Guest User 1/7/20 Guest User 1/7/20

How Decluttering Will Uplevel Your Business

When I think about it now, it’s pretty obvious why clearing clutter from my workspace has helped me be more successful in my business. But, hey, hindsight is 20-20, right? After I organized my home office, I found that fewer things were getting lost in the shuffle. Shawna from Practically Minimal will explain how decluttering will uplevel your business.

My war on clutter started with an out-of-control closet. Well, in all honesty, it was actually two out-of-control closets―each jam-packed with outfits to fit any occasion I could dream up. Whenever it was time to get dressed, I felt stressed, frustrated and just plain overwhelmed. Even with all those clothes, I still always felt like I had nothing good to wear.

Long story short, I finally got to a point where I’d had enough. I was angry at the chaos I’d created. I made my closets my battleground. I donated, consigned, recycled and threw stuff out. I fought the urge to keep things “just in case” or to “set this aside just for now.”

The whole experience was exhausting and all-consuming, but looking back, it was possibly the best time I’ve ever spent.

Decluttering my closets made me feel lighter and happier. So naturally, I kept going. Nothing in the house was safe. I was ruthless― and it paid off. Decluttering has changed my life in ways I never expected. One of those ways was making me better at my job.

Decluttering set me up for success

When I think about it now, it’s pretty obvious why clearing clutter from my workspace has helped me be more successful in my business. But, hey, hindsight is 20-20, right? After I organized my home office, I found that fewer things were getting lost in the shuffle. (I guess that’s because there wasn’t any shuffle left for things to get lost in!) I wasn’t spending time searching for my interview notes from the other day or my stapler that “I could’ve sworn I put right here.”

A less cluttered desk also meant fewer distractions. With everything put away, it was so much easier to focus on one project at a time. I’ve learned that, for me at least, a clutter-free environment is a calm environment. When I’m calm, I’m more creative and, ultimately, I create better content. As a freelance writer and blogger, this realization is gold.

So, what the heck took me so long?

For me―and I’m sure for a lot of people―actually facing the clutter I’d accumulated over many years was a really big deal. Coming to terms with my mess and what I’d actually need to do to get rid of it was incredibly overwhelming. Where would I find the time and energy? For a long time, it was easier to tell myself (and others) that there was a method to my madness, and I thrived in my organized chaos. Back then, I saw decluttering and organizing a space as one big job I had to do all at once. If it wasn’t all done, it wouldn’t do me any good. Boy, was I wrong.

Even a little progress makes a big difference

When it comes to decluttering (as with many things in life), consistently taking small steps is the key to overcoming overwhelm. Clearing out your workspace is as simple as committing to one small project a day for, say, one work week. For example, on Monday you could schedule 30 minutes to go through your papers, folders, and mail, recycling, shredding or filing away as much as you can. Tuesday might be desktop declutter day. Set the same 30-minute timer and go through your computer desktop and documents folder, deleting the files you don’t need and organizing the rest into folders. You could dedicate Wednesday to whittling down your work wardrobe, so you save time deciding what to wear in the mornings.

Get creative, make room in your schedule and, most importantly, set small goals. If you soldier on for a few days, you’ll suddenly find yourself enjoying your clutter-free work life―and all the successes that come with it!

To read more about how living with less stuff makes life better, check out my blog, Practically Minimal. Or, if you need help sharing your business’ story through your website, blog or marketing materials, shoot me an email or check out my online writing portfolio.

#TipsyTuesday post submitted by Shawna Dirksen
Practically Minimal | practicallyminimal.com/
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Guest User 11/19/19 Guest User 11/19/19

What Entrepreneurs Need to Know About Securing a Mortgage

You decided to take a risk and become your own boss. Those of you who have gone through this process, know all about it. You are contributing to the economy, creating jobs, and mastering your craft. So why can it be much harder for you to secure a mortgage?

Well, you went for it! You decided to take a risk and become your own boss. This should be celebrated – and for the most part it is. You are contributing to the economy, creating jobs, and mastering your craft. So why can it be much harder for you to secure a mortgage?

Those of you who have gone through this process, know all about it. It can feel like quite an invasion of privacy – so many documents and information to provide just to prove that you can afford a property. There are a few key points Kendra (from Kendra does Mortgages) has taken the time to share with us on how to help you prepare for this great purchase.

Qualifying Your Income

One thing I know is that we all love paying less tax, right? So what do we do? Deduct and show less income on our tax returns. Although this is every Accountant’s dream and helps us pay less in tax, it’s not favorable when applying for a mortgage. Many lenders and the mortgage insurers offer a stated income program where we can state the income required for the application and can help with your approval.

Documents that will need to be reviewed are: Articles and Registration of Incorporation as well as the past two years of your: T1 Generals (Accountant prepared, please), Business Financials and Notice of Assessments.

Choosing the Right Down Payment

To participate in this stated income program, you would need a minimum of 10% down to qualify (5% must come from your own sources and 5% can be gifted). With this size of down payment, your mortgage would need to be insured, therefore additional premiums must be paid. If you want to avoid all insurance premiums, a minimum of 35% down would be required – not the traditional 20%. Premiums and your best down payment strategy will be discussed during the application process as everyone is different!

Documents that will need to be reviewed are: 90-day bank statements from all accounts you will be using for your down payment.

Tips for Success

If home ownership is your goal, here are some tips that will help you get there!

Determine how much you want to put down (10%, 35%, more?) and keep it in a separate savings (TFSA, GIC, etc.) account. 90-day history is required and all large deposits must be sourced.
Allocate extra funds for closing costs: your lawyer, insurance, etc. (roughly 1-2% of purchase price) and costs to furnish or renovate your new home.
Keep your credit in check! A minimum of two years’ history is required with at least two active accounts (credit card, loan, phone bill, etc.). Make your payments on time and keep those balances low.
Have an Accountant prepare your taxes and financials. This will keep everything organized, precise and professional.
And of course, talk to a Mortgage Broker (me) ! I will help you strategize and come up with a plan that is tailored to you, plus ensure you are receiving the best advice.

Do you feel ready to buy a home yet? Trust me, it is achievable!

With the right plan, we can get you there. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out to Kendra at kendradoesmortgages.com. Kendra will be more than happy to walk you through this incredible purchase and provide you with the best options available.

Kendra not only specializes in assisting first time home buyers making that next step to owning a home, but she also has the ability to strategize with clients in growing their real estate portfolio.

#TipsyTuesday post submitted by Kendra Henderson | Kendra Does Mortgages
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Guest User 11/12/19 Guest User 11/12/19

How changing your mindset and dropping the diet mentality can positively affect your mental health

Brandy, a nutrition and lifestyle coach is here to discuss a topic on #tipsytuesday that most of us women may struggle with, the diet mentality. It can be hard to stop with all the rules you’ve likely been following for years. Every diet has rules. The question is how do you break free?

Even macro tracking has rules. However, at least with macro tracking, it can teach you one very valuable tool... portion control. I believe that is one of the best benefits of macro tracking.

But how do you let go of labeling food good vs bad? How do you start eating more carbs? How do you stop restricting yourself to then binge on it later? How do you eat before bed? How do put time aside for yourself? How do you stop over-exercising? With so many rules, so now it’s time to start breaking some of these rules.

If you want to feel free, you have to start letting go of the rules.

Breaking the rules can have you feeling shame and guilt, no different than overeating. It will take time but all you need to do is start.

Changing your mindset is a great place to begin. Stop thinking with a scarcity mindset and switch to living and thinking in abundance.

Those who live with a scarcity mindset tend to have rules, restrictions, guilt, and shame. They will think about the past and dwell on a binge or cheat meal. They will seek control and resort to negative self-talk. Procrastination takes over, driven by a self-sabotaging ego that fuels fear and anxiety. Those who live with a scarcity mindset tend to carry a lot of self-doubts and strive for perfection.

Switch to an abundance mindset, you will think more about consistency, flexibility, and sustainability. You will have more compassion for yourself, learn from your experiences and focus on the present. You will begin to let go of what you can not control and lean into the unknown. You will have more self-confidence and acknowledge when mistakes happen. The best part, you give yourself permission to live and to trust yourself.

The next thing you can do is change the language you have around food. There are no good foods and there are no bad foods. There will always be a better choice. Accept that you are not a good person for choosing to eat salad just like you are NOT a bad person for choosing to eat cake.

How silly does it sound... I’m bad about eating cake? Seriously? This does not make you bad. It makes you human. The diet mentality will have you believe you are wrong, bad, unhealthy, nondeserving but this is simply not true.

You have to start listening to your body. You have to start trusting your body.

You have to change your mindset.

You have to start making peace with food. Carbs do not make you fat. OVER indulging, bingeing can lead to weight gain but what leads to overeating, to begin with? That is where you need to start. If you are not eating enough or if you RESTRICT certain food groups you will likely feel more hungry and will desire whatever it is you tell yourself you can’t have until you give in (aka - living with a scarcity mindset).

Change the approach and change your mindset. There is no diet out there that will help you with this. You must be willing to allow yourself to listen to your body. Are you hungry? Are you full? Are you craving food because you restrict certain choices?

There are many myths out there when it comes to nutrition. The first step is to get more educated and you can do this by hiring a nutrition coach. Look for one that has experience along with knowledge. Ask for referrals, jump on a call and ask the coach questions. Don’t fall into marketing gimmicks promising results.

Diet mentality, it did not happen overnight. Neither will a change in your mindset. If you have always been on a diet or tried various ones, you will be stuck in a belief system that taught you nothing except to fear food or lay a foundation for disordered eating mentality.

You can use metrics like macros to help you figure out calories if you like but again, it’s only a method of tracking. It’s no different than journaling food. Both create awareness. From there, change your mindset. Change the language and how you speak to yourself and learn to trust yourself more. It’s about keeping your eyes on your plate and doing what is best for you. Comparisons will break you. What works for that person will not necessarily work for you.

Diets are not the answer to fat loss. YOU are the answer.

You have to be willing to let go, dig deep and put the effort in. Do you realize that you are a bi-product of the choices you’ve made over time? This is usually a result of the diet mentality. Always on a diet, never actually trying to listen to your body and figuring out what is truly best for you.

You will become a healthier human by changing your mindset. You will feel better and by default likely look better too. Mindset is a big piece of the puzzle and the key to helping you drop the diet mentality. Lean into the unknown, trust yourself, be honest with yourself, have an open mind and stop procrastinating.

#TipsyTuesday post submitted by Brandy Schroeder
Motivate and B Fit | motivateandbfit.com
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