A new report from online resume builder Kickresume, which surveyed nearly 2,000 employees worldwide, found that only 18% of them work the full 7-8 hours expected of them — unbeknownst to their managers.
Instead, nearly 60% of employees surveyed admitted they’re not fully honest on their timesheets. Most (44%) said they round up every now and then; 12% said they sometimes stretch the truth a little bit. A much smaller group (3%) said they regularly over-report their hours.
Disengaged employees contributed to an estimated $438 billion in lost productivity in 2024, per Gallup’s latest State of the Global Workplace report.
There’s also a generational divide when it comes to lying about hours worked, according to Kickresume’s research.
Gen Z employees were the most likely to admit to rounding up (49%) and stretching the truth (13%). Thirty-five percent of Gen Z workers claimed perfect honesty in timesheet reporting.
Gen X employees, on the other hand, were most likely (46%) to claim total honesty when filling out their timesheets; 40% admitted to rounding up occasionally.
Millennial workers came in close behind for claims of complete honesty at 43%, and 42% admitted to rounding up their hours from time to time.
Additionally, Gen X and millennial employees reported being equally likely (12%) to sometimes stretch the truth on their hours.
Across all generations, just 7% of employees said they never take any unofficial breaks during the work day, per Kickresume’s research.
Among the majority of workers who do give themselves some leeway, coffee or snack breaks emerged as the most popular way to spend time away from work (58%), the survey found.
A new report from online resume builder Kickresume, which surveyed nearly 2,000 employees worldwide, found that only 18% of them work the full 7-8 hours expected of them — unbeknownst to their managers.
Coaching is about self-discovery, not handing out advice
Advice creates dependency, while coaching builds ownership
Job market challenges include AI job losses and slower hiring
Real coaching equips professionals to navigate uncertainty
I was teaching a leadership class about professionalism and accountability recently when one of the participants said something that made me cringe: “I was prepping for one of these difficult conversations and my coach gave me some advice.”
Coaches hear this all the time. And every time I do, I know we still have work to do in setting the record straight. Because here’s the hard truth: if your “coach” is giving you advice, you don’t have a coach. You have a consultant, a mentor, or maybe even just a cheerleader. Coaching is something entirely different—and far more powerful.
The most common misconception about coaching is that it’s about getting quick fixes or a ready-made game plan. I understand why people fall into that trap. Advice is easy to give and easy to take. It scratches the itch for certainty in an uncertain world. But advice is a shortcut—and like most shortcuts, it rarely takes you where you really want to go.
Coaching, by contrast, isn’t about handing over answers. It’s about creating a space where you—the client—do the hard work of self-discovery. The coach’s job is to push, probe, question and reflect until you uncover what you already know and what you really want. Then you own the meaning, the decisions and the consequences. That’s where real growth happens.
Let’s be clear: When a coach starts dishing out advice, they’ve hijacked the process. Ownership shifts from client to coach. And when things go wrong—as they inevitably do—guess who’s stuck holding the bag? Not the coach. You are. That’s not coaching; that’s dependency disguised as support.
This distinction matters more than ever in today’s job market. We’re in a strange, contradictory moment. On one hand, the July 2025 jobs report shows unemployment steady at 4.2%, with 7.2 million people jobless, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, companies are quietly pumping the brakes. Nearly one in five U.S. employers now say they’ll slow hiring in the second half of 2025—almost double last year’s rate, per the Wall Street Journal. The average job search is dragging out to 24 weeks. That’s six months of applications, interviews, ghosting and waiting.
And then there’s the AI wildcard. A Stanford study shows a brutal 16% employment drop among 22- to 25-year-olds in AI-impacted sectors like software and customer support since late 2022. Entry-level jobs—the very rungs young professionals need to climb—are evaporating. No wonder 71% of Americans now believe AI will cause permanent unemployment for many (Times of India).
So yes, it’s tempting to grab at advice. “Tell me the magic words for my résumé.” “Tell me how to ace the interview.” “Tell me how to survive an AI-driven hiring process.” The problem is, that advice is usually recycled, generic and context-free. What worked for someone else probably won’t work for you, because your career, your goals and your circumstances aren’t theirs.
This is why real coaching matters. A coach doesn’t hand you an instruction manual—they force you to write your own. They’ll ask: “What strengths do you want an employer to see in you?” or “If success were guaranteed, what would you try?” Those questions don’t give you the answer; they unlock your answer.
That’s the difference between a quick fix and a transformation. When you find the solution yourself, you’re not just more committed to it—you’re better equipped to replicate the process the next time you face uncertainty. In a labor market that’s shifting under our feet, that’s not just helpful. It’s survival.
So here’s the blunt advice—ironically—that I’ll offer: if your coach is giving you advice, stop them. Instead, say: “I don’t want your solution; I want help finding mine.” Better yet, hash this out before you even start the relationship. The best coaches will welcome it. If they don’t? Walk away.
Coaching isn’t easy. It can feel frustrating, uncomfortable, even messy. But if you’re serious about navigating today’s chaotic job market—whether you’re 22 and fighting for your first role, or 52 and reinventing yourself—you don’t need someone else’s roadmap. You need to build your own.
That’s the essence of coaching. And in this economy, it’s a lot more valuable than advice.
Nancy Jacoby is a professional executive coach with clients in New York City and on Long Island.
New collaboration will equip Skill Forward participants with professional interview training to convert new skills into better jobs.
NEW YORK, June 24, 2025 (Newswire.com)
– Big Interview, a leader in job interview training and career readiness, announced today a partnership with Verizon as part of its nationwide Verizon Forward and Skill Forward initiatives. The goal: to ensure that participants-many of whom come from under-resourced backgrounds-have the tools to turn their newly acquired skills into higher-paying, long-term employment.
As part of Verizon’s goal to train 50,000 individuals by 2030 to help them advance their careers, this collaboration brings world-class interview preparation and coaching directly to Skill Forward learners at no cost.
“We’re honored to support Verizon Forward customers and Skill Forward participants as they take the next step toward better jobs and brighter futures,” said Alex Andrei, CEO of Big Interview. “For someone who’s invested time in building new skills, interview prep can be the difference between landing a job or starting over. We’re here to make sure they finish strong.”
Big Interview’s training platform is proven to help job seekers dramatically reduce their time to employment, from the national average of 21.1 weeks (per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) to as few as 4 weeks. The platform is especially effective for individuals facing barriers to employment, including gaps in work history or limited access to traditional career coaching.
“Verizon is pleased to partner with Big Interview to offer Verizon Skill Forward learners a free job readiness resource,” said Carrie Hughes, AVP, Social Innovation. “In today’s highly competitive market, individuals must have both in-demand skills as well as the confidence to effectively present themselves and their abilities. This partnership aims to provide practical, real-world job search preparation that empowers our learners for success in the next phase of their careers.”
Key Features of the Partnership:
● Comprehensive Interview Training: On-demand curriculum covering all major question types, tailored for both entry-level and advanced roles.
● Customized Mock Interviews: Realistic simulations for over 1,100 careers, plus specialized tools for English Language Learners and job seekers with employment gaps or disabilities.
● AI-Powered Feedback and Action Plans: Personalized coaching guidance driven by AI and developed by career experts.
About Big Interview: Big Interview is a trusted career development platform used by more than 1 million job seekers and over 700 organizations, including universities, government agencies, and Fortune 500 companies. The platform provides structured learning, AI-powered mock interviews, and expert-backed tools to help individuals build confidence, improve outcomes, and succeed in today’s competitive job market. Learn more at https://www.biginterview.com.
About Verizon: Verizon Communications Inc. powers and empowers how its millions of customers live, work and play, delivering on their demand for mobility, reliable network connectivity and security. Headquartered in New York City, serving countries worldwide and nearly all of the Fortune 500, Verizon generated revenues of $134.8 billion in 2024. Verizon’s world-class team never stops innovating to meet customers where they are today and equip them for the needs of tomorrow. For more, visit verizon.com or find a retail location at verizon.com/stores.
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
“[He/she/they] that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else.” — Benjamin Franklin
“The [person] who complains about the way the ball bounces is likely to be the one who dropped it.” — Lou Holtz
“Wisdom stems from personal accountability. We all make mistakes; own them…learn from them. Don’t throw away the lesson by blaming others.” — Steve Maraboli
Early on in my career, I made mistakes. Lots of them. It wasn’t out of malice or intent, it was simply a lack of experience. In everyone’s career and personal life, they are going to make mistakes. It’s part of the learning process and, quite frankly, the only way you are assured to eventually succeed. Truthfully though, it’s not the mistakes that matter. It is how you react to them. Your inner monologue, without fail, will tell you to explain yourself, to place blame and to minimize your participation — the goal being to limit the damage and walk away unscathed. I will let you in on a little secret: This is the worst thing you can do.
Saying you’re sorry is hard, necessary … and important
How many times in the past week, month or year can you remember saying “I’m sorry” to someone for something you have done? What was the reaction? There are simply very limited angry responses to someone who genuinely and reflectively says “I’m sorry.” It establishes remorse, but also acknowledgement. An acknowledgement of the failure. An acknowledgement of the action. An acknowledgement of the poor outcome. And remorse for the same. It can instantly mend relationships and allow you to move forward and progress. It also diffuses the situation.
Trying to explain will only exacerbate the problem
In contrast, attempting to explain away your failures invites the exact opposite reaction. Every time you explain why something wasn’t your fault, it’s easier to demonstrate why it was. Every time you place the blame on someone else, it opens the door for a more direct critique of your actions. Additionally, I think you will find that every time your deflections are redirected your way, they will get more intense, more angry and more likely to personally impact you in an adverse way.
Saying you’re sorry is exercising personal accountability and demonstrating strength. Blaming others is just opening a window into your weakness.
Personal accountability is, however, very difficult. It requires you to look at yourself critically. It requires you to stare failures in the face and ask yourself how and why they happened. It requires you to improve. Deflecting, on the other hand, simply requires you to make an excuse, whether truthful or not. There is no reflection necessary, simply an overwhelming desire to bury the problem and to move on. The problem is, you will likely move on to your next failure because, without critical reflection, you simply aren’t driving yourself to improve.
There are simple, yet critical, ways you can practice personal accountability
So, how do you turn these ambiguous theses into action? There are a number of ways:
In everything you do, take pride and put in effort: If you don’t care or you’re going to half-ass the assignment, find something else to do, whether it’s a personal project or professional one. The only way to consistently avoid failure is to put all of you into the things you do. Pride shows. Laziness and listlessness do as well.
Ask for feedback and embrace the negative: Everyone wants to go into a review and hear nothing but accolades. And, quite frankly, for your boss, it’s easier to highlight the good than lament the bad. Because of this, there is often a failure of leadership as well during these meetings. It’s great to hear what you’ve done well, but it’s absolutely necessary to learn what you have not. Before any feedback session ends, you must ask, “What can I do better?” The answer will never be “nothing,” and you will improve because of it.
Look critically at your work: Step outside yourself and ask, “If I was someone else, would I be impressed by this?” This is hard reflectivity. That said, if you put pride and effort into your work, you’ll likely answer the question with a resounding “yes.”
Never blame others: Let’s remove issues of unfair bias and/or personal vendettas. The truth is, if blame is being laid at your feet, you likely had something to do with it. Accept and embrace the responsibility. Say you’re sorry. Promise to improve. And then go improve. I promise you there is going to be some discomfort when you do this. I also promise the discomfort will be shorter and less painful than it will if you start deflecting the blame, even if it is warranted.
Trust others and be a good person: When you trust others and treat others well, you will find you’re not alone when mistakes are made, and you will rarely be the object of blame from those who don’t practice personal accountability.
Learn from those around you who are personally accountable and ignore those who aren’t: Becoming personally accountable is difficult. But the best of those around you will show you the way. They will be the leaders in your professional environment. Emulate them. Ask them questions. And when you see those consistently casting blame and trying to absolve themselves of their mistakes, ignore them. They won’t be around long.
I’ll be honest, maybe it’s that I’m getting old, but it seems unequivocal to me that personal accountability is decreasing. Maybe in this digital age and with the increase in remote work, it’s just easier to be dismissive and hide your mistakes. But “getting away with something” isn’t really getting away with something. Karma is real, and I think you’ll find that it comes back around with a vengeance. In contrast, exercising personal accountability will almost always land you in good stead. I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my career, and I can say, unequivocally, it is only because I’ve failed that I have succeeded.
Feeling underpaid and undervalued at work? Gabrielle Judge, the creator of the Lazy Girl Jobs movement, is here to fix that. She’ll share her best strategies for accelerating your earnings and getting the raise or promotion you deserve.
Register now for our upcoming livestream to gain insights on topics including:
How to maximize your time and money in the workplace
Leveraging pay transparency to get more money
What to do if you feel undervalued and underpaid
Strategies for getting a raise through job hopping
About the Speaker:
Gabrielle, as the visionary CEO and content creator behind Anti Work Girlboss, leads a social revolution reshaping the future workplace landscape. Her pioneering concept of the “lazy girl job” has captivated millions monthly, offering both relatable content and career inspiration. Her areas of expertise extend across work-life balance, branding for Gen Z employees, and forward-thinking perspectives on the future of work. Esteemed platforms like NPR, BBC, and TEDx have recognized her innovative contributions, inviting her to speak on her insights. Gabrielle’s groundbreaking ideas have also been spotlighted in over 10,000 global publications, including the Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, Al Jazeera, and 60 Minutes Australia, underscoring her influential role in redefining career norms.
Coursework can be completed in as little as a few weeks to get on the path toward a reliable source of income and a flexible schedule with a career in real estate.
DENVER, March 13, 2024 (Newswire.com)
– The real estate market is picking up speed in South Dakota and it’s a great time to become a real estate agent. The CE Shop has education for professionals at every point in their careers, whether they need a successful career jumpstart or to amplify success for seasoned agents. The first step to getting licensed is to complete the South Dakota Pre-Licensing education.
With multiple real estate education packages from The CE Shop to choose from for South Dakotans, students find starting with a package that adds exam prep and post-licensing coursework works best, helping to prepare students for the entire career lifecycle. Students can add additional professional development courses with ProPath, which offers several a-la-carte and bundled packages for the working professional, to ensure success and gain intel that would usually take months or years to obtain through trial and error. Check out the South Dakota course catalog here.
Indeed.com states that real estate agents in South Dakota make an average base salary of $76,176 annually, so entering the market now, while housing costs are dropping, means that more people will be buying homes and needing a well-educated real estate agent.
The CE Shop provides an industry-best education, with streamlined and flexible learning and features that include mobile-friendly access, clear course progress, and customer support seven days a week, so that students can feel confident that The CE Shop is offering the easiest path to career growth and state-approved coursework.
Our Pre-Licensing Courses are state-approved and 100% online for convenience. We cover everything future real estate agents need to know, from both a national and state perspective, based on South Dakota’s candidate handbook. Rather than requiring a textbook, we provide content through our course resources as students need it. Download any resource in the course to keep it as a quick reference study guide.
Learn more about The CE Shop and their South Dakota real estate offerings, see a demo, and get career resources here.
About The CE Shop The CE Shop is the leading provider of professional real estate education with online mortgage, real estate, home inspection, and appraisal courses available throughout the United States. The CE Shop produces quality education for professionals across the nation, whether they’re veterans in their industry or are looking to launch a new career. We believe that the right education can truly make a difference. Visit TheCEShop.com to learn more.
Remember that scene in Dead Poets Society where the unconventional Mr. Keating ignites a spark of passion, urging them to “seize the day”?
He empowers Neil Perry to confront his fear and pursue his dream. He builds Todd Anderson’s confidence. And he pushes Knox Overstreet to explore a new kind of self-expression.
That is the magic of a mentor.
But wisdom and insights are one thing; how to find a mentor—a Mr. Keating to your Neil Perry/Todd Anderson/Knox Overstreet—is another.
The truth of the matter is, the essence of your growth lies not in solitary reflection. It lies in the dynamic exchange of ideas with those who’ve navigated similar paths.
Just ask the movers and shakers at Mindvalley—like Vishen, Keith Ferrazzi, and Verne Harnish—who emphasize how monumental of an impact a mentor can have in life. Their experiences underline a truth many of us often overlook: the right guidance is a powerful catalyst for change.
What Is a Mentor?
In essence, a mentor is someone who offers their knowledge, expertise, and advice to help guide another individual’s personal and professional development. This relationship is built on trust, respect, and a mutual commitment to growth.
In today’s competitive world, having a trusted advisor can be the difference between making it and breaking it. That’s why a staggering 75% of executives, according to a study by the American Society of Training and Development, credit their success to mentoring.
“One of the most rewarding experiences I’ve come to know is having [my] personal values and beliefs challenged,” explains Vishen, the founder of Mindvalley. “It’s not always a comfortable experience, but that’s not the point. We’re not here to live in comfort. We’re here to grow. And we can’t grow unless we challenge ourselves.”
History is replete with examples of influential mentor-mentee relationships. Think Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams, Mark Zuckerberg and Steve Jobs, Vishen and Dr. Srikumar Rao—you get the picture—a legacy passed on, a torch held aloft, illuminating the path for the next generation.
Vishen, founder of Mindvalley, with Keith Ferrazzi, trainer of Mindvalley’s Mastering Authentic Networking Quest
Why Is It Important to Have a Mentor?
In your journey of personal growth as well as your professional one, having someone who has walked the path before can be invaluable. They provide a unique blend of support, insight, and accountability.
Personally, they provide a safe space to help you reflect on your goals, values, and motivations. They can also offer encouragement and guidance during difficult times, provide a sense of belonging and community, and contribute to your overall well-being.
Professionally, a mentor can help you navigate career challenges, provide feedback to hone your skills and expertise, and open doors to invaluable networks. They’re so beneficial, in fact, that one study found that “employees with mentors report higher levels of job satisfaction, organizational commitment, compensation, and promotions.”
As you benefit from a mentor’s guidance, you can become a mentor yourself in the future. In doing so, you contribute to a legacy of knowledge and support within your field or community.
How to Find a Good Mentor In 3 Steps
Short of turning to personal development books, finding your own Mr. Keating can be quite a feat. But it’s not impossible.
Let’s explore how to find a mentor for adults:
1. Define your goals
Before your grand entrance into the “carpe diem” society of mentorship, take a moment to reflect on your own personal play. This is where, as Vishen often suggests, the three most important questions (also known as the 3 MIQs) come in handy.
It’s a practice where you pinpoint your end goals—your big dreams, the things you ultimately want to achieve in life. Essentially, you answer—what else—three questions:
What do you want to experience in life?
How do you want to grow and develop yourself?
How do you want to contribute to the world?
Remember, the more specific your goals, the easier it will be to identify a mentor who can truly guide you toward achieving them.
“Today’s most valuable currency is social capital, defined as the information, expertise, trust, and total value that exist in the relationships you have and social networks to which you belong,” says Keith Ferrazzi, a leader in professional relationship development and trainer of Mindvalley’s Mastering Authentic Networking Quest.
That’s why being a part of a community like that at Mindvalley is incredibly important. These events bring together people from various backgrounds with common interests.
It’s not only a way to network but also an opportunity to be proactive. You can participate in discussions, ask questions, introduce yourself…and chances are, you might just find someone willing to mentor you.
The more you participate, the more opportunities are going to unlock for you. — @Vishen
3. Make that outreach
When you’re looking for your own Mr. Keating, the most effective way to land one is to simply reach out to them.
But it’s more than just sending a cold email. It’s about crafting a strategic message that sparks genuine interest and convinces them to invest in your growth.
Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Personalize your communication with each mentor. Mention specific aspects of their work that inspire you and clearly articulate why you believe they would be the perfect mentor for you.
Choose the right medium. Whether it’s a professional email, a LinkedIn message, or a phone call, choose a medium that is appropriate for the level of familiarity you have with the person.
Be clear about what you are seeking. Express your desire for mentorship and specify what you hope to learn or achieve through this relationship.
Offer value. While you’re seeking guidance, it’s also essential to think about what you can offer in return—your unique perspective, skills, or willingness to assist in a project. Offering value creates a mutually beneficial relationship.
Follow up respectfully. If you don’t receive a response initially, it’s acceptable to send a polite follow-up after a reasonable period. Persistence shows your commitment, but always maintain respect for their time and boundaries.
Remember, the goal of the initial outreach is to start a conversation. Your approach should infuse both professionalism and a personal touch, showing that you are both respectful and earnest.
As Keith advises, “Be sincere—the surest way to become special in other’s eyes is to make them feel special.”
3 Ways to Find a Business Mentor
You can absolutely use the same steps to find a business mentor. But there are also additional approaches, focusing on your professional aspirations and industry-specific challenges.
Here’s how you can navigate this process:
1. Seek them in your network
Your existing network is a treasure trove of potential mentors. These are individuals who already know you to some extent and might be willing to offer guidance. So before you hit up mentorship programs, consider tapping into your Rolodex.
Start by making a list of people in your network who inspire you or whom you admire for their professional accomplishments. These could be career coaches, a wise professor from your college days, seasoned colleagues, or the aunt who conquered the business world.
Then, consider reaching out to them for an informal chat or coffee. The key here is to build a connection and express your admiration for their work before directly asking for mentorship.
Connect with influential people in your field, suggests Verne Harnish, the founder of Entrepreneurs’ Organization and trainer of Mindvalley’s Scale Your Business to $1 Million Quest. This approach is a strategic way to broaden your mentorship possibilities.
Start by identifying key influencers and leaders who resonate with your goals and aspirations. For example, if you’re looking at how to find a spiritual mentor, make a list of the experts in the field, like Michael Bernard Beckwith, Jeffrey Allen, Agapi Stassinopolous, and so on.
Once you’ve got a list, actively engage with them. If you’re looking at how to find a business mentor online, interact with their social media posts. Or they may have a book out or a self-improvement podcast—you could send a message expressing your admiration for their work.
When you’re ready, reach out directly; it can be a powerful tool in establishing a connection.
3. Attend professional events
Conferences, workshops, and networking—these are all professional working events to connect with potential mentors who share your enthusiasm and professional interests.
“Connecting is one of the most important business—and life—skill sets you’ll ever learn,” says Keith. “Why? Because, flat out, people do business with people they know and like.”
So make the most of these professional events:
Research the event and its attendees. If there are specific individuals you hope to connect with, learn about their interests and work.
Focus on building genuine relationships rather than just handing out business cards.
Follow up with the contacts you’ve made. A simple message expressing your appreciation for the conversation and your interest in keeping in touch can pave the way for future interactions.
Volunteering or speaking at events can increase your visibility and make it more likely for potential mentors to notice and approach you.
Use social media platforms to connect with event attendees before and after the event.
The main goal here is authentic connections. It’ll help you identify and attract mentors who can contribute to accelerating your career.
Verne Harnish, trainer of Mindvalley’s Scale Your Business to $1 Million Quest
How to Get the Most Out of Your Mentorship
Once you’ve found your mentor, the real magic begins. And to truly reap the benefits, you need to be an active participant, not just a passive recipient.
Set clear expectations and goals, both for yourself and your mentor.
Prepare thoughtful questions, not just generic inquiries, and listen actively, absorbing their wisdom like a sponge.
Be open to feedback, even the kind that stings, for it’s in those moments of discomfort that real growth blossoms.
Embrace challenges, for your mentor isn’t there to coddle you but to push you beyond your comfort zone.
Consistency is key—don’t be the flakey apprentice who leaves the master hanging.
Regular communication and follow-up demonstrate your commitment and strengthen the bond.
Express your appreciation for their time, guidance, and unwavering belief in you.
The best mentors are not just guides but catalysts, empowering you to see your own capabilities. And with the right one by your side, you can discover layers of talent and potential you never knew existed.
Finding a mentor is, of course, about unlocking doors and accelerating your climb to success. But it’s also about embarking on a transformative journey of self-discovery. Just like Neil Perry, Todd Anderson, Knox Overstreet, and all the boys of Dead Poets Society.
Are you ready to take the first step on your path to greatness? Mindvalley’s free quest previews offer a taste of Vishen’s transformative questions, Keith Ferrazzi’s networking magic, and Verne Harnish’s $1 million blueprint.
Unlock these free lessons, start building your extraordinary now, and discover the power of Mindvalley as your Mr. Keeting.
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
Unlike a static view of capability, a growth mindset flourishes when faced with challenges, viewing failure not as a sign of a lack of intelligence but as an encouraging platform for development and expanding current skills. At its core, a growth mindset is about the belief that one’s fundamental qualities are things that can be cultivated through effort, strategies and help from others.
Still, it isn’t uncommon for a lot of us to strive for success and avoid failure at all costs. We see it as a way of maintaining a sense of being smart or skilled. When we adopt a fixed mindset, challenges are avoided, effort is seen as fruitless, and persistence in the face of obstacles is minimal.
For entrepreneurs, adopting a growth mindset is not just beneficial but essential. The entrepreneurial journey is replete with challenges, uncertainties and setbacks. A growth mindset empowers entrepreneurs to embrace these challenges, learn from failures and persistently innovate and adapt. It transforms the way entrepreneurs approach their business — seeing opportunities where others see obstacles and continually evolving to meet the ever-changing demands of the market.
Multiple groups of college students sit together at tables studying in Baltimore, Maryland. Courtesy … [+] Eric Chen. (Photo by JHU Sheridan Libraries/Gado/Getty Images).
Getty Images
Whether you’re starting out in real estate, or have been involved in your profession for decades, the reality is that errors will happen. Part of growing both personally and in your line of work involves making mistakes. It’s often what happens after a misstep that is most important. If you can reflect on the event and learn from it, you’ll gain valuable insight that will help you as you move forward.
Use these guidelines to learn from your mistakes and get back into the game as a better player.
1. Recognize What The Mistake Was
A couple of years into my career in brokerage, I came across what I thought was an incredible opportunity. One of my existing clients was ready to put up the family jewel. It was a larger property, and if I could help them to sell it, the transaction would become my largest to date by far.
I was invited to meet with the client and talk to them about the opportunity. I had already carried out work for them—in fact, I had just sold a smaller property of theirs and knew I had done an exceptional job. I was sure I would get this next deal, and so I walked into the meeting overly confident and assuming they were going to take me on as the broker in the sale.
Later I learned that I was only one of several professionals the client had met with to discuss the sale of the family jewel. What’s more, I realized I hadn’t done nearly as much research as the others who interviewed for it. I was less prepared and as such, I didn’t get the deal. It went to someone else who had come in with stronger information and selling points.
2. Find the Lesson in the Misstep
It was a massive disappointment to get passed over and lose out on the largest sale of my career up to that point. However, it did teach me an incredibly valuable lesson that has stuck with me ever since. I learned the importance of always bringing you’re A game to every situation. You don’t know when it will count, so it’s best to always be prepared.
I also learned to not assume that past experiences will be enough. Just because you’ve done an outstanding job in the past doesn’t mean that you can ride that wave into the next opportunity or project. This can help you avoid being overconfident and missing details that could be essential to win the business or get the next contract.
3. Look to Move Up
While it’s natural to want to avoid mistakes, they are often part of reaching toward the next level or branching into new territories. To grow in your career, it’s good to push yourself to positions that are outside of your comfort level. You can apply the lessons you learn along the way to avoid the same mistake twice.
As you move up and take on more responsibilities, you may find yourself in the role of a manager who oversees several others or a team. When this happens, you’ll want to support those at the junior level to learn from their mistakes. It can be easy for those you are supervising to look to you to have the final say in everything. If you give them a certain amount of autonomy, you’ll be giving them the chance to make their own decisions. This will give them a chance to grow as well.
Missteps are an inevitable part of any career path, and they tend to show up as we branch into new endeavors. Rather than the mistakes made, it’s the lessons learned that will help propel you toward success. Having an attitude that looks to continually improve can help you move along the journey—and encourage others to build their own careers too.
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
A favorite subject for entrepreneurial articles and podcasts is that of habits. Hundreds (if not thousands) of books are touting the importance of creating good habits. Your own habits depend on your end goal, but a lot of them seem to place particular importance on mastering your morning routine. Maybe that looks like meditating or hitting the gym by 6 a.m., gulping grass-fed butter-infused coffee or a superfood smoothie, and jotting down something in your daily gratitude journal before heading to work.
Good habits are a method of keeping ourselves on course. In James Clear’s book Atomic Habits, he shares an analogy about a flight from LA to NYC. If the pilot points the nose just a few degrees south, eventually, the plane will end up in DC rather than its intended destination. It’s a great example of how tiny changes can make a big difference.
We know good habits are important, and, particularly as entrepreneurs, we must stay on our A-game. People are watching, right? We’re setting an example, and the pressure is on. So, why, o’ why, do good habits sometimes feel like they’re so hard to maintain?
Reading Clear’s book, I thought, “Oh, that’s why staying on the path matters. Cool!” But as I sat with that concept for a few minutes, I started to feel some anxiety creeping in. As a leader, I can’t take a single step in the wrong direction because if I do, I miss my target. And people are counting on me.
What if I make a bad decision? What if I’m not always the last one to leave the office? What if I totally spaced that meeting… twice? What if I hired someone who turned out to make everyone’s life more stressful? What if I didn’t pick the right snacks for the break room?
Aaaahhhhhhhhhh. I’m gonna need that oxygen mask.
We sure do put a lot of pressure on ourselves. Stay on the path. Don’t mess up. And when that performance pressure becomes too much, our brains or bodies (or both) just crash. That’s a message, not a failure.
When it happens, it’s important to take a moment to ask if the path you’re pursuing is actually leading you to the destination you think it is. After all, you’re a person, not a plane. If your body feels tired or your mind feels overwhelmed, it’s totally okay to touch down. Recalibrate periodically. Reevaluate the path.
Habits can be anything you want them to be, but to qualify as habits, they need to stay consistent. We have to show up when we say we will to reap the rewards. Yes, I know it sounds a lot like “discipline.” Trust me, the rebel in me thought, “Hell, no. I’m not a military operation!” But I’ve started to realize that good habits aren’t asking for perfection. They’re just asking you to show up when and how you can.
The truth is, some days, we don’t feel 100%. Maybe there’s only 25% in our tank. Say you had a late night binging some Netflix series that you couldn’t bring yourself to stop. Or you went to a friend’s birthday dinner, and the late-night conversation was too good to miss. Or you have a loved one in the hospital, and you’re mind is elsewhere. That’s life. Those are normal, sometimes even healthy, interruptions. Showing up to maintain your good habits means you do what you can consistently. That doesn’t mean always. It means regularly.
When it comes to habits, we tend to overestimate the importance of a single action while we underestimate the importance of small, repetitive movements. If you had a piggy bank as a kid, then you know what I’m talking about. Every day, you drop a penny into the slot. One day, you put a dime in there. That’s awesome!
But that doesn’t mean you need to put a dime in every day now for it to keep adding up. (It also doesn’t mean you should change your route to avoid seeing the piggy bank and, thus, feeling guilty.) Okay, guilty as charged…this is a gym metaphor. The point is that you just need to consistently be putting something in that piggy bank or calorie tracker. That’s what showing up is all about.
How to show up…for yourself
In an episode of her podcast How To Take Action, Sarah Arnold Hall says, “Doing something every day is actually easier than doing it once in a while.” Speaking from experience, I can confirm. Going to the gym five days a week feels way easier than going only two days a week. Gratitude journaling daily is easier and better for my mental health than doing it only when I feel like it.
But just like flying a plane, there are times when I’ve experienced unexpected turbulence along the way. Flying conditions may not always be perfect. In those moments, I have to give myself grace. Touch down for a break. Refuel. Prioritize my vessel.
When we establish a habit, taking a break doesn’t make it go away. Habits occupy a permanent place in our brains. Interruptions will happen, but our habits will still be there when we’re ready to pick them back up again.
When we feel like it’s time to get back on the runway, all we need to do is look out the window, and voilà! When you show up, blue skies will return. Meaningful accomplishment takes time because it’s accumulative. It’s a process of learning from our mistakes, adjusting the path when something isn’t working, and figuring out what really matters. Over time, you’ll start to recognize the fruits of your habitual labors, and only then will you see just how far you’ve come.
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
In this breakneck-paced world, one in which multiple income sources are increasingly embraced, side ventures unrelated to one’s primary line of work have been the prevailing models. However, this trend has also led to a long line of entrepreneurial scams, as people try their hand at side hustles for which “no experience is required.”
A recent and detailed-below personal experience, I hope, can be fuel for a new paradigm, one that has the potential to redefine the way both entrepreneurs and those seeking employment approach their professional journeys, and particularly how they start new businesses.
NanoGlobals began as a humble endeavor in 2020. Locked inside, and with an abundance of time on my hands, like many, I chose to pursue a side business. While I was enormously grateful to have maintained my primary source of income, a moment like 2020 offered a chance to reflect, including on facing the crises of tomorrow with stability and confidence. Rather than follow the usual path of a part-time enterprise unrelated to my primary expertise (dropshipping was the flavor of the month at the time), I quickly recognized that such a side venture did not have to be disconnected from the core skills of outsourcing and remote work I’d built over the previous decade. Instead, it could be a powerful extension, amplifying my unique value proposition.
Fast-forward to 2023, and NanoGlobals has grown to over 60,000 visitors a month — a steady-revenue, strongly branded and authoritative B2B asset that has been cited in media outlets from Business Insider to The Yale Law Journal.
Upon leaving my previous job, one question was weighing on my mind: whether or not to take this new venture on full-time, and I wound up pursuing it that way for a time. As is often the case, though, a job opportunity came up: a chance to join Formula.Monks, the tech pillar of Media.Monks — the digital-first operating brand of London-based S4Capital.
It sounded great on paper: a new brand in my domain of professional tech services — one with the resources of a global conglomerate. But a nagging question persisted as I engaged in the hiring process: What would happen to NanoGlobals? Unexpectedly, those thoughts were dispelled during hiring conversations that wound up focusing on the value my side venture could bring to Formula.Monks, as well as my inherent skill set. I realized something other companies, job seekers and entrepreneurs might be well advised to take note of: I wasn’t being hired despite my side venture, but because of it.
I’ve come to understand that embracing a side venture that aligns with one’s professional aspirations can usher in new realms of employability — that entrepreneurs no longer have to choose between pursuing passions and securing a dream job. This paradigm shift can help them redefine what success for their ventures looks like: It doesn’t have to be an IPO, it could be an acquihire. It’s possible to seamlessly merge the two, creating a harmonious symphony of skills that at once captivates employers and distinguishes applicants from their peers — demonstrating versatility, adaptability and entrepreneurial spirit.
This approach can be a particularly powerful asset for individuals striving to excel in the ever-evolving digital landscape, in which simply having functional expertise is increasingly not enough. With AI disrupting several white-collar professions, the key to success is navigating and thriving in the worlds of both building and selling. If you produce a successful side hustle, it proves to future employers that you can do both.
So, my advice is simple: Don’t be afraid to intertwine a side venture with your primary line of work. Embrace the power of synergy, and your employability will soar. In an era defined by disruption and innovation, it’s time for entrepreneurs to rewrite the rules and unlock their full potential.
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
As the business world continues to move on from Covid-19, a range of trends and assumptions widespread during the height of the pandemic are being reassessed. Among them is the notion that “job-hopping” by younger workers is natural or even laudable.
Of course, job-hopping, especially by younger workers, isn’t new. Gallup called millennials the “job-hopping generation” back in 2016, and data suggest that job-hopping overall has been in decline since 2001. But the ultra-tight labor market of the past few years and other factors have put the phenomenon in the headlines again, especially with quiet quitting and demands from workers for remote work options.
That has made it top-of-mind for those responsible for staffing up businesses large and small. And those involved in filling roles tend to be much less forgiving of the habit than younger job hunters might think or hope.
Whenever the issue of job-hopping comes up, it is important to first acknowledge that employees are often not responsible for a CV that reflects a lot of movement. There are layoffs and bosses or colleagues who turn out to be overbearing or sexist — and even whole workplaces that are toxic. And there are a lot of other things that happen in life that are outside of one’s control and which can force someone to change jobs with a greater frequency than planned.
No one should ever be shamed for leaving a job that is unhealthy or for a job that disappears for reasons having nothing to do with one’s performance. And of course, people sometimes leave jobs for personal reasons that are even more important and rewarding than work, like starting or growing a family or caring for a loved one.
The downsides of job-hopping
By contrast, job-hopping is more about short-term gain and short-sighted behavior. It’s people leaving not because they are being mistreated or hitting a glass ceiling, but for a few thousand more in annual salary or a commute that’s a few minutes less. It’s sometimes about people becoming bored with the job they currently have. And when people start switching jobs because of the lure of a “shiny new object” or just because they feel like leaving, it can quickly become a pattern.
One of the most corrosive aspects of job-hopping is that the damage it causes to careers usually isn’t obvious to the workers themselves. Candidates who are otherwise well-qualified for a position will be moved to the bottom of the pile by hiring managers who have been burnt in the past and don’t want to take a chance of it happening again. And in some cases, they won’t even get into the pile, screened out by software designed to pinpoint CVs with excess movement between jobs. But as a job-seeker, you won’t even be aware of opportunities you may be missing, because people just don’t contact you — all you get is silence.
There is no official line beyond which the normal cycling of positions turns into job-hopping, and for the youngest of workers, it’s hard even for seasoned HR professionals to get a read. Two jobs in someone’s first two years out of college might not mean anything. But if someone has been in a career for several years, the signs can be all too obvious. Five jobs in eight years? You could have trouble getting the sixth. Fifteen jobs in 20 years? You may be unemployable.
For younger workers, a good rule of thumb is that anything less than a two-year commitment to a particular job can be troubling. And more than two or three jobs cut short is likely to have a meaningful negative impact on your prospects.
One interesting aspect of the current narrative around job-hopping is the notion that employers have no loyalty to their workers and that this lack of loyalty is something employees, especially younger workers, should repay. But job-hopping most conspicuously demonstrates a lack of regard for colleagues. This might not matter greatly if one is content to be a contractor or to be treated as one. But it doesn’t work if someone is hoping to be valued as a full member of a team and treated loyally by their employer.
There are other good reasons to resist the lure of job-hopping. Many positions become more rewarding over time, especially as they become more challenging. It is natural to assume that advancement in pay and title should come before an increase in responsibilities. But it is even more natural for successful organizations to give promising employees more responsibilities before they are officially promoted. In business life, it is often easy to forget that the best opportunities can be found by looking up, rather than out.
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
As an entrepreneur, we often face a wide range of challenges while building and scaling our businesses. From managing finances and operations to navigating through market uncertainties, the list of responsibilities can be overwhelming, especially for those of us just starting out or doing everything alone. That’s where business coaches come in.
Hiring a business coach can be a gamechanger for entrepreneurs. A coach can provide guidance, support and accountability, helping you to navigate through challenges and achieve your goals. In fact, according to a study by the International Coach Federation, 80% of people who received coaching reported increased self-confidence and over 70% saw improvements in work performance, relationships and communication skills.
When it comes to choosing a business coach, you need to find someone who has been in your shoes. You are looking for a coach who has had experience and success in building and scaling their own business or businesses, that way they can offer you invaluable insights and perspectives that truly help you to overcome any obstacles you may be facing, so you can achieve the levels of success you are looking for. Ultimately, less “trial and error” for you. I wanted to share a few different areas in which you can expect a business coach to help you.
A business coach can help entrepreneurs create a solid sales strategy that aligns with their goals and target audience. This includes identifying their unique selling proposition (USP) and positioning it to resonate with their target market. Coaches can also help entrepreneurs optimize their pricing, create effective marketing campaigns, and improve their sales processes and closing techniques.
2. Brand development
Your personal brand is so much more than just your logos and slogans. Your brand is who you are and who others think you are and it’s what sets you apart from your competitors. Brand development is a crucial stage in the branding process, where you will determine your brand’s core elements and how you want your business to be perceived. It’s important to note that brand development is not the same as branding, which refers to how you communicate your brand to your target audience. Instead, it’s the foundational stage of creating a brand. Think of it as building the “back end” of your brand.
This can be a daunting task, especially if you are just starting out in your business journey. However, a business coach can provide guidance on developing a strong personal brand that reflects your values, strengths and expertise. This includes creating a consistent message and visual identity across all communication channels, such as social media, your website, reputation and other marketing materials.
3. Social media strategy
Social media can be a powerful tool for entrepreneurs to connect with their audience and grow their businesses. However, it can also be very overwhelming and time-consuming to learn how to create and maintain a social media strategy.
A business coach can help entrepreneurs develop a social media strategy that aligns with their goals and target audience. This includes content creation, engagement, community building and strategies for measuring success and optimizing results. Think about it: No one asks for your business card anymore. They ask, “What’s your Instagram?”
The little blue check mark has become a symbol of prestige and authority. Those with it are given instant credibility, a favored algorithm and an enhanced reputation in their space. It sets you apart from your competitors by giving you an automatically trustworthy appearing brand and increasing your audience.
But attaining this badge as a public figure is no small feat; you are going to need someone to help you as it’s not something you can just pay for, despite the rumors you may have heard. Top business coaches can help you with achieving this goal.
Yes, it’s true, Meta is testing a paid verification as part of their new service called Meta Verified. It is a subscription that offers enhanced verification and proactive account protection, but it will not mean you are a public figure. Becoming a public figure is possible, but only with the proper guidance from someone who has actually done it themself.
5. Securing high authority press
Securing high authority press can help entrepreneurs establish themselves as thought leaders in their industry, increase visibility, and attract new customers. A business coach can help entrepreneurs develop a PR strategy that aligns with their goals and target audience.
This may include identifying relevant journalists and publications, crafting compelling pitches and press releases and building relationships with key media contacts. Whether you want to learn how to properly execute DIY public relations or are looking to outsource this task, a good business coach can help you with this.
As an entrepreneur, you tend to have a lot on your mind and a lot on your plate. You always have great new innovative ideas on different projects to start and directions to take your business. It’s what makes you a successful entrepreneur, but sometimes it can derail the process. Having a good business coach on your team can help you define your goals and organize a solid action plan for you to follow while also having the foresight to see potential derailers in your projects.
Business coaches are also great at pointing out what is going well. When entrepreneurs are in the growth phase, we tend to consistently look at what is not working because we want to fix it and make it more profitable, but it’s equally important to take a step back and feel satisfaction in where you are right now.
Entrepreneurs at every stage often face a variety of challenges when building and scaling their businesses. But business coaches can help by providing guidance, support and accountability. Coaches can assist with sales strategies, personal brand development, social media strategy, securing high authority press, reputation management and getting organized.
Hiring a business coach who has had experience and success in building and scaling their own business is crucial. Coaches can offer valuable insights and perspectives that help entrepreneurs achieve their goals, resulting in increased self-confidence and improved work performance, relationships and communication skills.
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
A few months ago, I started driving F1 circuits, including Spa-Francorchamps, Monza and Suzuka. I’ve driven dozens of exotic cars from the Porsche 911 GT3 to the Alpine A220 and the Ferrari F50. That is, I’ve driven them virtually via Gran Turismo (GT7). GT7 is a racing simulator that, with the wheel and pedals, is as close as I’ll likely ever come to driving the real things. F1 teams have their own versions of this simulator (worth hundreds of thousands more, of course) that they spend countless hours training on when they’re off the track.
Nearly everything about the art of racing can be applied to business. Here are four racing lessons that can help you accelerate your career.
1. Overprepare
F1 racers know the track. They can drive it in their sleep. Indeed, they do. Here’s Red Bull’s Sergio Perez driving Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez virtually in advance of the 2022 Mexican Grand Prix with his back to the screen and his eyes shut, on a dummy steering wheel. Perez came in third at the Mexican Grand Prix. That’s how much preparation goes into each F1 race. His teammate, Max Verstappen, earned the top podium spot, finishing 17 seconds ahead of him.
When I look back at the first 30 years of my career, there is one common denominator among my most successful articles, pitches and campaigns: I was overprepared. I didn’t just wing it. I spent an abundance of time on research, asked questions, and jotted down notes and ideas. I didn’t earn gold on any of the GT7 tracks on my first try. In fact, it took about five laps around just to get a good feel for it, and then another 10 or so to get it right. Show up overprepared and your odds of success improve exponentially.
“Slow in, fast out” is one of the first lessons race car drivers learn. Anybody can drive fast in a straight line; it’s how you handle the turns that make you a great racer. The long straights at Monza make it one of the fastest circuits in all of F1, but a long straight is oftentimes followed by a series of two turns (a quick left then right, for example) called a chicane. It’s here where drivers typically make up (or lose) time. Navigating a chicane is a skill in itself, as it requires driving somewhat slowly through the first half in order to take the second half at full speed.
All turns are not created equal and knowing which is most important requires a keen sense of prioritization. Slow in, fast out, is the driving equivalent of “playing big” — focusing on the bigger picture, rather than on the minutia. Slow work means more thoughtful, creative work which can help you “play big” in your career. And that ability to slow down can catapult your business when you least expect it.
Any racer worth their salt can tell you with pinpoint accuracy exactly where every single one of the brake points is on each turn of a circuit. For each driver, the brake points are different and depend on a multitude of variables: driver ability, the car’s capability, condition and wear on the tires, and even how much fuel they’re carrying. Finding the brake points is key to going faster and winning a race.
As a professional, you have your own break points, and these, too, are based on a variety of things: how many hours you’ve put in, how much stress you’re under, whether you’re hungry, tired, etc. Break too early, and you risk losing all of your momentum, but break too late — or not at all — and you’re likely to crash. Most of us learn this the hard way. Don’t want to crash and burn? Learn to build breaks into your schedule when you need them. It’s not only critical for your mental health but imperative for your physical health. Unless your goals include panic attacks and migraines, find your break points.
We all know that the white and yellow lines painted on every road are meant to keep cars from crashing into one another. What you might not know is that the optimal driving line rarely follows those painted lines. I’m not advocating that you ignore the rules of the road. But when you put an F1 driver on the road, they don’t see the paint, they see the racing line.
That’s because going as fast as possible requires going as straight as possible. The curves are the challenges the drivers must overcome. This is why you see the F1 drivers using the entire track from edge to edge.
Racers know that the best lap times result from creatingthe straightest possible line around the circuit. Twisting and turning costs precious time. You might temporarily get ahead, but without following the proper line, I guarantee you’ll end up at the back of the pack.
For marketers, this might mean appealing to your audience wherever they are along the buyer’s journey. For manufacturers, completing each step of the process ensures quality craftsmanship. Whatever your role, industry, or vertical, don’t succumb to shortcuts. Use the entire track (and every tool at your disposal) and follow the proper process.
You won’t beat your competitors by taking shortcuts, you’ll beat them by being a better driver. Learning how to navigate the twists and turns of your professional journey will help you stay focused, accelerate your career and position you for success.
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
Yearly small business growth takes a vision and a plan. You need to envision where you’re going and develop a step-by-step guide to get there. Most of the time, growing your business requires doing things a bit differently.
Many entrepreneurs get so bogged down in day-to-day operations that their growth goals become a distant memory. You may look back in Q3 and realize that what would have been possible if you started in Q1 may not be feasible this year at all. Avoid this scenario by understanding your goals and setting a path toward growth.
Here’s what you should do differently to catalyze small business growth.
1. Set 3-5 goals for the year
Always start with goals. Set three to five overarching goals for the year with detailed steps on how you will achieve each one. Break down the plan by quarter. Assign due dates and add them to your calendar. Make room in your schedule to prioritize each step.
Building a digestible structure helps you achieve your goals systematically instead of having them all on your plate at once, which might end up overwhelming and demotivating. Allow your team to assist with bringing your goals to completion. Share due dates on when each step will be finalized each quarter.
Bring your team into the process. Be transparent about what you aim to achieve this year and how you plan to get there. By sharing your vision, your team gains visibility into their roles in accomplishing each goal. This enables collaboration and helps your team feel involved in what the business achieves.
Further involve them by asking for input and ideas. You might be surprised by how helpful their perspectives can be. Stay open to recommendations as long as they point to more efficient strategies or better solutions.
Be creative in getting to know your customers or clients. Send surveys and check in personally. Share in their wins as often as you can. Go beyond merely following them on social media and reposting content. Surprise and delight them by sharing their goals, growth and other exciting news they may share.
Offering special attention to your clients enables them to envision a strong, long-term partnership with you. That mindset leads to raving fans who sing your praises and help grow your brand.
4. Challenge yourself
Challenge yourself each week to be 1% better. Reaching for that small 1%, even broken down over the year, will enormously impact your success. Think about continuous, mindful and meaningful improvements. Address your weaknesses and fortify your strengths. Make your impact through small wins over time.
Determine what you love and do more of it — in business and life. This keeps you motivated and combats burnout. For example, traveling will be at the top of my list this year. With careful planning, a workcation — or an extended stay vacation with a mix of fun and work — is one of my main priorities and a practice worth following.
Find what you enjoy (i.e., a big city, ocean, etc.) and take a workcation as part of your upcoming plans for the year. You will return re-energized and ready to tackle the road ahead. Plus, you more than likely have new business ideas that you discovered while away from your business’s day-to-day activities and stresses.
6. Practice listening
You gain so much more from conversations if you simply learn how to listen. So often, leaders listen to respond as opposed to genuinely listening to what is being said. In doing so, they miss out on subtext and depth in the conversation, especially since much communication is nonverbal.
When you focus on listening, you gain a more accurate sense of what is being said and why it matters. And truly, doesn’t it feel great when you know you are being heard?
Find a mentor or coach. More specifically, find someone in your industry that you admire because they perform better than you in your space. They will help you develop better strategies and overcome challenges.
A mentor or coach will provide a learning experience, offer a bird’s eye view of your company and help you reach the next level. Working with someone who understands your challenges and has risen above them can be priceless.
8. Set your goals high
Knowing what is truly possible, set your goals high. As an accidental entrepreneur, if you had told me 11 years ago that my business would grow to a more than two million dollar business, it would have been hard to imagine — it would have felt crazy.
With hard work, delegation, a dedicated co-founder and a team that supports us, it is now our reality. We continue to put goals and systems into place to sustain and multiply this growth.
Follow these secrets to success to make 2023 a standout year for your business. Remember, success is achieved in your personal life as well as your professional life. Be sure to enjoy the entrepreneurial journey along the way.
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
A career is something you build on small successes and failures. But if you want to push your profession beyond your comfort zone, you will need a backup plan. Becoming successful in your work requires you to do what others cannot or will not do. With the simple, concrete steps below, you can push yourself into career-launch mode and see massive returns. These steps include taking calculated risks, learning from mistakes and embracing the unknown. Let’s discuss each of them in detail:
1. Get comfortable being uncomfortable
Instead of fearing discomfort, you should embrace it. The more often you do something new and out of your comfort zone, the more comfortable you will become with doing that thing.
This will lead to an increase in confidence. The more confident you are, the easier it will be to do things outside your everyday routine. You will start seeking opportunities to stretch yourself or take on additional responsibility because you know that even though these things may make you uncomfortable, they are another way for your profession to grow.
You will also inevitably get better at whatever makes someone uncomfortable — whether it is public speaking or managing other people — and this makes those hours spent practicing worthwhile. The knowledge gained through experience sets a foundation for future success in any field.
2. Take risks but minimize risks as much as you can
The best way to truly learn is by doing. The only way you are capable of doing that is by letting go of your fear. Take calculated risks, but make sure the odds are in your favor. The crucial decision is knowing when to take a chance and when not to. Here are some tips to help you minimize risk as much as possible:
List all of the things that could go wrong if you do not take a chance (or if you do). How will it affect your life? Your career? What are some potential consequences? If this is not worth risking everything on, it is not important enough.
Identify what might happen if something goes right with this project or idea — how will it help your profession? Will it lead to more opportunities down the road? Does this have long-term benefits for yourself or others around you? Does this have short-term benefits for yourself or others around you?
3. Be prepared to venture into the unknown
The only way to be prepared for these situations is by experiencing new challenges. Try something new every day so that when an opportunity arises where you need to venture into the unknown, it will not seem like such a big deal.
The more comfortable you become with stepping out on your own, going against norms or doing whatever it takes, it will not feel scary because now you have experience using those tools and honing those skills in other areas.
4. Learn from your mistakes, and move on
Many say that failure is the best teacher, but what they do not tell is the best way to learn how to fail better next time. If you are constantly trying new things, pushing yourself beyond your comfort zone and making mistakes along the way (as long as they are not too costly), then there is no way for you not to improve — and fast.
5. Do not let what others think of you limit your success
It is easy to get stuck in the opinions of others, but this can stop you from making good decisions. If someone is telling you not to do something, and they do not have a good reason, then ignore them. What is important is your own opinion and what feels suitable for you. People may have told you that something was impossible or would not work out, but if the situation suits your ambitions and goals — go for it.
6. Put yourself out there
If you want to be successful, put yourself out there. This means taking on new projects and responsibilities that can help you grow in your profession. When you put yourself out there, you learn more about yourself, what motivates you and what your strengths are. You also know more about what kinds of projects or responsibilities make you uncomfortable or nervous.
By identifying these areas of weakness, you can figure out how to improve them. When future opportunities that require this skill set (or lack thereof) come around, they will seem manageable.
7. Dream big, then work toward making it happen
When you are dreaming big, you must be prepared to take risks and venture into the unknown. However, this does not mean you have to go all in with no plan to recover if things go wrong (as they inevitably do).
When planning for success, keep these things in mind:
Be prepared for failure: Think about what could happen if your plan fails, and work through those scenarios so that you know what steps you would need to take next.
Take small steps at first: Start small, and take one action at a time until you get closer to achieving your goal. Then move on until you meet your goal.
Push yourself beyond your comfort zone to rise in your career. You may think you need to make the right move when you take risks, but the truth is that if you do not go out of your comfort zone, how will anything ever change? Pushing yourself out of your convenience zone can help you grow professionally and personally by helping build confidence, courage and strength. It will also help develop resilience, an essential quality for success in any field.
2022 came with a slew of new workplace lingo: quiet quitting, quiet firing and fast quitting. However, a new trend is likely to dominate the hiring space in 2023: “quiet hiring.”
The concept of quiet hiring hinges on the idea that a business can add new skills and fill gaps without actually hiring full-time employees. Gartner research expert Emily Rose McRae told CNBC that quiet hiring often comes in two different forms: internal and external.
Internal quiet hiring means current employees might temporarily move to other roles or take on different assignments within the organization. External quiet hiring means hiring short-term contractors to keep the business running without taking on more full-time employees.
“The reality for the next year is — whether or not we go into a recession — everyone’s a little nervous,” McRae said, per CNBC. “In a lot of cases, organizations are not necessarily doing a hiring freeze or layoffs but maybe slowing down a little bit on their hiring.”
Although quiet hiring might be the ideal solution for employers to ensure workplace efficiency without causing financial strain, its success or failure could hinge on one factor: communication.
McRae warns that without adequate transparency about the reasoning behind the decision to implement quiet hiring, some employees might take the shift from their current role into another one as a signal they aren’t needed and therefore begin looking for other opportunities.
McRae told CNBC that employers should be clear about what the move means for workers and assure them of the importance.
“If you’re asking a bunch of people to make this move, you should be able to articulate: What does this mean for them?” McRae told the outlet.
Employers should reiterate how the move not only helps the organization but also the individual’s strengths and career trajectory.
McRae encourages employees to think about leveraging quiet hiring as a way to advance their careers and current positions. If the company shares its plans to restructure, employees should consider how the pivot might actually help them in the long run and even position them for a promotion.
“This is a really good chance for employees to sit down and say to their managers, their HR people and to the company as a whole, ‘Yeah, I’m willing to do this. Let’s talk about what this means for my career,’” she said, per CNBC.
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
We all have experienced that inner critic holding us back. That voice telling us that we aren’t good enough, that we will fail and that we should give up.
This is a normal part of being human. But as you enter into a new year, you don’t need to let those fears stop you. You can become your own biggest advocate. You can reframe your internal voice to one that supports you and a bigger vision for your career and your life.
Here are four ways to begin to harness a growth mindset to support you in getting to where you really want to be while embracing the journey and the inevitable ups and downs along the way.
1. Get clear on what matters to you
Life can get busy, and at times you may find yourself just going through the motions, being disconnected from the bigger picture and your personal mission. When was the last time that you reflected on where you are at in your life and whether you are on a path that is fulfilling to you? Give yourself permission to check in with yourself and make it a priority to do this on a regular basis. Ask yourself: What are the most important things to you? Look at how you are spending your time. Are you making the moments in your life high-quality moments? Once you get clear on these things, you will know where to focus your time and energy for maximum happiness and fulfillment.
2. Create habits that fuel your happiness and success
Sometimes your everyday patterns and habits can be fueling a disempowering mindset and stress. Something as simple as grabbing your phone right after you wake up to check your messages and notifications can be setting you up for being in a reactive and stressed state throughout the day. Powering through your workday without taking breaks. Lack of exposure to sunlight and the outdoors. Poor eating habits and minimal movement. These are all things that can be setting your mind and body up for success. The good news is that once you have an awareness of your personal habits and patterns you can then choose to take a new approach. You aren’t stuck with behaviors that don’t serve you. By building awareness and then making small changes you can set yourself up for feeling your best at home and at work. What is a new healthy behavior that you are excited about that you can start today?
Your mind is a very powerful tool that can support or hinder your success and happiness. There are always multiple ways to perceive and interpret events and experiences in your life and multiple ways to respond to what life presents to you. When you embrace a growth mindset, you are choosing to view challenges as opportunities for growth. You are looking at things with a sense of curiosity and newness. I like to ask myself the question, how can I view this in a way that is empowering for me? So instead of fueling a limiting belief like, I’m not good enough, you could reframe this to I’m still learning and I am proud of the progress I have made so far. Embracing a growth mindset also takes self-compassion so remember to be kind to yourself along the way and show yourself the love and grace that you deserve and need.
4. Set approachable goals and celebrate the everyday wins
Setting large goals is great but they do require time, persistence and patience. Without daily motivation and encouragement, it can be challenging to stick with them for the long haul. This is one reason why setting smaller and more approachable goals on a daily basis can help set you up for success. With these bite-sized goals, you will move step by step closer to your bigger vision for your life. And, enjoying the journey and giving yourself the positive reinforcement you need to feel your best and stay motivated.
Imagine someone who never runs saying they want to run a marathon. If all they focused on was that marathon, they would probably feel overwhelmed and not actually take the necessary steps to get to that end goal. Instead, if they broke that bigger goal into smaller goals like, for week one I am going to run one mile on Monday and Friday. Then build from there. They would have more approachable steps giving them positive reinforcement that would move them in the right direction. What are some meaningful large goals that you have that can be broken down into bite-sized pieces that you can start today?
Embracing a growth mindset is not as easy as just flipping a switch. But with awareness, intention and action you can support your mind and your body in feeling your best while moving towards your version of success in 2023 and beyond.
Disclaimer: This content purely represents the opinion of the author and is not medical advice or treatment recommendations. Always talk to your healthcare provider about recommendations specific to you.
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
I know what it feels like to be stuck in a career and not have any room for growth or a fair evaluation of your efforts within the company. Although I had what many people would perceive as a successful career in public relations, I felt a prolonged progression in my promotions, a lack of opportunities to grow in other areas of the field and not a great work/life balance. I started to lose a sense of determination in my work. My personal story began when Covid-19 first hit; like many people, I lost my job, which left me in a whirlwind of confusion and heartbreak.
I had a moment to sink in the fear of job security but then realized I was luckier than most. I was already working on my side hustle with freelancing which was making more than I was making at my full-time position, and I was able to keep that up while I tried to figure out what my next move would be. Would I continue to just freelance and maintain, or would I push myself to do more?
My next move came sooner than I realized. After all, at the time of the pandemic, I possessed a skill many companies needed most — public relations. I realized that this skill allowed me to work from anywhere. In the past, my personal success was hindered in this area, thanks to a full-time job that ate up a lot of my time with commutes and late nights. I realized I had enough clients to get going, with eight customers that quickly grew to 15 in just a few weeks, ranging across a plethora of industries. Things went so well that in the time of a global pandemic, a young 29-year-old female was able to create a growing business.
This is something I never contemplated and didn’t think was possible just three years ago, but now it is a reality with over 25 people on my team and counting. When opportunities come your way, and you realize people want what you offer, you simply don’t turn that down. You acknowledge this as a sign it’s time to grow, your time to live into your potential and to take that leap in creating a business. These opportunities are coming your way because people are gravitating to what you offer. You need to invest in your vision and potential to realize you found something unique and something that companies want. This all starts with believing in yourself.
Some of the most frequent questions I receive are: “how did you change your work situation?” “how did you start your side hustle?” or “how do I market my skills?” As someone whose primary mission is to make an impact on others, I am here to help. Now I realize that many people are feeling stuck in their careers, and in the time of the “Great Resignation,” I want to guide you to feel less trapped and put you on a path where you can recreate your career. Here are my eight tips for getting started:
Remember we have more opportunities than ever: There are more avenues now than ever to pick up a side gig and work on it from the comfort of your home. This makes recreating your career and focusing on the work that makes you happy easier than it’s ever been.
Take the time to create a list of what skills you possess, are great at and love doing: Often jobs have us doing numerous tasks. Some we are great at, and other ones we wish were better at or just don’t like doing at all. You may simply not have had the opportunity to hone in on certain talents. Now you have the luxury of getting to focus on what you are great at and monetizing that skill. If you don’t have a skill that you’d like to hone in on yet, no worries! Many sites offer courses that are free or at minimal cost so that you can gain critical knowledge to create your new side hustle!
Register for freelance sites: Join freelance sites like UpWork, Fiverr, ThumbTack, Freelancer, etc. Take a scroll through the types of jobs on their sites, then finalize which area you would like to focus on.
Create a pitch about yourself: Many of these freelance sites will ask you to write about your accomplishments, skills and share your job qualifications on your profile page. It can be awkward for some people to boast about themselves, but if you don’t share all the fantastic things you did, no one will know. Learn to be your own publicist. Be sure to include what you can do for prospective clients on your profile page and show previous success stories.
Draft a template cover letter: You can quickly modify a cover letter for different proposals you want to apply for and make simple edits per job posting. This will save you a lot of time.
Ask for reviews or referrals: On these sites, you can boost your chances of getting opportunities by asking peers, previous companies you’ve worked for or other side gigs you’ve had in relevant spaces to get their review of you on the platform. This builds your credibility and also builds potential clients’ confidence when deciding whether to talk and eventually hire you.
Research price points: When putting yourself out there, there is always the question of how much you should charge for your skillset per hour or per project. On many of these sites, you can do some analysis of what others are charging for similar fields. Starting a little lower at first can help you break through to start building your freelance roster, and once you have a couple of reviews of current clients under your belt, that’s when you can move the needle up.
Start applying and putting yourself out there: Once you find a side gig or two, you can really craft yourself, put your passions outside of your current career and start honing a path for yourself that will make you happy.
Whether you want to try this until you find your next job, need extra income or are considering freelancing as your new full-time job for more flexibility, these eight tips above will help you succeed. As Christopher Robbins says, “You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think.”
