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Tag: Post-pandemic

  • Why Hustle Culture Is Back With a Vengeance, and AI Is to Blame 

    I know that most of us want to memory hole the strange mix of boredom and terror that was the pandemic. But bear with me for a moment and cast your mind back to 2020. With the world shut down and most white-collar work suddenly gone remote, an unexpected change was afoot. Many former strivers appeared to be rethinking their commitment to hustle culture. 

    In 2023, looking back at data from the previous few years, The Atlantic’s Derek Thompson declared that “since 2019, rich Americans have worked less. And less, and less. In a full reversal of the past 50 years, the highest-educated, highest-earning, and longest-working men reduced their working hours the most during the pandemic.”

    Why were so many high performers suddenly reconsidering hustle culture? “I think the pandemic has clearly reduced workaholism,” Yongseok Shin, the Washington University economist behind the numbers Thompson cites, tells him. 

    “Since Covid-19, people have started to reject hustle culture and pull back,” executive coach Brooks E. Scott agreed in an interview with the BBC. 

    The entrepreneurial boom of the early 2000s that built the web (and our world) created not only vast fortunes, but also an ideal that celebrated work obsession and long hours. The pandemic took a giant bite out of this hustle culture ethos. I’m sorry to report it seems to be making a comeback.  

    The AI founders lead the return to hustle culture 

    For the starkest evidence of the return of grinding it out, I point you to a recent Wall Street Journal article, “AI Startup Founders Tout a Winning Formula — No Booze, No Sleep, No Fun.” The headline nicely sums up what you’ll read. It’s full of 20-something founders of mostly AI companies working 90+ hour weeks, eating ramen noodles at their computers, and only talking to other humans to network.

    “They rarely drink, scoff at work-life balance and are locked in a 24-7 competition to be, or appear to be, the most obsessed,” it reports. 

    An Intelligencer article on the same topic likens the current scene in California to the state’s other famous gold rushes — the one for actual gold in the 1840s and the first startup boom a few decades back. It too is full of jaw-dropping details like the guy setting his timer for a strict five minutes of socializing. Or the casual conversations about p(doom). (That’s startup speak for the chance AI will destroy the world — fret not, the kids put it at only a moderately terrifying five to 15 percent.) 

    As with the WSJ piece, the overall picture that emerges is of the complete and triumphant return of hustle culture and the celebration of work-focused monomania in Silicon Valley. 

    Other factors nudging us back to the grind

    Most of us are not 20-somethings hoping to make billions building AI companies, of course. But while the scene in San Francisco is extreme, it’s not totally divorced from what’s happening in the rest of the country. You don’t need to marinate yourself in the internet to know that business and politics have taken a sharp turn away from the warm and fuzzy in the last few years. 

    From Mark Zuckerberg declaring a ‘year of efficiency’ and pining for more “masculine energy,” to to a host of layoffs at other tech companies, to the rhetoric coming from the White House, it’s clear that plenty of leaders were less than thrilled with employees’ reconsidering long hours and blind dedication. A more humane and well rounded approach to life isn’t great for some people’s profits or politics. 

    It’s also not possible if you can barely make ends meet. Considering cutting back hours or finally pursuing that passion project is more feasible with stimulus checks in the bank and post-Covid inflation still in the future. For plenty of people the return of hustling long hours is not a choice but an economic necessity. 

    Are Americans willing to go back? 

    The promise of AI-driven billions. A leadership class clearly sick of unproductive kumbaya. A cultural moment that celebrates ruthlessness. The sky-high cost of living in a precarious feeling world. Take all these factors and put them together and what do you have? A recipe for the return of hustle culture. 

    Or at least an attempt to return us to it. 

    Brutal hours and obsessive focus are clearly back in Silicon Valley. Corporate bosses wielding return to office mandates and exhortations to work 60-hour weeks are trying to bring it back to the corporate world too. 

    Will Americans in general sign up again to glorify grinding it out after having rethought it during the pandemic? That remains to be seen. I’d love to hear your perspective. Have you observed a return to a hustle culture ethos in your corner of the working world? 

    The opinions expressed here by Inc.com columnists are their own, not those of Inc.com.

    Jessica Stillman

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  • The Recipe For Making a Customer For Life: Personalization, Quality, and Care

    The Recipe For Making a Customer For Life: Personalization, Quality, and Care

    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Behind the Review host and Yelp’s Small Business Expert, Emily Washcovick, shares a look at this week’s episode of the podcast.


    Boite de Fleurs

    To some customers, the decision to purchase from a small business rather than a big retailer comes down to something very simple—the experience they have in the store. Due to their size, small businesses have the advantage of being able to build deeper relationships with their customers through exceptional service or a customized product.

    Tina Y., owner of Phoenix floral shop Boite de Fleurs, says her dedication to adding that personalized touch to not only the product but also the shopping experience is what drives her luxury flower business.

    “We make everything curated for the customer who’s ordering it. If they call in and want something specific, even if it takes us a day or two to make sure we get the exact flowers from our vendors, we make sure we do that because we want to deliver a great experience at the end of the day,” she said.

    It was Tina’s genuine care that impressed Yelp reviewer, Reginald M., who went to Boite de Fleurs with his one-year-old son to pick out the perfect Mother’s Day gift for his wife. He says the memory of having the whole store to himself while Reggie Jr. chose the flowers is one he’ll cherish forever—and what cemented his status as a loyal customer.

    “When my son walked in there, they catered to him. He picked out each flower that’s in that arrangement. It was memorable. It’s the kinda things that [mean] I’ll never buy flowers from anyone else.”

    Many small business owners can relate to the origin story of Boite de Fleurs, which Tina started in her garage five years ago. What initially began as a side hustle blossomed into a full business when she opened up her brick-and-mortar store in February 2020, right before the pandemic presented entrepreneurs with unprecedented challenges.

    “Going through the pandemic and not really knowing what to expect or even how long it was going to be and pushing through to actually having a sustainable business for the last three years has been tough,” she said. “But it’s been great at the same time because it’s something I feel like not a lot of people can say that they’ve done or they’ve gone through. That’s not what we were expecting when we first opened up.”

    Despite the obstacles she’s had to overcome in the past few years, Tina’s commitment to customer service has remained constant. She puts meticulous care into everything, from the quality of the product to the delivery process, so that each order is exactly what the customer has envisioned.

    “To me, that’s what it’s all about: making sure I can get whatever it is that the customer wants,” she said. “I just feel like that’s what people want nowadays. Everybody wants something specific, whether they’ve seen it online or somewhere else, or someone else has gotten something.”

    When a potential customer approaches your small business, a good product might not be all they’re looking for. Providing that memorable experience through customer service that goes above and beyond or a special personalized touch is a solid way to leave a strong impression on clients and keep them coming back.

    In this week’s episode, Tina discussed some other great tips that keep her business flourishing:

    • Responding to all reviews, whether they’re positive or critical, is one way to let your customers know they are valued. Customers will notice when you take the time and effort to respond to feedback. In Reggie’s case, he felt special and heard when Tina responded to his review.
    • Your store’s digital presence can often be a potential customer’s first impression of your business. Especially in this day and age, a majority of your customers will find your business through social media or an online review platform like Yelp. Uploading eye-catching photos and accurate information on your social media platforms and review sites can inspire someone’s decision to choose your small business over your competitors.
    • Make sure the quality of your product justifies a higher price point. Many customers won’t mind paying extra for an experience and product that reflects the care and attention that goes into each purchase, especially when it comes to special occasions.

    Listen to the episode below to hear from Tina and Reginald, and subscribe to Behind the Review for more from new business owners and reviewers every Thursday.

    Available on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, and Soundcloud

    Emily Washcovick

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  • How Retailers Can Win In a Post-Pandemic World

    How Retailers Can Win In a Post-Pandemic World

    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    It has been an unprecedented few years for brick-and-mortar retailers, but in 2022, physical stores have started to bounce back. In October, nationwide foot traffic to shopping centers was up more than 18% from two years ago. Meanwhile, 54% of consumers prefer brick-and-mortar retail to any other channel, suggesting that people still love going to physical stores.

    There are bright spots for retailers, but it is important to note that while in-store shopping has surged, the industry has evolved since the pre-pandemic era. Recent consumer habits and preferences that emerged during the pandemic appear to be here to stay.

    Let’s explore these in more detail.

    Related: As Inflation Soars, Consumers Want More Rewards and Shopping Incentives. Here’s How to Give Them What They Want

    A lot of retail journeys start online but end in store

    According to Google, searches for “open now near me” have increased 400% Year-over-Year, which suggests that even those who love shopping offline rely on digital tools to point them in the right direction.

    That’s why it is essential to have a solid online presence in search engines and to improve your business’ discoverability by optimizing your listings in business directories and review platforms. To fully leverage this opportunity, you should ensure your business details are complete, add photos of your location and update your details when needed.

    Social platforms help drive offline traffic

    Social platforms like TikTok and Reels for Instagram and Facebook boomed during the pandemic and continue to be popular today. This is good news for retailers because you can leverage these platforms to drive brand awareness and foot traffic.

    Social apps and platforms are excellent product discovery tools — even for physical retailers, as 81% of shoppers have made an in-store purchase after seeing a product on social media. To stay relevant, you need to meet shoppers where they are, and for many of them, that means being on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube.

    Related: Why Social Media Platforms Are Adopting Ecommerce as a Saving Grace

    Product and order fulfillment expectations are higher than ever

    The rise of ecommerce, “Buy Online, Pay in Store” (BOPIS), and same-day delivery has increased shopper expectations regarding when and how they get their orders. Research and Markets forecast the BOPIS market will reach $703.18 billion by 2027 — representing a 19.3% compounded annual growth rate over six years.

    In-store (and curbside) pickup is here to stay; if you haven’t done so, it’s high time to implement these initiatives.

    That said, it is essential to remember that the success of your order fulfillment efforts will also depend on how well you forecast and manage inventory. Customers have little patience for “out-of-stocks,” as 50% of consumers report that they will switch products, brands or retailers when faced with shortages.

    This is why it is critical to stay on top of stock management. Invest in robust inventory and reporting tools that enable you to identify trends and make smarter ordering decisions.

    Related: The Future of Online Shopping Is ‘Buy Now, Pay Later’

    It’s more challenging to gain true customer loyalty

    The pandemic shook brand loyalty, and shoppers switched brands at an unprecedented rate. On average, US shoppers belong to 17 loyalty programs; but engagement is low, and less than 50% are active loyalty memberships.

    Winning the loyalty game is a challenge, but not an impossible one. The key to improving shopper loyalty is ensuring your brand aligns with your customer’s needs and values.

    Accomplishing that starts with obtaining the right customer insights. Knowing where your customers are from, why they buy from you and what their shopping preferences will enable you to make moves that are relevant to them.

    Omnichannel is now table stakes

    It is no longer enough to have a presence on different channels (e.g., online, in-store, social). You must seamlessly connect these channels to win over and fulfill today’s shopper’s needs, wherever they are.

    To do that, you need a solid commerce platform with omnichannel capabilities. Investing in a point-of-sale solution with built-in ecommerce functionality enables you to sell and manage multiple channels from one system.

    Another option is to choose a retail management platform that can integrate with other solutions. If you already have an existing POS system, set your sights on ecommerce platforms that can integrate with your current tools. Whichever route you take, see that sales, orders and inventory data flow smoothly from one channel to the next.

    The current retail landscape presents numerous challenges; the good news is there are plenty of opportunities for savvy retailers to thrive. Equipping yourself with the correct data and tools will put you in the best position to compete — now and in the future.

    Ana Wight

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  • The power of India’s rising youth rests on its empowered teachers

    The power of India’s rising youth rests on its empowered teachers

    Ancient texts, unique gurukul systems, and a rich history define India’s educational heritage. It is the birthplace of Aryabhatta and Sushruta, the land of Nalanda and Takshashila. It has imparted knowledge and inspired the world for centuries. Cut to 21st-century India, the value of education and teachers has only bloomed, with modern pedagogy and technology making way for us to scale new heights in education.

    Today, our classrooms have changed and tech interventions have transformed the way students learn and teachers teach. With personalisation, collaboration, self-learning, multi-format approaches, and gamification, among others, taking centre stage, our learning environment is constantly evolving.

    Ancient wisdom, however, continues to leave its mark on our education ethos. In the gurukul system, essential teachings were in subjects like language, science and mathematics through group discussions and self-learning. Today, these tools are being rekindled for digital learning in the 21st century.

    At the heart of this learning revolution, however, is a robust, skilled, and digitally empowered pool of teachers. They are the builders of a competent and productive nation and drivers of generational impact.  

    Redefining the role of educators

    Despite the multitude of challenges brought on by the pandemic, when teachers quickly adapted to digital methods and new formats it was not only inspiring but also a true indicator of the fact that learning never stops. It enabled students to continue learning seamlessly. With tech-driven approaches, teachers’ roles are no longer restricted to just imparting knowledge; they now have the freedom to extend their traditional responsibilities to further mentor, guide, and support students towards a brighter future.

    Today, highly-qualified teachers anywhere in the world are able to reach millions of students. They are able to transform lessons into experiences and create a generational impact. The future of education is not about technology over teaching but teaching with technology.

    Armed with digital tools like 2D and 3D animations, interactive tests, and quizzes, teachers are able to harness the full potential of edtech. Leveraging elements such as game mechanics and interactive approaches to learning enables healthy competition and keeps students collaboratively involved in the learning process while also assisting teachers to create better learning paths.  

    Emerging digital tools that use AR and VR to provide engaging and interactive learning formats enable teachers to produce effective modules and facilitate language and phonetic understanding, build cognitive skills, and imbibe problem-solving approaches.

    Imagine this: Tech-empowered teachers can provide their students with the opportunity to explore the ruins of ancient cities while studying history, delve into the intricacies of human anatomy while learning about biology, and even bring numbers to life during maths and physics classes. This just goes on to show that while teaching concepts are universal, effective digitisation has the potential to deepen, enhance, and broaden the influence of learning principles; truly unlocking the potential of a student.

    The critical thinkers and problem solvers of tomorrow are being built in today’s classrooms, and teachers are at the forefront. By empowering students with essential skills, teachers are creating a lasting impact in building a future-ready workforce, one that will drive the nation forward through productive output and innovation.

    India’s digital transformation: Time to look ahead

    The 2021 UN Sustainable Development Report states that the COVID-19 pandemic has wiped out 20 years of gains in ensuring equity in education. In India, 80% of children between 14 to 18 years reported low levels of learning during the pandemic. However, tech-driven initiatives are steadily bridging this learning loss, with efforts such as the e-Vidya scheme and a UNESCO report lauding India’s investments in digital resources during the pandemic.

    Hybrid learning is one such disruption. Bringing together the best of offline and online learning experiences through offerings such as BYJU’S ‘two-teacher model’, (where one expert teacher uses strong visuals and storytelling to explain topics and the second teacher solves instant doubts and pays individual attention), is completely transforming classroom dynamics. These formats not only enable teachers to incorporate valuable digital learning resources but also provide critical offline educational experiences like student interaction, doubt resolution, as well as academic and emotional support.

    Every student deserves an equal opportunity to learn regardless of their socioeconomic standing, geography, or level of education, and having digitally-empowered teachers is an essential component of this process.

    As technologies advance, so will the classrooms of the future and the scope to affect change is limitless. Tech-empowered teachers have the power to greatly expand educational opportunities in the country. By bringing together our tech talent with our inherent expertise in teaching, we can truly see India emerge as a true ‘Vishwaguru’.

    Only by making strategic investments in the wide talent pool of teachers and digital infrastructure can we lay the roadmap for India’s youth to be the powerhouse of knowledge and build learning solutions that scale and modernise education for the 21st century.

    (The author is Sr. Vice President of Curriculum and Learning Experience at BYJU’S)

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  • Tele-Mental Health in the Workplace is Crucial to Employee Morale and Productivity. Here’s Why

    Tele-Mental Health in the Workplace is Crucial to Employee Morale and Productivity. Here’s Why

    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    How can leaders keep their organization or business functioning through these unprecedented times? By understanding and prioritizing mental well-being.

    With the world lurching endlessly between global health and economic crises, conditions have never been more challenging for employers or employees. In the context of record workforce and resource shortages, a drive for sustainability challenges businesses to consider implementing innovations like virtual mental health care in the workplace.

    The state of mental health in the U.S.

    In 2020, as society grappled with the new normal, the nation’s mental health was anything but ordinary.

    During this time, the number of adults reporting anxiety or depressive symptoms quadrupled. This was more than a mere spike — the Mental Health Index (MHI) reported a 71% increase in the risk for depression in workers through 2021, and stress, anxiety, and depression have only recently returned to pre-2020 levels.

    Research has shown that long-term disasters place society at risk for increased stress, anger, anxiety, depression, and substance misuse. This is partly due to financial insecurity, a loss of confidence in authorities, and disruption to everyday life.

    Studies of earlier disasters have shown that increases in mental health service provision may have helped avoid future mental health problems. However, less than half of individuals with mental illness received inpatient mental health services or prescription psychiatric medication in 2020. In addition, communities of color that typically experience difficulty accessing mental health services were disproportionately affected, deepening pre-existing fault lines of health inequity.

    Related: 4 Ways to Help Employees With Their Mental Health and Emotional Needs as You Reopen Offices

    Employers taking the lead

    If any silver lining can be taken from the disruption and trauma experienced, it is the normalization of mental health and employers’ recognition of its importance.

    Major companies are acknowledging the responsibility to their workers. For example, sports giants Nike, Bumble, Hootsuite and LinkedIn have introduced access to digital resources, virtual counseling services, and even paid time off for mental health. Smaller companies are following suit. After 2020, 39% of companies expanded their mental health providers to meet the evolving needs of their employees.

    But why should the employer take the lead? The answer is two-fold.

    As the mental health of the population and workforce declined, employment and productivity declined too. According to the Peterson Institution for International Economics, productivity is falling at the fastest rate on record. Simultaneously, the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) shows that the numbers of people quitting their jobs remain above pre-pandemic levels, with a high turnover in lower-wage sectors.

    While the fiscal impact of poor mental health on employers and employees is well documented, there’s more to this issue than balance sheets and stock prices.

    Employers are expanding benefits to include tele-mental health because it’s the right thing to do. The longstanding false dichotomy between physical and mental health needs to be challenged, and employers can do this by offering integrated healthcare. As Dr. Hilary Grant, Medical Director for Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Foundation Trust, notes, “Mental ill health precipitates, perpetuates, maintains and exacerbates acute and chronic physical health problems.” Offering physical cover alone is like pouring water into a bucket with a hole in the bottom and wondering why it never seems to fill.

    An ongoing need for mental health service provision

    Though one global challenge is over, others have only begun. According to MHI statistics from February – May 2022, macroeconomic trends and the war in Ukraine have led to a 12% increase in stress levels, a 23% jump in general anxiety, and a 53% increase in the risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

    Researchers examining the impact of the global health crisis on society concluded that the frequency of mental health symptoms made access to mental health services, such as telehealth, critical. Though the challenges are different, the need remains unchanged.

    Related: How to Protect Your Team’s Mental Health

    Modern solutions for modern times

    As the global health crisis kept people at home, consumers demanded more convenience across all sectors, healthcare included. As a result, healthcare organizations worldwide were driven to treat people where they were, delivering care in out-of-hospital settings.

    Technology-driven, remote solutions like telemedicine have become part of the architecture of contemporary healthcare. Though the necessity of staying home has passed, virtual care remains relevant as consumers have embraced the flexibility.

    Beyond convenience, virtual solutions underpin equitable access in isolated or marginalized communities, where stigma or a shortage of mental health professionals might otherwise be a barrier.

    The rapidly growing field of tele-mental health

    In the growing telemedicine sector, mental health has taken the lead, accounting for 53% of all consultations in the US between 2005 and 2017. However, mental health services in the US face two significant challenges; a lack of capacity and inequitable geographical distribution.

    Using consumer-grade electronics, tele-mental health is a low-tech answer to both. Multiple studies have shown that clients and providers are satisfied with the transition to virtual consultations. Advantages include:

    • Allowing people to be seen in their homes or workplace rather than in an unfamiliar clinical setting.
    • Avoiding the inconveniences of scheduling.
    • Waiting.
    • Other personal stumbling blocks, such as arranging transport or a babysitter.

    Tele-mental health holds many advantages for businesses, too. Accessible support boosts efficiency by reducing absenteeism and presenteeism, the latter being estimated to cost the United States economy $150 billion per year. As a low-cost option, telemedicine helps employees to avoid co-payments and deductibles, removing financial barriers to medical care and resulting in a healthier workforce.

    In these trying times, many will experience varying levels of mental health and mental illness that affect how they think, feel, and act and their interactions, problem-solving, and decision-making. Whether employees have reported or been diagnosed with mental illness, employers must provide mental health access for all workers and, in turn, their businesses.

    Related: Healthcare For The Masses: Why Tele-Health Is A Game Changer For The Middle East

    Larry Jones

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  • What is Resilience and Why is it Vital to Your Success?

    What is Resilience and Why is it Vital to Your Success?

    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Resilience is the ability to adapt successfully and recover from challenging life experiences. It is the ability to endure adversity and grow despite challenges. Resiliency doesn’t mean there won’t be setbacks, but it’s the strength and will to continue through pain. Take the COVID-19 pandemic as an example. Many people showed resilience by finding means to cope and work through a very challenging period.

    Resilience is not a lack of stress, emotional disturbance or suffering. It is the strength to work through whatever disturbance and suffering life throws you.

    Related: 5 Ways to Adapt to Change and Build a More Resilient Business Model

    Why is resilience important?

    Resilience is important because it’s an essential life skill. Perhaps the best example of resilience was shown by the late Nelson Mandela, who said, “Do not judge me by my success, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.”

    Without resilience, you get easily overwhelmed by challenges and what was supposed to be a temporary setback paralyzes you. Our very survival in this new world depends on our ability to adjust and thrive in the face of trauma and hardship. Without resilience, we fall back on unhealthy traits like avoidance and helplessness. Resilience not only empowers us to accept, adapt and move forward in difficult situations, but it is also the core strength that makes bearing the load of life possible.

    What it takes to change

    When I was in eighth grade, one of my teachers called a student to the front of the class to express how disappointed he was in the student for his performance with school work, despite his obvious potential. The student was none other than me.

    As I stood in front of the class, he explained why he was disappointed in me and how I showed up late to class even though my house was just a few minutes from school. It wasn’t that I flunked; my grades were mostly average. The reason for his disappointment was the potential and opportunity going to waste.

    Related: 8 Ways Successful People Master Resilience

    Although I felt his gesture was harsh, his assessment was accurate. I devoted my time to other things, like playing sports and messing around with my friends. I was an excellent reader as long as it wasn’t schoolwork. I was slacking, my teacher knew it, and I knew it too.

    Anytime results came out, I got nervous and promised myself that “I would change” and put in real effort. Deep down, I knew I was capable of much better than my grades suggested. I felt I just needed to put in real effort to become a success. I had to change something. But how?

    At the end of my senior year, I became so uncomfortable with some of my antics and the kind of person I was becoming. I wanted to be a role model for my siblings; someone others could admire. I realized this was something I would have to do for myself. What I wanted to make out of my life was up to me. And that was when I began to change.

    I was going to college, but I decided to do things differently this time. Right from that moment, I began to direct my energy toward building life skills and habits that reflected the kind of person I wanted to become. I began to spend my weekends getting familiar with the courses I was going to do not only in college but also in my private time. I began to plan and work toward my success.

    There were times I lost focus, but I put myself back on track. I knew I would be a few steps ahead of my colleagues by planning for my success, which gave me a positive feeling. I could see myself changing; I would not be the class clown. I was going to become a more responsible and committed student.

    And that was how it happened. I showed up in college as a student enthusiastic to succeed. After the first semester, I had a reputation as an A student. Sticking to that path of success was no longer an option; I had already set higher standards for myself.

    Related: 7 Keys to Developing Resilience

    Sometimes I think about what would have become of me if I didn’t have that resilience and courage to change. What kind of life would I have? One thing I know for sure is it may have been a life filled with regrets. Regrets for taking the easier way out, regret for not putting in enough effort even though I knew I was capable of more. And even though the change happened slowly and gradually, there were times my friends who knew me as the class clown made fun of me and times I slipped up. The fact that I made the decision to change and showed resilience made me ready at the right moment.

    However, what brought about this much-desired change? Having my new girlfriend certainly influenced me; however, it was nothing more than the fact that I had reached my emotional rock bottom and wasn’t happy with the lack of focus in my life. I began to think of myself and my actions in line with what I wanted to be. More importantly, I didn’t wait to be in college to start changing, I started the journey immediately, even though I was still in high school.

    Perhaps you find yourself in a challenging or overwhelming situation and need to pull through. Resilience will play an essential role in getting you over that line. As a first step, if you can make and stick to the decision to change the way you work, reflect on yourself, and challenge your thought patterns. Over time, you’ll begin to see changes in your life too. By tapping into resilience, you can change how you think and behave to achieve your definition of success. My lived experience says don’t wait, start now!

    Jon Michail

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