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Whether it’s a bad habit or the memory of something or somebody, letting go is always hard. However, with the right plan, strong determination and emotional discipline, you can make a change in a short period, like three to four weeks. If guided with definite purpose and a proper mindset, a human mind can be adaptive. Even though the attachment is deep or the habit is stubborn, it will start to lose its grip. Here’s how you can get rid of a habit or forget an individual within 21 to 30 days. Tips for Leaving a Habit or Forgetting a Person within a Month . Recognising Attachment Attachment is the common link, whether you have formed a habit over a certain period or allowed a person to play a pivotal role in your life. Usually, such attachments tend to fill a psychological or emotional void, like identity crisis, aspiration for validation, stress relief, loneliness, etc. Once you have found out the habit or person’s contribution in your life, you have reached the first step of letting go. Understanding the attachment’s underlying need, like convenience, habit, routine, security, connection, etc., you can start overpowering it. Now you can utilise this awareness to replace the habit or person with something healthier or someone better. Read more: How to Recognise Your Emotional Red Flags Disrupting Pattern  Habits and emotional connections often follow a pattern. For instance, a smoker often tends to light a cigarette after having a meal; you check social media after waking up. Each habit is formed over a neural pathway. To break this, one should disrupt the routine or ambience which helps the attachment to thrive. Cognitive distance can be created by reordering the schedule, altering surroundings, or opting for a different route. New attachments can help your brain to leave a regular behaviour. It can be done by bringing tiny but consistent changes. Though you may not be able to forget someone or doing something overnight, it will weaken the urge or inclination over time. Out of Sight Out of Mind When one is trying to quit a habit like sugar consumption, one should not store cakes in the refrigerator. Avoiding the purchase and storage of the sugary foods will help one to break the cravings. Rather than testing one’s willpower, the out-of-sight trick will take the sugary food out of mind. What’s more, it's the first step to drop an unhealthy habit. Instead of making the ambience painful, make it your ally to change a habit.  The same applies to mental attachments. Emotional detachment requires space. When one tries to forget a person, one should remove the reminding triggers like exchanged gifts, shared music playlists, couple photos, social media connections, etc. This step does not make one selfish or in denial; rather, it creates space for disconnection. Read more: How to Improve Focus by Training the ‘Attention Muscle’ Relearn to Unlearn Faster The process of relearning makes it fast to unlearn. The human brain acts like a vacuum, which needs something to focus on. Whether one is trying to leave a habit or forget a person, one should find a more interesting replacement. For instance, to avoid a sedentary lifestyle habit, one can opt for a new routine that includes mindfulness and learning, like going to the gym, learning new workouts, adopting fitness routines, etc.  Grabbing a new sustainable habit or adopting a healthier lifestyle fills the emotional vacuum. This mental space gives one a sense of personal development, improvement, and success. Thus, one can bit by bit learn to thrive without the habit or person one had an attachment with. Know the Hurdle The first two-week period is usually the hardest while you are trying to let go of a habit or a person. Your brain will react, whether you are avoiding nicotine or missing someone's phone or messages. You may experience anxiety, sadness, stress, cravings, chest pain or other physical symptoms. This is biology, not failure. You have to accept this pain and discomfort as a part of the process. To overcome this period, one can talk to an empathetic friend or maintain a journal. By tracking one’s mental status, failures, and victories, one can create self-awareness and emotional detachment from the habit or person one wishes to remove from one’s life. Besides this, to ease your journey, remember why you want to do this by writing it on a paper and repeating it like a resolution. Read more: Good Stress: What Are the Benefits of Eustress? Make a Commitment  You may pick a three-week or four-week window to reach your goal. Though this short period may not remove a habit or erase all feelings, it is a strong foundation. Research suggests that a consistent effort can help one overcome the emotional or physical pull towards something or somebody. Counting each day and setting daily intentions can keep your determination strong. For example, one can divide the time window into days instead of seeing it as a fixed period of time. By reaching tiny and attainable goals every day, one can make the struggle less stressful. Thus, success can be achieved through piecemeal victories. Visualise Your Future When one understands that letting go means regaining control over oneself rather than losing something precious. When one aims to drop a habit that is unhealthy or forget a person who no longer complies with one’s well-being, one is protecting one’s future self. Visualising the independent, focused, and progressive version of yourself, your hardship aligns with healing instead of longing. Conclusion  The process of letting go is incremental; it doesn’t act like a switch. The idea of getting rid of a habit or forgetting someone completely in three or four weeks may sound ambitious. To be honest, some emotional urges may exist beyond the 30-day period. But a four-week time window is quite reasonable to start, to weaken the hold, and to regain one's emotional control. Thus, you allow life to continue in healthier, better, freer and more peaceful ways than before. The process wants you to be patient, disciplined, and self-compassionate. On the whole, when you are fully determined to drop a habit or forget a person in 21 days or 30 days, you will discover the attachment is fading away gradually. Read more: 15 Japanese Concepts for Personal and Professional Development

The copywriting profession offers a dynamic and rewarding career where strong writing skills can significantly influence marketing success. With businesses constantly seeking persuasive content, the demand for skilled copywriters continues to grow. Fortunately, numerous free courses on online platforms provide accessible learning opportunities to hone these valuable skills. Let’s explore the best online courses with no cost to kick-start your copywriting journey. Top 10 Free Online Courses for Aspiring Copywriters in 2025 . Copywriting Course: The Power of Storytelling + 33 Stories (Udemy) This Udemy course offers 1 section of 44 lectures packed into 1 hour 43 minutes of practical learning. Learners explore how stories shape emotional connections, amplify engagement, and significantly improve content retention. The lessons teach ways to define a brand’s voice, boost conversion rates, and craft shareable content for digital platforms. The lessons are led by Ing. Tomas Moravek, an Internet Efficiency Award-winning Digital Marketing Expert. Read more: 12 Most In-Demand Tech Skills for 2025: Stay Ahead in the Job Market Though the course does not offer a certificate, its knowledge is valuable for anyone starting in copywriting. Course Link: https://www.udemy.com/course/copywriting-storytelling/ Free Copywriting Tutorial – Effective Copywriting Basics for Entrepreneurs (Udemy) Packed into 9 lectures, this compact Udemy program delivers nearly 1 hour and 42 minutes of targeted learning. The focus lies on writing sales copy, understanding customer behavior, and building messages that drive action. The course is ideal for marketers and entrepreneurs seeking to improve sales writing. Matt Bernstein, the instructor, earned his Communication degree from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Read more: Craft a Job-Winning Resume with AI: Step-by-Step Guide to Stand Out Although no certificate is offered, the training delivers clear and practical copywriting techniques. Direct Access: https://www.udemy.com/course/copywriting-basics/ Copywriting - Extreme Results for Business Owners (Udemy) This Udemy tutorial is split into 9 sections with 40 lectures and lasts 1 hour and 9 minutes. It walks learners through the essentials of copywriting, strategy building, and powerful writing techniques. Topics also include the difference between copywriting and content marketing, plus 12 power words every marketer should know. The course is offered by Dopamind Academy, created by Bruna do Carmo, a businesswoman and teacher since 2011. Read more: Where to Learn the French Language in Dhaka While the course does not include a certificate, it provides actionable methods for refining sales copy and defining ideal clients. Course Link: https://www.udemy.com/course/copywriting-extreme-results-for-business-owners/ The Science Behind Website Copy That Converts (Udemy) Spread across 3 sections and 12 lectures, this 37-minute mini-series breaks down the procedure behind crafting high-impact web copy. Learners explore five essential themes: persuasive principles, brand voice, copy versus content, sales psychology, and SEO-focused writing. Each module reveals how to apply psychology and theory to shape reader behavior without sounding overly salesy. Elena Connolly, a seasoned Conversion Copywriter and Brand Strategist with over a decade of industry expertise, leads this compact program. Read more: How to Answer “Why Did You Choose this Job?” Effectively While the free version skips certification, the exercises encourage portfolio-building for beginners aiming to secure practical writing opportunities. Access Here: https://www.udemy.com/course/the-science-behind-website-copy-that-converts/ AI-Enhanced Copywriting: SurferSEO, Upword, and Anyword (Coursera) Over a focused 2-hour session, this single-module program, featuring 9 videos and 1 hands-on assignment, teaches how to pair human creativity with AI-driven platforms like SurferSEO, Upword, and Anyword. Students learn to automate content insights, fine-tune copy for search engines, and adjust tone for target audiences based on machine-generated feedback. The material is taught by Vinita Silaparasetty, a Google Developer Expert in Machine Learning, alongside the Starweaver Instructor Team. Read more: How to Customize Your Resume for Each Job Application Although certification requires a paid plan, the provided assignment helps learners practice writing AI-informed marketing content. Course Link:https://www.coursera.org/learn/ai-enhanced-copywriting-surferseo-upword-and-anyword Copywriting Basics for Successful Sales (Skillshare) Spanning 13 lessons in 1 hour and 21 minutes, this beginner-friendly program introduces proven techniques for writing headlines, creating reader-focused messages, and using timeless frameworks to boost conversions. Real-world examples help bridge theory and practice, offering clear takeaways for writing copy that sells. Led by Jack Zerby, an entrepreneur and Head of Design at Gumroad, the lessons reflect his hands-on knowledge of design thinking and brand storytelling. Read more: Does Everyone Need to Learn Programming? The Truth About Coding in The Age of AI While Skillshare’s free trial grants access to the full content, earning a certificate requires a paid membership.   Visit Course Page: https://www.skillshare.com/en/classes/copywriting-basics-for-successful-sales-time-tested-tactics-that-prompt-action/508541130 SEO Copywriting for Digital Marketing Success (Skillshare) Through 17 well-structured lessons spanning 1 hour and 43 minutes, this training covers the core of SEO copywriting. It extends from keyword research and headline crafting to writing microcopy for web pages. Students also learn how to write persuasive calls to action, build structured drafts, and maintain the freshness of their digital content over time. Read more: Free Websites for Online IELTS Mock Tests Guidance comes from Ruth Clowes, a seasoned copywriter and trainer with over 20 years of marketing and communication expertise. The class includes a hands-on project- crafting a blog post for a fictional sustainable brand called Green Cat. As Skillshare’s certification is available only via a paid subscription, it doesn’t provide any certificate like other free programs. Course Link: https://www.skillshare.com/en/classes/seo-copywriting-for-digital-marketing-success/1479232761 Master Storytelling and Copywriting with ChatGPT - Transform Your Writing with AI (Skillshare) Spread across 15 practical lessons totaling 1 hour and 39 minutes, this program helps writers learn how to steer ChatGPT into producing stories. The aim is to generate content that resonates emotionally, rather than just filling space. Learners develop techniques for mastering tone, conversational writing, empathy-driven messaging, humor, and even personalized brand style. Read more: Why Backbenchers are Often More Successful in the Professional World Kasia Pilch, a seasoned Online Strategist and Marketing Specialist, designed the material for beginners and pros alike. The course also features four client-focused class projects, encouraging learners to apply creative storytelling techniques hands-on. While a certificate isn’t included, the hands-on assignments serve as valuable assets for building a strong copywriting portfolio. Start Learning: https://www.skillshare.com/en/classes/master-storytelling-and-copywriting-with-chatgpt-transform-your-writing-with-ai/1164232122 Copywriting for Beginners and Pros With Exercises (Class Central) Through 14 YouTube-hosted videos lasting 1 hour and 30 minutes, this beginner-friendly course balances advanced copy techniques with hands-on writing drills. Lessons include crafting short, punchy sentences, using a customer-first mindset, and building effortless yet persuasive copy. Read more: Workplace Burnouts: Causes, Symptoms, Signs, and Remedies Cecilia Elise Wallin, a veteran journalist, novelist, and marketer with three decades of writing experience, leads the sessions. Unlike many platforms, this course offers a free certificate upon completion. Moreover, videos are also available on YouTube. Course Access Link: https://www.classcentral.com/classroom/youtube-copywriting-for-beginners-and-pros-free-course-with-exercises-61648 Become A Copywriter Pro from Ground Up (Eduonix) Spanning 5 sections and 16 lectures across 3 hours and 12 minutes, this masterclass guides learners from basic copywriting principles to advanced storytelling and headline crafting. Along the way, it highlights the subtle techniques that shape messages capable of influencing readers and driving conversions. Read more: How to Make a Video Resume: A Step-by-Step Guide The course is developed by Eduonix, a collective of seasoned industry professionals who have specialized in technology and creative training for over a decade. Though the free program does not offer a certificate, the assignments included provide excellent material for any budding copywriter’s portfolio. Jump to Course: https://www.eduonix.com/courses/Marketing/Become-A-Copywriter-Pro-from-Ground-Up Summing Up These 10 best online copywriting courses present an inviting mix of short, sharp lessons and in-depth learning paths for aspiring wordsmiths. Among them, Eduonix’s “Become A Copywriter Pro from Ground Up” stands out with the longest duration. Apart from this, “Copywriting Basics for Successful Sales” and others hold a moderate runtime between one and a half and 2 hours. On the quicker side, “The Science Behind Website Copy That Converts” wraps things up in the shortest duration. Read more: How to Utilise the Power of Visualisation to Achieve Goals However, each offers valuable insights into persuasive writing, providing the foundation necessary to kick off a successful copywriting career.

Curiosity motivates people to learn, explore, and innovate. It drives us to seek answers to questions, understand how things work, and find ways to change our lives through innovations. Stimulating the “curiosity muscle” is essential for personal and collaborative growth. By taking deliberate actions, anyone can develop and strengthen their curiosity and become a more passionate, understanding, and better version of themselves. What is Curiosity Muscle? Curiosity is the innate trait that makes people question, learn, and explore the unknown. It provokes them to acquire knowledge and build a clear perspective based on that knowledge. This newly gained perspective may later spark innovation. Though curiosity is an inherent quality, it is also a learnable skill. Several studies on human cognitive behaviour link curiosity with the surge of excitement in a specific part of the brain, implying its biological existence. The studies conclude that curiosity, like a muscle, can be stimulated through deliberate practice. This resemblance between curiosity and our body muscles in gaining strength through regular exercise has coined the term “curiosity muscle.”  Read more: How to Recognise Your Emotional Red Flags How to Improve Curiosity Curiosity is rooted in human nature. It flourishes in a self-reflective mind that can reflect on its unique views, desires, and needs. However, to sustain the progressive flow of curious energy, there is no alternative to pursuing new perspectives and continuously seeking ways to achieve success. Here are a few proven steps backed by neuroscientific research to improve curiosity: Make it Personal Studies on human cognition suggest that the first step to cultivating curiosity is to make it personally relevant. Awareness of the usefulness of a particular task or knowledge in personal life stimulates a mind’s latent curious energy. Tasks that evoke passion and support individual goals pique curiosity the most. Conversely, fogged vision and confusion can lull down the curiosity muscle, preventing the brain from making a personal connection to an activity. Read more: Smart Money-Saving Tips for 2025: How To Build Financial Security Discover Your Curiosity Type Just like people’s personalities, curiosity also varies. What makes a person’s brain tick and how they approach a problem primarily define their curiosity types. Some people love to ask questions and engage in intellectual exploration; some are more interested in learning about others by conversing and interacting with them, while others expose themselves to diverse situations, finding revelations in new environments and cultures. Understanding one’s curiosity style helps them fashion suitable learning strategies and advance to the next step of their curious journey. Cultivate a Curiosity-driven Culture Curiosity thrives in open-minded conditions. Researchers have found that environments where individuals can make independent choices inspire them to think outside the box. People will likely invest more energy in deliberately chosen professions than those they are forced into. An open-minded attitude welcomes uncertainty, resists personal bias, and believes in growth, which is essential to prioritizing a curious hunch and sticking to it until the mystery unfolds.  Go Beyond Limits Making curiosity-driven decisions often leads to unconventional routes. Traditional ways of solving a problem, lack of freedom in pursuing a different solution, and time scarcity may kill our desire to keep following those routes. Read more: Bearing Legacy Mindset: How Do You Want to Be Remembered? The solution to this problem is rather simple. Fostering curiosity is about prioritizing our desires, making the right choices, looking deeper into a problem, and celebrating new experiences.  Ask Open-ended Questions Open-ended questions demand detailed discussions on a subject rather than becoming satisfied with vague and short answers. Being inquisitive entails forming the right questions and finding in-depth answers. To devise the right questions, you must reexamine your goals and necessities. Asking open-ended questions is also a cornerstone of meaningful relationships where learning about each others’ distinct personalities is necessary. Read more: How to Improve Focus by Training the ‘Attention Muscle’ Embrace Changes Change is the only constant phenomenon in our lives. With time, the people surrounding us, our relationships with them, our values, and our understanding of the world shift. A curious mind keeps records of those changes, notices the nuances between phases, accepts the inevitable, and prepares for the future. On the contrary, a rigid mind lacks the courage to face anomalies and suppresses the natural curious drive needed for further exploration. Master the Fundamentals Our urge to learn something new or achieve mastery of a skill may rub on our curious stimuli. While the idea of learning a new skill sounds exciting, the boredom and pain associated with growth are utterly discouraging. Read more: Micro-acts of Joy: Secret to Being Happier and Healthier? Splitting the entire roadmap of mastering something into achievable steps and focusing on learning the fundamentals will help you sustain an invigorating spirit until the end. A good grip on the fundamentals will allow you to improvise and walk down the rest of the roadmap with a personalized strategy. Meditate and Exercise A 15-minute meditation session in the morning, a brisk walk, or a casual bike ride can massively impact your brain, enabling it to rewire its neural network and grow new neurons. Cognitive scientists have attested to the capacity of regular meditation and exercises to boost brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels. BDNF can enhance learnability and memory, making a firm ground for curiosity to thrive. Conclusion Curiosity shouldn’t be mistaken for a fleeting interest. People with strong, curious minds excel at learning, memorizing, and engaging with their work and people. By putting in a personal effort, facing obstacles, embracing changes, and cultivating an open mind, anyone can inspire their curiosity. Read more: How to Flex Your ‘Forgiveness Muscle’

An emotional red flag is a warning sign or indicator that something in your emotional state, behavior, or thought patterns may require attention. These signals often suggest you're experiencing distress, discomfort, or unhealthy emotional responses that could lead to bigger issues if not addressed. Emotional red flags serve as cues for self-awareness and an opportunity to reflect on what’s happening inside your mind. Let’s find out the characteristics of emotional red flags and ways to recognize those in your behaviors.  Key Characteristics of Emotional Red Flags . Sudden Emotional Changes Sudden emotional changes refer to rapid or unexpected shifts in a person’s emotional state. These changes can happen quickly, often without clear reasons, and may involve moving from one emotion to another, such as feeling overwhelmed, irritable, or sad without a clear reason. These emotional fluctuations can be mild or intense and may occur due to various factors, including stress, anxiety, hormonal changes, mental health conditions, trauma, sleep deprivation, certain medications, etc. Read more: How to Teach Students to Accept and Overcome Academic Failures Recurrent Negative Thought Patterns Recurrent negative thought patterns refer to repetitive, often automatic, and persistent thoughts that focus on pessimistic or self-critical ideas. These patterns can be distressing and are typically negative, leading to feelings of sadness, anxiety, or hopelessness. They often become habitual, meaning the person regularly experiences them without actively trying to and can affect mental well-being and behavior. Common types of recurrent negative thought patterns include:  - Constant Self-criticism: Harshly judging oneself, often engaging in self-blame or feelings of inadequacy.- Overthinking- Catastrophizing: Expecting the worst possible outcome.- Overgeneralization: Making broad, sweeping conclusions based on a single event or piece of evidence.- Black-and-white Thinking: Viewing situations in extremes, with no middle ground or shades of gray.- Negative Mental Filtering: Focusing only on the negative aspects of a situation and ignoring any positive ones.- Personalization: Blaming oneself for things outside of one’s control, or assuming responsibility for others’ actions or feelings.- Should Statements: Having rigid, unrealistic expectations about oneself or others, often leads to feelings of guilt or frustration when they aren't met.- Emotional Reasoning: Believing that negative emotions reflect objective reality.- Discounting the Positive: Downplaying or dismissing any positive feedback or accomplishments.- Mind Reading: Believing you know what others are thinking, often assuming they have negative thoughts about you. Read more: Why are Suicide Rates Higher Among Men? Avoidance Behaviors Avoidance behavior refers to actions or strategies people use to prevent facing situations, tasks, or thoughts that make them feel anxious, uncomfortable, or stressed. This behavior is a coping mechanism that temporarily alleviates discomfort but can reinforce negative feelings or create long-term problems.  Essentially, avoidance serves as a way to escape or avoid an unpleasant emotional state, but it doesn't resolve the underlying issue. Over time, avoidance can become a habitual response, which can increase the severity of the problems it was meant to avoid. Uncharacteristic Reactions Uncharacteristic reactions refer to responses or behaviors that are unusual, unexpected, or not typical of how a person usually behaves or reacts in a particular situation, like overreacting to minor issues or withdrawing completely from social interactions. These reactions often differ from an individual’s usual patterns of behavior, emotional responses, or coping mechanisms.  Read more: Good Stress: What Are the Benefits of Eustress? Uncharacteristic reactions can be triggered by various factors, including stress, trauma, illness, or emotional disturbances, and may represent a deviation from someone's normal ways of thinking, feeling, or acting. Recognizing these signs allows you to pause, reflect, and take action to manage your emotions before they escalate into more significant problems. Ways to Recognise Your Emotional Red Flags Recognizing your emotional red flags is an essential step in maintaining emotional well-being and healthy relationships. Here’s a guide to help you identify them: Track Repetitive Thoughts Are you replaying the same negative or traumatic past experiences inside your mind again and again? Look for recurring negative thought patterns, such as Self-criticism, Catastrophizing, Blaming others, feeling victimized, etc. Read more: 10 Ways to Ensure Emotional Well-being during Pregnancy Monitor Changes in Behavior Look into your actions. Notice when you start behaving differently, for example avoiding people or situations, overeating or undereating, losing motivation for tasks or hobbies you usually enjoy, etc. Reflect on Past Experiences Think about situations where you felt emotionally overwhelmed like extreme anger, panicking, grief, anxiety, joy, happiness, numbness, etc. over minor issues. What were the signs leading up to those overreacting or overwhelming moments? Notice Emotional Outbursts Reflect on moments when your emotions feel overwhelming, leading to sudden anger or irritability, crying unexpectedly, feeling numb or shutting down, etc.  Read more: Discomfort Anxiety v Depression: Differences, Ways of Prevention Identify Triggers  Analyze your emotional outbursts to find the triggers. Try to recognize situations or interactions that consistently cause negative emotions inside your mind, such as certain people or environments, specific words or tones of voice, high-pressure situations, etc. Keep a Journal Write down your thoughts, feelings, and reactions. Over time, patterns may emerge, making it easier to pinpoint what sets off your emotional red flags.  You can maintain a paper or digital journal based on your preference. Nowadays, diverse free and paid journaling apps are found on Android and iOS. Read more: Micro-acts of Joy: Secret to Being Happier and Healthier? Ask for Feedback Sometimes, those close to you may notice red flags you don’t. Ask trusted friends or family members if they observe any changes in your mood or behavior. It will help you recognize your mental issues before they get worse.  Track Physical Symptoms of Emotions Emotions often trigger physical reactions. Notice if you experience: Increased heart rate, Tightness in the chest, Clenched fists or jaw, Feeling drained or restless, etc. These symptoms can indicate heightened emotional states like anger, anxiety, or fear. To cope with the physical symptoms linked to emotions, consider strategies such as meditation, yoga, regular exercise, mindfulness, therapy, etc. Read more: How to Spend the Weekend in a Creative Way Conclusion Emotional red flags are early warning signs that indicate you may be headed toward emotional distress or unhealthy behaviors. These signals often manifest in patterns of thought, feelings, or actions. Recognizing emotional red flags, you can understand the triggers and reasons for your sudden emotional outbursts, negative thought patterns, avoidance behavior, uncharacteristic attitudes, etc. Understanding the link between emotions and physical symptoms can help you better manage both mental and physical health. However, identifying your emotional red flags isn’t about self-judgment but about understanding yourself better. Treat yourself with kindness as you work through your emotions. By becoming more attuned to your emotional red flags, you can take proactive steps to manage them and maintain emotional balance. Overall, this process can help you move toward the path of healing through mental health support, counseling, self-compassion, etc. Read more: How to Enjoy Your Own Company: Tips to Overcome Loneliness

With rising inflation driving up the cost of everyday necessities, managing regular expenses can feel overwhelming, let alone saving for the future. Yet, building a financial safety net is more crucial than ever. In 2025, saving money demands a smarter approach—streamlining expenses, boosting income, and maximizing financial efficiency. Discover actionable strategies to safeguard your finances and thrive in the face of economic challenges. Smart Money Strategies for 2025 Here are some practical steps to help you save more in the coming year. Set Attainable Financial Goals Make sure your financial resolutions don't fade away after the initial months of the new year. Setting smart goals can keep your financial resolutions fresh, strong, and versatile throughout the year. Defining short-term savings targets can help you to build an emergency fund. On the other hand, long-term savings targets can energize you to run the race for fulfilling your big dreams like buying an apartment, studying abroad, or making a retirement fund. Read more: How to Improve Focus by Training the ‘Attention Muscle’ Instead of burdening yourself with strict frugal behavior, it would be wise to set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound financial objectives to save money. Review Expenditure Generally, not all products or services you pay for are essential, some are less necessary, and few are luxury. Tracking your spending behaviour is an effective trick to set realistic saving targets. Don’t do calculations in your head. Write down the costs on paper. Utilizing a smart financial app or personal finance spreadsheets, one can easily identify one’s spending patterns. Control Expenses After reviewing your spending behaviour, you can easily understand where to retrench. For instance, saving money doesn’t mean you have to eat less and suffer from malnutrition; rather, it means cut costs on dinners outside that can be replaced by homemade meals. Read more: Shiny Object Syndrome in Business, Career: Symptoms, Effects, Prevention In the same way, you can be thrifty about your wardrobe. For example, caring for winter clothes can save your money from buying new shawls and sweaters every year. Nowadays, people tend to spend on digital products every month. However, cancelling unnecessary subscriptions reduces your expenses. Services you don’t use regularly should also be considered for discontinuation to save money. While shopping for groceries, try to shop for a month instead of a week, it can let you enjoy some discounts and cashback. Compare prices to find a nearby grocery shop, super shop, or market where you can find goods and products at reasonable prices. Growing vegetables on the rooftop or your balcony can also save you some money on groceries. What’s more, don’t forget to negotiate for lower rates on products and services. Read more: Top 10 Wallet Apps to Organize Finances Make A Budget Without a fixed weekly or monthly budget, it is hard to control costs in diverse sectors like grocery, clothing, travel, etc. Those who have spouses, children, elderly family members, or dependents need to consider all kinds of expenses while preparing the budget. While creating a budget for a month or week, you can implement the 50/30/20 rule which means allocate 50% for needs, 30% for wants, and 20% for savings and debt repayment. Grow Your Earnings Savings can be easier if you can boost your income. To increase earnings, service holders can look for additional income sources such as freelancing, tutoring, online business, etc.  Besides, you can learn new skills for better career opportunities or promotions. Nowadays, diverse international platforms and reputed universities are offering free and paid online courses. Read more: Using the 37 Percent Rule to Make Better Decisions in Life Furthermore, you can rent out unused assets, like a room or a car.  Automate Savings Even when setting clear financial objectives and budgets, you may forget to put money into your savings accounts for a number of reasons. To avoid this issue, you can opt for automatic transfer of funds to a high-yield savings account like DPS. Many reputed banks in Bangladesh offer such profitable DPS schemes that will automatically transfer a certain amount of money from your salary account to your DPS account each month. Minimize Loans & Debts Avoid taking on loans or debts unless necessary. The banks lure people to take credit cards and personal loans. Uncontrolled credit card spending can trap you in huge debts. To avoid this, you can follow your budget strictly and pay through cash. While taking personal loans, look for banks with lower interest rates and flexible repayment options. Avoid taking a new loan besides repaying your previous loan. To avoid loans, it would be wise if you can build savings for rainy days. Read more: Micro-acts of Joy: Secret to Being Happier and Healthier? Monitor and Adjust Regularly With time, your necessities, earnings, and spending behavior will change. In some months, you may fail to control expenditures due to unforeseen situations. Therefore it is necessary to review your budget and financial goals monthly. Adjust strategies based on life changes or new priorities. And, don’t forget to celebrate milestones to stay motivated. Conclusion Savings help you to be financially stable and independent. Not to mention, during hard times, like medical emergencies or unemployment periods, savings can give you financial protection and mental strength. However, saving money is a habit that requires determination and sacrifice. By implementing the above-mentioned strategies, you can significantly increase your savings in 2025 while building a stronger financial foundation. Read more: Top Strategies to Prepare for 2025: Start the New Year with Confidence and Purpose

Beyond trophies and titles, what truly endures? It is the echoes of our character, the ripple effects of our actions, the way we shape the lives we touch. Whether in the workplace or life in general, leaving behind a positive legacy is a desire many share. This article will help you to find effective ways to be remembered for the right reasons.  Legacy Mindset  A legacy mindset and leadership are intertwined guiding principles for a meaningful existence, transcending mere achievements and emphasising the profound impact on others. Picture the legacy mindset as an architectural design for a lasting impression in personal and professional spheres. At its core, this mindset is shaped by values—guiding principles influencing decisions and actions. Defining these values is a deliberate process of intricately shaping the tapestry of one's legacy with meaningful interactions and heartfelt moments. Read more: How to Utilise the Power of Visualisation to Achieve Goals In the workplace, leadership rooted in a legacy-driven mindset involves making a positive impact through excellence, teamwork, and fostering a positive environment. However, a legacy extends beyond the professional domain, with acts of kindness and genuine connections weaving threads into the fabric of a narrative that transcends the workplace. Leadership, transcending titles and power, requires a legacy-driven mindset that harmonises personal ambitions with the greater good. It demands humility, urging leaders to set aside egos and focus on collective well-being. Ultimately, a legacy-driven mindset, in personal relationships or leadership roles, is a daily commitment to a purpose-driven approach. It is about creating a positive legacy that inspires and influences generations. This mindset serves as a guiding beacon, steering individuals and leaders to navigate with integrity, compassion, and a profound commitment to leave the world better than they found it. Read more: How to Make Realistic New Year Resolutions that Stick Ways to Be Remembered Mentorship Empowering the next generation through mentorship is a potent way to leave a lasting legacy. Guiding a youth in need provides valuable insights and a mature perspective. Mentorship creates a positive ripple effect, impacting not only individuals but fostering a chain reaction of positive influence.  By mentoring the lost and empowering the marginalised, you become a lighthouse in storms, offering guidance and support that resonates far beyond the immediate mentor-mentee relationship.

Amidst the chaos that is contemporary living, uncovering pockets of joy becomes a potent catalyst for elevating both happiness and well-being. Micro-acts of joy, small yet impactful gestures, have the potential to transform our daily experiences. This article explores the fascinating connection between these micro-acts and the enhancement of overall well-being. How Happiness Affects Health Happiness is not just a fleeting emotion; it serves as a cornerstone for overall well-being, profoundly impacting both mental and physical health. The link between happiness and health is a subject of extensive research, revealing a symbiotic relationship that goes beyond mere positivity. From a psychological standpoint, a happy and content mind contributes to reduced stress levels. The release of endorphins, often termed 'feel-good' hormones, acts as a natural stress reliever,    promoting a sense of calm and tranquility. This emotional equilibrium, in turn, fosters resilience in facing life's challenges.  Read more: How to raise happy, confident, strong girls On a physiological level, the benefits are equally significant. Studies show that individuals with a positive outlook tend to have lower blood pressure, reducing the risk of cardiovascular issues. The immune system also receives a boost, making the body more resilient to illnesses. Furthermore, the connection between happiness and longevity is a compelling aspect. Studies indicate that those with an optimistic outlook on life are likely to enjoy a longer lifespan. It emphasizes the vital role of emotional well-being in determining one's overall health and lifespan. In essence, happiness becomes a powerful elixir for a healthy life, influencing the mind and body in intricate ways. Cultivating joy not only adds vibrancy to our existence but also acts as a fundamental building block for a resilient and thriving state of health. Read more: Happiness Hormone: Ways to Boost Dopamine

Forgiveness is often overlooked in the grand scheme of self-improvement, yet it is key to unlocking a sense of liberation and inner peace. In the hustle and bustle of a new year, reflecting on the art of forgiveness — both towards ourselves and others — is essential.  Forgiveness is not just a gesture; it is a powerful tool for personal growth and emotional well-being. As we embark on a new year, let's delve into the profound journey of flexing our “forgiveness muscles.” Benefits of Forgiveness Inner Peace and Tranquillity Forgiving oneself and others allows for the release of inner turmoil, leading to a profound sense of peace and tranquillity. The burden of resentment lifts, creating space for emotional well-being. Read more: How to Improve Focus by Training the ‘Attention Muscle’ Improved Mental Health Studies suggest a strong link between forgiveness and mental health. Letting go of grudges and resentments can alleviate stress, reduce anxiety, and contribute to overall psychological health. Enhanced Relationships Forgiveness plays a pivotal role in nurturing and sustaining healthy relationships. Whether it is forgiving a friend, partner, or family member, it fosters understanding, empathy, and a stronger bond. Emotional Liberation Holding onto grudges can be emotionally exhausting. Forgiveness liberates us from the shackles of negative emotions, allowing us to experience joy, happiness, and a renewed sense of self. Read more: How to Utilise the Power of Visualisation to Achieve Goals Increased Empathy Choosing to forgive cultivates empathy, the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. It promotes a compassionate outlook, fostering a more harmonious social environment. Personal Growth Forgiveness is a catalyst for personal growth. It encourages self-reflection, self-awareness, and the opportunity to learn from challenging experiences, ultimately leading to greater resilience. Health Benefits The benefits of forgiveness extend beyond mental well-being. Studies suggest that forgiving individuals may experience lower blood pressure, reduced heart rate, and overall better physical health. Read more: How to Make Realistic New Year Resolutions that Stick Stress Reduction Letting go of grudges and embracing forgiveness can significantly reduce stress levels. The ability to navigate conflicts with a forgiving mindset contributes to a more relaxed and balanced life. Positive Influence on Others Demonstrating forgiveness serves as a positive example for those around us. It creates a ripple effect, encouraging others to adopt a forgiving attitude and contribute to a more compassionate society.

Did it ever happen to you that after listening to any hour-long lecture in a workshop or classroom you can’t remember anything? Though you were physically present at that place, your mind was not there. What’s missing here was focus.   Focus – a little word with a huge impact! It's like the superhero of thinking, connecting to decisions, problem-solving, learning, memory, and how we see the world. If the focus game isn't strong, it can put a damper on thinking skills. Mastering the art of focusing is a game-changer. Focus can be used like a spotlight to direct the flow of energy. Harnessing the power of focus is key to success in life.  What is Focus? Focus is like a superpower that helps you to fully concentrate into one specific task and ignore the noise and happenings around.  Some folks call it "flow," a term made cool by Mihály Csíkszentmihályi in his book “Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience.” It's that feeling of being in the zone, where your mind is so absorbed that you forget about everything else – time, space, and anything other than the task at hand. For instance, with focus, you can enjoy a novel amid the huge chaos of a railway station. Read more: How to Utilise the Power of Visualisation to Achieve Goals Focus lets someone immerse themselves completely in one thing, without allowing mental distractions. It's like a mental power boost, concentrating all brain energy on one awesome task. Focus is the secret sauce to becoming the superhero of concentration! You can think of focus as a muscle for your mind. Like any other muscle, you can train it. So, if you want to boost your focus game, treat it like a workout – flex that mental muscle regularly. What is Attention Muscle? The attention muscle is like the brain's personal trainer for focus. It's all about the ability to direct and keep your awareness on a task, even when distractions come knocking. If you don't intentionally work it out, this attention muscle doesn't get stronger – and that's when the mind becomes a bit of a scatterbrain. An under-exercised attention muscle leads to a twitchy, agitated mind that can't catch a break, constantly hopping from one distraction to another. It's like trying to herd cats. Read more: Students with Depression: Tips for Parents and Educators Most people don't realize how feeble their attention muscle is until they actually need to buckle down and focus. Without proper training and development, sustained focus becomes a bit like trying to juggle too many balls at once – nearly impossible! So, if you want to avoid mental acrobatics, it's time to hit the mental gym and give that attention muscle a good workout.

Visualisation is the power of imagination that enables individuals to manifest their aspirations into reality by harnessing the mind's capabilities. This powerful tool can transform fuzzy desires into vibrant blueprints for success. This can significantly impact your journey towards achieving personal and professional goals. Let’s look at some visualisation techniques that can help fulfil your desires in real life.    Visualisation Strategies That Can Make Your Goals a Reality Crystallise Your Vision  Imagine the perfect scenario before you act.  For instance, if you are preparing to give a presentation in the office, picture yourself delivering an impeccable presentation. See the room—bright lights, attentive faces. Feel the confident aura around you.  Or, if you are an athlete who is preparing for a marathon, you can envisage completing the race. Feel the warmth of the sun, hear the crowd cheering. The clearer the vision, the more powerful its effect on your aspirations. Dive deep into these detailed mental images—they will pull you closer to the goal. Read more: How to Make Realistic New Year Resolutions that Stick In this way, people of any profession can utilise their mental power to imagine their successes.  Emotional Involvement  Visualisation stir emotions in the form of joy, excitement, and satisfaction. Emotions can drive people with strong determination to reach their targets. So, let your emotion propel you to forward your journey. For example, if you want to lose weight, you can try to imagine the situation of hitting your fitness target. In the same way, an athlete or a weight lifter can immerse himself in the thrill of crossing the finish line or lifting heavier weights. Feel the rush of adrenaline, the joy of overcoming challenges. It can inspire and energise you to carry out regular exercises and hard work required on the journey to success.  Read more: Good Stress: What Are the Benefits of Eustress? Goal-Specific Techniques  One needs to customise their visualisation methods for specific goals. If one is aiming for a promotion, one should envision confidently handling responsibilities in the new role. Also, picturing leading and motivating others with ease is important too.  Tailoring the visualisations to match your aspirations precisely will strengthen your belief and determination. It will make your path to success clearer and more achievable. Visualisation Scripts  Imagine detailed mental scripts outlining steps to achieve your goals. You can visualise smoothly tackling work challenges, learning and growing from each experience. These detailed mental scripts will guide you through the journey towards your goals. It will also boost your confidence in handling challenges along the way.  Read more: Effective Self-marketing Tips for Job Candidates For instance, if you want to go abroad for higher studies, imagine all the steps, such as taking IELTS, choosing Universities, applying, getting a visa, etc. Thus, mental scripting can help you meet the requirements one by one systematically.  Vision Boards  It is necessary to build a visual collection of your dreams. If longing for travel, gather images of dreamy destinations. Arrange these images, words, and symbols into a collage. Then, hang it where you can see it often.  This vivid display will energise you and remind you of your aspirations. It can reinforce what you are striving for each day. Let its presence inspire and focus your efforts, like working hard to save money for travelling.  Read more: Personal Grooming Tips and Tricks for Better Life and Career