Entrepreneurs are well-acquainted with the skill of adaptability. We have to move quick on our feet, rising up to meet last-minute opportunities, unexpected complications, and eleventh-hour course changes. As a skill, adaptability has been highlighted as a necessity as we move through unprecedented times, working out how to work effectively in challenging and ever-changing circumstances.
While the workforce has grown more mobile than ever in the last decade or so, we’re currently dealing with an unprecedented number of people, for reasons beyond their control, have to work from home for the time being. Now, working from home initially seems like a pretty good deal. Who doesn’t want to skip their commute and work in their pajamas?
As many of us approach the end of our second week in self-imposed quarantine to “flatten the curve” of the COVID-19 pandemic, with a longer period of quarantine and social distancing to follow, we’re all growing a little stir-crazy. Not only are many of us are finding ourselves distanced from normal social interaction with friends and coworkers, but the stresses of home life, difficulty obtaining supplies, and fear of the pandemic itself takes its toll on our mental and physical well-being.
For many of us, the COVID-19 pandemic has created some unique challenges. For those of us in leadership positions, we’re finding ourselves doing a lot of video conferencing in order to get our work done. After all, there is a limit to what email and Slack can accomplish. Video conferencing is becoming a critical part of social distancing during this time of pandemic. However, it can be more complicated than we’d think to effectively host meetings over video chat.
We seem to be living in an age of panic. That’s not just about the COVID-19 crisis, though we’re certainly seeing a level of mass panic that we haven’t seen in a long time. As leaders, it’s crucial that we keep a level head in a crisis. It doesn’t just go for pandemic-level fears — it goes for the small, everyday anxieties that can plague your team and your productivity.
I’m a bit of a health nut. Most of you who know me know by now that, beyond my career, I’m passionate about health and wellness — be it exercise, nutrition, or mental health. As our nation (and the world) confronts the COVID-19 pandemic, we have been exposed to the concept of “social distancing” and encouraged to limit how many people we come in contact with.
There are some admirable things about the American work ethic. We see innovations on every front and a spirit that is always striving for new progress. The “American Dream” is still deeply imprinted on our collective psyche. We want to succeed, to forge our own paths and find wealth by our own terms.
I’ve seen a few disturbing posts recently, mostly on social media, but a few on BiggerPockets as well, where the posters are reacting almost with glee that we may finally be heading toward a dip in real estate so they can cash in on good deals.
Few things kill our motivation like failure. None of us like to fail. In fact, there’s a lot of psychology behind failure. It is demoralizing. It makes us feel as if our goals are unattainable, leads us to the self-sabotaging fear of failure, and skews our perception of our own abilities — among other things.
Leadership is an exercise in constant personal growth. There’s no doubt about it — leadership is a tough gig. I think in many ways we can idealize leadership — we see it as being at the top, being in control, and having influence over others. And while these things can be true, it’s an enormous misstep to believe that leadership is all roses. After all, as Spider-Man’s Uncle Ben taught us, with great power comes great responsibility.
Beginning a new venture is always a thrill. As with relationships, we go through a “honeymoon phase” where everything is new, exciting, and captivating. When that phase ends, however, we begin to see more clearly the trials and flaws. We fall into the monotony of routine. Falling out of love, well. It happens.
An entrepreneurial mind — even for non-entrepreneurs — has become one of the most coveted qualities in the business world. Even those of us who never intend to strike out on our own with a company, product, or idea, are all encouraged to have the same mindset. But what exactly does that mean? Why is it so important not only for professional success but in leadership?
All of us wish we could get more done in the day — I know I do. It seems like we always need more time to check off our to-do list. Something I’ve learned over the years is that so much of our problem isn’t having too much to do (though there are undeniable seasons of busyness that get in the way), it’s that we are ineffective in how we do it.
Do you consider yourself a confident person?
Psychology Today defines confidence as “how strongly you believe in your capabilities to learn new skills, perform at a certain level, attain a goal, or achieve your own definition of success."
Sometimes it only takes a small change to up your game. I’ve been an endurance runner for some time now, and I will tell you from experience that the smallest adjustments can mean the difference between an okay race and a great one. When training, little adjustments can make the biggest difference for me in the long-term.
Because we live in a world of constant discovery, fluctuating fads, and corporate agendas, it can be difficult to effectively manage your health and nutrition. So many of today’s diets neglect sustainable, well-rounded nutrition and focus on short-term results. This isn’t to say that all dietary lifestyles (and even temporary diets) are bad. It is to say that the underlying nutritional values in your diet are what really matter.
Many of us dread quarterly and yearly performance reviews. That said, they’re often necessary to identify areas of growth and strength as well as what we need to work on. We’re all made up of strengths and flaws, and identifying and dealing with these personal characteristics transforms us into better leaders and more productive, effective employees and entrepreneurs.
