How To Be More Productive During Quarantine

With the beaming light from my phone and a distinct “ding”, I received a message from my friend. She was up until the wee hours to finish her Interior Design plates. She asked my professional advice regarding the root of her need to procrastinate.

Productivity is premium at this time. It is usually expressed as a ratio of input to output. You may illustrate it as the number of products produced per working hour. Given the cost of the working hours, productivity can also measure the efficiency of a business.

Productivity matters because there is so much that needs to get done in a day. In most business models, profitability is a function of productivity, price, and volume. Interestingly, productivity can be seen as subjective. You define how productive you are. Often, there is a gap between reality and perceived productivity. Combat this by following these tips.

1. SET BITE-SIZED TASKS
2. FOCUS THEN PAUSE
3. KNOW WHY YOU PROCRASTINATE
4. BE PRESENT
5. ALLOW YOURSELF TO FAIL

#1: SET BITE-SIZED TASKS

You do not have to finish everything in one consumption. For instance, I have taken the Google Digital Garage Digital Marketing course for three days. Initially, I have the choice to finish everything in one day or to follow the rhythm of my pacing. I chose the latter. It is healthier that way!

Create a schedule for tasks that need to be completed and break these down into tiny parts. Segmentation allows you to celebrate the completion of each task. This boosts your confidence and helps increase your motivation to continue on.

#2: FOCUS THEN PAUSE

Create a schedule following a specific time-slot to guide your work from home. Focus for periods spanning from 90 to 120 minutes. Then, pause and walk within your flat or nearby. This will help you refresh your mind.

You may also indulge yourself in distractions. It does not hurt to play a game for 10 to 20 minutes. Do the things you were told not to do at the workplace. You deserve this short break. Afterwards, go back to the task at hand.

#3: KNOW WHY YOU PROCRASTINATE

Going back to my friend, I analyzed her need to procrastinate. In her case, it is because she is a perfectionist. She feels the pressure of designing her plates right to get the approval of her supervisor. People envision outcomes so outstanding that their expectations become more intimidating than inspirational.

“Perfectionists aren’t people who do something perfectly. Perfectionists are people who fantasize about doing something perfectly.” – Mr. John Perry, a Philosophy Professor at Stanford University

For entrepreneurs who hold accountability for everything, procrastination is a problem. It usually happens when they have no experience or are not familiar with the topic at hand. Knowing why you procrastinate is the first step!

#4: BE PRESENT

Oh, mindfulness! I have completed 11 days of my mindfulness meditation journey. In my path, I realized that being present is a great way to be productive.

A mindful person knows how to differentiate what is “important” and what is “urgent”. Knowing these labels can help you prioritize certain tasks. Moreover, you will be able to lessen the time spent on unimportant tasks.

#5: ALLOW YOURSELF TO FAIL

Productivity does not equate to perfection! Allow yourself to abandon the plan for the day. Sometimes, things do not go the way you want it to. With the uncertainty knocking in our doors, it is helpful to focus on the progress and allow yourself to fail once in a while.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Technology can either help or distract you. Does it mean that you will quit using it entirely? Of course not! Allow your brain to move from one task to another whenever it pleases. After all, the circuit breaker period is teaching us the importance of slowing down and focusing on what is important.

Sources: 1 & 2

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Surefire Ways To Sell Your Items On Instagram

Whether Snapchat agrees or not, Instagram reigns supreme when it comes to engaging its audience. These days, many Singaporeans refer to Instagram as their catalogue of all things travel or lifestyle-related.

Consider the following tips to help you figure out how to sell your items on Instagram with or without its pesky algorithm.

POST THE BEHIND-THE-SCENES CONTENT WITH STORIES

Over 200 million people use Instagram stories on a daily basis. More than one-third of this number view stories for business purposes. Instagram stories last for 24 hours, and they do not show the comments or likes publicly. This means that you can post as many stories as you want to feature a spotlight product or a flash sale.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Use text, drawing tools, stickers, and GIFs to bring your brand’s creativity to life.

SELL YOUR ITEMS THRU HASHTAGS

As an Instagram user, you are probably aware of the importance of hashtags. Hashtags are important to brands as these tags direct the specific consumers. Branded hashtags represent the majority of big brands such as #BMW or #Prada.

The most used hashtags come from these well-known brands. You may either use their power to your advantage by using related hashtags or use hashtags exclusive to your brand.

USE INSTAGRAM ADS TO REACH YOUR TARGET AUDIENCE

Instagram provides a variety of targeting options through its Instagram Ads feature. You can choose specific targets that will suit your business’ needs. With promotion, you can choose how much you will spend, where your ads will be seen, and how long you want to run them.

Simply set up your business profile account and click the “promote” button. Instagram ads are critical to the marketing strategies of any business.

HOST INSTAGRAM-ONLY PROMOTIONS

With Instagram, you may host an Instagram-only promotion for your followers. They can click the link in your bio to join. To amp up your promotion, you may consider establishing partnerships with Instagram Influencers within the area such as Melissa Koh.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Instagram influencers continue to be popular given that sponsorships have nearly replaced digital ads these days. The personal recommendations that they add boost the brand’s image. The personal touch makes it easier for consumers to imagine themselves while using your products.

Sources: 1 & 2

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Financial Benefits Of Having A Second Job

For the longest time, moonlighting was seen as a means to take on extra work in order to supplement one’s full-time employment. It was exclusively for underpaid employees or those who are severely strapped for cash. Nowadays, moonlighting and having a second job are seen as acceptable means to expand one’s income without the weight of stereotypes.

Having a second job does not only expand your wallet, but also maximize your skills and talents. Many employers are open to the idea of giving their employees the freedom and flexibility to take on other jobs to keep up with the rising cost of living. To illustrate, combining your full-time job with a 20-hour per week sideline can pull in a greater income. You may also combine two part-time positions to get an income that will equate to a full-time position while working for less hours per week.

That is just the beginning. The following are other benefits of having a second job.

LESSENING YOUR TRANSPORTATION COSTS

Four years ago, I juggled my work as an enrichment teacher and as a freelance writer. As a teacher, I needed to travel three to four times per week around Singapore. While, my job as a freelance writer brought me to the comforts of my own home.

If your second job is either at a home office or at a place near you, you will be able to save more money on transportation costs. This situational advantage can help you shave dollars on monthly petrol consumption or EZ-Link top-up.

OPENING NEW JOB OPPORTUNITIES

We cannot fully guarantee that the economy will stay the same in a few years time. Say you lost your job. If you are running out of full-time job options, you may try your luck in several part-time employment positions that can eventually turn into a coveted full-time slot. After all, it is more cost-efficient for an employer to hire individuals who are already trained than to hire individuals who are unfamiliar with the field.

When given the chance to partake in a team as a part-timer, show how eager you are to know the tricks of the trade. Volunteer your time and exhaust your energy as much as possible. Do not waste the opportunities given to you.

GIVING MORE MEANS TO PURSUE OTHER ACTIVITIES

Freedom – is easier said than acquired. Experts say that people who have second jobs or second careers have a higher sense of freedom such as the feeling of not being shackled to one company. Furthermore, practicing in a different field gives you a financial cushion in case the economy becomes sour towards your other career.

Having a second job gives you more freedom to pursue other activities that will showcase your skills. If you are thinking of switching careers and want to minimize the risk, take on a part-time position that will enable you to test the waters. For those people who lack prerequisites or academic credentials to pursue their dream job, a part-time position may serve as a stepping stone that provides free training and meaningful experiences. While, others may use part-time positions as a means to climb the ladder within an existing field. For instance, a teacher may obtain an entry-level part-time work in order to finance his graduate studies. Further education will land him a more lucrative job in the field.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

It is up to you to find ways to maximize your income and make the most out of your second job.

Sources: 1 & 2

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How To Become A Great E-Commerce Seller

Technology advancements paved way to the invention of e-commerce. E-commerce is the activity of buying or selling something via the Internet. From Instagram to Carousell, various websites and apps enable Singaporeans to practice e-commerce. That being said, here are tips on how to become the best online seller out there!

STEP #1: DEFINE YOUR BRAND

What are you willing and not willing to sell? What are the teens buzzing about these days? Pearl hair-clips or vintage headbands? How about the working adults? Are herbal oils in demand for pain management? Before you decide on putting a collection of products online, you must do your research.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Look for sellers that offer the same products and see which products are on top. This ensures that your products are attractive and in demand without having to lose money in the process. As you diversify your product range and start selling more, you may need to find a warehouse.

STEP #2: NARROW DOWN THE COSTS

Opening a physical store entail a painfully long list of operation costs. It comprises of rent, interior design, electricity, utility, and other expenses. Not to mention, you have to maintain the overall look of your brick and mortar store.

Fortunately for you, you have avoided these expenses by opening an online store. You must start your business right by deciding which costs are necessary. Cut down unnecessary costs such as hiring additional staff.

STEP #3: OPEN AN ACCOUNT

To become an e-commerce seller, you can either open your own website or sign-up under an established one. For instance, you may set up a seller’s account at Lazada. It is easy!

As a prospective seller, you must provide basic contact information about yourself and the shop that you want to open. Next, you have to list down your products using Lazada’s Store Builder app. Ensure that you build appealing pages to increase client engagement. Lastly, you have to provide legitimate documentation. This documentation includes:

a. Your Business Registration Certificate or Business Owner Identification (NRIC),
b. Your list of directors,
c. A bank statement, and
d. GST letter (if applicable)

STEP #4: MARKET YOUR BRAND

Last but not the least, you must increase the visibility of your brand. Already established e-commerce websites have a lot of traffic, so you are at an advantage. You do not have to shell out more marketing budget. Nonetheless, you can always promote your products or services on Facebook and on Instagram.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

I cannot deny that many Singaporeans turn to social media for product or service reviews. So, make these reviews count!

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5 Helpful Tips On How To Work From Home

Working from home is not just an option, it is a way of life. Overhauling the way you work can either make or break your career and sanity. Follow these helpful tips to get you started:

TAXATION RULES

One of the first steps to straighten out your finances as a freelancer is to know what your filing status is. In the Singaporean tax code, there is a huge difference between employment and small business types. Knowing which one you fall under on will save you in the long run. The government judges your status based on whether you take some risk of doing business or you get a share of the profits.

For instance, you may think that you are subject to the self-employment tax as a sole proprietor of a company. However, the law may consider you as an employee if you only have one client who supervises you, dictates your regular hours, pays you per hour, and gives you benefits.

GOAL SETTING

As a freelancer, it will help to develop both long-term and short-term goals. The former helps you to create a direction, a purpose, and a will to push forward. Long-term goals enables you to improve your money management and increase your job satisfaction despite working from home. For example, in 3 years time you can expand your business to reach international clientele.

While, short-term goals give you achievable targets. These targets will help you pay the bills and track your cashflow.

DAILY SCHEDULE

From my experience of working from home, I noticed how important it is to keep everything organized. You must have time management skills and motivation to finish each task. For example, you may set defined working hours when you work from one company. Try to avoid phone calls or emails beyond your regular schedule.

It is easy to get trapped into working any time and any day when you are working from home. Devise a plan to balance out your work and personal time to maintain your sanity. Every morning, you may plan a couple of breaks such as half an hour for coffee drinking or fifteen minutes to go outside. In reality, you must pull out your body from the laptop and have brain breaks.

HEALTHY SOCIALIZATION

Working from home can be isolating for most people. When you are used to being in an office filled with lunch buddies, it can be a significant adjustment to leave everything behind. This is why you must meet others on a regular basis. Meet your clients face-to-face, socialize with a group of people who share the same hobby, or invite your office friends for dinner.

Working from home saves you from a lot of awkward and embarrassing social encounters. But, you still need to interact with others to keep your mental health in tact.

WEEKEND SANCTUARY

As you are working in the comfort of your own home, things can get mundane and exhausting. Your life can be a series of completing tasks without a weekend to look forward to. Be different!

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Allot at least two days to enjoy yourself without having to think of work. Spend time with family and friends during your weekend sanctuary. Otherwise, you are comparable to the lifestyle of graveyard or red-eyed shift workers.

Sources: 1 & 2

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