Debt is scary. It’s as simple as that. When you first get your credit card or when you start buying things on credit, it can be easy for it to snowball until you’re in debt that you’re not sure you can get out of.
Many of us have been there but it’s not all doom and gloom! There is always a way out of debt and it’s important to nip it in the bud before it escalates to a point of no control. Managing money isn’t an easy task and there’s no shame in finding yourself in some debt (it’s probably happened to more people than you know).
But let’s see how you can get out of your sticky situation as fast as possible.
7 ways to get out of debt quickly
1. Figure out how much debt you’re in
As a first step, you’ll want to list all of the debts you owe from smallest to largest.
This will put into perspective how much you owe and you can figure out a plan on how to pay it all back.
2. Start planning how you’re going to pay it back
Start with the smallest balance and throw in any available money you have at this amount while you begin making the minimum payments on all your larger loans. Once the smallest balance is paid off, start putting that extra money toward the next smallest debt until you pay that one off, and so on.
Keep going until all your small debts are covered and you’re making your way through the bigger ones.
This is just one effective way of settling your debt, you need to figure out what will work for you.
3. Pay more than the minimum payment on your credit card
Credit cards are simultaneously the best and the worst. As you move your way out of debt, make sure you’re paying more than the minimum requirement. As you pay more each month, you will stop creating big amounts of debt that will keep you starting this process over and over.
4. Pick a side hustle
If you find that you’re struggling to find your way out of debt with the income you have, find a side job that can earn you some extra cash that’s solely devoted to paying off your debt. Find a job that’s easy to manage part-time or use a special talent you have to earn some extra money.
5. Create (and live with) a bare-bones budget
Create a realistic budget and list all of your expenses and your income. This budget needs to have no unnecessary expenses and needs to list only the necessities.
This will be a difficult budget but it will help you to have all the cash you can to pay off those debts and then you can start buying your morning cappuccino again.
6. Drop expensive habits
This is similar to tip 5, you’re going to have to go without getting in that spa treatment for a while or it might be time to drop the gym contract and aim for some exercises you can do at home. Another tip is to meal prep more of your meals at home and try to cut back on restaurant meals. Check out some healthy meal ideas here.
These are always habits you can pick up again but until you’re debt-free, you can do without them (you’ll survive, we promise).
7. Save save save
Whenever you find some spare change, save it! Any extra money you have in a month, keep it to pay off your debt or keep it for a rainy day.
Once your debt is clear, you can use your savings to make up for any shortfall you might encounter in upcoming months to keep you out of falling into debt again!
Growing up means figuring things out and often by doing that, we land ourselves into a little bit of trouble. It’s normal though, we’ve all experienced some sort of debt at some point in time but that important thing is how you manage it. With these little tips and with a solid budget, you’ll be managing your money like a pro in no time!
COVID-19 may stop you from going to the gym and eating out, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still work out and eat right.
Which is why we have packed this kit with at-home workouts you can do from the comfort of your living room, as well as immune-boosting recipes that are simple, delicious and full of all the right nutrients your body needs to fight off infection.
Hit download and get your mind and body in tip-top shape to stay healthy and happy amidst the pandemic.
Everyone is talking about the coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, and with so much information circulating around the virus, it’s difficult to differentiate between the facts, sensible precautions, overreaction and misinformation. If you are looking for expert advice, then the WHO (the World Health Organisation) is a reputable source for updates and information.
Declared a pandemic, many are claiming that the media is causing an infodemic. Whilst the majority of cases are mild, governments are aiming to slow down the spread of the disease to prevent healthcare systems being overrun with severe cases. In this blog, we outline what you need to know about the virus.
What is a coronavirus?
The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), describes the coronavirus as a type of virus that causes symptoms of the upper respiratory system, these include coughing, a sore throat and runny nose – much like the symptoms associated with the common cold. In some cases, coronaviruses can cause more severe symptoms like issues with breathing, illnesses of the lower respiratory system like pneumonia or bronchitis, and in extreme cases, even death.
In early January this year, China and the WHO confirmed the identification of a new coronavirus. This new virus stems from several cases of pneumonia identified in Wuhan, a city in the Chinese province of Hubei, on December 31, 2019.
Interesting fact – WHO officially named the illness COVID-19. This name is short for coronavirus disease, with the “19” pertaining to 2019, the year the virus was first identified. The official name of the virus is Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2, also known as SARS-CoV-2.
Don’t panic
Of course, with widespread media coverage, a state of the nation address in South Africa announcing the closing of schools and many public events being cancelled, it’s natural for the public to start to panic, but before you hit a flat spin and panic buy everything at your local grocery store in preparation for a doomsday situation, take a step back and take a deep breath – There is no need to panic.
To help prevent the panic and the spread of the disease, we have put together 19 facts and easy-to-follow steps for you to try and help stay safe and sane.
COVID-19: 19 ways to protect yourself and stay healthy
Get your facts straight
Don’t believe everything you read, you need to make sure you only get advice from reputable sources such as WHO or CDC.
Only about 6% of patients with the virus need intensive care.
The vast majority of people can stay at home, self-isolate and get better without any need for hospital treatment.
Those most at risk of infection include:
Travellers to areas where there is ongoing sustained transmission of COVID-19 including Mainland China (all provinces), Hong Kong, Japan, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Vietnam, Taiwan, Italy and the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Elderly, individuals with co-morbidities and healthcare workers
Know how the virus spreads
Experts are working on a vaccine to prevent the spread of the virus, however, there is currently no vaccine.
The virus is spread through respiratory droplets from an infected person when they cough or sneeze.
These droplets can land on the noses or mouths or people nearby or are possibly inhaled through the lungs
Droplets can also land on surfaces which can infect another person who touches the same surface and then touches their mouth, eyes or nose
“Studies suggest that coronaviruses (including preliminary information on the COVID-19 virus) may persist on surfaces for a few hours or up to several days. This may vary under different conditions (e.g. type of surface, temperature or humidity of the environment).”
Know the signs & symptoms
Know what the symptoms of the virus are (Symptoms may appear 2 to 14 days after exposure)
Regularly wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (especially after being in a public place, coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose).
If you do not have access to soap and water, then use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Use this sanitizer to cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until dry.
Cough or sneeze into a tissue or flexed elbow (then immediately dispose of the tissue)
Avoid touching your face (especially with unwashed hands).
Avoid close contact with people who are sick or have recently gotten back from a high-risk area from mid-February 2020
Practise social distancing – do not shake hands or hug other people
Do not share food and utensils
Regularly clean and disinfect surfaces (your phone is especially dirty)
Boost your immune system
Of course, you can wash your hands and practise all the safe practises in an attempt to try and avoid the virus, but your immune system, which is your body’s own natural system of defence against invading pathogens, is an incredibly effective way to prevent infection. And here’s how:
Regular exercise – you might be avoiding the gym, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get a workout in. Check out this at-home full-body workout.
Eat well – a strong body comes from healthy and nutritious food. We have a ton of recipes available on our website, check them out here (Oh, and did we mention there’s dessert too?)
Know what to do if you are sick
Important to know: Call your doctor if you think you have been exposed to coronavirus and are developing fever and symptoms. Experts advise that you call ahead before visiting your doctor to prevent the spread of the infection.
If you have recently travelled from a high-risk area, then you should self-isolate for 14 days.
Take a look at this guide on how to self-quarantine.
If you have mild symptoms, you should also self-isolate:
Do not go to work, public areas or school
Avoid public transport
Stay in a separate room and use a different bathroom if you live in a home with other people
Self-image is more than what you see when you look in the mirror. It is defined as “the idea, the conception, or mental image one has of oneself.”
Your self-image is how you view your entire being, from your thoughts, feelings, actions and capabilities.
Is self-image the same as self-esteem?
Not entirely. The two concepts of the ‘self’ are somewhat different.
Self-esteem tends to go a little deeper than self-image. Self-esteem is your overall sense of respect for yourself.
Your self-image plays a role in your self-esteem – after all, how you see yourself significantly impacts how you feel about yourself.
Interesting fact
Your self-image is based on your own unique perceptions of reality that is built over a lifetime, these perceptions will continue to change as you learn and go through life.
The dimensions of self-image
Suzaan Oltmann, an independent distributor at one of South Africa’s FET Colleges, defines the dimensions of self-image as follows:
The three elements of a person’s self-image are:
The way a person perceives or thinks of him/herself.
The way a person interprets others’ perceptions (or what he thinks others think) of him/herself.
The way a person would like to be (his ideal self).
The six dimensions of a person’s self-image are:
Physical dimension: how a person evaluates his or her appearance
Psychological dimension: how a person evaluates his or her personality
Intellectual dimension: how a person evaluates his or her intelligence
Skills dimension: how a person evaluates his or her social and technical skills
Moral dimension: how a person evaluates his or her values and principles
Sexual dimension: how a person feels he or she fits into society’s masculine/feminine norms
(Oltmann, 2014)
Why self-image is important
Your self-image can play a significant role in your success and motivation throughout your life. Having a low self-image can lead to failure and missed opportunities as you doubt your capabilities.
A healthy self-image can help you to achieve great things as you navigate through life with an assertive and positive attitude, believing in yourself to accomplish your goals.
Self-talk and self-image
Our self-image stems from our thoughts which influence the way in which we view ourselves. Self-talk is the conversation you have with yourself.
Our thoughts, or the way that we talk to ourselves, are typically a combination of negative and positive thoughts.
We all have an inner critic. This inner voice can often drive us to reach our goals (for example, when we remind ourselves not to eat something unhealthy). However, this inner voice can sometimes do more harm than good.
The impact of negative self-talk on your brain and body
Negative thoughts indicate to our brains and bodies that we are going through a period of stress.
This results in the increased release of catecholamines (neurotransmitters released during stress) such as norepinephrine, epinephrine and dopamine.
Prolonged exposure to these hormones can create negative psychological and physical outcomes and create a negative feedback loop.
When your inner voice is always negative, this can prolong the stress hormone exposure which can physically rewire your brain and in turn, your mental and physical wellbeing, this is known as neuroplasticity (the ability of the brain to change throughout your life).
The negative feedback loop
Prolonged exposure to catecholamines can create negative psychological and physical outcomes. The prolonged-release of these neurotransmitters can affect your mood and create a negative feedback loop between your physiology and emotions.
These changes may result in chronic inflammation of your organs and the way the body and mind operates – leading to changes in behaviour, sleep issues, metabolic (weight gain) and cardiovascular disturbances.
How negative thoughts impact your health
Negative thoughts can lead to chronic stress, upsetting your body’s natural hormonal balance.
Chronic stress can deplete the brain of the chemicals it needs to feel happy, as well as damage your immune system.
It can also lead to decreased lifespan, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, infection and digestive disorders.
Interesting fact – Science has now identified that stress shortens our telomeres, the “end caps” of our DNA strands, which causes us to age more quickly
The impact of positive self-talk on the brain and body
The neurophysiology effects of positive self-talk
As we know, our minds are malleable. Meaning our self-talk and self-image has the potential to mould and sculpt our consciousness and our physical wellbeing.
Source: “Because of all the research and clinical testing being done and studied regarding the “mind-body” connection, the power of positive thinking is gaining documented scientific credibility and being used and harnessed to improve health on all levels.”
What flows through your mind (thoughts and neurotransmitters) sculpts your brain in permanent ways.
Source“What we think and what we feel has the potential to directly affect our bodies.”
Studies have shown that thoughts alone can improve vision, fitness, and strength.
Some other positive effects of positive thinking include:
Faster recovery from cardiovascular stress
Better sleep
Stronger immune system (fewer colds)
Greater sense of purpose and overall happiness
Greater sense of connection to others
How to break the negative feedback loop & improve your self-image
As humans, we are hard-wired to focus on the negative in an attempt to survive, helping us to stay vigilant in a somewhat stressful environment. This leads to something known as a ‘negativity bias’.
“Our “negativity bias” means that we spend too much time ruminating over the minor frustrations we experience—bad traffic or a disagreement with a loved one— and ignore the many chances we have to experience wonder, awe, and gratitude throughout the day.”
Some tips to offset the negative feedback loop and negativity bias
Be present – Pay attention to your sense perceptions as a mindfulness technique (what is your hand doing right now, why is your foot tapping?)
Stop your thoughts from running away – Become aware of your thoughts without turning them into a runaway train – “What am I thinking? What is the conversation in my head?” Repeat this a few times.
Challenge negative thoughts – This will reduce their emotional intensity and feelings of stress and panic. So ask yourself “Is that thought really true, right now in this moment? What is the likelihood of that really happening?”
Control the next thought – You can’t control a negative thought from popping up, but you can replace it with 3 positive ones.
Practical examples of positive self-image activities
A positive self-image takes hard work and commitment. It’s an ongoing journey to improve your mental and physical wellbeing. You need to stick to it and keep going through the bad days and the good ones.
Helpful hint – Many people will stop effective practices such as yoga, meditation or deep breathing when they feel their self-image and thinking have improved. The trick is to always keep going because you never know when something might happen to trigger negative emotions and send you back into the negative feedback loop.
1. Journalling
Journal your thoughts, your experiences and whether you feel like you dealt with them in a positive way. Take notes and notice trends in the ways that you talk to yourself.
2. Identifying triggers of negative thinking and stress
Recognise what people, places and things lead to negative emotions and thinking.
You cannot change certain situations, but you can change how you react to them and prepare yourself to handle them better.
Come up with strategies as to how you will better deal with your triggers.
3. Meditation
Your self-image can become a habit when you practice loving yourself on a daily basis.
4. Deep breathing
This can be an incredibly simple yet effective technique to change your thought patterns. When you notice a negative thought, you feel stressed or anxious, simply take 5 to 10 deep breaths. Breathe in for 4 counts and out for 5. Repeat this.
5. Self-appreciation breaks
Take a deep breath, slow down and ask yourself this important question: what are 3 things I can appreciate about myself?
These can even be little things like personality traits or strengths. You can do this every morning or every evening.
6. Yoga
Yoga makes use of deep breathing and calming and fluid movements that can help lower your stress.
7. Mindfulness
Practise being mindful of your thoughts, your space, your senses and the present moment.
Source: “Mindfulness also involves acceptance, meaning that we pay attention to our thoughts and feelings without judging them—without believing, for instance, that there’s a “right” or “wrong” way to think or feel in a given moment.”
8. Mantras
Mantras are commonly used in meditation and can have some powerful effects on your self-image. By saying a positive self-esteem mantra throughout your day, this will aid in rewiring your negative feedback loop.
Here are some examples:
I embrace my happy feelings and enjoy being content as I love and appreciate myself.
I deserve to be happy and feel good every day about all areas in my life.
I feel secure in who I am, and do not need to compare myself to others.
You can permanently rewire your subconscious mind to accept these affirmations.
Oat and date balls are a quick, on the go snack. Make them ahead of time and keep them around to pop in your mouth when you’re a little peckish!
Ingredients
1 cup dates
2 cups rolled oats
3/4 cup desiccated coconut
1 tbsp cacao powder
1 tbsp natural peanut butter
Method
Place dates in a pot of water and bring to the boil.
Drain the dates and put the liquid into a container and set aside for later.
Place drained dates, coconut, peanut butter, oats and cacao powder in a food processor or a blender.
Place the mixture into a bowl.
Slowly add roughly 1/4 of the date liquid to the mix (you may need a little more liquid than this, add it slowly until the mix holds its shape. If you accidentally add too much liquid add a little more of the other dry ingredients to balance).
Mix the wet and dry ingredients together.
Roll mixture into 12 balls and store in the fridge or freezer.
Roll in extra coconut if desired.
Make extra and freeze them for a last-minute snack
You’ve heard of chicken soup for the soul, well you have to try our chicken bowl for the soul! A hearty and nutritious meal, perfect for lunch or dinner!
Ingredients
Serves 4
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
3 bell peppers, any colour, sliced
1 large red onion, sliced
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon chicken seasoning
salt, to taste
pepper, to taste
1 jar tomato pasta sauce
3 cups brown rice (680 g), cooked
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed (optional)
1 can corn
1 cup grated cheddar cheese (100 g)
Method
Preheat oven to 200˚C.
Line a baking tray with foil.
Place the chicken, peppers, and onions onto the baking tray and drizzle with oil.
Sprinkle the chicken seasoning evenly over both sides of the chicken breasts.
Sprinkle salt and pepper on the bell peppers and onions, tossing to coat.
Top each chicken breast with a generous pour of tomato pasta sauce.
Bake in a preheated oven for 25 minutes.
Rest chicken for 10 minutes, before slicing into strips.
Add a base of brown rice to 4 bowls or sealed containers. Top each with a scoop of black beans, corn, additional tomato pasta sauce, cheddar cheese, cooked bell peppers, and onions, and sliced chicken.
Enjoy immediately or store in the refrigerator. Can be kept refrigerated for up to 4 days.
When it’s time to start managing your own money (and no, the pocket money your mom gave you is still not your own money, not really), it can be difficult knowing where to start.
I remember trying to manage my money for the first time and it just felt like there was always ‘too much month left after my money’. But once I found out how to actually budget, it became easier and I was actually surprised that I could start saving money at the end of each month.
Let’s take a look at how you can start budgeting like an adult.
Top tips to managing your money like a grown-up
1. List all forms of income
Take an average of how much you bring in each month (or the actual number if it is consistent). Always use the net amount (after-tax) of your income instead of the gross amount (before tax). You need to know exactly how much you have to work with each month.
If your income changes every month, this will be a little more difficult. Use an average amount and keep reviewing and tweaking it each month.
2. List all your fixed and variable expenses
The fixed expenses are the ones that don’t change as each month goes past so this will be your rent, your utilities, your car payment(s), insurance and retirement savings (you should definitely have some form of retirement savings in place), cell phone plan or your WiFi for example. You can also add petrol to this list of expenses (even though it changes) because you know more or less how much you spend on it each month.
Then you have your variable expenses which change month to month, these include entertainment (going to the movies), eating out, clothes shopping, gym memberships, coffee on your way to work. You can list these expenses and the average amounts you think you might spend on them for that particular month.
3. Do the math
Now it’s time to figure out what you’ve got left. Take your income (after tax) and deduct all of your expenses – is there anything left over? How much is left? Is it sufficient?
If the answer is yes, YAY! You now have enough to make it rain… in your savings account.
If your income is not enough to cover your expenses, head back to number 2 and dig deeper into your variable expenses. See what expenses are necessary and which expenses can be taken out.
4. Make saving easy
It was a big shock when I first listed all my expenses. I could see why I was broke before I’d even gotten through my first month on my own. I decided to change my variable expenses and take a few things out. I didn’t cut all the fun out of my life, I just started acting like a sensible adult for a change.
This left me with enough money to save each month. Savings might not sound like a big deal but they always come in handy if you’re ever in a bad month or if you have a trip you’ve always wanted to take.
5. Keep track
Don’t just create a budget and then forget about it. It’s not something that can just be put together and never considered again. Your income and expenses change, so budgets need to be looked at monthly.
It’s easy to keep track of everything using an Exel spreadsheet or online management tools which do most of the work for you (monday.com is a great project management and money management tool!). It’s all about whatever works best for you and what you’re likely to keep referring to.
6. Lessons Learned
Making adult decisions brings responsibilities, especially when it comes to managing money. Not taking these adult responsibilities seriously can mean ending up with a ton of debt and no food on the table (and no Netflix subscription). Each month, you need to take a look at what went wrong and constantly adapt until you’re living comfortably consistently.
Budgeting doesn’t sound fun but once you’ve mastered the art of managing your money, you’ll be so excited about your new budget. Be sure to keep referring to your budget at the end of each month and make sure you’re realistic about your expenses so you don’t keep running out of money each month!
There are many things that make me happy in life but few compare to a delectable breakfast. I love a hearty breakfast and I really feel that we should go out for breakfast for more because who doesn’t love a delicious start to the day?
What’s better though, is finding hidden gems all over Joburg that create the tastiest nutrient-dense foods that are difficult to resist.
We’ve compiled a list of our top healthy breakfast options from some of the best breakfast spots in and around Joburg – we like to think of it as your new breakfast bucket list.
But before we dive into the list, we thought we’d try and settle one of the biggest debates…
Is breakfast the most important meal of the day?
Growing up, you might have heard your parents say, “you have to have your breakfast, it’s the most important meal”. From my personal experience, as I have grown older, I have noticed that not everyone eats breakfast, especially now with intermittent fasting becoming even more popular. More and more people have decided that breakfast actually might not be so important after all… or is it?
In all honesty, I don’t think there’s a concrete answer to this ongoing debate. I think there will always be people who can’t start the day without a hearty meal and then there are those who can easily grab a coffee and go. Whatever works for you and as long as you’re making choices that are beneficial to YOUR body and your overall health, then that answers the question for you.
No matter what side of the debate you fall on, a great breakfast and brunch spot is a must know because none of us can resist really good food.
Have a look at this blog on nutrient timing to dig a little deeper into the topic.
The best breakfast options from some of our favourite restaurants
This little gem focuses on mostly plant-based foods and very little processed foods. The aim of this restaurant is to help remind everyone to eat more consciously and become more aware of what you’re consuming. This establishment caters to vegans, vegetarians, banters, those who prefer paleo or anyone just trying to make small healthier, more moral and eco-friendly choices every day.
Our top picks:
The Caramel Crack Bowl which is filled with frozen banana, dates, vanilla, Himalayan salt, light tahini and almond milk. It’s topped with almond butter, frozen raspberries, fresh strawberries, granola and toasted coconut.
This delicious breakfast is a great source of protein and vitamin B.
If the traditional breakfast is more your vibe, you should try the Sexy Spinach Scramble which consists of either tofu or scrambled eggs with spinach, kale and fresh parsley with slow-roasted tomato, avo, savoury granola and rye toast.
This is one of our favs because it’s a hearty meal chock full of healthy greens.
Tashas has a wide variety menu that caters to most food preferences. Their focus is on brilliant food, stunning interiors and making engaging deliveries. Tashas is well known for its quality food and different and ever-changing menus across the various branches.
Our top picks:
The Salmon Scramble which has 40g of smoked salmon trout, scrambled eggs, cherry tomatoes, cottage cheese and chives.
This breakfast is simple yet full of protein and vitamins and minerals – not to mention oh so tasty!
If you’re very hungry, try the Breakfast Royale which is two poached eggs with asparagus or spinach, lemon sauce and seeded bread (you can add crispy parma ham, macon or bacon if you want to add additional protein).
This is a great option because it is high in protein, has delicious veggies and is a great source of fibre.
The Leafy Greens food philosophy is closely aligned to the ancient rural advice: “eat real food, mostly plants, and not too much”. Their food philosophy is found in respect for the earth and the human body.
Our top picks:
The Protein Breakfast Bowl is made with homemade gluten-free granola and chia seeds served with homemade almond milk, goji berries, chopped nuts, hemp seeds, lucuma powder, raw honey, fresh fruit and nut butter.
This is an amazing dish because it’s high in fibre and full of protein and healthy fats.
The Hot Oats are a traditional dish that you either hate or love. This delicious bowl is made from
rolled oats, almond milk, raisins, nut butter, cinnamon and optional raw honey.
This hearty bowl is full of fibre, healthy fats and protein – everything you need from a good breakfast.
These are just a few of our favourites and their menus are filled with so many other incredible options that are nutritious and delicious. Can you tell us some of your favs?
An employee’s relationship with their manager and executive team is a stepping stone to the rest of their career.
You, as a manager, set the tone for how happy an employee is and often you’re a reflection of how an employee does and acts towards others. The particular skills a manager needs to develop these relationships can be honed through practice and experience.
A manager with poor people management skills can be a problem for a company and its people. It leads to top performers leaving the company after only a short period of time, unsatisfied customers and unaddressed problems which can cost a company a lot of money over the years.
It takes someone special to be an effective and admirable leader but there are a few things you can do to become a better leader at work. Keep going, our top management tips await you!
What does it mean to be a leader?
Does it mean being good at your job, being well-liked, or being in charge of everyone?
Leadership doesn’t have a one size fits all definition, and there is no magic formula that will instantly make you a great leader. Instead, it takes time and dedication to learn how to achieve the goals you set, and how to inspire others to follow you and do the same.
Everyone has their different ways of doing this, whether it’s through rewards, allowing more freedom within job roles or getting stuck into the job alongside your employees. Each approach works differently for everyone, but each type of leader has taken time to figure out their style.
Leadership qualities are unique to you but there are certain things you can take into consideration and certain things you can do to be an even better leader.
6 effective management tips
1. Trust is everything
Showing and telling employees you trust them is a great way to empower them and give them a sense of ownership in their work. It’s the best way for your employees to grow and become confident when taking on challenges. Building trust is a long-term strategy that takes constant work. You can increase trust by:
Keeping your promises to employees
Giving your employees space and time to complete their tasks
Supporting reasonable risks
Explaining the reasoning and data behind decisions and evaluations
2. Honest and open communication is key
Your employees want to stay informed about the business as much as you do, so keep them in the loop. Don’t let them hear about big changes at the company from various co-workers next to the coffee machine. It raises issues about transparency in the company and reduces their trust in you.
It’s important to build an environment where everyone’s opinion is heard. Make your employees feel comfortable enough to come to you with any concern they have or if they need some mentorship.
3. A little credit goes a long way
It should go without saying that employees like to be rewarded and recognised for their efforts and successes. Always reward members of your staff for their hard work. This applies to more than just the top performers; make it a point to recognise those who are improving and doing their best.
4. Opportunities and growth
A willingness to provide opportunities for professional development and growth is an important aspect of any job.
This is tied to knowing your staff members, their strengths and weaknesses, and recommending ways for them to continually improve. Whether it be an online course, funding for books, or part-time courses, employees should always have access to various avenues of self-improvement (this does not include encouraging them to watch YouTube tutorials).
5. Constructive criticism builds champions
One of the most important people management skills is the ability to give useful, welcomed feedback. You have to be straight with employees, and they want to hear feedback from their managers — but you don’t have to be unnecessarily harsh.
6. Remember your employees’ wellness
A great employee will go the extra mile for you but it’s up to you to look after them and make sure they’re not eating and breathing their job. Instilling a well-balanced work-life is essential to being a good leader. For some tips, take a look at this article.
Being a better leader is a constant work in progress but it’s also important to remember that the office environment is also a massive contributing factor to your employees’ happiness in the workplace as well as your effectiveness at being a great leader. Find out how to create a healthier and happier work environment here.
4. Pick a side hustle
4. Pick a side hustle
