What do you want to accomplish in 2020 and beyond?

Each year I review the top lessons I learned, taken from the most interesting interviews I did and my own personal experiences as an entrepreneur.

This year I had the opportunity to have conversations with many amazing entrepreneurs, ranging from trailblazing artists to billionaire software CEOs. I also overcame burnout, discovered my true passions, and founded a new software company called Endpass.

Investor and software entrepreneur Heather R Morgan stands in front of art

Here are my top 8 insights from 2019 which you can apply to the coming year:

Zoom CEO Eric Yuan had one of the biggest tech IPOs of 2019. I was fortunate enough to meet Yuan many years ago when his company had less than one hundred employees. Yuan has always inspired me to be a better entrepreneur and person, as well as a more selfless leader.

Yuans advice for successfully running the startup marathon: Focus on your product, company culture, and recruiting the right team. You'll be better equipped for the ride when you've done these things. Running a startup can be overwhelming and feel impossible sometimes, but breaking down your priorities into these areas makes it seem more manageable. I think that patience is also the key to healthy growth and longevity for a company and its team.

It took severe burnout to make me discover my love for rap and other creative pursuits. I was so obsessed with work and my business goals that I forgot why I wanted to achieve them in the first place. Ive always loved writing, but during burnout I suffered from writers block, for the first time in my life. My creative passion was gone, and I had forgotten the joy of true self-expression.

Creating my rap persona, Razzlekhan, helped me rediscover that happiness, and reminded me of other creative talents I had completely forgotten for years. For a while, I was terrified that burnout would creep back again, but rap and other art forms have helped me create work life balance and given me a wonderful space for self-expression. Since I created Razzlekhan, I have been the happiest Ive ever been. My only wish is that I had done this sooner.

Technically I interviewed Awkwafina last year, well before Oceans 8 and Crazy Rich Asians came out, but I keep thinking about our conversation. Not only did it inspire my own creative pursuits, but to be more shameless as a female entrepreneur and leader. Like Awkwafina, I grew up a weird only child who never really fit in. Just as Awkwafinas childhood hero Margaret Cho inspired her to shamelessly do her own thing, even if it was the last thing people expected from her, my conversation with Awkwafina motivated me to take a big risk with self-expression.

I didnt realize it for a while, but it was my conversations with rappers Awkwafina and Mickey Avalon that subconsciously inspired me to start rapping and create Razzlekhan. Something else Awkwafina said also sticks out in my mind: Shamelessness is especially important for women because a lot of times it gets confused with courage. I actually think Awkwafina-level shamelessness takes great courage, whether she realizes it or not, but I hope my own shamelessness can encourage others (especially underdogs) to unabashedly be their real selves.

My interview with fashion art darling and badass female entrepreneur, Ashley Longshore, had a big impact on my year. If you dont know who Longshore is, shes the one doing the iconic feminist pop art you might see in places like Bergdorf Goodman. She regularly collaborates with brands like Gucci, and her paintings, which selling millions in hours on Instagram, feature everything from Lil Wayne to Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Our conversation not only inspired me to strive for the next level of self-confidence, but her thoughts on fearlessly blazing your own path echoed my own life motto, Be a goat; not a sheep.

Anyone trying to do their own thing whether theyre an artist or an entrepreneur knows how difficult but important this is. While society loves celebrating innovative icons like Steve Jobs or Salvador Dali, there were many times when they were met with more criticism than popular support. While resilience is one of the most critical factors in success, staying authentic is a major precursor to happiness.

Its hard to pick just one tip from Keith Krach because everytime I talk to him I learn so much about leadership, business, and professional development. Keith Krach is the former CEO of two multi-billion dollar companies, Docusign and Ariba, and now works with the US State Department, furthering Americas global economic interests. After recovering from burnout, I was very careful about deciding what kind of software company I wanted to build next. I knew whatever it was, it had to have a noble mission I could feel passionate about since I might be dedicating the next 10 years of my life to this company.

Krachs words greatly inspired me to move forward with my new software company, Endpass, which strives to stop global fraud, cybercrime and terrorism through AI-driven identity verification.

Adam Foroughi is an aficionado of productivity. As a young father of five and the CEO of a billion dollar software company, AppLovin, Foroughi has to be. What impressed me so much was Foroughis dedication to a meritocratic company cutlure, no matter how big that business becomes. Because of that, he doesnt believe in pedigree, and would rather hire the person who struggled and took the road less-traveled over the Stanford or Harvard MBA.

By operating AppLovin under a culture of just get stuff done, and making sure his team only invites people to meetings if they will personally get value from the event, Foroughi truly embodies the idea of think big, act small.

Although Vietnamese immigrant entrepreneur Johnny Dang designs diamond jewelry and other bling for hip hops biggest stars, like Kanye West, Beyonce, Migos and Cardi B, he is all about staying humble and working hard. In my interview with Dang, he offered this timeless wisdom, Success doesnt always last, especially if youre complacent. This is true for entrepreneurs and rappers with hit songs; you have to keep working hard if you dont want to just be a one hit wonder. And thats something everyone should remember.

Fear of loss often drives people to make really bad decisions. But being afraid to cut your losses, and not walking away from time or money youve already sunk into something thats not working out can prevent you from being your happiest and most successful. So dont be afraid of letting go of sunk costs you already spent: instead remind yourself of all the potential amazing opportunities youre missing out on (opportunity cost) when you dont cut that loss.

Do you have other insights from 2019 youd like to share? Id love to hear about them.

Read more:
Use These 8 Insights From Trailblazers and Top Entrepreneurs To Make 2020 Your Best Year Yet - Forbes

December 30, 2019 08:00 ET | Source: Hemp, Inc.

Las Vegas, NV, Dec. 30, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NEWMEDIAWIRE --Hemp, Inc.(OTC PINK: HEMP) a global leader in the industrial hemp industry with bi-coastal processing centers, including the largest multipurpose industrial hemp processing facility in the western hemisphere, announced today its support for the U.S. Department of Agricultures new crop insurance option for hemp growers in select counties of 21 states in 2020.

The insurance program will provide Actual Production History (APH) coverage under 508(h) Multi-Peril Crop Insurance (MPCI). The MPCI coverage is for hemp grown for grain, fiber, and CBD oil for the 2020 crop year. This offering comes in addition to the Whole-Farm Revenue Protection coverage program available to hemp growers that was announced earlier this year.

This new pilot insurance program is open to eligible producers in certain counties in Alabama, California, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture gave hemp farmers a huge Christmas gift this holiday season by creating a new kind of crop insurance for hemp producers in 21 states, just in time for the coming crop year, said Bruce Perlowin, CEO of Hemp, Inc. The new crop insurance option for hemp growers is a groundbreaking program because it brings hemp closer to other commodity crops and reduces risks for producers.

According to a June 2019 market research report published by MarketsandMarkets, the industrial hemp market is projected to grow from $4.6 billion in 2019 to $26.6 billion by 2025, recording a compound annual growth rate of 34.0% during the forecast period.

Additionally, beginning with the 2021 crop year, hemp will be insurable under the Nursery crop insurance program and the Nursery Value Select pilot crop insurance program. Hemp will be insurable if it is grown in containers and in accordance with federal regulations, any applicable state or tribal laws, and terms of the crop insurance policy.

To see one-minute videos of Hemp, Inc.s current activities, visit Bruce Perlowins personalFacebook page, where he shares daily posts of Hemp, Inc.s activities around the country.

WHAT IS HEMP, INC.?

What is Hemp, Inc.? With a deep-rooted social and environmental mission at its core, Hemp, Inc. seeks to build a business constituency for the American small farmer, the American veteran, and other groups experiencing the ever-increasing disparity between tapering income and soaring expenses. As a leader in the industrial hemp industry with ownership of the largest commercial multi-purpose industrial hemp processing facility in North America, Hemp, Inc. believes there can be tangible benefits reaped from adhering to a corporate social responsibility plan.

HEMP, INC.S PROPRIETARY HEMP FLOWER DRYING SYSTEM

Unwavering in its commitment to the industrial hemp industry,Hemp, Inc. disclosed the successful development of its innovative hemp flower drying system for smokable hemp flower. Highly efficient, this compact proprietary hemp flower drying system is fast, drying in only 3 days as opposed to the traditional 7 days while maintaining the critical terpene profile of the product. To be unveiled at its Oregon location, Hemp, Inc. executives expect this advanced hemp flower drying system to bring in excess of $10,000,000 in revenue for the company from the Oregon 2019 harvest season. The drying process lends itself to creating Hemp, Inc.s high quality range of King of Hemp pre-rolls and, of course, high CBD hemp flower. The sheer size and scope of the crop in Oregon is nothing short of amazing and is expected to be a massive game changer for Hemp, Inc.

To read the full release on Hemp, Inc.s proprietary hemp flower drying system, clickhere.

HEMP, INC.S TEN DIVISIONS

Hemp, Inc. has been helping to build the industrial hemp infrastructure that was basically non-existent in America. There are now ten divisions:

Division One The Industrial Hemp Infrastructure

Division Two The Hemp Farming Infrastructure

Division Three The Hemp Extraction Infrastructure

Division Four The Hemp Educational Infrastructure

Division Five The Hemp Marketing Infrastructure

Division Six Accessories, Products and Services

Division Seven Research and Development

Division Eight Industrial Hemp Investments and Joint Ventures

Division Nine Industrial Hemp Consulting

Division Ten Educational Entertainment

Division OneThe Industrial Hemp Infrastructure

The Industrial Hemp Infrastructure(Division One)currently consists of two hemp processing facilities across the country, with two more under development, which will include an in-house third party testing laboratory. The largest of the two is its multi-purpose industrial hemp processing facility and milling operation inSpring Hope, North Carolina. Its the largest industrial hemp processing center in the western hemisphere and has grown to become one of the pre-eminent centers of the industrial hemp industry. The 85,000 square foot facility sits on 9-acres.It is environmentally sustainable and was built from the ground up in hopes of Making America Hemp Again." With a patent pending manufacturing process, the North Carolina facility is operating full time to process millions of pounds of our unique kenaf-hemp blend, to manufacture all-greennatural loss circulation materials (LCMs) that are to be sold to the oil and gas drilling industry, along with an all-green natural oil spill absorbent, a second industrial kenaf-hemp product called Spill-Be-Gone. (See http://www.ihempman.com)

In addition to the companysindustrial hemp processing facility in Spring Hope, North Carolina, Hemp, Inc. also has one of the most sophisticated local processing centers (LPC) in Medford, Oregon which focuses on hemp harvesting, drying, curing, trimming, bagging, storing, and in some cases selling high CBD hemp for local farmers and the Companys own hemp grows in that area, and post processing for the CBD industry. The Companys main focus is the King of Hemp pre-rolls and high CBD smokeable buds a new phenomenon of smoking hemp which has caught the marketplace by storm.

Hemp, Inc. also has 4,500 acres of land in Golden Valley, Arizona(90 miles from Las Vegas, 30 miles north of Kingman, AZ). Out of the 4,500 acres of land, 500 acres are designated for the Veterans Village Kins Community (VVKC) for Arizona. Hemp, Inc. is preparing 80+ acres, of the 500 acres, for hemp cultivation. The company aims to boost the economies of these towns by offering affordable hemp processing services, which incentivizes local growers to add hemp to their crop rotation. The company is continuing to scout new locations for local processing centers in Florida, Puerto Rico, West Virginia, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire and several other states.

Thus far, Hemp, Inc.s Local Processing Center (LPC) in Oregon has employed over 200 employees during its 2018 harvest season and over 300 employees during its 2019 harvest season to further support the infrastructure necessary for local and large scale farmers operating in the industrial hemp space.

Division TwoThe Hemp Farming Infrastructure

The Hemp Farming Infrastructure(Division Two)consists of hundreds of acres of hemp and kenaf growing in multiple locations, farm equipment, cloning rooms, clones and seeds, grow rooms, greenhouses, hemp drying facilities and a huge amount of peripheral farming tools and equipment. The progress Hemp, Inc. has made in its agricultural endeavors, over the course of three years, has been amazing.(To see Hemp, Inc.s agricultural progress from 2016 through 2019, visit Bruce Perlowins personal Facebook page atwww.facebook.com/kingofpotand scroll through posts from 2016 to the present. Visitwww.hempincpresents.comto see the videos of Hemp, Inc.s grows in multiple locations.)

Hemp, Inc. also has a model Small Family Farm in North Carolina situated on 12 acres that consists of a cloning room, a greenhouse, and enough land to grow 2,000-3,000 high CBD hemp plants.(This model farm can be seen on Bruce Perlowin's Facebook page, in the Aug. 22nd - 26th, 2018 posts.)The model shows farmers how to grow high CBD hemp plants, operate a greenhouse and turn a barn into a cloning room to earn up to $500,000+ a year. This shows an example of how the Small Family Farm can be duplicated and reappear on the American landscape. After all, the original small family farms in America were able to survive economically by growing hemp as their main cash crop and the first five presidents of the United States were all hemp farmers.

According to Perlowin, the company is preparing to grow on up to 500 acres of land in Oregon, 300 acres in Arizona (maybe more), hundreds of acres in NC (combination of hemp and kenaf), and an undetermined amount in other states. He says collective sales from all these grows will be extremely significant in terms of pre-rolls, high CBD buds, distillate, isolate and biomass. By 2020, we anticipate the main function of the company will be sales and marketing as we will have completed the infrastructure to support that sales and marketing. Right now, I believe we have the largest footprint with vertical integration in the hemp industry in America today. We are always looking for joint ventures where we have or can expand our footprint, commented Perlowin.

Moreover, A to Z services for the farmers are available - from harvesting to drying, bagging, curing, storing, nitrogen sparging, machine trimming, hand trimming, and selling, creating a one stop shop for the small to large family farms. And with the soon-to-be addition of our third party, on-sitetesting labs from Digipath Labs, local farmers can do their testing, processing and selling in the same place. Digipath Labs brings their proprietary ISO-17025:2017 accredited standard operating procedures and testing protocols, to establish, maintain, and operate each lab.

DigipathLabs will bring state-of-the-art equipment, lab expertise, proprietary operating procedures and management to Hemp, Inc.s rapidly growing locations to ensure the highest quality of goods before entering the marketplace. They will provide all necessary laboratory-expertise and related management services to develop and operate each Lab, including purchasing and maintenance of the laboratory instrumentation, as well as hiring and comprehensive training of lab personnel.

Without an in-house, third-party testing laboratory, products in need of testing would need to be transported off site, which could mean waiting days or even weeks for results. The addition ofDigipath Labsat Hemp, Inc.s production centers will expedite testing processes and further support new business developments.(For more information on Digipath Labs, visit http://www.digipathlabs.com.)

Division ThreeThe Hemp Extraction Infrastructure

The Hemp CBD Oil Extraction Infrastructure(Division Three)originally consisted of a Supercritical C02 Extractor. After operating for over a year it has been determined that Hemp, Inc. will be upgrading to a much larger and advanced alcohol extraction process. These large-scale extractors are expected to be placed in all additional hemp processing arenas, thus completing this part of building the industrial hemp infrastructure. The CBD oil that we extracted from our 2018 hemp grows in North Carolina has been made into pure crystalline CBD isolate which we will add to our King of Hemp branded line of pre-rolls to bring to the marketplace and a pre-roll fortified with pure crystalline CBD isolate.

Prior to building its own extraction laboratories, Hemp, Inc. plans to utilize the facilities of other labs in the industry to manufacture its own line of CBD oil products while they continue to build and expand the infrastructure for pre-rolls and high CBD smokeable buds. The Company will hire or joint venture with other, already existing, labs to manufacture CBD, CBG, CBN, and other products in our future cannabinoid line. With 113 different cannabinoids, over 300 terpenes, and more of each being discovered almost monthly, the product range and possibilities in this area are endless.

Division FourThe Hemp Educational Infrastructure

The Hemp Educational Infrastructure(Division Four)includes Hemp, Inc.'sHemp Universitywhich focuses on educating and empoweringHemp farmers and entrepreneurswith knowledge, processing, infrastructure and support. Theeducational seminars, through the Hemp University, are held periodically and teach farmers and landowners how to create a profitable income stream by maximizing the per-acre crop revenue. Through this division, Hemp, Inc. has trained well over 500 farmers in its first two years by doing a total of nine Hemp University seminars in North Carolina and Oregon, thus far, which include:

The Pre-Harvest Symposium September 8, 2019 (Oregon)

The Pre-Harvest Symposiumworkshop at Southern Oregon University was expertly designed for both farmers and entrepreneurs of all experience levels, focused on harvesting, processing and profit channels within the hemp industry.The third edition of the Southern Oregon Hemp University brought an abundance of insight into innovations within the realm of harvesting and processing to the forefront. Additionally, the symposium touched on traditional practices in agriculture.(See Bruce Perlowins personalFacebook post on 9/9/19for a short video on this symposium.)

Pre-Plant Support Workshop May 4, 2019 (Oregon)

The Pre-Plant Support Workshopwas an incredible success that filled the entire venue to capacity with attendees. In total, there were close to 200 attendees, including 20 vendors in attendance. The workshop was designed to help hemp farmers or those who are interested in the hemp industry learn the best pre-planting practices prior to the planting season.The Hemp University Pre-Planting Support Workshop was an interactive and informative workshop that covered the various details hemp farmers should know prior to planting in the 2019 season and beyond.(See Bruce Perlowins personalFacebook post on 5/9/19for a short video on this workshop.)

The Hemp University Educational Seminar- March 23, 2019 (Oregon)

This was the first Hemp University held on the West Coast. The seminar provided attendees with a full day of networking, education, and support.The seminar helped others in the area who were interested in the hemp industry learn more about the Industrial Hemp Revolution and how this movement can not only transform Southern Oregons economy, but also revive family farms and small businesses in the surrounding areas.(See Bruce Perlowins personalFacebook post on 3/28/19for a short video on this seminar.)

Growing Hemp for Profit March 10, 2018 (North Carolina)The Hemp Universitys first educationalsymposiumevent of 2018 entitledGrowing Hemp for Profittook place on Saturday, March 10, 2018. Attendees learned from the Universitys industrial hemp experts as they shared their lessons from their experiences in growing industrial hemp.Growing Hemp for Profit,which took place from 8:30am to 5 pm at the Hilton Garden Inn in Charlotte, North Carolina.(See Bruce Perlowinspersonal Facebook post on 3/17/18for a short video on this symposium.)

Hemp Money Event: Economics, Lessons & Planning for 2018 December 2, 2017 (North Carolina)

The fifth most vital and anticipated educational symposium of the year was Hemp Money Event: Economics, Lessons & Planning for 2018. This symposium was held on Saturday, December 2, 2017 from 8:30am to 5:00pm at the Shrine Club (320 Airport Rd, Rocky Mount, NC 27804). Attendees learned the economics of growing industrial hemp for fiber, seeds, and CBD; learned about other master POD growers experiences and lessons; and, learned how to prepare for the 2018 industrial hemp growing season with a well-defined blueprint for success.(See Bruce Perlowins personalFacebook post on 12/23/17for a short video on this symposium.)

The Hemp Oil Event: The Art and Science of CBD Oil September 30, 2017 (North Carolina)

The Hemp Oil Event (The Art & Science of CBD Oil) was The Hemp Universitys fourth symposium in North Carolina, held on Saturday, September 30, 2017 from 8:30am to 5:00pm at the Peachtree Hills Country Club, 3512 Peachtree Hills Road, Spring Hope, NC 27882.The symposium brought attendees up to speed on all business and scientific aspects of Industrial Hemp CBD cannabinoids by disseminating current, reliable information that continues to shape the revolutionary CBD market. Attendees also got a chance to go to Hemp, Inc.s, then, 70,000 square foot multipurpose industrial hemp decortication facility for the first live public demonstration of its Supercritical CO2 Extraction System using North Carolina-grown CBD industrial hemp. Representatives from NuAxon Bioscience were also on-site to allow those interested in purchasing their own CBD extraction system.(See Bruce Perlowins personalFacebook post on 9/30/17for a short video on this symposium.)

The Art and Science of CBD Greenhouse Growing June 24, 2017 (North Carolina)

The3rd Hemp Universityeducational symposium held on June 24, 2017 focused on The Art and Science of CBD Greenhouse Growing.The educational symposium was held at Louisburg College in Louisburg, North Carolina.A team of experts engaged attendees through the greenhouse and indoor growing process from cultivation to harvest and from processing to distribution. Dr. Robert Bruck, Dean of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics and Distinguished Professor of Environmental Science at Louisburg College, was The Hemp Universitys special guest who lectured on soil microbiology during the symposium.Attendees were able to spend half of the course at Hemp, Inc.s, then, 70,000 square-foot Industrial Hemp Hub, in a 3,000 square-foot cloning room.There, attendees had the opportunity to experience a more hands-on learning approach.(See Bruce Perlowins personalFacebook post on 6/30/17for a short video on this symposium.)

Farming Hemp for Profit April 29, 2017(North Carolina)

Hemp, Inc.s second, sold out, educationalsymposium(Farming HEMP for Profit), through its Hemp University, was a phenomenal success. Thesymposiumtook place on Saturday, April 29, 2017, from 8:30am 5:00pm, at the Hampton Inn & Suites located at 3920 Arrow Drive, Raleigh, NC27612 and drew over 100 attendees. The one-day educational symposium and tour of Hemp, Inc.s, then, 70,000 square-foot multipurpose industrial hemp facility was an opportunity for landowners and farmers to learn how to apply real business building tactics with a specific step-by-step blueprint on how to grow, sell and profit from farming industrial hemp.This event accomplished its mission to help landowners and farmers add a new viable and profitable income stream by maximizing the per-acre crop revenue.(See Bruce Perlowins personalFacebook post on 4/30/17for a short video on this symposium.)

Farming Hemp for Profit March 18, 2017 (North Carolina)

This was Hemp, Inc.s firstHemp University symposium. The symposium was a sold out event and was a huge success with 100 attendees who rated the quality of information presented as excellent.The symposium took place on Saturday, March 18, 2017, from 8:00am 5:00pm, at Hemp, Inc.s wholly owned subsidiary,Industrial Hemp Manufacturing, LLC, located at 1436 Highway 581 North, Spring Hope, North Carolina, 27882.The one-day educational symposium was an opportunity for landowners and farmers to receive a specific step-by-step blueprint on how to grow, sell and profit from farming industrial hemp by using real business tactics and principles, presented by industry experts.(See Bruce Perlowins personalFacebook posts on 3/18-19 and 3/21-26, 2019 for a short videos on this symposium.)

The Hemp University is expected to hold its next Post-Harvest Symposium and the first ever Golden Grow Awards Gala, in Oregon, in collaboration with the Southern Oregon Hemp Co-op and GreenLeaf Lab during the first quarter of 2020(tentatively, January 26, 2020). The Golden Grow Awards Gala is a joint effort to recognize, evaluate and honor excellence in the industrial hemp field.

To listen to past Hemp University workshops, please visithemp-university.teachable.com. Also visithttps://www.hempincpresents.comto see highlights from Hemp, Inc.s inaugural Hemp University held in North Carolina, which sold out in two weeks.

The Hemp Universitys twelveonline educational masterclassesare $10 each and each masterclass is under an hour in length. The online courses include lectures from industry leaders who have educated attendees at the Hemp University workshops in Oregon. These online masterclasses provide farmers who were either not able to attend the first Hemp University or who would like to revisit certain topics presented by the event speakers.

Those interested in attending, presenting or showcasing at Hemp, Inc.sHemp University, for Oregon, may contact Sophia Blanton via email (hempu@hempinc.com). For other states and to be part of our online courses, all experts in any aspect of the industrial hemp industry, contact Chris Tinney on (855) 554-6834 or via email at (ctinney@hempinc.com).

According to executives, there are also plans in the near future to expand The Hemp University to other states, including Arizona, through a variety of different formats. The eco-village in Arizona will serve as the venue for interactive and hands-on camping events which will focus on building with hemp-crete and other hemp construction materials, as well as growing hemp and the various aspects of organic gardening/farming, natural bee-keeping and other back-to-the-land and small family farm educational courses.

Since The Hemp Universitys initial launch with the educational symposium, the number of attendees has grown tremendously and it has been an overwhelming success, each time.The interactive, hands-on learning approach is invaluable. By learning inan interactive cohort format, students gain the necessary skills they need to immediately implement them on their farm or in their organization. Its the perfect mix of quality instruction, relevant educational content and a high level of commitment, to ensure the educational success of each attendee, said Perlowin.

Thus far, The Hemp University has helped transformthe livelihoods of North Carolina and Oregon farmers transitioning from tobacco and other crops to industrial hemp by providing them with the tools and support needed to gain a foothold in this burgeoning industry.

Division FiveThe Hemp Marketing Infrastructure

While marketing is a critical facet of any business operation for increasing revenues, Hemp, Inc. believes there must be a keen focus on the infrastructure first. The demand for CBD and hemp products is massive, some even say the demand is insatiable. In order to supply that type of volume/demand, there has to be a strong foundation or infrastructure in place. While Hemp, Inc. is poised to grow a rock solid Hemp Marketing Infrastructure, CEO Perlowin reminds us that this infrastructure has to be able to support a meteoric industry growth.The cannabidiol (CBD) market is on track to grow to $23.7 billion through 2023, according to theBrightfield Group. The firm also estimated the smokeable hemp market to be valued at $11.5 million in 2018, a growth of 250% from 2017. This is why we focus on infrastructure, at the moment, more so than specific marketing activities, says Perlowin. Specific marketing activities isnt the issue. The ability to grow, process and produce what the marketplace is demanding is the issue and hence the reason we focused on creating the infrastructure first.

The company has also recently joint-ventured with the retail store Hemp Healthcare, in Dolan Springs, Arizona, to sell high-end cannabidiol (CBD) and hemp-based products. Hemp Healthcare is home to an array of renowned CBD and hemp products, including Hemp, Inc.s cosmetic and wellness line that includes shampoos, lotions, candles and more. The retail storefront is conveniently located off Highway 93 in Arizona, in a highly trafficked tourist area. Specifically located on Pierce Ferry Road, Hemp Healthcare is next to Dolan Station a location that welcomes numerous tour buses daily with visitors from around the world that stop there on trips to the Grand Canyon. On some days, up to 40 tour buses stop at this location, filled to the brim with tourists on their way to the Sky Walk at the Grand Canyon.

Division SixAccessories, Products and Services

Division Six focuses on the sale of hemp industry accessories such as the sale of extractors,harvesters, storage bags, containers,fertilizer, soil amendments, humidifiers, dehumidifiers, balers, greenhouses, and greenhouse equipment; the drying, trimming, curing, storing and brokering for other farmers harvesting hemp; and ultimately anything else a hemp farmer may need to be successful.

What we found is that people are always looking for hundreds of items. New harvesting equipment, irrigation equipment of all kinds, soil amendments, organic soil fertilizers, organic pest control products, new extraction technologies and more, said Perlowin.

Division SevenResearch and Development

While Research and Development has been an integral part of Hemp, Inc. since day one, a more formal research and development project is planned after significant revenues are created. This division will then start and expand rapidly. The Company originally planned for Puerto Rico, but found the barrier to entrance was much too great and has therefore changed its position to focus its research and development division on states where hemp is already legal. Hemp, Inc. is proud to have been a pioneer and leader in the early stages of the hemp industry in America with our strategy to build infrastructure even before legalization occurred in a state such as what was done in North Carolina and Arizona.

According to Hemp, Inc.s CEO, Bruce Perlowin, Currently, it is now economically more advantageous to operate in a state that already has several years of legalization behind it and thus, further down the road, making it easier for hemp companies to thrive as we have done in North Carolina, Arizona, Nevada and especially Oregon. Weve hit a grand slam in Oregon, so to speak, in our growing operations for 2 consecutive years. We may revisit Puerto Rico once they have straightened out their legal red tape, and their rules and regulations.

Division EightIndustrial Hemp Investments and Joint Ventures

Hemp, Inc. recently established the eighth division(Industrial Hemp Investments and Joint Ventures). Since the passing of the 2018 hemp bill, Hemp, Inc. has been flooded with inquiries of people who want to invest in the hemp industry but dont know where to start. As the Avant-guard of the industrial hemp industry, Hemp, Inc. has put together numerous joint venture investment opportunities for the medium to large-scale investor. Those who are interested should emailir@hempinc.com. Multi-million dollar investors, and in some cases billionaires and billion dollar hedge funds, are aggressively trying to get into the hemp industry since the passing of the 2018 Farm Bill. Our joint venture agreements are that they put up the money and we put up the expertise in a 50/50 revenue share(after all the initial investment money is paid back first). This will save the large-scale hemp investor often two years and dozens of multi-million dollar mistakes that they WILL often make without an expert in the hemp industry. This is where Hemp, Inc.s vast network of experts and resources in the industrial hemp industry come into play because this is something that can easily be provided to those interested in entering this industry.

Division NineIndustrial Hemp Consulting

Hemp, Inc.s Industrial Hemp and Medical Marijuana Consulting Company (IHMMCC) was recently restructured as its ninth division and is now Division Nine - Industrial Hemp Consulting. With an influx of public companies wanting to expand into the industrial hemp industry, Hemp, Inc. has been inundated with potential consulting agreements.To keep up, Hemp, Inc. revamped its consulting division to work hands-on with each company to provide its years of expertise.According to Perlowin, there is definitely a sense of Community of Companies whereby a lot of companies are working together to pool their resources, marketing connections and strategies in order to grow simultaneously.

Typically, companies seeking in depth consulting services from Hemp, Inc. pay mostly in stock since cash flow is oftentimes tight during the developmental stage of start-up companies in this industry. Through Hemp, Inc.s Division Nine Industrial Hemp Consulting, a wide range of services are forged from the experiences of creating the first publicly trading company in the cannabis sector (Medical Marijuana, Inc.) and having well over a decade of experience in the cannabis industrys public sector. Perlowin, Hemp, Inc.s chief executive officer also has over five decades in the industry itself.

Division TenEducational Entertainment

Hemp, Inc.s newest division, Entertainment, will cover everything from investing in the movieThe Adventures of the King of Pot(http://www.kingofpotthemovie.com/)and other historical movies, books and documentaries representing our industry up to the current docuseries being made onThe Modern Day History of Hemp. Those interested in investing in any one of these ventures should contact the divisions Project Manager, Chris Tinney, at 855-554-6834 or via email,ctinney@hempinc.com.

VETERAN VILLAGE KINS COMMUNITIES

To see the livestream feed for the Veterans Village Kins Community Arizona, visitwww.hempinc.com/arizonaand click on View Live Feed.

The companys 500-acre strategic growing partner Veteran Village Kins Community in Golden Valley, Arizona, is designed to grow hemp and produce CBD products to benefit veterans as well as generate revenue for Hemp, Inc., the Veteran Village and individual veterans living in the community.

TheVeteran Village Kins Community in Arizona has completed its final site plan blueprints for its 500-acre site in Golden Valley, Arizona(20 miles north of Kingman, AZ and 90 minutes from Las Vegas, NV). The site plan was submitted to the Mohave County Building Department for final review. The Company is also in the final stages of completing the necessary infrastructure to support an off-grid, renewable, energy system.

As soon as all the live streaming video cameras are up and operational, the world can actually see the way the Veteran Village Kins Community is designed and watch it being built. According to Perlowin, the basic framework or overall plan of the Veteran Village Kins Communities is to create a holistic healing and learning center that is designed to educate and heal veterans with PTSD, alcoholism, meth addiction, opioid addiction, and other psychological conditions while at the same time training them on the numerous aspects of being part of the emerging multi-billion dollar hemp industry. To see the first live streaming video, clickhere.

The Company will also build hemp-growing communities for other groups such as Abused Women & Children Village Kins Communities, the Orphaned Children Village Kins Communities, Homeless Village Kins Communities, and the Healers Village Kins Communities (the healers are professionals who are knowledgeable in the modalities to treat these traumatized groups). These particular communities are all synergistically aligned to work simultaneously supporting each other.

For example, the Healers heal the traumatized veterans and women & children; the women support orphan children, and orphan children want to see people living in homes and not homeless. Thus, a portion of the hemp grown in each community goes to create and support another community, giving everybody a sense of giving back and helping others as they help themselves. This circles back to the healers who also work to heal the veterans and the other traumatized groups. This is the economic foundation on how the sale of the hemp products operates as a quantum economic matrix or an example of symbiotic economics which is more complex than this brief description allows.

Dwight Jory, the Project Manager for the Veteran Village Kins Community Arizona, Inc., said, We are very happy with the progress. Our Kins Community is really beginning to come together. In anticipation of planting to begin during the spring, 300 acres have been fenced, 16 overnight trailer park sites are under construction, and six 4040-ft organic vegetable gardens have been planted and are currently producing food and kenaf, according to Jory. These organic gardens double as experimental growing modules using an entire array of different growing technologies to see which modalities grow the best in a desert environment. As for the 6 geodesic domes mentioned in an earlier press release, 1 is structurally complete with only the electrical and plumbing to be completed. The rest are on site awaiting final site plan approval.

We are now accepting volunteers who have expressed an interest in helping to build the first Kins Community for our veterans, said Jory. Those interested in making the first hemp growing CBD-producing Veteran Village Kins Community become a reality should contact Ms. Sandra Williams via email (swilliams@hempinc.com).

One thousand trees, on 36 of the 500-acres, have also been planted, with an additional 1,000 trees on order. The Veteran Village Kins Community will include a 100,000-square foot GMP compliant, central processing plant, a state-of-the-art testing laboratory, and various health and wellness centers to support veterans who may have psychological, emotional or health issues.

As Hemp, Inc. positions itself on the forefront of Americas industrial hemp revolution, we see our partnership with Veteran Village Kins Community Arizona, Inc. being paramount in supporting the small family farm movement that we are confident will reshape the American landscape, said Perlowin. As we work toward getting our eco-village up and running in Arizona, we are also aggressively scouting strategic locations in other states including North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee and West Virginia. Giving veterans and other Americans a place to learn new skills and take part in this multi-billion-dollar hemp CBD market is very exciting. Its a big part of our mission to give back. Recently we have expanded our Kins Community concept internationally focusing, but not limited to, Israel, New Zealand, Canada, Africa, and Uruguay.

Hemp, Inc. executives are also continuing to scout new locations nationwide to open additional hemp processing centers in legal markets.

PRESS COVERAGE

Between the Hemp University, the hemp processing center and Bruce Perlowin himself, the Company has created an enormous amount of media coverage. See below for the list of press hits the Company has received up to the end of this quarter:

Hit:Hemp: the burgeoning industry of southern Oregon - (NBC) KOBI-5, December 22, 2018

Press Release:Hemp, Inc. Featured on Oregon NBC 5 Station Following Passage of 2018 Farm Bill

Hemp, Inc. Featured on Oregon NBC 5 Station Following Passage of 2018 Farm Bill

Hit:Carolinas next cash crop?: Farm bill will add hemp into more growers rotation - The Wilson Times, December 26, 2018

Excerpt from:
Hemp, Inc. Applauds USDA's New Insurance Option For Hemp - GlobeNewswire

Haley Bogaert, Founder & CEO, Haley Bogaert Face

The beauty industry has grown to become a $532 billion industry and has shown no signs of slowing down. Successful startup founders, like Haley Bogaert, understand that the upward growth is due to the continued use of social media influencers and brand ambassadors, reaching untapped demographics with products that big brands may not offer, utilizing a direct to consumer approach, and aligning themselves with the clean beauty movement by offering sustainable products.

Bogaertwas just 24 when she launched her companyHaley Bogaert Faceafter working as a makeup pro for some of Torontos top beauty brands. Gaining significant experience from her time working under these names, she amassed a loyal following of customers as an in-demand make-up artist and brow guru. However, it was only after the tragic loss of both her mother and brother within six months of each other, that prompted her to rethink her career path and launch her own beauty boutique.

From serving clients out of her apartment to opening a flagship retail storefront, I sat down with Bogaert as she shared the approach she has taken to scale her business and why cultivating a close family dynamic within her team has been one of the greatest keys to her success.

Recognize The Talent Others See In You

Before building a business that currently employs nine staff and has over 4,000 clients in the HB Face system, Bogaert knew what she wanted to do from a young age. She started in the beauty industry working for other notable brands as a means to build her experience and foster relationships, but her future as an entrepreneur was clear. I started doing brows and makeup at 16 and I worked at Caryl Baker Visage. The owner of the store once told me, you're going to run an empire one day and it might be mine or it might be your own, but you belong in this industry. So, I always knew what I wanted to do. It just came natural to me.

Use Tragedy To Fuel Your Destiny

One of the most devastating times in Bogaerts life became her call to action and motivation to create the kind of career she always wanted. The loss of her mother and brother initially affected her headspace and drive as she took time to mourn, It was difficult for me to get out of bed every day, put my makeup on and come to work. I went through a lot of ups and downs, she recalls. The thing that helped me the most was to have a routine in order to stay focused, to be healthy and to clear my mind, Bogaert says.When experiencing hardships in ones life, she recommends celebrating small wins and remembering why you started. Use that why to ground you; find your centre and re-direct your next steps. Finding strength in a support system sharpened her vision as she tried to create and build something of her own. Instead of focusing on the pain of the loss, she turned to the work that fuelled her.

Start Small

Bogaert began seeing clients out of her apartment and doing home visits while selling her line of beauty products via an online shop all while attending business school at night. However, within a year the need to give HB Face its own space was clear. She says, I wanted to give my clients a great environment where they still felt at home. My client list grew rapidly in a short period and I knew I couldnt see 50 people in a day and go to everybody's house anymore. It just wasn't going to work. And I also [at the time] started the makeup line and I wanted to sell the product. Shortly thereafter, Bogaert began location scouting and drafting floor plans for her storefront. Leaning on her own intuition, even when others didnt have the foresight to see the dream, she proceeded without permission. And encourages women to the same. No one can succeed on your behalf. You have to want it [success] for yourself. Once you understand the power you possess as a [business]woman, nothing can stop you.

HB Face team photo

Slow And Steady Wins The Race

Ive always move at a slow and steady pace to ensure everything is running efficiently and my thoughts are organized, Bogaert says. Her decision to open a flagship retail store was a natural progression aligned with her business growth and needs. From house visits, she first moved to a studio space and employed a team of two to help with the demand. Within less than a year, she opened a retail storefront. My advice is to take your time. Learn what resources you need to start your business - whether it be a physical location or online - and raise your hand if you need help from an advisor, coach or mentor, Bogaert states. I break my big goals into small steps which helps me make purposeful decisions. Determining the ideal location to figuring out how to negotiate a lease and most importantly, funding the space were all top priorities - and by far the most challenging. To accomplish this, she looked to the insight she learned from business classes as well as mentors for some of the answers to her burning questions about design and operations while a friend and her father invested in the start-up funding. Understanding the importance of managing money early on and having no desire to carry any business debt, Bogaert made sure these loans were paid back within her first eight months of her launch.

Assemble Your Team

Bogaert also implements a careful and purposeful approach when it comes to hiring her team. I never over-hired because I want everybody to be busy before I started to grow, she mentions. Delegating tasks and sharing responsibilities means everyone wears multiple hats to run a successful operation that provides the experience her customers deserve. With an intentional focus on service excellence, Bogaert knows that nurturing a team that feels like family is essential to her business model. Knowing personally what its like to feel disengaged when life outside of work is problematic means that Bogaert creates space for her staff to express and bring their whole selves to the work environment. My girls know they can come to me about anything. There is obviously a fine line between personal and business, but if something is on their mind, I want to work through it together. I want them to feel their best at work, and I want them to succeed with me. Its about making them feel like they're part of something because I wouldn't be able to do anything without them.

Read the original here:
After Losing Everything, This Beauty Entrepreneur Takes A Family First Approach to Leading Her Team - Forbes

You're a company that's done rather well over here, in the UK. Now, you'd like to try your luck over there? Sounds simple enough, however, expanding a business into the US takes foresight and funding.

The most successful companies use technology to become more efficient. So, then, what kinds of technology can help a business succeed in the US?

Cloud computing has levelled the playing field by reducing the cost and complexity of setting up a technology infrastructure across the pond. You can now spin up virtual operating systems and applications quickly instead of installing physical servers to run stateside operations.

One company that experienced this first hand is fin-tech business PCI Pal. The Payment Card Industry (PCI) Council's PCI-DSS is an industry regulation that governs how companies store credit card information. Businesses that don't comply with its strict rules risk stiff penalties. The 20-year-old company provides payment solutions that online retailers and other businesses can use to process customer credit cards without having to store that sensitive financial data themselves.

Advertisement - Article continues below

PCI compliance is an even bigger business in the UK than in the US, and a quick look at the data breach headlines reveals why: thieves are pilfering credit card details by the thousand. Seeing the opportunity, PCI Pal expanded into North America in 2017. It set up an office in Charlotte, North Carolina, which is a hotbed for fin-tech, but needed a solid technology infrastructure to run both its external services and its internal US sales, marketing, and project delivery operations, explains the company's chief revenue officer Darren Gill.

"Cloud has been instrumental in assisting us in our global expansionm and that's not only in terms of the solutions that we use internally, like email or Office 365 in the cloud," he says. "We were actually delivering a cloud-based service to our customers."

The company opted for Amazon Web Services, installing a presence at Amazon East, the cloud service provider's East coast region that communicates with PCI Pal's central hub located on Amazon's instance in Ireland.

PCI Pal can spin up a computing instance in the cloud in two or three days, explains Gill. He uses session border controllers from IP telephony solutions provider AudioCodes, which provide a link between PCI Pal's own VoIP network and its external telephony provider's network in the US. This also lets it funnel telemetry data about the calls that it's routing back to the Irish AWS instances. It's something that it can replicate in any country it tackles using its AWS set up.

Having a cloud-based instance in multiple regions also allows PCI Pal to meet a pressing customer challenge: data sovereignty. With corporate customers (and their consumer customers) increasingly sensitive about where PCI Pal stores their personal information, data centre location becomes a big factor.

"Particularly with the type of information that we provide and deliver, a US customer doesn't want their data sitting over in Frankfurt or in some other country's data center," Gill explains. Another Amazon instance in the Canadian province of Montral also gives customers north of the border peace of mind, he says.

Advertisement - Article continues below

To keep up to date with US customer feedback, the company uses the issue and project tracking software Jira. This enables US employees to log issues from users across the Atlantic and feed them back quickly to development staff in the UK. This means US users don't get left out when suggesting new product features and getting fixes for problems.

As the US took cloud computing concepts and ran with them, PCI Pal also learned some new working practices that it exported back home, says Gill. The company began using Dropbox along with Office 365, setting up a dedicated section for the US office so that it could handle localized administrative paperwork, especially legal contracts involved with spinning up the US entity. It also began using DocuSign, which enables it to take its paperwork entirely digital using electronic signatures.

"The tendency was for most of the employees that were office-based in the UK to show up at the office every day and there wasn't a whole lot of flexibility with respect to working at home versus here," he says. The US culture is different, he adds: "We had an office location for convenience, but the reality is there was a lot of flexibility and most everyone works from home three days of the week." Technology enabled the company to replicate that cultural shift back in the UK.

Website development business UENI used the Internet differently during its own US expansion. The company started in late 2014 offering automated website development for UK businesses and expanding into continental Europe in 2017. It pivoted to a freemium model in summer 2018, abandoning a manual sales process in favour of an automated push-button web development system to grow its customer base. With a 100% digital system and a focus on generating customer volume, it began international expansion in 2019, beginning with the US in April.

The company used a content delivery network (CDN) to deliver its automated website building system to US customers, who now make up 500 of its 3500 global daily sign-ups. The CDN caches content from its central servers in over 50 US locations so that when someone visits a customer's website, they are downloading data from a local node.

"The closer the server, the lower the latency and the faster the content delivery," explains CEO Christine Telyan. "This gives us the ability to load our clients' websites as fast as possible on their customers' devices, wherever possible."

Advertisement - Article continues below

UENI also uses cloud-native software development technologies to help manage its software operations across different regions. "To scale the product, we use systems like Kubernetes, the container orchestration system. Originally this was Google technology, but now the community supports it," she says. "Kubernetes helps us a lot to scale our product to different data centres over the world. This gives the ability to have enough resources for the fastest delivery of the pages of our websites to the end-users."

The company has also used technology to help ramp up the marketing necessary to tackle a market ten times the size of the UK 4,000 miles away. "On our marketing stack we use automation tools at every step of the way," Telyan adds. "From automated rules to optimise andscale ads based on Pixel data and derivative metrics, to A/B testing software to achieve the best match between audience and message"

Fortified by their US experience, both companies are continuing their global expansion. The next step for PCI Pal is Australia and New Zealand, assisted by an Amazon instance in Sydney. Gill explains that the company's successful global push has even allowed staff to migrate between countries. One of PCI Pal's lead developers relocated from the UK to the US after his wife got an opportunity to work stateside.

"Just by virtue of opening the office here that kind of broadened our horizons a bit from a cultural point of view," he says. The developer now works remotely with his colleagues back in the UK using the company's cloud infrastructure.

The internet and the cloud infrastructure built atop it, combined with advances in software development and deployment technologies like containers, has lowered the barrier to entry for companies that want to create enterprise-class infrastructures around the world. There's now less of an excuse than ever not to boot up a business arm in the US using tech that can help with the legal, financial, customer support, and marketing aspects too.

Transform the operator experience with enhanced automation & analytics

Bring networking into the digital era

Artificially intelligent data centres

How the C-Suite is embracing continuous change to drive value

Deliver secure automated multicloud for containers with Red Hat and Juniper

Learn how to get started with the multicloud enabler from Red Hat and Juniper

Get the best out of your workforce

7 steps to unleashing their true potential with robotic process automation

More here:
What tech does it take to make a business succeed in the US? - IT PRO

Stress less with these morning routines that work.

December 30, 2019 6 min read

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Kicking off the day with a positive outlook and an organized mindset is integral to running a business or being successful at work.If youre a working parent, you likely deal with some morning madness, andif you have younger kids (or teens!), morning meltdowns.

Aside fromestablishing good morning eating habits, and eliminating unnecessary TV and social media scrolling in the morning, below are 9 tips for reducing morning stress by saving time, all while keeping your kids in a positive mindset.

Lay out your clothes, the kids clothes, pack lunches, ensure that homework is finished and in the folders and even have some breakfast items prepped such as cut-up fruit or hard-boiled eggs.Everyone has a different routine but the key is that we adapt to routines and kids especially do too.Even plan for little things such as knowing where essentials like car keys, glasses, and Bluetooth headphones are.(Tomake the time for this prep, give up some screen time or theseother habits that can destroy your productivity.)

We dont like to be rushed, and especially kids.If your kids can chill a little bit in the morning, they are more relaxed and this will minimize meltdown.On the same note, if you are someone that likes to journal, read the news or enjoy your cup of coffee, rather than just slamming it down in the car or commute, it is game-changing to prioritize waking up 15-30 minutes earlier, so long as you get in bed at a decent time.

Related:10 Tweaks To YourMorningRoutine That Will Transform Your Entire Day

A lot of time can be wasted trying to figure out what to make for breakfast, and it cant always be pop-tarts on the go if you want your children (and you!) to thrive throughout their day.I like to prep the cut-up fruit (because this takes time!)have hard-boiled eggs on hand and toast or bagels are easy for kids to make themselves. One favorite in our household istasty egg muffinsthat can be made over the weekend and are great for just pulling out of the fridge, on-the-go, and even for packing into lunches.

Just like the airplane oxygen mask analogy, you need to take care of yourself first to function best.So whether its exercise, meditation or cleaning out your inbox while you sip your coffee and eat breakfast, ensure that you put your armor on before you take on responsibilities for getting the kids ready.

As with many tasks at the office, its the teamwork that eases the load for everyone and drives success.So why not do the same at home? Identify your strengths and weaknesses and devise a plan with your partner.For example, I like to work out first thing in the morning and can get up and go. My husband prefers to take his time, work early and enjoy his coffee.He spends time with our boys, makes them breakfast, and then I come home in time to finish up the lunch boxes that were prepared the night before, drink a post-workout protein shake and get myself together, before getting the boys out the door for school.For single parents, aim for preparing as much as you can the night before and teaching your children to help out with breakfast and packing their bags.

Teach your children to help out.Our kids are 8 and 11 and we have taught them to make simple breakfasts like toast bagels and spread cream cheese on them, toast waffles or get things like yogurt and cut up fruit out of the fridge. For some families, a chore chart helps keep them organized and depending on the ages of your kids, its best to create a routine for them that includes boxes for them to check for when they: get dressed, eat breakfast, brush teeth, comb their hair (we like to skip this one), pack their backpacks, etc.When you give your children ownership and responsibility, you empower them with confidence and independence that will pay off in the long run.

The last-minute hunt for homework, shoes, after school activity gear or anything else is an immediate stress trigger. Be it hooks and cabinets or an actual shelving cubby system near your back door, this launchpad station for everyone helps foster organization. At our home, we each have our own cubby and its a place where we keep shoes and have backpacks and paperwork.My personal cubby has my gym bag packed and ready to go (even with car keys inside of it!) the night before so that I can just grab it early morning and quietly sneak out the door.

Amazon Fresh, Instacart, Brandless, or whatever you like, find effective online shopping sites and skip the trips to the store.We rely heavily on Amazon Fresh and by using their Past Purchases drop-down tool, its simple to reorder staple grocery and home items.Going to the grocery store mid-week is difficult for many working parents andonline grocery deliveryhas redefined the shopping experience.

No one has ever calmed down when they are yelled at to Calm Down! right?While we are all guilty of yelling, its very counter-productive to getting out the door. Kids sense tension and anxiety and if you are not calm, neither are they.And why should your kids be rushed? For the benefit of all, including yourself, focus on using a calm voice and keeping a positive attitude as you explain to kids why you need their help.

As entrepreneurs and parents, jam-packed days are inevitable, yet keeping anxiety levels low is crucial to your health, well-being and success. Make the most of the limited family time in the mornings and evenings and try to truly be with them and minimize the multi-tasking.Whenever possible, have a back-up plan, get a good nights sleep and allow for some flexibility. Happy less-stressed parents will lead to happier and less-stress kids. Theres no debate about that.

Read the original here:
9 Strategies for Working Parents to Reduce Stress and Get Control of Mornings - Entrepreneur

Emma Oxnevad, Opinions and Social Media Editor|December 28, 2019

Share on Facebook

Share via Email

As the 2010s come to an end, major publications are weighing in to give their takes on the best music of the decade. When looking at the music that filled the decade, one may notice that some of the most enduring hits were made by women.

This is backed by decade-end numbers for album sales, in which Taylor Swift sits atop the likes of fellow heavyweights Drake and Ed Sheeran, selling an estimated 32.5 million albums. Also featured on the list are Adele and Lady Gaga, having sold 23.3 million and 8.1 million albums, respectively.

While numbers are certainly an important metric of measuring an artists success, their cultural capital is essential in a largely saturated media market.

Pop music seems to be the one common thread we all share in the age of ultra-niche media, said Dan Bashara, an adjunct instructor of media and cinema studies at DePaul But everybody at least knows who Taylor Swift is, or has at least ambiently heard Rihanna, even if theyre not a fan.

There were certainly a great number of successful, influential men in the world of popular music in the 2010sthe aforementioned Drake, Ed Sheeran and Kanye West, to name a few.

In terms of cultural significance and enduring legacy, however, it is women of the genre who reign supreme.

Much of this has to do with image. When one thinks of Katy Perry, they also probably think of her neon-colored wardrobe and effervescent aura. When one thinks of Rihanna, they probably think of her tough-girl swagger and aloof persona. And when one thinks of Lady Gaga, they probably think of her role as a provocateur, from her iconic meat dress to her showing up to the 2011 Grammys being carried in a large egg.

I also think pop music tends to be at ground zero for our contemporary discussions of identity and representation, perhaps because of how powerfully central the pop stars image is, as opposed to a cast of actors, plus the overlay of fictional characters, plus writers and directors, as you have in TV and film, Bashara said.

A common thread between popular female artists with the genre is the ways in which their workas well as their imagehas transformed throughout the decade.

Taylor Swift began the decade as the darling of country music, fresh off her Album of the Year win at the 2010 Grammys for her sophomore album, Fearless. At barely 20 years old, Swift cemented her status as Americas latest ingenue, with her girl-next-door charm and adolescence-tinged discography establishing a clear brand.

As the decade went on, however, good faith toward Swift began to decline. It seemed that the world could not go five minutes without Swift dominating headlines, from her series of highly-publicized relationshipsand breakupsto her feuds with Kanye West and Kim Kardashian.

Swifts metamorphosis seemed to reach a peak with 2017s Reputation, in which she plays into the bad press that had followed her for years. The album featured a much more electronic, aggressive sound, with Swift appearing in dramatic black outfits in live performances.

On one hand, it is easy to view Swifts stylistic transformation as a routine tried on by many divas prior to her: changing ones sound or style in order to keep up with trends. On the other hand, Swifts journey as an artist can also be viewed as her coming into her own as a woman.

[Swift] went from country music star, to bubblegum pop star, to angry sexy lady seeking revenge, senior Madeline Mason said. Her newest album, Lover, reverts to that bubblegum pop star persona, but its truly amazing how shes been more than one thing. But, shes heavily scrutinized for it. Its almost as if people dont get that women contain multitudes, can be mean and sweet and kind and rude all at the same time.

Ariana Grande kickstarted her music career in the mid-2010s, with her Mariah Carey-esque vocals and signature high ponytail being essential components of her image and success.

Grandes career came to a dramatic turn following the 2017 bombing of her concert at the Manchester Arena. The attack left 23 people dead and over 100 injured, with a white-hot spotlight on Grandes response.

Grande rose to the challenge, putting together One Love Manchester, a live benefit concert with a star-studded lineup, which is poised to be one of the most iconic moments of the decade.

Grande eventually became something of a symbol of resilience following the 2018 death of her ex-boyfriend Mac Miller and subsequent breakup of her engagement to comedian Pete Davidson. Amid the personal turmoil, Grande released some of her best and most popular work, including the hit song thank u, next.

It is impossible to talk about popular music or culture of the last decade, however, without talking about Beyonc.

Within the last decade, Beyonc has transformed her image into an otherworldy icon, or Queen B, as her fans refer to her.

This is in part due to her undeniable talent, which seems to have only increased throughout her decade-spanning career.

More important is the number of bold statements made by Beyonc that demanded the world at large pay attention, from placing a large sign bearing the word feminist behind her during her 2014 VMA performance to releasing her self-titled 2013 album with no prior promotion.

Beyoncs surprise dropping her self-titled, visual album impacted pop culture because everyone was shocked you could just drop an album without leading up to it with a release date, junior Lesley Perales said. It influenced other artists to start doing surprise releases with singles or albums.

And, of course, Lemonade.

As one of the most strategically private celebrities alive, Beyoncs 2016 album accusing her husband, Jay-Z, of infidelity shook the world of pop music to its core.

Lemonade showcased a side of Beyonc not yet seen to the public. While she had released a number of songs about breakups and men who didnt deserve her, Lemonade made everything a bit too real and personal to consume without a second thought.

Lemonade revealed Beyonc in her most human, vulnerable form, as well as showcased her love and pride in black culture with songs like Formation.

Beyonc later cemented herself as the most relevant artist of the decade with her 2018 headlining Coachella performance being dubbed Beychella by fans and popular media alike. The performance was a celebration of black culturespecifically historically black colleges and universitiesmade all the more relevant by the fact that Beyonc was the first black woman to ever headline the music festival.

Its hard for me to think of another artist after Madonna who has achieved such cultural power and who has shifted the public conversation so thoroughly, Bashara said. I do think her legacy will endure, though I also think it will come in for some re-evaluation; there was a period, the Beygency period when it was impossible to criticize her, and I think that as we look back well see some more complexity in our assessment of her. And thats a good thing! We like to flatten out our pop stars and make them all-or-nothing images, heroes or villains, and its easy to forget that theres a complicated person underneath that image.

As the decade comes to an end, there appears to be a new crop of pop stars on the horizon, like Billie Eilish and Lizzo. These two seem to know the rules of the game and are sticking to a tight, identifiable image: Eilish as a morose, street-style adorned waif and Lizzo as the unapologetically loud, proud life coach everyone needs.

When examining women in pop music, it is clear that a great deal of effort is put into sustaining ones career and, ultimately, their brand. It is not enough for a woman in pop to have a good voice and sing a few good songs; their image is ultimately their empire.

I think female pop artists are held to a higher standard; theyre expected to sing, dance and write their own music when male pop artists are not, Perales said. For many of these women, it was expected of them to have a clear image to attract their audiences. Recently, though, I feel like these women are taking control over their careers and defining pop in their own way.

View post:
End of the decade: women in 2010s pop music - The Depaulia

Once you elect your contribution rate, you need to select investments. Don't make the mistake of leaving your deposits in the account as cash -- you have a much greater earnings opportunity by investing in stock market funds. As a point of comparison, cash interest rates might be as high as 2% before inflation. But the long-term return in the stock market is 10% before inflation.

Of course, your investment return from year to year will be higher or lower than 10%. But if you ride out the downturns, your long-term growth will exceed what you'd earn on cash deposits.

Even if you don't know anything about investing, you can still do a reasonable job picking funds. First, look for funds that track a major index like the S&P 500. Or you could choose a target-date fund, which adjusts the risk level in the portfolio based on your target retirement year. Next, compare the expense ratios of your fund options. The expense ratio is a key performance indicator, and lower is better.

Some 401(k) plans have an auto-increase feature that raises your contributions by a stated percentage each year. Use that feature if you can. You should also manually increase your contribution every time you get a raise. Serious savers will increase the contribution enough to offset the entire raise. And you can do this up until you hit the IRS-imposed maximum contribution limits. In 2020, the maximums are $19,500 (or $26,000 if you are 50 or older). Your company-match contributions do not count against these limits.

Follow this link:
Is the SECURE Act Bringing a 401(k) Your Way? Here Are 5 Steps to Success - STLtoday.com

PROVO, Utah, Dec. 26, 2019 /PRNewswire/ --Maybe it's no surprise to learn success in 2020 won't hinge on luck. But a new study shows success in the coming year will also not be the result of the decisions you make or your natural talent. New research from VitalSmarts, a Top 20 Leadership Training company, reveals that the most important factor to your success in 2020 is your habits.

According to the study of more than 1808 workers, people attributed nearly 46 percent of their career success to having the right habits. That means a person's simple, routine behaviors were more than twice as critical to their success than even the decisions they made (22.5 percent). And for those who feel they're simply not cut out for the job; the good news is habits far outweigh natural talent (24.6 percent). It's likely no surprise, that habits also trumped good old-fashioned luck, which people attributed to only 6 percent of their success.

"When it comes to success, nothing trumps good habits," said Emily Gregory, lead researcher and VP of Product Development at VitalSmarts. "No amount of luck, talent, brains or good decisions can compensate for your habits and your routines. And that is good news for anyone looking to make changes in 2020. Ultimately, you're just a few habits away from success."

The study asked workers to rate their success in five different areas of life: career success, economic success, physical success, inner success and parental success. They were then asked to estimate how influential habits, talent, decisions and luck were in contributing to success in each of those areas.

And it turns out, habits weren't only influential in a person's career but they also had a disproportionate impact on success in every area of life. On average, respondents attributed around 50 percent of their overall success to having the right habits. They attributed only 5.8 percent to luck and also said their habits are more than twice as important as the decisions they make (24.7 percent) or their talents (19.5 percent). Additionally, the more successful a person rated themselves in a particular area of his life, the more he attributed his success to having good habits.

And while there are likely keystone habits for success, what's surprising is that many of the habits people attributed to their results are less heroic than they are simple. For instance, some of the career habits respondents felt made the difference between success and failure include:

"A lot of these habits are what we call Trigger Habits," says Gregory. "While they seem small, they actually trigger a series of other powerful habits. For instance, 'Thinking yes before saying no,' is likely to create a habit of being less impulsive, more thoughtful, and even more visionary and creative. In fact, many of the good habits successful people have at work carryover into their personal life."

So instead of agonizing over every decision, counting yourself down and out because you aren't as gifted as the next guy, or even wearing your lucky socks to work each day, Gregory and her team at VitalSmarts recommend creating new, simple habits that will jump start your workplace performance. The skills to learn and adopt new habits are taught in the training course The Power of Habit, which is based on the New York Times best-selling book of the same title by Charles Duhigg.

3 Tips to Learning New Career Habits in 2020:

About VitalSmarts: Named a Top 20Leadership Training Company, VitalSmarts is home to the award-winning Crucial Conversations, Crucial Accountability, Getting Things Done, The Power of Habit, and Influencer Training, andNew York Timesbest-selling books of the same titles. VitalSmarts has consulted with more than 300 of the Fortune 500 companies and trained more than 2 million people worldwide.www.vitalsmarts.com

SOURCE VitalSmarts

Home

Read the original here:
Resolving to Find Career Success in 2020? New Study Says Habits Trump All--Even Decision-Making and Talent - PRNewswire

By: Kerry Pipes and Helen Bond | 380 Reads 3 Shares

A solid franchise development program starts with doing the little things right--all the time, every day, with every prospect. Those "little" things are more important than ever because, by the time you hear from them, today's prospects are more educated about your brand than ever before.

This year's annual Mystery Shopping Survey found that while franchisors have more opportunities than ever to connect with qualified prospects, their challenge is making those connections count. To do so, successful franchisors must have systems in place to keep pace in a 24/7 digital world where prospects form opinions about brands long before they make contact.

"The way prospects research brands has evolved. The ability to conduct most of their due diligence online gives them plenty of information to vet brands," says Therese Thilgen, co-founder and CEO of Franchise Update Media, which mystery shops conference attendees each year. "An opportunity exists to engage with prospects before the first phone call takes place."

In the 2019 annual review of franchise recruitment best practices, researchers evaluated brands by directly calling them from information provided on their development websites; submitting online forms from those websites and grading the subsequent phone call response; thoroughly reviewing each brand's development website elements; grading each brand's social media activity and effectiveness; and measuring franchisee satisfaction.

This year's mystery shoppers were Michael Alston at Landmark Interactive (mobile); Art Coley at CGI Franchise (telephone); Rick Batchelor at Qiigo (social media); Don Rush and Ben Foley at Franchise Update (websites); Jayson Pearl at ServiceScore (website response); and Michelle Rowan and Eric Stites at Franchise Business Review (franchisee satisfaction). Culled from their extensive research and analysis, the following is a look at the good, the bad, and the ugly of franchise recruitment today.

Smartphones continue to surge as the most popular way for franchise prospects to begin their research. Among Landmark's findings for 2019:

"To connect with consumers on the ever-changing world of small mobile screens, we have needed to rethink how our websites and mobile apps are designed," says Michael Alston, president of Landmark Interactive. "That quick and reliable connection translates into high-quality prospects who are ready to learn more about exciting franchise concepts."

Landmark's mobile findings also reinforce the need for development teams to have robust systems in place to respond to inquiries whenever they're received. Landmark's study of daypart data suggests that more than two-thirds of prospects are in shopping mode outside of regular business hours. Overall, 67% of new investment prospects researched franchises and initiated contact during nights and weekends. This means that for every 10 daily leads, the odds are that only three are generated during the 9-to-5 workday.

"Knowing that part of the problem is a round-the-clock scheduling challenge, sales teams can adjust their process to better address the daypart differences," Alston advises.

Given the time zone differences in the U.S., the task is even tougher for brands that centralize franchise recruitment. For East Coast prospects, 66% initiated contact on nights and weekends; on the West Coast it was 71%.

"We don't advise texting or calling anyone back at 2 a.m., of course," says Alston. "But knowing when a lead was generated can help sales teams prioritize appropriately so that no one falls through the cracks."

Recruitment teams continue to struggle with picking up the phone and calling prospects back, according to this year's results gathered by CGI Franchise. "We do the phone mystery shop to analyze the responsiveness of recruitment teams to an actual live person raising their hand and saying 'I want to learn more' about a specific brand," says Art Coley, CEO of CGI.

"Brands have become, more than ever, spoiled and complacent. It takes a lot for someone to pick up the phone and say they want to learn more. Why are we not answering the phone and responding back to them in a timely manner?" he asks.

Overall, CGI's evaluation uncovered lower performance scores for brands responding to telephone inquiries from potential prospects and found less of a personal touch than in previous years. "The big brand websites look like they are too big to care, with no way to reach them," he says. "They shouldn't become too big to grow."

This year the CGI team called 125 franchise brands, each caller posing as a qualified lead seeking information about franchising with the brand. The mystery shoppers measured how brands did with their initial response (receptionist/qualifier/appointment setter/director); information obtained (timing, location, financial, personal, etc.); emails and text communication; and overall responsiveness.

Brands were called three times at all hours at different times of day. Instead of seeing calls returned within the first 24 hours, Coley found an increased use of automated response and texting tools. In some cases during business hours, he says, it appeared that brands intentionally did not answer the call and instead called back within minutes.

In their research, the mystery shoppers at CGI were looking for the following:

Coley offered four recommendations to improve performance in this critical aspect of franchisee recruitment:

The business world is experiencing a massive shift in consumer buying behavior, and franchising is no exception. That's why online brand perception is critical, says Rick Batchelor, CEO of the franchise marketing firm Qiigo.

Batchelor and his team shopped 145 franchise brands and evaluated 2,600 Facebook posts, measuring fan counts, engagements, and posts as they applied to franchise development.

"For example," he says, "we looked at things like fan count--the count of the number of fans a Facebook page has. Then, for comparison, we calculated the national average for all the metrics among the brands."

The general idea, says Batchelor, was to determine how a brand engaged with its consumers, looking at the following factors:

Unquestionably, social media continues to change how business is conducted, and franchise recruitment is not immune. Local social media marketing, online reviews, and other consumer opinions affect franchise development efforts. Brands that engage their consumers benefit from more cost-effective franchise development leads.

Recommendations resulting from his research, says Batchelor, include the following:

"Franchise prospects are much more sophisticated today," says Batchelor. "Consumers research your brand long before they decide to reach out to you."

A new pair of mystery shoppers took on the task of measuring franchise recruitment websites this year. Franchise Update's Director of Technology Ben Foley and Web Developer Don Rush expanded how websites were evaluated this year, adding new categories and more granularity to previous years' categories.

By the time today's franchise prospects arrive at a brand's website they already have a lot of information. That's why it's critical for franchise opportunity sites to be performing at optimal levels and providing as much relevant information as possible to potential franchisees.

In addition to researching a brand's franchise opportunity pages, potential prospects also are researching how brands are interacting with their customers. Thus, prospects should be able to move easily between a brand's franchise opportunity site and its consumer site. Amazingly, 100% of brands surveyed had hard-to-find links from the consumer site to the franchise opportunity site.

"Key Content" measurements remained the same this year (including a dedicated About page, an investment chart, benefits of the franchise, earnings claims, FAQs, etc.).

The "SEO Readiness" metric--which includes items such as title tags, meta description, Open Graph tags, and social image--was expanded to include more points of assessment. Likewise for "Website Usability," which included factors such as franchise content accessibility from the home page, process of learning, security and privacy), effective use of technology (video, online chat, responsive website, invasive popups, etc.), and overall site presence.

"We expanded on those last two sections with data that is important in today's web development world," says Foley. "GDPR, privacy, and security concerns are at an all-time high with web users. Mobile is now the dominant player and social media marketing is the latest frontier for generating traffic. And having your site sharable is critical to your digital marketing success."

The researchers found near uniformity among brands in three distinct areas. 1) Nearly all websites were responsive (mobile-friendly); only two were not. 2) Nearly all sites were fully secured (https); however, a few had https but also had other unsecured elements that resulted in a non-fully secure site. 3) A majority of the franchisors used a unique website for franchisee recruitment.

Other observations by the website shoppers were that very few brands used a full application form. Instead, most relied on a short form with basic contact information; a few used a short form with a financial qualifier, time frame, or lead source. Nearly all websites were functional and easy to use, but did not have a cookie policy in place. Nearly all websites included links to their social media.

The following is a list of the items that should be included on a brand's website for prospects, and how well the brands shopped by our researchers did this year (by percentage of those who included the items and/or did it well):

In the end, the overall scoring breakdown is as follows, with 89 as the top possible score. Only two brands--Sport Clips and Tropical Smoothie Cafe--scored above 80; and 17 either had no website or were not a franchise.

The good news is that the brands that scored the highest used proper basic search engine optimization and employed good use of technology on their sites, such as video testimonials. Their websites were easy to navigate and content was well laid out.

The commonality among franchises with lower scores was a lack of information provided, such as benefits of their brand, requirements, investment information, franchisee testimonials, and frequently asked questions.

"These are the areas that could use improvement," says Foley.

ServiceScore focused on evaluating the website responsiveness of 133 brands or multi-brand franchisor parent companies. Researchers submitted a lead form to each, positioning themselves as a qualified lead. This year a new item was added to get a sense of how frequently brand qualifiers are mentioning at least one differentiator about their brand.

"In other words, giving at least one reason for the prospect to take the next step versus the competition," says Jayson Pearl, president of ServiceScore. "This was based on the observation from years past that often screeners aren't taking advantage of actually having a candidate on the phone to engage with them and share something special about their franchise offering. They're just asking a few screening questions, or worse, just calling a candidate to tell them that an email is coming and ask if they have any questions."

Here are some of the key metrics from ServiceScore's mystery shopping:

"We know that candidates today have researched a brand before they 'raise their hand' to ask it to tell them more through an online form submission or a call to a franchise development line," says Pearl." There's a great opportunity for brands to take advantage of this to find out what sparked the prospect's interest and share and reinforce those attributes that are special and unique."

Additional findings ServiceScore unearthed included the following:

"A best practice we're seeing--and a growing trend over last year--is from brands re-directing the site to engaging information that allows the viewer to spend more time on the site learning about the brand," says Pearl.

Franchise Business Review (FBR) researched 71 brands representing 25,799 business outlets. A total of 7,894 franchisees completed an independent survey consisting of more than 50 questions related to their business performance, satisfaction with their brand, and general business demographics. Results were compared with benchmark data from about 25,000 franchisees representing more than 330 leading franchise brands across all industry segments.

Satisfaction was measured across eight key areas: training and support, franchise system, leadership, financial opportunity, core values, franchisee community, self-evaluation (franchisee performance), and general overall satisfaction. Overall, the Franchise Satisfaction Index score of the Franchise Update group (69.4) was very close to the FBR Franchise Sector benchmark (71.7), which represents data from those 330-plus franchise brands in the benchmark group.

Nearly 8 in 10 (78.2%) of franchisees in the Franchise Update test group would recommend their brand to others. Brands earned high marks for franchisee enjoyment, general satisfaction, community engagement, and the belief in the honesty and integrity of their franchisor. The group scored lower when it came to the financial opportunity their franchise provides, training and support, innovation and creativity, and how well senior management involves franchisees in important decisions.

Of the three major industry sectors researched (food, retail, and services), FBR found that food franchise brands ran 5% to 10 % lower in franchisee satisfaction overall.

See the original post here:
Shopped for Success: Annual Mystery Shop of Recruitment Practices Reveals Strengths and Weaknesses - Franchising.com

Too often, high-achieving professionals are frustrated, desperately trying to balance aspects of their lives that simply do not exist in a state of equilibrium.

A body or object is said to be in equilibrium when the sum of the forces acting on it is equal to zero. But I believe there is no magic organizational skill and no amount of planning or self-care that makes this possible. Work-life balance is, for many, a mythological concept because we attempt to expend equal effort where unequal effort would bring success.

Even as the literal concept of spending equal amounts of hours at leisure as spent at work became largely disregarded by well-meaning companies (that never had any responsibility to structure the lives of their employees at home), the phrase insists the only way to "have it all" is to have professional and personal success in equal measure. This unhealthy and unattainable standard can lead to an almost constant feeling of failure.

Here's how I coach clients to demote balance from its mythical, idealized status and develop a clear vision of a well-integrated life that honors individual circumstances and journeys:

Begin with the end in mind.

In his book The 8th Habit, Dr. Stephen Covey wrote, "People are working harder than ever, but because they lack clarity and vision, they aren't getting very far. They, in essence, are pushing a rope with all of their might."

Refining your vision is more than setting smart goals; it reaffirms who you are, puts your goals into a larger framework and context and moves your ideas into the real world. Your personal vision should not be a one-time, specific goal or target that can be met and discarded. It serves as a guide for activities over time; these activities are specific actions that can be adjusted based on circumstantial interpretation, and they should always move you closer to the abstract vision.

Writing the vision is important, as it gives body to the intangible as you design the life you're seeking. Ask yourself what you want your life to look like in one, two or five years, and include as much detail as possible. What are you doing? Who are you with? How do you feel? Vision is the foundation of intention. Your responses create the basis for your vision and the standard by which you will set your goals and tasks.

Break free of standards that are not your own.

I was initially surprised by how frequently executive coaching clients measured their present and future success against standards they didn't set themselves. We all have expectations that come from well-established scripts of how things are or should be in the world.

However, conforming to an ideal of balance or success simply because you believe people in your circle or reference group think you ought to is personal treason. From my perspective, this self-minimization fails to recognize individual conditions or ambitions, constraints or strengths and causes you to wage an internal war against yourself in the form of negative self-talk or other self-deprecating emotions.

When designing your vision, it is critical that you eliminate anything that does not represent the life you desire. It doesn't matter who wants it for you; they cannot achieve it and deliver it to you. If your dream career is to be a data analyst, it doesn't matter that you have been told you'd make a fantastic corporate attorney.You cannot integrate your life in a way that brings peace if there are standards that are warring against your personal vision.

Prioritize rather than compartmentalize.

Once you've developed your vision and identified the standards against which you should measure your progress and success, you can begin to prioritize based on your lifestyle and needs. Rather than siloing each aspect of your life, develop strategies to prioritize within your blended lifestyle.

When you compartmentalize, the limits of 24 hours in each day require you to de-prioritize goals and tasks that might be significant in an effort to give equal time to items that can wait. Without a plan, it's easier to fall into a reactive cycle rather than staying proactive toward your personal vision.

Prioritization might require a decision to forgo something you enjoy or deciding to work on the task that gets you closer to your own goals when everything on your list feels crucial. Compartmentalizing might cause you to work a full eight-hour day feeling the need to give 100% to the work compartment when a five-hour day would give you extra time for dinner and a strategy session with a mentor. If you're in reactive mode, its easy to overlook times when youre falling away from your priorities. This is when mindfulness becomes a true ally and time-management tool.

Embrace renewal as an intentional strategic practice.

Because life does not exist in equilibrium, we must approach renewal as a time to realign. There are so many forces working within our lives daily, staying upright and true to our "north" can be exhausting. Taking a moment away from all work modes renews our energy levels so we can continue and opens our minds for a creative spark.

Mindfulness is a time-management tool. It ensures we are expending time validly. The beginning of any control over our lives begins with identifying our treasure, developing our talent and prioritizing our time. This is where harmony and peace are found and perhaps what we might call "balance."

Read the original here:
Getting Past The Pressure And Myth Of 'Work-Life Balance' - Forbes