The Most Powerful Gift

Discover Digital Freedom

Investing in knowledge and skills is the most powerful gift we can give to ourselves. The world around us is changing at an unbelievable speed. The way we look at our work and quality of life requires not only stepping back and taking stock, but it requires action. It requires an uncomfortable transformation from all that we know to all that we can become! With the current model of work broken and its future hanging by a thread, it is no longer enough to hope that all will sort itself out. We either want something, or we don’t. We either do something, or we don’t. It is a sliding doors situation, we either get on the digital train and ride it until the wheels fall off, or we don’t. 

If you are anything like me, you have been proactive, researching options available to not only sustain an income but to find true fulfilment in the creative process of that income! And just between you and I, are you all that you can be? Do you feel somehow held back, maybe don’t know where to start, or who to trust? You may have all these ideas, but nowhere to go, no support, no guidance?

What to do? Immerse yourself in the step-by-step guide, put in the most straightforward, digestible video format, where you’ll learn how to start and grow an online business from scratch. These videos will help you to understand how the online system works and how you can turn your ideas into reality, as long as you have access to a laptop and an internet connection. And on those days, when you may struggle, when you feel that you don’t know enough, or you are not good enough, or strong enough, you’ll be supported by a community of people just like you and me, hungry for change. We will keep you going, learning, and achieving, so YOU can too create foundations for your independent passion projects, or who knows, take the first steps towards building an Empire, with your name on it!

And with the New Year resolutions upon us, there has never been a clearer moment to look at more efficient ways of approaching our professional commitments, and goals! So instead of resolutions, this time around, make a commitment!

Follow the link to learn more- Discover Digital Freedom or simply paste the link http://www.DiscoverDigitalFreedom.com into the search bar.

When One Door Closes…

I grew up offline, wrote my play scripts using a typewriter, and thrived when in front of a live audience! We must however change our approach as and when the circumstances change. So I have taken the ‘digital bull’ by its horns, and as part of my training process I had to record a 90 day video journey documenting my progress (and struggles😂).

Creating Discover Digital Freedom platform was also a part of this process, and it has already provided a bridge for so many of you to find ideas, and inspiration for further growth. Let the work continue!

http://www.DiscoverDigitalFreedom.com

Online Workouts Galore

With the explosion of online workouts and bombardment of exercise YouTube videos, how do we know what should we be doing and which exercises are actually good for us? Have you found yourself jumping from one so-called exercise leaf to another? Or are you actually stuck in the “I have always done so and so” state of mind?

As online workouts are here to stay, and it is essential to find a source that is reliable and pays attention to the safety of the program through the video tutorials they are delivering. Taking time to research our new instructors, can literally save us from a painful experience!

As the instructor is most likely unable to see us whilst in the flow, all responsibility essentially lies with the receiver. So, before committing to the experience, find someone, regardless of style and type of workout, who really cares about not only the fun aspect and calorie count, but most importantly the safety of the movements performed! The instructor should be able to deliver lost of teaching points relating to the exercise performed, eliminating, or at least minimising risks. They should be able to provide you with options to make the exercise easier, or harder, and even adapts it to your needs if you are not in the position to perform it at all. Expect knowledge, demand a solid delivery, and settle for nothing else, because your very body is in their virtual hands!

Keeping the above in mind, choose a variety of sessions from joy bringing, core strengthening and relaxing to those that make you reach the highest of heart rates, and those that turn you into a warrior. And if the sessions agree with your needs and make you feel better (even if initially that’s not the case!), then create a new routine incorporating them into your day. How often, you ask?

Get at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity a week, or a combination of both. Essentially, greater amounts of exercise will provide a greater health benefit. Ideally, reach out to the trainer you are following, and ask away. They should be able to help you find balance!

Questioning our status quo can be challenging and uncomfortable. Being able to answer those questions honestly is a virtue in itself and a foundation for personal and professional growth.

For more information on how to create an online business aligned with your skills, visit www.discoverdigitalfreedom.com

What is the best way to ensure a multi-angle approach to the business of our choice? Aim for a peace of mind through financial self-reliance!

If our business is an extension of us, then it’s growth has to be our No1 business! Talent is considered a 30% of success, the other 70%, is being good at business! (…)

In a nutshell, if your customer base is unreachable, what will you do? If you cannot physically get to work, how will you ensure that money is still coming in? (…)

Continue reading…

Rotator cuff troubles

How would you know what is what, and whether what you are feeling (most likely pain) can be assign to an injury? First things first, let’s look into the symptoms:

Pain at rest and at night, particularly if lying on the affected shoulder * Pain when lifting and lowering your arm or with specific movements * Weakness when lifting or rotating your arm * Crackling sensation when moving your shoulder in certain positions

How it happens?

Tears that develop slowly due to overuse and also arm weakness. At first, the pain may be mild and only present when lifting your arm over your head, such as reaching for your favourite tea mug!

Over time, the pain may become more noticeable at rest, and no longer goes away with medications, such as over-the-counter pain killers/ creams. You may feel discomfort when you lie on the painful side at night. The soreness and weakness in the shoulder may make routine activities such as combing your hair or reaching behind your back more difficult.

As with we build awareness and connection with our bodies, we become aligned with its needs. We will feel or know whether the sensation we are experiencing is just a minor, short term discomfort (like after an exercise practice). And we will also know that something about it seems different. It almost screams attention. This is where you direct your steps to a professional. Reach out and make sure that what you are feeling is or is not an injury. In case of the latter, early treatment can prevent your symptoms from getting worse. It will also get you back to your normal routine quicker. The goal of any treatment is to reduce pain and restore function. There are several treatment options for a rotator cuff tear, and the best option is different for every person. In planning your treatment, your physician (physiotherapist most likely) will consider your age, activity level, general health, and the type of tear you have.

What could you do in the meantime?

  • Rest and limit overhead activities. You may also have a sling to help protect your shoulder and keep it still.
  • Activity modification. Avoid activities that cause shoulder pain.
  • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication: drugs like ibuprofen and naproxen reduce pain and swelling, although I am aware that this would not be a route of choice for some.
  • Strengthening exercises and physical therapy. Specific exercises will restore movement and strengthen your shoulder. Your exercise program will include stretches to improve flexibility and range of motion. Strengthening the muscles that support your shoulder can relieve pain and prevent further injury.
  • Steroid injection. If rest, medications, and physical therapy do not relieve your pain, an injection of a local anesthetic and a cortisone preparation may be helpful. Cortisone is a very effective anti-inflammatory medicine; however, it is not effective for all patients.

Whatever your way out from the Rotator cuff troubles, make sure that you follow it with the company of someone who knows what they are doing. Going through YouTube clips may by helpful to gain first insights, however a professional opinion and diagnosis is priceless here. And so is life, that is pain free. Take care of your shoulders.

Agata

When “work” is not work at all!

If we do what we love for living, we will not have to work a single day! The phrase “I’m going to work” will simply become a statement to describe an activity of freedom. Our freedom. Let’s do what we love, and let’s do lots of it. Have the courage to find “it” and go for it! Find your “why”, find your path. Stay focused and committed. The rewards cannot be measured. The rewards are invaluable. Ax

What’s going on with my “behind”?

Sciatica is a common cause of pain in the buttocks. The sciatic nerve runs down from the lower spine through to the buttocks and the back of the thigh. The pressure of the muscle on the sciatic nerve causes the pain known as sciatica. Remember, that sciatica is not a condition in itself, it is a symptom of various conditions. For one example, sciatica can (but it doesn’t have to) occur due to a condition known as piriformis syndrome. The piriformis is a muscle that starts in a person’s lower back and runs down to their thigh. When the muscle is overworked or strained, it can press on the sciatic nerve.

Apart from pain (shooting pain in my case!), numbness or tingling may be noticed too and may worsen if someone runs, sits, or goes upstairs.

So what to do… what-to-do?

Ideally, stay away from diagnosing your condition or even worst-case scenario, ignoring the symptoms. Sometimes things go away, but quite often they do not…they linger and we just get used to “it”. We get used to being in discomfort. I mean, why?

If the pain in the “butt” is not going away, speak to your GP! You may be referred to an NHS Physiotherapist, who will take the best route whether by therapy or initial scan to determine any structural changes first.

In the meantime, avoid strain on the area as much as you can. Squats are out! Hamstring stretches are out too! Forget about running. Give yourself time to rest and consider anti-inflammatory creams to get you through. For those of you who enjoy natural remedies…Turmeric and ginger are your friends here! Ax

The Wall

Often I feel like I need to progress all on my own. Take responsibility, plough through.. the terminator style. The head is strong, the body follows religiously… the continuous circle of self-inspiration and preservation at the same time. Keep going. Keep going…

Then the wall comes. It’s right there, just staring you in the face, saying “what now?” Learning how to deal with the wall takes time, takes patience, self-understanding, and most of all love. Time to step back and smell those goddamn roses! Patience to accept the fact that it took over 1000 years to build Rome (ok…I don’t have that long…but you get my point)! Self-understanding of what makes us tick and the triggers to change the challenging state of mind.

Sometimes however this understanding includes hitting the wall, sliding down the wall like the coyote after chasing the roadrunner, and lying whenever and wherever you land for a while. That is followed by slow ascent and collection of thoughts and sometimes dignity from the ground.

But as they say, it’s not about how many times we hit the wall, it’s about how many times we get up to face it again!

Remember, picking ourselves up can take some time, but the healing happens quicker if we reach out to a friend, family, support network…whatever that may be. Reach out! Ax

Mental Health Awareness Week