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Quick time management tips for 9 to 5 workers looking to run a side business

So you want to run a side hustle or maybe already in the process of starting one?

A 9 to 5 life can be tiring if you’re bogged down by tasks from the moment you clock in for work to the second you sign off. But for those who are not so busy during weekdays, you will probably find it easier to allocate time on earning extra income outside of your full-time job.

But still, without proper time-management routines, it is possible to side-track to do something else after you knock off from work. If that is you, keep reading for some quick tips to find time to run your side business.

#1: Seek helping hands

Most start-up owners would rather begin the journey doing everything by themselves. Yes, it helps save on costs but ask yourself if you can do so for the long term. Chances are, you might get burned out while holding onto a 9 to 5 job.

Weigh the consequences over the long run, and you will see that it makes sense to find helping hands to run your business. Whether it’s a freelance graphic designer or a part-time IT personnel, outsource if you want to keep running this race.

#2: Group existing tasks

No, we’re not referring to multi-tasking. For folks who have ever multi-task or at least attempted to, you will quickly find that your mind is all over the place. Rather than doing five things at one go, a more intelligent way is to group existing tasks.

For example, if you’re cooking porridge for the family on Sunday, why not go for a bigger pot so it can last you till the end of the new work week? Also, instead of mindlessly scrolling via social media, listen to some business-related podcasts on your way to work.

#3: Set work appointments

When you set work appointments, be sure to pen it down somewhere. For individuals in the early stage of their side hustle and just working with one other person, maybe you can stick to Google calendar to map out your schedule.

But if you’re working in a team, maybe an application like Asana would help set and track work tasks and projects. The idea here is that you schedule specific blocks of time to complete your to-do list rather than postponing it indefinitely.

Final thoughts

a man drinking coffee in front of his laptop

Image Credits: unsplash.com

You’ve often heard people telling you to push your limits. While it’s good that you work hard towards success, remember that you’re only human. Having a full-time job comes with responsibilities, and it’s okay to take time off your side hustle when necessary.

If you’ve stayed on schedule during weekdays, then why not take a “half-day leave” on weekends to refresh your mind? While earning that extra money is essential, it’s not everything in life. Balance is crucial so learn to rest up if you need to.

Enjoy these hotel-standard high tea sets with delivery or self-collection

How are you surviving Phase 2 (Heightened Alert)? We’re about two weeks away from the end of this mini circuit breaker.

The good news is that the government has announced that further tightening of measures is not required at the moment. Also, Singapore residents can look forward to a more detailed update on 31 May via the next multi-ministry task force press conference.

But at the time of writing, we’re still unable to dine out. Most of us are sticking to cooking at home, food takeaways, or using delivery services. Some of us may also have been forced to cancel that high tea appointment thanks to the latest COVID-19 measures.

But fret not as hotels are bringing to you their high tea selections right to your doorstep.

#1: The Capitol Kempinski Hotel

Price: from S$38

At an affordable price, you get to savour a 3-course afternoon tea session from the comforts of home. Expect local creations like chicken rice arancini and classic scones with cranberry-flavoured ones. The set will also include high-quality TWG teabags.

Order here and pick up at 15 Stamford Road or opt for free delivery if you spend a minimum of S$60.

#2: Shangri-La Singapore

Price: from S$68

The Rose Veranda from Shangri-La Singapore presents a takeaway high tea set for two at just S$68. You can also add on a bottle of Nyetimber Classic Cuvée for S$98 (discounted price). We think the strawberry lobster slaw sandwich and foie gras tart with granny smith apple and candied ginger would be worth a taste.

Complimentary delivery is only available for purchases above S$200. Or you can choose to self-collect to save on that S$20.

#3: Regent Singapore

Price: from S$96

Book your high tea set from Regent Singapore if you want to sink your teeth on roasted Angus beef with mustard, or reward yourself with some apricot creamy cheesecake. Raspberry white chocolate macarons, yuzu and dark chocolate cookies will go very well with the premium Gryphon tea provided.

You can either choose the 2-pax or 4-pax set from this link.

#4: Mandarin Oriental

Price: S$98

The June holidays have officially started, and families looking to enjoy some time together indoors can consider this afternoon tea set from Mandarin Oriental. Priced at S$98, the quantity is just right for two adults and two children. There’s a good combination of meats, greens, and sweet bites for everyone.

Place your order at least two hours before and call +65 6885 3500 if you need some quick answers to your burning questions.

#5: Intercontinental Singapore

Price: from S$110

Take your pick from Intercontinental Singapore’s multi-tiered collection of sweets and savouries if you want variety. Lychee coulis, laksa prawn quiche, and hojicha craquelin choux are some of the items you can look forward to. Pay an extra S$50 if you want a Taittinger Brut Reserve Half Bottle to accompany your taste buds.

For more information, please click here. Self-collect at The Lobby Lounge if you don’t want to fork out S$25 for delivery.

Ways to treat erectile dysfunction without surgery

Do you know of someone who has erectile dysfunction (ED)? ED is a condition that deters a man from erecting and staying firm enough to have sex.

Usually, older men face such an issue. But there is also a range of reasons that leads to ED, including:

Stress
Smoking
Depression
Overweight
Alcohol consumption
Cardiovascular-related conditions
Overexposure to radiation at the pelvic region
Blood flow problems or nerve damage in the penis
High blood pressure or unhealthy cholesterol levels
Side effects of present treatments or medications for prostate diseases

Ladies, if your partners consistently face a low sexual desire or have difficulties getting an erection, they may have an ED. Similarly, having trouble maintaining that long-awaited erection during intercourse or premature ejaculation could be ED signs.

Thankfully, not all hope is lost. Here are some ways to treat ED without surgery.

#1: Get up & get moving

For those who are against consuming medicine, maybe you would want to look into getting more active.

The main idea here is to improve your cardiovascular status, and you can do so with running, biking, jogging, or swimming. When there is increased blood flow throughout your body, it could lead to better circulation down there and improve your ED condition.

#2: Turn to oral drugs

Okay, so maybe a couple of you guys out there aren’t able to pump up your physical activity either due to immobility or health issues.

If so, you might want to turn to oral medication like Sildenafil (Viagra). It was the first oral medicine approved to help up the flow of blood to the penis. Thus, when engaging in sexual acts, an erection can be stimulated. Tadalafil (Cialis) and Vardenafil (Levitra) are also alternatives to try.

#3: Consider injection therapy

Image Credits: csp.org.uk

Penile injection therapy can help tackle various erection issues related to the nerve, blood vessel, and psychological conditions.

The medical term to note is intracavernosal injection therapy, though most laymen refer to it as penile self-injection. During the process, you can DIY by injecting a small quantity of prostaglandin E1, papaverine, phentolamine, or a combination of these drugs into the side of your penis. The medicine will help relax your blood vessels and direct blood flow to the penis.

However, this method comes with side effects like pain and penile scarring (fibrosis).

#4: Use a vacuum constriction device

The abovementioned method could be too painful for some to bear. Why not use a vacuum constriction device for those who don’t mind putting up with some discomfort?

It is essentially a cylinder to put over your penis. Most are either hand-powered or battery-operated. It works by pumping air out of the cylinder, drawing blood into the penis, and causing an erection. The drawback is that the cylinder band that helps maintain the erection can only stay in place for about 20 minutes or less.

#5: Experience extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT)

As we come to a close, we have ESWT. It is a method that uses low-intensity shock waves to form blood vessels in the erectile tissues.

As a result, blood flow to the penis area will increase, and your erection will last longer. The good news is that the process is painless and non-invasive. But ready yourself as you may need to go through up to 12 sessions of 20-minute ESWT to see results.

Here’s how to get a sense of the company culture during your probation

So, you’ve walked out of a wonderful interview, and within the next day, you received an offer of employment with the same company you interviewed with.

Times are hard with the ongoing pandemic, and one should be thankful for a job offer. Well, that is true to a certain extent. But if the company culture is a misfit with the way you work, you may not be able to function properly in the long run.

Art Markman, PhD, a professor of Psychology and Marketing at the University of Texas, shares with us how to get a sense of the company culture to decide its fit for you.

#1: Explore your colleagues’ values

Have you ever heard of the saying, “Every job is doable, but it’s the people that are causing problems”?

While the management plays a part, your colleagues in the company significantly influence the company culture. This also means that their values will matter as you seek to explore what those are. It could be power, security, or achievement.

During your probation of 3 to 6 months, take this chance not only to ease yourself into the tasks but also to speak to your coworkers. We’re not asking you to be a full-fledged social butterfly but listen to what the people around you think of their work’s importance and success in general.

Then, decide for yourself if the beliefs they hold are in line with your own. Should you agree with the way your colleagues are portraying work, then it’s likely that you will be a great fit with the company. Otherwise, it’s better to seek opportunities elsewhere.

#2: Observe workplace interactions

Image Credits: unsplash.com

We think most of us would want to work in an office where people can freely talk to anyone regardless of job titles.

In fact, you can observe workplace interactions not just during your probation but right from your interview. Spot how your interviewers are reacting and communicating with each other. From there, you will probably get a good sense of the company’s hierarchical structure.

If you’re someone who values the definition of success, you may want to bring this topic up during your interview. Ask how the company values individual and group success. Do they expect everyone to stick to a set of norms? Or are they flexible to embrace diversity?

Take what they say with a pinch of salt because words are empty without concrete actions. During your probational period, you will get a sense of the culture via minor aspects. For example, do people shush when the boss walks in? Are they freely voicing out their opinions during team meetings?

#3: Trust your gut

You will probably notice that the first two points noted by Markman are very straightforward ways to catch a glimpse of the company culture.

However, sometimes, all it takes is a little intuition to conclude whether a workplace is right or wrong for you. Yes, even if you can’t seem to verbalise the reasons why, trust your gut. For those who’ve had the experience of working with several companies throughout their career, it would be easier to come to a realisation.

Nevertheless, be fully aware that a company may still be a good fit even if your initial intuition isn’t all that positive. You can blame it on the lack of familiarity if you want. Being in an unknown setting with newer job responsibilities can sometimes nudge our minds and bodies to take flight.

Final thoughts

With all that said, that is precisely why the probational period is in place. Give yourself some time to ease into the company culture and converse with your colleagues often. If all else fails, it’s not the end of the world.

Read this before you hop on your sets of Invisalign or clear aligners

Misaligned teeth can dampen your confidence if you often have to meet clients or face customers.

While traditional braces work, they aren’t as flexible when compared to Invisalign aligners. Just think about having the ease in removing your aligners when eating or brushing your teeth. You wouldn’t be able to do that with braces, though.

For peeps looking to start their journey with sets of Invisalign, hear from Dr Hwang Yee Cheau, an orthodontist at TP Dental Surgeons, on the essential things to note. Dr Hwang is also an adjunct professor at the NUS Faculty of Dentistry and highly qualified to share knowledge in this field.

#1: Expect precise results

Dr Hwang has been working with Invisalign clear aligners for more than 15 years, and she mentions that one can expect precise results with it.

The treatment uses advanced 3D planning software with data from 10 million patients worldwide. This allows the Invisalign-trained dentist to visualise each stage from the start to the end without unpleasant surprises.

#2: Receive a customised plan

Every misalignment is different. When you hop on the Invisalign journey, your dentist will craft a customised plan to help you achieve your desired results.

Once the initial iTero 3D (a digital system) scan is done and your treatment journey is mapped out, you will receive a series of removable Invisalign clear aligners throughout the process. Look forward to gradually straightened teeth as you progress through the months!

#3: Seek consultation before starting

Image Credits: dentalproductsreport.com

By now, some of you might be overly eager to get started. However, hold your horses. After all, teeth straightening is a medical procedure, and it’s best that you seek consultation before any treatment.

Ask your dentist or orthodontist to recommend doctor-directed clear aligner brands that are safe and sustainable. Also, ensure that the same doctor will accompany you throughout the course of your treatment.

#4: Treat complex cases

Apart from the privilege of flaunting your teeth when you smile, Invisalign clear aligners can also treat complex cases. This includes overbite, crossbite, and even serious crowding conditions.

Some individuals may also need to go through a corrective jaw surgery and decide to receive a pre-surgery orthodontic treatment using Invisalign clear aligners. In fact, it’s not just an option for adults, but kids and teens too.

#5: Different compared to clear aligners

Remember what mum used to say? Looks are deceiving. While clear aligners may look similar, the materials and technology used are different.

Dr Hwang noted that Invisalign treatment uses SmartTrack material, a proprietary medical-grade plastic. Going hand-in-hand with advanced software technology, you are guaranteed up to 75% of predictability on your teeth straightening journey.

Final thoughts

Be sure that your dentist is with you every step of the way because clear aligners can lead to tooth loosening or even gum recession if unsupervised.

In addition, you will need to persevere through the treatment process and have the discipline to stick to the aligner treatment wear time to see maximum results. Just so you know, that’s about 20 to 22 hours to put on a day.

For more information, please head to invisalign.com.sg.