Congratulations!

[Valid RSS] This is a valid RSS feed.

Recommendations

This feed is valid, but interoperability with the widest range of feed readers could be improved by implementing the following recommendations.

Source: https://due.com/feed/

  1. <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0"
  2. xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"
  3. xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/"
  4. xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
  5. xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"
  6. xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/"
  7. xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/"
  8. >
  9.  
  10. <channel>
  11. <title>Due</title>
  12. <atom:link href="https://due.com/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
  13. <link>https://due.com/</link>
  14. <description></description>
  15. <lastBuildDate>Fri, 26 Apr 2024 23:32:29 +0000</lastBuildDate>
  16. <language>en-US</language>
  17. <sy:updatePeriod>
  18. hourly </sy:updatePeriod>
  19. <sy:updateFrequency>
  20. 1 </sy:updateFrequency>
  21. <generator>https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.4</generator>
  22. <item>
  23. <title>Contemplating 24/7 trading at NYSE</title>
  24. <link>https://due.com/contemplating-24-7-trading-at-nyse/</link>
  25. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Taylor Sohns MBA, CIMA®, CFP®]]></dc:creator>
  26. <pubDate>Sat, 27 Apr 2024 12:05:00 +0000</pubDate>
  27. <category><![CDATA[Money Tips]]></category>
  28. <category><![CDATA[24/7 trading]]></category>
  29. <category><![CDATA[New York Stock Exchange]]></category>
  30. <category><![CDATA[NYSE]]></category>
  31. <category><![CDATA[Warren Buffett]]></category>
  32. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://due.com/?p=81210</guid>
  33.  
  34. <description><![CDATA[<p>The iconic bell of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) has been a symbol of the financial world&#8217;s rhythm for the past century. Every Monday through Friday, at precisely 9:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., the bell rings to signal the opening and closing of trading. This bell doesn&#8217;t just dictate when you can buy and [&#8230;]</p>
  35. <p>The post <a href="https://due.com/contemplating-24-7-trading-at-nyse/">Contemplating 24/7 trading at NYSE</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>
  36. ]]></description>
  37. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The iconic bell of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) has been a symbol of the financial world&#8217;s rhythm for the past century. Every Monday through Friday, at precisely 9:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., the bell rings to signal the opening and closing of trading. This bell doesn&#8217;t just dictate when you can buy and sell stocks, a practice engaged in by 58% of American households, but it also shapes people&#8217;s lives and schedules. The timing of the bell influences traffic patterns globally as traders, brokers, and other financial professionals adjust their routines to align with the NYSE&#8217;s operating hours.</p>
  38. <h2>A shift towards 24/7 trading</h2>
  39. <p>However, this long-standing tradition may soon undergo a significant transformation. The NYSE is contemplating a move towards 24/7, 365 <a href="https://due.com/a-retirees-guide-to-trading-stocks/">stock trading</a>, a shift that would mean the stock market never closes. This potential change raises several questions about the future of trading, the impact on financial professionals, and the broader implications for the <a href="https://due.com/geopolitical-conflicts-impact-on-global-economy/">global economy</a>.</p>
  40. <div>
  41. <div align="center">
  42. <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C6Ka7HFu3aq/" data-instgrm-version="14">
  43. <div style="padding: 16px;">
  44. <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;">
  45. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div>
  46. <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;">
  47. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div>
  48. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div>
  49. </div>
  50. </div>
  51. <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div>
  52. <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div>
  53. <div style="padding-top: 8px;">
  54. <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div>
  55. </div>
  56. <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div>
  57. <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;">
  58. <div>
  59. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div>
  60. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div>
  61. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div>
  62. </div>
  63. <div style="margin-left: 8px;">
  64. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div>
  65. <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"></div>
  66. </div>
  67. <div style="margin-left: auto;">
  68. <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div>
  69. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div>
  70. <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div>
  71. </div>
  72. </div>
  73. <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;">
  74. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div>
  75. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div>
  76. </div>
  77. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  78. <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C6Ka7HFu3aq/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Taylor Sohns &#8211; CFP®, CIMA®, MBA &#8211; Finance (@lifegoalinvestments)<br />
  79. </a></p>
  80. </div>
  81. </blockquote>
  82. <p><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></p>
  83. </div>
  84. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  85. </div>
  86. <h2>Taking a page from cryptocurrencies</h2>
  87. <p>The idea of a 24/7 <a href="https://due.com/does-a-recession-cause-a-stock-market-drop/">stock market</a> isn&#8217;t entirely new. Cryptocurrencies, the digital <a href="https://due.com/terms/asset-financing/">assets</a> that have disrupted the financial world in recent years, have always been traded around the clock. This non-stop trading has allowed for a global, decentralized market that never sleeps. The NYSE&#8217;s consideration of a similar model suggests that traditional Wall Street may take a page out of the new school crypto trading book.</p>
  88. <h2>The pros and cons of a 24/7 market</h2>
  89. <p>The question that arises is whether this shift is a positive evolutionary change or a <a href="https://due.com/shedding-negativity-for-a-healthier-life/">negative</a> one. On one hand, proponents argue that a 24/7 stock market would make markets more efficient. With the ability to trade anytime, investors could respond more quickly to news and events, potentially reducing the volatility seen in overnight futures markets. This could also provide more opportunities for retail investors, who often find themselves at a disadvantage due to the <a href="https://due.com/how-to-be-a-winning-investor-in-the-current-market-three-simple-options/">current market</a> hours.</p>
  90. <p>However, critics like Warren Buffett might argue that this change could bring a whole new level of <a href="https://due.com/major-betting-operator-ensures-that-tribal-parties-are-respected/">gambling</a> to the stock market. The ability to trade around the clock could encourage impulsive decisions and speculative trading, potentially leading to increased market volatility. Furthermore, the absence of a closing bell could make it harder for investors to disconnect, leading to increased stress and burnout.</p>
  91. <h2>Impact on financial professionals</h2>
  92. <p>Another critical question is the impact of this change on financial professionals. Currently, many base their schedules around the NYSE&#8217;s operating hours. A shift to 24/7 trading could disrupt these routines, potentially leading to longer working hours and less downtime. This could have significant implications for work-life balance in an industry already known for its demanding schedules.</p>
  93. <h2>Balancing the benefits and drawbacks</h2>
  94. <p>In conclusion, the potential shift towards a 24/7 <a href="https://due.com/stock-market-rises-amid-contradictory-expectations/">stock market</a> represents a significant evolution in the world of trading. While it could bring increased efficiency and opportunities, it raises concerns about market stability and the well-being of financial professionals. As the NYSE considers this change, balancing these potential benefits and drawbacks will be crucial to ensure a sustainable and fair trading environment.</p>
  95. <hr style="margin: 30px;" />
  96. <h2>Frequently Asked Questions</h2>
  97. <h3>Q. What is the significance of the NYSE bell?</h3>
  98. <p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">The bell of the New <a href="https://due.com/terms/new-york-stock-exchange-nyse/">York Stock Exchange</a> (NYSE) symbolizes the financial world&#8217;s rhythm. It rings at precisely 9:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, to signal the opening and closing of trading. This bell dictates when you can buy and sell stocks and shapes people&#8217;s lives and schedules, influencing <a href="https://due.com/decoding-global-finance-us-and-china/">global</a> traffic patterns as financial professionals adjust their routines to align with the NYSE&#8217;s operating hours.</p>
  99. <h3>Q. What is the proposed change to the NYSE&#8217;s operating hours?</h3>
  100. <p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">The NYSE is contemplating moving towards 24/7, 365-day stock trading. This would mean the stock market never closes, a significant shift from its current operating hours.</p>
  101. <h3>Q. Where did the idea of a 24/7 stock market originate?</h3>
  102. <p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">The concept of a 24/7 <a href="https://due.com/inflations-impact-on-the-stock-market/">stock market</a> isn&#8217;t entirely new. Cryptocurrencies, the digital assets that have disrupted the financial world in recent years, have always been traded around the clock. This non-stop trading has allowed for a global, decentralized market that never sleeps.</p>
  103. <h3>Q. What are the potential benefits and drawbacks of a 24/7 market?</h3>
  104. <p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">A 24/7 stock market could make markets more efficient and provide more opportunities for retail investors. However, it could also encourage impulsive decisions and speculative trading, potentially leading to increased market volatility. Furthermore, the absence of a closing bell could make it harder for investors to disconnect, leading to increased stress and burnout.</p>
  105. <h3>Q. How could a 24/7 market impact financial professionals?</h3>
  106. <p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">A shift to 24/7 <a href="https://due.com/terms/general-collateral-financing-trades-gcf/">trading</a> could disrupt the routines of financial professionals, potentially leading to longer working hours and less downtime. This could have significant implications for work-life balance in an industry already known for its demanding schedules.</p>
  107. <p>The post <a href="https://due.com/contemplating-24-7-trading-at-nyse/">Contemplating 24/7 trading at NYSE</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>
  108. ]]></content:encoded>
  109. <media:content xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" medium="image" type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.due.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/contemplating_nyse_trading-1024x585.png" width="800" height="457"><media:credit role="illustrator" scheme="urn:ebu">Due</media:credit></media:content> </item>
  110. <item>
  111. <title>Regulation Crowdfunding and the State of Angel Investing to be discussed by SEC</title>
  112. <link>https://due.com/regulation-crowdfunding-and-the-state-of-angel-investing-to-be-discussed-by-sec/</link>
  113. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Brian-Damien Morgan]]></dc:creator>
  114. <pubDate>Fri, 26 Apr 2024 23:32:29 +0000</pubDate>
  115. <category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
  116. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://due.com/?p=81287</guid>
  117.  
  118. <description><![CDATA[<p>The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is set to discuss Regulation Crowdfunding (Reg CF) and the State of Angel Investing. The SEC&#8217;s Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee will host a formal discussion on both topics on May 6. What is the Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee? The Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee, [&#8230;]</p>
  119. <p>The post <a href="https://due.com/regulation-crowdfunding-and-the-state-of-angel-investing-to-be-discussed-by-sec/">Regulation Crowdfunding and the State of Angel Investing to be discussed by SEC</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>
  120. ]]></description>
  121. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is set to discuss Regulation Crowdfunding (Reg CF) and the State of Angel Investing.</p>
  122. <p>The SEC&#8217;s Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee will host a formal discussion on both topics on May 6.</p>
  123. <h2>What is the Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee?</h2>
  124. <p>The Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee, a crucial body, advises the <a href="https://due.com/sec-to-host-second-annual-conference-on-emerging-trends-in-asset-management/">SEC</a> on all small business matters, ensuring that policy matters, regulations, and rules are respected.</p>
  125. <p>The body within the SEC was founded in 2016 as part of the <a href="https://www.sec.gov/files/Small%20Business%20Advocate%20Act%20of%202016-as%20amended.pdf">SEC Small Business Advocate Act of 2016</a>.</p>
  126. <p>The remit of the formal body focuses on small businesses and public companies. All Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee meetings are open to the public every quarter.</p>
  127. <h2>What does this investment meeting mean for small businesses?</h2>
  128. <p>The event kicks off with a focus on Reg CF, exploring ways to expand access to early-stage capital raising. Assistant Professor of Management &amp; Organization at USC Marshall School of Business, University of Southern California will lead the initial session as Speaker.</p>
  129. <p>The agenda states that “Dr. Chang is the author of a forthcoming independent academic report, “Women and Minority-Owned Businesses in Regulation Crowdfunding,” on the experiences and outcomes of women and racial minority business owners who participated in Reg CF.”</p>
  130. <p>Valerie Szczepanik, director of the <a href="https://due.com/registered-funds-industry-report-published-by-sec/">SEC’s</a> Office of Strategic Hub for Innovation and Financial Technology (FinHub), reconvenes the session after the afternoon break.</p>
  131. <p>Dr Szczepanik will “will provide an overview of the office’s mission and a brief synopsis of the regulatory landscape concerning cryptocurrency and token offerings, including the current market landscape for token offerings.”</p>
  132. <p>The final session of the public event will be called ‘Angel Investors: Activity and Trends. &#8216; Angel Investors play a pivotal role in the lives of small businesses and are key to keeping the idea of the American Dream alive.</p>
  133. <p>The session “will explore how angel investors make decisions, their views on investment risk, and consider whether there are ways to encourage more angel investment activity.” The members attending the session will be hoping to drive new life into Angel Investing and look for ways to facilitate this crucial part of early-stage companies.</p>
  134. <p>The May 6 meeting agenda has been posted <a href="https://www.sec.gov/sbcfac-agenda-050624">here</a> and anyone hoping to joining the session can tune in the official <a href="http://www.sec.gov">SEC site</a>.</p>
  135. <p>Image: <a href="https://ideogram.ai/g/QPNvI8ThRU68WPC4teZacQ/2">Ideogram</a>.</p>
  136. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  137. <p>The post <a href="https://due.com/regulation-crowdfunding-and-the-state-of-angel-investing-to-be-discussed-by-sec/">Regulation Crowdfunding and the State of Angel Investing to be discussed by SEC</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>
  138. ]]></content:encoded>
  139. <media:content xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" medium="image" type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.due.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/SEC-to-host-event-on-Angel-Investing.jpg" width="800" height="547"><media:credit role="illustrator" scheme="urn:ebu">Due</media:credit></media:content> </item>
  140. <item>
  141. <title>Tax-efficient investing for high earners</title>
  142. <link>https://due.com/tax-efficient-investing-for-high-earners/</link>
  143. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Taylor Sohns MBA, CIMA®, CFP®]]></dc:creator>
  144. <pubDate>Fri, 26 Apr 2024 18:55:40 +0000</pubDate>
  145. <category><![CDATA[Money Tips]]></category>
  146. <category><![CDATA[CDs]]></category>
  147. <category><![CDATA[investing]]></category>
  148. <category><![CDATA[Tax-efficient]]></category>
  149. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://due.com/?p=81245</guid>
  150.  
  151. <description><![CDATA[<p>High-income earners often find themselves in a conundrum when it comes to investing. While safe and reliable, traditional investment options like money market CDs, high-yield savings accounts, or short-term treasuries often come with hefty tax bills. This is especially true for those in high-income tax states like California. However, an alternative investment option offers similar [&#8230;]</p>
  152. <p>The post <a href="https://due.com/tax-efficient-investing-for-high-earners/">Tax-efficient investing for high earners</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>
  153. ]]></description>
  154. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>High-income earners often find themselves in a conundrum when it comes to investing. While safe and reliable, traditional investment options like money market CDs, high-yield savings accounts, or short-term treasuries often come with hefty tax bills. This is especially true for those in high-income tax states like California. However, an alternative investment option offers similar yields and stability but with a significantly lower tax burden. This article will delve into this investment option, explaining how it works, its benefits, and why it might be the right choice for high-income earners.</p>
  155. <h2>Understanding traditional investment options</h2>
  156. <p>Before we delve into alternative investment options, it&#8217;s important to understand traditional investment options and their tax implications. Money market CDs, high-yield savings accounts, and short-term treasuries are popular choices for investors looking for stable returns and low risk. For instance, these investments can yield around 5.3%, which is attractive. However, the picture changes dramatically when you factor in the tax implications.</p>
  157. <p>For high-income earners, especially those in the 37% <a href="https://due.com/terms/tax-brackets/">tax bracket</a>, the net yield after taxes can drop to as low as 3.3%. In high-income tax states like California, the yield after taxes can be even lower, at around 2.5%. This means that a significant portion of the <a href="https://due.com/terms/tax-return/">returns from these investments is lost to taxes</a>.</p>
  158. <div>
  159. <div align="center">
  160. <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C6OsSrVuicC/" data-instgrm-version="14">
  161. <div style="padding: 16px;">
  162. <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;">
  163. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div>
  164. <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;">
  165. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div>
  166. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div>
  167. </div>
  168. </div>
  169. <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div>
  170. <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div>
  171. <div style="padding-top: 8px;">
  172. <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div>
  173. </div>
  174. <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div>
  175. <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;">
  176. <div>
  177. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div>
  178. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div>
  179. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div>
  180. </div>
  181. <div style="margin-left: 8px;">
  182. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div>
  183. <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"></div>
  184. </div>
  185. <div style="margin-left: auto;">
  186. <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div>
  187. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div>
  188. <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div>
  189. </div>
  190. </div>
  191. <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;">
  192. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div>
  193. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div>
  194. </div>
  195. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  196. <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C6OsSrVuicC/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Taylor Sohns &#8211; CFP®, CIMA®, MBA &#8211; Finance (@lifegoalinvestments)<br />
  197. </a></p>
  198. </div>
  199. </blockquote>
  200. <p><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></p>
  201. </div>
  202. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  203. </div>
  204. <h2>The alternative investment option</h2>
  205. <p>Now, let&#8217;s explore the alternative <a href="https://due.com/cryptocurrency-and-gold/">investment option </a>offering similar yields and stability but significantly lower tax burdens. This investment option provides a <a href="https://due.com/terms/money-market-yield/">yield equivalent to a money market</a> CD or treasury bill, yielding 6.89% after considering taxes.</p>
  206. <p>What sets this investment apart is not just its comparable returns and stability but also its tax advantages. Unlike traditional investments, where you pay ordinary income taxes, this investment option is not subject to the same tax rules. While you hold this investment, you don&#8217;t pay taxes. Upon selling it, the tax rate is the capital gains tax rate, which is a fraction of your ordinary income rate.</p>
  207. <p>This means you can enjoy the same returns and lack of fluctuation as a money market CD, treasury bill, or high-yield <a href="https://due.com/whats-the-point-of-a-savings-account-anyway/">savings account</a>, but without giving away half the yield to the government in taxes.</p>
  208. <h2>The benefits of the alternative investment option</h2>
  209. <p>The primary benefit of this alternative investment option is the tax advantage. By paying capital gains tax instead of ordinary income tax, high-income earners can keep a significant portion of their <a href="https://due.com/investment-returns/">investment returns</a>. This can make a substantial difference in the long run, especially for those in high tax brackets or high-income tax states.</p>
  210. <p>Another benefit is the stability and predictability of this investment. Like traditional investment options, this alternative investment has the same return and lack of volatility as a three-month treasury bill. This makes it a safe and reliable choice for investors looking for steady returns.</p>
  211. <h2>Conclusion</h2>
  212. <p>Finding investment options that offer good returns without a hefty tax bill can be challenging for high-income earners. However, the alternative investment option discussed in this article offers a solution. With similar yields and stability to traditional investments but a significantly lower tax burden, it can be an attractive choice for those looking to maximize their investment returns.</p>
  213. <p>Investing is a personal decision that should be based on your <a href="https://due.com/setting-sail-for-success-charting-your-course-with-medium-term-financial-goals/">financial goals</a>, risk tolerance, and tax situation. Therefore, it&#8217;s always a good idea to consult a financial advisor before making <a href="https://due.com/investment-decisions/">investment decisions</a>. If you&#8217;re interested in exploring this alternative investment option, consider reaching out to a <a href="https://due.com/sec-what-does-your-financial-future-look-like/">financial</a> professional who can provide personalized advice based on your unique circumstances.</p>
  214. <hr style="margin: 30px;" />
  215. <h2>Frequently Asked Questions</h2>
  216. <h3>Q. What are the traditional investment options for high-income earners?</h3>
  217. <p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">Traditional <a href="https://due.com/retirement-investment-options/">investment options for high-income earners include money</a> market CDs, high-yield savings accounts, and short-term treasuries. These <a href="https://due.com/popular-investment-may-be-losing-you-money-heres-why/">investments are popular</a> due to their stable returns and low risk.</p>
  218. <h3>Q. What are the tax implications of traditional investment options?</h3>
  219. <p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">High-income earners, especially those in the 37% tax bracket, can see their net yield drop to as low as 3.3% after taxes drop. In high-income tax states like California, the yield after taxes can be even lower, at around 2.5%. This means that a significant portion of the returns from these investments is lost to taxes.</p>
  220. <h3>Q. What is the alternative investment option?</h3>
  221. <p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">The <a href="https://due.com/alternative-investments-in-a-high-priced-market/">alternative investment</a> option provides a yield equivalent to a money market CD or treasury bill, yielding 6.89% after considering taxes. Unlike traditional investments, where you pay ordinary income taxes, this option is not subject to the same tax rules. While you hold this investment, you don&#8217;t pay taxes. Upon selling it, the tax rate is the capital gains tax rate, which is a fraction of your ordinary income rate.</p>
  222. <h3>Q. What are the benefits of the alternative investment option?</h3>
  223. <p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">The primary benefit of this alternative investment option is the tax advantage. By paying capital gains tax instead of ordinary income tax, high-income earners can keep a larger portion of their investment returns. Another benefit is the stability and predictability of this investment. Like traditional investment options, this alternative investment has the same return and lack of volatility as a three-month treasury bill.</p>
  224. <h3>Q. How can I start investing in the alternative investment option?</h3>
  225. <p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">Investing is a personal decision that should be based on your financial goals, risk tolerance, and tax situation. Therefore, it&#8217;s always a good idea to consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions. If you&#8217;re interested in exploring this alternative investment option, consider reaching out to a financial professional who can provide personalized advice based on your unique circumstances.</p>
  226. <p>The post <a href="https://due.com/tax-efficient-investing-for-high-earners/">Tax-efficient investing for high earners</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>
  227. ]]></content:encoded>
  228. <media:content xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" medium="image" type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.due.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/high_earners_investing-1024x585.png" width="800" height="457"><media:credit role="illustrator" scheme="urn:ebu">Due</media:credit></media:content> </item>
  229. <item>
  230. <title>Integrating training into daily office routines</title>
  231. <link>https://due.com/integrating-training-into-daily-office-routines/</link>
  232. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Jeff Rose]]></dc:creator>
  233. <pubDate>Fri, 26 Apr 2024 18:01:32 +0000</pubDate>
  234. <category><![CDATA[Money Tips]]></category>
  235. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://due.com/?p=81077</guid>
  236.  
  237. <description><![CDATA[<p>In the modern world, the concept of work has evolved significantly. It is no longer confined to the traditional 9 to 5 office routine. Today, professionals are required to be versatile, adaptable, and always ready to learn. This article will delve into the importance of training sessions and how they seamlessly integrate into the daily [&#8230;]</p>
  238. <p>The post <a href="https://due.com/integrating-training-into-daily-office-routines/">Integrating training into daily office routines</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>
  239. ]]></description>
  240. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>In the modern world, the concept of work has evolved significantly. It is no longer confined to the traditional 9 to 5 office routine. Today, professionals are required to be versatile, adaptable, and always ready to learn. This article will delve into the importance of training sessions and how they seamlessly integrate into the daily office routine.</p>
  241. <h2>The importance of training sessions</h2>
  242. <p>Training sessions are an integral part of any professional&#8217;s life. They provide an opportunity to learn new skills, enhance existing ones, and stay updated with the latest trends and developments in the industry. These sessions are not just about acquiring knowledge&#8211;they are about applying that knowledge in real-world scenarios to improve performance and productivity.</p>
  243. <div>
  244. <div align="center">
  245. <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C6Bxk8yr_us/" data-instgrm-version="14">
  246. <div style="padding: 16px;">
  247. <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;">
  248. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div>
  249. <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;">
  250. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div>
  251. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div>
  252. </div>
  253. </div>
  254. <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div>
  255. <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div>
  256. <div style="padding-top: 8px;">
  257. <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div>
  258. </div>
  259. <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div>
  260. <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;">
  261. <div>
  262. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div>
  263. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div>
  264. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div>
  265. </div>
  266. <div style="margin-left: 8px;">
  267. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div>
  268. <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"></div>
  269. </div>
  270. <div style="margin-left: auto;">
  271. <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div>
  272. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div>
  273. <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div>
  274. </div>
  275. </div>
  276. <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;">
  277. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div>
  278. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div>
  279. </div>
  280. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  281. <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C6Bxk8yr_us/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Jeff Rose &#8211; CFP® &#8211; Finance (@jjeffrose)<br />
  282. </a></p>
  283. </div>
  284. </blockquote>
  285. <p><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></p>
  286. </div>
  287. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  288. </div>
  289. <h2>Transitioning from training to office work</h2>
  290. <p>After a rigorous training session, it&#8217;s time to head <a href="https://due.com/terms/back-office/">back to the office</a>. This transition from training to office work is not just a physical shift from one location to another. It&#8217;s a mental shift requiring one to switch gears from learning to application. It&#8217;s about taking the knowledge gained during the training session and applying it to daily tasks and responsibilities.</p>
  291. <h2>The office: a dynamic environment</h2>
  292. <p>The office is not just a physical space where work is done. It&#8217;s a dynamic environment that <a href="https://due.com/10-must-try-innovation-games-to-foster-creativity/">fosters creativity</a>, collaboration, and innovation. It&#8217;s a place where ideas are born, strategies are developed, and goals are achieved. The office is where the magic happens, where the knowledge and skills acquired during training sessions are put to the test.</p>
  293. <h2>The challenges of transitioning</h2>
  294. <p>The transition from training to office work can be challenging. It requires focus, discipline, and a strong work ethic. It&#8217;s about <a href="https://due.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-effective-cash-flow-management/">managing time effectively</a>, prioritizing tasks, and staying organized. It&#8217;s about maintaining a balance between learning and doing and acquiring and applying knowledge.</p>
  295. <h2>The role of training sessions</h2>
  296. <p>Training sessions equip professionals with the tools and techniques to excel in their roles. They provide insights into industry best practices, innovative strategies, and effective methodologies. They offer a platform for professionals to learn from experts, share experiences with peers, and gain valuable feedback.</p>
  297. <h2>The office: a platform for application</h2>
  298. <p>On the other hand, the office is where these tools and techniques are put into action. It&#8217;s where professionals showcase their skills, demonstrate their capabilities, and contribute to the <a href="https://due.com/financial-success-of-business/">organization&#8217;s success</a>. The office is where the theoretical knowledge gained during training sessions is transformed into practical application.</p>
  299. <h2>The testament to a professional&#8217;s adaptability</h2>
  300. <p>The seamless transition from training to office work is a testament to a professional&#8217;s adaptability, resilience, and commitment to continuous learning and improvement. It&#8217;s a reflection of their ability to take on challenges, overcome obstacles, and deliver results.</p>
  301. <h2>Conclusion</h2>
  302. <p>In conclusion, training sessions and office work are two sides of the same coin. They are interconnected and interdependent. They complement each other and contribute to a professional&#8217;s growth and development. The transition from training to office work is not just a routine shift; it&#8217;s a journey of learning, growth, and achievement. It&#8217;s about taking the knowledge and skills acquired during training sessions and applying them in the office to make a difference. It&#8217;s about turning learning into action and action into results.</p>
  303. <hr style="margin: 30px;" />
  304. <h2>Frequently Asked Questions</h2>
  305. <h3>Q. What is the importance of training sessions in a professional&#8217;s life?</h3>
  306. <p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">Training sessions are crucial as they provide an opportunity to learn new skills, enhance existing ones, and stay updated with the latest trends and developments in the industry. They are about applying acquired knowledge in real-world scenarios to improve performance and productivity.</p>
  307. <h3>Q. What does the transition from training to office work entail?</h3>
  308. <p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">This transition is not just a physical shift from one location to another. It&#8217;s a mental shift that requires one to switch gears from learning mode to application mode. It&#8217;s about taking the knowledge gained during the training session and applying it to daily tasks and responsibilities.</p>
  309. <h3>Q. How is the office environment described?</h3>
  310. <p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">The office is a dynamic environment that fosters creativity, collaboration, and innovation. It&#8217;s a place where ideas are born, strategies are developed, and goals are achieved. It&#8217;s where the knowledge and skills acquired during training sessions are put to the test.</p>
  311. <h3>Q. What are the challenges of transitioning from training to office work?</h3>
  312. <p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">The transition can be challenging as it requires focus, discipline, and a strong work ethic. It&#8217;s about managing time effectively, prioritizing tasks, and staying organized. It&#8217;s about maintaining a balance between learning and doing, between acquiring knowledge and applying it.</p>
  313. <h3>Q. What is the role of training sessions?</h3>
  314. <p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">Training sessions equip professionals with the tools and techniques they need to excel in their roles. They provide insights into industry best practices, innovative strategies, and effective methodologies. They offer a platform for professionals to learn from experts, share experiences with peers, and gain valuable feedback.</p>
  315. <h3>Q. How is the office a platform for application?</h3>
  316. <p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">The office is where these tools and techniques are put into action. It&#8217;s where professionals get to showcase their skills, demonstrate their capabilities, and contribute to the organization&#8217;s success. The office is where the theoretical knowledge gained during training sessions is transformed into practical application.</p>
  317. <h3>Q. What does the transition from training to office work signify about a professional&#8217;s adaptability?</h3>
  318. <p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">The seamless transition is a testament to a professional&#8217;s adaptability, resilience, and commitment to continuous learning and improvement. It&#8217;s a reflection of their ability to take on challenges, overcome obstacles, and deliver results.</p>
  319. <h3>Q. How are training sessions and office work interconnected?</h3>
  320. <p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">Training sessions and office work are two sides of the same coin. They are interconnected and interdependent. They complement each other and contribute to a professional&#8217;s overall growth and development. The transition from training to office work is a journey of learning, growth, and achievement. It&#8217;s about taking the knowledge and skills acquired during training sessions and applying them in the office to make a difference.</p>
  321. <p>The post <a href="https://due.com/integrating-training-into-daily-office-routines/">Integrating training into daily office routines</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>
  322. ]]></content:encoded>
  323. <media:content xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" medium="image" type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.due.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/daily_office_routines-1024x585.png" width="800" height="457"><media:credit role="illustrator" scheme="urn:ebu">Due</media:credit></media:content> </item>
  324. <item>
  325. <title>xAI owned by Elon Musk close to raising $6 billion</title>
  326. <link>https://due.com/xai-owned-by-elon-musk-close-to-raising-6-billion/</link>
  327. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Brian-Damien Morgan]]></dc:creator>
  328. <pubDate>Fri, 26 Apr 2024 17:30:08 +0000</pubDate>
  329. <category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
  330. <category><![CDATA[Elon Musk]]></category>
  331. <category><![CDATA[Financial Times]]></category>
  332. <category><![CDATA[Forbes]]></category>
  333. <category><![CDATA[Grok]]></category>
  334. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://due.com/?p=81255</guid>
  335.  
  336. <description><![CDATA[<p>Artificial intelligence (AI) startup xAI, owned by billionaire Elon Musk, is close to reaching $6 billion in investor support. Musk has been outspoken about his aims to win the war to be crowned the American leader in the AI industry. With this investment in xAI from the same faces that funded his takeover of Twitter, [&#8230;]</p>
  337. <p>The post <a href="https://due.com/xai-owned-by-elon-musk-close-to-raising-6-billion/">xAI owned by Elon Musk close to raising $6 billion</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>
  338. ]]></description>
  339. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Artificial intelligence (AI) startup xAI, owned by billionaire Elon Musk, is close to reaching $6 billion in investor support.</p>
  340. <p>Musk has been outspoken about his aims to win the war to be crowned the American leader in the AI industry. With this investment in xAI from the same faces that funded his takeover of Twitter, he looks like he might be catching the other significant players in the battle for that throne.</p>
  341. <h2>Musk’s xAI boosted by billions</h2>
  342. <p>Despite his controversial reputation, Musk&#8217;s business ideas have always garnered support from venture capitalists. The <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/fc8355e6-3219-4681-a4da-73feca50cd8a">Financial Times</a> reports that Sequoia Capital, a prominent investor, is leading the charge in backing Musk&#8217;s bid for AI dominance.</p>
  343. <p>According to reports coinciding with the FT, from <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-04-25/musk-s-xai-startup-said-to-close-in-on-6-billion-fundraising">Bloomberg</a>, this most recent round of funding values xAI at $18 billion.</p>
  344. <p>The billionaire businessman in the <a href="https://due.com/more-billionaires-than-ever-according-to-forbes/">Forbes Rich List&#8217;s top 10</a> has his heart set on rivaling ChatGPT in both reach and research. To make a play for that top spot, xAI launched Grok, an AI chatbot.</p>
  345. <p>Sadly for Grok, its integration with X (Formerly known as Twitter) received worldwide criticism for its <a href="https://mashable.com/article/elon-musk-x-twitter-ai-chatbot-grok-fake-news-trending-explore">utterly made-up news</a>. Most recently, NBA star Klay Thompson <a href="https://twitter.com/i/trending/1780463179388117057?s=09">was accused</a> of vandalism when “throwing bricks,” but it was a bit of basketball slang for being pretty rubbish and hitting the rim when shooting.</p>
  346. <p>Musk started a recruitment campaign to pilfer Tesla&#8217;s top talent to improve Grok. This approach would have a domino effect in the world of highly sought-after AI specialists.</p>
  347. <p>We reported that Tesla lost one of their leading engineers to Musk’s surge for the AI crown. Musk <a href="https://due.com/elon-musk-tesla-salaries-are-increasing-to-fend-off-rivals-poaching-staff/">stated</a> that the “talent war for AI is the craziest talent-war I’ve ever seen.”</p>
  348. <p>Musk made the news earlier this month for all the wrong reasons. He cut short a business trip to India after the company <a href="https://due.com/tesla-cuts-global-prices-after-week-of-crisis/">slashed the price</a> of its electric vehicles.</p>
  349. <p>Tesla cut prices domestically for its five landmark cars but has also applied the cut rates globally, impacting the international electric vehicle market.</p>
  350. <p>So, eyes will be on Grok and Musk’s march to the top of the AI world. With this investment from principal backers and their trust, Musk will have to hope this is one business venture that makes more money than it loses.</p>
  351. <p>Image: <a href="https://ideogram.ai/g/L_2LCQ3KRhaoB9lqHqnxVw/1">Ideogram</a>.</p>
  352. <p>The post <a href="https://due.com/xai-owned-by-elon-musk-close-to-raising-6-billion/">xAI owned by Elon Musk close to raising $6 billion</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>
  353. ]]></content:encoded>
  354. <media:content xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" medium="image" type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.due.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/xAI-owned-by-Elon-Musk-.jpg" width="800" height="498"><media:credit role="illustrator" scheme="urn:ebu">Due</media:credit></media:content> </item>
  355. <item>
  356. <title>Understanding and overcoming thinking addiction</title>
  357. <link>https://due.com/understanding-and-overcoming-thinking-addiction/</link>
  358. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Keith Crossley]]></dc:creator>
  359. <pubDate>Fri, 26 Apr 2024 15:18:17 +0000</pubDate>
  360. <category><![CDATA[Business Tips]]></category>
  361. <category><![CDATA[ego]]></category>
  362. <category><![CDATA[mental health]]></category>
  363. <category><![CDATA[thinking addiction]]></category>
  364. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://due.com/?p=81184</guid>
  365.  
  366. <description><![CDATA[<p>Human beings, in all their complexity, are shaped by a myriad of thoughts, emotions, and experiences. Among the most profound aspects of our nature is our capacity for thought. This gift, however, can also be a curse. We often find ourselves ensnared in a cycle of overthinking, leading to a host of mental health issues [&#8230;]</p>
  367. <p>The post <a href="https://due.com/understanding-and-overcoming-thinking-addiction/">Understanding and overcoming thinking addiction</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>
  368. ]]></description>
  369. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Human beings, in all their complexity, are shaped by a myriad of thoughts, emotions, and experiences. Among the most profound aspects of our nature is our capacity for thought. This gift, however, can also be a curse. We often find ourselves ensnared in a cycle of overthinking, leading to a host of <a href="https://due.com/retirees-mental-health/">mental health</a> issues such as depression, anxiety, and fear. This piece delves into the human addiction to thinking, its consequences, and the role of the ego in this process.</p>
  370. <div>
  371. <div align="center">
  372. <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C6H0lNiPSSI/" data-instgrm-version="14">
  373. <div style="padding: 16px;">
  374. <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;">
  375. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div>
  376. <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;">
  377. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div>
  378. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div>
  379. </div>
  380. </div>
  381. <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div>
  382. <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div>
  383. <div style="padding-top: 8px;">
  384. <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div>
  385. </div>
  386. <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div>
  387. <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;">
  388. <div>
  389. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div>
  390. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div>
  391. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div>
  392. </div>
  393. <div style="margin-left: 8px;">
  394. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div>
  395. <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"></div>
  396. </div>
  397. <div style="margin-left: auto;">
  398. <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div>
  399. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div>
  400. <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div>
  401. </div>
  402. </div>
  403. <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;">
  404. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div>
  405. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div>
  406. </div>
  407. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  408. <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C6H0lNiPSSI/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Keith Crossley &#8211; Business Coach and Author of Immune to Suffering<br />
  409. </a></p>
  410. </div>
  411. </blockquote>
  412. <p><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></p>
  413. </div>
  414. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  415. </div>
  416. <h2>Unraveling the human mind&#8217;s addiction</h2>
  417. <p>The human mind is a powerful tool, capable of creating, innovating, and problem-solving. Yet, it is also prone to overuse, leading to what can be described as an addiction to thinking. This addiction is not unlike other forms of addiction, such as those to substances or behaviors. It is characterized by an inability to stop or control the behavior despite its <a href="https://due.com/shedding-negativity-for-a-healthier-life/">negative</a> consequences.</p>
  418. <p>The consequences of this addiction to thinking are far-reaching and can significantly impact an individual&#8217;s mental health. Overthinking can lead to feelings of depression, anxiety, and fear. These feelings can be overwhelming and debilitating, affecting every aspect of an individual&#8217;s life, from their <a href="https://due.com/terms/principal-agent-relationship-what-it-is-how-it-works/">relationships to work</a> and overall well-being.</p>
  419. <h2>The ego&#8217;s role in thinking addiction</h2>
  420. <p>The ego plays a significant role in this addiction to thinking. In psychological terms, the ego refers to the part of the mind that mediates between the conscious and the unconscious. It&#8217;s responsible for reality testing and a sense of personal identity. The ego gives us a sense of control and order in our lives.</p>
  421. <p>However, when the mind is left to its own devices, it defaults to thinking to maintain this sense of control. Thinking helps the ego feel like it&#8217;s in control. It provides a sense of order and predictability in a chaotic and unpredictable world.</p>
  422. <h2>The issue with ego control</h2>
  423. <p>While the ego&#8217;s desire for control can be beneficial in some respects, it can also be problematic. When the ego is in control, it means that it is controlling you. This can lead to a cycle of overthinking, as the ego constantly seeks to maintain control and order.</p>
  424. <p>This cycle can be incredibly damaging, leading to a constant state of worry, stress, and anxiety. It can also prevent individuals from living in the present moment, as they are constantly consumed by their thoughts and concerns about the future or regrets about the past.</p>
  425. <h2>Breaking free from the cycle</h2>
  426. <p><a href="https://due.com/generational-poverty/">Breaking free from this cycle</a> of overthinking and ego control requires consciously changing one&#8217;s thought patterns. This can involve various strategies, such as mindfulness, meditation, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and other forms of psychological intervention.</p>
  427. <p>These strategies can help individuals learn to quiet their minds and reduce their reliance on thinking as a means of control. They can also help individuals learn to live in the present moment rather than being consumed by thoughts of the future or the past.</p>
  428. <h2>Final thoughts</h2>
  429. <p>The <a href="https://due.com/decoding-the-human-brain-body-complexity/">human addiction to thinking is a complex</a> issue with far-reaching consequences for mental health. While thinking is a natural and necessary part of human existence, it can become problematic when it becomes an addiction, leading to a cycle of overthinking and ego control.</p>
  430. <p>Breaking free from this cycle requires a conscious effort to change one&#8217;s thought <a href="https://due.com/terms/bullish-engulfing-pattern-definition-example-and-what-it-means/">patterns and reduce reliance on thinking as a means</a> of control. By doing so, individuals can <a href="https://due.com/improve-mental-health-next-year-by-breaking-financial-rules/">improve their mental health</a> and overall well-being, living more fully in the present moment. This is not just a possibility but a reachable goal for everyone willing to take the journey.</p>
  431. <hr style="margin: 30px;" />
  432. <h2>Frequently Asked Questions</h2>
  433. <h3>Q. What is the addiction to thinking?</h3>
  434. <p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">The addiction to thinking is characterized by an inability to stop or control the behavior of overthinking despite its negative consequences. It is similar to other forms of addiction, such as those to substances or behaviors.</p>
  435. <h3>Q. What are the consequences of the addiction to thinking?</h3>
  436. <p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">The consequences of this addiction can significantly impact an individual&#8217;s mental health. Overthinking can lead to feelings of depression, anxiety, and fear, affecting every aspect of an individual&#8217;s life, from their relationships to their work and overall well-being.</p>
  437. <h3>Q. What role does the ego play in thinking addiction?</h3>
  438. <p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">The ego plays a significant role in this addiction to thinking. Thinking gives us a sense of control and order in our lives. However, when the mind is left to its own devices, it defaults to thinking to maintain this sense of control.</p>
  439. <h3>Q. What is the issue with ego control?</h3>
  440. <p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">When the ego is in control, it means that it is controlling you. This can lead to a cycle of overthinking, as the ego constantly seeks to maintain control and order. This cycle can be incredibly damaging, leading to a constant state of worry, stress, and anxiety.</p>
  441. <h3>Q. How can one break free from the cycle of overthinking and ego control?</h3>
  442. <p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">Breaking free from this cycle requires consciously changing one&#8217;s thought patterns. This can involve various strategies, such as mindfulness, meditation, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and other forms of psychological intervention.</p>
  443. <h3>Q. What are the final thoughts on the addiction to thinking?</h3>
  444. <p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">The human addiction to thinking is a complex issue with far-reaching consequences for mental health. Breaking free from this cycle requires a conscious effort to change one&#8217;s thought patterns and reduce reliance on thinking as a means of control. By doing so, individuals can improve their mental health and overall well-being, living more fully in the present moment.</p>
  445. <p>The post <a href="https://due.com/understanding-and-overcoming-thinking-addiction/">Understanding and overcoming thinking addiction</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>
  446. ]]></content:encoded>
  447. <media:content xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" medium="image" type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.due.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/overcoming_thinking_addiction-1024x585.png" width="800" height="457"><media:credit role="illustrator" scheme="urn:ebu">Due</media:credit></media:content> </item>
  448. <item>
  449. <title>How to Boost Your Company’s Equity in the Eyes of Consumers</title>
  450. <link>https://due.com/company-equity/</link>
  451. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Deanna Ritchie]]></dc:creator>
  452. <pubDate>Fri, 26 Apr 2024 11:00:32 +0000</pubDate>
  453. <category><![CDATA[Business Tips]]></category>
  454. <category><![CDATA[Finance]]></category>
  455. <category><![CDATA[business]]></category>
  456. <category><![CDATA[equity]]></category>
  457. <category><![CDATA[finance]]></category>
  458. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://due.com/?p=81124</guid>
  459.  
  460. <description><![CDATA[<p>As a business leader or an entrepreneur, you need to know customers value your business. But value isn’t just about having a great product; it’s also about the intangible worth&#8212; or equity&#8211; of your company. Successful, high-value brands know that boosting brand perception and brand equity requires a multi-faceted plan of attack. That means a [&#8230;]</p>
  461. <p>The post <a href="https://due.com/company-equity/">How to Boost Your Company’s Equity in the Eyes of Consumers</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>
  462. ]]></description>
  463. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>As a business leader or an entrepreneur, you need to know customers value your business. But value <i>isn’t</i> just about having a great product; it’s also about the <a href="https://due.com/terms/brand-equity/">intangible worth</a>&#8212; or equity&#8211; of your company. Successful, high-value brands know that boosting brand perception and brand equity requires a multi-faceted plan of attack. That means a comprehensive strategy that includes not just the obvious (content, marketing, sales, etc.), but a number of other important components.</p>
  464. <p>Think of a brand you know and love, and the delightful little details that keep you intrigued and their employees happy. Whose brand image surfaces in your mind when you picture biking around the office campus or dozing off in a company nap pod? What store do you imagine when you think of free snack samples, Hawaiian shirts, and super-cheerful cashiers? Who guarantees free returns, exchanges, or repairs, no question asked, with delightful customer service?</p>
  465. <p>The point is, positive brand equity can come from a host of unexpected places besides the actual value of your company or your products. You know this intuitively because the ones that put the extra time and effort are the ones you think of first. And you know it concretely, because the data shows its <a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/growth-marketing-and-sales/our-insights/experience-led-growth-a-new-way-to-create-value" target="_blank" rel="noopener">brand <i>experience</i></a> that builds value over time. Here’s what you can do, starting now, to boost your perceived brand equity and build lasting growth.</p>
  466. <h2>Create Helpful Content</h2>
  467. <p>One of the most powerful ways to grow your brand is to become a trusted resource for potential customers. By publishing thoughtful, authoritative content, you let your audience know that you and your brand know what you’re doing. When readers associate your brand name with credible content, they learn to lean on you for important information. Down the line, this leads to more sales traffic and improved customer sentiment.</p>
  468. <p>According to DTC accelerator <a href="https://www.boomn.com/who-we-work-with" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Boomn,</a> content production and editing is a key step in the playbook for scaling a business. The right content strategy can boost your website traffic and performance and increase your annual sales. With a powerful enough content strategy in your toolkit, you may even be able to turn around a business that’s failing or in distress.</p>
  469. <p>To hook readers and showcase your brand’s topical authority, you’ll need unique, engaging content on relevant topics. This can include pillar pages, white pages, newsjacking articles, email updates, and regular updates to your blog. You can also <a href="https://due.com/business-data/">use data</a> as part of a powerful targeting strategy that draws more organic traffic to your site. AI and analytics tools can give you a better understanding of what’s important to your readers and what topics you need to cover.</p>
  470. <h2>Center the Customer</h2>
  471. <p>A common quality among winning brands today is a greater emphasis on keeping their promises to customers. High-value brands set high expectations, then deliver on them with a high quality product and customer experience. When something goes wrong — an inevitability no matter how tight a ship you run — there are systems in place to fix it. Successful companies know that a small loss of cash can fix a big brand problem, with long-lasting returns.</p>
  472. <p>Good customer service, for instance, should take significant priority over penny-pinching on paychecks or refunds. If a customer isn’t happy with a product, for <i>any </i>reason, smart companies are extremely generous with returns. Some athletic wear companies, for example, will return or replace products that don’t hold up or perform as well as expected. Others will offer free merch or gift certificates along with refunds to keep the customers’ experience ultra-positive.</p>
  473. <p>This willingness to lose a few dollars in the short-term translates to a major boost in perceived brand value. It lets you show your customers you want to take <i>care</i> of them; not just <a href="https://due.com/find-the-money-invest-business/">hoard their cash</a>. Companies can also demonstrate this care with easier interactions, such as multiple ways to get in touch. Letting your customers choose their preferred contact method — call, text, email, chat, physical store — gives them more control and ease in their brand interactions.</p>
  474. <p>Add Details that Delight</p>
  475. <p>Remember the companies above that you could identify in your head from a single-sentence description? One thing they all have in common is that they go out of their way to make business transactions feel more like <i>fun.</i> If you’re in e-commerce, this could translate to beautiful UX design or a gamified <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/metaverse-mania-cools-for-many-but-not-for-marketers-c0721e17" target="_blank" rel="noopener">metaverse experience</a>. In other industries, it could mean making your physical space more joyful and interactive.</p>
  476. <p>Not every company can afford to build a giant slide or an adult ball pit in the middle of their company offices. But you can still follow in the footsteps of those companies that have turned their offices into mini theme parks. Adding active play and exercise equipment to your property, store, or campus can add excitement for both children and adults. Employees and customers can enjoy the physical fitness benefits, while their children get a new place to play.</p>
  477. <p>According to <a href="https://www.aaastateofplay.com/13-years-to-adult/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AAAStateofPlay</a>, this type of equipment can encourage movement, socialization, and an active lifestyle in both children and adults. This can translate to happier, healthier, more engaged employees who enjoy their jobs and feel more motivated to perform. It also gives any on-site customers something whimsical to remember your brand by. And, it lets customers and clients know you’re thinking of them and their families first.</p>
  478. <h2>Choose the Right Values for Higher Value</h2>
  479. <p>A recent Google survey showed that a whopping 82% of consumers prefer a brand’s values to <a href="https://cloud.google.com/blog/topics/consumer-packaged-goods/data-shows-shoppers-prioritizing-sustainability-and-values" target="_blank" rel="noopener">align with their own</a>. They’ll cut ties with brands that aren’t, say, a religious or political match for their values and beliefs. Customers will vote with their wallets, whether it’s about transgender rights, conflict in the Middle East, employee wages, high emissions, or you name it. The key is to study your audience, then <a href="https://due.com/importance-philanthropy-business/">operate by the values</a> of your most loyal and/or likely customers.</p>
  480. <p>According to Forbes, sustainability is one of the <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/solitairetownsend/2023/07/26/busting-the-sustainability-value-action-gap/?sh=7fdca14365ec" target="_blank" rel="noopener">top driving forces</a> of consumer behavior in the U.S. Many consumers — millennials, especially — are willing to pay more for brands they know or believe are sustainable. A <a href="https://nielseniq.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/02/Consumers-care-about-sustainability%E2%80%94and-back-it-up-with-their-wallets-FINAL.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">joint study</a> by NielsenIQ and McKinsey found that products with ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) criteria showed disproportionate growth over those that didn’t. Those that can claim both environmental and social responsibility sell the most.</p>
  481. <p>Other major values players include employee welfare, as well as <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/13/business/diversity-equity-inclusion-belonging.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">diversity, equity, and belonging</a>. High value brands practice inclusivity, and <a href="https://deloitte.wsj.com/cmo/win-customers-with-authentically-inclusive-marketing-initiatives-01650302320" target="_blank" rel="noopener">customers notice</a> — especially when it’s authentic. But this has to apply internally within your company, not just in your marketing efforts. Treating your employees well, DEI aside, is also a big value-add. You get more engaged employees, more interested customers, and a chance at publicity on a “Best Companies to Work for” list.</p>
  482. <h2>Build a Better Product</h2>
  483. <p>As you can see from reading, there’s a lot more that goes into brand value than having a high-quality product. But at the end of the day, product quality <i>does </i>have a major influence on your brand’s perceived equity and reliability. That doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to use more expensive materials or produce a luxury product to succeed. It just means you need a product that works well and meets the needs and expectations of your target audience.</p>
  484. <p>If your product quality is already high, that means you don’t start cutting costs and sacrificing the user experience of your most loyal fans. The short term cash savings could quickly result in disappointment, lost sales, and a decline in your brand reputation. On the flipside, increasing your brand value doesn’t necessarily mean you need to create a more expensive-to-make product. Instead, focus on unique features and small changes that customers want from you.</p>
  485. <p>One of the best ways to build a better, higher-value product is to read product reviews and listen in on social media. Check in with Reddit, Facebook, and any other online spaces where people might be talking about your products. See what they’re saying about not just your brand, but your competitors, as well. Then, add the features, fixes, styles, and colors your customers are saying they want, and to build immediate value — and a great reputation.</p>
  486. <h2>Telling Your Authentic Story</h2>
  487. <p>Every strategy for building company equity is going to look a little bit different depending on the brand. Customers tend to spend on the brands that they feel are a match for their identities. Brand perception, as well, is highly influenced by each consumer’s individual differences. People also tend to trust recommendations from friends, family, and their favorite influencers. At the end of the day, there will always be some folks who just won’t see your true value.</p>
  488. <p>That said, the best way to boost your brand value is to lean into the assets you already have. Not the ones you report on your <a href="https://due.com/tax-refund-finance-your-startup/">tax return</a>, but the details and differences that make your brand special. Don’t try to please everyone; you can’t win every customer, and you’ll brandify your brand identity by trying. Instead, listen closely to what your customers and followers are saying, and focus on winning more of the people who are right for you.</p>
  489. <p>The post <a href="https://due.com/company-equity/">How to Boost Your Company’s Equity in the Eyes of Consumers</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>
  490. ]]></content:encoded>
  491. <media:content xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" medium="image" type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.due.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Company-Equity-1024x683.jpg" width="800" height="534"><media:credit role="illustrator" scheme="urn:ebu">Due</media:credit></media:content> </item>
  492. <item>
  493. <title>Meta&#8217;s earnings stir investor sentiment</title>
  494. <link>https://due.com/metas-earnings-stir-investor-sentiment/</link>
  495. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Taylor Sohns MBA, CIMA®, CFP®]]></dc:creator>
  496. <pubDate>Thu, 25 Apr 2024 20:02:50 +0000</pubDate>
  497. <category><![CDATA[Money Tips]]></category>
  498. <category><![CDATA[ad sales from Instagram]]></category>
  499. <category><![CDATA[Meta's earnings]]></category>
  500. <category><![CDATA[Metalama]]></category>
  501. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://due.com/?p=81215</guid>
  502.  
  503. <description><![CDATA[<p>Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, recently reported its earnings, causing a significant stir in the investment community. Despite beating earnings and revenue expectations, with a 27% increase from a year ago, the company&#8217;s stock plummeted by 15% within minutes. This sudden drop resulted in a staggering $200 billion loss in company value, [&#8230;]</p>
  504. <p>The post <a href="https://due.com/metas-earnings-stir-investor-sentiment/">Meta&#8217;s earnings stir investor sentiment</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>
  505. ]]></description>
  506. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, recently reported its earnings, causing a significant stir in the investment community. Despite beating earnings and revenue expectations, with a 27% increase from a year ago, the company&#8217;s stock plummeted by 15% within minutes. This sudden drop resulted in a staggering $200 billion loss in company value, equivalent to the entire worth of McDonald&#8217;s.</p>
  507. <h2>Revenue growth and AI investment</h2>
  508. <p>Meta&#8217;s primary revenue growth source was its traditional stronghold: ad sales from Instagram and Facebook. However, the area where the company is not <a href="https://due.com/75-fast-and-easy-ways-to-make-extra-money/">making money</a> is artificial intelligence (AI). Despite this, Meta <a href="https://due.com/terms/systematic-investment-plan-sip/">plans to invest</a> an astounding $40 billion this year in developing Metalama, an AI-oriented project whose specifics remain largely unknown.</p>
  509. <div>
  510. <div align="center">
  511. <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C6MEOLtOvPR/" data-instgrm-version="14">
  512. <div style="padding: 16px;">
  513. <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;">
  514. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div>
  515. <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;">
  516. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div>
  517. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div>
  518. </div>
  519. </div>
  520. <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div>
  521. <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div>
  522. <div style="padding-top: 8px;">
  523. <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div>
  524. </div>
  525. <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div>
  526. <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;">
  527. <div>
  528. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div>
  529. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div>
  530. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div>
  531. </div>
  532. <div style="margin-left: 8px;">
  533. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div>
  534. <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"></div>
  535. </div>
  536. <div style="margin-left: auto;">
  537. <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div>
  538. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div>
  539. <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div>
  540. </div>
  541. </div>
  542. <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;">
  543. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div>
  544. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div>
  545. </div>
  546. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  547. <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C6MEOLtOvPR/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Taylor Sohns &#8211; CFP®, CIMA®, MBA &#8211; Finance (@lifegoalinvestments)<br />
  548. </a></p>
  549. </div>
  550. </blockquote>
  551. <p><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></p>
  552. </div>
  553. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  554. </div>
  555. <h2>Investor sentiment and the technology cycle</h2>
  556. <p>This situation raises a critical question: Did Meta&#8217;s <a href="https://due.com/incoming-federal-reserve-meeting-and-apples-earning-report-what-experts-expect-today/">earnings report</a> cause a violent shift in investor sentiment toward AI? Historically, the introduction of new technologies has followed a predictable cycle. Initial hype and excitement cause <a href="https://due.com/a-close-look-at-performance-and-investor-sentiment/">stock prices</a> to surge. However, stock prices can plummet when these new technologies fail to generate profits, as Meta&#8217;s AI ventures have so far. This pattern continues until the technology proves it can be profitable.</p>
  557. <h2>The &#8220;hopium&#8221; cycle and the &#8220;prove it&#8221; cycle</h2>
  558. <p>In the past two years, tech companies have spent astronomical amounts on AI, yet profits have been virtually non-existent. Meta&#8217;s recent <a href="https://due.com/market-analysis-impact-of-apples-earnings-report-yesterday/">earnings report</a> seems to have underscored this reality, potentially triggering a shift in investor sentiment from the &#8220;hopium&#8221; cycle to the &#8220;prove it&#8221; cycle.</p>
  559. <p>The &#8220;hopium&#8221; cycle is characterized by high hopes and expectations for new technologies, leading to increased investment and <a href="https://due.com/inflations-impact-on-the-stock-market/">inflated stock</a> prices. However, when these technologies fail to deliver on their promise, investor sentiment can quickly shift to the &#8220;prove it&#8221; cycle. In this phase, investors become more skeptical and demand tangible proof of profitability before investing further.</p>
  560. <h2>Meta&#8217;s earnings report and the shift in sentiment</h2>
  561. <p>Meta&#8217;s recent earnings report seems to have catalyzed this shift. Despite the company&#8217;s overall strong performance, its lack of profitability in AI and plans to invest heavily in an unproven technology have raised <a href="https://due.com/widespread-concern-among-inflation-data/">concerns among investors</a>. This has resulted in a significant drop in the <a href="https://due.com/paid-in-companies-stock/">company&#8217;s stock</a> price and could potentially signal a broader shift in investor sentiment towards AI.</p>
  562. <h2>Upcoming earnings reports and AI profitability</h2>
  563. <p>In the coming days, other tech giants such as Google, Microsoft, Apple, and Amazon will also report their earnings. These reports will provide further insight into the profitability of AI and could potentially reinforce or challenge the shift in investor sentiment triggered by Meta&#8217;s earnings report.</p>
  564. <h2>Conclusion: The future of AI investment</h2>
  565. <p>In conclusion, Meta&#8217;s recent earnings report has highlighted the <a href="https://due.com/navigate-todays-investing-challenges/">challenges and uncertainties associated with investing</a> in AI. While the technology holds immense potential, its profitability remains unproven, leading to increased investor skepticism. As other tech giants report their earnings, the investment community will be watching closely to see if this shift in sentiment toward AI continues.</p>
  566. <p>Whether this marks a temporary setback or a more permanent shift in investor sentiment toward AI remains to be seen. However, one thing is clear: AI must move beyond the &#8220;hopium&#8221; cycle and prove its worth to secure its place as a profitable technology.</p>
  567. <hr style="margin: 30px;" />
  568. <h2>Frequently Asked Questions</h2>
  569. <h3>Q. What was the primary source of Meta&#8217;s revenue growth?</h3>
  570. <p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">Meta&#8217;s primary revenue growth source was ad sales from Instagram and Facebook.</p>
  571. <h3>Q. What is Meta&#8217;s plan for AI investment?</h3>
  572. <p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">Meta plans to invest an astounding $40 billion this year in developing Metalama, an AI-oriented project whose specifics remain largely unknown.</p>
  573. <h3>Q. What are the &#8220;hopium&#8221; and &#8220;prove it&#8221; cycles?</h3>
  574. <p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">The &#8220;hopium&#8221; cycle is characterized by high hopes and expectations for new technologies, leading to increased investment and inflated stock prices. The &#8220;prove it&#8221; cycle is when investors become more skeptical and demand tangible proof of profitability before investing further.</p>
  575. <h3>Q. How did Meta&#8217;s earnings report affect investor sentiment?</h3>
  576. <p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">Despite Meta&#8217;s overall strong performance, its lack of profitability in AI and plans to invest heavily in an unproven technology have raised concerns among investors. This has resulted in a significant drop in the company&#8217;s stock price and could potentially signal a broader shift in investor sentiment towards AI.</p>
  577. <h3>Q. What is the future of AI investment?</h3>
  578. <p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">While AI technology holds immense potential, its profitability remains unproven, leading to increased investor skepticism. As other tech giants report their earnings, the investment community will be watching closely to see if this shift in sentiment toward AI continues.</p>
  579. <p>The post <a href="https://due.com/metas-earnings-stir-investor-sentiment/">Meta&#8217;s earnings stir investor sentiment</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>
  580. ]]></content:encoded>
  581. <media:content xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" medium="image" type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.due.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/metas_earnings_stir-1024x585.png" width="800" height="457"><media:credit role="illustrator" scheme="urn:ebu">Due</media:credit></media:content> </item>
  582. <item>
  583. <title>Journey of resilience: The tough kid&#8217;s story</title>
  584. <link>https://due.com/journey-of-resilience-the-tough-kids-story/</link>
  585. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Jeff Rose]]></dc:creator>
  586. <pubDate>Thu, 25 Apr 2024 19:15:34 +0000</pubDate>
  587. <category><![CDATA[Money Tips]]></category>
  588. <category><![CDATA[Personal Growth to Prosper]]></category>
  589. <category><![CDATA[resilience]]></category>
  590. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://due.com/?p=81182</guid>
  591.  
  592. <description><![CDATA[<p>In the grand theater of life, we often find ourselves playing roles that demand resilience, strength, and an unwavering spirit. The journey of a tough kid is a testament to this universal truth. This narrative is a deep dive into the life of a resilient individual who has learned to handle life&#8217;s challenges with grace [&#8230;]</p>
  593. <p>The post <a href="https://due.com/journey-of-resilience-the-tough-kids-story/">Journey of resilience: The tough kid&#8217;s story</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>
  594. ]]></description>
  595. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>In the grand theater of life, we often find ourselves playing roles that demand resilience, strength, and an unwavering spirit. The journey of a tough kid is a testament to this universal truth. This narrative is a deep dive into the life of a resilient individual who has learned to handle life&#8217;s challenges with grace and tenacity. The story is a testament to the power of perseverance, the importance of authenticity, and the transformative potential of the &#8216;fake it till you make it&#8217; philosophy &#8212; you&#8217;ll hear this again and again, right here &#8212; so you can &#8220;hear&#8221; it.</p>
  596. <h2>The making of a tough kid</h2>
  597. <p>The journey begins with the birth of a tough kid. This is not a physical birth but rather a metaphorical one, born out of the crucible of life&#8217;s challenges. The tough kid is not born out of privilege or ease but instead of struggle and adversity. They are the product of their circumstances, molded by the trials they have faced and the battles they have fought.</p>
  598. <p>The tough kid is not defined by their toughness but rather by their ability to handle whatever life throws at them. They are resilient, not because they are impervious to pain or hardship, but because they have learned to endure it. They have learned to take life&#8217;s punches and keep moving forward, to fall down seven times and stand up eight. This resilience is not innate but rather a skill honed and developed over time. It is a testament to their strength, courage, and indomitable spirit.</p>
  599. <div>
  600. <div align="center">
  601. <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C6Jw_1BLiXE/" data-instgrm-version="14">
  602. <div style="padding: 16px;">
  603. <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;">
  604. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div>
  605. <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;">
  606. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div>
  607. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div>
  608. </div>
  609. </div>
  610. <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div>
  611. <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div>
  612. <div style="padding-top: 8px;">
  613. <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div>
  614. </div>
  615. <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div>
  616. <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;">
  617. <div>
  618. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div>
  619. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div>
  620. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div>
  621. </div>
  622. <div style="margin-left: 8px;">
  623. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div>
  624. <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"></div>
  625. </div>
  626. <div style="margin-left: auto;">
  627. <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div>
  628. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div>
  629. <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div>
  630. </div>
  631. </div>
  632. <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;">
  633. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div>
  634. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div>
  635. </div>
  636. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  637. <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C6Jw_1BLiXE/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Jeff Rose &#8211; CFP® &#8211; Finance (@jjeffrose)<br />
  638. </a></p>
  639. </div>
  640. </blockquote>
  641. <p><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></p>
  642. </div>
  643. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  644. </div>
  645. <h2>The power of perseverance</h2>
  646. <p>The journey of a tough kid is marked by perseverance &#8212; another piece of being resilient. They understand that success is not a destination but rather a journey. They know that the road to success is often paved with failure and that each failure is a stepping stone towards their ultimate goal. They understand that success is not about never falling but getting up each time they fall.</p>
  647. <p>The tough kid does not shy away from failure. Instead, they embrace it, learn from it, and use it as fuel to propel them forward. They understand that failure is not a reflection of their worth but rather a part of their journey. They know that the only true failure is not trying, and so they keep pushing, striving, and persevering, no matter what.</p>
  648. <h2>The &#8216;fake it till you make it&#8217; philosophy</h2>
  649. <p>The journey of a tough kid is also marked by the &#8216;fake it till you make it&#8217; philosophy. This is not about deception or dishonesty but rather about belief and manifestation. The tough kid understands that in order to achieve their goals, they must first believe in their ability to achieve them. They must envision their success, believe in it, and work tirelessly to make it a reality.</p>
  650. <p>The &#8216;fake it till you make it&#8217; philosophy is about acting as if you are already where you want to be. It&#8217;s about embodying the qualities and behaviors of the person you aspire to be, even if you&#8217;re not there yet. It&#8217;s about believing in your potential, even when others doubt you. It&#8217;s about proving to yourself that you are capable, even when the odds are stacked against you.</p>
  651. <p>The tough kid understands that this philosophy is not about pretending to be someone they&#8217;re not but rather about becoming the person they want to be. They understand it&#8217;s not about faking success but manifesting it. They know that the journey to <a href="https://due.com/13-proven-rules-to-become-a-billionaire-which-ones-arent-you-doing/">success is not about becoming</a> someone else but rather about becoming the best version of themselves.</p>
  652. <h2>Conclusion</h2>
  653. <p>The journey of a tough kid is a testament to the power of <a href="https://due.com/embracing-resilience-in-lifes-journey/">resilience</a>, the importance of authenticity, and the transformative potential of the &#8216;fake it till you make it&#8217; philosophy. It is a journey marked by struggle, adversity, strength, and perseverance. It is a journey that reminds us that we are not defined by our circumstances but rather by how we respond to them. It is a journey that inspires us to embrace our challenges, to believe in our potential, and to keep moving forward, no matter what.</p>
  654. <p>In the grand theater of life, we are all tough kids, learning to handle life&#8217;s challenges with grace and tenacity. We are all on a journey, striving to become the best versions of ourselves. In this journey, we are reminded that we are not alone, are all in this together, and are capable of achieving our goals, no matter how lofty they may seem.</p>
  655. <hr style="margin: 30px;" />
  656. <h2>Frequently Asked Questions</h2>
  657. <h3>Q. What is the making of a tough kid?</h3>
  658. <p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">The making of a tough kid is a symbolic birth, born out of life&#8217;s challenges and adversity. They are defined by their ability to handle whatever life throws at them, showing resilience and strength. This <a href="https://due.com/help-teams-be-resilient/">resilience</a> is a skill that is honed and developed over time.</p>
  659. <h3>Q. What is the power of perseverance in the journey of a tough kid?</h3>
  660. <p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">The journey of a tough kid is marked by perseverance. They understand that success is a journey and that each failure is a stepping stone towards their ultimate goal. They embrace failure, learn from it, and use it as fuel to propel them forward.</p>
  661. <h3>Q. What is the &#8216;fake it till you make it&#8217; philosophy?</h3>
  662. <p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">The &#8216;fake it till you make it&#8217; philosophy is about belief and manifestation. It&#8217;s about acting as if you are already where you want to be, embodying the qualities and behaviors of the person you aspire to be. It&#8217;s about believing in your potential, even when others doubt you. It&#8217;s not about pretending to be someone else but about becoming the person you want to be.</p>
  663. <h3>Q. What is the conclusion of the journey of a tough kid?</h3>
  664. <p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">The journey of a tough kid is a testament to the power of resilience, the importance of authenticity, and the transformative potential of the &#8216;fake it till you make it&#8217; philosophy. It is a journey marked by struggle and adversity but also by strength and perseverance. It inspires us to embrace our challenges, believe in our potential, and keep moving forward.</p>
  665. <p>The post <a href="https://due.com/journey-of-resilience-the-tough-kids-story/">Journey of resilience: The tough kid&#8217;s story</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>
  666. ]]></content:encoded>
  667. <media:content xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" medium="image" type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.due.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tough_kids_journey-1024x585.png" width="800" height="457"><media:credit role="illustrator" scheme="urn:ebu">Due</media:credit></media:content> </item>
  668. <item>
  669. <title>Overcoming stagnation in personal growth</title>
  670. <link>https://due.com/overcoming-stagnation-in-personal-growth/</link>
  671. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Keith Crossley]]></dc:creator>
  672. <pubDate>Thu, 25 Apr 2024 17:29:36 +0000</pubDate>
  673. <category><![CDATA[Business Tips]]></category>
  674. <category><![CDATA[Personal Growth to Prosper]]></category>
  675. <category><![CDATA[being stuck]]></category>
  676. <category><![CDATA[personal growth]]></category>
  677. <category><![CDATA[stagnation]]></category>
  678. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://due.com/?p=81212</guid>
  679.  
  680. <description><![CDATA[<p>In the world of personal growth, there&#8217;s a common sentiment that many individuals express: the feeling of being &#8216;stuck.&#8217; This isn&#8217;t some figment of the imagination or a fleeting emotion. It&#8217;s a genuine state of mind that signifies a standstill in one&#8217;s life journey. This article aims to dive deep into this feeling, understand its [&#8230;]</p>
  681. <p>The post <a href="https://due.com/overcoming-stagnation-in-personal-growth/">Overcoming stagnation in personal growth</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>
  682. ]]></description>
  683. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>In the world of personal growth, there&#8217;s a common sentiment that many individuals express: the feeling of being &#8216;stuck.&#8217; This isn&#8217;t some figment of the imagination or a fleeting emotion. It&#8217;s a genuine state of mind that signifies a standstill in one&#8217;s life journey. This article aims to dive deep into this feeling, understand its roots, and offer practical solutions to overcome it.</p>
  684. <h2>Understanding the feeling of being stuck</h2>
  685. <p>The sensation of being stuck doesn&#8217;t just appear out of nowhere. It&#8217;s a real and natural &#8212; tangible feeling that arises from a lack of progress or <a href="https://due.com/financial-success-of-business/">change in one&#8217;s life</a>. It&#8217;s a signal from life itself, telling you it&#8217;s time to shake things up because you&#8217;ve <a href="https://due.com/stop-living-beyond-your-means-14-ways-to-master-your-finances/">stopped living</a> in the true sense of the word.</p>
  686. <p>When you feel stuck, it&#8217;s as if you&#8217;re caught in a cycle of monotony, where every day feels the same, and there&#8217;s no forward movement or growth. This feeling can be incredibly frustrating and disheartening, leading to a sense of hopelessness and despair. However, it&#8217;s important to remember that this feeling isn&#8217;t a dead-end &#8212; it&#8217;s a sign that it&#8217;s time for a change.</p>
  687. <div>
  688. <div align="center">
  689. <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C6K1G1VLq63/" data-instgrm-version="14">
  690. <div style="padding: 16px;">
  691. <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;">
  692. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div>
  693. <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;">
  694. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div>
  695. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div>
  696. </div>
  697. </div>
  698. <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div>
  699. <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div>
  700. <div style="padding-top: 8px;">
  701. <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div>
  702. </div>
  703. <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div>
  704. <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;">
  705. <div>
  706. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div>
  707. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div>
  708. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div>
  709. </div>
  710. <div style="margin-left: 8px;">
  711. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div>
  712. <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"></div>
  713. </div>
  714. <div style="margin-left: auto;">
  715. <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div>
  716. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div>
  717. <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div>
  718. </div>
  719. </div>
  720. <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;">
  721. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div>
  722. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div>
  723. </div>
  724. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  725. <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C6K1G1VLq63/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Keith Crossley &#8211; Business Coach and Author of Immune to Suffering<br />
  726. </a></p>
  727. </div>
  728. </blockquote>
  729. <p><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></p>
  730. </div>
  731. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  732. </div>
  733. <h2>The root cause of feeling stuck</h2>
  734. <p>The root cause of feeling stuck is stagnation. Stagnation can occur in various aspects of life, including <a href="https://due.com/embracing-pain-for-personal-growth/">personal growth</a>, career progression, relationships, or even spiritual development. When there&#8217;s a lack of growth or progress in these areas, it can lead to a feeling of being stuck.</p>
  735. <p>Stagnation often results from comfort zones. Comfort zones are behavioral states where a person operates in an anxiety-neutral condition, using a limited set of behaviors to deliver a steady level of performance, usually without a sense of risk. While comfort zones can provide a sense of security and predictability, they can also lead to stagnation if one becomes too complacent or resistant to change.</p>
  736. <h2>Breaking free from the feeling of being stuck</h2>
  737. <p>Breaking free from being stuck requires consciously stepping out of your comfort zone and embracing change. It involves shaking your routine, challenging your beliefs, and pushing your <a href="https://due.com/unraveling-london-bridge-is-falling-down/">boundaries</a>. Here are some practical steps to help you break free from the feeling of being stuck:</p>
  738. <p>1. Identify the Areas of Stagnation: The first step in overcoming the feeling of being stuck is to identify the areas where you&#8217;re experiencing stagnation. This could be your career, relationships, <a href="https://due.com/embracing-risk-for-personal-and-societal-growth/">personal growth</a>, or any other aspect of your life. Once you&#8217;ve identified these areas, you can devise a <a href="https://due.com/minimize-costs-and-plan-for-retirement/">plan to bring about change</a>.</p>
  739. <p>2. <a href="https://due.com/setting-sail-for-success-charting-your-course-with-medium-term-financial-goals/">Set Clear Goals</a>: Setting clear, achievable goals can provide a sense of direction and purpose, helping to alleviate the feeling of being stuck. These goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART).</p>
  740. <p>3. Embrace Change: Change is often uncomfortable, but it&#8217;s necessary for growth. Embrace change by stepping out of your comfort zone and trying new things. This could involve taking on new challenges at work, exploring new hobbies, or even changing your daily routine.</p>
  741. <p>4. Seek Professional Help: If you&#8217;re finding it difficult to break free from being stuck, consider seeking professional help. A life coach or therapist can provide valuable insights and strategies to help you <a href="https://due.com/the-retirement-labyrinth-navigating-challenges-for-gen-x-and-y/">navigate this challenging</a> time.</p>
  742. <h2>Conclusion</h2>
  743. <p>Feeling stuck is not a life sentence. It&#8217;s a signal from life that it&#8217;s time for a change. By identifying the areas of stagnation in your life, setting clear goals, embracing change, and seeking professional help, you can break free from the feeling of being stuck and start <a href="https://due.com/living-a-good-life-or-saving-for-retirement/">living a more fulfilling and meaningful life</a>. Remember, life is a journey, and asking for directions along the way is okay.</p>
  744. <hr style="margin: 30px;" />
  745. <h2>Frequently Asked Questions</h2>
  746. <h3>Q. What does the feeling of being &#8216;stuck&#8217; signify?</h3>
  747. <p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">The feeling of being &#8216;stuck&#8217; signifies a standstill in one&#8217;s <a href="https://due.com/embracing-resilience-in-lifes-journey/">life journey</a>. It&#8217;s a signal from life itself, telling you it&#8217;s time to shake things up because you&#8217;ve stopped living in the true sense of the word.</p>
  748. <h3>Q. What is the root cause of feeling stuck?</h3>
  749. <p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">The root cause of feeling stuck is stagnation. Stagnation can occur in various aspects of life, including personal growth, career progression, relationships, or even spiritual development. When there&#8217;s a lack of growth or progress in these areas, it can lead to a feeling of being stuck.</p>
  750. <h3>Q. How does one break free from the feeling of being stuck?</h3>
  751. <p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">Breaking free from being stuck requires consciously stepping out of your comfort zone and embracing change. It involves shaking up your routine, challenging your beliefs, and pushing your boundaries. This could include identifying the areas of stagnation in your life, setting clear goals, embracing change, and seeking professional help if necessary.</p>
  752. <h3>Q. Is feeling stuck in a permanent state?</h3>
  753. <p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">No, feeling stuck is not a permanent state. It&#8217;s a signal from life that it&#8217;s time for a change. By identifying the areas of stagnation in your life, setting clear goals, embracing change, and seeking professional help, you can break free from the feeling of being stuck and start living a more fulfilling and meaningful life.</p>
  754. <p>The post <a href="https://due.com/overcoming-stagnation-in-personal-growth/">Overcoming stagnation in personal growth</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>
  755. ]]></content:encoded>
  756. <media:content xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" medium="image" type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.due.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/overcoming_personal_growth-1024x585.png" width="800" height="457"><media:credit role="illustrator" scheme="urn:ebu">Due</media:credit></media:content> </item>
  757. <item>
  758. <title>Southwest Airlines makes big operational changes after 2024 financial report.</title>
  759. <link>https://due.com/southwest-airlines-makes-big-operational-changes-after-2024-financial-report/</link>
  760. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Brian-Damien Morgan]]></dc:creator>
  761. <pubDate>Thu, 25 Apr 2024 16:38:04 +0000</pubDate>
  762. <category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
  763. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://due.com/?p=81221</guid>
  764.  
  765. <description><![CDATA[<p>Southwest Airlines, one of the leading consumer aviation brands in the United States, has been in the spotlight for a series of operational adjustments, all prompted by the findings of its initial 2024 financial report. The airfare provider has announced that 2,000 staff will be made redundant and Southwest will no longer provide its services [&#8230;]</p>
  766. <p>The post <a href="https://due.com/southwest-airlines-makes-big-operational-changes-after-2024-financial-report/">Southwest Airlines makes big operational changes after 2024 financial report.</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>
  767. ]]></description>
  768. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Southwest Airlines, one of the leading consumer aviation brands in the United States, has been in the spotlight for a series of operational adjustments, all prompted by the findings of its initial 2024 financial report.</p>
  769. <p>The airfare provider has <a href="https://swamedia.com/releases/release-f9b0d09b13627fa65cf1f5e65d0c91db-southwest-airlines-reports-first-quarter-2024-results">announced</a> that 2,000 staff will be made redundant and Southwest will no longer provide its services to four airports.</p>
  770. <h2>Southwest makes changes</h2>
  771. <p>Bob Jordan, President and Chief Executive Officer for Southwest, stated, &#8220;While it is disappointing to incur a first quarter loss, we exited the quarter with healthy profits and margins in the month of March. We are focused on controlling what we can control and have already taken swift action to address our financial underperformance and adjust for revised aircraft delivery expectations.</p>
  772. <p>Despite Jordan highlighting the “healthy profits” there will sadly be redundancies at the company. Southwest expects to end 2024 2,000 staff lighter than at the beginning of the year.</p>
  773. <p>The company also hit record first quarter operating revenues of $6.3 billion, so it seems the staff will be taking the brunt of the “financial underperformance” mentioned by Southwest’s President and CEO.</p>
  774. <p>He would confirm the damage control later in the financial report&#8217;s opening statement: &#8220;We are implementing cost control initiatives, including limiting hiring and offering voluntary time off programs. We now expect to end 2024 with approximately 2,000 fewer Employees as compared with the end of 2023.”</p>
  775. <p>Southwest recorded a Net Loss of $231 million which has been the catalyst for the hiring action taken by the company. Further cost-cutting comes in the form of Southwest pulling back at Cozumel, Mexico; Syracuse, New York; Bellingham, Washington; and George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston. Withdrawing flight services from these locations.</p>
  776. <h2>Boeing in turmoil</h2>
  777. <p>As we reported earlier this month <a href="https://due.com/united-airlines-records-200m-hit-from-boeing-grounding/">Boeing</a> has experienced a huge setback in the form of The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) cracking down on the aircraft maker.</p>
  778. <p>A door plug unexpectedly blew off, causing the regulator to ground a United Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9. Thousands of flights were canceled, and United’s production line was stalled while the FAA investigated the harrowing incident.</p>
  779. <p>Jordan said of the FFA’s decisions regarding Boeing “The recent news from Boeing regarding further aircraft delivery delays presents significant challenges for both 2024 and 2025. We are reacting and replanning quickly to mitigate the operational and <a href="https://due.com/financial-services-recruiting/">financial</a> impacts while maintaining dependable and reliable flight schedules for our Customers.”</p>
  780. <p>So it looks like a leaner version of Southwest is to come, but it remains to be seen if profits will take off if such a huge cost-cutting exercise is underway.</p>
  781. <p>Image: <a href="https://ideogram.ai/g/zbDu_AFNTleXYhTk30E8DQ/0">Ideogram</a>.</p>
  782. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  783. <p>The post <a href="https://due.com/southwest-airlines-makes-big-operational-changes-after-2024-financial-report/">Southwest Airlines makes big operational changes after 2024 financial report.</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>
  784. ]]></content:encoded>
  785. <media:content xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" medium="image" type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.due.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Southwest-airlines-makes-cost-cuts-leaving-2000-jobs-in-the-balance.jpg" width="690" height="690"><media:credit role="illustrator" scheme="urn:ebu">Due</media:credit></media:content> </item>
  786. <item>
  787. <title>Registered funds industry report published by SEC</title>
  788. <link>https://due.com/registered-funds-industry-report-published-by-sec/</link>
  789. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Brian-Damien Morgan]]></dc:creator>
  790. <pubDate>Thu, 25 Apr 2024 12:18:48 +0000</pubDate>
  791. <category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
  792. <category><![CDATA[Chair of the SEC]]></category>
  793. <category><![CDATA[Gary Gensler]]></category>
  794. <category><![CDATA[Jessica Wachter]]></category>
  795. <category><![CDATA[SEC]]></category>
  796. <category><![CDATA[Tim Husson]]></category>
  797. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://due.com/?p=81205</guid>
  798.  
  799. <description><![CDATA[<p>The Securities and Exchange Commission has published the new Registered Fund Statistics report. The report provides the American public with insight and transparency into the $26 trillion industry of more than 12,000 funds. Registered Fund Statistics Report The report covers vital financial industry statistics that delve into U.S. mutual funds, exchange-traded, closed-end, and other registered [&#8230;]</p>
  800. <p>The post <a href="https://due.com/registered-funds-industry-report-published-by-sec/">Registered funds industry report published by SEC</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>
  801. ]]></description>
  802. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The Securities and Exchange Commission has published the new Registered Fund Statistics report.</p>
  803. <p>The report provides the American public with insight and transparency into the $26 trillion industry of more than 12,000 funds.</p>
  804. <h2>Registered Fund Statistics Report</h2>
  805. <p>The report covers vital financial industry statistics that delve into U.S. mutual funds, exchange-traded, closed-end, and other registered funds. These include the risks of interest rates, flows and returns, and key trends in registered funds and portfolio management.</p>
  806. <p>Gary Gensler, Chair of the <a href="https://due.com/sec-to-host-second-annual-conference-on-emerging-trends-in-asset-management/">SEC</a>, highlighted the importance of governing this information and the SEC’s responsibility to provide it to the public. He said, “This new report will give the public a view into the registered fund industry. Investors, issuers, economists, academics, and the public at large benefit from such regularly published economic data.</p>
  807. <p>Providing data to the public is one of the more consequential things a government agency does.”</p>
  808. <p>Members of the public can access the new report and download it for future reading. For the first time, over 70 tables of data have been made public, focusing on combined non-public and public information.</p>
  809. <p><a href="https://due.com/sec-hits-investment-advisors-for-violation-of-marketing-rules/">SEC</a> Chief Economist Jessica Wachter said, “The publication of this data will provide valuable information to a wide range of users. Data accessible and useable by the public provides greater transparency into our capital markets.”</p>
  810. <p>The SEC also wants feedback from the American public on the new report. Tim Husson, head of the Division of Investment Management’s Analytics Office, says the feedback “ will assist the public dialogue on issues pertaining to the asset management industry.”</p>
  811. <p>Husson also mentioned the importance of the new report, saying, “This report provides the public an unprecedented view of the composition and activities of the registered fund.”</p>
  812. <p>You can access the SEC’s Registered Fund Statistics Report <a href="https://www.sec.gov/investment/analytics-office">here</a>.</p>
  813. <p>The post <a href="https://due.com/registered-funds-industry-report-published-by-sec/">Registered funds industry report published by SEC</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>
  814. ]]></content:encoded>
  815. <media:content xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" medium="image" type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.due.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/SEC-launches-financial-report-to-the-public.jpg" width="800" height="539"><media:credit role="illustrator" scheme="urn:ebu">Due</media:credit></media:content> </item>
  816. <item>
  817. <title>How Three Friends Bootstrapped a Publication Into a Multimillion-Dollar Profitable Business in Three Years</title>
  818. <link>https://due.com/profitable-business/</link>
  819. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Deanna Ritchie]]></dc:creator>
  820. <pubDate>Thu, 25 Apr 2024 11:00:55 +0000</pubDate>
  821. <category><![CDATA[Business Tips]]></category>
  822. <category><![CDATA[business]]></category>
  823. <category><![CDATA[profit]]></category>
  824. <category><![CDATA[publication]]></category>
  825. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://due.com/?p=81084</guid>
  826.  
  827. <description><![CDATA[<p>You’ve seen the classic entrepreneur spotlight a million times: a glossy headshot accompanying a headline announcing multi-million dollar Series A fundraise from top-tier venture capitalists. While a venture-backed business tends to get all the limelight, a profitable and bootstrapped company rarely makes comparable headlines. And in the traditional publishing space – the story has been [&#8230;]</p>
  828. <p>The post <a href="https://due.com/profitable-business/">How Three Friends Bootstrapped a Publication Into a Multimillion-Dollar Profitable Business in Three Years</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>
  829. ]]></description>
  830. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>You’ve seen the classic entrepreneur spotlight a million times: a glossy headshot accompanying a headline announcing multi-million dollar Series A fundraise from top-tier venture capitalists. While a venture-backed business tends to get all the limelight, a profitable and bootstrapped company rarely makes comparable headlines. And in the traditional publishing space – the story has been far more doom and gloom than one of exaltation. However, that’s why three friends came together to disrupt a stodgy industry on their own terms via an innovative new approach for creating a profitable business.</p>
  831. <p>Lauren Kleinman, Lee Joselowitz, and Scott Silver, all with backgrounds in the direct-to-consumer (DTC) economy, are the proud co-owners of <a href="https://www.thequalityedit.com/contact" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Quality Edit</a>. Since launching their ‘side hustle’ in 2020, they’ve seen tremendous revenue growth. It’s been an unprecedented ride to the top of the leaderboard for the trio, and they credit it all to hard work, building a great team around them, and a niche offering they’ve dubbed “performance publishing”.</p>
  832. <h2>The Beginnings of a Successful and Profitable Business Blueprint</h2>
  833. <p>Kleinman, Joselowitz, and Silver’s journey began with frustration surrounding conventional product review sites. Through the trio&#8217;s experience working at and advising consumer brands, they found that the publishing industry was missing a new-age media platform that resonated with modern consumers. In addition to consumers being underserved, so were advertisers in the traditional publishing model, monetizing in outdated ways that didn&#8217;t bring value to brand partners or consumers.</p>
  834. <p>On the consumer side, the trio scrolled through the endless landscape of digital publications providing recommendations for travel, beauty, fashion, and home items, noticing a serious gap. None of the sites had strong storytelling at their core, nor were they aimed at developing user trust amongst modern discerning consumers. They were simply places cluttered with display advertisements and, in some cases, poorly written copy with mediocre product recommendations.</p>
  835. <h3>Maximizing Times of Uncertainty for Growth</h3>
  836. <p>At a time when <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/rhettpower/2024/04/11/why-third-party-credibility-is-growing/?sh=a8fd33e45da7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">95% of customers read online reviews</a> before making a purchase and nearly half of consumers trust those reviews as much as a personal recommendation, legacy publishers were clearly out of touch with the consumer trendline. The trio of co-founders felt that a more trustworthy recommendation site with top-tier editorial talent would stand out right away. Literally stuck in their homes during the beginning of the pandemic, they decided to take the leap and launch The Quality Edit in early 2020.</p>
  837. <p>As they built the foundation of the site, they resolved not to start at the same “square one” as their competition. In addition to taking the time to thoughtfully consider how they wanted The Quality Edit to look, feel, and flow, they also made sure to consider how their publication would generate profitable revenue for their business.</p>
  838. <p>The outcome of their creative brainstorming was a high-quality <a href="https://due.com/terms/digital-marketing/">digital advertising</a> and review site that acknowledged and met the needs of all stakeholders, including readers who came to consume authentic, genuine, and objective reviews. But they also built a differentiated advertising model for brand partners hoping to not only reach their target audience in a cost efficient way but also drive attributable results and revenue, which they coined as “Performance Publishing”.</p>
  839. <h2>Deliberate Differentiation Brings Digital Success</h2>
  840. <p>In a <a href="https://voices.media/the-quality-edits-lauren-kleinman-and-lee-joselowitz-on-performance-publishing/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">recent interview</a>, Kleinman and Joselowitz spoke about their early days and how the seeds of their innovative (and profitable) “performance publishing” framework were sown. During their initial <a href="https://due.com/5-bootstrapping-tips-startup/">bootstrapping</a> phase, the co-founders took great care to figure out precisely how The Quality Edit was going to outshine other product recommendation sites. Their consideration led them to focus on a few key areas.</p>
  841. <p>The first was to review products with intent. Rather than just reviewing all brands within a space, they wanted The Quality Edit to put the spotlight on new, exciting, and mission-based businesses.</p>
  842. <p>Today, two-thirds of consumers say they <a href="https://www.fastcompany.com/90605135/people-are-more-likely-to-trust-and-buy-purpose-driven-brands" target="_blank" rel="noopener">consider a brand’s purpose</a> before buying. Given this fact, Kleinman, Joselowitz, and Silver wanted to help readers make choices based on their alignment with the purpose behind each product’s maker. Being able to talk not just about the product itself but about the story behind it gave them a chance to help readers connect on a deeper level with the brands they were considering. In the same vein, almost 60% of The Quality Edit’s advertisers are either female or BIPOC-founded.</p>
  843. <h3>Prioritizing Quality Content Production</h3>
  844. <p>The second focus for The Quality Edit was to legitimately produce content that wasn’t just a parroted advertisement from each of their advertising clients. Consequently, they empowered their editorial team to not just write about products but to take those products for test drives. That way, readers could feel like they were making a safe, smart buying decision based on impartial, carefully curated advice spotlighting the pros and cons of each product reviewed.</p>
  845. <p>To help increase the quality and authenticity of each recommendation, The Quality Edit asked their team of reviewers to take and upload unfiltered pictures and other content. The “real feel” essence of the product being tested in real life helped solidify to readers that they were truly getting an insider’s view into a product — not just a sales pitch.</p>
  846. <h3>Creating a Repeatable Process</h3>
  847. <p>A third element that was essential for The Quality Edit was to construct a rigorous and repeatable method to monetize their publication without sacrificing editorial integrity. While legacy publishers forced brands of all sizes to purchase ad inventory via more traditional ‘Brand’ placements focussed on impressions and views rather than conversions, The Quality Edit’s solution was a new type of performance marketing that anchored brand partner programs in long-form storytelling and UGC Ad deliverables. Their high-impact results-oriented solution allows them to have fewer but higher-leverage advertising partners which oftentimes drive recurring profitable revenue for each business.</p>
  848. <p>Essentially, performance publishing is a technique designed to maximize the site’s relationship with brands by delivering relevant, <a href="https://due.com/4-ways-provide-high-value-content-tribe/">value-added content</a>. It’s a combination of traditional publishing, third-party validation, and performance marketing, and it helps amplify brands’ messaging while helping build up the brand instead of tarnishing it. Not only does performance publishing drive higher <a href="https://www.entrepreneur.com/growing-a-business/is-your-advertising-strategy-producing-a-true-return/436768" target="_blank" rel="noopener">return on advertising spend</a> (ROAS) for The Quality Edit’s brand partners, but it also sets up a path for those brands to introduce themselves to targeted, mission-aligned consumers in a trusted environment.</p>
  849. <p>By letting their hands-on editorial process lead the way, the team has made sure their brand relationships are equitable for all stakeholders. As a result, both brands and readers are given a delightful experience that Kleinman, Joselowitz, and Silver believe will become the future of the publishing industry.</p>
  850. <h2>Impressive Outcomes From a Crowded Market Startup</h2>
  851. <p>As mentioned, most startups take years to become financially viable. (And many startups, especially those with a tech angle, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/07/technology/tech-startups-collapse.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">never become solvent</a> at all.) Yet despite the crowded nature of the publishing industry, The Quality Edit has been able to buck that trend by turning a profit as early as year one. Simultaneously, the site has seen success in other places as well.</p>
  852. <p>Take their stellar view rates, for instance. Each month, The Quality Edit receives more than 300,000 unique visitors to the site while maintaining high trust with its readership: an internal 2023 survey showed that 90.7% of participants said they trusted the reviews and advice they received on the platform. High praise for a few-year-old startup publisher competing with legacy sites many decades older.</p>
  853. <h2>Entrepreneurial Takeaways From The Quality Edit’s Accomplishments</h2>
  854. <p>There’s little doubt that what began as Kleinman, Joselowitz, and Silver’s side hustle has turned into an unmitigated success. It’s also a good example for other <a href="https://due.com/terms/entrepreneur/">entrepreneurs</a> to learn strategies they might want to apply to their own startup ventures.</p>
  855. <h2>1. Fix what you don’t like.</h2>
  856. <p>A major impetus for the founding of The Quality Edit was the dissatisfaction the entrepreneurs felt with similar sites. By noting and considering exactly what dissatisfied them, they were able to generate a profitable business that fixed those problems head-on.</p>
  857. <p>It’s not necessary to fix everything, of course. However, resolving known “pain points” can be a good way to enter a field. It can help a budding enterprise get press, too. Projects that balk at the status quo often fascinate media outlets. They built a review site they themselves would want to read.</p>
  858. <h2>2. Encourage user-generated content.</h2>
  859. <p>Word-of-mouth has always been essential to expanding a brand’s reach organically. Now, it’s more important than ever thanks to the widespread use of social media. A full 88% of people in one major survey agreed that they <a href="https://www.nielsen.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/11/2021-Nielsen-Trust-In-Advertising-Sell-Sheet.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">put more trust in suggestions</a> from individuals who were close to them than from brands. What better way for them to learn about products from family, friends, and coworkers than from UGC?</p>
  860. <p>The Quality Edit fosters a constant flow of user-generated content (UGC) because of its conversational, “secrets from a trusted friend” editorial style. They encourage readers to share their findings and write their own updates. The natural give-and-take of the site driven by its clean editorial processes and honest reviews fuels a regular flow of UGC across the ecosystem they’ve built.</p>
  861. <h2>3. Label your process.</h2>
  862. <p>Kleinman, Joselowitz, and Silver knew they were innovating in the publishing ecosystem, so they decided to coin their offering “Performance Publishing” in 2020.The term stuck and is working very well – with over $50M Incremental Revenue driven for brand partners at an average 30% increase in ROAS.</p>
  863. <p>Entrepreneurs who similarly disrupt their industries with novel workflows might want to follow suit and label their own “secret sauce”. Labeling a unique approach can be yet another way to get plenty of attention. It can even lead to more interviews and opportunities to show a high degree of thought leadership.</p>
  864. <h2>4. Show off your passion to build a great team</h2>
  865. <p>Having passion is what keeps entrepreneurs trudging through the tougher times. The Quality Edit would never have been born had it not been for the passion the founders felt for emerging brands, products, and lifestyle curation. And that passion and enthusiasm is infectious, and particularly helpful when building and recruiting early team members to bring the initial vision to reality.</p>
  866. <p>Is passion a surefire way for a profitable business to become a multimillion-dollar sensation in just three years as The Quality Edit did? Not always. Nevertheless, that fervor is a serious asset when it comes to navigating the sometimes choppy waters of establishing a <a href="https://due.com/terms/brand/">newer brand</a>.</p>
  867. <p>For the three West Coast friends, The Quality Edit has been more than a chance to test their mettle as entrepreneurs and earn a living doing what they love. It’s been a life-changing experience that’s setting a new bar and pushing the digital publishing industry forward.</p>
  868. <p>The post <a href="https://due.com/profitable-business/">How Three Friends Bootstrapped a Publication Into a Multimillion-Dollar Profitable Business in Three Years</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>
  869. ]]></content:encoded>
  870. <media:content xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" medium="image" type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.due.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Profitable-Business-1024x683.jpg" width="800" height="534"><media:credit role="illustrator" scheme="urn:ebu">Due</media:credit></media:content> </item>
  871. <item>
  872. <title>Former Comptroller General of Ecuador convicted for $10M in Miami</title>
  873. <link>https://due.com/former-comptroller-general-of-ecuador-convicted-for-10m-in-miami/</link>
  874. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Brian-Damien Morgan]]></dc:creator>
  875. <pubDate>Wed, 24 Apr 2024 22:43:23 +0000</pubDate>
  876. <category><![CDATA[Finance]]></category>
  877. <category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
  878. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://due.com/?p=81185</guid>
  879.  
  880. <description><![CDATA[<p>A Miami federal jury has found the former Comptroller General of Ecuador guilty of a million-dollar money laundering and bribery scheme. Carlos Ramon Polit Faggioni, 73, was involved in a series of illegal activities between 2010 and 2015, a period when he was entrusted with safeguarding his country&#8217;s public funds. Former comptroller found guilty In [&#8230;]</p>
  881. <p>The post <a href="https://due.com/former-comptroller-general-of-ecuador-convicted-for-10m-in-miami/">Former Comptroller General of Ecuador convicted for $10M in Miami</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>
  882. ]]></description>
  883. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>A Miami federal jury has found the former Comptroller General of Ecuador guilty of a million-dollar money laundering and bribery scheme.</p>
  884. <p>Carlos Ramon Polit Faggioni, 73, was involved in a series of <a href="https://due.com/man-faces-70m-medicare-fraud-scheme-charges/">illegal activities</a> between 2010 and 2015, a period when he was entrusted with safeguarding his country&#8217;s public funds.</p>
  885. <h2>Former comptroller found guilty</h2>
  886. <p>In his high-profile capacity as the Comptroller of Ecuador, he was supposed to be the shield the country depended on to root out industrial espionage.</p>
  887. <p>Instead, he benefited from ill-gotten gains from private firms and backhanded bribes, especially from the Brazilian-based construction company Odebrecht S.A.</p>
  888. <p>Polit would pocket a shocking $10 million in brown envelopes and bribes to keep scrutiny off the backs of the Odebrecht.</p>
  889. <p>Odebrecht S.A. pleaded guilty to the District of New York in 2016 across a host of charges that violated the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). The company conceeded that it had swindled its way to paying “nearly $800 million in bribes to public officials in 12 countries, including Ecuador,” according to the Justice Department’s <a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/former-comptroller-general-ecuador-convicted-10m-international-bribery-and-money-laundering">release</a>.</p>
  890. <p>Polit faces a massive twenty years behind bars for each count of <a href="https://due.com/u-s-court-finds-terraform-labs-guilty-of-defrauding-crypto-investors/">money laundering</a> aimed at him. He is facing one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering and three counts of concealing money laundering. This charge alone would see Polit behind bars for a maximum of eighty years if he is given the maximum penalty sentence for the crimes.</p>
  891. <p>These are not the only charges aimed at the Ecuadorian. He also faces two ten-year maximum penalties for both counts of transactions in criminally derived property, taking his sentence to a possible century of containment in a penal facility.</p>
  892. <p>Polit was further found to have diluted his illegally obtained and money-laundered funds to invest in real estate in Florida. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Miami’s Special Agent Anthony Salisbury said, “This conviction shows that despite your wealth, title, or influence, nobody is above the law.”</p>
  893. <p>U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida said of the charges levied at Polit “This verdict is a reminder of our office’s firm commitment to investigating and prosecuting corrupt foreign officials who bring their criminally obtained funds to South Florida to buy real estate.”</p>
  894. <p>His sentencing has not been set, and the federal district court judge will have to consider his ability to serve a fitting penalty in line with sentencing guidelines.</p>
  895. <p>Image: <a href="https://ideogram.ai/g/c5UQxs-OQMqnUNPMQwZ3BA/0">Ideogram</a>.</p>
  896. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  897. <p>The post <a href="https://due.com/former-comptroller-general-of-ecuador-convicted-for-10m-in-miami/">Former Comptroller General of Ecuador convicted for $10M in Miami</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>
  898. ]]></content:encoded>
  899. <media:content xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" medium="image" type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.due.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Former-Ecuadorian-Comptroller-Convicted-in-Miami.jpg" width="800" height="539"><media:credit role="illustrator" scheme="urn:ebu">Due</media:credit></media:content> </item>
  900. <item>
  901. <title>President Biden demonstrates unwavering commitment to the $95 billion National Security Package</title>
  902. <link>https://due.com/president-biden-demonstrates-unwavering-commitment-to-the-95-billion-national-security-package/</link>
  903. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Brian-Damien Morgan]]></dc:creator>
  904. <pubDate>Wed, 24 Apr 2024 13:03:39 +0000</pubDate>
  905. <category><![CDATA[Finance]]></category>
  906. <category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
  907. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://due.com/?p=81168</guid>
  908.  
  909. <description><![CDATA[<p>President Biden has released a resounding supporting document for the recently passed $95bn National Security Package. The bill, a crucial step in bolstering national security, was successfully approved by the Senate and cleared to proceed to the next stage of the law-making process. Senate and POTUS approve landmark bill President Biden would release a statement [&#8230;]</p>
  910. <p>The post <a href="https://due.com/president-biden-demonstrates-unwavering-commitment-to-the-95-billion-national-security-package/">President Biden demonstrates unwavering commitment to the $95 billion National Security Package</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>
  911. ]]></description>
  912. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>President Biden has <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/04/23/statement-from-president-joe-biden-on-senate-passage-of-the-national-security-package/">released</a> a resounding supporting document for the recently passed $95bn National Security Package.</p>
  913. <p>The bill, a crucial step in bolstering national security, was successfully approved by the Senate and cleared to proceed to the next stage of the law-making process.</p>
  914. <h2>Senate and POTUS approve landmark bill</h2>
  915. <p>President <a href="https://due.com/president-biden-hopes-tripled-tariffs-on-china-will-improve-u-s-steel/">Biden</a> would release a statement on the White House official site saying “a bipartisan majority in the Senate joined the House to answer history’s call at this critical inflection point. Congress has passed my legislation to strengthen our national security and send a message to the world about the power of American leadership: we stand resolutely for democracy and freedom, and against tyranny and oppression.”</p>
  916. <p>The Senate was in gridlock for most of the year, with much debate about how much the United States would contribute to foreign aid.</p>
  917. <p>The vote has come to a close with a vote of 79 to 18 to send $61bn in financial aid to repair and support the war-torn Ukraine. The bill also earmarks $15bn in military aid to Israel and $9 billion to the ravaged and decimated land of Gaza.</p>
  918. <p>Almost all of the agreed aid fractured the Republican party’s Senators, but it finally passed. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) would tell reporters outside the decision made in the chamber “The Senate sends a unified message to the entire world. America will always defend democracy in its hour of need. We tell our allies we will stand with you. We tell our adversaries don’t mess with us.”</p>
  919. <p>President <a href="https://due.com/bidens-new-budget-and-wage-class-warfare/">Biden</a> would reiterate this message from Schumer, saying “I will sign this bill into law and address the American people as soon as it reaches my desk tomorrow so we can begin sending weapons and equipment to Ukraine this week. The need is urgent: for Ukraine, facing unrelenting bombardment from Russia; for Israel, which just faced unprecedented attacks from Iran; for refugees and those impacted by conflicts and natural disasters around the world, including in Gaza, Sudan, and Haiti; and for our partners seeking security and stability in the Indo-Pacific.”</p>
  920. <p>The aid the bill will bring also includes an apparent ban on TikTok. The Senate has been concerned with the national security risks the application has brought to American users.</p>
  921. <p>If the bill is singed into law then it will impact the entire political, financial, and national security front of America.</p>
  922. <p>Image: Ideogram</p>
  923. <p>The post <a href="https://due.com/president-biden-demonstrates-unwavering-commitment-to-the-95-billion-national-security-package/">President Biden demonstrates unwavering commitment to the $95 billion National Security Package</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>
  924. ]]></content:encoded>
  925. <media:content xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" medium="image" type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.due.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/President-Biden-and-Senate-approve-aid-bill.jpg" width="800" height="547"><media:credit role="illustrator" scheme="urn:ebu">Due</media:credit></media:content> </item>
  926. <item>
  927. <title>Spotify’s 2024 first quarter hits the high notes</title>
  928. <link>https://due.com/spotifys-2024-first-quarter-hits-the-high-notes/</link>
  929. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Brian-Damien Morgan]]></dc:creator>
  930. <pubDate>Tue, 23 Apr 2024 12:30:43 +0000</pubDate>
  931. <category><![CDATA[Finance]]></category>
  932. <category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
  933. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://due.com/?p=81150</guid>
  934.  
  935. <description><![CDATA[<p>Music giant Spotify has unveiled its first quarter results for 2024. Spotify, the global streaming platform, has marked a significant milestone in the first part of the new financial year, with a record-breaking 239 million paying premium subscribers. Spotify records positive financial hits Daniel Ek, the enigmatic Chief Operating Officer said &#8220;We’ve talked about 2024 [&#8230;]</p>
  936. <p>The post <a href="https://due.com/spotifys-2024-first-quarter-hits-the-high-notes/">Spotify’s 2024 first quarter hits the high notes</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>
  937. ]]></description>
  938. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Music giant Spotify has unveiled its first quarter results for 2024.</p>
  939. <p>Spotify, the global streaming platform, has marked a significant milestone in the first part of the new financial year, with a record-breaking 239 million paying premium subscribers.</p>
  940. <h2>Spotify records positive financial hits</h2>
  941. <p>Daniel Ek, the enigmatic Chief Operating Officer said &#8220;We’ve talked about 2024 as the year of monetization and we’re delivering on that ambition.“</p>
  942. <p>Total revenue for the Swedish company was up by 20% compared to the previous <a href="https://due.com/financial-services-recruiting/">financial</a> year. Overall income was up by €168 million ($179 million).</p>
  943. <p>Ek continued on the monetization theme of 2024 by saying “Now as we’ve shifted to focus on strong revenue growth and margin expansion, we see a clear opportunity to ensure we are also continuing to grow the top of our funnel. I feel good about the changes we are implementing and remain very confident in our ability to reach the ambitious plans we’ve outlined.”</p>
  944. <p>Monetization and efficiency have been the two bywords for the music megalith. These positive early signs for the company will surely mean that these two words are cemented in the financial year-end results, too.</p>
  945. <p>As part of its ongoing commitment to innovation, the company has set new ambitious goals to deliver even more enhanced content, promising an exciting future for music lovers and industry professionals alike.</p>
  946. <p>These include weaving <a href="https://due.com/8-tips-for-playing-the-stock-market-with-your-annuity-music-edition/">music</a> videos into the musical content on their platform to enhance the “artist-to-fan connection” and “Song Psychic.” <a href="https://songpsychic.byspotify.com/en-GB">Song Psychic</a>, lets users ask questions about a topic and be given seven possible choices. Once a user selects a choice via the musical magic eight-ball that will produce a song result.</p>
  947. <p>Spotify has also launched a tiered audiobook subscription service, which has boosted the music company&#8217;s earnings. The service offers over 250,00 audiobook titles for $9.99 per month.</p>
  948. <p>Image: <a href="https://ideogram.ai/g/C4ockoVOS5COBsZSDEdNWQ/1">Ideogram.</a></p>
  949. <p>The post <a href="https://due.com/spotifys-2024-first-quarter-hits-the-high-notes/">Spotify’s 2024 first quarter hits the high notes</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>
  950. ]]></content:encoded>
  951. <media:content xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" medium="image" type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.due.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Spotify-announces-glowing-financial-results-in-quarter-one-of-2024.jpg" width="800" height="563"><media:credit role="illustrator" scheme="urn:ebu">Due</media:credit></media:content> </item>
  952. <item>
  953. <title>Beyond Finances: What Nobody Tells You About the First Six Months of Retirement</title>
  954. <link>https://due.com/first-six-months-retirement/</link>
  955. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Deanna Ritchie]]></dc:creator>
  956. <pubDate>Tue, 23 Apr 2024 11:00:02 +0000</pubDate>
  957. <category><![CDATA[Retirement]]></category>
  958. <category><![CDATA[Retirement Planning]]></category>
  959. <category><![CDATA[personal finance]]></category>
  960. <category><![CDATA[retirement]]></category>
  961. <category><![CDATA[retirement planning]]></category>
  962. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://due.com/?p=81026</guid>
  963.  
  964. <description><![CDATA[<p>Your decades-long run of morning rush hours, demanding work days, and the pressure to perform is finally over. During those mad-dash days and often headache-inducing projects, it can be hard to imagine retirement, much less dream about it. But before you know it, retirement will come, and once it’s here, you might be surprised by [&#8230;]</p>
  965. <p>The post <a href="https://due.com/first-six-months-retirement/">Beyond Finances: What Nobody Tells You About the First Six Months of Retirement</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>
  966. ]]></description>
  967. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Your decades-long run of morning rush hours, demanding work days, and the pressure to perform is finally over. During those mad-dash days and often headache-inducing projects, it can be hard to imagine retirement, much less dream about it. But before you know it, retirement will come, and once it’s here, you might be surprised by what it’s like; especially in the first six months. You might have thought you’d be jet-setting the globe or donating your blazer collection immediately. Others might find that removing themselves from their life’s work is more challenging than they’d expected.</p>
  968. <p>Today’s retirement experience is dynamic, and how you experience life after exiting the workforce will differ. Physical demands shift, emotional needs emerge, and your identity transforms overnight. The stark difference in routine and responsibility might feel like a blow to the ego or a welcome relief. No matter your vocation, learn about the unexpected realities many new retirees discover to make your transition into retirement easier.</p>
  969. <h2>You Might Miss the Hustle</h2>
  970. <p>The blare of your alarm might haunt you, or you may have established a routine you can’t quit. Old habits die hard, and this saying is especially true when you’ve cemented certain mental and physical demands. If you’re used to making big decisions daily, the slower pace of retirement might make you anxious or bored. It might be tempting to fill your calendar with <a href="https://due.com/soft-retirement/">consulting</a>, volunteer work, or new hobbies.</p>
  971. <p>While there are likely many people who’d appreciate your expertise and insight, be careful before you commit your newfound time. High-paying consulting gigs can keep you connected to the industry you built your career, but at what cost? Some industries or firms require retirement at a certain age, and for good reason — that type of work is intense. Retirement is a well-earned reward after a successful career that you should appreciate and enjoy. If you can’t help but have a full dance card, facilitate a schedule that takes advantage of the retired life. Follow a morning routine that stimulates your mind and nourishes your body.</p>
  972. <p>Mike Portegello, who recently retired after a 37-year career with a Big Four professional services firm, talks candidly about his <a href="https://summitexecutiveresources.com/blog/thinking-of-retirement-here-is-what-i-learned-after-37-year-career-at-a-big-four-professional-services-firm/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">transition to retirement</a> on his blog. “I decided to keep many of my routines set over the last 37 years but with some modifications,” he wrote. “I continue to wake up early and plan my day with set outcomes aligned with my ‘new’ goals. I even continue to dress up with a collared shirt and real shoes. No sports jacket, but I did consider it — I am retired.” This approach aligns strategies and habits that were effective in building an impressive career but modifies them for retired life.</p>
  973. <h3>Strategies to Set and Meet Personal Goals</h3>
  974. <p>You can stay busy without working yourself too hard. For example, you could do puzzles like Sudoku to keep your brain sharp and reduce eye-straining screen time. Feed yourself a nutrient-rich breakfast full of vitamins, protein, and antioxidants, all of which can support healthy aging. Start your day with movement and incorporate strength training to build bone density and lean muscle. Maintain a <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/20/well/mind/aging-health-benefits.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">positive mindset</a> by reciting affirmations, meditating, and monitoring your self-talk.</p>
  975. <p>After your robust morning routine, you might be ready to relax, but if not, there’s plenty to do. Portegello recommends creating a “blueprint” that outlines a rough idea of what you want and need to do, but be careful not to over-book. If you’ve been peppered with requests to discuss work or volunteer opportunities, entertain them with care. Agree to meetings selectively and enjoy appreciation of your expertise, but consider <a href="https://due.com/the-future-of-retirement-predictions-and-trends/">lifestyle impacts</a> before saying “yes.” You might give yourself at least six months or a year before leaning back into a 40-hour work week.</p>
  976. <h3>Why This Initial Stage Sets the Tone for the Rest of Your Retirement</h3>
  977. <p>The initial phase of retirement is a period of adjustment and reflection. It&#8217;s essential to give yourself time to fully embrace and appreciate the freedom and leisure that retirement offers. Rushing back into a full-time work schedule too soon can hinder this process and prevent you from fully experiencing retirement benefits, such as spending quality time with loved ones, pursuing personal interests, and enjoying a more relaxed pace of life. Take the opportunity to explore new hobbies, travel, or simply enjoy the simple pleasures of everyday life before considering a return to a demanding work routine.</p>
  978. <p>Portegello’s critical advice: “The lesson here is to set your routine with things you love or don’t love but are important to you – i.e., health, well-being, education, etc. This gave me the needed structure and a foundation to structure my days, all the while providing me with unimagined freedom.”</p>
  979. <h2>You May Feel Out of the Loop</h2>
  980. <p>One unexpected surprise many retirees experience is that of an identity crisis. Even if you might not see yourself as aligned or identified by your vocation, work does command significant attention. Your school years were dedicated to learning your craft and the decades that followed were spent honing your skills. Then, almost overnight, you go from revered expert to an out-of-touch retiree, or at least it seems that way.</p>
  981. <p>Many retirees struggle to define themselves outside of the workplace and instead of exploring these feelings, turn inward. Without a clear identifier or list of strategic goals to achieve, feelings of aimlessness and angst can set in. Resist the urge to mourn what was “lost,” and instead, acknowledge the impact your career has made. If you struck deals for major developers, look at the skyline you’ve helped shape. If your nonprofit work has transformed communities, consider the lives you’ve improved.</p>
  982. <h3>Ideas to Stay Engaged</h3>
  983. <p>Explore how you can solidify your legacy while staying engaged with the most poignant parts of your career—volunteer with organizations whose needs align with your expertise. You can reduce their burden and support their cause. You could also participate in professional groups to lend insight to young professionals and shape the next generation of leaders. <a href="https://due.com/retiree-hobbies/">Engage in activities</a> that align with your interests and preserve the phase of life you’re now in.</p>
  984. <p>Many decide that the most significant part missing from work isn’t the work at all — it’s the friends and socializing. Friendships form thanks to being in close proximity, sharing experiences, and the amount of time you’re with colleagues. After you retire, you’re naturally outside of your normal gathering spot: work. The risk of social isolation is high, and it can be detrimental to your mental and physical well-being.</p>
  985. <p>Combat loneliness and incorporate regular social engagements into your routine. Schedule time to reconnect with friends, old colleagues, and family. Establish accountability for showing up by buying tickets, making reservations, and gathering with more than one person. By solidifying plans, you decrease the likelihood of last-minute cancellations that rarely get rescheduled.</p>
  986. <h2>Relationships Will Become a Priority</h2>
  987. <p>Without the barrier of time-off balances, and the hectic pace synonymous with peak career years, you can finally spend time how you wish. Many new retirees welcome reconnecting with old friends, but doing so can be a challenge. You may have to ask for an invite if you’ve always declined the annual group trip to the lake. Doing so might require a bit of bravery, but putting yourself out there is crucial for your happiness in retirement. One of the most significant health risks for retirees is <a href="https://www.kiplinger.com/retirement/the-cost-of-loneliness-in-retirement#:~:text=The%20impact%20of%20this%20social,Control%20and%20Prevention%20(CDC)." target="_blank" rel="noopener">loneliness</a>, making resetting and nourishing your relationships essential.</p>
  988. <p>While you worked, you and your partner more or less crossed paths most of the week. In retirement, you’re in closer proximity than you’ve ever been, which can be a welcome yet startling change. Newfound annoyances may come to light, like the way one of you slurps your coffee. Other issues, like relationship neglect, imbalanced responsibilities, and disconnection, might rear their ugly, yet accurate, heads. Resist the urge to avoid discomfort and instead invest in your relationships and strive to get them back on track.</p>
  989. <h3>Ways to Invest More Effort Into Relationships</h3>
  990. <p>Dr. John Gottman is a well-known psychologist and researcher in relationships, particularly in the context of marriage and couple dynamics. In “The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work” he notes that fondness and admiration are “two of the most crucial elements in a rewarding and long-lasting romance.” If you need to <a href="https://www.gottman.com/blog/everyday-ways-to-reconnect-and-nurture-your-relationship/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reconnect and nurture your relationship</a>, start by taking small steps to show your partner you care. This could include small phrases like “Good morning,” “Please,” and “Thank you.” You could also leave love notes, reminisce with your partner, or tell them why you appreciate them.</p>
  991. <p>You could also explore therapy for yourself and with your partner, even if things are going well. The <a href="https://due.com/retirees-mental-health/">emotional shifts</a> that come with stepping away from work can create friction and challenge your identity. Getting to know yourself outside of work and outside of a position of leadership can be tough to go alone. If the idea of therapy has you bristling, you’re not alone — many in today’s retirement generation have been taught to tamp down emotions instead of sharing them. However, investing in your mental wellness and your relationships can help you heal old wounds and discover your best self.</p>
  992. <h2>Health and Aging Dominate Your Thoughts</h2>
  993. <p>New health insurance protocols, long-avoided procedures, and the absence of an excuse for exercising are all common in retirement. When you exited your <a href="https://due.com/what-you-should-know-healthcare-cost-planning-in-retirement/">work-sponsored plan</a>, you likely did so by maximizing your benefits, or you should have. Take the advice of your care team to heart and <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/ehealth/2024/03/28/wealth-and-health-retirement-security-and-healthcare-costs-go-hand-in-hand/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">prioritize your health and wellness</a>.</p>
  994. <p>If you’ve never been a big exercise fan, you don’t have to go all-in now. However, <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9884422/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">experts agree</a> that healthy aging and mental wellness in retirement requires physical activity. Walking is low-impact, cost-effective, and can be done indoors or outside. Getting active can also grow your social circle or provide an activity to do with your partner, kids, or friends. Meet new people at the park, gym, or fitness class and expand your friendship base with a new shared interest.</p>
  995. <p>The realities of aging might be hard to escape as mobility changes, cognitive function slows, and your reflection shifts. Your family history of illness or mortality may feel too close to home, especially if you’ve outlived many others. Plus, the contrast between youthful exuberance and being on the upswing compared to the downshift of retirement can be surprising. Pay attention to how you feel both mentally and physically, and lean into exploring them in a healthy, productive way. Care for your health in retirement and adopt a sense of acceptance of aging’s natural place in life’s journey.</p>
  996. <h2>Welcome Retirement With Open Arms and a Fresh Outlook</h2>
  997. <p>Retirement may often be viewed as the end, but in reality, it’s just the beginning. After the career act of your story comes to a close, grab on to the opportunity ahead of life after work. Relax, explore, and take new risks with the confidence that comes with your financial basics already covered.</p>
  998. <p>Acknowledge the gaps your work years may have lifted from your routine and strive to restore them now. Embrace the opportunity to rediscover yourself, revive relationships and create new ones. When you do, you’ll experience newfound joy, purpose, and fulfillment during your third and final act, retirement.</p>
  999. <p>The post <a href="https://due.com/first-six-months-retirement/">Beyond Finances: What Nobody Tells You About the First Six Months of Retirement</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>
  1000. ]]></content:encoded>
  1001. <media:content xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" medium="image" type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.due.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/First-Six-Months-of-Retirement-1024x683.png" width="800" height="534"><media:credit role="illustrator" scheme="urn:ebu">Due</media:credit></media:content> </item>
  1002. <item>
  1003. <title>SEC To Host Second Annual Conference on Emerging Trends in Asset Management</title>
  1004. <link>https://due.com/sec-to-host-second-annual-conference-on-emerging-trends-in-asset-management/</link>
  1005. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Brian-Damien Morgan]]></dc:creator>
  1006. <pubDate>Tue, 23 Apr 2024 10:38:06 +0000</pubDate>
  1007. <category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
  1008. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://due.com/?p=81146</guid>
  1009.  
  1010. <description><![CDATA[<p>The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is setting out its stall to host the second annual Emerging Trends in Asset Management conference. The government regulator’s Division of Investment Management will lead the event, Thursday, May 16, 2024. SEC’s second conference on asset management The essential conference will bring together the leading names in the asset [&#8230;]</p>
  1011. <p>The post <a href="https://due.com/sec-to-host-second-annual-conference-on-emerging-trends-in-asset-management/">SEC To Host Second Annual Conference on Emerging Trends in Asset Management</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>
  1012. ]]></description>
  1013. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is setting out its stall to host the second annual Emerging Trends in Asset Management conference.</p>
  1014. <p>The government regulator’s Division of Investment Management will lead the event, Thursday, May 16, 2024.</p>
  1015. <h2>SEC’s second conference on asset management</h2>
  1016. <p>The essential conference will bring together the leading names in the asset management industry. Conference <a href="https://www.sec.gov/news/upcoming-events/2024-conference-emerging-trends-asset">topics</a> will include:</p>
  1017. <ul>
  1018. <li>Trends in Asset Management Products and Strategies</li>
  1019. <li>Asset Management Trends: Past, Present and Future</li>
  1020. <li>Technology-Driven Trends</li>
  1021. <li>Regulatory Perspectives</li>
  1022. </ul>
  1023. <p>The event starts with a word from current SEC Chief Gary Gensler, followed by Andrea Seidt the Ohio Securities Commissioner.</p>
  1024. <p>Erica Y. Williams, Chair of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board takes a session on regulatory perspective. Miss Williams will be followed by Camille Blackburn, Director of Wholesale Buyside, Asset Management Division, U.K. Financial Conduct Authority</p>
  1025. <p>Natasha Vij Greiner, the director of the Division of Investment Management, will close the agenda for a busy day of asset management topics.</p>
  1026. <p>According to the SEC the event will be open to the public at the regulatory body’s headquarters and via live webcast at www.sec.gov from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET. A statement on the SEC site said “Conference registration for both in person and on-line attendees will be open until May 14, 2024. The conference will be archived on SEC.gov for later viewing.”</p>
  1027. <p>As <a href="https://due.com/sec-what-does-your-financial-future-look-like/">we reported</a> earlier this month, the SEC has announced its topic for April’s National Financial Capability Month.</p>
  1028. <p>The SEC is asking Americans “What does your financial future look like? Having a plan can help answer the question.”</p>
  1029. <p>The SEC is an alert government entity that prides itself on cracking down on illicit activity in the financial and investing world, with topics like asset management and the regulation of the companies that offer these services high on their eagle-eyed list of observations.</p>
  1030. <p>Earlier this month, the <a href="https://due.com/sec-hits-investment-advisors-for-violation-of-marketing-rules/">SEC laid the law down</a> on five entities for violating marketing rules, which would be the second wave of regulatory action in a year. The first wave was brought to light and nine advisory firms were hit with regulatory scrutiny in September 2023.</p>
  1031. <p>Image: <a href="https://ideogram.ai/g/NBbyeHlkQB2Q6932Z_x7Og/0">Ideogram</a>.</p>
  1032. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  1033. <p>The post <a href="https://due.com/sec-to-host-second-annual-conference-on-emerging-trends-in-asset-management/">SEC To Host Second Annual Conference on Emerging Trends in Asset Management</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>
  1034. ]]></content:encoded>
  1035. <media:content xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" medium="image" type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.due.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/SEC-announces-second-annual-event-on-investment-management.jpg" width="800" height="586"><media:credit role="illustrator" scheme="urn:ebu">Due</media:credit></media:content> </item>
  1036. <item>
  1037. <title>Johnson &#038; Johnson acquisitions hit close to $15bn</title>
  1038. <link>https://due.com/johnson-johnson-acquisitions-hit-close-to-15bn/</link>
  1039. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Brian-Damien Morgan]]></dc:creator>
  1040. <pubDate>Mon, 22 Apr 2024 19:40:36 +0000</pubDate>
  1041. <category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
  1042. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://due.com/?p=81111</guid>
  1043.  
  1044. <description><![CDATA[<p>April witnessed a flurry of high-profile acquisitions by Johnson &#38; Johnson, the healthcare behemoth. These strategic moves, amounting to nearly $15 bn, spanned across the medical care and consumer healthcare sectors, further diversifying the company’s portfolio. The company has announced two major takeover deals involving Ambrx Biopharma, Inc. and Shockwave Medical across April. Johnson &#38; [&#8230;]</p>
  1045. <p>The post <a href="https://due.com/johnson-johnson-acquisitions-hit-close-to-15bn/">Johnson &#038; Johnson acquisitions hit close to $15bn</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>
  1046. ]]></description>
  1047. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>April witnessed a flurry of high-profile acquisitions by Johnson &amp; Johnson, the healthcare behemoth. These strategic moves, amounting to nearly $15 bn, spanned across the <a href="https://due.com/man-faces-70m-medicare-fraud-scheme-charges/]">medical care</a> and consumer healthcare sectors, further diversifying the company’s portfolio.</p>
  1048. <p>The company has announced two major takeover deals involving Ambrx Biopharma, Inc. and Shockwave Medical across April.</p>
  1049. <h2>Johnson &amp; Johnson’s Spring Acquisitions</h2>
  1050. <p>The healthcare and pharmacy giant first made a deal with Shockwave at the beginning of this month.</p>
  1051. <p>The definitive handover would equate to $335.00 per share in cash and a total company value of $13.1 billion.</p>
  1052. <p>Moving for Shockwave expands J&amp;J’s presence in the cardiovascular intervention market for <a href="https://due.com/medical-expenses-in-retirement/">medical</a> science and applications. This is one of the globe’s fastest-growing medical technology markets.</p>
  1053. <p>J&amp;J now has a host of new frontiers to explore to make headway in medical science. This also expands the already massive reach the company has over medical technology markets and improves the numbers for the company’s operating and growth margins.</p>
  1054. <p>Doug Godshall, President and CEO of Shockwave, <a href="https://www.jnj.com/media-center/press-releases/johnson-johnson-to-acquire-shockwave-medical">said</a> “I am deeply grateful to our team members and colleagues whose efforts have made today’s milestone possible; their accomplishments and passion have been extraordinary. I could not think of a better partner and home than Johnson &amp; Johnson as the Shockwave team prepares to write its next exciting chapter.”</p>
  1055. <p>This would only be one of the blockbuster deals the household name would deliver in Spring. The takeover of <a href="https://www.jnj.com/media-center/press-releases/johnson-johnson-completes-acquisition-of-ambrx">Ambrx</a> Biopharma, Inc. would allow J&amp;J to foray into more uncharted areas of growth and research.</p>
  1056. <p>Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are an existing market, but their consistent growth in development platforms, best-in-class applications, and results are constant.</p>
  1057. <p>Ambrx&#8217;s joining the J&amp;J fold gives the company a larger foothold in applying and creating ADCs to tackle prostate cancer, which is a massively lucrative medical science market.</p>
  1058. <p>J&amp;J took over the leading oncology company for $2.0 billion, which will be officially marked down as a “business combination.”</p>
  1059. <p>Biljana Naumovic, Worldwide Vice President, Oncology, Johnson &amp; Johnson Innovative Medicine, said, &#8220;ADCs are transforming the solid tumor treatment paradigm by leveraging antibody-antigen interactions to release cytotoxic payload directly to tumor cells. This acquisition underscores our ambition to deliver enhanced, precision biologics to transform the treatment of cancers, including prostate cancer.”</p>
  1060. <p>The company also released its 2024 first-quarter <a href="https://www.jnj.com/latest-news/what-you-need-to-know-about-johnson-johnsons-2024-first-quarter-earnings">earnings report</a>. The report was rosy for J&amp;J, with worldwide sales growing 2.3% to $21.4 bn in the first quarter of the year.</p>
  1061. <p>Image: <a href="https://www.jnj.com/media-center">J&amp;J.</a></p>
  1062. <p>The post <a href="https://due.com/johnson-johnson-acquisitions-hit-close-to-15bn/">Johnson &#038; Johnson acquisitions hit close to $15bn</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>
  1063. ]]></content:encoded>
  1064. <media:content xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" medium="image" type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.due.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/acquisitions-Johnson-and-Johnson.jpg" width="800" height="441"><media:credit role="illustrator" scheme="urn:ebu">Due</media:credit></media:content> </item>
  1065. <item>
  1066. <title>Balancing self-importance in a vast universe</title>
  1067. <link>https://due.com/balancing-self-importance-in-a-vast-universe/</link>
  1068. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Jeff Rose]]></dc:creator>
  1069. <pubDate>Mon, 22 Apr 2024 19:05:05 +0000</pubDate>
  1070. <category><![CDATA[Money Tips]]></category>
  1071. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://due.com/?p=81098</guid>
  1072.  
  1073. <description><![CDATA[<p>In the grand scheme of the universe, we are but tiny specks of dust floating in the vast expanse of space. Yet, within each of us, a world of thoughts, emotions, and experiences makes us feel larger than life itself. This paradoxical dichotomy between our physical insignificance and perceived self-importance forms the crux of our [&#8230;]</p>
  1074. <p>The post <a href="https://due.com/balancing-self-importance-in-a-vast-universe/">Balancing self-importance in a vast universe</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>
  1075. ]]></description>
  1076. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>In the grand scheme of the universe, we are but tiny specks of dust floating in the vast expanse of space. Yet, within each of us, a world of thoughts, emotions, and experiences makes us feel larger than life itself. This paradoxical dichotomy between our physical insignificance and perceived self-importance forms the crux of our existence.</p>
  1077. <h2>Our perception of self-importance</h2>
  1078. <p>The phrase, &#8220;It was a big, big world, but we thought we were bigger,&#8221; encapsulates this sentiment perfectly. It speaks to the human condition, our innate desire to matter, to make a difference, and to leave a mark on the world. It is a testament to our inherent belief in our own significance despite the overwhelming evidence of our minuscule existence in the grandeur of the cosmos.</p>
  1079. <div>
  1080. <div align="center">
  1081. <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C6Eo8UgL57W/" data-instgrm-version="14">
  1082. <div style="padding: 16px;">
  1083. <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;">
  1084. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div>
  1085. <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;">
  1086. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div>
  1087. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div>
  1088. </div>
  1089. </div>
  1090. <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div>
  1091. <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div>
  1092. <div style="padding-top: 8px;">
  1093. <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div>
  1094. </div>
  1095. <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div>
  1096. <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;">
  1097. <div>
  1098. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div>
  1099. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div>
  1100. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div>
  1101. </div>
  1102. <div style="margin-left: 8px;">
  1103. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div>
  1104. <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"></div>
  1105. </div>
  1106. <div style="margin-left: auto;">
  1107. <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div>
  1108. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div>
  1109. <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div>
  1110. </div>
  1111. </div>
  1112. <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;">
  1113. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div>
  1114. <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div>
  1115. </div>
  1116. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  1117. <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C6Eo8UgL57W/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Jeff Rose &#8211; CFP® &#8211; Finance (@jjeffrose)<br />
  1118. </a></p>
  1119. </div>
  1120. </blockquote>
  1121. <p><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></p>
  1122. </div>
  1123. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  1124. </div>
  1125. <h2>The vastness of the world</h2>
  1126. <p>The world is indeed big, vast beyond our comprehension. It is filled with billions of people, each with unique stories, experiences, and perspectives. It is home to countless species of flora and fauna, each playing a crucial role in the intricate web of life. It is a planet within a solar system, a galaxy, and an ever-expanding universe. The sheer scale of it all can be daunting, even overwhelming.</p>
  1127. <h2>Feeling larger than life</h2>
  1128. <p>Yet, despite this vastness, we often perceive ourselves as bigger. This is not a reflection of arrogance or ignorance but a testament to the human spirit. We can dream, aspire, and strive for greatness that makes us feel larger than life. Our capacity for love, compassion, and empathy makes us feel significant. It is our potential for growth, learning, and understanding that makes us feel important.</p>
  1129. <h2>The merits and dangers of self-importance</h2>
  1130. <p>This perception of self-importance is not without its merits. It drives us to achieve, innovate, and create. It fuels our desire to learn, explore, and understand. It compels us to help others, to make a difference, to leave the world a better place than we found it. It is, in essence, what makes us human.</p>
  1131. <p>However, this perception can also be a double-edged sword. While it can inspire us to reach for the stars, it can also blind us to the realities of our existence. It can make us feel invincible, immune to the <a href="https://due.com/terms/natural-law/">laws of nature</a>, oblivious to the consequences of our actions. It can lead us to believe that we are the center of the universe and that everything revolves around us.</p>
  1132. <h2>The need for balance</h2>
  1133. <p>This is where the danger lies. When we lose sight of our place in the world and forget that we are but a small part of a much larger whole, we risk losing our sense of humility, respect for nature, and empathy for others. We risk becoming self-absorbed, selfish, and disconnected from the world.</p>
  1134. <p>Therefore, we must strike <a href="https://due.com/striking-the-right-balance-managing-student-loans-while-saving-for-retirement/">a balance</a>. We must acknowledge and embrace our significance, potential, and worth. But we must also remember our insignificance, vulnerability, and mortality. We must recognize that while we are important, we are not the only ones. We are part of a big world, and we are responsible for respecting, protecting, and cherishing it.</p>
  1135. <h2>Conclusion: A call to action</h2>
  1136. <p>In conclusion, the phrase, &#8220;It was a big, big world, but we thought we were bigger,&#8221; is a powerful reminder of our place in the universe. It is a call to action, a plea for humility, a manifesto for balance. It is a testament to the human condition, a celebration of our potential, and a warning against our hubris. It is, in essence, a reflection of our <a href="https://due.com/embracing-resilience-in-lifes-journey/">journey through life</a>, a journey filled with dreams, aspirations, achievements, failures, lessons, and growth. A journey that, despite its ups and downs, is worth every step.</p>
  1137. <hr style="margin: 30px;" />
  1138. <h2>Frequently Asked Questions</h2>
  1139. <h3>Q. What does the phrase &#8220;It was a big, big world, but we thought we were bigger&#8221; mean?</h3>
  1140. <p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">This phrase encapsulates the sentiment of human self-importance. It speaks to our innate desire to matter, to make a difference, and to leave a mark on the world despite our minuscule existence in the grandeur of the cosmos.</p>
  1141. <h3>Q. How do we perceive ourselves as bigger than the world?</h3>
  1142. <p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">This perception is a testament to the human spirit. We can dream, aspire, and strive for greatness that makes us feel larger than life. Our capacity for love, compassion, and empathy makes us feel significant.</p>
  1143. <h3>Q. What are the merits and dangers of self-importance?</h3>
  1144. <p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">Self-importance drives us to achieve, innovate, and create. However, it can also blind us to the realities of our existence, making us feel invincible and leading us to believe that we are the center of the universe.</p>
  1145. <h3>Q. Why is it important to strike a balance in our perception of self-importance?</h3>
  1146. <p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">Striking a balance is crucial to maintaining humility, respect for nature, and empathy for others. It helps us <a href="https://due.com/modern-money-traps/">avoid becoming</a> self-absorbed and disconnected from the world around us.</p>
  1147. <h3>Q. What is the call to action in the conclusion?</h3>
  1148. <p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">The phrase, &#8220;It was a big, big world, but we thought we were bigger,&#8221; serves as a call to action for humility and balance. It is a testament to the human condition, a celebration of our potential, and a warning against our hubris.</p>
  1149. <p>The post <a href="https://due.com/balancing-self-importance-in-a-vast-universe/">Balancing self-importance in a vast universe</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>
  1150. ]]></content:encoded>
  1151. <media:content xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" medium="image" type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.due.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/vast_universe_balancing-1024x585.png" width="800" height="457"><media:credit role="illustrator" scheme="urn:ebu">Due</media:credit></media:content> </item>
  1152. </channel>
  1153. </rss>
  1154.  
  1155. <!--
  1156. Performance optimized by W3 Total Cache. Learn more: https://www.boldgrid.com/w3-total-cache/
  1157.  
  1158. Page Caching using Disk: Enhanced (Page is feed)
  1159. Database Caching 142/150 queries in 0.028 seconds using Disk
  1160.  
  1161. Served from: due.com @ 2024-04-28 02:38:53 by W3 Total Cache
  1162. -->

If you would like to create a banner that links to this page (i.e. this validation result), do the following:

  1. Download the "valid RSS" banner.

  2. Upload the image to your own server. (This step is important. Please do not link directly to the image on this server.)

  3. Add this HTML to your page (change the image src attribute if necessary):

If you would like to create a text link instead, here is the URL you can use:

http://www.feedvalidator.org/check.cgi?url=https%3A//due.com/feed/

Copyright © 2002-9 Sam Ruby, Mark Pilgrim, Joseph Walton, and Phil Ringnalda