TOP 10 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD START YOUR OWN BUSINESS

As scary and intimidating as it can be to start your own business, there are many benefits and good reasons to start one.

Here are the top 10 reasons to start your own business.



1. Be your own boss:
Don’t like it when people tell you what to do? Do you like having control and makingyour own rules? Owning your business canlet you do that. You make the rules of your business and run it how you want to. You don’t need permission to implement ideas, you can just do it!

2. You get to do what you’re interested in:
It’s not fun when you’re doing something you do not genuinely enjoy. You could have fun while working if you are doing something you are interested in. This is your career, if you’re going to work everyday, you should do something you are passionate about.

3. You are creating jobs for others:
Owning your own business can be helpful to others, especially in this economy. You have the ability to create jobs for those in need of one. Whether they have been laid off, just graduated, or just unemployed because of the economy. This is also a good opportunity to be able to choose who you work with. You can surround yourself with people who care about you and your success. It’s all about being around positive people who will support you no matter what.

4. A legacy to pass on to your children:
Building your own brand can mean passing something onto your children, then their children, so and so forth. This isgreat way to teach young adolescents about hard work and how it pays off. Your children can be motivated to do great things and follow your foot steps with being creative, taking charge, and living their dream.

5. Set your own schedule:
You can be flexible with your own hours. Starting your own business allows you to work when it’s best for you. If a set 9-5 schedule doesn’t work you, then change it. Make your own hours that can better the way you run your business.

6. Your dreams become reality:
It’s such a great feeling to accomplish something you have been working so hardfor. There is this pride and joy of building something on your own.

7. Work from anywhere:
You don’t have to be stuck in an office, cubicle, or your home. You’re free to run your business anywhere you’d like, whether it’s from a nearby coffee shop, a bar, or a doctor’s office. With wireless internet being available in most places, it gives you the chance to get out of your hole and get inspired by everyday life.

8. Creativity:
Owning your own business forces you to become creative. You always have to be on top of your game and make sure thingsare working they way they should be. You have to play different positions within your company to see it from other points of view.9. No commute (if you start out in the garage or basement)With gas prices rising, owning your own business can save you money in that aspect. You won’t be stuck in traffic anymore or have to make a long commuteto your office.

10. Inspire others to go after their dreams:
Starting your own business can be a great way to inspire people. People always need inspiration, and seeing you living your dream can be a boost of inspiration for those around you.

Petroleum Minister, Alison-Madueke Elected First OPEC Female President

The Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke has been elected the first female president of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).



Alison-Madueke was shortly elected President of OPEC at the ongoing 166th General Meeting of the body in Vienna, Austria. She replaces former President of OPEC, Libyan Vice Prime Minister for Corporations, Abdourhman Atahar Al-Ahirish.

She was before her election this morning the alternate president of OPEC and is expected to immediately begin to serve her one-year term at the helm of OPEC affairs.

OPEC is expected to at the 166th meeting, take key decisions that could halt the dwindling price of crude oil. Al-Ahirishhad in his opening remarks before the closed door meeting stated that ample supply, moderate demand, a stronger US dollar and uncertainties about global economic growth have been key factors in the recent price trend.

This he noted was in addition to the impact of speculative activities in the oil market.

7 benefits of regular physical activity

You know exercise is good for you, but do you know how good? From boosting your mood to improving your sex life, find out how exercise can improve your life.



Want to feel better, have more energy and perhaps even live longer? Look no further than exercise. The health benefits of regular exercise and physical activity are hard to ignore. And the benefits of exercise are yours for the taking, regardless of your age, sex or physical ability. Need more convincing to exercise? Check out these seven ways exercise can improve your life.

No. 1: Exercise controls weight

Exercise can help prevent excess weight gain or help maintain weight loss. When you engage in physical activity, you burn calories. The more intense the activity, the more calories you burn. You don't need to set aside large chunks of time for exercise to reap weight-loss benefits. If you can't do an actual workout, get more active throughout the day in simple ways — by taking the stairs instead of the elevator or revving up your household chores.

No. 2: Exercise combats health conditions and diseases

Worried about heart disease? Hoping to prevent high blood pressure? No matter what your current weight, being active boosts high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or "good," cholesterol and decreases unhealthy triglycerides. This one-two punch keeps your blood flowing smoothly, which decreases your risk of cardiovascular diseases. In fact, regular physical activity can help you prevent or manage a wide range of health problems and concerns, including stroke, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, depression, certain types of cancer, arthritis and falls.

No. 3: Exercise improves mood

Need an emotional lift? Or need to blow off some steam after a stressful day? A workout at the gym or a brisk 30-minute walk can help. Physical activity stimulates various brain chemicals that may leave you feeling happier and more relaxed. You may also feel better about your appearance and yourself when you exercise regularly, which can boost your confidence and improve your self-esteem.

No. 4: Exercise boosts energy

Winded by grocery shopping or household chores? Regular physical activity can improve your muscle strength and boost your endurance. Exercise and physical activity deliver oxygen and nutrients to your tissues and help your cardiovascular system work more efficiently. And when your heart and lungs work more efficiently, you have more energy to go about your daily chores.



No. 5: Exercise promotes better sleep

Struggling to fall asleep? Or to stay asleep? Regular physical activity can help you fall asleep faster and deepen your sleep. Just don't exercise too close to bedtime, or you may be too energized to fall asleep.

No. 6: Exercise puts the spark back into your sex life

Do you feel too tired or too out of shape to enjoy physical intimacy? Regular physical activity can leave you feeling energized and looking better, which may have a positive effect on your sex life. But there's more to it than that. Regular physical activity can lead to enhanced arousal for women. And men who exercise regularly are less likely to have problems with erectile dysfunction than are men who don't exercise.

No. 7: Exercise can be fun

Exercise and physical activity can be a fun way to spend some time. It gives you a chance to unwind, enjoy the outdoors or simply engage in activities that make you happy. Physical activity can also help you connect with family or friends in a fun social setting. So, take a dance class, hit the hiking trails or join a soccer team. Find a physical activity you enjoy, and just do it. If you get bored, try something new.



The bottom line on exercise

Exercise and physical activity are a great way to feel better, gain health benefits and have fun. As a general goal, aim for at least 30 minutes of physical activity every day. If you want to lose weight or meet specific fitness goals, you may need to exercise more. Remember to check with your doctor before starting a new exercise program, especially if you haven't exercised for a long time, have chronic health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes or arthritis, or you have any concerns.

5 Questions to Ask When Defining Your Personal Brand

When creating your personal brand, the most important (but most difficult) step is to define yourself as a professional. Your personal brand isn’t just something you use to market yourself to employers or other professionals; it’s who you are as a person 24/7. This is why it’s important to focus on qualities and characteristics you want to be recognized for as a professional.

As you begin to think about what you want your personal brand to say, here are five questions to ask yourself:



1. What are my strengths?

A key component of a strong personal brand is to have confidence in your strengths. Your strengths and talents will make your personal brand shine as you build a name for yourself in your industry.

To discover your strengths, take a look at what excites you most about your career, what you do differently from everyone else, and where you’ve experienced the most success. These strengths will help you define who you are as a professional.

2. What are my passions?

Pinpointing your passions can be difficult, but it’s not impossible if you set aside time for self reflection.

To discover your passions, think about what you love doing on the weekends or in your free time. For example, if you love writing and cooking, these are unique qualities you can use to define your personal brand.

3. What are my past accomplishments?

Your personal brand is the story about yourself that you want to share with the world. To illustrate your story, past accomplishments are a great way to show people what you have the ability to do.

4. How do I want others to describe me?

Take a moment to think about your favorite brand. Whether it’s a beverage, clothing line, or musician, focus on the feelings that come to mind when you think about that particular brand.

When you think about a brand you like, it evokes positive feelings and words. As you develop your personal brand, think about the feelings and words you want your colleagues and coworkers to think of when they think about you.

For example, if you want people to think of you as an ambitious, kind, and talented professional, those are feelings you should incorporate into your brand. You can portray this brand through personality, how you talk to people, and how you engage with people online.

5. What makes me unique?

Everyone has a unique skill, opinion, or experience to offer. As you think about what makes you unique, use these qualities as an element of your personal brand. For example, if you’re a graphic designer who loves to travel, incorporate both of those elements into your brand.

Remember, your personal brand is who by you are as a person. When it comes to creating a personal brand, stick to your passions and focus on what you want to be recognized for. These things will help you create a genuine personal brand that people will want to get to know.



How do you define your personal brand?

The 7 Real Reasons You Need to Be an Expert at Something

Employing authority marketing as a strategy to grow your brand and increase your reach as a business has many benefits.



Authority marketing, which could also be referred to as expert marketing, simply means that you become known as an expert within your field. Most of the time, the process involves you helping customers overcome a problem, writing a book or articles, or it could even include an appearance on podcast broadcasts.

Eventually, when you are seen as an expert, or authority, in your field, your brand will become well known and profitable. In addition to those attributes, there are seven other real reasons you need to be an expert at something, and they are listed below:

1. You Don’t Have to Chase Clients, They Will Come to You

Your customers will come to you when you become an expert in your field. Consider Dave Ramsey as an example.

He is thought of as an expert in the field of finances, yet, he doesn’t ever lobby for work and doesn’t seem to compete with anyone. He simply offers his advice and is seen as an authority; therefore, customers come to him.

They buy his books, they attend his seminars they read his website, all due to the fact that he is now considered an expert in his field.

2. Your Advice is no Longer Called Into Question by Your Customers

In general, when you know someone knows what they are talking about, you probably won’t argue with them. 

A surgeon for example know lots more than we do about the inner workings of the human body.

If they say a person needs a certain operation, within their field of expertise, most people will not argue the point with them. 

In the same way, once you are considered an expert in your field, your customers will stop questioning your judgment and advice.

3. You Gain Influence Within Your Marketplace

If you are considered an expert within your field, or marketplace, you will be able to influence others within that realm.

For example, if you own a home remodeling company and have worked your way up to being considered an expert in the field, other home remodeling professionals will likely copy, or at least admire, what you do.

This will give you influence within your marketplace and enable you to make changes and voice concerns within your industry.

4. You Can Raise Your Rates For Services Rendered

When a customer hires someone to do a service or to provide a product, they will pay more for it if that person is considered an expert in their field. Using the aforementioned point about Dave Ramsey as an example, this is easily explained.

Would you pay more for a financial book written by a known financial expert like Dave Ramsey than you would a book written by some unknown accountant? Of course you would.

In the same way, your customers will be willing to pay more for your services when they see you as an expert.

5. You Will Attract Attention Due to Your Role As Authority

Once you are considered an expert in your field, you will get the attention you deserve.

This could include invites to be on television or radio or could involve publishers asking for you to share your insights in a book.

Regardless of how it takes shape, being considered an “expert” will give you the attention and respect you deserve.

6. You Have a Clear Understanding of Your Marketing Message

Becoming good at utilizing authority marketing and becoming an expert in your field means you have a clearer understanding of your overall marketing message.

In other words, you have successfully micro specialized within your field to understand where your strengths lie, and therefore understand what your marketing message should be.

As a way to illustrate the point, consider you are an architect by trade. You have taken jobs within a wide range of fields in the past, including everything from drawing home plans to creating the blueprints for major commercial projects.

 Consequently, you have a wide range of customers to gear your marketing towards, making it a difficult task. However, if you determine to figure out where your strength as an architect lies, you can then gear your marketing strategy straight to those customers who fit that more narrow category.

For example, perhaps, you determined that commercial jobs are a better fit for you.

If that’s the case, you stop marketing to home builders and instead concentrate all your marketing efforts on government municipalities and other business owners who could use your services as a “commercial” architect. As a result, you have focused your marketing strategy and streamlined the process of acquiring clients.

 7. Other Authorities and Experts Seek You

You know you are truly an expert when other experts began seeking you out. After all, another expert should be able to recognize the value of what you know.

A good example of this process could include a fitness expert who seeks out another fitness expert to make an awesome workout series that involves both expert’s styles of exercise. Another possibility is a syndicated talk show host, who is considered an expert in their field, seeking out an expert within the same field to appear on their show.

Being generally knowledgeable about many things is fine, but you probably won’t be considered an expert in anything if you have too broad a reach.

Since the benefits of being an expert in something are so vast, it makes sense to focus on what you are good at and take the steps necessary to become an “expert” in your field.

When you do, the seven benefits listed above will all come to fruition.