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Thinking of Going From Employee to Entrepreneur? Read This First

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Have you ever thought about leaving employment to start your own company? Whether you want to take what you’re already doing and start your own firm or do something entirely different, this could be an ideal that appeals to you. In fact, it’s not an uncommon desire to want to work for yourself, be your own boss, and create a business from scratch. But before you take the leap, you have to know what it takes. So to help you, in this blog post, we’re going to run through everything you need to consider before leaving life in employment to become an entrepreneur.

Your Financial Position

One of the most significant factors to consider before becoming an entrepreneur is your financial situation. Starting a business may require an upfront investment. This could be for a location, equipment, marketing, staff, and more. Right now, as a salaried employee, your income is stable, and your expenses are predictable. But as an entrepreneur, your income can be unpredictable and you can be faced with unexpected expenses. So before leaving your corporate job, make sure you have enough money in savings to support yourself and your family for a minimum of six to twelve months without a steady income.

Your Business Idea

Next, you need to make sure that you have a concrete business idea. Ask yourself — Is your business idea unique? Is there a demand for it? Is it sustainable for the long term? You can also conduct market research and look at competitors to validate your business concept. And if you really want to be able to take your business idea to the next level, you can also work with a mentor or a business coach to hone your product or service offering.

It would also be advantageous to set up a business website as the majority of businesses have moved into the online space so they can reach a larger group of people. You will need to do a domain name search first to ensure that your chosen name with the extension is free for you to use. You can then register it ready for when your business is up and running.

Your Business Acumen

From here, you’re really going to want to make sure that you’re ready to step into the business world. Are you au fait with business life and what it takes? Do you understand how to pull together business finances and secure funding? Will you know how to create a dental logo or what you need to do to launch a website? Could you bootstrap and do everything by yourself to begin with? It’s important to be real with yourself here. There is, of course, support out there for you to utilize if needs be. For instance, to help with financial analysis and planning, you can check out this balance sheet example to see if this could be something useful to assist with managing your business finances. There is a lot out there for you to use if you know where to look, which is why research will always be a key factor.

Your Work-Life Balance

Also, when you work for yourself, it can be challenging to balance work and personal life. You may have to work more than your usual eight hours a day — and it can often be seven days a week in the beginning! That being said, you will also get to enjoy the freedom to dictate your schedule and work on your own terms. But that can come over time. So you need to be prepared to dedicate the time early on.

Your Support System

Finally, entrepreneurship can be a lonely journey so having a strong support system is crucial. Your family and friends will be your cheerleaders and sounding boards throughout, as well as your shoulders to cry on. It’s important that you have strong support around you, particularly in the initial stages. Where you can, also have your own network around you too. As this can also offer professional support and allow you to access potential opportunities too.

Healthy Habits That Aren’t So Healthy

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Most of us try to do as much as we can to stay as healthy as we can, even if we are not perfect at doing so. It can be disconcerting then, to say the least, when you find out that the so-called healthy habits you have been practicing forever are not so healthy after all.

There are many things that many of us think are good for us, which could actually be anything but, but if we don’t know that is the case, we could keep on doing them until it causes us significant harm. That being the case, let’s take  look that some healthy habits that may not be so healthy after all:

Cleaning your ears with a Q-tip

Hand up if you remove the wax from your ears using a Q-tip. It’s definitely something a lot of us do or have done, but did you know it can actually be dangerous? When it comes to earwax removal, specially designed sprays or a visit to a professional are the way forward because Q-tips can actually push more wax further inside the ear than they remove, which can cause a whole host of problems including hearing loss. Not only that, but you risk slipping and pushing the Q-tip in too far which could perforate your ear drum! Keep Q-tips out of your ear and stay safe!

Drinking fruit juice

Okay, so fresh fruit juice is definitely a healthier choice than processed sodas, but it is not always as healthy as we think. Fruit juice can contain just as much, if not more sugar as a can of Cola, and it can be pretty acidic too. That means that it can cause erosion of tooth enamel, while also spiking the blood sugar, which means it is not a good choice of daily beverage, Of course, it does also contain lots of vitamins and minerals, so drinking a small portion of fresh fruit juice now and again is likely to be fine.

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Stepping on the scale


It’s good to know how much you weigh so you can keep an eye on the situation, but if you are someone who weighs yourself every day, or even multiple times each day, you might want to reconsider because this is not always a healthy approach.

The fact of the matter is, your weight can fluctuate several pounds in a single day, so you are not always getting an accurate picture of how you are doing, and this can lead to unhealthy obsessions with your weight, as well as the kind of disappointment that leads to you giving up a healthy eating regime, for example.

Weight once a week at the same time of day and you will get a much more accurate picture of your weight, and you will likely obsess about it a lot less too.

Sleeping a lot

We know that sleep is good for us, so a lot of us think sleeping more will be even better. This is, sadly, not the case. Although sleeping late now and again is unlikely to have any adverse effects on your health, if you regularly sleep more than 9 hours each day, you may find that you feel more tired and more lethargic all the time. Anywhere between 7 and 9 hours is the sweet spot of sleep for most adults, so try to stick to that number and you will be healthier for sure.

Being a weekend drinker

Most of us think if we abstain during the week and only consume alcohol at the weekends, we are making a healthy choice, but this can lead to binge drinking, whereby you overindulge on two days of the week. It is much better to spread your alcohol consumption more evenly throughout the week so that you do not end up putting an unnecessary strain on your liver. Of course, if you just have one or two drinks on a Saturday night, that is unlikely to be too bad for you, but if you go crazy on the weekends, a rethink is really a good idea. If you find it hard to moderate your drinking, speaking to a doctor or therapist could also be a good idea.

If you have been practicing any of these surprisingly unhealthy habits, then it would be a good idea to try and break them where possible because they are really not great for you, and the longer you do them, the harder it will be to change, and the more likely it will be that they have a negative effect on your wellbeing.

How to Find Time in a Busy Schedule for Your Fitness

Finding the time to prioritize your fitness routine amidst a busy schedule is a common struggle for many people. Making time for exercise can be difficult with all of your responsibilities, including work, family, social obligations, and other commitments. However, maintaining your health should be a priority in your daily activities. Here are some pointers on how to fit fitness into a hectic schedule.

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Make a schedule and stick to it

Making a schedule that works for you is the first step to finding time for your exercise routine. Examine your weekly schedule in detail, then block off time each day for exercise. To avoid having to sacrifice any important tasks, be sure to fit these times into your other commitments. Once your schedule has been established, try your hardest to follow it. The secret to forming an exercise habit is consistency.

Wake up earlier

A great way to add more exercise time to your day is to get up earlier. Even though it might be challenging at first, getting up just 30 minutes earlier can have a significant impact. Before starting your day, take advantage of the extra time to go for a quick jog, practice yoga, or visit the gym. This will not only make exercise a priority for you, but it may also increase your energy and mental clarity throughout the day. Places like HOTWORX offer a variety of options in person and online for early workouts too.

Use your lunch break

Utilizing your lunch break for exercise can be a great way to fit it into a busy schedule. Wear activewear to work and use your lunch break to go for a walk, attend a fitness class, or visit the gym. This can serve as a welcome break from your workday and keep you from feeling drowsy in the middle of the day.

Incorporate fitness into your daily routine

If you find it difficult to carve out time for regular exercise, consider incorporating fitness into your daily schedule. Use the stairs instead of the elevator, commute by foot or bicycle rather than by car, or squeeze in a quick workout while watching TV during commercial breaks. These modest adjustments can add up and encourage you to stay active throughout the day.

Find a workout buddy

Having a workout partner can help you stay motivated and accountable. Make plans to work out with a friend or family member who values fitness as much as you do. This can encourage you to stick to your plan and turn exercise into a social activity you enjoy rather than a chore. It’s a lot easier to give up and not put in the effort when you’re going it alone.

Finding time for exercise in a busy schedule requires planning and commitment. By making the most of the ideas we’ve discussed today, you can make exercise a priority in your life. Taking care of your health should be a non-negotiable part of your routine, so make sure to prioritize your fitness and stick to your goals.