Category: Entrepreneurs

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Showcase Your Skills and Expertise Online

Showcase Your Skills Online

In today’s competitive and dynamic job market, having a strong online presence is essential for showcasing your skills and expertise to potential employers, clients, and collaborators. Whether you are looking for a new career opportunity, expanding your network, or building your personal brand, you need to leverage the power of the internet to demonstrate your value and stand out from the crowd. But how do you do that effectively? Here are some tips and strategies to help you create and optimize your online portfolio, profile, and content.

Choose the right platform

Depending on your industry, goals, and audience, you may want to use different platforms to showcase your skills and expertise online. For example, if you are a graphic designer, you may want to use a visual portfolio site like Behance or Dribbble to display your work samples and get feedback. If you are a writer, you may want to use a blogging platform like Medium or WordPress to share your articles and stories. If you are a developer, you may want to use a code repository site like GitHub or Bitbucket to showcase your projects and code snippets. Whatever platform you choose, make sure it aligns with your skillset, style, and niche.

Create a compelling profile

Your online profile is your digital resume and your first impression to anyone who visits your online portfolio, profile, or content. Therefore, you need to make it compelling, concise, and consistent. Start with a professional and friendly photo that reflects your personality and brand. Then, write a catchy and clear headline that summarizes your skills and expertise in a few words. Next, craft a persuasive and authentic bio that highlights your achievements, values, and goals. Finally, include relevant and up-to-date contact information and links to your other online platforms, social media accounts, or websites.

Showcase your best work

Your online portfolio, profile, or content is your opportunity to showcase your best work and prove your skills and expertise to your target audience. Therefore, you need to be strategic, selective, and organized in choosing and presenting your work samples, projects, or articles. First, identify your most relevant and impressive work that showcases your skills and expertise in action. Second, curate and categorize your work according to your industry, niche, or theme. Third, provide context and details for each work sample, project, or article, such as the objective, process, outcome, feedback, or impact. Fourth, use high-quality images, videos, or audio to enhance your work and make it more engaging.

Update and maintain your online presence

Creating your online portfolio, profile, or content is not a one-time task. You need to update and maintain your online presence regularly to keep it fresh, relevant, and accurate. This means adding new work samples, projects, or articles as you complete them, updating your profile information and contact details as they change, and removing outdated or irrelevant work as necessary. It also means checking your online platforms for errors, glitches, or broken links, and fixing them as soon as possible. Additionally, you need to monitor and respond to comments, messages, or feedback from your visitors, followers, or clients, and thank them for their interest, support, or collaboration.

Promote and share your online presence

Having a great online portfolio, profile, or content is not enough if no one sees it or knows about it. You need to promote and share your online presence with your network, industry, and audience to increase your visibility, credibility, and opportunities. There are many ways to do that, such as using keywords, hashtags, or tags to optimize your online platforms for search engines and social media algorithms, linking your online platforms to your email signature, business card, or resume, sharing your online platforms on relevant groups, forums, or communities, and asking for referrals, testimonials, or endorsements from your contacts, clients, or collaborators.

Learn and improve your online presence

Your online portfolio, profile, or content is not a static or fixed product. It is a dynamic and evolving process that requires constant learning and improvement. You need to track and measure the performance of your online platforms using analytics tools, such as Google Analytics, Facebook Insights, or Twitter Analytics, and use the data to identify your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. You also need to seek and apply feedback from your visitors, followers, or clients, and use it to enhance your online platforms and content. Moreover, you need to research and follow the best practices and trends in your industry and niche and use them to innovate and differentiate your online presence.

Source: linkedin.com ~ By AI and LinkedIn community ~ Image: Canva Pro

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Rapidly Achieve Your Goals and Exceed Expectations

Exceed Expectations

Goals need to be clear and concise in order to know what you need to do in order to accomplish them. Often when goals aren’t clear, people have a hard time finding motivation to follow through with them.

Setting unrealistic goals for ourselves usually ends in failure given that we don’t put enough time into planning things out such as when and how we are going to make them happen.

Below, you’ll find 6 helpful tips for rapidly achieving your goals and how you can exceed expectations time after time with the right mentality.

1. Be Clear With Your Intentions

As mentioned above, setting clear goals from the start is essential for success.

Avoid creating lofty goals that you know you won’t be able to accomplish. Creating challenges is one thing, creating unrealistic goals is another.

Remember to be clear with your intentions and you’ll be well on your way to exceeding both your and other people’s expectations 100% of the time.

2. Stop Worrying About the ‘How’

Many people give up on their goals before ever getting started due to not being able to wrap their heads around how they’re going to accomplish them.

For example, if you are thinking of losing weight and you just don’t know how or where to start, don’t cross it off your list but set it as a realistic goal and start slowly by figuring out the steps you need to take to work towards accomplishing it.

Remind yourself that you will accomplish your goals sooner than later, but it’s going to take time and patience in order to do so.

3. Find Your Passion

You should always do what you love. Your goals should be based on this belief as well because nothing will be easier for you than accomplishing something that you are passionate about.

When you are passionate about something you don’t need any motivation to do it because your passion comes from within.

Even when facing difficulties and obstacles along the way, these won’t stop you because passions are things you really care about.

In other words, with passion, it’s less likely that you’ll let anything get in your way of achieving success.

4. Stay focused

One of the most important things when it comes to achieving your goals is staying focused on them and not letting anything distract you along the way.

Rapidly achieving your goals depends on your capacity to concentrate yourself in making them happen.

If your full attention isn’t relying on your goals, you can be sure that nothing will be accomplished.

5. Stop procrastinating

Procrastination is one of the main reasons that people are driven away from their goals and they begin to prioritize other things in their lives.

Don’t be that person.

Learning to avoid distractions is an incredibly important skill to learn and will come in very handy when it comes to creating and achieving goals.

6. Reward Yourself

Nothing is better than receiving a prize for having accomplished something, so why not reward yourself for achieving your goals?

Self-gratification can serve as a means of motivation when it comes to achieving your goals and even exceeding your expectations.

Source: zerotoskill.com ~ Image: Canva Pro

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The 10 Keys to Exceeding Expectations and Achieving Results

Exceed Your Expectations, Have an Action Plan

Certainly, it is not a simple feat to achieve every fleeting aspiration that materializes in our minds lest we would all be challenged- and worry-free. Yet we all dream of a better version of ourselves: one who accomplishes great things, leaves an enduring legacy, and makes the world a better place. Someone who excels at work and home and is revered and can be counted on.

With all of that ambition, how does anyone fall flat? Well, do sports teams take the field without practice, coaching, and the huddle? Do politicians mount a campaign sans extensive research and a well-developed platform (hmm… well, it seems some may…)?

There are keys to ensuring success over the long term which can be employed in your every task.

1. The attitude and determination that will carry you through any obstacles. Your attitude will be what forces your hand to move forward where others quit. Your attitude will be what overshadows the fear and doubt that cloud your mind and judgment. Your determination is what ensures you stay the course despite any hiccups that pop up along the way.

2. Clearly defined goal(s) with a realistic approach. Presumably, you are attempting to tackle something that either can be or has been done. (If not, ideally you have the research to suggest it can be done.) If you are moving, but you don’t know where you are moving toward, there is chaos. Sure, you may not be able to calculate the exact trajectory of your path and you may far exceed your goals; on the flip side, you also do not want to set the bar too low and stymie your strengths. Lay out the goals with a strong why behind them and plot out your path to get there.

3. Preparation: Do you have the tools necessary to reach the goals? If you are embarking on a new diet or workout routine, do you have the needed equipment, knowledge, recipes, and regimen to succeed? You can have all the drive in the world but if you go into battle without the weapons you need – it’s over before it begins.

4. Patience: Very few noteworthy goals can occur overnight. When we make our initial charge, however, we want to see immediate results as reinforcement of our decision. We will rarely get it, however, which is why the virtue of patience is paramount.

5. Be adaptable and open to change and tweaks to your process. We obviously identified the need for a change or a course of action up front, but as we embark and learn the terrain and identify that modifications to the process are required, we must be nimble and adjust accordingly.

6. Perseverance! Just when you think everything is going along swimmingly, you’ll be caught off guard by a bump in the road, and how you react and respond will have a huge impact on the road ahead. Without process, it’s just madness; address, and adjust as needed, but get back to the process as quickly as you can.

7. Build relationships that are symbiotic, and mutually beneficial. Find ways to make contributions to the journeys of others and they will make investments in yours that will exceed your own expectations. While being an individual contributor may be much of your role or current status, having a positive impact in the lives of others will always pay off more often than not. You can learn so much from the paths of others – do so!

8. Make the conscious decision every day and at every leg of the race to continue. The decision to execute and carry on rests solely and squarely on your shoulders. You decide if you get out of bed early every day to make time to work out. You decide if you eat right and take care of yourself. You decide if you allot enough time to properly prepare for work and get there with time to spare so you are ready to start the day. You decide whose company you keep, what you do with your talents, and what you do when you hit roadblocks. Control every detail that you can control and control your response when you encounter an uncontrollable force. Continued execution can become easier to deliver due to the innate gratification from prior excellence. We want to win because we won before and we liked how it felt.

9. The ability to take most things as they come, as they need to be dealt with, and to fit things into your process or bend rather than break. It means sometimes shutting your mind off to the doubt and continuing on. It means always returning to your process after addressing bumps in the road. Don’t let doubts during downward times derail or deter you from a plan concocted by a clearer head.

10. A continued quest for growth. Learn from all of the mistakes and lessons, but let go of the pain they brought when you convert it into fuel for your determination. You cannot close yourself off to new people or experiences just because your trust was broken or you faced setbacks. Doing so will leave you stunted, incomplete, and certainly incapable of achieving your potential.

Whether you are lining up New Year’s resolutions or simply have a project to do, apply these principles and you’ll be unstoppable.

Source: carsonvheady.wordpress.com ~ By: Carson V Heady ~ Image: Canva Pro

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Motivate Yourself to Surpass the Expectations You Have for Yourself

Dr. Seuss "Kid you'll move mountains!"

“Kid, you’ll move mountains!  Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So…get on your way!” – Dr. Seuss

My dreams are so big they scare me. Moving from one project to the next, satisfying demand after demand, I do a lot to ensure that I’m optimizing every moment of my time and making the most of every experience. I honestly live in fear that I’m not doing enough so I take on more than I should, and yes, some may call this crazy, but I call it intrinsically motivated.

I am the only person who can judge how far I can go because it’s all captured by a particular mindset — my mindset. When your power and energy stem from within, the push never stops. Every day, I motivate myself with new goals, new ideas, and new choices because it’s exciting to challenge yourself and explore new layers of who you are.

My mind easily finds itself speeding 1,000 thoughts a minute at times so I have had to explore ways to “decompress” — running happens to be one of the most effective.  So while running, I reflected on the expectations I have for my body and mind and came to a mentality that really resonated with me. If I think I’m better than I actually am at something (whether it be coding, writing, running, hiking, etc.), will I let myself go farther than if my mind was clouded by self-doubt? 

You are truly your own worst critic, and it’s hard to move forward when you are the obstacle. I’ve turned my self-doubt into my biggest fan, the feelings that motivate me and keep me true to my goals.

But how can you keep yourself “in the game” with an empowered mindset?

1. Organize yourself.

I live by my To-Do lists, whether they are online (right now, I’m using an app called AnyDo) or offline (last school year, I was OBSESSED with Passion Planner). There’s a sense of confidence that comes with organizing your day either the night before or the morning of, not to mention a sense of achievement that comes with checking the things you’ve done off your list. These feelings keep you accountable and moving throughout your day.

If you’re more artsy or creative, try out Bullet Journaling —something I’ve been itching to start. I’d love to be able to look back at my months and feel expressions/moods.

2. Rise above negativity.

There’s no rulebook on how to live so the words of others do not dampen how you feel about yourself or how you chose to live. Your life is yours to explore, and that in itself is beautiful. Of course, be open to criticism and learn from your mistakes and the mistakes of others. Don’t be afraid of failure because the way I see it — failures lead to future successes.

Pay attention to your dreams and work for them. Allow yourself the power to have an ambitious spirit. Never let anyone convince you to be conventional because the world always benefits from some healthy uniqueness and individuality.

3. Find ways to inspire yourself.

We are so lucky to live in this age where everything is available to us with just a couple of clicks. And with this rise of empowering works like Hidden Figures, Girlboss, and The Social Network, it’s easy to find a source of external empowerment that can just remind you of what you’re truly capable of. I love it when I watch a movie and leave super driven. Seeing people change the world, live their best lives, and work passionately fills my heart with so much joy and inspiration that I carry with me.

Right now, I’m watching The Bold Type. I didn’t expect to love it as much as I do, but every time I turn it on, my mood changes. I feel powerful and committed to my work, just like the three female protagonists. Their energy and vibrancy are contagious, opening me up to a life path I had never particularly thought of.  For those pre-meds, I know a lot of my friends love Grey’s Anatomy for its setting and environment. It’s not the most accurate but it’s TV and still offers a scoop on the behind-the-scenes of a hospital. For pre-law, How To Get Away With Murder, and for psych, Bull.

Live a life you’re proud to call your own.

I don’t plan on my future self looking back at my years with one ounce of regret, one ounce of “oh, I could’ve done this so differently” or “wow, I could’ve accomplished so much more”. And neither should you.  We work too hard right now to force ourselves to settle for anything less than where our potential can take us. Move mountains and change the world because no dream is too large for you.

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12 Strategies to Deal with the Ups and Downs of Entrepreneurship

Strategies for Ups and Downs of Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship is the buzzword these days, and everyone wants to hop on it to reap the rewards. The desire to build something on your terms is at the heart of it.It is exciting and adventurous, and if you can make it big, the rewards are mind-blowing. Perhaps that is what draws so many people to the concept of entrepreneurship. What they need to consider is that entrepreneurship is not all smooth sailing. From technical problems to funding, there are all kinds of bumps on the road ahead. On some days, you will find yourself at your lowest and struggle to find the motivation to dust the dirt off and pull yourself back up.

Entrepreneurship is self-driven. There is a lot of blood, sweat, and tears involved, and you will find yourself facing a lot of it alone. This is your vision, and you are the one who has to put in the maximum effort. You have the challenging task of staying true to your vision while doing what needs to be done to make your endeavour a successful business. Be assured, these ups and downs are all part of the process. You need not lose all hope when something goes awry because we are here to tell you how you can work through it.

Seek out a mentor: Learning from a seasoned industry professional will help you out much more than all the textbooks on entrepreneurship in the world. A mentor is someone who has been in this business for a long time, who has made mistakes and learned from them, and who is keen to share their knowledge rather than gatekeep it. By shadowing them, you will be privy to the inner workings of the industry and be able to build valuable connections that will undoubtedly help you someday.

Have a clear vision: Before you embark on the entrepreneurial journey, you need to decide on your goal first. Imagine where you see yourself at the end of this journey. Next, ask yourself how you will get there. Without knowing the map, you will lose your way. A clear vision is what will keep you going when you find yourself unable to be demoralised.

Have a good team: This might be your vision, but you cannot do everything alone. You will need a team of people who are smart, driven, passionate, and, above all, believe in your vision. Their work ethic and commitment can make all the difference.

Celebrate little milestones: Even the smallest win can help people out of motivational sags. Celebrating these small things can help people maintain their energy and avoid burnout.

Be realistic: Don’t be afraid to dream big, but don’t lose touch with reality. You need to devise a plan and follow the parameters you have set for yourself. Going over them can invite problems that will not be easy to overcome.

Patience is a virtue: Entrepreneurship is a marathon. Be mindful of your expectations because entrepreneurship does not bring overnight success. It may be a long time before you see the fruits of your efforts.

Do not lose your composure: Setbacks are to be expected. You can feel frustrated or demoralized, but you cannot let it show. Remember, your team is looking up to you. Your reactions will affect them and bring down energy and productivity.

Take a breather: Take a break if you feel overwhelmed. Take a walk. Hang out with friends. If you spend too much time dwelling on what went wrong, you might lose yourself in it. A break will refresh your energy, and you might gain a new perspective.

Implement agile principles: The agile approach is dynamic and flexible. It is ideal for projects with a lot of uncertainty. From resource management to risk mitigation, agile tools can give you a competitive edge.

Learn from mistakes: Making mistakes is nowhere near as harmful as not learning from your mistakes. If you don’t learn from your mistakes, you are doomed to repeat them. When you make a mistake, circle back and investigate what went wrong. Consider how you could have avoided it. That is how you prevent future mistakes.

Ask for advice: If you are stuck, consult your mentor or tap into your connections and ask for advice. It is easier to find a solution if a problem is looked at from multiple perspectives.

Find a balance: Balancing your entrepreneurial responsibilities and your personal life will be a challenge. Your work-related frustrations can bleed into your personal life and affect your relationships. The reverse is also true. If your private life is turbulent, the negativity will seep into your professional one. Ideally, your private life should be a source of comfort for you. It is what will keep you rooted.

Source: monkslearninglab.com ~ Image: Canva Pro

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