Why you should make reading widely a daily habit

reading a book

As avid readers, we know the incredible benefits of reading widely every day.

But for those of you who are still on the fence about making reading a regular habit, we wanted to share reasons why it’s so important. Reading not only helps us learn and grow as individuals, but it can also boost our creativity, keep our minds sharp, and even improve our communication skills.

Allow us to convince you why you should make reading widely a daily habit.

Benefits of reading widely

There are so many benefits to reading widely every day! By reading a range of books, you expose your mind to new and interesting ideas. You also improve your vocabulary and writing skills.

Most importantly, reading widely helps you gain a better understanding of different people and their cultures. You will come to appreciate the diversity of the world, and develop a more open mind towards others. So make reading widely a daily habit—you won’t regret it!

Best ways to start reading

For folks who are ready to read widely but you’re not sure where to start, here are a few tips on how to make reading widely a daily habit:

  • Join a book club or discussion group. Nothing encourages reading like being around others who love books just as much as you do.
  • Keep a journal of your readings. This not only helps you track what you’ve read but also allows you to revisit and reflect on books and articles that left an impression on you.
  • Find reading material that engages you. If you’re not interested in the material, it’s going to be challenging to make reading a habit. Read fiction, non-fiction, biographies, magazines, newspapers—whatever piques your curiosity.
What to do if you’re not a fast reader
pages of a book

Image Credits: unsplash.com

There’s no need to worry if you’re not a fast reader. Just make sure that you make reading a part of your daily routine and aim to read for at least 30 minutes each day.

If you find that you struggle to read for long periods, break your reading session into shorter chunks. Alternatively, try rotating between reading and other activities, like listening to music or taking a walk. And most importantly, don’t pressure yourself—reading should be enjoyable, not a chore.

How to make reading widely a daily habit

Well, we are almost at the end of our post! So, what’s the takeaway? Simply put, if you want to live a more fulfilling life, you should make reading widely a daily habit. Here are a few tips on how to make that happen:

  • Choose a variety of genres to read. Don’t just stick to books about business or self-improvement. Branch out and read fiction, non-fiction, biographies, etc. An assortment is key to keeping your mind active and engaged.
  • Start small and gradually increase your reading time. If you try to read for hours from the start, you will likely get frustrated and give up. Start by reading for 10 or 20 minutes each day, and gradually increase your reading time as you get more comfortable.
  • Make reading a part of your routine. Dedicate specific times each day for reading—before bed, during your commute, etc.—and stick to them as closely as possible. This will help make reading a regular part of your life, and you will start to see the benefits in no time.

Reading frequently is a good habit, regardless of whether you can easily digest 10 or more novels a year or prefer to set a more modest reading target. Reading may help us become more relaxed, lift our spirits, improve our brain function, prevent mental decline, and cultivate vital social and life skills. If you’re pondering how to fit reading into a hectic schedule, think about scheduling frequent, brief reading sessions throughout the week. Consider short tales or poetry if you’re truly pressed for time!

Read More...

Questions to ask yourself before you quit your job

a woman stressed at work

Quitting a job is a huge decision. It can be difficult to know what to do when you’re feeling frustrated or unfulfilled in your position.

Before you take any rash actions, take some time to reflect and answer these questions we’ve put together for you. They will help you to make the best decision for your career and future.

Feeling okay?

Before you quit your job, it’s important to take some time for self-reflection and ask yourself some tough questions. Are you in good physical and mental health? Are you feeling burnt out or stressed? Is your workload manageable, or are you constantly feeling overwhelmed?

Are you paid fairly?

When it comes to whether or not to quit your job, money is always a major factor. So, the first question to ask yourself is whether or not you feel like you’re being paid fairly. If you’re not happy with your current salary, it might be time to start looking for a new position. But don’t jump ship just yet; keep reading for other factors to consider before deciding.

How are your work relationships?
coworkers at disagreement with one another

Image Credits: workitdaily.com

Before you quit your job, it’s important to consider your relationship with your boss and co-workers. If you have a good relationship, it might be worth trying to talk to your boss about your concerns and see if there’s any way to fix the situation. However, if you don’t feel like you have a good relationship with your boss or co-workers, it might be time to move on.

Have you been learning and growing?

If you’re feeling stagnant in your job, one of the questions you need to ask yourself is whether or not you’re discovering and developing. Are you still challenging yourself, or have you become comfortable with what you know?

It’s necessary to be constantly growing in your career because that’s what will help you stay ahead of the competition. If you’re not evolving, you’re falling behind. And if you’re not happy with your job, that’s not a good sign.

Do you have a good work-life balance?

When it comes to work-life balance, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Some people need to work all the time to feel fulfilled, while others need more time spent away from the office to feel happy and productive.

So, how do you know if you’ve struck the right balance for yourself? Here are a few questions to ask:

  • Do you feel you’re always on call and working?
  • Are you resentful of the time you spend at work?
  • Do you feel like you never have any time for yourself?
  • Are you so stressed out that it’s affecting your health?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then it might be time to reevaluate your work-life balance.

As we close, we will leave you with some bonus questions so you can consider your decision comprehensively before crafting a resignation letter:

  • Are you sure this is what you need?
  • Are you expecting too much too soon?
  • Do you have a plan for what to do next?
  • Have you given your resignation enough thought?
  • Have you tried to talk to your boss about your problems?
  • Could leaving be damaging your career rather than helping it?
  • What will happen if you do quit – are you prepared for the consequences?
  • Are you completely honest with yourself about the reasons for wanting to leave?
  • Could your problem be solved with a change in management or company policy?

It’s a big decision to quit your job – so before you hand in your notice, think it through thoroughly.

Read More...

Around 1.5 Million S’poreans will Receive up to S$300 Cash in August 2022

The Government has been investing more resources in enhancing existing schemes to extend more help to Singaporeans amidst the rising global inflation and its surrounding challenges. About 1.5 million Singaporeans will receive up to S$300 cash under a special GST voucher payment in August 2022, according to Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.

This payment will be made on top of the regular GST Voucher (GSTV) cash payout of up to S$400, which was announced earlier this year. Recipients of GSTV can therefore expect to get up to S$700 in August. This move aims to support about 1.5 million lower-income to middle-income workers, as well as retirees without income.

Apart from this, all Singaporean households will receive a credit of S$100 for utilities by September 2022 to help offset their bills. Furthermore, eligible taxi main hirers and private hire car drivers will also receive a one-off relief of S$150 in August to cushion the higher fuel costs.

The following schemes will be enhanced to support those who are in need.

INCREASED CASH PAYOUT FROM GST VOUCHER SCHEME

To further offset the GST expenses of lower income to middle-income Singaporean households, enhancements to the GSTV scheme announced at Budget 2022 will be made. In August 2022, more Singaporeans will qualify for the GSTV cash payouts as the annual Assessable Income threshold will be increased from S$28,000 to S$34,000.

Eligible individuals will get up to S$400 of regular cash payout this year, which will be further increased to up to S$500 in 2023. Additionally, GSTV cash recipients will receive a Special Payment of up to S$300 in cash as part of the targeted support package announced last month.

JOBS GROWTH INCENTIVE EXTENSION (JGI)

JGI is a salary support scheme that provides employers with 15% to 50% salary support for new employees. It encourages employers to hire mature jobseekers who have not been working for at least six months, as well as persons with disabilities or ex-offenders.

The Government will extend the current phase of JGI from September 2022 to March 2023 as part of the targeted support package.

ENHANCED WORKFARE INCOME SUPPLEMENT

The Workfare Income Supplement aids lower-wage Singaporean workers whose earnings are in the bottom 20% of the working population. Eligible workers will receive support via CPF top-ups and cash to supplement their retirement savings and income.

Enhancements will be made from 2023 to provide higher annual payouts of up to S$4,200 for eligible Singaporean workers. More individuals will qualify for this support too.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT VOUCHERS DISTRIBUTION

To cope with the fare adjustment enacted in December 2021, households with a monthly household income of S$1,600 per person and below are eligible for Public Transport Vouchers.

If you have received a public transport voucher in the previous exercise, you would automatically receive a voucher via post. Otherwise, you may apply online until 31 October 2022 at go.gov.sg/ptv.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Searching for other schemes that you are eligible for? Do check out SupportGoWhere or go to your nearest Social Service Office.

Sources: 1 & 2

Read More...

A guide to teaching your child about sex

Asian father talking to his son

You may be wondering when is the best time to start teaching your child about sex. Well, it’s never too early!

Sex education is an important topic that all children should be taught at some point. And, as a parent, you are the best person to approach the topic. Allow us to provide you with some tips on how to go about teaching your child about sex.

What topics should you cover?

There’s a lot to cover when it comes to sex education, so it’s best to break it down into manageable chunks. Here are some topics you should consider discussing:

  • The basics: What sex is, and how it works
  • Consent: What it is, and why it’s important
  • Safe sex: How to protect yourself and your partner
  • Healthy relationships: What they look like, and how to build them
  • Reproduction: How babies are made, and what happens during pregnancy and childbirth
How can you answer tough questions?
shutterstock.com

Image Credits: shutterstock.com

One of the most challenging (but important!) parts of talking to your child about sex is answering their tough questions. It’s hard to know what to say when they ask about something you may not have experienced yourself, but it’s important to be open and honest.

There are a few things you can do to help prepare yourself for these difficult conversations:

  • Do your research. There are plenty of great books and articles about sex education that can help you answer your child’s questions in a way that is accurate, comfortable, and age-appropriate.
  • Talk with other parents. It can be helpful to discuss these topics with other parents who are in the same boat. They can share their own experiences and offer advice on how they handled tough questions.
  • Seek professional help. If you’re feeling particularly lost, or if your child has questions that you don’t feel comfortable answering, it’s always okay to seek out professional help from a sex educator or therapist.
How can you make the conversation comfortable?

Yes, talking to your child about sex can be uncomfortable for both of you. You want your child to feel like they can come to you with any questions or concerns they have, but you also don’t want them to feel like they’re being lectured.

Here are a few tips for making the conversation more comfortable:

  • Start early: The earlier you start talking about it, the more likely your kids will approach you with concerns they have.
  • Be relaxed: Try not to get too stressed out about having the conversation – it should be a dialog, not a strict address.
  • Make it age-appropriate: Adjust the content of your conversation according to your child’s age and level of understanding.
  • Be forthright and unpretending: Answer your child’s questions truthfully, and be prepared to talk about any subtopics they bring up.

It’s never too early to start talking to your child about sex, and the sooner you start, the better it is. It’s crucial to be open and honest with them, and answer any questions they may have. There are a lot of resources available to help parents teach their kids about sex, including books, websites, and even classes. Just approach it with an open mind and answer your child’s questions in a way that they can understand. Get started and you will know it’s not that difficult a topic to talk about.

Read More...

Why you should treat your startup like a child

parent and child holding hands

You’ve probably heard the saying, “Treat your startup like a child.” But what does that mean, exactly?

In short, it means being patient, nurturing your business through its early stages, and not pushing it too hard. In this post, we will explore the reasons why you should treat your startup like a child and offer tips for doing so.

A startup is a new beginning

Think about it this way: your startup is like a newborn child. It’s fresh and full of potential. It’s up to you to nurture and help it grow into something extraordinary.

Just as with a child, you will need to give your startup plenty of attention and set rules and boundaries. It’s also good to know what you want to get out of it. Most importantly, you will need to be uncomplaining. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and your startup won’t become a success overnight. It will take dedication and perseverance.

A startup will make mistakes

It’s only natural that a startup will make mistakes. After all, it’s still learning and evolving. But the key is for you, as an owner, to learn from those mistakes and not make them again.

Just like you would with a child, you need to be forbearing with your startup and help your team grow and learn. Guide your first batch of employees through its early years, teach them the right processes, and be there to support them when anything falters. Most importantly, don’t be afraid to make mistakes yourself.

A startup will grow and change
colleagues in a discussion

Image Credits: forbes.com

A startup will grow and change over time and need your unwavering attention to thrive. Just as you would provide for your child’s needs, you must also attend to your startup’s growth needs. This means keeping up with research, marketing it to the public, and gathering feedback.

As your startup grows, don’t be afraid to change with it. If something isn’t working, be willing to let go of your old ideas and take on something new. Always be open to fresh ideas and modifications because that’s the only way your startup will continue to tweak and improve.

A startup needs care and attention

Starting a business is no easy task. It takes a lot of hard work and most importantly, care and attention. Just like you would with a child, you need to make sure you’re providing your startup with the support it needs to sprout and succeed.

Here are a few tips on how to give your startup the care it deserves:

  • Set achievable goals. Don’t try to do too much too soon; gradually increase the scope of your objectives as your startup grows more capable.
  • Take breaks! It’s important to step away from your business occasionally and just relax—you will come back refreshed and ready to work harder than ever.
  • Celebrate your successes! No matter how small they may seem, celebrate every victory that your startup achieves. This will help keep you motivated during challenging times.
  • Make time for it every day. Whether you’re working on it yourself or outsourcing tasks to others, make sure you’re dedicating some amount of time to your business every single day.

Your business needs continual care at the outset if you want it to develop and be robust. Your business, like your child, will start to support itself as it “grows older” and as you get more expertise as a business owner. After that, you can back up while advising as part of the management team. And ultimately, you should be loving what you’re doing. No matter what the outcome, if you thoroughly believe in your business idea, you will survive it somehow.

Read More...