7 Tips for Crafting Your Most Productive Day

Welcome to a journey of productivity! In the fast-paced world we live in, it’s crucial to make the most out of each day. But fear not, because we’ve got you covered with seven friendly and professional tips to help you supercharge your productivity. Let’s dive in!

Wake Up Early, but Don’t Rush

Arise and shine! In the morning, give yourself the gift of time. Refrain from constantly pressing the snooze button. Rather, rise early to ensure a peaceful start to your day. Before starting the day’s duties, take time to stretch, breathe, and enjoy your morning coffee.

Set Clear Goals

Define your goals for the day. What do you want to accomplish? Be specific and realistic. Setting clear objectives provides a roadmap for your day, keeping you focused and motivated. Whether it’s finishing a project, responding to emails, or learning something new, having a target in mind gives your day purpose.

Prioritize Your Tasks

Not all tasks are created equal. Take a moment to prioritize your to-do list. Tackle the high-priority items first, ensuring that your most important tasks receive the attention they deserve. This strategy helps you make progress on critical projects and minimizes the risk of feeling overwhelmed.

Embrace Time Blocking

Time is a precious resource. Use it wisely by implementing time-blocking techniques. Allocate specific time slots to different activities, ensuring that you dedicate focused, uninterrupted periods to your work. This method not only enhances concentration but also helps manage your time efficiently.

Incorporate Breaks for Refreshment

Don’t underestimate the power of breaks. Scheduled breaks throughout the day can boost your energy levels and prevent burnout. Step away from your desk, stretch, or take a short walk. By giving your mind a breather, you’ll return to your tasks with renewed focus and creativity.

Stay Organized

A crowded desk can contribute to a cluttered mind. Organize both your digital and physical areas to cut down on distractions and improve productivity. For maximum efficiency, regularly clear your workplace, properly file digital papers, and keep your surroundings neat and orderly.

Conclusion

Equipped with these seven amiable and proficient suggestions, you’re prepared to take on your day with self-assurance and effectiveness. Recall that productivity is a process rather than a final goal. Put these tactics into practice, be flexible, and observe how your most productive days turn into the norm. To a more productive you, cheers!

Unveiling the Invisible: 5 Things Business Coaches Can See That You Can’t

Embarking on a journey to success often involves seeking guidance, and that’s where business coaches come into play. These seasoned professionals possess a unique set of skills, honed through experience and expertise, enabling them to see aspects of your business that may elude your sight. In this blog post, we’ll explore five insightful perspectives that business coaches bring to the table, fostering growth and development.

Objective Assessment of Your Business Landscape

A business coach offers an outsider’s viewpoint while you’re engrossed in the day-to-day operations of your company. With objectivity, they may evaluate your company’s environment and point out dangers, possibilities, and vulnerabilities that you might have missed because of your close connection to the firm. For long-term success and strategic decision-making, this objective viewpoint is essential.

Spotting Untapped Potential

Your business coach is like a treasure hunter, skilled at spotting untapped potential within your organization. Whether it’s overlooked talents in your team, underutilized resources, or hidden market opportunities, coaches have a knack for uncovering hidden gems that can propel your business forward. Their fresh eyes can reveal avenues for growth that might be hiding in plain sight.

Pinpointing Blind Spots in Leadership

Every leader has blind spots – areas where personal biases or habits might hinder optimal decision-making. Business coaches excel at identifying these blind spots and offering constructive feedback and guidance to enhance your leadership skills. By addressing these areas, you can strengthen your leadership style and create a more resilient and adaptable organization.

Providing Tailored Strategies for Growth

Business coaches provide a multitude of industry and company model experiences. Their varied experience enables them to customize methods to the particular requirements of your company. Coaches may provide tailored solutions that coincide with your objectives, whether it’s streamlining your marketing strategy, streamlining your procedures, or improving your sales funnel.

Conclusion

In the grand tapestry of business, sometimes it takes an expert weaver to reveal the intricate patterns that elude our view. Business coaches bring a fresh perspective, drawing on their experience and skills to guide you toward success. Embrace their insights, be open to growth, and watch as your business flourishes in ways you might never have imagined. Here’s to unlocking your business potential with the wisdom of a trusted coach!

So, You Got a Bad Review. Now What?

It might be difficult to accept a negative review, regardless of whether you’re a service provider, employee, or business owner. Although receiving negative comments might seem like a personal assault, it’s important to acknowledge that it’s a part of life. Consider how you may use the criticism to further your career and personal development rather than focusing on the criticism itself. We’ll go over several actions to do in this blog article if you receive a bad review.

Keep Your Emotions in Check

Your initial reaction to a bad review may be to get defensive or upset, but it’s crucial to keep your emotions in check. Take some time to process the feedback and don’t respond impulsively. Remember that the review is about your product or service, not your worth as a person.

Understand the Feedback

Examine the review attentively and make an effort to comprehend the particular concerns raised by the reviewer. Was there a miscommunication, a misunderstanding, or a real issue with your good or service? You might begin working on a remedy by identifying the underlying reason for the unfavorable reviews.

Learn from the Experience

Embrace the opportunity to learn from the negative review. It can provide valuable insights into what you need to improve. Consider it as free advice on how to make your product or service better. Use this feedback to refine your offerings and avoid making the same mistakes in the future.

Respond Professionally

Once you’ve had time to process the feedback and understand the issues, it’s time to respond. Always maintain a professional and friendly tone in your response, even if the review is particularly harsh. Acknowledge the criticism, express your appreciation for the feedback, and assure the reviewer that you’re taking steps to address the concerns.

Example response

 We appreciate you taking the time to give us your opinions. We are sorry to hear that you had a bad experience, and we value your openness. We’re dedicated to ensuring that our customers have an improved experience going forward by implementing changes based on your input.

Offer a Solution

Offer a remedy or state that you are making an effort to resolve the concerns, depending on the type of bad review that you have received. This might assist in reestablishing confidence and demonstrate your dedication to client pleasure. Keep in mind that resolving a reviewer’s complaints is only one aspect of the problem; another is keeping future consumers from experiencing the same problems.

Example response: “We apologize for the inconvenience you experienced and are actively working on improving the issues you mentioned. We would like to make it right, so please feel free to reach out to our customer support team at [contact information] to discuss how we can rectify this situation.”

Seek Out Additional Feedback

Bad reviews can be isolated incidents or part of a broader issue. To get a more comprehensive understanding of the problem, seek out additional feedback from other customers or clients. Conduct surveys, run focus groups, or encourage customers to leave their thoughts in other online forums. This can help you identify recurring patterns and work on solutions more effectively.

Implement Changes

While it’s necessary to take the time to comprehend and respond to negative criticism, making significant adjustments is the most crucial stage. Demonstrate your dedication to continuous improvement by modifying your procedures, providing more training, or improving your goods or services in response to customer input.

Conclusion

Although getting a negative review is never a pleasure, it doesn’t have to mean that all is lost. Instead, see it as a chance for development and advancement. You may use a bad review as a springboard for your own and your career’s growth if you can control your emotions, read the comments, draw lessons from the situation, reply professionally, provide solutions, look for further input, and make adjustments. Recall that even the most prosperous people and companies have encountered criticism at some point, and what makes you unique is how you handle it.

What Is A Ceo Day? (And Why You Should Have One)

It’s simple to become bogged down in the never-ending to-do lists, emails, and meetings that characterize the fast-paced corporate environment. As a professional, you could frequently find yourself juggling a lot of different jobs and obligations, which leaves little time for long-term planning and strategic thinking. When’s the situation when the idea of a “CEO Day” becomes relevant? This blog post will explain what a CEO Day is and why you want to consider making it a regular part of your schedule.

What is a CEO Day?

A CEO Day is a dedicated time slot, typically scheduled once a week or month, where you set aside your regular tasks and responsibilities to focus on high-level, strategic thinking and planning. It’s an opportunity to step back from the daily hustle and bustle and take a more comprehensive view of your business or professional life.

Why Should You Have One?

Strategic Vision:

A CEO Day gives you the space and time to reflect on your long-term goals and vision for your organization or career. This strategic thinking is essential for charting a clear path forward and making informed decisions that align with your objectives.

Problem Solving:

With your daily routine demanding your immediate attention, it’s often challenging to address underlying issues and challenges systematically. A CEO Day allows you to identify and tackle these problems head-on, promoting innovation and problem-solving at a higher level.

Big-Picture Planning:

Consider your CEO Day as a canvas for mapping your business or professional journey. Use this time to develop and refine your business strategy, identify growth opportunities, or even plan major projects and initiatives.

Creativity and Innovation:

Stepping away from your routine can spark creativity and innovation. A CEO Day can lead to breakthrough ideas that could transform your organization or career, thanks to the freedom it provides for unstructured thinking.

Personal Growth:

A CEO Day isn’t limited to business planning; it can also encompass personal development. Use this time to set personal goals, reflect on your career path, and explore ways to improve your leadership skills and work-life balance. 

How to Make the Most of Your CEO Day:

Schedule It:

Treat your CEO Day as a priority by scheduling it in advance. Ensure that it’s protected time, free from interruptions and distractions.

Set an Agenda:

Plan out what you want to achieve during your CEO Day. Create a list of tasks, objectives, and projects to focus on.

Disconnect:

Turn off email notifications, silence your phone, and minimize any potential distractions during your CEO Day to maximize your productivity and creativity.

Reflect and Review:

At the end of your CEO Day, take some time to review what you’ve accomplished and what insights you’ve gained. Use this information to inform your next CEO Day.

Conclusion:

In a world where busyness often takes precedence over strategic thinking, a CEO Day can be a game-changer. It’s a dedicated space for you to step back, reflect, plan, and innovate. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a manager, or a professional aiming for personal growth, a CEO Day can help you regain control of your business or career and steer it in the right direction. So, go ahead and schedule your first CEO Day – it may just be the key to your future success.

We’re Letting You Go. How to Fire Someone with Class (and the Least Pain Possible)

Introduction

Firing an employee is undoubtedly one of the most challenging tasks a manager or employer has to face. The process can be emotional, complex, and, at times, overwhelming. However, handling the situation with empathy, professionalism, and respect can make the transition smoother for both parties involved. In this blog, we will explore the art of letting someone go with grace and compassion while minimizing the pain associated with such an event.

The Personal Connection

I remember the time when I had to let go of an employee, let’s call her Sarah, due to restructuring within the company. It was an experience that taught me valuable lessons about how to approach such a difficult situation with empathy and care. Sarah had been a dedicated member of the team for several years, and her performance had always been commendable. However, due to changes in our industry, her role was no longer aligned with the company’s evolving needs.

1. Preparation is Key

Before breaking the news to Sarah, I spent days preparing for the conversation. I made sure to have all the necessary documentation and performance records to back up the decision. This not only helped me feel more confident about explaining the situation but also ensured that Sarah would receive a clear and comprehensive explanation.

2. Choose the Right Setting

Understanding the importance of a private and respectful setting, I chose a quiet meeting room for our conversation. I wanted Sarah to feel comfortable expressing her emotions without the fear of being observed by others. This allowed us to have an open and honest dialogue.

3. Be Direct and Compassionate

As I sat across from Sarah, I knew the importance of being direct. I started the conversation by acknowledging her contributions and dedication to the team. I then explained the situation, expressing how difficult this decision was for both of us. My goal was to be honest while also conveying empathy and understanding.

4. Provide a Clear Explanation

I shared with Sarah the reasons behind the decision, emphasizing that it was not a reflection of her skills or commitment. I used specific examples to illustrate the company’s changing needs and how her role was no longer aligned with our direction. By presenting clear facts, I aimed to help her see the bigger picture.

5. Active Listening

As I delivered the news, I saw a range of emotions flash across Sarah’s face. I gave her the time and space to express her feelings. She shared her concerns, fears, and thoughts about the situation. Through active listening, I ensured that she felt heard and validated during this challenging time.

6. Offer Support and Resources

Understanding the uncertainty that accompanies job loss, I offered to assist Sarah in her job search. I provided information about job placement services, networking opportunities, and even offered to write her a strong recommendation letter. This gesture reassured her that her well-being mattered to me beyond her role in the company.

7. Respect Their Dignity

Throughout the process, I focused on treating Sarah with the utmost respect and dignity. I made sure that our conversation remained confidential and that her departure was handled discreetly. This was a commitment I made to ensure she retained her self-esteem throughout the transition.

8. Maintain Confidentiality

Understanding the sensitivity of the situation, I refrained from discussing the details of Sarah’s departure with other employees. This was crucial in maintaining a positive and respectful atmosphere within the team.

9. Follow Up

After our initial conversation, I followed up with Sarah a few days later. I wanted to check on her emotional well-being and offer any further assistance she might need. This follow-up showcased my genuine concern for her as a person, not just as an employee.

Conclusion

My experience with letting go of Sarah taught me that firing someone with class and compassion is an art that requires careful planning, empathy, and respect. By preparing thoroughly, choosing the right setting, and maintaining open communication, you can navigate this challenging process in a way that minimizes pain and preserves dignity. Remember, the way you handle these difficult moments can define your organization’s culture and leave a lasting impact on the individuals involved.

If you’re seeking more guidance on handling tough workplace situations with confidence and empathy, I invite you to visit my website at AllisonTodd.com As a dedicated confidence coach, I’m here to provide support and resources to help you navigate such challenges and foster a positive and respectful work environment. Together, we can learn and grow, ensuring that each interaction, even the difficult ones, becomes an opportunity for growth and compassion.

Compassionate Leadership: Why Putting Your Employees Well Being and Mental Health Is Vital to Long-Term Business Success

Compassion comes from the Latin word compati, which means “suffer with.” Showing compassion has been a key component of nearly every religion as a way to connect with others and spread harmony.

In psychology, compassion is an action more than an emotion. It combines elements of love, care, and empathy with the intent to alleviate the suffering of others or share in it with them.

Recently, research has indicated that compassion is an important aspect of a productive work environment. Showing compassion to managers, colleagues, and employees is essential for job satisfaction and motivation.

Understanding Compassion

Showing compassion for others depends on three factors:

  • – We must feel that the troubles causing suffering are serious.
  • – We expect that the sufferer’s troubles are the result of external circumstances (not self-inflicted).
  • – We must be able to empathize and picture ourselves in the circumstances.

 

Compassion isn’t a give and take. In most cases, the person showing compassion rarely expects to receive the same or get something for their expression. Basically, compassion is “empathy in action.”

In the workplace, showing compassion can lead to reduced stress and more job satisfaction for employees. It also inspires more loyalty, dedication, and engagement, reducing employee attrition and low morale.

We can express compassion in the workplace by:

  • – Actively listening without judgment
  • – Noticing when colleagues are experiencing personal stress or pain and making an effort to help them feel more comfortable and secure in the workplace
  • – Accepting criticism and addressing underperformance or failure without unnecessary harshness

 

Showing compassion in this manner not only benefits the people involved, but it has a positive impact on the company’s performance culture. Empathy and kindness upgrade the value system of the employees and they feel more involved with the team.

Benefits of Workplace Compassion

Employee Retention

One of the key benefits of a compassionate workplace is employee retention, especially with compassionate leaders. Employees who receive empathy and support from their colleagues and leaders regularly are more likely to stick around and put effort into the organizational goals.

Conversely, if employees are treated poorly or receive no professional cooperation, they will eventually lose motivation and productivity will suffer.

Stress Reduction

Compassion creates space for active communication. Employees in compassionate workplaces can vent out their professional stress (appropriately) and socialize to improve productivity. Compassion can also help with managing work stress and burnout in fast-paced environments.

Physical Well Being

Feeling compassion not only offers psychological benefits but physical ones. Employees who spend time interacting with their colleagues show steady blood pressure and heart rate, according to studies.

Less stress also means better immune systems, reducing the number of sick days and illness. Employees can better manage their work-life balance and enjoy a healthier work and social life.

Interpersonal Bonding

Leaders who take compassionate approaches to work have employees who are likely to reciprocate and work harder for the company. They form healthier and stronger professional relationships and feel that they are part of a team, contributing to better work performance and satisfaction.

What Is Compassionate Leadership?

Compassionate leadership is focused on the individual and their needs, as well as the needs of the team. These leaders can inspire a journey of personal growth and development, no matter how tough the challenges get. They understand that no one is perfect, but they see potential in others and help them reach it.

Modern-day leaders who want to navigate their people and organizations toward success require compassionate leadership. In the past, compassion was seen as a weakness – compassionate people were “soft.”

Now, leaders must treat their colleagues and teams with care and kindness to help them succeed, as individuals and as a team.

Tips for Showing Compassionate Leadership at Work

If you’re wondering how you can apply these skills to your own workplace and teams, here are some tips:

Self-Compassion

Positive vibes start with yourself. You must prioritize self-care and kindness to yourself before you can show it to others. Forgive yourself for past mistakes, focus on your strengths instead of your weaknesses, and pay yourself compliments.

Effective Communication

The key to being compassionate at work is communicating effectively. No matter who you’re speaking to, communicate openly and clearly to avoid confusion. You should also listen to employees or colleagues who feel comfortable confiding in you and show patience and neutrality.

Appropriate Contact

Touch can be powerful when you’re expressing empathy. Physical contact is minimal in the workplace, but you can use it appropriately with a light touch on the shoulder or holding a hand while listening to a story.

If physical contact isn’t appropriate or comfortable in the situation, show nonverbal cues that express compassion and empathy like eye contact or turning your body toward the person speaking.

Initiation

It takes one person to make the first move and show compassion. Whether you do it with personal support, feedback, or an open discussion about opinions, you can set an example to the entire team and teach them to be more open and empathetic to each other.

Thoughtfulness

Being in tune to the emotions and thoughts of others is an important aspect of compassion. Consider how your words or actions may affect your colleagues, subordinates, or managers and think about how you’d feel in their situation.

Encouragement

Compassion in the workplace is most often reflected by verbal encouragement and motivation. You can show compassion in the workplace by supporting your colleagues and cheering others on for their work and achievements. This type of positive reinforcement can bring about favorable changes.

Flexibility

Compassionate leaders need to have an open mind and realize the power that small changes in daily routine can influence productivity. Instead of being “stuck in their ways,” compassionate leaders are ready to tweak their leadership policies, lifestyle, or strategies to benefit an individual, team, or the entire organization.

Learning

A compassionate leader never stops asking questions, prompting feedback, and learning from others. Gaining new perspectives helps you get closer to others and remove any barriers to their success.

Mindfulness

Leaders have an array of tasks to complete in one day. Taking a moment to slow down, breathe, and observe can help you gain the mindfulness of your team and work environment. If there are stressors or tension, you can identify and address them more readily.

Gratitude

Everyone wants to feel like they’re positively contributing to their workplace and that they’re appreciated. When leaders show gratitude, they earn respect from their employees. This can be done through mentoring, guidance, or merely recognizing a job well done or work put in.

Team Spirit

In the past, workplaces thrived with employees that came to work, did their jobs, and went home. Employees don’t want to just take orders anymore, not feeling like their work contributes to anything important. They want to feel valued, appreciated, and most importantly, useful.

Promoting team spirit makes a workplace more appealing and helps everyone involved in a project or team feel like they’re working toward a shared goal. This not only motivates better work, but it promotes healthier interpersonal relationships.

Top Examples of Compassionate Workplaces

Compassion is slowly working its way into modern companies. These three companies show how compassion can contribute to success:

The Hospital Corporation of America

The Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) is a leading healthcare organization in the US. With over a hundred hospitals and a vast number of employees working at different levels, it’s incredible that HCA has a strong track record of a supportive, positive environment.

In fact, the HCA’s codes of conduct include policies for compassion toward colleagues and clients. The company is proud of its emotionally rewarding culture and strives to provide everyone – from top to bottom – with equal kindness and empathy.

The UnitedHealth Group

The UnitedHealth Group is an American healthcare company that ranked fifth in the most successful companies in Fortune 500 rankings in 2018. The company’s tagline even encourages empathy by stating: “Walk in the shoes of the people we serve and those with whom we work.”

The Autism Research Center

The Autism Research Center (ARC) is an initiative of Cambridge University in the United Kingdom to promote awareness of autism, the benefits of early prevention, and the importance of extensive research.

Despite having a huge team of scientists, professionals, and support staff from all over the world, the ARC has a strong commitment to the principles of empathy and kindness. Education, collaboration, and support are the foundation of ARC and attract researchers, educators, and parents to the cause.

Compassion Is the Key to Success

If you want to be an effective leader, it’s essential to have compassion for the people who work with you. Compassionate leaders are not as common as they need be, but they’re an asset to the workplace.

Compassionate leaders listen, invest in their people, and create a collaborative culture with a positive attitude to help employees feel valued and appreciated. Through compassionate leadership, you can spread joy, connect with others, and resonate positivity in your organization.

When Can You Consider Yourself a CEO?

When is a founder considered a CEO? Is it when they start getting a certain number of profits or employees? When do they take on the role and responsibilities of a CEO?

By definition, a CEO is the highest-ranking executive in a company and the point of communication between the board of directors and operations. Typically, the CEO is the final decision-maker in the company and must only report to the board of directors.

This is all true of large corporations, but what about smaller businesses? What if you don’t have a board of directors or other executives?

Plenty of owner/operators or founders call themselves a CEO interchangeably, but is this accurate? At what point are you qualified to call yourself a CEO?

What Makes a CEO?

Legally, yes, you can call yourself a CEO or anything else you like. You’re the majority owner of the business. But calling yourself a CEO and actually being a CEO are quite different.

CEOs have a lot of responsibilities they undertake each day, and their decisions can have a profound impact on a company or its employees. They work up to that position by taking on different management or leadership roles. Perhaps they undergo executive training programs or mentorships within the company.

Yes, you do run a business. But running a business for yourself and running a large corporate with many moving parts and a number of stakeholders to answer to is a big step up.

Furthermore, calling yourself a CEO as a small business owner doesn’t boost your credibility. When it comes to investors, it could even hurt your chances. It’s not only an ego issue, but a concern for how seriously you’ll be taking your business.

Very few people are qualified to be a CEO simply because they founded a company. Investors will realize the title is only a temporary or ego-driven one, and that as your company grows, you’ll need to hire an experienced CEO.

Requirements of a CEO

Though courses are available for executive training, CEOs usually earn their qualifications and position with extensive experience in:

  • – Marketing
  • – Sales
  • – Finance
  • – Operations
  • – Product development
  • – Management
  • – Leadership
  • – Recruiting
  • – Strategy
  • – Accounting

 

This isn’t a background that can be gained with a college course. The experience is gained by doing the work and learning along the way.

And these are just skills. It doesn’t even include the other qualities you need, such as commitment, integrity, and motivation.

As your business scales, you may need to appoint a CEO and other leaders. You could also appoint yourself, but you don’t know what you don’t know.

Scale Your Business

Building a substantial company requires an experienced team to help it reach success. Simply calling yourself a CEO doesn’t give you the skill set or qualifications, and if you don’t have other leaders to help, you’re only hurting your own success.

Looking for executive coaching? Work with Allison directly to gain the skills you need!

Business Women: Why We Settle for Less (And Why We Shouldn’t)

Women still struggle with inequality in the workplace – even if they own their own business! Women continue to earn less, on average, than men in the same positions, and they’re underrepresented in the top positions and fields.

Research has shown that biases, both conscious and subconscious, are part of the problem, but that’s not all. Women sometimes don’t get what they want and deserve because they aren’t asking for it.

Women often feel apprehension asking for what they want or need. Women are also more pessimistic about what is available when they negotiate, so they ask for less and get less if they do negotiate.

Don’t settle for less! And here’s why you never should.

Settling for Less Means Choosing Limitations

When you settle for less than you deserve, you’re choosing a life filled with limitations of your own doing. You’re actively restricting your own potential, whether it’s out of apprehension, fear of failure or rejection, or any other barrier.

You’ll never be able to succeed or grow if you’re stuck in your own self-imposed comfort zone!

Settling Means Giving Up on Your Goals

When you settle, it’s a way of giving up. You’re essentially saying that the dreams and goals you have aren’t possible, aren’t worth fighting for. Never stop pushing!

Plenty of people settle, whether in their careers, their relationships, or other aspects of their life. They think that “good enough” is enough, and maybe it’s not. Maybe the spot you’re settling in was the stepping stone to get you closer to your goal.

Settling Means You’re Accepting Less than the Best You Could Have

Everyone has moments when they could choose to settle or keep pushing harder for what they want. We may choose what seems right at that moment instead of continuing to push for better options, possibly ending up in a less than favorable position.

But what if what’s truly the best for us means taking that chance? If you’re setting on your career path or your business goals, you’re choosing the second-best option over being the best you can be. Life is too short to stop there.

Settling Means Settling for a Lesser Version of Yourself

If you settle on the mediocre and average, you’re missing out on living your fullest potential. Whether you end up in a job with no growth potential or give up when running your own business gets hard, you’re setting yourself up to stay stuck.

Remember, you can’t change the past, but you can avoid the same mistakes in the future. Take action and make positive change before regret sets in.

You Deserve the Best

You are worthy and deserving of the best life has to offer. Never settle for less!

If something isn’t working out, isn’t having a positive effect on your life, let it go! Don’t hold onto something that no longer serves you. Move on and move forward to get the life you deserve.

Looking for motivation? Work with Allison Todd directly and see how you can reach your fullest potential with the guidance of a professional business and career coach!

6 Places to Get Your Voice Heard

Have you ever attended a keynote and been moved? Watched a Ted Talk over and over? Liked and shared a social media post that was powerful?

You have a voice, too, and you can be empowered to share it with others. All of us have the power to be influential, whether in the digital world or the real one.

Here are 6 places to get your voice heard and spark change.

1. Your Blog

Blogs may have started with moms sharing their experiences, but they’ve become a vital part of business. In fact, many people make money sharing their expertise on their own blog and industry, such as travel.

If you have a blog, start sharing your thoughts and ideas. If you don’t, get started! This is a great way to get your voice heard and establish yourself as an authority. It may take time, but it’s worth the payoff.

2. Email

Despite the rise of other types of marketing, email is still an effective way to share content with an audience and capture their attention. You can begin with a newsletter that comes out once a month, or a few times a month, to build your audience.

3. YouTube

Video is a persuasive medium that many have leveraged for success. Whatever your business venture or cause, just about anyone can create professional videos or promos to share on YouTube. The cleverer and more creative the idea, the more traction you’re likely to receive, but don’t be afraid to just jump into it.

4. Social Media

Social media is incredibly powerful. From politicians to brands to influencers, just about everyone is using social media to connect with others and share ideas and opinions, and you can do the same.

Major platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram are excellent places to start, but you could also share your expertise on platforms like Quora and Reddit. People often use these platforms to ask questions or seek discussions within certain industries or topics, and that’s your time to shine.

5. Publications

Most publications accept pitches from writers to feature in their upcoming issues. With the rise of digital publications, you have more opportunity than ever before to get a feature article with the right pitch and audience.

Pitching takes time, however. You may not get published at the first try, or the second, or even the 10th, but keep going! Eventually, you’ll find the right fit for your article. And even if you’re rejected once, don’t be afraid to pitch again in the future! Maybe your article is a good fit, but not for right now.

6. Local Venues

Similar to pitching publications, you may be able to book local speaking engagements at small venues. Like publications, venues typically have a long lead time and specific guidelines and requirements for speakers.

You may need to approach a dozen different venues before you get booked, but that’s just part of the process. Don’t get discouraged! Keep trying.

Get Professional Coaching

Learning how to channel and share your voice isn’t easy, but you have plenty of outlets to be heard. The most important thing is having the confidence in yourself, and coaching from an expert like Allison Todd can help! Work with Allison Todd directly!

Is Work-Life Balance Actually Possible When You Own a Business?

Starting a business brings a lot of responsibilities and tasks that can quickly eat up your time. If you’re starting a business while also balancing home and family time, or a full-time job, it may seem impossible to get any true work-life balance.

Is it possible? Can you achieve work-life balance while owning and running a business?

Yes! It takes some changes to how you approach work, but you can make it happen! Here’s how.

Reflect on the Big Picture

If you’re struggling with your work-life balance, or lack thereof, the first step is to give yourself some distance and reflect on the big picture.

For many business owners, this reflection only happens when something significant happens, such as a death or the birth of a child, but it doesn’t have to take such a big upheaval.

Consider your sources of stress or dissatisfaction. How are the circumstances affecting your performance? Your happiness with your work or personal life? How are your priorities? What are you giving up pursuing your business goals?

Once you have a clear picture, you can take concrete steps to change them.

Delegate Wherever Possible

Small business owners are go-getters, which is great for getting a business off the ground, but not so great for taking on way too much. For many, the idea that “if I want something done right, I have to do it myself” can quickly take over.

Delegating can free up a lot of time, provided you can relinquish some control. Remember, it’s a choice to continue doing tasks that could be outsourced or delegated to someone else. This not only impacts your work-life balance, but as your business grows, it will pull you away from mission-critical tasks.

Take More Time Off

I know, easier said than done. But taking the appropriate time off is essential to keeping your wellbeing and work-life balance intact. Otherwise, you can quickly find yourself working every day and losing a sense of satisfaction with your life.

One helpful way to ensure you get the time you need is with a four-day workweek. With this approach, you can still be productive and make money with just four days, and you’ll be able to devote more time to personal responsibilities and leisure.

Set Rigid Hours

One of the ways business owners can get too caught up in their business is by keeping a flexible schedule. For traditional employees, they typically have set shifts, so they can manage their personal time.

When you own a business, it’s too easy to work 10, 12, or 14 hours without realizing how much time you’re really putting into it. You try to get “just one more thing” done in the day, and before you know it, you’ve worked far beyond a normal workday.

Start by setting a clear time that you begin and end your workday, even if you’re working from home. Remember, more time isn’t necessarily more productive time, and you’d be better served by sticking to a set schedule and forcing yourself to manage your time effectively.

Find Your Work-Life Balance

No one said running a business was easy. In fact, business owners typically work more and longer days than a comparable employee, but it doesn’t have to be that way. With some tweaks, you can find your work-life balance and still run a successful and profitable business.

Are you looking for some guidance with your business from a professional coach? Work with Allison Todd directly and see how you can reach your business goals!