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Imposter Syndrome – How to Quiet Your Inner Critic

August 30, 2021 by Angela Dodd

Do you ever hear a little voice in your head saying, “You’re not ready. It’s already been done. I just got lucky. What will everyone think? Do I know enough to be here?” If you’re nodding your head right now, then you have been impacted by imposter syndrome.

Imposter syndrome has been everywhere in the last few years. Michelle Obama talked about it in her book, Becoming. There are articles on imposter syndrome in every kind of publication, from Harvard Business Review to Elle magazine. You can find quote after quote from successful people that have suffered from imposter syndrome. But what is it, exactly? And more importantly – what can you do about it? That’s where we’re headed now!

To a certain degree imposter syndrome is self-explanatory. It’s feeling like an imposter or a fraud or questioning if you really belong – even though you are successful. The crux of imposter syndrome is thinking of your skills, qualifications, and experiences as lower or worse than they actually are. We all know people who overinflate their skills and abilities. Imposter syndrome is the opposite.

Imposter syndrome is also something you experience, not something you have. Even though it’s called a “syndrome,” it’s not an actual diagnosis. You will also hear it referred to as the imposter complex or imposter phenomenon, which are probably more accurate terms, but imposter syndrome just rolls off the tongue more easily, doesn’t it?

There is a huge spectrum of how people experience imposter syndrome. It’s a daily companion for many. I’ve had multiple individuals tell me that every day they feel like today’s going to be the day their company finally realizes they have no idea what they’re doing and someone is going to come tap them on the shoulder and escort them out of the building.

For most people imposter syndrome is more situational. You might feel completely confident most of the time and then you have to present to a group of senior leaders and you suddenly feel like you have no business even being in the room, let alone presenting. Or you’re great in your current role, but the moment you start to think about a job change, you wonder if your success is just because of the company, team, or boss and not because of YOU. Or you go after a big new client and after they sign on the dotted line you feel like you won’t be able to pull it off, that you’ve just gotten lucky and have been fooling them.

Sound familiar? You’re not alone. At least 70% of people experience imposter syndrome. It shows up in all the places you don’t want it – around executives, negotiating your salary, sharing ideas, speaking up in a meeting, applying for new jobs, thinking about starting a business, going after bigger clients, sharing on social media, public speaking – the list goes on and on. Imposter syndrome is more likely to make an appearance anytime you’re outside of your comfort zone.

The good news is you can do something about it! While you can’t make imposter syndrome go away entirely, you can learn to quiet the inner critic and take action even when imposter syndrome is raging. Here are two simple actions you can start using today to combat imposter syndrome the next time it makes an unwanted appearance.

Call Out Your Inner Critic:

When you hear that negative, ruminating voice in your head saying that you’re not good enough, don’t know enough, and just WHO ARE YOU to think you can go do that big thing, stop and take a breath. Hear the inner critic talking and notice that it’s not you. It’s just a voice in your head. And you don’t have to pay attention to it.

For example, my imposter syndrome pops up most often when I’m called an expert (on imposter syndrome, of all things. Is there anything more ironic than getting imposter syndrome about being called an expert on imposter syndrome?) and when I’m sharing in public, particularly if I’m giving advice. My inner critic jumps right in telling me I don’t have a PhD in Psychology, I’m not really an expert, who are you to put yourself out there and think people will listen? Isn’t that arrogant and conceited of you!

I hear the inner critic. I feel the anxiety start to rumble up in my belly. And then I stop. I tell myself that I’m just taking up a bigger space than I’m used to and that’s why imposter syndrome has shown up. It’s different and weird and uncomfortable – and also completely fine. Naming the inner critic doesn’t make it go away immediately, but it does make the inner critic lose power. It’s kryptonite for imposter syndrome.

Recover Fast When Doubt Strikes:

Imposter syndrome is going to happen. That’s inevitable. The goal is to shorten the time you spend circling in doubt and get back to a place where you can take action quickly. To do that, create a personalized doubt recovery toolkit. This isn’t anything fancy – just 3-5 activities that make you feel good and confident and grounded and ready to take on whatever is coming at you, no matter how much imposter syndrome wants to drag you down.

Hiking, cross-country skiing, listening to any podcast with Brené Brown, dancing and painting are all in my doubt recovery toolkit. They work wonders for me. If I’m feeling nervous before a big client call, all I have to do is turn on Lizzo’s Good As Hell and three minutes later I’m good to go. The imposter syndrome is gone.

Try these steps. Call out your inner critic. Know what’s in your doubt recovery toolkit and pull out one of the actions the next time imposter syndrome shows up. Most importantly, however, is giving yourself grace. Imposter syndrome is normal. Don’t beat yourself up if you call out your inner critic and it’s back again two minutes later. Call it out again. And again. As many times as it takes. This is all a practice. Be kind to yourself.

Heather Whelpley is a speaker, coach, and writer that works with overachievers, perfectionists, and people pleasers to let go of expectations and create their own rules for life. You can dig deeper into imposter syndrome through her online course, The Five Steps To Overcome Imposter Syndrome.

Asking for Help at Work – How You Can and Why You Should

August 2, 2021 by Angela Dodd

It’s OK to ask for help. Actually, it’s encouraged. If you want to be successful and accomplish your goals, you need to ask for what you need. Whether that’s a pay raise, more responsibility, or help on a project. Not sure where to start? We’re here to help.

Why Ask for Help

Since when did asking for help at work become a bad thing? You may not want to come across as annoying or unintelligent, but speaking up is likely to have the opposite effect. At the end of the day, your company is a team, and everyone on the team needs to succeed so the company can flourish. Asking for help, when warranted, can increase the quality of your work product, overall operational efficiency, and customer satisfaction. When you’re performing your job well, you’re one step closer to achieving your goals.

So, when should you ask for help, and why should you? Let us explain.

When to Ask for Help

Asking for help does not mean you’re admitting weakness or failure. When done correctly, you’ll likely be praised for your efficiency because you’re not stuck spinning your wheels. You’re not expected to know everything. But you also don’t want to be bothering your boss and coworkers with your questions all the time. So it’s key to find a delicate balance between asking for help and figuring it out on your own.

First, try your best to figure out your question or problem on your own. As a rule of thumb, if you can easily Google it, don’t interrupt someone else’s workday to ask for help. Do what you can to solve your problem using the resources available to you before you seek help from others.

If you spend a reasonable amount of time researching an answer to your question but still come up short, then it’s time to ask for help. Remember, helping out a two-way street. Offer your advice and input when you can, and others are more likely to return the favor.

Here are a few scenarios where it makes sense to ask for help.

When you’re new to a company or a role. It’s expected that you don’t know what you’re doing. Instead of acting like you know it all, ask for help. You already have the job, so make sure you set yourself up for success to do it well.

When you have too much on your plate. If you’re overloaded and overwhelmed, don’t be afraid to say so. Approach your manager with what you’re working on and ask how to best prioritize the tasks or see what deadlines can be pushed back. They’ll appreciate your honesty and transparency.

When you made a mistake. If you made a mistake, big or small, and need help figuring out how to fix it or handle the situation, ask. It’s OK not to know how to navigate a tricky situation.

When you need advice. If you’re seeking mentorship or input on a project, chances are there’s someone who’s done it before or at least something similar. Ask for a few minutes of their time to get your wheels turning and to get the ball rolling.

When you have no idea what you’re doing. Sometimes no matter how hard you try, you just don’t know what you’re doing. That’s OK. We’re human. Ask for help.

How to Ask for Help

Get Clear on Your Ask

Once you’ve exhausted all the resources you have available to you, get clear on your ask. What is it that you need help with? Is it a question answered, assistance with a project, or guidance on your responsibilities? Knowing exactly what you need will help you be direct in your request to ensure you walk away from the conversation with the information you need.

Find the Right Person

Once you’re clear on what you need help with, determine the right person to ask. Don’t always assume the best person to ask is your manager or their boss. Sometimes your peer or a coworker in a different department can assist you. Reach out to this person and ask for a few minutes of their time. Provide them with enough background information about what you need help with so they don’t walk into the discussion blind.

Get Prepared

You have time scheduled on their calendar, now brainstorm any and all questions you want to ask them pertaining to your situation. The goal is to walk into the conversation prepared so you can walk away feeling confident about how to tackle your project, issue, or question. Taking the time to plan upfront will make sure you get the most out of the meeting.

Be Authentic

When you’re in the meeting asking for help, be genuine in your ask. Explain your situation, how you tried to approach it yourself, and how you think the person can help. Ask them your questions and really listen. Most people are more willing to help than you may think. They’re taking time out of their day to help you, so be appreciative of their input and advice. When a company culture is created where asking for help is encouraged, everyone wins.

Admitting you need help can be difficult, but to advance your work and your career, it’s essential. Once you get in the habit of helping others and asking for help in return, you’ll find that your team, your career, and your work will thrive.

8 Ways You Can Impact Sustainability at Work Today

June 10, 2021June 7, 2021 by Danielle Doolen

When you think of sustainability, what comes to mind? For many people, sustainability means recycling and working to save the environment. While this is true, there is so much more to sustainability than reducing your carbon footprint.

Sustainability is a concept where we work to meet our current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. To accomplish this goal, there are three pillars we can impact: environmental, economical, and social.

Each of us has the ability to influence sustainability in our workplaces. To remember how, think of the three Ps tied to each pillar. Environmental sustainability is impacted by being conscious of the planet, economic sustainability is impacted through profits, and your behavior with people impacts social sustainability.

If you’re not sure what impact you can have on sustainability in your workplace, try one of these.

Environmental

Recycle

We’ve heard this since we were kids “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.” It’s a tale as old as time. Recycling helps save natural resources, energy, and money. Utilize your company’s recycling receptacles instead of tossing cans or paper in the trash. If your company doesn’t provide you with a means to recycle, offer to implement a recycling program.

Work Remotely

This past year, many employees were forced to work remotely. A surprising benefit that came out of the pandemic was the positive effect it had on the environment. While less commuting saves you time and energy, it also reduces emissions and improves air quality. Working from home also reduces energy usage and paper usage at your office. Once we enter a post-pandemic world, explore the option of continuing to work remotely, even part-time, to continue to reap these benefits for the environment.

Go Digital

In 2014, the Clean Air Council and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported that the average office worker uses 10,000 sheets of paper each year. That equates to four million tons of paper used annually in the office. By going paperless at work, you can have an immediate impact on the environment and your company’s bottom line.

Economical

Be Smart About Vendors

If you’re in a position at your company to make decisions around your suppliers and vendor partners, do your research before signing a contract. Consider what the vendor stands for and what their sustainability values are. Make sure that you’re creating partnerships that align with your company’s sustainability beliefs. If you’re not in a position to make the decisions, offer insight to those who are.

Establish a Sustainability Council

If your company is all talk and no action when it comes to sustainability, take the lead and offer to create a sustainability council. Recruit stakeholders and those interested in making an impact, and then outline a plan of your company’s goals and key initiatives. Sometimes the best way to get something off the ground is to start it yourself.

Social

Advocate for Diversity Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) in Your Workplace

Sustainable workplaces are diverse across races, genders, socioeconomic status, and more. For a company to be successful and impactful in their communities, they need to create and foster equitable environments that will lead to meaningful change. As an employee, be an advocate for DE&I. Support any current efforts or implement new program to support your fellow employees.

Create Opportunities

For a company to thrive and foster a culture of growth, employees and managers need to develop professionals. To do this, managers need to create development opportunities and challenge employees to expand their expertise. Peers can also create opportunities by making introductions to their connections and offering knowledge from personal experiences that would benefit others.

Support Women in their Careers

Fostering a sustainable workplace includes supporting women in their careers, and to support women in their careers, we need to form a community at work that supports women. We can support each other through mentoring young professionals, making space for others to grow in their careers, and supporting mothers at work. Supporting women at work doesn’t prevent the success of others or inhibit the company’s success. Remember, we are all stronger when we work together.

Effective Communication in a Digital Age

April 27, 2021 by Angela Dodd

Between email, texting, social media, and good old-fashioned phone calls, we’re constantly connected. Friends are a ping away, you can slide into a celebrity’s DMs, and your boss who lives thousands of miles away can be right at your desk with the help of Zoom.

According to Pew Research Center, 85% of Americans own a smartphone, and 72% of the public uses some type of social media. When they began tracking American’s internet usage, about half of adults were internet users in the early 2000s. Today, that number has skyrocketed to 93%.

We’re constantly connected, and thus, constantly communicating. With Zoom fatigue at an all-time high and employees feeling burnout like they’ve never experienced before, how can we ensure we’re making the best use of the time we spend on technology? It all comes down to communication.

Even at the times where we don’t think we’re saying anything, we’re speaking volumes. When you’re Slack says you’re available, coworkers see that as an opportunity to reach out. When you’re out of office reply is on, you’re letting people know you won’t be responding in a timely manner.

In today’s digital age, communicating is easy, but effective communication in the workplace can be a bit more challenging. Communication is a key skill at work, and it’s even more important for leaders. Relaying timely messages to your team, communicating how to work together, and providing feedback are critical skills. While technology can assist with these communications, it also contributes to the noise, especially this past year when the state of the world forced companies to go digital. So how can we effectively communicate and not get our wires crossed? Here are a few ways.

Give your full attention.

While it’s tempting to pick up your phone and scroll while on a Zoom call or check your email when talking to your partner, don’t, put the phone down and give whoever you’re talking to your full attention. It’s impossible to be present when you have your phone in your hand. If you want to communicate effectively, you need to devote yourself to the conversation at hand. If you have to, try putting your phone in a different room so you won’t be tempted to look at it.

Listen.

Once you give your full attention to the conversation, the most important thing you can do to communicate is listen. It’s easy to misinterpret messages, leading to communication breakdowns and frustration, especially today when the same message can be received via multiple platforms but interrupted differently based on the reader. Listening demonstrates we’re paying attention to thoughts and feelings and is the most crucial component of a productive conversation and relationship.

Listening also demonstrates that you care about the person you’re conversing with, which can then establish trust in the relationship. If there’s ever any confusion about a message, repeating back what you heard to the speaker can help alleviate any possible misunderstandings.

Be intentional.

Zoom fatigue is at an all-time high. But think back to pre-pandemic times, was every meeting a video meeting? Absolutely not. So there’s no reason every meeting has to be face-to-face now. Be intentional about your platform for communication. You’ll never be able to please everyone, but choose the medium that works best for most.

Show up authentically.

Authentic employees and leaders inspire others. Authenticity helps us establish connections with others, and therefore, build trust. When people trust you, they want to communicate with you and listen to you. Bringing your most authentic self to the workplace can ensure effective communication because people won’t hesitate to reach out to you to share good news or fill you in on an upcoming project.

Work at it.

We don’t become effective communicators overnight. It takes time and experience. But the only way to improve is to try. Challenge yourself to bring your full attention to one meeting today. Push everything else out of mind and be present in that moment. Then next week, propose a medium you think would work best for your team meeting. The good thing is we’re constantly communicating, so there’s plenty of time for practice.

The Power of Storytelling in the Workplace

April 27, 2021 by Angela Dodd

We’re 22 times more likely to remember a fact when it’s been wrapped in a story, according to cognitive psychologist, Jerome Bruner. Think about the last spreadsheet you saw in a presentation. When the presenter discussed the data, did they just display it or did they tell a story to give you context? If they simply showed you the spreadsheet, the information likely passed by like a blip in your day. But if the presenter told you why the numbers are the way they are and how your actions impacted them, you may be more likely to remember them after the fact.

This is because stories are memorable. Storytelling connects the reader or listener to the subject and makes them feel. If the numbers in the spreadsheet showed last month’s positive performance but didn’t explain how you got there, while it’s great for the company, it doesn’t connect you to the information. But if your manager were to explain that because of all the diligent work you’ve been putting in on your current project, you were able to increase revenue by 5% to drive the company’s bottom line, that’s going to mean a lot more.

Hearing a story evokes emotion, and whether you realize it or not, we tell and listen to stories all the time in our personal lives and at work. Most storytelling is brief and involves examples, but it’s still an immersive experience for the audience. The combination of facts and story satisfies both the creativity of our right brain and the analytical thinking of our left brain. Storytelling is a powerful tool that can be used to increase performance, drive engagement, and improve your workplace culture. Here’s why.

Storytelling evokes emotion.

Stories make people feel, which also means they can make people feel different. Telling a story can help reframe an idea by adding human consequence and emotion. Connecting people to the subject matter elevates your message and increases the likelihood that it’ll be remembered.

How you can evoke emotion through storytelling today: The next time you’re explaining something to someone, instead of just telling them the facts, tell them how they impacted them. Rather than just sharing positive feedback from customers, explain how their excellent customer service led a customer to leave a glowing review.

Storytelling changes the frame of mind.

When an employee is connected to their work and company, they behave differently. They become motivated and inspired instead of stagnant. If you can change an employee’s frame of mind, you can change how they feel about their work.

How you can change a frame of mind today: People want to know what’s in it for them. That’s not to say all people are selfish, but when presented with information, it’s first nature to assess it personally. When explaining a task to an employee or making an ask of your boss, keep in mind to share with them what they’re getting out of it. This minor detail could mean the difference between them prioritizing your task or not.

Storytelling makes you human.

Not to state the obvious, but we’re all human. We all make mistakes, we all accomplish success, and we all experience failure. Storytelling brings empathy into the workplace and provides you with the opportunity to give others a glimpse into your authentic self.

How you can bring your authenticity to work today: Nobody’s perfect. We all have our doubts and failures. Our human experiences are what make us unique. Relate these experiences to your work when sharing with others. Talking about a positive experience can boost spirits, and sharing a mistake you made can help get someone through a hard time.

How to Stop Procrastinating According to Your Procrastination Style

April 12, 2021 by Danielle Doolen

Raise your hand if you’re guilty of procrastination. Don’t feel bad, we’ve all been there. You’ve put off that big project that you’ve known about for months. You haven’t gone to the grocery store until you’re left with nothing but that bag of lettuce that always seems to go bad before you can eat it. Maybe you’ve put off that hobby you’ve wanted to start years ago.

Procrastination is the act of avoiding or delaying a task that needs to be done, often by a specific time. While procrastinating may feel good at the time, it usually ends up making us feel worse when we inevitably do whatever it is we’ve been avoiding. So if we know it’s better to get a task done now, why do we wait until later to do it? Understanding what type of procrastinator we are can help us work through this not-so-great habit to accomplish everything on our to-do lists.

What Type of Procrastinator Are You?

When you procrastinate, you’re unnecessarily postponing an action or a decision. Procrastination can cause anxiety, hinder success, and lead to unwanted stress. Understanding why you’re putting something off is the first step to actually getting it done.

The Imposter

The imposter has a big case of (you guessed it) imposter syndrome, in which a person doubts their talents and abilities and fears they’ll be seen as a fraud. They don’t want to begin because it puts them at risk of being unqualified or exposed. If you find yourself procrastinating because you’re afraid to start, know that the feeling is entirely normal. Start by separating fact and fiction. Remind yourself of your accomplishments and the facts and rest assured that it’s OK if you don’t know what you’re doing. Often, we’re all just figuring it out as we go. The hardest thing to do is to take that first step.

The Overwhelmed

Are you procrastinating because you’re overwhelmed? Maybe the task sounds too daunting or requires you to get outside of your comfort zone. Whatever the reason, start by writing down everything you have to do. Sometimes tasks can feel like a lot in your head but become more manageable once they’re down on paper. Once you have your to-do list laid out, start small. Break the tasks or projects into smaller tasks. Take what’s overwhelming and make it more manageable to nip procrastination in the bud.

The Perfectionist

To avoid making mistakes and being judged for them, the perfectionist may choose not to do them. Alternatively, they may spend too much time on one part of a project or task trying to get it right, which leads to poor time management or rushing to get it done. If this sounds like you, understand that there is no such thing as perfect. Keep in mind that done is better than perfect. Do your best, because your best will be good enough.

The “Yes” Woman

This type of procrastinator doesn’t have the word ‘no’ in their vocabulary. They jump at the chance to help, and they say yes before understanding the magnitude of the task. They overload their schedule and then struggle to prioritize. Switching between items on their to-do list isn’t productive, and they’re left feeling busy all the time. If you’re the “yes” woman, stop procrastinating by prioritizing your to-do list. You can choose to prioritize by importance or by the deadline; pick whichever works best for you. Since you’ve already made the commitments, the only way out is through, so start chipping away at the tasks. Then in the future, make sure you’re only saying yes to things that excite you or help you achieve your goals.

The Two-Minute Rule

Whether or not you resonate with the procrastination styles above, a helpful tip for everyone to live by the two-minute rule. This means that if a task will take you less than two minutes to complete, do it now. When you put off a lot of small tasks, they add up in your head and can feel paralyzing. Things like paying a bill, sending an email, or opening your mail, while all small things, can feel like a lot when you’re trying to knock them all out at once.

Seven Simple Tools to Increase Productivity Today

April 5, 2021 by Danielle Doolen

Are you tired of the latest productivity hack? Yeah, me too. I’ve read through all the ‘How to Increase Your Productivity’ articles, and honestly, they’re overwhelming. No one needs fifty ways to increase productivity. It’s too much. To save you time, I’ve narrowed it down to seven simple things you can do today to increase your productivity.

Stop Multitasking

Multitasking doesn’t work. Period. It’s impossible for your brain can’t focus on two things at once. Multitasking is inefficient and ineffective and will only result in you spending more time to get the tasks done than if you focused on each task one at a time.

Take Breaks

Speaking of focusing, make sure you take regular breaks when you’re working. It sounds counterintuitive, but giving yourself a five-minute brain break every so often will increase your productivity. Get up, walk around, grab another cup of coffee, and then get back to work. Your concentration will thank you.

Batch Tasks

Do similar things at the same time. It’s that simple. For example, how many times do you check your email a day? Ten? Fifteen? Why not make it three? Once in the morning, once around lunchtime, and once in the evening. Time is wasted when you stop and start every time an email comes through. A few other examples of tasks you can easily batch: phone calls, scheduling social media posts for the week, or meetings (i.e. scheduling multiple meetings in the morning so you can focus on completing work in the afternoons).

Follow the 1-3-5 Rule

At the start of every day or week, write down one big task or project you want to accomplish, three medium tasks, and five small tasks. The act of writing down your to-do list will hold you accountable, and breaking your to-do list up into smaller tasks will make it seem more manageable.

Try the Pomodoro Technique

The Pomodoro Technique is a time management tool that utilizes intervals of work and rest time to accomplish tasks. Set a timer for 25 minutes and focus on getting as much work done as you can in that time frame. When the timer goes off, take a five-minute break. This 30-minute increment is a Pomodoro. After you’ve completed four Pomodoros, take a longer 15-20 minute break. Lather, rinse and repeat until your to-do list is done.

Utilize Technology

There are numerous time management and team management applications that help you organize your projects, team members, and time. If technology is your things, give these a try:

Asana: Organize your teams, tasks, and workflow all in one place.
Click-Up: This communication and collaboration tool makes working with your teammates and clients a breeze.
Evernote: This app is perfect for note-taking, task management, and organizing all in one place.
Slack: Make working with others easier by utilizing a communication platform to keep it all straight.
Freedom: This tool allows you to block websites and apps so you can minimize distractions.

Say No

Perhaps the most straightforward tool to increase your productivity that’s easier said than done is to say no. That’s it. Stop overloading your to-do list with projects and tasks that aren’t moving the needle forward. Be intentional about what you commit to and what you spend your time on. Saying no might be difficult at first, but your future self will thank you.

Resources to Elevate Your Business or Side Hustle

March 22, 2021 by Angela Dodd

Every business has its secret to success. While we don’t know your trade secret, we do know most companies aren’t successful on their own. They have a team of supporters behind them and a slew of resources, keeping them on track and organized. Whether it’s your business, your side hustle, or a passion project, there are tools you can implement today to take your work to the next level.

Online Presence

It’s 2021. You know you need an online presence, but knowing where to start can be overwhelming. A word for the wise, you don’t have to do it all, but whatever you choose to do, do it well. You don’t need to be on every social media platform. Identify what works well for your brand, and focus your efforts there. It’s better to be well-known for a great Instagram feed than to be known for a half-baked social media presence on every platform.

Website

A website is a must, but most of us aren’t digital experts. If you need someone to help you design and brand your website, we love Laura Coddington at Ocean Digital Studio. If you like the look of our sites (TheEverydayReal.com and FemalesInFood.community), you’ll love Laura because she helped us create their beauties!

If you feel up to the challenge and want to tackle your website on your own, Squarespace has a super simple user interface and dozens of templates that are perfect for novice professionals. If you want something more customizable, check out WordPress and Flywheel, a service that compliments WordPress and will help you host and design your website. People don’t only want to read about you on your website; they want to see you. Vimeo is a great platform to create and host your video content.

While your website is key, don’t forget to set up a Google business page. This allows customers to find you, lets people leave and read reviews, and allows you to control your online narrative.

Email

You can reach your audience through your website and social media, but what if you have an important message you want to make sure you deliver directly in their inbox? That’s where email comes into play. We can’t stress enough the importance of maintaining an email list. Set up a sign-up form on your website and begin building the email list of your customers and followers. We love Mailchimp to help us manage our email list and craft communications. It’s easy to use and free to sign-up.

Social Media

Social media provides you with daily touchpoints with your followers and potential customers. Therefore, it’s essential to maintain a presence to keep your brand, and more importantly, your products and services, top of mind. Make sure to do your research and understand where your audience spends their time and focus on those platforms. You don’t have to do it all, but what you do, do it well. For all things social media and media advertisement, Allissa Lewis at Ellington Social is a powerhouse. She can help you manage and strategize your social media presence, as well as navigate paid advertising and campaigns.

If you’re looking for assistance scheduling your social media posts so you can plan your content in advance and be “on” without really being online, check out the marketing platform Later. This tool allows you to visually plan and schedule your Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok posts, allowing you to save time and add consistency to your content.

Organization

Everyone has their own method to their madness. Paper planners, notebooks, Google calendars. No matter what works for you staying organized is essential to your success. Project management tools like ClickUp help you organize tasks, collaborate with team members, and stay on track to meet your goals.

To schedule meetings without all the back and forth emails, set up a Calendly account. It integrates with your existing Google or Outlook calendar, so all you have to do is send your Calendly link, and people can grab a time slot when you’re available.

Design

Canva is the online graphic design software that everyone can use. Its easy-to-understand and easy-to-use interface makes creating graphics, presentations, and marketing materials a breeze no matter your level of design experience.

Speaking of design, establishing a brand kit for your business or side hustle is a must. It helps you establish your brand font, colors, and aesthetic so you can maintain consistency. Create your own brand guidelines to share with your team and partners using a Canva template or hire a professional for a more in-depth and customized experience.

Finances

While our businesses and side hustles fulfill us and serve a greater purpose, they also afford us a means to make a living. Even if the goal of your passion project isn’t to make money, we can’t stress enough the importance of keeping track of your finances. Maintaining a record of your financials can feel overwhelming. We’re not financial experts, so be sure to consult with a financial professional or accountant for financial advice, but here are a few things we love.

If you want to get a grasp on your money, you can start with the basics by tracking your income and expenses in an excel spreadsheet. If that feels like too much, make the process more automated using Quickbooks. Using a platform to integrate with your business invoices and bank accounts helps take the guesswork out of it. For an easy-to-use tool to process online payments and manage your business online, check out Stripe. No matter the size of your business, Stripe can help automate some of your processes.

How to Align Your Life With Your Purpose

March 15, 2021 by Angela Dodd

The new year is right around the corner, and so is the opportunity for a fresh start. For some, 2021 may look like finding better balance between their beliefs and how they live their life every day. Aligning your life with your purpose can result in greater satisfaction at work and home because you’re focusing on the things in life you believe to be most important.

Living your life with a clear objective may feel like a daunting task, especially if your purpose is currently undefined. If you’re unsure of your life calling, ask yourself these questions to begin to uncover it.

What interests you?
What skills are you good at that come naturally to you?
What were you passionate about as a child?
If money wasn’t an object, what would you do for a living?
What activities do you do that make you forget the world around you?

Once you have a clear vision of your purpose or have, at the very least, begun to uncover it, the work can start to align your life with it. The important thing to remember is that the process of alignment is continuous. You’ll have to be intentional with your actions and work each day to get a little closer to that thing that fills you up.

Aligning your life with your purpose requires authenticity and vulnerability, but there is tremendous fulfillment in feeling like your actions and contributions add value to a greater cause. If you have a defined purpose but are struggling to live with it at the forefront of your life, start with these action items.

Reflect on the Past and Present

To begin living your life intentionally, start by taking stock of where you are, where you’ve been, and where you want to go in both your personal life and at work. This will help to evaluate where things are working well, where your actions and values are misaligned, and where there are opportunities to improve. Some questions to mull over as you reflect on your past and present include:

What are my favorite and least favorite things about the work I do and why?
Where do I see myself in five years and are my actions today helping me get there?
Does the work I do excite me?
Do I feel like my work has value?
If I could change anything about my job, what would it be?

Plan for the Future

Once you’ve taken the time to reflect on your past and present experiences, it’s time to look towards the future. Since you’ve already identified your purpose, you should have a good idea of where you’re going. But if you want to clarify further, think about the answers to these questions:

Where do you see yourself in five years, ten years, and beyond?
What one thing can you do today to move one step closer to your goals?
What can you accomplish this year that will set you on the path to where you want to be?

With a clear purpose in mind, the objective is to set actionable goals to establish a clear path between where you are and where you see yourself in the future. Do this by identifying three SMART goals (i.e., Specific, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) that will help you get there. Write down your purpose and these goals on paper and keep them where you’ll see every day as a reminder of your destination.

Pivot as Needed

Alignment is a process. You can set yourself up for success by reflecting and setting goals, but there’s guaranteed to be ebbs and flows. It’s likely that along the way you’ll need to pivot because your purpose can change as you move through different seasons of life. Adjustments will need to be made to accommodate for events like moving, starting a new job, getting married, and having children, among other things. You may always be driven by one central motivating factor like empowering women, for example, but the means of how you do that may change. Be OK revising and renewing your purpose as you evolve and grow.

Practice Gratitude

Since the journey may be a long one, take time to be thankful along the way. There are numerous benefits of practicing gratitude, including reduced stress, increased happiness, better relationships, and improved health. Start by writing one thing you’re grateful for today. Recognize the growth you’ve made, no matter how big or small, to get you closer to living your life in alignment with your purpose.