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How important is social media when applying for jobs?

Is anyone really bothering to look at your LinkedIn profile?

Well, it’s been found that 93% of hiring managers look at social media profiles before deciding whether or not to hire someone.

You can’t argue with that number.

Whether you like it or not, social media does play a big role in the hiring process.

If you’re looking for a job, you need to find out how to optimize your profiles to impress potential employers.

Read on to find out exactly what to do.

Which social networks matter most?

Let’s say you only have a limited amount of time to work on getting your social media profiles up to scratch.

Which should you focus on?

Well, there’s been some handy research from Jobvite which gives us all the details on how recruiters use social media. 2

LinkedIn. 79% of recruiters have hired using LinkedIn. It’s used throughout the process – to search for, get in touch with, and vet candidates.

Facebook. 26% of recruiters have hired through Facebook, and two thirds use it to vet candidates before interviews.

Twitter. Only 14% of recruiters said they had hired using Twitter, and it’s used less than Facebook for vetting.

So, if you only have time to optimize one of your social media profiles, make it LinkedIn.

You should also take some time to ensure that there’s nothing too damaging on your Twitter or Facebook profiles, just in case your potential employer decides to check these out too.

However, job offers can come from unlikely places, so it’s worth fully optimizing all your profiles if you can.

How do you create social media profiles that make a good first impression?

Ready to start getting job offers through social media?

Here’s exactly what you need to do to create winning profiles on each of the main social networks.

1.How to optimize your Facebook profile

Before you start optimizing your Facebook profile, it’s important to remove anything that could directly hurt your chances of getting a job.

Here’s what you should watch out for:

References to illegal drugs. 83% of recruiters said these were a strong turn-off.
Sexual posts. 70% of recruiters weren’t keen on these.
Swearing. Two thirds of recruiters dislike too much profanity.
Posts about guns. More than half of recruiters dislike these.
Posts about alcohol. 44% of recruiters said these could cause concern.
Of course, this is only a general guide, and you should use your own judgment.

If you’re applying for a job as an addiction counsellor, appropriate references to illegal drugs could be fine. Equally, if you’re looking to enter the adult industry, sexual posts probably won’t be a problem.

As well as the content of your posts, you should consider the way they’re written – 66% of hiring managers said they’d hold poor spelling and grammar against applicants.

Time to start proofreading those statuses.

It’s also good practice to keep a close eye on the photos you’re tagged in, and untag any that you think reflect poorly on you. By enabling Timeline Review, you can choose exactly where images are shown. 3

So, you know what to avoid on your Facebook profile, but what should you include?

Here are some ideas:

Information on volunteering you’ve done. 65% of recruiters like this.
Information on donations to charity.
News relevant to the industry you’re looking to enter.
Achievements at your previous job.

So, keep your Facebook profile free from offensive material and post information you’d want prospective employers to see – simple.

2.How to optimize your Twitter profile

All of the above advice applies to Twitter as well as Facebook, so it’s pretty easy to optimize both profiles at once.

If you’re particularly keen for employers to see your Twitter profile – maybe you’ve got lots of great content relevant to your industry, or thousands of followers – then there are way to increase discoverability.

You should:

Use the same profile picture as on other social networks
Use the same handle or username.
Link to your Twitter account from your other social media pages.

Staying consistent across your accounts helps recruiters remember you, and makes you appear more trustworthy.

3.How to optimize your LinkedIn profile

LinkedIn – it’s the ultimate place to get hired, so you want to get your profile just right.

Here’s what to do:

Choose a professional profile picture – not a snap taken on a night out.
Keep your job history up-to-date, and avoid leaving any gaps.
Update your education section with clear descriptions, highlighting how your qualifications make you perfect for the job you want.
Connect, connect, connect. The more connections you have, the more likely recruiters are to find you.
Follow relevant companies. This shows that you have a genuine interest in your field, and keeps you up-to-date.
Write an eye-catching LinkedIn summary, highlighting your best qualities.

LinkedIn is a big player in the world of recruitment, so don’t rush through your profile. You should spend just as long as you would on writing your CV, or composing a great cover letter – if not longer.

Want to make a great first impression on social media?

It’s worth taking the time to optimize all of your profile to increase your chances of landing that dream job.

lalasticlala
mynd44

https://discovery.insidify.com/your-social-media-is-your-new-cv-here-are-practical-tips-on-how-to-optimize-them

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Oluwa to bi, tope alabi

You want to successfully balance your day job with your side business. The good news is that it can be done! But it may not be easy; scratch that, it will not be easy.

Building a business on the side of your day job is tough for a variety of reasons. You not only need to develop superhuman time management skills, but you must also learn to manage your emotions as well.

This means keeping meltdowns to a minimum. It means not comparing yourself to others who are further along in their journey than you are (try learning from the experiences they can share instead!).

If you want to achieve your dreams of balancing a full-time day job and a business on the side, it takes work. And this means absolutely no whining about having to work hard, you simply have to.

So without further ado, here’s how to successfully make room for your side hustle alongside your day job.

1.Understand that your full-time job still requires attention and energy.

Yes, you will have to work hard. If you’re like most of us who haven’t made the switch, you’re holding down a full-time day job as you slowly nurture your side hustle into a side business.

No matter how badly you want to ignore your day job in favor of your new side business, you still have to give it the time it deserves. You need to develop the skills to cope with your day job, even when all you want to do is quit and focus only on your own work.

It’s time to learn how to deal with your day job when all you really want to do is focus on building a side business.

2.Don’t let your day job suffer for your business and vice-versa

You won’t survive if you’re not passionate about what you’re creating. But losing the drive for performing well in your day job can kill your self-employment dream just as fast.

I know. As a budding entrepreneur, this is not what you want to hear. The reality is, your day job is necessary to your future success as a self-employed business owner.

Why? Your day job provides a steady source of income, benefits, and compensation for your work. And some of those benefits will disappear when you quit, so take advantage of them for as long as you possibly can, I’ll suggest till your business can provide that sort of compensation at least, 50 percent of it.

Also, your day job matters as much as your side business because it’s removing the financial pressure to immediately succeed away from your creative work. In other words, you don’t have to love-vendor out your creativity in order to make a buck. You may carry a heavy workload, but that burden is preferable to dealing with crushing debt and other money problems.

Money isn’t everything, but smart business owners know financial security is important to success in other areas of life.

3.Ensure you don’t just go through the process, grow through it.

Managing a day job alongside a side business provides better lessons than business school. You’ll learn a lot as you launch your own career and create your own opportunities.

“If you can survive a few months as both an employee and your own boss, you can handle anything once you officially work for yourself full-time.”

If you’re at the point where you you’re working two jobs (one for someone else and one for yourself), think of this as your transition phase. Right now, your day job is serving as a bridge between two important pieces of your career. Your success lies in crossing that bridge and ensuring you do not jump off of it as soon as you come to it.

4.Ensure your day job and side hustle are interrelated

We get so caught up in busyness that we forget to enjoy what we’re doing. However, it will be a day in hell if your business and your day job don’t have a meeting point. Of course you probably took that job out of the need to pay bills of plain frustration but you will agree with me that the time and energy you’ve putt into that work has made you a master at it, even if you do not necessarily like it. Now I’m not saying you should go out there and invest your hard earned savings into a business you don’t like, the point here is that it shouldn’t be far-fetched.

Always ask yourself: What can I do to spend more time enjoying what I’m doing?

The goal should be to align your day job and your side hustle in a way that you’re happy living out the details of your daily life, even while you’re working really hard on both.

This may sound like a pipe dream, but it’s more possible than ever in today’s world. Be curious. Be open to opportunities. Know yourself. Embrace your passions.



5.Intentionally make room for your side business

There are two elements in life that most of us feel we will never have enough of. The first is money, second is time and these two make up the list of things you need to be mindful of. Especially when running a business alongside working a day job.

The good news for side hustlers is that you don’t need to have much money to establish a side hustle alongside your full-time job (and some get the ball rolling without any upfront investment at all) but you need to manage your time meticulously.

Finding the time to work on our businesses while having a full-time job is the biggest challenge that you as a small business owner will have to overcome.

Which brings me to my next point.

6.Invest in honing your time management skills

Time is trickier to handle than money.

If you want to take your side businesses full-time it’s crucial that you learn to manage your time wisely. You have to do everything within your power to maximize what is available.

We all get the same 24 hours in a day, and that’s it. But you can make it feel like it’s 48 with the way you manage the free time you have, bearing in mind that when you finally decide to settle for your side business, you will need this time management skills. Here are few pointers that have helped me:

1. Get organized

Really organized. Setting schedules, maintaining a calendar or planner, tracking your ideas, and managing tasks are all essential to success while you still have your day job.

Personally, I use handwritten planners and notebooks to schedule out my time. There are apps for this; Asana,Trello, etc. but I’m a bit old school.

2. Ask for help with your side business

You may be 100% responsible for your position in someone else’s company, but you call the shots in your own business. Consider outsourcing any tasks you don’t like or can’t do, so you can focus on the big, important stuff, also to avoid frustration.

3. Ask for help with non-work-related tasks

You can reach out to people to help you with more than just work, as well. Make sure you have a support group made of friends, family, coworkers, or like-minded folks in a similar situation that you can lean on when you need them.

This may mean having someone to talk to when you just need to vent, or it could be asking a friend to run an errand every once in a while or a significant other to bring you a meal, because really, you cannot afford to pay someone to do it.

4. Make use of all your time

This is as important as it is delicate. If you receive breaks or lunch periods at your day job, consider taking that time to work on your personal projects. However you have to familiarize yourself with your company’s rules and policies first.

5. Prioritize what matters

Just because you need to continue taking your day job seriously doesn’t mean you need to give 110% in every area. You don’t need to feel obligated to volunteer for extra work or assignments in the office. And don’t be afraid to say “no” to additional projects if you lack the bandwidth. On a good day, that would have been wrong for career growth, but currently there’s a lot on your plate, so give your best and leave the rest, but remember, you only have your side hustle because your day job is paying you. Try not to lose it.

6. Look for alternative work arrangements

Ask your boss about setting a new schedule or allowing for some remote work. This can allow you to save time on commutes (or avoid wasting time sitting in the office when you’ve finished the days work, doing nothing but twiddling your thumbs until 5pm). You may also want to discuss working 30 hours per week instead of 40 if that’s an option in your position.

7. Set goals and timelines

Keep yourself focused on what’s really important by creating a detailed action plan that contains specific goals and timelines. This can help you eliminate the noise and concentrate on progress.

And it can also signal when it might officially be time to hand in your notice and make the leap to working for yourself full-time.

Finally, understand that wonderful things will happen. You will grow in your career and your business will yield profits, enough for you to scale even. So best of luck implementing these tips, and let’s know if we can do anything else to help you.


https://discovery.insidify.com/how-to-successfully-manage-your-day-job-and-your-side-hustlebusiness

lalasticlala
mynd44

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With more and more businesses offering their products and services online, and more and more scams that customers fall victim to, it’s getting harder to build relationships with clients built on trust. Building trust isn’t just important to new customers; it’s also important to how you compete in the marketplace. If you’re looking for ways to promote a trusting relationship with your customers, consider implementing the following strategies to boost customer interest.

1. Well-Designed Badges

If you ever go to a website and see a money back guarantee badge, you’re more than likely going to want to purchase this service. If your business offers similar guarantees, you should make those guarantees stand out so clients can see you’re looking to build a trusting relationship. This can be done with well-designed badges that show off your excellent design skills and that also promote the guarantees you offer.

2. Work History

If you’ve worked with some well-known clients in the past, ensure you take advantage of their logos so you can show your potential clients you’ve already worked with well-known brands in the past. Clients that see previous work history are more likely to want to buy products and services because they know they’re going to have a reliable experience. Place previous client logos somewhere on your homepage so customers can instantly see your past work history with the big brands.

3. Security Badges

As well as the guarantee badges offer, you should also display any security badges that shows your website is safe to use and navigate. If you’ve purchased an SSL certification to keep client data safe, you should display that with a badge somewhere on your site. Also, if you’re using a top hosting provider like bestwebhosting.co.uk – it would be wise to show your website page loading times and the security implementations you have in place.

4. An Informative About Page

Clients aren’t going to want to buy your products and services if they don’t know what your business is all about. It’s crucial you have a strong ‘about us’ page that gives clients the information they need. This page should include how you went about starting the business, who you are as a person, and other things like employee information, etc. It will do you many favours in terms of building an instant trusting relationship with your new clients. It’s all about showing your face and showing your potential clients the person behind the brand.

5. Social Trust

Did you know that many customers only buy products from reputable sellers if they have a good social media presence? When it comes to social media, it’s wise to show your following on your homepage so new customers can see you’ve already built relationships in the past. A good social media page will always have good testimonials from previous customers. Client testimonials are very important when it comes to trust. Clients want to see who you’ve worked with in the past and what the client thought of your products and/or services.

There are also many other ways you can build trust with your clients, but the above tips will greatly help you build instant relationships.

lalasticlala
mynd44

https://discovery.insidify.com/how-to-build-trusting-relationships-with-your-clients-using-your-website

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To work for a startup, you need to be very aware of the amount of work/stress you’ll need to face. That said, working for any company should not be as stressful as it is with most Nigerian startups. There’s a general idea that it’s quite hard to find a good employee at a startup and that it’s even more difficult to keep them happy while working. This, when we look at the reality of small businesses and startups, cannot be regarded as farfetched. To put this in proper perspective, we’ll look at the problems most startups have in common.

1. Lack of funding

The startup game is a risky business, and for many entrepreneurs navigating the competitive landscape and securing the funding needed to survive is a significant hurdle that isn’t easily overcome, mostly till the innovation dies a natural death. The truth is, there is a limited amount of funding available to startup founders, and even the angel investors [read: family and friends] who are usually present aren’t as forthcoming anymore. And this is for good reason; because most innovations don’t outlive their first year.

All of this in turn have a ripple effect on the employees in the startup as salaries are not paid when due, investments are not made in the right parts of the company to ensure growth, people are not motivated etc.

What you can do?

First, ensure you’re doing your best at work to actually make money for the organization. It’s a startup and you bought into the vision, otherwise you wouldn’t be there in the first place. So yes, go out of your way and try to do more than just punching the clock alone.

Another thing you can do as an employee is to save aggressively; make it a habit. Putting a part of your earnings away for the rainy day can never be a bad idea. While working for a startup, having extra cash is always a lifesaver as you never have to run around borrowing for the next month when your salary hasn’t ‘showed’.

Also, to avoid being stranded in the first place, make a budget of what you need for the month and never outspend your budget, because if you do, well, the consequences are obvious.

On the flipside, your savings can now be put into use to start a side gig because you never know when you won’t be paid until the middle of the month.

Finally, do your best at work to actually make money for the organization. It’s a startup and you bought into the vision, otherwise you shouldn’t be there in the first place. So yes, go out of your way and try to do more than just fulfilling your end of the bargain alone.

2. Lack of leadership skills

Disruptive ideas of young startup founders may work wonders but it’s equally important to be able to run the organization properly and gainfully, not into debt. There are numerous examples of startup founders with spendthrift founders/CEOs who when the company makes X amount of money, 70% goes straight to the boss’s personal purse instead of putting it back into the business.

Also, there are cases of bosses who outrightly lack people skills. All they founded the startup on is their innovative idea which in reality is never enough. They end up hiring the wrong people, or mismanaging the right ones.

What you can do?

In this case, there’s little you can do as an employee. However, you can learn to take every opportunity to speak out during meetings (startups have a lot of these). Try not to sound like a judge but endeavor to put your two cents on accountability and sustainability across wisely.

Also, find ways to motivate yourself and others, whether or not you’re in a leadership role, cultivate people skills consciously to ease your relationship with people who might also be frustrated from your boss’s lack of leadership skills. A little ‘Kumbaya’ will go a long way.

3. Employee abuse

Workplace abuse is behavior that causes workers emotional or physical harm. Harassment, discrimination, bullying and violence are forms of workplace abuse. These behaviors aren’t always distinguishable from one another because they frequently overlap.

However, with a startup these are not the common types of abuse. The common ones are with founders that work 18 hours a day in the early stages of their business, they put everything in it – their money, resources and most importantly time, which is okay as a founder trying to make their dreams successful but they tend to forget that the employees they hired are not entitled to do the same (except when stated as a requirement for the job).

It is popularly said that to whom much is given, much is expected which translates that much has to be given for it to be expected. Clearly, the reverse is the case with most startups here in Nigeria. Little is given as compensation and you’re expected to go above and beyond for your company.

What you can do?

This might sound counter-intuitive but for a young person, this is good for you (well maybe not financially). You get to learn on the job and acquire all the knowledge that you might not have access to if you were working with a bigger organization. That said, it can become frustrating especially when you lack the skills required for specific tasks; in this case, you should speak to your Line Manager/HR frankly about your duties, your fears with regards to not having the required skills, the training you need and the compensation you deserve.

Even as you do this, ensure you don’t just go through the startup, constantly work on improving yourself, always ask questions when confused and be open to corrections.

In reality, working with startups avail you the opportunity to develop yourself. So, here’s what I’ll say to you: accept the challenge of being ‘used’, take responsibilities thrown at you, learn from the mistakes and successes of the startup and who knows, it might help you build a better company in the future and if not, it’ll definitely help you get a better job. If there are other measures you’ve taken to cope within a startup,

https://discovery.insidify.com/3-common-problems-employees-face-in-a-startup-and-how-to-deal-with-them

lalasticlala
mynd44

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Nobody strikes up a relationship hoping that it will be a drain on productivity and happiness. Unless you pay careful attention, toxic people weasel their way into your life and use your mental energy, patience, and happiness without you realizing it.

We have all encountered people like this, and some of us may have even been toxic people at some point in our lives. If we really are the sum of the five people we associate with the most, it is crucial to avoid these five types of toxic people.

1. The Gossiper

The gossiper is an insidious force in any organization. They make you feel like they are bringing you into the fold by sharing delicate information with you. It seems like all they do is gather and disperse chitchat about other people.

When someone wants to talk to you about someone else behind their back, it is almost always a toxic situation. It doesn’t add value to your life, and if the gossiper will talk to you, you can be sure that they’re also talking about you to someone else.

This is the person at work that corners you during break time and talks badly about another coworker’s performance. When the person feels that they can come to you, they’ll be likely to repeat this over and over. People see you together, and they may even label you as a gossiper just for being associated with this type of toxic person.

If you think about what you can get from the conversation, it is most likely that these talks will not benefit you in any way. In fact, associating with a gossiper could really hurt you. Think about how you’d feel if you knew someone was talking about you behind your back. Now imagine someone catching you in the middle of a gossipy exchange. You don’t need that drama in your life.

2. The Manipulator

A manipulator knows what they want, and they’ll use you to get it. They don’t care about your thoughts and feelings. It seems like the more time you spend with them, the less power you have over your own destiny. Stick around this person too long, and you’ll end up doing whatever they want instead of standing up for yourself.

Most of us don’t act without a purpose, but the manipulator is bent on achieving their mission at the expense of everyone around them. Manipulation can take several forms, but a classic way to manipulate is through victim hood.

For example, I have a friend who is being in a toxic relationship. His girlfriend is controlling and abusive, and every time it seems as though he will get out of the negative situation, she manipulates him into staying. Whenever he tries to leave, she fakes a health crisis to make him feel sorry for her. Since my friend is a nice guy, he sticks around to try to make her feel better.

3. The Judge

So many cultures revolve around shame, and the judge takes full advantage of our discomfort with shame to steal your energy. Regardless of what you say, think, or do, the judge will always have some criticism for you.

The judge never tries to put themselves in your shoes. Their only concern is what you did or didn’t do. The more time you spend with them, the more depressed you’ll be. You can never make them happy, and if their opinion of you influences your self-worth, you’re doomed to misery. When you’re dealing with a judge, you’ll always take the blame.

I had a friend who was married to a hard-working entrepreneur. The entrepreneur loved his wife very much. Unfortunately, his wife epitomized the judge. Often, he would have to go away for long periods of time for work. She blamed and resented him because he was away for so long, even though his job required it. It didn’t matter that his efforts paid for their home, gave them security, and allowed them to lead a good lifestyle. No matter how much he tried to make her happy, she was too consumed with finding fault to appreciate him.

4. The Exaggerator

An exaggerator doesn’t know how to keep a small problem small. They often resort to saying things like, “You never do…” or “You have always been…” They don’t take the time to consider steps you’ve taken to fix the problem or correct your mistake. Mess up in front of an exaggerator, and be prepared to be labeled by your mistake. To an exaggerator, everything feels like the end of the world.

Imagine you’re on a team, and you’re planning a big presentation. You were assigned to work on part of the presentation, but then someone in your family became ill and had to go to the hospital. You miss the deadline to turn your part of the project in to the team, but the final presentation is still over a week away.

Most people would understand these difficult circumstances, and a few might offer to help you complete your work during this stressful time. The exaggerator is not most people, though. An exaggerator will treat missing deadline as a horrible oversight that demonstrates your lack of dedication to the team. They will continue to hang this missed deadline over your head long after the presentation.

5. The Emotional Expresser

Being vulnerable enough to talk about feelings can be valuable in relationships, but sometimes people take this too far. The emotional expresser loves talking about feelings, but they never do this in a constructive way. This is the person who repeatedly tells you how something makes them feel, but they never take any action to improve bad situations.

It is so easy to fall into this trap of talking instead of taking action. If you hang out with an emotional expresser, sooner or later, you’ll become just like them. People like this can become so caught up in discussing their feelings that they lose the ability to solve their problems. This is not a productive or healthy way to live.

The emotional expresser comes to you with a personal problem that must be fixed. They’ll tell you about their terrible relationship or their evil boss, but they aren’t willing to do anything to solve their problems. They won’t cut ties with the person harming them, and they won’t look for a new job.

Any suggestion that you make for how they can improve their lives will be met with resistance. “I can’t do that…” and “I’ve already tried that…” are the default responses that the emotional expresser will give to you when you challenge them to face their problems head on.

Do Yourself a Favor, and Keep Excellent Company

When you allow these toxic people into your life, you set yourself up for a depressing, infuriating, emotionally exhausting experience. It can feel harsh to cut these types of people out of your life, but if they’re having a negative effect on you, then you need to act.

You have a limited amount of time and energy to apply to all the things that you want to do with your life. Don’t allow a toxic person to rob you of your potential.

https://discovery.insidify.com/5-types-of-toxic-people-you-should-avoid-at-all-costs

lalasticlala
mynd44

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Looking for a job is never easy. You must put yourself out there, be open to criticism and try to see how you appear to other people. The good news is that there are always improvements that can be made to boost your chances of getting a job.

Here are four ways to help improve your job prospects for the better.

1. Make Your Résumé Work for You

Before any prospective employer meets you, they’ll see your résumé first. While it will certainly include your skills, educational background and other personal information, it should also be seen as relevant to the sector. Depending on the type of job that you’re applying for, it’s possible that certain skills or interests are helpful to include, which this type of employer is certain to look out for. Update your résumé to ensure it taps into the interest of the employer, but that it’s also accurate and up-to-date too. Also, check thoroughly for any grammar or spelling mistakes.

2. Business Cards at the Ready

Not only are personal business cards useful to hand out at job fairs and random meetings with prospects, but they’re useful to clip onto the top of a resume when sending one out. It adds that touch of professionalism and provides a quick way for staff to keep your details handy.

A free business card maker can help you pick a card size and design, add an image, and add some relevant information about yourself. You can then print out the final version. A print shop can easily take the last version and run off a couple hundred business cards for you, or you can print them on your home printer.

3. Hone Up Your Interview Skills

Many jobs get won or lost at the interview stage. You may not be a people person, but you still need to come across well to either the department head or the member of the human resources team. There are certain typical questions asked in an interview, which it’s a good idea to know how to answer ahead of time. Questions like, “What interests you about this job?” or “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?” are the types of things you should be prepared to answer.

Also, consider what questions you would like to ask in a first or second interview stage. It’s always good to learn more about a prospective employer, and it shows interest and initiative.

4. Be Presentable

Looking the part is as important as being able to talk the talk. What’s your dress sense like? Do you need a little help picking out a dress shirt and tie, or a blouse that goes well with your business suit? If you’re looking to impress, then consider going shopping for something more modern. Take along a friend who’s got a good eye for fashion and see if they can help you pick out something appropriate.

Getting the job is all about putting your best foot forward. Show some initiative by learning about the company ahead of time and looking the part when you go for the interview.

https://discovery.insidify.com/4-ways-to-improve-your-job-prospects


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Did you think about your job this past weekend? As long as it was? What were your thoughts? Eager to get back or Do you struggle to stay motivated? Why does it seem like other people seldom need motivation? Is it an inborn trait others have and you don’t? The answer, as you might have guessed, is a big no! The basic truth is that some people have mastered good habits for themselves over time that have not only helped them to be motivated but also to stay motivated. That’s why, by copying their behavior, you too can form this habit they seem to have. Below are some of the traits you should be on the lookout for:

1. They ride the motivation wave

As stated by BJ Fogg, a psychologist at Stanford University, building or sticking with good habits is not all about attempting to boost your motivation. Instead, it is about making full use of your motivation when you do have it. According to Q. Jim Rohn, motivation is what helps you get started, but habits are what keep you moving. In an interview with Ramit Sethi, the person who wrote ‘I Will Teach You to Be Rich,’ Fogg described how to ride what he refers to as the motivation wave. Motivation only has one key function in our lives, which is to help us do hard things. Motivational waves are those times when we are really inspired to do tasks we have on our to-do list. Meaning, when your motivation is raging through the roof, you must immediately do the difficult tasks first to sustain your motivation. This motivation wave can certainly help you establish a long-term good habit.

2. They Find their WHY

Highly motivated people also start with their why. Why do they do what they do? If you want to climb a mountain, for example, just because it’s there, then that idea might not be sufficient to keep you moving, especially when things get tough. Once you are aware why you do what you do, and you realize it is very important to you, you will find the strength to do it in any situation. For instance, your why can be as simple as wanting to improve the quality of life for as many people as possible. Therefore, it is important to connect the work you do on a daily basis back to your why. At work, you can try to lift up those around you and help your customers succeed.

3. They are planners

Highly motivated people plan… a lot! Of course, they can be spontaneous too, but they also make plans and expect bumps that could come along with their plans. Therefore, if you want to travel the road of the highly motivated, then begin each and every day with a plan of action, detailing the steps you will take; i.e. You have to first understand what you can realistically achieve with your time, make sure you have enough time for essential tasks, add contingency time for "the unexpected’, avoid taking on more than you can handle and work steadily toward your personal and career goals. Decide on at least two or three crucial tasks you want to do every day, then go ahead do them.

4. They don’t live with regrets

One major factor in our lives is that we are humans, so we will definitely make mistakes. But always remember, the past is the past, so endeavor to leave it there and keep moving forward. There is no point worrying or feeling angry over decisions you made in the past or actions you wish you had done. We only have the present. So in this moment that you have, let your loved ones know you love them. The experience of love is one of the best things in life. Also, follow your dream, trust your gut instincts, keep your work at work to ensure productivity, take risks, take life less seriously and turn “failures” into stepping stones (as that’s what they really are). And for peace, practice forgiveness, keep moving on, and invest your time and energy into living life to its fullest.

Finally, when you struggle to develop the habit of being motivated and staying motivated, if you don’t remember anything at all from the above, always remember to do as much as you can, including the difficult tasks you normally wouldn’t do, when you are fired up. Also, remember to protect yourself from discouragement.

https://discovery.insidify.com/5-habits-you-should-cultivate-instead-of-looking-for-motivation

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It’s easy to get discouraged when you can’t find investors, your business plan falls apart or you feel like things just simply aren’t working out for you. There will be many times when you believe you can’t go any farther and you all you want to do is just give up. If you want to become a successful entrepreneur, you must be willing to stick with it even when times get tough. Overcoming the temptation of giving up can feel impossible at times, but these tips will teach you how to keep pressing forward!

1.Motivate yourself

Take time every day to motivate yourself. Whether it be through reading, listening, or watching motivational material, it will encourage you and remind you of why you need to continue to persevere. Motivation is key to avoid the temptation of giving up.

2.Surround yourself with go-getters

The people who you spend time with will influence the way you behave either for better or for worse. If the majority of your friends are quitters or people who give up often, it might be a good idea to look for new friends who will encourage you to do your best. Seek mentors and people who are already in a place that you want to be. Chances are they have failed many times, but were willing to stick with it when the going got tough. These positive influences can provide that extra push you need to help you follow your dreams.

3.Retain a healthy work-life balance

If you spend all of your time working, but you neglect your personal life, you will make yourself vulnerable to burnout and you’ll be more likely to give into the temptation of giving up. Maintain a healthy work-life balance by putting in the time necessary for work, but also setting aside time for family and friends. Doing so will keep you from feeling bogged down and you’ll have the drive to continue.

4.Remind yourself how you felt when you first started

When you feel like giving up, remember how far you have come and how you got there. You have already put in so much time and effort to get to this point, so why would you give up on your dreams now? Remind yourself of the determination and willpower you had to get you here in the first place. If you could do it when you first started, then why can’t you do it now?

5.Don’t expect results right away

More often than not, we expect to see results immediately from our actions, and if we don’t see those results right away it is easy to lose motivation and assume that there is no point in trying any longer. The truth is, any goal worth pursuing in life is not met with immediate results. It takes a lot of time, hard work and dedication. Learn to judge the amount of work you put into something and not just the results that you receive.

6.Continue to hold on

When you reach your breaking point and you think you can’t go any farther, tell yourself to hold on just a little bit longer. You will be surprised at how much you can accomplish when you tell yourself to keep holding on, and you might just get your second wind that will persuade you to keep trying.

The secret to becoming a successful entrepreneur is maintaining the motivation and drive to keep moving forward, especially when nothing goes how you want it to. If you are able to avoid the temptation of giving up, you will find that following your dreams will become that much easier.

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I hate to start new things. It's so damn hard to start. For me, it's probably the hardest thing out there. Every time I want to start something new I struggle hard. Really hard. I try to procrastinate as much as possible.

But I love ideas. I love writing down all of my ideas. I'm an idea hoarder. I have dozens of notepads lying around with big ideas for blog posts, books and businesses.

I used to be afraid to publish my ideas, to share them with others. I used to be afraid that people won't like them. I also used to be afraid of rejection. So I didn’t work on them; until it dawned on me that most of my ideas will remain ideas forever.

As a human with a good head on their shoulders, fear is not a bad thing to have. However your ability to stare your fear down is what makes the champ out of you.

Eleanor Roosevelt once said many things about fear, but amongst them are these two that standout:

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.
No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.

Does fear make you fearful? It should. FDR once said that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself. Today many people are gripped in fear. They are fearful for the future of the nation (and rightly so), their company, their community, their family, their life and the list goes on.

We are fearful of what we don’t know or understand. We are also fearful of what we can’t control. The economy is something most people can’t understand and even less people can control it.

Fear can be healthy if it saves your life; if you take a step back from taking wrong decisions because of the fear of its consequences. It is however unhealthy when it paralyzes you and keeps you from thinking and making right decisions.

The weapons to conquer fear are many but we’ll discuss these 3:

1.Courage.

Look fear in the eye. Oftentimes, what we fear isn’t the reality of a thing, but the image of a thing. If we try and see our fears for what they really are we often become less afraid or lose that fear entirely. A roaring lion suddenly becomes a purring kitten. And fortunately, all fears are not created equal. Some are useful, and some are useless fears that you can't or shouldn't do anything about. They sap your strength for no reason, and you should put those fears in their place. Worrying about a comet striking Earth falls in this category.

Your ability to confront, deal with, and act in spite of your fears is the key to happiness and success. One of the best exercises you can practice is to identify a person or situation in your life of which you are afraid and resolve to deal with that fear situation immediately. Do not allow it to make you unhappy for another minute. Resolve to confront the situation or person and put the fear behind you.

2.Test your fears.

Overcoming fears can be compared to swimming for the first time. (Or second, or twentieth, depending on who you are.) You stick your toe in, and it is shockingly cold as first, but then you sit there for a while with your legs in. Then step by step you get in until you are swimming underwater. You are no longer afraid because you tried it. So go ahead and try it!

3.Learn acceptance.

You can’t know everything, and you can’t control everything. Accept it! Roll with it. It is amazing how once you give into those two facts that your fears just vanish. Embracing your fear and then letting it go is one of the most effective ‘antifear’ tricks I've found. The only way to deal with fear is to address it head-on. Remind yourself that, “Denial” is not a river in Egypt.

The natural tendency of many people is to deny that they have a problem caused by fear of some kind. They’re afraid of confronting it. In turn, it becomes a major source of stress, unhappiness, and psychosomatic illness. Be willing to deal with the situation or person directly.

Finally, realize that you are good enough to succeed. Why do we try to live up to everyone else’s standards but our own? Fear won’t hold you back if you tell yourself you are good enough to be yourself, to achieve that set goal and that your preparation will not go to waste. It shows that you have self-confidence and integrity. I can’t tell you how many people need to hear these exact words. “You have permission to be yourself and be great at it.” For whatever reason, many of us were raised in such a way that we needed permission to be ourselves. The biggest thing you can do for yourself and those around you is to tell them it’s ok to be their special unique selves and still be capable of creating something great. Do it in words and action. You won’t know how much energy that releases until you try it, so go out there and just do it!

https://discovery.insidify.com/3-practical-tips-on-how-to-overcome-your-fear-of-starting-anything

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As Kelly Holt, founder of Austin Phoenix points out, "If you think about it, this risky and blindly ambitious state of mind is what your 20s are all about: finding your way, trying new things, having the wild post-graduate ambition to change the world."

Now, here is my message to anyone in their 20s with an idea: If there is something you want to create, to change, or to start, there is no time like the present! Don't look at your age as a disadvantage. Instead, look at it as an opportunity.

Here are four reasons why you should start a business when you are young:

1. The timing will never be perfect.

If I had a dime for every time someone told me that they ultimately see themselves as an entrepreneur but now's not a good time, I would probably be able to retire by now. The reality is there will never be a perfect time to take the plunge into entrepreneurship. You will never have enough experience, resources, or money. Jamie Walker, CEO of SweatGuru and Fit Approach, explains, "It's not about having years of experience. It's about ambition, passion, and creativity. If you want it, you will figure out how to build it."

No matter how much education or training you have, you can only learn how to be an entrepreneur by doing it. Each business is different, so there isn't a one-size-fits-all manual for how to make it work. There will always be a learning curve no matter your age.

2. Being an outsider can lead to innovation.

Sometimes when you look at an industry from the outside, you can clearly see the flaws. "If you have the vision and the ambition, you don't need the experience to make it work," Walker says. "A fresh perspective and creativity are often just what the industry needs and how innovation takes place." Like anything else, when you have been doing something for a long time, you get caught up in the status quo. Change is hard!

Having an inexperienced prospective can be valuable, especially when trying to disrupt an industry.

3. Now is the time to be selfish.

In your 20s, it is OK to be selfish. Starting a business will take a financial and mental toll, so it makes more sense to do when you probably don't have a spouse, mortgage, or kids. As Daniel Lieberman, CEO of Cory Vines, says, "Starting a business requires 110% of your time. In your 20s an individual usually has fewer responsibilities, and it can be a time when an entrepreneur can focus on themself and building their career."

In the beginning, there will be a lot of ups and downs. It is a lot easier to survive this when you only have to worry about yourself. Then, hopefully, by the time you do take on more responsibility, your business is in a more stable place.

4. There is still time for reinvention.

Carol Han and Alexandra Weiss, cofounders of CA Creative, left stable jobs in the middle of a recession because they thought they were onto something. Han says of her decision: "The thing about being a bit heedless and following your dreams/instincts/brilliant ideas to start a business in your 20s is this: Even if you do fail, you have time to make up for it."

"And if you did have the moxie to take the sort of leap it requires to start your own thing," she continues, "you're probably enterprising and intelligent enough to not only recover from it if it happens to fail, but to figure out a way to do it all over again in another form, or to take a step back and get a job that is more fulfilling than the one you left. Either way, it's all good. There's not much to lose."

https://discovery.insidify.com/why-your-20s-is-the-best-time-to-start-a-business

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The productivity ‘industry’ is awash with tips, tricks, systems, and hacks to help you get more done in less time. Yet most people who read books and blog posts on this topic for the purpose of getting things done say they have trouble implementing these tools, talk less of becoming more productive.

No system for keeping your email under control will help you on its own. No tips and tricks for budgeting will ever help you on their own. The main problem for those who struggle with pure productivity is not being able to understand and learn systems, but a lack of self-discipline to begin with. Plain and simple.

Self-discipline is often described as a muscle, something that becomes stronger the more you work with it. In essence, having self-discipline from a productivity point of view is having the ability and motivation to just do it.

1.Don’t just learn to do it, do it!

Self-discipline is the power to act on ideas. It is the ability to take things from thoughts and bring them to reality through actions and tangible results. Sounds hard but definitely not impossible.

Learning or creating a perfect system for processing, acting on and organizing email efficiently is not going to be worth a thing until you can force yourself to do it whenever you check your email.

Knowledge itself is only part of the path. Knowledge is not productivity. It’s not efficiency. It’s a necessary step, and the first step towards those things, but implementation is the step that makes it worth the time and effort spent learning.

2.Start Small, Work Up to Big

If you haven’t been able to implement ideas in real life on a small scale, then the chances that you can do something big this week, such as kick a ten-year smoking habit, are pretty small. It can and has been done, but good luck trying. There are exceptions to every rule.

This is where the comparison of self-discipline to the use of a muscle is important, because if you keep trying to tackle the big problems in your life from the get-go, you set yourself up to fail again and again. The more you fail on the big things, the more motivation you lose and the more it looks like the problems are too big to be beaten.

Start developing your self-discipline skills by conquering small problems; if you find yourself drinking excessively and want to handle it, then start your first drink after everyone else has finished their first couple of rounds. It’s a small change, but your success will set you up to succeed in the next stage, which may be cutting out one night of drinking per weekend altogether.

Gradually, the strength of your self-discipline increases, and the greater your success will be in tackling problems and implementing new changes.

If you want to create a habit rather than defeat it, it’s a very similar process. For instance, if you find yourself constantly unable to maintain a new email processing system, start by making an end-of-week appointment every week that you force yourself to keep. Process all your messages and clear out your inbox during that session, and continue this until it is second nature. You can then trial it on a more regular basis. Don’t start out expecting unused muscles to be strong.

3.Accountability, the Remedial Therapy of Self-Discipline

When a person has, for some reason or another, allowed muscles to atrophy to the point where they literally can’t use them, they go through a long process of therapy, gradually rebuilding the strength in those muscles until they can use them without assistance.

It’s not impossible for this to happen with self-discipline; someone who once possessed plenty of it can allow it to atrophy by failing to use restraint and letting bad habits commandeer their life. I know this happened to me, and it wasn’t easy to fix.

There is a point where you let your self-discipline weaken so much that it’s impossible to get it back without outside assistance. That point is where accountability comes into play; having someone to push you and force you to do what you can’t force yourself to do. They keep you accountable for each action, and not only give you an irritated stare when you fail, but ensure you don’t fail in the first place.

The key is to find someone who’s going to be present in your day-to-day life enough to help you. If you’re working on a new habit for your work life, then they only need to present at work. More complicated are habits that encompass your entire life, in work and at home. For instance, if you want to quit smoking then you’ll probably need to organize someone to keep you accountable at home, such as your partner or family, and someone at work (probably a colleague, as nobody needs more whining from their boss!).

Nine times out of ten, those who’ve talked to me about their inability to get things done and implement systems they’ve memorized inside and out, only have a problem with this one aspect of life. It’s a simple one, but by no means any less difficult to deal with.

After all that’s been said, you would agree with me that self-discipline is certainly one thing missing from productivity today.

https://discovery.insidify.com/3-simple-ways-to-achieve-self-discipline-for-a-more-productive-life

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Being fired can come as a huge shock, leaving you feeling angry, ashamed or resentful. So, before you launch yourself back into the job market, follow these steps to help minimize the fallout.

1.Give yourself time to let it sink in

You can't really bounce back into an effective job hunt until you've dealt with the negative emotions. You'll need to project a positive image to woo potential employers, so give yourself space to work through your feelings.

It can take time to see the situation in a more objective light, but it's helpful to think about what went wrong, and any lessons you can learn. Could you have prevented it? Was it down to external factors (company problems, management changes, etc) or your own shortcomings – in which case, what will you need to do to improve your future employability?

There may even be positives. Perhaps it frees you up to explore a new career path, or it's given you the opportunity to reassess where your strengths, values and interests lie. Try to keep perspective. Don't let being fired overshadow an otherwise stellar career. Focus on your overall pattern of highlights and achievements rather than on a one-off.

2.Work out how you will present it

If the job itself was very brief, you may be able to omit it from your CV, especially if you have other activities to account for the gap. If you decide to include it, detail your achievements in the role, and don't give the reason for leaving.

Decide how you will talk about it in interviews. Aim for a short and factual explanation. Too much detail can make you sound defensive rather than accepting of the situation. It's important to show that you've moved on and that you're completely focused on the job you're interviewing for, so it's worth asking a trusted friend or colleague for feedback on how you come across when you talk about it.

Here are some ways you can talk about being fired in response to a "why did you leave your last job?" type of question:

• If you were laid off due to a merger, restructure or downsizing, give the wider context: "As you know, our industry has been badly affected in the recession, and unfortunately I was made redundant along with five other colleagues."

• You can also highlight management changes or a shift in direction: "Our department was recently restructured, and the new manager's priorities meant that my skills and expertise couldn't be efficiently deployed."

• If you were fired for performance reasons, try to emphasise mutual agreement:"Actually, it was a joint decision." Briefly explain the circumstances, then move on to why you want the job you're interviewing for and what makes you a good match.

• Alternatively, talk about what the experience taught you: For example, if you were fired for a performance issue, you can mention how you're now addressing those problems: "The experience taught me that..." is a good way to move the conversation on naturally.

3.Prepare for your next move

Don't rush into a job search before you've taken the time to decide your career priorities and to plan your next move – whether that's in a similar role in the same industry, or a move into consultancy or freelancing. Avoid firing off unfocused CVs in a desperate attempt to get any new job. Instead, bring your CV up to date and spend time customising it to the roles and companies that now interest you.

Put the experience behind you by shifting your focus towards what you can offer. Assess your areas of expertise, find examples that illustrate these, then present these clearly and convincingly in all your dealings with potential employers – on CVs, at interviews, in speculative letters, at networking events, and so on. Make sure you can articulate why you want to work for that particular employer and how your experience makes you a good match, rather than giving them the impression that you're applying for new roles indiscriminately.

Also think about your networking messages. Don't start contacting people and asking for help until you know what your career goals are. A message such as, "I'm really interested in finding out more about x sector or y company", will give people more to go on than, "do you know of any jobs going?"

4.Maintain a professional image

Try to agree the wording of a reference letter before you leave, as well as any communication to colleagues, clients or suppliers about your departure. Exit as gracefully as you can and don't publicly slate your ex-employer or blast out angry emails. Keeping a folder of positive performance reviews and endorsements from other company managers, clients and colleagues as well as previous letters of reference, can speed up your job search.

Check that you can access professional networks such as LinkedIn (and that you're using a personal rather than company email address) and remove any personal files from company computers. Don't leave networking to the last moment either. The more active you've been in your professional communities, the easier it will be to ask for help.

https://discovery.insidify.com/how-to-get-a-new-job-after-losing-your-job

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Starting a business is one of the toughest things you can do in your life.

Often, you’ll find that the key to starting a business is just getting a little momentum going. But how do you build that momentum? The key is consistency in business.

You might work hard, but do you stick with it? Here’s a few pointers on how to achieve consistency in your business.

1. Focus on what’s important (as opposed to what’s urgent).

A big problem managers face is focusing on putting out the “urgent” fires rather than on what’s important to the business overall. Experts suggest that leaders plan only 65% of their day in detail, and use the other 35% to handle the unexpected things that come up. If you’re reacting, you’re not planning [for the future]. Extraordinary results can only be achieved when you’re clear about what matters most.

2. Have specific, measurable goals.

Saying you plan to increase gross sales by 1.2 million naira in one year is both overwhelming and vague. Instead you should break the numbers down to show their team how the goal is achievable. For example, if a restaurant wants to increase gross sales by 1,200,000 naira in one year, that means making 300,000 naira more a quarter, which is 100,000 more a month.

When you set a goal, like being more effective or hiring better employees, ask yourself this one question: “From A to B by when?” That is, what steps need to be taken? When (and how) will we get there? Having specific goals allows managers to make (and keep) employees accountable.

3. Communicate goals to your entire team.

Everyone on the team has to know the business’s goals. Otherwise, you’re bowling through a curtain, and you can’t hit a target that you can’t see. “If employees don’t know your plans for the business, they’ll substitute with their own plan.

Leaders should regularly share how the team’s progressing toward its goals, and make team members feel appreciated. At meetings, for example, give recognition and encouragement to those who deserve it. Reiterate the problem the team member’s solving, describe how they’re adding value, why their work matters, who they’re helping, and how they’re helping the business reach its goals.

4. Make quality hiring a priority, and hold employees accountable.

Businesses go out of business because they often spent money on the wrong things. Hiring, training, and retaining quality employees are critical to a business’s survival. It is also imperative that as a leader you get rid of the negative employees that bring everyone on the team down. If there’s no accountability or discipline, there are no consequences for bad behavior and if you walk past a problem, you approve it.

Ultimately, if you go by the aforementioned points, you should be able to keep at doing exactly what will keep you in business; consistency achieved.

https://discovery.insidify.com/how-to-achieve-consistent-results-for-sustainable-growth-in-your-business

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So, you’re ready to start your business, but not quite ready to give up your day job. Maybe you’re planning to use your income from your day job to help fund your new business, or are simply relying on that income to sustain your living expenses until your business can generate a profit.

Whatever the reason, plenty of entrepreneurs have started their businesses in this very way. Though it’s a tried and true means of getting your business up and running, it takes hard work, long hours, and—let’s be honest—maybe a bit of whining along the way. However starting your business at the same time as keeping your day job is not only doable, it’s often a smart decision.

I asked entrepreneurs from the Young Entrepreneur Council their advice on how to successfully start a business while maintaining a day job. The takeaways? The importance of devoting scheduled time to your new business, setting monetary goals for when you’ll leave your day job, and accepting the fact that this might be the busiest period of your career as an entrepreneur.

1. Commit time in advance for work on your new business

When you’re working on your new business while still keeping your full time job, time can often be tight. So, it’s important to have a schedule—and just as important, actually follow through with it.

“Create a schedule in advance of the days and times you will commit to working on your new venture, and most importantly, stick to it,” says Diana Goodwin of AquaMobile Swim School. “Otherwise, it’s too easy at the end of a busy day to want to relax or let yourself get distracted by other activities.”

By blocking your time into manageable chunks and devoting a set amount of time each day to your new business, you can make balancing the two more doable. “The hard work will pay off when you are eventually able to work full time on your own business, doing what you love and are passionate about!” says Diana.

2. Cut back your hours at your day job gradually

If money and your work schedule allows, consider scaling back the time you spend in the office, and using those afternoons (or even full days) to work exclusively on your new venture.

“If you can begin to cut back hours at your day job, even two to four days a month, then start the transition process now,” says Kelly Azevedo of She’s Got Systems. “With one day a week to focus completely on your business, you’ll be a lot more productive and be able to adjust to the change in income.”

While this won’t be feasible for everyone, if your office offers some flexibility, this might be a great compromise; you won’t have to choose between feeling completely overworked, and giving up your full time gig. “Usually, we view day jobs as all-or-nothing,” says Kelly, “but with this strategy, you can get the best of both worlds during the transition.”

3. Don’t get discouraged, but do know you’ll have to make sacrifices

There’s no way around it—starting a business is tough. Starting a business while still employed elsewhere? Even tougher. But, once you realize and accept this, it will be easier to acknowledge that the difficult part at the beginning is par for the course.

So, don’t let the fact that you can’t give all your time to your new business discourage you. “A lot of people think that they can’t start a business unless they devote 100 percent of their time to it,” says Jonathan Long of Market Domination Media. “Sure, it is going to require a lot of effort and you are going to be mentally and physically exhausted, but as long as you completely understand this going in, you can make it work.”

He also adds that while you don’t need to stress over not being able to give all your time and effort to your new business, some things will inevitably have to be put on the back burner for a while. “Be prepared to give up your social life as well—your new venture will require all of your time away from your day job,” says Jonathan.

4. Use your day job to pay off debt and create an emergency fund

If you’re still working at your day job while starting your business, use that security to your advantage. “I know so many people who started businesses while maintaining their day jobs,” says Allie Siarto of Allie Siarto Photography. “They often felt ready to make the jump into running their businesses full-time after they had debt paid off, and had enough money in the bank to give them a six to 12-month runway of living expenses.”

Having a steady income from your day job enables you to make the best decisions for your new business—something you might not have if you dropped everything and devoted all your time to it. “Take advantage of the regular paycheck, and save as much as you possibly can so that you’re not making decisions based on fear,” says Allie.

See Also: 19 Funding Resources for New and Existing Businesses

5. Meet with a lawyer to make sure you’re in the clear

There are some logistical concerns that you should pay attention to when starting your business at the same time as keeping your day job. Some companies will be extra particular about your behavior (even what takes place outside of the office), so make sure that your new venture isn’t going to cause difficulty for you.

“Something as seemingly innocuous as sending a message from your private Gmail on your company laptop could spell trouble down the line,” says Brittany Hodak of ZinePak. “Even if you’re starting a business that has nothing to do with your day job, it’s worth consulting with a lawyer to make sure you’re not setting yourself up for any issues.”

Brittany suggests sharing your current employment contract and the plans you have for your new startup with your lawyer, to make sure you’re not setting yourself up for trouble.

6. Set a monetary goal for when you will quit your day job

To put a bit of gentle pressure on yourself, set a monetary goal and use this as a catalyst for when you’ll focus full time on your new business. This can either be an amount saved from your day job, or an amount earned from your new business—or both.

“Have a financial goal clearly laid out so that as soon as you hit it, you can quit your day job,” suggests Nicole Munoz of Start Ranking Now. “Use positive language with yourself, such as ‘I will quit this job when I make $10,000/month’ to help you achieve your dream.”

Dave Nevogt of Hubstaff also suggests setting a goal, based on savings from your day job. “Use your job as a temporary safety net and save what you calculate you’ll need for at least 12 months of living comfortably,” he says.

David also points out that, with such a full schedule, saving for your new business may not be as difficult as you might imagine. “You’ll be dedicating your free time to growing your business and going out less,” he says.

Remember, this phase won’t last forever—that monetary goal should serve as a jumping off point. “As soon as you have your runway built up, leave your job,” says David. “By that point, your business should ideally be earning you income too.”

7. Manage your free time well and minimize distractions

While it’s important not to work yourself to death, starting a business while still employed at your day job will mean a bit of a time crunch for a while. As such, focus on better time management; you’d be surprised how many things you can fit into your day when you minimize your distractions.

Andrew Schrage of Money Crashers Personal Finance has the following suggestions: “Use software such as LeechBlock to prevent access to websites that distract you (like social media), use your lunch hour for quick errands or a gym workout, and cut back on TV and social media,” he says.

8. Budget for fatigue…and fight through it

If we’ve seemed a little “doom and gloom” throughout this article, it’s because the reality of the situation is that starting a business while maintaining your day job is difficult. “Having a day job and simultaneously starting a business is not an ideal situation,” says Cody McLain of SupportNinja. “You will risk making bad decisions and hurting your reputation because both commitments are bound to bleed into each other’s time.”

However, it’s important to focus on the bigger picture; the time you devote to starting your business now will pay off in the long run. “Remember, you’ll have plenty of free time once your small business grows and you’ve left your day job,” says Andrew.

It’s an important reminder; the late nights, the stress, and the fully packed schedule that you’re currently experiencing are all leading up to being able to realize your dream of running your own business. Keep your eyes on the prize and soon, you’ll be running your own business—no day job required.

Do you have any suggestions for other entrepreneurs on how to start your business while keeping your day job?

lalalsticlala
mynd44

https://discovery.insidify.com/8-ways-to-achieve-work-life-balance-as-an-entrepreneur-while-on-your-day-job

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Today, I’m not talking about optimizing interview performance, in this article we’ll be looking at the absolute basics. The things you’d think we should be able to take for granted (evidently many of us do). These are job interview blunders that it would seem you could only make if you held no regard or importance for the job you were interviewing for.

Today I’m going to share with you the 5 most common job interview blunders that are committed over and over again. These are blunders you cannot recover from. Once you’ve made them, it’s over. This list isn’t meant to be exhaustive – I’m sure there are plenty more blunders out there – but these are the ones that draw my attention the most and are top of mind for me at the moment. You can also share the common blunders you’ve seen in the comments section.

Here are my top 5 interview blunders:

1.Going late to the interview.

There is never an excuse for lateness to a job interview. If you’re 10 or 20 minutes late without calling, any recruiter with a good sense of judgment will consider you as rude and ill-mannered. You can agree with me that with that at the back of the mind of your interviewer, you have zero or thin chances of getting that job.

The truth is even if you’re the one person in twenty for whom this lateness was a true anomaly, a one-time thing, an unavoidable situation, a hiring manager will think it’s not worth it for them to take that gamble. Most times, they’ll rather not hire you, no matter how well you perform in the interview itself.

2.Inability to name the CEO or the company product.

Regardless of what level you are at in your career or what job you’re applying for; you must do a minimum amount of research ahead of time. Not being able to name the CEO or not being able to recall the name of the main product the company sells is an unrecoverable offense. It reveals a lot about how you will approach your work if you were actually to get the job. It reveals that you are reckless, that you don’t prepare, that you don’t put forth a solid effort, and that you lack good judgment.

If you can’t name the CEO of the company and the main product the company sells, you can’t get hired. A quick visit to the website and a sneak peek on the CEO’s LinkedIn profile takes 5 minutes and can make the difference between getting the job and getting the boot.

3.Not visiting the company website prior to the interview.

It probably seems a bit stretched to be talking about this, but trust me, it’s a thing. If you haven’t taken the time to visit the company’s website before the interview, it’s a blunder you cannot recover from. When preparing for a job interview, please take a few minutes and visit the company’s web site. Check out the Home page, About Page, Press Page and Products Pages at the very least.

For most recruiters, it’s about respecting the process and demonstrating you are genuinely interested in the job and the company. It’s about separating candidates who are really trying to win and candidates who are just along for the ride. Too many candidates these days are playing the numbers game. They apply for 500 jobs and hope to get lucky. Don’t fall into this trap. Because if you do, you’ll end up not getting none.

4.Inability to match outfit with the work environment

The rule is, dress one level more formal than the attire being worn in the office. If you don’t know what attire people wear in the office, take a look on their social media feeds or at pictures on the website or ask around. However, mst companies in Nigeria don’t imbibe that culture so you can always ask the HR person or recruiter what attire people wear in the office. Then go one level more formal than that. So if the typical office attire for men is jeans and a sweater or jeans and a collared shirt, you should wear jeans with a blazer or dress pants with a collared shirt … one level more formal, not showing up looking like you employed the recruiter. This is Nigeria, they might be pissed if you go overboard with your look. Remember, only one level more formal.

However, the unrecoverable sin is to go one or two levels less formal than the typical attire worn in the office.

5.Inability to answer the 2 most basic interview questions.

There are two interview questions you absolutely must be able to answer. They are the most basic questions possible. It’s impossible to google “top interview questions” and not see these. But you’d be shocked how ignorant job seekers are with regards to these.

What got you interested in working here and why do you want the job?

What makes you a great fit for the company and the role?

The reason it seems as though these questions are insurmountable is because most jobseekers aren’t prepared to answer these basic questions. They pause, they stumble and they ramble. My question is, if not these questions, then what? What preparation could you have possibly done and not be able to answer these basic questions? The very first thing you should do when preparing for a job interview is to craft solid answers to these two questions because if you haven’t, you have no chance of getting the job.

In other words, you can’t afford to fail at all the five areas we’ve just listed owing to the consequences pointed out above. So in everything you do, don’t make these mistakes because you won’t recover.

https://discovery.insidify.com/5-common-interview-errors-you-cant-recover-from-and-how-to-avoid-them

lalasticlala
mynd44

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It needs no telling how big social media is, especially in this 21st century. Social media has been in existence for more than over a decade and it has grown faster than the internet itself.

With sites like LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter which launched in early 2000s, 2004 and 2006 respectively, social media birthed a completely innovative means for people to communicate and interact with each other regardless of their respective location.

According to Axel Schultze, Founder and CEO of Silicon Valley based venture; BlueRoads; he defined social media as “the collection of tools and online spaces available to help individuals and businesses to accelerate their information and communication needs”.

If I were to define it, I’ll say social media is a community of people who have access to the internet who can lend their voice to social causes, communicate and relate with people of diverse race, religion and belief.

Speaking of definitions, Facebook has remained the foremost social media platform, with a record of over 1.39 billion people logging on every month. Did youknow there are also a whopping 328 million monthly active users on Twitter? Well, now you know.

This is a detailed chart on how many millions of people visited the listed social media platforms in the last month.

There are thousands of social media networks but for the sake of this post, we’re just going to stick with the Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.

Figure 1 Number of people using social media

If you are an entrepreneur and you are not actively pushing your business with any of the aforementioned platforms, I’m sure you could learn a thing or two on how to maximize this goldmine called social media.

In the post, I will share some of the benefits of social media and how to maximize them to get excellent results in your business.

Let’s get on with it!

Why social media for your business success?

1. It increases your brand recognition

Having a strong social media presence increases your chances of getting noticed by prospective customers. Take for instance, I want to buy a canon camera and I use Google to check for online stores or outlets that sell this gadget. If a store that has a good online presence has the exact camera I’m looking for, it will surely pop up. I tried it, here’s the result.



In the process of connecting with your customers, it augments the odds of retaining them because they can relate with the personality behind the account.

2. It boosts your SEO

One of the major advantages of social media for businesses is utilizing it to boost your website traffic. Social media helps direct people to your website hence increasing the search engine optimization. With an active follower base, it increases your search on the internet when your users retweet, engage or share your posts across their social platforms.

3. It helps generate testimonials/feedbacks from your customer

Every day on social media, there are about 4.5 billion likes on Facebook, 500 million tweets on Twitter and about 52 million pictures are uploaded on Instagram every day. With this data, it will be easier to get relevant information from customers to make brilliant business decision; how to serve them better, how they feel about your brand etc. Through your social media presence, you can get honest feedbacks from your customers.

Sometime ago, I bought some accessories from a friend so she requested for a testimonial about the product I purchased she then posted it on Instagram. When other customers visit her page and see this testimonial, they will be motivated to buy from her and this will also increase her conversion rate.

4. It helps boost your awareness of competitors

Social media helps you ‘monitor’ your competitors; you know what they are up to, the next business steps they are taking, you will be well-informed about them. This helps you make calculated business decisions to stay way ahead of them in business.

How can this be achieved? You can use Google alerts (there are tons of social media monitors) to track your competitors. All you need do is type in the industry keywords and company names and products; your email address. And voila! You’ll receive every information about your competitors in your mail. With this, you can strategically plan towards increasing the offer the competitors might be missing out on their part.


Having discussed the benefits of social media for businesses, how do you maximize social media for your business? Let’s find out:

Figure out your target customers: This is the first action before venturing into social media marketing. It is salient that you figure out your target customers, their demographic, behaviour and reaction.
Create good content: For any social media post to succeed, the content has to be very catchy, interactive and engaging. If it lacks this simple things, it will be difficult to get them talking about the products or service you pushed. This also includes using good images, crafting good headlines/captions that would grasp the reader’s attention.
Engage your customers You remember the keep the change bae saga that happened on Twitter right? How Wema bank, First bank and other brands were able to jump on it and pulled good marketing stunts out of it? That’s one of the importances of social media.
Build a community: Before you begin to push your products or services on social media, build a community where people can engage and relate with the person behind the brand personally. When that first stage is complete, then you proceed to drive your products or services.

There is a blog I follow consistently –Kachitee.com, she had built a community where people knows and relate with her on a personal level. Certainly if she decides to venture into any business at any time, she would thrive because of the community she had built.

In essence, one can conclude that social media cannot be overrated and its impact on business, whether large or small cannot be overemphasized. So if your business isn’t on social media, make sure to get on that bus fast!

lalasticlala
mynd44

https://discovery.insidify.com/using-facebook-instagram-twitter-to-grow-your-small-business-in-nigeria

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you are welcome
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Oxalic:
Thanks@OP.

“I just don’t have enough time.”

We’ve all said it before.

We say “I don’t have time” when life gets busy or when we don’t want to feel guilty about skipping something.

But then, we lead busy lives and use our limited time as an excuse to procrastinate and avoid getting things done, but often claiming we don't have time is a lie. It's a lie we tell others and ourselves. It helps us believe we'll never get anything done, and this is a problem. Fortunately, the solution might be as simple as changing your language. Wall Street Journal writer Laura Vanderkam explains:

Instead of saying "I don't have time" try saying "it's not a priority," and see how that feels. Often, that's a perfectly adequate explanation. I have time to iron my sheets, I just don't want to. But other things are harder. Try it: "I'm not going to edit your résumé, sweetie, because it's not a priority." "I don't go to the doctor because my health is not a priority." If these phrases don't sit well, that's the point. Changing our language reminds us that time is a choice. If we don't like how we're spending an hour, we can choose differently.

1.Track the time you spend on everything.

Time is our most precious resource. Your priorities, whether you say so or not, are where you choose to spend those hours. Make the most of them! It’s amazing how much time you can find when you minimize the things that aren’t important to make room for the things that are.

Where do you spend your time? Just like keeping a food journal can be eye-opening, try tracking your time over the next few days in 30-minute blocks. How much time do you spend on the computer, watching TV, etc? I bet you’ll be surprised.

2.Change your Language.

Simply saying ‘it’s not a priority’ is a simple idea, and a great one. Our language is often used to provide a polite answer when the truth might be hard to hear. Sometimes we even subject ourselves to more polite language and end up in situations like this one. How you use your time is very important. It's a limited resource and shouldn't be wasted. Don't risk putting it to poor use by failing to be honest with yourself and others about your priorities in life. Alter your language and you may just discover what's most important.

3.And then decide what you actually want your priorities to be.

Leave a comment with ONE thing you’ve been saying is a priority but hasn’t really been, and ONE step you’re going to take today to make that thing a real priority. No excel sheets just set priorities.


lalasticlala
mynd44

https://discovery.insidify.com/how-to-stop-saying-i-dont-have-time-and-what-to-say-instead




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yea
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jtjohn:
Wonderful Write up.........No 7 Really works 4 Me.

haaaa, gobe

mecussey:
one guy collapsed on his wedding day after trams overdose.

UncleJudax:
You couldn't agree more!

austinbrown:
Just take weed u no go look uche face simple

If the people you are facing see it in your eyes, it can backfire

If they are jobless they should better go to www.jobs.insidify.com , or go to my profile, over 3000 jobs dey repete
Thank me later

Speaking in front of other people—even a small group—can be nerve-wracking. You feel anxious, terrified that you'll make a fool of yourself. While the butterflies may never go away completely, there are still some things you can do to help clear your head before your big moment.

1.Practice.

Naturally, you’ll want to rehearse your presentation multiple times. While it can be difficult for those with packed schedules to spare time for practice, it’s essential if you want to deliver a rousing presentation. If you really want to sound great, write out your speech rather than taking chances winging it.

Try to practice where you’ll be delivering your talk. Some acting strategists suggest rehearsing lines in various positions–standing up, sitting down, with arms open wide, on one leg, while sitting on the toilet, etc. (OK, that last one may be optional.) The more you mix up your position and setting, the more comfortable you’ll feel with your speech. Also try recording your presentation and playing it back to evaluate which areas need work. Listening to recordings of your past talks can clue you in to bad habits you may be unaware of, as well as inspiring the age-old question: “Is that what I really sound like?”

2.Transform Nervous Energy Into Enthusiasm.

It may sound strange, but I’ll often down an energy drink and blast hip-hop music in my earphones before presenting. Why? It pumps me up and helps me turn jitters into focused enthusiasm. Studies have shown that an enthusiastic speech can win out over an eloquent one, and since I’m not exactly the Winston Churchill of presenters, I make sure that I’m as enthusiastic and energetic as possible before going on stage. Of course, individuals respond differently to caffeine overload, so know your own body before guzzling those monster energy drinks.

3.Attend Other Speeches.

If you’re giving a talk as part of a larger series, try to attend some of the earlier talks by other presenters. This shows respect for your fellow presenters while also giving you a chance to feel out the audience. What’s the mood of the crowd? Are folks in the mood to laugh or are they a bit more stiff? Are the presentations more strategic or tactical in nature? Another speaker may also say something that you can play off of later in your own presentation.

4.Arrive Early.

It’s always best to allow yourself plenty of time to settle in before your talk. Extra time ensures you won’t be late (even if Google Maps shuts down) and gives you plenty of time to get adapted to your presentation space.

5.Adjust to Your Surroundings.

The more adjusted to your environment you are, the more comfortable you’ll feel. Make sure to spend some in the room where you will be delivering your presentation. If possible, practice with the microphone and lighting, make sure you understand the seating, and be aware of any distractions potentially posed by the venue (e.g., a noisy road outside).

6.Meet and Greet.

Do your best to chat with people before your presentation. Talking with audiences makes you seem more likeable and approachable. Ask event attendees questions and take in their responses. They may even give you some inspiration to weave into your talk.

7.Take Deep Breaths.

The go-to advice for jitters has truth to it. When we’re nervous, our muscles tighten–you may even catch yourself holding your breath. Instead, go ahead and take those deep breaths to get oxygen to your brain and relax your body.

8.Smile.

Smiling increases endorphins, replacing anxiety with calm and making you feel good about your presentation. Smiling also exhibits confidence and enthusiasm to the crowd. Just don’t overdo it–no one enjoys the maniacal clown look.

9.Work on Your Pauses.

When you’re nervous, it’s easy to speed up your speech and end up talking too fast, which in turn causes you to run out of breath, get more nervous, and panic! Ahh!

Don’t be afraid to slow down and use pauses in your speech. Pausing can be used to emphasize certain points and to help your talk feel more conversational. If you feel yourself losing control of your pacing, just take a nice pause and keep cool.

10.Drink Water.

Dry mouth is a common result of anxiety. Prevent cottonmouth blues by staying hydrated and drinking plenty of water before your talk (just don’t forget to hit the bathroom before starting). Keep a bottle of water at arm’s reach while presenting in case you get dry mouth while chatting up a storm. It also provides a solid object to hurl at potential hecklers. (That’ll show ‘em.)

Finally, when you’re on that podium trying to make a presentation, find some way to move around and remind yourself that everyone is weird—including the people watching you. It's usually an aspect of our humanity that we forget as we approach the podium, and instead we perceive ourselves speaking to perfect individuals that will criticize our every move. It's one of the reasons that picturing your audience naked is one of the most classic of tips. It makes them vulnerable, not you. However you choose to make that presentation, ensure you get your message out there with confidence.
Contact me through, contactus@insidify.com or @insidifyhq on twitter

lalasticlala
mynd44

https://discovery.insidify.com/10-ways-to-calm-your-nerves-before-you-make-a-presentation

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Nobody wants to be a yes-man (or woman), but that doesn’t make it any easier to say no to your boss. Whether you’re being asked to increase your workload, take on a task that you believe is a bad idea, or work on a weekend, how do you tactfully decline?

“People have a hard time saying ‘no’- period - and when you introduce power, it gets exponentially worse,”

- Joseph Grenny.

Yet, good bosses appreciate employees who have the confidence to say no. if you ask around, most say they’re willing to listen to sound reasoning to find a solution. In essence, it’s all about how you frame and phrase it.

Instead of declining the request and walking away, here are seven tips for delivering an effective, non-opposing “no”:

1. Avoid a power struggle

Begin by acknowledging that the decision is ultimately your boss’s. Clarify that by saying, ‘I have strong opinions on what is the right answer but I understand this is your call,’” he says. “Otherwise the subject can become a power struggle.”

It’s not who is right, it’s what is right.

Sometimes a “no” is a battle not a war, and you need to know the difference. Ask yourself what the worst outcome may be from saying ‘no’ and write this down. Decide which appears to have the biggest impact on your current workload and future with the company.

2. Acknowledge that you ultimately have the same goals.

Members of the military say to salute the flag before you disagree with a senior officer, says Grenny. The same is true in business. Keep in mind that your ultimate goal is the same: to further the company.

“Your mutual higher purpose is to serve, and your job is to accomplish goals,” he says. “It’s not who is right, it’s what is right.”

3. Empathize

People are more open to having someone disagree with them if they feel deeply understood.

Listen to your boss’s arguments and concerns before voicing your own, and he’ll feel much less defensive if he feels heard. If you aren’t willing to change your opinion, don’t expect your boss to change his.

However, you can say, ‘I understand your perspective, and here’s another way to think about the situation’. If you have sound reasoning and honored their idea, your boss will be more open to listening.

4. Explain the consequences of the request

People often believe if their boss trusted them, they’d be willing to take a chance and follow their suggestion, but you shouldn’t make a disagreement personal when it doesn’t need to be, says Grenny.

Instead, draw power from the facts. After you’ve acknowledged the importance of the request, share how the new task might impact other projects. For example, it might take away needed resources or burden your workload. Then ask for a solution.

For example, is there something your boss could take off your plate to allow you the time to take on this project?

5. Share your facts.

Too often we get into a debate about conclusions. “If you want to say ‘no,’ and your boss wants you to say ‘yes,’ each of you has information that differs. Start by exposing where your facts are thin.

Acknowledge what you know to be true and tell your boss how it caused your conclusion. Ask how your boss came to his conclusion. If you’re simply in a no-yes argument, you’re arguing conclusions not facts.

Overall, your boss is your boss and you the employee, meanwhile, as you’ve just learnt, you can always convey your disagreements whenever you have one. Just ensure you’re doing it properly using the guidelines above.

lalasticlala
mynd44

https://discovery.insidify.com/how-to-disagree-with-your-boss-and-still-keep-your-job

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In an ideal world, you wouldn’t have to guess whether or not you’re failing to hit the mark at work. Your boss would meet with you regularly to supply open and honest feedback, and you could nip any emerging problems in the bud as soon as they flag them to you. But human beings are complex characters–whether your colleagues and superiors are afraid of confronting you with negative feedback, too busy to check in with you, or simply aren’t good at communicating, workplace grievances against you may pile up until eventually, they land you in hot water.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, sometimes we tend to simply judge ourselves too harshly. Perfectionists out there will often perceive harmless actions or poorly phrased comments from coworkers to be slights on their performance, causing them to work themselves up over nothing.

So between managers whose communication skills need improvement and your own self-doubt, how can you really tell if you need to get your act together at work? Here’s a few pointers to identify five issues that indicate you’re faltering at work, as well as advice on how to get back on track.

1. Your boss is noticeably blunter with you

When your manager is disappointed in your performance, it’s often hard for them to conceal it–usually. Their behavior or tone will shift in a noticeable way. A few indicators might be if your formerly friendly boss is getting agitated with you or is being more short or cold with you, or if they have become more aloof or seem to be avoiding any conversation with you except for essential communication. Sometimes this sign isn’t as clear depending on how your initial relationship with your boss was, but if you notice that they seem to avoid you, are sharp and short when answering your questions, and don’t engage in conversation with you outside of strictly business, it could be a sign they are getting ready to get rid of you or that an awkward conversation in a negative performance review is imminent.

The confrontation averse may be tempted to ignore these signs, but addressing the problem is essential if you want to get back in your manager’s good graces. You could say, ‘I notice that lately you seem less happy with my work. What can I do to change that?’ Then, listen as non-defensively as you can and take notes on what they want you to do.

Be up front and sit down with management to address any issues and see if it can be resolved before you get a negative review. If they have noticed that your performance isn’t what it used to be, you could explain yourself. If you’ve been unhappy or feeling unfulfilled, a simple conversation could lead to a promotion that could give you more responsibility and a sense of purpose again. It can be hard to sit down with management in these situations, but most likely you have nothing to lose, and it could be the opportunity for a major positive change.”

2. Your boss seems to trust you less with important work

You might be secretly rejoicing if your boss moves a few things off your plate, but beware: Rather than just giving you a break, this could be a sign that they don’t think you’re capable of managing your tasks. Employees who perform well are typically rewarded with more responsibility and more complex tasks, leading to career growth and paving the way for future. So if you suddenly notice your manager consistently passing you up and giving coveted assignments to your coworkers, or if your manager assigns you tasks that feel like a step backward, it may be an indication that you’ve lost their trust.

Before you confront your manager, think back and identify whether you made a recent error. Perhaps you missed a deadline without appropriate notification, didn’t take action when a problem occurred, or reacted in a non-constructive way in a tense situation. Then, do some damage control and own up to the mistake. Let your manager know you recognize what you did wrong, what you learned, and what you will do going forward. Taking ownership and bringing up the issue first helps with rebuilding trust.

3. You keep hearing the same negative feedback

No matter how hard you work, you’re bound to get some negative feedback. From to time–after all, there’s always room for improvement. So if you get the occasional reminder from your manager about something you could be doing better, you don’t need to sweat it. But if you consistently hear them bringing up the same issue over and over, it may be cause for concern.

Once your boss has talked to you about it a few times, if they don’t see the change they want to see, you can expect that a warning is on the way.

If you find yourself on the receiving end of repeated feedback, “Be sure you are very clear in your mind on what expected changes they are looking for or what goals/metrics they [want] you to hit before you get further warnings. Even if you are taking the right steps to address the issue at hand, make sure that you’re communicating that with your manager so they know that you are taking their feedback seriously and are working on overcoming challenges.

4. You can’t seem to get anything done

Everyone deals with bottlenecks at work–maybe your manager is dragging their heels on reviewing an essential document, or your department head shuts down your budget proposal. It’s perfectly normal for things like these to happen every once in a while, but if they become an everyday (or more) occurrence, you may want to examine things a little more closely.

Is it getting harder to arrange a time to meet with your boss? Are your requests constantly getting denied? Are you being given the most tedious tasks to complete? If so, this may be a sign that your supervisor is encouraging you to quit and avoiding the task of giving you constructive feedback.

If this sounds familiar, it’s time to get proactive about preventing roadblocks before they pop up. Take and set a regular step to check in with your boss and establish mutual expectations on how you engage. Ask for feedback and do so often . . . Focus on adding value, stay aware of the changing environment at work, and adapt to changing circumstances,” Gardner recommends. “While getting assigned more difficult, complex tasks over time is a good sign, feeling blocked at every turn is a definite red flag.”

https://discovery.insidify.com/4-signs-youre-going-to-get-fired-and-how-to-fix-them

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