Category: career

7 Ways to Overcome Impostor Syndrome As an Entrepreneur

By Natja Böttcher

“Can I really do this? Will my customers eventually discover that I’m not as capable as they think?”

A certain level of self-awareness is necessary to be a successful business owner. However, when this self-awareness combines with a high level of analytical understanding and high cognitive ability, it becomes a breeding ground for self-criticism. At some point, many entrepreneurs will question their own abilities. And when the feeling of “I’ll eventually be found out” becomes pervasive, it signifies the presence of impostor syndrome.

One study found that
84% of entrepreneurs experience impostor syndrome, with those in leadership positions being particularly affected. It’s a problem that often affects new business owners, as they struggle with the belief that they are not good enough or incompetent, and fear being exposed as frauds.

Common symptoms of impostor syndrome are:

  • Self-doubt
  • Inability to realistically evaluate one’s own skills and competence
  • Setting excessively high self-imposed standards
  • Unconsciously sabotaging one’s own success
  • Perfectionism
  • Experiencing overload and burnout
  • Maintaining impossibly high self-expectations
  • Low self-esteem
  • Lack of self-confidence

To gain a deeper understanding of the underlying causes, as well as strategies for overcoming this self-doubt, continue reading.

Causes of impostor syndrome

The “impostor phenomenon,” as it was originally called, was
first identified in 1978 by psychologists Pauline R. Clance and Suzanne A. Imes. Clance and Imes surveyed successful women who had officially been recognized for their professional achievements and found that many of these women believed that their success was due to luck or that their accomplishments were overrated. It should be noted that while women were the focus of this study, men are affected by this phenomenon as well.

As a life and business coach, I have observed that the origin of this syndrome often lies in childhood. Children whose parents were unable to instill enough self-worth in them often develop the belief that they can only earn love and recognition through performance. This causes pressure accompanied by fear of failure. Many parents expect too much from their children, and as adults, these children expect the same from themselves. The result is massive self-doubt.

People who consider themselves impostors often employ different coping strategies. Some lean towards perfectionism, exhibiting diligence and meticulousness in their work. They meticulously prepare every detail and leave nothing to chance. If these individuals achieve success, they see their approach as confirmation and become even more meticulous. Nothing is ever good enough for them.

Others resort to procrastination. Instead of focusing on their work, they worry and envision failure, embarrassment, and rejection. They constantly belittle themselves. Even if they achieve success, they do not acknowledge it and attribute it to luck.

Regardless of the chosen coping mechanism, the end result remains the same.

Overcoming impostor syndrome

To conquer impostor syndrome, follow these steps:

Step 1: Recognize negative behaviors

The first step toward improvement is recognizing the problem itself. Be aware of moments when you doubt your accomplishments. Question why it is difficult for you to acknowledge your own achievements. For example, do you compensate for self-doubt with an excessive focus on high performance? Or do you tend to procrastinate? Instead of ignoring doubts and fears, recognize them when they arise.

Step 2: Separate those feelings from facts

Remember that you are not defined by your thoughts or feelings. Even if you believe and feel that you are not as competent as other entrepreneurs, the reality may be quite different. Instead of fixating on perceived deficiencies, focus on your abilities.

Step 3: Appreciate your small successes

Your worth is not solely determined by major accomplishments, but also by the small successes that are often taken for granted. Take the time to acknowledge and appreciate these moments.

Step 4: Embrace failures as opportunities

Failure does not define your worth. Even if you don’t achieve your goals, you retain your value. Avoid hiding failures and then feeling like an impostor. Instead, view failures as opportunities for growth. You may gain valuable insights for future endeavors or discover new paths you had not considered before. Allow yourself to fail.

Step 5: Accept compliments

If you struggle to accept compliments and downplay your achievements, it is likely due to feelings of insecurity. Appreciating your own accomplishments becomes even more challenging when you cannot accept appreciation from others. However, receiving compliments can contribute to building self-worth. Therefore, learn to accept compliments gracefully. After all, people give them for a reason.

Step 6: Seek support

Self-doubt is a universal experience. If it significantly affects your daily life and behavior, it is crucial to work on your self-perception. If you find it difficult to break free from negative thought patterns on your own, consider seeking coaching or mentoring to help change your behavior and strengthen your self-esteem.

As a new business owner, connecting with other entrepreneurs can also provide valuable support through shared experiences, reminding you that you are not alone. So, surround yourself with a supportive network.

Step 7: Understand that you don’t have to be special to succeed in business

Business owners are ordinary individuals without inherent extraordinary abilities. The skills required to build and lead a successful business can be learned and developed.

Imposter syndrome FAQs

How do people with imposter syndrome think?

People experiencing impostor syndrome often feel that despite their accomplishments and abilities, they are not truly competent. They tend to attribute their achievements to external factors or luck. Consequently, instead of recognizing their success, they downplay them feeling like frauds or impostors who fear others may uncover their perceived incompetence.

Do entrepreneurs have imposter syndrome?

Yes, entrepreneurs can also experience impostor syndrome. It can affect many successful entrepreneurs. Impostor syndrome tends to be particularly prevalent among entrepreneurs due to the risks they take, the responsibilities they carry, and the challenging environments in which they operate, constantly needing to prove themselves.

How do entrepreneurs overcome imposter syndrome?

Entrepreneurs can overcome impostor syndrome by acknowledging their own successes. Developing a deep awareness of their strengths and abilities is crucial, allowing them to resist the influence of self-doubt. Seeking connections with fellow entrepreneurs, mentors, or coaches provides opportunities to exchange experiences and gain support.

About the Author

Post by: Natja Böttcher

Natja Böttcher is a certified coach and writer from Germany. She helps ambitious job seekers in finding clarity in their career path, so that they can land their dream job to pursue their life vision.

Company: Natja Böttcher Coaching

Website:
www.natja-boettcher.com

Connect with me on
LinkedIn.

Planning Your Career: How to Map a Path to Success

By Chris Fontanella

You’ve just started your career or are about to. Images dance in your head: you as the architect behind the hottest new app or video game; you as a New York Times best-selling author after writing your first book; you as the CEO of a media empire . . .YOU—the latest overnight success story to hit the scene.

I get it. We all want our name in lights.

Dream big but plan on measured growth

The sooner you start dreaming big about your career the better. When it comes to your future, you should have awe-inspiring ambitions, ginormous goals, outsized objectives, and infinite intentions. Think big because exceptional career enterprises seldom spring from dainty dreams. Your aspirations can become a reality, if you truly want them to be—just don’t expect it to happen overnight.

Instead, take the advice offered by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson in their book
Rework, telling us to “trade the dream of overnight success for slow, measured growth.” Many will choose quick success and become nothing. Few will choose the careful path, but those who do will more likely end up with a noteworthy career and future. This is because they are willing to advance step-by-step, a process implied in the words “career development.”

4 steps to progressive career development

1. Map out your area of exploration

Take the time to outline the territory you want to explore career-wise. The contours of your map can consist of almost anything: interests, desires, dreams, talents, hobbies, education, and experiences—whatever calls your name and tugs at your heart. Sketch them out, so to speak. They will help to hone in on where to begin your exploration. Time taken at this step will set the stage for you to unearth career treasures.

2. Bring a shovel

A perfect career awaits you, but finding it requires a willingness to dig, which is why you’ll need a shovel. Dream jobs and careers are seldom found in plain sight. More often than not, they must be excavated. So, a superficial approach to discovering the career you really want—an unwillingness to go deep and get below the surface—will not do. Career archeologists, those who want to have a noteworthy vocation, usually have dirt under their fingernails, an indication that they’ve been digging in the field of employment opportunities until they find the one they really want.

3. Be willing to make map amendments

When mapping out your territory of exploration, resist the temptation to tightly define your boundary lines. More than likely, changes to your map will need to be made. Some people think the bolder the lines, the more accurate the map. However, such map-making bravado is presumptive and does not allow for adaptations.

Absolute and rigid map lines—on paper and in your mind—are hard to erase, and you will find, as I have, that change (the whatnots that can happen on any given day) plays a role in map creation. As your career evolves, remain open to making map amendments. It’s the career-minded person’s equivalent of lather, rinse, repeat.

4. Expect obstacles

At the onset of your career and later stages, you will come across a plethora of problems that may hinder your progress. Instead of being deterred by such obstacles, consider what message they are sending. Are they confirmation that you are onto something and heading in the right direction? Or, is it time to reevaluate your path?

Remember that time is on your side

One of the greatest blessings you’ve been given is time. Most of us assume we have more time than we do and waste more of it than we should. Don’t waste it, but don’t be in a rush either. If you’re anything like I was when I commenced my career, you’ll want to get where you are going as soon as possible. Becoming an overnight success may sound exciting, but careers, like most things, develop at a less rapid rate and improve over time. Time is on your side whether you know it or not. JK Rowling’s Harry Potter series was published years after her initial idea for the story.

A slow pace in developing your career should not be confused with a lack of success; slower, measured movements should not be considered inactivity. When British author Bernardine Evaristo won a major book award at age sixty, she joked that she was “an overnight success 40 years in the making.” While we may prefer the ease of a presumed overnight success, my suggestion is to let time work its magic, and don’t skip over the hard work that will clear the way for you to find—and ultimately appreciate—your career.

Career development FAQs

How do I create a career timeline?

1. Map out an overarching theme for your career: Use your skills, values, interests, education, experiences, attention holders, and curiosities as map parameters.
2. Dig: Digging is a prerequisite to finding what you seek.
3. Make assessments as you dig: Initial map sketches are seldom final sketches. Do not be afraid to redefine your original map.
4. Continually reassess your employment topography: Analyze and reanalyze landscapes to see new angles and dimensions that escaped prior observation.

Why is long-term career planning important?

By definition, a career is something that evolves and develops over a significant period of time. Your plan to develop a career must take that into consideration. Time is an essential ingredient for a career to become all you want it to be.

Why is long-term planning better than short-term?

Without a long-term plan for your career, you end up with a string of jobs that lack cohesion and an overarching theme that binds them all together.

About the Author

Post by: Chris Fontanella

Chris Fontanella is the founder of Encore Professionals Group, a professional services firm specializing in the identification and placement of accounting and finance candidates in temporary and full-time positions. He previously served as division director for Robert Half International and client service director for Resources Global Professionals. He is the author of Jump-Start Your Career: Ten Tips to Get You Going and Tune Up Your Career: Tips & Cautions for Peak Performance in the Workplace.

Company: Encore Professionals Group

Website: www.chrisfontanella.com

How to Run a Successful Side Hustle

More than 5 million businesses were started in 2022, according to newly released statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau, bringing the total number of small businesses in America to 33,185,550 as of March 2023, according to the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Office of Advocacy.

However, not all of those businesses are full-time. In its Small Business Insights Survey taken this spring, Index by Pinger reports that of the 60% of adults who own a small business and/or work a side hustle, 76% are also employed by another company, meaning they’re all side hustlers.

Side hustles were once considered a way to make “fun money.” But no longer. Side hustles are serious undertakings. In the Small Business Insights Survey, 61% say their businesses and/or side hustles are their primary source of income.

So, just how many side hustles are there? According to recent data from Bankrate, 39% of all working Americans (about 65 million people) have side hustles, 33% of whom say they need the money from their side hustle to cover their regular living expenses. Plus, 25% work a side hustle to save money, and 12% need it to repay debt.

Who are the side hustlers?

Bankrate notes that while operating side hustles is more popular among younger Americans, all generations are participating in the trend:

  • Baby boomers—24%
  • Gen X—40%
  • Millennials—50%
  • Gen Z—53%

Perhaps somewhat surprisingly, more men (43%) than women (35%) are earning money on the side. Bankrate says side hustlers earn an average of $810 a month, though this varies by generation:

  • Millennials—$1,022 a month
  • Gen Z—$753 a month
  • Gen X—$670 a month
  • Baby boomers—$646 a month

Why start a side hustle?

While money is obviously a big motivator when deciding to start a side hustle, it’s not the top one. A recent research report from Digital Ocean shows that the desire to earn supplemental income motivates only 18% of side hustlers. Instead, people primarily start side hustles to pursue a passion (44%) and achieve professional independence (41%).

Side hustlers surveyed by Side Hustle Nation reported their motivations to start were:

  • More personal freedom—39%
  • Extra income to save, spend, or invest—27%
  • Extra money to make ends meet—12%
  • Pay off debt faster—6%
  • A creative outlet—6%
  • “It felt like a calling”—5%

Ideas for starting a side hustle

There is no shortage of ideas for side hustles. According to a survey from Side Hustle Nation, the most popular side hustles are:

  • Online business, including blogging, podcasting, online courses, and affiliate marketing
  • Freelancing and consulting
  • E-commerce, including selling on Amazon, eBay, and Etsy, and operating your own online store
  • Investing, including real estate, crypto, stocks, and buying businesses
  • Self-publishing
  • Offering local services, such as cleaning, knife sharpening, notary services, pet waste removal, and more
  • YouTube
  • Software and apps
  • Gig jobs, such as delivery services or driving for Lyft or Uber

However, the best side hustle for you depends on your skills, interests, needs, and time commitment.

Biggest challenges for starting a side hustle

Side Hustle Nation subscribers report their biggest challenges are:

  • Growth/marketing
  • Having the time
  • Coming up with the “right” idea
  • Mindset/motivation
  • Admin/legal/tech
  • Focus/organization
  • Money/startup funds
  • Lack of skills

Advice for side hustlers

Starting a side hustle is just like starting a business. You should:

  • Conduct market research. Find out if there’s demand for your product or service. While you don’t need to create a formal business plan, be sure to cover the basics, such as outlining your goals, identifying your target audience and competitors, and making financial projections.
  • Sharpen your time management skills. You are balancing your side hustle with your regular job and your personal life. Invest in technology that allows you to be more efficient and productive and better manage your time.
  • Create a website. Customers won’t know how or where to find you without a web presence. Use social media to build your brand and connect with consumers and other business owners.

Business owners and side hustlers in the Small Business Insights Survey offered the following advice:

  • “Expect to make mistakes.”
  • “Fake it till you make it.”
  • “Trust your gut.”
  • “Trust no one.”
  • “Courage is not the absence of fear but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear.”
  • And my favorite—“Always bring donuts.”

Taking a side hustle to the next level

For some, side hustles are a temporary solution. But others have long-term plans for their side hustles. Digital Ocean’s survey shows side hustlers want to:

  • Grow it into a business with a few employees—29%
  • Keep it small, but make it their full-time job—26%
  • Keep it as a side hustle—22%
  • Scale to get venture funding—17%
  • Sell to another company—10%
  • Go public—5%

Whatever your goals, don’t give up. Building a successful side hustle takes time, effort, and flexibility.

7 Tips for Managing the Stress of Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship and stress go hand in hand. For entrepreneurs, burnout as a result of stress is not uncommon, partially because of the extreme levels of motivation and perseverance needed in entrepreneurship. Over time, that passion coupled with high rates of uncertainty can lead to the feeling of being emotionally and physically drained.

A study by Harvard researchers revealed that over a quarter of all entrepreneurs surveyed feel that their stress has led to burnout. That being said, there are a number of ways for entrepreneurs to combat stress and lead healthy and productive lives.

How entrepreneurs can deal with stress

1. Head to the gym

You have probably heard this before, but exercise is great for reducing stress. It releases endorphins, gets your blood pumping, and can even make your decision-making sharper. It also, of course, improves how you feel both mentally and physically.

Unfortunately for many entrepreneurs, working out can feel like a superfluous activity that isn’t helping your bottom line. Going to the gym can take an hour or two out of your day during which you can’t focus on all the work you need to get done.

But you don’t have to make your exercise into an all-day affair for it to produce results. Even going for a brisk walk around the office can reduce stress and improve your mood. A study by the American Psychological Association showed that 62% of individuals who walk or engage in moderate exercise believe it is “very or extremely effective” for stress management.

2. Enjoy your downtime

For most entrepreneurs, work is an obsession. But, it’s that obsessiveness that can lead to exhaustion, lower productivity, and even health issues related to stress. The phrase “work-life balance” has probably been overused in recent years, but its tenets remain relevant. You have to find a middle ground between working and all the other aspects that make life worth living.

This doesn’t mean that you have to go on a four-week meditation retreat every time you’re feeling stressed, however. Scheduling time to be with your friends and family while also turning the “work” side of your brain off is key. This can include having dinner with friends, going for a hike, or heading out to a baseball game. If you have to, leave your phone at home so you’re not tempted to get work done while relaxing.

3. Try not to worry about things that are out of your control

This is a tough one. As an entrepreneur, you are likely obsessed with controlling every aspect of your work. But there are certain things you simply have no power over. Unfortunately, these issues often cloud your brain, and you worry about them even when they are not solvable.

A great way to work around this is by identifying which issues are actually in your purview and working on solving those. Situations that you can’t actionably change should stay off your to-do list.

4. Don’t neglect your diet

It’s easy on marathon work days to eat poorly. A diet that lacks nutrition, however, is a recipe for increased stress. Diets that are high in vitamins and minerals and low in refined sugars and processed foods are ideal for keeping your brain healthy, active, and focused.

That being said, it’s much more common to eat whatever’s easiest. Unfortunately, this usually means getting your meals from the fast food joint around the corner or the vending machine in the break room. Neither option is great. You may also spend entire days snacking on whatever candy or chips are close by.

If you’re not a great cook, try to have scheduled meal deliveries that provide quality nutritional value on a daily basis. If you like to snack, keep some fruits or even a small veggie platter handy to avoid the temptation of the vending machine.

5. Take a few tasks off your plate

It is natural for an entrepreneur to want to have a hand in everything. But as your business grows, you will also need to learn to delegate to relieve some of the stress of handling everything yourself. If you have the budget, hiring an administrative assistant can help free you up to focus on more big-picture things. Bringing on a content marketer or social media manager can also take a few things off your plate.

If you don’t have the budget for another full-time employee, check out sites like Upwork to find freelancers who can do countless jobs for you. It is virtually impossible to handle every task associated with a growing business on your own and it would be foolhardy to try.

6. Make friends with your peers

While entrepreneurship may be a highly individualistic field, no one really wants to go it alone. It’s important to surround yourself with other entrepreneurs who face the same daily challenges and have the same gripes as you.

If you don’t have people to vent to or bounce ideas off of, you’ll just be stuck in the repetitive echo chamber of your own head. This can undoubtedly lead to increased stress. Additionally, always make sure that the people you spend your time with are just as positive and focused as you are.

7. Make friends with your stress

Stress produces a physiological response that is often related to emotions like fear and anxiety. This can induce the age-old “fight or flight” response causing your muscles to tense, your heart to race, and your mouth to dry up. Most of our workplaces, however, do not necessarily require this drastic of a physiological change.

Instead of succumbing to those mental, physical, and emotional responses to stress, it may be more effective to make friends with them. Recognize that there are no immediate threats to your well-being. Stress is just an indicator that you care about the issues at hand. Try to channel that energy into productivity.

Keeping stress under control is key

When it comes down to it, stress is inevitable. But, that doesn’t mean it isn’t manageable. If you take a few of these steps, you’ll be able to keep it under control before it consumes you and leads to burnout.

FAQs about dealing with stress as an entrepreneur

What causes stress in entrepreneurs?

Stress can be caused by a number of factors. One is competition, while another is the fear of failure. Both of these are the most common stressors that can lead to burnout in entrepreneurs.

How can entrepreneurs relieve stress?

One way to help cope with stress as an entrepreneur is to maintain your physical health. This includes eating healthy and going to the gym on a regular basis.

Preventing Burnout in the Workplace: 20 Leaders Offer Their Favorite Self-Care Tips

By Brett Farmiloe

Nearly half (48%) of small business owners said that they are either currently experiencing or have experienced burnout, according to a survey by Capital One. To help entrepreneurs deal with and avoid burnout at work, we asked 20 business leaders to share their most effective self-care tips.

20 ways to beat burnout at work

1. Establish strong boundaries

“As someone who has experienced burnout, learning how to set strong boundaries has been a ‘go-to’ in ensuring I don’t go down that road again. And for me, that is usually in the form of the word ‘no.’ I can remember during my time of burnout, I was constantly checking and responding to my work email on my phone after hours. Once I began to really prioritize my mental and emotional health, I had to say no to that behavior with a hard and fast rule.

“So my boundary is this: once I get home, I will not check my work email. That doesn’t mean I don’t see the notifications. And that also doesn’t mean some people aren’t persistent. But as long as I’m on an after-hours schedule, I say no. If there’s a genuine emergency, I know I can expect a phone call. Otherwise, I will return emails once I’m in the office the next day. Not responding to those emails has allowed me to feel more rested, and more importantly, gives me focused, rested time with my family.”

—Michelle Robbins, Clearsurance

2. Include a daily meditation practice

“Running a business is demanding and often stressful, but meditation allows me to carve out a few minutes of my day where I can feel relaxed and calm. Each morning, I sit cross-legged on a meditation cushion I keep by my desk and meditate for 10 minutes. I like to have a guided meditation video on YouTube playing in the background to take me through every step of the process. On Thursdays, I attend a meditation class at my local community center.

“My daily meditation practice is a respite from the chaos and uncertainty of business life, and when I return to my desk, it is with renewed clarity, creativity, and focus.”

—Shawn Plummer, The Annuity Expert

3. Always have a passion project

“When I first started my business, and for several years after, work came heavily and quickly. I avoided saying no to clients, so I was usually saddled with a tight schedule each week. One thing I did to overcome feeling burned out was to have my own project that wasn’t related to client work. It started as a blog and has since turned into a coaching business, complete with speaking opportunities, events, and a book (currently writing). I have so much advice and experience to share with others, so I channeled it. It breaks up the monotony of client work and allows me to grow my business and brand even more.”

—Alli Hill, Fleurish Freelance

4. Follow the 80-20 rule

“As a business leader, one of the best self-care tips I follow is to make time to review and reflect during the day and reassess my to-dos if necessary, as invariably more will be added. I work by the
Pareto Principle. The 80-20 rule underlines the importance of exerting time and energy on the tasks that will yield the best results. Strategic prioritization means I’m not having to stay late and I can adjust my schedule to suit my lifestyle. I don’t feel guilty taking time out to attend my kids’ assemblies, play golf, or take a longer lunch. The key is to have strategic organization that allows you to balance work and life.

“I make it a priority to develop healthy habits, such as getting enough sleep, eating nutritious meals, and engaging in regular physical activity. Fostering these habits helps me stay energized and productive, and sets a good example for the team that we actually perform at our best when we take care of ourselves.”

—Jake Munday, Custom Neon

5. Ask for help

“Being a leader, you may think that asking for help should not be in your nature. But everyone needs help because nobody can know everything. There are various things in the office and at home that you don’t know or don’t know how to deal with. Not knowing something doesn’t make you less competent in the office unless you don’t ask for help. Don’t be afraid to lean on your team, because you can learn various things from your team members. You cannot do everything for the project, which is why a team is hired, so what is the harm in learning from the team to improve your skills?

“You can also use feedback from team members to learn and grow if asking for help is not in your comfort zone. But when you ask for help, your colleagues and team members can grow more comfortable sharing their knowledge with you. It is good for you and your company’s growth.”

—Yogesh Kumar, Technource

6. Take quarterly “workcations”

“I book ‘workcations’—usually one to two weeknights every quarter to maintain my energy and engagement. I’ll head to my favorite hotel, only a quick one-hour drive away, or find a nice Airbnb outside the city. Rather than treating it as a vacation, I use the time to connect with work and develop SMART goals for the next quarter. A change of scenery helps me feel more refreshed, and I get a great perspective on how the daily grind is helping to bring my bigger goals to fruition.”

—Maximilian Wühr, FINN

7. Stop following unattainable ideas of success

“I stopped watching cheesy Monday motivation videos by self-proclaimed gurus because I think they create a toxic idea of success which leads to burnout. They all preach the same tips—e.g., wake up before sunrise, take a cold shower, limit social media usage, and exercise in the morning. However, success doesn’t look a certain way.

“Following generic, cookie-cutter plans will only cause disappointment and depression once they fail. I’ve seen many aspiring business owners burn themselves out trying to follow toxic, unattainable ideas of success. You need a customized program tailored to your needs.

“Remember: what works for others won’t automatically work for you. If plunging into a drum of ice-cold water gives you an addicting dopamine rush, then great. But there’s no reason to beat yourself up if it doesn’t. Trust me—your preferred shower temperature has little to no impact on your long-term goals.”

—Mark Damsgaard, Global Residence Index

8. Schedule time with family and friends

“As a small business owner, I used to fall into the trap of working 18-hour days. I’d wake up, work until I was exhausted, join my family for a quick dinner, and then go to sleep. It was a terrible way to live. My family and my work suffered.

“In the decade since then, I’ve learned that the best thing I can do for myself, my business, and my family is to intentionally schedule time away from my desk with people that I care about. I have to mark it on the calendar and protect that time to make sure that work doesn’t accidentally spill over into that time slot.

“Sometimes that’s a difficult boundary to maintain, but it’s worth it. I’m happier, my family is happier, and my work is more efficient when I intentionally make time for my most important relationships.”

—Nicole Thelin, Low Income Relief

9. Identify your “energy drainers” early

“It’s crucial to understand what deprives you of energy daily and then consciously work on reducing or removing it completely. Accumulation of those things leads to frustration and eventually burnout.

“It’s helpful to do a little retrospection with yourself or your team, listing all the things you enjoy in your daily work and that uplift you (things you want to continue doing), and then listing all of those things that drain you of energy (things you want to stop doing). As a leader, you can then design an ideal job description and working routine for yourself and strive to achieve the balance that keeps your days light.”

—Marta Olszewska, Refill Aqua

10. Just say no

“Learn to say no. When you run a small business, it can be tempting to say yes to every opportunity that presents itself. However, doing so can definitely lead to burnout. Before saying yes, it’s important to not only assess how much time you have to devote to a project, but also whether a packed schedule affords you enough energy to take on the added work as well.”

—Kenneth Lin, BOOP Bakery

11. Let your gadgets take care of you

“As much as I love the idea of a ‘mindful break,’ it was difficult to make myself take those breaks. That’s when the idea of involving tech helped me prioritize self-care the right way.

“Since I started using an Apple Watch, I get reminded to stand up or do my breathing exercises after a certain period of time. I have installed browser extensions to help me track my mood and give me break reminders. I take every single one of my tea/coffee breaks seriously. However, when I leave my office for a stroll, I leave my gadgets behind. You should completely detach yourself from work when taking these breaks. This helps me to recharge before getting back to work.

“You don’t need an Apple Watch to get reminders like these. There are apps available for your smartphone to give you these healthy reminders. The goal here is to make whatever device you are using look out for your health. Our gadgets don’t have to be a necessary evil; they can help us avoid burnout.”

—Andreas Grant, Networks Hardware

12. Don’t have an attitude that work is a chore

“Diminishing the thought that ‘work is a chore and life is fun and meaningful’ helps me avoid burnout. Often, the source of burnout is the frustration that you have so much to do in the business and so little time for yourself. If you find passion in your work, it becomes a meaningful and enjoyable part of your life. The converse is true—you could see your life as a chore. Our attitudes towards work and life determine how crucial and achievable work-life balance is. I still struggle with getting caught up in the tide of work and life, so making time to think about them certainly helps.”

—Aidan Kang, Consumer Boomer

13. Schedule a vacation

“I have a ritual that I perform every year. On the first day back to work after the New Year break, I schedule a week later in the year that I will take off. Once that is done, I ask everyone in the office to do the same.

‘”As a business leader, it often appears that we can’t have a vacation and that we must be available at all times. The problem with this is that no one can work all the time; we all need a chance to rest and clear our heads. By deciding on which week to take off, we give ourselves something to look forward to as we go about our daily routines. It isn’t just about having a week to relax in—the anticipation of heading towards that week, and the planning that goes into whatever we are going to do, help to provide a distraction from the everyday worries of running a business.”

—Andrew Pierce, Real Estate Holding Company

14. Don’t check work emails on your phone

“To help me avoid burnout, my number-one rule is that I only ever access my work emails and systems on my laptop, never on my phone. One of the easiest ways to burnout is not to have enough separation between work and personal time. (I used to be a corporate lawyer, and this lack of separation is the main reason I changed careers.)

“If your emails are easily accessible on your phone, it can be extremely difficult to resist the temptation to check your inbox, which switches you straight into ‘work mode,’ even during your off time. Doing this for too long is a surefire way to burn out. I always make sure that my laptop is closed for the day by 8 p.m. at the latest (and ideally closer to 6 p.m.). I don’t have any email or other work-related apps on my phone, which helps to ensure I keep a level of separation between my work and personal time.”

—Alex Tiffany, Just Go Exploring

15. Get on a sleep schedule

“As a busy small-business leader, it’s easy to let your work expand to take all hours of your day and night. It can feel like the only way to get caught up is to work late into the evening. However, what I discovered is you quickly lose productivity and sabotage productivity for the next day. And losing sleep doesn’t just lower your productivity; it also has ramifications for your overall physical and mental health.

“If you’re used to staying up late or having an erratic sleep schedule, it can be difficult to start going to bed earlier. Try to exercise during the day, get at least 20 minutes of natural sunlight, and get yourself on a regular sleep schedule. Once my body got used to going to bed at a certain time, I found I got naturally tired at that time. I fell asleep quicker and easier and woke up with a lot more energy and enthusiasm for my work.”

—Larissa Pickens, Dapper Confidential

16. Create a Zen space

“One of my struggles as an entrepreneur is making time for myself. While I have always dreamed of going on vacation for weeks, the tasks I have to carry out daily get in the way. This is when I realized I should be in full control of how I should manage stress. Having a dedicated Zen space at work helps me think clearly on any given day. For example, I use my lunch break as a time to meditate. No matter how busy I am, I make time to relax my mind.

“Your Zen space should be your resting place. It should bring nature indoors and help you calm the chaos, so you will have renewed vitality once you step out of that room.”

—Becky Moore, Global Grasshopper

17. Eat well and exercise

“Exercise and proper nutrition are easily the best way to avoid burnout. I pay much more attention to my exercise and what I eat now than I did in my twenties. I’ve learned these are two keys to managing my energy and focus, which blow any other
productivity hack out of the water.”

—Michael Gardon, Career Cloud

18. Work with a business coach

“The first time I felt I was about to burn out, I started working with a business coach. She gives me one-on-one support, in either personal office calls or remote calls, to help me implement goals, overcome obstacles, and keep me accountable. When I’m not feeling happy, productive, aligned with my goals, or positive, I schedule a call with my coach or put my situation on her radar. Sixty percent of the time, I learn it’s something I need to communicate with my team. Otherwise, I’m able to resolve problems or challenges with her support.”

—Noel Griffith, SupplyGem

19. Prioritize daily physical activity

“I set aside time each day for some form of exercise, whether it’s going for a run, hitting the gym, or taking a yoga class. Physical activity not only helps to reduce stress and clear my mind, but it also releases endorphins that can improve my mood and energy levels. By prioritizing my physical health, I’m able to approach my work with a greater sense of focus and motivation, which helps to prevent burnout. Additionally, I schedule breaks throughout the day to give myself time to recharge and reset. This might mean taking a short walk outside, practicing some deep breathing exercises, or simply stepping away from my desk for a few minutes.”

—Liz Pharo, Divorce.com

20. Take regular breaks

“Regular breaks during the workday are essential in avoiding burnout. One thing I do is schedule breaks between work tasks each day. The break length varies according to how demanding and draining a task might be. As a career and business coach, I always allow at least half an hour in between coaching sessions. This gives me enough time to get out of my chair and move around for a while before preparing for my next session. If I’m spending a few hours working intensely on a program development task, I’ll allow myself a longer break that enables me to take a walk outside to get some exercise and fresh air.”

—Lisa LaRue, The Career Happiness Coach

About the Author

Post by: Brett Farmiloe

Brett Farmiloe is the founder and CEO of Terkel, a Q&A site that converts insights from small business owners into high-quality articles for brands.

Company: Terkel

Website:
Terkel.io
Connect with me on
LinkedIn.

These 17 Lessons in Leadership Will Help You Guide Your Team to Excellence

By Brett Farmiloe

“What are important leadership lessons you have learned that have helped guide you to excellence?” We posed this question to 17 business leaders to find advice that would help business owners seeking to improve their leadership skills. The responses we got vary from establishing clear objectives and expectations, leading with people in mind, talking less and listening more, and not being afraid to take calculated risks.

Read on to find out what it takes to be a great leader.

How to be a great leader

1. Empower your teams instead of undermining them

“Rather than trying to micromanage every little detail of your team’s work (which is incredibly demotivating and counterproductive), give them the freedom, autonomy, and support they need to make decisions and take ownership of their work. Think about it this way—if you’re offering the best tools, resources, and support they need to excel at their jobs, why wouldn’t they succeed? In fact, by giving them the space to experiment and learn from their mistakes, they will grow as individuals and top performers, too.”

—Jess Rodley, Dialed Labs

2. Establish clear objectives and expectations

“I believe that leaders who establish clear objectives and goals can motivate their team members to collaborate on a single goal. Clear goals and expectations give team members a road map to follow and help them understand how their work contributes to the overall success of the team. Leaders must also provide regular feedback on goal progress and change them as needed to ensure that they stay relevant and realistic.”

—Edward Mellett, WikiJob

3. Assign the right people to the right positions

“The most valuable leadership lesson I have learned (and the most expensive one) is to assign the right people to the right positions. Nothing slows down a team more than an employee in the wrong position. Sometimes, your company might be better off
hiring no one than bringing on a bad hire. The math behind this is simple. When you hire a bad employee, your company loses more than just time, money, and effort—you also sustain indirect losses, such as poor performance, lack of productivity, and a wasted investment.

“The poor performance of a single employee can also cause a knock-on effect on the rest of the team. Your employees can’t be productive if they have to take on extra tasks to cover for someone who is not doing their job. Later when you have to find a replacement, it will involve additional time and expense. In the long run, investing in high-quality candidates, and at a higher cost, is worth it.”

—Tatsiana Kirimava, Orangesoft

4. Master the idea of being a “servant” leader

“Being a ‘servant’ leader means always prioritizing the needs of one’s team over one’s own personal needs and putting the team’s overall success over one’s own personal success. It also requires one to build relationships with each member of one’s team. And this involves taking the time to get to know each team member, their strengths and weaknesses, and understanding what motivates them and how to bring out the best in them.”

—Jonathan Zacharias, GR0

5. Be honest with your team

“The most vital asset in my business is my employees. If they succeed, so does my business. That’s why it’s important to keep them in the loop regarding the company’s vision, goals, hurdles, and overall progress. Transparency is key. It enables you to establish an organization-wide culture of accountability, trust, and respect. As a result, you must be receptive to criticism and feedback. Even if they may contradict your viewpoint, pay attention to the suggestions made by your team. Being receptive to fresh viewpoints will help you gain insightful knowledge that will help your company make better decisions.”

—Stefan Chekanov, Brosix

6. Recognize leadership as a two-way street

“As a leader, it’s important to recognize that you have just as much to learn from your employees as they do from you. Yes, you have more experience and expertise, but that doesn’t diminish the experience and expertise your employees are bringing to your team. Listen to them, learn from them, and let your leadership be a two-way relationship in order to make the most of your employees, and vice versa.”

—Bradley Hall, SONU Sleep

7. Lead with people in mind

“One leadership lesson that I have learned is to lead with people in mind. As a leader, it is important to engage your people and to consider their needs and perspectives. Emotional intelligence is an important skill to possess, as it can help you better understand and connect with your team members.”

—Brenton Thomas, Twibi Digital Marketing Agency

8. Choose to coach instead of direct

“Learning to stop micromanaging and removing some of those controls over a team can be hard, especially for a new leader who is nervous about making a mistake. The biggest shift happened when I switched from giving my team direction to coaching them to choose their own.

“If you’ve built a strong team and helped people develop their skills, you can offer minimal guidance and allow them to find their own best way forward. Often, they come up with approaches, solutions, and workflows that are even better than what you’d suggest because their ideas are suited to their individual preferences and strengths. Give your team the freedom to choose and offer plenty of support to aid them.”

—Shawn Plummer, The Annuity Expert

9. Build relationships as you lead

“There always seem to be new and developing styles of leadership. However, all styles of leadership circle back to the one common denominator: relationships. Any influential leader understands that building a solid relationship with those in their leadership fold is the lifeblood of any effective leader. Think about this for a second. Leadership isn’t about barking orders or directing tasks that to be done. It’s about fostering an environment where people want to follow your lead.

“At the foundation of fostering such an environment is the building of relationships. Yes, I said foundation. Everyone who structures their leadership style with a sound foundation of relationships will always be successful. When building a house, the first thing you build is the foundation, and you build it strongly if you want it to last. With a solid foundation, your leadership house will support the weight of everything that follows.”

—Ed McManus, Relationship Media

10. Talk less and listen more

“Leadership isn’t just about talking, it’s about listening. In fact, one of the most valuable lessons you can learn is to talk less and listen more. True leaders know when to take a step back and hear what their team has to say. By listening to diverse perspectives and taking them into account, leaders can overcome obstacles and make better decisions. It’s not just about being a good listener, it’s about creating a culture of respect and trust. When team members feel heard and valued, they’re more likely to follow your lead and work together to achieve success.

“So the next time you’re in a leadership position, remember to hush and hearken—your team and your success may just depend on it.”

—Jocelyn Bowmaker, The Mindset Development Group

11. Don’t be afraid to take calculated risks

“Leadership is a complex process that involves both the ability to understand and lead people, as well as direct resources. It can be challenging but also immensely rewarding when done correctly. One of the most important lessons I have learned in my time as a leader is not to be afraid of taking risks—even if they might not have expected outcomes.

“My investment in advertising for never-seen-before products allowed us more visibility and created more sales opportunities than ever before. With calculated risk-taking, leaders can set themselves up for success while allowing themselves room to reap the benefits of greater opportunity.”

—Grace He, teambuilding.com

12. Embrace empathy to transform your workforce

“One of the most important lessons a leader can learn is the importance of empathy towards their team. Being able to show understanding and compassion can positively transform the way a team functions together. When leaders show empathy, they create a safe and comfortable environment for open communication, which leads to better collaboration, engagement, and productivity. They also gain their team’s trust, loyalty, and respect.

“There are many practical ways in which leaders can show empathy. For example, they can listen actively, ask questions, validate feelings, and empathize with their team members. They can also give constructive feedback, be flexible with their schedules, and prioritize their team’s well-being.”

—Bridget Reed, The Word Counter

13. Prepare for the worst and hope for the best

“One thing I appreciate as a leader is that things will not always go according to plan. In fact, borrowing from Murphy’s Law, anything that can go wrong will typically go wrong at the worst possible time. Therefore, it is important to prepare your mindset for setbacks. In my years as a leader at different startups, I have learned that it is essential to always plan for the worst and hope for the best. After all, while we are free to strategize and plan as much as we can; many things in business are beyond our control. Therefore, we must expect difficult situations and create plans to deal with them while working hard to ensure we have achieved our goals.”

—Logan Nguyen, MIDSS

14. Understand your own limitations

“Understanding your own limitations is one of the most important lessons I have learned. Regardless of how successful you become, you must always acknowledge areas that need improvement.

“As a newly promoted leader in my previous company, I had difficulty accepting the responsibilities that were imposed on me. I lacked experience in recruiting, hiring, and managing people, and these skills took some time to learn. I attended seminars and workshops, read the latest research, and consulted with experts. I honed my skills and was able to successfully lead after going through this process.

“Successful leaders possess humility, as I have learned from experience. Only by recognizing your weaknesses and overcoming them can you achieve true excellence.”

—Pete Evering, Utopia Management

15. Sacrifice your ego

“One of the most important things I’ve learned is to sacrifice your ego, focus on the people around you, and understand what they need. It might seem contrary to what you believe, but leadership isn’t always about you—it’s about your employees. The more you tap into their potential and help them grow, the more you will grow as a leader. Therefore, it’s important to listen to your employees, as they are a key part of your organization.

“If you do not take their opinions into consideration, you may not hear what the business needs or what their wants are. You will be unable to view differing perspectives, which could enhance your success. Their voice is just as important as yours, and by developing a reciprocal relationship, they can help you meet your company goals and also increase employee morale.”

—Ben Bozzay, Tech Lockdown

16. Trust your team to do the right thing

“Trust your employees 100%! I have always trusted my team to do the right thing and never betray the company’s mission. But conversely, I have dropped them like a hot potato if I get any sign of betrayal. When you trust your people, they have a higher job satisfaction level and focus on getting the best results, and thus, they are more productive.”

—Ajay Prasad, GMR Web Team

17. Never ask someone to do something that you can’t do

“Never ask someone to do something that you wouldn’t do yourself or haven’t done in the past. You cannot guide someone to success if you yourself do not know how to complete the task or what success looks like. You must continually strive to be knowledgeable about what you ask of others. A leader must be able to step in and take over any aspect of a project or task when needed. Leaders who are unprepared or who don’t understand what success looks like can’t possibly lead others to successful outcomes.”

—Ben Adams, Web Tools Advisor

About the Author

Post by: Brett Farmiloe

Brett Farmiloe is the founder and CEO of Terkel, a Q&A site that converts insights from small business owners into high-quality articles for brands.

Company: Terkel

Website:
Terkel.io
Connect with me on
LinkedIn.