Change Your Technology Mindset

As you embark on your journey to nurturing impressive locs, you'll likely receive a mix of responses, both positive and negative. Like me, many individuals with dreadlocks confront daily challenges in their professional and personal lives. Even after having locs for over thirty years, I still face negative stereotypes. Therefore, when confronted with these attitudes, it's crucial to make well-informed decisions regarding your family, career, and long-term aspirations.

A few tips to protect yourself

To counteract negative stereotypes, you can take several proactive steps:

1. Enhance your professional skills: Investing in yourself by acquiring or refining skills can make you more valuable in the job market, reducing the impact of biases.
2. Pursue a job that is more widely accepted: If your current role or industry is particularly prone to biases or stereotypes, consider transitioning to a field or position where you feel more respected and understood.
3. Launch your own business: Starting a business allows you to create your own work environment and culture, minimizing exposure to prejudice.

It's essential to acknowledge that while these suggestions can be demanding, they offer feasible paths to navigate and diminish the effects of negative stereotypes.

Use your computer as a tool for life enhancement

Computers offers countless avenues for personal and professional growth. Beyond just entertainment, here's a comprehensive look at harnessing the power of computers to improve your life:

1. Education and Skill Development:
   • Engage in online courses, ranging from university programs to hobby classes.
   • Use apps and platforms for language learning or follow online tutorials to acquire new knowledge.
2. Professional Growth:
   • Launch or manage an online business with e-commerce tools.
   • Network and further your career with platforms like LinkedIn.
   • Design a digital CV or portfolio to showcase your skills.
3. Health and Wellness:
   • Follow online workout tutorials or join virtual fitness classes.
   • Access meditation apps, online therapy platforms, or health tracking software for holistic well-being.
4. Financial Management:
   • Leverage budgeting software to manage expenses or dive into online platforms for investment insights, including stock market and cryptocurrencies.
5. Creativity and Expression:
   • Explore digital art, music production software, or start blogging to channel your creativity.
   • Dive into DIY tutorials for home projects or access a plethora of online recipes for culinary adventures.
6. Organization and Productivity:
   • Use task and calendar management tools to streamline your tasks and commitments.
   • Harness digital note-taking tools to capture ideas and organize thoughts.
7. Travel and Exploration:
   • Plan trips, book experiences, or even take virtual tours of dream destinations.
   • Engage in cultural exploration through documentaries or interactive websites.
8. Social and Personal Connections:
   • Stay connected with loved ones using communication tools or explore new relationships through online dating platforms.

By integrating these digital tools and platforms into your routine, you can amplify various facets of your life, from personal passions to career aspirations, ensuring a holistic approach to growth and well-being.

My story

I started a home-based business creating and selling information products online. This allows me to spend more time with my family and pursue my interests.

"Start where you are, with what you have. Make something of it and never be satisfied." - scientist George Washington Carver

Do what you can, with what you have

If you are reading this, you have the tools you need to start (a computer, laptop, or smartphone). Modern technology makes it possible to operate a business from anywhere with internet access.

What you need to start an online business

• A work area to concentrate, plan, and focus.
• A computer or laptop with a printer.
• Basic computer skills.
• Antivirus software.
• Productivity software.
• Internet access.
• Email accounts.
• A website or blog.
• Startup capital.
• A bank account with a Visa or debit card.

Research online business ideas

Starting an online business requires time, commitment, and hard work. Google "top online business" to find opportunities that match your skills, passions, and experiences. You can also visit Shopify, Etsy, eBay, and Squarespace for examples of products sold online.

Subscribe to good business blogs (like this one) to stay up-to-date. Be careful not to overload yourself with information. This can lead to procrastination. Make sure to balance work and study.

Words in the cloud

Word processing, word editors, and spreadsheets are two important applications that everyone should learn to use. All businesses require correspondence and a way to organize numbers. The most popular applications for both Windows and Mac are Microsoft Word and Excel.

Use a word processor to write documents, check grammar, edit, and format. You can also use it to compose business letters, legal documents, sales reports, and other correspondence. With spreadsheets, you can organize data into rows and columns, create graphs, and perform calculations.

Cloud storage is a convenient and cost-effective way to save documents, videos, music, and important files. Some popular cloud storage services include Dropbox, Hightail, Box, iCloud, and OneDrive. With cloud storage, you can access your data from anywhere.

Keep life organized

Both Mac and Windows operating systems have a calendar application. Use it to organize your daily, weekly, and monthly activities. Here are a few things you can do with your calendar software:

• Set reminders for meetings and appointments.
• Use different colors for different activities.
• Schedule exercise and meditation time.
• Block out non-negotiable family time.
• Indicate your hours of business.
• Plan social activities with friends.
• Most importantly, use it to schedule personal development time.

Don't try to rely on your memory to keep track of your activities. Use a calendar system that you can access anytime to stay organized and focused.

Learning forever

There are many online learning sites that offer high-quality courses on a variety of topics, including business, software applications, personal development, and more. Some popular sites include Udemy, Lynda, and Treehouse. Most courses are about 16 hours long and cost between $19 and $300. You can either purchase a complete course or pay a monthly fee. Many of these sites also have phone apps, so you can take the courses with you wherever you go.

Never without a book

Amazon's Kindle book system makes it easy to read consistently. Most successful people read two to three books a month. With Kindle, you can purchase and download high-quality books immediately. The average Kindle book costs between $0.99 and $10.00. As of this writing, there are over four million Kindle e-books available.

You can get a Kindle device or download the Kindle app on your phone. The Kindle device can hold more than a thousand e-books and is small enough to take with you wherever you go. You can read on the train, at the beach, by the pool, in line, or anywhere you have a few minutes to spare.

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