4 Ways to Prevent Work Burnout
Don’t crash and burn.
Photo: Polina Zimmerman for Pexels
Free time is costing us more than it seems. Drake knows. And so do we.
In part, this is because all of our illusory free time has been sucked into the vacuum that is the all-encompassing work life. 24/7 availability is the norm. You aren't taking a mental health day because your car-peer (AKA your career peer) hasn't taken a single sick or vacation day. And you're answering emails from the time you wake up to the time you go to sleep. But no one, not even your boss, is immune to burnout.
So if you're smiling on the outside, crying on the inside, we feel you, and we don't want you to get to that point. We know the usual steps to avoiding burnout (grab a coffee and go for a walk around the block, make sure to fit in a workout, and take your lunch breaks), but there has to be something more, right? There is.
Here are four ways to keep your mind healthy in the midst of the career grind.
1. Identify What You Need From Your Career
We have various needs when it comes to work. There are some employees that excel in high-pressure situations. Others need a much more consistent day to day. However, six virtues have been identified as important to keeping our headspace happy at work:
You can be yourself. Enough said.
You’re told what’s really going on. Transparency within the workplace makes you feel like you belong and matter to the company. You want to feel like you're an important
Your strengths are magnified. If you're constantly being told what you're doing wrong, without doing tasks or being given the option to show your strengths, you're going to feel like a failure all the time. And your star is going to burnout when it enters the work atmosphere.
The company stands for something meaningful—to you. Think about what is meaningful to you. It matters when you hit the hay if you feel like this next point…
Your daily work is rewarding. Feeling discouraged day in and day out is one of the biggest contributors to burnout.
Stupid rules don’t exist.
2. Focus on the Rule of Three
To-do lists are as never-ending as the stream of information. If you feel the heat of burnout on your back, narrow your focus. At the beginning of the day, aside from your to-do list, write down three things that you want to accomplish before the moon takes its spot overhead. When you set small challenges that are within reason, you will feel purpose heading into the following day instead of discouragement.
Aristotle wrote about the rule of three in his book Rhetoric. To simply the concept, the philosopher said that people tend to more easily remember things grouped by threes and that threes are funnier, more satisfying, and more effective. It's a writing rule that you can apply to work.
3. Switch Up the Order of Your Day-to-Day
We get into the habit of answering emails in the morning, brainstorming in the afternoon, and taking meetings in between. The monotony of doing the same thing can wear on the mind. If you think of your brain like your body, you know that you have to switch up exercise routines to see a difference and avoid adaptation. Your brain is the same, and if you want to get out of a creative rut, or move away from the burnout cliff, make simple switches that workout different parts of your brain at different parts of the day.
Brainstorm creative ideas in the morning. Creative thinking is facilitated by the interaction between the left and right interior frontal gyri.
Answer emails around 11 and give your temporal lobe a workout. The temporal lobe is the part of the brain that controls reading and visual recognition.
4. Take a Break From Tech
I think about Don Draper a lot. And not because I have a thing for Jon Hamm or want to drink at work. Rather, I think about the days he spent sitting in his office, brainstorming ideas, his imagination unrestricted and unfettered by tech.
When I find myself stumped, I'll scroll Instagram. Mistake. This usually makes the problem I'm stumbling over worse, I get more frustrated and less able to concentrate. If you feel like you've landed in the same brain-melting position, it's time to do what I call "the Draper."
It's kind of like work meditation. Turn off tech. Hone in on that beautiful brain of yours and don't get distracted by the pinging and the dinging.
This story was originally published on April 19, 2019, and has since been updated.
MORE ON THE BLOG
18 Women With Stressful Jobs on the TV Shows They Binge-Watch to Unwind
Tune in to tune out.
Photo: Vincent Rivaud for Pexels
It’s safe to say stress levels are at an all-time high. The Dow Jones had its worst day since the 1987 crash, nearly 10 million people have filed for unemployment benefits in the past two weeks alone, and have we mentioned we’re in the midst of an unprecedented public health pandemic? If you’re in need of a bit of escapism (because, honestly, who couldn’t use a break from the anxiety-inducing headlines RN?), scroll on.
Ahead, we tapped 18 women with stressful jobs to find out which TV shows help them unwind at the end of a long day. Whether you’re drawn to dramas filled with heartfelt moments and melodramatic soundtracks or you have an affinity for comedies that make you laugh so hard you start to cry, here are the shows you should tune in to in order to tune out, according to founders, CEOs, and all-around bosses.
Founder & CEO, Chillhouse
The Show: “New Girl”
Why She Loves It: “‘New Girl,’ forever and always. It’s become my new ‘Friends.’ I put it on right before I want to close my eyes and it makes me doze off in complete ease every time.”
Financial Advisor, O'Keeffe Financial Partners
The Shows: “Workin’ Moms,” “I’m Sorry,” and “Better Call Saul”
Why She Loves It: "I am a TV addict so I have a huge list of shows. My go-to's for a good laugh are 'Workin' Moms' (Netflix), 'I'm Sorry' (Andrea Savage is just the best), and 'Better Call Saul' because it's BRILLIANT."
Founder, Megababe
The Show: “90 Day Fiancé”
Why She Loves It: “I could give you a million reasons why I love it. One of my favorite things about it is that I like watching people having to adapt to other cultures… all while they start a new relationship!”
Co-Founder, Canyon Coffee
The Show: “Law and Order: SVU”
Why She Loves It: ”I would have to say my go-to show is ‘Law and Order: SVU!’ I grew up watching with my mom and it was something we always put on together at night. It gets you out of your own head and engaged in a whole other world.”
Founder & CEO, Jiggy
The Shows: “The Office” and “American Idol”
Why She Loves It: "My go-to TV show to unwind is ‘The Office’—it's easy, fun, and can be watched in any order. I never get through an episode without laughing out loud. (Plus, I understand so many more memes/quotes now!). I also rediscovered “American Idol” recently and it's so heartwarming, I've been loving it."
Co-Founder & Chief Education Officer, Prima
The Show: “The Bachelor”
Why She Loves It: “There is no rational reason why this concept could work, but somehow people really do find love. There have been so many Bachelor marriages and babies and I love getting lost in an episode after a long day.”
Financial Expert & Founder, My Fab Finance
The Show: “90 Day Fiancé”
Why She Loves It: "I think a lot with my day-to-day work. This show literally allows me to get lost in the problems and dealings of others. I'm so fascinated by the lengths people will go for the idea of love.”
Tracey Hummel
Founder, Bee & Kin
The Show: “Friday Night Lights”
Why She Loves It: “To de-stress and unwind, I've been on this binge of watching old TV shows that I never got to watch when they were airing! So I just started watching ‘Friday Night Lights’ and it's addictive. It helps me decompress after days of working from home. I love watching something that I can really get into and not think about what's going on in the world for at least 45 minutes. It also gives me hope that we will get back to some sort of normalcy sooner than later.”
Daniella Mizrahi
Founder, Yella Activewear
The Shows: “Workin’ Moms” and “Schitt's Creek”
Why She Loves It: “Comedic relief and a reminder/appreciation of simpler times!”
Amanda Greeley
Founder, Thelma
The Show: “Curb Your Enthusiasm”
Why She Loves It: “I've been enjoying the new season of ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ (sad to say the finale just aired). Some Larry David humor can always make me laugh. Maybe it's time to dip into the archives.”
Gretchen Maclver
Founder, Treehouse Kidswear
The Shows: “McMillions” and “Tiger King”
Why She Loves It: “I started watching ‘McMillions’ just before the COVID-19 crisis broke out and binged my way through it as I was working late in the evenings. However, my true guilty pleasure is now Netflix’s ‘Tiger King,’ which I just discovered. It not only reminds me that it could be worse (as in, my husband could be tiger bait... or, worse, I’d be willing to volunteer him as tiger bait), but I can’t help but chuckle imagining what state we’d currently be in if Joe Exotic had been elected, you know, I can’t say for certain, but I think it would be worse? This show has forced me to drop everything I’m doing and totally tune in, which is a pretty great release. Watch it. Your. Mouth. Will. Drop. And, it just keeps getting better with each episode.”
Founder & CEO, Andie
The Show: “Friends”
Why She Loves It: “It's been my go-to since high school. There's something so relaxing about tuning in to watch their issues, heartbreaks, wins. It never gets old and it really helps me de-stress and unwind.”
Fatma Collins
Co-Founder & CEO, Ten Little
The Show: “Self Made”
Why She Loves It: “I just watched ‘Self Made’ on Netflix this week. It was inspired by the Life of Madam C. J. Walker, who built a beauty empire that challenged the status quo in challenging times, and became America’s first self-made female millionaire. As a female entrepreneur who is building a new brand during these uncertain times, Madam C. J. Walker’s determination was inspiring. The feel-good nature of the series helped lift up my spirits and find comfort in other founder’s stories.”
Co-Founder & CEO, Favour Gum
The Show: Whatever is currently on the Food Network
Why She Loves It: “For me, it’s Food Network all the way (with a little reality TV mixed in, if I’m being honest)—which is kind of nerdy, but I think it speaks to why I love cooking in the first place. During the week, I make it a point to come home from work and cook dinner every night—as it truly is a time where I can destress/unwind, and not be distracted by my phone or computer screen. Even if it’s a 20-minute meal, taking that little amount of time to myself to get creative in the kitchen, helps me to re-focus on whatever I need to tackle next.”
Co-Founder, Favour Gum
The Shows: “Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel,” “60 Minutes,” and “Later... with Jools Holland”
Why She Loves It: “I love to unwind with HBO’s ‘Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel.’ I save the episodes and watch 20 minutes at a time. They are like small documentaries mostly dealing with athletes journeys the good and the bad. On Sunday nights, ‘60 Minutes’ is still my favorite. I also search for ‘Later... with Jools Holland,’ one night catching Kings of Leon, Sting, M83 and Jimmy Page. The show is groundbreaking and cast in such a unique way. It’s on my DVR ,I’m a music lover so when this is on I’m locked in :).)”
Founder & CEO, StackedSkincare
The Shows: “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and “Schitt’s Creek”
Why She Loves It: ”’Curb Your Enthusiasm’ and ‘Schitt’s Creek’ are hilarious and perfect to get my mind off the insanity!”
Rachel Sanders
Co-Founder & Co-CEO, Rootine Vitamins
The Shows: “Grey's Anatomy,” “Gilmore Girls,” and “Entourage”
Why She Loves It: ”I am a big proponent of re-watching series I have previously loved to destress/unwind—very low stress and super easy and fun entertainment. Recently, I have been re-watching ‘Grey's Anatomy,’ which has brought back some fun memories as I started watching the show with my mother when I was much younger. Once I am done, I am planning to re-watch ‘Gilmore Girls!’ I am from a smaller town in Connecticut and I always loved the reminder of home, especially during these times when I can't really travel to see my family in CT. My husband and I also started re-watching ‘Entourage’ together, a welcome bit of comedic relief!”
General Manager, United States, The Body Shop
The Shows: “Below Deck,” “Summer House,” and “Billions”
Why She Loves It: “A lot of Bravo. It’s one of my favorite things to watch, especially recently. Some of my favorites are ‘Below Deck’ and ‘Summer House.’ But for when I do switch it up a bit, I really love to watch ‘Billions.’”
MORE ON THE BLOG
C&C Classifieds: Kombrewcha, The Honest Company, bareMinerals & More!
Looking for remote work? Apply to these new digital jobs from Cupshe, Animalz, Kombrewcha & more!
Looking for remote work? Apply to these new digital jobs from Cupshe, Animalz, Kombrewcha & more!
FEATURED JOBS
Brand Strategist , Cupshe- Remote
Key Account Manager, Kombrewcha- Remote
Trade Promotion Analyst, Califia Farms- Los Angeles, CA
Influencer Relations Manager, BoxyCharm- New York, NY
Business Development Manager, Eastridge Center- San Jose, CA
Marketing Manager, MagicLinks- Venice, CA
LOS ANGELES
Marketing Associate, FIJI Water
Associate Brand Manager, The Honest Company
Content Operations Manager, Wondery
Social Media Assistant , Telegraph
Design Intern, Snap Inc.
NEW YORK CITY
Sr. Manager, Sales Development , bareMinerals
Social Media Editor, The Farmer’s Dog
Visual Designer Brand Marketing, The New York Times
Digital Designer , Away
Global Marketing Analyst , Google
Campaign & Creative Manager, Amazon
REMOTE
Content Marketing Manager, Help Scout
Sr. Manager, Communications, Thorn
Sr. Finance Manager , Very
Content Marketing Manager , Animalz
Virtual Assistant, ReInventing50s
Social Media Assistant, Mic (Bustle Digital Group)
How to Build an Amazing Brand When You Have Zero Budget
Yes, it's possible.
Photo: Kaboompics.com for Pexels
When you're first launching a business, it can be difficult to know where to spend money, where you can save money, and how to get a little scrappy. Do you invest in that pricier domain name? Do you hire a designer to create your logo? Is it really necessary to consult an SEO pro to hone your content strategy?
Thankfully, the folks at GoDaddy know all about building a brand (and websites). So we picked their brain for insider tips and tricks that will pay off in the longterm, including some freebies you should 100% take advantage of. Keep scrolling for 10 zero-dollar ways to get your brand off the ground RN.
Treat your domain name like an investment.
The longer you have it, the more value it holds. Links pointing to your site are a major factor in ranking on search engines. As you accumulate more links over time, your credibility improves, and so does your search ranking. The age of your domain is also a ranking factor.
Changing your domain name has serious implications; it’s like changing your business name. If you change your domain, you’ll need to rebuild the credibility with search engines (which takes time), and reach out to all of the sites that linked to you to get the links updated (which they may not do).
Register a domain name early on in your business and stick to using the same domain name as your business evolves.
Use the same username/handle everywhere.
These days, your username is a core part of your online brand. Your business should be using the same username for Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat, Pinterest, Etsy, and so on. This demonstrates a strong, professional brand that’s integrated across all channels. As with your domain name, choose your business username early on and treat it like an investment—you’ll earn links and mentions over time, all of which contribute to your business getting discovered.
Deciding on a name for a new business? Google it.
See what comes up. If there are existing businesses using the name you want, or even individuals who have a similar username for their social media accounts, try a different name. One of the perks of starting from scratch is that you can see what’s available and lock in your usernames across multiple platforms before your new business has even launched. Tip: Namechk lets you quickly figure out if a name is available across different domains and social media platforms.
Use consistent branding everywhere.
Aim for as much brand uniformity as possible everywhere that your business is present online. Use the same profile pictures, colors, fonts, image styles, etc. If you’re doing offline marketing, like flyers or business cards, your online branding should be consistent with that. An easy starting point is to lock in your brand color guide. Find a set of colors that reflect your business. Coolors is a free tool for generating color schemes.
Invest in design.
Visuals matter more than ever. If you’re not artistically inclined, hiring a designer can do wonders to give your online presence a professional boost.
If you’re just starting out and have minimal budget, sites like Fiverr or 99Designs can connect you with designers in your price range. If you can afford local market rates, look for designers in your area, especially if you have an arts or design school nearby!
Start off with something small, like images for your website or social media, to get a feel for the relationship. Once you’ve found a designer that you’re comfortable working with, start exploring bigger projects, like branding or site (re)design. (Have zero budget to work with? Canva is a great DIY tool for putting simple visuals together.)
Invest in photography.
The need for strong visuals carries over to photography. Poorly-lit, low-resolution snapshots are good for authenticity on social media, but you still need crisp, professional imagery for other purposes. If you’re putting photos of yourself, your team, your workplace, or your customers on the web, take photos specifically for that purpose. Smartphone cameras have come a long way, so if you prefer to go the DIY route, read some introductory tutorials so you understand the basics of lighting and composition.
Use simple, clean templates and layouts for your website.
Too much visual clutter distracts and overwhelms. A simple website layout, combined with strong design (fonts, colors, branding) and strong visuals (images, photographs) works wonders. Plenty of margin and whitespace between elements lets the page “breathe” and makes it easier for site visitors to skim over your content. Speaking of content…
Use your website to answer questions before they’re asked.
When someone hits a website for the first time, they start judging it very quickly, taking everything in at once, trying to determine if the site is relevant to them. When you review the content on your site, put yourself in the shoes of someone who doesn’t know a thing about your business, and think of the questions they might ask.
How do you introduce yourself? How do you prove that you know what you’re talking about? What are the benefits of the things you’re trying to sell – why should the visitor care? Why should they trust you? What are others saying about the products you sell, or the services you provide? What about other FAQs, like return policies, or customer support? Use those questions to guide your site’s content.
Collect email addresses.
An email mailing list is one of the greatest assets you can develop through your website. And you can segment the list based on your relationship with the person.
Are they someone who follows you on social but hasn’t bought yet? Are they a customer? Are they a loyal customer who’s repeatedly bought from you? Maybe they’re an influencer with an audience of their own?
You can send out highly relevant, targeted messaging that’s unique to each segment. And the more targeted and relevant your messaging is, the more effective it will be. We’ve got a bunch of tips on email marketing in the GoDaddy blog.
Measure everything.
Sign up for Google Analytics. Google Analytics will give you visibility into where visitors are coming from, and what visitors are doing once they’re on your site. This guide walks you through the process, including setting up goal funnels. Review your Analytics reports at least once a month, alongside your email mail list reports and other reports, to inform your planning.
We’ve incorporated all of these top tips into the new GoDaddy GoCentral website builder. It includes clean layouts you can customize for your business; a library of beautiful photographs to pull images from; support for a wide range of content types; integration with GoDaddy Email Marketing to build your email list; and support for Google Analytics to monitor website usage.
About the Author: Andy McIlwain is a member of the GoDaddy blog team looking after content & resources for web designers and developers. You can connect with Andy on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and his personal blog.
This story was originally published on April 30, 2017, and has since been updated.
MORE ON THE BLOG
6 "Shoulds" to Abandon Right Now
Don’t let them hold you back.
Photo: Anna Shvets for Pexels
The shoulds. Whether you realize it or not, they’re holding you down and requiring you to keep up in a way that steers off your own track.
In fact, Eleanor Roosevelt’s famous counsel, “When you adopt the standards and the values of someone else… you surrender your own integrity,” is a fancy way of saying, drop the shoulds. Those rules by which everyone else is living. They are crazy-making.
There is no straight shot, one path, one-size-fits-all on the career climb. If you’re trying to keep up with a “perfect” ghost, it’s time to let that go and get in the right mindset for business success. So here are six shoulds we *suggest* you drop now.
Should have known better
Every entrepreneur will tell you about the mistakes they've made and how they were an integral part of the learning and growing process. The mistakes are there to help you learn.
No matter how many mistakes you make, you are ahead of everyone who isn't trying.
Maybe you hired a friend, sent a slightly too aggressive email, stood your ground when it was time to bite your tongue. You live, you learn, and you adjust. You can't know better without knowing first.
Should be further in my career
This is a mindset that affects everyone in every decade of their life. We want a better title. A bigger office. A higher-paying salary. And late at night when we're staring at the ceiling thinking about the how, the why, the when of it all, it's because we're bogged down (and kept up) by the idea that we should have had X experience and X success at this point.
But what are we really comparing our lot against? If it's personal goals where you've missed the mark, think of ways to proactively achieve them. IF however, you are comparing your career to a friend’s, stop and get some shut-eye instead.
Truly achieving your goals, means your success will not look like anyone else's—that includes time frames. So you didn't write your masterpiece or make Forbes' 30 Under 30 list? 35 is as great a year as 25 to give it your all.
Should have thought of that first
Well, you didn't. Or maybe you did, and you didn't act on it. Them's the breaks. So whaddya say we blow off this kind of thinking? The best move you can make is another one (and another one) and stop dwelling on what you didn't do.
Instead of allowing someone else's successful idea to get you down, use it as aspirational inspiration. Sit down and find your own passion. (That's another thing we've learned. You need to be obsessed with your own idea in order to make your company work.)
Should have stuck your neck (or hand) out more
There are opportunities that cross our paths multiple times a day. Sometimes we take advantage, and other times we shy away from the conversation or confrontation.
Conference calls when we're silent. Board meetings when we let a colleague take credit for our idea. There are professional moments when it's smarter to take the quiet road (sometimes known as the high road). However, if there is a situation that's haunting you, use it as fire for the next round of opps. You can't change the past, but the future is all yours.
Should have been a mom by now
Millennials are waiting longer to have kids than ever before. And that's a good thing. You don't need to follow anyone's womb agenda. Period.
Should have been a cowboy
Toby Keith has some life regrets. He should have been a cowboy. He should have learned to rope and ride, but the truth is you can still make hay while the sun is shining.
The point is, it's never too late to be a cowboy or a cowgirl. All you need are the cojones to saddle up and ride right into your future.
This post was published on April 17, 2019, and has since been updated.
MORE FROM THE BLOG
What It Actually Means to “Find Your Passion”—and How to Start Acting On It Right Now
Because we spend over 90,000 hours at work over our lifetime.
Photo: Smith House Photography
Oftentimes, we enter our first—or second, or third—jobs and are shocked to find that it doesn’t align with our values, skills, or passions. It’s almost as if we were sold “The Dream,” but ended up drowning in emails instead.
Of course, there are aspects of work that will never be enjoyable—like taxes or back-and-forth scheduling—but given that we spend over 90,000 hours at work across our lifetime, the majority of it should be fun. Interesting. Passion-driven.
Sadly, this isn’t the case for most of us. Over 80% of Americans today say that they are not passionate about their job. So, if you feel like you’re the only one who is confused or frustrated by the lack of passion for your career, you’re not alone.
But, it is possible to do something you love without sacrificing your values, skills, or sanity. Trust me, as a career confidence and conscious decision-making coach, I’ve helped dozens of humans align their passion and purpose into a long-lasting career.
Here are five things you can do right now to get started on that journey.
Look back to your childhood days
Our passion isn’t something that we need to “discover.” Oftentimes, the things we loved doing as a kid are directly aligned with activities that still bring us joy. We’ve just been forced into a certain career or lifestyle because of society’s rules about what we’re “supposed” to do as adults.
So, spend time looking back on your childhood hobbies. Ask yourself: What did I do just for fun? What activities was I really good at—even if I can’t picture it as a career right now?
Reflect on what you can’t stop doing *right now*
Take a step back from your current day-to-day and think about the moments that bring you joy. That you do without anyone forcing you to complete them. That de-stress you or simply make you feel really good.
They can range from giving advice to a friend, or doing watercolor painting. Again, don’t worry about how you can create a business from them just yet.
Give yourself one minute to write down as many ideas as you can be based on your gut feeling. Then, fill in any gaps that you may have missed.
Spend time connecting the dots
Now, it’s time to bring that strategic thinking into play. Spend some time alone, reviewing your two pieces of “homework” from earlier. Become a trend spotter: What similarities are there between your childhood self, and the version of you who is free and uninhibited?
Oftentimes, our truest self comes out when we’re in a childlike state, or have no other purpose than simply having fun. Although “finding” your passion may have seemed overwhelming before, it’s clear that your passion resides somewhere deep inside of you, you just need to listen a little more.
Spend time asking yourself: How can I inject more of this into my career and daily life? If you love connecting deeply with others, assess if your current role allows you to do that often. If you love painting but can never imagine yourself becoming an “artist,” are there ways that you can support others in that space?
Get an accountability partner
Changing your life is downright difficult! It’s okay—and important—to admit that making these changes is hard to do on your own.
Take some time to figure out your best course of action. Is it finding a friend in a similar position and having weekly calls to hold each other accountable? Is it joining a mastermind group? Is it investing in yourself and hiring a coach?
Be honest with yourself and assess what is most realistic for you right now. Most importantly, don’t feel ashamed that this is something you need extra help with.
Take your first step, no matter how small
One of the most difficult parts about discovering our passion isn’t the journey of finding it, it’s doing something about it. This is often where our fear and limiting beliefs come into play. We believe that we don’t have the right skills or enough experience. Imposter syndrome hits us real hard.
Take this as your sign that no matter where you are right now—you are enough to get started. Create a plan to take that first step, no matter how small, towards living in your purpose. Whether it’s writing your first blog post or creating a shop on Etsy, trust yourself.
You’ve got this!
This post was originally published on June 8, 2019, and has since been updated.
MORE ON THE BLOG
Ask an Expert: How to Grow Your TikTok Following From 0 to 30K in 3 Days
Influencer Courtney Quinn shares her secrets.
We’ve been spending a lot of time at Create & Cultivate HQ discussing how we can best show up for and support our community during this uncertain time. Community is at our core, and connecting with others through one-of-a-kind experiences is what we love to do. While the world has changed, our mission has not. We’re committed to helping women create and cultivate the career of their dreams, which is why we’re proud to announce our new Ask an Expert series. We’re hosting discussions with experts, mentors, and influencers daily at 9 am, 12 pm, and 3 pm PST on Instagram Live to cure your craving for community and bring you the expert advice you’ve come to know and love from C&C. Follow Create & Cultivate on Instagram, check out our Ask an Expert highlight reel for the latest schedule, and hit the countdown to get a reminder so you don’t miss out!
Photo: Courtesy of Courtney Quinn
If there’s anything we’ve learned for our Ask an Expert series, it’s that now is the perfect time to learn a new skill. Given that we’re all staying home to flatten the coronavirus curve, now is the time to start that blog, launch that newsletter, record that podcast, and jump on that new social media platform everyone’s talking about.
To find out how to thrive on TikTok (aka the hottest social media platform of the moment), we tapped Courtney Quinn of Color Me Courtney for a special segment of our Ask an Expert Instagram Live series. Quinn is a veritable influencer with over 600K followers on Instagram and now 30K followers and counting on TikTok (after just 3 days!).
Read on for her top three tips for growing a following on TikTok, and be sure to tune into our next Ask an Expert conversation on Instagram Live.
1. Analyze trends.
“Look at what’s trending and create content specifically for TikTok—don’t repurpose content from Instagram, YouTube, or other platforms. You have to create unique value on each platform so that the followers who are with you on TikTok and Instagram aren’t being fed the same content on every platform.”
2. Immerse yourself in the platform.
“I’ve reached 30K followers in three days and my goal is 50K by the end of the week. When I started, I spent about two hours a day immersing myself in the platform. I also spent about two hours a day making TikTok videos, which doesn’t take as long now since there’s a learning curve. I also spent about two hours a day engaging, commenting, liking, and following.”
3. Check out your analytics.
“Everyone has analytics in TikTok, you don’t need to have a business account or anything like that. When you’re checking your analytics, watch time is really important. When people watch videos all the way through, that’s how they go viral. So, finding a hook that gets your followers to stick around for those 15 seconds is really important because that’s going to boost your video.”
About the Expert: Courtney Quinn is the colorful lifestyle blogger behind Color Me Courtney. Color Me Courtney has amassed over 600K Instagram followers as well as a substantial following on her website, YouTube, Pinterest and more. Courtney has been featured in a variety of campaigns including a National TV commercial for Microsoft, designing the ABC Good Morning America holiday window for Instagram, a clothing line for Hudson’s Bay, as well as partnering with brands like Disney, IKEA, and HGTV to name a few. She's also frequently featured in industry-leading publications like Refinery29, Essence, Teen Vogue, Forbes and many more.
Tune in daily at 9 am, 12 pm, and 3 pm PST, for new installments of Ask an Expert.
Follow Create & Cultivate on Instagram, check out our Ask an Expert highlight reel for the schedule, and hit the countdown to get a reminder so you don’t miss out. See you there!
12 Busy Women Reveal the WFH Hacks That Help Them Tackle Everything on Their To-Do List
You’re going to want to write these down.
Photo: Anna Shvets for Pexels
As we enter yet another week of coronavirus-induced telecommuting, it’s certainly no secret that working from home takes a surprising amount of self-discipline. After all, crossing things off your to-do list is made all the more difficult when breaking news alerts, piles of laundry, and reruns of “The Office” are competing for your attention.
In search of proven ways to boost productivity while working from home, we turned to some of the busiest women we know to find out what tips, tricks, and tools help them eliminate distractions and tackle everything on their to-do list. Scroll on for tried-and-true WFH hacks from the founder of Parachute, the digital content director of Domino, the CEO of Ritual, and more. Trust us, you’re going to want to write these down.
Sarah Paiji Yoo
Co-Founder & CEO, Blueland
The WFH Hack: “I have scheduled, regular breaks that I put on my calendar. For me, it's so I can spend time with my three-year-old son, who I am also currently watching full time as I also work from home full time.”
Why It Works: “For the first week of WFH, I didn't schedule these, and found myself either over-scheduling and feeling guilty that he'd have to go through long stretches without attention. Or I would spend too much time switching back and forth from work and spending time with my son. But I think scheduling breaks (for tidying, Instagram, reading about the latest on COVID-19) would be helpful for people who are not watching a child because it sets aside designated time to allow for distractions and allows for more productive stretches of work time.”
Catharine Dockery
Founding Partner, Vice Ventures
The WFH Hack: "I do a fair bit of work from home even in non-crisis times, so I'm well prepared! My intention is always to set an especially clear schedule when I work from home—if I get distracted at home, I've probably lost a few hours. As much as possible, I really like to vary my workspace and try to keep different areas of the apartment for different tasks. I'm usually at a desk or table to look at financial models/projections, walking around if I'm on the phone, or on the couch if I'm writing.”
Why It Works: "It works for me because I need extra reminders to break the conditioning in my mind that being home means work is over. Moving around helps keep my mind fresh and avoid distractions that might otherwise creep in. This tip really works well for me because my work has an incredible amount of variety without many breaks in between."
Katerina Schneider
Founder & CEO, Ritual
The WFH Hack: "While working from home can be more productive for some, it can also result in more work and less balance as personal and professional time blend together. I've added eating breaks into my calendar to make sure I am scheduling and adding consistency to meals."
Why It Works: "Trying to reduce ordering in, I prep my meals the night before and make sure they are well-balanced with micro and macronutrients. In addition, I'm using Apple's Health tracker to make sure I'm getting at least 10,000 steps a day. Calls that are not on video, tend to include me walking around the block. I also keep a set of three-pound weights on my desk to balance cardio with arm exercises during the occasional video conferencing.”
Jo Davenport
Owner & Designer, La Porte
The WFH Hack: "Listen to yourself, get to know what you need to feel good.
When I'm not in our New York office, I'm working from home in Chicago. As someone who works from home a lot, I learned over time that I thrive with structure of set daily meetings, physical activity, and dedicated quiet time.
If you're used to being in a larger office, use this as a time to take inventory of what you need in order to feel successful in your day. Everyone has different needs, and that's okay. Mornings that used to start with a workout class and coffee dates might mean more leisurely walks outside or virtually meeting up with friends, you can get creative.
Take advantage of the opportunity to listen to yourself and know you can create a framework that works best for you.”
Why It Works: “During times like this, when we are forced to make changes big or small, it can push us outside our comfort zone. Knowledge is power, and by using these moments to notice and take stock, you set yourself up to create a new normal that you can feel great about.”
Brittany Kozerski Freeney
Owner & Designer, JADE Swim
The WFH Hack: “I'm obsessed with Trello (the website and the app). Imagine a virtual to-do list/bulletin board for you and your team with moveable and editable "post-it" like task boxes.”
Why It Works: “I'm a very visual person, so I love using Trello to make and update to-do lists. I create a business task list (but also a personal task list and a home task list as well). What's great is that you can give others access so they can add tasks, make updates (showing what status tasks are in) and then also leave comments for you to review. It saves a lot of time because I don't have to check in with every team member to see what they're working on or if it’s been completed. All I do is open the app and I can see the status of everything in detail that’s well organized and even color-coordinated.”
Ariel Kaye
Founder & CEO, Parachute
The WFH Hack: “I’ve been trying out time blocking to keep my days more organized and manageable. Much of my day is full of calls and virtual meetings, so when I have a break I take a look at my to-do list, and quickly get down to business. I set a timer, remove distractions and focus on the task at hand to make progress as efficiently as possible.
I also am scheduling breaks. Whether that is a quick walk around the neighborhood or some light stretching. Fresh air and movement are two things that always make me feel energized.”
Why It Works: “Time blocking is a great way to get focused and eliminate distractions. It’s easy to lose tracking of time responding to messages on Slack, checking in on social media or taking a break to watch the news. As a mom, now all of a sudden sharing my workspace with a 14 month old, it is especially important to be as efficient and productive with my time so I can concentrate, get things done and be able to give my little cutie some deserved attention.
Scheduling breaks helps me work better. On the days I don’t prioritize breaks, I get lethargic and it’s harder for me to work smart. Physical activity helps to boost endorphins and takes your mind off your stresses. I highly recommend getting some vitamin D and stepping outside to walk and/or do a sun salutation in between tasks.”
Sophie Miura
Digital Content Director, Domino
The WFH Hack: “Time disappears when I'm working from home (it can feel like all the days blur into one), so I rely on a tight nighttime to-do list more than ever. Every evening before bed, I write down three projects I want to finish the next day. They're tasks that really move the needle—responding to emails or doing usual weekly jobs don't make the edit. In the morning, I book out time on my calendar to action each point so I don't get side tracked by meetings or calls. It really helps me manage my own time and make sure that the important stuff actually gets done!”
Why It Works: “Slack and email are great for staying in touch with a remote team but they can also be really distracting. Blocking out my own calendar and limiting my to-do list to just three important tasks helps minimize out any 'manufactured emergencies' so I can see what really matters.”
Mallory Solomon
Founder, Salam Hello
The WFH Hack: “I try to stick to what my ‘normal’ morning routine would be. Wake up, drink coffee while reading The New York Times, set aside 45 minutes for an online workout (thank you IG live virtual workouts), shower, and get to work. All that said, with such uncertainty in the world, being patient with yourself is the number one key. If some days you wake up and all you can do is brush your teeth, make a coffee and work that is OKAY. You just have to know some days will be better than others.”
Why It Works: “Knowing you're going to be home all day, it's easy to feel the urge to sleep in, stay in bed, and get a slow start. I find when you do your best to keep a routine in the morning similar to one when we didn't live under such restrictions it puts you in a better, more centered mindset to try and conquer the day ahead.”
Tanya Zuckerbrot
Founder, F-Factor
The WFH Hack: “Set yourself up for success! Create a designated workspace for yourself at home. Set up a seat at your dining room or kitchen table and create a desk environment as you would if you just got a new desk at work. Plug in your chargers and put out a cup with pens and highlighters, a notepad, and anything else you need to do your job. You will be much more productive with everything set up rather than working from the couch or your bed with the TV on in the background.
I'd also say to set a work schedule for yourself. The same way you have office hours at the office, create them for your workday at home. You can be a bit more generous with your lunch break or ending the day earlier. Decide to work from 9 to 12 and then 2 to 5. Use the break to catch up on the news, eat a nourishing lunch, stretch, go for a walk, or call a friend or family member. The break will allow you to recharge and return to your afternoon work with more energy.”
Why It Works: “Creating a workspace increases productivity. When you sit down at your ‘desk’ it signals, this is my time to work: it’s business time. Away from all other distractions and with everything you need set up around you, you will be able to focus and get your work done.
Designating hours that are for work will help keep you on task. It gives you two blocks of time to be productive and ample time in between for you to clear your head and recharge for the afternoon. This will help prevent you from getting burnt out. Creating a schedule for your day will also help keep you organized and provide structure to your day. This will also help prevent you from getting bored.”
Michelle Cordeiro Grant
Founder & CEO, LIVELY
The WFH Hack: “Maintaining my schedule of waking up at 6:30 in the morning has been key. One hack that also really helps with productivity and creativity is taking a walk while taking calls. And lastly, given we are all social distancing, over-communicating via Zoom and Skype has been a game changer for my team.”
Why It Works: '“Trying my best to maintain the schedule I normally operate on has helped me create a structure in my day-to-day. I still get up and workout at the same time, the only difference is I now dedicate my commute time to playing with my kids, which has been an amazing way to start my day.
I truly believe that walking while I'm taking calls is the best way for me to be extremely present and the movement helps create energy in my mind and boost my overall creativity.
When it comes to communicating with my team, I encourage video over audio because it gives us some sort of human connection and it's really nice to see the team smile and see emotion. One thing I'm really encouraging on these video calls is checking in on what our priorities are to ensure we are all on the same page.”
Shea Marie
CEO & Creative Director, Same Los Angeles
The WFH Hack: “I work from home half of the time, so at this point, I have gotten really used to it. It’s not for everyone because it requires serious self-discipline. It’s much easier to be distracted, lazy, and procrastinate when working from home. Call me old-school, but something I always do is handwrite to-do lists and cross them off as I go through them.”
Why It Works: “There’s something with hand-eye coordination and memory that’s definitely connected. Writing something down rather than typing it not only helps me remember it better, but also seeing everything on a physical list in front of me every day and crossing it off gives me a satisfying feeling of accomplishment. At the end of the week when I look at the list and see everything crossed off, it’s like, ‘Yes! Look what I’ve accomplished!’”
Seema Bansal
Co-Founder, Venus ET Fleur
The Tip: “Working from home can often be hard to adjust to. In order to create a more calming and creative environment, I suggest finding a designated space to “work” in outside your normal seating areas. Rather than sitting on your bed or on the couch, which can lessen productivity, create a space that keeps you inspired. I keep my to-do list nearby, books that I can look back through for inspiration, candles, flowers, as well as daily affirmations and reminders to stay positive.”
Why It Works: “It creates the perfect environment for you to stay focused. Creating rules is important when working from home as you can easily get off task and distracted doing other things. Creating a designated work space has helped me tremendously stay on track and feel good about what I’ve accomplished throughout the day.”
Up next: I Have Been Working From Home for Years—This Is How to Do It Successfully
MORE ON THE BLOG
5 Steps to Handling Professional Failures Like a Pro
Onward and upward.
Photo: Smith House Photography
It's our LEAST favorite “f” word: failure.
And yet, it happens to the best, most seasoned, and buttoned-up of us. When a deal goes wrong, we don't get the money we expected, when someone says “no,” or worse, when we get laid off or fired—it's all part of climbing the professional ladder.
Such failures are rough. We doubt ourselves, our abilities, and what we are doing with our lives. So how do we take these bumps in the road in stride? Here are five ways to make sure that we can move forward in the face of career failure.
And remember, you have to fail to be great.
1. Take a minute, or two. (A week if need be. As long as you get back up.)
When something goes wrong in our personal lives we tend to give ourselves more wiggle room, fewer guilt trips. We aren't as hard on ourselves when we fight with a friend or end a relationship, but with work, when the only person we have to blame is ourselves, we tend to take it a little harder. So give it a minute (or a day, or a week). A time frame where you're allowed to feel "bad" about the loss, whatever it might be, and then move on to step number two.
2. Look at the failure with a fresh set of eyes.
Sometimes this means asking for someone else to assess what went wrong. Sometimes the time we take away from the issue at hand allows us to address the situation in a manner that's productive. Even though we're talking about failure, rejection doesn't actually mean that you've failed. It means that you need to find a new in-road. Or a new job.
There are very few successful business people where "failure" is not a part of their story. J.K. Rowling was penniless when writing Harry Potter. At thirty years old Steve Jobs was removed from the company he started—Apple. Oprah was fired after she was deemed not "suitable for television." They flopped and then they got back up.
There's opportunity in defeat, but you need to be able to look at it with clarity.
3. Talk to those who have failed before.
OK, maybe you can't call up Oprah, but you most certainly know people who have lost money, who have been unceremoniously fired, and who have suffered professional embarrassments that probably trump what you're going through.
Here's what they'll tell you: you have survived every single one of your worst days so far and every time you've emerged stronger, more capable, and better prepared for the next ring around the non-rosy situation.
Lean on those who've gone through it, and then lean in (à la Sheryl Sandberg) to your next career move.
4. Watch this TED Talk about being wrong.
Kathryn Schulz is a writer and public speaker who claims to be "the world's leading wrongologist." She is also the author of Being Wrong: Adventures in the Margin of Error. Wrongness, according to Schulz, is the stuff of life.
In the talk, in regards to our mistakes, she reminds us: "The good news: Owning up to them and coping with them forces us to come up with new ideas and strategies that just might work… or not."
Which leads us to the final point...
5. Accept responsibility for where you went wrong, and then let it go.
If you are unable to see what happened or take responsibility, return to step number one. Blaming your boss or your co-workers is not a step in the right direction. Let your failure refocus your directives. You will never move on without acceptance.
Onward and upward we say!
This post was originally published on January 2, 2016, and has since been updated.
MORE ON THE BLOG
Ask an Expert: How to Create a Morning Routine to Maintain Your Sanity While Self-Quarantined
It’s all about finding little moments of joy.
We’ve been spending a lot of time at Create & Cultivate HQ discussing how we can best show up for and support our community during this uncertain time. Community is at our core, and connecting with others through one-of-a-kind experiences is what we love to do. While the world has changed, our mission has not. We’re committed to helping women create and cultivate the career of their dreams, which is why we’re proud to announce our new Ask an Expert series. We’re hosting discussions with experts, mentors, and influencers daily at 9 am, 12 pm, and 3 pm PST on Instagram Live to cure your craving for community and bring you the expert advice you’ve come to know and love from C&C. Follow Create & Cultivate on Instagram, check out our Ask an Expert highlight reel for the latest schedule, and hit the countdown to get a reminder so you don’t miss out!
Photo: Courtesy of Lauren Gores Ireland
Now, more than ever, a consistent morning routine can help establish a sense of stability and control. But while we’re all social distancing and, in many cases, self-quarantining, establishing am A.M. ritual can be easier said than done (especially for all those working parents out there—we see you!)
For the latest installment of our Ask an Expert series, we tapped Lauren Gores Ireland, an established lifestyle content creator and the co-founder of the clean skincare line Summer Fridays, to chat through the benefits of having a solid morning routine amid the coronavirus crisis. Read on for her go-to supplements to ease anxiety, skincare, and fitness tips, then keep scrolling to find out how to tune into our next Ask an Expert conversation on Instagram.
1. Kick Off the Day With Feel-Good Supplements
Of course, you should review any supplements that you take with your doctor, but here are some of the supplements that are currently helping Ireland stay calm in these uncertain times:
Moon Juice Magnesi- Om Powder. ”If you’re feeling some anxious feelings, which are very normal, I love this magnesium powder,” she divulges.
Moon Juice SuperYou. “I usually take two tablets in the morning,” Ireland notes.
8 Green Effervescent Tablet. “These are amazing, you get all your greens in one tablet,” she says. “I started taking these when I was pregnant with my son because eating greens would make me feel ill and I’ve been taking them ever since.”
Sovereign Silver Drops. “These are really good for immune support, but they’re not the tastiest things ever,” she cautions.
2. Indulge in a Multi-Step Skincare Routine
“It’s a good time to take advantage of those face mask or hair masks you’ve always been wanting to do,” advises Ireland. Below, is the morning skincare routine she’s currently following:
First things first, she cleanses her face with Summer Fridays Super Amino Gel Cleanser.
Then, she applies Summer Fridays CC Me Serum to clean skin. “This is amazing for hyper-pigmentation and gives you an instant glow,” says Ireland.
“Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask is amazing for hydration,” she notes. “One of my tricks is to keep one of my Jet Lag Masks in the fridge so it’s cooling and I’ll put a little bit on under my eyes in the morning which is great for puffiness.”
Next up is Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm. “This is our new lip balm,” she shares. “It’s buttery, not greasy; I’ve been lathering this on several times a day.”
To top it off, she adds a touch of Glossier Cloud Paint to her cheekbones. “It adds a little color and feels like a happy boost,” notes Ireland.
3. Get Your Body Moving With a Mini-Workout
“I’ve been trying to do a mini-workout every day,” says Ireland. “Each morning, I’ve been sharing three exercises that are really easy to do at home and don’t require any equipment on my Instagram.”
If you’re looking for a more comprehensive workout, Ireland highly recommends the following fitness apps and programs:
Even if you don’t have time for a workout, just stretch to move your body a little bit, advises Ireland. “For me, workouts offer a sense of escape, and it’s important to do some kind of workout every day,” she notes. “Whatever it is that makes you move your body and feel like you’ve got a little bit of energy.”
About the Expert: Lauren Gores Ireland is a female business owner, entrepreneur, wife, and mother—sharing her passion behind what it means to imperfectly juggle her roles both at work and at home. She is an established lifestyle content creator and the co-founder of the successful, clean skincare line Summer Fridays.
Tune in daily at 9 am, 12 pm, and 3 pm PST, for new installments of Ask an Expert.
Follow Create & Cultivate on Instagram, check out our Ask an Expert highlight reel for the schedule, and hit the countdown to get a reminder so you don’t miss out. See you there!
Don't Burn Out, Babe: 8 Signs You're Seriously Overdoing It
Don’t let burnout get the best of you.
Photo: Smith House Photography
Today, the modern woman juggles a busy household, a demanding job, an endless to-do list, and, if time permits, a social life (gasp!). We as women… let me rephrase…we as superwomen, often get so busy that we miss signs that our body sends us to tell us it might be time to slow down.
Below are eight signs that you may be overdoing it. If you continue going at the pace you’re going, there may be serious complications down the road. It’s best to detect these signs as early as possible so you can prioritize and evaluate what needs to be done now, and what can wait until later. Without your health, the endless to-do lists and deadlines may not only be completed inadequately, they may never get done.
It’s vital for us superwomen to take care of ourselves so that we can be the superheroes that we are. Don’t miss the signs of burnout so you can keep your flame alive!
1. “I’m feeling on edge and keyed up.”
We all get stressed, overwhelmed, and anxious as a result of daily demands.
Although these feelings are often a normal reaction, it is important to keep a very close eye on these emotions as they can shift from normal to disordered. Anxiety is often hard to put into words, but those who experience anxiety describe it as feeling “on edge” or “keyed up.”
In addition to endless worries, those with an anxiety disorder may experience muscle tension, disrupted sleep, recurrent headaches and symptoms of panic (short of breath, chest tightness, sweaty and tingling in fingers and toes). It’s important to identify if there is a change in the way you are reacting to stress and to seek help before it impairs your ability to function.
2. “I’d prefer to be alone tonight”
When we get busy at work, our social lives can sometimes take a hit. That’s ok temporarily, but it’s important to distinguish if it’s because you just can’t fit in a cocktail with the girls this week, or that you’d genuinely rather be alone. Isolation and withdrawing from previous pleasurable activities and relationships can be a symptom of depression.
3. “Sorry, what did you say, again?”
Have you ever been so overwhelmed that when you’re sitting in a meeting you can’t seem to focus on what is being discussed? Is that because your mind is taking you back to the amazing concert you attended over the past weekend, or is it because regardless of how hard you try, you just can’t seem to concentrate? If it’s the later (and a change from your baseline) then it’s time to reflect on your current level of stress and your current mood; a change in concentration can be affected with both anxiety and depression.
4. “I can’t come into work today….”
An increase in absenteeism from work can be a sign that you’re feeling overwhelmed. People call in sick for both the physical, cognitive, and emotional manifestation of anxiety or depression. Work avoidance can also be a sign of depression.
As important as it is to make the time to care for your mental health, and increase in frequency of work absenteeism is a sign that you may not coping as well. It may be time to ask for help and reprioritize.
5. “….I can’t remember”
When our responsibilities become overwhelming it is normal to have difficulty remembering what your boss wanted done, or what you were asked to bring to your friend’s dinner party. If you start noticing that you’re having more difficulty remembering previously formed memories, you may be experiencing a symptom of depression.
6. “If only I had more sleep”
Whether or not you’re up late perfecting every last detail from the previous day of work, or you’re tossing and turning in bed worrying about everything you need to get done during the following day, it’s vital to get on average 6-8 hours of sleep per night (each individual is different when it comes to the amount of sleep you need, but you will know best).
Consider tracking your sleep on your smart phone or go old school by recording it with pen and paper. When we are overworked, overwhelmed or stressed, our sleep is often one of the first clues that it’s time to slow down. It’s also important to track if you start waking up early (really early, like 4-5 am….and without an alarm clock) as early morning wakening can be a symptom of depression.
7. “No, thank you, I’m not hungry”
When we are stressed, overwhelmed, or just plain busy, we may not just forget to eat, but we can start to lose our appetite. In order for us to be healthy and efficient we need to eat nourishing food throughout the day.
Pack snacks and meals the night before (or the week before) to ensure you get the vitamins and fuel your body needs. If you start noticing a change in your appetite (your desire to eat), it may be a clue that you’re overworked and that your mood could be affected.
8. “I can’t stop crying”
When we get overwhelmed, our body can react to such stress by taking it out on our mood. Some people may not describe their mood as sad per se, but instead they may find themselves tearful without a strong stimulus. It can be normal to be tearful following a stressful day at work, after a disagreement with a co-worker, or upon discovering you didn’t get the promotion you sought all year. If you find yourself more tearful than normal and you’re experiencing some of the signs above, it’s important you let someone know and seek professional help.
This post was published on February 25, 2019, and has since been updated.
About the Author: Blare June is a lifestyle blogger from Halifax, Nova Scotia. What makes Blare June's blog unique is that in addition to fashion she writes about mental illness, empowerment, and overall wellness. When Blare June isn't blogging, she is working as a physician specializing in psychiatry in Halifax. You can find Blare June online at www.blarejune.com or on Instagram: @blarejune.
MORE ON OUR BLOG
Drumroll Please... Introducing the Create & Cultivate Marketplace—a Business Toolkit for Women Just Like You
We’ve been working on something special.
Photo: Smith House Photography
That business? Launch it. That blog? Start it. That side-hustle? Build it. That idea? Execute it.
We get it. Starting something is scary. But we want you to turn down the “I’m not-enough” noise, unlock your potential, ditch the fear, and do it anyway, which is why we’re proud to announce the launch of Create & Cultivate Marketplace.
Whether you’re starting a side-hustle, launching a business, figuring out the freelancer life, or cultivating the career of your dreams, our brand-new business and career bundles have the tools, resources, worksheets, and checklists to help you do it all.
We’ll teach you everything you need to know from start to finish so you can build the brand or a career you’re really proud of. We’re big believers in the phrase “progress over perfection” because in our opinion, done is always better than perfect.
So, what are you waiting for? Don't sit on the sidelines watching others chase and catch their dreams. Isn’t it time you invested in yourself? Let’s grow! Scroll on to explore our current Marketplace offerings and stay tuned for more.
The Self-Care Bundle
Are you hitting your burnout zone? Being an entrepreneur, creator, heck a lady right now is exhausting. But, don't worry because we tapped experts far and wide to have a conversation about self-care in an age of non-stop work. From a self-care check list and strategies to panel conversations, your new wellness ritual is here. So, sit back, light a candle, and dive into all things taking care of you!
$29.99
The Venture Capital Bundle
Angel? Venture? Seed? The Venture Capital landscape can be confusing but we are here to help. From a breakdown on how to read (and craft) a cap table to how to raise initial funds, panels with top VCs, and more—we've got your VC questions covered.
$24.99
The Bootstrapping & Budgeting Bundle
If you're building a small business from the ground-up, we know you're doing everything while you grow. But even if you have an accountant, every founder should know their numbers, and be across every spreadsheet. In this bundle, we show you how to bootstrap your biz with a monthly budget checklist, and more to make sure you're building a financially stable one.
$24.99
The Marketing Bundle
So you're almost ready to launch your business, but before you hit "go" it's time to get clear on your marketing strategy. Don't stress, we show you how to create a killer marketing campaign for launch along, a media kit checklist, and more. Sit back, relax, and get ready to grow.
$24.99
The PR Bundle
Congratulations you have launched your brand or business.... now what? We break down how to get your business out in the world from media-worthy pitches to creating brand collaborations that grow your audience. The time is now!
$14.99
The Branding Bundle
Dreaming of going out on your own one day and launching your own business? Before you take the leap and leave your job, start to map it out first. In this bundle, we show you how to expand on your idea including brainstorming the right brand name, writing a business plan, and crafting the perfect mission statement.
$24.99
The Launch Your Business Bundle
Ready to launch? Before you hit go we have some key information you might want to consider. Have you thought about trademarking? Copyrights? S-corp vs. LLC? Don't freak out! Our starting-your-business bundle has you covered from A to Z.
$24.99
The HR Bundle
Running a small business means you're wearing a lot of hats and if your company is under 50 employees, one of them is HR. That means you have to be across everything from hiring to firing. With our HR bundle you'll be able to onboard your employees, provide performance assessment, prevent workplace bullying, and yes, let a team member go when the time comes so you can build a culture of confidence and success.
$29.99
The Grow Your Instagram Bundle
Get your grid right, girl! We at C&C know the power of a strong Instagram profile. In this bundle, we break down the bio do's and don'ts, presets you need, and our strategy for Instagram success in a pay-to-play world!
$29.99
The Growth Hacking Bundle
Ready to grow your business from a seedling into a forest? Introducing growth hacking. We've outlined some creative, low-cost strategies from SEO to digital media optimization to help small businesses acquire and retain customers, expand your audience and see it thrive.
$17.99
The Job Hunting Bundle
It's time to create and cultivate the career of your dreams, but first up, job hunting. Okay, we know how grueling it can be but it doesn't have to be. We've got everything you need to land your ultimate role from resume templates, interview questions, and the all important post-interview follow-up email—the dream is yours for the taking!
$14.99
The Career-Boost Bundle
If your ambition is getting impatient then you're in luck. We have everything you need to step it up at work from mastering the lingo to ace your next meeting to setting goals (and achieving them)—let's take your career to the next level.
$14.99
Want all of these and more?
Get unlimited access to our entire library of downloads and videos when you join Insiders.
Ask an Expert: 5 Tips for Dealing With COVID-19 Anxiety From a Financial Therapist
Respond, don’t react.
We’ve been spending a lot of time at Create & Cultivate HQ discussing how we can best show up for and support our community during this uncertain time. Community is at our core, and connecting with others through one-of-a-kind experiences is what we love to do. While the world has changed, our mission has not. We’re committed to helping women create and cultivate the career of their dreams, which is why we’re proud to announce our new Ask an Expert series. We’re hosting discussions with experts, mentors, and influencers daily at 9 am, 12 pm, and 3 pm PST on Instagram Live to cure your craving for community and bring you the expert advice you’ve come to know and love from C&C. Follow Create & Cultivate on Instagram, check out our Ask an Expert highlight reel for the latest schedule, and hit the countdown to get a reminder so you don’t miss out!
Photo: Courtesy of Amanda Clayman
COVID-19 has upended our lives in every possible way. Socially, emotionally, physically, and certainly financially. With many of us losing our livelihoods, facing medical bills, or simply enduring a disruption to our regular life, anxiety can seem more omnipresent than ever before. But even in these trying times, money anxiety does not have to take over our mental health.
To find out how to better manage our financial fears for the sake of our mental health, we tapped Amanda Clayman, a financial therapist and Prudential Financial’s wellness advocate, for the latest installment of our Ask an Expert Instagram Live series. She (rightfully) reminded us that, by being mindful, we can use this crisis as an opportunity to become more self-aware, examine our situation and tendencies, and practice prioritizing our financial and emotional wellbeing.
Scroll on for five tips for coping with COVID-19 anxiety, and head to the Create & Cultivate Instagram to tune into our next live Ask an Expert segment.
1. Feel All the Feels
Begin by taking a moment to acknowledge your emotions. This may seem unnecessary, but too often we try to think our way out of feeling problems, brushing over the core of the issue. If you are anxious about your recent lifestyle shift or financial security, let those feelings come forward, and identify them without judgment.
Are you scared? Sad? Experiencing loss? Bottling up these sensations can lead to burnout and exhaustion, but examining them will help you move forward. You may find this exercise will reveal how your feelings don’t always tell you the truth—by naming your emotions, you can calmly compare them to the facts at hand and gain a more balanced perspective on the situation.
2. Get Comfortable With Uncertainty
Overcoming any type of anxiety means learning to tolerate uncertainty. Much of the financial effects of COVID-19 are out of your hands, and when we focus on those externals, we increase our sense of helplessness.
Instead of ruminating on what the market will do tomorrow or when certain businesses will reopen, try to honestly determine what you can and can’t control at this moment. Derive safety and purpose from the things that are within your power, like your attitude, your purchasing behavior, and your daily activities.
It also helps to not project too far into the future. If you are going to anticipate anything, anticipate the need to be flexible, and save your energy so that you can be effective as the situation evolves.
3. Bring It Back to the Basics
Your “new” lifestyle may bring changes to your spending and earnings compared to “normal life.” Take a look at your credit card and bank statements to determine how much you need to keep yourself fed, connected and safe. This is the time to protect the essentials: medical, housing, and food. This isn’t a time to make drastic changes, but instead, hone in on which of these basic needs will provide financial peace of mind and build good habits for the future. If you begin to feel anxious about this pared-down way of life, remember this budget addresses your needs right now, and when circumstances change you will change your money choices with them.
4. Respond, Don’t React
Anxiety can prompt you to create busywork that will keep you distracted from your feelings but do not confuse activity with productivity. It’s natural to want to pounce on every anxious feeling, but these impulsive decisions rarely line up with strategic needs, and can actually lead to big regrets where finances are involved. Staying grounded, present and aware under pressure is key for your overall well being.
Be purposeful, not impulsive; cautious, yet hopeful. To practice, try making a list of your anxious thoughts as they arise, then step away and allow your mind room to breathe. Return to the list at a later time and review it with fresh eyes. Also, when faced with financial decisions, take the time to gather information and analyze your options before you act. Thinking about money is important, but it can be toxic if it takes over every hour of the day.
5. Remember, You are Not Alone
Anxiety can arise from not being able to rely on your normal problem-solving methods (hello, planners!), so this is the time to get creative. COVID-19 is a collective problem, not an individual issue, and while it is physically isolating, it still allows for open communication with those around you.
Personal finance can be private, but it’s also universal. Everyone deals with it, and in these times of crisis, we can be civic-minded and united in our support for one another. Step outside of your typical routine and reach out to friends to talk about your financial anxiety. Host a virtual happy hour to share knowledge, fears, and money ideas. Nothing seems as scary when you face it together.
After all, combating financial anxiety is not just about feeling zen and balanced, it takes consistent self-care and discipline of mind, especially during a crisis. We are all concerned about our ability to provide for our loved ones, but remember to also take care of yourself.
Fostering mental health, examining your emotions, connecting with those around you, and slowing things down will help you make financial decisions you can feel good about. We have the ability to engage with our money beyond the surface level and remain calm and collected no matter what the world throws at us. We will get through it together.
About the Expert: Amanda Clayman, financial wellness advocate for Prudential Financial, is a widely recognized leader in the field of financial therapy. She helps her clients decode how thoughts, feelings, and associations shape their financial choices, and identifies how those patterns serve and limit them in their lives. For over a decade Amanda has been helping people move beyond shame and frustration to find opportunities for personal growth embedded in the financial challenges they face.
Tune in daily at 9 am, 12 pm, and 3 pm PST, for new installments of Ask an Expert.
Follow Create & Cultivate on Instagram, check out our Ask an Expert highlight reel for the schedule, and hit the countdown to get a reminder so you don’t miss out. See you there!
3 Unexpected Ways Self-Expression Can Help You Achieve Your Career Dreams
It’s all about communication.
Photo by Daria Shevtsova from Pexels
As we move further into the 21st century, communication is becoming more diluted, reliant on technology, and devoid of actual human interaction. Whether in personal relationships or in the job atmosphere, nowadays we often communicate using the evolved version of AOL Messenger: relying heavily on emojis, text messages, and assumptions. But all of these are inefficient ways of conveying a clear message.
Though communicating through emojis may be acceptable with your BFFs, in the workplace, it’s a bit different. Your career persona is the direct result of the words you use. Maybe you’re seeking a raise that will truly make you feel valued at the job you love, or you’re ready to take your big idea to the next level and want to secure an investment from a venture capital firm. Whatever your current career goal, the result you desire is on the other side of powerful, efficient, and effective communication.
Implement the following tips into your conversational conversation at work to make your career dreams a reality.
Speak with authenticity.
Speaking authentically is the most powerful way to communicate, because there’s no conflict with our intrinsic being. In your most authentic state, you will be able to clearly communicate why you deserve a raise, why your idea will fulfill your purpose as a human being, and get others to see the potential of your dream.
Ask yourself the following questions to reveal the authentic answers that will support you in moving powerfully in your conversation:
“What do I want to accomplish through this conversation?”
“What is my purpose?”
“Is this idea in alignment with my beliefs and the organization's goals?”
Be vulnerable with your ideas.
By choosing vulnerability, the message you communicate is not colored by the thoughts and opinions of others. You’re able to confidently expose your ideas and beliefs, which in turn gives others on your team the permission to contribute and expand upon them.
Through your vulnerability, other people feel empowered to act on what fulfills them and is consistent with who they truly are. This creates a connection that will lead to tangible results that grow the organization and accomplishes the greater goal.
Ask yourself the following questions to remain vulnerable in your communication:
“What am I firm believer in?”
“Why does this matter to me?”
“How can the contribution of others help me win?”
Get curious.
By choosing curiosity, you allow listening to be a major part of your communication. Through listening, you allow others to share their valuable ideas, thought processes, and opinions while giving yourself the opportunity to learn something new. Curiosity is the place where a feeling of empathy becomes alive, results become possible, ideas become tangible, and success becomes inevitable.
Ask yourself the following questions in order to expand your knowledge and develop your ideas:
“How can my idea become better?”
“What don’t I know that others may know?”
“If this idea is to become successful, what is the possible overarching impact on me, my team, and the world?”
What’s possible when communication is clear, concise, and curious?
Everything that you have in life is the result of your communication. The things you dream of, the ideas you cultivate, and the tangible results you create become real through the profound ability to express yourself, make clear requests and convey a concise, yet powerful message. When used effectively, you can enroll others in your ideas and create the relationships that will take your businesses to the next level.
“Communication - the human connection - is the key to personal and career success.” - Paul J. Meyer
About the Author: Sarah Harrigan is a Confidence & Relationship Expert and the founder of Design My Vibe, an international life coaching & events service that helps individuals accomplish their personal & business goals through mindset transformation. Through one-on-one & group events, she helps aspiring leaders and entrepreneurs get off the beliefs that are preventing them from reaching higher heights. She frequently writes about confidence, relationships and effective communication for today’s leaders.
This post was published on March 24, 2019, and has since been updated.
MORE ON THE BLOG
Ask an Expert: How Influencers Can Keep Their Business Thriving While Social Distancing
The key? Serve a bigger purpose.
We’ve been spending a lot of time at Create & Cultivate HQ discussing how we can best show up for and support our community during this uncertain time. Community is at our core, and connecting with others through one-of-a-kind experiences is what we love to do. While the world has changed, our mission has not. We’re committed to helping women create and cultivate the career of their dreams, which is why we’re proud to announce our new Ask an Expert series. We’re hosting discussions with experts, mentors, and influencers daily at 9 am, 12 pm, and 3 pm PST on Instagram Live to cure your craving for community and bring you the expert advice you’ve come to know and love from C&C. Follow Create & Cultivate on Instagram, check out our Ask an Expert highlight reel for the latest schedule, and hit the countdown to get a reminder so you don’t miss out!
Photo: Courtesy of Idalia Salsamendi
If the coronavirus crisis has taught us anything, it’s that no business is immune from COVID-19’s far-reaching economic impact—even one that’s predicated on social media. To find out how influencers can keep their businesses thriving while social distancing, we tapped business strategist and social media consultant Idalia Salsamendi whose client list includes Chriselle Lim, Brittany Xavier, and Jacey Duprie, to name a few.
If you joined us for her Ask an Expert Instagram Live conversation this week, you know that the influencer world is spinning with one critical question in these difficult times: What happens now? Scroll on for the business strategist and social media consultant’s top three tips for how to manage not only your career and business but also your stress, and find out how to tune into our next Ask an Expert segment on Instagram Live.
1. Time to Influence
In today’s society, the word “influencer” is tossed around so frequently that perhaps we’ve lost focus on what the word actually entails. Our minds are instantly transported to those men and women posing in their latest outfit by a hot pink wall, and/or promoting their favorite skincare brand saying how “obsessed” they are with it. That’s all fine and dandy. I mean hello, I’m the one booking those deals.
However, since the dawn of the arrival of social media (yup, I’ve been managing influencers, talent, and models for over a decade now), I’ve always instilled in my clients one main thing: serve a bigger purpose. Now more than ever we are truly seeing the rise of the innate meaning of “influencer.” We are seeing men and women around the world donating their resources, voice, and money to the pandemic at hand and guess what, it’s making a difference. I’m noticing a beautiful shift in the paradigm to use this “influence” to do more than to sell an object, but rather to serve a cause. Here’s a beautiful thing though, you could actually do both. Hence point #2...
2. Pitch Smart
A common question I get asked is, “Idalia, should I even be pitching to brands right now?” My answer as of today, March 26, 2020, is: YES. Please pitch. Please support your small business (remember you are one!). Here’s the clincher though: You have to pitch smart and not be tone-deaf to the global pandemic. Like I mentioned in the first point, you have to use your influence for good, and so do brands. Now is the time to think about how you could make a difference and ask your favorite brands to join you on that journey.
If you’re self-quarantined, think about brands that speak to that situation... is it your favorite snacks, wine, sweatshirt, book, etc.? Then reach out and tell them you’d like to unite forces and raise awareness around a charity, organization, hospital, etc. Donate a part of your rate to a charity. You can even ask them to chip in, too! You both could raise funds to support your local food drive or raise awareness to a cause... possibilities are also endless here. Encourage the brand, and show them your passion and education about the subject.
One extremely crucial point to take into consideration when doing this: it has to be genuine. Please do not link yourself to a brand or charitable cause if you feel nothing for it and are doing it to look good. It will bleed into your work, and people can sniff a fraud from a mile away. So really sit yourself down and consider what you care about.
Pssst... If you need a helpful nudge, here are a couple which I’m personally donating and raising awareness for:
And if you’re scratching your head wondering how you can properly even pitch, definitely check out the Powerful Pitch Kit for Influencers, and enjoy 50% off with promo code: CULTIVATELOVE.
3. Say Buh-Bye to Your Comfort Zone
The chances of you reading this while self-isolating are pretty high, so I’m going to be your cheerleader right now and encourage you to step out of your comfort zone. I get it, we are all locked up and it’s human that at moments we feel disillusioned, hopeless, stuck, confused, angry, sad... the list really could go on and on. Here’s the thing though, you have to push through. Keywords: HAVE TO.
Influencers that have been able to take the quarantine and show different sides of themselves are the ones that are not only the happiest (mental health check) but are also the ones that are getting reached out to by brands (pay-check). Simply taking a pretty photo is no longer the status quo, but rather something that may turn off your followers if you do it too frequently. So I’ll ask you what I ask everyone I work with: what sets you apart as a human being (forget business)? Do you play the piano? Do you paint? Do you do funny impersonations? Do you dance? Do you love to work out? The answers are endless, and what’s imperative to understand here is that there is no right or wrong answer. The end-game is the same: show it to your followers.
Since the rise of TikTok, I’ve seen influencers that are much more polished and serious on Instagram, let loose and have some fun on the ‘Tok. I’ve seen them without makeup in their sweatpants trying to a crazy dance move. And people are going nuts over it, even when syndicated on Instagram! Moral of the story: people want to see all your wonderful, quirky, funny, inspiring dimensions and now is the time to show them.
I genuinely hope these three tips inspired and empowered you in one way, shape, and form. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for stopping by and reading this. If you’re curious about more of what I’m up to, feel free to check out my website and my podcast.
About the Expert: Idalia Salsamendi is an industry-leading business strategist and social media consultant. With over 16 years of experience in PR and top-tier talent management, Idalia opened her company in 2016 with strategy for both brands and influencers at its core. Known for being selective towards the types of projects and clients she engages, the mantra for her company is to inspire, inform, and empower. Her roster includes Chriselle Lim, Brittany Xavier, and Jacey Duprie, to name a few.
Tune in daily at 9 am, 12 pm, and 3 pm PST, for new installments of Ask an Expert.
Follow Create & Cultivate on Instagram, check out our Ask an Expert highlight reel for the schedule, and hit the countdown to get a reminder so you don’t miss out. See you there!
Ask an Expert: How to Jump on Digital Even If Your Business Isn't Online
It’s all about pivoting.
We’ve been spending a lot of time at Create & Cultivate HQ discussing how we can best show up for and support our community during this uncertain time. Community is at our core, and connecting with others through one-of-a-kind experiences is what we love to do. While the world has changed, our mission has not. We’re committed to helping women create and cultivate the career of their dreams, which is why we’re proud to announce our new Ask an Expert series. We’re hosting discussions with experts, mentors, and influencers daily at 9 am, 12 pm, and 3 pm PST on Instagram Live to cure your craving for community and bring you the expert advice you’ve come to know and love from C&C. Follow Create & Cultivate on Instagram, check out our Ask an Expert highlight reel for the latest schedule, and hit the countdown to get a reminder so you don’t miss out!
Photo: Courtesy of Vanessa Lee
Needless to say, the COVID-19 crisis is having a major impact on brick-and-mortar businesses. With everyone responsibly staying home and practicing social distancing in order to do their part and help flatten the coronavirus curve, businesses that typically rely on in-person sales (think: fitness studios, salons, restaurants, etc.) are needing to pivot in order to stay profitable during these uncertain times.
If there’s one thing we’ve learned from our Ask an Expert series, it’s that jumping on digital is essential for brick-and-mortar businesses to come out of the coronavirus pandemic stronger than ever. Which is why we tapped Vanessa Lee, the owner of the beauty concept bar, The Things We Do, for the latest installment of the series. (Spoiler alert: Lee’s creative use of social media to grow her business in these unpredictable times is a masterclass on how to successfully pivot to digital.)
Read on for her top three tips for pivoting to digital even if you’re business isn’t online. If you missed the conversation, you can watch it in full here, and be sure to tune into our next Ask an Expert conversation on Instagram Live.
Tip #1: Ask your customers what they what.
“Make sure you’re giving your audience and customers only what they want. Reach out to your followers on social media and ask them what they need from you. They will tell you what they'll appreciate and what they need from you as a company. We’re living in a special time where we have social media and have the ability to have that dialogue.”
Tip #2: Focus on educational content.
“People are on social media more than ever. Right now, what people are sharing is a lot of educational videos. They’re so powerful because not only are you informing your audience about what you do but there’s an attachment to an experience afterward.“
Tip #3: Think beyond social media.
“It’s important to capture email lists through social media. Making your own email list is super important because right now we’re seeing that so much can change so quickly—you need something solid outside the social media realm.”
About the Expert: Vanessa Lee is a world-renowned medical aesthetic provider sought after for her dedication to the look of natural beauty and known for her contribution to training and educating in the cosmetic/medical field. She is a best-kept celebrity secret, skincare expert, and the owner of a beauty concept bar, The Things We Do.
Tune in daily at 9 am, 12 pm, and 3 pm PST, for new installments of Ask an Expert.
Follow Create & Cultivate on Instagram, check out our Ask an Expert highlight reel for the schedule, and hit the countdown to get a reminder so you don’t miss out. See you there!
Ask an Expert: 5 Tips for How to Use Social Media to Grow and Scale Your Business During COVID-19
Yes, the way people are using social media right now is different, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t consuming your content at all.
We’ve been spending a lot of time at Create & Cultivate HQ discussing how we can best show up for and support our community during this uncertain time. Community is at our core, and connecting with others through one-of-a-kind experiences is what we love to do. While the world has changed, our mission has not. We’re committed to helping women create and cultivate the career of their dreams, which is why we’re proud to announce our new Ask an Expert series. We’re hosting discussions with experts, mentors, and influencers daily at 9 am, 12 pm, and 3 pm PST on Instagram Live to cure your craving for community and bring you the expert advice you’ve come to know and love from C&C. Follow Create & Cultivate on Instagram, check out our Ask an Expert highlight reel for the latest schedule, and hit the countdown to get a reminder so you don’t miss out!
Photo: Courtesy of Kayla Ybanez
Despite the high volume of people online, it can be easy to think that nobody will be interested in you or your online business, but business strategist Kayla Ybanez says that couldn't be farther from the truth. Yes, the way people are using social media right now is different, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t consuming your content at all. It just means they are consuming it differently and at different rates.
So, how can you grab their attention and continue to grow your business? To find out, we tapped Ybanez for an informative segment of our Ask an Expert Instagram Live series. Read on for five practical tips from Ybanez on how to use social media to grow and scale your business during COVID-19. If you missed the conversation, you can watch it in full here, and be sure to tune into our next Ask an Expert conversation on Instagram Live.
1. Remember, Your Current Clients Are Number One
In times of uncertainty, it can be easy to get distracted by wanting to only focus on how to generate new income streams or launches. I want to challenge you that one of the most important things with growing your online business right now is over-delivering to your current clients.
But first things first, your current clients are going to need you more than ever. Checking in with them more often will ensure client satisfaction and will continue to help them get the best results from your product or service.
The second piece is that testimonials and social proof are SO important for your online business. When you give your clients more than what they expected, they will over-deliver on their social proof for you.
How can you over-deliver?
Offer extra calls to your clients.
Go LIVE more often in your paid communities for face-to-camera time.
Offer discounts on evergreen courses/programs.
Be a listening ear when they need it.
2. Grab Your Audience’s Attention
Now more than ever, people will be consuming different types of social media as a form of distraction from what is going on in the world. Yes, it will be a lot like the early 2000s when the internet will become an escape from reality. Remember those days?
Your audience is growing sick of the news and they are ready to consume content that is going to be valuable to them. First, you need to be able to grab their attention.
Using powerful hooks on social media posts is going to be key to stopping people from scrolling past your content. What is a hook? It is the very first line of a post; the one that tells the reader exactly why they need to stop and consume the whole thing!
Hook suggestions:
My 3 tips to do _____. (Tell them what they’re about to learn.)
If you’re anything like me, then you know _____. (If they can relate, they’ll read on.)
You won’t BELIEVE what just happened. (Click-bait to spark curiosity.)
If you just jump into the story without telling us why we should care and why it’s important that we know, we will keep on scrolling.
3. Stay Top-of-Mind
Even when social media tends slightly change, your audience isn’t dropping their love of scrolling Instagram and Facebook completely! I recommend staying in a CREATION mode as much as possible for a second priority behind OVERDELIVERING on serving your current clients. The more your audience notices you showing up on social media even if they aren’t consuming your content, they are more likely to think of YOU when a need for your product or service arises. The best part? Your content doesn’t (and honestly shouldn’t) have to only relate to your business.
Examples:
Sharing a tutorial for your signature braid hairstyle.
Your hacks for organizing your closet.
Your secret to the perfect hard-boiled egg.
How frequently should you be showing up on social media? To some degree, you want to be showing up face to camera daily.
4. Demonstrate Your Essential Value
The next thing you want to pay attention to is making sure that you are positioning your brand and products to align with your ideal client’s perception of essential value.
At times when you worry that your audience is changing their buying behaviors, the best way to adapt to this is to show them that you are meeting their essential needs. For a lot of us, those needs include Solving known problems, community/support, providing certainty.
Whether you’ve had to think about these in your business before or not, how can you shift your content to reflect that you are making it your mission to meet these needs?
Examples:
Tell us about your community and how it will enrich our lives.
How are you solving problems that we have RIGHT NOW?
How are you/your products making us feel sure of our decisions and protected?
5. Get Scrappy With Your Resources
With social media, the ability to grow your business and generate revenue are ENDLESS! I know you may have certain routines and launch plans that you’re set in, but sometimes we need to be adaptable and ready to meet people where they’re at.
Bonuses and “extra stuff” isn’t getting people to get off the fence and make buying decisions as much at this current time. What is? Discounts!
Recommendations for increasing cash flow into your business right now:
Running a flash sale on an existing evergreen offer.
If you provide an in-person service such as photography, offer a discount if they buy “sessions” upfront.
Creating a low ticket baby-offer that provides INSANE value (to build your email list as well).
Beefing up your affiliate program for offers so you can partner with loyal members of your community for a mutually-beneficial launch.
What with everything that is going on, I wanted to outline the main areas of your business you should focus on to continue to grow your impact on social media. At the end of the day, SHOWING UP is always going to be the most important thing. Leaders will rise and you’re here because you are a leader who’s making a change!
About the Expert: Kayla Ybanez is a business strategist for network marketers and online coaches and service providers who want to build a sustainable and scalable personal brand online. Ybanez built her business from her daughter's hospital room, where her daughter fought for her life, and where she and her family lived with her for 436 days straight, waiting for answers for her medical mystery diagnosis and watching her daughter undergo a bone marrow transplant in January 2019.
Tune in daily at 9 am, 12 pm, and 3 pm PST, for new installments of Ask an Expert.
Follow Create & Cultivate on Instagram, check out our Ask an Expert highlight reel for the schedule, and hit the countdown to get a reminder so you don’t miss out. See you there!
Sallie Krawcheck's Top 3 Smart Money Moves to Make During the COVID-19 Crisis
The CEO and co-founder of Ellevest assuages our financial fears.
We’ve been spending a lot of time at Create & Cultivate HQ discussing how we can best show up for and support our community during this uncertain time. Community is at our core, and connecting with others through one-of-a-kind experiences is what we love to do. While the world has changed, our mission has not. We’re committed to helping women create and cultivate the career of their dreams, which is why we’re proud to announce our new Ask an Expert series. We’re hosting discussions with experts, mentors, and influencers daily at 9 am, 12 pm, and 3 pm PST on Instagram Live to cure your craving for community and bring you the expert advice you’ve come to know and love from C&C. Follow Create & Cultivate on Instagram, check out our Ask an Expert highlight reel for the latest schedule, and hit the countdown to get a reminder so you don’t miss out!
The coronavirus crisis has taken a serious toll on the economy, causing the U.S. stock market to have it's worst day since the 1987 stock crash and the OECD to cut global economic growth projections in half. Needless to say, money anxiety is at an all-time high as a result. In fact, according to a recent study, 67 million Americans anticipate they’ll have trouble paying their credit card bills due to coronavirus.
In an effort to help ease our financial fears during these uncertain times, we hosted a special Fireside Chat edition of our Instagram Live series, Ask an Expert, with Sallie Krawcheck, co-founder and CEO of Ellevest, a digital investment platform built by women, for women. Our founder and CEO Jaclyn Johnson virtually sat down with Krawcheck to answer all your most pressing money questions in the wake of the coronavirus, including how to cut unnecessary spending from your budget and how to fund your small business during quarantine closures.
Read on for three key takeaways from the conversation and head to the Create & Cultivate Instagram to tune into our next Live Ask an Expert segment.
Tip #1: Don’t stop investing.
“The question we get the most at Ellevest, is, Should I be buying? The second is, Should I be selling?,” explains Krawcheck. “The answer is you should be investing steadily for your longterm goals. You should be investing a bit of your paycheck, after you pay off debt, because if you try to time the market you will fail.”
Tip #2: Watch your expenses.
“Watch your expenses,” Krawcheck advises small business owners who are doing everything they can to keep the lights on. “Use your values to determine what expenses are important, protect your company culture, and trim where you can without hurting your core business.”
Tip #3: Contribute to an emergency fund.
Krawcheck's rule of thumb for a healthy financial future includes breaking down each paycheck (a.k.a your take-home pay) following these general guidelines:
50% of every paycheck should go toward paying for things you need (think: rent, utilities, car insurance, etc.)
30% should go toward fun (think: those extras that bring you joy, like that outfit your dying to buy or you’re favorite workout class)
20% should go toward future you (i.e., your emergency fund, 401k, IRA, etc.)
However, before you start contributing to an emergency fund, “get your credit card debt paid off because it’s leeching out wealth from you,” cautions Krawcheck.
Ellevest is answering any and all money questions that come in from the community on their blog. It's an amazing resource in these uncertain times.
Sign up for Sallie Krawcheck’s weekly newsletter, Money Monday, to stay up to date on all things women and money.
About the Expert: Sallie Krawcheck is the CEO and co-founder of Ellevest, a digital-first, mission-driven investment platform for women. Ellevest is one of the fastest-growing digital investment platforms and has been named a #24 on CNBC’s top 50 "Disruptor" list and #14 on LinkedIn’s 50 “Most Sought-After Startups” (#2 in New York). Krawcheck is also Chair of the Ellevate Network, a 135K-strong global professional women’s network, and Pax Ellevate Global Women’s Leadership Fund, a fund that invests in the top-rated companies for advancing women. Before launching Ellevest, Krawcheck built a successful career on Wall Street: She was the CEO of Merrill Lynch, Smith Barney, US Trust, the Citi Private Bank, and Sanford C. Bernstein. She was also Chief Financial Officer for Citigroup.
Tune in daily at 9 am, 12 pm, and 3 pm PST, for new installments of Ask an Expert.
Follow Create & Cultivate on Instagram, check out our Ask an Expert highlight reel for the schedule, and hit the countdown to get a reminder so you don’t miss out. See you there!
Know Your Worth, Then Add Tax: The Multi-Hyphenate's Stress-Free Guide to Doing Your Taxes
“There are talkers and doers, and people respect action the most.”
With the current COVID-19 situation, we know these are difficult times for both self-employed individuals and small businesses. In an effort to support and empower our self-employed community, we’re sharing step-by-step guidance on how to easily and affordably file your self-employed taxes with TurboTax.
The rise of the gig economy has given us multi-hyphenates, a.k.a. people who’ve built successful careers out of juggling more than one job at a time. In fact, more than eight million people—about 5% of the workforce—have more than one job. And, fun fact, the average self-made millionaire has at least three streams of income—65% have three streams of income, 45% have four, and 29% have five or more.
Of course, being a solopreneur with multiple side hustles is exciting—after all, you’ve mastered the art of multiple streams of income!—but that means tax time can be a bit complex (hello, 1099s galore).
In anticipation of the new extended tax deadline, July 15th (a.k.a. this year’s Tax Day), we sat down with Lindsay Luv, a multi-hyphenate DJ, influencer, sommelier, and more, to find out how TurboTax Self-Employed can help multi-hyphenate solopreneurs file their taxes with confidence. With the changing COVID-19 situation, these are unprecedented times. Find out all the new tax changes and understand what the Coronavirus relief bill means for self-employed taxpayers by visiting the TurboTax blog.
Be sure to keep reading until the end for the chance to win a FREE TurboTax Live Self-Employed product code (valued at $250, includes ad-on services).
Join the solopreneur tax conversation by using the hashtag #solopreneurtaxtips. Don’t be shy! We all have questions about taxes (especially now), share yours on social too!
CREATE & CULTIVATE: As a DJ, music supervisor, influencer, and sommelier, you're a modern multi-hyphenate with many careers intersecting at the same time. What advice do you have for those reading this who don't have their eyes on one career path and feel split into different areas? How do they go about it?
LINDSAY LUV: I believe expanding your brand should feel natural. If you find yourself drawn to another potential career path, perhaps think about what you’re already doing and how it can lend itself to the other. I never say I am “switching gears” because that sounds like you are closing the door on what you have already done; rather I say I am “expanding my brand” because that simply opens more doors. You never lose the skills you have already built, so why not develop and share more as you go!
Also, the difference between those who say they are going to do something and those who actually take the plunge is vast. Sometimes you need to just rip the bandaid off! When it came to getting certified as a sommelier, I simply signed up and paid for the class and then showed up: that's half the battle! Wine goes hand in hand with music and events and sharing my finds (i.e., influence) so I am always thinking of ways to overlap my skill set. There are talkers and doers, and people respect action the most.
With your many careers, it’s safe to say that you’ve mastered the art of multiple revenue streams—and we here at Create & Cultivate love a woman who isn’t afraid to shy away from wanting to build a profitable business—So, can you tell us, why is it important to diversify?
With humans living longer lives they are actually predicting many of us will indeed have multiple professions across a lifetime! Just like relationships change and grow over time so do our interests and skill sets, and it is important to check in with yourself each step of the way and reflect on how your profession is serving you and how you are serving it.
I am someone who always loves to be steps ahead. If I see a door starting to close (whether by choice or otherwise), I am thinking of which ones I can open: which parts of my career, relationships and learnings can I utilize for a new profitable task.
Working for yourself means you have to hustle and keep up with both your own goals and the demands of the market. Since I started working for myself, so many elements keep changing from social media to client’s needs and unless you are evolving with them you are lagging behind (and losing money in doing so.)
As we’re sure you can attest, you have to fall in love with the numbers when you’re running your own business, especially when that involves managing multiple income sources—What are some of the hardest money lessons you've learned along the way? And what are some of the tools you use to stay on top of your business financials?
As my own agent, sometimes it is awkward to chase down payments due. You run that line between wanting to seem relaxed with clients, but also simply needing to be paid for work done. Sadly, sometimes clients will put you in an awkward spot with pay delays or trying to pull out of things last minute, etc. I find it is helpful to have an assistant oversee the communication about payment with clients so you don’t always have to be the face of the tedious back and forth that can occur.
I also leverage technology to remind myself of when payments are due and space out reminders to follow up. I use resources and tools such as QuickBooks Self-Employed to keep myself organized year-round, keeping track of my personal and business expenses as well as receipts. I can import all my business expenses to TurboTax Self-Employed making taxes a breeze! I like their Live product since it brings the best of both worlds, the ease of technology plus the human touch and expertise of a real tax expert. At the end of the day, you want to make sure you feel confident you are getting your self-employed taxes done right and are getting every dollar you deserve.
You've been very smart and savvy with your business and it's been incredibly profitable—Where do you think is the most important area for a solopreneur or small business owner to focus their financial energy? Why?
The reality is you should focus your heaviest energies on hustling and maintaining work wherever you are gaining the most momentum. For me, that has always been DJing, but now, with my social media growth, I am seeing new profitable opportunities arise in a variety of areas outside of the decks, so it has my wheels spinning on how to grow those. Keep pushing where the money already is, but reach out for everywhere it could be!
Do you think you have achieved financial freedom? If not, what is preventing you as a self-employed professional to get there? What would you need to get there?
Yes! I have been self-employed and my own agent for over ten years, which feels like freedom to me. I am able to comfortably afford a lifestyle I feel good about and contribute to my family, which is the best you can hope for. I also balance between being a full-time mom and a working mom by accepting quality over quantity job opportunities.
With that being said, human nature is to want more, so in some ways, working for yourself is always complicated and you never can fully relax into a full feeling of freedom. It is important to never get too comfortable because being self-employed always means the onus is on you to hustle and grow. While a lot of work does come to me after having established myself over a decade, it is important for me to touch base with all my clients regularly and share my successes; plus, remind them of all we have done and what we can do going forward!
What are you most excited about for your business in 2020?
I have been putting feelers out for so many possible brand expansions and seeing which ones stick. I am never afraid to reach out to great contacts or throw out ideas and see which ones materialize, as I believe both my business acumen and skillset can lend themselves to a variety of areas, from public speaking, hosting, podcasts, music supervision, influencer collaborations, consulting, sommelier opportunities, and more. Not every one of these will become the next big (or most profitable) part of my brand, but without opening up to a multitude of ideas and putting some muscle behind them you won’t know which one could and will!
Our friends at TurboTax were nice enough to share a giveaway with Create & Cultivate readers so you can file your taxes for FREE this season—all from the comfort of your own home!
30 readers will receive a FREE TurboTax Live Self-Employed product code (valued at $250, includes ad-on services). Simply fill out the form below to enter to win. The winners will be chosen randomly and contacted via email. Good luck!
TurboTax Live combines the ease and technology customers know and love about TurboTax with on-demand credentialed CPAs, Enrolled Agents, or Tax Attorneys, for ultimate convenience and confidence. You can connect live to a team of real credentialed tax experts in English or Spanish, for unlimited tax advice and a final review before you file.
Giveaway now closed, thank you for entering! We will email the winners directly.
There's a Better Way to Say "No" to People
It’s important to create boundaries out of respect for yourself, your time, and your energy—we truly can’t do it all.
Photo credit: Smith House Photography
You have three outstanding assignments sitting on your desk, your phone is lighting up with texts from your friend reminding you that you’re scheduled to have a check-in call, and then your boss Slacks you to ask if you can work late to help out on seven other tasks that need finishing.
Before you can stop yourself, “Uh, sure! I mean, of course,” tumbles out of your mouth. You know full well that you're unable to handle another thing, but there’s just something about saying “no” that’s almost impossible to do. Here’s how to say “no” in a way that’s beneficial to you and your boss.
Have “No” Fear?
If the above situation sounds familiar, it's not surprising—many of us are afraid to say no. Psychology Today offers two main reasons why: We fear conflict and we don’t like to disappoint others. Because of this, we often say yes even if taking on something else isn’t in our best interest. We want to make others feel better—but we sacrifice our own feelings and time in return.
For many, saying no can feel... harsh. But learning to turn down a request is a crucial skill to master. It’s important to create boundaries out of respect for yourself, your time, and your energy—we truly can’t do it all.
So, how do we get better at saying “no?” The answer involves swapping that word for something else entirely. Let us introduce you to your new magic words: “I don’t.”
The Power of “I Don’t”
When we're skittish around the word “no,” we often try to decline requests with an “I can’t”—but “I don’t” is actually the best phrase to use. The reason is this: “I can’t” implies that you want to do something but an external factor is stopping you from doing it. It suggests you could do that task—and it leaves room for people to push back. For example: Saying “I can’t go to the party tonight” leaves lots of room for someone to respond with a “Why not?”
“Saying ‘I don’t’ turns a rejection into an affirmation of how you live your life.”
“I don’t,” on the other hand, reclaims your authority over your actions. When you say that you don’t do something, it's an iron-clad refusal—you as a human don’t do what's being asked of you, and you don’t do it for your own sake. “I don’t go to parties on weeknights” is much more impactful than “I can’t go tonight.” The phrase turns a rejection into an affirmation of how you live your life, making it powerful and something you own.
Another example: If you have a coworker asking you to step in on the office party planning committee—but you already have the responsibility of organizing the company’s retreat plus 10 outstanding work assignments—you can reply with a simple, “Although I wish I could help further, I don’t take on other projects when I’m behind on my existing assignments.” That statement is a lot harder to argue with than, “I can’t do that right now,” and it’s more thoughtful than a plain “no.”
How to Use “I Don’t” to Motivate Yourself
“I don’t” is also a powerful tool you can use when working towards your goals. If you incorporate it into your self-talk, it can increase your willpower.
When researchers at Boston College and The University of Houston conducted a small study looking into the use of “I don’t” and “I can’t,” they found that participants who said “I don’t skip exercise” rather than “I can’t skip exercise” ended up working out more often than the “I can’t” group. “Using the word ‘don’t’ serves as a self-affirmation of one’s personal willpower and control ... leading to a favorable influence on feelings of empowerment, as well as on actual behavior," the researchers wrote.
Take Control of “No”
Bottom line: “I don’t” puts the ball back in your court. It gives you authority over your no and leads to a powerful but respectful decline—or, an empowering motivational phrase.
It’s a lesson in framing, and it’s an easy way to turn dreaded “no”s into something empowering. Give it a try next time you need to say no but feel yourself about to say yes.
Article by Anna Meyer. There's a Better Way to Say “No” originally appeared on Shine, a free daily text to help you thrive.
About Shine: Shine is a free daily text message experience that makes it easier to live a more intentional life. Each weekday morning, Shine sends curated content and actionable tips across confidence, daily happiness, mental health and productivity. Why? Because we all need a little help to get through the day—and Shine’s got your back. To sign up, text “SHINE” to 759-85 or go to www.shinetext.com to learn more.
Follow Shine on Instagram, Twitter & Facebook: @ShineText
This post was originally published on December 26, 2017, and has since been updated.