PURPOSEFUL HUSTLE BLOG

Another year is upon us, and that prompts many people to create New Year’s Resolutions (or goals, or objectives) for the year ahead. Even though we’re really just turning the page of the calendar, the psychological effects of the New Year are real. People feel like they have a clean slate, and a chance to head in a new direction. This phenomenon is known as the fresh start effect. This concept claims that “people are better at tackling their goals when they start on so-called temporal landmarks.” A temporal landmark might be the first day of the year, the first of the quarter, or a Monday morning. There is some debate about whether the fresh start effect is a help or a hindrance, but one thing’s for certain: the effect is real. There’s a reason gym attendance increases by 20 percent at the beginning of a new year! How can you use the fresh start effect to create momentum around your work’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices? Try the following 4 steps:

In today’s workforce, it’s possible for five different generations to work alongside one another. Baby Boomers (born between approximately 1946 and 1964), Generation X (1965-1980), and Millennials (1981-1995) comprise the bulk of the workforce, while the Traditionalists (aka The Silent Generation, 1922-1945) and Generation Z (1996-2015) make up a smaller sliver. With people living and working longer, this blended workforce is new and unique. A multi-generational workforce can be a boon to businesses. When people of different ages effectively collaborate, that can result in more innovations and creativity, stronger brand-building, greater inclusivity, and knowledge sharing. However, multi-generational workplaces can also be a breeding ground for conflict and misunderstandings. A report by AARP reveals that “60 percent of workers report the presence of generational conflict in their workplace.” This conflict might be caused by differences in communication, values, goals, culture, or more. As a leader, how can you minimize conflict and effectively lead a multi-generational team? Try the following four approaches:

Whether consciously or not, certain people are often unsupported in their professional development. A company’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts should not stop with recruiting a diverse set of people. Rather, it is crucial to nurture diverse talent and provide equal opportunities and support systems for traditionally underrepresented individuals to advance. Why nurture traditionally underrepresented talent?

Picture yourself in a team meeting. One of the more vocal team members proposes a strategy to address a current problem, and everyone nods and agrees without question. The team doesn’t consider other options or examine potential issues with the proposed strategy. No one voices an alternative idea. Instead, everyone moves on. This is an example of groupthink. In essence, groupthink involves making a decision as a group without much critical thought, discussion, feedback, or dissention. This term was coined in the 1950s, but was popularized by psychologist Irving Janis, who published a book called Groupthink in 1972 (revised in 1982). Chances are, you’ve experienced some form of groupthink.

When you think about marketing your business, you might be overwhelmed by dollar signs. Social media ads, promotional videos, marketing professionals—these things all cost money. But there are several low-cost (or no cost!) ways to market your business. Here are my top 7 suggestions:

If you’re like me, you probably think you can do it all. You are independent, have a DIY attitude, and set a ridiculously high bar for yourself. Even when you know you should ask for help, you don’t. You keep pushing until you’re burned out, or until you realize you should have called upon a professional to build your website or run your marketing campaign. If this all sounds a little too familiar, I challenge you to shift your thinking. You cannot and should not do everything yourself. For one, you are not an expert in everything (nor should you be!), and sometimes it’s best to hire out work that isn’t in your wheelhouse. Secondly, you’re busy! You frankly don’t have time to do everything yourself, and hiring out/delegating certain tasks can free up your schedule so you can tackle the work you’re passionate about—work that’s at the core of your business. To help your business grow and flourish, consider engaging the services of the following six people...

Two words that many small business owners, freelancers, and solopreneurs dread are TAX TIME. The term conjures images of spreadsheets, folders brimming with crinkled receipts, and complicated forms. Even if you’re a “numbers person,” this time of year can still feel daunting. Many of us are already busy with the day-to-day demands of our businesses, so tossing tax obligations into the mix can feel downright overwhelming. What to do? Fortunately, it is getting easier to file your annual taxes. Technology is a big help (hello, e-filing!), and many resources are available to walk you through the process. You can also simplify your tax season by following these six steps:

Jessica Faust founded BookEnds, a literary agency, in 1999. Since then, the agency has represented over 300 authors and illustrators, some of which are New York Times and USA Today bestsellers. BookEnds is dedicated to inclusivity and strives to represent diverse voices across all genres. Today, BookEnds is a team of 16, comprised of literary agents and support staff. Jessica is the president of BookEnds and a literary agent.

Nicole Saavedra is the founder of Nicole Christine Styling LLC, where she helps unlock inner potential with outer transformations. Focusing on makeup artistry, hairstyling, and skincare, Nicole uses quality products to style her clients for special occasions such as weddings, work functions, anniversary parties, and professional photo sessions. Operating since 2012, Nicole Christine Styling has won several awards and accolades, including the Couples’ Choice Award from Wedding Wire, the Editor’s Choice Award from Wedding Rule, and a recent “Best of” Award for makeup artistry from the City of Milwaukee. Recently, the company has added a high-quality, proprietary skincare and cosmetic line. Nicole is passionate about her work and aims to infuse her clients with the confidence to let their inner beauty shine.

Last week, we discussed the need for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), why it matters, and how companies can begin to center themselves around DEI. This week, we’re going to dig into one particular aspect of DEI: creating a DEI-focused business plan. No matter if you’re a one-person shop or working in a Fortune 500 company, it is crucial to have a business plan that reflects your company’s values, ethics, and mission. Words matter. Remember that old saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me”? That was a convenient lie for anyone who wanted to insult or belittle others without consequences! But the truth is, words can have a profound impact. When you’re creating or reworking your business plan, consider the language imbedded in it. Ask yourself:   Is it inclusive?   Will it attract a more vibrant and diverse workforce?   Does it reflect a genuine desire to support DEI work?   Does it put people before profits? In addition to examining the language of your organization’s business plan, it’s a good idea to go through each section and rework them to reflect the company you want to become. Change starts from the top, down, and from the inside, out. A business plan is as “inside” as it gets. It is the core of the organization and should reflect its integral values and moral standards. To center your company around DEI, try reworking the following sections of your business plan: