The Benefits of Simplicity

By | Appointment | No Comments

Whether you call it minimalism, Kondo-ing, or simple living, there are certainly benefits to this type of lifestyle. Mainly, saving time and money. But, it’s also good for your health and productivity. Here are the benefits of simplicity.

To be honest, this has been something that I’ve been working towards in the last couple of years. I just felt that I had too much stuff. I’m talking about a closet jam-packed with clothes, kitchen drawers stuffed with junk, and a calendar bursting with meaningless entries.

So, I decided to scale back. It’s still a work in progress. So fat, however, I have enjoyed the following perks.

Allows you to self-reflect.

Some people swear by a zero-based calendar. Even if you aren’t familiar with the term, you may be living this lifestyle.

Essentially, you’re accounting for every hour of the day — from the moment your alarm goes to when you fall asleep. The reason? When you don’t have any blank spaces in your calendar, you aren’t wasting any of your valuable time.

I get the appeal. I mean if something isn’t scheduled then you may be more likely to put it off. Or, you could let something that’s less important get in the way.

Eventually, you have a cluttered calendar. You overcommit yourself. And, because you must have your time accounted for, you don’t have room to slow down and self-reflect.

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve begun to cherish these moments when I’m alone. It gives me the chance to clear my head and realign my focus on what truly matters. In fact, research shows that solitude has a number of benefits including freedom, creativity, intimacy, and spirituality.

Howie Jones in a previous Calendar suggests that when you clean up your online calendar, you should schedule some “me” time. As a result, you’ll be able to “cut down on the load of responsibilities you cram into a day and help you get some needed rest.”

“A strong work ethic is a valuable skill,” adds Howie. “But, not allowing yourself to take breaks can lead to mental illness and burnout.”

Reduces decision fatigue.

35,000. That’s one estimate on how many decisions we make each day. And, if true, that would come out to around 2,000 decisions per hour or one decision every two seconds.

Even if you don’t believe those exact numbers, the truth is that we do make a lot of decisions on a daily basis. Unfortunately, many of them are meaningless.

For example, you want to kick back and relax after a hard week at work. You decide to treat yourself to a movie on Netflix. Next thing you know, you’ve just spent 30-minutes trying to fund something to watch.

In the scheme of things that may not be a biggie. However, just imagine how much time you spend deciding on what to wear, eat, or work on? Over time, you’re going to run into decision fatigue which causes procrastination, avoidance, indecision, or impulsivity.

Simplifying your life can help assist you in this year’s productivity. For example, on Sundays prep your meals for the week. Go through your closet and donate the clothes that you no longer wear. And, remove unnecessary events and tasks from your calendar.

Gives you a chance to engage in self-care.

When your calendar contains fewer commitments and obligations that means you have more availability to attend your own self-care. Even if you have an hour to yourself, you can spend that time meditating or taking your dog for a long walk. You can read, journal, or take a nap if you please.

As Jackie Viramontez once said, “Self-care is not a waste of time; self-care makes your use of time more sustainable.”

Fewer misplaced items.

Research conducted from Pixie, a location app for iPhones, found that on average it takes roughly five minutes and twenty seconds of our time to locate misplaced items. When added up, that comes out to 2.5 days annually. What’s more, collectively we spend $2.7 billion dollars every year replacing these items.

With that in mind, when you simplify your life you have less stuff to lose. Obviously, that means you’re going to save time and money. And, from my experience, you’ll have fewer headaches as well since you no longer have to embark on a frantic scavenger hunt.

Removes friction from your life.

Have you ever had one of those days when you’re exhausted? Even though it wasn’t’ an exceptionally difficult day, you’re spent. But, why?

For most of us, it’s because we’re constantly being pulled into a million different directions. You wake-up and go to work. After that, you have to go to the grocery store so you can cook dinner. And, somewhere in between all this, you have to send out emails, do laundry, and schedule a meeting with your team.

As previously mentioned, there are some ways around this, such as meal prepping. Another option, however, would be to delegate and automate whatever you can, such as hiring a cleaning service or signing up for automatic bill pay.

And, one of my favorite techniques is batching. Instead of jumping back-and-forth between tasks, I group similar activities together. For example, I run all of my errands at once. It may take a couple of hours. But, it’s pretty then doing this daily.

Another example is how I schedule work. I only check my inbox and notifications 3-times a day — before work, after lunch, and at the end of the workday. I also have theme days. For instance, I schedule all of my meetings on Thursdays.

Strengthens relationships.

Between having more availability and removing toxic individuals from my life means that I can spend quality time with the people who really matter. Some of you may scoff at this. But, I think it’s more beneficial to have a closer-knit group of people. In my opinion, it’s better than exhausting yourself with faiweather individuals.

But, don’t take me word on this. Studies show that developing strong relationships can “fight illness and depression, speed recovery, slow aging, and prolong life.” And, as we get older, friendships are good for our brain’s health.

Increases focus.

I think this one is a give-in. When you embrace simplicity you don’t squander your time and energy on unnecessary thoughts and actions. Instead, you put a laser on the vital few. As a consequence, you’ll produce more quality work in less time.

Encourages a clean and organized workspace.

Apparently, a little bit of clutter on your workspace isn’t the end of the world. One study even found that a messy desk can encourage a creative mind. But, I strongly disagree.

Dirty and disorganized desks are a recipe for disaster. For starters, the typical office desk hosts more than 10 million bacteria – which is 400 times dirtier than a toilet seat. When not properly cleaned, you’re just asking to get sick and miss work.

Secondly, it saves you time since you aren’t looking for items when you need them. And, according to a Princeton study, clutter makes it difficult to concentrate.

In short, simplicity motivates you to keep your workspace clean and organized. It’s beneficial to your health and output. And, it gives you a sense of order and freedom of space.

Makes you more effective.

“There are people who sacrifice quality in exchange for quantity,” notes Lou Macabasco for Lifehack. “In order to accommodate and accomplish more tasks, they tend to overlook some important process which leads to poor quality and error.”

And, that’s yet another reason you should embrace simplicity, it will make you more effective. “When you are clear and focus on what you want to achieve, you can concentrate on producing quality work,” adds Macabasco. “Your attention and effort is centralized; you are able to produce quality and efficient output.”

Grants you massive freedom.

Finally, you’ll have the freedom to do whatever you please. Isn’t it refreshing to look at your calendar this weekend and see that it’s not packed to the brim? How do you feel about having fewer obligations and conflicts?

Personally, when I choose a simple life, I felt less stressed, anxious, and rushed. Instead of feeling like I always have to do something for others, I have the flexibility to live the life that I want. And, that has given me more meaning and fulfillment.

8 Morning Habits of High Performers

By | Knowledge Base | No Comments
Should You Offer Unlimited Vacation Time?

“Some people dream of success, while other people get up every morning and make it happen.” — Wayne Huizenga

I really appreciate that quote. I truly believe your morning habits set the stage for the remainder of the day. For example, if you keep hitting snooze until you realize that you’re running late, how do you think the rest of your day will be? You all “get it.” You all “know.” But, do you DO the actions that support the habits you know to be correct?

You may forget an important document at home. Since you didn’t have time to eat breakfast, you grab a doughnut. And, it totally slipped your mind that you have an important meeting today — which you totally didn’t prepare for.

If that’s your version of “Groundhog Day,” then how successful and productive do you think you’ll be? That’s why top performers get the most out of their mornings. And, they do so by embracing the following 8 habits.

1. Wake from a good night’s sleep.

According to a global sleep survey conducted by Royal Phillips, 44% of respondents reported that their sleep has worsened over the last five years. What’s more, nearly 1 in 3 Americans sleep fewer than six hours per night.

Why’s that a problem? Well, it’s recommended that we get between 7 and 9 hours of sleep each night. If not, that can lead to a myriad of problems including diabetes, obesity, heart disease, stroke, cognitive decline. As a consequence, this can lead to death.

While not trying to make light of this, it’s obviously impossible to be a high performer when you’re in poor health physically and mentally. That’s why the most successful people prioritize sleep. But, if you’re having trouble, the CDC suggests embracing the following habits:

  • Be consistent. That means going to bed and waking up at the same time — even on weekends.
  • Keep your bedroom dark, cool, and quiet — kind of like a cave.
  • Ban electronics, like TVs and smartphones, from your bedroom.
  • Avoid large meals, caffeine, and alcohol before bedtime.
  • Engage in physical activity during the day.

I’d also add implementing a relaxing evening routine. Some ideas would be meditating, reading, journaling, taking a bath, or reviewing tomorrow’s schedule. These are all simple and effective activities that clear your mind and help you chill out.

2. Find some quietude.

“Silence is one of the best ways to immediately reduce stress while increasing your self-awareness,” Hal Elrod wrote in the Morning Miracle. “And gaining the clarity that will allow you to maintain your focus on your goals, priorities, and what’s important for your life, each and every day.”

I know what you’re thinking. How can I possibly achieve such a feat? Well, Leo Babuta recommends waking-up before everyone else in your home. But, if you’re not a morning person, you can find silence later at night when everyone else is asleep.

How should you spend your quiet time? You could take a walk, read, write, visualize, or meditate. Personally, I’m also a fan of not using my phone as an alarm clock. Instead, I use an old school alarm clock so that I don’t get sucked into the rabbit hole of emails, social media, or whatever nonsense that’s out there.

3. Smile and think of something positive.

Is this the first thing that’s on your mind as you groggily open your eyes early in the morning? Probably not. But, it’s been found that smiling releases those feel-good neurotransmitters known as dopamine and endorphins. For the uninitiated, this will lift your mood and kick your day off on the right side of the bed.

Furthermore, cracking a smile releases serotonin which will relax your body and lower your heart rate and blood pressure. And, it can also fortify your immune system.

Additionally, think of something positive. It could be reflecting on what you’re grateful for or something that you’re excited about, such as an upcoming vacation. You could also recite uplifting quotes like this gem from the Dalai Lama; “Every day, think as you wake up: today I am fortunate to be alive, I have a precious human life, I am not going to waste it.”

4. Make your bed.

“If you make your bed every morning you will have accomplished the first task of the day,” said Naval Adm. William McRaven, ninth commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, in his commencement address at the University of Texas at Austin. “It will give you a small sense of pride and it will encourage you to do another task and another and another.”

“By the end of the day, that one task completed will have turned into many tasks completed,” he added. “Making your bed will also reinforce the fact that little things in life matter.”

“If you can’t do the little things right, you will never do the big things right,” said McRaven.

“And, if by chance you have a miserable day, you will come home to a bed that is made—that you made—and a made bed gives you encouragement that tomorrow will be better.”

5. Find your own rhythm.

After you make your bed you may be asking,” What’s next?” Here’s the problem with that. Making these micro-decisions every morning could put you into a collision course with decision fatigue.

If you weren’t aware, that’s a big no-no. After all, it can lead to procrastination, avoidance, indecision, and impulsivity.

To avoid this, create your ideal morning routine. For some, that could be slamming a glass of water, going for a jog, eating breakfast, and taking a shower. Others may prefer to brush their teeth, stretch, and do something creative.

Another way to make fewer decisions? Plan the night before. For me, that means picking out my meals and outfit, as well as prioritizing my to-do-list.

6. Craft results-oriented affirmations.

I’ll be direct here. Affirmations are the bomb! Besides combating self-deprecating thoughts, they can boost your motivation. Also, studies show that they can reduce stress, increase creativity, and improve your problem-solving skills.

However, Elrod suggests that you affirm your commitments — opposed to who you are or who you want to be. And, you can accomplish this by answering four simple questions:

  • What are you committed to?
  • Why is this important to you?
  • What activities will help you succeed?
  • When will commit to doing these activities?

If that’s not your cup of tea, then at least set your intention for the day. It’s a simple way to keep you focused on what truly matters.

7. Do an “hour of power.”

“Motivation doesn’t last forever, so you need to replenish yours regularly,” writes Lianne Martha Maiquez Laroya for Lifehacker. And, here’s a little secret I have for you, high performers are well aware of this. As such, “they dedicate ample time to increase their supply.”

Moreover, when you’re emotionally invested in something, you’re more motivated to see it through. In order to accomplish this, block out a power hour. While you can spend this time however you please, I’d stick with things that get you pumped. Examples include listening to a playlist or inspirational anecdotes, watching TED Talks, or reading empowering quotes.

8. Don’t isolate yourself.

Prolonged isolation is connected to cognitive decline. Even if you have a family and collaborate with others, it’s still important to put these relationships first. When you do, you’ll be healthier and happier — at least according to a famous 79-year Harvard study.

Best of all? You can easily achieve this by doing things like eating breakfast with your family. And, when you get to work, greet your co-workers as they enter or a daily stand-up meeting.

How to Make Your Company Vision Resonate with Employees

By | Business Tips | No Comments
How to Make Your Company Vision Resonate With Employees

You may find your company vision inspiring, but do your employees? Does it encourage every team member to put their best foot forward? If not, you’ve got some work to do.

If your company’s vision resonates with employees, they’ll gain a sense of purpose that makes them more engaged. In turn, you’ll be more likely to actualize that vision.

No company is founded without some sort of vision. But putting it in just the right terms can be tough, much less keeping it top of mind on your team. Check out the following ways to make your vision hit home with your employees>

1. Connect the vision to your employees’ values.

Employees sometimes have trouble connecting their values to their work. This can lead to apathy, burnout, bare-minimum work, and frequent turnover. If this spreads across the team, even leaders can fall into this mode.

The solution? You need to show how it connects to their values. Workers generally gravitate toward careers that align with their values. Having a vision that aligns with those values is critical.

Performance reviews and team building sessions are great opportunities to do this. Think of them as chances to get to know your employees better and ask about their values. Once you find those connections, you can make them clear to your workers. 

Furthermore, identifying your employees’ values can open up different avenues for accomplishing your vision. Community involvement, for example, is a great thing to incorporate into your vision. Considering that your employees are community members themselves, they’ll see tangible impacts of their work.

2. Include your company’s culture.

Your company vision shouldn’t be some lofty statement disconnected from your workplace. A holistic vision should connect to the environment of your company. 

Make sure your vision statement includes taking care of people. You might get specific by mentioning:

  • Fair compensation
  • Generous PTO
  • Healthy office relationships 
  • Leadership and growth opportunities
  • Recognition for good work
  • Freedom to take risks
  • Diversity in the workplace

Factoring employee care into your vision will help workers see themselves in it. Who doesn’t want to work for a company that cares about them?

3. Embrace transparency.

In just about any company, hierarchies exist. While hierarchies can enable efficiency, they can also obscure information and seed distrust between employees and their leadership. These tensions can jeopardize the team’s cohesion.

In a transparent work environment, information flows freely. By extension, employees are more likely to share their perspectives and feedback. And with this culture of trust, workers are better able to align themselves with the company’s vision. 

Transparency is easy to call for but tougher to implement. Leaders must be willing to share the good, the bad, and the ugly. Workers must take bad news in stride.

4. Reference the vision in planning sessions.

Following from transparency, employees must see your company’s vision carried out in its work. During planning meetings, point out the connection between each plan of action and the vision. That way, individual actors see how they are contributing. 

Not only does this make employees feel significant, but it reinforces your company vision by making it tangible. Pointing to specific components of yours when making decisions speaks volumes to the team.

5. Pass it down through mentorship.

Mentorship is a great approach to professional development, but it’s also valuable in the context of your vision. By pairing employees who have already internalized the company vision with those who are just starting out, you ensure your vision trickles throughout the team. 

You don’t need a rigid mentorship structure to make this happen, either. Informal one-on-ones, like lunches, spread your vision more surely than top-down commands. There’s no need to play drill sergeant when it comes to promoting your vision. 

6. Tell stories.

Storytelling is part and parcel of making your company vision resonate. Humans are story-driven beings, so tell a vision story your employees can relate to. 

Think about the way that your company began: Did you start it in your garage, highlighting your company’s hardscrabble ways? Maybe an angel investor gave you a leg up, speaking to your vision of lifting others up. 

Keep an eye out for times when you can tell these stories. They can happen at retreats, meetings, or even one-on-ones. Keep it fresh by weaving in fresh insights based on the occasion. As long as they are genuine, you’ll help people resonate with your vision. 

Remember, your vision isn’t only — or even mostly — for you. Your team needs regular reminders of why you do what you do. If you can articulate your vision well, you’ll motivate your employees to go above and beyond. 

12 Ways to Encourage Your Team to Speak Up

By | Business Tips | No Comments

Communication is a skill that all successful leaders need to acquire and maintain — not just in business, but also life. Having the ability to speak in a calm, concise, and clear manner will help your team be able to do likewise. Sharing your vision, goals, and expectations is only one piece of the puzzle. It takes an accomplished communicator to encourage a team to speak up. After all, excellent communication helps strengthen relationships, allows the exchange of ideas, and assists your organization in overcoming barriers. There are 12 ways to encourage your team to speak up.

Unfortunately, a study from VitalSmarts shows that “one percent of employees feel “extremely confident” when it comes to voicing their concerns in the workplace at critical moments.” Additionally, “a third of employees say their organizations do not promote or support holding crucial conversations.”

How can you change these types of statistics? Start by implementing the following 12 techniques.

1. Get to the root of the problem.

The absolute first step you need to take is identifying why people aren’t raising their hands. If you don’t know why, then how can you fix the problem? It’s like if your car doesn’t start when you leave in the morning. You can’t repair a problem unless you know precisely what’s wrong in the first place.

You could interview your team or conduct focus groups. Someone other than you should do this interviewing, as they’re probably afraid to tell you why they don’t raise their hands. You could also issue surveys to get to the bottom of what’s going on. The issue may be because they’re afraid of being criticized by others on the team, or being overlooked for a promotion. Or, they may not understand what you expect from them.

In short, you need to find out what’s holding people from voicing their opinions. Then you can find ways to correct the course.

2. Don’t overwhelm your team.

Let’s say that you have everyone gathered for a team meeting. Without even giving attendees a chance to get settled, you bombard them with way too much information. Even worse, what if the assignments you’re throwing at them are abstract, complex, or even utterly boring.

If every member of your team has their head spinning, or they’re yawning, then they’re not going to be engaged. How can they ask questions or provide input when they don’t know exactly what’s happening? Or, they don’t even have the opportunity to participate because as the CEO, manager, or boss — we’re jumping from topic to topic too quickly.

Whenever presenting information, keep it as simple as possible. Skip the jargon and only focus on the top one or two issues. Remember, you don’t need to cover everything right now. Save the less critical stuff for another time.

3. Apply radical candor.

Kim Scott, a former executive at Google, coined the phrase “radical candor.” It may sound like a complex system. But, in reality, it’s merely creating a bs-free zone.

“Radical candor is clarity offered in the spirit of genuine support, where people feel it’s their responsibility to point out one another’s weaknesses to give them a hand up to the next level,” explains Grainne Forde on Teamwork.com. “Scott illustrates radical candor with an example in which her very inconsiderate boss told her she had a lousy speaking habit.

Scott was saying, ‘um’ too often. In front of the group, he told her that “um” made her sound unintelligent — and then offered to pay for a speaking coach to improve the problem.” Some would consider this a bit harsh, “her directness compelled her to take the feedback seriously and improve.”

I’ve found the degree of “radical candor,” Scott is talking about, should be saved for a one on one. Then after your “radical candor,” hand out a little extra encouragement. With one small compliment, your employee doesn’t consider you an enemy.

To achieve radical candor, both leaders and employees need to realize that feedback is constructive because it allows for growth and development. Additionally, there needs to be transparency. It’s the only way you’ll be able to assist them in working through their weaknesses.

4. Reward people for speaking up.

I vividly remember the first year I went away to a summer camp. The first couple of hours, I was fine. But, I became incredibly homesick later that night. After a couple of days, I was over my bout with homesickness and had no problem enjoying myself.

Towards the end of the week, the other kids in my group began discussing who would receive an award along the lines of, “camper of the week.” I suggested that maybe I would get nominated. This lead to the camp leading asking, “Why? You were homesick and didn’t say anything for a couple of days — and now you talk?”

Some people might think that he was out of line. But, he was right. Sure, I was engaged and did my best to be an ideal camper. But, that didn’t mean I deserved an award. At the same time, the person who did receive this award mentioned that they were proud of me. Now, that recognition was an awesome feeling.

My point is this. You don’t need to throw a party for an employee who asked a question during a meeting. But, you can still show them that you appreciate their contribution when they offer a comment. For example, if they make a high point during a meeting, genuinely thank them for participating. A genuine thank you can be two words. Thank you!

Hemant Kakkar and Subra Tangirala write in the Harvard Business Review, “[I]f you want your employees to be more vocal and contribute ideas and opinions, you should actively encourage this behavior and reward those who do it.”

5. Make meetings more engaging.

Meetings can be a serious time-waster. They can also crush productivity and morale when not when properly. However, there times when meetings are necessary. That’s why making them more effective should be a priority.

While there a multitude of ways for you to improve meetings, making sure that they’re engaging should be at the top of your list. You can achieve meetings worth showing up for, by:

  • Kicking things off with an icebreaker like telling a story or playing a fun game or activity.
  • Not using industry slang or terminology.
  • Asking invitees to leave their phones somewhere else.
  • Saving handouts until the conclusion of the event to avoid distractions.
  • Leaving time for a Q&A at the end.
  • Sending out an agenda in advance so that no one is surprised. Also, this gives invitees an opportunity to review any relevant information and prepare their questions or concerns.

6. Stop dominating the conversation and listen.

While I wouldn’t say this trait is part of all entrepreneurs — I do think that some of us have such a healthy ego that we love hearing ourselves talk. The problem is that if you’re always dominating the conversation, others won’t even bother chiming in. What’s the point when they know there’s hardly a chance to be a part of the discussion.

While there are times when you need to speak, work on talking less and listening more. It may take some practice. But, this is probably one of the most straightforward strategies to get your team to speak up more often.

7. Be aware of body language and power cues.

Body language and power cues are probably not something on the top of your mind. But, your nonverbal communication most definitely impacts the people around you. Think of it this way. How likely would you be to “willing” share your thoughts with a leader who is continuously frowning and standing there with their arms crossed? Probably very unlikely.

But, what if they smiled, made eye contact, and stood in a relaxed, upright posture? You wouldn’t feel as intimidated. A quick couple of words about mastering your body language — soften power cues. For example, leave the expensive wardrobe at home and wear something that doesn’t intimidate your employees. Consider replacing your office’s rectangle desk with an oval one so that you can sit next to them.

8. Boost teamwork.

“When employees work in teams, they actively practice sharing their thoughts and speaking up to accomplish tasks as a group,” writes Eric Friedman over at eSkill. “This gets them used to talking about their work, whether it’s sharing new ideas or concerns, and can be applied on a wider scale to the entire company.”

Fridman adds, “Teamwork also works on a psychological level by bringing employees closer together, helping them form bonds to each other and the work, which will help them feel more confident to speak their minds.”

9. Accept different types of feedback.

When you need to collect feedback, use a variety of methods to do so. Allow your team to express themselves; however, they’re most comfortable. If they have no problem speaking, then don’t force them to write down their thoughts. If they don’t want to discuss a sensitive issue out in the open, block out time for a one-on-one or place a suggestion box in the office.

10. Explain the consequences of participating.

Explaining the consequences of participating does not mean retaliating against employees whenever they share their thoughts. Nor does it indicate that you’ll punish those who aren’t contributing to the conversation. Instead, a consequence in this setting means letting your team know the importance of speaking up.

For example, what if an employee isn’t crystal clear on a task that was assigned to them during a meeting? They might be embarrassed about asking for more details in a meeting. But, by not raising their hand, they aren’t able to complete this responsibility, and likely there were a few others that didn’t get the information. As a result, this can impact not only their career, but also this action can put the rest of the team and organization in jeopardy.

11. Encourage them to take a public speaking class.

In the early days of my career, I was terrified about speaking in public. But, this was a fear I had to overcome. So, I took a public speaking class. Not only did it improve my speaking skills, but it also made me feel more at ease in front of a crowd.

If there are members of your organization, why have nightmares about public speaking, recommend that they also take such a class. It could be online, at a community college, or through an organization like Toastmasters. Here: 7 Powerful Public Speaking Tips From One of the Most-Watched TED Talks Speakers

12. Lead by example.

Do you think that your team will feel comfortable enough to speak their minds when you aren’t? Of course not. It may sound off a vibe that this isn’t an environment where people can openly share thoughts and ask questions.

While you should certainly listen to what others are saying, the other part of being a great communicator is clearly expressing your expectations. It’s also asking precise questions and not being shy when it comes to public speaking.

Moreover, don’t hide in your office all day. Walk around and chat with your team. Check-in with them to see how they’re doing and if there’s anything you can help them with. Go to lunch. These connections may not seem like a biggie, but the relationship shows that this is a workplace where people can comfortably speak up.

5 Ways to Show Customers You Care About Their Privacy

By | Business Tips | No Comments

Trust is the currency of every relationship, including those you have with your customers. Establishing it early is key for closing sales, while maintaining it over time lets you build loyalty. 

Among a host of other factors, ensuring your customer’s privacy is crucial for trust. Just because people often agree to privacy policies without reading them doesn’t mean they don’t care about privacy. 

Without trust, relationships deteriorate when they hit a rocky patch. Imagine that, god forbid, your company faced a data breach. Customers who trust you to make things right will continue to do business with you.

Don’t wait for disaster to strike. The smart move is to proactively address your customer’s privacy concerns. Here’s how to do it:

1. Conduct a privacy audit. 

In order to allay your customers’ privacy concerns, you need to assess your company’s current protocols. If not, the security promises you make will be viewed as empty. Your ultimate goal is to protect your customers, not merely to convince them that they are protected.  

Start with storage: Where do you house customer data? Who has access to that system? Is its software updated and patched properly? 

But storage is just the start. Think about transference. Beware of: 

  • Third-party programs that take liberties with your customer’s data 
  • A lack of encryption software
  • Insecure information exchanges between employees
  • Printouts tossed in the trash before being shredded

2. Make privacy policies accessible. 

No matter how strong your privacy policies, they won’t generate trust unless your customers can access them. Post them on your website, print them out for new customers, or do both.

Making the information accessible means breaking it down in ways every customer can understand. To promote accessibility:

  • Don’t put privacy information in legalese.
  • Use summaries, headers, and highlights to make your policy skimmable.
  • Include a contact number for comments and questions. 
  • Offer policies in multiple languages, especially those common among your customer base.

These steps cater to “privacy actives,” who make up about a third of your customer base. Deeply engaged with privacy matters, these people will switch companies if they feel their privacy concerns aren’t addressed.

3. Go above and beyond with tips. 

Beyond featuring your privacy procedures on your website, give customers tips on protecting themselves. This demonstrates an investment in their lives beyond what they can do for you. 

Realize this also benefits your company. Customers who are more careful with their own data won’t do things that create liabilities for your company, like send sensitive data to you insecurely. 

What privacy content should you be creating? Everything from changing passwords frequently to tweaking privacy settings on social media is fair game. Point them to data security blogs they may be interested in. 

4. Welcome criticisms and suggestions.

Despite your best efforts, there will always be a customer who insists on stricter privacy controls. Maybe you institute 128-bit SSL encryption — but a customer asks for 256-bit, the type many banks use.

Invite these conversations. Not only might you get some easy-to-implement suggestions, but actually addressing them shows you care about your customers’ feedback

What if you can’t implement a certain security measure? Be transparent about it. Explain why you don’t think it’s needed, or why it simply isn’t cost-effective. Suggest workable alternatives, such as exchanging information in person rather than by email. 

5. Provide avenues to opt out.

You never want to make your customers uncomfortable. If they don’t want their data shared with a certain partner, give them that choice. Let them say “no” by submitting a written opt-out to parts of your policy they object to. 

Remind customers, however, that certain types of data collection are critical for your service. For example, you can’t send text-based appointment reminders to customers if they aren’t willing to give you their cell phone number. 

Balancing privacy and convenience often means making trade-offs. Work with your customers to decide what they’re comfortable with. Allow them to change their minds with written notice, especially after you change how you store or use their data. 

Everyone wins when you store customer data securely. You’re able to improve your marketing game, send reminders, and offer promotions your customers want. Your customers, in turn, don’t have to fill out the same form every time they step into your place of business. 

The keyword is “securely.” If you don’t keep your customers’ data under lock and key, you risk losing loyal customers and even facing legal liabilities. Don’t take the risk. Safeguard their privacy, and make sure they see you doing it. 

The Benefits of the Pomodoro Technique

By | Time Management | No Comments
Your Appointment System Works for You. Does It Work for Your Clients?

As I began exploring ways to boost my productivity I kept hearing people rave about something called the Pomodoro Technique. I’m sure that you’ve come across this as well. And, for good reason. It’s not only effective, but it’s also one of the easiest hacks to implement.

The Pomodoro Technique explained.

For the uninitiated, the Pomodoro Technique is credited to developer, entrepreneur, and author Francesco Cirillo. He discovered the importance of time tasks while a student at Guido Carli International University, a business school in Rome, during the early 1990s.

“I was easily distracted and unable to focus,” he previously told Entrepreneur. “So I decided to give myself a challenge: study without interruption for 10 minutes.” To accomplish this, he used a tomato-shaped kitchen timer to track his time.

After some trial and error, Cirillo found that this method was successful in helping him improve studying. He eventually went on how to share this idea with others. And, he was gratuitous enough to write and distribute a free book as well.

Named after the Italian word for tomato, the Pomodoro Technique is pretty straightforward. In fact, it only involves five some steps:

  • Choose a task.
  • Set a timer for 25-minutes.
  • Work on the task until the timer goes off.
  • Take a short break — usually around 5-minutes.
  • Every 4 Pomodoros, which is 3-4 work periods of 25 minutes, take a longer break — typically between 15-30 minutes.

You’ll want to repeat this process throughout the day. It’s also helpful to mark your progress with an “X” whenever you finish a Pomodoro. And, you may want to also note how often you wanted to procrastinate or work on something else. And review this at the end of the day

From my experience, you can make adjustments as you go along. For example, you can block out time for undisturbed work for however long you want. It depends on when you’re most productive based on your ultradian rhythms. Some folks work in 30-minute blocks, while others push an hour.

The concept, however, is that you work in sprints followed by short breaks throughout the day. As a result, you’ll be more productive because it will help you achieve the following.

1. Makes you feel more valuable.

Time. It’s your most valuable asset because once it’s spent, it’s gone. And, because of that, the Pomodoro Technique assists you in getting the most out of your precious time.

On the surface, this could be monetarily. Case in point, you’re working on a flat rate project. How? By ensuring that you maintain a profitable hourly rate. See, with the Pomodoro Technique you can plan a balanced outcome by knowing the time you’ll need to complete the project.

As a result, you’ll meet deadlines, exceed expectations, and keep your promises. Not only is that good for business, but also for your self-worth.

Speaking of that, if you can block out your time more effectively, you’re in a better position to provide value. That could be delivering quality work on a consistent basis or finding the time to serve others. When you do, you’ll be happier because you’re more fulfilled.

2. Improves planning.

Productivity doesn’t just happen with the snap of a finger. That’s why you need to plan your ideal week if you want to get more done in less time. And, I’ve found that the Pomodoro Technique makes this a whole lot easier.

Let’s say that you have identified your top priorities for the week ahead. You would then open up your calendar and add them to your calendar.

For example, you need to write an article for your business for either your site or an outstanding publication like Entrepreneur. Since it has to be submitted on Thursday, you want to have it completed by Monday so that your editor has time to review it.

As such, your Monday could be mapped out as follows:

  • Two pomodori for research.
  • One pomodoro to string together your thoughts and outline the piece.
  • Two pomodori to actually write the article.

Once added to your calendar, you know exactly what to focus on and when. And, you can then keep repeating this process for your entire week. It may sound like a lot of work upfront. But it’s worth the time investment since you can dive right into your most important work.

More importantly, over time, we’ll get better at determining how long certain activities take you to complete. Knowing this will ensure that you aren’t under-or-overestimating your time.

3. Helps you fight procrastination.

Even though you know exactly what needs to get done, and you have every intention to do so, procrastination is always around the corner lurking its ugly head. While it happens to the best of us, if left unaddressed, it can have serious consequences.

For example, it can cause you to miss due dates and fall behind your work, which in turn harms your credibility and adds stress. One way that the Pomodoro Technique can help solve this problem is that provides you with clarity. Again, when you know what to focus on and when you’ll feel less anxious and overwhelmed.

Also, it can encourage you to just get started when you’re dragging your feet. Because 25-minutes is a short time commitment, and it’s the only block you have to complete a specific task, it’s like a game to beat the clock. Besides, once you get moving, it’s much harder to stop.

4. Breaks the habit of multitasking.

In my opinion, this is the main advantage of embracing this concept. Despite what you may believe, multitasking is a myth. The reason? The human brain just isn’t capable of handling more than one thing at a time.

What’s more, multitasking can lower your IQ, impact your working memory, and prevents you from entering a flow state. As if that weren’t enough, this can drain your mind’s energy reserves. And, multitasking gives you a false sense of being productive.

As you’ve probably caught on by now, the Pomodoro Technique forces you to focus on one task at a time. In turn, this will counter the negative side effects of multitasking. And, more importantly, it will help you deliver higher quality work in less time.

5. Let’s you deal with distractions and interruptions.

Distractions and interruptions are inevitable. Even if you take the appropriate steps, like turning off your smartphone, a coworker may come barging into your office with an urgent matter. Cirillo was well aware of this and developed the following approach:

  • Inform. If you’re in the middle of a Pomodoro, let the other party know that you’re currently busy.
  • Negotiate. Agree on a time to discuss the distracting issue.
  • Schedule. Add that follow-up to your calendar immediately.
  • Call back. When a Pomodoro is complete, contact the other party and tackle the issue.

What about internal distractions? You know, what if in the middle of your work you remembered that you needed to send an email? Jot it down and then send the email during your break.

6. Maintains motivation.

Whenever you complete a session, you mark your progress. For example, you could simply cross off an item on your to-do-list. Why’s that important? Every time you do this, you get a rush of dopamine, which will encourage you to repeat the behavior.

For others, they’re just simply motivated by beating the timer. If they only have five minutes to go, they’re going to turn up their average speed to complete the task on-time.

7. Decreases physical and mental fatigue.

Finally, the Pomodoro Technique encourages you to take breaks. That’s something that most of us take for granted. However, we need these frequent breaks to combat a sedentary lifestyle by stretching or going for a short walk.

Furthermore, the brain needs time to rest and recharge. So in-between work blocks, allow your mind to wander. You could also meditate, reflect, or do something that you enjoy like watching a funny video or exercising in your office.

When you return to work, you’ll be more focused, attentive, and energetic. And, because these breaks are timed, it’s easier to resist the urge of extending them.

Getting started with the Pomodoro Technique.

If you want to try out this method, you just need to block out your day into 25-minute work sessions with short breaks in-between. You should also keep track of what you accomplished. But, there’s one missing component, your timer.

If you prefer, you can stick with a plain old egg timer. You could also one the timer on your phone. Or, you could use tools and apps like Tomato Timer, Marinara TimerForest, or Focus Time.

6 Work-From-Home Habits to Kick Before Heading Back to the Office

By | Time Management | No Comments
6 Work-From-Home Habits to Kick Before Heading Back to the Office

The day has finally arrived: After months of working remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the office is about to reopen. But what will it be like going back?

Transitioning to working from home took a great deal of preparation. Similarly, you can’t expect to return to the office and thrive automatically. 

You may be thrilled to return to a more traditional work environment. Or maybe you’ve mastered working-from-home and would rather not go back. Either way, there are likely habits you’ve picked up that won’t be conducive to the office. 

What are those habits? Nip the following tendencies in the bud before heading back to the office:

1. Sleeping In

You know how tempting it is to hit the snooze button. When working from home, getting ready for work takes less time, so you may have gotten into the habit of indulging that temptation. 

When returning to the office, you can’t afford to slack. Sleeping in shortens the amount of time you have for a morning routine. Let yourself sleep in, and you’ll find yourself stressed out and off-rhythm.

 If you’re having trouble getting out of bed in the morning, try waking to light. Also, consider starting your morning routine with an activity that makes you excited to wake up. And if the problem is the amount of sleep you’re getting, turn in earlier at night. 

2. Poor Grooming and Hygiene 

When you don’t have to physically interact with people during a workday, you might have let your grooming habits lapse. When you’re the only one who has to smell yourself, that’s OK.

In the office environment, though, you’ll want to be diligent. Be sure to shave, trim, shower, shampoo, and anything else you need to look and feel your best.

Remember that others are coming back to the office as well. Make it easier for them to share a space with you. Take care of yourself so you can all focus on work.

3. Not Dressing Up

Do you work from home in your PJs? Once you’re back in the office, that won’t fly. 

Being comfortable is great, but sweatpants don’t exactly say “professional.” Be sure you look the part before and at your first in-office meeting. 

How should you get into the swing of it? Make it exciting by buying some new clothes for work. Treat it as a chance to improve your fashion game. 

4. Eating Junk Food

In the comfort of your home, it’s easy to grab a snack whenever you want. And who cares if you eat chips and queso for lunch every day?

At work, excessive snacking isn’t a smart idea. Not only is it a distraction, but you need to keep your energy levels high during the transition. Plus, unhealthy eating sets a bad precedent for others. 

Make healthy eating easier by preparing your meals in advance. If you struggle with snacking, bring an apple or a bag of carrots. Alternatively, ask your employer to buy some healthy office snacks for the team to enjoy. Single-serve packaging minimizes the risk of transmitting the virus. 

5. Bringing Your Work Home with You

The funny thing about working from home is that your work is literally home with you. This makes it more difficult to separate your work life from your personal life. And that’s not good for your productivity or your mental health. 

If your work-life boundaries have blurred together, take steps to separate them. The following steps measures can help: 

  • Set limits on your laptop so you can’t access work-related things at certain times.
  • Create an end-of-work habit, like taking a walk, that signals it’s time to stop thinking about work.
  • Repurpose your work-from-home space when you get back to the office.  
  • Ask an accountability partner, such as your spouse, to discourage you from working after hours.
  • Uninstall work apps like Slack from your mobile devices.
  • Manage your mental health with habits like meditation, exercise, and yoga.

6. Constantly Checking Your Phone

Do you find yourself mindlessly checking Facebook or Twitter when you’re bored? When you’re working from home, there’s nobody around to see you goof off. But back in the office, constantly pulling up social media isn’t a good look. 

Experts report that we pick up our phone 58 times a day on average. Most of these are not for intentional or urgent purposes. The result is aimless scrolling when we should be working. 

Don’t let your phone control you. If you’re having trouble staying on task because of your phone, put it in a different room. Turn off notifications from apps that aren’t urgent. If necessary, block yourself from accessing certain sites until you get off work each day. 

Every transition has a few bumps along the way. But if you plan ahead, you’ll make it that much easier on yourself. After all, you knew you’d have to head back sooner or later. 

How Raising Your Intelligence Will Spark Productivity

By | Appointment | No Comments

“A wise man has to always listen to the peers he surrounds around himself. That’s why you surround yourself with other smart people. Captain Kirk keeps Mr. Spock right beside him.” — RZA. Here is how raising your intelligence will spark productivity.

The RZA was right. In fact, it’s not a well-kept secret that the most successful and productive people repeat the same sentiment of surrounding themselves with other smart individuals. Everyone from Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, Russell Simmons, Dolly Parton, John Wooden, Marissa Mayer, and Oprah have at some point mentioned why they surround themselves with intelligent people. It challenges them and pushes them to change their perspective.

From my personal experiences, keeping the best minds around me has also helped make me become more empathetic, knowledgeable, and dare I say, intelligent? It has also guided me to live a more fulfilled and productive life.

As it turns out, your IQ can impact your performance and success. For instance, in 2004 research by Frank L. Schmidt and John Hunter, found that smarter people typically perform better at work. Why? They believe that the performance and productivity is better because if you’re smarter — you’re able to more quickly learn new skills.

Well, I might also add, that when I see the hustle of the really smart people around me — I kick into gear and work hard, hard, harder. Also, if you and I have really smart people around us — we can hurry and ask questions about work and tech — and they know the answers!

Other papers report that intelligence plays a factor in compliance, motivation, and educational attainment. And, some would even argue that it’s more important than emotional intelligence.

“Cognitive ability was more than five times more powerful than emotional intelligence,” wrote Wharton psychologist Adam Grant in 2014. “The average employee with high cognitive ability generated annual revenue of over $195,000, compared with $159,000 for those with moderate cognitive ability and $109,000 for those with low cognitive ability. Emotional intelligence added nothing after measuring cognitive ability.”

So, yeah. Having a high IQ can certainly have a positive influence on your life. But, how else can you increase your intelligence besides surrounding yourself with people who are smarter than you?

What is intelligence and can it be changed?

Before going any further, I think it’s best that we define what intelligence is. Unfortunately, Neel Burton M.D. states that there “is no agreed definition or model of intelligence. By the Collins English Dictionary, intelligence is ‘the ability to think, reason, and understand instead of doing things automatically or by instinct.’” he writes. “By the Macmillan Dictionary, it is ‘the ability to understand and think about things, and to gain and use knowledge.’”

Burton adds that “what constitutes intelligence can vary quite considerably according to our values and priorities.” But, most can agree that there are two types of intelligence: crystallized intelligence and fluid intelligence.

Crystallized intelligence is the knowledge, information, or skills accumulated in your brain. Some might refer to this as cerebral knowledge. And, because it’s easily tested on standardized exams, it’s probably what we’re most familiar with in Western cultures.

Moreover, it’s also easy to improve your crystallized intelligence. In fact, if you’re reading, listening to podcasts, or absorbing new information, which most of us do daily, then you are raising this type of intelligence.

But, that’s not the case with fluid intelligence. With this type, you’re taking what you’ve learned and applying in order to solve problems or perfect a new skill. To put it another way, fluid intelligence is what you need if you wish to become more aware and innovative.

Can you increase your fluid intelligence? Studies show that it’s possible through practice and training.

Here are seven ways to actually raise your intelligence — which in turn will make you more productive.

1. Exercise.

As pointed out in a Forbes article, exercise can make you smarter by increasing your energy and sharpening your focus. Moreover, it can improve your memory, mood, and helps control impulse control. And, yes, when put tighter, all of this will make you a lean, mean productivity machine.

The best type of physical activity? Cardiovascular fitness can increase verbal intelligence by a whopping 50 percent. They also perform better on cognitive tests.

2. Get enough sleep.

Some people like to boast about how much they get done by sleeping less. In reality, a lack of sleep destroys your productivity. That’s because it leads to cognitive interference. As a consequence, the cognitive interference can impair everything from your decision-making to the ability to form long-term memories to difficulty focusing on work.

To ensure that you get a good night’s rest, you need to keep a consistent sleep-wake schedule. More importantly, you should implement a relaxing evening routine. During this time, limit your exposure to blue light and do activities that help you unwind, like reading. When it’s time for bed, make sure your room is like a cave. That means it should be cool, dark, and silent.

I find that the Calm App helps me. Also meditation — with Calm app has made me feel supported in this journey.

3. Improve your relational skills.

Relational Frame Theory, or RFT, can be a complex theory to grasp. However, it’s merely how we relate one concept to another through language.

Recent research shows that relational frame skills training intervention has the ability to not only improve IQ, but also numeric and verbal reasoning. To strengthen this skill, partake in activities like comparing amounts and objects.

You can also learn a new language. Besides improving this skill, it can also help you become more attuned to auditory information while blocking out things that aren’t relevant. To achieve this, try out language learning books, apps like Duolingo, taking a class, or traveling abroad.

4. Meditate.

Meditating is one of the best things that you can do for mental and physical health. But, did you also know that it can also boost your IQ by 23 percent? And, according to another study, meditating for just 20-minutes for 4 days can improve cognition and working memory,

What’s the reason behind this? Well, there are actually several of them. Most notably, meditation balances the light and right brain and increases plasticity. It also gives your brain the chance to rest and recharge, boost intuition, and advance EI.

Best of all? It doesn’t take much of a time or monetary commitment to meditate. You can use apps like Headspace (it’s good – I usually use Calm), to guide you or simply practice mindfulness where you close your eyes and focus on your breathing.

5. Engage in stimulating conversations.

“In real life — outside the computer or mobile phone screen,” suggests Larry Kim. “The art of conversation requires that we think on our feet, and conversing with someone smarter than you can be a fantastic exercise in quick thinking as well as an opportunity to learn something new,” he adds. “Seek out interesting people and engage them in conversation, however brief.”

I would that you find opportunities to break out of your inner circle and converse with strangers — like when traveling. Besides opening up the possibility of meeting a new friend or business acquaintance, this can boost your confidence and challenge your perspectives. It can also improve your social skills and allow you to learn new and exciting information.

6. Seek novelty.

“It is no coincidence that geniuses like Einstein were skilled in multiple areas, or polymaths, as we like to refer to them,” writes Andrea Kuszewski for Scientific American. “Geniuses are constantly seeking out novel activities, learning a new domain. It’s their personality.”

In fact, the “one trait out of the ‘Big Five’ from the Five-Factor Model of personality (Acronym: OCEAN, or Openness, Conscientiousness, Extroversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism) that correlates with IQ, and it is the trait of Openness to new experience,” adds Kuszewski. “People who rate high on Openness are constantly seeking new information, new activities to engage in, new things to learn—new experiences in general.”

But, what exactly goes on when you seek novelty? “First of all, you are creating new synaptic connections with every new activity you engage in,” explains Kuszewski. “These connections build on each other, increasing your neural activity, creating more connections to build on other connections—learning is taking place.”

Secondly, “novelty can also release dopamine. Besides kicking “motivation into high gear,” it also “stimulates neurogenesis—the creation of new neurons—and prepares your brain for learning.”

“Always look to new activities to engage your mind—expand your cognitive horizons,” suggest Kuszewski. “Learn an instrument. Take an art class. Go to a museum. Read about a new area of science. Be a knowledge junkie.”

7. Play games.

Finally, you can raise your IQ by playing games. Of course, you have to select the right types. For example, chess is a proven way to connect the brain’s hemispheres. Other games that can improve your memory, focus, vocabulary, and visualization are crossword puzzles, Scrabble, Sudoku, and a good, old fashioned Rubik’s cube.

If you prefer to go digital, you can try playing the numerous cognitive games over at Lumosity. Or, you could play video games that involve puzzles or complex strategies. Your mom might not thrilled about this if you’re a kid — but I found video games an incredible way to connect to my kids.

Video games really help me concentrate, move faster, and think differently. You won’t find me bashing these tools — they’re incredible. How I wish I’d had some of these when I was a kid. And, research shows that video games can make you more intelligent.

They can also improve collaboration, working memory, and increase the white matter associated with greater cortical connectivity.

Conclusion

Right now we are in a really weird time. I call it the “covid-riot-economy-election collection,” CREEC for short –meaning “up-a-creek.” Hang on however you can. Build your endurance to this stress however you can. Be better than you can be — and let’s make this historical time count for something great.

Determine Whether Working With a Friend is a Good Idea

By | Business Tips | No Comments
What to Do if Appointments Keep Running Long

There’s no way to sugarcoat this; starting a business is no easy task. You wear multiple hats; you’re continually building clients, don’t forget networking. If you’ve built many businesses, as an entrepreneur — you understand the very real possibility of failure. But how do you determine whether working with a friend is a good idea?

Indeed, it’s a wonder that anyone would ever contemplate starting their own business. But, as Jimmy Dungan said in A League of Their Own, “It’s supposed to be hard. If it weren’t hard, everyone would do it. The hard is what makes it great.”

There are plenty of entrepreneurs who have decided to make this journey just a little bit easier — by teaming up with someone else. For example, Bill Gates had Paul Allen, and Steve Jobs had Steve Wozniak. The reason? Each partner brings something different to the table — whether that be different skill sets, lessening the workload, or having additional access to funding.

Maybe you want someone to gripe to, or someone to run your ideas past and have a second set of eyes on a project.

But, instead of approaching a stranger or acquaintance, why not just go ahead and start a business with a friend? After all, it worked for Gates and Allen and Jobs and Wozniak. There have been many famous entrepreneurial teams. Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard, and William S. Harley and Arthur Davidson — so why can’t it work for you and your friend?

Well, before you and your best friend get too far ahead of yourselves, you both should take a close look at the good and bad of working side-by-side with a friend.

Why You Should Start a Business With a Friend

You have a co-founder that you know and trust.

After spending years being acquainted with your friend, you know what their belief systems are, how they react to specific situations, and what their strengths and weaknesses are. You also know how to get under each other’s skin, so hopefully, you’ll avoid triggering those emotions while in the workplace.

More importantly, they are someone you trust entirely — and know that they would never intentionally do you any harm. What more do you want of a co-founder or colleague?

As Stephen Covey said, “Trust is the glue of life. It’s the most essential ingredient in effective communication. It’s the foundational principle that holds all relationships.”

You can speak freely and comfortably.

When you have a trusting and honest friendship, you can pretty much say whatever’s on your mind freely and comfortably. Sure. There will be times when they’ll say something that you don’t want to hear — or that you don’t agree with — but you know what they’re saying is genuine and sincere.

As a result, you can keep each other in-check since you’re calling each other on your BS and ultimately do what’s best for the business.

Creates a positive work environment.

Having friends at work can be extremely beneficial. 70 percent of employees believe having office friends is the “most crucial” aspect of obtaining a fulfilling work life. What’s more, office friendships lead to higher engagement and productivity and a stronger connection to the company.

You have someone to bear your burdens.

Starting a business on your own, as already mentioned above, it no easy task. It can also be incredibly lonely.

But, when you have a friend by your side, you eliminate this loneliness. More important, you have someone to share your burdens with your — whether that be financial or completing tasks on-time. And, because they’re going through everything you are, you can vent to each, celebrate accomplishments, and even throw a couple of drinks back after a particularly challenging week.

You share the same vision.

Friends tend to think alike — that’s likely why you became friends in the first place. You and your friend being able to think alike is actually a great asset for your business.

You likely have the same goals, values, and vision for your business. Thinking alike can come in useful when you’re pitching an idea or your business to a client, prospective customer, or interested investors. If you know what your partner-in-crime is going to say next, then you can set them up seamlessly.

Decisions are easier to make.

As I just mentioned, friends tend to think alike and have a similar vision and belief system. That can make it easier to agree on business decisions — even if you have a different opinion personally.

Remember, spending too much time making a decision isn’t just time-consuming, it can also drain you mentally. You want to save that energy for more important decisions.

They accept your strengths and weaknesses.

Let’s say that public speaking isn’t your thing, but you’re one heck of a coder. But, your friend is charismatic and loves speaking. Instead of them asking you to pitch your business to an investor or at a conference, they would instead ask you to make a killer website to impress others. They also wouldn’t get upset or frustrated in areas that you’re weak — and vice versa.

Simply put, you accept each for you are. As a result, you can leverage each other’s strengths and improve on your weaknesses.

More friend time.

When you work with a friend, it sometimes doesn’t feel like work at all. You get to shoot the breeze, have fun, and create memories. As a result, going to work becomes more enjoyable and relieves stress.

Why You Should Not Work With a Friend

It can be hard to distinguish between work and play.

At the same time, chatting and hanging out all day isn’t always great for productivity. Instead of focusing on work, you’re busy talking about a movie you watched over the weekend. On the flip side, when you’re outside of the office, you may start talking shop instead of just enjoying each other’s company.

No matter how much you love your business, you both need to set boundaries and separate work from play.

Also, you may let workplace difference spill over into your personal lives. For example, if you and your friend are disagreeing on the direction of the business, and it becomes heated, that could make your social life a bit awkward.

Familiarity breeds contempt.

As friends, you probably know a lot about each other. But, knowing too much of others can erode respect.

For example, if you don’t agree with the lifestyle your friend is living, you may feel that they’re someone you shouldn’t work with. Even despite the fact they’ve shown up to work every day bringing their A-game.

Who’s the boss?

Even if you’ve agreed on established roles, it can still be tough to take orders from your friend — and they probably feel the same. As a result, there may be a power struggle.

You must compartmentalize relationship issues.

Friends fight. But, you can’t let those little personal squabbles interfere with the business. No matter how ticked you are at each other — you must remain professional and discuss any disagreements calmly and rationally.

In other words, you need to learn how to compartmentalize any relationship issues you have. Just because you’re at odds personally doesn’t mean that you’re currently at odds with your business partner.

Performance issues can be awkward to address.

When an employee isn’t delivering the results you expect, the conversation isn’t complicated. You have a conversation with them, determine what the problem is, and discuss the ways that they can be more productive.

That conversation isn’t so straightforward with your friend. You may be too empathetic, or they’ll take what you’re saying too personal. It may be an awkward conversation, but it’s necessary if you want your business to thrive.

Friendships don’t always translate to business compatibility.

Sure. You and your friend may share similar values and philosophies. But, you may have completely different approaches to completing various business tasks. That can lead to conflict and when trying to build your business model and company culture.

You know the same people.

Networking is critical when starting a business. But, how much networking can you do when you and your partner know the same people?

Networking may be a greater challenge, but knowing how to find and establish new connections may not be challenging.

A failed business can lead to a failed friendship.

If you fail in this business venture — it can be the absolute worst-case scenario.

Let’s say the business fails, and you blame each other for the failure. You didn’t just lose business; you also lost your friend.

If you’re still on the fence about working with a friend, here are some questions you should ask yourself. Determinations will become more apparent with questions.

  • Do you share the same business goals and values?
  • Do your work habits and schedules align?
  • Can you complement each other’s skills and talents?
  • What roles and responsibilities should each partner take-on?
  • How will you resolve conflicts?
  • Are your personal lives stable?
  • How long have you known each other?

Just make sure that you cover all of the topics to do with your business that you can think of. A first business venture is usually the one that friends get together in. You want the best from your first business venture. Take the time to set up all of the parameters so that you and your friend can remain great partners through thick and thin.

Create a Happiness Routine on Your Online Calendar

By | Appointment | No Comments

Everyone deserves to be happy. Unfortunately, it’s not always as easy as flipping a switch. It’s essential to guard your mind and your thoughts if you want to be happier. You can help yourself by creating a happiness routine on your online Calendar.

No doubt, life can be challenging. But you can’t let sadness or worry consume you. You have to be intentional with your thoughts and your actions. How can you schedule out not just moments of happiness — but a lifetime of joy?

Putting Happiness on the Calendar

You can get the most out of life with the help of an online calendar. Whatever your situation, these nine tips can help you live more fully:

1. Start a Gratitude Journal

Some days, you may struggle to feel grateful. While hardships happen, you can always find a silver lining around at least one of the clouds. When you do, record it in a gratitude journal.

Your online calendar can act as a reminder to write in this journal each night, or you can use the Notes section in the app itself as a journal. Looking for the good each day will help you adopt a more positive mindset. Finding things to be thankful for gets easier with practice.

One thing that has helped me is to add a couple of happy moments to my online Calendar. I record cute things my baby does, and this brings me joy.

2. Get Some Sun

Studies have shown the many benefits of natural sunlight to your health and happiness. While sleeping in is a luxury, reducing the hours of sun you get can put a damper on your mood. Excessive time indoors without natural light can have a similar effect.

Why not start your day earlier? Your online calendar can help you tweak your morning routine to maximize the amount of time you can spend in the sun. You can also plan activities that get you outside during the day. Don’t forget to wear sunscreen!

3. Get Enough Sleep

On the opposite end of the spectrum from sleeping too late is not getting enough sleep. When you’re tired day after day, it’s much harder to stay positive when things don’t go your way. Getting the proper amount of sleep keeps you sharp and focused, so you don’t get overwhelmed.

With your online calendar, you can put together a sleep routine to ensure you get the rest you need each night. It will take some adjusting at first, but the long-term benefits are worth it.

4. Make Time for What You Enjoy

Enduring a 9-to-5 shift and binge-watching TV shows until bedtime isn’t the most fulfilling way to live. While you may enjoy your job and the shows you watch, making time for other interests is essential.

Try time-blocking: Carve out a dedicated hour each day to develop your hobbies and interests. Perhaps a reading or craft hour after work makes sense with your schedule. If yoga or writing is more your speed, perhaps an hour in the morning is the right choice.

5. Be Deliberate With Downtime

If your daily schedule is packed from end to end, you’ll feel like your life doesn’t have any breathing room. You deserve a break every once in a while to slow down and reset. Even taking 10 minutes each day to settle down can make a big difference.

Making time for breaks is hard when your schedule is demanding. Take a look at your online calendar for next week: Can you take a long lunch? What about a morning meditation session? Challenge yourself to take at least one long break during the week.

6. Eat Right

What you put into your body makes a huge difference. A healthy, well-balanced diet not only makes you more productive but also improves your mood. Make sure you’re getting adequate amounts of fruits and vegetables, and drink plenty of water!

Online calendars are great tools for meal planning. Being proactive about what you eat each day ensures you’re getting the right nutrients and not resorting to the most comfortable option. Your calendar can also remind you to stay hydrated: Try placing a reminder every hour to take a drink of water.

7. Move Your Muscles

Exercise is another excellent way to keep your spirits high. While many people are turned off by the exertion and sweat, regular exercise helps your mind as much as your body. It releases chemicals in your brain that help you stay more alert and cheerful, leading to less stress.

Making time for exercise has never been easier than with your online calendar. Easy scheduling tools make it possible to get moving no matter what your schedule looks like. Even a few minutes a day is helpful, and you can always look at low-impact options like yoga.

8. Serve Others

Looking beyond your own needs is a surprisingly effective way to find your own happiness. There’s something about the human spirit that lights up when you can provide service and assistance to others. When all else fails, look to serve. Astonishing to me is how much the GenZ incorporates the “serve others” moto.

Service opportunities are everywhere. Ask community organizers in your area about fundraisers, passion projects, and other unfunded initiatives. Because volunteering can quickly become a full-time commitment, use your calendar to set clear boundaries.

9. Remember to Smile

It may sound silly at first, but the more you smile, the happier you’ll be. Online calendars are the perfect tool for setting reminders to simply smile throughout the day.

Don’t stop with a smile: Use the notes section to remind yourself to pick your head up, sit up straight, and take a deep breath. Good posture can instill a positive attitude over time.

Happiness is addictive. The more of these tips you practice, the better you’ll feel. The better you feel, the better you’ll treat yourself. Use your online calendar to get the cycle started, and you’ll be in a better place before you know it.

Register Now & Get a 30 Day Trial Register Now