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.

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Best Ways to Grow Your Small Business with Smart Community Sponsorships

September 25, 2025 No Comments

Building strong ties with your community is one of the most effective ways to grow a small business.

Small Businesses are Increasingly Turning to Alternative Lenders – Here’s What You Need to Know before Borrowing

April 28, 2023 No Comments

Even before the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank or SVB, there was a tightening in the commercial credit market. Post-collapse, small businesses have found it increasingly more difficult to secure capital from traditional lenders. Still in need of cash infusions and lines of credit, small businesses are turning to alternative lenders. Advantages and Disadvantages of Borrowing from Alternative Small Business Lenders Alternative small business lenders are non-bank lenders that provide financing to small businesses. They offer a variety of loan products, including term loans, lines of credit, and equipment financing. Alternative lenders often have more flexible lending criteria than traditional banks, making them a good option for small businesses that may be turned down for a loan from a traditional lender. Of course, even though all of this sounds good, there are reasons small businesses have historically relied on traditional lenders. This is due to the fact that there are not only upsides but also, downsides to using an alternative lender. So, let’s take a look at the pros and cons of borrowing from alternative lenders. Pros of Borrowing from Alternative Lenders Faster approval and funding. Alternative lenders often have a streamlined application process that can be completed online or over the phone. This can lead to faster approval and funding, which can be critical for businesses that need money quickly. More flexible terms. Alternative lenders may be more willing to work with businesses that have less-than-perfect credit or that are in the early stages of growth. They may also be more willing to offer loans with longer terms or lower interest rates. More options. Alternative lenders offer a wider variety of loan products than traditional banks. This includes term loans, lines of credit, and merchant cash advances. No personal guarantee required. Some alternative lenders do not require a personal guarantee from the business owner. This means that the business owner’s personal assets are not at risk if the loan is not repaid. Although these are some quite compelling reasons to seek out capital from an alternative lender, there are also a few considerations you should take into account so you have a better understanding of how these lenders work. Cons of Borrowing from Alternative Lenders Higher interest rates. Alternative lenders typically charge higher interest rates than traditional banks. This is because they are taking on more risk by lending to businesses that may not be as creditworthy. Shorter terms. Alternative lenders often offer loans with shorter terms than traditional banks. This means that the business owner will have to make larger payments over a shorter period of time. Hidden fees. Some alternative lenders charge hidden fees, such as origination fees or prepayment penalties. These fees can add to the overall cost of the loan. Less customer service. Alternative lenders may have less customer service than traditional banks. This can make it difficult to get help if you have questions or problems with your loan. Now you have a better idea of what to expect from alternative lenders, you are more informed about your options and this will give you additional choices. Taking it a step further, you should also consider the following if you are in need of a line of credit or some operating capital. When to Borrow from an Alternative Lender Alternative lenders can be a good option for small businesses that need money quickly, have less-than-perfect credit, or are in their early stages of growth. However, it is important to carefully consider the pros and cons before choosing an alternative lender. If you are considering borrowing from an alternative lender, be sure to shop around and compare rates and terms from multiple lenders. You should also read the fine print carefully to understand all of the fees and conditions associated with the loan. Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group to learn more about us and the services we offer.

How You’re Sabotaging Your Own Business

May 16, 2017 No Comments

You put a lot into your business and have a commitment to make it grow. It’s likely that you want to do more than provide for your family, you probably would like to leave a legacy, and, feel the satisfaction of accomplishment. However, what’s holding your company back from its potential isn’t necessarily sinister, uncontrollable, outside forces–it’s you who is the culprit. That might sound strange, but it’s a reality that plagues many organizations, from the mom and pop brick and mortar, to software as a service, to large community companies. While you’re busy being busy and worrying about this and that, you’re likely missing some behaviors and practices you personally do to sabotage your own business. Sure, you know about your propensity to push yourself and try to keep a sound balance between work and home life, but, there are other ways you could be causing harm. How You’re Sabotaging Your Own Business Entrepreneurs have a dedication to an idea, and ironically, it’s that commitment which can cloud judgment, or, cause myopia–not seeing the bigger picture. There’s more to building a business than recruiting the right people, networking, and delivering a good level of service, along with the products or a services you offer or provide. Success begins with you, and, while you might have the drive to make it a worthwhile venture, you might also be impeding growth. Most entrepreneurs have the drive and desire to succeed. It’s what we grow up learning and what we want from an early age. But many of us have also been adversely wired by negative experiences in ways that sabotage or hinder our chances of personal and business success. The good news is that we can rewire ourselves in ways that not only neutralize our negative programming, but also put us on an even stronger path to success. —Forbes Most business owners understand that the right pricing, marketing, and brand building are crucial factors for success. What goes largely unnoticed is certain behaviors and practices that can inflict real damage, some of which can be long lasting. So, if you’re doing one of these things, identify them, and settle on a fix. Over-promising. It’s easy to give-in to pleasing your customers, and, doing so is laudable. However, when you over-promise, you run the very real risk of coming-up short. That’s a bad place to be and finding a way out of such a situation won’t be simple. Micromanaging. When you have every member of your organization under your thumb, you are sending a message that says you believe them to be incompetent. What’s more, you’re indirectly telling them they are only a tool, not an asset to your company. Not delegating. It’s one thing to micromanage, but it’s not the same as not delegating. You can be hands-off and not delegate, which can create chaos and decrease efficiency, as well as output. You ought to delegate to streamline your organization and make it work better. Keeping dead weight on staff. When you keep toxic team members on-board, you are sending a bad signal to others. What’s more, that particular person can project a negative image to your customers and to the outside world. Not setting achievable goals. You’ve probably heard the Zig Ziglar quote, “If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time.” That’s certainly true, and, it’s just as true of setting goals that aren’t realistic. Set workable goals, reach them, and then repeat. Another way you can easily sabotage your own business is to take things personally. There will be setbacks, even outright failures, and, you’ll lose good people along the way. Don’t take things personally because you’ll make emotional decisions, not sound ones. [shareaholic app=”follow_buttons” id=”26833294″]