There are new rules to ambition.
Thanks to advances in longevity science, lots of folks are becoming more proactive about health. From hitting your daily step count for cardiovascular vitality to adhering to a strength training routine for life-long mobility, folks want to put in the work early on—so they can feel their best for decades to come.
You don’t have to do it all perfectly.
In late October, SheKnows hosted a panel on living with eczema called Empowered With The Skin You’re In: Navigating Eczema & Sharing Moment Of Clarity. The panel was moderated by Nitika Chopra, founder and CEO of Chronicon, with speakers Dr. Sandra Lee (aka “Dr. Pimple Popper”); Kristin Belleson, CEO and president of the National Eczema Association; and comedian Heather McMahan. The panel covered everything from the challenges of living with eczema to real-world advice on how to get relief when flares strike.
Dr. Lee, who is a board-certified dermatologist, opened up about living with mild-to-moderate eczema, noting that she’s had it ever since she was a baby. But Dr. Lee shared that she struggled with bad flares during medical school and beyond. “I had one of the worst flares during medical school. I was studying for an exam, and it was cold, so I decided to use this dusty old space heater a lot,” she said. “Big mistake, because it triggered a flare, and I just immediately could feel that heat and that dust on my face, working with my skin to cause it to get really tingly. I remember turning that thing off as soon as I started feeling those symptoms, and just slathering myself with moisturizer to try to slow this down, because I knew that this was potentially going to be bad.”
Now, Dr. Lee said she tries to avoid her triggers, like wool, on a daily basis—and especially when she’s going to be on camera. “Eczema can affect my day, any day, and it’s no different when I’m on set or not,” she said. Dr. Lee revealed that she uses OPZELURA when she experiences an eczema flare. “It works pretty quickly,” she says. “When I had an itch and used OPZELURA for a few days, I really noticed an improvement in my itch and a clearing in my flare within a few weeks.”
But Dr. Lee wasn’t the only speaker to share her story with eczema. “When I’m on the road, I’m not sleeping well, there’s a million other things that are going on, and I can just feel it like when I am run down, when I am stressed, when I’m under those hot lights and I’m sweating under makeup, I can just feel like a flare up coming,” shared McMahan. She said she’s learned to be “proactive and not reactive,” noting that she picked up a lot of eczema hacks from other people on TikTok. She also said that OPZELURA has been “helpful” for her, personally.
But McMahan, Dr. Lee, and Belleson also spoke about the importance of community and sharing what they’ve learned to help other people with eczema. Here’s the knowledge they want others to know:
Dr. Lee noted that having moisturizer on-hand is “the most important thing” to her eczema management. “I don’t care about my lipstick, but if I forget my moisturizer when I go on a trip, I will look like a lizard,” Dr. Lee said. So, she carries her moisturizer with her everywhere. “If you don’t have those things, one little thing will put you over the edge, and then it’s over,” she said.
It’s easier said than done, but Dr. Lee and McMahan issued a warning: Scratching can lead to scars. “As a kid, I had it so bad that I would scratch the back of my legs, and then I would get a suntan in the summer and just have, like, white spots everywhere,” McMahan said. McMahan said she still has “old eczema spots” and can’t get a spray tan during a flare because the results will look like a “hot mess.” One more reason to avoid scratching as much as possible? You can get an infection, Dr. Lee pointed out.
Dr. Lee noted that if she feels scratchy in bed at night, she’ll jump in the shower to wash off whatever could be irritating her skin, even though she’s wiped. “It can be a tough thing to deal with. You can lose sleep over it,” she said. “It can really affect your life in so many ways.”
This was one of the biggest tips the speakers shared. “I used to dry myself off when I got the shower and my dermatologist is like, no, no, no, you have to be damp,” Belleson said.
Why? “When you put water on your skin and it evaporates, it actually pulls out the moisture from your skin so you get more dry. That’s what triggers the eczema,” Dr. Lee explained. “The moment I get out of the shower, I put moisturizer on.” McMahan joked that she’s a “slick cat” when she gets out of the shower and “covered up like a Pilgrim” when she goes to bed to lock in moisture.
Dr. Lee said this can be “very helpful” for eczema management. She suggested using a warm humidifier in particular because it can warm the room and keep humidity in the room, moisturizing your skin in the process.
McMahan told the story of how she realized gel manicures triggered flares. “There was something about the bonding in the top of the gel nail,” she said, noting that she had to change her nail routine as a result. “I really felt a little insecure for a minute, I’m not gonna lie,” she said.
McMahan revealed that she views her diet as part of her eczema management, too. “If I’m eating too much sugar and I already know I’m stressed out, it’s me being proactive and saying, ‘Okay, you know it’s gonna be a stressful week. You know you’re not sleeping a lot, you’re on 15 different airplanes. So, take the steps to protect yourself. Let’s make sure we’re eating healthy from the inside out and all of those things,’” she said. “But if I’m drinking white wine and eating Butterfingers, you know your girl’s going to be itching.”
Dr. Lee stressed the importance of meeting with a board-certified dermatologist if you have eczema and coming prepared. “I suggest you bring some notes—maybe like three or four questions,” she said. “It’s important to have a pen and to write down the answers that you hear, because you’re going to forget a lot of the things that they say.” Your doctor should be able to help you identify your triggers and set you on the path to the best eczema management plan for you.
Visit mymomentsofclarity.com for personal stories from people living with eczema.
This story was created independently by the SHE Media editorial team. Note, this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a healthcare provider for any treatment decisions.
Chloe Castleberry
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Can you learn to be more confident? Most of us know by instinct or from reading the research that people who show more confidence tend to be seen as more capable and likable by others. There’s just no question that greater confidence can make you more successful. But how do you get there? Consider Taylor Swift and her confidence, or lack of it, when it came to dancing.
We may think of Swift as a superstar who can do no wrong, as far as her fans are concerned. But before the Eras Tour, she spent years being criticized as a stiff, awkward, and generally very bad dancer. She acknowledged that criticism, and laughed with her critics, in the video for “Shake It Off,” which she described as “an entire music video of me awkwardly, badly dancing.”
Apparently, shaking it off wasn’t really that easy. At least not according to choreographer Mandy Moore (not to be confused with the singer and This Is Us star with the same name). Moore did the choreography for the Eras Tour as well as the intensely complex “Fate of Ophelia” video. When she first started working with Swift, the pop star was quite self-conscious about dancing, Moore said in a New York Times interview. “She’d gotten a bad rap for a long time about her dancing, so she was really in her head,” Moore recalled.
Moore helped Swift gain confidence in her own dance abilities. Here’s how she did it, and how it could work for you.
The first challenge was to get Swift out of her head. “We shifted the focus to how movement was already manifesting in her body–the way she naturally wanted to move,” Moore said in the interview. “And then we fine-tuned that: ‘OK, that looks a little weird with your shoulders,’ or, ‘Let’s straighten your knee here.’”
When you’re feeling uncertain about a task or challenge, it’s always a good idea to go back to what feels most natural and comfortable to you. That’s a great place to start building your confidence because it’s likely something you have lots of experience doing and know you can do well. Use that as the first building block and slowly add other challenges and tasks, increasing your skills as you go.
Swift is famous for being an extraordinarily hard worker. She prepared for her three-hour Eras Tour performances by singing all the songs in the set list while running, fast walking, or jogging on a treadmill (depending on the tempo of the song). She also completed a three-month fitness training regimen designed specifically for her.
Her fiancé Travis Kelce is still a star of the NFL at 36, partly because he never skips any of the team’s grueling workouts. But even Kelce said he admired Swift’s athleticism and work ethic during the tour.
Moore agrees. “I really admire Taylor’s tenacity,” she said. “She works so hard. Whatever I was putting down, she was picking up.”
It may not be the most fun way to boost your own confidence. But it’s undeniably effective. Putting in extra hours of work practicing your skills and honing your strengths will give you greater confidence when you see those skills improve. It’s one of the most reliable ways to increase your own confidence.
Dancing in public may be one of the most embarrassing things you can do. It can be a real challenge to your confidence, especially if you get criticized the way Swift has been. “The nature of this job is that I’m often seeing people–not just celebrities, everyone–in very vulnerable positions,” Moore says. “Dance is so vulnerable, and that feeling is only magnified by how famous the person is. Some of these artists have been sort of traumatized by dance.”
How does Moore get them past their trauma? By turning dance into something they can love. “A lot of it is really just getting in a room and being like, ‘Look, here’s this thing that I love, and you can love it too!,’” she said. “Teach them the love first and the steps later.” That’s a great approach, and likely one Swift couldn’t have come up with by herself. Fortunately, she turned to Moore for help.
A singer about to launch an international tour with 15 professional dancers knows she needs a choreographer to get the job done. But even if the task ahead of you is smaller and less public, asking for help from a coach, subject matter expert, mentor, or even a trusted colleague or friend can really help your confidence level. You can get constructive feedback on your work. You can practice your presentation or networking skills. This can give you the extra lift you need to face the challenge ahead feeling sure you can handle it instead of afraid that you can’t.
There’s a growing audience of Inc.com readers who receive a daily text from me with a self-care or motivational micro-challenge or tip. Often, they text me back and we wind up in a conversation. (Want to know more? It’s easy to try it out and you can easily cancel anytime. Here’s some information about the texts and a special invitation to a two-month free trial.) Many of my subscribers are entrepreneurs or business leaders. They know the importance of feeling as confident as they can when they embark on a new challenge or role. Following Swift’s example can be a great way to get there.
The opinions expressed here by Inc.com columnists are their own, not those of Inc.com.
Minda Zetlin
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Picture this: You’re standing in the hallway outside of a boardroom, about to walk into the most important presentation of your career. Your palms are sweating and your heart is racing. Your stomach is churning and your mind is buzzing with all the things that could go wrong. You feel weak in your knees.
It’s the fear of public speaking—or more commonly in business, the fear of investor pitches, big team meetings, critical one-on-ones, and difficult conversations of all kinds. Success leaves clues, and a consistent pattern I see in high-impact leaders is that they know how to push through self-doubt fast. How? One-minute affirmations.
There’s lots of hype surrounding affirmations, but the research proves they work. According to research published by Carnegie Mellon University, “a brief self-affirmation was effective in eliminating the deleterious effects of chronic stress on problem-solving performance, such that chronically stressed self-affirmed participants performed under pressure at the same level as participants with low chronic stress levels.” Affirmations are like a neural circuit breaker. They’re a way for you to cut off the negative effects of stress on your performance before it takes root.
There’s a right way to use affirmations and a wrong way. Do not say things like “I am awesome.” Instead, be as specific and personal as possible. “I am awesome” doesn’t help because it’s way too general. Instead, try statements like “I can handle this.”
Tie your affirmations to the challenges you’re facing and the genuine strengths you already know you have. For example, in public speaking, “I’ve made presentations to the executive team successfully many times before, and I will do it again today.”
Here’s one for negotiation: “I know this deal inside and out, better than the other party and better than most anyone at my company. I’m going to get this done.”
The most powerful affirmations I’ve seen combine three things:
The best part is that this takes no apps, devices, or scheduling. It’s a process you can use almost anywhere. So, the next time you find yourself about to engage in a high-pressure situation, try it. Take control of your self-talk by giving yourself a few seconds to write down exactly what you need to hear. Say it out loud with purpose, and see if you don’t watch your confidence and your performance skyrocket.
The opinions expressed here by Inc.com columnists are their own, not those of Inc.com.
Peter Economy
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Warren Buffett calls it the Methuselah Effect: the financial advantages of a long life, a high rate of return, and as Buffett wrote in his 1965 Buffett Partnership letter, “a combination of both (especially recommended by this author).”
In business terms, the benefits of living a long life don’t just apply to investing. Starting and building a business that lasts takes time. Time to develop a great team of outstanding employees. Time to make lasting connections, forge lasting partnerships, and build long-term relationships with loyal customers.
Time matters, if only because we all hope to live as long and healthy a life as possible.
The problem is, the recommendation bar for living a longer life can seem impossibly high. One study found you need between 150 and 300 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity to mitigate the risk of death associated with sitting. Another study found you need to jog five days a week for 30 to 40 minutes a pop for your body to have the “age progression” of someone nine years younger.
But then there’s this. Two studies, one that spanned 10 years and the other 30 years, found that “high optimism” was linked to 11 to 15 percent longer lifespans, even after taking into account factors like health and socioeconomic status.
As the researchers write:
Among psychosocial factors that appear to be potential health assets (e.g., social integration), optimism has some of the strongest and most consistent associations with a wide range of health outcomes, including reduced risk of cardiovascular events, lung function decline, and premature mortality.
Investigators have speculated that optimism may facilitate healthier bio-behavioral processes, and ultimately longevity, because optimism directly contributes to how goals are translated into behaviors.
Let’s unpack that. “Social integration” directly correlates with living longer; a clinical review of nearly 150 studies found that people with strong social ties had a 50 percent better chance of survival, regardless of age, sex, health status, and cause of death, than those with weaker ties.
Make and keep a few close friends, you’ll likely live longer.
Optimism also directly correlates with living longer, since optimistic people tend to behave differently: While everyone has goals, people who fall on the less optimistic end of the spectrum are much less likely to try to achieve their goals. Why start a journey that feels impossible?
On the flip side, “optimism directly contributes to how goals are translated into behaviors.” When the journey seems possible, starting feels much easier.
All of which is good news for entrepreneurs.
And for everyone. In his book Bounce, Matthew Syed quotes retired soccer manager Arsene Wenger on how great athletes think:
To perform to your maximum you have to teach yourself to believe with an intensity that goes way beyond logical justification.
No top performer has lacked this capacity for irrational optimism; no sports(person) has played to their potential without the ability to remove doubt from their mind.
The same is true for you. Be smart, be logical, be rational and calculating, and never stop trying to improve your skills.
But most importantly, be optimistic. Because optimism — and its effect on the way you think and work and persevere — can help you succeed in education, experience, and connectons cannot.
Still. I know what you’re thinking. “I should be more optimistic. But it’s not like I can just flip a switch.”
Actually, you can. Research shows that approximately 25 percent of your optimism set-point is genetic. That means 75 percent of your level of optimism can be shaped and learned. For example, a study published in Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry found that participants who spent five minutes a day for two weeks imagining their “best possible self” (in terms of professional, relationship, and personal goals) experienced significant increases in optimism and overall life satisfaction.
If visualization isn’t your thing (it isn’t mine), try another approach. If, as Jim Rohn says, we are the average of the five people we spend the most time with, just start spending more time with optimistic people. They’re more encouraging. They’re more supportive. Their enthusiasm will naturally rub off on you.
If spending time in groups isn’t your thing (it kind of isn’t mine), then take a step back and think about your mindset. Generally speaking, people fall into two camps. Those with a fixed mindset believe intelligence, ability, and skill are inborn and relatively fixed. That we are what we were born with. Someone with a fixed mindset might say, “I didn’t handle that well. I’m not cut out to be a leader.”
People with a growth mindset believe that intelligence, ability, and skill can be developed through effort. That we are what we work to become. Someone with a growth mindset might say, “I didn’t handle that well, but next time I’ll make sure I’m more prepared.”
People who embrace a growth mindset believe success is based on effort and application, not innate talent.
That makes them more optimistic.
And helps them live longer, healthier lives.
The opinions expressed here by Inc.com columnists are their own, not those of Inc.com.
Jeff Haden
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At a reception after a speaking event, an entrepreneur looking for investors asked if he could send me his pitch deck. “I’m sorry,” I said. “I don’t invest in startups.”
“That’s all right,” he said. “What I really need is for you to give me Ray Dalio’s email address. If I land him as an investor, I’ll be set.”
“I’m sorry,” I said, “but I’m not comfortable sharing other people’s contact information.”
He badgered me, I kept apologizing, and he finally walked away. A woman standing nearby walked over and said, “You didn’t need to feel sorry,” she said. “He was being a jerk.”
“I guess,” I said. “But that’s what I do.”
I say I’m sorry when people ask me to speak at their event for the “exposure.” I say I’m sorry when a telemarketer calls and claims they want to buy one of our rental properties. I say I’m sorry when someone butts in line and I have to explain that me and other people were waiting first.
But I shouldn’t, especially if — oddly enough — I want to feel better about myself.
According to a study published in Frontiers in Psychology determined that an apology increases the recipient’s feeling of hurt and does not increase their level of forgiveness. (Assuming I need to be forgiven for not sharing Ray Dalio’s email address). A study published in The European Journal of Social Psychology, people who refuse to express remorse maintain a greater sense of control and feel better about themselves than those who do not, even when they actually made a mistake.
And then there’s this: research described in the book You Just Don’t Understand: Women and Men in Conversation indicates that “excessive” apologizing (apologizing when you really don’t need to) can make others feel you lack competence and confidence. For example, the entrepreneur saw “I’m sorry….” as an opening, and even weakness. To him, “I’m sorry…” sounded like, “I would like to, but…,” and the salesperson in him tried to turn maybe into yes.
Even though my answer was always going to be “no.” I don’t share contact information without the person’s permission. And while I do have Dalio’s email address, I might as well not: I’ve only used it once, and that was to send him a link to an interview we did.
I didn’t need to say I was sorry. I could just say no.
I could just say no to people who want me to work for free. I could just say no to a telemarketer. I could say, “Excuse me, but we were here first.”
Just like you don’t need to apologize when someone asks you to buy something you didn’t ask them to try to sell you. You can just say, “No thanks.” Or when someone asks you to invest in their business. You can just say, “No, that’s not for me.”
Saying you’re sorry when you’ve done something wrong? That’s different. We all make mistakes. We all have things we need to apologize for: words, actions, omissions, failing to step up, step in, show support….
In those cases, the first thing you should do is say “I’m sorry.” (The last thing you should do is add a disclaimer, like “but I was really mad because…” or, “but you were partly at fault…” or include any statement that in any way places even the smallest blame back on the other person.)
When you do something wrong? You need to apologize.
But you don’t need to apologize when someone asks you to do something you don’t want to do. You don’t need to apologize for things you don’t have time to do when other people ask.
And you definitely don’t need to explain yourself. You can just politely say, “No,” or “No, thank you.” (As Adam Grant says, “No” is a complete sentence.) Or you can say, “Thank you for asking, but no.”
Because you shouldn’t say you’re sorry — much less feel sorry — for saying no to things you don’t want to do or can’t do, especially when the request is unsolicited, unwelcome, or unreasonable.
When that happens, the other person should really be the one who apologizes for asking.
Not you, for saying no.
The opinions expressed here by Inc.com columnists are their own, not those of Inc.com.
Jeff Haden
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Recently, I explored how communication habits can impact the confidence you feel and the confidence that others perceive. However, how you communicate with others isn’t the only piece of the confidence puzzle. What you say to yourself, your self-talk, is just as important. Here are three self-talk habits that might be hurting your confidence, and how to change them so they give you a boost instead.
I have a client who has over 20 years of experience in her field and a proven track record of success. However, that evidence alone isn’t enough to overcome her constant stream of diminishing self-talk. She compares herself with others, listing all the ways they have more experience, more advanced education, or more tenure at her company. The constant comparisons don’t really serve any productive purpose. They only make her feel inferior, which projects how she presents herself to others, too.
I didn’t advise my client to stop noticing others completely. However, instead of obsessing over what she’s lacking, I told my client that she could shift her focus to what she can emulate. If you find yourself comparing yourself with others, think of people you know who have qualities you admire, and think about what you can learn from them.
My client mentioned a senior executive at her company and explained that she’s a confident leader. I asked her to describe the behaviors that make her come across as confident. She explained that the senior executive is succinct when she speaks. She also doesn’t rush, and she puts others at ease with her sense of humor. By noticing these strengths and framing them as something to emulate, my client started to feel inspired instead of inferior.
If you’re ever in a high-pressure situation—a pitch before investors, a presentation for a potential client—it can be easy for the nervous energy to lead to self-disparaging statements. While some people might insist that a little self-criticism is the boost of motivation they need, research shows that positive self-talk is more beneficial in the long run.
In 2009, a team of sports psychologists at the University of Thessaly studied athletes under pressure. They found that when players replaced negative self-talk with short motivational phrases, their confidence rose, their anxiety fell, and their performance improved. A simple mental script change shifted how they showed up in the moment.
If you’re having trouble finding the words to flip the script, think about reframing the nervous energy you feel. Challenges aren’t threats but opportunities. Instead of thinking “I’m anxious,” think “I’m excited.” Instead of “This is going to go badly,” think “I’ve done the prep, and I’m ready.”
Ten years ago, another one of my clients had the opportunity to present a proposal to his company’s senior leadership team. During the presentation, he was challenged by the company’s legal counsel, criticizing his work in front of the others. My client was humiliated, and he did his best to avoid the colleague—until, 10 years later, he found himself working alongside him on that very same senior leadership team.
While a decade has passed, when it comes to his perception of himself, my client is frozen in time. He still sees himself as that young, nervous leader, and his colleague as someone who doesn’t respect him. In fact, in recent feedback, his colleague described him as a “brilliant leader” he wishes he could collaborate more closely with. However, my client misses out on that opportunity by continually repeating a script that’s outdated and inaccurate.
These stories not only impact your work opportunities, but they even affect the way your brain operates. A 2021 brain-imaging study found that negative self-talk activated areas of the brain tied to self-criticism and stress, while positive self-talk engaged reward and motivation networks. Over time, repeating the negative patterns wore down motivation. So that mental track you play on repeat doesn’t just shape mood, it rewires how your brain approaches challenges.
Confidence starts with the voice in your own head. When you learn to notice unhelpful patterns and rewrite the script, you’re not only boosting your own sense of self, but you’re also shaping how others see you, too. The story you tell yourself becomes the story you live out loud.
The opinions expressed here by Inc.com columnists are their own, not those of Inc.com.
Maya Hu-Chan
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Stop and think about the voice in your head. What does that voice say to you on a day-to-day basis? Does it encourage you to live your most authentic, happy life? Does it celebrate your wins and offer compassion for your mistakes? Does it want you to thrive?
Despite continued uncertainties about the bottom-line impact of tariffs, and lingering doubts about the economy’s health, polls have shown small business owners’ optimism has risen since the the beginning of the year. Now, new data indicates the confidence of more recent founders is even higher than the generally improving outlook of more established entrepreneurs.
The upbeat expectations of relatively newer small business owners were captured in a recent survey by email, social media, and digital marketing platform Constant Contact. Its polling of nearly 1,600 entrepreneurs showed founders who launched their companies within the last two years expressed higher levels of optimism about growing their businesses over the next three months than the average of all survey respondents. Leaders of those younger firms were also markedly more confident about the near-term future than respondents whose businesses have operated for a decade or more.
For example, while 29 percent of all participating founders said they expected to increase headcount in the next quarter, 41 percent of those who launched their companies less than 24 months ago said they planned on hiring within that period. By contrast, just 21 percent of business owners with 10 years’ experience or more thought they’d be able to hire new employees over the next three months.
Moreover, 76 percent of business owners who launched less than two years ago and now have 100 employees or more said they plan to make new hires in the next three months. According to Constant Contact CEO Frank Vella, more recent entrepreneurs’ higher confidence partly reflects the vigor and positivity of leaders whose companies are still benefitting from early-stage growth.
“For many this optimism isn’t just a feeling; it’s a reflection of their current growth trajectory,” Vella told Inc. in emailed comments. “Younger businesses are more likely to be hiring, and this rapid scaling imbues a greater confidence in their current position and trajectory. Many of these business owners are highly ambitious as well. They are actively scaling and investing in their future, which naturally fuels a more positive outlook.”
Those upbeat views were also evident in respondents’ optimism about how they think their companies will perform over the next three months.
While an average of 31 percent of all participants said they were “extremely confident” about how their business will fare over the next quarter, that figure rose to 41 percent among owners who’ve been in operation less than two years. It was even higher — 60 percent — for members of that more recent cohort with 100 employees or more. It then dropped to less than a quarter of entrepreneurs who launched more than a decade ago.
Those differences in outlook, Vella says, may come down more recent founders still having the greater flexibility of younger companies to react the various business and economic challenges all small companies are confronting.
“They were likely founded in the midst of the current economic landscape, which is defined by supply chain issues, rising prices, and general uncertainty,” Vella explained. “Because of this, their business models, supply chains, and marketing strategies were built from the ground up to withstand this volatility…They are accustomed to doing more with less and can adapt their plans without the inertia that can slow down a more established company. In this way they aren’t reacting to a ‘new normal’; this environment is their normal. That makes them structurally better positioned to navigate it.”
That pliability of smaller businesses may also explain why their owners’ optimism of starkly contrasts the more somber views of corporate leaders. For example, the reading of the most recent Conference Board’s Measure of CEO Confidence survey came in at just 49 points — still in negative territory, despite a 15-point boost over the previous poll.
By contrast, the National Federation of Independent Business’s recent monthly surveys have shown the confidence of member entrepreneurs steadily rising this summer. Constant Contact’s survey confirms that optimism among entrepreneurs, even as tariff and economic uncertainties weigh more heavily on corporate CEOs.
Indeed, it found nearly a third of respondents saying now is “an extremely good time” to launch a new product. Meanwhile, nearly a quarter said they considered current market conditions beneficial for growing their companies by opening new physical locations.
Asked if the higher optimism of more recently launched business founders might reflect an insouciance or naivete that more established business owners may have lost through the experience of tough times, Vella said he instead views their confidence rooted in their success in meeting today’s challenges.
“These business owners haven’t experienced a more stable economic climate to compare today against, so they are less focused on what’s been lost and more focused on the opportunity directly in front of them,” Vella said. “So, rather than being naive, I’d say they are inherently adapted. They’ve built their businesses for the world as it is today, and that’s a powerful advantage that fuels their confidence and their capacity to grow.”
Bruce Crumley
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Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
I’ll never forget the moment I got the call: an audition for a movie with Robert De Niro.
My brain short-circuited as soon as I heard his name. De Niro. The Godfather. Heat. Goodfellas. How could I not get distracted?
As the big day drew near, I spiraled. This wasn’t just another audition. This was the audition.
The pressure was electric. Hope and fear did a wild dance in my chest and no matter how hard I tried, my imagination kept racing ahead.
This was the moment that could change the trajectory of my life and career — and I blew it.
But the lessons I took from that failed audition turned out to be more valuable than any role. They completely reframed how I walk into a room, command a stage and coach others to show up with presence and power in their own high-stakes moments.
Here’s what that moment taught me — and how you can use it to pitch, present or perform with confidence and clarity.
Related: 10 Ways to Build Your Entrepreneurial Confidence
My first mistake happened before I even entered the room. In my head, the stakes were massive: This is life-changing. Don’t mess this up. You have to nail it.
I had already lost. I wasn’t grounded or focused. I was spiraling. What I didn’t know then — but now teach every client — is this: your mindset is your foundation. Walk into any room thinking, I’ve earned this. That shift alone changes how you speak and how others respond.
The second I started fantasizing about starring in a De Niro film, I stopped being present. I was thinking about my future, not the two pages of script in front of me.
When you obsess over the outcome — the deal, the yes, the applause — you miss the only thing that matters: this moment. Ask yourself: What does this person need from me right now? Then deliver.
I was so focused on the future, I skipped the first step: the first impression.
In auditions, pitches and presentations, there’s no warm-up act. The first 10 seconds — how you walk in, how you greet, how you connect — set the tone for everything else. You don’t always get a second chance. Nail the first one.
I came in with what I now call “please pick me” energy. Instead of owning the space, I shrank into it — grateful but almost apologetic for being there. Gratitude is powerful. But not when it makes you small.
If you were invited into the room, you’re there for a reason. Don’t ask for permission to take up space. Stand in your value.
I overperformed. I tried so hard to be impressive that I tripped over my words and cluttered my delivery. More isn’t better. It’s just more.
What makes your message land is simplicity, emotional truth and connection. Ask: If this were my last chance to speak, what do I want them to feel?
I knew my lines. But I didn’t rehearse. I didn’t ground myself or prepare my body for the moment. Clients often tell me they’ve “practiced” — but what they really mean is they edited their slides or memorized content.
But presence is physical. Stand up. Breathe. Visualize the room. Your voice, posture, and energy are part of your message. Rehearse with them, not around them.
Related: How to Turn Self-Doubt Into Success and Build Your Confidence in 3 Steps
I knew it wasn’t going well, but I didn’t know how to recover. I was stuck in my head. Now, I teach people to build an internal reset button. A breath. A pause. A shift in stance. Anything that brings you back to center.
Things go off-script all the time. Power doesn’t come from being flawless. It comes from knowing how to find your footing again.
The car ride home was brutal. I replayed the audition on a loop — every fumble, every flub. Reflection is important. But wallowing isn’t. Take the lesson. Leave the rest.
You might never audition for a De Niro film, but you will have high-stakes moments — on a stage, in a boardroom, across from someone who could change the trajectory of your business or life.
When you get there, remember: the secret to owning the room isn’t being perfect. It’s being present, prepared and fully yourself.
That’s what people remember. That’s what wins the room.
I’ll never forget the moment I got the call: an audition for a movie with Robert De Niro.
My brain short-circuited as soon as I heard his name. De Niro. The Godfather. Heat. Goodfellas. How could I not get distracted?
As the big day drew near, I spiraled. This wasn’t just another audition. This was the audition.
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LaQuita Cleare
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WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans’ view of the U.S. economy declined modestly in August as anxiety over a weakening job market grew for the eighth straight month.
The Conference Board said Tuesday that its consumer confidence index ticked down by1.3 points to 97.4 in August, down from July’s 98.7, but in the same narrow range of the past three months.
A measure of Americans’ short-term expectations for their income, business conditions and the job market fell by 1.2 points to 74.8, remaining significantly below 80, the marker that can signal a recession ahead.
Consumers’ assessments of their current economic situation also fell modestly, to 131.2 in August from 132.8 in July.
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Grant McHill
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Celebrate 15 years at The Emotion Machine with our ‘Best of 2024’ roundup, featuring top articles and worksheets on psychology, personal growth, relationships, and philosophy — then get excited for another year of self-improvement!
2024 marks the fifteenth year of self-improvement at The Emotion Machine, making it one of the oldest and largest independent psychology websites on the internet – with zero plans to stop or slow down anytime soon.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that no matter the ups and downs we face over the year, a steady commitment to growth always pays off on a long enough timeline. Over the past 15 years, I’ve had many rewarding highs and devastating lows, but at the end of the day, I’m better off today than I was before — and that’s the truest measure of growth. It’s the benchmark I’ll continue to use as I move forward in life.
This year, as always, we’ve explored a huge range of topics related to psychology and self-improvement: from practical tips for emotional regulation to in-depth movie reviews to social analyses about the current state of the world. A quick look at the list below shows that The Emotion Machine is far more than just your everyday self-help blog, it’s a vast resource dedicated to education and knowledge in all its forms.
Without further ado, here are our best articles and worksheets of 2024!
Our best articles of the year, broken down by category.
Emotions Are Weakness: 5 Maladaptive Beliefs That Lead to Emotional Dysfunction
Why the belief that “emotions are weakness” leads to suppression and dysfunction — and why accepting and embracing emotions plays an important role in happiness, health, and well-being.
Rumination vs. Savoring: The Neural Dynamics Between Positive and Negative Thinking
The same brain regions handle both rumination (negative replay) and savoring (positive replay) — here’s how to use this part of your brain in a new and healthier way.
6 Common Factors Behind All Successful Therapy
What makes therapy effective? These universal factors are the foundation for success, no matter the approach.
Good Will Hunting: A Masterclass in Therapy and Emotional Growth
An in-depth, session-by-session breakdown of Good Will Hunting – widely regarded as one of the best depictions of therapy in film.
Positive Psychology Tools Are Most Effective For Those Who Practice Long-Term
New research highlights the importance of consistent practice for maximizing the benefits of psychology tools.
How Aesthetic Chills Boost Feelings of Acceptance, Inspiration, and Meaning
Discover the power of “aesthetic chills” (or “goosebumps”) and how this unique sensation enhances awe, inspiration, and personal growth.
The Worldbuilding of Inside Out 2: New Emotions, Belief System, and a Sense of Self
A closer look at how the sequel deepens its exploration of emotions, identity, and belief systems.
2024 World Happiness Rankings: USA Falls Out of Top 20, Youngest Hit Hardest
What this year’s happiness rankings reveal about global trends—and why young Americans are struggling most.
The Will to Improve: Bridging the Gap Between “Talk” and “Action”
How to overcome inertia and turn intention into meaningful action.
The Pebble In Your Shoe: Tiny Frustrations That Can Ruin Your Day
Why small, unresolved annoyances can derail your entire mood. Here’s why it’s best to fix them now rather than later.
Deathbed Motivation: The Top 5 Regrets of the Dying
Lessons from those at life’s end, inspiring you to live without regrets.
What If: The Power of Hypotheticals and Counterfactual Thinking
How exploring “what if” scenarios sharpens your thinking and decision-making.
50+ Destructive Patterns That Scream Low Confidence and Insecurity
A comprehensive guide to identifying common patterns of self-doubt.
The Domino Effect of Overcoming Your Fears One At A Time
Tackling fears incrementally to build unstoppable momentum.
50+ Motivational Latin Proverbs to Elevate Your Thinking to New Levels
Ancient wisdom to inspire modern self-improvement.
Written at the start of the year, this piece explores the ambition, mindset, and strategy behind setting my biggest goal for 2024.
Intermittent Fasting: The Mind-Body Benefits of Conscious Calorie Restriction
Exploring the science and mental clarity behind intentional fasting.
The Art of Rejection and Saying No: One of the Most Underrated Social Skills
Master the delicate but essential skill of turning others down with grace and confidence.
The Compliment Sandwich: How to Give Constructive Feedback That Sticks
Deliver feedback that resonates by balancing honesty with encouragement.
Social Bonding Through Movies: The Emotional Magic Behind Watching Films Together
Why sharing films with others can forge deep emotional connections.
The Power of Sincerity – And How to Stop Hiding Behind Sarcasm and Irony
Unlock the strength of genuine communication by breaking free from sarcasm and pretense.
Finding Meaning in Virtual Worlds: How Online Gaming and Digital Communities Can Transform Lives
Discover how online spaces can cultivate real-life growth, meaning, and connection, as shown in the documentary The Remarkable Life of Ibelin.
Third Spaces: The Building Blocks of A Healthy Community and Social Life
Explore the social hubs that enrich our lives and strengthen our communities, outside of home and work.
The Many Faces of Deception: Understanding the Different Types of Lying
Learn how to recognize and identify the diverse ways people bend the truth.
14 Powerful Genre-Bending Films That Explore Love in Unconventional Ways
Films that redefine love and challenge how we think about relationships.
The Narcissistic Culture of “Image” and Excessive Self-Monitoring
How excessive self-monitoring is eroding confidence and authenticity in our social lives.
A Lifelong Project: Staying True to Your Mission in a Quick Fix World
The power of commitment is a rare resource in a culture obsessed with instant gratification.
One Must Imagine Sisyphus Happy: Finding Meaning in Eternal Struggle
An existential perspective on life’s inherent challenges and the quest to find meaning in them.
Paradigm Shifts: A Complete Change in Worldview
When you need to rethink everything you believe and let go of old ways of looking at the world.
The Immovable Mind: Schopenhauer’s Daily Routine For 27 Years
A case study on the unique and disciplined routine of the philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer.
The Beggar’s Gift: An Opportunity to Be Good
From a Buddhist perspective, begging monks perform a powerful service by allowing everyday people to do something good and accumulate positive karma.
Trader vs. Hero Mindset: Why A Healthy Society Needs Both
Understand the balance between self-interest and selflessness for a thriving community.
Information Pollution: The Tragedy of the Commons and Well-Poisoning on the Internet
How the overload of misinformation on the internet is eroding trust, intelligence, and sanity.
At the start of 2024, I pledged to create at least one new worksheet every month. By year’s end, I exceeded that goal, creating a total of 16 new worksheets, including:
Focus: Tools to improve relationships, enhance social skills, and build stronger connections with others.
Positive vs. Negative Self: A Dialogue
Focus: These worksheets are designed to help users process emotions, challenge limiting beliefs, and reflect deeply on their thoughts and actions.
Focus: These worksheets help users structure their daily lives, track progress, and maintain a focus on long-term goals and habits.
We now offer a total of 29 self-improvement worksheets, cementing our long-term commitment to providing practical, actionable advice. These worksheets are exclusively available to members — join today to gain full access to these transformative tools.
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Steven Handel
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When it comes to fragrance I’m a firm believer in its power to boost your mood, give you confidence and help evoke memories. Whether it’s the familiar perfume of your favourite relative, wearing the latest fragrance trend or you choosing to scent your holiday there is so much more to perfume than a pretty bottle on your shelf. However, do I think I would cancel plans if I didn’t have my go-to perfume? Erm, I don’t think so. Yet, according to new research that is the case for 1 in 10 Brits who have cancelled their plans if they’ve left their fragrance at home.
Even to a beauty addict like me this sounds pretty extreme, but considering how much more aware we are of our mental wellbeing maybe it shouldn’t be such a surprise. According to the same research by The Perfume Shop and Deliveroo, nearly half (45%) of Gen Z believes being complimented on their fragrance is the best physical compliment they can receive, so I guess it is is the equivalent to forgetting your mascara – which I have to say depending on where I was going would definitely make me think twice.
If you’re nodding your head then you’re not alone, according to Deliveroo searches on the app for perfume have increased over 300% year-on-year, showing a growing demand for fragrances delivered on demand and who wouldn’t want to give the public what they want? From this week The Perfume Shop will be available on Deliveroo and as someone who has been known to order everything from dinner to milk and even plasters (and has bought more last minute gifts on Amazon Prime than she cares to remember) this move makes a lot of sense to me. Especially if we really take into account just how much we are relying on our perfumes to give us confidence and feel good.
Karen Harris is a fragrance expert and customer director at The Perfume Shop
“People love perfume and see it as an essential part of daily life because it helps us express ourselves,” says Karen Harris, customer director at The Perfume Shop. “It shapes our identity, and adds a finishing touch that sets us up for the day.” she tells PS UK.
“The simple act of complimenting someone’s fragrance choice can have far-reaching effects that go beyond a momentary boost to their self-esteem,” she tells PS UK. “As social creatures, we all yearn for acceptance, validation, and meaningful connections. For younger people, still working out who they are, discovering new things, building friendships and creating memories, perfume is a big part of someone’s identity. So when you’re complimented on your scent, it reinforces that sense of self and belonging.”
Fragrance has the power to evoke emotions, memories, and moods, which can ultimately impact our confidence. “From a psychological perspective, certain scents can trigger positive associations and feelings,” explains Harris. “We know that our sense of smell is linked to our brain, which is associated with emotions and memory.”
This could be the reason we are cancelling plans too. “Wearing a fragrance that you associate with positive experiences or that makes you feel good can help to enhance your confidence and self-esteem,” Harris tells PS UK. “The right scent can be a personal signature, boosting your mood and creating a sense of empowerment.”
Talking about the right scent, I wondered if Harris had any tips for what to pick for those occasions when going without just isn’t an option.
According to research we are suckers for anything with amber notes, which include jasmine, sandalwood, patchouli, musk, vanilla, cloves and cinnamon, so it’s ideal for a first date if you are hoping to win over your next beau and mark your scent (geddit). If you want to try one of these warm, musky scents, then according to Harris you should opt for Mugler Alien Eau De Parfum (£90) as this woody perfume has white amber, cashmeran wood and jasmine to make sure you leave a delectable trail wherever you go.
Smelling good for a job interview or important meeting will help lift your mood and help you feel more put-together. “A spritz of perfume may give you that extra confidence boost to calm those jitters and make you feel more like you when you walk into the room,” Harris tells PS UK. “However, my essential tip would be to opt for a light spritz of something fresh so your scent isn’t too overpowering in the room!”
“I’d recommend having two distinct perfumes in your collection, one for daytime and one for special occasions,” says Harris. “Daytime fragrances should be lighter scents with floral or citrus notes, as these allow you to feel fresh for the workplace or any daytime activity without being overpowering. Occasion fragrances can be more distinctive and attention-grabbing. I would suggest a perfume with rich and spicy notes that help you feel lifted, such as Prada Paradoxe (£97) which is perfect for a night out with friends.”
Deliveroo is offering a 20% discount (up to £10 off) with code SPRITZ20 when you spend £20 at The Perfume Shop until 31st October 2024. (One voucher per customer. Limited codes are available. Subject to availability. Geographical restrictions and service and delivery fees apply. See http://deliveroo.co.uk/terms.)
Lauren Ezekiel (she/her) is an associate editor at PS UK, where she writes about all things beauty and wellness. With a degree in journalism she began her career in 2008. Lauren is obsessed with skincare, hair and makeup. A mum of two, Lauren is an advocate for the benefits of beauty and self-care for your mental well-being, which inspired her award-winning charity initiative We C U 2020. Her work has been published in Grazia, OK!, Health & Beauty, The Sun, Asda, Dare and Metro.
Lauren ezekiel
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This is inner work, not outer work.
For me, personally, I modeled so much of my behavior after my mother and grandmother. Growing up I thought they were perfect. They did everything for everyone and never made things about themselves. I chose to mimic the behaviors of the two people I felt safest with, not knowing until later in life how unappreciated, taken advantage of, and unhappy they both felt on a deep level. Looking back, so much of my understanding of avoidance came from watching them overlook their own needs to continue their plight of being everything for everyone else.
“You unfortunately are not going to be free of comparison just by getting off social media,” Duffy says. “We get text messages, we run into people at the grocery store, we see celebrities…it’s all around us.” Unless you’re completely off the grid and isolated (which has its own health implications, we should add), chances are you’re going to run into comparison in some form or fashion.
No matter what business, customer is the king. You need to understand your customer, gauge their changing requirements, keep up with the times, adopt transparency, and pledge your promises among other things to retain them. Here are some tips to avoid alienating customers and keeping them happy and satisfied. ~ Ed.
One of the worst habits any business can find itself falling into is feeling entitled to their audience. It’s important to remember that any time a customer purchases an item or books a service with our company, that’s a vote of confidence that can easily be withdrawn at the next opportunity. Good businesses organize themselves to perpetually earn those confidence votes, by making the promotional aspect worthwhile, and also delivering when prompted each and every time.
Yet it’s also true that even before a customer purchases, improper management or planning can deter or alienate your customer base. This is never a good idea, no matter if you’re trying to break out into new markets or repeatedly serve the clients that have stuck with you through thick and thin. With that in mind, let’s consider six essential means of avoiding that outcome.
Take no one for granted. Always ensure you provide value for money and earn the customer confidence. The following tips may help you achieve success in your business.
To most clear-thinking people it’s obvious that just because someone’s in a certain demographic, it doesn’t mean they all think or behave the same way. Let’s say you’re marketing to Gen Z – don’t assume all of them are after the same trendy products or are all addicted to TikTok. People hate feeling like they’re just a checkbox in some marketing strategy.
A better approach is to learn the process for creating buyer personas, as it allows you to take their very many characteristics in play without reducing them to a single type, while still making your marketing approach tight enough to attract the people most likely to buy.
Customer loyalty is a fragile thing – it needs to be earned continuously. Sure, you might have a loyal fanbase now, but all it takes is one bad experience or a competitor offering something better for that loyalty to waver. For example, most people have a Gmail or Outlook account, but if a brand new provider came with excellent domain names, and a 2TB free cloud storage account offered to every profile, you can bet those years of loyalty would dry up quickly. Don’t assume constant support, it will help you avoid resting when there’s competition to be had.
You’d be surprised how many businesses drop the ball here. We often assume that our services or products are self-explanatory when, in reality, they may not be. Customers want clarity. If they’re confused or unsure about what you’re offering, they’ll quickly move on.
Put simply – don’t make them dig for information. Be upfront and clear about what they can expect from you, and keep in mind that people are bombarded with marketing messages all day long, so your explanation needs to stand out by being simple, concise, and compelling.
Nothing frustrates customers more than having something useful taken away from them, especially when it’s a service they’ve come to rely on. If you’re going to make changes to your product or service, especially when it reduces utility, you’ve got to be transparent and have a very solid reason for doing so. Otherwise, it just feels like a money grab or as if you’re trying to strip the value from the service to charge for it later. So for example, putting a service feature at one tier behind a higher paywall, without months and months of forewarning and a cheap upgrade for those currently on the prior plan is never going to go down well.
Pricing changes happen. In fact, even well-meaning businesses often find themselves needing to grow their fees to match inflation. But you can’t just up your prices without giving customers a reason they can understand, and as before, especially not with good warning. People don’t mind paying more if they feel they’re getting their money’s worth, but they hate feeling like they’re being penny-pinched for no good reason.
Perhaps you’ve diligently turned your business into an entirely sustainable enterprise, but now you need to charge customers 5% more for the privilege of that. You may be surprised how many are willing to follow you, but it’s the explanation and justification parts that matter most.
Any security guard can tell you that the most valuable protection tool they have is just standing there and being visible. Because customers are increasingly aware of how their data is handled, and they’re more likely to trust businesses that take their privacy seriously, don’t hide your security apparatus behind closed doors. If your business doesn’t visibly prioritize security, customers may hesitate to trust you, no matter how great your offerings are. That might be as simple as working with secure payment providers, allowing 2FA on accounts, conducting audits, or having fraud alerts in place. It all counts, and shows you care.
Summing up, you need to keep earning the confidence of your customers and delivering your promises, ensure prudent planning of your marketing strategy, explain your product or services properly to the customers upfront, adopt transparency, make the customers feel secure and cared for. With this advice, you’ll be certain to avoid alienating customers before they buy.
Over to you
How did you tackle your wavering customer base and stop them from moving away? Share your experiences and tips to avoid alienating customers in the comments section.
Disclaimer: Though the views expressed are of the author’s own, this article has been checked for its authenticity of information and resource links provided for a better and deeper understanding of the subject matter. However, you’re suggested to make your diligent research and consult subject experts to decide what is best for you. If you spot any factual errors, spelling, or grammatical mistakes in the article, please report at [email protected]. Thanks.
Steve Conway
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