LifeStyle Tips

While the garage was once the ultimate in security for the homeowner’s trusty automobile, the advance of vehicle security has made that part of the home something of a questionably essential luxury. So, if you’re looking at all of that space and wondering what else you could do with it, take a look at these concepts and consider whether one of them is suitable for you.

Create a new, multi-purpose space

The biggest challenge in a garage conversion, other than the building process itself, is defining exactly what it’s going to be. Modern garages especially can be an awkward shape, effectively designed to hold one vehicle and allow one door to swing open.

However, there’s no need to settle on a specific function for the garage conversion. A simple refurbishment of the interior, and the addition of central heating, can create a multi-purpose space offering options plenty, and add up to 15% to the value of your home.

New space for serving up a treat

One of the most popular garage conversions, at least in principle, is the extension of the home kitchen. Adding the space that creates an entire new dining area, right next to where the food is cooked, is ideal for growing families and people who regularly entertain.

Whether it’s an open-plan kitchen-diner or simply a dining space running parallel to the existing kitchen, this frees up other areas of the home to be turned into new living space, too. You’ll also need a strong, long-lasting roof above the new space.

Add natural daylight for bright living

From a visual perspective, it can sometimes be hard to imagine a garage being a bright, airy space to enjoy. However, if one side of the garage happens to face the garden, then floor-length windows can really help to create the sense of space inside.

So, no matter what you convert the garage into, when the walls and ceiling are bright and you’ve maybe added a couple of mirrors to create the illusion of space, your newly converted garage will feel bright, comfortable and spacious.

Build extra essentials for the family

As most homes built before the 1990s were only kitted out with a single bathroom, there’s no doubt that a downstairs WC with washbasin can become a sought-after space in the home. However, within the space of a garage, you’ve also got room for plenty of storage, perhaps a coat room, and even an ideal place for a downstairs shower, too.

To ensure that water doesn’t come from anywhere it shouldn’t, make sure your building contractor specializes in both traditional and flat roofs. Findley’s, for instance, undertakes all kinds of roofing work, including garages and flat roof repairs in Newcastle upon Tyne.

A space for work, play or both

With so many people working from home now and the trend of remote working set to continue, if a garage isn’t being used, then there’s a perfect space waiting for a small business to operate from. However, there’s also the small matter of the kids, who may lay a strong claim to the new space. Fortunately, with a little planning and maybe a secure storage area for your most expensive equipment, you could create a space made for big and little kids alike to enjoy.

 

 

If you love music, singing, playing guitar, violin or any other musical instruments, pursue it. You may like it as a passion, profession or past time, but being good with it is something you may want to strive.

How To Become A Successful Musician

Some are looking for fame while others are so passionate about the art, hence trying their best to set higher barrier and be someone who is really good with it. This aspiration is not impossible anymore considering that there are so many ways one can do to become a successful musician.

Just to help you with it, below are good ways to kick off with your dreams:

Set realistic goals

There is nothing wrong with dreaming of becoming the most popular in the world playing guitar, but this dream may not be easy to achieve. Set realistic targets and not targets that are next to impossible. Of course, you will do all your best to achieve it but unfortunately, not everything is within reach.

Make your goals realistic just to avoid heartaches.

Practice, practice, practice

The statement, “practice makes perfect” is true all the time. If you want to be good at something, practice. Make sure that you spare time practicing the instrument you want to play or on your voice if you want to become a singer.

Stay patient

Perfecting playing one instrument is hard and more so being famous. Keep your spirits high and so as your patience. If possible, learn one instrument at a time and never switch to the next one until you have perfected the first one.

Fame is not instant, it requires hard work, time and dedication. Unfortunately for others, even how dedicated they are, they still do not achieve the fame they are wishing and dreaming to achieve.

Find a music teacher

The good news is, there are video tutorials online where you can learn how to play different musical instruments. But, even how well these videos are created, it will never be better than getting a teacher to look after you. The teacher is there to guide you step by step and train you according to your unique pace and timing. The information you can watch online is general and not specific to one’s character and learning pace. If you hire a teacher, expect that you can enjoy one on one sessions and teaching that is tailored to what you need.

Let others listen to your music

There is no one better to judge your performance than the people around you, particularly your family. What they will give you are honest opinions that can help you become successful and good with what you do. Their opinions can definitely help you a lot in improving your craft, hence it is worthy that you listen to them.

There are other activities or past time you can do, like playing online casinos or their sister sites, reading books and the like. But, if it is music that you really love, pursue it and be good with it.

 

No matter the size of your business, you know that bringing in customers on a regular basis is critical.

So, are there things you can be doing to get more customers coming through your doors and via the Internet? Chances are the answer is yes.

For many business owners, it comes down to being able to juggle busy schedules. That said those customers are the backbone of your business. So, you need to do all you can to bring them in again and again.

With this in mind, what are you doing to land more business?

Don’t Sleep on Bringing in More Customers

In your quest to get more customers coming your way, remember these keys:

1. Give customers what they want – Sure, it sounds easy enough. You give customers what they want and they will keep coming back to you. That said not all companies follow through on this facet of their businesses. As a result, they are left missing out on added business. Do your best to know what makes your customers tick. This will enhance the chances of you landing more sales and of course revenue. You can learn more about your customers in many different ways. From surveying them to discussions when they come to you, learn about them. When you know your target audience, it makes it easier to connect with them.

2. Marketing your brand – How do you go about marketing your brand at the end of the day? One way that more businesses are getting the word out is through podcasting. As podcasting grows, it is no surprise more business heads are investing time and effort. So, if you want to get in on the podcasting game, where best to start? Keep in mind that having a first-rate studio and equipment to do your podcasts will be critical. With this in mind, it would behoove you to take time to research what is out there. From podcast studios in San Francisco or those closer to where you are to the best equipment, focus. You want your podcasts to stand out for all the right reasons. With this in mind, take the time to get them right from the beginning. Once you’ve completed a podcast, market it on your website and social media. The more consumers with a chance to listen to you, the better the odds some of them want to do business with you.

3. Customer service second to none – Last, how good is your customer service now? If you need to work on this area of your business, now would be the time to do so. It is important to remember that consumers often have many choices when it comes to brands. As such, you want to stand out. One of the best ways to do this is when your customer service blows the competition out of the water. Great customer service is but one of the ways to help your business.

When you are looking to land more customers, leave all options on the table.

 

It’s not surprising that a lot of people believe it’s an expensive proposition to take up music. After all, not only will you have to spend on the instrument you wish to learn, but also lessons from a professional teacher too. And while the costs can undoubtedly add up, there are ways to become proficient in your chosen instrument while keeping expenditure at a reasonable level. To this end, here are a few tips on taking up music on the cheap.

Do your homework

The common misconception that learning music can entail high costs is due in no small part to a lack of research. Whether you’re looking for saxophones online to buy or music lessons, it’s good standard practice to do your homework first before making a decision. While it may sound like a lot of work that we would all rather be without, time invested in considering all available options first can lead you to inexpensive alternatives and better deals, and as a result, keep you from spending more than what you need.

Learn on your own

Contrary to what some might think, learning music today is easier and much more affordable than it ever has been, thanks to the World Wide Web. And for those who are just starting, it makes sense to try and learn on your own first and refer to online references and video tutorials. In this way, you won’t have to commit substantial money to lessons nor sacrifice the quality of the learning experience.

Check the bookstores in your area

Apart from the internet, a good source of reading materials on music are bookstores. And it’s likely that these establishments will have what you need to learn your chosen instrument at very reasonable prices. In fact, it’s not uncommon to find really good deals too, especially with used music books, and you’ll be surprised at how little you’ll spend on their acquisition.

Join a music class

While it’s undoubtedly possible to reach a level of proficiency in music by learning on your own, there’s a limit to what this approach can achieve. And if private lessons are out of the question, consider joining a class instead. By taking up music with likeminded individuals, not only will you be spending a lot less than you would have on hiring the services of a professional teacher for private music lessons, but it’s also much more enjoyable and easier when learning as a group too.

While it is undoubtedly true that learning music can be an expensive hobby to take up, there are ways to keep expenditure to a minimum. And with these tips, not only will aspiring musicians get to learn the instrument of their choice but do so without having to spend a small fortune. While this may be a small thing to those who have a lot of resources, it can make all the difference for those who have little more than a modest budget to work with.

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Lack of adequate sleep is a problem that is afflicting more people than ever in the United States. Demands of work and the daily stresses of life can quickly take their toll and we can simply forget how to sleep. Stress and anxiety levels will then likely continue to get worse because quality of sleep is directly related to mental health.

Health and mental issues aside, it just makes you feel so much better when you get a full night of deep and restorative sleep. There are some precautions you can take and there are things you can avoid doing right before bed that can drastically improve your quality and duration of sleep. This is commonly referred to as sleep hygiene, a guiding set of practices and habits that are conducive to a good night’s sleep.

Create a Sleep Inducing Environment
Set the stage for a good night’s sleep by adjusting your immediate environment to support it. Remember that the cleanliness and order of your environment can have a calming effect on your mood. Put every electronic gadget you have been using, such as your smartphone, away at least an hour before bedtime.

The lights emitted by computer screens, smartphones and LED television sets can keep you up at night, even if they aren’t directly in front of you. LED lights and devices emit a spectrum of light known as “blue light”. This light spectrum can disrupt your circadian rhythm and keep you up at night.

The mattress you sleep can either help you sleep or keep you from it. Pressure points on cheaper mattresses are not located with enough consideration on cheap mattresses. High quality mattresses and bedding create simple design features that can have a powerful effect on how comfortable and relaxed you feel while in bed.

Avoid Caffeine and Alcohol
Many men and women mistakenly associate alcohol with deep levels of continued sleep after a hard day’s work or hard night’s partying. Although alcohol can be a powerful and effective sedative, it actually interrupts your natural sleep patterns and degrades the quality of sleep you do get. Alcohol should be taken in moderation, especially when it’s getting close to bedtime.

Although a few cups of coffee might be great in the morning hours, you should avoid it like the plague during the afternoon hours. Caffeine can linger in the body and affect sleep for up to six hours in many people.

Even though you might not feel the effects of caffeine, it’s still stimulating your nervous system more than normal and can keep you from drifting into sleep. This is especially true for older adults because it takes longer for their bodies to process caffeine.

Exercise for Deeper Sleep
Exercise the stress and anxiety away and prepare your body for a deep cycle of sleep hours beforehand. As little as ten minutes a day of aerobic exercise can be enough for some people to notice the difference.

The time of day matters, but it depends on the individual. Some people notice they sleep better if they exercise in the evening, but others prefer the morning or even afternoon hours. You’ll have to experiment to find out, but you’ll be glad you took the time to.

Author Bio: Paige Jirsa– I work with Top10.Today, a shopping comparison site, where we strive to help consumers find the best quality and priced products.