Business Education

Want to Be Successful? Stop Doing these Six Things Starting Now

Who hasn’t heard the adage, “Quitters never win and winners never quit?” But, you’ve probably heard Michael Jordan talk about his career and already know he learned a lot more from losing than winning. So, why is it that we think quitting or failing are bad things? They’re not. In fact, quitting is quite healthy in some life aspects. And, that’s the key to being successful — to know when to stop doing something to move forward.

Be More Successful by Not Doing these 6 Things

Research conducted by the University of Rochester reveals there are two primary motivations, approaching goals and avoiding goals. Now, that’s sounds strange, but it makes sense when explained. The former personalities find motivation in challenges but also know when it’s futile to continue. The latter group greatly avoid goals due to fear of failure. So, they don’t give up, even when it’s totally illogical to continue.

If we didn’t have to work hard to reach success, we wouldn’t appreciate it. If there’s something you’re putting off because it’s boring you, it’s hard, physically demanding or tiring…just get up and get it done. Quit avoiding it. There will be rewards along the way and there will be a great sense of accomplishment at the end. —Forbes

Call it bull-headed, stubborn, tenaciousness, or perseverance, it does shed light on a peculiar behavior that represents a real dichotomy. Studies show those who don’t give up typically “win” more often than people who quit. But, not everything works out that way. Realizing when it’s time to stop doing something is just as important as not giving up on realistic goals. To be more successful, you must stop doing these six things right now:

Stop doubting yourself. Doubt and fear are powerful foes. Each acts as a paralyzing weapon which causes angst, anxiety, and more negative feelings. When you doubt your own abilities, you’re giving into an illogical fear. Tap into your confidence and let the self-doubt go.
Stop procrastinating. Tomorrow is always a day away and it’s why the “Free Drinks: Tomorrow” meme is a popular one. Tomorrow is also known as an excuse. If everything was easy, you wouldn’t procrastinate and tackle it head on. So, stop putting things off and reap the rewards of accomplishment.
Stop dodging choices. There’s always a choice and sometimes, too many. But, you always have a choice and if there’s not a good one, simply chose not to undercut yourself. Think outside of the box, if necessary. But whatever you do, don’t give away your power to choose.
Stop the insanity cycle. We all know how Einstein defined insanity, by doing the same thing time and again and expecting a different result. Realize when your efforts are not yielding fruit and go in a different direction. After all, it’s the smart thing to do.
Stop believing it’ll work out. When you wait for things to just “naturally work out,” you’ll wait an awfully long time. It takes hard work to get ahead and just waiting around won’t move the needle. Take action and you’ll experience traction.
Stop saying “yes” all the time. If you’ve seen the movie “Yes Man” you already know that by breaking this habit, you’re not constantly giving your time away. “No” by itself is indeed a complete sentence and it can easily be far more healthy than saying “yes.”

What have you stopped doing to improve your chances of success? Which changes did you adopt that yielded the best results? Please share your thoughts and experiences by leaving a comment!

Interested in learning more about growing your business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.

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How Small Business Owners can Prepare for a Recession and Beat Out their Competition during Economic Downturns

April 7, 2023 No Comments

In an economic downturn, small businesses are often hit the hardest. It’s a challenging time for everyone, but for small business owners, it can mean the difference between survival and closure. Preparing for a recession is key to making sure your business stays afloat, and outperforming your competition can give you an edge that keeps you ahead even after the economy has recovered. How Small Businesses can Prepare for a Recession One of the most important things that small business owners can do to prepare for a recession is to build up a strong financial foundation. This means having a healthy cash flow, low debt, and a solid reserve of savings. Having a strong financial foundation will give you the flexibility to weather the storm of a recession and to continue operating your business even if sales decline. Cutting costs is also one of the most important things small business owners can do to prepare for a recession. Review your expenses carefully and look for areas where you can save money without sacrificing quality or service. As a small business owner, the idea of a recession can be scary. Many businesses have not been through a recession. It’s much easier to make money when things are good in the economy than it is when times are tough, but that doesn’t mean a small business can’t survive and even thrive during a recession. —Entrepreneur.com Another important step that small business owners can take to prepare for a recession is to diversify their business. This means offering a variety of products or services, targeting a variety of markets, and having a presence in multiple locations. By diversifying your business, you can reduce your reliance on any one market or customer segment. This will make your business more resilient to the ups and downs of the economy. How Small Businesses can Outperform their Competition during an Economic Downturn Now, it’s not enough to be prepared for tough economic times – you must also be equipped to perform to your best and even beat your competition by making key moves at strategic times. Here are some ways to do just that: Diversify your offerings. Again, one of the best ways to prepare for a recession is to diversify your offerings. If your business relies heavily on one product or service, it’s time to start exploring other areas you could branch out into. This could mean offering new products or services that are more recession-resistant, such as essential items or affordable luxuries. For example, a restaurant might start offering takeout or delivery services in addition to their dine-in options. A clothing store might start selling more affordable items to appeal to customers who are tightening their belts. Focus on customer service. During tough times, customers are more likely to stick with businesses they trust and have had good experiences with. By focusing on customer service, you can build relationships with your customers that will last beyond the recession. Make sure your staff is well-trained and equipped to handle customer inquiries and complaints. Offer personalized recommendations and rewards for loyal customers. Consider implementing a loyalty program to encourage repeat business. Improve your online presence. With more people staying home and shopping online, having a strong online presence is more important than ever. Make sure your website is up-to-date and easy to use, and consider investing in online advertising or social media campaigns to reach new customers. Offering online sales or delivery services can also help you reach customers who might not be able to visit your store in person. Make sure your online ordering and payment systems are easy to use and secure. Stay agile and adaptable. Finally, one of the most important things small business owners can do to outperform their competition during a recession is to stay agile and adaptable. Keep an eye on market trends and be willing to adjust your strategies as needed to stay ahead of the curve. For example, you might adjust your prices or promotions to appeal to customers who are looking for more affordable options. You might also explore new revenue streams, such as selling merchandise or offering online courses or consultations. What other kinds of advice would you give new business owners and entrepreneurs about how to prepare for an economic downturn and even thrive in such conditions? Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts and experiences so others can benefit from your input! Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group to learn more about us and the services we offer.

Let’s Talk about the Office Break Room — Seriously

August 12, 2021 No Comments

Did you know that a full 86 percent of employees believe breaks during the workday make them more productive? Also, 59 percent indicate that regular breaks increase work satisfaction. What’s more, 43 percent say breaks improve their personal happiness. Sure, this certainly isn’t the most exciting topic. But it’s an area of your workplace that does play a vital role and in more than one way. On the positive side, it’s where your team members go to relax and decompress, and even form interpersonal relationships. However, it can also be a battleground for bickering employees and an area that breeds and thrives on office politics. That’s why you should make it into a place that promotes good vibes, relaxation, and yes, a true break from work. Beware the Break Room Drama There’s no question that there are two sides to every break room in every office building. While it can provide an escape for employees, there are inevitable instances when it is hijacked and made into a room full of drama. In most cases, this is simply a matter of conflicting personalities and people who really like to push conflict on to others. It’s also a place where people who will avoid conflict tend to retreat, only to be thrust into an argument. Today’s workforce works extremely hard, putting in long hours that often spill into our home lives. People need a place to decompress at work, both physically and mentally. To do that effectively, the space should look and feel different from the rest of the office to distinguish it as a place to relax, rewind and collaborate with colleagues. —Business News Daily So, it’s important to understand that the room itself can be part of the problem. That’s right. If the break room environment, meaning it’s aesthetics and functionality are counterproductive, it won’t naturally be a relaxing place to take a little time away from the daily grind. Make no mistake about it, if the room feels empty, unwelcoming, and doesn’t provide ample distraction, people’s bad feelings are more liable to escape them and that’s obviously bad for company morale. How to Create an Effective Break Room in 3 Easy Steps The break room should be a place that feels separate from the workplace itself. Think about it as an oasis of sorts, a spot where employees can truly unplug for a few moments and enjoy their breaks away from their roles and responsibilities. Here are three simple ways to create an effective break room: Provide food and beverages. A nice variety of healthy snacks is always a good idea. Particularly, popular food and drinks, like water, sports drinks, and even energy drinks, along with fruits and vegetables and perhaps nuts and other snack foods. While you don’t have to stock the refrigerator and pantry with entire meals and common dry goods, there should be enough delicious little edibles and both cold and hot drinks available. Furnish it for comfort and relaxation. Whatever type of furnishings you put in the break room, don’t make the colossal mistake of turning it into a stuffy office or crowded cubicle. In other words, it should feel very homey, with comfortable furniture and even some fun pieces, like oversized bean bags and such. Additionally, having relaxing music playing in the background is a nice touch. The decor should also be aesthetically pleasing and it should forgo any corporate feel. Make it a fun place with games and entertainment. Not only should it be comfortable, the break room ought to be a fun place where employees are encouraged to escape with things like simple board games. Or, if your company culture permits it, table games like foosball or ping pong. Alternatively, you can put a television in the room but this particular idea may not work in every workplace environment. What other suggestions do you have that might be of help? Please share your thoughts and experiences by commenting so others can benefit from your perspective! Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.

Stop Enforcing These Dumb Office Rules That Make People Quit

September 6, 2017 No Comments

If you want success, you’ve got to stop doing certain things. And, these include enforcing dumb office rules. Let’s face it, there are a number of do’s and don’ts in the workplace we all seem to recognize as unnecessary. But, for some strange reason, we follow tradition — even when it’s doesn’t really make sense. Giving into the “ways it’s always been notion” simply hinders us in different ways. Okay, rules are fundamental in business but too many rules stifles your employees. 5 Most Hated Office Rules that Drive Employees Crazy Think about it this way — more freedom means more business. Put another way, the more rules applied, the less freedom your team members enjoy. That’s simply creates artificial barriers they must overcome. Which means, it’s a waste of time (and ultimately money) and that’s not going to propel your business forward. When there are less rules, there’s more enthusiasm. Fewer rules also means more creativity. Companies need to have rules—that’s a given—but they don’t have to be shortsighted and lazy attempts at creating order. When companies create ridiculous and demoralizing rules to halt the outlandish behavior of a few individuals, it’s a management problem. There’s no sense in alienating your entire workforce because you don’t know how to manage performance. It makes a bad situation that much worse. —Entrepreneur Now, there are reasonable rules. It might apply to workplace social media use. Or, about limiting overtime. But, there are probably at least a few rules that your employees hate. These cause unnecessary stress and can easily become too overwhelming. If rules are stringent enough, you might lose good talent. Obviously, you need to retain the best talent and attract more. But some rules will make that quite problematic to achieve. Here are five of the most hated office rules that drive employees crazy: Time off rules. We all get sick, tired, and have personal needs. So, if an employee doesn’t feel well, don’t make it a bigger burden by requiring a doctor’s note. And, be flexible. If an employee feels lying is the best way to take a personal day off, there’s something wrong. Treat your employees with respect and you’ll definitely reap the rewards. Approval rules. Try this thought experiment — every time you make a purchase decision or other kind of decision in your personal life, stop to consider how productive it would be to seek an approval. Now, there are reasonable limits but you should trust employees to do what’s in the best interest of the company. Performance rules. Performance evaluations aren’t necessarily the best use of time. In fact, there are plenty of good arguments they just drive people nuts. What’s more, these are often dreaded, boring routines. So, ask yourself if you really need performance rules to meet performance guidelines to reward someone during a performance evaluation. Internet use rules. Unless you’re dealing with super-secret information, there’s really little to no need for internet rules. Your team already knows what is and what isn’t acceptable. Give them the power to do the right thing and they’ll feel respected. On-site attendance rules. The office isn’t always the best place to get things done. Sometimes, working from home or outside the office is better. Requiring people to be in the office or on-site from this time until that time daily simply won’t produce the best results. What hated office rules have you eliminated? Which office rules do you find the most productive? Please share your thoughts and experiences by leaving a comment! Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group. [shareaholic app=”follow_buttons” id=”26833294″]

Want to Be Successful? Stop Doing these Six Things Starting Now

Be More Successful by Not Doing these 6 Things

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Related Posts

How Small Business Owners can Prepare for a Recession and Beat Out their Competition during Economic Downturns

Let’s Talk about the Office Break Room — Seriously

Stop Enforcing These Dumb Office Rules That Make People Quit

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