Work-Life Balance for Entrepreneurs - Classy Career Girl

Work-Life Balance for Entrepreneurs One of the biggest challenges as an entrepreneur is balancing your energy and your time. Whether you’re building a business while working full-time or you’re a full-time entrepreneur, it’s tempting to work late into the evening, answering emails or taking care of just one last thing. With phones, email, and social media at our fingertips, your work-life balance is in jeopardy. My work as a speaker, trainer, and coach often require me to work non-standard hours so that working in the evenings have quickly become the norm. (And the occasional Saturday morning, too! Where does it all end?!) Another challenge of balancing my work and life is transitioning my mind from work to home so I’m not writing speeches in my head as I’m lying in bed trying to fall asleep. Even when I’m not actively working, my mind is working if I don’t create balance. If you are an  entrepreneur, I’m sure you can relate. How many nights have you stayed up answering emails or strategizing late into the night? An unbalanced life leads to stress, health issues, overwhelm, and burnout. It can negatively affect your personal and business relationships. Your time and energy are precious resources, and you will accomplish more with a healthy work-life balance. Here are 10 of the best work-life balance habits to implement if you want to be a successful (and happy) entrepreneur: 1. Set Working Hours Building your business sometimes means working 40+ hours a week or working a non-standard schedule. Still, it’s important to set business hours. Maybe your business hours are 9 am â€" 9 pm on certain days, but after 9 pm consider your business closed for the night! Set an alarm on your computer or phone if you think you’ll be tempted to work past your closing time. 2. Unplug When You’re Not Working Step away from the computer, turn off your phone, and unplug outside your working hours. That means don’t keep your phone near your bed when you’re sleeping! 3. Schedule One Admin Day Per Week If you meet with clients, pick one day a week that you do not meet with clients and use this day to take care of administrative tasks such as catching up on emails, organizing, planning, and completing paperwork. 4. Take At Least One Day Off Per Week Take at least one day off per week. A day off means no calls, no email, and no work. 5. Schedule Social  Family Time Add time in your schedule for friends, family, and fun. If you have time blocked out on your calendar it’s easier to avoid over-scheduling yourself and making work a priority over life. 6. Schedule Me Time Schedule at least 30 minutes a day for some down time. Use that 30 minutes to meditate, read a book, or whatever activity relaxes and refreshes you. 7. Schedule Meal Times Avoid working lunches and working dinners if possible. Give yourself time to eat and enjoy your meals without distraction. [Related: 13 Time Management Habits of Successful Women] 8. Have a Dedicated Work Space Whether you have a home office, go to the library, or rent co-working space, have a dedicated work space. When you’re in your workspace, you work. When you’re in your living space, you live. Avoid working in the living room or bedroom, and avoid taking care of personal to-dos in your workspace. 9. Cross One Item Off Your To-do List Without Doing It Make a list of all of your  to-dos activities. Do they all really need to be done? If you find an item that is  not adding value to your life, cross that item off your to-do list. 10. Adjust  Readjust If you slip into old patterns and your life becomes unbalanced, just start fresh the next day and  adjust your schedule. Take a break to restore balance and dont be too hard on yourself. What changes to your  schedule and to-do list are you going to make?

Interview Series - Career Experts - Georgene Huang from Fairygodboss CareerMetis.com

Interview Series - Career Experts - Georgene Huang from Fairygodbossâ€" CareerMetis.com In this interview series, we caught up with Georgene Huang from Fairygodbosswho shares her expertise and insights about job search, career change,etc.in today’s marketplace.Tell us a little bit about your companyevalFairygodboss is the largest female career community where highly motivated and authentic women can connect with other career-minded individuals to share real-life experiences and help one another to succeed.Our platform supports women in their careers through free resources like company reviews, over 70,000 job listings, virtual recruiting events and a community where users can be honest about their triumphs and failures either as themselves or anonymously.How did you get started in this path?The idea for Fairygodboss came to me after, what I describe as, a very bad day at work.On that day, I was suddenly fired from my executive role at a major company as part of a management shakeup. At the time, I was two months pregnant and hadn’t yet told anyone. So I was in this position of looking for a job and going on interviews â€" and feeling quite pressured to hide my pregnancy.While interviewing, I wanted to ask certain questions around benefits and policies like maternity leave and work-life balance â€" but feared being judged as less than fully committed to my career if I asked.I also wanted to hear directly from other women about their experiences and how they overcame similar challengesSo, I turned to the internet for answers, and was surprised by the lack of information I found, which is why we’ve formed the FGB Community.Is this something you decided early on in your career?I’ve always been entrepreneurial, but I think my own experience definitely helped me see a gap in the market for everyday, working women.What is the most exciting part of working in this industry?Helping other women succeed!How do to stay abreast of the industry as an expert?evalRead, read, and read!Stay on top of the news, not only within your industry, but you should k now what’s going on in the world.Everything has a way of impacting something else so it’s important to know what’s happening.What are some of the things that you see job seekers struggle with the most?Many female job seekers struggle to find the answers to more sensitive questions, usually related to health benefits which is why we’ve made this information clear on our website to help improve transparency.How should job seekers approach job search today?Often, I hear from FGB members when they’re in a position of looking for a job, that it’s hard to keep the bigger picture in mind. They are so, understandably, focused on the short-term job search itself and landing an offer. But taking a job is agreeing to enter into a long-ish term relationship.So it’s very important to be intentional about what that relationship will look like and honest with yourself about whether you will enjoy it.Most people spend at least 40 hours a week at work, so when looking for a job, you’ re also looking for a place to spend most of your waking hours with people that will become potentially as close to you as your family and friends.What are the common mistakes that you see them do?Many job seekers don’t do their research prior to starting their job hunt and then end up in a job at a company that they don’t like or whose values don’t align with their personal values.What is the biggest trend1) Better benefits.2) More flexibility in the workplace.3) Increased transparency between management and employees.What is one advice you would give someone just out of college today?I strongly suggest an informational interview at companies that you’re interested in to learn more about their open roles and company culture.If you have a contact at a company, definitely reach out, but don’t be afraid of cold outreach (especially to recruiters).What is one advice you would give someone who is switching careers?Leverage your community and do your research.Find out what it†™s really like to work at a company by reading company reviews on websites like Fairygodboss.Find out why people like, or dislike, working for a company and do some research into what the company offers in terms of benefits and compensation.Unemployment is at the lowest levels, why do you think that is?More jobs are being created.What is the biggest trend(s) you see that hiring managers will face in the next 2-3 years?1) Candidates expecting workplace flexibility.2) Candidates placing increased importance on company values and culture.What are you currently working on?Currently, we’re focusing on continuing to improve our product.The Fairygodboss site recently went through a major overhaul and we’ve created a new platform with a brand new look.Adding new features that our users want to help improve our platform is our main focus.What are the best resources you recommend to job seekers?Fairygodboss.comWhat is the best way for our audience to reach you?Connect with me on the FGB c ommunity!Connect with or Follow Georgene Huang Fairygodboss on Social Media:LinkedInTwitterFacebook PageYouTube PageGeorgene Huang and Fairygodboss have also been featured in our recent compilation of the most resourceful career experts and career blogs â€" Top Career Advice Websites.

8 Things You Need to Ask Yourself Before Taking the Job - CareerEnlightenment.com

8 Things You Need to Ask Yourself Before Taking the Job When you’ve been searching for a job for a long time, getting offered a position might feel like an overwhelming relief. You might feel tempted to jump right on board, but is that really the best decision you could be making? You need to make sure you’re making an informed choice. A career is a huge commitment, and you should ask yourself the right questions before you come to your ultimate decision.Questions About Your Current SituationThe job you accept should immediately enhance your life. Considering some of the logistics and what current needs the job will fulfill is only half the battle, but it’s equally as important as preparing for the future. You need to fully comprehend what you’re getting yourself into before you accept terms or sign anything.Is my hourly wage or salary equivalent to what I can reasonably say I’m worth?Will accepting this job cause new expenses in my life?Did I apply for this job because I wanted it, or because it was open?Is the company culture consistent with the things that are important to me in the workplace?Settling for much less than what you’re worth doesn’t always come with the promise of actually getting what you’re worth within a satisfactory timeframe. If holding out a little longer has the potential to give you a substantial pay spike with a company that knows your worth, you’re better off waiting it out. This is especially true if taking the position will require moving, higher transportation costs, or childcare expenses that you may not have had to handle before.As far as culture and desire go, these are the things that make you the right fit for a job. You need to consider how you’ll actually communicate with and interact the environment you’re in. If you know right away it’s not going to work for you, don’t waste time accepting the position. Want to Read More Articles Like This One?Sign up here to receive weekly updates from Career Enlightenment, and never miss another powerful job searchin g tip! SUBSCRIBE! You have Successfully Subscribed!We hate spam too. Unsubscribe any time. Questions About Your Future A job isn’t always for “right now” â€" it has long-term implications that can affect the way you’re able to meet your other life goals or fulfill your responsibilities. You don’t need a crystal ball, but you should do your best to look into your future with a clear perspective.Does this position offer me a sufficient opportunity to move up within the company?Am I going to get tired or burned out with this kind of work?Do I have other aspirations that may be impeded if I stay with this job for the long haul?Does this company have longevity, or is it possible that they may fold in the coming years?The perfect position is something you don’t have to worry about. If you know you like the company, that they offer advancement opportunities, that you enjoy the kind of work you’ll be doing, and that taking on the position as a source of steady work won’t squash any of your other dreams, you should say yes to that position.Knowing When The Situation is Right Everything comes loaded with pros and cons. Deciding whether or not you should accept a job offer is just like anything else. It’s almost impossible to have all pros and no cons, but you need to feel satisfied that the pros are stronger before you shake hands with a hiring manager.

Discover Your Value Propositon - The Elevator Pitch, Part II -

Discover Your Value Propositon - The Elevator Pitch, Part II - In a previous post, I outlined the importance of writing your value proposition or elevator pitch.   To recap, this  is a short (30-second), prepared speech that addresses the questions, Who are you? and What do you have to offer? In  Part One, I  suggested writing down your top five work and personal accomplishments.   Now, think about what you want to achieve.   Tie these achievements to the targets needs What problem do they (or their organization) have that you can help solve?   Remember, although the pitch describes what YOU offer, it is really about your target.  Ã‚   In fact, you should alter your pitch depending on your target.   (Once you have something solid worked up, it will be easy to adjust it depending on your audience.) Offer specifics about your skills and accomplishments that address the targets problems. Are they lagging in sales?   Maybe you have a fabulous sales track record.   Do they need new written materials?   Bring up your background and accomplishments in revising or creating such materials.   In other words, you are the answer to their problem!   (Who doesnt want to meet the person who solves their problems?) Demonstrate your interest and excitement about your work.   No one wants to engage a cold fish.   Dont go overboard (no jumping on couches a la Tom Cruise), but be sure that you sound passionate about what you have to offer. Practice your pitch.   Memorize it until you could say it if someone woke you up from a nap.   Once you know what you have to offer, it will be easy for you to tweak  your pitch depending on the target and what their needs may be. You may be surprised at how useful it is to have an elevator pitch ready at a moments notice.   Its useful for networking as an answer to the question, What do you do? and you can rely on it as an introduction to a great gate opener (someone who has the potential to connect you to someone who may be instrumental in your job hunt).  Ã‚   By sharing information about who you are and what you do that is targeted to the individual who could use your services, you are several steps ahead of most job seekers and professionals who are not prepared to describe what they offer. Keppie Careers can help you with every aspect of your job search.   Need a resume?   Help with your linkedin.com profile?   Interview prep?   Take advantage of our experience:  

Keys to Writing an Effective Resume

Keys to Writing an Effective ResumeIf you are trying to find the keys to writing an effective resume, you will certainly need to learn how to write a very personal one. It would help to bring in some information that may be different from the facts you have already. It is the key to success.How do you get a professional resume writer to work with you? Your first step is to find out about your worth. You should be sure that you really are the one they want to hire. In other words, you must convince them of who you are and why you are the one for the job.The resume that you put together must show that you are valuable and who you are. This is why it is crucial to get your professional resume writer to come up with your own unique statement of purpose and why you are the right person for the job. You can do this by coming up with a few facts and taking them back to reality.A professional resume writer can help you immensely with this. After all, there is no point in going to a college o r vocational school to get a degree in something if you are not going to use it. The career that you have chosen will be based on your education and that is why it is important to show off the skills that you have earned and are truly the type of people who are capable of the position that you have chosen. No resume writer is going to work with you if you do not go to the same level.Do you know what employers look for? Once you have learned about what employers look for, you will know what to put on your resume. It is best to work with something that is original and focused on what you have done to get where you are today. There is no point in telling a story about your background or your experiences unless you make it relevant. The resume should actually be written based on what you do, rather than what you were.Do not focus on words as much as on phrases and headings. If you come up with something that is meant to reflect who you are and what you can do, then you can be sure that the resume writer will love working with you. Your resume will speak volumes and when you have some good content on the resume, it helps a lot to know that you have done your research.Make sure that the content on your resume is relevant. You will be surprised how much this will help your resume stand out and open the doors to more options.

Uber What Insurance Do Ride Share Drivers Need

Uber What Insurance Do Ride Share Drivers Need In 2014, Uber and Lyft rolled out expanded liability insurance for a rapidly growing fleet of independent drivers. For riders, the implication was clear: if you’re injured during a trip with a ride hailing service, the damages will be covered â€" up to $1 million. If you’re a civilian driver who has collided with an Uber or Lyft, you’ll navigate the claims process as you normally would. But if you’re a ride share driver, things aren’t that simple. The two companies’ collision insurance comes with a steep deductible and doesn’t cover every situation. Worse, if your personal insurer learns you work for a car-hailing app, they can drop you from your plan. Confused? You’re not the only one. If you’re a ride share driver, or thinking of becoming one, here’s what you need to know about insurance. Video Player is loading.Play VideoPlayMuteCurrent Time  0:00/Duration  0:00Loaded: 0%Stream Type  LIVESeek to live, currently playing liveLIVERemaining Time  -0:00  Playback Rate1xChaptersChaptersDescriptionsdescriptions off, selectedCaptionscaptions and subtitles off, selectedAudio TrackFullscreenThis is a modal window.Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.TextColorWhiteBlackRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyanTransparencyOpaqueSemi-TransparentBackgroundColorBlackWhiteRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyanTransparencyOpaqueSemi-TransparentTransparentWindowColorBlackWhiteRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyanTransparencyTransparentSemi-TransparentOpaqueFont Size50%75%100%125%150%175%200%300%400%Text Edge StyleNoneRaisedDepressedUniformDropshadowFont FamilyProportional Sans-SerifMonospace Sans-SerifProportional SerifMonospace SerifCasualScriptSmall CapsReset restore all settings to the default valuesDoneClose Modal DialogEnd of dialog window.PlayMuteCurrent Time  0:00/Duratio n  0:00Loaded: 0%Stream Type  LIVESeek to live, currently playing liveLIVERemaining Time  -0:00  Playback Rate1xFullscreen Uber’s and Lyft’s Contribution Ride sharing was uncharted territory just a few years ago, remember, so Uber and Lyft came onto the scene with little regulation or insurance liability. In 2014, that changed. On New Year’s Eve, a six-year-old girl was struck and killed by an Uber driver in San Francisco, and the company tried to distance itself from the incident. The driver wasn’t carrying a passenger, and wasn’t en route to one, so Uber claimed no responsibility. The family sued, and lawmakers pushed for greater insurance requirements for ride sharing companies. Shortly after, Uber and its competitors expanded their policies to include between-ride accidents. It’s a positive step, but the expanded policies don’t give drivers full coverage. Today, there are three tiers that Uber and Lyft use for determining liability: Period 1: Driver has the app “on” and is waiting for a request. The companies provide no collision coverage during this stage, and limited liability coverage â€" up to $50,00 for bodily injury with a total of $100,000 per accident. Period 2: Driver has app “on” and has accepted a request or is on the way to a pick up a passenger. Uber and Lyft provide both liability and collision coverage during this stage. Collision insurance comes with a $1,000 deductible for Uber, and a $2,500 deductible for Lyft. Period 3: Driver has a passenger in the car. Uber and Lyft assume the same liability and collision coverage as period 2. Uber’s and Lyft’s insurance usually kicks in when a driver’s personal auto insurance fails to cover the damages. A driver’s insurer is likely to fight the charges, so this happens often â€" and can end with the driver losing his or her personal policy, says Harry Campbell, an L.A.-based ride share driver and the blogger behind “The Rideshare Guy.” “If you get into an accident in California, one of the first questions your insurer asks you is ‘Are you an Uber or Lyft driver?’” Campbell says. “If you say yes, they can drop you, and if you say no, you’re lying to your insurer.” Ride Share Insurance Uber and Lyft drivers can purchase commercial insurance, but those policies are prohibitively expensive for most people. Conservative estimates range from $3,000 to $5,000 a year, Campbell says. As a result, major insurance carriers have begun offering ride share insurance, which are personal plans that cover drivers during between-trip accidents. Ride share policies are more affordable than their commercial counterparts (most run between $100 and $200 a month) and are available from nearly every major carrier. “A number of insurers are selling this as an endorsement, or a rider, to a policy,” says Peter Kochenburger, associate clinical professor of law at the University of Connecticut and a specialist in insurance and consumer law. “The idea is to close the gap between a personal policy and Uber’s policy. If you drive and you don’t have one of those endorsements, your personal policy won’t be sufficient in an accident.” This sliver of the insurance industry is still very new, so there’s little competition. Drivers in most states have only one insurance option, and some driversâ€"those in Hawaii, Oregon and Idaho, for instanceâ€"don’t have access to ride share insurance at all. Kochenburger is optimistic that states will soon iron out those wrinkles. “It’s really about coordinating coverage,” he says. “States are figuring out their ride sharing laws, and setting the appropriate parameters. Once every state figures out what they’re going to allow, the ability to obtain sufficient insurance as a driver will be much easier.” The Takeaway For drivers whose livelihood depends on Uber and Lyft, particularly those in states without access to third-party insurance, even a fender bender can spell disaster. “If your car is your money maker, and an accident isn’t covered, you lose both your money and your ability to make it back,” Campbell says. “It’s a tough position to be in.” As ride sharing continues to evolve, so will its insurance options. Survey your options before getting in too deep.

Resume Nightmares Part One - Work It Daily

Resume Nightmares Part One - Work It Daily For fans of reality shows like “The Profit,” “Kitchen Nightmares,” and “Bar Rescue,” there is familiarity with the strong statements from the shows’ stars: “I’m 100% in charge.” “This is the worst kitchen I’ve seen!” “You can’t keep doing this. You’re giving away too much food and drinks.” “What a disaster. This place is disgusting!” Related: The Right Resume Format To Get You Noticed I’ve left out the extreme language used to aggressively attack the failing businesses, restaurants, and bars. They point out every flaw in the structure, confront bad relationships â€" and make a passionate attempt to improve the business with expert advice. And in many cases, they confront owners who think everything is OK â€" and they’ve done nothing wrong, despite the failures. I present this introduction because, over the last two years, I’ve been voluntarily reviewing resumes for many people, with a particular focus on veterans. Too many of the resumes I’ve received have been “Resume Nightmares.” I don’t mean just the boring, somewhat typical “just the facts” resumes. I mean resumes that having me going very “Gordon Ramsey” and wanting to be “100% in charge” of making changes. The Initial Review On all of these reality shows, it starts with an overall review of the business, touring the site, sampling the food and/or service. It’s all about measuring first impressions. On “Kitchen Nightmares,” Gordon Ramsey wants to sample the menu and meet servers before he gets in-depth information from the owners and chefs. My response to a resume that I receive is similar. I very deliberately turn on my “first impression monitor” and imagine seeing this resume as if it had been submitted to me for a job. Frequently, I’ll print it out for a different visual impression than I get on a monitor. It is not uncommon for the resume to generate a strong negative reaction: poorly formatted, small font, long narrative paragraphs, longer lists of “skills.” It’s taken just a few seconds but, as a potential employer, it’s ready for the “C-Pile,” and I’m moving on. I just received a resume to review. I was immediately distracted by the person’s current job title appearing under his name at the top of the resume â€" a job title having very little if anything to do with the positions he told me he was interested in. Then I was drawn to long, 14-15 lines long, 9pt paragraphs on his current and previous position. This resume also had a highlighted “Willing to relocate anywhere” line right after his contact information. Relevant but it seemed to distract at the top of the resume. Watch just a few episodes of these reality shows and you’ll often see multiple “distractions.” This resume has three strikes against it from the initial review â€" a highly probability for that “C-Pile.” The Deep Dive After the first impressions, each of these reality shows proceeds with a “deep dive” into the business. In some ways, each provides an interesting structure for considering a resume. “The Profit” carefully examines the business’s “people, product, and process” while “Kitchen Nightmare” is eager to examine and sample the menu. For a resume, it’s time to read it carefully, from top to bottom, which is the way the vast majority of HR and Hiring Managers read a resume. So, I read the candidate’s description of his or her current position and my first reaction is “Where’s the beef?” Gordon Ramsey is frequently frustrated by the lack of ingredients in the dishes he orders. The fish is cold or undercooked. The sauce is bland. My exact reaction to a resume that contains a list, or worse a 15-line paragraph, of just tasks and duties. I can see what you’ve done â€" but not what you’ve accomplished. It’s bland, and the main ingredients are under- or over-cooked. Back To The Beginning There are many common elements in these reality shows â€" in addition to the strong language. One of them I’ll label as “simplification.” For restaurants and bars, even many of the manufacturing or retail businesses, a primary goal is not expansion, it’s reduction. Often it’s reducing the number of items on a menu from over 150 to less than thirty. Another frequent problem is these businesses have a “save everything” mentality for useless inventory and distracting memorabilia. And I’ve had both of these reactions to several resumes I’ve received. One of them followed the introductory contact information with a section listing more than 25 different skills. Several other resumes I’ve seen have listed too many jobs going back too many years, too many courses, too many awards â€" Too much information â€" that’s not relevant to a resume. I’ve noticed that Gordon Ramsey almost always asks “what’s the special?” or “What do you recommend?” On Bar Rescue, the “Recon Teams” ask the same questions. Even Marcus Lemonis on “The Profit” is often asking “What business are you really in?” When I see a resume with “too much information,” either with lists of skills or duties from an endless job description, I want to ask, simply, “What’s your special?” It’s Time For “Resume Makeover!” Each of these shows follows a very structured process for remaking the target business. I’m thinking that each might also provide an interesting alternative structure for developing a more effective resume. Or perhaps this might provide a different way of finding ways to improve a resume for today’s highly competitive market. Let’s start with Marcus Lemonis’s clearly focused strategy of “People, Product, and Process.” While there remains some debate over the appropriateness of an objective statement, a professional summary, or nothing at the beginning of a resume, I believe that a well-written summary statement that emphasizes your professional strengths is an effective way to personalize the start of your resume. The summary statement should be customized to the position and company you’re applying to. This is similar to understanding the cuisine of, for example, an Italian restaurant. It’s understanding the mission of a manufacturing or retail business. The most important part of your resume, the track record of your accomplishments should clearly consider this model. For each of the positions recorded on your resume, craft a statement that clearly addresses the results achieved (product), how you achieved that result (process), and who (people) was involved (for team and leadership accomplishments). Describing the process is where you demonstrate your skills, not with a list of general terms. Summary This is one different way of looking at improving your resume. In Part II, I’ll examine structuring your resume based on some of the principles for “Kitchen Nightmares” and “Bar Rescue.” Disclosure: This post is sponsored by a Work It Daily-approved expert. You can learn more about expert posts here. Photo Credit: Bigstock Have you joined our career growth club?Join Us Today!