Vision Board Friday: Be Better Than You Thought You Could Be
/"You don't have to be better than everybody else. You should strive to be better than you ever thought you could be."
"You don't have to be better than everybody else. You should strive to be better than you ever thought you could be."
5 Tips for Naturally Glowing Skin Maintaining Gut Health and Gluten Free Living Gut health is extremely important (70% of your immune system is in your gut, after all!), and I think a lot of people can relate. My fiance has been dealing with UC for a few years now, so I know we can. Are We Making Healthy Too Hard? Why Paying Attention To Your Body Is The Best Diet of All Is Organic Better For Your Health? Use Your Influence Focus on: P90X3 <-- Thinking about trying this! Who else has experience with it? P90X yoga? 8 Benefits of Yoga Inversions My Year at a Standing Desk and Why I’ll Never Go Back <-- I'm still researching standing desks. Good post!
Which Grains to Rinse and Why 7 Fermented Foods You Should be Eating A Guide to Salad Greens Real Food Tips: What to Make vs. Buy Veg intimidation: how to make amazing artichokes Why You Should Eat A Serving of Beans/Chickpeas/Lentils A Day 18 Dairy Free Sources of Calcium Chipotle Avocado Spread Hydrating & Anti-Inflammatory: The Perfect Runners Drink <--good for anyone, too! 25 Things that are Cheaper at Whole Foods <-- always looking for cheaper organic + natural food!
Ignorance is not Bliss "Being aware of my body does not mean I am actually making the choice to listen to it." 6 Things Shy People Can Teach Us About Success Blank Spaces "Leave blank space, leave room for your imagination and the moments you do not even know yet, that you have not even experienced yet, that you have not felt yet."
Sustainable Content Strategies that Last Forever
Top 10 Tips For New Bloggers
6 Lessons for Writing Irresitibly Magnetic Blog Post Headlines
A pep talk: How to not worry about all the other people doing the exact same thing you want to do
6 Ways to Treat Your Blog Like a Business
8 Incredibly Simple Ways to Get More People to Read Your Content
"79% of web users scan rather than read"
15 Types of Content that will Drive More Traffic
A little humor for any SEOs out there. Sometimes clients just don't understand. :-)
The Social Media Frequency Guide: How Often to Post to Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn And More 10 Smart Tips to Leverage Google+ for Increased Web Traffic 5 Fantastic Ways to Show Off Client Testimonials Kindle Publishing: A Step-by-Step Guide for Selling Your Book Through Amazon A Scientific Guide To Hashtags 99 Websites That Every Professional Should Know About and Use Everything from managing projects to managing money. Such a good list! How To Take Gorgeous, Sale-Making Product Photos Great tips, even if you're just taking blog photos or selling on Etsy!
Summer Book Swap <-- such a neat idea! Infographic: The True Cost of Home Ownership <-- hoping to buy a house soon so this is great! Random Facts <-- time waster but interesting! 20 Creative Ideas for Date Night (or a memorable first date!) <-- so fun!
+Family is visiting us in Florida for the first time!
Entrepreneurship can often seem like an extrovert’s game. With so much competition, it may seem like you have to connect with the most people and "yell the loudest" just to be heard. But I'm here to reassure you that you don't have to make cold calls, give speeches to millions or go to networking events 3 times a week to get clients. With up to half of the U.S. being introverted, your actions will be appreciated more than you realize.
Read More"Eat Food. Not Too Much. Mostly Plants." - Michael Pollan It's really that simple.
This post was originally a guest post for my friend Lindsay over at The Lean Green Bean Blog. She's a Registered Dietitian with amazing recipes, weekly ideas for Sunday Food Prep and great health tips, so make sure to check out her blog! With that said, let's dig in!
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What is Search Engine Optimization? This means optimizing your posts for search engines like Google and Bing so they can better understand what the post is about and what questions it will answer for readers. A nicely optimized post will rank better and reach a wider audience. “Organic search traffic” means visitors who find your blog through typing a query into a search engine.
When you’re thinking of optimizing your posts, you should be thinking of how to help your target audience, not just how to rank better or reach more people in general. Start thinking like your audience. What do they want to know? What questions are they asking?
First, let me stress that shareable, engaging content is more important than keywords. However, following a few easy steps can help increase your organic traffic and reach more relevant readers.
1. Keywords: Choose a keyword phrase or two that best represents your post idea. Ex: “How to cook spaghetti squash”
a. Use Google Keyword Plannerand Google Trends to find the most popular (most searched) way to phrase your keywords. Compare multiple phrases to see which has the highest traffic (low-medium competition is best). There are tons of keyword tools out there, but these are quick, easy and free, so start here. For the example above, other search phrases might include “best way to cook spaghetti squash” and “how to bake spaghetti squash”
2. Title: Your post title is possibly the most important aspect of your blog post. This will entice people to click, shows up in social media sharing, is usually your H1 tag for SEO, etc. Titles with the most clicks often include: “How-to”, “Mistakes,” “Secrets,” Questions (people are typing full questions into Google more often now) and lists. Examples include: “3 Ways to Cook Spaghetti Squash,” “The secret to cooking perfect spaghetti squash,” or “4 mistakes people make while cooking spaghetti squash.” Keep your title under 60 characters and be sure to include your keyword phrase. This will most likely be used for your title tag.
3. Title Tags: Google will show about 60 characters. Include keyword phrase(s), but don’t overdo it.
4. URL: Include your keyword phrase(s) — you can shorten it to use just the main keywords, use dashes rather than underscores, and use all lower case letters.
5. H1 tags & Header tags: The H1 tag is usually your post title. Make it engaging and include your keyword phrase(s). Secondary headers are a great way to break up the content. They also cue readers (and search engines) in on what your post is about if they quickly scan it. Use closely related keywords in the header tags.
6. Meta-description: Google shows about 160 characters. The meta-description is not used for ranking in search engines, but what you put here will encourage people to click on your link. Use an alluring snippet from your post, a call to action, or write a short introduction to the post, such as, what problem will reading your post solve for readers? Google won’t always use what you enter. Sometimes it will pull text related to the search query, but it can still be a good idea as a backup.
7. Content: I mentioned having engaging content. Make sure you also use your keyword phrases within your blog post. You only need to use a few related phrases once or twice. Focus on your writing and don’t keyword stuff*.
Bonus Tip: Use phrases to link to other posts you’ve written, too. This will keep the reader engaged in your blog longer and will signal to search engines that your blog is cohesive and organized. Make sure to have the link open in a new window.
8. SEO Plugins: If using WordPress, grab a free SEO plugin. Yoast All-In-One is highly recommended.
Visual Example:
When searching for “how to cook spaghetti squash,” this is what the post looks like in Google. Lindsay appears on the first page for this search.
In no time you’ll get the hang of optimizing your posts and be able to draw more organic traffic to your blog!
*A note on keyword stuffing: Keyword stuffing is when you use your keyword phrase as much as you can. Not a good idea! Google has evolved and it’s now recommended to use similar phrases so Google can get an idea of what your post is about.
Want to expedite your blog rankings and traffic? Join my brand new, FREE 6-day Challenge…
I’m hosting my very first online challenge and I’d love for you to join us.
8 Tips To Have Positive Body Image & Stop Obsessive Eating Habits The Trap of Clean Eating Treats Antioxidants 101 Consumers Still Confused About Food Labels Nutrition Coaching Helpful in Reducing Depression in Older Adults Popular Probiotics Have Few Cons Google Tool Offers Ultimate Nutrition Smackdown Eating Slowly Cuts Calories Everything You Need to Know About Egg Labels
Via: TakePart.com
Someone Else's Pain + Struggle Does Not Negate Yours Feeling Lost? Please Read This Processing Praise, Ignoring Crickets + Why We Need Validation The Purpose of Pain Please Don’t Envy Me: The Facebook Status Everyone Should Read. 9 Secrets to Real Success in your Twenties The Truth About Dreaming Bigger (+laying off the guilt trip) Permission to Thrive in Your 20s
Creating an Online Identity Buck The Work-Life Balance Myth and Do This Instead 8 Online Education Tools How Long Should Each Blog Post Be? A Data Driven Answer 3 Things You Should Know About Facebook Ads 12 Ways to Increase Traffic From Google Without Building Links Gingers Vs Blondes Vs Brunettes – Proof That Gingers Are Taking Over The World {interesting for advertising!} 5 Tips for Interacting with People You Admire on Twitter Creating Products Week: Which Product Should I Create? 5 ways to keep blogging when you feel totally unqualified to hand out advice Arianna Huffington & Marie Forleo on Redefining Success The 3 Spectacularly Simple Questions to Ask for Planning Anything & Everything Latest Trends in Headline Creation and Their Success 10 Ways My Social Media Job Isn't a Joke This One Tiny Habit Can Help You Become a More Productive (and wealthier) Freelancer
I'm basically a resource hoarder, so I might as well share some of my recent favorites! I was inspired by The Lean Green Bean's 'Bean Bytes,' which I always love. If you haven't checked out Lindsay's blog yet, do it! You'll find delicious recipes, Sunday Food Prep inspiration and helpful wellness tips.
It's also a way to give a small behind-the-scenes look at my life, since I don't do many personal posts.
Ask Kris: The Scoop on Kefir, Oxalates & Frozen Veggies Taking The Guesswork Out Of Choosing Fresh Fruit 4 Major Reasons to C-O-O-K DIY: 3 All Natural Homemade Skin Care Recipes State of Health: Prevention is What Matters 24 Thought Provoking Questions You Need To Answer To Know Yourself Better How to Get Rid Of Insomnia Using Home Remedies 77 Things You Never Knew About Yoga 19 Tiny Things You Can Do To Make The World A (Slightly) Better Place My Travel Beauty Essential: DIY Dry Shampoo The Importance of Sleep + Tips for Sleeping Better Food For Thought: The ultimate health food guide 9 Tips for Shopping at Whole Foods on a Budget It’s time to stop bragging about skimping on sleep Everything you needed to know about the oil pulling fad 15 Ways to Be Better Every Day Yet Another Reason to Not Jump on That Trendy New Diet Bandwagon 121 Things to Do Instead of Spending Money
Twice-baked, Oatmeal-Stuffed Sweet Potatoes Cauliflower Steaks with Ginger, Turmeric, and Cumin Whipped Sweet Potatoes with Pecans Anti-Inflammatory Green Smoothie With Turmeric 20 Healthy Alternatives to Soda With Recipes
5 ideas for a killer email newsletter for your blog or business Fun with [free!] fonts Seven ways to make your blog better 5 Easy Ways To Drive Social Media Traffic From Instagram Twitter Tips for Beginners: Everything I Wish I Knew About Twitter When I Started Getting Started as a Life Coach How to Create SEO-Friendly and Clickable Blog Post Titles How to Get Started on Any Goal. Yup, Anything. WordPress vs. Blogger: Which is Right for You? Turning Old Content Into New Links 8 Tips To Get Your First 100,000 Blog Readers How the heck do you.. turn a cool idea into a business? What to Do When You’re Sick of Your Blog Redefining Success: The Corporate Ladder No Longer Matters How To Write Your About Me Page The Psychology of Color: Is Your Color Choice Making or Breaking Your Website? 16 Blogging Resources to Improve Your Blog 35 Resources for Female Entrepreneurs How to Increase Your Twitter Engagement by 324% How to create the perfect social media post How You Can Create the 'Perfect' Social Media Post (Infographic)
Tim Berners-Lee on creating the web: 'I never expected all these cats' 10 Ridiculous Things that Happen at Small Town High Schools {exactly how I grew up} 30 Signs You Were Obsessed With Hanson
+Glasses from BonLook. I need a new pair and am trying to decide between these two:
+Getting more into my home yoga practice this month:
+This ridiculous creature:
Happy has been on my list of documentaries to watch for quite some time. I finally got around to it a few days ago, and have to say it's one of my new favorites! It was full of interesting facts, theories and kept my attention the whole time.Here's some of what I took away:
The beginning sets the stage for the documentary by explaining the main aspects that determine happiness.
50% set point / range (genetic): this is the general range of happiness we're all born with 10% circumstances: income, social status, where you live, age 40% intentional activity (this is just a theory): things we can do on a regular basis to become happier
Isn't that interesting to think that your circumstances only make up 10% of your happiness? It provides hope for those born into unfavorable circumstances. The 'set range' of happiness we're all said to be born with also makes a lot of sense to me. Some people are just eternally upbeat. The leading psychologists studying happiness theorize that the remaining 40% is more under our control. We can do things to make ourselves happier.
The most important type of intentional activity to increase happiness is to constantly vary what you do. Try new things often, even if it's something as simple as trying a new coffee shop or trying a new sport. We inevitably adapt to every new situation, no matter how wonderful or bleak.
Happiness is controlled by the neurotransmitter dopamine. We slowly lose dopamine synapses starting in our teenage years, so we need to seek out experiences that release dopamine. Physical activity is one of the best, especially if you do it in novel ways. Have you wondered why there's an increase in themed 5k races like The Color Run, mud runs and zombie runs?
Another important key to happiness is experiencing "flow." In the documentary this was described as "the psychology of optimal experience...the synergy of aspects of consciousness." It's often something that requires you to be fully present, like playing an instrument, rock climbing or cooking a complex meal. When you're proficient enough at the activity, you almost intuitively know moment by moment what you have to do, so you fall into the flow of actions. People describe it as feeling in control and forgetting their worries. I could see it as a disconnect from the ego and the ultimate way of being present. Researchers have found that people who experience flow on a regular basis are happier than those who don't.
Researchers found that those who can recover from adversity more quickly than others also tend to be happier. Negative experiences affect everyone, but these people are able to move on more quickly.
You've probably heard that money doesn't buy happiness. Well, that statement turns out to be both true and false. The difference in happiness levels between an annual income of $5k and $50k is dramatic, but $50k vs. $500k doesn't make much of a difference. And remember, you'll make the most of that money if you're using it to experience new things like traveling to a new country. Earlier I mentioned that you will adapt to your situation. This is also true for the more money you have. It's called hedonic adaptation: "whatever level of material goods and wealth you have, you will adapt to it and want/need more to get the good feeling."
So other than new experiences, how can we achieve more happiness and life satisfaction?
Having intrinsic goals vs. extrinsic goals. These are in opposition with each other. Intrinsic goals are those related to personal growth, community contributions and meaningful relationships. These people report more satisfaction, less depression and less anxiety. (The exact opposite of what is reported by those with materialistic goals.)
Having compassion. To experience compassion, try starting a gratitude journal (once a week vs. every day even makes a difference), increase your acts of kindness, start volunteering, etc. Acts of kindness are the most effective compassion tool to increase happiness.
In summary, the documentary states that these are the building blocks of happiness:
"Happiness is not just about feeling more blissful. Happier people tend to function better, be more productive and even live longer."
I highly recommend watching the full documentary to learn more. These are just some of the highlights!
Have you seen 'Happy?' What did you think?
This is not a paid review, and I have no affiliation with Stitch Fix. However, if you sign up under my link, I will receive a $25 credit when you receive your first fix. Spread the love!
I've been obsessing over the Stitch Fix* boxes on bloggers sites for about a year. I've been hesitant since I work at home, and therefore my clothing variety has pretty much diminished. Let's be real- casual has taken on a new meaning.
However, it's also helped me realize that I tend to wear the same few items over and over- the ones I invested a little more money in. I have a bad tendency to buy quantity over quality when it comes to clothing, so I have tons of cute cheap clothes that fall apart in less than a year.
With Stitch Fix, it's like having a personal stylist and shopper. You get to choose the price range for each item, how often you want your fix and add specific notes for the fix. For example, for my first fix, I requested a handbag. Your fix also comes with photo ideas for how to wear the items (with clothes you may already own.)
Top Collage: Navy, lace dress with brown belt and deep-V back. I wasn't planning to get this one because of the price, but my fiance talked me into it.
Bottom Collage: Striped dolman-sleeve top. I don't usually do stripes and wasn't sure about the fit of this, but the quality was nice and I figured I'd try something different. I also haven't tried colored skinny jeans, but these were very comfortable!
My stylist must have taken a lot of hints from my Style Pinterest board. I definitely recommend you set up a style board or even a specific Stitch Fix board on Pinterest!
Top Row: White top with braided detail. I liked the braided detail but the fit was terrible. My fiance said I looked like a blob. Bottom Row: Vegan, lead-free handbag. It's okay, but I don't like such bright gold detail, and I'm not a big fan of that shade of brown.
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Overall I'm really happy with my experience. I feel like I can shop more intentionally because I give my stylist detailed directions, choose my price ranges and choose when to schedule a fix. I can also try each item on with things I already own. No more grabbing things just because they're on sale only to end up not wearing them or having them fall apart. Not to mention the experience is fun, and I don't have to spend time looking for the items!
Here's a little reminder to keep your priorities in order!
I'll be honest..I've tried to learn Photoshop for the past 5 years, at least. I've learned a bit, but I don't have the patience for it. There are plenty of online tools to make photo editing quick and simple, thankfully! Your blog will look beautiful and professional in no time! Plus, do better on social networks with images worth sharing.
Improving Your Pictures with Free Photo Editing Tools - A round-up of free photo editing tools- both for smartphones and online.
My favorite editor when I first started blogging. You can use this to create Facebook cover photos, blog photos, pretty quotes, collages or just edit your photos for better lighting. It's super easy.
I have definitely resorted to PP out of frustration with Photoshop, especially before I knew how to make a transparent background. Make infographics, edit photos, add text, etc. (You have to sign up for Hubspot to get the infographic templates, but you should be signed up for Hubspot anyway!)
10 Free Tools to Create Quote Images + Increase Social Media Engagement
If you're just looking for options to create title images for your blog posts, I've got 10 easy and free tools in the post above.
What tools and website do you use for your photos?
"What a treacherous thing to believe that a person is more than a person." -John Green When you feel intimidated, inferior or shy, remember that we're all just people made of the same material.
This past weekend I streamed the IIN conference live, and Arianna Huffington said something similar. "My mother had no sense of hierarchy. We're all human beings."
Have you heard of the "comparison trap" as it pertains to social media? We have a tendency to compare our lives to what we see in our social feeds. Instead of giving jealousy a chance, find out where you should be finding inspiration for your business & how to beat the comparison trap.
Read MoreWhat's stopping you from achieving your goals?Often, our own thoughts stop us from getting what we want. We're afraid to fail, convince ourselves we're not worthy or get nervous about the amount of work involved. What can you do today to get out of your own way?
I've been working from home for about a year now. Here are some tips I've gathered and taken advantage of in that time: + Don't eat while working and DO take a lunch break. Get outside for a walk if possible, and eat in a calm environment. Entrepreneurship can be hectic and stressful, so take time to regroup.
+ Feeling stuck with an idea? Take a shower. Or meditate. Just remove all other distractions.
+ Cook at home. Save money and feel better. It can be tempting to go out to dinner every night since you've been cooped up in the house all day. If you want to get out of the house, go to a coffee shop, bookstore, hiking, etc. Spend that time doing something fun.
+ Have a dedicated space for work and make sure it's a pleasant environment. Light a candle, listen to soothing music, decorate with uplifting colors. Keep a vision board in your office.
+ Think about investing in a standing or adjustable desk, or even a treadmill desk so you get more movement during the day. Use a pedometer or fitness tracking band to stay on track. It can be all too easy to get wrapped up in projects
+ Have structure to your day, but take advantage of the flexibility every so often. Schedule tasks, make a list of what you need to do and categorize it. "Batching tasks" will make your day flow more smoothly and productively.
+ Have a stop time when you walk away from your work for the evening and spend time unwinding with family, exercise, etc.
What have you learned about working from home? Share your tips below!
Always a good reminder!
Do you want to lose the weight of distraction, stress and tension immediately? Put the smart phone down and plan a technology cleanse. Does the thought of going without your iPhone cause anxiety? Do you get distracted by social media every time you're connected to the internet? Have you started 7 projects this week but completed 0? Or maybe you're feeling increasingly lonely despite having hundreds of "friends" on Facebook.
Experts recommend tech detoxes to help us unplug from devices and reconnect with those we love.
While I'm extremely grateful for technology, there are a few downsides. Headaches and eye strain, disconnecting with family and friends, long sedentary hours, loss of true focus from being pulled in so many directions, etc. So, I highly recommend giving a technology cleanse a try.
What do you want to achieve or what is the purpose of doing the cleanse? Reconnect with your partner, spend more time writing, stop wasting time on phone apps, reconnect with nature, find new inspiration, become more centered and focused, stop the comparison trap on social media, etc.
How long will you disconnect? One day? A weekend? Maybe you'll dive into a full week?
Will you do this alone, with your partner or maybe a group of friends? Getting your partner or a few friends on board will help you ease into it and provide a great support system.
Who do you need to tell? If you're usually very connected and disappear for a few days, people might start to worry!
What will you remove? What will you keep, even if just for emergencies? If you're wandering into the woods to reconnect with nature, it might be a good idea to keep your cell phone for emergencies! Maybe you have a list of books to catch up on, but they're all on your Kindle. There are no rules. You're setting this cleanse up for yourself and your own personal goals.
What will you do? Camp or take a walk in nature, catch up on books you'd like to read, explore a town, cook at home or take cooking classes, meditate, attend a yoga retreat or local workshop, spend time with friends and family, write that e-book you've been dreaming of, etc.
How will you avoid temptation? I recommend planning out multiple activities and ideas on what you'd like to do to keep yourself prepared. Write your intentions on a piece of paper and stick it to your mirror.
Even if writing isn't part of your intention, writing down a few thoughts and feelings each day is a good idea. Are you feeling anxious, bored, lonely, excited, untethered, free, relaxed, etc.?
What did you gain?
How do you feel?
Would you do this again?
Does technology have any negative effects on your life and work? Have you ever tried a technology cleanse?
Now that you're convinced you need a newsletter and have chosen a provider, it's time to write! You may be thinking,"I already write blog posts. I don't have time to write a newsletter!" Don't worry, this will be painless.
What to write about + newsletter tips:
An example from Marie Forleo:
What do you write in your newsletters?
"A healthy outside starts from the inside." - Robert UrichTake care of yourself- mind, body and soul. Nourishing yourself with healthy foods + self care will enable you to feel your best, look your best and do your best.
I’m an SEO + content marketing strategist with over a decade of experience in the industry.
I work with passionate, purpose-driven business owners and marketing directors who are tired of trying to do All The Things and spreading their efforts too thin. They want to know what's working, what's not working, and where they should really be spending their time and money.
But I'll be honest- I'm not here for the people chasing vanity metrics. My philosophy is grounded in people-first marketing and what I've dubbed #SEOwithSoul. I don't believe in hacks and "beating algorithms" as a long term strategy.
Read more about me here.