How Women Can Use Online Resources to Be Successful in the Workplace

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Being a woman in the workplace can come with a unique set of challenges, but it can also come with some serious rewards if you play your cards right. Look through these tips and resources, and connect when you need professional expertise!

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Yes, You Can Start a Business Without Taking a Leap of Faith

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Yes, You Can Start a Business Without Taking a Leap of Faith
Article Contributed By Chelsea Lamb, Business POP

The virtues of entrepreneurship are well-known and oft-extolled. For one thing, you enjoy a great deal of flexibility and control over your day-to-day. For another, you can expect to be continually learning as well as exponentially growing as a person and a professional— and, of course, in profit. 

But even with all these likely perks, it’s not rare for one to approach the idea of entrepreneurship with a great deal of trepidation. After all, you could essentially be jumping off the deep end and, in many cases, without a lifeline. However, you do have the choice to make your foray into entrepreneurship with due caution and, in turn, maintain your peace of mind. Let us count the ways.

Start with copious research.

This may be stating the obvious, but yes, you shouldn’t start a business venture without adequate due diligence. There are, in fact, a good number of things you must be privy to if you are to hit the ground running as an entrepreneur. First of all, you’ll need to research your business idea and determine whether there is a market for it. This will lead to market research, which will also give you an idea of what the competition is doing and how to reach your target demographic.

As you navigate the information you’re compiling, never underestimate the power of a well-chosen niche. It’ll help you build branding, hone in on customers, and foster relationships. If you’re at a loss for defining your business’s unique characteristics, connecting with Liz Strom is a smart way to develop a better understanding of your market and opportunities.

Buy what you need with care.

All businesses have core gear simply to do the work. At the most fundamental level, you’ll need to buy tech like hardware and software and, in many cases, furniture, organizational items, and other equipment. 

For best financial practices, prioritize what you truly need immediately, and determine what can wait further down the line. Keep in mind that it’s wise not to scrimp on those elements which are the lifeblood of your business. A trustworthy laptop and/or a top-quality printer will all but ensure that you won’t have to make this expense again for a long time. 

Look into your funding options.

The costs associated with starting a business can leave anyone with the heebie-jeebies, especially if you’re paying for it out-of-pocket. As Camino Financial explains, while there is no one-size-fits-all amount, it isn’t probably as bad as you think; 44 percent of businesses begin with under $5,000. Yet that doesn’t mean it must all derive from your savings.

In order to offset your expenses, consider looking into small business funding to help increase your cash flow and, by extension, your peace of mind. There are many options to consider, ranging from government funding like traditional SBA loans, SBA Express Bridge Loans, and the Main Street Business Lending Program, to non-government financing. Needless to say, finding out your eligibility for small business financing can be a smart move, as these are ready funds that can help you buy equipment, increase inventory, hire manpower, or boost capital. Best of all, it can help alleviate your stress and maybe even make your entrepreneurial journey a truly pleasurable one.

There’s little doubt that entrepreneurship could be your biggest adventure yet. However, there’s no denying how great it will reward you if you do it with care and prudence, as well as take full advantage of the resources accessible to you. Ultimately, that’s just good business savvy, and the moment you start your business, you’ll already be in the process of developing yours.

The Things You Need to Make Your Transition to Remote Work an Easy and Seamless One

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The Things You Need to Make Your Transition to Remote Work an Easy and Seamless One
Article submitted by Chelsea Lamb, BusinessPOP

Working from home has been a much-touted way of working since technology has made it possible, and its virtues have only increased in this, the age of social distancing. However, if you’re new to remote work, you may find that it’s also rife with challenges. In fact, if you’re used to working away from your home, such as in a company office, you may even find yourself struggling with the change. Fear not, though, as there are ways to make this transition easy for you. Here are the things you should focus on.

A Dedicated Workspace

The shift to home-based work can make one feel like fish out of the water. Make this transition easier for you by creating a dedicated work environment that fully supports your work needs.

  • You can build a home office even out of a small area, as long as you make space.

  • It’s a good idea to get internet and telephone wiring installed by pros, not only to ensure that it’s done right but so that it’s not an eyesore, as well.

  • Check out great home office ideas to give you inspiration as you build your workspace.

  • Invest in a good desk and other such furniture that’s appropriate for your space.

  • If you’re hard of hearing or have other special needs, also take additional measures to ensure that your home office supports your specific condition and needs.

An Arsenal of Effective Tools

As a newly-minted remote worker, it can be easy to feel isolated, as well as to succumb to myriad distractions. Make your work-from-home life more structured and streamlined with the right apps in your toolset.

A Productive Mindset

Much of remote work is mind over matter, so sustaining the right mindset will keep you focused and creative. Make the effort to maintain healthy routines that not only help in keeping you productive but also in keeping your mental health in check.

  • When dealing with the transition to remote work, as well as the pandemic, you can support your mental well-being with some useful resources from life coach Liz Strom.

  • Having a morning routine can keep the stress and isolation of working from home at bay.

  • It’s also wise to practice self-care to maintain peak productivity and creativity.

Yes, making the transition to remote work can be daunting. However, when you take measures to support this change and really put your heart into it, you may come to like it, in time — and maybe even wonder why it took you so long to make the change.

Why I Almost Didn't Want To Go On Vacation

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For the past week, I have been on vacation.
1) I almost didn't want to go.
2) I completely unplugged from my emails.
3) I almost didn't want to come home.
All true.

WHY I ALMOST DIDN'T WANT TO GO:
The short answer is that I got stuck in a mindset. My mind was on go-go-go mode. I felt like I had too much going on to take a vacation, even though it had been planned for quite some time. I felt I needed to stay behind my desk to accomplish more before I could take "time off". This is when I knew I really need to take time-off the most. I was putting others (and tasks) before my own well-being. I couldn't get through to the idea of relaxing, or relate to being relaxed. We shouldn't get to this point, but when we do-- it's time to unplug and take a step back.

THE PROMISE TO UNPLUG:
I promised myself that, when I set foot on that cruise ship, I was going to stop worrying about work. The only way for me to set work-worries aside is to not check emails. I activated my email vacation auto-responder, stuck to my word, and let myself just relax while on my trip. It worked! I set boundaries and I stuck to what I said I'd do.

WHY I ALMOST DIDN'T WANT TO COME HOME:
The short answer here is that I learned to relax and got used to the idea of "turning it off". I love my home so of course I wanted to return, but being able to breathe and let my mind focus on more light-heartedness made me feel alive. I also love the sun, sand, ocean, meeting people, and learning new things.

I relearned that, the more I go away, the more of me I find.

I found ME again on this vacation. Not that I'm not "me" when I'm not on vacation, I realize I'm just way more "work-me" when I'm not away and I let that Liz completely take over. I'm hardworking, organized, intelligent, educated, calculated, and so on... but I almost forgot how light-hearted, bold, daring, and fun I know I am, too!

Remember that you have to have a life to have work-life balance.

#worklifestyle #worklifebalance#lifecoach #vacation

Crown Bay, Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands

Crown Bay, Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands

Blame

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When it sounds like someone is blaming you for something, it's a reflection of what's going on inside of them...

There are many instances for which blame is what it is: someone did something / people did something / a group did something. It can be very black and white.

When someone blames you for doing this-and-that, be aware of how you're feeling when you're blamed. The traits we tend to dislike in others are usually traits we do not like about ourselves / our past. The same for those who are placing the blame on you / others. These need to be healed.

We have to be held accountable for our own actions, our own feelings, our own outcomes. Hold yourself accountable.

Do not blame unless you're ready to face those consequences. When you're blamed, take a step back and examine what's really happening.

Heal. Live. Keep going. 💛

Photography by Juan Pablo Cadenas | IG @juanpsa

Photography by Juan Pablo Cadenas | IG @juanpsa