2. Relationships

Bear with me here as this might seem like a broad topic. If you’re married or have children, then I’m a firm believer in a family comes first. Simultaneously, you might have to scrap a two-week vacation and replace it will a long weekend instead.
But, I’m really talking about those relationships outside of your inner circle. It would be great to catch-up with a friend from college. But, if you already have a packed calendar, that might have to go on the back burner until you have the availability.
Networking is obviously a proven way to grow your business. However, if that’s preventing you from reaching your goals, you might have to scale back. For instance, instead of weekly get-togethers, make it a monthly occurrence or focus on online networking.
And, above everything else, remove toxic individuals from your life. You know who I’m talking about. These are the folks who drag your down or aren’t respectful of your time.

1. Determine whether going back

to school is necessary.
Going back to school requires a considerable investment of time and money, so you should only undertake this massive challenge if you’re moving toward a clear goal – not just away from an unsatisfying job.
Here are a few questions to ask yourself when figuring out if more school is necessary.

2. Investigate alternative routes to the job you want.

Higher education is a business. Unfortunately, people often believe the only way to get ahead is to take on more debt and earn more degrees, but it is possible to change careers without going back to school.
You may not be able to get the job you want without earning additional degrees. For example, law school is a must if you want to be a lawyer.

However, just because you have an undergraduate degree in psychology doesn’t mean you also need a computer science degree to work in technology.

Most people don’t end up working in the field listed on their undergraduate degree, and the average worker changes careers multiple times throughout their working life. So the idea that you must get a formal degree in a new field to change careers is a modern one, and it only benefits the business of higher education.
Many in-demand skills are highly transferable and can be rounded out with online resources and previous job experience.

Wishing you a year of personal and professional growth. May you discover new opportunities and excel in all your pursuits. May your heart be filled with kindness, compassion, and gratitude. May you make a positive impact on the lives of those around you.💃🎉😊🎊🎈🎆

3. Research the alternative career before quitting your job.

Think about whether you’ll have time to work during your degree program (to help offset costs right away) as well as the earning potential of your new career (to offset student loan bills after graduation).

Here are some factors to consider:
• Know your new career’s earning potential. Make sure your long-term goals are realistic and informed by research. For example, not all STEM jobs pay a huge amount of money.

• Be aware of the job market in your area. The region you live in has a massive impact on the job market, and it’s not always straightforward. For example, living in a major tech hub doesn’t mean you’ll be all set with a tech-related degree. In fact, sometimes the opposite is true. Often, cities with a wealth of tech jobs (Houston, for example) also have a surplus of highly educated professionals with tech degrees, so the job market is far more competitive.

4. Plan your finances for going back to school as an adult.

If you decide that your career path requires additional college education, determine how much you’ll spend.

When you choose a college, its financial aid office is a good place to gather information about tuition assistance and financial aid.

But remember that financial aid offices serve a broad student population; they’re focused on disseminating basic information, not offering individualized counseling.

5. Research colleges and programs.


Once you decide to go back to college and know how much you’re willing to spend on your education, research different programs carefully. Online degree programs are popular with nontraditional students because they offer remote learning options and flexible course schedules, but ensure the program you choose is accredited, whether it’s an online or brick-and-mortar school.

The best way to find out if a college is accredited is to visit the Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs. If the college you consider is not in the government database of accredited institutions, do not apply, regardless of the promises you hear from college staff.

At some unaccredited institutions, workers are treated like sales associates and get commissions for recruits, so research thoroughly before providing any money to a school . You should also look up the following statistics for any college you consider attending.

6. Follow this 10-step checklist for nontraditional students.

Here’s a helpful checklist for people embracing more education as they navigate a career change. If you need additional support, College for Adults provides resources for those navigating going back to school.
1 Define your motivations for going back to school and know your long-term goals.
2 Consider alternatives to paying for a degree, and determine whether or not college is right for you.
3 You will need a high school diploma or equivalent to start a college program. If you need a GED or certification, research your state’s requirements online before starting your new career journey.
4 Explore career options at CareerOneStop, or speak with a counselor at a local college to determine your next steps.
5 Choose schools based on recommendations from employers, colleagues and friends who are familiar with your chosen field of study. If you don’t have a go-to person, use College Navigator to locate your best choices.

6 After narrowing down your college picks with an accredited degree in your field of study, schedule a campus tour if you plan on in-person learning, or ask the admissions office about the equipment you’ll need for online courses.

7 Ask the school if it accommodates nontraditional students with night and weekend classes or part-time options.

8 Search for scholarships and grants. 

9 Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA will help you budget for education costs and is required for federal loans, scholarships and grants. Use the deadline guide for FAFSA applications to ensure your financial aid is available when you need it.

10 Look into additional financial resources, including education tax credits, employer tuition reimbursement, low-interest home equity loans, retraining programs in your geographic location, or even community resources that can help you with day care for your children, textbooks, transportation,

How to Never, Never, Never Give Up: On Being a Successful Entrepreneur

Ask any successful entrepreneur how they have built a booming business, and they will invariably say the trick is to persevere and never give up.

It can be a long, hard climb to success when you choose this career path, but the rewards can hugely outshine the drawbacks. In fact, making a go of your entrepreneurial venture could sometimes feel like scaling the north face of the Eiger, but you know you must keep going, despite the pitfalls, because it will be worth it when you reach the top.

1. Take it one step at a time.

If the steep climb to success seems daunting, make it easier on yourself by taking it one step at a time and setting yourself daily, weekly and monthly goals to achieve. Goal-setting and having a plan to follow helps you stay focused when times get tough.

The key is consistency and commitment each day.

Having a plan and sticking to it, provides a road map for how to reach your ultimate target – a little like keeping your eyes on the horizon where your dream destination lies but not forgetting to watch each step you take to get you there. In fact, focusing on the present moment and what you’re doing now to achieve your goals works wonders for your morale, motivation and chances of success.

2. Don’t let failure floor you

Although you’re aiming for success, if you’re serious about excelling as an entrepreneur, you can’t let failure floor you. In fact, some of the most successful entrepreneurs have embraced failure, picked themselves up, dusted themselves off and gone on to phenomenal success.

It’s worth remembering this when times are tough and not seeing any initial failures as final. It may take a few goes but, like them, you could strike gold on the second, third, or even hundredth attempt – if you give up, you’ll never know just how close you came to your goal!

So, let ‘try, try and try again’ be your motto.

3. Keep your spirits high

So, finding ways to keep your spirits high should be an important part of your game plan, as staying positive can be easier said than done. No matter how determined you are, there are bound to be times when your resolve will waiver. But, believe it or not, success is a frame of mind and you can control this with savvy strategies. For example, boost your morale by reminding yourself of just how far you’ve come.

While your goals might seem miles away, you may be surprised by the small wins you have already achieved if you just take stock.

Surrounding yourself with positive, like-minded people can also keep your spirits high. The world may be full of naysayers, but with the support of people who believe in you, such as a business mentor, it is easier to dismiss their negativity. In fact, it also pays to boost your confidence and one sure-fire way to do this is to strengthen your entrepreneurial skills with some training.

4. Think long term

It is important that you think in the long term – overnight success is a myth! If you expect to achieve great things instantly, you will just be piling on the pressure and become disheartened.

You may hear about entrepreneurs who have supposedly achieved overnight success, but chances are this is just PR spin going into overdrive. Don’t let yourself fall into the trap of comparing yourself with those who have struck it big in the business world and believing you don’t measure up. In all likelihood, they will have had to struggle to reach the summit, just like everyone else, not have had it handed to them on a plate.

So, keep your expectations realistic, and while ambition can help you plough ahead, celebrate each little win, such as achieving your monthly sales target, and be careful not to lose touch with reality. Incremental progress is the name of the game – just plant the seeds of success every day and with patience and persistence you will see them bloom in time.

5. Go the extra mile.

Ultimately, if you’re tempted to surrender and give up on being an entrepreneur, it’s worth reminding yourself of why you chose to do this in the first place, and what you would be going back to if you threw in the towel. This may sound like a scare tactic, but chances are you might have lost sight of what being an entrepreneur means to you.

No one ever said being an entrepreneur would be easy, and it could mean putting in long hours and doing things which take you outside your comfort zone to propel your business forward. For example, promoting your business well could fast-track you to success but does not come naturally to many, and networking is an essential part of advancing your business, but fills some with dread. However, conquering your fears and putting such techniques into practice will be more than worth it when you see your business boom.

3 Important Lessons I've Learned Working With the Top 1% of Business Leaders

One of the great joys of my career has been working alongside hundreds of ambitious entrepreneurs, including those in the top 1% — a.k.a. owners of businesses that make it to $10 million in annual revenue. There are 31 million entrepreneurs in the U.S., and if there's anything I've learned, we are all courageous and dedicated. Every entrepreneur I know has a healthy chuckle over the adage, "Entrepreneurs are the only people who will work an 80-hour week to avoid a 40-hour-a-week job."

1. Every experience is an opportunity

Creative venture builders consider every engagement an opportunity to get a new idea or establish a beneficial relationship. From attending a basketball game to meeting a potential new hire, successful entrepreneurs know opportunities come in the most unlikely places.

Viewing every engagement as an opportunity, these entrepreneurs stay plugged into the problem-cause-innovation cycle that makes us distinctive. Think about every time you say, "It's just ridiculous that…" Well, that's an opportunity.

The same goes for people. Much has been said about the people you align with and their impact on your success. And yes, that's true. But pioneers know ideas often start as seeds, and the ability to identify talent and character early in a relationship or early in a person's career is a differentiator because new perspectives and experience are often a magical combination.

2. Look at failure as a spark for growth

Few founders reach their full potential without some failures on the way. But the differentiator isn't just getting back up; the innovation comes along with it. Proactive entrepreneurial minds are willing to examine why something failed and identify what they can control and change. Even better, they can identify failure quickly.

Looking at something that isn't working and changing direction purposefully and intentionally is a vital skill of successful entrepreneurs. Over and over, I hear a similar story of a burned-out or frustrated entrepreneur making a conscious choice for change, and that becoming a turning point to greatness. From switching up marketing and sales tactics, to a new product offering, failure and frustration is often the mother of invention. So, if you're at that place, take a deep look at how you can change your plan — after all, isn't that the grandest benefit of entrepreneurialism?

3. Recognize your own strengths

One thing the top 5% of entrepreneurs do well is knowing where they serve the company best (and where they don't), and they work diligently to carve out the space they need to be that asset to the company's growth.

Some CEOs are natural spokespersons, and their story, voice and unique perspective is something only they can share. These CEOs thrive as brand champions and thought leaders. As one direct-to-consumer brand CEO, who stars in his company's TV advertising, told me, "If I can't champion this brand, internally and externally, how can I ask anyone else to do so?" These CEOs know how to take the helm of their own storytelling early so they can blaze trails throughout their journey, no matter where they land.