By Barbara Seifert, Ph. D., CPC

Getting ahead in one’s career, which is not just if you work in an organization, should be the aim for all of us. Whether you own your own business, are a contractor, a stay-at-home-parent, or work a 9-5 job, your focus should be on moving up and getting ahead. Basically, this just means that you are not content with staying where you are and are continuously making improvements in your interests, skills and abilities. This is how you will have more fulfillment and satisfaction, which then leads to higher levels of satisfaction and performance.

But why is it that some people, when faced with the possibility of a promotion or some type of advancement, suddenly become fearful and falter in making a move? (more…)

By Milissa Harding

A couple of weeks ago, I attending an amazing three-day conference, and the theme of the conference was transformation. I left the conference really reflecting on what transformation means to me. To me, transformation means having the courage to find out who you really are, then to have a second helping of courage and create a life that reflects who you are on the inside. The more I thought about this, the more I came to realize how this relates to all of us as entrepreneurs. Here’s why:

Your Business is YOU

If your business is truly a vehicle for self-expression (which I believe it should be), then others will see you when they see your business… makes sense? The challenge with this is that many entrepreneurs spend very little time on personal growth and development, even though investing time in this is crucial for building a successful business. There are probably many reasons why this is the case, but I think that one of the main reasons is because we don’t have a clear understanding of the connection between personal development and business growth. Also, it’s not something that is discussed often as we are working to build our businesses. (more…)

By Barbara Seifert, Ph. D., CPC

Have you ever had a desire or dreamed of achieving something that would be life-changing? It might be that you have always wanted to move to a different city or state; perhaps you have desired to own your own business; or it might be that you are ready to graduate and begin your professional career. Having those desires only fuels them more and the anticipation early on feels exciting, giving one the motivation to keep moving towards that end-aim.

But, let’s move to today and that desire is upon you: the very thing you have wished for is now here. Do you move forward towards that desire or does it leave you feeling as if you are paralyzed with fear? The closer you get to having to make a decision the more anxious you may feel, which can elicit a host of uncomfortable emotions. The more you run from the thing you want, the more you will beat yourself up over that inaction. It’s a vicious cycle that keeps on repeating.   (more…)

By Milissa Harding

If you’re an entrepreneur, you’re a very busy person. Perhaps you spend much of your time rushing out to meet with clients, attending networking meetings and going to different workshops or conferences.

• Do you often find yourself rushing out the door without eating a healthy snack or meal first?
• Have you ever arrived at an event starved and craving something which you know was probably not the healthiest choice?

If you answered “yes” to one or both of these questions, then this article is for you.

As an entrepreneur on the run, you need to plan for those crazy moments in your day, and part of that planning includes ensuring that your health and energy needs are still being met as much as possible, no matter what else is going on. (more…)

By  Milissa Harding

Before I became a mom, I worked full-time outside of the home. My schedule was fairly predictable, each day I’d eat breakfast, head out to work, make dinner, do some work from home and exercise. Although I experienced overwhelm and tiredness (like many people who commute to work each day), there was a rhythm to each day, and I could always count on getting things done by the end of the week.

Once I had my daughter, things changed. If you’re a mom, you probably know what I’m about to say next. Predictability, structure and a sense of routine quickly flew out the window. Cooking, laundry and other errands took place, any day at any time, and I was simply exhausted at the end of each work day.

Shortly after returning to work from maternity leave, I was bitten by the “entrepreneurial bug”, and the nagging feeling that I needed to explore something new just wouldn’t leave me. The thought of working from home, setting my own schedule and experiencing more family time really excited me. Although I wasn’t in a position to make a complete leap from working outside of the home to working from home, I was strongly determined to take baby steps each day to make it a reality. (more…)