Momchakra.com

17Apr 2018 by Mala No Comments

How to Create a High-Converting Call-to-Action (CTA) Button

Blogging, Content Creation, Marketing & Sales, Tools and Techniques

Synopsis: A call-to-action (CTA) button is an integral part of blogging endeavor. It helps build engagement, invites responses and shares, opens communication channels, and builds your email list. This post explores the characteristics of a high-converting CTA button. You started a blog and you are investing hours upon hours of your life to create fabulous blog posts and very relevant content upgrades to go with the posts. Your email list is growing...but at a snail’s pace. You are creating fantastic mini-courses or worksheets for a nominal price and hoping someone will make a purchase. You are earning from your products...but not enough to even pay for weekly grocery. You waited patiently for your cat to do something fun, recorded it, and posted it on YouTube. Funny cat videos are something…

10Apr 2018 by Mala 1 Comment

How Bloggers Make Money: Sell Products and Services

Blogging, Monetization, Products & Services

Post Synopsis: Nothing feels more entrepreneurial than creating and selling your own products and services, such as eCourses, workbooks, freelance writing, etc. This post explores the fundamentals of creating and making money from your own products and services. What’s your greatest joy when it comes to being a blogger? I bet sharing your knowledge with others is one of the top answers. But you also want to make money out of it, right? As part of the How Bloggers Make Money series, I have already discussed three ways to monetize your website: Advertisement banners Sponsored posts Affiliate marketing But there’s only so much you can earn from the aforementioned methods. Consider this: some bloggers claim to be making a full-time income from these methods, especially affiliate marketing. They promote really…

04Apr 2018 by Mala 2 Comments

How Bloggers Make Money: Affiliate Marketing for Beginners

Affiliate Marketing, Blogging, Monetization, Start a blog, Tools and Techniques

Post Synopsis: Do you want to make money online by joining affiliate marketing programs? Do you want to know which are the top paying affiliate programs? Do you wish you were also earning a full-time income just like that famous blogger you admire? This post explores how you can start making money from top affiliate marketing programs. Have you ever come across bloggers or YouTubers talking about an awesome product they have tried and want you to purchase it too using their link? It could be a book, a course, a camera--anything really. Sometimes, the creator will even throw in a discount code for you to at the time of checkout. That’s affiliate marketing. A majority of people (not brands) start blogs because it’s one of the cheapest businesses to…

26Mar 2018 by Mala 2 Comments

How Bloggers Make Money: Sponsored Content

Blogging, Content Creation, Monetization, Sponsored Content

Post synopsis: Are you a blogger who wants to make money online? Creating sponsored content is a great way of earning an income from your website. This post explores the ins and outs of finding sponsored blogging opportunities and creating sponsored content. You know how I got addicted to YouTube? By watching beauty videos! That was some 8-9 years ago and online influencers and niche gurus were becoming a real thing. Beauty channels were especially huge on both YouTube and Google. Lifestyle blogs were making an appearance but all they posted really were “What’s my makeup routine?” “What’s in my bag?” “What’s my evening skincare routine?” etc. How many of you have watched Michelle Phan and Elle Fowler videos--the numero-uno beauty gurus of their time? You would know why it…

19Mar 2018 by Mala 5 Comments

All About Advertising Banners and Advertisement Networks

Blogging, Monetization, Traffic

Until a few years ago, displaying advertisement banners on blogs or websites was the primary source of income for most mommy bloggers. Banners would be found pasted across the header, footer, sidebar, within the post...basically, they would take up all the available white space on a website. What made them even more jarring to the eyes was that the advertisements were of poor design (color, font, etc.). Even today most websites (both personal and business) show advertisement banners that are either static and unobtrusive (such as text ad on the sidebar) or dynamic and intrusive (such as pop-ups, exit intents, etc.). Visit any online news website and you will know. But advertisement banners have come a long way. Not only have the aesthetics improved but the content is more targeted…

12Mar 2018 by Mala 8 Comments

The Truth About Earning a Passive Income Online From Your Blog

Blogging, Monetization, Other Thoughts

If you’ve started a self-hosted blog, chances are you want to earn from it. There are two types of income you can make from a self-hosted blog--active and passive. Yet somehow, the idea of earning a passive income online enchants new bloggers more than the idea of earning an active income. Active income refers to the earning that requires you to provide a service in real-time and continuously, such as from a membership site, coaching services, copywriting, etc. Passive income refers to the earning that does not require you to market a product or provide a service in real-time or continuously, such as displaying third-party advertisement on your website. All you need to do is embed the code--a 5-minute job--and hope people will view/click the advertisement. Then, what about…

05Mar 2018 by Mala 7 Comments

How to Start a Blog When You Are On a Budget

Blogging, Content Creation, Start a blog

So you’ve decided to start a blog and become a blogger…a professional blogger. Good for you! It’s a fast-growing community of awesome people who are driven to live life on their own terms. Blogging success stories are shared in every popular media. Bloggers are replacing traditional celebrities in many endorsement deals. These “bloggers” are now known as “digital influencers.” They have the power to make or break upcoming brands with their reviews. They are also teachers, mentors, coaches, and employers. They are the new face of the digital world. And you want to join the club. But if you are looking for someone to tell you how to start a blog for free and make money, my friend, it's not happening. Because professional blogging is a business and no business…

26Feb 2018 by Mala 12 Comments

How to Monetize Your Blog

Blogging, Monetization

“How to start a profitable blog” - I am sure you have seen these words floating around on search engines and social media platforms. And for good reason too! Take a look at this startling statistic: according to HostingFacts.com, “the internet influenced sales to the tune of $2.1 trillion in 2016.” $2.1 TRILLION! Being a business owner is not a dream reserved only for a handful of people anymore. Anyone with special skills can create and sell their products or services without even having to invest in a brick and mortar physical storefront. If you sit to think of at least five industries that aren’t online yet, you will just be wasting your time. Almost every industry in some way or the other has an online presence. And taking advantage…

19Feb 2018 by Mala No Comments

The Ultimate Guide to a High-Converting Lead Magnet

Blogging, Content Creation, Email Marketing, Tools and Techniques

Synopsis: A lead magnet or an optin freebie is a free resource you give away to your readers in exchange for their email IDs. This post explores the frequently asked questions (FAQ) related to lead magnets. As a business owner, one of your main goals is to find leads and convert them into paying customers. Right? But how do you find those customers? In a brick-and-mortar business, your shop is your proof of concept but you may also mail flyers and possibly drop an advertisement in the local newspaper. But what are your options in the blog world? Well, you embrace the most popular medium of communication in the digital world--the email. I tell you the email is the greatest invention of all times, especially for an introvert like me.…

12Feb 2018 by Mala 2 Comments

TED Talks: 5 More Inspirational Talks You Should Watch

Inspiration, Wellness

Way back in June 2017, I had posted a list of 5 inspirational TED Talks. That post is still my highest traffic source. I had no idea it would attract so many readers. But then it dawned on me that the post is so popular because it has met its objective--to motivate others. The scope of that post, of course, was very broad because it could be a motivator for anyone and everyone and not just my niche audience. After all, each one of us needs a dose of inspiration every now and then. Between our work responsibilities and family responsibilities, most of have very little time left for self-care. I do not mean the self-care that involves long showers and relaxing massages, or just 30 minutes alone time without…

05Feb 2018 by Mala 2 Comments

How to Create a Quiz That Converts

Blogging, Content Creation, Email Marketing, Tools and Techniques

Have you heard of Buzzfeed quizzes? Never mind; scrap that because I know you have. New question: have you tried a Buzzfeed or similar quiz? Come on, no shame! I have taken SO many quizzes it’s embarrassing. Here are some I remember: Which Disney princess are you? Which city should to move to? Which vegetable are you? (Say, what?!) What type of a mom are you? (Panda!) Are you a bad mom? :-O (Okay, this was around the time the movie Bad Moms was showing, but I tell you, mom guilt is real!) That said, over time, these quizzes faded into the oblivion because I stopped using my personal Facebook profile. It was part of my “simplify life” action plan. That was two years ago. If it weren’t for Momchakra.com…

25Jan 2018 by Mala 28 Comments

How to Promote Your Content (and Not Just on Social Media)

Blogging, Content Creation, Email Marketing, SEO, Social Media, Tools and Techniques, Traffic

You have created an awesome piece of content--be it a blog post, a video, or a podcast episode--but no one knows about it. Not until you put it out for others to see it. For a new blogger, getting organic traffic is mostly unheard of. That’s because ranking on search engine result pages takes a lot of hard work and time. While you improve your SEO skills, you need to find other places to promote your content and attract blog traffic. For those of you who downloaded the Boost Your SEO Cheat Sheet, you would have noticed that promoting your content on social media platform plays a huge role in getting your brand name out there. But, blog promotion is hard work. You are competing with hundreds of, if not…

12Jan 2018 by Mala 31 Comments

How to Reuse Old Blog Posts

Blogging, Content Creation

We all have just come out of an extremely busy season. The first quarter of every year promises to be as busy. During such time-strapped periods, you feel drained out and it takes a lot to motivate yourself. As a result, often your work commitments fall by the wayside. But you don’t want to let go of those commitments. It is essential to keep your audience connected to you and your brand throughout the year. And especially during the busy times because your existing audience is going through the same motions and is looking for support. Additionally, there are a lot of new people looking to start something new. Again, they need inspiration and motivation. So how do you ensure you are still putting up quality posts even when you…

03Jan 2018 by Mala 3 Comments

Free Resource: Boost Your SEO Cheat Sheet

Blogging, SEO

If you have been around in the blogosphere for even a month, you would have surely heard about the term “search engine optimization,” or SEO. That is for a reason. In the long run, your SEO is what will carry your blog. Look, there is no denying the popularity of social media platforms in promoting your website. My highest traffic comes from Facebook. But with every week, I am starting to notice an increase in the number of organic searches. That’s my SEO tree bearing fruits. I want to help you grow your blog as I grow my own. SEO requires a rather broad skill set to master. I, obviously, am no master. Nonetheless, whatever little I do so far, I am sharing those strategies with you in the cheat…

29Dec 2017 by Mala 24 Comments

How to Increase Your Blog’s Readability Score

Blogging, Content Creation, SEO, Tools and Techniques

Have you heard of the term 'readability score'? Perhaps back in school, you were asked to write an essay or a report with a certain readability score. Well, what you learn in school doesn't stay in school. As a blogger, you must ensure that your content is on par with your audience's level of experience and literacy. Your content should NOT be too easy for your readers to understand because they will then undervalue your expertise. At the same time, it should NOT be too challenging because it will turn off your readers and add no value to their lives. If you have never heard about the term 'readability,' it is a measurement system for your content. Based on several parameters, the system assigns a score. The Flesch–Kincaid readability measuring…

07Dec 2017 by Mala 2 Comments

How to Make Your Blog Images Rank Higher on Search Engine Result Pages

Blogging, SEO, Tools and Techniques

All links prefixed with an asterisk (*) are affiliate links. Any purchase you make by clicking these links will earn me a small commission but will not cost you anything extra. For more details, please read my Disclosure Policy. Let’s begin with a fun fact about me: *I LOVE PLANNERS! I am somewhat obsessed with them. My latest obsession is the *bullet journal system. I mentioned in an earlier post that I am a new entrant in the bujo world. So, every other night, after I am done with all my chores, I sit and browse bullet journal inspirations. I type in “What’s in my bullet journal?” or something similar in the Google search bar. But I don’t search for text posts. I search for images (click the “Images” tab on…

28Nov 2017 by Mala 10 Comments

How to Exclude Your Own Visits from Google Analytics

Blogging, Tools and Techniques, Traffic

It is natural for new bloggers to check their traffic on Google Analytics very often. I know I used to check my numbers every few hours (bad habit—don’t do it!). As bloggers and website owners, we want our message to reach as many people as possible. This not only helps your brand endorsement but also pushes you up on search engine result pages (SERPs) as well as builds your portfolio for sponsored opportunities. Moreover, for bloggers who monetize their website using third-party display advertisements, page views are paramount to their earning. This is why page views are such a sought-after number in the digital content world. Related Reading: How to write a compelling blog headline that guarantees clickthroughs But did you know that unless you tell Google Analytics to exclude your…

24Nov 2017 by Mala 6 Comments

The Ultimate Gift Guide for Bloggers & Small Business Owners

Blogging, Other Thoughts, Tools and Techniques

Blogging may be a low-investment business/hobby (at least to start with), but occasionally we all want to indulge. What better time to do so than the holiday season when brands dole out awesome deals. So, if you are a blogger or a small business owner, or if you know someone who is one, this gift guide is perfect for you. It lists mostly the essentials but also some fancy items that a blogger and/or entrepreneurial heart will love. Let’s get started. All links prefixed with an asterisk (*) are affiliate links. Any purchase you make by clicking these links will earn me a small commission but will not cost you anything extra. For more details, please read my Disclosure Policy. The Ultimate Gift Guide for Bloggers & Small Business Entrepreneurs…

15Nov 2017 by Mala 19 Comments

How to Write a Compelling Blog Headline That Guarantees Clickthroughs

Blogging, Content Creation, Tools and Techniques

Across search engines and/or Pinterest, what is the first thing you notice about the search results? What compels you to pick a particular blog post? Is it the image and its styling? Is it the author/website’s name? Is it the headline or title? In most cases, it has to be the headline. Here’s why: You query the search engine for specific information. By default, the search engine result pages (SERP) display the most relevant results for your search query. That means within each page, it now comes down to the competition among all the listings. Now, you will either default to viewing the results top-down, i.e. in the order the search engine displays the results or you will pick the result that aligns closest with your requirements the most. This alignment comes from…

31Oct 2017 by Mala 15 Comments

What are “Nofollow” Links and When to Use Them

Blogging, SEO, Tools and Techniques

Disclaimer: The information about nofollow links in this post is true as of October 31, 2017. The information may change in the future and may even differ for various search engines. So, please take the article with a pinch of salt and always be on the lookout for any algorithm updates in the future. Search Engine Optimization, or SEO—a term most of us are familiar with. But SEO isn’t just about researching and using keywords in your posts. There’s much, much more to it. The trouble is no one really has the complete list of guidelines that will help you rank your posts on the first page of search results. As a result, most of us spend hours agonizing about keyword research and usage. This is not to say it…

26Oct 2017 by Mala 17 Comments

How to Grab Your Readers’ Attention

Blogging, Content Creation, Tools and Techniques

According to a Nielsen report, “on the average Web page, users have time to read at most 28% of the words during an average visit; 20% is more likely.” So, if you wrote a 1000-word blog post, your reader will read only 280 words of your post. Wanna bet most of those words will be in your post’s introduction? I have written about this earlier too: before even knowing the relevance of a post, your audience must be ready to pay attention to your writing. And you have about 15 seconds to do so. Why Do You Need to Grab Your Readers' Attention? How many of you deal or have dealt with a toddler or a preschooler? There are times when you are fighting tooth and nail to gain their…

16Oct 2017 by Mala No Comments

6 Lessons from My First 6 Months of Blogging

Blogging, Other Thoughts

I have officially crossed the much-acclaimed six-month mark in the blogging world. Yay! I think six months is a good enough time to test the waters and find out if one is cut out for the blogging world. I know I am! During these first six months, I have learned about the backend of the blog, a basic idea of how to identify and attract the right kind of audience, how to create useful content upgrades, etc. But there’s so much more to learn. You guys, I started blogging with some idea about the hard work that needs to be put in. That’s because I spent a lot of time researching the ins and outs of professional blogging before I decided to take the plunge. What I didn’t anticipate is…

10Oct 2017 by Mala 22 Comments

How to create 10 blog posts from just one idea | FREE 300+ blog post ideas

Blogging, Content Creation

You started blogging with great intentions. You started with a bang and in the process exhausted all of your awesome ideas. Now, a few weeks in, you are struggling to come up with topic ideas. That spells trouble for anyone with true intentions of blogging professionally. Or, perhaps you are great with ideation. You are religiously publishing a new post every week. Now, you want to ramp up your publishing schedule and publish more blog posts every week. Even if you don’t see yourself as either of the above examples, it’s always good to have a list of ideas to work with. So, what can you do to come up with more and more ideas? Sure, you have to use the tried-and-tested techniques (Google Keyword Planner, Pinterest search bar, BuzzSumo,…

25Sep 2017 by Mala 2 Comments

7 Necessary Productivity Hacks for Gmail User

Productivity, Tech Tips, Time Management

Gmail is the e-mail service provider of choice for millions of people, including me. It has become not only the most-used personal e-mail system but also a strong business e-mail system. Whether it is your way of staying in touch with your child’s school, other mom friends, or even your friends from back in school, I am willing to bet 80% of you use Gmail. I was one of the early adopters of Gmail, back in 2004. Those days, you could join Gmail only through an invitation from an existing user. The streamlined, minimal interface of the system was like a breath of fresh air among the cluttered interfaces of Yahoo! and Hotmail. User-friendly Gmail soon spread like a wildfire among the young and the old. Gmail has been in existence…

01Sep 2017 by Mala 2 Comments

How to Create Memorable and Effective Instructional Content? (Part 2 of 2)

Blogging, Content Creation, Tools and Techniques

Creating high-quality instructional content (in a blog) is a highly sought-after income option. Isn’t it amazing it to share your knowledge with others and eventually being paid for it? Your writing may help a working mom to manage her time better. Your writing may allow a stay-at-home to add to her family’s finances. Your writing may help a toddler mom to learn how to engage her child. The possibilities are many. And they are all positive! In my earlier post, I introduced you to the ARCS model of presenting instructional content. You learned about the importance of including the elements of attention, relevance, confidence, and satisfaction in your writing. While the ARCS model will help you keep an overarching strategy in mind, you also need to work on the meat of…

29Aug 2017 by Mala 18 Comments

How to Create Memorable and Effective Instructional Content? (Part 1 of 2)

Blogging, Content Creation, Tools and Techniques

Have you ever found yourself attracted to a particular blogger’s writing style? Have you ever thought what is it about this blogger’s style that attracts you? For example, I LOVE reading Ruth Soukup’s weekly posts on the Elite Blog Academy blog and the related newsletter that comes with each post. It took me a while to figure out why her writing was so effective. Most of her posts: Have an attention-grabbing or action-oriented headline Illustrate a personal but relatable struggle of hers in the introduction Pose a thought-provoking question End with a strong dose of motivation Use simple and familiar language These are all tenets of great writing, especially when it comes to instructional or motivational articles. Besides the obvious element of great “writing,” the effectiveness of such posts also…

21Aug 2017 by Mala 8 Comments

The Anatomy of a Style Guide + Free Starter Template

Blogging, Content Creation, Tools and Techniques

Ever since I started this blog four months ago, I have been playing around with themes and trying to establish its visual branding guidelines (I realize I will have to purchase a premium theme and/or hire a designer eventually, but for now, I enjoy playing with the available resources). While I have been pretty sure about the style of content this blog will carry, I have been quite fickle with the visual aspect. So, every time I changed the theme, I wanted to update the color scheme of all images on the blog and social media. I have experimented with so many colors pallets (all in the same color family though) and fonts, it was difficult to keep track. And then it hit me! Why wasn’t I using the #1…

07Aug 2017 by Mala 8 Comments

5 Ways I’m Eliminating New Blogger Overwhelm

Blogging, Other Thoughts

How often have you sat at your desk after putting your children to sleep or finishing your day job, and suddenly did not know where to start? As a new blogger, you feel overwhelmed even before you start working on your new blog post. You are not sure whether you should finalize the post first, or separate your draft from your editing process. You sit at your desk and stare at your computer. Finally, you give up and call it a day. I wrote about my frustrations as a new blogger. But, I wasn’t going to let that keep me down for too long. I needed to address those issues and tackle them head-on. Here’s what I realized: this feeling of overwhelm is natural when you are being pulled in five…

05Aug 2017 by Mala No Comments

Batch Processing + My Blogging Routine

Blogging, Productivity, Routines, Tools and Techniques

There was a time I was wildly fascinated with the lifestyle of the French. I wanted to know everything about their lifestyle: how they dress, how they live, how they raise children, what they eat…everything. So, I started following a few bloggers who write about the “Parisian Chic” life. In one of the posts, the writer mentioned how French women build exercise into their daily routines. They walk everywhere. They take the stairs. They grocery shop several times a week. Wait, what?! Call me lazy but I don’t want to step out of the house multiple times a day. When I am out, I better finish all (or most) of the errands, return home, and kick off my shoes. I grocery shop weekly. I go to the gym directly after…

03Aug 2017 by Mala 10 Comments

How to Set SMART Goals and Accomplish More Every Day! + Free Goal-setting Template

Goal-setting, Productivity

A friend of mine recently came up with the idea to start a home stationery business. As we got talking about the business and her vision for growth, we agreed that she needed to put her vision on paper for more accountability and clarity. Naturally, one of the first things that came to mind was to create goals so she can measure the success and growth of her business. Among others, here is what she wrote as her goal: Be the one-stop shop for all things in home stationery. Let me add here that this is the first business she plans to launch. I applaud her for that. It takes guts! She quit her full-time job as a graphic designer 7 years ago to stay at home with her then-newborn…

20Jul 2017 by Mala 15 Comments

My Struggles and Learning as a New Blogger

Blogging, Other Thoughts

What's that one thing every new blogger experiences during the first few weeks? FRUSTRATION! *Minor Rant Alert* I have been blogging for about three months now but let's be honest, my efforts are nowhere close to what some other new bloggers put in. The blog is just not among the top three priorities of my life at the moment. So, two weeks ago, it was time to visit my parent's house 1000 miles away with my almost-four-year-old son. These were to be his last few days of summer holidays and I was determined to make his visit as memorable as possible. I needed to plan a lot for this trip. Where would the time for all this planning come from? My blogging time, of course. And so it happened one…

13Jul 2017 by Mala 9 Comments

5 Tips to Have an Amazing Morning Routine…Every Day!

Productivity, Routines, Wellness

Enough has been said about the importance of having a good morning routine. Routines are something I seek and test out very frequently. Mommy routine, morning routine, evening routine, cleaning routine, fitness routine...the list goes on and on. The reason I am so interested in routines is I want to learn how to simplify and/or better my life. Some of these "hacks" work for me, some don't. But try I will. So today, my friends, I bring to you my current morning routine and why you should consider adopting it too. Now, first things first: this post is purely focussed on incorporating "health" in your morning routine. And for that reason, it will not tell you to make your bed, throw a load of laundry, make your To-Do list, or…

29Jun 2017 by Mala 1 Comment

How Desktop Clutter Is Killing Your Productivity and How to Address it

Decluttering, Productivity, Tech Tips, Time Management

I hate clutter. I hate it. I pride myself on being super organized and yet this morning as I switched on my laptop, I was struck by this monstrosity! Now, to some of you, this may seem like a normal "working" desktop. I salute you! I don't know how you find anything on this desktop without spending energy and time that could be put to better use. But you know why it bothered me? Here's the thing: not one month ago, all I had on my desktop was the Post-it note and the three folders you see on the far right of the screen. I am obsessive about cleaning out my desktop because in the past I have spent a lot of time digging through tens of files and folders…

22Jun 2017 by Mala 54 Comments

TED Talks: Top 5 Inspirational Talks You Should Watch

Mood, Wellness

Ok! Let's begin with a confession. I am addicted to YouTube. I spend a couple of hours on YouTube every day, mostly watching auditions of singing or talent-based reality shows, or I watch mom bloggers (or vloggers, in YT slang). It's my way of decompressing. Now, most days, I go through the videos guilt-free, but often I talk myself out of it. While YouTube indeed is a great source of entertainment, I find it lacking in content that is educational. Enter TED Talk. Now, for those of you who have never seen a TED video, here's the deal: TED is an annual conference where influencers from various fields share their experiences, learnings, and visions. Given the popularity of the original conference, nowadays, several local bodies and institutions are hosting their own scaled-down version. This…

15Jun 2017 by Mala 73 Comments

5 Things to be Grateful For Every Day + Free 31 Days Worth of Gratitude Prompts!

Gratitude, Wellness

Earlier this week, I traveled with my son to visit some relatives in another city. It was a tough trip for me because, throughout the four-hour-long journey (one way), my almost-four-year-old son was fidgety and wanted attention (my husband couldn't join us due to work deadlines). Now, if you are a parent or a caregiver, I am sure you understand how exhausting it is to entertain a child for four hours continuously while on the road and then again for two days+nights and another four-hour journey back home. I was ready to pull my hair out several times during this trip. But in the end, the only thing that stopped me in my tracks was reminding myself about the purpose of our visit. You see, I am at an age…

06Jun 2017 by Mala 21 Comments

5 Free Productivity Apps to Organize Your Life

Productivity, Tech Tips, Time Management

Ah! Productivity and Technology--two of my favorite areas of interest—and, when these two come together, I can spend hours absorbing information related to them and then several more hours telling others about these. You can tell I am passionate about these two subjects! The other day I was visiting a friend and we got talking about paper vs. digital planning. We agreed both of us love paper planners over digital planners—I like to write things down; typing does not hold the same motivation. Then, our harmless conversation things started to move into the “tech-bashing” zone, and it got me riled up. Look, there is no denying the analog world will always be more charming than the digital world, which is evolving every day. But, we also cannot deny the ease of…

31May 2017 by Mala 9 Comments

Sleep Faster and Better: Top 5 Tips for Get a Restful Night’s Sleep

Rest, Routines, Wellness

Hello, sleepyhead! What's keeping you awake? A newborn baby, too much coffee, a high-profile impending presentation, a thousand emotions bottled up inside of you? Or perhaps, you lay awake reflecting on the past, or worrying about the future. No matter what your reason is, we need to address it. Because you know, sleep deprivation is not only a hindrance to your daily productivity but it can also affect your health and wellness in an adverse manner. Studies reveal that not getting enough sleep over an extended period of time can lead to serious health issues, including high blood pressure and heart attack. 5 Tips to Sleep Faster and Better So, what should you do? I have listed five tips you should try for faster and better sleep. Add Physical Exercise to Your…

17May 2017 by Mala 10 Comments

Water: The Life-changing Magic of Drinking Up!

Nutrition, Wellness

Back in school, we all learned that our planet comprises 70% water (though with the whole global warming threat, I wonder what the percentage shift will be 10 years from now). It's a sweet irony that the inhabitants of this wonderful blue planet--humans--are also made up of primarily water. Water is not only the main constituent of cells and tissues in our bodies, it is also present in various life organs, such as the brain, the heart, the lungs, and the kidneys. Water is what helps flush out the toxins from your body; it is what helps keep your brain ticking. Why Drink Water? Don't you think water must be somewhat of a magic potion? Well, guess what--it is! Studies have established the benefits of hydrating our bodies on a regular…

04May 2017 by Mala 70 Comments

Work-at-home Moms: 5 Productivity Tips

Productivity, Time Management

I am a work-at-home mom. Every time I mention my work situation to family or friends, they say, "You are so lucky! You can stay at home and earn money. I wish I could be a work-at-home mom and earn my salary sitting in the comfort of my home." Well, I agree. Staying home, earning money, and watching my child grow up is a blessing. But I also tell my family and friends, my work-at-home situation isn't a bed of roses...work-at-home moms have to be really smart and disciplined to save their sanity. When I was working in my corporate job, we were encouraged to follow Eisenhower Decision Matrix, which is a very effective tool to help you identify and prioritize tasks that are truly important and/or urgent. To this day,…

24Apr 2017 by Mala 12 Comments

5 Ways to Slay Your To-Do List

Productivity, Time Management

Consider this: it's early morning. You are full of hope on this beautiful day. You sit down to write down your To-Do list for the day. And it grows. And grows. You better get a head start on the day. It's going to be a wonderfully productive day. Before you know it, it's evening and you are only halfway through your To-Do list. You reflect on where all the time went. Well, you know it as much as anyone else where it all went. Don't we all want our days to be productive? I know I do! But as moms, we often tend to bite off more than we can chew. Because, you know, there is just so much to do. It's not that you cannot do it, but remember some…

30Mar 2017 by Mala 3 Comments

How to be a Morning Person: Top 5 Tips

Productivity, Time Management, Wellness

Running late every morning? Need some alone time to meditate in the morning? Well, it’s time to become a morning person by waking up just a little bit earlier and use that time to not only get more things done but also to achieve wellness. But not every one of us is a morning person. I know I am not. I used to be, but I fell into the habit of waking up later and later during my pregnancy. But nature has a way of whipping you back in shape. There were things I wanted to do for myself -- like enjoy that morning cup of coffee (very important!) and sit quietly for 30 minutes before my toddler woke up and demanded all of my time for the rest of the…