Archives for June 2019

Top 5 Tips for a Beginner Guitarist

June 26, 2019 by Olivia Moore 4 Comments

A beginner guitarist normally prefers an acoustic guitar before moving on to an electric guitar. An acoustic guitar is much easier to handle and is portable. For a beginner, there are certain guidelines that need to be followed. You cannot just dive into full-fledged playing without arming yourself with guitar learning tips and tricks. Below are 5 useful tips for a guitarist beginner.

Learn at your own pace

Learn the guitar at your own pace and time. Do not stress yourself out to learn the perfect tune overnight. Keep a list of your targets. Mark your achievements every time you learn a new tune or a new strumming technique. You should cross out your targets once achieved, and give yourself a pat on the back. When you first take the guitar in your hand, do not expect yourself to strum out a tune immediately. Learning about guitar basics itself needs a lot of dedicated practice along with a lot of patience. You should always allocate a certain amount of time for practicing. You should stick to this daily routine devotedly. One hour a day is more than enough to dedicate your time playing and practicing the guitar.

Any guitar instructor will first teach you to how to catch the guitar, how to place your finger on a particular string and how much force each string endures. Once you are comfortable, your next steps should be learning how to catch the guitar pick and move your fingers on the fretboard. Learning basics does take a lot of time. It also depends on how soon the person is able to pick up these pointers. Basics in music are very important. They should never be forgotten nor taken for granted. Focus and concentration is a must for every beginner practicing any musical instrument.

Dedicated Practice

Patience and practice go hand in hand while playing the guitar. Guitar chords are a set of notes played on the guitar. You can play them together or simultaneously. You should allocate a certain amount of time every day to play and practice your chords. My advice is to first learn to play your favorite song. This way it makes learning fun. You should play the song with a slow tempo. With gradual practice, you can pick up the rhythm. Do not get attracted only to the catchy parts of any song. It is always best to learn an entire song than rather learning things in bits and pieces. It can get really confusing in the long run.

It is advised to try and learn a simple new technique from online video tutorials for beginners. If you are really serious about guitar playing, practice frequently. If you stop practicing, you will not only become lazy but also unwilling to take the guitar and go through your basics. This, in turn, will hamper all the efforts you took from the beginning.

The songs or techniques you have learned from the start should be practiced without fail. At first, you might not be able to catch up with your guitar lessons, you might find it difficult to learn. All this leads up to frustration. This is normal for any beginner. Guitar legends like Jimi Hendrix did not become legends overnight. With a lot of perseverance and hard work, he rose to fame.

Practice Theory And Practical

Before you start playing the guitar, you should practice simple chords, scales and rhythm exercises. Once done, you can start playing any song. You can download online guitar notes for any song you prefer playing, and also follow a video tutorial simultaneously.

YouTube also features videos where the instructors are sometimes even famous guitarists who play and teach you different sweep techniques, riffs, and guitar playing tricks. The theory part is basically learning in depth about your guitar, analyzing how the fretboard functions, etc. Practical learning is basically going through your finger exercises, how you can change your chords etc.

Learn about your guitar

Before you learn to play your chords and riffs, it is important to first practice catching the pick. While playing, the way you place your fingers on the guitar and how much pressure you apply matters a lot. Your thumb is supposed to rest on the neck of the guitar. The rest of the fingers will be on the fretboard. Correct placement of fingers is very important for playing the guitar accurately. You should learn new playing techniques and enjoy the experience of trying a new riff or sweep. You should enjoy playing the guitar rather than making it seem like a task. You can check Oscar Schmidt Guitars. They are pretty good.

Nowadays you have a lot of guitar learning apps for beginners available in your software play stores like Microsoft, Google. So even when you are traveling, you can log in to the app via your smartphone and check out new tips, techniques online.

Be innovative, not rigid

You should close your eyes and let the tunes wash over you. As a beginner, we are trained from day one to follow scales, chords to perfection while playing. but sometimes you need to be innovative. Do not be rigid while playing. You should always balance your basic skills and techniques alongside creativity. While playing, it is always best to record oneself. Later you can hear yourself and accordingly make the corrections needed.

Whenever you hear your old recordings it will help you realize how much you have grown as a guitarist and how your skills have developed over time.

Conclusion It is always best to learn from other musicians, go to concerts, watch online tutorials to develop your playing techniques. You should listen to all kinds of genres. You will be amazed by different techniques used, various rhythms, riffs, sweeps, beats incorporated in the music. This helps you to increase your creativity while playing your own music. You can also start composing your own tunes down the line.

3 Worst Cash-Flow Mistakes Businesses Make

June 24, 2019 by Keith Coppersmith Leave a Comment

One of the most important parts of running a business is making sure you have a positive cash-flow which will allow your business to run and operate smoothly. However, many business owners still have difficulties when trying to handle this integral task. Whether your troubles with cash-flow happen because of poor management or the cyclical nature of the field your business operates is, the ultimate results will be the same, your business will begin to struggle and may ultimately fail. In fact, cash-flow is the number one reason businesses fail with as many as 82% of businesses failing because of cash-flow related issues. With that in mind, it should be apparent that you have to do everything within your power to maintain positive cash- flow. To help you out, today we are going to take a look at three worst cash-flow mistakes businesses make and how to fix them.

1. Being passive about your past-due receivables

Let’s start off simple. Your cash-flow will ultimately depend on the money you receive from your customers, so if they aren’t paying you on time, you can start really struggling to keep things under control. A common mistake most businesses make is just letting their past-due receivables slide unnoticed as they don’t want to make a hassle or jeopardize their relationships with the customer. While this can be sensible in certain cases, if people start noticing that you don’t have any particular penalties for them paying you late, they will most likely start abusing your generosity. Because of this, you should make sure that you provide them with adequate incentives for paying you early, such as small but meaningful discounts. However, you should also put penalties in place that will increase the price if they don’t pay on time.

While these two tools put together will definitely better your situation, sometimes they just won’t be enough. Luckily there are a few alternative options you can use to aid you. Most notably, you can look for outside help through different financing options, which will help you get the money you are owed immediately. For example, invoice finance can allow you to get a quick loan secured against your outstanding invoices and receive up to 95% of the money you are owed within a 24 hour period, with the rest becoming available when the invoice is finally fully paid. This and other similar methods are a great way to ensure your business doesn’t struggle with cash-flow while at the same time not endangering the relationships with your customers.

2. Not planning ahead with realistic expectations

Another big mistakes businesses tend to make is not planning their finances ahead of time with realistic expectations, or for that matter, not planning at all. While trying to plan out your finances can be really challenging because of the many unpredictable factors that can impact your business it’s still a crucial process you have to take care of if you want to keep a healthy cash-flow. First of all, it will allow you to predict what your expenses will be with reasonable accuracy, which will allow you to locate them and minimise them or completely eliminate the unneeded ones, freeing up additional capital which will have a positive impact on your cash-flow. With that being said, it’s also very important to keep an objective look at your predictions, especially when it comes to predicted sales. It’s always better to undervalue your future income as it will give you time to find ways to deal with the problem, instead of putting you in a bad situation unprepared.

3. Ignoring the importance of an emergency fund

Even if you do everything that’s within your power to maintain a healthy cash-flow, sometimes it just won’t be enough, and sadly that’s the reality of the business world. Because of this, you should always aim to have an emergency fund which will help you get through those difficult times. While this can seem somewhat self-evident, a lot of businesses, especially new ones, tend to ignore the importance of an emergency fund and choose to put all of their money into the business in order to encourage growth, which more often than not ends up costing them everything. There are just too many unpredictable factors that can impact cash-flow and even if things look great today, the tides can drastically shift in a matter of days. It’s highly recommended that you keep an emergency account balance equivalent to at least two months of operating expenses, which should be enough to help you get through the rough patch.

Conclusion

While the mistakes listed here are only a few of many that businesses tend to make, correcting them will definitely put you on the right path towards a healthy cash-flow which will allow you to establish a solid foundation from which you can further grow and expand your business.

Real Reasons To Become A Teacher

June 20, 2019 by Contributed Post Leave a Comment

It seems like a knee-jerk reaction these days that people look to start an online business because they are looking for a way to earn an extra bit of money while also feeling in control of their lives. When we’re looking for the right job, it’s about feeling we’ve done something of worth at the end of the day, and everything else is almost irrelevant. And this is why it’s worth considering going into teaching. Maybe it’s crossed your mind before, but you put the idea to the back of your mind. But perhaps we can give you some real reasons as to why it’s one of the most beneficial careers anybody can undertake.

You Use Your Skills

Yes, you may have to learn a certain subject, but if you have a natural passion and aptitude for something, this becomes a logical extension of your teaching process. If you are a natural history buff, and you spend your evenings reading A History Of Education In The United States by Jerry Jellig and are always in and out of museums, it becomes a considerable part of how you teach. While there are teachers these days that have to specialize in more than one subject, if you have an inclination towards a specific subject matter, but you, more importantly, have a real visceral passion for it, this means your skills are being put to very good use.

It’s Incredibly Diverse

No two days are the same. And you could get involved in as many extracurricular activities as you want. You want a hand in directing the school play? You can do it! You think the children will benefit from a multitude of learning materials, from field trips to movies? As long as it’s justifiable and within the school budget, it can be done! This means that you are able to learn as well as teach at the same time. If you are someone that thrives on constant change, teaching is one of those great professions that provide this in abundance.

You Make A Real DifferenceIt’s something that is overstated, almost to the point of irrelevance, but it’s a fact. You nurture and shape these children’s lives. You spend more time with them than almost anyone else and as you see these children grow, everything that you do or say can have a resonance down the years. We all remember those terrible teachers, but we also remember those that really had an impact on us, and maybe they ignited our passion for learning in the first place. But when we see a skill in a child, we can choose to ignore it, or we can point this out to the parents, and provide guidance on how to nurture it. Think of it like molding clay; you can turn a child into almost anything. And it’s not just about teaching a subject, while there are children that will prove to be a challenge, if you are looking to make a difference in people’s lives, then you will!

Why a Career in the Military Could be Right for You

June 20, 2019 by Contributed Post Leave a Comment

Did you know that there are more women in the military than ever before? In fact, there are currently around 2.5 million servicewomen in the US. But it takes a special kind of person to be in the military. Read on to find out if it could be right for you.

Women have been involved in the military throughout history, although it used to be only in nursing or support roles. However, this all changed in World War Two, when thousands of women enlisted. They drove ambulances, piloted planes, and tended to the wounded, as well as doing a whole range of administrative support work. How many WW2 veterans are still alive? Just ask them how critical women were to the war effort. Since then, women have become more and more involved with the military. They now serve in any position that a man can do, and can even fight in combat, since 2013.

So why are women flocking to careers in the military? A military career can offer a job that takes you around the world and allows you to travel in ways that wouldn’t otherwise be possible. Many women join the navy or airforce for this reason. People entering the military are typically adventurous, courageous, and patriotic people who are up for a challenge, and traveling the world is part of this.

A military career can also offer incredible opportunities for education. A college degree is expensive and unaffordable for many people. But the military can often pay for you to go to college or can help you to pay off your college loans. Whatsmore, there are many specialist training options within the military, and a chance to work your way up into leadership positions.

Another reason people are attracted to these careers is the excellent benefits that are difficult to find elsewhere. Yes, traveling the world and getting to serve your country is a huge benefit. But the insurance, medical and dental benefits are also significant. Whatsmore, accommodation is sometimes covered, as well as the expense of relocating to different bases.

Women can serve in any position and any branch of the military. You’ll need to think carefully about whether you want to join the army, navy, airforce, or marines. Each has different jobs, working life, benefits, and requirements. One thing in particular to consider is the fitness test. Did you know that the US military rejects 80% of applicants, most commonly due to lack of fitness?

To join the military, you need to be a high school graduate or have equivalent qualifications. To become an officer, you need a four-year bachelor’s degree and an excellent record. Anyone wanting to enlist must be at least 18 years of age (17 with parental consent), and there are also upper age limits which vary between 28-39 years of age, depending on the branch of the military.

If you like the sound of a career in the military, it’s essential to do your research and find out about the pros and cons, as well as the requirements. Speak to your local recruitment office if you want to learn more about where this career path could take you.

Stop Using These 5 Excuses Not To Start Your Own Business!

June 18, 2019 by Guest Post Leave a Comment

Throughout your formative years, you were fed a common fallacy. You were told that if you worked hard, applied yourself, got good grades and paid your dues, your endeavor and tenacity would pay off. You’d ascend the career ladder and land a job that’s well paid, fulfilling and rewarding. Unfortunately, your experience on the traditional career ladder varied wildly from what you were told in school. Your education didn’t prepare you for the vast competition for every single job. Your college degree didn’t prepare you for the harsh realities of working in your chosen industry. The campus prospectus didn’t say anything about all the humiliating unpaid internships and soul crushing entry level positions. You’ve reached the conclusion that the career ladder isn’t a ladder at all, but a greasy pole that you keep sliding down no matter how hard you try to climb.

However, your salvation could be sitting in your desk drawer. On your notepad where you scribbled down the idea for a workable small business of your very own during a particularly tedious meeting. Yet, for too long, that idea has remained just that… An idea. You keep on using those same old excuses not to put it into action. Every time you consider it, your cautious nature takes over and prevents your potentially awesome idea from being unleashed upon the world.

Quite frankly, it’s time to take a leap of faith in yourself. Stop using these common excuses not to start your own business…

I don’t even know if my business idea is any good

That’s okay. Nobody does, for sure. But if you have faith in it and can imagine people getting excited about it, that’s an encouraging start. Of course, you can (and should) qualify your bullishness by carrying out tireless market research to establish quantifiable interest in your chosen industry for the kinds of products and services you offer.

Broadly speaking, if you can spot a gap in the market, can prove that there’s an audience for what you’re offering or you can identify an area in which your potential competitors aren’t fully catering for the market, there’s a chance that your business could find success.

Where will I get the money?

Funding your business will depend on the nature of your idea and the potential overhead costs that it represents. In the digital era, many have built thriving businesses from the comfort of their own laptops with virtually no startup costs. If, however, your business plan requires a physical presence and employees, there’s a good chance that you’ll need to spend a significant amount of money to get it off the ground.

Fortunately, there are more opportunities out there than ever when it comes to securing business funding. Banks are still an option, although in the post financial crisis landscape they can be reticent when it comes to startup lending, especially if you have little or no prior experience of managing your own business. However, if the banks slam their doors on you, that does not mean that you’re out of options. Check out https://www.working-capital.com/ and you can find the right lender for your business within a minute. You’ll find that there are a plethora of products available to you with flexible terms and appealing rates. Some of them even have no minimum credit score so may be available to you, even if you have never taken out loans, credit cards etc. in the past.

I don’t know if I can do it on my own

That’s completely understandable. Entrepreneurship is a daunting prospect chiefly because there is no training program or educational path which can prepare you for it. Still, that doesn’t mean that there’s no guidance. There are business mentors who can lend you the benefit of their industry experience to help you navigate the everyday pitfalls of operating your own business. They can advise you on strategy as well as providing you with practical tips to improve your operational efficiency, reducing running costs and making your operation more profitable.

Needless to say, there’s also more help, guidance and support online than you can shake a cash flow analysis at. There are no shortage of business blogs which can be a constant source not just of inspiration, but of workable practical solutions for your daily operations. Here are some of the top business blogs for entrepreneurs in 2019.

How can I get ahead in this competitive industry?

No matter what you’ll be doing, or who you’ll be doing it for, there’s a good chance that your business will face stiff competition. While this may be intimidating, competition should always be welcomed. Competition can help you to be at your best. It prevents you from getting complacent and encourages you to keep finding ways of making your operations more efficient and delivering better value and quality to your clientele. Looking closely at your competitors can define operational parameters upon which you can expand and improve. Quite simply, your competition is the box you need to think outside of to get ahead in your chosen industry.

The only way in which competition is damaging is when you choose to turn a blind eye to it. There’s an argument to be made for keeping your eyes on your own work, to be sure. But when you bury your head in the sand and refuse to acknowledge the importance of competitor analysis it rarely bodes well for your business. The moment you take your eyes off the competition is the moment you allow them to get ahead of you.

What if I fail?

Finally, fear of failure can be crippling to would-be entrepreneurs. Everyone who has started their own business remembers their personal journey in overcoming this (completely understandable) fear. Failure is always a possibility. But that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t at least try.

If your business fails it could go into administration or receivership and you may have to shut it down and liquidate your assets. On the other hand, if you don’t take a leap of faith in yourself, you could continue to waste away in your current job for years or even decades.

Which of the two is worse?