Links I've Stumbled Upon v.4

I have not posted a list of awesome links I've stumbled upon for some time. I love doing these posts because I often find a lot of useful information and sharing it with those who might find it useful too would be even better.  So, here are some interesting articles I discovered ranging from landing your dream job to money tips you'll surely want to read about. 

♥ Did you know Facebook changes it's icons depending on where you are? How cool is that?

♥ Want to get a job, but the company you're going for is not hiring? Try these tips and make a place for yourself!

♥ Productivity tips from extremely busy people.

♥ Here are hilarious e-mail signatures that people actually use.

♥ 26 Time Management Hacks You Should Know

♥ 7 FREE Coding Courses You Can Take/ Tools to Use

♥ Just for laughs, if you haven't seen pictures of this man who cut the stuff he and ex-wife owned, here it is. Everything from his car to his iPhone has been cut in half. It's hilarious!

♥ 6 Money Tips from Mark Cuban (Billionaire investor from ABC's SharkTank)

Until next time!

10 Things I CANNOT Stand

Those of you who know me outside the internet bubble know that naturally, I am a very enthusiastic and optimistic person. Those of you who only know me through the internet bubble might even feel the same way. My blog and social media posts might just come across with the same positivity that I exude in person.

Regardless, the way I deal with the non-positive is pretty much by ranting about it (not through social media and no I do not go around pointing people and things out, that would be rude!). 

Usually, I complain in the form of a conversation with my best friend and it usually starts out by me saying "You will not believe what happened to me today..." or "Why do blah blah always have to blah blah..."

Now those of you reading this are either charmed by the fact that I am being honest and others might just think I'm just complaining. Either way, I am sure you'll get a laugh or two out of this post. 

So here are 10 things that I CANNOT stand (in no particular order):

1. When people on the bus think sitting on the seat closet to the aisle is okay when the seat near the window isn't taken. NO IT IS NOT OKAY! 

2. When people on the bus sitting closest to the aisle turn on their side to allow another passenger to occupy the vacant seat instead of just moving over. Seriously? Why do people feel so entitled to things? It's public transportation.

3. Girls who wear skinny jeans with flip flops. Umm...did you leave your house without remembering to put on shoes?

4. When people question my intentions or decision making. If it's not effecting you directly, then please log on to leaveitalone.org. 

5. Working in retail is horrible. Take it from someone whose been there and done that. I cannot stand when customers are just rude to those trying to help. Try to be respectful, working in the industry is horrific enough. Keep that in mind the next time you're rude to a retail employee. 

6. When you pickup an iced coffee and it's either too much sugar, too much ice, or not enough sugar and not enough ice. It's not hard to pour ice, coffee, and cream into a cup and mix it. Not hard. 

7. When people overspend money on things they don't need and not have enough to pay for things they do. (Fact: About 75% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck.)

8. When people ignore you when you might need help, but are eager to ask for favors. It's a two-way street.

9. When you are running late and you can't find the outfit you set your mind on wearing that day and have to settle for whatever you grab (I end up running late a whole lot, is it obvious? #commuterprob$) 

10. When people who are ill advised on certain topics try to offer you advice on that topic.

What are some things that you cannot stand? 

Reflections on Small Businesses and Corporate Franchises

I have taken quite a few entrepreneurship classes over the past year. In high school, I took a class that spoke towards all aspects of entrepreneurship and I loved it. I was set on becoming an entrepreneur. My first semester of college I took two different entrepreneurship courses. One class focused on the type of a person an entrepreneur must be and how to spark imagination and creativity and act upon it. It was awesome! It expanding my knowledge on what entrepreneurship really is. The other course took ideas and turned them into proven business concepts. These courses excited me and motivated me to become the entrepreneur I want to be.

The other day, I was grabbing a latte at a Dunkin' Donuts near the train station after work. I've stopped by this location several times and every day I see the same employees with a smile on their face while serving customers with respect and I see customers returning the positive gratitude as well.      

I frequent many coffee shops, but this one felt special. I realized how more often than not, those that work in retail, fast food chains, and corporate franchises, either put up a front to seem positive and courteous or stay within their company's means without going the extra mile for customers. I understand it though, each location no matter what the company sells probably gets thousands of customers a day and going the extra mile for every single one, every single time must be hard.

But, when I realized how well this coffee franchise was doing in this location, I reflected on corporate franchises. What inspires these employees to exude a love and respect for their job that leaves each customer genuinely happy? They seem to be working even harder than other franchises to make a brand that is not even theirs more memorable without a reward.

In the entrepreneurship course that explored topics between the type of person an entrepreneur must be, our class had a discussion on what it means to be autotelic. From it's dictionary definition, having an autotelic mindset means to find a purpose within itself.

It's a hard concept to grasp and implement in one's life. Like anything, it takes practice to master.

Putting yourself in the mindset to feel as if you are fulfilling a purpose in everything you do keeps you mentally positive and determined to generate outstanding results.

When you own a small business and need to play all roles within the business; customer service, salesman, marketer, promotor, and the face of the company, it is very challenging to find purpose in everything you have to do to keep your business up and running and your clientele genuinely satisfied.

You have to work hard and it won't pay off until the very end.

My point is sometimes we don't focus on the wonderful energy people put into starting a small business or running a corporate franchise. It's not easy to feel purposeful in such competitive industry.

The next time you are served with a genuine smile and great customer service, remember to thank them for doing a great job! 

7 Things You Probably Didn't Know...

I am usually not one to link-up to blogger prompts created and shared by other bloggers. Sometimes I feel as if my answers/response to the prompts aren't as interesting as the others or if I may be repeating something another blogger has said which is usually the case if the prompt isn't personal. But, this time I discovered an interesting prompt two of my favorite bloggers linked up to so I quickly joined the party.

So here are 7 things you probably did not know about me.

- I have a weird dislike towards eggs. I love omelets and I love little pieces of egg whites in my vegetable fried rice, but I absolutely hate eggs boiled, scrambled or sunny-side up.

- I often get told that I talk too much and too loudly in person, but in my high school marching band I was known as a quiet band member who was switched from playing the trumpet (a loud brass instrument) to a euphonium (a low brass instrument) because my voice didn't project. Strange? Maybe.

- I worry far more than I should about how I am perceived by others. (I hope I am not the only one.)

- If you ask me if like country music, I would say "Heck, no! I'm more of an alternative/indie rock type of person!" and act slightly offended. The truth is, some songs that fall into the country genre happen to be some of my favorites. One I love listening to on repeat currently is "What I Love About You" by Logan Mize.

- No matter what happens on any given day, you'll find me smiling anyway. It's not a staged smile, I'm always exuding positive energy.

- My best friend's name is a secret, but it will be relieved soon and I cannot wait to share that all with you. (HINT: I'm not sure you're prepared for this).

- I hate the phrase "I'm busy" and I try not to use it at all. Everyone seems to use it as an empty excuse and even though I have been guilty of using it as well, it's not a good excuse and shouldn't be used as one. I get it. No one has time to commit to yet another obligation, but has hours on hand to post photos on Instagram and tweet nonsense.

I hope you learned more about me!

Is there something about you I probably didn't know? Leave me a comment! I'd love to learn more about you!

On Niches, Giveaways, and What I'm Up To

Blogging is something that needs to be attended to quite often. If you blog once in a blue moon when something worth blogging comes along, it's a hobby. If you blog a few times a week or even a few times a month routinely then you're a professional blogger. Lately, I have been neither.

Working full-time + (attempting to) restart my first freelance writer gig + fixing up my fragrance shop + officially launching my fully functional web design business + relaunching my tech blog has put me in a situation where I'd be lucky to even spend time with my family and loved ones let alone blog.

Miraculously, however, I was able to put in some time giving my blog a much-needed makeover. The theme is now black and gold and it definitely elegantly describes my little space on the web.

Speaking of, I also redesigned my personal website (ZobiaAlvi.com) with a much more professional approach.

I also decided (FINALLY) that the niche I will blog under will be business. I used to label myself as a lifestyle blogger, but at times that didn't make sense for me so I decided to label myself as a lifestyle and business blogger aspiring to be an entrepreneur.

In honor of my new found vision, I figured I'd throw in some giveaways on the blog to represent my seriousness in getting back into blogging.

If you have any ideas for a giveaway, are hosting a group giveaway, or would like to be part of a group giveaway, please share in the comments below! Thank you for reading this blog update, I hope I can pickup the speed soon and start blogging on a regular basis soon!