This area does not need to be perfectly square or rectangular unless you are planning on using sod instead of simply replanting your grass. Drive wooden or plastic stakes around the area to be leveled. Attach strings to stretch between the stakes, a few inches above the ground. Attach a string level to the strings to determine the high point. This will usually be your starting point and the rest of the ground will be brought to here, but you can also lower some ground if that makes more sense for your project. Using a tape measure and your level, adjust the strings until you can see how much height needs to be added or taken away across the area you are adjusting. Keep in mind that you may want to adjust the grade of your land to help combat drainage problems. Your land should be graded 1" for every 4', leading away from your home.
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One-sentence summary -- Stake off your area to level. Use a string level. Adjust the strings. Adjust for grade.

A small business association in your area will have tips and resources to help you find investors for your business. These associations typically are nonprofit organizations, or are run by the government. In the US, look for a Small Business Development Center (SBDC) near you. Often these are housed in community colleges. The SBDC can connect you with a mentor and provide connections in your industry. Your local Chamber of Commerce will have resources for start-up businesses, and may also host events where you can meet business peers as well as potential investors. Especially if you're in the tech sector, you may be able to get government funding under the federal government's Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR). This program offers funds for technological innovation, recognizing research often is out of reach for startups. Awards follow the same development cycle as startup investment funding, with three phases or rounds of funding. To qualify for the program, your company must be located in the US and the majority of its owners must be US citizens or permanent residents. Your state or local government may have loans or investment programs to help small businesses raise start-up capital. Many of these programs are focused on specific types of businesses that will better their communities or meet the specific needs of a struggling neighborhood. For example, if you are a woman or a minority, you may be able to join a program that provides start-up capital specifically for female-owned or minority-owned businesses. Local governments also may have investment programs that provide funds to businesses located in particular parts of town, such as depressed neighborhoods. While the federal government doesn't offer grants for business startup and development, there are a number of loans that you and your business may qualify for. These loans have low interest rates and favorable payback options. Loans frequently are available for particular groups of people who are traditionally underrepresented in their industry, including women and minorities. Development loans also may be available if you want to start your business in an area that is struggling economically, or if you want to work with people who are struggling, such as former prisoners or recovering drug addicts.
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One-sentence summary -- Start with local small business associations. Use government funding for research and development. Research state and local government programs. Check into federal loans.

Take both your strips of fabric and fold them in half widthwise. With the folds together, lay them out on a flat surface. Place the pattern on top of the fabric, and position the very top of the neckband along the straight folds of the fabric. Pin the pattern in place, making sure to go through all four layers of fabric. Use your chalk or fabric pencil to draw the pattern out on the fabric. Carefully remove the pattern and replace the pins to hold the fabric in place. Cut out the two pieces of your cravat. Open the folds so that your two cravat pieces open up. Lay them out on a flat surface with the good sides of the fabric pieces facing inward (facing each other). Pin the edges together. Be sure to leave the bottom triangle open so that you can turn the cravat right side out when you are finished. Make sure you back stitch at the beginning and end. Use a one-quarter to one-half inch (0.6 to 1.3 cm) seam allowance. Anywhere there is a corner on the cravat, make a notch with a single snip in the fabric that bisects the angle of the corner. This will help create cleaner edges. Make sure you stop before cutting the seam. When you have pulled the right sides of the fabric through, carefully press the edges around the entire cravat. Be sure to use the correct iron setting. Use your iron to press up the open fabric ends, following the same one-quarter to one-half inch (0.6 to 1.3 cm) seam allowance. Pin the edges together, and either top stitch the bottom or use a needle and thread to create a blind stitch.
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One-sentence summary -- Lay out the pattern. Trace and cut. Lay the fabric. Sew the cravat with a straight stitch. Snip the corners. Turn the cravat right side out. Sew the bottom closed.

Raise your monitor so that the top third of your screen is at eye-level. Measure the distance from your monitor to your eyes to ensure it is 18 to 24 inches (45.7 to 61.0cm) away from your face. You may need to prop your computer up on some books, use a taller or shorter desk, or adjust the height of your chair. Use a tape measure to determine how far your face is from your computer screen, and adjust where you place your chair accordingly. Try to keep your shoulder bag or purse to a small size and minimal weight. If you do have a lot to carry, use a backpack rather than something with only one strap, and get a backpack that's designed for even weight distribution. Avoid carrying bags on the same shoulder all the time, because this will lead to improper alignment. Switch shoulders regularly. If you work at a desk or work in front of a computer, get up and move around frequently to decrease the pressure on your neck and back. A brief pause to walk around every half hour can be beneficial. Try to take 30 seconds or a minute to do neck stretches every 2 hours. The same goes for sitting on the couch and watching television. If you often wake up with a sore neck, you probably have poor sleep posture. Supportive neck pillows allow your head to fall into the middle of the pillow, supporting your neck with a firm, curved section at the bottom of the pillow. While walking, keep your shoulders back and aligned. Squeeze your core muscles (your abdominal muscles) to keep your body straighter. Bend your knees a little bit to take some pressure off of your hips. Invest in shoes with good arch support it's amazing how much this can help your posture. Keep your chin parallel to the floor when you're walking, and walk with a heel-to-toe motion. Don't stare at your feet or arch your back; keep your butt and belly lined up with the rest of your body. Using a posture brace has been shown to help improve posture by forcing your shoulders back and keep your head aligned with your vertebrae. Using a posture brace daily can not only help maintain a proper posture but in fact improve your shoulder positioning.
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One-sentence summary --
Set up your computer ergonomically. Avoid carrying heavy bags or purses. Stretch every 30 minutes that you're in front of a desk, computer, or TV. Buy a supportive neck pillow. Stand with good posture. Walk with good form. Try a posture brace.