10 Things to Know Before Investing in Real Estate

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Real estate can be one of the most profitable investments—but it’s not without risks. Whether you’re planning to flip houses, buy rental properties, or build a real estate portfolio, it’s important to do your homework. Here are 10 essential things every beginner should know before investing in real estate.

1. Understand the Local Market

Location is everything. Study the local economy, job growth, school ratings, and property taxes. Real estate markets can vary greatly from one city—or even neighborhood—to another.

2. Know Your Investment Type

Are you looking to flip properties, invest in rental income, or hold long-term appreciation? Each approach has its own risks, costs, and time commitment.

3. Calculate All Costs

Factor in more than just the purchase price. You’ll need to budget for closing costs, repairs, property management, insurance, taxes, and potential vacancy periods.

4. Financing Options Matter

Explore different ways to finance your investment. From traditional mortgages to hard money loans and REITs, your financing can affect your ROI significantly.

5. Do the Math

Use metrics like cap rate, cash-on-cash return, and ROI to evaluate a property’s potential. Don’t rely solely on appreciation—make sure the numbers work now.

6. Screen Tenants Thoroughly

If you’re renting, bad tenants can destroy your profits. Always conduct background checks, verify income, and call references before signing any lease.

7. Build a Reliable Team

You’ll need realtors, contractors, attorneys, accountants, and possibly property managers. Surround yourself with professionals you can trust.

8. Legal and Tax Knowledge Is Key

Real estate investing involves legal contracts, zoning laws, and tax implications. Learn the basics or hire experts to help you stay compliant and profitable.

9. Expect the Unexpected

Vacancies, repairs, market dips—they happen. Always have a cash reserve and a backup plan to manage surprises.

10. Start Small and Learn as You Go

Don’t jump into large deals without experience. Start with a small single-family home or duplex to build confidence and gain firsthand knowledge.

Investing in real estate can yield long-term wealth, but only with preparation, strategy, and ongoing learning. Do your due diligence and treat it like a business, and you’ll be better positioned to succeed.

How to Sell Your Home Fast in Any Market

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Selling a home can be a stressful experience, especially when the market isn’t favoring sellers. However, with the right strategies and preparation, you can still sell your home quickly—and for a great price. This guide walks you through actionable steps to attract buyers and close faster in any type of real estate market.

1. Price It Right From the Start

Overpricing is one of the biggest mistakes sellers make. A competitive price attracts serious buyers quickly. Use a comparative market analysis (CMA) or work with an agent to determine the best listing price.

2. Improve Curb Appeal

First impressions matter. Clean up your landscaping, repaint the front door, and add some fresh flowers to make your home stand out at first glance.

3. Declutter and Stage

Buyers need to visualize themselves in your home. Remove personal items, organize closets, and consider hiring a professional stager to highlight your home’s best features.

4. Invest in Professional Photos

High-quality photos can make or break your listing. Homes with professional images sell 32% faster on average and for more money.

5. Make Necessary Repairs

Small issues like dripping faucets or chipped paint can turn buyers off. Handle minor repairs and ensure all systems (plumbing, electrical, HVAC) are in working order.

6. Offer Flexible Showings

The more accessible your home is, the more likely it is to sell quickly. Be accommodating with showing times, especially on weekends and evenings.

7. Highlight Unique Features

Does your home have a large backyard, custom kitchen, or solar panels? Make sure those highlights are front and center in your listing and during tours.

8. Use Effective Marketing Channels

Don’t just rely on MLS. Share your listing on social media, neighborhood groups, real estate websites, and even local classifieds to reach more buyers.

9. Sweeten the Deal

Offering incentives like covering closing costs or including appliances can make your property more attractive without lowering the asking price.

10. Work with a Local Expert

A knowledgeable real estate agent can make all the difference. They’ll guide you through pricing, negotiation, and paperwork, and connect you with ready buyers.

By preparing strategically, showcasing your home effectively, and pricing competitively, you can sell your home fast—even in a tough market. Remember, the goal is to make your property the most appealing option out there.

Real Estate Market Trends 2025: What Buyers and Sellers Need to Know

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The real estate market is ever-evolving, influenced by economic shifts, interest rates, consumer preferences, and policy changes. As we look ahead to 2025, several important trends are emerging that buyers, sellers, and investors should be aware of. In this article, we break down the key developments expected to shape the market and offer guidance on how to navigate them.

1. Continued Urban Migration to Suburbs

Post-pandemic remote work has led to a sustained movement from major cities to suburban and semi-rural areas. This trend is expected to continue into 2025 as more companies adopt flexible or hybrid work policies. As a result, suburban real estate markets are experiencing growth in both demand and home values.

2. Rising Mortgage Rates Impacting Affordability

Mortgage interest rates have been climbing, making homeownership more expensive. Buyers in 2025 should expect increased monthly payments and stricter lending criteria. First-time buyers may find it challenging to enter the market unless they have substantial savings or qualify for special loan programs.

3. Smart Homes Becoming the Norm

Homebuyers now expect features like smart thermostats, security systems, and energy-efficient appliances. In 2025, smart home technology is no longer a luxury but a standard feature, especially among new constructions.

4. Investors Turning to Short-Term Rentals

With the rise of platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo, real estate investors are shifting focus from long-term leases to short-term vacation rentals. These properties offer higher returns but require active management and compliance with local regulations.

5. Environmental Sustainability Takes Priority

Green building practices and energy-efficient homes are becoming a major selling point. Buyers are increasingly interested in solar panels, sustainable materials, and homes with lower carbon footprints.

6. Technology-Driven Transactions

Real estate platforms are improving transparency and efficiency. Virtual home tours, digital contracts, and blockchain-based property records are reducing the time and cost of closing deals.

7. Inventory Shortages Driving Competition

Housing inventory remains low in many areas, leading to multiple-offer situations. This favors sellers but makes it harder for buyers to find affordable options without facing bidding wars.

8. Affordable Housing Crisis Worsens

The gap between income and housing costs continues to widen, especially in urban areas. Local governments are under pressure to create affordable housing initiatives to meet growing demand.

9. Commercial Real Estate in Transition

Office space demand is declining due to remote work, but warehouse and data center properties are booming. Investors are diversifying into alternative commercial properties like storage units and medical offices.

10. Generational Shift in Ownership

Millennials are now the largest segment of homebuyers. Their preferences—such as walkable neighborhoods, eco-friendly homes, and digital-first services—are reshaping the real estate industry.

As we move through 2025, staying informed on market trends is crucial for making smart real estate decisions. Whether you’re buying your first home, selling a property, or investing, understanding the forces at play will help you stay ahead of the curve.

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real estate trends, housing market 2025, real estate forecast, smart homes, mortgage rates, suburban housing, green homes, remote work, property investment, short-term rentals


Cyprus Real Estate – Your Perfect Choice

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Cyprus is unique when it pertains to natural beauty and is endowed with fascinating natural attractions and tourist spots. Cyprus is a best-selling holiday spots, especially for Europeans. This island gets more than 300 days of sunshine, and has a very friendly population that speaks English to a sufficient level to being able to communication with tourists. The Cyprus real estate market has significantly increased since the country became a member of the EU with a lot of international buyers buying second homes on the beautiful island. Cyprus is among the most recommend places to invest in however there are a few reminders to note of before buying Cyprus real estate.

During my research to purchase my own villa in Cyprus, there were several things that I had considered before getting my property in Cyprus. You need to realize that purchasing a property from abroad isn’t really simple and you must be organized and have a good plan. The first thing you need to do is to get acquainted with Cyprus real estate.

There are many Cyprus realty tips that you need to know prior to buying a property or making an investment in this wonderful country. You need to commit some time to research Cyprus real estate so you will be better prepared for it. Buying real estate anywhere is complicated and confusing especially if you have no prior experience and knowledge and what can be worse is you are in a foreign land. The most crucial thing in real estate purchasing is to get a hold of an experienced and registered real estate agent and an experienced local, English-speaking attorney who is honest, and wants to protect your own interests. This will help you to avoid potential conflicts. You need to also keep in mind a few other important tips in order to get the best real estate locations and property in Cyprus.

You must understand everything about mortgages and home purchasing prior to signing any types of documents or contracts. You need to also get an appraisal of the property to be sure you’re not overpaying for it. Talk with a few other real estate companies to make sure you are getting the best price possible.

Cyprus Real Estate market

Cyprus real estate is growing and increasingly becoming popular. It is essential that you plan ahead for you to get the best rate of the properties as the demand grows; the price of these properties grows as well. This has become especially more evident now that Cyprus has become a member of European Union. Since then, Cyprus is in the top choices for investors and vacationers due to its countless attractions and beauty as well as the endless possibilities in investment returns.

The property trends now in Cyprus are on the buyers’ side since the banks are willing to extend credit to those who want to invest in the real estate market.

Buying property in Cyprus

In Cyprus there are some limitations on non-EU property investors, International buyers from non-EU countries must get a permit from the Council of Ministers prior to continuing with their buy. Additionally, a non-EU citizen may only buy an apartment, or a house or villa which does not surpass 4,014 square meters or is currently under development.

The application to buy a property may take between 2 to 3 months, to process and must be accompanied with documents, like a bank statement showing financial stability, a clean criminal record, and a purchase agreement for the property is also required. Since citizens from the European Union and Cypriots have the same rights they are allowed to purchase property freely in Cyprus unlike non EU citizens.

Types of Property Deeds

There are two kinds of deeds available in Cyprus that you need to know, freehold and leasehold. The difference is that in the arrangement of a leasehold ownership the buyer will only own the real estate for a set amount of years. Always check with your real estate agent, developer and in the end your solicitor to determine that your property is freehold.

Cyprus is really a beautiful destination not just for living, retirement and holiday but also a great place to investment. As a result of this the rush to invest in prize properties and realty are obvious in this country. Remember it is best to get the services of Cyprus realtor so as to avoid all conflicts and to get advice on the right investments that are capable of giving good returns in the future.

Spring Fitness Tips

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After the cold, dreary days of winter, we all want to head outside and celebrate during spring! But most people forget that they can use the beautiful weather to their advantage and lose some weight, much like they’ve forgotten the resolution they made a few months back to lose that weight in the first place. Here are a few tips to help you enjoy exercising outside and get the most out of the lovely spring days.

Prepare for Weather Changes

Later in spring, the weather tends to stabilize and produce lovely days nearly every day; however, in early spring, the weather has as many moods as a teenage girl and changes them just as frequently. It can be gorgeous and sunny one minute and the next will have freezing rain and gusting wind. If you’re going to really enjoy exercising outdoors, you need to be prepared for the weather to grow temperamental. Dress in layers to account for sudden chills or for things to warm up. Make sure your shoes are prepared for possible rain; some athletic wear manufacturers make waterproof shoes that can keep you from getting blisters in the rain or if you accidentally step in a puddle. Wear a light waterproof jacket or carry a poncho in a pocket for unexpected showers.

Buddy Up!

It’s way too beautiful outside to not get in some friend time too! Get a buddy to go for a jog or a walk with you, or get a group of friends together. A rousing round of Frisbee golf is just as much of a workout as a run, and it can be a good deal more fun. If your friends are less inclined towards cardio-intense workouts, consider taking them on a nature hike or exploring an outdoor farmer’s market for some light exercise and fresh air. Involving friends in your exercising can make for both a healthier and a happier you.

Remember to Eat Well

Remember that all the exercise in the world can’t combat a poor diet, so you need to be certain that a healthy, balanced diet with reasonable portion sizes is a part of your weight loss program and your overall wellness plan. Spring is when we begin to see many fruits and vegetables begin to come into season, so consider eating a more seasonal diet to amp up your nutrition.

If you are having issues with controlling your portion sizes or with weight loss overall despite maintaining a healthy diet and exercise regimen, a natural weight loss supplement could help you to reach your goals. Natural weight loss supplements can often boost your body’s ability to burn fat, and some of these supplements even contain appetite suppressants like Hoodia that may help you maintain portion controls with ease.

Internet Marketing Tips: What Are Warning Signs That A Program I Want To Buy Is Bogus?

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Too many Internet marketing tips on the Internet do not give you advice on how to know when a program you are considering buying is bogus. Many of these Internet marketing tips are only designed to get you to purchase a particular product they are trying to promote. Well in this article I’m going to give you some warning signs you can look out for, and I am not recommending a particular product at the end.

1. Unrealistic income claims are being made

There are a lot of marketing tips that tell Internet marketers to make a very bold income claim in order to get conversions. Many times these income claims play into the agreed and dreams of the people purchasing them. But whenever you see unrealistic income claims this is a sign of an illegitimate offer and it is to be avoided at all costs.

2. The product owner isn’t offering a money back guarantee

Any product that is good will have a strong money back guarantee by the owner. The owner can make this promise because they know their product is so good that very few people if any will ask for their money back. This is usually a testament that the product delivers on its promises, and also satisfies the wants and needs of the people purchasing them.

3. The product owner doesn’t have a way to answer questions that everyone can see

People want to have their questions answered if they are going to purchase a product on the Internet. This is one of the best online marketing tips I can offer you if you are planning on creating a product. If you are planning on purchasing a product you want to see that the owner is willing to answer any and all questions using a platform where everyone can see the responses. A couple of tough questions that are answered will add to the confidence level of potential buyers.

By following the Internet marketing tips I’ve mentioned in this article about what to look for when you’re considering buying a moneymaking program on the Internet you will save yourself a lot of frustration. Too many times I have bought into particular programs that promised me the sky and the moon only to end up being disappointed.

If I simply could have found a program that offered a legitimate way to earn money on the Internet I would’ve been so happy. I wish I had these Internet marketing tips when I first got started, but you do and you can avoid a lot of the mistakes I’ve made.

How to Make Money Streaming – 6 Ways to Monetize Your Video

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How to make money streaming – 6 ways to go live and get paid

In this article, we are going to see how you can make money by video streaming or in other words monetize your live video stream.

1. Run ads

Running ads is one sure method of monetizing your live video stream. There are two types of video ads – In-Stream (Linear video ads) and In-Display (non-linear video ads). The ads that are displayed before the video are called linear video ads while the non-linear ads are the ones that the viewers see concurrently while watching the video.

Ads are a great way to monetize your video content, but it’s tricky. You need to play the ad, get the viewer to click on it, and at the same time ensure that the viewer doesn’t get bored and leave your live stream. Plus, major platforms like Facebook and YouTube have different regulations for video streaming and running ads.

When to run the ads – the best time would be when the creator or the person doing the live streaming wants to take a break. Time the ad correctly – don’t leave the viewer hanging in the middle of a sentence!

When you’re running a live stream on YouTube, you can play the ad at any point of time in your live video. However, do try to keep your audience informed that a break would be coming up.

On Facebook, not every video streamer will have the option of taking a break. If your Facebook page displaying the live stream has more than 50,000 followers and more than 300 concurrent viewers in the last live video, you can take a break after 4 minutes.

If you want to maximize the earnings from your live video stream, you need to build traffic to your website or your Facebook page. When you have higher number of visitors, the number of concurrent viewers increase, so the chances of ads converting are higher, which translates to increased revenue.

2. Subscriptions/Pay per view

The other way to make money from your videos is to get your audience to subscribe or pay for your video. You could release a teaser, giving the audience a taste of what is to come. If the viewers want to watch more, they need to subscribe to your page or pay for the video. Streaming platforms such as Vimeo Live and IBM Cloud have in-built subscription features.

3. Donations and Crowdfunding

A recent study by Deloitte Global found that “Donations are also an emerging element of the business model for other live-streaming platforms, including platforms used for streaming video game play.” Many live streams are asking their fans for donations and in return giving them virtual gifts.

Crowdfunding is another method to monetize your video stream. Indiegogo, Kickstarter and Patreon are a few of the popular crowd-funding platforms. You need to create an account on these platforms, build your project, specify your goals, and then promote your project on other platforms, so people visit your project page and contribute to it.

4. Affiliates

Setting up an affiliate program is a sure way of monetizing your video stream. It could however take time to establish and give you the returns you expect. The best part is that once you have set it up, you can passively earn money as your video gets more popular.

You need to first link up with affiliate platforms like Amazon and Flipkart. You can create videos about products sold on the platforms. If you have a video stream that focusses on technology, then you can choose such products. For example, a mobile phone – you can create a video about the features of the mobile phone, trouble shooting tips, best ways to customize the cell phone, and lot’s more. At the end of the video, direct the viewer to go to the product page on the affiliate platform. Every time a viewer clicks on your video and goes to the affiliate site, you earn a commission.

5. Sponsorships

If your live stream channel is popular, then you can confidently approach the larger players in the market for deals and sponsorships. Brands don’t come forward to sponsor your video stream, you need to take the first step and approach the right people. However, when you’re doing that make sure you stay within your niche. The theme of your video should be in accord with the brand that is sponsoring you.

6. Sell your products

Live videos are a great opportunity for subconscious selling. For ages, marketers have been using this technique to sell products and services to their audience. However, you should remember that subconscious selling only happens when you have already built the trust in your viewers. Market research shows that a person is more likely to buy a product when someone in his/her social group has already purchased it. That’s why influencers play a huge role in promotions. However, you don’t have to directly sell your product when you’re streaming the live video. Use the product and then casually talk about its features and where one can buy it and then go back to your video’s main theme. This could subconsciously encourage viewers to check out the product and buy it.

Live video streaming gives you plenty of scope to explore your passion, share your views with your fans, and still get to earn money. To make the maximum earnings from your live video streams, you can use a mix of the above 6 ways. Competition on the internet is very high, so you need to continually work to keep your fans’ attentions so that they keep coming back to you. To keep your fans interested, your video content needs to be interesting, useful, and clear. Create great videos and build a loyal fan following – you can surely see returns on your investment.

Get Paid to Shop – Be a Mystery Shopper

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Do you shop at a grocery store, at a department store, have your car serviced, stay at a hotel, or even eat at a restaurant? I know, it is a silly question. Things you are already doing, you actually can get paid for it. It is called Mystery Shopping.

What is Mystery Shopping? Mystery Shopping is when a company contracts people to be an undercover customer. Companies contract Mystery Shopping companies to make sure their employees are doing what they are supposed to be doing. Mystery shoppers are a company’s eyes and ears when they cannot be present.

Have you ever went to a restaurant, and the service was horrible? Maybe the food was not prepared correctly? Maybe you went to a department store, and there was garbage clutter throughout the store or clothes off the racks?

How do you start mystery shopping? You need to be someone who is organized and pays attention to detail. If you have ever completed a marketing survey or attended a focus group, it does help getting mystery shopping jobs. If you have not yet started mystery shopping, but you have completed surveys or attended focus groups, I think it will help you on your application. When I filled out my first mystery shopping application; I wrote down I have done marketing surveys, attended focus groups, and also shopped apartment complexes through my employer. To help you get a mystery shopping job, including everything related to marketing or giving your opinion about something will help you.

When starting to apply with Mystery Shopping companies, I recommend only filling out a few applications at first. Why? Well companies like people with experience and if you fill out too many applications and do not get any responses, it will make it harder to resubmit to the companies you already submitted too. You do not want to waste your time. I would start off by applying at a few companies and get established as a shopper before filling out several applications. If you get called by several companies it can be overwhelming too. I can tell you once you are completing mystery shopping jobs and applying with more companies, your phone will ring off the hook.

Being a Mystery Shopper, you are considered an independent contractor. An independent contractor is not employee of a company. You will not receive any benefits, a vacation or even sick time. The benefits of being an independent contractor is you can work your own hours and you work when you want. Being an independent contractor, you will receive a 1099 at the end of the year if you made over $600.00 with a particular company in a year. Taxes are not taken out of your checks, so you do have to report the 1099 to the IRS at tax time.

Mystery Shoppers must be detailed, observant, a neat writer, and creative. Mystery Shopping companies have contracted you to check out a particular store or restaurant and depend on you to provide as much information as possible. The mystery shopping company has to receive enough detailed information so they have the feeling that they personally shopped the store themselves.

When you get your first assignment, you must read over everything a couple of times. You have to make sure you know exactly what the company wants you to do and what information you must collect. If you forget to do something or forget to record something, the company may possibly deduct a little money off your check or not pay you at all.

When you visit a store, do not carry paper or a pen where people can see it. You have to be secretive about taking notes. You cannot let a store or restaurant know you are a Mystery Shopper. You must not tell anyone at the store or restaurant you are a Mystery Shopper, because you will not be paid in most cases. It would defeat the purpose of being there, right? When I have shopped grocery stores, I would make notes on my grocery list. If I shop a restaurant, I secretly make notes under the table. If you need a stop watch to record how long you were standing in line, how long your food was served, etc.; I recommend using your cellular phone or a watch. If I am not able to secretly take notes than I immediately write everything down when I get into my car.

When you get home you need to complete the evaluation form as accurately and complete as possible. Again, make sure everything is detailed and complete. Make sure you keep all your receipts because a mystery shopping company will probably ask for them. If you have to mail in your evaluation forms and receipts, make sure you keep a copy for your records. I think most companies have online submission forms, accept submissions by fax or accept forms by phone.

Mystery Shopping companies usually pay-out on the average two to six weeks. Companies do require your social security number otherwise they won’t pay you. They will also need it for tax purposes.

Mystery Shopping is not a get rich opportunity. It does take work and the pay is not huge. If you are looking for a way to make extra, legitimate money, then you may want to consider mystery shopping. Mystery Shopping is fun! Getting paid to eat and shop is great! You do learn a lot by being a mystery shopper.

It is simple enough to find companies to work with by spending a little time searching for them. You can search for independent companies by going to Google.com or Yahoo.com and typing in the search box: secret shopping companies or mystery shopping company. If a company requires you to pay to mystery shop, I would not sign up. Legitimate companies do NOT charge mystery shoppers. There are people and companies who put together directories and company databases and charge a fee. It is up to you if you want to pay for information you can find yourself for nothing.

To find companies to work with, go to a search engine and type “Mystery Shopping.” You will get a lot of results. You can always join message forums or groups to find what what company is the best one as far as pay and reliability goes.

Have Fun! Be Safe! It is a great learning experience.

Working Hard Or Hardly Working? Generation Gap

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The generational debate rages on in today’s workplaceIf you want to put any one generation on the defensive, talk to a baby boomer (aged 45 – 63) about the work ethic of Generation Y, (born after 1982, end-date to be determined) the youngest generation to enter the workplace. It is not unusual to hear this new generation described as “the entitled generation”; one that is sometimes described as spoiled, lazy, cocky, brash, selfish, impatient, irresponsible, disloyal and disrespectful.At the crux of these perceptions is a clash of values resulting in misunderstandings and resentments between the generations at work. According to a recent survey by Lee Hecht Harrison, more than 60% of employers say they are experiencing tension between employees from different generations. The survey found more than 70% of older employees are dismissive of younger workers’ abilities and nearly half of employers say that younger employees are dismissive of the abilities of their older co-workers. None of this can be good for morale or the bottom line; therefore it is crucial to the success of any organization to educate its workforce regarding the reasons why we see the world and the world at work from different vantage points.Understanding frames of referenceGeneration Y often perceives their baby boomer parent’s generation as one that needs to get a life and have more fun. The reality for the boomers, however, is that work has given them a sense of identity and pride for many years. The traditionalist generation, or “radio agers”, (born 1925-1946) taught their boomer offspring that the key to career success is to be grateful they had a job, respect their employer, work hard, go above and beyond and you will reap the financial rewards, as well as a promotion, job title and maybe a bigger office. They passed on their experience of showing appreciation and dedication to their employer by hard work and long hours…understandable when we remember their values and attitudes toward work were shaped by two significant watershed events of their time; World War II and the Great Depression. Boomers learned these values but began questioning them during the recessions of the 1980′s and 1990′s when they personally felt the effects of a post-Woodstock world and a changing economic landscape. Many lost their jobs due to downsizing and restructuring (are you feeling a sense of déjà vu?). It is my view that many of us boomers are still conflicted regarding our own work values. In fact, we have been sending our children mixed messages. On the one hand, we taught our Generation X’s (Born 1964 – 1981) and Generation Y’s to be resilient, self-reliant and at the same time to respect their career path, yet we seem disgruntled when the new generations we now work with have less trust in management and complain about feeling undervalued.Paying your dues…A clash of generational valuesIt should therefore come as no surprise that our younger cohorts have a completely different take on the idea of career. They have grown up in a post 9/11 world where altruistic causes are of great interest to them. In addition, they have been afforded the highest level of educational opportunity than any preceding generation from parents who have communicated loud and clear that the world is their oyster. They have not known a world without cell phones or computers. We think that this generation’s social skills have been compromised by the amount of time they spend on Facebook, text messaging, etc. Yet, they feel more “connected”. Who is right? The internet and social media have given them exposure to a powerful form of self-expression. As a result, they are savvier and deeply interested in their environment. Many are seeking fulfilling employment with an organization that demonstrates a commitment to making a meaningful difference at a global level. A job for life is more like a life sentence for the “Ys” who cannot imagine being with one employer forever. For this new generation, a job is a stepping stone to the next opportunity. When their parents or managers talk to them about climbing the corporate ladder to achieve professional success, they are speaking a foreign language. Gen Ys are thinking “aren’t you the same people who told me I could be and do anything I wanted?”When baby boomer managers or co-workers tell them to “pay their dues”, generation Y feel that they already have; in terms of years acquiring an education and student loans. They want to be treated as equals…working “with” but not “for” a manager. They are frustrated with the traditional manager/subordinate dynamic. For boomers, career success and job satisfaction has always been closely aligned to a heightened sense of self-worth. From their vantage point, generation Y consciously choose a “work to live” philosophy and as a result, have created an awareness amongst all generations for a re-awakening and re-prioritizing of the term work/life balance. The ideal workplace is one where differences are appreciated; where the younger generations can learn from the wisdom and experience of their older coworkers and conversely, the older generations can learn from the enthusiastic, tech-savvy younger generation. From a core value perspective, how different are we? We all have a deep desire to be understood, valued and appreciated.

Health and Fitness For Sale But Nobody is Buying

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Out of the two words, health seems to suffer the most dissent, followed closely by fitness. There is something innate in most people that makes them chafe at the very thought of improving their health, as if improved heart and lung function, ease of movement, and feeling energized were negative things and any suggestion of maybe striving to reach a level beyond average general fitness is met with open hostility.I told myself I wouldn’t write any more articles of this nature, but I can’t help myself, because even though for the most part they fall on blind eyes, I feel compelled to reach at least one person who needs this and save them from a later life of needless sickness and infirmity, a victim of their neglect and abuse, trapped in a body that no longer functions, only existing instead of actively living in the rest of their lives.Pick anything else in your life that if you could afford it you would decide against having the best. We want the nicest car we can get, the biggest, most beautiful house, the most powerful home entertainment system, the highest level of social status, the largest salary, the highest degree of financial security, the lists can go on forever.There is no one that wouldn’t freak out if they came out to get in their lamborghini and found a dent or neglected its upkeep so that it ran poorly, lacking power and was pitted with rust holes. Neither would we ignore the bottom of our luxury yacht and just keep cruising as the hull slowly rotted away, unconcerned that one day we would sink in deep water from neglect and lose everything, even our lives.You might say “I would never neglect or abuse something so valuable, that would be foolish.” Well guess what, you do neglect and abuse something so valuable, more valuable than the biggest mansion, the most expensive car, or any other material possession you place on a pedestal. Possessions, wealth, and social status are worthless compared to your health because without good health you cannot enjoy anything, all your attention is turned to how crummy you feel and how limited you are by your own body in its ability to accomplish even the most basic function without pain, fatigue, and infirmity.If you were to pull away at a traffic light in a highly populated area of town and your high dollar sports car lurched, sputtered, and stalled you would be embarrassed and seek out a mechanic promptly, yet as your level of fitness becomes detuned you ignore it, readily letting it slide not realizing that even though you are only a little more tired or a little less able to move easily that with time all those little losses will add up to one big loss.Just as letting the maintenance lapse on a car capable of near two hundred miles per hour will eventually reduce it to a belching, coughing, under powered jalopy performing well under its designed capabilities that will some day fail to start and be unreasonably expensive to repair, so to your body.As most people cruise over deep water, even though for the time being everything seems to be functioning adequately, their hull is rotting. The hull is your health, the motor, rudder, and other functions that empower the crafts mobility, maneuverability, and speed are your fitness, and the water is the corrosive toxins of bad diet and wear and tear of abuse and neglect.So as your hull rots, water enters inside, lowering your level above the waterline, causing more drag, slowing you down while destroying everything it touches until it finally enters the inboard motor, flooding it with water that corrodes the internal moving parts causing friction and engine failure and there you sit miles from shore as you quickly fill with water and are pulled to the bottom.It seems people are programed for self destruction, they will willingly hand over fists full of money to swallow death dealing amounts of fast food, to ingest or inject dangerous illegal hard drugs, to drink high levels of alcohol but balk over spending even the most meager amount on improving their health and fitness, putting absolutely no value in the investment of bettering their quality of life.Probably no one will read this article, most of all those who need it the most and even those interested in bodybuilding, skipping over it for tips on bigger arms or more muscle size, thinking only in the shallow surface realm of appearance, not realizing you need good health to have a high level of fitness to attain and keep bigger arms and more muscle size.Try to think in the future tense of the big picture, you start out building a high level of health and fitness along with size and strength, because as the years go by your size and strength will diminish, but your health and fitness level will remain.Don’t get me wrong, strive for the highest level of size, strength, and complete physique development you can attain and hold it for as long as you can, but when it starts to slide a little in old age you will still be active, agile, mobile, flexible, alert, vigorous, fit, and healthy. Buy into health and fitness, you won’t regret it.