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Owning And Fixing Mistakes The Right Way

mistakes

Everyone makes mistakes — it’s inevitable. You will not be perfect, so instead of pretending you are or ignoring your mistakes, it’s always better to own up to missteps and try to address issues honestly. In fact, owning up to your mistakes is one of the most effective ways to grow, improve and foster strong relationships with others. It’s smart for both your personal life and your professional life to understand the right way to own mistakes, address problems and move forward.

One of the most important things to do after realizing you made a mistake is to remain calm. Panic can lead to hasty, ill-contrived apologies, poorly constructed solutions and even more mistakes. Take a deep breath, stay calm and think clearly and calmly about the most appropriate thing to do next. After you have had a second to take a deep breath, you can develop a plan that will help you address the mistake and fix the problem. It is always better to be thoughtful and intentional when attempting to address errors.

Once you know the best way to address the problem, do not lose any more time. Address issues promptly before there is time for hard feelings to develop and additional problems to arise. After you have done the right thing, take time to reflect on what happened, how you could have avoided the issue and how to do better going forward. Without reflection and honest evaluation, you may repeat the same mistake in the future.

After taking all of the steps necessary to owing up to your mistakes, the last thing you have to do is move on. The great thing about mistakes is that while they provide great opportunity for growth, you are not defined by them. You have to give yourself permission to move on, put the past behind you and strive for excellence going forward.

By Meagan Kerlin for Vertu Marketing LLC

A Stronger Business Through Strong Relationships

relationships

One of the factors that could make a significant difference for your business is the strength of your relationships with the people you work with. Whether you own the business or you simply work for a business, it is always a good thing to attempt to build strong connections — it makes you a better boss, better employee and it leads to a better experience for customers. There are simple ways for you to develop and foster better relationships, and making this effort can lead to improvements for various aspects of your operations.

One of the most effective ways for you to build better relationships at work is to not be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Not only does this allow you to work closely with others, it allows people to see your vulnerability. Letting people know you want to do a good job and improve yourself will earn respect and lay the foundation for better connections with others. In the same way, allow others the freedom to ask for help and support when needed — then freely and gladly give it.

A key factor to building strong relationships is to avoid a tendency for perfectionism. Striving to be perfect only leads to frustration — perfect is an illusion. Instead, strive for excellence, improvement and growth. People do not really relate to those more focused on perfection instead of improvement. If you want better relationships, stop expecting people to be perfect. Give people the freedom to make mistakes and learn from those mistakes, including yourself.

While it sounds overly simple, treating others the way you wish to be treated is a great way to make sure you have better relationships with the people who work for you or with you. In the pursuit of success, do not forget the power and benefit of investing in people and treating others well.

By Meagan Kerlin for Vertu Marketing LLC

Packing Your Small Business Parachute

parachute

In the United States, thousands of small businesses are launched every year; however, only a few of them are truly successful long-term. It’s not easy to jump into entrepreneurship, no matter the type of business you are attempting to create and run. It’s always prudent to have a proverbial parachute packed before you take the leap. Having a smart back plan in place for supporting yourself through the initial stages of launching a business is greatly beneficial, as is having other contingency plans in place.

While you can never truly predict the future, there are steps you can take to give yourself some measure of security before you begin. As part of your “small business parachute”, you should have a strong business plan. There is much more involved with a successful business besides just having a good idea and opening up shop. Take the time to draft a thoughtful and thorough business plan — this will give your operation vision, direction and focus.

Another thing you may need in your “parachute” or contingency plan is a financial fallback strategy. Especially in the beginning stages, it can be difficult to turn a profit. You may find it helpful to have a plan for navigating the tough initial phases of a start-up. This could mean working another part-time job, raising capital or having another way to generate an income stream for you and your family.

Planning and careful consideration of your potential needs and goals will provide you with security and confidence for the future. As you walk through the often-difficult first stages of starting a business, it’s smart to have a safety net. Entrepreneurs can face many challenges, but the payoff can be well worth the effort. If you want to take the leap into the world of small business, pack your parachute before you take the leap.

By Meagan Kerlin for Vertu Marketing LLC

Is Your Side Hustle Your Main Passion?

Side hustle

Many successful businesses start out as a simple dream. Maybe you started a small company based on your passion, and now you find yourself juggling your “real job” obligations and the many things you have to do to keep your side hustle afloat. Most business owners find themselves in this in-between stage at some point — somewhere between being able to do their side job full time while still needing full-time income from another source. This can be a complicated phase in the life of your business, but with focus and dedication, you can make it.

One of the most important steps for you as you attempt to build a business while working a side hustle is to have a crystal clear vision for the future of your small business. Working two jobs is difficult and stressful, and knowing exactly what you want to do in the future and why you want to do it can help you find the motivation to keep pushing. Commitment to your ultimate dream is an essential part of your success.

Another step you can take as you juggle both jobs is to reach out for professional business guidance. This stage offers you a great opportunity to get training and insight for business growth and future goals. Before you go full time with your side hustle, make sure you know what it will take to succeed at that point. Joining a entrepreneur group, securing the help of a business coach and taking other steps can help you lay a strong foundation for the next stage of your small business.

It is not easy to work full time while still pursuing your true passion. If you are not yet ready to completely turn your side hustle into your career, be patient, set daily goals and keep chasing your dream. Take the time to learn and prepare for the future success of your company.

By Meagan Kerlin for Vertu Marketing LLC