audience, these ten essential hacks will help you enhance your public speaking skills and leave a lasting impact.

Prepare Thoroughly

The key to successful public speaking lies in thorough preparation. Research your topic, organize your thoughts, and create a clear structure for your speech or presentation. Practice extensively to familiarize yourself with the content and anticipate potential questions or challenges.

Know Your Audience

Understanding your audience is vital. Research their demographics, interests, and expectations. Tailor your message to resonate with them, utilising terminology and illustrations they can understand. Engage the audience by addressing their specific needs and interests, ensuring a more impactful and memorable speech.

Start with a Strong Opening

You need to lock in your audience straight away. Begin with a captivating anecdote, an intriguing fact, or a thought-provoking question. A powerful opening sets the tone for the rest of your speech and captures the audience’s interest, ensuring they are engaged and attentive throughout your presentation.

Use Visual Aids Wisely

Visual assistance like presentations or objects can enhance your presentation, but use them sparingly and purposefully. Keep visuals simple, uncluttered, and easy to comprehend. They should complement and reinforce your message, not distract or overwhelm the audience. Practice with visual aids to ensure a seamless delivery.

Speak with Passion and Energy

Your enthusiasm for the topic will captivate the audience. Speak with conviction, infuse your voice with energy, and project confidence. Use appropriate intonation and vary your speaking pace to keep the audience engaged. A passionate delivery helps convey your message effectively and leaves a lasting impression.

Connect with Stories and Personal Anecdotes

Stories and personal anecdotes are powerful tools for connecting with the audience. They add a human touch, making your speech relatable and memorable. Incorporate relevant stories that illustrate your points, evoke emotions, and provide real-life examples. Authentic storytelling helps create a strong connection with your listeners.

Maintain Eye Contact

Establishing eye contact builds trust and engagement. Make an effort to connect with different individuals in the audience, maintaining eye contact as you speak. This fosters a sense of connection and involves the audience. Avoid fixating on one spot or constantly looking at notes or slides.

Utilize Body Language and Gestures

Effective body language enhances your presence and helps convey your message. Stand tall, maintain good posture, and use purposeful gestures to emphasize key points. Facial expressions should reflect the emotions you want to convey. Utilize confident and open body language to establish a solid and engaging presence.

Practice Active Listening

Public speaking is not just about speaking; it’s also about listening. Pay attention to the audience’s reactions, non-verbal cues, and feedback. Adjust your pace, tone, or content based on their responses. Active listening allows you to adapt and connect with the audience more effectively, fostering a two-way communication experience.

Embrace Mistakes and Learn from Them

Even the most seasoned speakers make mistakes. Accept them as chances for development and education. If you stumble or forget a point, take a deep breath, and continue with poise. Be authentic and genuine; the audience appreciates speakers who show vulnerability and resilience.

You can definitely improve your public speaking abilities with practice and the right strategies. By following these ten essential hacks, you can elevate your public speaking abilities and leave a lasting impact on your audience. Embrace the challenge, and you’ll become a confident and influential communicator with time.

Harnessing Intuition: 6 Compelling Reasons to Trust Your Gut for Entrepreneurial Success

The decisions an entrepreneur must make are numerous daily. The choices can be overwhelming, From deciding which idea to pursue to hiring new employees and even setting your company’s vision and mission. While there is no one recipe for achieving success in entrepreneurship, trusting your gut can be of great help. Trusting your gut means following your instincts, relying on your intuition, and making decisions based on your inner voice. Here are some reasons why trusting your gut can be vital in achieving your success as an entrepreneur.

Intuition is a powerful tool

Your intuition is a potent tool that you should not underestimate. It is your subconscious mind trying to communicate with you, telling you what you should or should not do. When presented with a challenging choice, give your gut a chance to guide you. You might be shocked by how effective it is in guiding you.

Your gut has a wealth of experience

Your gut feeling is not just a random feeling. It is based on your experience, knowledge, and expertise. As an entrepreneur, you have experienced a lot, and you have learned a lot. All that knowledge and experience are stored in your subconscious mind, and your gut brings it to the surface when you need it.

Your gut is unbiased

Your gut feeling is not influenced by others, their opinions, or agendas. It is all determined by what you feel is right or wrong. As an entrepreneur, you need to make tough decisions that may not sit well with others. Trusting your gut instincts can actually help you make the right decision without being swayed by external factors.

It can save you time and money

Trusting your gut instincts can potentially save you a lot of time and money. When you listen to what your intuition is trying to do, you are more inclined to take actions consistent with your objectives and vision. This implies that you won’t squander time or money on efforts or projects not aligned with your business objectives.

It can boost your confidence

Trusting your gut can boost your confidence as an entrepreneur. When you rely solely on your gut while making a decision, and it ends up being successful, it reinforces your trust in your own abilities. This may instill confidence in you to make more bold and daring decisions in the future.

It can make you stand out

As an entrepreneur, you need to differentiate yourself from your competitors. Trusting your gut can help you make decisions that are unique and innovative. Following your intuition makes you more likely to generate creative ideas that can set you apart from your competition.

In conclusion, trusting your gut can be a powerful tool for success in entrepreneurship. It is based on intuition, experience, and knowledge and can help you make unbiased decisions supporting your objectives and vision. You could save time and money, increase your self-assurance and make you stand out. So when you finally have a tough decision, take some time to listen to your gut feeling. You may be shocked to find out how well it can guide you.

10 Harsh Reality Checks To Consider Before Starting A New Business

Starting a business can be a fulfilling experience, but it’s important to understand the realities and challenges involved before taking the leap. Here are some realities to consider before starting your business:

Starting a business is hard work

Starting a business is not a quick or easy process. It requires a lot of hard work, time, and effort, particularly in the early stages when you’re setting up the business and getting it off the ground. Be prepared to put in long hours and make sacrifices, particularly if you’re juggling a day job or other commitments.

It takes time to build a profitable business

Building a profitable business takes time, and it’s unlikely that you’ll start making money right away. It can potentially take months or even years to build a customer base, establish your brand, and generate enough revenue to cover your expenses and turn a profit. Be prepared to invest time and money in your business for the long haul.

Cash flow is critical

The lifeblood of any firm is cash flow, and it’s critical to manage your finances carefully. You’ll need enough money to cover your expenses, pay yourself, and invest in your business, particularly in the early stages when you’re not yet generating significant revenue. Be sure to keep careful track of your finances and have a plan in place for managing cash flow.

You need a solid business plan

A solid business plan is vital if you want to succeed. It should outline your goals, target market, competitive landscape, marketing strategy, financial projections, and other key details. Your business’s strategy will be laid out in your business plan and help you to stay on track and make informed decisions.

You need to be comfortable with the risk

Starting a business involves taking risks, and success is not guaranteed. You’ll need to be comfortable with uncertainty and be prepared to take calculated risks in order to achieve your goals. This could involve investing your own money, quitting your day job, or taking on debt or investors.

You’ll need to wear many hats

As a business owner, you’ll need to be a jack-of-all-trades, at least in the early stages. You’ll be responsible for everything from sales and marketing to accounting and customer service. Be prepared to learn new skills and take on various responsibilities.

Marketing is essential

Marketing is essential for any business, but it’s particularly important for new companies trying to establish themselves in the market. You’ll need to develop a marketing strategy that reaches your target audience and helps you to stand out from the competition. This could involve social media marketing, email marketing, content marketing, or other tactics.

You’ll need to be adaptable

Businesses need to be adaptable to succeed. You’ll need to be willing to pivot your strategy, change direction, or try new things if your initial approach isn’t working. This could involve changing your product or service, targeting a different market, or adjusting your marketing strategy.

You’ll need support

Launching a business and isolating experience might be lonesome, mainly if you’re working from home or don’t have a team. It’s essential to have a support system in place, whether it’s friends, family, or fellow entrepreneurs. You’ll also need to build relationships with suppliers, partners, and customers.

You’ll need to be passionate and committed

Finally, starting a business requires passion and commitment. You’ll need to be passionate about your business and committed to making it successful, even when things get tough. Be prepared to weather setbacks and challenges, and keep your eyes on the prize.

In conclusion, starting a business can be a fulfilling experience, but it’s essential to understand the realities and challenges involved before taking the big leap.

Meet The Entrepreneur Behind The Cover Of The April 2023 Issue Of MoneyCentral Magazine: Julius Abraham

Julius Abraham holds the position of Managing Director at Direct Mortgages South Coast and is also an accredited Mortgage Broker.

Julius has a comprehensive corporate background in finance and compliance and personal experience in purchasing, selling, and renovating properties. Although he had been interested in real estate for some time, it was not until his first renovation project proved successful that he realized the significant rewards that property investment could bring.

Julius developed a passion for research and problem-solving during his corporate tenure, which he now applies as a Mortgage Broker. The role demands extensive analysis and interpretation of data to ensure each home loan application is written in an attractive manner for the lender. While each application is unique and can pose challenges, Julius finds it immensely rewarding when clients express joy and satisfaction, knowing that he has provided a financial solution for them. His regular community work also fuels his passion for serving others.

Julius prioritizes establishing an honest and transparent relationship with his clients as a Mortgage Broker. His primary objective is to assist, educate, and motivate individuals seeking to initiate or expand their property portfolio to achieve their objectives expeditiously. Julius firmly believes that property investment is a means to attain financial freedom.

MoneyCentral magazine recently caught up with Julius to discuss his journey in the industry, and here’s what went down:

What are you currently doing to maintain/grow your business?

My primary focus was to partner up with as many reputable key professionals in the Finance and Real Estate Industry and to maintain consistency through networking. This has allowed me to partner with local Buyers Agents, Real Estate Agents, Accountants, Conveyancers, and Financial Planners. Doing so has allowed my business to present at various events and has increased exposure to a wider audience.

What social media platforms do you usually use to increase your brand’s awareness?

Facebook and Instagram have been the main social media platforms to promote my business. My brand focuses on providing education and general advice about property and finance. This ranges from helpful tips and strategies for achieving goals and raising awareness.

What is your experience with paid advertising, like PPC or sponsored content campaigns? Does it work?

Paid advertising can be helpful; however, “word of mouth” has created the most leads for my business. A stranger will likely engage with you after an introduction or referral from a mutual contact. We are drawn to connection.

What is the toughest decision you had to make in the last few months?

The toughest decision was taking that “leap” of starting my own business and becoming my own boss. Not knowing where a journey can lead is very scary. Uncertainty is a scary mindset. I had to accept that this journey was going to be challenging, not just emotionally but also financially. However, knowing I had the support of family, friends, and members of the finance and property industry ie mentor, other mortgage brokers, business owners, and other key professionals, their guidance and advice has helped ease a lot of the stress that one would succumb starting a new business.

What money mistakes have you made along the way that others can learn from (or something you’d do differently)?

Marketing your brand doesn’t have to come at a cost. Free social media and graphic design platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Canva have been very effective for my business. Fortunately for me, through educational articles and advice from others, I have not made any significant money mistakes.

What new business would you love to start?

From here, I would like to expand my knowledge and experience within property and finance and progress into property development. What I am learning from this experience and the people I continuously meet throughout this journey as a Mortgage Broker I know will help me transition into this field.

If you could go back in a time machine to the time when you were just getting started, what would you do differently?

I had big aspirations and goals to dive into this field at 110% and give up my day job. Initially, I took unpaid leave from my day job to primarily focus on Mortgage Broking. It wasn’t long until I realized that not having a consistent income was detrimental to starting a new business. Receiving consistent income alleviated the stress of the cost of living and other financial commitments and allowed me to focus on the day-to-day running of the business. I admit it is challenging to juggle a day job and manage a business, however, I have learned to handle my time effectively to avoid burnout.

What is the best advice you have ever been given?

“Your rewards in life will always be in direct proportion to your contribution or service” – Earl Nightingale.
“Any person who contributes to prosperity must prosper in turn.” ― Earl Nightingale.

What advice would you give someone who wants to enter your field?

Focus on helping others and being of ‘value’ to others. Mortgage Broking is rewarding as the role allows you to provide a service, to not only write up home loans but also improve the quality of life for an individual. Maintaining this mindset will enable you to overcome challenges and have that edge to propel you further in your Broking journey.

6 Efficient Automation Tips for Business Processes in 2023

Automation has become an integral part of businesses in recent years. It not only helps reduce manual labor but also provides a high level of accuracy, improves efficiency, and reduces errors. The success of automation depends on how effectively it is implemented in the business processes. Here are some ways to enhance business automation:

Identify the right processes for automation

The first step in enhancing business automation is identifying the right automation processes. Not all processes are suitable for automation. Identify the processes that are repetitive, time-consuming, and have a high chance of errors. These processes are ideal candidates for automation. Once you have identified the processes, prioritize them based on their impact on business operations.

Evaluate the available automation technologies

Once you have identified the processes to be automated, evaluate the available automation technologies. There are different types of automation technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), robotic process automation (RPA), and machine learning (ML). Each technology has its strengths and weaknesses. Choose the technology that is best suited for your business processes.

Integrate automation with existing systems

Integrating it with the existing systems is essential to enhance business automation. Communication with other systems should be possible between the automation technologies such as ERP, CRM, and HRIS. This integration will ensure that data is shared seamlessly across systems and the automation technology can access the required data to perform its functions.

Ensure data quality

Automation is highly dependent on data. If the data is inaccurate, incomplete, or inconsistent, it can lead to errors in the automation process. Therefore, it is essential to ensure data quality before implementing automation. This can be done by identifying the data sources, cleansing the data, and creating data governance policies.

Test and optimize the automation process

Once the automation process is implemented, it is essential to test and optimize it. This involves monitoring the automation process, identifying issues, and resolving them. It also involves analyzing the automation process’s performance and identifying improvement opportunities. Continuous optimization of the automation process can lead to increased efficiency and accuracy.

Train employees

Automation may require employees to learn new skills or adapt to new working methods. Therefore, it is essential to train employees on new processes and technologies. This will help reduce resistance to change and ensure employees can work effectively with the latest automation processes.

In conclusion, enhancing business automation requires identifying the right processes for automation, evaluating the available automation technologies, integrating automation with existing systems, ensuring data quality, testing and optimizing the automation process, and training employees. Automation can significantly benefit businesses, but its success depends on how effectively it is implemented and managed. By following these steps, businesses can enhance their automation processes and improve efficiency and accuracy.

9 Practical Tips to Dramatically Improve Your Work-Life Balance

Maintaining a healthy work-life balance can be challenging in today’s fast-paced society. Many people work long hours, neglect their personal lives, and feel stressed and burnt out. However, achieving a better work-life balance is crucial to increase happiness and productivity in all areas of your life. Below are some practical tips to help you achieve a better work-life balance.

Set clear boundaries

One of the most vital things you can do to achieve a better work-life balance is to set clear boundaries between work and personal life. This means establishing specific times for work and sticking to them, and disconnecting from work-related technology during non-work hours.

Prioritize self-care

Looking after yourself is essential for achieving a better work-life balance. This entails obtaining enough rest, maintaining a balanced diet, and engaging in regular exercise. It also means taking time for hobbies and other activities that bring you joy and help you relax.

Learn to say no

Many people struggle with saying no to work-related tasks and commitments but learning to set limits and say no when necessary is essential for achieving a better work-life balance. It’s acceptable to put your needs first and decline offers that don’t support your personal or professional objectives.

Focus on productivity, not just hours worked

Instead of measuring your success based on the number of hours you work, focus on your productivity and the quality of your work. This can help you be more efficient and effective and ultimately allow you to achieve more in less time.

Make time for friends and family

Maintaining solid relationships with friends and family is integral to achieving a better work-life balance. Make time to connect with loved ones regularly, whether that means scheduling regular date nights, family dinners, or simply making time for a phone call or video chat.

Take regular breaks

Regular breaks are essential for avoiding burnout and maintaining productivity. Take frequent breaks throughout the day, whether that means taking a short walk, practicing meditation, or simply getting up from your desk and moving about.

Manage your time effectively

Effective time management is critical to achieving a better work-life balance. This means prioritizing tasks, setting realistic goals, and using specific tools such as calendars and to-do lists to help you stay organized and on track.

Be flexible

Achieving a better work-life balance is not always a straightforward process, and it’s essential to be flexible and adapt to changing circumstances. This may mean adjusting your schedule or priorities or finding creative solutions to balance work and personal life.

Seek support

Finally, don’t be afraid to seek support from colleagues, friends, or family members if you’re struggling to achieve a better work-life balance. Talking to others can help you gain perspective and identify new strategies for managing your time and priorities.

In conclusion, achieving a better work-life balance is essential for maintaining physical and mental health, as well as happiness and productivity in all areas of life. By setting clear boundaries, prioritizing self-care, learning to say no, focusing on productivity, making time for friends and family, taking breaks, managing time effectively, being flexible, and seeking support when needed, you can create a healthy balance between work and personal life that works for you.

5 Side Hustle Ideas To Make Extra Money In 2023

The pandemic has pushed many people to rethink their career paths and explore new avenues of income. Side hustles have become a popular option for those seeking additional income streams. With the sudden popularity of the gig economy and technological advancements, there are plenty of side hustles to choose from in 2023. Here are five of the best side hustles to consider.

Online Tutoring

Online tutoring has become a lucrative side hustle with the shift toward online learning. Whether it’s math, science, or language tutoring, the demand for online tutors will be much higher in 2023. Platforms like Chegg, TutorMe, and Skooli offer opportunities for tutors to connect with students globally. Online tutoring provides flexibility in terms of hours and location, making it a perfect side hustle for those passionate about teaching.

E-commerce

E-commerce has been on the rise for years, and the pandemic has only accelerated its growth. Starting an online store on platforms like Etsy, Shopify, or Amazon allows you to sell products from anywhere in the world. You can create your own products or source products from other suppliers and actually resell them at a markup. With the right marketing strategy, e-commerce can be a highly profitable side hustle.

Delivery Services

The pandemic has seen a surge in demand for delivery services, and this trend is expected to continue in 2023. Companies like UberEats, DoorDash, and Grubhub offer opportunities for delivery drivers to earn extra income by delivering food from local restaurants. With the rise of online shopping, delivery services for packages and groceries are also in high demand. Platforms like Instacart and Shipt provide opportunities for drivers to deliver groceries to customers’ doorsteps.

Freelance Writing

Freelance writing has been a popular side hustle for years, and with the rise of content marketing, it’s expected to continue to be in high demand in 2023. Freelance writers can create content for websites, blogs, and social media platforms. Platforms like Upwork and Fiverr provide opportunities for writers to connect with clients globally. Freelance writing offers flexibility in terms of hours and location, making it a perfect side hustle for those with solid writing skills.

Virtual Assistance

With the rise of remote work, virtual assistance has become a popular side hustle. Virtual assistants offer assistance to various businesses and individuals from anywhere in the world. Tasks may include scheduling appointments, managing email accounts, and social media management. Platforms like Zirtual and Fancy Hands provide opportunities for virtual assistants to connect with clients globally.

In conclusion, the gig economy has opened up numerous opportunities for side hustles in 2023. From online tutoring to virtual assistance, there are plenty of options for those seeking additional income streams. With the right skills and a bit of entrepreneurial spirit, a side hustle can turn into a lucrative career.

4 Simple Ways to Wake Up Happier Tomorrow

Granted, some mornings are better than others! No matter what the mood or situation, you’ll be thanking yourself silly if you follow these four easy steps before leaving the house every morning. They will ensure you start your day off positively and with an air of complete determination and purpose.

1. I am just as good as the person next to me.

Always remember that the person you’re comparing yourself to will always be comparing themselves to someone too. You never know; it could even be you! Although a little bit of extra push and determination can come from comparisons, making daily comparisons to others can be very detrimental to a woman’s thought process. Constantly thinking ‘she’s much skinnier than me’ or, ‘she likes him more than she likes me’ is simply pure negativity. Remember that you are on the exact path in life you’re supposed to be on, and everyone has a different path. The time taken to stop and look around at everyone else’s paths will slow you down on your own.

2. Today, I will be brilliant.

I find this to be very important. Every morning I wake up, look in the mirror and say (out loud), ‘today, I will be brilliant!’ There are a few reasons for this – I promise there is a method to the madness. The first reason is that I like to use my voice before I have to speak to anyone else and embarrass myself with the husky cough we all know too well because the ole’ vocal cords aren’t warmed up. The second and more important reason is that positive self-talk is really important to a successful outlook on life.

3. I deserve the best

I think this is something women are constantly compromising on, and you know what? I’m sick of it, ladies! Everyone deserves the absolute best when it comes to important matters of life! Now I’m not talking about having the perfect espresso every morning from your local brew house; I’m talking much bigger picture! Things like relationships, jobs, and friends. Yes, finding a balance between the three is hard, but simply aiming for the best will push you in the right direction. Settling for ‘just ok’ or ‘average’ should be a thing of the past!

4. Say Cheese!

Smiling as you walk out of the front door can be one of the most rewarding things you can do all day. It can truly set the tone for the rest of your day. The mere act of smiling releases endorphins and initiates a chemical reaction in your brain that forces happiness to conquer any feeling of unease. I find this technique especially useful when I’ve had one of those terrible mornings where everything that can go wrong does go wrong! Even though you’re in a state wherein the SheWitch Banshee from Hell would be afraid of you, forcing a smile will help you leave negativity behind you.