Meagan Kerlin

There are many things that can hold you back from success. Some of these things are physical challenges and circumstances beyond your control, while others may be mental roadblocks that only you can see. In fact, you may be facing roadblocks that you don’t even realize you are facing, and they can have a significant impact on your success and forward momentum. It’s beneficial to occasionally self-evaluate in order to determine what habits, mindsets and other things in your life are keeping you from achieving your goals.

One unrealized roadblock in your life may be bad habits that you’ve allowed to creep in and take hold. Distraction, negativity, laziness, lack of structure  are all bad habits that can have a significant negative influence on your success as an entrepreneur. Bad habits don’t develop overnight, and it can take time and discipline to break them, but it’s always worth the effort to rid your life of this type unseen roadblock.

Another common unrealized roadblock that may be holding you back is your pride. If you have enjoyed any measure of success, you may find yourself leaning more and more on your own abilities and less on your mentor’s  guidance or your team’s strengths. Don’t let success fool you into thinking that you’ve got it all figured out. Sustained success only comes with personal growth, a willingness to learn from mistakes and working with people who challenge you and make you better.

If you don’t have a source of guidance and support on your entrepreneurial journey, this can serve as a roadblock as well. No matter what type of field you are in or the type of business you have, you could benefit greatly from having an experienced business mentor or coach to help you navigate this difficult journey. Don’t be afraid to ask for help and take the time to self-reflect and see what unrealized roadblocks may be standing in your way.

By Meagan Kerlin for Vertu Marketing LLC

You probably remember the team projects your teacher would assign in high school. You may have been grouped with others your teacher selected, and chances are, at least on person in your group was not interested in helping or putting forth any effort. These types of projects were dreadful; however, teamwork doesn’t always have to be this way.

Teamwork is a valuable tool, and it’s often underutilized. Sure, it’s easier to let everyone simply do his or her own thing and not worry about making people work together, but this may be a mistake. When done the right way, teams can provide wonderful results that can benefit everyone. Don’t overlook how beneficial this can be simply because you had bad teamwork experiences in the past.

Working as a team has many benefits. One is that you will have access to thoughts and ideas that maybe you didn’t have. Every person has a unique perspective, and you can glean so much simply by seeing how someone else views the challenges presented by the project.

Teamwork only works when each party is willing to do his or her share. When you have the option to work with a team, strive to delegate tasks in a way that is intentional and lines up with your teammates’ strengths, ideas and passions. When teams can work together well, the result is often much more creative, effective and impressive than one person could accomplish on his or her own. If you’ve had trouble working with teams in the past, don’t let it dissuade you from working with others now.

You’re perfectly capable of doing amazing work and accomplishing many things on your own. However, occasionally working with others can add a richness and excitement to your work experience. Whether you’re the boss or an employee, think about ways you can implement teamwork to push yourself and others beyond what was possible with just one person.

By Meagan Kerlin for Vertu Marketing LLC

Are you starting your own business? Are you ready to take your side hustle and make it your only hustle? If you are ready to jump into the world of entrepreneurship, the excitement of what is ahead can quickly overwhelm you. Eventually, this excitement will die down, and you will be left to manage the day-to-day — and often not-so-fun — aspects of being a newbie entrepreneur. The first months and years can be especially difficult, and it can be beneficial to learn a few helpful tips that can help you navigate some of these early challenges.

It’s easy to look at where you are starting out and become discouraged by your humble beginnings. One tip for new entrepreneurs is to avoid becoming too focused on where you are. Instead, try to focus on where you want to go. Many of the most recognizable brands and most successful companies started out in basements or in the corner of a living room. It’s okay to start small.

Another tip for those starting out in the business world is to have clear and specific goals. Simply saying that you want success is not really a goal. When you have specific benchmarks to follow and measurable goals to pursue, it can help propel you forward. You won’t become a profitable success in just one day, but each day you can move forward, get a little closer and mark other things off your list. Don’t overlook the importance of seemingly minor progress. Any forward momentum is good momentum.

One of the most helpful tips for any entrepreneur or business owner is to remember that it’s important to fail well. It’s inevitable that you will fail at some point, but it is beneficial to learn how to handle these setbacks in the right way. Learn from mistakes, and never assume that one setback or even multiple setbacks is the end of the road for you. Keep learning, growing and fighting for the next success.

By Meagan Kerlin for Vertu Marketing LLC

No matter your job, the role you have in the workplace or the goals you have for the future, having leadership skills is important. Whether you want to be boss some day, start your own company or simply thrive in the role you have, developing the right habits and working on self-improvement can help you take on more qualities of a strong, successful leader. Self-improvement and personal development can help you reach both your personal and professional goals.

One of the ways you can mark yourself as a leader or hone your own leadership skills is to over-deliver. Going above and beyond will not only make a good impression, it will help you distinguish yourself as a hardworking individual dedicated to producing quality results. Strong leaders are motivated, driven individuals who also encourage others to do their best work. On the other side of that, being a strong leader means that you are willing to own mistakes and learn from them. When things don’t go as planned or you commit a misstep, admit you were wrong and move forward.

Leaders are often required to act in the moment and make difficult decisions. One skill you may need to develop is the art of remaining calm in a crisis and thinking clearly when things seem chaotic. You will almost certainly experience stress, but it’s important to know how to deal with difficult times while still treating others well and making practical choices. Temporary emotions can be overwhelming, but it’s a valuable skill to be able to set those feelings aside and make decisions based on other factors besides how you are feeling in the moment.

Finally, to be a good leader means you are able and comfortable with empowering others so they can succeed as well. Let your co-workers and team members shine — allow them to use their skills and unique traits to move the entire team forward. Someone else’s success in something does not diminish your leadership or the value of what you bring to the table.

By Meagan Kerlin for Vertu Marketing LLC

One of the blessings of growth and success is the need to hire employees to help run your company. Working with others can take some time to get used to, especially if you are an entrepreneur who has been working independently for a long time. After awhile, you will become more comfortable with navigating interpersonal relationships, scheduling, compensation and management of your staff. It is important, however, to avoid becoming too comfortable in your position, which can lead to a sense of complacency and a desire to ignore employee problems because it is simply easier than confrontation.

Unfortunately, there will likely be a time when you will have to deal with a problem involving one of your employees or staff members. It is always optimal to deal with these issues head-on, as avoidance will only lead to additional complications. You may not think that you have a strong leadership style, but dealing with employee problems is not something to resolve with passive-aggressive tactics. It may be uncomfortable, but it is always better to use the following tactics when speaking with an employee about a negative situation:

• Do not give hints or talk around the subject — be direct
• Be polite, but straightforward
• List the problems specifically
• Offer the employee an opportunity to respond
• Outline your expectations and demands going forward

You worked for years, maybe even decades, to start your business and make it succeed. Personnel problems can quickly sink the ship, and you have the right to diligently protect the business you poured your time, effort and money into. Employee problems are not something to ignore, and you should not sit idly by or drop hints and hope things get better. Mutual respect is an important part of making the employee-employer relationship work, and you can cultivate this by being direct and honest about expectations and dealing with problems in the right way.

By Meagan Kerlin for Vertu Marketing LLC

Have you ever had to speak in front of a crowd? Whether it’s 10 people around a conference table or a large group at a symposium, speaking in front of people may be your least favorite thing to do. Successful people do not have to be natural-born speakers in order to “make it”, but it is smart to know how to deal with your nerves and speak well in case you have to do so for your career or for the benefit of your small business. By removing the mystery from giving presentations, it will be easier to approach these situations with more clarity of thought and less anxiety.

Many people think they must use a podium or stand behind something in order to look professional when giving presentations, but that is not necessarily the case. If you are more comfortable being closer to your audience and moving around a bit while you are talking, go for it. Chances are that your audience will appreciate your less formal and more personal approach. For many, one of the most significant mysteries is how to open a presentation — should you tell a joke or a heart-warming story, or should you get straight to the point? In reality, the best way to start depends on your comfort level, your audience and your intentions. Telling a bad or potentially offensive joke is not good, so if you are not sure, it may be best to find another way to start.

Another myth about public speaking is that you should refrain from audience participation until the very end. In reality, it can be quite helpful for you to engage with your audience as much as possible. Allowing for questions throughout your talk may help you feel at ease and connect with the other people in the room. This can also be a practical way to spice up a subject matter some may consider boring.

When it comes to giving presentations, practice makes perfect. It is smart to practice any talk you may have to give, write notes and learn what works best for you. With time and effort, you can become quite effective as a speaker, even if you do not think you are naturally inclined to address people in this type of setting.

By Meagan Kerlin for Vertu Marketing LLC

Money — everyone wants more of it and few people know what to do with it once they get it. The subject of money is often taboo, and there are many misconceptions about how to manage it well. No matter what, you should be the one to control your money, not the other way around. If you are not sure where it all goes each month or consistently find yourself unsure of how you will pay certain bills, it’s time to take back the financial reins and start telling your money what to do.

The first step in taking back financial control is to do a complete analysis of your situation. Make a list of monthly bills, expenses and expected costs. Make a list of all of your sources of income. Sit down and see exactly where you are spending money — you may be surprised where your income is going. Online subscriptions, expensive coffee drinks each day and too many meals out can quickly drain your bank account, leaving you short when it’s time to pay for things that matter.

Next, you will need to take your lists and create a budget that does not leave you short of money each month. This may mean you will have to cut back on some things, and that’s okay. Have the discipline to say no to things in order to find a better financial standing and save for the future. A budget is worthless unless you stick to it, so you will have to make the commitment to yourself that you will stay on track.

Once you are operating on a reasonable budget, you will need to start setting aside money to pay off debt and save for the future. Your financial goals should extend beyond your immediate wants — think about what you will need for the future and how beneficial it can be to have an emergency savings fund. Your long-term financial interests are worth protecting, and now is a good time to take back control of your money.

By Meagan Kerlin for Vertu Marketing LLC

Any person who has succeeded in a leadership position knows the benefits of delegation. Delegating tasks does not mean that you can’t or won’t do certain things, it simply means that you are smart enough to know that it can help you get more done — and help you save your sanity. Delegating tasks involves much more than just assigning certain tasks to people who work for you or with you. It takes thought and intention to do this in a way that will boost overall productivity, allow your team to shine and provide you with a way to focus on other pressing matters.

One of the hardest things for many entrepreneurs to do is to let go of control. If you started your company from the ground up, there was a time when you were probably taking care of every single thing required to succeed. As your company grows, however, and you hire more people, this is no longer necessary. If you hire good, capable employees, it’s okay to hand over the reins in certain areas. This will ultimately result in less stress for you and employees who have ownership in their jobs.

Delegating tasks may mean there will be times that you need to hear your employees out and take their suggestions. Once you let go of control of certain areas of your business, you may find yourself unfamiliar with certain things that your employees typically handle — that’s okay. Listen to the people who work with you and care about your company. This doesn’t diminish your role as the owner; it simply means you are smart enough to give your employees the tools they need to succeed and the opportunity to do so.

Delegation is tricky, and you may not initially be comfortable with relinquishing control. You can’t always do it all, especially as your business is growing and changing. By trying to do it all, you could be sacrificing your sanity simply to maintain control, and this typically is not worth it. Learn to let go, and you might be quite surprised at just how beneficial it can be for both you and your company.

By Meagan Kerlin for Vertu Marketing LLC