Colby R. Rice's Blog, page 2
August 14, 2022
How To Run Your Home Business With Balance In Mind
Are you thinking about starting a home business? Congratulations! This is a great decision that can lead to many amazing opportunities.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that running a home business is not always easy. In fact, it can be quite challenging at times. This is especially true if you don’t have a good balance in your life.
That’s why it’s so important to make sure that you take the time to learn how to run your home business with balance in mind. By doing this, you’ll be much more likely to succeed and enjoy the process along the way.
The first step to running your home business with balance is to set priorities. What are the most important things in your life? Make a list of these items, and then figure out how your business can help you achieve them.
For example, if one of your top priorities is spending more time with your family, you’ll need to make sure that your business doesn’t take away from this goal. You may need to adjust your work hours or delegate some tasks so that you can have the time you need for your loved ones.
2. Create a ScheduleAnother helpful tip is to create a schedule and stick to it as much as possible. When you have a set routine, it will be easier to balance your work and personal life.
Of course, there will be times when you have to deviate from your schedule. However, try to stick to it as much as possible so that you can stay on track.
3. Take BreaksIt’s also important to take breaks throughout the day. This will help you avoid burnout and keep your energy levels up.
Make sure to schedule some time for yourself every day. This can be used for things like taking a walk, reading a book, or just relaxing. Taking breaks will help you recharge so that you can be more productive when you are working.
4. Set BoundariesAnother key tip is to set boundaries between your work and personal life. This will help you avoid feeling like you are always working.
One way to do this is to create a dedicated workspace in your home. This way, when you are in this space, you will know that it’s time to focus on work. Once you leave this area, you can then focus on your personal life.
Another boundary that you may want to set is not checking work email outside of business hours. This can be tough if you are always connected to your email, but it’s important to have some separation between your work and personal life.
5. Seek Help When NeededFinally, don’t be afraid to seek help when you need it. Running a home business can be overwhelming at times. If you feel like you are starting to lose balance in your life, reach out to someone for help. It can even be with maintenance tasks like cleaning your hard drive for example.
This could be a friend, family member, or even a professional. Sometimes, all you need is someone to talk to so that you can get back on track.
The Bottom LineBy following these tips, you can learn how to run your home business with balance in mind. This will help you avoid burnout and set yourself up for success.
August 13, 2022
CEFJ #115 Sooo It’s Been a While… 🤣 (8/13/22)
But I’m back! Not sure for how long, but I do have some updates, I’m happy and thriving, and I’ve made some strides!
xo, Colby
—
The Podcast: http://www.colbyrrice.com/the-epic-fa...
My Author Website: http://www.colbyrrice.com
My Novels: http://bit.ly/ColbyRRiceAmazonAuthorPage
Support the F’empire on Patreon: http://patreon.com/colbyrrice
My FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/ColbyRRicePage/
My Twitter: https://twitter.com/ColbyRRice
My Instagram: https://instagram.com/colbyrrice
April 19, 2022
Learn To Live A Life With Less Maintenance
Do you ever feel like there’s too many things in your life to maintain or handle? This can impact your emotional health and wellbeing because it will leave you feeling constantly under pressure. To deal with this we recommend that you look at some of the best ways to make life a little easier to handle. Here are the options we suggest.
First, you should think about exploring the different types of automated technology that is readily available and which could help make your life far easier overall. Examples include options like a smart vacuum. A smart vacuum will clean your house for you, giving you one less thing to worry about. If you are self running a business, then it’s worth noting that there’s lots of different tech you can use to automate different aspects of managing your company too.
Easy to manage home choices
Life can be busy, especially if you hold down a full time job and have kids at home. You might constantly be looking for ways to make home life easier, and the good news is you can. With simple changes to your home and garden you can free up more time to focus on yourself or your family. Coming home to do things such as tidy up or mow the grass can add unnecessary stress to your life. This can end up being detrimental to your health and can put you at risk of various conditions.
Think about what annoys you most or tasks you dislike doing, hoovering your carpet could be one of these examples. In order to make things easier you could swap to laminate flooring, this just needs a quick sweep and mop rather than lugging the hoover all over it.
Self Driving
Another way that you can make your life easier and less stressful is by exploring a self-driving vehicle. The roads are one of the most stressful places for anyone. It doesn’t matter whether you’re stuck in traffic or dealing with an annoying driver, it’s always going to play on your last nerve. Self-driving vehicles take this stress away because you can essentially let the car do all of the work for you. You probably think that a car like this is beyond your budget. However, they could be cheaper than you think. You should start by using a resource like Edmunds to research the different self-driving cars that are available on the market and go from there.
Productivity Tracking
Finally, you should think about exploring productivity tracking options. One of the reasons why life can feel stressful or overwhelming is because it often feels like there’s far too much to do through the day. You can deal with this by using the right productivity tracking tool. This will mean that you can easily stay on target and manage your time more effectively overall.
We hope this helps you understand how to deal with everyday stresses and how to avoid them, leaving more time for yourself. You could use this extra time to take up a hobby or indulge in the things you enjoy.
April 15, 2022
Surprising Health Habits That Can Decrease Medical Bills
Medical bills can put your budget at risk. When you are an independent creative, such as a writer, you don’t always have the luxury of a regular and fixed income. Therefore, it can be tricky to create emergency funds to face potential medical treatment costs.
That being said, you can seek advice on your insurance plan to ensure you can get the best cover for your money. It is worth comparing different plans, especially as some apparently cheap plans may not provide the cover you need. Sometimes, paying a little more could protect both your money and your health. Additionally, it’s worth comparing different treatment options as you might find cheaper in some locations without sacrificing the procedure quality.
But, you can also focus on your routine to create sustainable habits that will support your health in the long term. We’re not just talking about a balanced diet and plenty of sleep. It’s all about giving your body a fighting chance against illnesses.
Being physically active is beneficial to your health, regardless of the type of activity. However, the majority of people turn to cardio activities, such as running or cycling, instead of weight lighting. It’s important to tackle fears regarding weight training rapidly:
It makes you bulky: No, it isn’t true. You can train specifically to maximize muscle growth. However, the bodybuilder’s bulk requires commitment and hard work. More importantly, it’s not an overnight phenomenon. It hurts your muscles and bones: No, it’s the opposite. Strength training greatly benefits your muscular structure and your skeleton.Strength training can play an instrumental role in boosting your immune system. Indeed, the training conditions your body to self-regulate blood pressure and heart rate, avoiding many health complications. It also supports muscle mass and bone density, which tend to decrease in old age and cause injuries. Additionally, research shows that T-cells, crucial to the immune response, remain alert and active through strength workouts.
Support muscle recovery
It is fair to say that supporting muscle recovery after a workout is important. But as research demonstrates, strong muscles can mean a strong immune system. So, if you introduce weight training, you must also focus on muscle recovery to ensure you don’t weaken your body.
Essential recovery techniques typically include a rest day, during which the muscles can repair themselves and grow new fibers. You can also support your system with dedicated supplements. Not sure where to start? Learn more about recovery-boosting supplements and how they speed up healing within the muscles.
Journaling serves many purposes. It promotes mental clarity, better organization, and supports your mental health. So how does journaling help keep your medical costs low?
Journaling ensures you can keep track of your health and your routine. For instance, mental health can influence your immune system. Therefore, being aware of mental health fluctuations through a mood tracker in your journal can be highly effective.
You can also track habits, such as workouts or drinking water, to stay on top of your routine. Besides, you are more likely to spot anomalies sooner through a journaling routine, which means you can seek medical assistance early.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help protect your health. But you can also ensure you are equipped to tackle health issues when they arise. Supporting your immune system through muscle-focused training and monitoring your health via a journaling habit put you back in charge.
February 2, 2022
How to Create More Time in Your Day to Do the Things You Love
Everyone has their own schedule, one of the harsh realities of adulthood would be the fact that you get less time to yourself. This means less “me time” or less time to just follow someone of your passions. Everybody gets this feeling of guilt when they see their to-do lists growing longer and longer, even though you know that it’s not possible for you to complete them all.
There always seems to be more time for doing things you have to do but not doing things you want to do. While this can include your work schedule, this can even include your schedule outside of work such as having to run errands, chores, or even having to do additional work at home. Things can get rough but thankfully these are some ways to help you create more time, so you’ll have more time in your days to spend it doing the things you love.
Figure out whether or not you procrastinateSometimes one of the biggest time killers is procrastination. Believe it or not, there are two different types of procrastination. Productive procrastination is when you put off an unimportant task to do something that is more important. Unproductive procrastination is when you put off an important task to do something that is less important.
So which type do you tend to do during the day? Just try to be honest with yourself. Everyone has their own way to manage time but it’s important to figure out whether or not you procrastinate. There are plenty of anti-procrastination apps, software, and even chrome extensions out there to help fight this off.
Be open to hiring servicesOne very effective method to make more time in your day would include being open hiring services. This can include something such as getting a housekeeper, someone to help with other home projects like the service Labor Panes, groceries, or so much more. Of course, the convenience of these services does come with their own fees which is something that’s very important to know. But if you simply don’t have time or energy but you have the money then this could be one of the best ways to take back sometime within your day.
Try and get some more sleepIf you’re wanting to invest in more hobbies that get you addicted to DIY then you’re going to have to have both the time and energy in your day for it. So one great way to do this would be to get up early. However, just getting up earlier isn’t that simple. You’ll still need to have a sufficient amount of sleep from seven to nine hours a night. Sleep is a vital part of life and it helps to refresh the body and mind.
When you sleep, your body recharges and prepares for the next day. Sleep is also important for your creativity as it allows you to think about things from a different perspective. That’s why it’s very important to watch how you sleep. This means taking care of yourself, ensuring that your environment is solid enough for a good night’s rest as well.
December 21, 2021
How to Buy Gifts for the Loved One in Your Life
The process of buying gifts is one that can prove challenging for a lot of people, so it’s something you need to try to work on as much as possible. There are so many elements to think about when it comes to buying gifts, and this is something that a lot of people seem to struggle with these days. Make sure you come up with some of the best ideas that will allow you make these changes moving forward right.
There are a lot of elements that you need to focus on when it comes to making the right choices and helping to bring things to the next level. This is something that you need to try to make the most of when moving forward, and there are plenty of ways you can make the gift buying process easier for you. Use the tips and techniques listed below to try to make this a smoother process for you in the future.
One of the best ways of being able to identify the right kind of gift for a loved one is to account for their personal tastes and interests. Everyone has different tastes and interests, and trying to make the most of this is something that you need to try to keep in mind when it comes to improving your gift buying skills. This is going to be one of the best ways of helping you to buy gifts for loved ones and try to really choose something you think will grab their interest and improve their enjoyment of a particular gift. By accounting for people’s tastes when buying presents for them, you have a much greater chance of making the right decision.
Who are You Buying For?
When you are trying to buy gifts for loved ones, one of the first things that you need to consider is thinking about who you are buying for. This is something that can help you (or sometimes even hinder you) when it comes to buying the ideal gift. The simple fact is that some loved ones are harder to buy for than others, and this is something to keep in mind. So, whether you are planning the perfect Father’s Day, buying an anniversary gift, or shopping for a birthday, you can make different decisions that will help you when it comes to making the best possible choices to help with this as much as possible.
Choose Something Practical
Practicality is always a positive, and choosing a gift that is practical is always something that tends to go down well. So, you need to try to consider the best types of practical gifts that you can buy – items that people will use and be able to get something out of tend to always make good gift options, and this is something you need to consider. For instance, checking out a range of THE ICONIC sneakers is definitely a great option for coming up with a practical gift that you know a loved one will get regular use out of. Always try to favor gifts that are more practical, as there is a better chance someone will find them useful and enjoyable.
Experience or Item?
Now, another decision you need to make with the gift buying process that links a little to practicality, is deciding whether to buy an item, or an experience gift. Now, a lot of people like ‘stuff,’ and they enjoy receiving items and possessions they can keep. However, there is a growing contingent of people these days who prefer to have experiences and build memories, over having material possessions. This is something that you need to try to make the most of when it comes to finding a gift that you feel someone will like. A trip, a spa day, or an activity are often better and more appealing choices than simply buying a piece of kitchenware or a video game. Again, this will depend largely on the person you are buying for, but it is certainly something you need to keep in mind.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help
A lot of people find the whole gift buying process a drag, and some even find it pretty overwhelming. If you fall into this category, there is absolutely no reason why you cannot ask for help. Bend the ear of a trusted mutual friend in order to try to gain inspiration and ideas for the sorts of gifts you could buy. This is not a process that you need to face on your own, and there are a lot of things that play a role in allowing you to make the best of this moving forward right now. This is something that you are going to need to get right and improve upon in the future if you want to make the best of this moving forward, and find the right gifts for your loved ones, no matter the equation.
Think Outside the Box
It is always a good idea to think outside the box when it comes to buying gifts for loved ones. This means making bold choices to be able to ensure you buy them something memorable and enjoyable, but also something that is a little more unusual, and that they would not have been given before. There are so many ideas that you need to try to focus on making the most of when dealing with this, and this is a great way of choosing a gift that is more unique.
It’s important to try to look for ways of being able to find and choose the right gifts for people, and this is something that requires planning and forethought. Now, because of the surprise nature of gifts, it can be a gamble as to whether or not you are choosing the right one, and this is something that you need to make the most of right now. The art of buying the perfect gift is difficult to master, and this is something you need to look to make the best of in the future as much as you can.
December 10, 2021
How to Help Your Employees Grow as Professionals
The importance of employee growth is a topic that has been discussed for decades, and it’s one that never seems to go away. There are many reasons why this is true: as our economy evolves, the world becomes increasingly competitive, and technology continues to change how we live and work. However, some aspects of this issue remain constant – namely, the need for employers to make their employees feel valued. Whether you’re an individual professional or an organization with hundreds or thousands of people on your team, these four steps will help make sure your employees grow as professionals every day!
The first way to help your employees grow as professionals is by giving them more responsibilities. This can be done in a variety of ways, from allowing people to lead projects that are important to the business’s future success to creating new or expanding existing teams and tasking other team members with additional responsibilities on those teams.
However, leaders should take care not to assume their direct reports have no interest in being promoted. This simple assumption could stifle growth opportunities for individual employees who may otherwise enjoy having added responsibility thrown at them!
In addition, leaders need to make sure they’re delegating tasks properly, so each employee feels empowered but also challenged. By assigning specific tasks (rather than open-ended “projects”), managers ensure their staff has all the resources necessary for success without assuming undue risk on behalf of the company.
#2 Listen to their ideasEmployees want to feel like they’re contributing to the company, and one of the best ways to make them feel this way is by listening to their ideas. Therefore, leaders should actively seek out input from their team members on everything from process improvements to new product ideas. Not only does this show that you value your employees’ opinions, but it also gives them a sense of ownership in the company and its success.
In order for leaders to effectively solicit feedback, they need to be sure they’re asking the right questions. Generic “yes/no” or “what do you think?” queries will often result in shrugs (or worse, silence), so it’s important for managers to take some time upfront to understand what kinds of things their team cares about and what kinds of things they’d like to see changed.
#3 Provide additional training and coursesIn order to keep up with the ever-changing landscape of business, employees need to be constantly learning and expanding their skills. One way to make sure this happens is by providing additional training and courses. This can take many different forms, from sending people on external training courses, offering courses for them to get CPR certified today, or even offering in-house classes on new software or industry trends.
The best thing about employee education and training is that it’s a win-win for everyone involved. Employees get the opportunity to learn new things and stay ahead of the competition, while employers get access to skilled workers who are up-to-date on the latest developments in their field. It’s also a great way to show your team that you’re invested in their future – which will undoubtedly make them more invested in your company’s success.
#4 Develop their soft skillsSoft skills are just as crucial to a company’s success as their complex or technical skills. As such, leaders need to make sure they’re doing everything in their power to help employees build and improve these skills. Soft skill development can take many different forms – from formal coaching processes to simple one-on-one meetings between managers and employees – but regardless of the format it takes, this kind of training will always yield positive results for all involved.
Helping employees grow as professionals is critical for any manager’s job. By following the tips outlined in this post, you can ensure that your team members are constantly learning and developing the skills necessary for success in today’s competitive business landscape.
October 11, 2021
CEFJ #114 My Q3 2021 Creative Achievements Round Up! (10/11/21)
Still tired, but I DESTROYED IT, ATE IT, and LEFT NO CRUMBS THIS QUARTER. Ya girl is now a working screenwriter in Indiewood, has secured management and representation, and is also killing it at work while holding three new job titles AND developing my high school’s first Theatre, Film, and TV program! Here’s my story, so let me tell it:
TABLE OF CONTENTS:00:00 – Intro: Where Q2 Left Us…
02:38 – Self-care, Hobbies, and Chillaxin’ in Q3
04:17 – Two Leadership Positions, Three New Titles, and a Partridge in a Pear Tree…
05:17 – Creative Uni & Books Read in Q3 + Our New Writer’s Group!
06:36 – The Benefits & Joys of Being in a Writer’s Group
08:44 – I Have Officially LAUNCHED a Brand New Theatre/TV/Film Program for My High School!
14:47 – Launching Our High School’s FIRST Student-written, Student-directed, Student-led Film!!
19:28 – My TV & Screenwriting Achievements and Awards *AND* My Failures!
22:24 – “Ezekiel” vs. “When In Rohm”… Which Script Is Better?
26:11 – I SCORED TWO SCREENWRITING GIGS & GOT REPPED IN 8 MONTHS!!!
29:10 – How I Got a Producer and Representation: The Quick Story
34:15 – …But the Hustle is REAL!! 35:00 – Other Career Moves I’ve Made
36:40 – What I’ve Added to My Novel, Screenwriting, and TV Writing Portfolio in Q3… I Did What I Said I Was Going to Do in Q2, and More!
40:54 – Goals for Q4 2021… Betty Crocker Colby Returns!
48:08 – Enjoying the Holiday Season… the Best Time of the Year!
50:11 – Upcoming Special Episode on Getting a Producer, Writing Gigs, Representation + Celebrating 5 Years at the Epic Fantastical Journey of a Black Female Sci-fi Writer Podcast!
51:37 – Bye, Lovelies! Colby Signing Off.
The setbacks can be very real, but if you aim to bust your buns and control the only thing you *can* control (your work ethic), then magical things will happen. Stay tuned for more updates, and please, leave your own below! In the meantime, keep it indie, stay badass, and keep creating, lovelies! (And also, take some time to relax this quarter.) And most importantly? KEEP WRITING!
xo, Colby
—
The Podcast: http://www.colbyrrice.com/the-epic-fa...
My Author Website: http://www.colbyrrice.com
My Novels: http://bit.ly/ColbyRRiceAmazonAuthorPage
Support the F’empire on Patreon: http://patreon.com/colbyrrice
My FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/ColbyRRicePage/
My Twitter: https://twitter.com/ColbyRRice
My Instagram: https://instagram.com/colbyrrice
CEFJ #114 My Q2 2021 Creative Achievements Round Up! (10/11/21)
Still tired, but I DESTROYED IT, ATE IT, and LEFT NO CRUMBS THIS QUARTER. Ya girl is now a working screenwriter in Indiewood, has secured management and representation, and is also killing it at work while holding three new job titles AND developing my high school’s first Theatre, Film, and TV program! Here’s my story, so let me tell it:
TABLE OF CONTENTS:00:00 – Intro: Where Q2 Left Us…
02:38 – Self-care, Hobbies, and Chillaxin’ in Q3
04:17 – Two Leadership Positions, Three New Titles, and a Partridge in a Pear Tree…
05:17 – Creative Uni & Books Read in Q3 + Our New Writer’s Group!
06:36 – The Benefits & Joys of Being in a Writer’s Group
08:44 – I Have Officially LAUNCHED a Brand New Theatre/TV/Film Program for My High School!
14:47 – Launching Our High School’s FIRST Student-written, Student-directed, Student-led Film!!
19:28 – My TV & Screenwriting Achievements and Awards *AND* My Failures!
22:24 – “Ezekiel” vs. “When In Rohm”… Which Script Is Better?
26:11 – I SCORED TWO SCREENWRITING GIGS & GOT REPPED IN 8 MONTHS!!!
29:10 – How I Got a Producer and Representation: The Quick Story
34:15 – …But the Hustle is REAL!! 35:00 – Other Career Moves I’ve Made
36:40 – What I’ve Added to My Novel, Screenwriting, and TV Writing Portfolio in Q3… I Did What I Said I Was Going to Do in Q2, and More!
40:54 – Goals for Q4 2021… Betty Crocker Colby Returns!
48:08 – Enjoying the Holiday Season… the Best Time of the Year!
50:11 – Upcoming Special Episode on Getting a Producer, Writing Gigs, Representation + Celebrating 5 Years at the Epic Fantastical Journey of a Black Female Sci-fi Writer Podcast!
51:37 – Bye, Lovelies! Colby Signing Off.
The setbacks can be very real, but if you aim to bust your buns and control the only thing you *can* control (your work ethic), then magical things will happen. Stay tuned for more updates, and please, leave your own below! In the meantime, keep it indie, stay badass, and keep creating, lovelies! (And also, take some time to relax this quarter.) And most importantly? KEEP WRITING!
xo, Colby
—
The Podcast: http://www.colbyrrice.com/the-epic-fa...
My Author Website: http://www.colbyrrice.com
My Novels: http://bit.ly/ColbyRRiceAmazonAuthorPage
Support the F’empire on Patreon: http://patreon.com/colbyrrice
My FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/ColbyRRicePage/
My Twitter: https://twitter.com/ColbyRRice
My Instagram: https://instagram.com/colbyrrice
October 2, 2021
How To Plan The Perfect Father’s Day
Father’s day provides every son and daughter with the opportunity to celebrate the first make role model in their life, so it should always be a day filled with fun and appreciation. Thankfully, figuring out how to plan the perfect Father’s Day doesn’t have to be as difficult as you might expect, as there are just a few key features that you can include to make sure your dad can feel loved and cherished on his special day. So, if you’re interested in finding out more, then simply read on to uncover some of the handiest hacks that you can utilize today to show your dad that you care!
Plan An Exciting Activity
Planning an exciting activity that you know your dad is bound to enjoy should always be your first priority when arranging the best Father’s Day, as you need some kind of entertainment to keep you occupied throughout a portion of their special day. There are so many different pathways that you can explore, each of which suits a different kind of person, so start to think about your dad’s favourite hobbies and pastimes to uncover the most suitable option. For example, if your dad likes to go fishing, then why not take him to a stunning natural beauty spot that’s well known for its bountiful waters? Or, if your dad loves nothing more than a delicious meal, why not book an evening at the chef’s table in your local fine dining restaurant? It’s always important to raise the stakes a little higher on a special occasion such as Father’s Day, so don’t be afraid to push the boat out and be somewhat ‘extra’ to show your dad that you love and value him. Planning your activities in advance is the best way to go, as you don’t want to end up thoroughly disappointed when every location is fully booked by other doting sons and daughters!
Find A Great Gift
Finding a great gift that encapsulates your feelings for your dad is always essential on Father’s Day, so there’s no time like the present to begin your search for the perfect present. Sourcing something that’s totally heartfelt and thoughtful such as a personalized Father’s Day book is always a good option, as this will prove to your dad that you’ve spent time and effort picking out a gift that you genuinely wanted them to receive. It’s a good idea to think about what kind of luxury things they might want but do not ever buy, such as a top quality cigar or a vintage bottle of whiskey, as it’s ok to splash out on a once-a-year gift like a Father’s Day present. Spend some time looking around online for inspiration if you’re a little stuck on what to buy!
Planning the most perfect Father’s Day for your special dad has never been such a simple task when you can take the time to make the most of the brilliant ideas and recommendations that have been carefully detailed above.
