On the carousel of life and career, we’re all trying to reach for that golden ring called productivity. Round and round we go, sometimes we get lucky, sometimes it slips from our grip.

That’s okay. I use a carousel metaphor because you always have a chance next time around to win the golden ring. If you don’t succeed today, you may succeed tomorrow.

That doesn’t mean you can’t game the system, though.

I’m coming from the world of freelancing and working from home. We tend not to have bosses and supervisors looking over our shoulders all day long, so being…

So you want to change the look of your home.

I understand. There’s nothing quite like updating or changing your home’s exterior to add some vitality to a place that has, perhaps, seemed a bit dull or worn down lately. Maybe you’re looking to sell and figure some fresh paint will help attract buyers.

Whatever the reason, selecting the best colors can be daunting. You don’t want to go too drab, but going too bold has drawbacks as well. Not to mention how the neighbors might react.

Here are some tips and suggestions for selecting the colors that will best…

Computer security is an issue that is not going to go away anytime soon, and any business that ignores cybersecurity does so at its peril. Whether it’s a data breach or the insertion of a piece of ransomware, you want to do everything you can to keep your computer networks safe.

Part of that involves being aware of what’s happening on your network and knowing how to recognize suspicious activity when it happens. By spotting trouble as soon as it appears, you stand a much better chance at saving yourself any number of headaches and costs.

Here are some things…

I’d always wanted to be a writer.

Ever since I was a kid, the world of words was one for me. I volunteered at the local library. I worked at the family bookstore. I majored in English Literature in college. I eventually started my own little publishing imprint.

Despite being surrounded by the works of wordsmiths all my life, becoming a writer eluded me.

Sure, I published a few short stories and poems here and there. I even got paid pretty well for a couple, and others had been nominated for awards. …

We want to think that once we’ve installed a piece of software, there are no other necessary tasks. However, if you’re not looking past its current usage and only planning on thinking about when it’s time to upgrade, you could be putting your entire infrastructure at risk.

When it comes to security issues, we hate to sound like doomsayers, but the risks of cyberattacks are all but guaranteed, with new threats arising on a near-daily basis. Your systems and software are vulnerable to exploitation from any number of sources. …

Is there ever a wrong time to invest in real estate? It seems if you’re patient enough, investments almost always work out.

Just the same, it’s a fair question — particularly these days. This past year has been rough, and there’s more economic uncertainty going around than one might think suitable for a healthy economy. Are record-low mortgage rates enough to make jumping into the real estate market worthwhile?

The decision depends much on each individual’s situation. The best first move would be to carefully research the local market and talk things over with local experts.

Here are some questions…

There’s nothing quite like a good cup of coffee.

Trouble is, visiting the local cafe to enjoy a cup of coffee is still a bit of a challenge. Between reduced hours and available seating, many coffee enthusiasts are forced to go without.

That’s unacceptable.

Fortunately, there is no reason coffee lovers can’t indulge in a quality caffeinated brew in the comfort of their own home while everyone waits for the world to return to normal.

This involves more than simply putting a generic coffee maker on the kitchen counter next to a couple of novelty mugs. No.

The quality home…

You have great employees, and you want to keep them. Still, there are many reasons why some employees leave a company and why some stay. One method to keep employees loyal to your business is to offer good benefits.

It can be tricky for some businesses to realize this.

Some believe that offering benefits will hurt their profits, and they can’t afford a good benefits package. According to MetLife’s 2019 Employee Benefits Trend Study, a more long-term approach suggests otherwise. Benefits make employees feel more valued and engaged. Employees who feel valued show greater productivity and job satisfaction. …