Blog : Little Lilypad Co

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The Little Lilypad is a lifestyle blog mostly written by a mum to two beautiful, cheeky and entertaining daughters. It is sometimes written by the Man on the Pad or by one of our baby bloggers. Occasionally we accept guest posts too. There is frequently talk of sustainable living, saving money, lifestyle and travel. It is hopefully helpful, sometimes funny and always honest.

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  1. We always wish to live the life of our dreams, happy and peaceful. However, as we grow up, we realise that life isn’t as easy as it always seemed to be. Whether you’re working full-time or having your own business, it’s difficult to always stay motivated and lively.

    What I have noticed most while reading the biographies of highly successful women is that they are always so self-disciplined. These women faced struggles and every difficulty like we do but what kept them moving was their self-discipline and strong determination.

    PIN - 7 habits of self-disciplined women

    Self-discipline is quoted as the ability to make yourself do something you know you should do even when you don’t feel like doing.

    I have also learned that self-discipline is a skill and not something that we are born with. Thus, it’s always possible to develop this skill with certain habits. The self-disciplined women tasted success because they had certain rituals that they daily followed.

    Here are the 7 habits of the women who practice self-discipline:

    1. They take baby steps

    The highly successful women aren’t scared of big goals because they know what to do next. We all set some or other goals in the beginning of the year but fail when we reach halfway. This is not because our goals are too big, it’s because we never churned them into smaller steps.

    Self-disciplined women know their daily, weekly, and monthly goals and aren’t scared of taking one step at a time.

    2. They prioritize their work

    With the long To-Do list, it’s normal to get overwhelmed and leave the work halfway. So instead of having any to-do list, prepare a priority list that will help you deal with the most important goals first.

    Write three most urgent tasks to do instead of filling up the whole page of the to-do list and overwhelm yourself.

    3. They know when to say ‘No’

    Doing everything by yourself and considering it as the traits of superwomen will just make things worse for you. Learn to say ‘no’ when things get too much for you to consume. It’s okay to take a step back and prioritize yourself.

    Disciplined women are always goal-oriented and they don’t take crap from anyone.

    4. They love deadlines

    These disciplined women already know when they need to accomplish certain goals and they’re always moving forward having a deadline in their mind.

    When you have the end date to do certain work, it becomes easier to plan out the roadmap around it and crush that task.

    5. They practice self-care

    I always had this idea that self-disciplined women make themselves do things against their wishes, even when they don’t feel like doing it.

    However, this is so not true. Self-disciplined women love practicing self-care and they indeed prioritize themselves above every task.

    6. They love routines

    This is again something that will help you to develop a proper plan and structure for the day. Disciplined women don’t wake up randomly wondering what to do next. Their routine is always planned and structured to avoid any fuss.

    7. They always finish

    We all take up new projects and work super excitingly but just as we reach half-way, our excitement is busted into the air.

    Self-disciplined women take their work seriously and they know how to finish the task they started.

    I really hope that these tips will also help you develop a disciplined mindset and achieve your goals.

    PIN - 7 habits of self-disciplined women (1)

  2. We are constantly on the go, always moving from one thing to another. Trying to keep up with work, family, social, health, hobbies and more. This can often feel overwhelming, chaotic and stressful like you are doing so many things, but none of them well. That is why it is important to find the right work-life balance for you and your family. 

    PIN - How to live a balanced life (1)

    Balance is all about feeling centred, it is about feeling that your heart and mind are not being pulled too hard in either direction. It’s about feeling in control of your life, grounded, calm, clear-headed, and motivated. 

    Balance is important to implement into your life, it creates harmony, peace and satisfaction. It helps us to be motivated as well as more attentive, productive and successful in what we do.

    Take care of and nurture yourself.

    Your health plays a large role in the quality of our life and work. We are more motivated and far more productive and healthy when we eat well, get enough sleep and do physical activity. Burning the candle at both ends catches up with us in the end, resulting in burn out.

    Limit screen time and instead. work in an activity or a ritual each morning or evening that is just for you, may it be a cup of coffee in the morning before you start your day, 15 minutes of yoga before bed, a lunchtime work or an evening bath.

    The space you come to relax and rejuvenate is vital in helping you to live a balanced life. When it’s disorganised, chaotic and not feeling very homely it’s hard, to feel at ease. Make your home a sanctuary, a place to come home and unwind. With the bedroom being the heart of the home when it comes to relaxation, to make sure you have all things comfort, The Dozy Owl has got you covered.

    Know Your Prioritises

    Balance is about knowing when to say no, it does not mean doing everything on your to-do list in one day. Look at what is important, what is necessary and what can be put off to later. Set your boundaries and manage expectations.

    Writing a list of your goals is a great way to manage the balance in your life, you may be in the process of building a career, studying, starting a family or buying a house. Work out what stage of life you are at and try not to bite off more than you can chew. It is best to focus your energy on a few milestones at once, so that you do them well and can move onto the next.

    Be Organised

    Being organised and planning ahead is a great way to bring balance into your life. Whether it is daily, weekly or monthly, create a to-do list or a planner for upcoming appointments, exams, meetings, holidays and milestones. In doing this you’ll be able to see if you are allowing enough time for hobbies, family time, social life, work and relaxation.

    PIN - How to live a balanced life

  3. I was having a conversation with some friends recently about social and media and one friend genuinely asked, "what is it that you actually do?". It is amazing to think that around the world, the use of social media is rising with over 4 billion users already being on some kind of social media platform but if you don't operate in that world, you don't understand the benefits it can bring to a business.

    PIN - How can social media marketing help small businesses succeed_

    Social media is now considered the most influential tool that businesses can use to promote their brand to potential customers. You are missing out on a ton of opportunities if you are not using social media for your brand. There are multiple reasons why social media marketing is considered necessary for small businesses. We will list some reasons why social media is the most reliable way to market and grow your small business. 

    1. It is incredibly cost-effective

    When it comes to small businesses, the biggest hurdle in their way is the lack of finance. Since most social media platforms don’t charge to create an account and start using it, it helps you cut out a little money on marketing. 

    All social media marketing needs is investing a lot of time and working hard to build a brand image. Even if you get the paid version, you won’t have to pay as much as some other marketing strategies. So social media marketing is an excellent way to promote your business with a strict budget. 

    1. A better way to interact with customers and build trust

    Social media is all about meeting and talking to new people and engaging with them. That is what makes it an awesome marketing tool as it enables you to get closer to clients. 

    You can talk to potential customers and tell them about all the services your business is offering. Your page will explain everything that they need to know about your business and make it easier for them to trust you. This trust is what will build relationships with customers that will last a long time. 

    1. Showcases your brand’s authority and dedication

    Customers have to understand that you are committed to what you are selling to get them interested. Social media marketing makes it easier for you to answer customer queries and understand their requirements. 

    Their feedback can help you improve your product or your business and get better. Contented customers will also help you promote your brand to others and give you more sales. You can have complete control over your promotion campaign and gain loyal customers as a result of it. 

    1. Enables you to get better SEO rankings

    If you have a blog or a website to promote your business, your social media account will play a major role in driving traffic to it. SEO ranking matters a lot because it generates leads much faster and more efficiently. 

    Social media marketing is another outlet where you can promote your website and understand what people think of it. You can also share snippets of your content on social media to get people interested in visiting your blog.

    1. Build awareness about your brand in the market

    Social media is the most amazing way to introduce your small business to the market. You can promote it to the potential clients in your local area and gain their attention. At the same time, it is a good way to let your competitors know about your brand.

    With more than one billion active users each month, there is no better platform to find potential clients. And the best thing is that you don’t even have to spend a ton of time doing it. A few weeks of building your social account and a reliable social media marketing strategy is all you need to succeed.

    Conclusion:-

    We understand how difficult it can be to improve sales as a small business. Social media marketing has been effective for many businesses around the world and there is no doubt it works just as nicely for a small scale business. We hope that this article helped you to understand the importance of social media marketing for small businesses. Don’t waste any more time and start using it for your own brand today itself! 

    PIN - How can social media marketing help small businesses succeed_ (1)

     

  4. It is funny how quickly times change. It seems like not that long ago, homeschooling was a less-explored concept. Now, in the wake of the COVID -19 virus, a large proportion of children and parents have had no other options than homeschooling.

    How it could make kids smarter?

     

    Parents are taking full responsibility for their child’s homeschooling. It requires a lot of upskilling for parents to homeschool their children. Moreover, parents have to develop patience to bring up their children in a formal manner in a home environment. Previously homeschooling was prevalent in rural areas only however, many parents are switching over to homeschooling, due to rising discontentment over the school curriculum.

    Benefits Of Homeschooling

    Homeschooling has a number of benefits. Let us find out more about this facet of education.

    • The parents have complete control over the child’s learning mechanism. No one teaches the child the wrong thing, as intermingling is less rampant. It also helps the parents to constantly monitor the child’s progress unhindered. It may not be possible to do that in school.

    • The teaching timings are also flexible. A parent can choose the teaching timings based on the child’s interests and comfort level. The child may also be interested in extra-curricular activities. So, he or she can concentrate the efforts on both sectors. This way, the interest levels of the child also remain up to date.

    • It is also a great way to pass on the ideas and beliefs directly to the children. You, as a parent, can instill a lot of confidence in the child, sitting at home. That may not be possible, when the child is spending 4-5 hours in school and then coming home. He will not be in a mood to listen to the parent’s theories and beliefs at the end of a tiring day.

    • Homeschooling can also protect the child from a lot of negativity. In school, children learn lots of things that they are not supposed to learn. It can come from peers, other parents and seniors. However, as a parent you can protect your child from this kind of nuisance if you practice homeschooling.

    • At home, education can be a fun and learning environment. However, in school things are much more formalized. So, the child grows up in a formal environment and it may hamper the development of a certain category of children. Every child’s learning skills are not the same, so the education mode has to be fun-filled and exciting.

    • Parents can also identify the hidden talents of the child, through homeschooling. A teacher at school may be loving and mother-like. However, after paying attention to 20 odd children at school, it is not possible for the teacher to identify the talent of each and every child, individually. So, at certain times the talents remain unexplored. However, if you are homeschooling, things can get better. Parents can easily identify the talents of their children and nurture them, then and there.

    • If both parents are working, whether from home or from office, one can pay attention to the child’s well-being. They can take turns in nurturing the child from all angles.

    Today, more and more parents are switching to homeschooling. It can actually make kids a lot smarter. It is possible that parents do homeschooling for a few years and then send their wards to school. It can be an extremely nourishing experience. So, by the time board examinations knock on the door, children are ready to take on the world.

    Benefits of Homeschooling