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Tag: life hacks

  • Yelp Says the Early Birds Are Taking Over Dining | Entrepreneur

    Yelp Says the Early Birds Are Taking Over Dining | Entrepreneur

    According to research conducted by Yelp, 2023 appears to be the year of the early bird.

    In its 2023 State of the Restaurant Industry report, Yelp found that 10% of all diners were seated between 2-5 p.m.

    The 4 p.m. slot more than doubled from 2% in 2019 to 5% in 2023, according to the study, with 6 p.m. being the most popular reservation time, making up 20% of daily reservations.

    Related: Restaurants Are Adding ‘Inflation Fees’ to Customer Checks

    The Wall Street Journal and The Today Show spoke with business owners and patrons who back these stats. Noting that New York City’s theater industry is falling in line with the early-to-bed-trend, more and more shows are starting at 7 p.m. (as opposed to 8).

    “Traditionally people would say that’s a bad idea. Don’t do a show that early, because people won’t have time to get into the city from the suburbs,” Alexander Donnelly, who runs the theater division of production company PRG, told WSJ. “Now, we’re seeing this desire to get home earlier and get out of the city as quickly as possible.”

    Courtney Lorenttz, general manager of the New York City restaurant Ilili, told Today: “We’ve seen a huge decrease in guests that are dining later. That 10 p.m. guest is not coming anymore.”

    A diner at the restaurant identified as Judy said that eating on an earlier schedule has improved her health. “I sleep better and actually have lost weight,” she said.

    Related: Why Most Restaurants Featured on ‘Kitchen Nightmares’ Fail

    People might be eating earlier, but that doesn’t mean they are eating less. The Yelp study reports positive trends for the food and beverage industry, citing new business openings up 10% from April 2022 to March 2023 compared to the previous year. Yelp says that pop-up restaurants account for a big part of that increase, up a whopping 105%. What began as a cost-savings tactic during the pandemic, pop-ups have continued to share a space and equipment with breweries, bars, and sometimes other restaurants, according to the New York Times.

    Researchers have found that eating earlier dinners has numerous health benefits, like limiting weight gain and spikes in high blood sugar levels. The only trick? Sitting down to a healthy dinner at 5 and then not eating a party-sized bag of chips when you are plopped on the couch and starving at 10.

    Dan Bova

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  • Struggling in Franchising? You Need to Think Bigger. | Entrepreneur

    Struggling in Franchising? You Need to Think Bigger. | Entrepreneur

    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    A few years ago, I was speaking to some friends and colleagues about a vision I had for a new franchise restaurant. I told them the brand had a unique concept and could quickly be on track to 1,000 worldwide locations. The responses were fairly consistent: incredulity and laughter. And these people were supposed to be my friends!

    The brand we talked about was The Halal Guys, a company I work with. After an extremely successful 2022, one in which the company opened its 100th location — and with 300-plus more in development — it was tempting to then ask them, “Who’s laughing now?”

    The plan was aggressive from the jump: We’d target the 50 largest markets in North America, then go international. Most of those major metro areas are covered now, and international expansion has begun with the UK and South Korea. Pulling this all off as quickly as we’d envisioned seemed impossible to a great many, but that ambitious mindset worked.

    Here are some essential strategies I’ve applied in the course of taking more than 10 such brands worldwide.

    Related: 5 Strategies You Need to Build Your Brand

    Think positively

    There’s nothing a failing person likes to see more than someone else fail. So, it’s okay if someone doesn’t see your vision: It wasn’t their vision anyway, it’s yours.

    My story about The Halal Guys isn’t an outlier. When you’re building, many people are going to root for you to tank simply because they aren’t winning, which often means that they’ll give you bad advice, encourage you to back off and/or withhold a helping hand. That’s why it’s so important to think positively about your brand’s potential and growth plan. Because challenges arise for young franchises daily, and panic doesn’t put money in the bank.

    When I was helping PayMore through its initial franchise launch, it seemed that we couldn’t sell to anyone. Despite great unit economics and a scalable business plan, many thought its buy-sell-trade model seemed too much like a pawn shop, and in truth, we weren’t doing the company any favors by presenting it like one.

    Still, there was no panic. We stayed positive and altered our presentation. It’s been a little more than a year now since we launched franchising, and over the last two months have completed more than a dozen deals encompassing 60-plus units. Put simply, positivity paid off.

    Think aggressively

    It’s important to have brand standards, but it’s also important to know when to bend them. You may be dead-set on only allowing multi-unit deals, for example, but the right single-unit deal can get the ball rolling for a stagnant brand, including attracting good press, which could lead to a multi-unit franchisee down the road.

    Also, think about how you can incentivize franchisees to expand their territories because encouraging them to embrace affordable conversions could lead to quicker growth (keep in mind that this requires having the right design and brand standards in place). Thinking aggressively means being prepared to act fast when opportunities arise, so plan accordingly when building your business strategy.

    Part of thinking aggressively is thinking big: Don’t be content with small, steady growth if your concept can handle rapid expansion. Don’t be afraid to go for it.

    Related: As a Leader, You Need to Be Both Positive and Aggressive

    Think beyond yourself

    Building a brand that aims to be a household name is a lot easier with a solid team in place. I’ve always enjoyed getting my hands dirty, and I’ve never worked harder than I did for real mentors and with other people who have taught me about the industry.

    Case in point: I’m working with a new brand out of Chicago called Cilantro Taco Grill. Their story is inspiring — run by a family of first-generation immigrants from Jalisco, Mexico, who built the restaurant as a tribute to their father and as a celebration of the authentic flavors they grew up with. They’ve dominated the quick-service Mexican scene in Chicago, in part because their business plan was born out of familial love. The company’s story and standards are authentic, and its food tastes better because of that.

    This is just part of why it’s so vital to share your goals, and even more so to share your success. Team members should also be in line with the business plan and where the brand is headed — should be thinking positively and aggressively right alongside you. Of course, that requires the right workplace dynamic: People naturally invest themselves in people who take care of them, so incentivize success, offer quality benefits and provide a comfortable workplace.

    Related: Why Are Companies Still Holding Back on Investing in Employees’ Development?

    Think about the future

    The goal for any franchisee should be to get wealthy, certainly, which involves building towards an exit. This business, like virtually all others, is about growing an asset that has the potential to sell at peak value. That’s why you need to be positive, prioritize aggression and focus on building a team — with the very possible goal of attracting a buyer. A profitable five-unit franchise chain that sells at eight times its yearly income could potentially set you up for life — a return most other industries can’t offer in a comparable timeframe.

    You shouldn’t be looking to create a job — heck, you can go find a job. Your future in franchising should be building generational wealth — for your family, your kids and yourself.

    Dan Rowe

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  • Why You Need a “To Don’t” List to Be a Great Leader | Entrepreneur

    Why You Need a “To Don’t” List to Be a Great Leader | Entrepreneur

    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Are you one of those business owners who tend to create a never-ending stream of to-do lists? Maybe you even draw those little squares next to each task and feel a bit of a dopamine rush each time you check off another box.

    To-do lists are such simple but effective task tools for busy entrepreneurs. Of course, in today’s digital world, you might not be putting pen to yellow pad, opting instead for a scheduling or time management application. Whether high-tech or old-school, to-do lists serve a very important purpose in the life of an active business owner. They keep us on track, on task and on time.

    Many of the more organized folks among us carve out time each evening to plot the coming day and prepare their to-do lists accordingly. However, that level of systematic mapping is not for everyone. Many successful people I know maintain a remarkable to-do list in their heads and tackle these tasks as they have the time. The reality is, in one form or another, all business owners have a running to-do list. And those lists can be overwhelming at times.

    That is the dirty little secret about to-do lists. While they might feel comforting in that they allow us to gauge our progress related to our pending tasks, they mask the fact that many of those activities have no business being on that list in the first place. And when I say many, I really mean most.

    So perhaps it is time for a different kind of list.

    Related: 3 Traits Every Successful Entrepreneur Should Have

    You’re not supposed to do it all

    I had a wonderful associate at The Alternative Board, the late great Steve Davies. He was in the office one day and noticed that I was drowning in an endless sea of tasks; my exhausting to-do list was truly unrelenting. I will never forget how Steve looked me straight in the eye, pointed at my list and said, “As the CEO of a global organization, you shouldn’t be doing half of those things.” I knew he was right, but nobody had ever mentioned it before.

    Steve helped me to get things under control by insisting I put together what he called a To Don’t List. He made it really simple. And it was a pivotal moment in my leadership journey.

    Creating a To Don’t list

    Steve explained that I should keep a piece of paper or notepad in the top drawer of my desk. Then came the self-awareness part. He said that whenever I caught myself doing a task that I probably should not be doing, or that could be done more efficiently by someone else, I needed to pull out that sheet of paper and write the task down.

    I want to be clear here. The items added to my To Don’t List were not there because they were below my pay grade. They were not beneath me. They were simply tasks to which I didn’t add any particular value and prevented me from executing higher-level strategic objectives for the organization. So they were prime candidates for delegation.

    Then it was time for some reflection. Once a week or so, I was to review that list and pick one or two items just to stop doing. It was scarier and felt a little more daring than it sounds. I asked myself, who could do this better? Someone internally? Should it be outsourced? Or perhaps the task held such little value that it should be eliminated.

    This was a big step in the right direction. Slowly but surely, my To Don’t List allowed me to spend less time on the things that weren’t really important and more time on the things that required my attention. Throughout the years, it has helped me increase my productivity tremendously.

    Related: You Don’t Have to Go It Alone. It’s Time to Let Go and Let Others Help.

    Tasks for your To Don’t list

    Every business owner is different, as is what is required of them to run a thriving company. But here are some common items you might consider as prime candidates for your own To Don’t List.

    Administrative Tasks: Particularly if you have a secretary or executive assistant, consider delegating the preponderance of scheduling and routine paperwork to someone else.

    Daily Ops: Unless yours is a small business that lacks the staff to conduct day-to-day operations, like inventory or order processing, leave those tasks to your team – and refrain from micromanaging them while you are at it.

    Technology Troubleshooting & Maintenance: If you have an IT team, consider them your resident experts. They likely don’t need substantial input at a technical level, although you are likely still required strategically.

    Routine Decision-Making: Your organization needs your vision. They need your leadership. What they don’t need is for you to oversee every minor decision — delegate decision-making authority to trusted managers.

    Employee Supervision: It is not your responsibility to babysit your team. They are professionals who are capable of performing their jobs without you breathing down their necks, so let them.

    I sometimes wonder if my colleague Steve realized how positively and profoundly his simple advice on creating a To Don’t List affected me as a business leader.

    I hope it works for you too.

    Jason Zickerman

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

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

    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.

    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

    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.

    Brian H. Robb

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  • No. 1 Hot Side Hustle in 2023 Is Something You Might Already Do | Entrepreneur

    No. 1 Hot Side Hustle in 2023 Is Something You Might Already Do | Entrepreneur

    Nearly two in five U.S. adults work a side hustle, according to a new Bankrate survey.

    The opportunities are endless: from your run-of-the-mill tutoring and dog walking to more attention-grabbing examples, like retirees who rake in $20,000 per month answering questions online or people who turn simple household chores into lucrative new gigs.

    Amanda Breen

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  • How to Communicate More Authentically and Effectively | Entrepreneur

    How to Communicate More Authentically and Effectively | Entrepreneur

    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    I want to tell you about an incredibly useful communication framework, one I’ve used with nearly every client I’ve ever had. It’s called Unarguable and Unmistakable, and it’s nothing more than a simple script for being authentic, direct and effective when communicating with others. Yes, there are a lot of similar frameworks out there, but I like Unarguable and Unmistakable because it’s just so easy! It’s as simple as making an unarguable statement followed by an unmistakable request.

    Unarguable

    So, what does “unarguable” mean? Firstly, “arguable” statements are any statements we can argue. It sounds simple, but this includes things that we often think are unarguable, like facts, data and history. Saying, “The sky is blue” might sound like a fact, but it’s entirely arguable. I could tell you that the sky is dark where I am, or that I’m colorblind or that, “It’s not blue, it’s aquamarine!” Unarguable statements, on the other hand, are things that are 100% in our domain and control.

    There are only three things that are unarguable: our own sensations, our own emotions and our own thoughts. “I have a pain in my shoulder” is unarguable — it’s my shoulder. “I feel sad” is unarguable — it’s my emotion. And “I believe the sky is blue” is actually unarguable, too, because I’m framing it as my thought or belief, which is 100% my own. Statements that are unarguable are powerful not because they’re difficult to argue with, but because they’re radically authentic and show others exactly where we’re coming from.

    When we make unarguable statements, we’re not hiding behind the facts and data or asking questions to indirectly communicate intent. Instead of saying “This plan isn’t right” or asking “Why did you come up with that plan?” we can unarguably express “I feel worried about this plan.” It sounds simple (because it is), but the difference is huge. Imagine being on the receiving end of those different statements, and notice how you feel and how you would react differently.

    Related: Authentic Leadership: What Is It and Why is it Important?

    Unmistakable

    The second step, especially if you’re in a position of leadership or making an appeal to someone, is to follow up your unarguable statement with an unmistakable request. What makes a request unmistakable? It has to be three things: simple, genuine and yes or no. Simple means that there isn’t more than one question inside the question. Genuine means that it’s not a statement masquerading as a question, such as “Why did you come up with this plan?” really meaning, “This plan sounds dumb, defend yourself!” And yes or no just means that it’s a clear opt-in or -out request. Unmistakable requests could be: “Can I share my perspective?” or “Are you available for some feedback?”

    The beauty of requests made in this way isn’t just in their simplicity, but also in the fact that people have a chance to say no, in which case, there’s clarity. Or they can say yes, in which case, they’ve opted into being a part of the discussion. They’re now with you and listening in a way that wasn’t available to them when the discussion was one-sided.

    Marrying the above examples of unarguable statements with unmistakable requests could look like, “I feel worried about this plan; would you please walk me through your thinking?” Notice how different that feels. Now the person on the other end knows precisely where you’re coming from and can opt into being a part of the discussion going forward. It’s not malicious or indirect, and to me, it feels much more collaborative and authentic.

    If this all makes sense to you, try to become an anthropologist in the specialty of unarguable statements. Notice and note down when others use statements that are arguable or unarguable, getting curious about how each affects a conversation. Notice and note down when you use those statements, too. Then, take that into daily practice to both use the unarguable statements and couple them with clear, direct unmistakable requests.

    Related: Effective Communication Means Business Success

    Jason R. Waller

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  • Amazon Uses These Psychological Tricks To Take Your Money on Prime Day | Entrepreneur

    Amazon Uses These Psychological Tricks To Take Your Money on Prime Day | Entrepreneur

    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Brace yourselves, dear navigators of the e-commerce maze, as we embark on an exploration of the monumental spectacle of retail that is Amazon Prime Day. Much like the gladiatorial combats of ancient Rome, it’s a thrilling spectacle fraught with both promise and peril. And it’s your cognitive biases that often play the role of both the lion and the gladiator, pitting you against yourself in a fierce battle of wit and will.

    Trap 1: The confirmation bias chimera

    Picture this: you’re browsing through Amazon’s tantalizing offerings and you stumble upon a particularly appealing set of steak knives, which you’ve convinced yourself are just the upgrade your kitchen deserves. Never mind that you’ve managed perfectly well with your current cutlery for years, the deal seems too good to pass up.

    This, my friends, is the confirmation bias chimera, rearing its misleading head. In this case, confirmation bias leads you to seek and believe information that supports your existing predilections, while ignoring anything that contradicts them. Suddenly, every review sounds like an ode to these new knives, all the while downplaying the possible utility of your old set. The antidote? Simple: approach each deal with an open mind, always willing to challenge your preconceived notions.

    Related: You’re Probably Falling for All of Amazon Prime Day’s Psychological Sales Tactics. A Marketing Professor Reveals Them — and How You Can Actually Get the Best Deal.

    Trap 2: The attentional bias abyss

    Clicking through the alleys of Amazon’s discounts can sometimes feel like trying to find a needle in a haystack, only for the haystack to be filled with dozens of distracting shiny objects. This is the attentional bias abyss, a trap that lures you into focusing only on aspects that catch your fancy while sidelining the not-so-glitzy details.

    Your eyes light up at the sight of an enormous discount on a flashy 4K TV, but fail to register the hefty fees for peripherals, or perhaps the inferior brand reputation. The way out of this abyss? Be a vigilant explorer. Make it a point to scrutinize every detail before you click “Buy Now.”

    Trap 3: The anchoring bias albatross

    Who hasn’t fallen for the classic “discounted from a staggering price” trope? You see a blender originally priced at $200 now selling for $100, and you’re convinced it’s a steal. This is the work of the anchoring bias albatross, forcing you to base your judgments and decisions on the first piece of information you encounter.

    But what if the blender’s real value is closer to $80, and it’s been artificially inflated to trick your cognitive biases? The defense? Make sure you do your market research before Amazon Prime Day arrives. Knowing the true worth of an item can keep the albatross at bay.

    Related: 3 Ways New Amazon Sellers Can Stand Out From the Crowd on Prime Day

    Trap 4: The loss aversion leviathan

    The loss aversion leviathan feeds on your fear of missing out. The Prime Day deal will disappear on July 12! The ticking clock nudges you into a hurried purchase. You’d rather not risk the regret of missing out on the deal, even though you don’t truly need the item.

    The beast of loss aversion leads you to value the avoidance of losses over equivalent gains. After all, the sting of losing $10 often feels stronger than the joy of gaining the same amount. The weapon to slay this leviathan? Practicing self-restraint. Remember, there will always be another deal, another discount, another Prime Day.

    Trap 5: The optimism bias ogre

    Finally, we come face-to-face with the optimism bias ogre, the creature that convinces you that everything will work out in your favor. It’s the force behind your belief that the laptop you’ve just bought won’t turn out to be a dud, or that the designer dress you’ve ordered will fit you perfectly.

    But the ogre’s optimism can lead to disappointment and unnecessary expense. Don’t let the optimism bias cloud your judgment. Make sure to thoroughly research products, read customer reviews, and double-check your sizing before making a purchase.

    Conclusion

    Avoiding these cognitive traps on Amazon Prime Day requires both awareness and strategy, but with these tools in your arsenal, you can conquer the event like a seasoned gladiator, with your wallet — and your sanity — intact. Step forth into the arena, armed with the knowledge of your cognitive biases, and claim the spoils of retail victory!

    Gleb Tsipursky

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

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

    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.”

    Amanda Breen

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  • How Micromanaging Your Creative Team Leads to Mediocrity | Entrepreneur

    How Micromanaging Your Creative Team Leads to Mediocrity | Entrepreneur

    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    It can be hard to let go of control and let others take the reins. I get it.

    As a graphic designer turned creative agency founder, I struggled with this myself in the earliest days of my company. I had started my career doing the same work I needed to eventually hand off to my team, so I could expand my focus. And it was hard. But I did it. I had to.

    Now, for different but equally important reasons, I often tell our branding clients the same thing: You’ve got to let go.

    Related: Why You Need to Stop Micromanaging Your Team and Learn to Let Go

    The importance of letting go

    When hiring a creative team for your branding and design, giving space to let others move is about more than just freeing your time for other areas of the business. It’s also about quality: If you apply too much control without having a strategically sound design background, the reality is you risk getting bland design. The more you try to direct the creative process, the more you risk losing all benefit of calling in expert, talented creatives in the first place. And you hired them for a reason.

    Ideally, you hired a team with stellar experience, creative vision and style. Even better, you hired a team that also understands strategy. When you work with professionals like this — who possess vision, futuristic thinking and impressive design talent — it’s just a matter of setting the necessary parameters and then giving them space to play and innovate. The best campaigns are usually the result of creatives taking risks. So let them!

    As a founder, you bring your own irreplaceable skill set to what you do, but unless you also have a creative background, your team probably has a different mode of genius. You don’t want to suffocate their creative process before it has a chance to really wow you.

    Would you hire Andy Warhol and tell him that Campbell’s soup can would really be more striking in pastels? Would you bring in Monet and insist on choosing each individual flower he paints in a field?

    I hope not.

    While your business has specific needs, the truth remains that creatives need space to shine their brightest. Your input is essential, of course, and when all is said and done, you need to absolutely love the end result. But as the process unfolds, remember that your aim is to be a constructive collaborator — not a controller — and to trust the process. That means working with the team so they know what objectives you need accomplished and then letting them do what they’re great at.

    This process comes down to a foundation of trust and hiring a team you can believe in.

    Related: True Leadership Requires Letting Go of Control

    Easier said than done? Here are a few tips to help you get there:

    • Hire a team with incredible vision, style, experience and strategic thinking that aligns with your objectives. When interviewing, ask thoughtful questions upfront about what means most to you, and look at their portfolio of work. But do not hire an agency because you want exactly what they did for another client. A good agency will steer you on a path that is unique to you and your objectives, not an echo of another look-alike brand.

    • Once you’ve hired a great team and let them know your needs and essential parameters, it’s time to give appropriate space. Set a firm intention to not overtly control the design, unless this is your background and a clearly communicated part of the process you’ll go through together — yet, then I beg the question of why you hired an outside team in the first place if only just to push them around. The best results happen when you communicate clearly at the outset, then sit back, trust the process, and try to see the proverbial forest through the trees.

    • When it is time to offer your opinion, do not design by jury or constantly ask outsiders not involved in the project for their opinions. This will only confuse things. An abundance of opinions often keeps you from really forming your own.

    • Lastly, if something isn’t working, don’t just keep ruminating on it quietly for fear of hurting feelings. Communication is a two-way street, and both sides need to be in lockstep. Share with the team what works for you and what doesn’t, then step aside again. Remember that even if you don’t love the first ideas you see, it’s still important to not lose trust and take control. The best creative processes are often messy and iterative. After you offer your feedback, let your creative team recalibrate and reach for something great that’s more aligned.

    It can be hard to let go, but it’s so important. If you find yourself struggling to give enough space to your creative team, just remind yourself: With too tight of a grip, your creative work will be mediocre at best. I can guarantee it.

    If you let go even just a little, the outcome will be 120% better than you envisioned. Lean into trust, and expect great things to follow.

    Related: What Is Laissez-Faire Leadership? What Are Its Benefits and Drawbacks?

    Taja Dockendorf

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  • 10 Simple Ways to Build a Collaborative and Efficient Team at Work | Entrepreneur

    10 Simple Ways to Build a Collaborative and Efficient Team at Work | Entrepreneur

    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, the importance of building an exceptional work team cannot be overstated. A high-performing team can drive innovation, increase productivity and ultimately improve business outcomes.

    As someone who’s both built great teams and failed at doing so, I understand teamwork’s critical role in achieving success. In this article, we’ll explore solid factors that contribute to building an exceptional work team and provide actionable steps to help you create a winning formula for your organization.

    1. Establish a clear vision and purpose

    The foundation of any successful team is a clear and compelling vision. This vision should define the team’s purpose and inspire and motivate its members. To create a strong vision, consider the following:

    • Align the team’s goals with the organization’s mission and strategy.
    • Ensure that every team member understands their role in achieving the vision.
    • Communicate the vision regularly and consistently to maintain focus and motivation.

    2. Recruit the right talent

    An exceptional team consists of diverse individuals who bring unique skills, experiences and perspectives to the table. When recruiting team members, focus on the following:

    • Look for candidates with complementary skill sets that will enhance the team’s overall capabilities.
    • Consider cultural fit and how well a candidate’s values align with the organization’s.
    • Don’t be afraid to hire people who may challenge the status quo, as they can often drive innovation and improvement.

    Related: Diversity in the Workplace: Benefits and Why You Need It

    3. Cultivate a culture of trust and mutual respect

    Trust and mutual respect are essential elements of a high-performing team. To foster these qualities, consider the following:

    • Encourage open and honest communication among team members.
    • Create an environment where mistakes are seen as learning opportunities rather than failures.
    • Recognize and celebrate the achievements of individual team members and the team as a whole.
    • Address conflicts and disagreements promptly and constructively.

    4. Emphasize effective communication

    Clear and open communication is vital for any team to function at its best. To promote effective communication, consider the following:

    • Provide regular opportunities for team members to share updates, concerns, and ideas.
    • Implement tools and processes that facilitate efficient communication, such as project management software or team messaging platforms.
    • Encourage active listening and ensure every team member feels heard and understood.
    • Foster a culture of feedback, both positive and constructive, to help team members grow and improve.

    5. Encourage collaboration and teamwork

    Exceptional teams excel at working together to achieve their goals. To encourage collaboration and teamwork, consider the following:

    • Assign tasks and projects that require cross-functional collaboration, allowing team members to learn from one another and build stronger working relationships.
    • Create opportunities for team members to socialize and bond outside of work, such as team-building events or informal gatherings.
    • Recognize and reward collaboration and teamwork in performance evaluations and promotions.

    Related: Six Tactics To Improve Collaboration For Remote Teams

    6. Provide opportunities for growth and development

    To maintain a high-performing team, investing in your team members’ professional growth and development is essential. Consider the following:

    • Offer training and development programs that align with the team’s and the organization’s needs.
    • Encourage team members to pursue new skills and knowledge through conferences, workshops, and online courses, provide regular performance feedback and create individual development plans to help team members reach their full potential.

    7. Set clear expectations and hold team members accountable

    A high-performing team requires clear expectations and accountability. You can do this by clearly defining each team member’s roles and responsibilities and establishing measurable goals and objectives for the team to work towards.

    Related: Set Yourself Up for Success By Setting Expectations

    8. Foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement

    Exceptional teams are always looking for ways to improve and innovate. To foster this mindset, consider the following:

    • Encourage team members to experiment with new ideas and approaches.
    • Provide resources and support for team members to pursue innovative projects or initiatives.
    • Recognize and celebrate successes, as well as learn from failures.

    9. Be adaptable and resilient

    Adaptability and resilience are crucial for any team in today’s fast-paced business environment. To develop these qualities, consider the following:

    • Encourage team members to embrace change and view it as an opportunity for growth.
    • Develop contingency plans to help the team navigate unexpected challenges or setbacks.
    • Foster a culture of optimism and positivity, even in the face of adversity.

    Related: Resilience Is One of the Most Essential Entrepreneurial Traits. Practicing This Can Help You Build It.

    10. Lead by example

    As a leader, your actions and behaviors set the tone for your team. To create an exceptional work team, lead by example and embody the values and attributes you want to see in your team members.

    Building an exceptional work team takes care, emotional intelligence, and time. By focusing on these key factors and implementing the actionable steps outlined in this article, you can create a high-performing team that drives innovation, increases productivity and ultimately leads to better business outcomes — and better still, you’ll have amassed a group of genuine allies and collaborators.

    Christopher Massimine

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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

    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.

    Rachel S. Ruby

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

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

    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.

    Terry Rice

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  • How Silence Can Be Used as a Tactic for Motivating Teams and Negotiating Deals | Entrepreneur

    How Silence Can Be Used as a Tactic for Motivating Teams and Negotiating Deals | Entrepreneur

    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    The world is getting louder. There is enough noise to make silence uncomfortable, and it affects our interactions. In conversation, loudness is perceived as powerful. In meetings, opinions are broadcast at high volumes. But there is a strong case for staying quiet, especially at work, and especially for business leaders looking to motivate teams or negotiate difficult deals.

    Entrepreneurs often assume their silence will be taken for indecisiveness. To understand the benefits of being quiet, it’s helpful to unpack the minds of quiet people, including misperceptions.

    Related: Making The Case For ‘Silent Leadership’

    Quiet people are not always introverts

    Introverts are having a moment, with advocates like Susan Cain calling introversion a superpower, making the case that observers can better assess problems and digest information. Introversion and extroversion are personality types that remain fairly consistent throughout our lives. Though introverts focus more on silent contemplation, anyone can be quiet. Most of us manage to stay silent when circumstances call for observation more than outward reactions — in presentations or movie theatres, for instance.

    Unlike introversion, quietness is context-dependent, which means it can be used as a tactic.

    Silence is not the absence of thought

    During meetings that call for brainstorming, it’s easy to assume that quiet people are just taking up space. The myth that links silence to ineptness is shifting as awareness grows around power dynamics, diversity and inclusion, and psychological safety. When barriers prevent people from speaking, they must be addressed. Additionally, quiet people might need more time. Observers might be internal processors.

    We absorb information in accordance with our communication and learning styles. External processors speak through ideas as they come to mind. Thinking out loud helps them take in details and make decisions. Internal processors need to sit with all the data before saying anything.

    Processing styles can also be context-dependent, so consider which style works best for you in any given scenario. You might take more time to digest complicated problems brought to you by direct reports, for instance, but prefer to be vocal and collaborative during strategy sessions with peers.

    Related: 25 Ways to Lead, Inspire and Motivate Your Team to Greatness

    You can become the strong, silent type

    The quiet tactic is most helpful when your thoughts are emotionally nuanced. If you disagree with a colleague’s strategic direction, taking more time to percolate before briefing your team is a good idea. Compose yourself so you can appear outwardly positive when you discuss the changes.

    Stay quiet at times when negotiations will only happen once, like key hiring decisions. Verbal offers are tempting if you get along with the interviewee; it’s often wise to wait until they’ve left to review qualifications from all the top candidates. Being quiet is also helpful when something upsets you, like a pitch that didn’t land as you expected or rejected requests for budget increases. Remember the old idiom, “It’s better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt.” Silence allows you to regroup before agreeing to anything prematurely.

    Finally, stay quiet with your team. As a psychologist, I can vouch for this tactic, used often in classic psychoanalytic therapy. Most people fill uncomfortable silence, and whatever follows a pause is often vital. When leaders wait to speak or react, direct reports tend to blurt out what they are really thinking, add context to an earlier point or clarify something they have been replaying in their minds.

    Uncomfortable silence is also part of the sales process. When you leave space after pitching, you get the customer’s perspective, reaction, and oftentimes, more details about their needs. This becomes data leveraged to close the sale.

    Stay quiet as a tactic in your own work habits. Which scenarios call for listening more than talking?

    Sherry Walling, PhD

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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

    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    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.

    Josh Goldenberg

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  • Trust Me—These 12 Fashion Hacks Will Make Your Life So Much Easier

    Trust Me—These 12 Fashion Hacks Will Make Your Life So Much Easier

    Whether it’s figuring out how to wear a bra with your halter top or dealing with an unfortunate sweat stain on one of your favorite dresses, you’re bound to encounter a fashion-girl problem sooner or later. Luckily for you, the internet is chock-full of hacks that require minimal effort and can not only make dressing easier but also expand your wardrobe. If I’m going to be honest, some hacks I’ve seen online can come off as simple but can end up being entirely more complicated than necessary. Don’t worry, though, because this list consists of tried-and-true hacks that my fellow editors or I have tried out when we end up with a little clothing mishap.

    The hacks below aren’t just hacking clothing while being worn. We even dropped some helpful hacks for cleaning, organization, and anything that can maximize your wardrobe to the fullest. Don’t believe me? Just keep scrolling. You can try them out and say you’re welcome later on.

    Yusra Siddiqui

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  • 6 Reasons to Consider Travel Insurance | Entrepreneur

    6 Reasons to Consider Travel Insurance | Entrepreneur

    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

    Laura D. Adams

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  • The Top 5 All-Time Best Productivity Hacks You’ve Never Heard Of | Entrepreneur

    The Top 5 All-Time Best Productivity Hacks You’ve Never Heard Of | Entrepreneur

    Want to combat chronic procrastination? Use these top five productivity hacks to put an end to this debilitating nuisance.

    Ben Angel

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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

    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.

    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

    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.

    Dr. Sabrina Starling

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