New Year’s Resolution Ideas + Goals = 2019 Success! | Blog

New Year’s resolution ideas can hang in the air, floating just out of reach, or you can turn them into goals that you’ll feel energised and motivated to achieve! If the latter sounds good to you, keep reading!

We spoke to Linda Murray of Athena Coaching who offers ten tips on staying the course in 2019 to achieve and exceed your professional goals.

1. Start with Self-Assessment

Successful sports people and their coaches know you can’t move forward until you know exactly where you are in the game. That’s why they spend so much time reviewing their game plan and performance before they prepare for the next match. It should be no different for any of us who have a goal in mind.

The process of self-assessment is a vital part of defining your way forward. It’s a process which builds skills you’re going to use all your life. It reinforces the mindset which tells you that you can improve, learn more and develop new skills. In other words, it reminds you that you can change; your current situation or abilities do not limit you.

Self-assessment also builds your resilience because you learn to reflect on strategies and techniques you’ve used in the past and choose how to apply them to your new challenges or directions.

2. Make a Plan

If you haven’t worked out where you want to go, you won’t get there.

I can’t emphasise enough the importance of setting goals. This is where your New Year’s resolution ideas start to take shape.

If you haven’t done it, set aside some time to think about where you want to head. Write it down. Describe your perfect future. Brainstorm with yourself – don’t set limits. Just write it all down.  Research has shown that you are 42% more likely to achieve your goals simply by writing them down.

Once you have written them down, it’s time to work on your game plan.

• What do you need to do to get started on your new path?
• What skills do you need?
• What experience?
• What support?

Moreover, importantly, where will you get these things? Remember you’re designing a strategy and it probably won’t take you instantly to your goal. It’s a process – a journey. Be patient. You are planning the best way to position yourself to take a step closer to your goals.

3. Set Realistic Expectations

When setting goals, it’s important to keep realistic expectations, especially if your goals will require months or years of effort and hard work to achieve. The best goals are those that prompt us to grow.

They cause us to reach just outside of our comfort zone and skill level. They require some effort to achieve but are neither too difficult or easy to accomplish.

When setting medium range and long-term goals, keep your motivation high by breaking larger goals into smaller ones. This allows you to more easily measure your progress and take corrective action if you need to along the way.

4. Define Your Why

When defining your goal, it’s important for you to understand your true reason for setting the goal in the first place. Where did these New Year’s resolution ideas come from? Important questions to ask yourself are why does this goal matter to you?

What do you hope to accomplish? What is the true, “higher” purpose that you are working towards by setting this goal?

Defining your why and keeping it at the forefront of your mind, will help to strengthen your resolve as you push towards your goal.

5. Be Accountable

Another way to strengthen your resolve and make it easier to achieve your goals is to recruit an accountability partner. Enlist the help of a close friend, mentor or coach with which you can share your struggles and wins.

Simply having someone to listen to you is invaluable for remaining motivated over the long term. An accountability partner can offer you unbiased insight and advice, but most importantly they will encourage you and spur you on when your energy levels fall, and your motivation begins to flag.

6. Hold Monthly Success Meetings with Yourself

One way to remain enthusiastic about your goal is to hold yourself accountable on a regular basis. Hold regular monthly meetings with yourself to review your performance.

Reflect on the progress that you’ve made towards accomplishing your goals during the past month. Have you had any big wins? Or Setbacks?

What could you have done differently to make more progress? Is there anything that you’ve learned in the past month that will help you as you move forward?

As you wrap up your monthly review, don’t forget to set yourself up for success for the next month.  What actions do you need to do, moving forward, to achieve your goal? Focus your attention and effort on those smaller goals to help you remain motivated and advance your cause forward.

7. Persistence

If you’ve ever watched nature shows, you’ve probably seen how persistent an animal can be when hunting another. It’s amazing how strong a motivator hunger is. If you’re hungry for your goal, you’ll fight for it. Persistence needs discipline, and discipline is a habit. Set up routines to remind you to keep your eyes on your goal or track your progress. Persistence is about not quitting. Those habits will help you keep going.

8. Adaptability

Nothing goes 100 per cent to plan no matter how carefully you prepare. It’s important to be adaptable so you can change tack when you need to. People who can’t adapt will be left stranded with nowhere to go. There are many roads to your goal. Be prepared to take a different route if circumstances change.

9. Energy

Take advantage of your natural energy cycles to help you reach peak performance. Pay attention to the way your body and mind performs during the day. There will be peaks and troughs in your energy levels.

For example, are you a morning person? Then plan your important tasks for early in the day. When you identify your best times, you can take maximum advantage of your energy levels. Working ‘in the flow’ is much easier than fighting it.

10. Resilience

Successful people can bounce back after a setback. They know it’s a temporary thing and won’t have lasting consequences. No matter how bad they feel at the time, they understand the feeling will pass. Instead, they look for the learning they can pull from the situation and give it a positive result.

You may need to remind yourself to look for the positive in your setbacks, but the more you do it, the stronger your resilience will become.

Are you ready to take the next step towards success? Get these attitudes and behaviours in place and off you go. Your New Year’s resolution ideas can come to fruition in 2019!

Have you considered online courses to help achieve a big professional goal? You might want to change your career, apply for a promotion or even start your one business. These New Year’s resolution ideas are possible if you take smaller steps and break goals down into more manageable mini-goals.

Australian Online Courses

If you’re looking for an online training provider that offers quality content, reasonable course fees and superior student support, choose Australian Online Courses for your professional development.

Visit online to discover hundreds of industry-approved, flexible, online courses covering almost every industry sector. Alternatively, you can contact one of our friendly Learning Consultants today on 1300 762 221.

Your mind is a muscle, and just as you need to build strength in your legs to be a runner, you need to use your mind regularly to improve your ability to learn and retain new information.

If you haven’t studied for a long time and you’re considering enrolling in an online course, you may worry that you won’t be able to focus on or remember new content to pass assessments.

Don’t worry, you’re not alone!

Many students worry that they will have trouble passing assessments, but because there are no deadlines in an online study program with Australian Online Courses, you can take your time and take your tests when you feel ready.

However, if you’d like to improve your focus fitness before you enrol in an online course, the following mind-gym and study techniques will help.

1. Memory Enhancing Activities

Puzzles

If you want to enhance your cognitive skill, give puzzles like Sudoku and crosswords a go to challenge your logic and memory. If you commit just ten minutes a day to these mind-gym activities, you’ll build your memory muscle and be better prepared for online study.

Reading

If you love to read this one’s an easy one to incorporate into your day. If you’re not fond of novels, find something you are interested in and read about it. It doesn’t matter what you read as long as you commit to reading something. Why? Because reading books, magazines or news content uses language, cognition and comprehension skills which strengthens memory, which is essential if you’re planning to embark on an online study program.

Board Games

Board games are a great way to connect with your friend and family, but it’s also an excellent way to sharpen your cognitive abilities!  All boards games are helpful, but Scrabble, Monopoly and Chess are particularly useful as games of skill.

Dancing

If you keep fit, you help your mind too! Why not sign up for a dancing class? According to research, it’s the only physical activity associated with lower risk of dementia. So, whether you’re into hip-hop or ballroom dancing, get those dancing shoes on for better physical and mental health benefits.

Play an Instrument

If you’ve always wanted to play the piano, it’s never too late to learn. Learning to play an instrument enhances your memory and language skills. So, whether you can or play an instrument, or you want to learn, start making music to improve your memory and language skills for a better chance at passing your online study program with flying colours.

Cooking

Do you love to cook? If so, do more of it to improve your memory and focus for online study. When you cook or bake you activate all five senses which light up multiple sections of the brain to keep the mind muscles healthy.

Craft

Artistic? If you have a creative streak in the arts, make sure you make time for it. Craft and creative activities like knitting and painting give your mind a workout and can help enhance your memory and focus fitness for an online study program.

2. Set Study Goals

Setting study goals is essential to improve your focus for online study. The goal doesn’t need to be difficult, in fact, it’s critical to set SMART goals. They should be Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely.

Even if you set aside an hour a day to focus on study, you will feel more focused knowing you’ll be rewarded with a break at the end of this study block.

3. Create a Study Ritual

A study ritual puts your mind in study mode and can be helpful in focusing your mind on retaining new and important information during online study. It could be as simple as lighting a candle when you sit down to study– studies show that rosemary is particularly beneficial when it comes to memory.

4. Block Distractions

If you’re studying with your smartphone within reaching distance, this could be detrimental to your productively in online study. Because online study requires you to be self-motivated, it’s important that you block distractions like Facebook and other social media or email apps to give 100 per cent attention. So, if you can’t put your phone in another room at least make use of apps that help you block distraction and stay focussed when it’s important.

5. Schedule Downtime

Scheduling downtime is just as necessary as fitting in study time to avoid burnout. Make sure you break study blocks down into hour-long shifts and then reward yourself with a walk or a smoothie or meditation to refocus and refresh your mind. It’s also important to take days off during the week to engage in your hobbies or catch up with friends and family.

6. Make Time for Exercise

It can be challenging to fit it all in, but exercise should be a non-negotiable when it comes to maintaining a healthy body to support a healthy mind. You can start with a 20-minute walk and build up to full workouts at least three days per week.

7. Declutter Your Study

If you’re working in a cluttered and untidy work environment how can you expect your brain to focus for online study? Declutter your work area to declutter your mind. You’ll feel more zen and less zany it the long run – trust us!

Australian Online Courses

We’ll help you maintain your focus to graduate faster. When you choose Australian Online Courses as your online education provider, you will receive quality content, reasonable fees and unsurpassed student support.

Browse hundreds of industry-approved, flexible online courses covering a variety of industries today. Simply visit us online or contact one of our friendly Learning Consultants on 1300 762 221.

If you’re considering a career in aged care, you’ll need patience, empathy and a desire to help older Australians to live their life to the fullest by providing personal, physical and emotional support either in their own homes, a residential care facility or hospital setting.

You must also be able to work in a team environment, as most jobs in the aged care sector support a larger team of health workers, including doctors, nurses and allied health professionals.

You will also need skills in domestic duties, such as cooking and cleaning as these are everyday tasks that older Australians need help with, particularly if you work as an in-home support person.

Other important tasks include helping elders with high care needs to shower, dress and eat meals.  Or you may work as a companion to assist with social outings, activities, shopping and other daily tasks that require assistance.

Government studies indicate that there is likely to be a significant shortage of aged care workers by 2020 (Job Outlook). So, job prospects are high for this career going forward.

Study Pathways to an Aged Care Career

If you’re considering a career in aged care, there are many pathways you can take to become qualified, such as tertiary education, work experience and mature-age entry.

If you’re unsure about this career path, it’s worthwhile to pursue a professional development course, such as the Certificate of Aged Care and to gain voluntary work before you commit to lengthy and costly training programs.

After all, this isn’t a career for everyone, and it takes a special kind of person to excel in an aged care position.

Training, Certifications & Requirements

If you study aged care online or through an on-campus training provider, make sure you also gain certifications or training in the following areas to secure employment and work safely in your aged care role.

First Aid & CPR

Acquiring first aid and CPR training is essential if you plan to work with older Australians, as many clients will have severe health conditions, making an emergency a high possibility when they are in your care.

First aid situations relevant to aged care clients include tending to clients who have strokes, falls or choking incidents. You’ll also learn how to manage first aid for patients with dementia and life-limiting illnesses.

Driver’s License

You may need to transport clients to social activities, appointments or the local shopping centre as part of your aged care support role. So, having your drivers license is essential in an aged care career.

Police Check

Most aged care employers will run a police check to ensure carers have a clear record to ensure the safety and wellbeing of older Australians.

Aged Care Job Titles

If you study aged care, you may become an aged carer, but many titles describe aged care careers; but most fall under the following categories unless you are a trained nurse working in aged care.

• Aged Carer
• Support Worker
• Personal Care Worker
• Personal Carer

Aged Care Duties and Responsibilities

• Assisting with mobility
• Preparing food and meals
• Arranging social outings and activities
• Companionship, friendship and emotional support
• Housekeeping – cleaning and laundry
• Assisting with personal hygiene and dressing
• Shopping
• Transport – driving
• Live in roles

The aged care sector is one of Australia’s fasted growing industries and opportunities abound for dedicated, empathetic and caring professionals.

If you’re considering studying aged care online, a professional development course with Australian Online courses is an ideal introduction to this rewarding and in-demand career.

Certificate of Aged Care

The Certificate of Aged Care is an online professional development program that will prepare you for work in the aged care sector to provide the personal, physical and emotional support for a rapidly ageing population.

This aged care online program will provide you with the knowledge and skills required to understand the structure and profile of the residential aged care sector, home and community care sector.

You will learn the key issues facing older people in the community and learn how to support older people to maintain their independence. This aged care course will also teach you how to provide services to the older person with complex or special care needs under the supervision of a relevant professional.

On completion of this course, you will feel confident to work in partnership with older people and their carers to implement interventions in the context of an individualised care plan.

Course Outline

Australian Online Courses

If you’re looking for an online training provider that offers quality content, reasonable course fees and superior student support, choose Australian Online Courses for your professional development.

Visit online to discover hundreds of industry-approved, flexible, online courses covering almost every industry sector. Or you can contact one of our friendly Learning Consultants today on 1300 762 221.

You don’t need to give up your day job to start your own business.

We’re not saying it’s easy; in fact, it will make you time-poor and will break your bank account and heart if you let it.

You’ll have less time to trawl Netflix.

You’ll feel stressed at times, and will lose sleep over it.

You’ll have less time with your friends.

So, why would you start your own small business while continuing to work full-time?

There are many reasons: you can’t afford to quit your day job, you love your day job, you only want a side business, you want to test the water before you dive in head first and you have a passion for the business.

Perhaps the most important reason you’d do this crazy thing is that you have a passion for a side business and it just won’t leave you alone.

We spoke to two people who manage a full-time business and started a successful side business.

Here’s what they said about making their business dream a reality.

Corrections Officer and Life Coach

This passion is the best reason to start a business even when you must commit most of your time to your current job.

It was a passion that led Carly Evans to start her business as a life coach while working full-time as a corrections officer.

Her ability to juggle her side business while still being present in her a full-time job is made possible by squeezing tasks into any spare blocks of time.

“I write my blogs and newsletters while on the train to work. I coach clients before and after work and teach Reiki on Saturdays.

“I also use time spent waiting in queues to create quote images for social media and use Post Planner to schedule all my social media.

Charity Fundraiser and Gallery Owner

Elle-May Michael started her side business In.cube8r and kept working full-time in charity fundraising to service her small business loan.

“I run a gallery in Fitzroy, where I manage a space filled with 107 Melbourne artists who rent cubes and exhibit their work and keep 100 per cent of their sales.

“I couldn’t survive without my day job as the loan takes up all the business profit each month.

“Always remember that your business is your priority. If you plan on doing it full-time eventually and living off that income, you need to invest in its success.

Michael says it’s okay to have a full-time job and a side business, and that it’s important to embrace opportunities that a permanent job offers, such as courses and learning, and to spend your annual leave on your business – and yourself!

“Always schedule days off, even if you don’t end up taking them. Sometimes you need to step away to be able to reflect.”

It’s important not to rely on income from your business, said Michael, instead invest this profit back into the business, keeping your full-time earnings for living expenses and day-to-day costs.

It’s also wise to choose the staff for your side-business wisely.

“If you have staff, make sure they can work autonomously, so you’re not always working in your business.”

Bring Your Side Business to Life

If you’d like to start a side business, small business courses online are a great way to educate yourself while not infringing on a full-time job.

The benefit of taking a small business course online is the flexibility to study and take assessments when you have free time.

Certificate of Small Business – Start-Up

Certificate of Small Business Management

Australian Online Courses

If you’re looking for an online training provider that offers quality content, reasonable course fees and superior student support, choose Australian Online Courses for your professional development.

Visit online to discover hundreds of industry-approved, flexible, online courses covering almost every industry sector. Or contact one of our friendly Learning Consultants today on 1300 762 221.

Teachers who support children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can benefit from undertaking autism courses and autism training to facilitate engaging and inclusive classrooms.

A lack of funding for specialist autism training in mainstream schooling is a common barrier to accessing autism resources. But overcoming these obstacles is important to improve school attendance, behaviour and academic engagement in children with ASD.

Children with ASD are individuals with unique learning needs, but there are general classroom strategies that can reduce stress and help increase learning opportunities for these students.

Jesse Diggins, a school-based, child psychologist, says strategies incorporating language, environment, strengths, communication, visuals, physical, relaxation, social, and thinking tools can help teachers create an autism-friendly classroom.

1. Language
   • Use language that is clear, precise and concrete
   • Avoid sarcasm, idioms and hypotheticals, as these may be misunderstood

2. Environment
   • Reduce noise level and other distractions
   • Keep the classroom clutter free to prevent overstimulation
   • Structured and defined area in the classroom
   • Designated seating with rotations each term
   • Visual schedules of the day
   • Defined areas for eating, reading etc
   • Breakout space in the case of overstimulation

3. Strengths
   • Use the student’s special interests to encourage and extend interactions
   • Engage in a special interest for a specific amount of time
   • Incorporate special interests into the daily schedule
   • Incorporate special interests or talents into the curriculum

4. Communication
   • Give frequent and immediate feedback and make rules of behaviour explicit
   • Check what has been understood
   • Prepare for and clearly explain any changes

5. Maximise Visuals

• Visuals could include the agenda for the day, where things go, and pictures of what activities should look like.

6. Physical
   • Physical activities that quickly release emotional energy
   • Break card for permission to change environment
   • Walk around outside

7. Relaxation
   • Slowly release emotional energy and help to calm and lower the heart rate
   • Draw or paint (drawing things that make me feel angry)
   • Do Lego/blocks, read a favourite book or listen to music
   • Access fidget items (e.g. stress ball, stretchy toys, chew toys)
   • Organise personal belongings on desk to restore order and calm
   • Allow the student some time to talk about special interest/preferred topic

8. Social
   • Identify a person who helps you become calm
   • Help others or do something for someone
   • Volunteer (help classmates, students in another classroom)
   • Visit animals in the school

9. Thinking Tools
   • Create a mantra (positive and calming statement)
   • Keep an object that symbolises calm
   • Create a “happy book/album” of successes, fun activities, talents and strengths – use book when upset.

How prevalent is ASD in Australia?

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers (SDAC), an estimated 164,000 Australians, approximately 1 in 150 people, are affected by ASD.

The survey also found almost all children with ASD had some form of educational restriction with a small number unable to attend school and almost half needing specialist classes in a mainstream school.

Of the children in school, 83.7% reported experiencing difficulties, including fitting in socially (63.0%), learning difficulties (60.2%) and communication difficulties (51.1%).

Over half of young people with autism needed special tuition and 41.8% needed help from a counsellor or disability support person, while 20.7% didn’t receive any additional assistance (excluding attending a special school or special classes in a mainstream school).

More than two out of five (44.1%) children indicated they needed more support or assistance at school then they were receiving.

Australian Online Courses

If you’re looking for an online training provider that offers quality content, reasonable course fees and superior student support, choose Australian Online Courses for your professional development.

Visit online to discover hundreds of industry-approved, flexible, online courses covering almost every industry sector. Or you can contact one of our friendly Course Consultants today on 1300 762 221.

Certificate of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Certificate of Education Support – Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

The health and wellness sectors are growth industries, generating billions of dollars every year in Australia, so it’s a profitable career choice. But to be successful you’ll also need a passion for improving the lives of people through fitness and nutrition.

So, if you do have the passion what are your career options? There are many, but we’ve listed 5 to get you thinking about your future in these exciting, health-promoting professions!

If you’re unsure where to start, you can enrol in many short online training courses to get a taste of whether a health and wellness career is for you.

1. Nutritionist or Dietician

If you have an interest in the science of food and how it can help promote health and manage disease, a career as a dietitian or nutritionist is an ideal choice.

These health professionals are experts in the use of food and nutrition and advise people on their diet to maintain a healthy lifestyle, meet specific health-related goals, or manage disease.

Dietitians and nutritionists can work for hospitals, nursing homes, meals on wheels, hospitality and catering or can be self-employed in private practice or as consultants for a variety of organisations.

Online training courses, such as the Certificate of Human Nutrition or Certificate of  Nutrition and Dietetics Assistance, will provide you with a taste of what it’s like to work in this career without making the financial and time-commitment associated with a degree.

2. Health Food Store Manager

If you want to join the retail sector and have a passion for health and wellness there’s no place better than in one of the many health food and organic stores popping up around Australia.

You will join other health-conscious people who have successfully combined their passion for the natural and organic industry with a challenging, fun and rewarding job in retail.

You will also enjoy being part of a sustainable, positive work environment that promotes people’s health and the environment. If you’d like to add to your professional development in retail, online training courses like Certificate of Retail will help you find out if you are a perfect match for career in this health-promoting industry.

3. Allied Health Assistant – Nutrition

If you’re seeking a support role in the nutrition industry, then an allied health position in nutrition is perfect for you.

As an allied health professional specialising in nutrition, you will assist nutritionists to ensure patients receive the best care through building meaningful relationships and implementing healthy eating programs.

If you’re empathetic with a customer-focused mindset, you’ll be a valuable addition to the nutrition industry as an allied health professional.

Online training courses in the health sector, such as the Certificate of Nutrition and Dietetics Assistance will provide insight into this career option.

4. Health & Wellness Freelance Writer or Blogger

If you’re interested in health and wellness and have a talent for writing and research, you could be the next blog star or freelance health journalist. As a health blogger or freelance journalist you will inspire and empower people to achieve their wellness goals, and as a result you will motivate yourself towards better health.

If you’d like to pursue this career there are many online training courses that will inspire and inform you, such as the Certificate of Freelance Writing

5. Personal Trainer

Personal trainers keep people motivated to achieve their health and fitness goals. This is an excellent career choice for you if you have a passion for fitness with a focus on helping people.

A career as a personal trainer is also an excellent way to maintain your own physical health. You can enrol in online training courses, such as the Certificate of Nutrition and Dietetics Assistance or Certificate Sports Nutrition online training course to prepare you for a career as a personal or group training professional.

Online training courses in health-related fields is an excellent way to discover if your passion is enough to maintain a career in this industry. Online training courses are a cost-effective and time-saving way to explore career options in the food, fitness and wellbeing industries before deciding on your future.

Australian Online Courses

Australian Online Courses is an education provider, offering over 400 unique online training courses covering a multitude of industries. To find out more visit us online or contact one of our friendly Learning Consultants today on 1300 762 221.

There are many benefits to career as a transcriptionist, including flexibility in working hours, working remotely, starting a business and unlimited earning potential.

And while there are low barriers for entry, it’s not a career for everyone – you need exceptional listening, typing, grammatical, analytical and language skills to be successful.

You can take transcription courses to become a professional transcriptionist, but you’ll also need to focus on typing speed and accuracy to make the job lucrative.

What is a Transcriptionist?

A transcriptionist converts speech, either live speech or audio recordings, into a written or electronic text documents for business, legal, or medical purposes. The audio may include lectures, interviews, podcasts or webinars.

You’ll gain essential skills by learning transcription online or by taking transcription courses at a campus. But if you require flexibility in a study schedule, transcription courses online are practical.

1. Work from Home (or Anywhere)

Think about how much time (and money) you’ll save on commuting to and from work when you work at home! Transcription online offers the luxury of working remotely, whether at home, at a café or from the top of a mountain!

A career as a transcriptionist is also family-friendly as you’re able to choose your own work hours, allowing you to work when young children sleep or when older children are at school.

2. Own Your Own Business

If you’ve ever thought about owning your own business and working only the hours and projects you want, then transcription is ideal.

Transcriptionists can work as independent contractors for major corporations and organisations.

3. Earning Potential Up to You

The ability to control your income is a huge benefit to starting a transcription online business. You can work as much or as little as you like, depending on your financial needs.

Transcriptionists, particularly those in the specialised medical and legal fields, can earn a lucrative income if they have fast and accurate typing ability and impeccable time-management skills.

4. Specialise in an Area That Interests You

You can choose to be a general, medical or legal transcriptionist depending on your area of interest and the opportunities available. You can choose transcription courses that focus on general, medical or legal transcription. Or you can choose to study transcription online as specialist in all three areas to give yourself the best opportunity of landing a lucrative transcription job.

5. It Can Be a Side Hustle or Full-Time Job

If you want to supplement your income, why not fit transcription into your schedule around work or family commitments? Likewise, when you’re ready for full-time employment you can step-up your transcription output to a full-time workload.

6. Low Barrier to Entry & Minimal Investment

You don’t need a university degree to be a transcriptionist. The important skills you need can be learnt via transcription courses online. These skills include fast and accurate typing, exceptional listening ability, above average competence in written English (including grammar, punctuation and spelling), as well as a thirst for knowledge and research.

Another bonus of a transcription career is that you don’t need to invest heavily to set up your business as a professional transcriptionist.

Equipment You Will Need:

 A computer or laptop.

• Comfortable, high-quality headphones.
• Word processing software, such as Microsoft Word.
• An ergonomically designed keyboard.
• A comfortable, ergonomically designed chair.
• A foot-pedal to play, rewind and fast-forward audio while typing.

7. High Demand for Qualified Workers

Healthcare is now one of Australia’s largest industry employers (by employment) and an increase in demand for healthcare has resulted in a shortage of professional medical transcriptionists. So, this strand of transcription courses is excellent professional development.

There is also strong projected growth in the legal profession, which means demand for qualified legal transcriptionists will also continue to rise. Take transcription courses in this specialty to boost your employment prospects.

Types of Transcription Careers

General

General transcription requires converting audio in any genre or subject, such as webinars, business recordings, interviews, and telephone conversations, into an electronic text format. You don’t need specific knowledge on a subject to be a general transcriptionist.

Medical

This type of transcription involves creating accurate medical records by listening to audio files made by medical professionals, such as doctors, and converting them to electronic text formats.

Legal

Legal transcriptionists listen to dictated legal recordings made by attorneys, paralegals and other legal professionals and translate them into legal documents.

Australian Online Courses

When you choose Australian Online Courses for your leadership training via online courses, you can rest assured that you’ll receive quality content, reasonable course fees and unsurpassed student support.

Browse hundreds of industry-approved, flexible online courses covering a variety of industries today. Simply visit us online or contact one of our friendly Learning Consultants on 1300 762 221.

Certificate of Legal Transcription

Certificate of Medical Transcription

Certificate of Transcription – Medical/Legal/General

If you want to progress in your career and achieve personal goals, it’s important to have a personal development plan. After all, those who fail to plan, plan to fail!

It’s been proven that those who write down their goals are more successful. In a study, reported by Forbes, only 3% of Harvard graduates wrote down their goals. This 3% was found to earn, on average, 10 times as much as the other 97 percent of the class combined.

What is a Personal Development Plan?

A personal development plan is a document that considers your current skills and strengths and also the areas you need to develop in your personal life, career or education.

The personal development plan should include personal, career or educational goals that you want to achieve and include ways to move towards these goals in a set time, whether it’s weeks, months or years.

When you develop a plan for your future you’ll realise your natural strengths, weaknesses, as well as any opportunities and threats that will help you create a plan that helps you meet goals that are important to your self-development and life plan.

Signs You Need to Focus on Personal Development

We should all set goals for our personal and professional development, but there are times in everyone’s life when a personal development plan is critical. The following are signs that you need to focus on creating a personal development plan.

You can’t stand your job

If you’re unhappy in your job most of the time it’s a definite sign it’s time to start planning your personal development. There’s nothing more energy-sapping than spending the majority of your time – let’s face it we’re at work a lot – at a job that doesn’t fulfil or motivate you.

You may be able to move into a completely new career by investing in self-development courses in an area or industry that’s of interest to you personally or professionally.

You’re stuck in a rut

If you’ve been working towards something, whether in your personal or professional life, and you can’t seem to get past a certain point, you’re stuck in a rut. Ruts are difficult to pull yourself out of, as it means your motivation and energy are stuck on low gear. This is another opportunity to re-evaluate your goals or projects to discover if this is where your energy is best spent.

You feel unhappy in a relationship or in your personal life

The people we surround ourselves with are the biggest influence on our mood. If you are surrounded by people who don’t support you or make you feel uninspired, depressed or stressed it’s time to plan. A personal development plan will help give you the motivation to put space between yourself and those who are zapping your confidence or ambition.

You feel lonely or isolated

If you’re feeling lonely, it’s a sign that the people in your life and/or your life purpose is lacking. It’s time to focus on ways to keep you involved socially and professionally. A personal development plan can give you the practical solutions to lead a more fulfilling, social and meaningful life.

You are often sick or lack energy

If you feel unwell more than most people and lack the energy or motivation to do the things that make you feel happy and accomplished it’s a sign you need to plan to focus more on your health and wellbeing. This doesn’t mean you have to rush and join a gym or jump on the next diet craze heading your way, but it does require you to be mindful of finding ways to focus more of your energy on health and wellbeing. A personal development plan will give you direction and a purpose to work towards feeling healthier and more energetic.

How to Create a Personal Development Plan?

Emma McQueen, Executive Coach and HR Professional, says that throughout life, we are constantly learning and having a personal development plan puts thoughts into action.

“There is something about committing goals to paper that makes it real enough to hold you accountable. The best plans are well-rounded, incorporating career, health and social.”

So, how do you create your personal development plan? The following tips will help you create a practical personal development plan.

1. Brainstorm: Write out what you want to accomplish or do better. It may help to separate your goals into categories, including career, relationships and health. At this point try not to sensor yourself or worry about spelling, grammar or presentation of your personal development plan – it’s about getting all your ideas and dreams on paper/screen.

2. Break big goals down into smaller actionable steps: McQueen advises that a big goal should be broken down into smaller steps, making it as practical as possible to achieve the overall goal.

3. Make goals that are S.M.A.R.T: If you are to set and achieve goals, they need to be SMART:

Specific: State specifically what you want to achieve. Use the five w’s (what, when, where, who, why)?

Measurable: You should be able to determine if your goal is on track.  If it’s a goal that’s going to take months to complete, set milestones by breaking it down into specific tasks to accomplish.

Achievable: Do you have the tools, skills, knowledge and financial means to bring the goal to fruition? Are there any self-development courses you need to take before you can achieve your goal? You need to feel motivated and inspired by the goal, not overwhelmed or discouraged. So, make sure the goals you set in your personal development plan are achievable.

Relevant: Consider if the goal is relevant to your overall personal development plan. How will achieving this goal bring you closer to achieving the overarching goal.

Time-sensitive: Think about the timeline for achieving your goal/s. If the goal or project will take weeks or months to achieve it’s helpful to break the goal timeline into what should be achieved at the halfway point. Setting time constraints creates an important sense of urgency.

4. Make it visible

So that you don’t forget about your goal, put it somewhere visible. A successful business person once said that he writes his goal multiple times a day because it is the password to his computer!

5. Review Often, to Make Sure You’re on Course

McQueen says that reviewing your plan often is important. Depending on your life circumstances, goals and aspirations change. Maybe you’ve had a family or developed an interest or a new hobby.

6. Celebrate Big and Small Successes

Giving yourself a reward for your hard work in achieving the steps you’re taking in achieving your big goals is a great motivator.

McQueen adds that to achieve goals you need to favour progress over perfectionism. “Just keep moving, it doesn’t need to be perfect. You just need to keep making the steps.” She also says it’s vital to review your personal development plan often.

Invest in Your Greatest Resource

Personal development means setting effective goals that inspire and motivate you towards a fulfilling future. It’s about taking time and making a commitment to investing in your greatest resource – you! The most successful people in the world have already figured this out. So, what are you waiting for?

Australian Online Courses

If you’re looking for quality self-development courses enrol with Australian Online Courses. A private training organisation, Australian Online Courses offers unique personal and professional development programs that are flexible in delivery. A state-of-the-art e-Learning platform ensures your education fits with your lifestyle and commitments.

To find out more, or to enrol in self-development courses, call one of our friendly Learning Consultants on 1300 762 221 today.

There are many occupations that require continuous professional development to ensure relevancy and safety in the workplace.  Arguably, child care is one of the most critical. After all, the responsibility of caring for babies and children is significant.

Continuous professional development is a lifelong process of learning. In education and childcare, it’s important to create a structured pathway to develop, update and specialise for many reasons, including: job security, career promotion, staying informed on childcare best practice, moral obligations and a love of learning.

1. Job Security

It is through continuous professional development that you will develop the skills and knowledge to do your job more effectively. You will feel more secure in your job if you are up-to-date with childcare best practice. There are many online childcare courses that can enhance your professional development and increase your knowledge as a child care worker.

2. Career Promotion

The best way to get ahead in your career is through investing in professional development. If you maintain a high level of professional competence throughout your career you’re less likely to be passed over when it comes to a promotion. An online professional development course in child care is an ideal way to keep your skills fresh and enhance your CV.

3. Staying Informed

Providing quality child care requires deepening your understanding of child development and early education. In child care, new developments in how best to support the educational, emotional, behavioural and developmental needs of children are constantly evolving. So, professional development courses play a significant role in keeping early years educators informed.

4. Moral Obligations

Child care is an enormous responsibility. The most important competency you can acquire is in child safety and protection. Staying abreast of new developments in how best to care for and support young children and families is a moral obligation.

5. Love of Learning

Creating a professional development plan means committing to lifelong learning. When you embrace lifelong learning you keep your skills fresh and enhance mental stimulation and focus.

If you love learning, it’s easy. If you don’t – think of professional development and child care courses as part of your work commitments.

So, what are you waiting for? Enrol today in an online professional development course with Australian Online Courses. There are a variety of child care courses to support your continuous professional development.

Australian Online Courses

If you choose to study a professional development course, make sure it’s with an education provider you can trust. Australian Online Courses offers personal and professional development courses, covering a multitude of industries, which are industry-approved and flexible in delivery. Simply visit us online or contact one of our friendly Learning Consultants today on 1300 762 221.

The following online childcare courses are ideal professional development for anyone working with babies or children.

Certificate of Baby and Toddler Care

Certificate of Education Support – Early Childhood

Nurture Creativity in Children

Respond to Suspected Abuse

Certificate of Education Support – Learning Difficulties

Certificate of Child Protection & Case Management

Certificate of Youth & Family Intervention

If you have a passion for travel, and can string a sentence together, you could make a living by sharing your adventures with the world. If this sounds like exciting, keep reading to find out how to make this wanderlust dream a reality.

The first step is to set up a place to write about your adventures online, such as WordPress, and create social media handles so that you can share them with your network, family and friends. So, where to start?

Register Your Blog’s Domain Name

The first step to becoming a successful travel blogger is to think of an amazing name. You’ll need to put on your creative thinking cap, as it really is all in the name. You should steer clear of obvious choices and come up a unique and descriptive name. Once you’ve found the perfect name for your travel blog you need to register it, and make sure it’s not already taken, with a domain name registration service. Find out more on the practicalities of setting up and registering your blog name at Business.gov.au.

Bring Your Blog to Life

You don’t need an uber web developer to create an awesome website for your travel blog. Website-building platforms, such as WordPress, make it easy to set up your blog by yourself. Be prepared to embark on a steep learning curve as you take on the tutorials involved in getting your travel blog ‘publish’ ready. If you want to skip this step, you can also use website-builders such as SquareSpace. But if you have time, the effort of learning to use WordPress will equip you with a valuable skillset.

Writing for the Web

Once your travel blog is created and ready for action, it’s time to focus on writing and publishing quality content. Writing for the web is different to writing for print publications. This is because people read differently online that they do in print. A short online course such as Writing for the Web  with Australian Online Courses is an ideal way to ensure your content is engaging and effective in building your online audience.

Take Professional Photographs

You don’t need advanced skills in photography to take amazing photos, but it helps to know the basics. A good quality SLR camera to capture beautiful, travel scenery that you’ll want to share is a must. Most cameras come with instructions, and while it might take time to work out the settings, it will be worth it! Great photographs are not usually made by having your camera stuck on its automatic settings.

It’s also a good idea, as you become more experienced, to invest in photo editing software, such as  Photoshop, to enhance your shots.

Find Your Niche or Point-Of-Difference

It’s in your best interest to explore (and follow) other travel bloggers to get an idea of what others are doing in this space. There may be influencers (people who have a large online audience) who will be willing to mentor or help you. Then again, maybe not; but, you won’t know if you don’t ask.

Next, you need to carve out your niche, or point-of-difference, to make your mark as an original voice in the travel blogosphere! As an example, do you adore food? If so, you could explore the best restaurants of the world. Maybe you’re an avid camper? You could visit all the best camping sites in Australia and blog about the experience. The ideas are limited only by your imagination and interests.

Digital and Social Media Marketing

There’s more to creating a successful travel blog than writing creative content and posting extraordinary photographs. Why? Because no matter how awesome your travel blog, if no one knows about it, it doesn’t exist. This is where social media and digital marketing skills become essential. You can learn a lot from studying how other successful bloggers operate but to educate yourself on digital marketing techniques.

Build Your Network

Networking is particularly important for new bloggers. You can network and build links to your new blog by commenting and guest posting on other blogs. Just make sure it’s authentic and relevant to the travel blog you have created.  If you provide valuable content you’re more likely to be promoted by other websites. You can also connect to an audience looking for travel inspiration through social media platforms, such as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to build your Likes and Followers.

Build an Email List

When you have your travel blog up and running it’s time to focus on advertising and marketing. One of the best ways to find those true fans who love reading about your adventures is through building a regular readership. So, how do you do it? You need to build an Email subscriber list by offering something of value. It could be a poster-size photograph of one of the most beautiful places you’ve visited. Or it could be your subscriber-only 100 Things to do In Switzerland.  Whatever your giveaway, it needs to create excitement. You can use a marketing automation system like Mail Chimp to help you set up and create emails and e-newsletters to send out to subscribers.

Time-Management

Starting a successful blog is time consuming, so if you fail to plan you plan to fail. Time-management strategies will be your best friend, especially if you’re juggling a full-time job or work commitments. Check out the short online course offered by Australian Online Courses, Successful Time Management, to master the art of managing your time well.

If you create a content strategy and set goals for your blog, you’ll be more likely to stay motivated. Keep in mind that the quality of your content is more important than the quantity you publish. After all, your audience won’t return or share your content if it’s not remarkable.

Australian Online Courses

Australian Online Courses delivers quality online professional development courses covering a variety of subjects from many industries. All online courses are industry-approved and flexible in delivery, so you can study when, where and how best fits your lifestyle. Simply visit us online or contact one of our friendly Learning Consultants today on 1300 762 221.