How To Earn Decent Money Using Your Smartphone

Before I plunged into the online freelancing, I never fully understood why companies are willing to pay for individuals who can participate in various activities. Said activities include shopping online, watching videos, reading advertisements, or using smartphone applications.

Soon I realized that the online competition is fierce. So, companies needed to reach their customers using creative ways. They need us! Download from a wide selection of apps to earn money from your product or service.

BY DRIVING PEOPLE AROUND

Uber – Available on Android and iOS

Are you sufficiently familiar with the Singapore roads and regulations? Consider earning extra money by becoming a cab driver. Having a car is not a strict requirement as many Uber drivers rent their cars. In fact, Uber Singapore has a list of preferred rental partners.

Uber, an app founded in San Francisco, connects drivers to riders. Its worldwide demand is growing as the days go by. There are many advantages to becoming an Uber driver. Firstly, it can earn you a decent amount of money. For instance, full-time drivers reportedly make about S$2,500 per month after all the deductions.

Secondly, you get to enjoy the flexibility in your schedule. There is no minimum or maximum hours of work. Lastly, you are in control of where and when you want to work.

BY SELLING YOUR THINGS ONLINE

Carousell – Available on Android and iOS

More and more Singaporeans are making quick bucks by selling their underused, preloved, or unused items online. Scavenge through your home to spot anything valuable. From books to clothes and furniture to paintings, you can take advantage of Carousell.

Carousell is a global marketplace app with a simple premise. Users start by snapping and describing their items. Then, they will chat with potential buyers to close the deals. Seek a form of payment that is convenient for you and the client. Some people prefer to meet-up, while others opt for wire transfers.

BY JOINING THE PACT

Pact – Available on Android and iOS

Looking for an efficient motivation to help you follow through your weightless resolution in 2017? The search is over as GymPact brings you the Pact app! It has been featured on The New York Times, CNN, and ABC News.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Pact allows its users to pledge a specific amount alongside the set of days that they plan to work out. Users who do not stick to the said goal must pay for each day they miss. You earn cash for staying healthy and get paid by “inactive” Pact members. Are you up for the challenge?

BY COMPLETING VARIOUS TASKS

Upwork – Available on Android and iOS

Modern technology reinvented the cubicle-bound workplace with the introduction of freelancing. There are websites and applications that allow people to reap the opportunities for online freelance work. You can easily accomplish these tasks from the comfort of your own home.

Upwork (previously called as Odesk) can help you whether you are an expert in writing, administrative work, marketing, advertising, legal work, illustrating, engineering, or web design. Payment is painless because Credit Cards, PayPal accounts, and Bank Accounts are accepted. Download the free app to see for yourself.

BY SUBMITTING YOUR PHOTOS

EyeEm – Available on Android and iOS

You do not need to carry bulky professional cameras in order to capture stunning moments. Today’s smartphones are equip with high definition cameras with sound quality. For instance, the iPhone 7 showcases an innovative camera that includes the ability to capture in low light and in RAW photos.

Turn your artistic vision into cash by downloading EyeEm right from your phone. EyeEm is one of the largest photo-markets, with over 18 million creators worldwide. You can sell your photos for approximately S$28 (US$20) to S$350 (US$250). It is not that bad!

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Image Credits: pixabay.com

What’s more? All of these apps are FREE!

Sources: 1 & 2

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Inexpensive Ways To Lower Your Workplace Stress

You have been busy all week-long! Your mind is racing and your heart is pounding as the deadlines approach. These tasks are getting out of hand. It is no wonder that you feel down in the dumps.

Fortunately for you, there are affordable (and free) solutions to help ease the tension.

#1: ACTING VERSUS REACTING

When we come face-to-face with the circumstances which are out of our control, we typically experience stress. It activates mental and physical responses that can tear your productivity and well-being in the long run. This can be problematic at work.

Start focusing on the aspects that are within your control (e.g., your thoughts about your co-workers or your business attire). This will help ease your worries.

#2: STICKING TO THE SCHEDULE

Many Singaporeans propel through the day without taking significant breaks. You may think that you get more work done if you do not rest. However, doing so is counter-productive. Sleep deprivation can lower your concentration and productivity levels.

Consider scheduling a series of breaks throughout the day. For instance, you may allot 5 minutes to stretch in the breakroom or to do breathing exercises while sitting down. You need these breaks to allow yourself to remain energized while working.

#3: WALKING YOUR ADORABLE PET

Walking your dog at the nearby park is a concrete and no-cost hack to relieve your stress. Not only will you be able to exercise your dog, but you will also have his or her lovely company. This is healthier than sitting on a couch while emptying a pint of ice-cream.

If you do not own a pet, you may opt to brisk walk for 30 minutes instead. Ramp up your speed gradually.

#4: TREATING HOME AS A SAFE HAVEN

Let us be honest! The root of all your worries resides at work. If you regularly continue your tasks at home then, you may create a work-life conflict. Treat your home as a safe haven by building a boundary between these two realms.

As much as possible, avoid answering your emails from home or work-related phone calls before you sleep. You are not a convenience center who has to be available 24/7.

#5: PLAYING LIKE A CHILD

Children may not have the responsibilities and the pressures that the adult world brings, but they do have one thing. I am referring to the luxury of play. Blocks, jigsaw puzzles, and coloring books are just some of the things that are meant to be enjoyed by the kids. Why should they have all the fun?

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Cognitive stimulation and entertainment does not stop with age. Try it. You may keep adult coloring books on your desk to free your mind during the office lunchtime. Popular Bookstore sells these books for as low as S$8.43.

Sources:  1 & 2

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Surefire Ways To Get Things Done…Fast!

1. WAKE UP EARLY

Waking up early gives you an opportunity to get more things done and to earn more in the process. As mornings are typically the time of the day when your brain is most focus and alert, you will be more productive. Not to mention, there are fewer distractions in the early hours of the day anyway. You can really achieve more things smoothly.

2. ANSWER EMAILS SWIFTLY

One of the most useful tools invented in the last 4 decades was the electronic mail or email, for short. It can also give way to procrastination despite its efficacy. You see, the Psychological pay-off of checking emails is seemingly the same as gambling. It is addictive because the behavior is reinforced. This is why you must answer your emails at defined and discrete times throughout the day.

Stretch your productivity even more by learning the keyboard shortcuts to Gmail, such as Ctrl + Enter or + Enter to send a message.

Screen-grabbed from support.google.com/mail/answer/8260

Screen-grabbed from support.google.com/mail/answer/8260

And if you want to insert a link to your text, type Ctrl + k or + k.

3. TAKE BREAKS

Much like a computer, your brain needs resetting, refreshing, and de-fragmenting of data in order for the information and memory to work smoothly. And if you are able to organize your memory and thoughts properly, you will receive and digest new information easily. Furthermore, you can even solve the problems you had pending.

So break up your day into timed chunks with at least 5-20 minutes break to refresh the processes of your brain.

4. LEARN TO SAY “NO”

Every time you agree to help out a fellow employee at work, you are increasing your personal workload and inhibiting your ability to quickly tackle tasks assigned to you. It is hard to refuse to friendly requests from colleagues especially if you are the type of person who loves lending a hand. However, if you want to jumpstart your productivity, it is important to learn to say “NO”.

According to a study by Vanessa Patrick and Henrik Hagtvedt, putting the words “I do not” into your workplace vocabulary can do the trick. Rather than telling your colleagues that you cannot help them out, they will respond better if you tell them that you do not have the time to do so.

5. STICK TO A SCHEDULE

It is a no brainer! If you want to get things done quickly, you must stick to a fixed schedule with the conscious thought of having limited time. Allow your schedule to guide you until it becomes a routine. Once the routinely operations become automatic, you will be able to do the tasks faster and better!

Image Credits: pixabay.com (CC0 Public Domain)

Image Credits: pixabay.com (CC0 Public Domain)

Sources: 1, 2, 3, & 4

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6 Brilliant Tips To Get Your Work Done

Stay ultra productive at work with these simple and affordable tips:

1. LIGHT IT UP

A well-lit room increases concentration and effectiveness. In fact, a study by National Renewable Energy Laboratory found that employees who were exposed to natural lighting stayed focused on the task longer that their “sun-deprived” counterparts.

Replicate the effects of this study by positioning your table by the window or by placing a bright table lamp on your desk (here’s an IKEA table lamp for only S$4.90).

2. EMBRACE ERGONOMICS

Although most of our lives are spent while sitting, we are not designed to sit at desks all day. This is why people who are working a full-time job at the office may experience occasional back pains and other long-term problems. Avoid this and the costly hospitalization costs by investing on ergonomic chairs. Ergonomic chairs are designed to support your posture and boost your comfort while you work.

Purchase yours at LAZADA for as low as S$49.90!

3. STAY FOCUSED

Stay focused by eliminating all the unnecessary distractions such as noises and social media. Avoid online distractions by closing tabs that you do not need, keeping your phone on silent, and by not logging onto your social media accounts. Afterwards, drown out the background noises by wearing earplugs or headphones.

4. KEEP IT CLEAN

Excess litter and scattered rubbish can make you feel overwhelmed and distracted. Clean up your work space by organizing important documents inside drawers or labeled boxes. Also, organize your files with descriptive folders in your laptop or computer.

5. EXERCISE REGULARLY

Aiming for better time management skills and increased ability to beat the deadlines? Consider spending 30-60 minutes of your time per day to exercise. According to science, keeping your blood pumping at work may elevate your productivity for about 15%!

6. PAINT THE SPACE

The colors of your workspace automatically stimulates you and induces color-motivated behavior. Thus, you must alter your space based on your desired goals. If you want to boost your alertness and creativity – go for yellow. For improving reading and relieving stress and fatigue – go for green.

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

And if you want to reduce your feelings of aggression and irritation (with your demanding co-workers or horrible boss), decorate the space with nothing but pink!

Sources: 1, 2, 3 & 4

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How To Deal With The Infectious Workplace Bullies

Whether you are wrongfully accused or verbally abused by your boss or colleagues, workplace incivility shall be treated with maximum seriousness.

Surprisingly, statistics have shown that 1 in 4 Singaporeans have suffered from workplace bullying with the top aggressors being their bosses (62%) and their clients (21%). To make matters worse, Singapore was one of the few countries with the highest acceptance of workplace bullying (alongside Hong Kong and Taiwan).

With high acceptance for this issue, it only makes sense that fewer people address matters associated with it. Thus, the unacceptable behavior prevails.

A study that surveyed 6,000 people in Sweden showed that being subjected to “rudeness” spreads if the workplace environment did nothing about it. Rudeness in this context is defined as a way of violating the norm of mutual respect. For example, it can be as petty as excluding someone from the informed circle or as greater as taking credits for the work of others. As people often imitate and support the behavior of the dominant, there is a risk that rudeness will spread like wildfire and later on lead to bullying.

This is why it is important to identify and address bullying as it happens.

Here are 3 ways you can deal with it:

1. IDENTIFY WORKPLACE BULLYING

Bullying causes physical deterioration in work performance as well mental distress. It is generally categorized into three, namely:

a. name calling, malicious teasing, or pranks
b. sabotaging the colleagues performance (e.g.,spreading rumors)
c. forcing, causing self-imposed exclusion, or intimidation

Identification of workplace bullying is vital as some organizations may not want to acknowledge its existence while some people may not recognize that it is already happening to them.

2. SPEAK UP MORE

Sometimes the person who bullies you is your boss himself/herself. This is called an abuse of power. In our Asian context, there is an underlying culture of not defying the authorities and simply complaining about the issue in our smaller circles. As a result, any behavior from the boss is considered as acceptable and rarely excessive. However, you can only tolerate such behavior to a certain extent.

Once you have recognize that inappropriate behavior occurs, it is time to talk to the H.R. department or your boss about it. Steps to disclosing bullying shall include stating the observable behavior, describing its subjective impact, and validating the nature of the problem.

3. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

If all else fails, you can always turn to the law. In November 2014, the Protection from Harassment Act 2014 together with 2 accompanying subsidiary legislation are equipped to protect the rights of every working individual.

It states that:

“No person shall, with intent to cause harassment, alarm or distress to another person, by any means —

a. use any threatening, abusive or insulting words or behavior; or
b. make any threatening, abusive or insulting communication, thereby causing that other person or any other person harassment, alarm or distress”

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

More importantly, this Act covers the online world too. So you must not undermine cyber-bullying!

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4,& 5

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