Close Ad

Career Growth

ideas and thinking
Entrepreneurs

Top 15 Entrepreneurship Resources to Boost Your Success

The 21st century has brought great new opportunities for entrepreneurs. The digital revolution has completely changed the way we live -- and the landscape for aspiring CEOs and innovators. However, the world is also moving faster than ever, and the competition is thick, so you have to gain every advantage you can get to turn your passion or idea into a sustainable business. Entrepreneurship requires an unvanquished spirit of curiosity, an openness to learning, a letting go of OldCo so you're free to create NewCo. – Michael E. Gerber This is where this guide comes in. We've outlined the 15 best resources on entrepreneurship to help you acquire the tools and knowledge you need to start your entrepreneurial journey (and keep it going). Whether you're looking to work remotely as a freelancer or want to turn your passion into a career, the resources below will help you get there. 1. Personality Traits that Successful Entrepreneurs Value More than all Others If you want to know what the absolute most important traits and skills are to develop as an entrepreneur, look no further. If you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, this will tell you everything you need to know about what makes a successful entrepreneur tick. Read here: 5 Personality Traits that Successful Entrepreneurs Value More than all Others 2. How To Find Your Passion If you haven’t yet found your calling, it’s important to do that first before venturing off into any long-term business effort. That’s not just because you shouldn’t settle for anything less than doing what you love (after all, why become an entrepreneur if you’re doing that?), but also because you’ll never be able to maintain the energy and motivation to get passed tough challenges without this passion to drive you. Read here: How To Find Your Passion 3. Dangerous Misconceptions About Entrepreneurship That You Should Know About If you’re relatively new to entrepreneurship, there are some dangerous misconceptions that can hold you and your entrepreneurial efforts back which won’t be immediately obvious. Learn what those misconceptions are and how to keep from falling victim to them by reading this. Read here: Dangerous Misconceptions About Entrepreneurship That You Should Know About 4. How to Build a Brand in the Digital Age — An Entrepreneur’s Starter Guide With social media, building a strong brand is more important than ever before. But if you don’t know anything about what it takes to build a brand, don’t worry, this will help you figure out everything you need to get started. Read here: How to Build a Brand in the Digital Age — An Entrepreneur’s Starter Guide 5. Things You Need to Know If You Want to Be an Entrepreneur If you want to be an entrepreneur, there are a few things that you really need to know. I can’t stress these points enough– if you have dreams or plans of becoming (or are already) an entrepreneur, you need to read this sooner than later. Read here: 6 Things You Need to Know If You Want to Be an Entrepreneur 6. The 3 Questions No Entrepreneur Wants to Ask (but You Must) If you want to build a long and fruitful self-employed career, there are three critically important questions you must ask yourself. This is yet another thing you really can’t put off, as it affects your entire path through entrepreneurship in several critical ways. But, the good news is, if you can be ready for these things ahead of time, you’ll be far better prepared. Read here: The 3 Questions No Entrepreneur Wants to Ask (but You Must) 7. With Grace and Grit: A Guide to Sticking it Out for Entrepreneurs If you haven’t already figured it out yet, entrepreneurship is tough -- really tough. You need to have the right amount of toughness to get through the inevitable challenges you’ll face along the way. Building resilience is key. Read here: With Grace and Grit: A Guide to Sticking it Out for Entrepreneurs 8. Why Entrepreneurship Is an Effective Path to Happiness (and How to Get Started) Aspiring business leaders have more opportunities than ever, but the path to success is also very different from what it used to be. People who might not otherwise have considered themselves entrepreneurs are now deciding to take this path because starting a business gives them the opportunity to do what they love and live on their own terms. Read here: Why Entrepreneurship Is an Effective Path to Happiness (and How to Get Started) 9. Entrepreneurship and the Architecture of Success: Setting Smart Long-Term Goals Entrepreneurship is a long-term game. If you hope to find success in your chosen endeavor, you need to have a well-defined plan and the structure to make that plan a reality. Read here: Entrepreneurship and the Architecture of Success: Setting Smart Long-Term Goals 10. Hacks Highly Successful Entrepreneurs Use to Stay Laser-Focused Are you a seasoned entrepreneur looking for some extra tips for staying focused? Making your vision a reality is hard and requires a laser focus over a very long period of time. Fortunately, there are some simple hacks that can help you keep your eyes on the prize. Read here: 5 Hacks Highly Successful Entrepreneurs Use to Stay Laser-Focused 11. The Best Free AI On The MarketThis seems to be a more brazen suggestion as there is all sorts of controversy surrounding this new TOOL that has been released. However, technology is constantly improving and just as the phone became an essential part of life, so will AI. If you want to truly level up your game you need to learn how to do the unexpected before its expected of you.Read here: How to efficiently make prompts and utilize artificial intelligence12. Trello: The Perfect OrganizerStay organized and boost productivity with Trello! Manage projects, collaborate with your team, and track tasks effortlessly. With its easy-to-use interface and powerful integrations, Trello keeps everything in one place, helping you work smarter and faster. Try it today!Read here: The main site and number one recommendation for team organization Man working his way up 13. Canva: Make Advertisement EasyCreate stunning visuals effortlessly with Canva! Design professional graphics, social media posts, presentations, and more—no design skills required. With easy-to-use templates and powerful tools, Canva helps you bring your ideas to life. Start designing today!Read here: Make Advertising Easy And Effortless14. Google Analytics: It's the perfect observer of success, see where you struggle and where you thriveUnlock powerful insights with Google Analytics! Track website performance, measure traffic, and understand user behavior to optimize your online presence. Make data-driven decisions and grow your business with ease. Start using Google Analytics today to boost your success!Read here: Google Analytics Lets You Look Into Your Weak Points And Work On Them15. Hootsuite – Manage and schedule your social media posts across multiple platforms in one place.Simplify your social media management with Hootsuite! Schedule, track, and manage posts across multiple platforms all in one place. Save time, increase engagement, and streamline your strategy with powerful analytics. Try Hootsuite today and elevate your social presence!Read here: Schedule Your Posts And Manage Your Releases, Get To The Top And Stay There

<strong>Kindhearted Barber Gifts Free Haircuts to Disabled Children on His Days Off</strong>
Career Growth

Kindhearted Barber Gifts Free Haircuts to Disabled Children on His Days Off

Everyone needs a safe space. Vernon Jackson, the owner of Noble Barber & Beauty in Cincinnati, Ohio, saw the importance of creating an inclusive space for his customers with disabilities. So he did. Jackson is the founder of The Gifted Event, a program that provides free haircuts to children with disabilities.The Gifted Event was created in August 2021 and began with Jackson using his day off to provide free haircuts for children with disabilities in his community. He was saddened by the challenges faced by parents of children with disabilities and their difficulty in finding affordable barbers with experience working with kids with very specific needs.So, Jackson decided to offer his barbering skills to help children with intellectual, physical, or developmental disabilities feel good about themselves. The Gifted Event program provides extra time and accommodations for the children and ensures they get a free haircut every third Monday of each month. "I was hearing so many horror stories that parents were going through with other barber shops and just the barbers or stylists having no patience with their child," Jackson told a local news outlet. "I figured I would compromise by coming in on my day off so there were there would be no other barbers or stylists in the shop and I could give them the full attention that they need."Jackson explained that having an empty barbershop is best for children who are sensitive to new environments and sounds. His goal is to help the children get acclimated to the barber shop so they can feel comfortable coming in when other employees and clients are there.One of Jackson’s young clients, Ellison Eubanks, is a seven-year-old with Down Syndrome and a congenital heart defect. He recently uploaded a TikTok video playing a game of "haircut stop and go" with young Eubanks while giving him a haircut. "It's been pretty cool to meet so many people from around the world who this video impacted," Jackson told The Cincinnati Enquirer. "The many messages and emails I've gotten from people that donated. It's beautiful seeing people support me personally and supporting the vision and seeing the heart that I have."Jackson was recently featured on The Jennifer Hudson Show to discuss his program, along with Ellison's mother, Julie Eubanks. She wanted to publicly thank Jackson for his work and discuss the bond between him and her son.Courtesy: The Jennifer Hudson Show“He (Ellison) wants to watch the video all the time,” Eubanks said. “There’s something about you that he was drawn to. I think you two are going to be friends for life."Jackson is now celebrating the four-year anniversary of his barbershop in the Corryville neighborhood of Cincinnati."These are parents that would pay any amount of money just for their child to be able to have an experience like any other person. And at the end of it, I can tell them ‘It’s covered,'" he said. "[They say] 'I’ve got to give you a tip and I respond with ‘no, trust me, this is part of The Gifted Program, this is a gift from the community, myself. Please receive it.’""When I first started promoting that I was going to come in on my off day to do haircuts for children with different needs, a friend of mine just randomly inboxed me and said, 'Hey Vern, can I sponsor a haircut?'" Jackson told CBS News. More and more people asked to donate money towards haircuts and Jackson started a GoFundMe. The Gifted Event is now a public effort that has raised almost $80,000 in donations and given more than 300 haircuts.Jackson has clients that come to him from other cities in Ohio for his service, and he hopes to one day provide free haircuts to children with special needs across the country – and maybe even the world."I've been getting inboxed from people from Denmark, Australia, London, Uganda, of course all across the country," he said. "It's really been a beautiful experience. This has allowed me to love to my fullest capacity and to see what happens when I do."Big guy. Big beard. Bigger heart.

At 99-years-old, Trail-Blazing Black Teacher Recalls Troubling First Years on the Job
Career Growth

At 99-years-old, Trail-Blazing Black Teacher Recalls Troubling First Years on the Job

For a while, she was the only one. A Black teacher in Ontario, where even the immigrant children were mostly from European countries, Millie Burgess admitted that, at first, "It was a little scary.”It wasn’t the students who were a problem. Burgess quickly adopted them as her own, often telling people she had twenty children. From Monday to Friday, during school hours, she treated the students as such and invested heavily in their education. Ironically, in many of the classes that Burgess taught over the years, there wasn’t a single Black student. “It didn’t seem to bother the kids…They responded to me just as if I was a regular teacher,” Burgess said.Burgess and Her Problems With Parents The same couldn’t be said about the parents — many of whom were uncomfortable with Ms. Burgess teaching their children. When one parent complained to the principal that he didn’t want a black woman teaching his child, she didn’t bat an eye. Though Burgess had nothing to prove, she welcomed that parent into her classroom with open arms. She did the same for any parent who showed skepticism at the idea of a Black teacher. They only had to see her in action.“Well, they came into her classroom,” said Rosemary Sadlier, a friend of Burgess. “They watched her teach. And they encouraged her to stay for as long as she wanted.” And that was that.How Burgess Paved the Way for Other Black TeachersTalia Ricci/CBCBut what about Burgess’s initial fear? As Millie says, she “got over that.” Her first teaching job was in Toronto in 1957. And back then — as Burgess recalled, “Toronto didn’t have that many Black people.” She found it disconcerting to be the only black person in her entourage, but she persevered. Her teaching skill and dedication opened the doors for other Black teachers. Eventually, she would have Black teaching peers. For Burgess, it made a huge difference to not be “the only one.” Karen Brown, president of the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario, says that Burgess paved the way for more Black teachers to enter the profession over the years. She called Burgess’ decision to teach a "brave move."Millie Burgess in 1983 (Talia Ricci/CBC)“Right now,” Brown said, “there continues to be an under-representation of Black educators.” She cites many things that need to be studied, such as hiring practices, teacher retention, and support. Brown says that recognizing pioneering Black educators like Burgess is important. After all, it could inspire more Black children and adults to consider careers in teaching.Burgess is close to celebrating her 100th birthday. She looks back fondly on a long teaching career full of firsts, including being the first female teacher of African descent to teach in the Ontario school system. She may also be the first Black woman to obtain a teaching degree in Canada. Millie Burgess has since inspired many others to become teachers, including some of her own siblings.“Millie was kind of the leader for all of us,” said Cheryl Ann Darrell, Burgess’s niece. While Darrell is referring to their family members who became teachers, the same rings true for many black educators in Canada. Millie Burgess is a leader for all.

After a Stint in the School Cafeteria, This Ex-Janitor Now Owns and Operates His Own Restaurant
Career Growth

After a Stint in the School Cafeteria, This Ex-Janitor Now Owns and Operates His Own Restaurant

At the Posada Contemporary Southwestern restaurant in Livermore, California, a typical night sees about 250 guests filter throughout the space. To any passerby, it likely seems like many other successful restaurants in the area-- a fortuitous combination of experience in the industry, some financial backing, and maybe a fancy review mixed in on opening night for publicity. However, the origins of this restaurant are quite different. RELATED: Daughter Shares Heartwrenching TikTok of Dad in Empty Restaurant Waiting for Customers — Then the Miraculous HappensEduardo Posada, the driving force behind the restaurant, remains invisible for most of the night-- busy in the kitchen preparing popular dishes like Mahi Mahi tacos alongside other bestsellers like open-fire grilled shrimp with guacamole and basil-cilantro slaw. Posada does not hail from a fancy culinary school or have deep connections in the food industry. In fact, the 59-year-old goes back to the San Ramon Valley Unified School District — where he was a janitor. How a Restaurant Owner Transitioned From a Janitor into a Business OwnerInstead of a spatula, Posada wielded a mop and bucket, despite always knowing which he preferred. In the 1980s, when he was in his mid-20s, Posada enjoyed a stint making breakfast burritos and selling them out of the back of his car. Since those days, he held tightly to his entrepreneurial spirit, throughout quite the unexpected detour. While working as a janitor, Posada always dreamed of sharing his love for cooking with others. One fateful day, he asked the school principal if he could prepare a staff meal. She obliged, and Posada swapped his usual work tools for pots and pans, and navigated the school cafeteria in a move that would change his life. His efforts were received so well he was asked to do it again. More importantly, he received a much-needed injection of confidence. This courage snowballed and propelled him to take a bold risk and start a private catering company. After nearly ten years of running a successful catering company, Posada finally took the big leap and opened his own restaurant in 2015. Situated in a strip mall in Livermore, California, the restaurant has become a massive success and has even undergone an expansion since its opening. "It started with a dream," says Posada through his restaurant's website. "A dream to create and share delicious food made of bold flavors, quality product and from the heart inspiration."The expansion was necessary to satisfy increasing demand, a testament to Posada's success. After years of running his catering company, Posada became known for his culinary creativity, sharing with local news that “[the catering company] has been my platform to explore and test my menus before bringing them to the restaurant.”The restaurant is also a family affair now. Posada's son Alexis works as the manager, and his wife Bianca runs the service floor. Even the food on plates traces back to Posada's family. He credits his mother for much of his inspiration in the kitchen, remembering fondly her distinct spin on traditional Mexican recipes. Posada continues this legacy by reinterpreting various traditional dishes while maintaining relationships with local farms to ensure quality. He changes the menu frequently to incorporate the freshest ingredients, and to allow room for creativity in the kitchen. Posada is deeply thoughtful about the menu he puts together, and, luckily for those in the area, never let go of his passion during all those years working odd jobs. The restaurant has received glowing reviews, and Posada will definitely not have to return to any local high schools for work anytime soon. He is a shining example of not only following your dreamspo but holding tight to them while making sacrifices. In the age of instant gratification, many expect their goals to materialize immediately, and Posada's story is a reminder of the detours of life, and the often non-linear path to success. His story is also a testament to taking risks. Had he not asked the school principal if he could cook for the staff, he may have never stirred the confidence to go out on his own. Starting a business requires bravery, and Posada rose to the occasion in a spectacular way. Next time you imagine running your own business or taking a leap in the way Posada did, remember his patience and determination.

Here's Why Workplace Gratitude Enhances Performance and Reduces Stress
Career Growth

Here's Why Workplace Gratitude Enhances Performance and Reduces Stress

Practicing gratitude has many health benefits, from improved mental health to better relationships and a stronger immune system. As it turns out, showing gratitude to your coworkers benefits your work performance and stress levels. According to a new study from the University of California San Diego's Rady School of Management, the simple act of thanking a team member before completing a stressful work task can increase concentration and enhance workplace performance.RELATED: Why Gordon Ramsay’s Children Will Not Inherit His MoneySound too good to be true? Here's why workplace gratitude is key for better performance and lower stress among team members. What does it mean to practice gratitude at work?If you're wondering how a simple "thank you" to a team member could translate into improved workplace performance, you'll first need to understand how the practice of gratitude works. Practicing gratitude in the workplace is less about saying thank you and more about recognizing the contributions, skills and experience that the people you work with bring to the table. Recognizing all the positive things your team members bring to the table – and being recognized for your contributions – helps improve relationships with coworkers by promoting workplace satisfaction. Why Teams That Show Gratitude Work More Efficiently(Photo by TheStandingDesk on Unsplash)In the study devised by the University of California San Diego, 200 students were tasked with participating in a rigorous competition that asked two teams to come up with a winning business idea. To motivate participants and add elements of stress that would stimulate a biological stress response, teams were given only six minutes to pitch the product and offered a prize of $200. During the experiment, students wore technology that measured their blood pressure to see how their bodies responded to their stress. RELATED: How to Save Money: 7 Tips to Start Saving NowWhen analyzing the results, the team that was instructed to express gratitude to their team members had a more effective stress response – meaning they could better regulate their body's response to a perceived threat when receiving gratitude from other team members. This helped the team who showed gratitude manage stress better than the opposing team and resulted in a better ability to concentrate.The Benefits of Practicing Gratitude at Work(Photo by TheStandingDesk on Unsplash)Two benefits of regularly practicing workplace gratitude are improved stress response and better concentration. Here are a few other ways workplace gratitude helps boost work performance. Gratitude mitigates workplace entitlement. Have you ever worked with someone who felt they were owed more than others? Typically, feelings of entitlement arise when a workplace environment does not recognize the contributions of its employees, leaving them feeling angry and even disengaged at work. The constant, daily practice of gratitude toward employees and team members helps keep this resentment at bay, resulting in less entitled employees across teams and the workplace. RELATED: Side Hustle Ideas To Make Money Or Start A Passion ProjectGratitude improves sleep. Nearly one-third of Americans don't get enough sleep. Along with issues like a compromised immune system and a higher risk of depression, lack of adequate sleep directly impacts job performance and job satisfaction. Without enough sleep, our executive function worsens, and our ability to think outside the box decreases. The practice of gratitude has been linked to better sleep, possibly due to the influx of positive thoughts before bedtime that occur from regularly practiced appreciation. Gratitude increases participation. Being recognized at work and feeling gratitude for those you work with makes us more willing to participate. This goes beyond raising your hand and volunteering in a meeting but taking a "good Samaritan" approach elsewhere in the office – whether cleaning up the kitchen after someone forgot or offering to coordinate a birthday celebration for a teammate. How to Increase Workplace Gratitude(Photo by May Gauthier on Unsplash)Depending on where you are in your company's organizational structure, it may feel like taking small steps toward workplace gratitude won't make much of a difference. While it's true that cultivating a culture of gratitude at work starts at the top, there are still small acts everyone can employ to reap the benefits of gratitude in the workplace. Here are a few tips on how to start showing workplace gratitude. Focus on genuine gratitude. When you consciously start showing gratitude in the workplace, it's easy to get carried away with constant "thank yous.” Instead of constantly thanking everyone you encounter, make it a point to be more mindful of the gratitude you show toward coworkers. For example, instead of a simple thank you when a coworker quickly pulls a report for you, tell them you admire their efficiency and ability to always come through in such a timely manner. Gratitude that recognizes the skills and abilities your coworkers individually bring to the table will go a long way. RELATED: 5 Cognitive Biases That Affect Your Money ManagementThank those who don't get recognized. Focus on promoting gratitude beyond your immediate team. Make it a point to thank those whose efforts often go unnoticed. Maybe it's the administrative assistant who files timesheets or the janitor who comes in earlier than everyone to keep your workplace clean. Expressing gratitude to those who don't often receive it or don't think their contributions are as integral as others can go a long way. Make gratitude a habit in times of high stress. Daily gratitude can go a long way to improve office morale and productivity. But it's easy to lose sight of what to be grateful for when working under an incredibly tight deadline or suffering a workplace setback. In times of failure, it's important to reflect gratitude on what has been gained and learned. Being grateful for the learning experience after a failure can be hard to do – but worthwhile to master.Summary(Photo by Adam Winger on Unsplash)Practicing gratitude regularly has benefits for all areas of our lives. Regarding gratitude in the workplace, expressing gratitude to team members helps mitigate our stress response and makes us more resilient to future workplace stressors. To improve performance, team camaraderie and overall job satisfaction, make it a point to find things to be grateful for at work each day and express genuine gratitude to those who make a difference in your day-to-day work life. KEEP READING:Train Your Brain to Shed Distracting Habits and Concentrate Better

Can't Make Decisions? Try This Technique Used by the World's Biggest Businesses
Career Growth

Can't Make Decisions? Try This Technique Used by the World's Biggest Businesses

Making sound decisions isn’t just something that happens by chance. Strong decision-making skills are honed over time with practice and experience. These skills often work in tandem with the use of specific tools that make selecting the right path more of a logical process, taking the guesswork out of making the best possible choice.One of the most used tools for decision making is the SWOT analysis (also known as the SWOT matrix). If you’re looking for a tried and true method for making solid decisions, read on to learn what exactly the SWOT analysis is and how you can use it to your advantage. What Is a SWOT Analysis?(Photo by GR Stocks on Unsplash)A SWOT analysis, sometimes called situational analysis or situational assessment, is a strategic planning technique to identify four main aspects of a business—Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats.This framework was developed by four Harvard University professors in the 1960s. The idea behind these four categories is that writing them out as lists can help with decision-making by giving people the chance to visualize the current situation or environment within the company. The SWOT analysis helps identify the internal and external factors that could hinder or help the any next steps you’re considering taking or even spark structural or directional changes. Doing a thorough SWOT analysis can be critical for efficient decision-making. Here’s a look at the four aspects that make up the acronym more in depth:StrengthsA strength is anything that a company or organization does well, makes it stand out (in a good way) from the competition or that it is known for in a positive light. Strengths are not the same as necessities—they need to be clear advantages you have over other companies or ways in which you unequivocally excel. WeaknessesA weakness is anything that you can improve upon—something that you’re not doing well but could definitely be doing better at in terms of staff, procedures, culture or output. Creating this part of your SWOT analysis requires brutal honesty and a sharp eye. OpportunitiesAn opportunity is a chance for positive growth. Typically an opportunity is an external force like an event, a law, a timely news story, a new technology or anything on the horizon that could benefit your organization. It could be an opening for more exposure, an accolade or recognition, an ability to capitalize on more of the market share—anything that will make your business soar. RELATED: What Is Groupthink? How To Avoid This Common BiasOpportunities can be large and company changing or small wins that barely move the needle but do so in a net positive direction. ThreatsA threat is an external force that negatively impacts your business. It could be a lack of job applicants, supply-chain issues, a plunging stock market, a product recall—anything that can bring down your organization or cause major pain points for employees, customers or your overall process. Writing them down helps with anticipating threats and being prepared when you do encounter them. Using a SWOT Analysis for Decision Making(Photo by Christin Hume on Unsplash)Before taking a business in a new direction, an organization’s leaders might perform a SWOT analysis to take stock of their company’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. By understanding clearly where the company is at, leaders can know which direction they should take the business in and devise a plan that takes advantage of opportunities on the horizon while also being mindful of potential threats. Here’s how you can use a SWOT analysis to make a key business decision: Draw up a SWOT Analysis matrixFind a SWOT analysis template you can use to create your matrix: a two-by-two grid of four squares, with one square representing each of the four SWOT categories. Doing this creates a visual representation of your company and allows all team members involved in decision making to stay on the same page. When you identify a strength, weakness, opportunity or threat, put it in its corresponding place in the grid. You can even consider having multiple teams create their own grids that you can compare and contrast to find overlap or contradictions, making your discussion of the grid more nuanced. Keep your lists conciseTry to shoot for five points in each of your four lists for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. This helps paint a more succinct picture of your company and it avoids putting lesser or not as critical information on the grid. As a group, you can determine which points are most important, which can help further your decision making discussion. Make your points specificAvoid generalities so that your lists of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats are targeted to your business. The more you can pay attention to language to say what you truly mean to say, the more you’ll get out of this exercise from a decision making standpoint. Be honest about your weaknessesIt can be difficult in a business setting to quote-unquote badmouth your own company without fearing repercussions. Especially if your workplace is not big on feedback or constructive criticism, sharing weaknesses can be a tough task. RELATED: Open-Mindedness: 5 Practical Steps To Open Your MindTo help with this, you can suggest allowing for anonymous input for this category or asking for customer feedback to ensure that the responses are honest and thorough. Being truthful is of paramount importance in order for this exercise to truly work. Ground your lists in current reality—but also think aheadWhen it comes to external factors—opportunities and threats—try to stay realistic with what could actually happen. You want to be positive and assume the best that can come out of various situations and circumstances, but you also don’t want to overshoot when it comes to your trajectory for success. Likewise, you don’t want to fall into a rabbit hole of negativity when it comes to future threats but you also want to be mindful of what could indeed negatively affect the business. Come at these categories from a grounded place. Let your analysis inform future choicesOnce you’ve completed a thorough SWOT analysis, take a look at your results and allow them to inform your decision making process. You might be able to connect one of your company's strengths to an opportunity, allowing you to truly seize the day and take your business to new heights. You might notice a weakness that could hold you back from an opportunity or, worse, become an even bigger issue in the face of a looming potential threat. Seeing all of this mapped out allows you to better conceptualize your company’s direction, organization or future project goals. Making Informed Decisions(Photo by Christin Hume on Unsplash)While the SWOT analysis is used primarily in business, it can also be applied to making decisions related to personal development or even to a romantic relationship. Being able to identify the internal and external factors that work well, and the ones that need work or have the potential to hurt you, is important in virtually any scenario. KEEP READING:Train Your Brain to Shed Distracting Habits and Concentrate Better

How to Navigate Your Quarter-Life Crisis in 5 Easy Steps
Career Growth

How to Navigate Your Quarter-Life Crisis in 5 Easy Steps

The transition from teenager to adult is a big one—and it doesn't happen all at once. Even though you’re technically considered an “adult” on your 18th birthday, you may not truly feel grown up until you hit your 30s, and maybe not even then. Even though you’ll have adult responsibilities and even live on your own and have a job as you head into your 20s, the post-teen years can be a time of questioning and anxiety about living up to expectations—yours, society’s, your parents’—and trying to figure out your path in life. RELATED: How to (Actually) Finish A Creative ProjectTypically referred to as a quarter-life crisis, this time of change can be tough to navigate. Luckily we’ve got you covered with a five-step plan for getting through this fraught period so you can come out the other side not just surviving your 20s but truly thriving. What Exactly Is a Quarter-Life Crisis?(Photo by Kinga Cichewicz on Unsplash)A quarter-life crisis is defined as “a period of uncertainty and questioning that typically occurs when people feel trapped, uninspired and disillusioned during their mid-20s to early 30s.”During this time, you may have thoughts of not knowing what you really want out of life, feeling like you “should” be doing something else or be farther along in your career or your relationships. You might even still feel like a teenager and not quite like an adult. (A little secret people rarely talk about: Most of us never actually feel like adults.)RELATED: How to Travel the World Stress-FreePeople going through quarter-life crises often feel anxious, confused, self-conscious or like they are missing something. It’s no wonder that this can be a hard time, given that it comes after immense change: graduating from college and the familiarity of a school setting surrounded by friends, moving into your own place, getting your first “real” job and taking on more adult responsibilities, maybe for the first time. Steps for Getting Through a Quarter-Life Crisis(Photo by JESHOOTS.COM on Unsplash)A quarter-life crisis typically hits when you realize that there’s no clear direction for you to go in, like there was when you were in school full time. Now, your future is what you make of it and that idea can be pretty terrifying. Here are five steps for finding yourself in this stressful time and blazing your own trail. 1. Realize that what you’re going through is normal.First and foremost, know that many people your age are going through the exact same thing. It makes sense, doesn’t it? For most of your life you have been on a clear path: Preschool, elementary school, junior high, high school and then college or trade school. Your days were scheduled, determined by your school and your parents. Even though you chose your college major or concentration and had to pick classes, there were clear rules and expectations for you to meet. You might feel untethered now simply because there is no tether—you get to choose where you live, where you work and how you fill your time, plus you’re responsible for making enough money to fund your life. It’s a lot to contend with all at once. 2. Don’t compare your life path to other people’s.Remember: To compare is to despair. It’s all too easy in our over-connected world to be able to see what everyone you went to high school and college with is doing right now. Everyone’s highlight reels are available for display and commentary on social media. RELATED: 3 Game-Changing Workplace Stressors You Can Cut Right NowYou might see people getting married and wonder why your partner hasn’t proposed. You could see someone getting your dream job and wonder why you’re not working at X company or in a particular field. Seeing what other people are doing will only compound your stress so take a break from your feeds until you get your footing. 3. Get in touch with who you are—and what you want.Try to crowd out the “shoulds” in your head by getting in touch with what your actual priorities are. Ask yourself: What are you good at? What do you love to do? What activities make you happy? How can you help others? Zero in on what really matters to you, like, do you want to bury yourself in work in order to climb the ranks as fast as you can or do you want to have more of a balanced lifestyle? Is work a bigger priority than your romantic relationships or friendships right now? Be honest with yourself. 4. Create a list of goals to inform your life road map.Once you get in touch with what you want out of life, work to map out a list of goals. Divide your goals into small, achievable benchmarks and bigger life goals that you’ll meet over the course of the next 20 or so years. RELATED: What Does It Mean to Be In a Romantic Friendship?Just having these down on paper can help you feel more secure about your life’s direction. It’s also okay if you change these goals along the way. 5. Take concrete steps to start “adulting” better.Sometimes, acting like an adult can help you feel more grown up. You don’t have to go crazy and swear off ever having fun again. Simply make small changes in your day to day to feel more mature and capable. For instance, you could make a plan for paying off your school loans by setting aside a small part of your paycheck each month, or get off your parents’ phone plan to take on more responsibility. You could learn basic domestic skills like how to properly clean the bathroom, do your own laundry or use kitchen appliances. You could work on better communicating your needs and boundaries with loved ones. All of these things will make you feel more secure in your life. Getting Out of Crisis Mode(Photo by Pablo Heimplatz on Unsplash)Feeling uncertain about your path in life or unsure of who you are is part of being human. No one really has it all figured out all of the time. Instead of fighting against your anxiety or discomfort about the unknown, try to stay grounded and breathe through those moments where life feels super tough.Over time, as you build upon your skills, get more mature and have a few more years of the so-called “real world” under your belt, you’ll feel more secure about your place in life. But know that worries about where your life is headed come and go—as you continue to grow up you’ll just get better at dealing with these moments and have the confidence to know that everything really will be okay.KEEP READING:You’re Making Friends Wrong – Here’s How to Do It Right

10 Crucial Skills to Include on Your Resume
Career Growth

10 Crucial Skills to Include on Your Resume

Writing your resume can feel like a monumental task. Selling yourself and your abilities in a single document is a lot of pressure. Finding just the right words to describe yourself and your career experience takes time.In order to create a resume that will impress hiring managers, you should highlight the skills you have that they are most likely to be looking for. This ensures that you stand out from the pack when they’re reviewing who to call in for interviews. To help you narrow down what’s most important to include, we’ve rounded up the ten crucial skills to include on your resume that really matter most. Which ones do you have?Understanding Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills(Photo by Burst on Unsplash)Job-related skills fall into two categories: hard skills and soft skills. In any job description, you will likely see qualities from both of these skill categories listed as prerequisites. So, on your resume, you definitely want to highlight a combination of these two types of skills.RELATED: Open-Mindedness: 5 Practical Steps To Open Your MindFirst, you want to show that you are capable of the job you’re applying for by listing your hard skills, or the skills that are specific to the industry or the position. Hard skills are the ones you learned in school, through previous job experience and in training courses. These are the must-have qualities in order to do the actual job in question. Soft skills, also known as people skills or social skills are the qualities you’ve learned over time from your experience in working with others and becoming more proficient at being in an office setting. These are the skills that managers look for to ensure that you will fit in with the office culture and be an asset to the team. Considering these two types of skills, here are the 10 specific ones you should be sure to highlight on your resume: 1. Languages you’re fluent inDefinitely mention any additional languages you know, from foreign languages or programming languages, especially if the job requires you to know particular ones. Even if the job doesn’t require additional languages, you can include your knowledge to show that you have completed additional training or to set you apart from other candidates. Learning another language shows perseverance and dedication, which are also important skills. 2. Operating certain equipment or machineryIf you are applying for a hands-on job—for instance in carpentry or occupational positions—you want to show your knowledge of being able to operate any necessary equipment. RELATED: Regular Workouts Keep Improving Your Memory and Brain Function — Here’s HowIf you have completed additional safety training or other related courses, be sure to mention those, too. Also, if you have trained others or lead teams, those are important details to include to show your expert knowledge of the machinery. 3. Knowledge of specific programs or web toolsIf the job you’re applying for is web-based, you may need to use certain programs or tools daily in order to succeed in the position. Be sure to include any of these programs or tools that you are proficient in, including the Adobe suite, content management systems, social media, Wordpress and photo editing software. It should go without saying but be careful with listing out programs or tools that you aren’t very familiar with in order to pad your resume. It’s better to list a few that you are very skilled in than trying to impress hiring managers with sub-optimal knowledge, especially if they ask you to show off these skills during an interview. 4. Certifications you’ve completedBe sure to list and explain any relevant certifications, courses and trainings on your resume to show not only your knowledge but also your dedication to your continued education. Hiring managers like to see that you are passionate enough about your career to keep learning new skills and bettering yourself by spending your free time expanding your knowledge. If you have taught courses, this would also be a good skill to include to show that you are also dedicated to helping the next generation of workers in your industry. 5. Problem solving skills(Photo by Brooke Cagle on Unsplash)No matter the job, you’re bound to encounter hiccups and roadblocks in the workplace. Being able to strategize on how to solve inevitable issues is important to hiring managers. They want to know that when problems come up you can handle them efficiently and proactively in order to get back on course. 6. Teamwork If your industry is collaborative—like a sales team, for instance—you want to highlight your ability to come together with other people to work toward a common goal. Being a team player means knowing how to actively listen, how to respond to feedback and how to give other people a chance to shine without micromanaging or overshadowing. Even if your job function is primarily working solo, it’s important for managers to know that you can work with others when the occasion calls for it. 7. Written communication Given that many people’s jobs rely on email communication as a primary form of connecting with others, it’s essential that you’re able to clearly convey your messages to other people. You can show this skill by listing it on your resume but you can also highlight this skill by being extra certain that the document is free of errors and grammatically correct. (This goes for your cover letter as well.) Ask a trusted friend or colleague to read over both your resume and your cover letter before sending you to ensure that you’ve communicated exactly what you’ve meant to. This allows you to really put your best foot forward. 8. Leadership Even if you’re not applying for a leadership position, hiring managers want to know if you’re able to lead a team or at least possess the skills necessary to do so. You may be entry level today but you might be considered for a leadership position in the next two years. RELATED: 5 Daily Habits to Steal from Google Co-Founder Larry Page Including His Controversial Leadership StyleTypically, companies would prefer to hire from within instead of having to widen their net to find new talent. If you have the skill of guiding other people, whether through serving as a mentor or teacher or even leading a small team at a previous job, it’s smart to mention that. 9. Time managementTime is money, as the saying goes. Showcasing your ability to work smarter by managing your tasks efficiently is a necessary skill. Managers want to see that you can get the job done, and well, by meeting deliverables and deadlines. Having a proven track record of this shows that you will continue to succeed in your next position. 10. CreativityFinally, you should highlight your creative abilities on your resume, particularly if you work in a field that requires this skill. However, even if your job function doesn’t necessarily require creativity, this quality isn’t just about having artistic skills or an eye for the aesthetic. Creativity can also be connected to problem solving and team building when you’re able to think of new ideas for getting around roadblocks or bringing people together in unexpected ways. Coming to the table with fresh ideas and free thinking is an asset in any workplace. Identifying your Skills(Photo by Christina @ wocintechchat.com on Unsplash)Now you know what skills you should highlight. But how do you know if you even have all of these ten crucial skills? If you’re feeling stumped, you can talk to a mentor, friend or colleague to help you identify and highlight the skills you have. Getting outside input is a great way to kickstart writing (or revising) your resume so you can show off your best self when you apply for a new job.KEEP READING:Train Your Brain to Shed Distracting Habits and Concentrate Better

Transactional Relationships: Toxic or a Necessary Evil?
Career Growth

Transactional Relationships: Toxic or a Necessary Evil?

There are all types of relationships and, typically, we accept that most of these bonds are unique and sustainable in their own way. (And, especially when it comes to other people’s relationships, who are we to judge, right?)However, not all relationships are totally healthy. While the bonds we have with others can change and evolve over time, certain patterns of behavior shouldn’t continue over the long term—especially if we want those relationships to thrive. (Or at least survive.)One of these tricky relationship types is the transactional relationship. While it may be necessary to enter into these kinds of relationships with other people for certain periods of time, overall they aren’t great for your wellbeing, or the health of your relationships.Here’s what you should know about transactional relationships—particularly if you’re currently in one. What Is a Transactional Relationship?(Getty)First, let’s define what a transactional relationship actually is: Transactional relationships are built on the idea of reciprocation. Both people in the relationship are focused on what they are getting out of it and they expect the other person to hold up their end of the bargain. Basically, these relationships revolve around the idea of if you get this, then I get that. The expectation of someone in a transactional bond is that the relationship needs to be worth the effort they are putting in. Each person’s focus is on how they will benefit. There needs to be a return on their investments, to borrow a phrase from the business world. These relationships can, naturally, turn toxic. When one or both people in a relationship start keeping score and then focus on ways a relationship is unbalanced or inconsistent this prevents them from being collaborative and eventually pits them against each other. Even when just one person is overly concerned about things being “fair” and continually focuses on what they will get out of the relationship or from the other person, this can really damage a relationship over time. Types of Transactional RelationshipsTransactional relationships are everywhere. They can be part of any bond—romantic, platonic, professional and so on. To better understand how these relationships manifest in the real world, here’s brief overview of the way transactional bonds can crop up in various situations: Romantic relationshipsTransactional relationships can take different forms when it comes to romantic bonds. There are marriages of convenience scenarios or even agreements where one person agrees to take care of the kids while the other works, which can be healthy as long as tit-for-tat and score-keeping is kept out of the equation.More commonly, however, transactional elements can appear in romantic relationships when partners continually bring up how much they do for the other person and how little they feel they get in return. The focus is on making things “equal” or “fair,” with the assumption that both people need to put in the same amount of effort and get exactly what they put in in return. Naturally, this expectation is unrealistic and impossible. Workplace relationships(Getty)In the workplace, transactional relationships happen when you or your colleagues focus solely on what you can get out of (or from) other people. How do you know if you’re being transactional at work? When you reach out to others about working together, you typically have an ulterior motive of what you’ll get in return for your own benefit. A boss-employee relationship can also be transactional when someone in a position of power tries to use quid pro quo to get what they want. FriendshipsFriendships can also be transactional. Surely you’ve heard of scenarios where people try to befriend others in an effort to gain status, popularity or other perks. Score keeping can also happen in friendships when you log a mental tally of how many times you’ve picked up the tab for coffee or done favors for your friends. Of course, there are friendship scenarios when you might be taken advantage of if you’re always putting in more money, emotional labor and time and you might need to address those situations. But when you generally focus on what you’ve done for your friends versus what they have done for you, this makes the relationship transactional. Familial relationshipsIn family relationships, transactional elements can come into play, too. Typically you’d see this between parents and children when parents bring up the idea of how much they've done for their kids and voice an expectation of what they believe they should receive in return. (Love, affection, respect, more phone calls or visits and so on.)Are Transactional Relationships Healthy?By and large, transactional relationships are not the best kind of bonds to have. Having a mental tally about what someone else has done (or not done) for you typically leads to resentment and anger. Keeping score in any relationship puts people on opposite sides and discourages working together. In the workplace, transactional relationships can damage rapport. When colleagues only collaborate so that they can get something in return, they become self-serving and less able to work as a team. In transactional friendships, people aren’t able to truly bond and trust each other because they are more concerned with what the relationship can do for them. And in romantic relationships, couples may spend more time arguing about how things aren’t “fair” and miss the opportunity to truly unite on meeting each other's needs. When transactional relationships are necessary(Getty)Sometimes, relationships need to be transactional. In the business world, for instance, people in sales and those whose jobs revolve around making deals typically work with others in a transactional way. This isn’t problematic. When you’re purchasing something from a store, for instance, you don’t need to have a deep bond with the person selling you the item in question. There’s no emotion involved, just strictly business.While typically we don’t want our relationships with people we know and love to be transactional, there may be times when transactional dealings with loved ones are a necessary evil. For instance, when new parents are in the throes of caring for an infant, their relationship may turn more transactional in order to survive. For instance, one person cares for the baby for two hours while the other person takes a nap. Or one person takes on kitchen chores while the other handles laundry. Dividing up household and caregiving labor this way can help couples make it through this challenging time.The Bottom Line on Transactional RelationshipsWhat it all comes down to in transactional relationships is intention. In the new parents scenario, for example, both people need to be clear that the intention for having a temporarily transactional relationship is to help each other out and be able to attend to their needs, and their baby’s needs. In the workplace, colleagues might intentionally team up to help each other out with favors so that they can both benefit and reach their career goals.When these transactional-seeming relationships are collaborative instead of competitive, and mutually beneficial instead of self-serving, they cease to be purely result-oriented and toxic. As partners, colleagues and loved ones work together in a healthier way they can achieve common goals and strengthen their bond, rather than strain their relationship.

Strategies for Success in Everyday Life
Career Growth

Strategies for Success in Everyday Life

What are Success Strategies?Success strategies are plans that guide your personal growth in achieving what you want. They are designed to achieve what you’re aiming for, are hoping to change in your everyday life, or what you hope to accomplish in the future. Self-assessment is critical when choosing the strategies that will be most effective. Remember, you’re the author of your own story and can choose at any moment to flip the page, end the chapter, or even start the next book in your series!So how do you go about getting started? You might start by listing one to three items you want to change in your life. In other words, picture a vision for your future, and try to describe it. If you don’t have an immediate answer, that’s fine. This is now your starting point. Perhaps to get inspired, you can read some famous quotes on success to get those brain juices flowing!The Definition of SuccessSo, what exactly is the definition of success? What does it mean to succeed? Simply desiring to be successful is not enough. It’s not what you want, necessarily, but what concrete steps you take in order to get where you’re going. Strategies are hard to make unless you know what the word means to you. You need to know what you’re aiming for! You need to be crystal clear about what you want from your life, and you need to focus to get started.Now think about what you need to do in the next ten years, five years, two years, one year, six months, today, and right now to achieve that successful life.Academic success strategies at schoolPublic and private schools do a service for their students by teaching them simple lessons they can retain and replicate later in life. They may seem pointless to the students at the time, but the learning process offers value that can pay dividends later on. Punctuality is important(Westend61 / Getty)For example, being punctual in school is preparing you to join others and show up in your everyday life, whether in a personal or professional context. When you arrive on time, you show respect for everyone else in the group. You might not have known it while you were in school, but your future job will expect this of you. What if you end up working for yourself? You’ll also need to commit to your work week in your own way - after all, no one will be looking over your shoulder, giving you a performance review or expecting you to punch in. Whether or not punctuality looks like a regular 9-to-5 or something all your own, creating a successful future depends on an internal motivation. Little steps lead to great progressSchool is where a person learns the value of deadlines and putting in work to achieve a larger goal. Getting behind on your course work in school can lead to a certain level of procrastination that ends up popping up over and over. Lessons in life tend to build on each other over time. For example, you must learn the alphabet before you can make sense of words before you could ever be expected to read and understand sentences. Submitting assignments that build on each other allows us to learn complex concepts and apply big ideas to our lives. Meeting work-in-progress deadlines requires us to plan ahead regarding how we are going to meet some final goal. In these cases, it doesn’t matter what the topic or task is, it’s the exercise of completing it and following your teacher or supervisor’s direction that matters most. Additional ways of achieving academic successTake handwritten notes for a stronger memory(Getty)There are so many options for taking notes today that handwriting has nearly become a lost art. While you can take notes by recording a lecture, transcribing voice-to-text or relying on someone else’s slides as notes, these shortcuts are cutting you short!Proper note-taking, whether writing notes by hand or on your laptop, helps your brain process the information and you learn more than if you type notes on your laptop.Ripple effect of waking up earlierA well-rounded strategy for a more productive life may include waking up earlier. It can be one of the best services you can do for yourself. Many people feel that this is the quickest way to find more productive time to add to your day. Waking up earlier to prepare your body and mind has a ripple effect on the rest of your day. For example, doing a 45 minute early morning yoga class can fuel energy and positive mental health benefits that last much longer than the session. Stretch it outYou don’t have to do yoga to succeed, but even stretching or taking in a short 10-20 minute walk or jog can make a difference to your energy, attitude, and attention span. Stretching also gets your appetite started in the best way possible, and with the added energy, you’ll be more likely to actually eat a healthier breakfast. With added nutrition comes both mental and physical health benefits, including supporting brain, heart, and gut health. You know what they say: healthy body, healthy mind!Prioritizing a healthy sleep schedule(Getty)Just because you’re waking up earlier doesn’t mean you need to skimp on your sleep health and wellness. Your sleep health sets the tone for the rest of your life. What’s more, important and complex brain processes that are basically like your brain digesting information occur as you sleep. Quality academic prowess requires quality sleep. Reminder: Set a consistent bedtime reminder on your smartphone (make it the same each day, even on weekends)Remove screens: When it tells you to get ready for bed, put the screens awayRoutine: Connect with a bedtime routine that includes brushing your teeth, washing your face, and changing clothes to prepare your body and mind for sleepFinding the right success strategy for your situationTo focus on what you want, it can come down to asking yourself a few important questions:What will you look back on one day and say, “I should have done that.”What do you keep telling people you are going to do?If anything was possible, what would you do next? What’s stopping you from achieving your goals?Are you ready to work hard and stay focused? Who can help support you?Many of these prompts are based on the SMART goals method. Example situationsSaving money Saving money isn’t something that happens overnight. Strategies to achieve your money-saving goals can include:Making small but frequent deposits over a long amount of time so you barely notice the difference. If you can set up automatic withdrawal and deposit after each payday, that is ideal. Remembering no amount is too small because of compound interest. Every dollar counts when it comes to compounding, meaning the more money you deposit, the more profit you make. Keeping this money somewhere that will continue to make money. Spend the time to talk to a financial advisor who’s really just a teacher who teaches about making money.Improving communication with your spouse(Getty)If you’re constantly fighting or arguing or just disagreeing with your spouse or live-in partner, you may have heard you need to work on your communication skills. The best strategy for success utilizes the mentality that you will get better with practice. Better communication is achieved through practice, and practice may not be perfect but it will lead to perfection. Practice taking a full breath before answering a question.Practice listening without thinking about your response or rebuttal.Practice speaking with a clear message which includes more “I” statements and feeling words.Think about any support you want before asking for help. Provide examples.Getting a dream jobTo find a better job, you must be willing to stay focused and do the hard work! Here are the best strategies for success in getting your dream job:Start small and stay focusedMost achievements will not occur overnight. Think back to those strategies you learned in school. Little lessons and tasks can lead to big accomplishments! For example, if you want to do a job that requires physical activity, don’t wait until you apply for the job, hoping you’ll increase your fitness levels after. Be ready for what life brings. If you want to be a writer one day, start a blog, start writing for local outlets, start following your favorite writers, reading more books, etc. Every situation will have ways for you to prepare. General ways to prepare for that dream job:Keep your resume updatedRewrite a new cover letter for each positionPractice the skills of the job Know how to dress the part or look the part of someone who already works thereKnow who works at the company Understand why this job is your dream and what’s at stake if you cannot get it or keep itAdopt the schedule of the dream jobTalk to people in that industry Network on social media with people in the industry and recruitersTake free or low-cost courses to enhance your competitive advantagePractice patience for when the job comes (you may need to hold out)Keep a job or use savings to fund your time before dream job opens upUse discipline because motivation fadesCommunicate your goals to friends and familyFinal thoughtsSuccess is defined by what you want out of life. Someone else’s goals do not need to be your goals. Whatever you want and whatever looks like success to you, go for it with everything you’ve got.