Business, Business Education

Want to Make the New Year a Success? Avoid these People

The New Year will soon be upon us. And, the majority will make different resolutions. Usually, these are about personal goals — going on a diet, getting in shape, and spending more quality time with family and friends. But many of us will also include a few business goals on our lists. And, there certainly isn’t anything wrong with this. Of course, this comes with its own set of challenges. One of the biggest, is avoiding toxic personalities.

Why Avoiding Toxic Personalities is So Difficult

Okay, that’s great and it’s also all-too obvious. Who really seeks out toxic personalities? Well, no one does — at least not consciously. But, isn’t it strange how we all seem to attract crazy? Or at the very least, difficult. So, what is so difficult about avoiding bad personalities? The answer is complex. Boil it down to logistics and it becomes more clear. We simply do not have control over who comes into our lives.

Unfortunately, not everyone pushes us to be better. Some people stop us from following our dreams or talk us out of taking a risk, and we don’t always realize that it’s happening. So it’s important to be aware and consciously choose who we spend time with, to limit spending time with toxic people —Success.com

To an extent, we can avoid known bad personalities. But, even this becomes difficult in the workplace. Sometimes, there is no real choice. You must accept the situation and make the most of it. However that doesn’t mean you don’t have any options at your disposal.

Personality Types to Avoid in Order to Succeed

The fact of the matter is, you become a product of the company you keep. It is a long-proven phenomenon. That’s precisely why there’s so much advice about surrounding yourself with good people. They’ll have a positive impact on you. As a result, you’ll achieve more and adopt a better outlook on life. As Jim Rohn said,
“You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” But, this means there are personality types you need to avoid, like the following:

Micromanagers. This personality tops the list because it’s the type no one can stand. Sure, management is a good thing. But, when it’s repeatedly taken to a granular level, it becomes counterproductive. Worse yet, it causes others to become resentful and unmotivated. Learning to solve problems independently is far more valuable.
Short-term thinkers. There is nothing wrong with having a short-term game plan to reach a goal. But, it should fit into a larger scheme toward an ultimate goal. Short-term thinking is good for the near future but it’s an obstacle to long-term success.
Pessimists. Pessimism isn’t always a bad trait. In fact, when it’s useful we call it pragmatism. That’s a good thing because it helps us to avoid unnecessary risk. But a pessimist doesn’t see anything but downside. When this happens, it’s very hard to move forward confidently or at all.
Big spenders. Spendthrifts are also a bad influence. They don’t take financial responsibility. And, the results are often bad. Of course, there are times when it’s okay to spend but constantly splurging is just a recipe for ruin.

Which other personalities do you avoid? Which personalities are a real asset to entrepreneurs? Please, share your thoughts and experiences by commenting and joining the discussion!

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

Like this article?

How to Make a More Productive Monday on Friday

May 16, 2017 No Comments

With another hectic week coming to a close and the excitement of the weekend just hours away, it’s no wonder why Fridays are less than practically productive. In some business environments, it’s the unofficial slack-off day, one comprised of mundane tasks, a bit of cleanup, and perhaps, some tying of loose ends. Plans for the weekend take away attention from the inbox, and minds wander. Fridays, by-and-large, are informal work days, and that’s a shame, because these could serve as launch pad for serious Monday productivity. How to Make a More Productive Monday on Friday Ironically, Mondays aren’t much better, as these are the days returning from the weekends dreamed about on Fridays. The first day of the work week is one that’s often dreaded, in-part because of what wasn’t done on Friday. Talk about a dichotomy, this one scores high on the list. What’s worse, is that your team members aren’t alone in this experience, because you too, are right alongside them, especially on Friday afternoon, after lunch. Monday mornings are the most critical time of the workweek — they set the stage for the day and week ahead. Most successful people are keenly aware of the typical Monday-morning workplace dynamic of unanticipated events, overflow of communications, and general chaos. —Business Insider Even with all your entrepreneurial drive, you too, are ready to enjoy the downtime the weekend delivers, and it’s important because it lets you let go, at least enough to refresh. This dynamic doesn’t have to bedevil your company, or more particularly, you. There are some things you can do to make a more productive Monday on Friday: Plan in advance for the following week. Monday is often treated with disdain precisely because of what it holds in-store. Ironically, it’s what wasn’t done on Friday that makes this a reality. Mondays don’t have to be a scramble to catch-up, they can be a productive day, if you prepare on Friday. So, prime your sales pipeline, get organized, and plan out the week. You’ll do yourself a huge favor, and you’ll avoid that nagging feeling that you forgot something. Identify one or more things to get done today. Instead of counting down the clock to the end of the day, look at the time available to use for a task or two that’s yet to be completed. When you tackle a project, even if it’s small, you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment, and not guilty about taking time for yourself over the weekend. Reach out to customers early in the day. Because Friday is a lackadaisical day in so many offices, you can use this phenomenon to your advantage. Reach out to customers you haven’t connected with in awhile, and double down by following-up with deals in-the-works. Leave a small reward to enjoy on Monday. One reason Mondays seem so bland is because they lack reward. Whatever it is that perks you up, and not just a cup of coffee, like a favorite snack, put it aside for next week. You can even set a reminder to make it all the more special. Begin the week with thoughtful recognition. There is probably at least one person who helped you out this week, perhaps two or three. Show your appreciation by picking something up for them over the weekend and surprising them on Monday. It will keep you eager to get back Monday morning, and will create a sense of appreciation and excitement to the recipient(s). Another thing you can do on Friday to make Monday more productive is to get that one pain point out of the way. It will make the weekend all the more enjoyable and sweet, plus, it won’t daunt you next week. I started doing this in the form of a game or competition. How many pain point, or high priority projects, phone calls or tasks could I accomplish before I leave on Friday? How many projects or priorities do I have on Monday that I could complete on Friday to make Monday an easy start? And it is working for me with higher productivity, growth and more free time. Make your Friday count so that Monday is a breeze! [shareaholic app=”follow_buttons” id=”26833294″]

Top 5 Entrepreneurship Myths You Probably Believe but Shouldn’t

March 12, 2018 No Comments

Entrepreneurship myths are everywhere. They populate the minds of anyone who dreams of striking out on their own. Heck, even successful entrepreneurs believe some of them. (At least at some point in their journey.) The reason entrepreneurial myths are so widely believed is because they involve risk. And, everyone is risk-averse (to one degree or another). Therefore, these misconceptions live on and keep good people from following their passions. But, you don’t have to believe them. Two Common Entrepreneurship Myths Let’s start with two common entrepreneurship myths; then, we’ll get on to the big three. First is the old nagging feeling that money is the single biggest obstacle. Nonsense. You can start a business in about 10 minutes using social media and a little imagination. Now, you’ve got to know how to use social media to effectively promote your business. But, the point is, you can find a ton of free and really cheap ways to get things going in a short amount of time. As people are trying to navigate away from the “corporate jungle” towards the land of supposed “entrepreneurial utopia,” a lot of misconceptions arise. Perhaps this has to do with the media, advice they have received or what is heard through the grapevine but often these insights can derail a person from taking the plunge in the startup world. Or cause them to jump on the entrepreneurial bandwagon, when they have no business doing so. —Entrepreneur.com Another common entrepreneurial myth is that making more money is the best motivation. This simply isn’t true. And, it’s actually somewhat dangerous. If you’re only motivated by money, your heart and mind are in the wrong place. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with earning a better living but it’s foundation can’t be greed. 3 Biggest Entrepreneurship Myths The fact of the matter is money isn’t an obstacle and it’s a bad motivator. But, this isn’t the only challenge people let get in their way of realizing their dreams. Now, let’s get into the three biggest entrepreneurship myths people believe: The more customers, the better. At the bottom of the top three is the notion that more customers means more success. Which in turn means, the better. Two words about that: Not. True. Quality will always trump quality. What’s more, it’s a risky situation — especially early on. You’ll spread yourself too thin and that will only hurt you in the long run. Focus on the ones who make it a pleasure and let go of those who waste your time or have unrealistic expectations. You need an inherent entrepreneur trait. Some people actually subscribe to the notion there are “born entrepreneurs.” Of course, there are individuals who have a knack for it but that doesn’t mean everyone else is shut out. It just takes work, self-confidence, and most of all, persistence. Those who go forward and don’t give up have a much higher success rate than those who don’t. It just takes one great idea to make it work. Now, we’re at the biggest of all entrepreneurial myths. And, that’s believing you only need one great idea. While this is a key element, it won’t work as a magic bullet. Lots of people have great ideas. The trick is to define it and market it effectively by testing the market and remaining persistent with discipline and consistency when things get difficult. What other entrepreneur myths do you think people believe? What suggestions do you have to get past them? Please share your thoughts and experiences by commenting! Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.

3 Unconscious Mental Blocks Your Routine Creates that Hold Your Business Back

September 24, 2021 No Comments

Your routine is your frenemy. Let’s repeat this paradoxical reality again. Your daily routine is your frenemy. It’s an often unspoken, difficult truth. Something most of us either ignore or just never think about. Regardless, it is inescapable, because there are two sides to everything. And your daily routine is certainly no exception. What is supposed to be highly advantageous, can also unleash equal disadvantages. So, it’s time to look at this with a curious, open mind. Biggest Daily Routine Benefits Routines obviously have their benefits. Otherwise, we would not institute and follow them at all. For example, keeping you on time and task certainly is a huge advantage. By following a routine, you are much less likely to get distracted and you’ll complete priorities in order of importance. Additionally, a routine helps with the ebb and flow of life. Which is to say, uncomfortable or emergency situations. It’s a fundamental truth that sometimes the greatest barrier to your success is yourself. Not that you don’t try, aren’t talented, or don’t have the resources to succeed–you do. It’s just that a self-limiting mindset can creep into your worldview without you realizing it, keeping the achievement of your goals forever on an unreachable horizon. —Inc.com It’s common advice that when you’re in unfamiliar territory and feel overwhelmed, settle back into your routine. This helps you to relax and look at the bigger picture. Ultimately, it gives you the calming effect of being in control. Moreover, a routine lets you to chart your progress throughout the day. You feel a sense of accomplishment with each line item you cross off your list. 3 Ways Your Routine Sabotages Your Business Although routines are beneficial on one hand, on the other, they can be downright detrimental. We usually don’t see these disadvantages because routines offer a sense of continuity and comfort — to mindsets that can be counterproductive. Here are three unconscious mental blocks that your routines create and hold back your business: You feel satisfied. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of satisfaction. It puts your mind at ease and lets you put your brain on idle. And, that’s the very problem with the mind being satisfied — the satiation is an impediment to wanting and doing more. When you are satisfied, you stop and disengage. Done too often, this is a recipe for stagnation. You’re not as creative. Have you ever noticed those “eureka” moments are now few and far between, or worse yet, absent entirely? When you started your business, you did so with enthusiasm, drive, and purpose. But, you’ve come to a point where you’re not nearly creative as you were in the past. That’s because you’re just following a routine, which means your no longer freeing yourself to think outside of the box. You can’t envision a different future Sure, the future is always uncertain. However, there’s a difference between not knowing and not dreaming. If you hit enough of your goals, you’ll probably stop thinking about reaching new achievements and that is tantamount to not reimagining your possible future. After all, as time goes by, changes occur and the future might actually look completely different than it did before. What other ways do routines undermine your success? Please take a moment to share your thoughts and experiences. Your unique perspective just might help one or several people out! Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.