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Tag: Health & Wellness

  • 3 Steps to Overcome the Fear of Uncertainty and Daily Stress | Entrepreneur

    3 Steps to Overcome the Fear of Uncertainty and Daily Stress | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    In times of chaos and uncertainty, we often find ourselves overwhelmed, reacting impulsively to the stresses of the moment. It’s only later that we may realize we could have responded with more grace, poise and thoughtfulness. This lack of resilience often stems from depletion — when we are physically, emotionally or mentally drained, we become more likely to lash out or overreact when faced with unexpected challenges.

    Resilience is the key to responding thoughtfully to unexpected changes. However, depletion can hinder our ability to maintain a calm and collected demeanor in the face of adversity. As exemplified by Will Smith’s outburst at the Academy Awards last year, even successful and wealthy individuals can struggle to maintain resilience. Therefore, it is essential to replenish our reserves so that we can navigate whatever struggles come our way.

    Related: How to Let Go of Fear in Times of Uncertainty

    Resilience and daily rituals

    The Resilient Leader Assessment, a survey of over 5,000 business leaders and professionals, revealed that many individuals are operating with depleted reserves of mental, emotional, physical and even spiritual resilience. Of those surveyed, only 6% exhibited what we call “change-proof resilience,” with 34% being vulnerable to acute and chronic stress. However, hope remains — by establishing rituals to renew and replenish ourselves in these four resilience zones (physical, mental, emotional and spiritual), we can build our capacity to regenerate our energy reserves incrementally.

    It is crucial to practice resilience before we need it. We can do so by engaging in daily rituals such as exercising, meditating and taking breaks in the midst of our busy work schedules. With practice, we can also learn to react to unexpected situations in a more collected manner.

    Resilience is not just about bouncing back, but embracing change with unwavering strength and adapting to the winds of transformation.

    Related: 7 Ways to Build Resiliency in Challenging Times

    3 simple steps to help you overcome the fear of uncertainty and daily stress

    Our natural response to uncertainty and adversity is often fear-based, leading to a primitive fight-or-flight response that impairs our critical thinking skills. One way to inoculate yourself against fear generated by uncertainty is a strategy I call Pause-Ask-Choose. This is a method to help you reframe and discover opportunities when you are faced with any kind of challenge. When you feel stress and tension rising in your body, use that feeling as a reminder to:

    • Pause: Stop and take several deep breaths. Doing this is like rebooting your computer when it is slogging along under the strain of all the tabs you have open before it freezes. This pause is meant to create space for you to be conscious of this next, very important step.

    • Ask: This is where you can reframe and discover the deeper meaning in whatever challenge you are facing. Reframe the moment for your growth by asking questions like: “What’s the creative opportunity here?” or “What don’t I see?” or “What can I be grateful for?”. These types of questions might not provide the immediate solution or answer you’re looking for, but what they will do is provide a new perspective, which will undoubtedly open your mind to see the situation through an entirely new set of lenses. The effect will be cascading, and soon enough, the entire situation will look differently to you — just from pausing and asking.

    • Choose: Choose to ritualize your recovery for higher performance in the future. When we choose, we are consciously ritualizing small, daily practices for our personal recovery to create mental, emotional, physical and spiritual integration and harmony. This choice to deal with our depletion before it becomes a problem is truly a game-changer for our levels of energy and even our attitude and mindset going forward.

    The more we practice, the easier it becomes to replace our fight-or-flight responses and ritualize Pause-Ask-Choose as our default coping strategy. Taken together, the three steps give us a simple, repeatable formula for becoming a resilient agent of change, instead of a victim to it.

    Related: Mastering the Art of the Reframe Is the Key to Building Resilience. Here’s How to Do It.

    It may not happen overnight, but with consistent effort, we can rewire our default reactions and develop a new mindset that embraces change as an opportunity for growth. As we become more adept at pausing to reflect, asking ourselves empowering questions and making conscious choices to recover from depletion before it drags us down, we shift from being passive recipients of change to active agents who shape our own destinies. With each successful implementation of this formula, we build our capacity to navigate the ever-evolving landscapes of work and life and emerge stronger, wiser and more resilient than ever before.

    Each step in the right direction is one step closer than you were before.

    By choosing to ritualize our recovery through small, daily practices that promote mental, emotional, physical and spiritual harmony, we grow in our capacity to handle whatever is happening in the moment — resiliently. By prioritizing our well-being and replenishing our energy reserves, we can face unexpected challenges with calm, grace and poise. And in that moment, we have gained a distinct resilience advantage in a world that isn’t going to slow down anytime soon.

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    Adam Markel

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  • 6 Ways to Harness the Power of Psychology for Wealth Creation | Entrepreneur

    6 Ways to Harness the Power of Psychology for Wealth Creation | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    In entrepreneurship, success and wealth are often seen as the ultimate markers of achievement. However, it is essential to recognize that true success is not merely measured by monetary gains but by a profound sense of fulfillment and well-being.

    Positive psychology, a transformative approach to personal and professional growth, holds the key to unlocking your full potential and creating a life of abundance. In this article, we will explore how positive psychology can guide you on your journey to wealth and success, empowering you to build a prosperous business and a life of happiness and meaning.

    Related: Unlocking Financial Abundance: How Positive Psychology Can Make You a Multimillionaire

    1. The power of a positive mindset

    Positive psychology emphasizes the importance of cultivating a positive mindset as the foundation for success. Your thoughts shape your reality, and by embracing a positive outlook, you can overcome challenges, maintain resilience and attract abundance into your life. Research has shown that individuals with a positive mindset are more likely to take risks, persevere in adversity and ultimately achieve their goals.

    Cultivate optimism by focusing on positive affirmations, practicing mindfulness and reframing negative thoughts into opportunities for growth. Practice gratitude daily, as it enhances your well-being and helps you recognize the abundance that already exists in your life. Remember, wealth and success begin in the mind.

    Related: What Every Entrepreneur Can Gain From Mindfulness

    2. Embrace growth and embody resilience

    Entrepreneurship is a journey filled with ups and downs. To thrive in this ever-changing landscape, embracing growth and cultivating resilience is crucial. Successful entrepreneurs understand that setbacks and failures are not permanent roadblocks but valuable stepping stones on the path to success.

    Embrace a growth mindset, which is the belief that your abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication and hard work. See setbacks as opportunities for learning and growth, and approach them with curiosity and a willingness to adapt. Foster a resilient spirit by building a support network, seeking mentorship and practicing self-care. Resilience is the key to navigating challenges, bouncing back stronger and ultimately achieving lasting success.

    3. Harnessing the power of emotional intelligence

    Emotional intelligence is a critical factor in building successful businesses and meaningful relationships. It involves understanding and managing your own emotions effectively, as well as empathizing with others. By cultivating emotional intelligence, you can foster strong connections, inspire trust and lead with compassion.

    Successful entrepreneurs recognize the importance of self-awareness, which involves understanding your strengths, weaknesses and triggers. By understanding yourself better, you can make more informed decisions, handle stress effectively and build authentic relationships with employees, customers and partners.

    Additionally, empathy allows you to understand the needs and perspectives of others, fostering better communication, collaboration and teamwork. Emotional intelligence not only enhances your personal well-being but also contributes to building a positive and supportive work environment.

    4. Building a purpose-driven business

    Aligning your entrepreneurial journey with a larger purpose catalyzes extraordinary success. When you are driven by a mission that goes beyond mere profit, you tap into a wellspring of motivation and fulfillment. Start by defining your values and understanding the impact you want to make in the world. What problem are you passionate about solving? How can your skills and expertise contribute to positive change?

    You can create a business that serves the greater good and provides a sense of purpose by answering these questions. When your work is aligned with your values and drive, you are more likely to stay committed, persevere through challenges and attract like-minded individuals who share your vision. Your purpose-driven business becomes a vehicle for making a positive impact on society, and as a result, financial success becomes a natural byproduct.

    Related: 9 Tips for Finding Your Life Purpose

    5. The power of collaboration and networking

    Building a successful business requires collaboration and networking. Surround yourself with a supportive network of mentors, peers and industry experts who can guide and inspire you on your path. Collaborating with others not only expands your knowledge and resources but also opens doors to new opportunities.

    Actively seek out networking events, conferences and communities where you can connect with like-minded individuals and potential business partners. Be open to sharing your knowledge and experiences and learning from others. Collaboration breeds innovation and accelerates your path to success. Remember that true success is not achieved alone but through the collective efforts of a supportive network.

    Related: Effective Networking Requires Mastering These 5 Skills

    6. Gratitude and abundance

    Gratitude is the ultimate magnet for abundance. In the pursuit of wealth and success, it is easy to get caught up in the cycle of always striving for more. However, practicing gratitude allows you to recognize and appreciate the progress you have made, the lessons learned and the people who have supported you along the way. By focusing on gratitude, you shift your mindset from scarcity to abundance, opening yourself up to limitless possibilities. Gratitude helps you maintain a positive outlook, enhances your overall well-being and attracts more positive experiences into your life. Embrace an abundance mentality, recognizing that there is enough success and wealth for everyone. When you cultivate gratitude and abundance, you attract wealth and success effortlessly.

    Positive psychology is a transformative approach that empowers entrepreneurs to create extraordinary lives of wealth, success and fulfillment. With the power of positive psychology, you can unleash your entrepreneurial potential and build a life of abundance and success.

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    Brian H. Robb

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  • Reddit Co-Founder Alexis Ohanian Challenges Work-Life Balance | Entrepreneur

    Reddit Co-Founder Alexis Ohanian Challenges Work-Life Balance | Entrepreneur

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    Technology entrepreneur and investor Alexis Ohanian has a lot going on.

    In addition to building venture capital firm Seven Seven Six with a focus on software and empathy, the co-founder and former executive chairman of Reddit is raising daughter Olympia with tennis legend Serena Williams — and recently partnered with permanent-ink icon Sharpie.

    Life’s about to get even busier for Ohanian soon, as he’s expecting his second child with Williams at the end of this year.

    So how does he manage it all and strike a healthy work-life balance?

    Ohanian tells Entrepreneur he’d like to reframe the question.

    “I don’t think it’s about work-life balance,” he explains. “I don’t think anyone can really accomplish that. It’s not about balancing. If you’re chasing balance, you’re implying, like Thanos, [that] you’d be able to create something perfectly balanced. And the reality is work-life [is] never 50/50. You’ll never achieve anywhere close to that — nor should you.”

    But that doesn’t mean one area should be constantly prioritized over the other either.

    “There are times in your life where you will need to focus on the career, the work,” Ohanian says. “There are times in your life when you need to focus on life. It’s on a spectrum that’s ever-flowing back and forth.”

    Ohanian likens that ebb and flow to a relationship, noting that a partnership is never exactly 50/50. Sometimes you’ll come home from work with just 20% to give while your partner has 80%, he explains, but the key is keeping communication open amid the constant flux.

    Related: Work-Life Balance Is Simple. To Succeed at Work, Get a Life.

    Rituals, routine — and the “surprise and delight” factor

    Before getting married, Ohanian says he was perpetually in “CEO Mode” and “terrible” at finding any semblance of equilibrium between his work and personal life. He recalls pushing himself in his 20s, not thinking about what he ate or how often he exercised.

    That changed when he entered his 30s and became a father. “I was like, I need to change everything so that I can be around for as long as possible for this little one,” Ohanian recalls. “And that’s been one of the superpowers, frankly, of becoming a dad.”

    Today, Ohanian relies on the “discipline of routines” to keep himself grounded, even when it’s more difficult on the road. Right now, that looks like starting his morning off with a cold plunge; he spends 10 minutes in an ice tank before working out, taking a shower and having his first cup of coffee.

    He also takes some time to write down his daily goals in those early hours. Those might be personal or professional, Ohanian says.

    When he is at home, Ohanian sits down for dinner with his family at 6 p.m. every night — “without exception.” He also harnesses the power of “surprise and delight,” a tactic that can be just as effective during family time as it is in business.

    “It’s much more memorable when you break a pattern of someone’s expectations,” Ohanian explains. “These things we advise our founders to do, I also do for my daughter and my wife — that’s the other side of the routine of the discipline. If your default state has this kind of routine and expectations to it, then you also create the opportunity to do stuff that feels out of the ordinary and different.”

    Related: 3 Ways to Surprise and Delight Your Ecommerce Customers

    Take breaks and find activities that help you de-stress

    Ohanian also relies on a few helpful strategies when it comes to managing stress levels. He likes taking walks during the work day, sometimes making a phone call or two while he strolls his South Florida property, “a decent amount of space” complete with chickens and “a little farm action going on.”

    He’s also returned to drawing, a hobby he picked up as a child. Over the years, Ohanian’s used the skill to create several company logos, including Reddit’s. But today, the activity helps him “de-stress” (his preferred implement is the Sharpie S-Gel pen). And he’s been “thrilled” to see Olympia take to drawing as well.

    “Even before the Sharpie partnership, we were doing these drawing classes where I’d fire up YouTube — this was during Covid — [and go to the channel] Art for Kids,” Ohanian says. “It’s this whole family where they do drawing tutorials — the dad, kids, wife, and they draw together. I would do these with Olympia. Olympia gets so fired up [by this] drawing class, and I bring [Serena] into it, or if we have grandparents over at the house, they’ll do it too.”

    Related: 8 Ways to De-stress Yourself at Work in a Minute | Entrepreneur

    Ohanian acknowledges how many resources he has and how difficult reaching a healthy flow state can be for other entrepreneurs and professionals juggling their responsibilities at work and home. That’s why he’s a big advocate for paid family leave; Ohanian wants all American families to have access to it.

    With the right support, some people might even find that having a family unlocks new levels of professional ambition and success. Ohanian certainly found that to be the case for himself.

    “There’s this little human who you care more about than anything else in the world,” Ohanian says. “You actually don’t care about anything else in the world other than this kid’s perception of you. Another gear unlocks once you have that dose of humility, and it’s great. Like I said, ironically, I think it’s made me so much better. I think this chapter of my career as a dad is going to make the previous one look like amateur hour.”

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    Amanda Breen

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  • Why It’s Essential to Wait to Date After Divorce | Entrepreneur

    Why It’s Essential to Wait to Date After Divorce | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Many newly divorced people receive advice from loved ones and friends to “get back out there” and date right away, advice that is rarely beneficial. Since the fear of not finding a person with whom to spend one’s life is real, dating advice makes sense to many people. It also may seem to be a good way to alleviate the myriad of emotions floating around in the mind and heart, like loneliness and uncertainty.

    But entering the dating scene immediately is not the right decision when it comes to healing post-divorce. There is a reason why second marriages have a higher divorce rate than first, so do yourself a favor and don’t rush into dating before working on yourself. Let’s look at some ways to get ready for dating post-divorce.

    Related: How to Free Yourself After Divorce by Letting Go

    Finding the new you

    Getting ready to date after divorce starts with tuning deeply into the heart to recognize and feel all of the feelings. It is ok to get mad, cry, scream and feel sorry for oneself for a time… but then those feelings need to be replaced with positive action — planning a new life and envisioning what it will look like.

    Our brains are programmed to present more of what we focus upon, so if we fall into a victim state (a negative state where we believe things happen TO us and don’t recognize we have control over our own lives), our brains will continue to bring more negativity. To attract the “right” person — the one who best compliments the new version of us — we must first work on ourselves and create a plan for moving forward from divorce. In other words, we need to discover the new “me” before we can again become “we.” This is the only way to give any new relationship a chance to succeed.

    Stop blaming and accept what IS

    Divorce can lead to a build-up of negative energy, which can easily push one into a victim state. From here, it is common to blame both the ex-spouse and oneself for the marriage’s demise and any ramifications. Still, both have some level of responsibility as marriage involves two people. Accept that there is no blame — it just IS.

    As the past cannot be changed, focusing on the present will help tweak the mindset to get out of the victim state, and these big weights, once lifted, will pave the way toward a new love relationship when the timing is right. Try to catch yourself every time you blame or judge your former spouse or yourself, then come back to the present moment and focus on moving forward.

    Related: Being an Entrepreneur Almost Broke My Marriage. Here are 4 Ways Your Relationship Can Succeed Through Entrepreneurship

    Shifting energy

    Truly knowing ourselves and what we want is how energy is shifted. A positive mindset is key to changing energy levels and creating a new existence after divorce; it leads to self-love, which is necessary before one can truly love another. When the mind is positive, happiness prevails, and it is easier to get through temporary bouts of frustration, sadness or stagnation — which do happen along the journey (since we are human).

    A few fun ways to start feeling more positive are to journal feelings and experiences throughout the healing process, get outside in nature and move the body daily, eat healthily, listen to inspirational music, cut out television, laugh as much as possible and find the right support network.

    Knowing when it’s time to date

    As you do the healing work (keeping in mind that healing oneself is never truly “done”), there will come a time when you will feel infinitely better, stronger, more focused and excited about life and the future. Most importantly, you will own your self-worth, know how the new life will look, and feel energized to take steps toward it. A lightness from within will be felt, which comes from shedding negative beliefs, people and situations that do not serve your new life goals. It will be easy to notice the change in energy, and others may even comment on it. It is around this time that it will be clear one is ready to date.

    At this point, it’s smart to list qualities one desires in a mate. The list can be short or long and divided into “must” and “would be nice” qualities if desired. Really listen to intuition and your heart in creating this list. Use visualization to see the person you envision — picture yourself doing things you enjoy together and having conversations where you and your partner-to-be can communicate and share feelings openly.

    If you are not a fan of online dating, that is ok, but you need to get out and do things with friends so you are exposed to potential people to date. You also can sign up for classes — but not online! It is imperative to physically go to the classes. There you will meet like-minded people. If you can find something active to do, that is usually a great place to meet people you may decide to date.

    This can range from participation in sports or lessons to Meet-Up groups, classes and local community events like beach/nature cleanups or charity events — the list is endless. The only rule is to choose something you enjoy or want to try.

    Related: Being Married Makes You a Better Entrepreneur — Here’s Why

    New love relationships post-divorce

    Whether one decides to use dating sites or meet people organically, the changes made within oneself will attract people who are different from that one may have attracted before healing, so the new relationships will have a higher chance of lasting and bringing joy. Love with a partner after divorce can be magical when patience is exercised at the beginning of the journey. Taking time to heal and establish self-love and a plan for moving forward from healing can lead to a beautiful love connection with another person, one filled with mutual respect, support, vulnerability and truth.

    Make a commitment to work on healing after divorce before dating. It will enable you to define the new you, design a beautiful new life and understand what you desire and need from a partner so you can attract the right person and a sustainable, mutually beneficial relationship.

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    Rachel S. Ruby

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  • How American Quack John R. Brinkley Made Millions | Entrepreneur

    How American Quack John R. Brinkley Made Millions | Entrepreneur

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    In the early 1900s, a “doctor” named John Romulus Brinkley became rich and famous by offering a unique cure to men who suffered from ED and an array of other maladies: he implanted goat testicles in them.

    Now, you might guess that not too many guys would be willing to go under the knife for that, but you’d be wrong. For decades Brinkley was backing up the money truck to his clinics that operated all around the country. People desperately wanted his treatment to work and for a long time, were too embarrassed to admit when it didn’t.

    But the goat ball empire eventually imploded. Scrutiny from the medical community and a mountain of malpractice lawsuits left the millionaire discredited and running to Mexico, where he pioneered a new form of scamming at scale via a hugely popular radio show.

    It’s all incredibly bizarre, which is why we were so delighted to learn every strange twist and turn of this man’s life on this episode of Dirty Money. Our guest Pope Brock tells us all about the crazy dealings, which he wrote about in his terrific book Charlatan: America’s Most Dangerous Huckster, the Man Who Pursued Him, and the Age of Flimflam. Truth is stranger than fiction is a bit of a cliche, but damn if it isn’t appropriate in this case.

    Thanks, as always, for listening. Please subscribe and leave us a review. It’ll make you feel much better than a visit with Doc Brinkley, trust us!

    Subscribe to Dirty Money on Apple | Spotify | Stitcher | Google Play

    About Dirty Money

    Dirty Money is a new podcast series from Entrepreneur Media telling the tales of legendary scammers, con artists, and barely-legal lowlifes who stop at nothing to bilk their marks of millions. Hosted by Entrepreneur editors Dan Bova and Jon Small, the podcast takes a deep dive into the deviants behind the deeds.

    Related: Did the FBI Bust or Botch a Massive Chicago Stock Scam?

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    Dan Bova

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  • Pickleball Injuries May Cost Americans $400M, Especially Seniors | Entrepreneur

    Pickleball Injuries May Cost Americans $400M, Especially Seniors | Entrepreneur

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    As pickleball rises in popularity, it might come at a cost, according to a new UBS report.

    The court game, which has been dubbed the fastest-growing sport in the country, was predicted to cost Americans $377 million in healthcare fees in 2023 due to pickleball-related injuries. Further, the report found that pickleball injuries could account for 5%-10% of this year’s total unexpected medical costs.

    Analysts predicted that 22.3 million people are playing pickleball this year, with seniors making up one-third of “core players,” according to the report (obtained by Bloomberg).

    RELATED: Pickleball Is Becoming Big Business for Entrepreneurs. Here’s How They Are Remaking America’s Fastest Growing Sport.

    With its popularity among retirees, pickleball-related injuries occur more often in seniors. According to a 2021 study, over 85 percent of pickleball-induced emergency room visits from 2010-2019 occurred in people over 60.

    The most common injuries in the sport are strains, sprains, and fractures to the wrists and lower legs.

    UBS analysts estimated that pickleball injuries are expected to account for about 67,000 emergency room visits, 366,000 outpatient visits, and nearly 9,000 outpatient surgeries this year alone.

    “While we generally think of exercise as positively impacting health outcomes, the ‘can-do’ attitude of today’s seniors can pose a greater risk in other areas such as sports injuries, leading to a greater number of orthopedic procedures,” the analysts warned.

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    Sam Silverman

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  • The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Crafting a Successful Future | Entrepreneur

    The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Crafting a Successful Future | Entrepreneur

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    I’m going to tell you a quick story.

    And although it starts off with my experiences, if you stick around I’ll teach you how you can apply the same process to achieving your highest ambitions. I know, that sounds lofty, but you’d be surprised how many successful people use the exact same approach.

    So, here’s my story. A friend of mine recently asked a simple question that led me to an unexpected revelation: “Why do you always wear black clothing?”

    My first response wasn’t too eloquent. I simply said, “I dunno, that’s just my thing.”

    But then it made me wonder, why is that my thing? That caused me to go down a rabbit hole to the moment it all began. It was 2007 and I was working out at Crunch Gym in Park Slope, Brooklyn.

    I was always in good shape during my college years, but I started to fall off once I moved to New York City. So, I decided to get back in the gym and shake the rust off. Like most guys, the first thing I wanted to do was hit the bench press, which meant I had to wait.

    And while I was waiting this guy walked by me and he immediately made an impression. He was around my height, 6’4″, and had similar features to me as well. But, there were two big differences. He was at least 15 years older than me, and the dude was in great shape. I’m still impressed just thinking about it. You could tell he took his fitness seriously and had dedicated years to building himself up.

    At the time I was 29 years old and it was great to have a real example of how I could look at his age if I just stuck with it. So, I used him as a blueprint to copy. I would secretly study his workouts and then do the exact same routine the next day. I also noticed that he was constantly chewing gum as he worked out so I picked up that habit too.

    Oh, and one last thing: He only wore black clothing.

    As you may have guessed, I started buying black workout clothes too. Eventually everything from my shoes to my wristbands were black. It was like a uniform I would put on, and it would instantly get me in the zone to do my best work in the gym.

    Around the same time I started working at tech companies with a more relaxed dress code. Since I was able to wear t-shirts and hoodies to work it made sense to put on clothes I could wear at the gym too.

    I could change more quickly when it was time to work out, and I wouldn’t need to buy as many outfits. Fast forward to today, and that’s why I still primarily wear black clothing. But there’s more to the story.

    Fifteen years later, I’m not just dressing like the guy I saw in the gym. I look like him too. I’m the same age he was back then and have a very similar build.

    So, why am I telling you this story? It’s because I wanted to highlight how important it is to have a vision for your life. Part of my vision was to look like that guy, and I put in the work to make it happen. But what is a vision? Your vision is a mission statement of what you want to accomplish in your life, both personally and professionally.

    This statement can be used as a guide when determining the career to pursue, making important life decisions, planning how you’ll accomplish goals, and realizing your life dreams. If you don’t have a vision yet, check out this handy guide that will walk you through the process.

    Need an example of how a vision can help with your professional life? Take a look at the image below (I posted this on Facebook and declared my intention to write for a well-known business publication).

    My first Entrepreneur article was published just seven months later.

    Right now you could be seven months or fifteen years away from living in the vision you want for your life, but it all starts today.

    How to get started

    Block off time to complete your vision exercise and share it with someone you trust for encouragement and accountability. And I know this may sound like fluff, but you’ll be amazed at how many successful people got to where they are simply by having a clear vision of who they wanted to be, then putting in the work to make it happen. But if you can tolerate more fluff, here’s one of my favorite quotes.

    “Everything is created twice, first in the mind and then in reality.” ― Robin Sharma

    So don’t miss out on this opportunity to document the vision for your life. If you block off just 30 minutes to write it down, you can radically shift and improve the next 30 years of your life.

    And if you like these exercises check out my free LinkedIn Learning course, Developing a High-Performance Entrepreneur Mindset. It’s only six minutes long and provides additional activities for you to try out.

    Don’t wait to build a better future, get started today.

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    Terry Rice

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  • Remote Employees Are Taking Secret ‘Hush Trips’: Study | Entrepreneur

    Remote Employees Are Taking Secret ‘Hush Trips’: Study | Entrepreneur

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    Have you joined the growing number of people taking “hush trips”? (Don’t worry, we won’t tell anyone.)

    A hush trip is a vacation that you take without telling your bosses — or using any precious PTO days. And it is an under-the-radar practice in today’s work-from-home and hybrid landscape.

    Related: Here’s Why Every Employee Should Have Unlimited Vacation Days

    The hush trip trend was illuminated by a recent study conducted by Price4Limo.com, which surveyed 1,010 full-time employees working in America to find out their vacation habits, favorite destinations and time spent getting away from it all.

    The most interesting part is that last bit. “Getting away from it all” has taken on a new meaning these days. Forty-five percent of those surveyed said they have recently been on a “workcation,” which means they left home for a sunnier destination but sat on the beach building spreadsheets rather than sandcastles. Sounds fun, right?

    The top three reasons respondents gave for taking a workcation were:

    • Visiting family or friends
    • Needed a change of scenery
    • Wanted an off-hours vacation while maintaining productivity at work

    These reasons, the study writers say, “underscore Americans’ desire for a better work-life balance.” (Working through vacation days doesn’t sound very balanced to us, but we’re not here to tell anyone how to live their lives.)

    Related: 3 Steps to That Unplugged, Peace-of-Mind Vacation People Talk About

    These workcations come with an agreement between employers and employees (“Yes, I will be away and yes, you can pester me with emails all day long.”) But hush trips? That’s a whole different deal.

    Hush vacations involve pretending to work from home while you are actually swimming up to the pool bar instead.

    Experts that Price4Limo.com consulted say that hush trips are problematic for many reasons, primarily the possibility of losing trust or getting canned if your superiors find out. Is it worth the stress knowing you could easily get busted if a volleyball game breaks out behind you during a Zoom call? We have to believe that if you are taking a hush trip, you’re probably not very invested in keeping your job, so stress might not factor in too much.

    Related: I Worked From Vegas Without Telling My Boss. It Was Perfect — Until I Had a Surprise Zoom Call in a Casino.

    Whether respondents were taking a workcation or a hush trip, Price4Limo.com asked them where they liked to go. The top five cities:

    1. Minneapolis
    2. Miami
    3. Tampa
    4. Atlanta
    5. Oakland

    Take that South Beach, Minneapolis is where it’s at! Read the entire list and other findings from the survey here. Just maybe ask your boss first if you plan to read it on company time.

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    Dan Bova

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  • The Summer Slowdown Is a Good Time to Reevaluate Business | Entrepreneur

    The Summer Slowdown Is a Good Time to Reevaluate Business | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    As summer approaches and the temperatures start to rise, many businesses experience a slowdown in activity and revenue. On the flip side, many remote workers, especially stay-at-home parents, experience a slowdown of their own as they spend summer vacations with their children.

    Rest is important. However, a common mistake I see is that people focus completely on summer vacations and do not prepare for the upcoming busy season when workers and consumers return. While slow periods can be a stressful time for entrepreneurs and remote workers alike, it also presents a unique opportunity to take a step back and evaluate your business and skills. By taking advantage of the slower summer season, you can ensure that you’re well-rested and well-prepared for the busy fall season ahead. Here are a few strategies for leveraging the summer downtime to your advantage.

    Related: 4 Ways to Prep Your Business for a Summertime Slowdown

    Get organized

    Summer can be a great time to catch up on all those tasks that may have been put on the back burner during your busy season. Take the time to declutter and organize your office space. Getting rid of the clutter can help clear your mind and allow you to focus on more important tasks. Additionally, take a look at your workflow and see if there are any areas that can be improved or streamlined. This can help ensure that you’re making the most of your time during the busier seasons. Don’t forget to also evaluate your inventory and ensure that everything is organized and accounted for before the fall rush.

    I personally use slower months to clean off my desk and clean out my computer. Handling those physically cluttered files is just as important as dealing with the digital ones. Additionally, I take this time to create an organization scheme that will help me when things are busy such as creating better naming conventions for folders or adding new filing resources for my office.

    Create systems and processes

    Are there tasks or procedures that could be automated or outsourced? Take the time to identify inefficiencies and implement changes that will make your business run smoother and more efficiently. Consider implementing a project management system, such as Asana or Trello, to better track tasks and deadlines. Automate email responses and social media posts with tools like Hootsuite or Mailchimp. Outsource tasks such as bookkeeping or administrative work to free up time for you and your team to focus on more high-level tasks.

    Creating systems and processes can also help ensure consistency and quality across your business. By having clear procedures in place, everyone on your team will understand their roles and responsibilities, which can reduce errors and improve communication. Remember, creating systems and processes doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Start small and tackle one area at a time. The important thing is to begin the process of evaluation and improvement, so you can position your business for success all year long.

    Related: How to Take Advantage of the Summer Slump

    Train your team

    Begin by identifying areas where your team members could use improvement or additional training. This could be anything from sales techniques to customer service skills. Once you have identified these areas, create a training plan for each employee. You may also want to consider bringing in outside trainers or consultants to help with the training process. If your remote workers are away on vacation during the summer, you can also use this time to create a new plan for them when they return so that their training can be updated while jumping right back into the swing of things.

    Another key aspect of training is cross-training. This involves teaching employees how to perform tasks and duties outside of their typical roles. Cross-training not only ensures that all employees are well-rounded and capable of performing various tasks, but it also helps to build a sense of camaraderie and teamwork within your business. Don’t forget to involve your employees in the training process by seeking their feedback and ideas for improvement. This will not only increase engagement and motivation, but will also help you to identify any gaps in your training program.

    Evaluate your marketing

    Start by reviewing your analytics. Look at your website traffic, social media engagement and email open rates. Are there any trends or patterns that stand out? Are there certain marketing channels that are driving more traffic or engagement than others? Next, assess your messaging. Is your brand message consistent across all marketing channels? Are you effectively communicating the value of your products or services to your target audience? If not, it may be time to tweak your messaging and ensure that it aligns with your brand and resonates with your audience. Finally, take a look at your advertising budget. Are you getting a good return on investment for your advertising spend? If not, consider reallocating your budget to focus on channels that are driving results.

    Related: How to Jumpstart Your Social-Media Marketing During the Summer Slowdown

    Take a vacation

    Taking a vacation not only benefits your physical and mental health, but it can also have positive effects on your business. When you take time off, it allows you to step back and gain perspective. You can come back to work with a fresh outlook and renewed energy. Plus, you may even have some new ideas to implement when you return. If you’re worried about taking time off during a slow season, consider scheduling your vacation during a historically slow week. This way, you’re not missing out on any major business opportunities. You can also delegate tasks to your team members and set up processes and systems before you leave to ensure that everything runs smoothly in your absence. So go ahead and plan that beach trip or mountain retreat. You deserve a break, and your business and team members may just thank you for it.

    Always remember, slow periods provide the perfect opportunity to perfect your business processes, and they are also a good time for you to take a break for yourself.

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    Lesley Pyle

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  • How Your Home Office May Be Harming You — and How to Fix It | Entrepreneur

    How Your Home Office May Be Harming You — and How to Fix It | Entrepreneur

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    With the onset of the pandemic and the ensuing lockdown, we suddenly had to adapt our living spaces to create makeshift home offices. Today, 30% of Americans are still working either remotely or on a hybrid schedule. But how many of us have taken the time to ensure that our workspace enables us to do our best work — or to ensure it’s even safe?

    Your home work environment should be a well-designed space that ensures healthy, productive behavior. If you haven’t attempted to set up a clearly established home office, chances are your work-life balance is suffering.

    Related: How to Build an Effective Home Office

    How your home office may be harming your quality of life

    How many of us roll out of bed, pull on a pair of sweatpants, sit down in a chair in the bedroom, kitchen or living room and allow our work to bleed into the rest of our lives?

    Without setting clear boundaries — both physical and mental — we forget to say goodbye to our kids because we decide to respond to that one email that comes in at 7:30 a.m. Later in the day, a colleague sends a message at 8:00 p.m., and we choose to answer it rather than putting it off until the morning. We forget to shower or take lunch breaks.

    The consequences are clear: If we don’t create a routine in the same way we would when going into an office every morning, our mental health deteriorates.

    There are major benefits to working from home, particularly if you suffer from anxiety or are treated poorly in an office environment by superiors. Having the flexibility to work from home has also been a tremendous boon for families who can save time and money on child care. However, these benefits only work when we create clear boundaries and workable spaces. Thankfully, many of these can be achieved with little to no cost.

    Related: How to Perfect Your Home Office

    How to create a healthy, productive home office

    One of the simplest changes to make is with lighting. The best option is a room with a window that brings in natural light. If that’s not possible, look for lights that aren’t pure white — they tend to be harsh on the eyes and taxing on the brain. Avoid fluorescent white lights that are often found in hospitals and schools. They’re cold and sterile, ensuring only that people stay alert and focused.

    To create a calm work environment, install lights that have a warm, yellow hue. Note that LED bulbs, while efficient, produce soft, cool light. Reduce hard shadows in your space by using top-down lights or floor lights that can be placed around baseboards.

    You’re going to be sitting for long hours, so invest in an ergonomic chair that includes a footrest. Elevating your feet promotes good posture and reduces back pain. Consider a standing desk, which adjusts up and down. Take turns between sitting and standing during the day.

    Place your desk, if possible, in the middle of the room where there is space on all sides, allowing you to get up and walk around unimpeded. That will give you a sense of freedom and a reminder to take breaks. Remember to go outside, take off your shoes and stand on the grass. Breathe.

    Invest in two computer monitors, regardless of the type of work you do. They encourage you to move your neck throughout the day, and it’s also less stressful than working with a single monitor with multiple tabs open.

    Do you have a separate room for your office? If so, close the door at the end of the day to delineate between work and home life. If not, create a nook or segmented space and one with good, even airflow — you want to make it easy to heat and cool the space.

    High ceilings and long-range views will add to your mental well-being. Distant views are pleasing to the eye. It’s why our eyes get tired and sore if we sit too close to the television. High ceilings give us more space, making us feel happier and less anxious. Create a calm workspace cheaply by painting an accent wall with a pleasing color.

    If you can afford it, invest in a skylight to bring in natural light, raise the ceiling or add aesthetically pleasing touches like crown molding or wainscoting. Still, you need little to create a healthy workspace.

    The design of your office leads to the psychology of how you work. Smart, simple interior design helps you work better and more efficiently. You will experience a greater quality of life, and your employer’s bottom line will benefit as well. And while you may be hard-pressed to get your boss to pay for work-from-home upgrades, remember that a home office is a tax write-off.

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    Josh Goldenberg

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  • Save $46 on This Innovative Smart Scale That Tracks 11 Health Metrics | Entrepreneur

    Save $46 on This Innovative Smart Scale That Tracks 11 Health Metrics | Entrepreneur

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    Disclosure: Our goal is to feature products and services that we think you’ll find interesting and useful. If you purchase them, Entrepreneur may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners.

    According to Grand Canyon University, 56% of business people work 40+ hours a week, with 63% working more than five hours on weekends. It’s likely many of these hard workers are entrepreneurs constantly grinding, which leaves little time for personal life or self-care.

    If you’d like to get a better barometer of your personal health stats, smart scales can be helpful. The Roomie Sophie Smart Body Scale provides information on 11 important body metrics so you can stay on top of your health and track your progress. And right now, it’s on sale for just $32.99 (reg. $79).

    Since entrepreneurs don’t have much free time for self-care, the Roomie Sophie Smart Body Scale is super easy to set up and use and makes keeping track of health markers a breeze. There’s an auto on/off feature, and auto-calibration occurs after every use, so each time you step on it, it provides accurate information on important stats.

    Curious about what these 11 stats are? A step on the Roomie Sophie Smart Body Scale provides weight, metabolic age, body fat, visceral fat, BMR, BMI, protein, skeletal muscle, body water, bone mass, and muscle mass. There’s also a free companion app that keeps track of your progress and offers features like a Workout Buddy that lets you set goals. It’s also compatible with Fitbit and other third-party apps so that you can keep on top of your progress conveniently.

    Efficiently keep track of important health metrics with the Roomie Sophie Smart Body Scale, complete with a free app, now just $32.99 (reg. $79).

    Prices subject to change.

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    Entrepreneur Store

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  • Last-Minute Father’s Day Deals | Entrepreneur

    Last-Minute Father’s Day Deals | Entrepreneur

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    Disclosure: Our goal is to feature products and services that we think you’ll find interesting and useful. If you purchase them, Entrepreneur may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners.

    This Father’s Day, make a break from traditional (and let’s face it, boring) gifts and give Dad — or yourself — one of these innovative, Entrepreneur-approved presents. From sporty guys to foodies, we’ve picked out unique items to deliver smiles and surprises this Father’s Day. Bonus: Everything you see here is specially marked down — who says waiting til the last minute doesn’t pay off?

    Caveman Portable Grill

    Burn, baby, burn! The Caveman is the ultimate grill party-to-go. Its interchangeable surface allows you to grill burgers at night and fry eggs in the morning. And when you’re done stuffing your face? The Caveman cleans quickly and folds completely flat. Toss it in your trunk, and it’s off to the next party destination. Designed by a firefighter, you can trust that the Caveman is safe, rugged and capable of feeding a lot of hungry people fast!

    Order The Caveman Portable Grill Here

    Dewar’s White Label

    It doesn’t get more classic than this — Dewar’s delicious blended Scotch has provided smooth sipping experiences for cocktail aficionados for 120 years and counting. In 1892, Tommy Dewar asked for his whisky to be served in a tall glass with soda and ice – and with that order the ‘Original Highball’ was born. Whether you’re toasting success or relaxing after a long day of making moves, Dewar’s White Label in your glass will put a smile on your face.

    Grab Your Bottle of Dewar’s White Label Here

    FinalStraw

    Want to quench your thirst and help the planet at once? Pick up the FinalStraw, a telescoping metal straw that’s easy to carry, simple to clean and eliminates waste. The FinalStraw was created by a professional mermaid, so you know it’s 100% ocean-friendly and 1000% fabulous!

    Order Your FinalStraw Here

    Talonport Indestructible Luggage Tag

    Simultaneously sophisticated and tough, this stainless-steel tag can stand up to the roughest baggage handler and makes spotting your bags on the carousel a breeze. Its innovative design protects your privacy, and a lifetime replacement guarantee protects your investment.

    Order Talonport Indestructible Luggage Tag Here

    FLYT Chipping Sleeve

    Give your golf game a shot in the arm with the FLYT Sleeve. Designed by a former touring professional, the slip-on sleeve helps reduce over-activity in your hands and arms, creating more consistency in your strike and trajectory. If you want more control of your swing (of course you do!), give it a shot. There’s a 30-day money-back guarantee if you aren’t thrilled with the results.

    Order The FLYT Chipping Sleeve Here

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    Entrepreneur Deals

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  • 6 Reasons to Consider Travel Insurance | Entrepreneur

    6 Reasons to Consider Travel Insurance | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    For business and pleasure jet-setters alike — including those who travel in the process of working remotely — reducing risk is essential, and one way to address a broad spectrum of unexpected and potentially ruinous events over the course of a trip is by getting hold of the right travel insurance. Designed to reduce financial and financial risks and sidestep a variety of disruptions, these policies can be customized for specific destinations, activities, belongings and hazards, whether the journey is motivated by bliss or your bottom line.

    Some key features to consider:

    1. Covered medical expenses

    Medical coverage, also known as travel health insurance, is one of the most valuable components of a policy. It pays for treatment and hospitalization in places where typical health insurance won’t, and also covers emergency medical evacuation, which could otherwise cost tens of thousands of dollars. That means both peace of mind and financial and physical security. Such insurance also typically includes accident coverage, which pays you or your beneficiaries if you get injured or die during a trip.

    Keep in mind that, should you have any pre-existing conditions, the policy must stipulate that you will still be covered.

    2. Reimbursement associated with cancellations and delays

    Flight delays and cancellations are some of the most typical troubles travelers face, and travel insurance can reduce risks tied to such variables as extreme weather and staffing shortages. If a flight gets disrupted and the airline is at fault, even the uninsured may be entitled to meal vouchers and hotel accommodations, but having trip cancellation insurance means reimbursement for expenses like ground transportation, meals and a hotel if you can’t fly for any reason, including severe weather, illness, a missed flight or a death in the family.

    Related: Female Road Warriors: How to Protect Yourself When Traveling for Work

    3. Making trip interruptions less stressful, and expensive

    Unexpected events can upend any itinerary. For instance, a natural disaster or civil unrest could occur at either a layover or your destination. You could also get sick, or family matters might suddenly require a return home. Insurance with interruption coverage means costs associated with getting home ahead of schedule are reimbursed.

    4. Lost or stolen belongings replacement

    Standard homeowners or renters insurance typically includes off-premises coverage up to 10% of your personal property limit. That could reimburse a portion of lost, stolen or damaged luggage, equipment and other valuables. A travel policy, however, gives additional coverage for such belongings, including cash and passports. This can be especially helpful for those who rely on equipment like laptops and smartphones and require swift replacement.

    Related: 5 Essential Tips for Your Next Business Trip

    5. 24/7 assistance

    If you’re working while traveling, having someone help navigate a catastrophe, including finding alternative travel arrangements, could save oceans of time and stress. Some policies even offer legal or medical advice. That could help you continue business as usual even when plans fall apart or unexpected expenses/events pop up.

    6. Affordability

    Travel insurance costs vary depending on destination, length of stay, desired activities, add-on coverage for extraordinary events like terrorist attacks and kidnapping ransom demands, chosen provider, age and pre-existing medical conditions. Keep in mind that after purchasing a policy, you still have 10 to 15 days (depending on the provider) to review and cancel it without penalty. Such a “free look period” allows you to lock in a price or cancel until your trip begins. Career travelers might also consider an annual travel policy, which covers all trips for a year, and which may be renewable.

    Related: This AI-Powered Flight Finder Can Help You Cut Travel Expenses

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    Laura D. Adams

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  • Mental Health Tips For Entrepreneurs | Entrepreneur

    Mental Health Tips For Entrepreneurs | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Starting and running a business are intense and stressful activities. Even if you love being an entrepreneur and you’re truly passionate about the work you do, this type of role can take a toll on you over time.

    If you want to maintain better health and better relationships, it’s important to prioritize your mental well-being.

    But how can you do it when you’re so busy?

    The risk of entrepreneurial burnout

    Entrepreneurs face a unique blend of mental health challenges. With high levels of stress, long working hours, limited personal time, and the demands of leadership, burnout becomes a threatening possibility. If you’re not appropriately managing your mental health, you run the risk of experiencing negative mental health symptoms. These range from depression and heightened anxiety to irritability, mood swings, and constant feelings of exhaustion.

    Related: The Secret Cause of Burnout and How Entrepreneurs Can Avoid It

    Mental health habits every entrepreneur should be practicing

    Fortunately, mental health management is accessible, even if you’re limited on time. Entrepreneurs should be practicing all (or most) of these mental health habits on a regular basis:

    1. Attending therapy.

    New York therapy sessions are arguably your best tool in the pursuit of better mental health since your therapist will help you find the right combination of tools and strategies that can help you manage and improve your mental well-being. Together with your therapist, you’ll explore your biggest issues, glean a new perspective on your life, and discover the best path forward for your mind and emotions. Even if all you do is talk openly about your feelings, sessions have the potential to be incredibly valuable.

    2. Taking breaks.

    Entrepreneurs often sabotage themselves by refusing to take breaks. They want to be as productive and focused as possible, so they work long hours and jump from meeting to meeting without ever taking time for themselves. This is counterproductive. You’ll be much more effective, and much happier if you schedule breaks throughout the day and make them a priority.

    Related: 3 Reasons Why Entrepreneurs Seriously Need to Take a Break

    3. Meditating.

    Mindfulness meditation is a strategy that forces you to focus on the present moment. Instead of dwelling on past mistakes or worrying about the future of your business, your attention finds itself exclusively dedicated to the immediate moment. If this seems simple, that’s because it is. But practicing mindfulness meditation regularly is shown to foster massive improvements in your outlook on life and stress management.

    4. Journaling.

    Journaling is another low-cost, time-efficient strategy that can help you get a better grasp on your mental health. Preferably every day, or at least once a week, you should spend time writing down your thoughts and feelings and analyzing where those thoughts and feelings come from. This can help you process the most stressful events in your life, get a healthier perspective on the people and events around you, and ultimately reduce your stress.

    5. Practicing gratitude.

    Expressing gratitude is shown to boost your mood, both in the short term and the long term (if you do it regularly). Even on your worst days, you can find something to be grateful for. For example, you can be grateful to have a loving spouse, a nice house, or even a delicious breakfast burrito to start your day. Practicing gratitude works even for the little things – so do it consciously and often.

    6. Exercising (preferably outside).

    Physical exercise is demonstrated to be one of the best ways to reduce stress. As an added bonus, it’s incredibly valuable for your physical health, especially if you exercise vigorously on a regular basis. If you have the option, try to exercise outside, with activities like walking, biking, or jogging. The fresh air and sunshine can boost your mood even further and minimize the impact of even your most stressful days.

    7. Sleeping well.

    Sleep is closely linked to mental health. If you’re struggling with mental health, you’ll have trouble sleeping. If you don’t get enough sleep, you’ll struggle with mental health. It’s a vicious cycle, so making good sleep a top priority is one of the most important mental health habits. Schedule 7 to 9 hours of sleep every night and treat it like you would an important meeting.

    8. Going on vacation.

    Finally, it’s important to take occasional breaks from business to go on vacation. This can be tough for the most dedicated entrepreneurs, but you need to trust your team to carry on in your stead.

    If you want to avoid burnout and live a healthy, yet still productive life, it’s important to make your mental health a priority. While there’s nothing wrong with ambition and dedication to your business, you can’t afford to let yourself slip into the dark territory – especially when so many of these habits are easy to consistently adopt.

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    Under30CEO

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  • The Rise of the Bleisure Worker — 3 Ways Work-From-Anywhere is Redefining Travel | Entrepreneur

    The Rise of the Bleisure Worker — 3 Ways Work-From-Anywhere is Redefining Travel | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Historically, the travel industry has been clearly segmented. People traveled for business or pleasure without a significant overlap between those two, and work-from-anywhere policies were rare or nonexistent. Hence, customer behavior was predictable, and as companies learned more about their customers–and over time, they learned a lot–they built products tailored to a specific bracket.

    Leisure travelers wanted a place to disconnect from work, so companies developed concepts like resorts with amenities for different profiles, from luxury travelers to budget-conscious adventurers. Also, this accelerated the marketing efforts around popular tourist destinations, which was strengthened by offering special deals and promotions.

    On the other hand, business travelers needed a different set of features, like a central location to optimize their mobility within a city, elegant spaces to host business partners, such as conference rooms, cafes and spa centers, and to streamline payments and billing in line with the company’s accounting requirements.

    Related: Travel Trends Every Company Should Know

    With the wider adoption of remote work, a new trend that blends business and leisure has risen. There is more “bleisure” travel now, without a clear differentiation by destination or purpose of travel, but rather a merge and interpenetration of services and products depending on the behavior of certain customer groups.

    Both travel “hardware” — destinations, accommodations, flights — and travel “software” — services, payments, marketing and promotion — have mixed and “blended.” This has created a new market segment that traditional travel companies are eager to snatch.

    Here are three ways the business travel industry is being redefined and some potential trends and synergies that we might see in coming years.

    Related: 6 Secret Tools for Flying First Class (Without Paying Full Price)

    1. Everyone will need to be more flexible

    Work-from-anywhere policies have increased flexibility for everyone.

    A group of remote workers from San Francisco who flew to San Diego for a week-long bleisure trip might have enjoyed the city so much that they decided to stay for a month. A team from London visiting clients in Australia opted to extend their trip and report back to headquarters. In their free time, of course, they will enjoy all the natural wonders the country offers.

    The scenarios above are only two of myriad potential ways in which employees who can work from anywhere now join the digital nomad ranks, even if only temporarily. But with around 50% of U.S. workers able to work remotely and numbers in other countries rising, it is a situation that might happen very frequently.

    Something that companies need to understand is that bleisure travelers demand flexibility. A Google survey revealed that 85% of travel marketers considered flexibility with bookings and cancellations a very important factor.

    There are ways in which hospitality companies are adapting to this. CitizenM designed a pioneering hotel membership program, offering a fixed rate at its properties. Airbnb’s Flexible Search model has boosted travel numbers in Europe while having a positive, sustainable impact.

    The companies that will thrive catering to bleisure travelers provide flexibility in addition to other must-haves like affordability and an emphasis on the traveler’s experience.

    Related: 5 Travel Hacks to Boost Productivity on Every Trip

    2. Contact, connection and community will be key business drivers

    Companies that prioritize these three Cs will likely see a surge in their revenues.

    Contact: People who work from anywhere need good WiFi, a comfortable space to work, and easy access to conveniences like power outlets. Having these readily accessible will draw more people to your space.

    And if you’d like to take an extra step, here’s an idea from WeWork: private booths for those that need to take a Zoom call or engage in deep work. Another example is Delta’s project, in partnership with T-Mobile, which aims to introduce fast, free Wi-Fi in most aircraft by the end of 2024.

    Paired with contact comes connection. And here, I do not mean WiFi.

    One of the challenges that many digital nomads face is the lack of a community which can result in loneliness and disconnection. The need for human connection is paramount, especially when working for long hours looking at a screen.

    Hence, travel service providers must underscore the relevance of spaces fostering community, collaboration and social interaction.

    Placing a good value on connection results in the third C, which is community. When people feel inspired by a hospitality brand, they will either want to stay longer or come back more often. If the company has sister properties in other parts of the world, they will likely prioritize your brand.

    3. Expect increased cross-industry collaboration

    Before its pre-IPO ordeal, WeWork’s founders developed an idea called WeLive. It was seen as obnoxious at the time. Still, today, a concept like that is alluring for remote workers traveling for the first time, giving them immediate access to a community.

    Other brands, like Selina, have capitalized on this, building hostels and co-working spaces to diversify their revenue between the people who book accommodation, the people who book workspace, and the people who book both.

    While Selina was born with digital nomadism in mind, we can expect big hotel names like Hilton, Marriott, and IHG to plot a project that attempts to capture this attractive market niche. Concepts like Yotel or the Marriott-developed Moxy, which has dynamic lobbies that foster human interaction, are already addressing this demographic, and we should not be surprised if we see synergies between companies that are well-established in the hospitality market with those that have emerged in the coworking or shared office arena to provide the ultimate bleisure experience.

    Related: Ready for Takeoff: 7 Travel Tips for Remote Workers

    As the world continues to adapt to the reality of remote work, more trends will likely emerge. However, the concept of bleisure is something that is here to stay, and it is something that travel providers will need to consider in their growth and development. Given that this type of traveler tends to be highly community-oriented and has strong brand loyalty, the companies that manage to capture the bleisure segment effectively can gain an edge in today’s competitive and increasingly crowded market.

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    Ivan Saprov

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  • How to Disrupt Hustle Culture and Build a Business That Supports Your Life | Entrepreneur

    How to Disrupt Hustle Culture and Build a Business That Supports Your Life | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    I grew up immersed in hustle culture. As a girl, I watched my Dad scarf his food and rush out the door, leaving us at the table. Mom explained, “Sabrina, your Dad never ate a relaxed meal as a family. They always ate on the go, usually out of the concession stand: popcorn, hot dogs and soda pop.”

    In my Dad’s childhood, everything revolved around the family businesses. My grandpa, “Slim” Starling, owned a service station. To sell more gasoline, he put a big screen on the roof of his filling station and gave purchasers of five gallons of gas a free ticket to the show. Cars came in droves. Gas sales boomed!

    There was work to do. Now, not only are they in the service station business, but they are in the drive-in movie theater business. It was tough to find good help. The family ran the businesses. Everyone worked, even my father, a child at the time. The businesses, as successful as they were, took over their lives.

    Related: 5 Traits and Characteristics of Successful Entrepreneurs in 2023

    Growing up, I saw my Dad always on the go, never taking a break. Work always came first, and there was always more to do. This mentality was harmful. In graduate school, I juggled teaching, a practicum, a full courseload and writing my dissertation. My mind buzzed with what I needed to do. I woke up in the middle of the night, unable to sleep. I turned down my friends’ invitations because there was always work to do.

    In my 30’s, I was a hot mess of anxiety. I signed up for a yoga class and learned there were spaces between breaths. I realized it’s possible to pause in life. To this point, I have filled the pauses, rushing through the breaths and life because there is work to do.

    When pregnant with my first daughter, I was determined to get a handle on this. I quit my job to start my coaching business and control my time. You likely are picking up on the flaw in my thinking. Simultaneously having a baby and starting a business made it challenging to manage my time.

    A few months after my daughter is born, I rocked her to sleep in a dark room with just enough light from the moon shining through the window for me to read The E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber. Like most of us, I realized I was doing it all wrong. Hard work does not lead to success as an entrepreneur. Grinding it out grinds us up.

    Related: Health Is Wealth: How to Move Away From Hustle Culture

    When I met Michael Gerber a few years later, I asked the question I carried with me, “I coach business owners and help them have a better life. Yet, I am doing it all. How do I build a team and a repeatable business model?” He replied, “My dear, I own a coaching company, and I have never coached a day in my life!”

    That answer ticked me off. He told me nothing — Yet, he told me everything. He is telling me to think differently about my role. If I continue doing my work, I will get a similar result. Not only do I have to think differently, but I also have to show up differently. My very being had to shift.

    I started asking myself a different question: “What’s possible?” and I became clear on what I wanted — a business to support my life. I wanted to work no more than 25 hours weekly to be present with my family. That’s one of the best decisions I ever made.

    Related: Hustle Culture Is Killing Your Greatness

    Limits force innovation. A 25-hour workweek over the last 18 years forced me to be effective, not busy. I paid attention to what worked and did more of it. I focus on my $ 10,000-an-hour activities daily and let the rest go. My business continued to grow; I cared for my health and was present with my family.

    I have made mistakes, experienced setbacks and learned from the school of hard knocks. I’ve also been privileged to coach thousands of entrepreneurs. We start with the question: “What are your wins and successes?” I’ve tracked the answers, focusing on what works to get the best results — a profitable business and a good quality of life at the same time.

    I study successful entrepreneurs, collecting data from over 400 with our Better Business, Better Life Assessment. Clear patterns distinguish successful entrepreneurs with profitable businesses and a high quality of life from those burning out. The majority, 9 out of ten entrepreneurs, are burning out. One out of 10 is not burning out. I am excited to share what we are doing differently in future articles.

    I’m on a mission to disrupt hustle culture in entrepreneurship. Hustle culture reinforces the notion that you must sacrifice your life to have a successful business. Hustle culture would make us believe that’s just how it is.

    Related: Why Hustle Culture Might Be Toxic to Your Business

    I believe in a different possibility for entrepreneurship. I believe work supports life, not the other way around. You don’t have to sacrifice your health, well-being and important relationships for the sake of the business. I invite you to declare that your business will support your life. You will be better for it, and so will your business.

    I did not let my clients know I worked 25 hours per week for years. They were working 60 or more hours per week. I feared they would judge me for not having a “real” business. When a team member said, “Dr. Sabrina, not only do you have a real business, you have a really cool business,” I knew it was time to share what’s possible.

    Limits force innovation. Limits force you to put systems in place and train your team. You can leave work at 5, or earlier, each day. You can turn off your phone in the evenings. You can take weekends off. You can exercise. You can be fully present with your family. You will be better for it, and so will your business.

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    Dr. Sabrina Starling

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  • A Leader’s Guide to Managing Anxiety | Entrepreneur

    A Leader’s Guide to Managing Anxiety | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Anxiety is something many of us don’t believe we have ever experienced. We often think anxiety means being nervous or scared, when in fact it can show up in so many ways! Believe it or not, anxiety can sneak into our experiences as a leader more often than we realize. It’s not uncommon for the weight of responsibility to bring forth a whirlwind of emotions. As someone who has answered numerous questions and interacted with individuals facing similar challenges, I understand the impact of anxiety in leadership positions. So, let’s unpack together how anxiety manifests in leadership roles and discover the steps to overcome it.

    In my professional career, I have helped my clients both identify and conquer anxiety in all its shapes and forms. The number one presentation of anxiety I have seen that is so often not acknowledged is self-doubt. The weight of making critical decisions and guiding a team can really weigh on many great leaders. However, anxiety is not the be-all and end-all. I believe any leader can learn how to get anxiety’s grips under control. Today, I want to share with you the insights I’ve gained to empower you to lead with confidence yourself!

    Related: 3 Ways to Lead Effectively While Dealing with Anxiety

    How anxiety manifests in leadership roles

    Imposter syndrome:

    Leaders often experience imposter syndrome, and they might not even realize it. Imposter syndrome is based on fear, and it essentially comes down to the individual not believing they are good enough for their role. This self-doubt can undermine your confidence and hinder your ability to make decisions. Remember, you are in your leadership role for a reason. Reflect on your achievements, skills and unique perspectives that brought you here. Go back to the real you and acknowledge that you have what it takes to lead.

    Mentors are great resources to help guide your perspective on yourself toward a more fulfilling framework. Additionally, look out for clues on how you are exactly the right person for the role. Any wins, big or small, are evidence of this. Tip: Don’t overlook the small stuff! Often, this is what creates the larger picture of all your capabilities and skills.

    Fear of failure:

    Anxiety in leadership often stems from a fear of failure (also related to imposter syndrome). The pressure to meet expectations and deliver results can create a constant sense of unease. Instead of viewing failure as a reflection of your worth, reframe it as an opportunity for growth. Embrace a mindset that sees failure as a stepping stone toward success. Ask yourself, “What can I learn from this experience? How can I improve?”

    Again, failure can make us feel uneasy because it might seem unpredictable. Why did I fail? Was it me or an external reason? Reflect on where you feel you didn’t perform, and locate how you can avoid this next time. Certainty and direction are easy ways to start mitigating those anxious feelings.

    Overwhelm and decision paralysis:

    Leadership positions come with a multitude of responsibilities and decisions. Anxiety can leave you feeling overwhelmed, leading to decision paralysis. Interestingly, procrastination can start to creep up when we enter this zone. Very related to fear of failure, we avoid taking action because we fear the negative feelings that failure might bring. So, how can we go about dealing with this? Break tasks into manageable steps and prioritize effectively. Seek input from your team and trusted advisors. Remember, you don’t have to shoulder the burden alone. Delegate when necessary, and trust in the collective wisdom of your team.

    Effective communication challenges:

    Anxiety can hinder effective communication in leadership roles, too. The fear of being judged or misunderstood can prevent you from expressing your thoughts clearly. This might make us engage in indirect communication, where we don’t really express our needs or how we really feel. Awareness is the key here. Often, we aren’t even aware that we are doubling down on what we say or not expressing ourselves clearly. Start small, and reach out with the help of a mentor as well. Sometimes a bit of practice is all that it takes to get us on the right path again.

    Work-life balance struggles:

    As leaders, we often find it challenging to strike a balance between work and personal life. The constant demands and pressures can consume your thoughts, leading to burnout and heightened anxiety. Set boundaries, and prioritize self-care. Remember that taking care of yourself is essential to leading effectively. Delegate tasks, seek support when needed, and engage in activities that recharge your energy. Also, book it in! Schedule this time for you in your calendar. Make it a priority in your life. Taking these steps will mean you will return back to your role with more energy and vitality than before.

    Related: 5 Tips for Dealing With Anxiety as a Business Owner Right Now

    How to conquer anxiety in leadership

    With all this in mind, here are some extra bonuses on how to conquer anxiety every day.

    Embrace vulnerability:

    Acknowledge and embrace your vulnerability as a leader. Understand that it is okay to ask for help and show vulnerability. By doing so, you create an environment where others feel safe to do the same. Vulnerability fosters trust, authenticity and collaboration!

    Seek support:

    Don’t hesitate to seek support from mentors, coaches or trusted colleagues who have navigated similar challenges. They can provide guidance, perspective and reassurance. Remember, you are not alone in your journey, and seeking support is a sign of strength (you will also inspire those around you to do the same).

    Practice mindfulness:

    Engage in mindfulness practices to cultivate self-awareness and manage anxiety. Mindfulness techniques such as meditation, deep breathing exercises and visualization can help you stay present, manage stress and maintain a clear focus. Take it easy, too! Studies have shown even just three minutes of mindfulness practice can help your brain ground itself and enter the present moment.

    Celebrate successes:

    Acknowledge and celebrate your successes, no matter how small. Take time to reflect on your achievements and milestones. Celebrating success boosts your confidence, reaffirms your capabilities and motivates you to tackle future challenges with a positive mindset. Also, celebrate these with your team. This truly gets everyone’s energy going!

    Continuous learning and growth:

    Embrace a mindset of continuous learning and growth. Seek opportunities to expand your knowledge, skills and leadership abilities. Engage in professional development, attend workshops or conferences, and connect with like-minded individuals. By investing in your growth, you build confidence and enhance your leadership capabilities. There is always more to learn, and with knowledge comes power in yourself and your abilities!

    Related: How to Overcome Entrepreneurial Anxiety, Banish Stress, and Crush Your Goals

    Anxiety can manifest in leadership roles, but it doesn’t have to define your journey. By understanding its challenges and implementing effective strategies, you can lead with confidence, authenticity and resilience. Embrace your unique abilities, seek support, practice mindfulness, celebrate successes, and commit to continuous learning. Remember, the path to overcoming anxiety begins with self-belief and a commitment to personal growth. Are you ready to embark on this transformative journey? Embrace the challenges, unlock your true leadership potential, and inspire greatness within yourself and your team. The future of your leadership begins now!

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    Mikey Lucas

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  • Sleep Better, Snore Less, and Stay Cool with This Tech-Packed Pillow, Now $49.99 | Entrepreneur

    Sleep Better, Snore Less, and Stay Cool with This Tech-Packed Pillow, Now $49.99 | Entrepreneur

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    Disclosure: Our goal is to feature products and services that we think you’ll find interesting and useful. If you purchase them, Entrepreneur may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners.

    Entrepreneurs are busy people. That’s an understatement! When you’re wearing multiple hats and have a never-ending to-do list, it’s important that you get quality sleep every night. It’s essential to ensure your bedroom evokes a sense of peace — from your blackout curtains to your comfortable pillow.

    The hunt for the perfect pillow can be rough, but the Carbon SnoreX 8-in-1 Cooling Pillow offers many perks. It’s the world’s first 8-in-1 technology pillow, with features that can help you catch some extra winks night after night. And you can snag one for just $49.99.

    Get ready to sink into the Carbon SnoreX 8-in-1 Cooling Pillow and enjoy ultimate comfort. This pillow is much more than a memory foam pillow — it’s also equipped with eight different tech-packed features that help you fade off into slumberland. And if you’re a snorer (or love someone who snores), it also can help combat the annoyance of snoring, as well, thanks to the excellent neck and head support it provides while also promoting spinal alignment.

    The carbon bamboo AirTech memory Foam, graphene, and copper help protect against allergens and bacteria. And there are dual armrests for ultimate comfort all night long.

    Its Ice Cool Cover offers protection against overheating, keeping you cool all through the night. At the same time, the specially designed Carbon Bamboo Charcoal regulates your temperature for an extra layer of cooling protection that also eliminates odors and absorbs excess moisture. Bamboo charcoal can also absorb toxins, help prevent mold growth, and purify the air around you.

    Upgrade your quality of rest with the Carbon SnoreX™ 8-in-1 Cooling Pillow, now just $49.99 (reg. $59), for a limited time.

    Prices subject to change.

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    Entrepreneur Store

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  • Top Solar Energy Trends To Look Out For in 2023 and Beyond | Entrepreneur

    Top Solar Energy Trends To Look Out For in 2023 and Beyond | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    With the latest Energy Information Administration (EIA) report now out, we have a more precise look at renewable energy numbers throughout the United States, including the latest growth. Renewable energy investors and developers should already feel encouraged by the broad goal set for reaching 100% clean electricity by 2035.

    But there are several important current trends worth keeping an eye on.

    Renewables did well during the pandemic and are posed for more growth

    The EIA reports that through October 2022, renewables grew to provide 22.60% of the total United States electrical energy generation. That included an impressive 14.26% growth compared to previous numbers from a similar timeframe in 2021 and a prediction that renewables will reach at least 25%.

    This is good news for solar investors, not only because of the growth rates but because so many different sectors have contributed to it. Growth is coming from state programs and grants, more commercial applications than ever, and global trends pushing toward broader, more affordable solar energy.

    Solar energy also has more room to grow than wind energy, which has seen similar growth rates but holds nearly 10% of the U.S. market compared to around 5% for solar energy, a gap that offers plenty of potential for future developments.

    Related: Why the Tide Is Turning for the Energy Sector

    Where businesses will see the most growth this decade

    What does the EIA report say about support for renewable energy growth in the coming decade? One crucial goal the EIA cites is reaching a global “net-zero” state by 2030. This means roughly 61% of the United States’ electricity will come from renewables. The EIA also provides several ideas on what kind of energy growth can get us there, which is a roadmap for potential high-growth areas in the coming years.

    • More grants for construction: Government investment in grants for builders and business owners interested in solar are likely to increase in the coming years. But there is a caveat: much of the support for these grants on a federal level currently comes from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The House of Representatives is now in talks about managing the U.S. limit, and one of their demands is cutting many of the programs included in the IRA, which could affect energy investment across the board. If the IRA remains intact, it will be a vast boost for renewable construction. If it is significantly altered, grant programs may largely be left up to the states.
    • Heat pump growth: Heat pumps are one of the most underutilized traditional methods of saving energy and cutting out fuel use for the average home or business in the United States. State regulations, such as those passed by NY and others, will only encourage more adoption of heat pumps in the future. Owners will be happy to go along when the cost benefits compared to fuel become clear, and HVAC installers can expect growing interest over time.
    • Wind energy: While wind energy has narrower investment opportunities than other options — primarily wind farms — especially offshore building — I expect this sector to see significant future growth, including the Midwest and coastal states.
    • Targeted solar installations: Solar is more affordable than in years past and offers significant advantages for businesses, especially when it can capitalize on existing space while cutting costs. Two examples are parking lot installations (which also provide shade for cars) and additional rooftop installations on compatible commercial buildings, as well as new residential interest.

    Related: Why Investors Should Look at Vietnam’s Renewable Energy Industry

    Pushback from utility companies

    The growth of renewable energy now sees considerable pushback from utility companies, which see solar energy, in particular, as a threat to their profit models. Among other decisions, utility companies are lobbying state governments to retract programs meant to encourage solar construction and kill models that allow solar energy owners to benefit from the excess electricity they produce.

    This war has already done immense damage in key solar markets in the United States, including California, where regulators have killed solar-related incentives, and Arizona, where utility companies backed a successful campaign to remove any benefits from rooftop solar and Florida, where utility companies are directly writing legislation and sending it to state congress to limit solar power.

    The way forward here is unclear. A war between renewable energy and traditional utility companies yields only the worst results for end users, and governments caught up in shifting laws or regulations make the solar investment even more confusing for newcomers. This may be one of the most significant challenges moving forward from 2023.

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    Abe Issa

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  • Andy Hooper of Hart House on Pioneering a Plant-Based Revolution | Entrepreneur

    Andy Hooper of Hart House on Pioneering a Plant-Based Revolution | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    In the ever-evolving landscape of the restaurant industry Hart House is committed to creating a space where plant-based food options are more accessible to all.

    “This is plant-based food for the people…” Hart House CEO and co-founder Andy Hooper tells host Shawn Walchef of CaliBBQ Media. “…an opportunity to take food that is objectively delicious in its own right that just so happens to be made from something different than it’s normally made from.”

    Hart House is an innovative quick-service restaurant concept founded by Kevin Hart and partners. The company is committed to the future of food, as well as the overall wellbeing of its customers.

    “I founded Hart House to create a good experience that combines the joy of coming together over food, with the power of purpose,” Kevin Hart said on the Hart House website.

    Drawing inspiration from renowned restaurant brands, CEO Andy Hooper envisions a melding of their successes with a goal of creating a job structure that empowers individuals managing Hart House units. Therefore offering them real equity and the opportunity to thrive.

    “What would it look like if we took the best of Chick-Fil-A, the best of Outback’s Managing Partner program, the best of what Darden (Restaurants) has done to build their brand with full service over time. The best of what Cheesecake Factory did with their single unit operators.

    “And rolled that all into a job that gave real equity to the people managing these units?” says Hooper. “Thinking about it more as an investment thesis than a cost management approach.”

    This employee facing experience aligns seamlessly with Hart House’s overarching mission to create a space that is both hospitable to customers and serves the employee.

    Andy Hooper recognizes that a restaurant’s success transcends its physical offerings. Taking cues from industry giants like McDonald’s, Hooper understands that building a lasting brand necessitates careful consideration of every detail that contributes to the broadest possible appeal.

    With Hart House, the team is aiming to embrace the investment thesis that emphasizes the long-term benefits of cultivating a skilled, dedicated, and motivated workforce.

    Hooper’s pursuit of his vision was amplified when he met with multi-hyphenate entertainer extraordinaire and health enthusiast Kevin Hart. During this initial meeting, Hooper posed an important question to Kevin.

    “Candidly, my first question was, why do you need this?” he recalls. “Restaurants, as you know well, are not exactly a get rich quick scheme, especially for somebody who honestly probably has more to lose than to gain, at least on the surface. My question was like, why?”

    Luckily, Hart’s answer aligned with Hooper’s vision and the two set the wheels in motion for what would become Hart House.

    As we witness the birth of a new level of accessibility in plant based foods, the possibilities for both customers and employees in the realm of hospitality are expanding.

    Hart House stands as a testament to Hooper, Hart, and team’s audacity and unwavering dedication to creating a paradigm shift in the restaurant industry and usher in a new era of quick-service food.

    ***

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    Shawn P. Walchef

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