Nowadays, we all know how essential a website can be to the overall success of a business, but not everyone is capable of hiring a knowledgeable expert or web designer to help set them up for that success. Below are several key reasons why your website may be hindering your business, as well as some tips to help improve it and even the playing field.
Your Site is Too Slow
“Site speed” typically refers to how fast the content on your site loads, and regardless of what business or industry you are in, one of the main reasons that a website can lose you business is by not loading fast enough. Unless someone is determined to purchase from you, chances are that if it takes more than a reasonable amount of time, the customer is going to leave your site and find one that will load faster. Having a fast site speed is critical if you intend on running ecommerce on WP.
So what can be done to improve your site speed? First, it’s a good idea to utilize Google’s PageSpeed Insights to get an idea of your website’s “score,” both on mobile and on desktop. The results may not be familiar to you if you’re not well-versed in web design, but they give you a good starting point for things to research. In the meantime, one thing to do is make sure that all images on your site are no larger than they need to be, as this can be a big culprit in delaying load time. Pro-tip, PNG files are better for graphics, while JPEG files are better for photographs.
Mobile Compatibility
Statistics show that more and more people are conducting business on their mobile devices, which means optimizing your site for mobile users is imperative. A good web design site will allow you to preview both mobile and desktop looks before you publish, to make sure it’s user-friendly.
Utilizing SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
Okay, great, but what is SEO? The definition is “the process of maximizing the number of visitors to a particular website by ensuring that the site appears high on the list of results by a search engine.” Basically, when you search Google or Bing for a specific topic, you want to be as close to the top of the list as possible, not on page 57. This ranking is different from pay-to-play ads that appear at the very top, as SEO is organic. In order to improve your ranking, use key words for your page links that you know people will be searching for and that are relevant to your content, so search engines know what your site is about. Keep it short, but get specific. To learn more about SEO and best practices, see What is SEO?
Keep Your Content Fresh and Clean
In order to keep your site relevant, make sure to keep producing new content regularly. This lets the algorithm know you are still active. Also, be sure to make your color palette easy on the eyes because if people are straining to read, chances are pretty high that customers will leave quickly.
The new year is upon us, and that brings a time of reflection, both personal and professional. If you're a small business owner, this may be one of the times each year where you assess if your business is thriving or if you could do anything to improve its current status and thus, longevity. If your answer is "Meh" or "Yikes, I need to implement something fast!," then here are a few tips that could improve your situation.
]]>Full Disclosure: After carefully vetting monetary opportunities that allow Spread Your Sunshine, LLC to best serve its community with helpful and meaningful content in-line with our goals and mission, this post contains one or more affiliate links, meaning that Spread Your Sunshine, LLC will receive compensation for the posting of this article.
The new year is upon us, and that brings a time of reflection, both personal and professional. If you're a small business owner, this may one of the times each year where you assess if your business is thriving or if you could do anything to improve its current status and thus, longevity.
If your answer is that your business is doing better than ever, that's amazing, keep doing what you're doing! However, if your answer is "Meh" or "Yikes, I need to implement something fast!," then here are a few tips that could improve your situation.
Marketing
Let's face it, algorithms and other rules are changing every day, and many small business owners would prefer to be able to focus on their passion projects regarding their business than try to keep up with SEO and Instagram Stories. While marketing is certainly possibly via DIY, if you feel like your business is lacking, then it's possible you could benefit from hiring a marketing manager or company. Conducting research on which type is right for you is important and it would be wonderful to hire someone local to you, if possible!
IT (Information Technology)
Is some, or all, of your business conducted online? Nowadays, there are so many security breaches, malware infections and other heinous crimes against businesses, particularly smaller ones that tend to be less protected, that it's vital to invest in a company such as https://sapphire.net/ to help thwart those attacks and maintain the cybersecurity protection that you need to remain online and open for business.
Accounting
As your business grows, so does your need to make sure your books are accurate and properly managed. Unless you went to school for accounting, or were taught by a professional, it may be time to invest in an accountant and relieve yourself from some of the stresses of running a business. If your budget is small, consider hiring a recent accounting graduate in your area, but remember, they put in their time and energy to earn that diploma, so still pay them well.
We at Spread Your Sunshine hope that these tips provided you with value and that you consider them when reflecting on how you'd like to see the new year unfold.
Full Disclosure: After carefully vetting monetary opportunities that allow Spread Your Sunshine, LLC to best serve its community with helpful and meaningful content in-line with our goals and mission, this post contains one or more affiliate links, meaning that Spread Your Sunshine, LLC will receive compensation for the posting of this article.
Raise a virtual hand if, like me, you've left more than one store because an employee was too overbearing and eager to get a sale! I like to know that someone is available if I need them, but that I'll be left to shop peacefully until that need arises. However, not everyone has the same mentality and predicting customers' needs can be tricky. Thankfully, there are steps that businesses can take to ensure their customers' experiences run smooth and with a desire to return. Below are four effective methods to consider.
Ethically Source All of Your Products and Make Sure Everyone In Your Supply Chain is Being Paid and Treated Fairly
With the constant bombardment of advertising we face each day, one of the things that businesses can do to stand out is to create a cyclical business model that is helping both the people it employs and the planet. And simply saying you're doing this is not enough, transparency is vital. With the overall push for continuous growth (which is unsustainable), our planet has taken quite the hit, and it's on us to do everything we can to help put the brakes on the turmoil caused by just 100 corporations who show no signs of slowing down their devastation.
And along with the planet, the pandemic taught many of us to recognize our worth and accept nothing less. Many people finally became aware that they were producing, and thus creating, exorbitant profits for their employers, while they barely made enough money to survive. This is not acceptable and we must demand better.
More and more consumers are paying closer attention to the products and services they consume and are making better choices regarding how they spend their money. At the end of the day, you can rest assured that you're helping customers fulfill a need, as well as combating climate change and income inequality.
Pay Your Employees Thriving Wages and Provide Healthcare From Day One
You may be asking, "How does this correlate to enhancing customers' experiences?," but if you've ever worked a customer service job, you know exactly how the two are connected.
When an employee works reasonable hours, is treated with respect by their bosses and doesn't have to stress about paying bills or seeing a doctor because they can't afford the payment, their mentality is completely different and they are able to be fully present and jovial when interacting with customers. This happiness can trigger happiness in the customer and leave them feeling heard, important and wanting to patronize your business.
This isn't to say that employees won't ever have days that they're feeling down, just that overall the experience will flow better for everyone involved.
Hire a Social Media Marketer and Staff to Mitigate Your Business Online or Via Telephone
Most of us know the perils of frustration when all we want to do is speak with a human to get our problems resolved. While providing online FAQs can certainly be helpful, don't create hoops customers have to jump through to talk to a live person and not an automated message. Trust, this is a quick way to lose business. Instead, have staff in place that either work in-office or from home that are highly educated about your business and can provide instant feedback.
Give Back to the Community
They say it takes a village. It's likely that if you have a brick-and-mortar store that when your business first began, you had an outpouring of community support that eventually allowed you to thrive. These people are important and should be rewarded, as well as any current communities that your business may be in if you've been successful enough to open multiple stores. If your store operates online, support the community you live in or spend the most time.
Unfortunately, we still live in times of massive income inequality, and individuals and families are oftentimes unable to keep up with bills or provide for their kids during the holidays, which can be really stressful. If you know of someone in your community that is struggling, help them. This does not have to be a spectacle, do it quietly.
Is there something your community lacks that you could fund? A park? Playground? Library? Community center where kids can go to play sports and be mentored? If your neighbors or community members are looking to purchase a home, show them these houses for sale. Do everything you can to help your local community thrive. Be a safe space where people can hang out without making a purchase. These spaces are way too rare nowadays. This is what will bring you fulfillment and joy.
Full Disclosure: After carefully vetting monetary opportunities that allow Spread Your Sunshine, LLC to best serve its community with helpful and meaningful content in-line with our goals and mission, this post contains one or more affiliate links, meaning that Spread Your Sunshine, LLC will receive compensation for the posting of this article.
Even with the greatest preparation, if you're running a small business, it is likely that you will make mistakes, or at least do things that you look back on in the future and know you would then do differently. Here are a few examples of common mistakes made by entrepreneurs, so that you can take the necessary steps to avoid them.
1. Overspending: In our society, there is a tendency for businesses to fully stock the shelves and we, as customers, have been conditioned to believe that if a business's shelves are not fully stocked, then perhaps they're not doing very well and we should shop elsewhere with more variety. However, we must combat this and retrain ourselves to know that less is better. In the United States, over 40% of food produced, or 133 billion pounds, ends up in a landfill. FORTY PERCENT. And yet people live in food deserts, are malnourished, do not have access to healthy foods due to proximity or financial means. You have the power to make sure your business is contributing as little as possible to landfills, helping the planet and your budget.
To deal with overspending, it's recommended that you hire an accountant or learn programs such as Quickbooks, which will help you keep a good balance. Also, shop around for the best deals when it comes to services that your business may require.
2. Health and Safety: One of the top priorities for your business should be the health and safety of your employees, customers and anyone that passes through your business. By having protocol in place, giving your employees ample time to complete tasks and frequently inspecting your workplace for potential hazards, you can save money by not having to pay for lawsuits that may occur as a result of an accident.
There are various industry-specific steps that you can take to ensure that you achieve the right standards of health and safety for your business. For instance, if you run a restaurant, you may want to invest in a hood cleaning service. Restaurant hood cleaning professionals can eliminate potential fire hazards that could be lurking in your kitchen.
3. Bad Customer Service: Let's face it, the customer is NOT always right, and anyone who's worked in retail or the restaurant industry can attest to this. But consistently dismissing or rushing customers can cause people to not return. While ratings apps are rigged in favor of those who pay to play, word-of-mouth is still important and the better you treat most people, the more likely they are to become a loyal customer that brings back friends and family or recommends your business on social media.
We hope that these have given you some insight into where to take precautions when first starting your business, as well as what to look out for as your business continues to thrive.
Full Disclosure: After carefully vetting monetary opportunities that allow Spread Your Sunshine, LLC to best serve its community with helpful and meaningful content in-line with our goals and mission, this post contains one or more affiliate links, meaning that Spread Your Sunshine, LLC will receive compensation for the posting of this article.
When we think of business transactions, oftentimes we automatically envision Business-to-Consumer (B2C) transactions, however B2B, or Business-to-Business, exists as well. But what is Business-to-Business and what does it look like? According to LinkedIn Marketing Blog, B2B refers to the marketing of products or services to other businesses and organizations, just as the name suggests. It tends to be more informational and straight forward because business purchase decisions are based more on bottom-line revenue impact, or return on investment (ROI), which most consumers rarely consider.
When you have a Business-to-Business model, there are several factors to plan for that are imperative to your business's success.
Define Your Target Audience
As with any business, it is essential to pinpoint your target audience, so you can better speak to them and their particular challenges and needs. This is the key first step after you've identified the need your business will fulfill and are building the foundation of said business. If you cast your net too wide, you will likely exhaust money and resources unnecessarily.
Marketing Strategies
After you've identified your target audience, next you will create a plan for how to market to them. With the ever-present source that is the internet, people consume massive amounts of content nowadays, and unfortunately this has led to reduced attention spans in many people. Because of this, it is important to keep advertising concise and entertaining because if a potential client gets bored, they're on to the next thing quickly.
Video content is one of the most effective B2B marketing strategies and it seems that this trend will continue into the foreseeable future. Video marketing statistics show that this strategy also provides a higher return on investment, as it converts into sales. People prefer content that provides them with valuable information and informs them. Let's be honest, who amongst us actually clicks on aggravating, stagnant ads after being bombarded with them our entire lives? We require more than mediocrity to turn our heads now.
Social Media
Having a consistent social media presence can be vital to your business. If you haven't posted in awhile, it can appear that your business has gone under and may deter potential clients from doing any further research regarding your business. Unless you have a social media manager or team, it is not necessary to be on all major platforms, but it is good to pick two to three and post consistently. It's recommended to stay away from pay-to-play advertising, as it gives greater advantage to businesses with capital, weeds out smaller businesses and makes these massive corporations even more profitable.
Anticipate Needs of Clients
As with any great athlete or player, anticipating what will happen next often translates into points and wins. Be prepared for anything your clients may require and present it to them even before they know they need it or be able to provide it immediately after they make their need known. Good customer service is key in any business model. You can even offer free items (who doesn't enjoy free things?!), for example, in the automotive industry you can include free Mercedes dealership repair manuals as part of the package when selling parts to garages and auto shops.
Evaluate Your Wins and Losses
Every successful business evaluates themselves periodically to see where they've hit and where they've missed. This will take some time if you are just starting out, as data needs to accumulate, along with experience. Give yourself a time frame, say every six months or at the end of your fiscal year. Invest more in what is performing well, and take some from what is performing low (or not at all) and try new strategies. Remember, those that see the highest levels of success are often those that are able to pivot when necessary and aren't afraid to try something new.
Full Disclosure: After carefully vetting monetary opportunities that allow Spread Your Sunshine, LLC to best serve its community with helpful and meaningful content in-line with our goals and mission, this post contains one or more affiliate links, meaning that Spread Your Sunshine, LLC will receive compensation for the posting of this article.
No matter how safe your work environment, accidents can still happen, so it's best to be prepared for when they do. This prepares everyone and allows action to be taken quickly and effectively. Here are some suggestions to take into consideration before, during and after an employee is injured.
Prevention is Better Than Cure
So the old saying goes, meaning it is best to take all possible precautions in order to minimize the quantity and severity of injuries.
All new-hires should be made aware in their training about job-specific limitations, such as not moving items over a certain weight alone. Make sure as a business owner to always give your employees sufficient time to complete tasks, so they are not attempting to cut corners and put themselves and/or others at risk.
It is ideal to examine your workplace frequently for any potential hazards and address them immediately. If reconciling hazards will take time, make sure caution signs are out and clearly marked, and all employees are made aware of the hazard, as well as approximately how long until it is fixed.
Have a detailed strategy created for what actions need to happen should an employee get injured. This should be discussed thoroughly during new-hire training, as well as refreshers given periodically for all employees. Run through various employee injury scenarios, such as demonstrating how to use medical ice packs for first-aid treatment. Also, make sure to have each employee's emergency contact easily accessible and up-to-date.
Managing a Workplace Accident
Although some injuries can be predictable depending on the environment, no one knows when an accident will occur, that's why it's called an accident.
The first thing to do after one occurs is to determine the severity of the injury and assess if it requires solely first-aid and then return to work, first-aid and then sent home, a doctor's visit or a 911 call. Be sure to save any accident-related items and take photos of the scene if necessary, in case there is an insurance investigation. Then make sure the area is secured so it doesn't happen to anyone else.
When a worker is injured on the job, they are usually covered by Workers' Compensation, which is vital in a country that doesn't have universal healthcare and where most employers are not required to offer or provide health insurance. Their recovery and well-being should be your number one priority, so you should file the claim papers with your Workers' Compensation Insurance carrier within 24 hours of the accident to ensure that they receive their benefits as quickly as possible. You must also report the accident to OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, if the injury was severe enough.
Follow-Up After an Employee is Injured
After the employee has received any medical treatment needed or has rested for an allotted amount of time, contact the employee or their caregivers to inquire about how they are doing. A follow-up call should be made a few days later to discuss with them their plans, if any, that they have to return to work. Do not force anything, allow them and their doctor to determine when is best. Make arrangements to cover their position temporarily during their absence, but assure them their position will be there for them when they are ready, and follow up on that promise. Work with them to ease their transition back into work, such as reduced hours, temporarily changing tasks or working remotely, if possible.
Be sure to keep your team informed about their co-workers condition, being sensitive to private information, and let your team know what you have done, or will do, to make the workplace safer for the future.
Oftentimes we become so entrenched in our comfort zones that we are caught by surprise whenever life comes through to shake us out of it. Most people didn't see the pandemic coming and, like most people, those of us here at Spread Your Sunshine took some losses, had to mourn, pivot and switch up our routines in order to stay in the game.
Spread Your Sunshine Founder Melanie S. Griffin, Esq. was recently the Featured Guest on The Floridaville with Rosanna Catalano. As further detailed in the recording, this presentation explores overcoming our traumas and losses in order to spread our brightest sunshine.
]]>Full Disclosure: After carefully vetting monetary opportunities that allow Spread Your Sunshine, LLC to best serve its community with helpful and meaningful content in-line with our goals and mission, this post contains one or more affiliate links, meaning that Spread Your Sunshine, LLC will receive compensation for the posting of this article.
Spread Your Sunshine Founder Melanie S. Griffin, Esq. was recently the Featured Guest on The Floridaville with Rosanna Catalano. As further detailed in the recording, this presentation explores overcoming our traumas and losses in order to spread our brightest sunshine.
Oftentimes we become so entrenched in our comfort zones that we are caught by surprise whenever life comes through to shake us out of it. Most people didn't see the pandemic coming and, like most people, those of us here at Spread Your Sunshine took some losses, had to mourn, pivot and switch up our routines in order to stay in the game.
Spread Your Sunshine is very sensitive to the reality that many lost family members, friends, colleagues and loved ones to the virus, and we are not in any manner attempting to portray the proceeding losses as even in the same realm as those. However, we would be remiss if we didn't survey the entire field of losses that we collectively experienced, including the losses of opportunities for which we were so hopeful.
In early 2020, opportunities for in-person connections with our customers were taken away almost immediately, as well as many speaking engagements, because pre-pandemic most gigs were not yet equipped to be given virtually. We felt like the towel was being thrown in for us, and momentarily, it felt like like all we had worked for was lost. But once we were able to give ourselves a finite time to mourn for what we had lost, we realized we needed to pivot. To come up with a new game plan. We became excited for the new challenges that would lead to us expanding our skill sets, such as how to do green screen on tiktok. It's important to remember that we will not get an "A" in every aspect of our lives every day, and that is okay, so long as overall we have a healthy balance.
This is a lesson that many of us don't learn until adulthood. Many of us grew up in homes where a "C" in a particular subject was unacceptable, and we were reprimanded for receiving such grade. Never were we taught that as long as a "C" was our best effort, that was all that mattered. Instead, we were taught that a "C" or anything below was an automatic indication that we somehow did not do our best work, setting us up for a life where we would continuously strive for perfection. While we should always give our best effort in all we do, perfectionism is not healthy and must be unlearned. Sometimes "good" is good enough.
A lot of our bad habits directly correlate to our childhood traumas, a subject that is just now beginning to be widely discussed. How our parents or guardians treated us, as well as our interactions and experiences with others, can oftentimes make it difficult for us to be able to accept constructive criticism as adults, without feeling that intense pain we felt as a child bubble to the surface. We are subconsciously reminded of those kids who bullied us when we were young, how those around us laughed when we made a mistake during a presentation, and now we have a fear of public speaking.
Instilling confidence in children is vital, as well as teaching them to advocate for themselves. They should learn that practice is imperative, but also that they must not be afraid to fail; that failing is the only way to succeed.
When you are giving a public speech, don't even acknowledge mistakes, unless it's a factual error that's wildly incorrect and needs to be corrected. You should film or record your speeches, so that we can go back and watch or listen and learn what you like and don't like. Also, by practicing either alone or by repetition of gigs, you learn time parameters and how much material is just enough for a specific time frame. This allows you to not scramble for more material to fill time or speak too fast to cram it all in, leaving the audience without any key takeaways.
But also keep in mind, no matter how successful or put together someone appears, it's not always like that behind the scenes. Most people don't know the struggles of others, they don't know how hard people are working at times to appear well, when in fact their mental health may not be its best.
If someone helps you with something, or impacts your life in a positive way, send them a hand-written thank you card or letter. Awards and accolades are wonderful, but for many people, hand-written thank you's are their prized possessions, as it comes directly from the people and they mean so much more. Plus, you never know if that one card or letter detailing how they mattered to you, how they aided in making your life better, is the thing they needed to overcome a difficult hurdle in their own life.
Hopefully these tips helped you to discover what experiences from your own childhood may be holding you back, so you can heal from them and spread your brightest sunshine! Know you are not alone.
To listen to this podcast in its entirety, please click here.
Now that you have a bit of knowledge regarding trauma and loss, is there additional information you want to receive from Spread Your Sunshine?! We’re sure there is, so please share your ideas by emailing Melanie@SpreadYourSunshine.com or sending Spread Your Sunshine a message via Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn or Twitter. We love hearing from you, as together we are strongest.
Full Disclosure: After carefully vetting monetary opportunities that allow Spread Your Sunshine, LLC to best serve its community with helpful and meaningful content in-line with our goals and mission, this post contains one or more affiliate links, meaning that Spread Your Sunshine, LLC will receive compensation for the posting of this article.
Spread Your Sunshine Founder Melanie S. Griffin, Esq. was recently the Featured Guest on The Legal Limit Podcast with Jon Wilbur. As further detailed in the recording, this presentation explores the effects of positive and negative self-talk, as well as the importance of treating each other with kindness, and what it can mean if you don’t.
While toxic positivity is certainly real, how you speak to yourself, about yourself, is still crucial in determining many factors. If you practice negative self-talk, you will have self-doubt and lack self-assuredness. If you speak positively, while it’s no automatic guarantee for success, it certainly puts you in a better mental space. It is just like the food that we consume, it can either have a positive or negative affect on our bodies, depending on if it’s nutritious or junk.
It is also important how we speak to others. Are we cheering them on or are we judging? When we pass judgement on someone else, it’s typically a reflection of ourselves and our own need for love and validation. It can also be fear-based, as in, we are afraid to step out and take risks towards our own desires, so instead we project that onto someone who is taking risks in their own life, such as seeking out wealth management firms to help them decide on the best ways to invest. Because of this, it is likely to never reach their level of success or exceed it, if that negative mindset is perpetuated.
As performers, or for anyone with a platform and audience, it can be difficult not to acknowledge every mistake we make, especially when people are quick to point them out for us. But unless they are significant or harmful, just move passed them and keep pushing. Be cautious to whom you give control of your happiness.
College and professional athletes oftentimes become great at this. Although professionals are seasoned, college athletes, with little life experience, who remain calm and graceful under the pressure of thousands of booing fans after they’ve fumbled the ball, dropped the pass, got sacked or missed the game-winning shot, have an incredible tenacity. Most of us only have a handful of people witness our mistakes, can you imagine the intensity of thousands, perhaps millions of eyes scrutinizing your every move?
Imagine if we shifted the world, shifted the status quo by breaking generational traumas, in order to uplift one another instead of trying to pull each other down. Of course, not everyone participates in that type of behavior, but bullying certainly runs rampant in the West, with individualistic mindsets and competition that separates us instead of uniting us. It feels good to feel loved, to feel appreciated, seen, heard and acknowledged. And it feels good to love, appreciate, witness, listen and acknowledge others, too. Sometimes we don’t even know how far our empathy reaches, but if we’re lucky, we get to see someone years later and they get to tell us exactly how our uplifting words or gestures have made a positive impact on their lives.
Remember, practice kindness on yourself, as well as on others. Practice being kind to every living creature, I guarantee it will make you feel better. We are not in competition with each other, there is no scarcity when it comes to success. We are all capable of achieving it.
Hopefully this has given you some insight regarding how we treat each other, including how we treat ourselves, can be vital to our own mental and physical health, as well as fulfillment.
To listen to this podcast in its entirety, please click here.
Now that you have a bit of knowledge regarding kindness and positive thinking, is there additional information you want to receive from Spread Your Sunshine?! We’re sure there is, so please share your ideas by emailing Melanie@SpreadYourSunshine.com or sending Spread Your Sunshine a message via Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn or Twitter. We love hearing from you, as together we are strongest.
© 2021 Spread Your Sunshine, LLC
Full Disclosure: After carefully vetting monetary opportunities that allow Spread Your Sunshine, LLC to best serve its community with helpful and meaningful content in-line with our goals and mission, this post contains one or more affiliate links, meaning that Spread Your Sunshine, LLC will receive compensation for the posting of this article.
Bad customer service can ruin a business if done consistently. No matter how great your prices or how beautiful your product is, if you don’t provide quality customer service on a consistent basis, people aren’t going to want to return to purchase from you again. They’ll also likely tell those closest to them about their experience. Here are some tips that will help cultivate loyal, satisfied customers.
Pay Your Employees a Thriving Wage and Treat Them with Respect
Too often in business, profit is the number one driving factor, and this leaves employees struggling to survive, as most companies pay as little as possible in order to extract the maximum amount of profit for those at the top. Your employees are the face of your business, they’re the ones interacting with customers, and it is only logical that when they are paid what they’re worth and treated with respect, that they will in turn pass that on to the people interested in purchasing your products. When employees win, customers win and when customers win, your business wins.
Profit Should Not Be Your Number One Driving Factor, Building Community and Providing a Service to Those in Need Should Take Precedent
Understandably, profit is needed to sustain your business and continue to pay your employees thriving wages, but it should not be the reason you decide to launch a business. In fact, it shouldn’t even be in the top five. Finding a need in a community and then providing it is the first step in mapping out one’s business plan, and that community should always remain at the forefront of why you continue.
Be Open to Feedback from Customers and Employees and Be Willing to Pivot
There will always be growing pains when starting a business, but how you handle obstacles will determine whether your business grows or if it goes south. Whenever we invest our time, money, sweat and tears into something, it can be difficult to relinquish control of even the smallest things. We have a vision, and we want it to manifest exactly as we imagine it, but as time progresses, we must be willing to do minor, even major pivots, in order to reach our long-term goals.
Listen when customers provide feedback. Not all feedback is constructive, or even needs to be addressed, but if enough customers provide the same suggestions, it’s imperative to consider switching things up to accommodate their needs.
Trust your employees. After all, they’re the ones doing the work, day in and day out, so they likely know what works best. By implementing suggestions that they may have for things to run smoother, you are including them and making them feel heard and respected. They will then go beyond what is required to help you meet your business goals, as they feel invested in your dream. Treat them poorly, and you can find your turn-over rate will continually increase.
Know Your Products and Vette Them
It’s relatively easy to begin an online store nowadays, but how well do you really know your products? It’s important when building credibility with your customers and community, that you and your employees research and know as much about your products as you can, so you can quickly answer any questions that may arise. If you happen to not know the answer to a customer’s question, assure them that you will find out and respond to them in a timely manner, then follow through. When a customer feels valued, it is likely that they will return again. Also, make sure that any advertisements you have posted accurately depict products, so the customer is clear about what they will be receiving.
Offer Convenience for Your Customers, Such as Special Hours or Remote Ordering Options
Keeping customers satisfied also means providing them with added benefits, such as flexible hours or remote ordering options. For example, Payanywhere is a mobile payment app that provides customers with ample payment options, ensuring they enjoy a comfortable and hassle-free experience with your establishment. By meeting the clients halfway and providing them with multiple options and opportunities, they’ll feel like you’re going the extra mile for them and likely turn into a loyal customer as a result.
Make Sure Everything Runs Smoothly When Fulfilling Orders
With proper planning and ample employees, it's easy to make sure everything runs smoothly when you are fulfilling orders. The process will differ from industry to industry, as well as within each business, but several factors remain across the board. If there's a delay in shipping or it takes too long to get through an order, then customers will start getting frustrated. If something doesn't meet the customer's expectations, be sure to acknowledge it right away, so the problem can be solved as swiftly as possible. Mistakes will be made, but having a plan in place for when they do can make the process more efficient.
Keep Accurate Records of All Transactions
By keeping accurate records of all transactions, you can make sure that everything runs smoothly and efficiently. This also means being able to provide customers with detailed receipts for any purchases they may have made - which will allow them to know exactly what was provided in the package along with how much it cost!
Having this information readily available is important because if things go wrong (ex: the product arrives damaged), then at least there's proof as well as a paper trail leading up to their purchase so that both parties are protected from fraud or other illegal activities. So remember, keep your customers satisfied by providing excellent customer service while making every transaction run like clockwork, and keeping careful track of each order down to the very last detail.
]]>Any new business will need a sizable upfront investment, most notably if it has a brick-and-mortar storefront. Depending on the nature of the store you are opening, it is possible that there will be an extensive list of items that will need to be in place prior to you flipping that front door sign to “Open.” Many items are typical of every establishment, but there is much more that is involved.
]]>Full Disclosure: After carefully vetting monetary opportunities that allow Spread Your Sunshine, LLC to best serve its community with helpful and meaningful content in-line with our goals and mission, this post contains one or more affiliate links, meaning that Spread Your Sunshine, LLC will receive compensation for the posting of this article.
Any new business will need a sizable upfront investment, most notably if it has a brick-and-mortar storefront. Depending on the nature of the store you are opening, it is possible that there will be an extensive list of items that will need to be in place prior to you flipping that front door sign to “Open.” This is especially true if it is a retail store.
Many items are typical of every establishment, such as point-of-sale registers, shelving or racks to display your products, but there is much more that is involved. If you are having difficulty deciding which credit card reader might be best for your business, check out this guide to credit card readers.
On the Sales Floor
Aesthetically more important than any other section of your store, the sales floor needs the most love and attention, as it is what will attract or repel potential customers. Branding and vision are important. Are you wanting simple and elegant or busy and fun? Who is your target audience? It is best to conduct research and know what type of vibe you want to present before you purchase or begin leasing a storefront, so as not to waste money.
In the Break Room
Your employees are the most important asset of your business, and they deserve to feel comfortable during their breaks or while they’re waiting to clock in for their shift. Depending on how many employees will be working at a time, one or more refrigerators will be essential, so they can store their food and drinks. It is important to have a set day of each week when old items will be discarded, to keep refrigerators sanitary. Tables, comfortable chairs, a microwave, coffee maker and water are the basic amenities that should be provided, as well as other items.
In the Stock Room
Although your stock room does not have to be aesthetically pleasing like your sales floor, it is important that employees are provided the necessary equipment needed to perform their jobs properly, efficiently and most critical, safely. This equipment can include tagging and pricing guns, a labeler, step stools and ladders, gloves, box cutters and tape measures, among several other items that are needed for your particular retailer. You will also need to have Wet Floor signs, cleaning materials and equipment and any other items that may be required by OSHA or the health department.
Making sure there is sufficient space to store all of your products and the items listed in an organized manner is imperative to the safety of you, your employees, and anyone that makes deliveries to your store or conducts general walk-throughs.
You’ve Got This
Having solid business, marketing and sales plans in place are the first step, followed by the actual implementation of your vision. This is your dream, and it will take time to come to fruition, but you’ve got this! Patience and determination are key.
]]>Full Disclosure: After carefully vetting monetary opportunities that allow Spread Your Sunshine, LLC to best serve its community with helpful and meaningful content in-line with our goals and mission, this post contains one or more affiliate links, meaning that Spread Your Sunshine, LLC will receive compensation for the posting of this article.
Spread Your Sunshine Founder Melanie S. Griffin, Esq. recently delivered a keynote address to The HR Trail, LLC’s podcast with Amber Trail. As further detailed in the recording Episode 6: Melanie Griffin - Effective Communication, this presentation explores ways in which you can effectively communicate with other individuals, as well as your employees, colleagues or team.
Today we live in a world that has an immense amount of ways in which to communicate. One might wonder then how it’s possible to create affective one-on-one communication that is personal and engaging. When the need to communicate with another individual arises, we often reach for our phones or laptops to send a text or email. But when was the last time we picked up the phone and called someone we cared about? When is the last time that we heard the voice of our loved one, friend or colleague? This is especially important given the current global pandemic that is still affecting many of us. Even if it’s not a one-on-one conversation and it’s a Zoom call with several people, it can be very beneficial for proper communication to be able to visually see other people’s body language and hear the tone of their voice (with acknowledgement and sensitivity towards those who are not able). Many things can be lost in text and someone’s true feelings towards a specific topic may not be conveyed the way the person truly meant. This can be diminished or oftentimes eliminated with voice calls and video chats.
When more than two people are communicating via Zoom or other video platforms, things can be a bit more tricky. So what can hosts do to interact with several people at once, specifically ones that seem uninterested in the topic or discussion?
Hopefully this has given you some insight on how to enhance the efficacy of your communication skills! A good leader evaluates themselves often and is continuously learning.
To listen to this podcast in its entirety, please click here.
Now that you have the strategies to effectively enhance your communication, is there additional information you want to receive from Spread Your Sunshine?! We’re sure there is, so please share your ideas by emailing Melanie@SpreadYourSunshine.com or sending Spread Your Sunshine a message via Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn or Twitter. We love hearing from you, as together we are strongest.
© 2021 Spread Your Sunshine, LLC
]]>Full Disclosure: After carefully vetting monetary opportunities that allow Spread Your Sunshine, LLC to best serve its community with helpful and meaningful content in-line with our goals and mission, this post contains one or more affiliate links, meaning that Spread Your Sunshine, LLC will receive compensation for the posting of this article.
If your business is struggling to reach a target audience or demographic, there are several factors that you should consider adjusting before moving forward. Here are a few suggestions to help you hone in on your target audience or demographic and bring greater success to your business.
What Problem Does Your Product or Service Solve?
This is marketing 101 and typically one of the first questions asked when considering starting a business. From each according to their ability, to each according to their needs. When we seek out a product or service, we’re looking to fulfill a need or desire. What are the needs and desires of your target audience or demographic? Once you know, you can create a compelling marketing pitch. Honesty and transparency are of the utmost importance in the world today. Remember, profit should not be your number one driving factor, that should be building and sustaining a community of loyal customers. If people don’t trust you or get the sense that you only want their money, they are likely to go elsewhere.
Who is Your Target Audience or Demographic?
While this is usually a question that is asked prior to kickstarting a business, it is always important to evaluate specifics occasionally, as experience brings knowledge and wisdom. Perhaps, originally you had a larger target audience, but over time you realized that certain sectors of that audience don’t typically turn into sales for you, and that the time and money spent marketing to them could be better utilized for another unlikely sector that you didn’t originally consider, but has turned out to be profitable. It is important to not utilize your time, money and resources to pitch to the wrong people. For instance, if you’re marketing replacement windows to people who rent their apartment or house, it’s not benefitting your business because they do not have the right as a renter to replace the windows in those homes. For this reason, direct mail marketing can be useful. With this option, you can reach individuals that you know are in a position to benefit from your product or service.
Pull Your Audience in with More Compelling Marketing Content
Social media still reigns, so it’s important to have an online presence with two or more of the most popular outlets, in order to engage with past and potential customers or clients. We can all be influencers nowadays, and if a customer enjoys your product or service, you need to have a presence online so they can tag you, thus potentially bringing in more business. Another way to get creative is with posting videos on YouTube. Let your audience know what it is that you’re up to, give them sneak peeks into any new products that may be available soon, give them options to pre-order, create a poll and ask what products or services they’d like to see from you, then provide them if they’re a popular choice.
Think About Turn-Around Time
One of the worst things a business can do is take too long to deliver their product to a customer, but worse yet, is not getting back to a potential customer or client with an answer to their question or inquiry within a decent amount of time. If you don’t respond to an email or call, they’ve likely already lost interest and trust, and moved on to another company that will provide the right service. If there’s only one factor you improve, this should be the one.
Hopefully, this helped give you a few ideas for really honing in on your target audience or demographic and creating ideas that will help your business experience greater success. Remember, no product or service is universal. While, understandably, you would want to reach the largest audience possible, you must be willing to make your marketing plan more direct to ensure the most return on investment, as well as build the community that will continually help your business thrive.
]]>Full Disclosure: After carefully vetting monetary opportunities that allow Spread Your Sunshine, LLC to best serve its community with helpful and meaningful content in-line with our goals and mission, this post contains one or more affiliate links, meaning that Spread Your Sunshine, LLC will receive compensation for the posting of this article.
Spread Your Sunshine Founder Melanie S. Griffin, Esq. recently delivered a keynote address to That Entrepreneur Show podcast with host Vincent A. Lanci. As further detailed in the recording, “Attorney and Business Woman of the Year Ends Season 10," this presentation provides insight into how to be ready for life’s curve balls, as well as rejection. Receiving a “no” from a potential partnership can be devastating, but don’t let it knock you out of the game completely.
When it comes to being an entrepreneur, there will certainly be ups and downs, especially when you’re first starting out and trying to navigate your way through it all. Over time you will learn what is right for you and your business, as well as how to have a healthy work-life balance. Podcasts and audiobooks can be of great value to your growth, as much of what you will encounter has already been experienced by so many people. It helps to listen to other’s testimonies regarding their own journeys and can provide great insight into your own.
Spread Your Sunshine was founded four years ago when Melanie made the decision to go “Of Counsel” at her corporate law firm, in order to free up more time and dedicate herself to being committed to empowering others with the confidence to break the glass ceiling and achieve their dreams. Just a few years in, she was thrown a curve ball along with the rest of the world, when Covid-19 hit. The ability to speak and sell products in public places disappeared almost overnight and this forced her to reevaluate how she could connect with her community in different ways. Having focused pre-pandemic on products and in-person speaking engagements, Melanie pivoted by hosting webinars and podcasts, including interpreting the rapid-fire laws introduced by Congress and disseminating information to help businesses survive, and even thrive, in the new business environment.
Adapting in these situations is imperative to continue succeeding as an entrepreneur, you always have to be ready to pivot when necessary. As Darryl Bloodworth, an attorney in Orlando, Florida said, “Your life, particularly your professional life, is not a sprint, it is a marathon.” Most of us (arguably all of us) have a time limit on how long we can do multiple things well. While it is subjective, at some point you will get burned out and drop the ball. It’s crucial to recognize as early as possible where you wish to invest your time and where it’s best to step back, so that you can be in alignment with what is most important to you and your quality of life. And, that answer is different for everyone.
Believe in yourself. Not everyone will say “yes.” In fact, many say “no” or may not respond at all. For example, Melanie recently planned a webinar that was similar to one contemplated by another organization. She therefore reached out, suggesting a collaboration. The other organization was not receptive, responding that Melanie did not have the skillset. This could have easily set her back and she could have internalized the rejection. Instead, she chose to believe in herself. She produced the webinar on her own because she knew she not only had the skillset, but also the expertise and audience demand.
Similar to the forgoing, view “no’s” as a “no for right now,” or a “no” for that particular partnership, not as a “no, you’re not meant to be doing it.” It’s only practice for the inevitable “yes.”
Hopefully these thoughts have provided insight on how to be ready to deal with some of the curveballs that entrepreneur life may throw your way, like, “How is cryptocurrency taxed in Australia?” Practice reevaluation regularly and be ready to continue believing in yourself with the same vigor as you did when you started.
To listen to this podcast in its entirety, please click here.
Now that you have several strategies to navigate life’s curve balls, is there additional information you want to receive from Spread Your Sunshine?! We’re sure there is, so please share your ideas by emailing Melanie@SpreadYourSunshine.com or sending Spread Your Sunshine a message via Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn or Twitter. We love hearing from you, as together we are strongest.
© 2021 Spread Your Sunshine, LLC
]]>Full Disclosure: After carefully vetting monetary opportunities that allow Spread Your Sunshine, LLC to best serve its community with helpful and meaningful content in-line with our goals and mission, this post contains one or more affiliate links, meaning that Spread Your Sunshine, LLC will receive compensation for the posting of this article.
Spread Your Sunshine Founder Melanie S. Griffin, Esq. recently participated in the Voices of Impact podcast with Erica Castner. As further detailed in the recording Upleveling Your Professional Leadership Skills - Episode 51, this presentation explores ways in which you can become a better leader, both in your professional and personal life.
Throughout your lifetime you will have many failures, and that’s okay! It’s what you learn from those failures and how you implement those lessons in the future that is ultimately what’s most important.
One thing that you can fail to do, especially when you’re younger and still learning how to navigate life, is fail to protect your time. Oftentimes, when you are trying to find your passions, you can spend a lot of time saying yes to many different experiences; as you progress, it’s important that you learn to intentionally focus on the few things that mean the most to you so that you do not further delay your dreams and goals.
No matter what your passions may be, don’t just ask yourself if something is a great networking opportunity. Also ask questions like, “Does this help me grow? Does this align with my mission?” If the answers are yes, go for it! But, if the answers are no, it’s best to turn down the opportunity. Perhaps you can help support in another capacity, but don’t give away time to a project that does not align with your mission or what you wish to contribute to the world.
In What Ways Can You Enhance Your Leadership Skills?
Embrace Challenges. Leaders are typically motivated by challenges. Once you master same, though, you may become bored or complacent, causing you to be less effective. It is therefore imperative that you consistently look for ways to learn and grow.
Accept Criticism As Truth. This doesn’t necessarily mean you have to change anything about your habits. It does, however, mean that you should recognize that something you did or said caused someone to feel the way that they shared. Upon receiving the feedback, evaluate what you did and how you are leading to determine if any change needs to be made. You may realize that although your actions were unintentional, you can improve your leadership skills moving forward. In this instance, you may want to connect with a team of online reputation management profile defenders who can help you refine and rebuild your electronic presence.
Practice Positivity and Gratitude. Ask yourself what experience you want to create for those who have contact with you. Try internally channeling your favorite leader whenever you feel yourself getting off track. Stop, take a deep breath and think about how you can transition yourself back to where you want to be.
How Can You Continue To Learn In Order To Stay On Top Of Things?
Mentorship. This is especially important from the opposite sex. Run ideas passed your colleagues, partners, family, friends because the advice you can get from people with different perspectives can show you what you may be missing and could really transform how you might handle a situation.
Seek Feedback. We think about what we say in one way, but the way people read, hear or think about what we’ve said can be different. You want to make sure that your message is coming across the way that you want it to come across as a leader.
Listen To Podcasts, TedTalks, Audio Books, Physical Books. Immerse yourself in learning from others, as what they’ve been challenged with and overcome can certainly help you as well, even if they’re in a different field.
Hopefully this has given you some insight on how to enhance your leadership skills and be the best version of you that you can be! A good leader evaluates themselves often and is continuously learning.
To listen to this podcast in its entirety, please click here.
Now that you have the strategies to uplevel your leadership skills, is there additional information you want to receive from Spread Your Sunshine?! We’re sure there is, so please share your ideas by emailing Melanie@SpreadYourSunshine.com or sending Spread Your Sunshine a message via Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn or Twitter. We love hearing from you, as together we are strongest.
© 2021 Spread Your Sunshine, LLC
]]>Full Disclosure: After carefully vetting monetary opportunities that allow Spread Your Sunshine, LLC to best serve its community with helpful and meaningful content in-line with our goals and mission, this post contains one or more affiliate links, meaning that Spread Your Sunshine, LLC will receive compensation for the posting of this article.
Spread Your Sunshine Founder Melanie S. Griffin, Esq. was recently the Featured Guest on The Wing Woman Show podcast hosted by Morgan Barse. As further detailed in Spreading Her Sunshine with Stationery with Melanie Griffin, this presentation discusses the paths people take from careers to recognizing their passions, and how to manage your fears, doubts and time.
Sadly, too many people are not given the tools needed in order to pursue their passions from an early age, and oftentimes they ultimately choose what is safe. In doing so, they learn quite a bit throughout their journey, but eventually find themselves in a place feeling unsatisfied and unfulfilled. Through platforms and products like Spread Your Sunshine, adults and youth alike are able to hear the testimonies of others’ struggles, recognize that they are not alone, and gain confidence within themselves to pursue their own passions.
Where Would You Be If You Had to Start Over?
Due to several factors, whether it be initial lack of resources, lack of financial or emotional support, or perhaps just a change of heart, many people find themselves quitting careers and pursuing entrepreneur life in order to find fulfillment. It’s becoming more and more popular to quit stable corporate jobs that tend to lack purpose, respect or just fail to challenge us any longer. Society is currently experiencing a major shift, as more people are recognizing their worth and taking more risks. Many are manifesting their dreams by simply imagining themselves driving passed large banner frames with the logo and name of their business! If you had to do it all over again with the knowledge you have, would you do it all the same or would you do it differently?
It’s important to recognize that literally everyone is struggling in some way. No one has it all figured out, but for too long, people have pretended like they do and social media can aid in these illusions. Because of this, it is easy to begin comparing yourself to others, but we all prioritize different aspects of our lives and they manifest in different ways. Some people prioritize their work, others their families and still others prioritize other relationships they are cultivating. You have to find ways to be comfortable in your own skin, to be authentic, because much of life is being able to look back and say, “Was I happy?” It’s imperative that you learn to be happy with what you are doing and what you have chosen to do.
When you find unique ways to streamline what you are passionate about, people appreciate that. Also, once you step into your purpose and begin living authentically, opportunities will come pouring in. As mentioned in the podcast, Melanie had built a successful career as a lawyer, but began to realize that her passion was actually in serving and inspiring others, a feat she was unable to do to her full potential in her corporate career. She initially attempted to pursue both simultaneously, but then recognized that this just left her with no more time to give. After making the decision to go “Of Counsel” in order to pursue what she truly desired, opportunities for speaking, writing and going on podcasts arose and now she has the best of all worlds. Although, maintaining a healthy work-life balance still has its challenges.
Hopefully this has given you some insight on how to pinpoint your own passions and give you the courage to take that first step to pursuing them, if you haven’t already.
To listen to this podcast in its entirety, please click here.
Now that you have several strategies to pursing your own passions, is there additional information you want to receive from Spread Your Sunshine?! We’re sure there is, so please share your ideas by emailing Melanie@SpreadYourSunshine.com or sending Spread Your Sunshine a message via Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn or Twitter. We love hearing from you, as together we are strongest.
© 2021 Spread Your Sunshine, LLC
Full Disclosure: After carefully vetting monetary opportunities that allow Spread Your Sunshine, LLC to best serve its community with helpful and meaningful content in-line with our goals and mission, this post contains one or more affiliate links, meaning that Spread Your Sunshine, LLC will receive compensation for the posting of this article.
Spread Your Sunshine Founder Melanie S. Griffin, Esq. recently delivered a keynote address to the Central Florida Association for Women Lawyers (“CFAWL”) entitled, The Importance of Gratitude and Showing Appreciation. As further detailed herein, this presentation explores the benefits of living a life of gratitude and strategies for growing in such practice. While this program was presented to CFAWL, the entire discussion is applicable to all audiences. We therefore hope these ideas help fabulous YOU best adopt a gratitude mindset and shower everyone around you with love and appreciation.
The Benefits of Practicing Gratitude
Gratitude significantly positively impacts our lives and mindsets, how we feel and can contribute, and the ways we help others. For example, gratitude has been shown to open doors to more relationships, as people want to be associated with someone who makes them feel good, including by acknowledging their efforts. One of the best ways to do this is by consistently cultivating a positive mindset, which may be enhanced by reputation management experts who can help you and your business best authentically connect with your community.
The derivatives of this practice are plentiful, including enhanced empathy, reduced aggression, and better sleep. And, good sleep boosts immunity, prevents weight gain, strengthens the heart, increases productivity, enhances performance, and improves mood, memory, self-esteem, mental strength, and physical and physiological health.
Strategies to Grow in Gratitude
Given the many benefits associated with living a life of gratitude, consider utilizing the following strategies to help you grow your positive mindset and show love to the community around you.
Maintain A Gratitude Journal
To maximize effectiveness, your entries should specifically detail why you are grateful and the root of the things you appreciate in your life. For example, instead of writing, “I am thankful for the food I have to eat,” consider, “I am thankful for this season of Honeycrisp Apples that nourish my body, provide a sweet treat that I look forward to eating, and make me smile reminiscing of crisp fall days at the Apple Orchard with family members, including fond memories of loved ones who are no longer with us.” The second statement truly immerses you in a gratitude state, washing the moment over you, allowing you to fully experience it, and thus, channel your inner positive feelings.
While the benefits of journaling are plentiful, it’s understood that on a daily basis, you may not have time to put pen to paper. In that instance, engage in the same practice, simply as a mental, instead of written, exercise. Whether it’s upon waking in the morning, while at a red light when driving, or during some other idle time, there are always opportune moments throughout the day to focus on your appreciation skills when you are intentional.
Over time, concentrating on your blessings, not your burdens, will grow your mindset, positively shift the perspective with which you evaluate and react to everything in your life, and build your resilience for best dealing with new challenges that arise.
Write Yourself A Gratitude Letter
So often, we love on others, but forget to show ourselves love. Worse than that, we engage in negative and self-deprecating self-talk, belittling our talents, doubting ourselves, and feeding our minds hurtful lies that do not allow us to experience joy and live to our full potential.
One way to improve how you treat yourself is to write yourself a gratitude letter focusing on the unique ways that you make the world a better place. Beyond improving your mood and confidence in the short-term, it is a great tool during later moments of self-doubt. And, when celebrating fabulous YOU, remember that the smallest act can have the greatest impact. You deserve to feel loved and appreciated after both small wins and significant milestones.
Shower Others with Gratitude
A favorite Spread Your Sunshine saying is, “Don’t just think someone is awesome, tell them!” Oftentimes, your loved ones do not realize the positive impact they have on you or your appreciation for their efforts when you do not share your feelings. Whether it is by card, email, text, direct message, in-person meeting, or some other way, help them understand the unique and positive impact they have on your world. Doing so will improve your relationships, instill confidence in your community, and energize loved ones who would otherwise crumble from the weight of being taken for granted.
Keep in mind that this practice does not have to be time-consuming. A meaningful text may be just as impactful as a hand-written note. What is most important is that your feelings are shared and unrealistic perfection does not trump a smaller opportunity to brighten someone’s day.
Likewise, do not let the passage of time stop you from expressing your appreciation. A thank you is always welcomed. In fact, your impact is often greatest after time has passed that allows you to fully understand and explain how the person helped you.
Similarly, shower both loved ones and strangers alike with love. Oftentimes, an unexpected compliment has the biggest impact, as the recipient knows you were not obligated to share your thoughts and rather, genuinely appreciate them and their unique awesomeness.
For additional thoughts on expressing gratitude, click here or on the video below.
And, do you want to learn more from Spread Your Sunshine?! We’re sure you do, so please share your ideas with us by emailing Melanie at Melanie@SpreadYourSunshine.com or by sending Spread Your Sunshine a message via Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or Twitter. We love hearing from you, as together we are strongest.
© 2021 Spread Your Sunshine, LLC
]]>Full Disclosure: After carefully vetting monetary opportunities that allow Spread Your Sunshine, LLC to best serve its community with helpful and meaningful content in-line with our goals and mission, this post contains one or more affiliate links, meaning that Spread Your Sunshine, LLC will receive compensation for the posting of this article.
Spread Your Sunshine Founder Melanie S. Griffin, Esq. recently delivered a keynote address at the 2021 Delta Zeta Sorority National Convention entitled, Flexing Your Resilience Muscle: Building Skills to Thrive, Succeed & Shine. As further detailed herein, this presentation explores how to “build your resilience muscle” by believing in yourself and having the skillset to keep going when times are tough. While this program was presented to collegiate and alumni members of the Delta Zeta Sorority, the entire discussion is applicable to all audiences. We therefore hope these ideas help fabulous YOU have the determination that lets you know you’re awesome and you’re going to make it.
How Do You Begin to Build Your Resilience Muscle?
Throughout your life, there will be multiple significant experiences that will impact you moving forward, such as divorce, not getting into the grad school you’d hoped to, getting fired by a major client, declaring bankruptcy, losing your house, a family member getting diagnosed with an illness or dying, adopting a child, and so on. There are also smaller experiences, such as getting a “C” that you weren’t expecting in a class, that will allow you to build your resilience muscle for the more significant ones. Nothing in life is too trivial to experience disappointment, but to maintain a healthy mindset, your responses to these challenges should be proportionate to what has happened. So, how can you move forward and transition when these experiences occur?
Your brain believes you when you talk negatively to it about yourself, so you must learn to speak positively in order to love yourself, be authentic, and to give your best self to the world. Many people go on a diet to lose five pounds, but how many go on a diet to lose five percent or more of their mental negativity? Dwelling on negative life experiences, playing it safe and being a perfectionist are not allowing you to be your best healthy self. Perfection is sometimes equated with confidence, but it is actually a way of attempting to make up for our perceived lack of confidence within ourselves. A good starting point is to begin repeating to yourself, “I am enough.” Showing yourself love and grace is imperative to overcoming challenges. When you learn to implement these skills, it can create a positive change in both yourself and in your community.
Strategies For Continuing to Build Your Resilience Muscle
Knowing it is important to build resilience, how can you do so? We recommend trying the following four strategies.
Attaining Balance & Finding Peace
Life is a marathon, not a sprint. Balance and perspective are incredibly important. Don’t miss out on life’s magical moments because you’re not allocating your time appropriately. What is important to you? Everyone’s definition of success is different! As long as you’re truly happy with how you are spending your time, that’s what matters. If you’re not, make the desired changes.
Remember, you’re not going to get an “A” in every area of your life every day, it’s not humanly possible. Instead, look at your balance long-term - the week, the quarter, the year - whichever is appropriate for you.
Hopefully this has given you some insight on strategies to build your resilience muscle. If nothing else, know and believe that YOU. ARE. AWESOME!! We sure think so.
To listen to this keynote address in its entirety, please click here or on the video above.
And, now that you have the strategies necessary to build your own resilience muscle, is there additional information you want to receive from Spread Your Sunshine?! We’re sure there is, so please share your ideas by emailing Melanie@SpreadYourSunshine.com or sending Spread Your Sunshine a message via Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn or Twitter. We love hearing from you, as together we are strongest.
© 2021 Spread Your Sunshine, LLC
Full Disclosure: After carefully vetting monetary opportunities that allow Spread Your Sunshine, LLC to best serve its community with helpful and meaningful content in-line with our goals and mission, this post contains one or more affiliate links, meaning that Spread Your Sunshine, LLC will receive compensation for the posting of this article.
Spread Your Sunshine Founder Melanie S. Griffin, Esq. recently addressed the Florida Association for Women Lawyers (FAWL) Thomas M. Cooley – Tampa Bay Chapter regarding Why “Failures” Are Your Hidden Superpowers. This presentation focused on why you should not be afraid of "failing," and instead, embrace that sometimes things will not turn out as planned, remember that no one has a 100% failure rate (including *you*!), change your definition of “failure,” learn from and do not dwell on challenging experiences, and have a game plan for them. While this program was presented to FAWL, almost the entire discussion applies to graduate students and professionals across all industries. It is therefore hoped that Part 3 of this three-part series focused on 12 Tips for Overcoming Your Fear of Failure helps fabulous YOU as you do the hard work on these issues and make the changes necessary to shine your brightest.
12 Tips for Overcoming Your Fear of Failure
While, as touched on in Parts 1 and 2 of this three-part series, a certain amount of apprehension will always accompany new challenges, the following strategies will reduce your uncertainty and give you the courage needed to pursue your dreams.
1. Change Your Definition of “Failure”
“Failure” is not a defeating, embarrassing miss, but a challenging experience from which we learn and grow.
2. Tell Negative Self-Talk to “Take a Hike!”
Just like your mind is uplifted by a positive quote, it believes you when you indulge in negative self-talk. For example, if you tell yourself that you cannot reach a desired goal, such as, for example, raising $5K for your favorite charity, you are far less likely to achieve it, as your mind believes and fulfills your negative self-prophecy. So, shut down negative self-talk by practicing self-love, replacing your self-deprecating mindset with a positive outlook, and channeling your ability to overcome the challenges you face. By practicing such healthy habits, you will be happier and far more likely to crush the goals you set for yourself, such as by, in the example here, finding unique ways to attract donors, such as through t-shirt fundraising.
3. Be a Cheerleader for Your Colleagues
I do not know about you, but little causes me more anxiety than finishing a project, submitting it, and receiving zero feedback. Was the project received? Liked? Disliked? When there is radio silence, it is easy to assume the worst.
Given this, it is important to not just think someone is doing a great job, but to tell them. Your acknowledgment is the difference between experiencing self-doubt and feeling self-worth. Without your feedback, others do not realize how much you appreciate their hard work. With it, they have boosted self-esteem and confidence.
To enhance these feelings, celebrate incremental progress. Doing so allows the recipient of your praise to internalize your statements and believe in their successes. Likewise, focusing on effort and progress, not outcome, will help others celebrate their milestones instead of having an “all or nothing” mentality only focused on the end result.
4. Welcome & Seek Out Constructive Feedback
Feedback is an opportunity for growth, not a criticism of your performance. It should therefore be elicited often to help you maximize your potential, especially when feedback is available from a trusted mentor before a project is submitted to a broader audience.
When receiving feedback, view it as at least a partial truth even if you disagree with it. Something you did caused at least one person to view your action differently than you intended. Being receptive to feedback alerts you to potential weaknesses, allowing you to address and move on from them more quickly.
5. Extend Grace to Everyone, Including You
Treat everyone in your life as a “customer.” From fur babies, to clients, to colleagues, to family and friends, create a fantastic “experience” for everyone with whom you interact by giving them your full attention and acting as you want to be remembered.
One way to make a good impression is to operate from a place of understanding, not judgment. For example, instead of immediately assuming the worst when someone misses a deadline or no-shows to a meeting, take a deep breath and consider all the possibilities before acting. While it is possible that the responsibility was intentionally shirked, it is most likely that there is a reasonable explanation for, and solution to, the situation. Showing that you care about the circumstances avoids creating unnecessary animosity and curries better favor with the community you want to love and support.
When extending grace, do not forget that it should also be extended to you. Forgiving yourself is hard. So hard, in fact, that you may dwell on personal “failures” for which you would immediately forgive others. Giving yourself grace and moving on from disappointments, however, will allow you to focus on new ideas instead of fixating on the negative. Do not let *you* be the obstacle holding *you* back.
6. Delegate & Ask For Help
The fear of failure is associated with behaviors like perfectionism and workaholism, which are not strengths about which to brag, but rather, a lack of confidence for which you are trying to overcompensate by making everything “just right.” Disrupt this cycle by delegating your to-do’s and admitting when help is needed. Although many of us are hesitant to request favors, the number of times our requests will be denied is overestimated 2-to-1. Instead, the opposite is true - people generally want to assist and asking for help establishes the best connections, as the helper feels invested in your outcome, not annoyed by your need for assistance. So, the next time an extra set of hands would be helpful, ask for them – your request is a blessing, not a burden.
7. Intentionally Curate Your Team
The five people with whom you spend the most time have the biggest influence on your mindset. Do the members of your community encourage you to be your best self? Are they a support network? Do they provide mentorship? If any member of your inner-circle does not fulfill these requirements, they are holding you back and you should make a change.
8. Schedule Your Day for Mental Success
Every day can be successful with the right mindset. To create a framework for positivity, refrain from checking your email and social media accounts first thing in the morning. Instead, begin your day with an activity like journaling what you will accomplish or envisioning how you will react if a situation goes as planned? Worse? Better?
Reserve part of your day to exercise. Whether it is hitting the gym, completing an online class, or walking around your house during periodic breaks, you will benefit from the extra endorphins.
To best focus on and achieve your priority tasks, ignore your inbox for at least 60% of the day. Without your emails constantly in front of you, you can proactively accomplish your goals instead of spending your day reacting to others’ “emergencies.”
As a part of this practice, limit your screen time, including putting your cell phone to bed at night. Both your mind and your eyes are worthy of rest, so give them the time they need to relax and recover.
9. Plan to Succeed, Not Fail
Think about it - if no one has a 100% failure rate, why is it that we only think about failure when planning for the future? We fill our heads with “what if?” scenarios detailing the many ways that we could fail instead of focusing on how we could succeed. Stop dwelling on worst-case scenarios, and instead, think about what you *will* accomplish. Even if the ultimate goal is not reached, you will accomplish more with a growth mindset than you will when worrying.
10. Ferociously Pursue Lifelong Learning
Many empowerment podcasts, books, and the like share a similar theme – fearlessness. It is not that the author thinks they are invincible, it is that they know they could “fail” and pursue the opportunity anyway. Hearing these inspiring stories will give you the courage necessary to do the same. The more you know, the more you will feel ready to face your fears.
11. Ask yourself, “Can I watch someone else fulfill my dream?”
If not, you know that the opportunity should be pursued and is a priority for you.
12. Journal/Positive Statements & Read Empowering Quotes
Enhance your positive mindset by writing down the good stuff. Fill a journal and/or post notes around your home or office with things for which you are grateful, quotes that uplift you, and whatever else makes you smile throughout the day.
Final Thoughts
To view and listen to this presentation in its entirety, please click here or on the video below.
Is there anything you want to hear more about from Spread Your Sunshine?! We’re sure you do, so please share your ideas with us by emailing Melanie at Melanie@SpreadYourSunshine.com or by sending Spread Your Sunshine a message via Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or Twitter. We love hearing from you, as together we are strongest.
© 2021 Spread Your Sunshine, LLC
]]>Full Disclosure: After carefully vetting monetary opportunities that allow Spread Your Sunshine, LLC to best serve its community with helpful and meaningful content in-line with our goals and mission, this post contains one or more affiliate links, meaning that Spread Your Sunshine, LLC will receive compensation for the posting of this article.
Spread Your Sunshine Founder Melanie S. Griffin, Esq. recently addressed the Florida Association for Women Lawyers (FAWL) Thomas M. Cooley – Tampa Bay Chapter regarding Why “Failures” Are Your Hidden Superpowers. This presentation focused on why you should not be afraid of "failing," and instead, embrace that sometimes things will not turn out as planned, remember that no one has a 100% failure rate (including *you*!), change your definition of “failure,” learn from and do not dwell on challenging experiences, and have a game plan for them. While this program was presented to FAWL, almost the entire discussion applies to graduate students and professionals across all industries. It is therefore hoped that Part 2 of this three-part series focused on Why Failures Are Your Hidden Super Powers helps fabulous YOU as you do the hard work on these issues and make the changes necessary to shine your brightest.
Why “Failures” Are Your Hidden Superpowers
As hinted in Part 1 of this series, after processing what was initially a negative experience, you can benefit from several silver linings. This is where the magic lies, these are your hidden superpowers. The following are a few of our favorites.
Increased Growth & Learning: Acknowledging your fear gives you the opportunity to ask for feedback, help, and/or criticism. Implementing what you learn will accelerate your personal and professional growth, making you an even bigger and badder version of your previous self. For example, feel overwhelmed by investment opportunities, such as gold coins? Instead of letting intimidation stop you from growing your nest egg, commit to studying investment strategies that will lead to increased financial freedom.
New Opportunities, Jobs, Relationships & Experiences: Sticking with what you know so that you never fail stagnates your career, relationships, and more. The willingness to accept new challenges, even when uncomfortable, provides you with opportunities not previously envisioned.
Maximized High Performance: Continued high performance requires new challenges. Although it may be counterintuitive, at some point, continuing to do what has become routine will cause you to backslide. Preventing this regression requires accepting new projects and committing to lifelong learning.
Heightened Productivity: “Move fast and break things.” That was Mark Zuckerberg’s initial motto when founding Facebook. “Failure” was the only way to determine if something worked before being outpaced by the competition. Likewise, your productivity will be severely hindered if you constantly worry about making the “wrong decision.” Instead, accept that “failure” may be an option, and if so, it is not the worst potential outcome. Holding yourself back and never reaching your full potential would be much worse.
Better Time Management: When you fear “failure,” tasks, regardless of their importance, can take an inordinate amount of time. Abandoning your need to make everything perfect will liberate you and allow you to better manage your time.
Improved Drive, Motivation & Work Ethic: Your dream not working out as planned the first time often gives you more determination and focus to achieve it next time.
Boosted Self-Confidence: Learning that “failures” have several benefits and you are not alone in such experiences improves your mood and the perspective you bring to new projects and challenges.
Enhanced Joy and Happiness: The more you think about something, the more intensely you feel the associated emotion. For example, pretend someone upset you by cutting you off while driving to work this morning. The more you think about the scenario throughout the day, the angrier you get. Even when you temporarily forget the situation, say when eating a delicious lunch, you snap back to perturbed anger upon remembering what happened.
Now, rewind and imagine the scenario differently. You were once again cut off while driving to work this morning. This time, however, you wished the other driver had handled the situation differently, but let it go and did not get angry. As a result, your day rocks, as there is no negativity weighing you down.
The same is true with the fear of failure. When you fixate on it, it can be debilitating. Set aside, however, your mind is refreshed and empowered to try new projects and experiences that you otherwise would not have pursued and that you most greatly enjoy.
Built-Up Resilience: Surviving one setback helps you better withstand and more quickly recover from future hardship.
Connected Empathy & Authentic Leadership Skills: When you know what it is like to “fail,” you are more sympathetic to others who endure similar experiences, heightening your ability to connect, provide helpful support, and best lead your team.
Curated Branding: Oftentimes, our funniest and most relatable stories come from our “failures.” You may therefore best connect with others, whether it be your mentees, employees, or customers, when you have shared disappointing past experiences.
Advanced Goal Achievement & Success: As the saying goes, “You miss 100% of the shots you do not take.” While you may have some misses along the way, ultimately, abandoning your fear of failure will empower you to pursue new endeavors, eventually leading you to heights not otherwise achieved.
Final Thoughts
To view and listen to this presentation in its entirety, please click here or on the video below.
Is there anything you want to hear more about from Spread Your Sunshine?! We’re sure you do, so please share your ideas with us by emailing Melanie at Melanie@SpreadYourSunshine.com or by sending Spread Your Sunshine a message via Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or Twitter. We love hearing from you, as together we are strongest.
© 2021 Spread Your Sunshine, LLC
]]>“It’s a marathon, not a sprint!” Although you may have heard this phrase or something similar from your manager or mentor, the real and perceived demands of our fast-paced lives often leave us with a different impression of how we are expected to balance and use our time. This is evidenced by the fact that America is known as one of the most over-worked nations in the world.
Notoriously, the U.S. is the only country in the Americas without national paid parental leave, a maximum workweek length, federally mandated paid sick leave, or legally mandated annual leave. When paid leave is given, it often goes unused. In 2018 alone, 55% of Americans did not use all of their paid vacation time, leaving 768 million days of paid time off unused, up 9% from 2017.
Unfortunately, this behavior takes a physical and mental toll on American workers. Our work-around-the-clock mentality and 24/7 work habits lead to emotional, physical and mental exhaustion; prolonged periods of stress; feelings of overwhelm, anxiety, inadequacy, cynicism and depression; and declining mental and physical health.
The good news is that “burnout” is not a medical diagnosis or life-long sentence. Rather, it is a condition over which you can take control. To do so, consider the following facts and correlating strategies you can implement in your life today to immediately effect positive change.
Recognize That Work Can Be An Addiction
Work, just like drugs, alcohol and other vices, can be an addiction. In fact, “workaholic,” “a person who works compulsively,” originates from “alcoholic.” Similar to other addicts, a workaholic engages in their vice, work, at the cost of their physical and mental health, sleep, time with family and friends, and enjoyment of other aspects of life, regardless of whether they like their job.
Despite the downside of spending too many hours focused on your job and other tasks, how many of us are conditioned to do so by societal pressures with which we are conditioned from a young age? Personally, both of my hands are raised in response to this question. In fact, it feels like an oxymoron that this article is being drafted in the middle of the night when everyone else in my household is sleeping. Such is the plight of many working parents, me included. The good news, though, is that by learning about workaholism, it can be combatted by prioritizing self-care and limiting the number of hours worked.
Do Not Treat “Workaholic” As A Coveted Title
I first learned that work can be an addiction about five years ago during a conversation with a girlfriend who had decided to sell her business. I was stunned – at the time, the girlfriend’s company was in high-growth mode, much like those in the telecom industry, servicing an A-list of clients and winning awards and accolades at every turn. Although the timing of the decision seemed surprising, my girlfriend explained that the time required by the company’s growing success exceeded her desired work-life balance. Selling would realign her time, allowing her to pursue alternative endeavors that were professionally fulfilling while being less time-consuming.
Post-sale, my girlfriend shared that it took more than six weeks to watch a 30-minute TV show without feeling guilty about relaxing instead of working. Hearing that, it dawned on me for the first time that *I* was a workaholic. Like my friend, at that time, watching a 30-minute program certainly would have triggered guilt and anxiety. Looking back, there is not a sign in Forbes’ 7 Signs You May Be a Workaholic that I did not knock out of the park. It is sad to me reflecting on the number of times my husband came home from yet another social event he attended without me only for me to quiz him, “Well, did you tell them I had to work?”
Ultimately, the addiction took its toll on my physical and mental health. I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s Disease with a TSH level so high it had not previously been seen by the many doctors with whom I worked. I was also frequently nauseous, crippled by periodic migraines, occasionally unable to talk due to excruciating TMJ, episodically sidelined by various other health issues, worried about spiking blood pressure, and generally depressed, anxious and unhappy, a significant deviation from my more balanced “me.”
The good news is that knowing the perils of working too much gave me the courage necessary to improve my quality of life. More than two years ago, I traded in serving as an Equity Shareholder and Office Managing Partner at my then-law firm for an Of Counsel attorney role that lets me serve my legal clients well while working fewer hours and pursuing passions like Spread Your Sunshine. Like my girlfriend, the decision to resign from roles that others considered “prestigious” was easy. It had become obvious to me that the cost of my “coveted” job far outweighed its reward.
These days, I frequently reflect on how blessed I am to now be a recovering workaholic. Firstly, the hard work invested at the beginning of my career paid off, as it serves as the foundation for my present opportunities. This said, I am incredibly grateful that in my 30’s, while there are still hopefully many years ahead, my career trajectory was recalibrated to better balance my time both inside, and outside, the office. No professional achievement can replace the gift of now having additional time to spend with my loved ones and on projects through which I can make my greatest impact on the world.
You Are Worthy of Rest
Regardless of the number of items on your to-do list, you are worthy of rest. While, occasionally, you may have an important project that takes a considerable amount of your time, on the whole, three time management principals have helped me find time for *me* even when there is still work to do. There always will be.
First, oftentimes, we use the amount of time we have, whether it is 6 hours or 16. For example, if today, your boss told you that you had to complete a significant project by 5 PM or be fired, you would submit a project by 5 PM. It may not be perfect, but something would be submitted despite that it otherwise would have taken you much longer to create a submission that you considered “final.” The same principle is true with most projects on your plate. If you allow yourself to work until midnight every night, most days, your work will not be complete until midnight. If, however, you decide that every day you will wrap-up by 6 PM, miraculously, you will find a way to complete your work by 6 PM. So, set the deadline, work hard during the hours you allot, and then transition to other things that are important to you. You will be thankful you did.
Next consider when “good” is good enough. Too many times we work to make things perfect when the significance, or lack thereof, of the project is not worthy of perfection. Analyze the tasks on your list that truly need for every “i” to be dotted and “t” to be crossed. Spend the extra time making those projects perfect. For the rest, do an adequate job and then move on. Again, you will be grateful for the “extra” time and thankful you joined me as a “recovering perfectionist.”
Lastly, consider “dropping the ball,” a concept about which I learned from Tiffany Dufu. If the project is not mission-critical, so be it if it is not completed. Someone else can do it or it will not get done. That is okay. In the end, you will treasure the extra hours you spent reading to your child or training for a bucket list marathon, not the hours you spent making a party more Pinterest-worthy.
Prioritize & Invest in Your Well-Being and Happiness
Your well-being and happiness are areas of your life that should be prioritized and in which you should make a significant investment. Without your health, you are not your best you and you cannot serve others at your highest level. So, go to the doctor’s appointment, attend the yoga class, and make the healthy dinner, you will be glad you invested in *you*.
Analyze Your Goals & Priorities to Determine What is “Mission Critical”
Previously, when new opportunities were presented to me, I struggled with whether to accept them. After forming Spread Your Sunshine, however, such decisions were much easier. I analyzed whether the project was related to mentoring, building confidence in others, or another core Spread Your Sunshine belief. If it was, the project was further vetted to determine if it was something I could pursue at that time. If not, however, the project was politely declined.
You, too, can use this tool to best manage your time by identifying your top goals and priorities. Then, use them as guideposts to determine when to accept new opportunities and when to say, “no!” (it’s not a bad word, use it!). You will not regret the projects you turn down, as if you give all of your time away, you will never have the chance to make your goals and dreams a reality.
Schedule Breaks & Intentional Transitions
Regardless of how much you are juggling, it is critical that you break every 45-90 minutes throughout the day. Although you may be tempted to work straight through a project, stopping to stretch, take a quick walk, or do something else to clear your mind will help your body recharge, allowing you to work more productively for longer periods of time.
Likewise, intentionally transitioning between tasks relieves stress and anxiety and helps you focus on being your best *you* in the present moment. For example, when you first arrive to work in the morning, before rushing into your first meeting or project, take a deep breath and envision the day ahead of you. What will you accomplish? What experience will you create for your Team when they interact with you? How will you address challenges that arise? Intentionally focusing on what is ahead instead of mindlessly rushing between appointments will improve the experiences you have and that you create for everyone around you.
National Plan for Vacation Day
With our fresh commitment to a better-balanced life, moving forward, we should aim to decrease the American’s number of unused paid days off. To do so, annually mark your calendar for National Plan for Vacation Day. Celebrated on the last Tuesday of January, it’s a real thing. How awesome is that?!
And, is there anything additional YOU want to learn about to help the SYS community shine its brightest?! We’re sure you do, so please share your requests by emailing Melanie@SpreadYourSunshine.com or by sending Spread Your Sunshine a message via Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn or Twitter. We love hearing from you, as together, we are our strongest.
© 2021 Spread Your Sunshine, LLC
Full Disclosure: After carefully vetting monetary opportunities that allow Spread Your Sunshine, LLC to best serve its community with helpful and meaningful content in-line with our goals and mission, this post contains one or more affiliate links, meaning that Spread Your Sunshine, LLC will receive compensation for the posting of this article.
Spread Your Sunshine Founder Melanie S. Griffin, Esq. recently served as the Featured Speaker for the University of South Florida’s Center for Leadership & Civic Engagement Lunchtime Leadership Series. The presentation, Showing Yourself & Others Grace While Living a Life of Gratitude, focused on defining gratitude and grace and strategies to help you grow in such practices. While this presentation was presented in the university setting, almost all of the discussion and advice given is information that can be applied in anyone’s personal and professional lives. We therefore hope these ideas help fabulous YOU as you strategize how you will best live a life of gratitude and grace that helps you shine your brightest.
The Positive Impact of Practicing Gratitude & Showing Grace
Gratitude, at its core, is a feeling of appreciation that is usually associated with positivity. Grace is associated with courteous goodwill.
Gratitude and grace have a significant impact on our lives and mindset, including how we feel, contribute, and help others. These skills have been shown to open doors to more relationships, enhance empathy, reduce aggression, and improve self-esteem, physical health, psychological health, and mental strength. Gratitude and grace also help facilitate better sleep, the benefits of which are numerous: it helps to boost the immune system, prevent weight gain, strengthen the heart, improve mood, increase productivity, enhance performance, and improve memory, self-esteem, mental strength, and physical and physiological health. In short, as noted by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), “[m]any studies over the past decade have found that people who consciously count their blessings tend to be happier and less depressed.”
Strategies to Grow in Gratitude & Grace
Given the many benefits of bestowing gratitude and grace that are extended to both you and those with whom you interact, the incentives are high to grow in such practices. The following are some of our favorite strategies to help you do so.
Practice Self-Love to Better Extend Gratitude & Grace to Others
Extending gratitude and grace requires operating from a healthy headspace. Indulging in negative self-talk only falsely undermines the positivity you can share with the world. Just like reading positive quotes leaves you feeling inspired, consuming hurtful thoughts causes negativity and self-doubt. To stay on track to own your self-worth and best use your unique talents for the betterment of the world, you must focus on building and maintaining your confidence.
Achieving such a positive mindset requires repetition. Just like a healthy physique is the result of frequent exercise and good nutrition, a healthy mindset is the product of regular self-care and self-love. So, be mindful of your mental consumption, as it has a direct correlation to the energy you pour into everyone around you.
To channel your awesomeness, consider writing out your positive qualities so that you can see them listed and reference them as needed. You can also put physical reminders (e.g., Post-it Notes) in areas of high visibility (e.g., your bathroom mirror, bedstand, jewelry armoire, padfolio, refrigerator, computer, desk), use a self-affirmation journal, or calendar electronic reminders to train your brain to focus on your fabulousness to the exclusion of perceived and self-imposed shortcomings. The method you choose is not important, the outcome is. You must have a roadmap to keep your brain on course when times are good and to fall back on when negativity creeps in.
Be Your Community’s #1 Fan
It is important to not just think someone is fantastic, but to tell them. Your acknowledgment is the difference between someone experiencing self-doubt or actualizing their self-worth. Without your feedback, others do not realize how much you appreciate and admire them. Knowing what you think, however, boosts their self-esteem and invigorates their confidence. The ability to have such a tremendous positive impact on the lives of others is one of your incredible superpowers.
The good news is that creating this positive impact is as easy or hard as you make it. For example, you can send hand-written notes, treat people to meals, or purchase gifts that require time and/or money. Or, you can send quick and free messages that may be just as impactful via text, e-mail and direct message. Anyone who has emailed an organization, given a Zoom presentation to attendees who are not heard or seen, or the like can appreciate the latter. When there are crickets upon sending the message or when delivering the keynote, self-doubt creeps in. The longer the silence, the more anxiety you feel. But, the instant you see a reply, message in the chat, or social media post confirming how wonderful you are, your insecurity melts away and you are back on track to succeed. Empowering others to keep going and move forward is one of the greatest gifts you can share.
You likewise energize your community when you periodically initiate contact and foster open dialogue. People crave validation that they matter, are appreciated, and are heard. When you personally connect with others to share your gratitude, you demonstrate that you are a trusted resource and provide such validation, resulting in the growth of your community’s confidence and the positive impact you can make in the world together.
Curious as to one of the best ways to show gratitude? Send a hand-written note! In a society overwhelmed by digital communications, receiving a personalized message makes a big impact. It is also a tangible keepsake of your appreciation. Given how few people express their gratitude, let alone through a card or other memento, your note may be the only item on the recipient’s desk, laptop, or chalkboard that consistently reminds them of the joy they bring to the world. Thus, this simple act of kindness should never be underestimated; it packs a powerful punch as one of the best tools you have to truly brighten someone's day, week, month, year!!
And, do not fret over the timing of your message if it is “delayed,” it is never too late to show gratitude. In fact, the best practice may be to wait before expressing your appreciation. The more time that has passed, the more you can tell the recipient how the investment they made in you positively impacted your life.
Address Your Challenges
While there are many legitimate reasons people choose not to share their struggles, doing so has multiple benefits that will lessen your burdens, making it easier to maintain and share a positive and grateful attitude. Firstly, talking about your stresses helps to release them, lowering your stress-level and boosting your physiological health. For example, if you have lost someone close to you and are experiencing grief, opening up to a close friend or viewing old pictures for cemetery headstones and grave markers with someone you love may help you start the healing process.
Second, others may view your challenges differently than you, brainstorming solutions beyond those that you identified independently. By allowing others to help you with your struggles, you will form a collective brain trust that will solve your problems more quickly and effectively than you can solve them on your own.
Furthermore, you are a blessing to your family and friends, not a burden. Your closest confidants want to help you and see you shine your brightest. Telling them the specific ways they can do so will ease their anxiety about the situation and provide relief that they now know how they can best help you during a difficult time.
Gratitude & Grace Are Mindsets: Additional Ideas to Strengthen Them
Need additional tips on how to strengthen your gratitude and grace mindset? Keep reading, we’ve got you covered.
Start Your Day with Gratitude
Every day can be successful with the right mindset. To create a framework for positivity, refrain from checking your email and social media accounts first thing in the morning. Instead, begin your day with an activity like journaling what you will accomplish or envisioning how you will react if a situation goes as planned? Worse? Better?
Reserve part of your day to exercise. Whether it is hitting the gym, completing an online class, or walking around your house during periodic breaks, you will benefit from the extra endorphins.
To best focus on and achieve your priority tasks, ignore your inbox for at least 60% of the day. Without your emails constantly in front of you, you can proactively accomplish your goals instead of spending your day reacting to others’ “emergencies.”
As a part of this practice, limit your screen time, including putting your cell phone to bed at night. Both your mind and your eyes are worthy of rest, so give them the time they need to relax and recover.
Extend Grace to Everyone With Whom You Interact
One of the best ways to extend grace to others is to treat everyone in your life as a “customer.” From fur babies, to clients, to colleagues, to family and friends, create a fantastic “experience” for everyone with whom you interact by giving them your full attention and acting as you want to be remembered.
One way to make a good impression is to operate from a place of understanding, not judgment. For example, instead of immediately assuming the worst when someone misses a deadline or no-shows to a meeting, take a deep breath and consider all the possibilities before acting. While it is possible that the responsibility was intentionally shirked, it is most likely that there is a reasonable explanation for, and solution to, the situation. Showing that you care about the circumstances avoids creating unnecessary animosity and curries better favor with the community you want to love and support.
When extending grace, do not forget that it should also be extended to you. Forgiving yourself is hard. So hard, in fact, that you may dwell on personal “failures” for which you would immediately forgive others. Giving yourself grace and moving on from disappointments, however, will allow you to focus on new ideas instead of fixating on the negative. Do not let *you* be the obstacle holding *you* back.
Intentionally Transition Throughout the Day & Schedule Periodic Breaks
Regardless of how much you are juggling, it is critical that you break every 45-90 minutes throughout the day. Although you may be tempted to work straight through a project, stopping to stretch, take a quick walk, or do something else to clear your mind will help your body recharge, allowing you to work more productively for longer periods of time.
Likewise, intentionally transitioning between tasks relieves stress and anxiety and helps you focus on being your best *you* in the present moment. For example, when you first arrive to work in the morning, before rushing into your first meeting or project, take a deep breath and envision the day ahead of you. What will you accomplish? What experience will you create for your Team when they interact with you? How will you address challenges that arise? Intentionally focusing on what is ahead instead of mindlessly rushing between appointments will improve the experiences you have and that you create for everyone around you.
Intentionally Curate A Grateful Inner Circle
The five people with whom you spend the most time have the biggest influence on your mindset. Consider who these people are in your life. Do they show gratitude and practice grace? Do they uplift others? Are they an aspirational role model? Or, do they focus on the negative, causing you to do so as well and preventing you from reaching your full potential? If the latter, you should make a change to your inner circle. Doing so will likely make a critical difference in the talents and gifts you can share with the world.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully the strategies herein provide you with a platform to expand your gratitude and grace practices. For additional ideas and information, view this presentation in its entirety by clicking here or on the video below.
Is there anything that YOU want to learn about that will help the SYS community?! We’re sure you do, so please share your requests by emailing Melanie@SpreadYourSunshine.com or by sending Spread Your Sunshine a message via Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn or Twitter. We love hearing from you, as together, we are our best.
© 2021 Spread Your Sunshine, LLC
]]>Full Disclosure: After carefully vetting monetary opportunities that allow Spread Your Sunshine, LLC to best serve its community with helpful and meaningful content in-line with our goals and mission, this post contains one or more affiliate links, meaning that Spread Your Sunshine, LLC will receive compensation for the posting of this article.
Spread Your Sunshine Founder Melanie S. Griffin, Esq. recently addressed the Florida Association for Women Lawyers (FAWL) Thomas M. Cooley – Tampa Bay Chapter regarding Why “Failures” Are Your Hidden Superpowers. This presentation focused on why you should not be afraid of "failing," and instead, embrace that sometimes things will not turn out as planned, remember that no one has a 100% failure rate (including *you*!), change your definition of “failure,” learn from and do not dwell on challenging experiences, and have a game plan for them. While this program was presented to FAWL, almost the entire discussion applies to graduate students and professionals across all industries. It is therefore hoped that Part 1 of this three-part series focused on Understanding the Fear of Failure and Mourning and Moving Beyond Plot Twists helps fabulous YOU as you do the hard work on these issues and make the changes necessary to shine your brightest.
Understanding the Fear of “Failure”
Fear of “Failure” Defined
The American Psychological Association defines the fear of failure as a “persistent and irrational anxiety about failing to measure up to the standards and goals set by oneself or others.” This anxiety may revolve around academics, job loss, loss of self-esteem, and a myriad of other triggers. Additionally, perfectionism and certain psychological disorders can exacerbate the fear.
Fearing “Failure” is Gender-Neutral
Both genders fear failing, although the fear oftentimes manifests differently in women versus men.
Women tend to hold themselves to higher standards, meaning that they can be discouraged more quickly, take a lack of success personally, and be so afraid of failure that they decide to not even try. They also tend to think of their skills as innate, so if they are not able to do something on the first try, they may become discouraged and think they have failed, even when a concept is completely new to them.
On the other hand, men are more inclined to hide their vulnerabilities. Their stress is only reduced when they feel competent, so they find it more stressful to admit vulnerabilities, as their fear of failure is driven by a deep fear of incompetence or powerlessness. This oftentimes leaves limited ways to cope with emotional distress, resulting in men ultimately giving up or getting angry.
Intersectionality Between Fearing “Failure” & Impostor Syndrome
Impostor Syndrome is the belief that you are a fraud or not enough, that you are not deserving of your achievements, or when you attribute your successes to luck or fate instead of skill or competence. It is age- and gender-neutral, manifesting in over 70% of Americans at some point during their careers. This can be connected to the fear of failure, as many people suffering from Impostor Syndrome have trouble finishing, or even starting, projects because they are afraid that they will fail.
It is important, however, to keep in mind that most professionals experience this feeling, and thus, you should not allow it to prevent you from exploring various career opportunities, particularly those that are expected to experience high growth over the years to come. For example, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that from 2019 – 2029, the employment of phlebotomists will grow by 17%, much faster than the average for alternative occupations. If healthcare is of interest to you, serious consideration should therefore be given to training programs like those at PhlebotomyU that offers full, abbreviated, and blood withdrawal classes to ensure you are competitive in the medical field.
Mourning & Moving Beyond “Plot Twists”
As explained herein and in many additional Spread Your Sunshine materials, it is truly believed that experiences that do not go as originally planned are your hidden superpowers. This said, it is unlikely that these superpowers are immediately appreciated. More likely, your instant reaction is hurt, frustration, anxiety, sadness, rage, jealousy, you name it. All. The. Feelings. That is perfectly normal. And, awesome. Not awesome that your original plan did not work out, but awesome that you are real about your feelings and allow yourself to process the situation. Even a company with the name Spread Your Sunshine does not think life always shines brightly. Sometimes the sun is hidden behind the clouds before it reemerges. It is okay to not be okay. Giving yourself time to heal is part of the process, and the greater the “loss,” the longer this process will take.
The forgoing said, a new ending to the story is a turn of events, not a life sentence. Too many times, we dwell on the past and stay stuck there. Permanently reflecting backwards will not help you. The thing happened, it’s gone, done. No matter how much you wish it was different, re-writing a past ending is not an option. What you can control is how you move *forward*.
When thinking about moving forward, I often reflect on one of my favorite quotes by Michael Jordan,
I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.
You are not alone in your “failure.” You are in extremely good company, including, as shown by Michael, the richest and most famous athletes in the world. And, different than those athletes who “failed” in front of millions of viewers and endured boo’ing and social media trolls, you may be the only one who knows that something went differently than planned. What will determine whether you succeed like Michael or stay firmly routed in the past is how you respond to the situation.
To take the super star approach, determine when you will begin to transition away from your initial hurt, whether that be in a day, week, month, or some other time commensurate with the significance of the event. By that time, begin analyzing what you could have done differently to change the past outcome. There are at least two answers.
First, you may determine that there is nothing you could have done differently, you gave it your all. If so, congratulations! You sunk your heart into something that really mattered to you and left it all on the field. That is a *huge* accomplishment itself, take pride in it. It may also mean that for whatever reason, your goal is unattainable. Your next job is to determine, “why?” What is it you are meant to do instead? What is your next journey? How are you alternatively meant to impact the world with your unique talents and fabulousness? There are great answers to these questions, you need to focus on finding them.
Alternatively, you may realize there are several things you could have done differently that would have led to a better result. In this case, congratulations! Your original goal is still in play. Your next job is to determine if you still want to pursue this dream. If so, learn from your previous “mistakes” and begin implementing the identified changes to ensure a better outcome. If not, that is okay, too, a new endeavor may best fit your next life season. If so, see the questions in the forgoing paragraph to determine how you will next shine your brightest.
Final Thoughts
To view and listen to this presentation in its entirety, please click here or on the video below.
Is there anything you want to hear more about from Spread Your Sunshine?! We’re sure you do, so please share your ideas with us by emailing Melanie at Melanie@SpreadYourSunshine.com or by sending Spread Your Sunshine a message via Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or Twitter. We love hearing from you, as together we are strongest.
© 2021 Spread Your Sunshine, LLC
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Spread Your Sunshine Founder Melanie S. Griffin, Esq. was recently interviewed for Episode 6 of The Floridaville Express. Hosted by the Rocketship Consultants Team led by Rosanna Catalano, Jeanne Curtin, and Joy Tootle, this Live Show highlights leaders who make an impact in and around Florida. During the interview, topics such as achieving balance, believing in fabulously talented YOU!, recognizing that “failures” are often successes in disguise, mentorship, inspiration, and more were discussed.
Achieving Balance Over the Long-Term, Not the Short-Term
The discussion first centered on simultaneously successfully fulfilling multiple roles, as a small business owner, lawyer, mother, wife, leader, and more. Melanie’s advice? Accept that you will not get an “A” in every area of your life every day. Rather, “balance” is a long-term achievement, not a short-term goal. If, say, over the course of a month, you shine as an entrepreneur the first week, lawyer the second, mother and wife the third, and leader the fourth, you may not achieve “balance” during any one week, but viewing the month overall, it is a total success.
Two strategies that allow you to focus on accomplishing your goals are saying “no” and time blocking. “Yes” is not an obligatory answer and “no” is not a bad word. Identify the projects/people/issues/etc. that are most important to you personally and professionally. When new opportunities present themselves, evaluate if they align with your top priorities. If they don’t, say “no,” so that your time is reserved for the things that truly matter to you.
Also consider blocking one to three days on your calendar every week, treating those days as “booked,” when in reality, they are 100% reserved for awesome YOU. Having uninterrupted time each week will allow you to stay abreast of work, start new projects, complete more complex tasks, and tackle other items on your To Do List that cannot be accomplished when dashing between appointments.
Believe in Fabulously Talented YOU!
Melanie was next asked about one thing she wishes she had known at the beginning of her career. Melanie encouraged listeners to believe in how talented they are from Day One. While you certainly want to exercise humility and continue to learn and grow, you also brought a talented skillset to the job that is distinct from the unique talents of the others on your Team. There is a reason why you were hired over your competition! So, take the time to learn from the people around you, but also share what makes you an asset in the workplace.
For example, if maximizing effective communication is your jam and your employer’s website is not consumer-friendly, suggest the great ideas you have, like including a chatroom powered by click4assistance on the site. Your employer will be grateful that you created a way for customers to seek clarification quickly and conveniently, a tool that was unavailable to the Team prior to the addition of your expertise.
Initial “Failures” Are Often Smashing Successes in Disguise
Since Melanie loves helping her community overcome their fear of “failure” and appreciate that initial disappointments are often ultimately silver linings, Melanie was asked about her biggest “failure.” She relayed one of her first major career disappointments - being the worst performer at a college music program at a time when she wanted to be a professional musician. Performing on stage for her professors and peers was devastating, only made worse by the embarrassment of each critique, often delivered before her fellow students whose musical talents were far superior.
Now looking back, though, the program that was so difficult at the time was a complete homerun despite that in the moment, it felt like a disaster. It was a smashing success because it clarified Melanie’s best career path. Had she been too afraid to share her talents with the world and receive feedback, she would not have learned that her musical talents were best channeled as a hobby and her career focused on other ways that she could most positively impact the world. Too many times we dwell on the fact that something did not turn out as intended instead of gratefully recognizing the lesson learned and ultimate positive outcome of the experience. Challenging yourself to analyze and move forward will foster the biggest payoffs and rewards.
Mentorship & Inspiration
Melanie was last asked about who inspires her. While two of her biggest mentors are her mom and husband, people whom she does not know also provide meaningful mentorship, including through podcasts, books, and movies. Examples like those featured in A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, Greater, Patch Adams, Seven Pounds, and more inspire us to live with grace and kindness throughout the day, whether with family, friends, clients, colleagues, or strangers.
To view and listen to this interview in its entirety, please click here.
And, is there additional information you want to receive from Spread Your Sunshine?! We’re sure there is, so please share your ideas by emailing Melanie@SpreadYourSunshine.com or by sending Spread Your Sunshine a message via Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn or Twitter. We love hearing from you, as together we are strongest.
© 2021 Spread Your Sunshine, LLC
]]>Full Disclosure: After carefully vetting monetary opportunities that allow Spread Your Sunshine, LLC to best serve its community with helpful and meaningful content in-line with our goals and mission, this post contains one or more affiliate links, meaning that Spread Your Sunshine, LLC will receive compensation for the posting of this article.
Spread Your Sunshine Founder Melanie S. Griffin, Esq. recently delivered a keynote address to the Martin County Bar Association (“MCBA”) Solo & Small Firm Committee. As further detailed in the recording, this presentation explores time management strategies and life hacks, including understanding how poor time management hinders success and tips for best managing your time throughout your day. While this program was presented to MCBA members, almost the entire discussion is applicable to professionals across all industries. We therefore hope these ideas help fabulous YOU as you strategize the schedule that helps you shine your brightest.
Why Focus on Time Management?
Time management is defined as “the process of planning and exercising conscious control of time spent on specific activities, especially to increase effectiveness, efficiency, and productivity. It involves a juggling act of various demands upon a person relating to work, social life, family, hobbies, personal interests, and commitments with the finiteness of time.”
In essence, good time management leads to finding information more quickly, thinking more clearly, working more productively, utilizing professional skills more effectively, and making a better impression on clients and colleagues than professionals who are disorganized or demonstrate other poor time management habits.
Time Management Strategies
Knowing the pitfalls of poor time management, you can now start to implement new strategies, like the ones below, to counteract any bad habits you have unconsciously acquired over the years.
When possible, set specified times of day to respond to emails. Your email can be set-up in the background to monitor for emergencies, but otherwise, stick to your schedule. The more quickly you respond to emails, the more emails you will receive. By corresponding during certain blocks of time, you will eliminate any pressure you feel to respond immediately and train the people with whom you work to expect a response within a reasonable period of time instead of 24/7.
Additionally, do not start your day with emails and social media. Instead, best use the first few hours of the morning when you are your freshest working on projects that require your sharpest brain power.
Also, if the volume of your communications overwhelms you, consider delegating your responses to a trusted employee, virtual assistant or concierge, or app.
To maximize your productivity, establish your A, B, and C priorities. In other words, what must be done today or this week/month/quarter/year to consider it a success?
When multiple tasks feel like an “A,” consider which one will generate revenue for your business and/or the highest return on investment and start there.
When setting your goals, realistically forecast the amount of time required to complete each task. For example, it is impossible to complete a dozen tasks in a day if each project requires hours of work.
Detail each task necessary to complete your larger goals. By breaking the project down, you will know where to start and what needs to be done, which has the added benefit of preventing procrastination.
Forgive yourself for past mistakes and do not let the fear of failure dictate your future. Instead, forgive yourself, learn from what happened, and move on.
Periodically evaluate whether you are meeting and achieving your goals in each important area of your life. If not, make necessary adjustments.
“No” is not a bad word, so use it. Determine the “mission-critical” areas in your life (e.g., work, family, faith, community, health) and the positive change you want to create in the world (e.g., mentoring, food insecurity, etc.). Then, use what you have defined as central to your success as guideposts to evaluate new opportunities. If the proposed way to use your time does not align with what you have determined to be important, say “no.”
Treat certain business days each week as “booked.” These days are reserved for catching up on work, starting new initiatives, completing more complex projects, or anything else that you need to accomplish and do not have the time to address on days filled with appointments.
Oftentimes, you use the time you have, whether it is from 9 AM to 6 PM or sunup until sundown. So, determine the time your workday will end, work productively to accomplish as much as you can during that time, and then sign-off to protect non-working hours for non-work projects.
Look ahead and schedule tasks when they can most efficiently be completed. For example, if this week, you need to return phone calls and draft an article and will be in the office on Monday and on the road on Tuesday, plan to draft the article on Monday in the office and make the calls on Tuesday when you are commuting between appointments.
The more you can automate decisions, the more time you will save. For example, determine that all breakfast meetings will occur at Coffee Shop A, all lunch meetings at Restaurant B, all Happy Hours at Bar C, etc. This way, you do not spend additional time deciding where to go for each appointment and can better delegate scheduling duties should you decide to involve an assistant.
When you are pressed for time, such as when you have suffered an injury after an accident, it is difficult to personally meet with everyone who requests an appointment, nor should you potentially do so when the issue can be addressed during a quick 10- to 15-minute phone or Zoom call. So, prioritize the meetings for which face-to-face conversations are best, and for remaining appointments, schedule a shorter appointment so that the issue is addressed while preserving your remaining time for additional projects.
Not all tasks are created equally. Consider the appropriate amount of time to dedicate to the instant project and when “good” is “good enough” so that the perils of perfectionism do not derail your time management. Each additional second spent is time wasted unless the additional time derives additional ROI or the activity is one for which you have time and that personally brings you joy.
As a related concept, allow at least 10% of your life to be “wrong” every day. Determine the top priorities that must be “right” versus the items that can get out the door without being 100% perfect. Use your time wisely and let the little things go.
Consider the amount of time you spend maintaining your house, supporting your family, caring for your pets, etc. Are you shouldering these tasks because you must? Or, have you voluntarily added additional items to your to-do list because you insist on projects being completed a certain way, enjoy the heightened relationships with your family and friends, or desire “martyr” recognition? If help is available to you, work collaboratively to divide and conquer tasks and better utilize your time.
Tiffany Dufu’s book Drop the Ball gives the following advice:
Through your actions, you are training everyone around you. If you are not effectively communicating, others do not understand the amount of time your projects require; or the task you need help with. It is therefore important that you train your team on these time management concepts, too. With this in mind, make sure you learn to delegate: We overestimate the number of times that people will say “no.” Many times, providing help is a blessing, not a burden — those around you want to invest in you and see you succeed.
Clutter and chaos disrupt your effectiveness and efficiency. To maximize your time, clean your space first.
You will not get an “A” in every area of your life every day. If you are crushing work, you are likely behind at home and vice versa. Replace evaluating yourself in the microcosm of a day when you “failed” in the area where your time was not invested with evaluating your performance over a longer period. For example, if this week you are focused on work and next week at home, consider yourself balanced over the two-week period instead of focusing on each week individually.
Taking breaks is proven to increase your productivity. So, schedule breaks every 45-90 minutes throughout the day, intentionally transition between tasks, and use all PTO available to you.
Whether this is a paid professional or a friend, it is always helpful to brainstorm your goals with, and receive feedback from, a trusted colleague.
To listen to this keynote address in its entirety, please click here or on the video above.
Now that you are a time management pro, is there additional information you want to receive from Spread Your Sunshine?! We’re sure there is, so please share your ideas by emailing Melanie@SpreadYourSunshine.com or sending Spread Your Sunshine a message via Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn or Twitter. We love hearing from you, as together we are strongest.
© 2021 Spread Your Sunshine, LLC
]]>Full Disclosure: After carefully vetting monetary opportunities that allow Spread Your Sunshine, LLC to best serve its community with helpful and meaningful content in-line with our goals and mission, this post contains one or more affiliate links, meaning that Spread Your Sunshine, LLC will receive compensation for the posting of this article.
The world we live in is rapidly changing and so is the way that people make money. In the past, most people worked for one company for decades before retiring, but with the invention and development of the internet, there are now a plethora of options to earn extra, or even a primary, income.
Drop Shipping
Drop-shipping has surged in popularity over the past few years, and you’ve likely heard the term, but may not understand how it works. This is when an individual sets up an online store and sells products for drop-shipping suppliers. When a customer orders an item or items from their store, the individual checks to make sure all the details are correct and then orders it from the supplier, who then fulfills that order by shipping it directly to the customer who made the purchase. The individual with the online store then makes a commission on the purchased item or items. To learn more about drop-shipping, click here.
Start a YouTube Channel or Blog
Are you passionate about a specific topic or niche, or just desire a space to have your voice heard? Creating a YouTube channel or blog can be an incredible way to connect with like-minded individuals and on the internet, there’s definitely a place for everyone. You name it, you can find others who are passionate about it, as well. Through various marketing strategies, such as YouTube monetization (which has requirements), affiliate marketing and brand deals, this stream of income can generate money, but takes a great deal of time to build, unless you are bringing over a large audience from another platform. The good news is though, if you can push through the initial uphill climb, eventually it becomes smooth sailing.
Market Your Skills Online
Do you have a love for web design? Photoshop? Photography? The list is endless and doesn’t just apply to art. Whatever you’re passionate about can be generated into extra income, even if it’s just posting about a business that you already run. This can be done through various website such as Fiverr, Etsy or creating your own website, such as Spread Your Sunshine! Word of advice, in a culture where it’s easy to attempt to monetize everything we do, leave one or two hobbies that you do just for fun and not money.
Freelance Writing
There are several different opportunities available when it comes to being a freelance writer, one of the most popular being copywriting. This would entail you producing persuasive marketing and promotional materials that would be used for advertising on websites, print ads, catalogs, and can even be scripts used for videos or commercials. These materials motivate people to take some form of action. Of course, this will require more work than many other types of side-income, though this can be worth the work to make sure that you get to do something satisfying as your side hustle.
Another form of freelance writing can be writing articles for print or online magazines, newspapers, newsletters, blogs or websites. These are typically paid per article written and can be a one-time or reoccurring gig.
Invest
While investing isn’t a good way to make money quickly, it can be great for those who are willing and able to wait. This option also requires that you have a certain amount of money that you can possibly lose, as investments can often be risky. However, as seen with the GameStop phenomenon earlier this year, investing is now easily accessible to those who have even as low as a few dollars and an internet connection. It is advised to do research on this particular stream of income prior to investing, as it is worth learning about risks and rewards.
Rental Properties
Property has always been one of the best ways to make money, and this hasn’t changed in the modern world. Rental is the best way to make a long-term income out of something like this, providing you with the chance to generate money on a regular basis. Vacations rentals can often be the best way to handle this, and improving vacation rental is easy with these pro tips. Getting started with an option like this will require quite a bit of work and initial access to capital, but it can be worth it to ensure that you are setting up a good side income.
If you have the initial time to begin one or multiple of these examples, it is quite possible to not just earn extra income, but eventually become your own boss, set your own schedule and work from home or anywhere in the world that has an internet connection. These do require an immense level of self-discipline and patience, but they can certainly pay off in the long run if you’re able to persevere through the rough times.
Now that you have some insight on different side hustles that allow you to work from home or remotely, is there additional information you want to receive from Spread Your Sunshine?! We’re sure there is, so please share your ideas by emailing Melanie@SpreadYourSunshine.com or sending Spread Your Sunshine a message via Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn or Twitter. We love hearing from you, as together we are strongest.
© 2021 Spread Your Sunshine, LLC
Full Disclosure: After carefully vetting monetary opportunities that allow Spread Your Sunshine, LLC to best serve its community with helpful and meaningful content in-line with our goals and mission, this post contains one or more affiliate links, meaning that Spread Your Sunshine, LLC will receive compensation for the posting of this article.
During this pandemic, we learned just how much work is able to be done virtually and the benefits that can accompany this lifestyle. Many people realized that instead of incorporating their lives around their work, they wished to transition into incorporating their work around their lives. There are a plethora of opportunities available to make this wish a reality, and they continue to grow.
Social Media Advertising
The importance of social media marketing in today’s online atmosphere should not be underestimated. As businesses move increasingly online, many are searching for individuals to manage their social media accounts on a consistent basis, as active engagement is imperative on all major platforms. This isn’t just in terms of a posting schedule, but also consistency in terms of the same brand voice and style.
Virtual Assistant
Another option to consider is becoming a virtual assistant, which can generally offer quite a bit of flexibility to fit your schedule and lifestyle. The main components needed for this option are a reliable computer, robust computer cabling and an internet connection, in order to provide a remote service that delivers administrative, technical, creative or professional help to your clients.
Selling Items
There are two main options to sell different products. The first option is to make and/or sell your own products. There are several websites that allow you to create your own virtual store and sell either your own creations or second-hand items. Depending on the type of site, you either keep all of your earnings or give the site a portion for hosting your store. The second option is drop-shipping, which is when you would also create a virtual store, but sell products by a manufacturer. You do not store these items, you simply make sure the details are correct when a customer makes a purchase from your virtual store, then you order it from the manufacturer, who fulfills the order by sending it directly to the customer. With this option, you make a commission on each purchase.
Remote Training
Do you have a skillset that you believe can provide a benefit to others? This could be anything from teaching others how to learn to play a musical instrument to teaching about different marketing techniques. These trainings can be provided either through live sessions or pre-recorded videos.
Teaching English Online
Speaking of teaching others, if you consider yourself a master of the English language and enjoy children, there are several websites that will pay you to teach English online. If you are teaching from mainland United States, the hours will likely be quite early in the morning, as many children you will be teaching are located in China and other countries in Asia. Therefore, this option is not for everyone, but does provide a steady schedule and freedom throughout the rest of your day.
Now that you have some insight on different business ventures that allow you to work from home or remotely, is there additional information you want to receive from Spread Your Sunshine?! We’re sure there is, so please share your ideas by emailing Melanie@SpreadYourSunshine.com or sending Spread Your Sunshine a message via Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn or Twitter. We love hearing from you, as together we are strongest.
© 2021 Spread Your Sunshine, LLC
Full Disclosure: After carefully vetting monetary opportunities that allow Spread Your Sunshine, LLC to best serve its community with helpful and meaningful content in-line with our goals and mission, this post contains one or more affiliate links, meaning that Spread Your Sunshine, LLC will receive compensation for the posting of this article.
Have you been considering starting your own small property business? There are several different options that you could implement, and two of the most popular are purchasing a home and flipping it, or mortgaging a property and renting it out. So, how do you get started?
Set a Budget
Setting a budget is step one. If you are looking to purchase a home to fix up and sell, you must have the capital, or means of purchasing it, upfront. However, if you don’t have that much to invest just yet, the other option is to find a small property with several apartments that you can rent out while you pay the mortgage to the bank. Then, once you have paid off the mortgage, the subsequent payments are potential profits, minus any repairs and maintenance that the property requires.
Find the Right Property
If you are considering flipping a home, it’s best to find something slightly older that is in need of some love, but that you won’t have to invest more than a few thousand dollars and a few months repairing. However, if a rental property is more of what you had in mind, then a newer property is the best way to go, so you won’t be plunging yourself into massive debt and have to spend an immense amount of time crawling your way back out. You do not want to get in over your head. Starting small and working your way up is the best route to take.
It is also important to consider the location of where you are investing. Gentrification is a very real threat that leads to the displacement of poor people for the benefit of the wealthy. Of course, investors get into flipping houses to garner a profit, but be aware of how your actions are affecting others, especially those that are not as financially as capable as you.
Get the Right Mortgage
If you have a solid credit score, it is likely that you will have several options, but do research first with a website like MortgageQuote.com, to help you narrow down what is available and determine what is best for you, your budget and your goals.
Invest in the Right Services
When dealing with property investment, it is wise to explore different services that could help you, instead of attempting to do it all on your own. For instance, you might consider getting the help of a property manager, as they will free you up to be more hands-off. Marketing is also essential, as you will need someone to advertise either the house you have for sale or the apartments you will be renting.
Hopefully, these tips helped you get an idea of the first steps that are necessary when starting your own small property business and aided you in creating your own business plan.
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Full Disclosure: After carefully vetting monetary opportunities that allow Spread Your Sunshine, LLC to best serve its community with helpful and meaningful content in-line with our goals and mission, this post contains one or more affiliate links, meaning that Spread Your Sunshine, LLC will receive compensation for the posting of this article.
Freelancing offers you job flexibility and workload control while broadening your knowledge on various topics and industries. Besides, you can choose your clients while enjoying financial independence and work comfort. An Upwork study revealed that 59 million Americans freelance, and 75% stated that they earned more money than traditional workers. This statistic indicates a growing trend in freelance that will not end soon.
Despite the numerous perks of freelancing, you might experience sporadic jobs and fluctuating income if your business isn’t growing. Studies have shown that some freelancers return to regular employment due to insufficient income, few clients, and rejection. However, you can thrive once you know how to grow your business. That said, here are some tips to consider.
You don’t have co-workers or supervisors to hold you accountable for your work, meaning your motivation is your responsibility. Therefore, it’s vital to discover how to enhance and maintain your productivity. Besides, you can finish and acquire more tasks, and earn more money when you meet your targets on time. What's more, you'd earn your clients' trust and loyalty, thereby building a more extensive customer base. Fortunately, you don’t have to stress to boost your productivity.
You can address your most challenging tasks first and break them down if handling them at once will take up your time. It’s also prudent to create a list of your daily and weekly goals according to their priority, using paper or productivity apps like Google Keep and Evernote. You may also tell your clients when to expect their projects, even if they don’t have defined deadlines. Since you might be working from home, why don’t you establish your working hours and ditch your pajamas for real clothes? You may also give yourself scheduled breaks to refresh your mind and stomach.
Communication is an essential skill to master, especially when it might be challenging to interact with your customers through verbal means or body language. It also strengthens your relationship with your clients and helps you understand what they require regarding their project. What’s more, satisfied clients would maintain their partnership with you and recommend you to others, translating to a more extensive customer base and more income generation. However, poor communication can lead to unrealistic expectations and substandard jobs, which isn't good for your business.
Therefore, it's best to improve your communication skills. You can utilize a freelance platform that enables you to describe your services, charges, how fast you can get the job done, and other vital information. It's prudent to be patient when discussing project details with your clients and listen to their needs with rapt attention. You may also break down technical terms for more understanding and be available whenever they need you. It’s also best to ask questions to avoid significant errors. By all means, avoid promising your clients things that you can’t provide, as you’d damage their trust and ruin your business reputation. Honesty will keep your clients loyal to your brand.
While it's prudent to carve a niche for your freelance business, you may consider extending your services to other markets or industries. This is because focusing on a particular sector might limit your income flow. A study by the CSA Research Institute indicated that freelancers who concentrated on specific markets like travel, recorded reduced jobs and income. While carving a niche seems professional, circumstances can make your chosen field redundant and make earning more difficult. Besides, generalizing your services may get you more jobs and expand your knowledge of other industries.
If you aren't sure how to extend your services, you can consider areas beyond your niche that you’re passionate about. You may then research extensively on them to know their requirements to tailor your services to suit them. Since you’d want to acquire diverse clients, why don’t you join networking events or utilize your existing network of family and friends? Your regular clients can refer you to people in another market. Therefore, you can leverage their recommendations.
Your website increases your brand visibility and serves as your portfolio and digital forefront. Potential clients might likely view your website for more information before awarding a contract to you. Besides, it gives your business a more professional feel, and builds your credibility. Research by the Transaction Agency revealed that 81% of consumers visit a company's website before purchasing their products and services. Therefore, you should ensure that yours is functional and up-to-date with the current market trends.
You can review your website's visuals and written content to ascertain what areas need an upgrade and integrate analytics and tracking tools to monitor its traffic. It's also recommended to examine other websites of businesses similar to yours to determine whether you're missing important content or information. Clients love reviews, so you should include them, along with your achievements and work activities.
You may also add practical multimedia elements and optimize your website's SEO to drive more traffic and increase sales leads. Fortunately, credible website developers like Cobiro can effectively upgrade your website for maximum consumer experience.
Freelancing enables you to work and source clients from anywhere, as location doesn’t matter provided you execute the project effectively. However, favoring international clients at the local market’s expense might not be best for your business. The local job market is a lucrative platform for acquiring more jobs and clients to grow your brand. Platforms like Freelancer.com experienced a 15% increment in jobs posted at the local jobs and services category in 2020. Besides, you have a higher possibility of getting regular gigs and loyal clients should you seek them in your area.
For instance, you can distribute catchy flyers in your neighborhood and avail your experiences for local journalists to publish. Hosting workshops have also been proven to be an excellent brand awareness tool, so you can leverage its benefits. You may also publish content concerning your vicinity on your website and post more local stories or pictures on your social media accounts. Additionally, you can get your family and friends to promote your brand to their friends and utilize your customers' testimonials to boost your client base.
Your customers are your business’s backbone, and you should treat them right to earn their loyalty. Their perception of your services can either bring or drive away potential customers. Research by the Qualtrics XM Institute indicated that 90% of customers would recommend a business that attends to their needs effectively. This shows that you have a great business opportunity to grow your freelance business by serving your clients.
You can ask your clients to assess your services and provide feedback on what to improve. Doing this communicates to them that you appreciate their contributions and will keep patronizing your services. It will also be a plus to thank your customers before and after they offer a contract and attend to their needs promptly.
While you can’t avoid mistakes, you can keep your clients by offering a genuine apology and making efforts to fix your errors. You should also complete your tasks ahead of time to impress your clients and boost your reliability. Being respectful to them will make them feel valued and happy. Always remember that a happy customer is a powerful marketing resource.
While people may quit freelancing, you can transform yours into an established business with regular projects and an increased income stream. Hopefully, you'll follow these tips to grow and promote your brand.
]]>Full Disclosure: After carefully vetting monetary opportunities that allow Spread Your Sunshine, LLC to best serve its community with helpful and meaningful content in-line with our goals and mission, this post contains one or more affiliate links, meaning that Spread Your Sunshine, LLC will receive compensation for the posting of this article.
Entrepreneurship can be one of the most rewarding paths one can take in life. The fulfillment that you get from meeting an unmet need in society is nothing short of incredible, but starting and running a functional business is not for the faint of heart. This can be particularly true if you have no one to go to for insight and advice, or if you are young and do not have much life experience.
If you feel overwhelmed by the amount of work required when starting your business, you are hardly alone in your struggle. Thankfully, there are many who came before you that blazed a trail, and many have provided their stories of trial and error to help you and others not have to make the same mistakes. These can be found on YouTube, TedTalks, podcasts, blogs, books or even directly communicated to you if you know someone that has previously taken a similar path. Here are a few factors to consider before you take that leap into entrepreneurship.
Have a Solid Business Plan
There are several questions that need to be confirmed when planning on starting a small business.
Breaking down the different parts of your idea into manageable chunks allows for less stress. You can also utilize companies such as Cannabiz for help with creating a business plan and registering your company.
Creating a business plan can help you anticipate the challenges you might encounter, as well as give you a check list of “To Do” items.
Qualities an Entrepreneur Should Cultivate
When it comes to starting a business, it is best if you recognize certain challenges that may come, so you can be prepared for them, instead of reacting to them.
Three qualities that an entrepreneur should cultivate are resilience, self-discipline, and flexibility.
As an entrepreneur, prepare yourself for hearing “No.” A lot. This is normal! You are not the first, and you certainly won’t be the last, to endure rejection when it comes to business. This can be incredibly devastating to us who experienced bullying and/or rejection in our childhood, as we are programmed to feel the pain intensely, but if we know it’s a possibility and prepare ourselves accordingly, the blow can be weakened. Whatever you do, don’t sell yourself short. Too often too many of us don’t even try, for fear of this rejection and in the long run, we are the ones that suffer from lack of self-confidence. We must overcome this, we must believe in ourselves and in our dreams, even if we are the only ones. This is resilience.
If you are resilient, you are not easily shaken when faced with challenges. You will still find the strength to go on, despite the disappointments. Not to say that they don’t affect you, just that you have adapted the capability to go with the flow and will get up when you are knocked down. If you learn to cultivate resilience, your business is likely to flourish.
Secondly, an entrepreneur must possess self-discipline. You must be willing to stick with your plan even when it’s easier to give up, especially if you don’t have the financial ability to devote your full time to starting your business. Many begin their small businesses as side hustles and work their way up to quitting the rat race, but this requires you to wake up and devote a specific amount of time to building your business, even if you are not yet seeing any return.
Discipline also looks like cutting back on certain luxuries or indulgences (but not all) in order to invest in the growth of your company. No, cutting out your morning coffee or an occasional trip to the movies is not going to break the bank. Many whom want to quit the rate race for something that brings them more fulfillment are not yet financially stable, so never give up the small joys in your life.
A third quality to cultivate is flexibility. Yes, you created a business plan that is helping project you forward, but sometimes things don’t go as planned and it’s best if you’re willing to be open to a different route to your main goals than you had originally anticipated. If you know you are the type of person to resist change or want full control, this is worth reflecting on and working towards shifting. A plan should provide general direction, but you must be flexible.
Motivation
It is wise to network with as many like-minded individuals as possible because self-motivation is definitely a commendable quality, but it will not be faithful to you 100% of the time. For those moments, it’s imperative to have others who have similar goals as you to connect with and find inspiration. I hear you, introverts! This step can be difficult for those who feel as if they lack verbal communication skills, but it’s important for you and your future business to get out of your comfort zone and practice.
Starting a business can feel daunting, but it’s not as difficult as you might imagine. Just look around at all the businesses you see who have already done it! As long as you create a plan, cultivate these qualities, and seek support, you will ultimately succeed as an entrepreneur.
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Full Disclosure: After carefully vetting monetary opportunities that allow Spread Your Sunshine, LLC to best serve its community with helpful and meaningful content in-line with our goals and mission, this post contains one or more affiliate links, meaning that Spread Your Sunshine, LLC will receive compensation for the posting of this article.
Safety in the workplace is vital, but unfortunately it can be a factor that many employers don't put enough effort towards. Perhaps you have given minimal consideration and attention to the health and safety procedures of your business, but you must ask if safety is actually something you consider a priority. If the answer to that question isn't a resounding "Yes!," then it's something for which you need to make more time and effort. Unless safety comes first in your workplace, you’re putting your employees, your customers, clients or guests, and yourself, at risk of danger. With that in mind, here are some things to consider when asking yourself, “Just how safe is my work place?”
The Environment
When you’re considering workplace safety, the first place you should look is the physical workplace environment, as this is going to heavily impact the kind of safety measures that you need to put in place. A business environment where you’re working in an office space is going to be very different than one where you’re working with alloy industrial products, and each will require very different approaches to safety.
The Specifics
If you want to make sure that your workplace is a safe environment for everyone, you need to think about the specific day-to-day functions involved in your business. You need to know the size of your workplace and how many employees and customers, clients or guests you typically have there at any given time, and what accessibility features need to be in place, along with several other elements. If you’re not building your safety procedures around the specific elements of your business, then you’re far more likely to miss something.
Training
Even with all of the correct protocols and procedures implemented, they won't be as successful if people in your business aren't aware of them. This means that you need to invest time and resources into providing your employees with health and safety training so that they can operate as safely, securely, and as with as much knowledge as possible.
The reality is that safety isn't the most exciting element of running a business, but it’s one of the most important, and if you’re not putting in the effort to make sure that your workplace is genuinely safe for everyone, then you’re putting everyone at risk. Taking the time to ensure your workplace is safe is a lot less disruptive to your business than having to deal with consequences of having tossed it by the wayside.
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