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How To Make A 5 Year Plan

make-a-5-year-plan

If you have a vision of who you want to be in the next five years or where you want to be, planning is the key to your success.

Important things don’t just happen in our life.

We should prepare for them an add our contribution in order to achieve the goals we have. There are aspects you need to consider in order to be where you want to be in the five-year time frame.

So, let’s look at the best way to create an efficient plan that you will find easy to follow!

Decide If You Need A Five Year Plan In The First Place

A long term plan that will cover the next five years of your life might not be for everyone. You should consider creating such a plan if you have long term goals you want to achieve.

Making your goals intentional will be the best gift you make to yourself.

Long term plans reduce procrastination and increase productivity along the way.

If this rings true to you, keep on reading to see how you can achieve your goals by creating the best five-year plan yet.

Steps Towards Your Five Year Plan Strategy:

  1. Establish your goals

You need to set up your long term goals before you start doing anything else. Without such goals there will be no real motivation for creating a plan for the next five years of your life. Simply picture your future. What do you want it to be?

As you set up your goals try to incorporate the most important aspects of your life.

You will want to consider your future home, job, love life as well as health and other parts of your life that are important to you.

Writing these goals on paper will definitely support you in your progress for the next years.

  1. Acknowledge and adjust your limited beliefs

Limiting beliefs are the lies we tell ourselves.

It’s called a belief because we believe in it. We truly believe that about ourselves. If it starts with “I can’t” or “I’ll never”. You, my friend, are dealing with a limiting belief here.

Examples of limiting beliefs:

“I’m an introvert, hosting a podcast wouldn’t work for me”

“I’m too old to start taking care of my body.”

And here’s what you need to work on.

  1. Create a vision of your future

In order to get to be the best version of yourself in five years you should be aware of what that version is. How do you want to feel in five years? Who do you want to be in five years? Getting to know your future self will help you adjust your present self to be ready for that crucial meeting. Improving your life takes small and constant steps. But you need to identify your current situation correctly just as you will have to define the one you aspire to achieve.

  1. Implement healthy routines

It will be extremely difficult to create and implement a five year plan with no good routines in place. Success is built on healthy and productive habits that you should pay attention to from the early days. Make sure you start your day with a healthy morning routine and continue it with other productive habits.

Consider forming habits especially for those parts of your life that you are struggling with. For instance, if you eat at irregular hours try to fix that. Same when it comes to your sleeping schedule, morning and evening routine as well as other aspects. Improving these areas of your life will support you in achieving your long term goals much easier and with less stress along the way.

  1. Break down your goals into smaller objectives

Break each big goal you have into small objectives that you can follow every day of your life. If you do that you will know just what you have to do on a daily basis to get to where you need to be. Each small objective is important for your final success.

So, if your goals should be reached in five years, the objectives you have leading to them should be spread over months, weeks and days. After you established those objectives, you should do your best to follow them.

  1. Stay determined

Motivation is everything. Without being determined and staying motivated, you will not be able to reach your five year vision. Staying determined, however, might not come naturally at all times. Five years is a long time frame and you will have plenty of ups and downs along the way.

Keep your eyes on the final prize in order to make it.

You might find motivational books, quotes and media programs useful as well.

And don’t underestimate the power of the people in your life.

Most often than not, those who are close to you and support you will be able to help you stay on the right track. So, turn to your trusted fellows when you feel lost or a bit off your game.

  1. Put Your Plan Into Action

A plan is nothing without an action that puts it into motion. Once you have your plan on paper, start applying it. Start from the small steps and work your way up to bigger objectives. Remember that you will have times when you don’t feel like going through certain routines or habits. But that doesn’t mean you should quit. Go back to your chosen motivation source when that happens and stay back on track.

If you have off days don’t punish yourself too hard for them. But make sure that the unproductive habits don’t take over the positive ones that will lead you to where you want to be at.

It is very important to believe in yourself and your potential in the long run. Use the tips in this guide to get the plan you need and reach your success that will completely change your life for the better!

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How To Get Out Of A Rut, Get Unstuck & Move Forward

How-To-Get-Out-Of-A-Rut

We all have our moments when life seems challenging and we find ourselves overwhelmed. But no matter how deep you are in a state of anxiety or even depression, the truth is that you can always get out of it. You have to train yourself to get on the positivity path again and get your life together. The good news is that you can do it! When you are in the slump it might seem like there is no way out of it. Here are the tips that will help you get right back on track.

Identify The Reason Why You Are In The Rut In The First Place

Once you realize that something is off with your life, it is important to identify what it is. Is it your personal life or maybe your career? What about your health and daily routines? Ask yourself these questions in order to identify the area o life that needs your attention. You might discover that there is just one aspect of your life or more that you need to address. But either way, you will not be able to move forward unless you identify what it is.

When you know what aspect of your life needs attention you can start focusing on what caused the slump in the first place. Maybe it was an event in your life or a series of events that brought you into a depressive or anxious mood. Or maybe it was a person or a decision you made. Think of your life during the past weeks, maybe even months and try to find the situation that got you stuck in the rut.

Break Out Of Your Comfort Zone

Being in the rut also means you are in the comfort zone. As comfortable as this might seem, you still have to break out of it for your own sake. Even if you might be bothered by your limitations concerning your life, you might still find it easy to keep them.

So, take a good look at your lifestyle and decide how you can break out of your comfort zone. For instance, you might have a job that requires you to do the same things every day. If that is the case you might want to decide whether or not you should stay in that arrangement. When you made up your mind about it, you are ready for the actual steps that will take you out of your comfort zone!

Small Changes Lead To Big Ones

Always start small. You might think that making big changes in your life will take you out of the rut faster. But this is not how it works. As a matter of fact, taking big steps towards your new life could easily overwhelm you and push you deeper into the depressive state.

Instead of doing that, try starting with smaller changes first.

One thing at a time

For instance, if you want to establish a new eating schedule, set up a goal to have your meals at the same time every day. You can always move on to controlling other parts of your life once you got this one covered. It is all about changing your routine and as challenging as this might sound, you can make it seem easy. Be patient with yourself and allow yourself all the time you need to get used to the new changes.

Decide Over What You Can Control

You might want to get out of an arrangement that doesn’t work for you but the problem is that not everything is under your control. No matter how good you plan things and how good you prepare for them, you always have to consider external factors.

Focus mostly on those things that you have power over such as your diet, your schedule, etc. When you are ready for a change and start taking the small steps, the rest will follow.

Implement a plan and apply it

It is very hard and at times even impossible to change your life or even small parts of it without creating a plan that you can follow.

Use a notebook or simply a piece of paper to note down your next steps. Try to focus on at least three steps in advance. This strategy should keep you on the right path. Every time you feel lost, all you have to do is look at your plan and see what is the next thing you can apply from it.

Always ask yourself:

“What is the next right thing to do”

Relying on your mind all the time could be stressful so having it all on paper in front of your eyes might be a lot easier. You can use your phone or your computer to write your plan down as well. Whatever works for you is a good idea as long as you follow your own objectives.

Keep Moving Forward

Once you went through the steps above you will notice that the rut seems to be way behind you! Now all you have to do is be diligent enough to maintain the changes you already made. Without proper discipline, you will not be able to maintain the lifestyle you worked to achieve. Hold yourself accountable for your decisions and make the most out of them in order to keep thriving.

Once you are out of the rut, you will feel free and confident in your own strength. Your shortcomings will feel a lot less important as you would minimize them in the shadow of your success!

Apply the steps in this guide and find your new, productive lifestyle!

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13 Snacks That Will Detox Your Body

best-detox-snacks

Detox is great for your health and as a bonus it also makes your skin look better. Keep reading and find out the best snacks you can enjoy at home if you want to detox your body!

  1. Avocado

Avocado is considered one of the best fruits you can eat due to its nutritious values. Besides healthy fats and vitamins, avocado also contains a lot of antioxidants. You can eat it plain or in salads but you can make different sauces out of this fruit as well. An avocado a day can do miracles for your health and help detox your body efficiently.

Related: 10 Habits Of People Who Never Gain Weight

  1. Grapefruit

Grapefruit is another essential snack if you want to detox your body. Just like avocado, you should eat this fruit plain in order to enjoy all its nutrients. You can use this fruits if you are on a weight loss diet too. It helps you burn fat and has plenty of antioxidants to keep your body free of toxins. Grapefruit can also prevent strokes and cardiovascular diseases and keep you in shape at the same time.

  1. Pineapple

If you like the taste of pineapple, you will be glad to hear that it is one of the best fruits you can eat in a detox diet. This delicious snack is not just going to be efficient in a detox diet but it is also going to help you digest your food better. This is also why the nutritionists recommend some pineapple as desert after a copious meal.

  1. Celery

Moving on to veggies that can help you detox, celery is one of your best choices. It helps maintain a neutral body pH and level your acidity. You can drink celery juice to replace electrolytes in your body but you can also eat it in soups or stews. However you choose to eat celery, it is important to include it in your diet. Celery can help regulate your blood pressure, kidney functions and reduce stress levels significantly.

  1. Asparagus

Asparagus is very important primarily for the liver. You can eat it raw or steamed with your favorite seasonings. Asparagus can make miracles in detox diets and will eliminate a lot of toxins from your body. You can easily prepare some asparagus sticks to have them nearby for when you need a snack.

  1. Rice

If you think you should avoid carbs all together, think again. Rice is a great form of carbs that will help you detox your body and enjoy a delicious meal at the same time. You don’t have to exaggerate with the rice in your diet but having a meal with these healthy carbs three times a week can definitely help you stay in shape and eliminate toxins.

  1. Carrots and hummus

If you are looking for a delicious snack that will help you detox your body, look no farther than carrots and hummus. This combination will get you full fast without having to eat much of other consistent foods. They are great in all weight loss diets and they bring significant amount of vitamins and protein to your body at the same time.

  1. Lemon water

Lemon water is not precisely a snack but it is more like a healthy drink. You can start your day with a glass of lemon water without any added sugar and you are set for the rest of the day. This drink will help you detox and lose weight as it speeds up your metabolism too.

  1. Watermelon

During hot summer days, watermelon can be a delicious and healthy snack. It helps detox your body and keeps you hydrated too. By just eating a slice of watermelon you get rid of impurities in your body and you help your kidneys work properly.

  1. Apples

You know the saying “an apple a day keeps the doctor away”? Well, it turns out that this saying is extremely true. Apples are tasty and they help you clean your system fast. Your entire digestive system will benefit from this amazing fruit and you really don’t need more than one apple a day to enjoy all its benefits.

  1. Green smoothies

Green smoothies are classic when it comes to detox diets. They contain a lot of green veggies such as kale, cucumber, broccoli and you can even add avocado in them. Find the combination that you like the most and enjoy it at your breakfast or as an afternoon snack.

  1. Kale

Kale is rich in vitamins, antioxidants and minerals which makes it very efficient in stimulating your metabolism. If you include it in your diet, you will not have to worry about impurities in your body. You can consume it in salads or plain according to your preferences and you can even add it to your smoothies!

  1. Green tea

Green tea can be a much healthier alternative to your daily coffee. It wakes you up just as efficiently as a cup of coffee but it is also going to help you detox. This type of tea has plenty of antioxidants that your body will thank you for and it lowers blood sugar levels too!

You can snack on these healthy foods as often as you want through your day. But pay attention because too much of a good thing can have unpleasant side effects as well. Eat them in small portions and in between meals. None of these snacks should replace a meal, which is very important for your health.

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10 Habits Of People Who Never Gain Weight

how-to-keep-weight-off

We all have that one friend who seems to stay in shape and maintain their weight no matter what they eat. But is it really working like that or do they have some secrets that we should be aware of as well?

Here are ten of the best habits of people who never gain weight! Try them out yourself and see how they change your weight and looks!

  1. Make healthy choices

Everything starts with you and what you choose to eat. If you choose to have a healthy diet and count the calories, you will most likely be able to manage your weight without struggle. However, if you like to splurge and enjoy fast food or processed food and sugar, even if you do it rarely, this will put your weight at great risk. If you do fall on the “sinful” side of your diet though, you should try your best to be moderated and do it as rare as possible.

Start small. If you’re used to ordering a burger with fries and coke, why not start with a burger, salad, and water for example. I’m not saying that this is the healthiest meal, but you got to start somewhere, right?

Related: 13 Snacks That Will Detox Your Body

  1. Giving up is not an option

You should accept the fact that you may relapse. Even if you stay on the right track, chances are that you will be faced with a birthday or a holiday where plenty of unhealthy food will be on the table. You can control yourself and eat just what you know is good for you. However, you might have a fallout.

If this happens you need to be gentle to yourself and get back on track as soon as the feast is over. No need to go down on a complete road of relapse for just one event.

  1. Decide what is your ideal weight

Your body is different than others and you have to keep in shape according to your health and height. Make sure to take into account your lifestyle as well. If you work at a desk most of the time, you will have to reduce your calorie intake in order to consume less than you spend.

  1. Drink plenty of water

Staying hydrated is crucial when it comes to maintaining your weight. You should have on average about two liters of water a day. But if you drink coffee you might need to also drink more water as caffeine can get you dehydrated really fast.

Always keep a mug of water close to your desk and a bottle of water every time you leave your home. Experts say that when you feel thirsty it is already too late for your body and you are heading on the path of dehydration.

  1. Talk to a specialist

When it comes to your weight, you might be taking unnecessary risks and putting too much stress on yourself if you try to manage it alone. So, if you can talk to a nutritionist who can help you balance your diet. A specialist will guide you towards the best choices for your body and health without you stressing yourself too much.

  1. Don’t act on impulses

The worst thing you can do when it comes to your eating habits is acting on impulses. Not having junk food in your house will make it easier to resist those impulses. The chances of you running to the store to get a snack are lower so make sure you cut this type of food from your kitchen.

  1. Work out regularly

In order to stay in shape you have to exercise. You don’t need to overdo it, though. Simply working out three times a week will be efficient enough. You could go for a run or try some other type of cardio that works best for you. If you don’t want to go to the gym you can easily work out in the comfort of your home. Yoga and stretching are great things to do for your body. Whatever you choose to do, don’t stop. Even 15 minutes of work out can dop a lot for your body.

  1. Reduce sugar to a minimum

Sugar is highly addictive and it comes in all forms. On one hand, you have the natural sugar from fruits, which is also the healthier option. On the other hand, you have the processed sugar that you should try to avoid at all costs. Stay away from sweets and other foods that are rich in sugar. Make a habit of reading the tags of the products you consume. This will help you know just what you eat so you know what to avoid.

  1. Stop comparing your body with others

We are all different and so are our bodies. According to your height and body structure, your weight might differ from the ideal weight of other people. And that’s ok, because you’re unique! And comparing yourself to others won’t do you any good.

  1. Give your body the rest it needs

When you sleep, your body resets and recharges its batteries for a new day. It boosts your metabolism and helps you digest and assimilate the food you eat. Make sure you sleep between seven and nine hours each night in order to wake up rested.

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10 Habits Of People Who Always Have Money

better-money-habits

Most of us have good times and bad times when it comes to our budget. But can you make sure that you always have money in your accounts? As a matter of fact, you can.

Related: How To Stop Being Miserable & Be Happy

The following 11 habits of people who never seem to run out of money will help you get started!

  1. Set your goals

Getting rich or at least financially secure is not always a matter of luck contrary to what a lot of people may think. Rich people from all domains tend to plan their goals and follow them in a conscious manner. They set up a strategy and they apply it step by step to get to the financial status they aspire towards.

Pro Tip:

Break your big goal into monthly and weekly goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely.

This way you don’t get overwhelmed by your big goal. And by doing so, you will also find it easier to reach your goals.

  1. Set your priorities

Your priorities are also essential. You will have to decide what is important for you and what type of activities will bring you closer to your financial goal. You might have more than one goal, for instance. In this case, you should determine what is more important.

Consequently, if you have several steps you need to take in order to fulfill your goal, you should prioritize them efficiently. This way chances are that you get lost in activities that are not super productive will be minimal.

  1. Get your mind on the right track

Let yourself make mistakes. You’re human and it’s ok. You’ll have some setbacks on your way and try not to beat yourself up about it. Every small step brings you closer to your goal.

Related: 30 Self Care Ideas

Give yourself time to meditate and find the motivation to keep you on the right track. Also, keep an optimistic outlook on everything that you are doing. This is important as if you project good things, you will also attract those good things.

  1. Never stop learning

We learn our entire lives and the biggest mistake you can make is to think that you know enough or you’ve already seen it all.

Network and communicate with people from different fields. This will not only broaden your horizon but will also show you that you can always achieve more and there’s always more to learn and explore.

  1. Get a financial background

In order to be able to control your finances and make sure that they cover all your needs, you need to learn how finances work. You don’t have to become a financial expert but knowing how to invest your money as well as how to save them will definitely help you.

If You Need To Start your Financial education from the top, I recommend a Coursera course – Managing Your Money: MBA Insights for Undergraduates by University of California, Irvine

  1. Evaluate your risks

Everything you do comes with benefits and risks. And in order to be successful in your financial journey, you will need to be aware of the risks as well as the benefits. Any type of investment can be considered a gamble. If you evaluate your risks, you will be prepared and you will know if you can handle them or not.

It is important to keep a rational mindset and don’t act on your emotions, especially when it comes to your finances.

  1. Budget

It is hard and even impossible to get the financial success you want without a proper budgeting system. This is why you should create a budget book with your monthly or weekly expenses. Write down your income, expected income, and your potential expenses. It is also essential to review this budget book at least once a month.

8. Set up an emergency account

Having an emergency account is another useful habit that will determine your financial success. Start with putting aside 10% of your income each month. And let that be the emergency account that you can touch only in case of emergency. Ideally, your emergency account should have enough money for at least 6 months.

9. Stay away from credit cards

If you have a problem with overspending, you are probably using credit cards a lot. But this is a financial trap that many people fall in. If you use credit cards you will not actually get in contact with your money and you will not feel when you spend them. It is more like a psychology trap because your mind is tricked into not realizing how much you are spending.

Replace your credit cards with envelopes of cash. This way you will take money out of the envelope every time you need it and you will see right away how much you have left.

10. Have different bank accounts

Having different bank accounts is also part of the budgeting system you set in place. Use a bank account for your household needs, one for your vacation and one for your business investments. You might even need a bank account for savings. The number of bank accounts you use is up to you but the important aspect here is to not keep your money in one place.

Improving your financial situation is not an overnight task. Give it at least a couple of months and you’ll see the difference.

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How To Stop Being Miserable & Be Happy

things-happy-people-do

We all know that keeping ourselves in a good mood is not as easy as it sounds. We have our ups and downs and it might feel difficult to get back on track when we lose the positive outlook on our life. However, there are simple things that we can do to improve the quality of our lives significantly.

If you want to invest in your happiness, here are five very efficient habits that you can start working on today!

  1. Have a gratitude list

Knowing what you are grateful for in life can only bring you feelings of joy and happiness. And the easiest way to be aware of your blessings is to write them down on paper. This way you will see them and they will feel more present in your life.

Pretty often we forget about the positive things that we are blessed with each day because we choose to focus on the negative ones. This happens because the negative aspects of our lives tend to impact us at a deeper level. To equal the balance, simply make a list of a few things that you are grateful for each day. It could be the people in your life, some lucky events, or even a quality time by yourself. Doing this on a regular basis will help you see the world around you in brighter colors.

  1. Fill your life with what makes you happy

Excitement is the key to your daily happiness. But exciting events don’t just happen. There are times when you might have to create those moments in order to enjoy them.

So,

get in charge of your own happiness and surround yourself with things, people and experiences that contribute to your daily excitement.

Related: 30 Ideas For Your Perfect Self Care Routine

The more you learn how to create your own excitement in life, the easier it will be for you to be happy and stay happy. Don’t just wait for it to happen, start creating your own happiness today!

  1. Invest in yourself

Invest in your education, body and soul. You are the most important person in your life. Your strong points are responsible for making you feel good about yourself. And if you focus more on them rather than your shortcomings that you can’t change, you will become an even better version of yourself.

Related: 10 Habits Of People Who Are Never Broke

  1. Keep an optimistic outlook on life

When it comes to succeeding in life, your attitude is everything. Try to stay focused on the brighter side of every situation. Keep in mind that every event has a good and bad side to it and that you can choose which one you concentrate on. If you concentrate on the positive aspect, you will see the happiness in everything you do, even in those things that don’t always turn the way you want them to.

You can try to meditate to keep your mind clear of negative thoughts or find a new relaxation technique like aromatherapy etc. Focus on yourself and you will find the best path for you in life without having to worry about any obstacle that might come in your way.

  1. Accept yourself

None of us is perfect.

As a matter of fact,

our imperfections hold the beauty of our human nature.

What we should do though, is to be aware of all our features and accept ourselves just the way we are. Learn to appreciate who you are at different levels so you can work on yourself and find even better ways to develop your life in the right direction. The direction YOU want! Try to stay away from comparing yourself to other people. Each one of us has their own path in life and we are gifted with different qualities.

Remember that happiness is more of a choice than something that simply happens to you. It’s your own choice and your actions! You’re in charge of your own happiness!

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5 Life Hacks To Fall Asleep Faster

Sleep is an important aspect not only of your life but also of your overall health. In order to be productive and stay healthy, you need a good sleep every night. Losing sleep when you have a busy schedule the next day, will add to your stress and overall frustration. It is important to fix your sleeping problems before they become chronic insomnia. Insomnia is a sleep disorder that requires professional treatment. However, you don’t have to get there if you apply the following tips to get a better sleep every night!

1. Develop A Bedtime Ritual

What you do before you go to bed will determine the quality of your sleep. If you’re scrolling your phone or watching Netflix right before going to bed, you most likely have trouble falling asleep. On top of that, when you do fall asleep, you don’t get enough rest. If this is the case, you might even wake up more tired than you went to bed.

Having a ritual helps training certain behavior. The same applies to the bedtime routine.  Consistency is key here as well. You can enjoy a cup of tea that has no caffeine in it – herbal tea or even fruit tea. Try aromatherapy and use your favorite scented candles to help you relax. Disconnect yourself from distractions and maybe use the last hour of the day to read an interesting book. All these things will help you relax before bedtime and look forward to a peaceful night of good sleep.

Related: 6 Productive Things To Do Before Bed

2. Journal

Writing your thoughts down has a true therapeutic effect. All you need to empty your mind of these worrying thoughts is a notebook and a pen. You can simply write down your impressions about the day that is just about to end.

Use your notebook to write ideas that will help you get where you want in life. And you can also put down things that you need to do the next day. Journaling and planning help to manage your time better. You will have fewer worries and you will be able to disconnect easier before going to bed.

3. Take A Hot Bath

Taking a bath will definitely help you unwind and find a state of deep relaxation. Light your favorite candles and turn on your favorite music. You can use bath bombs, salt or a relaxing shower gel. If you don’t like to take baths, you can take a shower. The warm water will help both your body and mind relax.

Falling asleep after a warm bath or shower is usually a lot easier. Plus, the quality of your sleep will be much better as well. This should become a part of your bedtime ritual too.

Related: 30 Self Care Ideas

4 Avoid Technology

By watching TV or scrolling the feed you’re influenced by the information you consume. Your brain doesn’t relax when you do that. And if you stay away from gadgets at least one hour before going to bed, you’ll see the difference. Trust me. Ideally, it should be 3 hours. But you can always start with 1 and increase this time.

It is a good idea to disconnect your WiFi as well. Thus you won’t be bothered by any notifications and you won’t have the temptation to grab your phone.

5. Use Your Bed For Sleep Only

Your bed might be comfortable but you should save it for the main purpose it was made for: sleeping. If you like to take your laptop in bed to do some more work or check your emails, know that this is a very bad idea. It will interfere with your sleeping schedule and most likely you will stay awake longer than you need.

Your mind should be able to associate your bed with your hours of good sleep. If you get this habit going and you maintain it on a constant basis, you will feel sleepy naturally the moment you get into your comfortable bed.

Related: Easy Ways To Create A Relaxing Home

Apply the tips to find the best bedtime ritual that works for you. But keep in mind that if you are not consistent, none of the ideas above will work for you. It takes several days and even weeks to develop a bad habit and it works the same for a good habit too. But the quality of your sleep is something you should definitely invest in! Share your hacks in the comments below.