The phrase “natural leader” can be a little intimidating for people who question their ability to direct a team. As a business owner, you’ve probably thought about leadership often, including ways to help your team achieve more and how to mentor employees with potential into becoming managers that others look up to, emulate, and respect.
Fortunately, leadership isn’t a born-in trait that’s exclusive to only a charismatic few. Leaders set the tone for a business no matter how large or small, and the best ones understand how to implement these tips with their own leadership style.
Lead Through Listening
As a leader, you’re the person that others turn to when they have a question, a concern about the business, or a problem with a customer or product. You can’t solve problems effectively unless you fully understand them, so attentive listening is the best first step. Ask open-ended questions, and re-state what the other person is saying to ensure that you fully understand.
To practice active listening, remember to wait before speaking, and resist the urge to finish someone else’s sentences. This communicates to the other person that what they’re saying has value and that you care about their input.
Communicate Clearly
Imagine the directions to assembling a piece of IKEA furniture. The company certainly isn’t known for clear communication! Likewise, if the directions that you give your team aren’t clear and specific, you’ll either have a lot of questions and confusion or end up with a result that’s far away from what you needed.
When communicating, be specific, and show, not just tell, what you mean. Include an example of what a finished product should be, or communicate with your team what the desired outcome is. For example, if you want to raise customer satisfaction survey scores, directions can include:
Smile and greet every customer
Offer to demonstrate a product
Thank them by name, by reading their credit card or loyalty card information
Asking how their experience was
Inviting them to fill out a customer survey, if the customer gave a compliment
All of these are things that workers can do specifically, that contribute to the desired result.
Delegate Specifics
As a business owner, you need to be working on your business, not in your business. You hired your team because of their skills and abilities, so step back and allow them to shine in their own way, whether it’s developing their own relationships with regular clients or taking the initiative to improve the overall appearance of your goods in stock. Smart delegation creates a feeling of pride and ownership in their job for many employees.
Set a Respectful Example
You earn respect by treating others with respect. While it may be tempting to say “because I’m the boss, that’s why,” or dismiss what you perceive as an insignificant problem out of hand, when you brush off your employees, or worse, treat them poorly, with a raised voice or snappy words, you’re creating an atmosphere of fear and distrust, neither of which inspire people to follow you as a leader.
Takeaway
These tips are good ones not just for developing your leadership skills, but also for life. Active listening, clear communication of expectations, and treating others with respect don’t just make you a great leader, it can also improve your relationships outside of work, including those within your local business community and your fellow Chamber members.
Deciding between hiring in-house talent or outsourcing the job can be a tough call to make, and both options have their benefits and drawbacks. Here are some things to consider when choosing between the two recruitment options.
Why Independent Contractors Make Sense
It’s easy to understand the draw that outsourcing certain tasks has for business owners.
First of all, while you should work closely with an independent contractor, there are no employee-related expenses; no training costs, health care, vacation time, or sick leave.
Additionally, in many cases, you will be working with and benefiting from the experience and insight of a team of specialists, rather than a single worker.
Outsourcing may also spare you business expenses. For example, perhaps you are interested in making some promotional and informational videos for your website. You could invest in expensive equipment, along with hiring someone with the proper know-how, or you could outsource the job to a video production company that already has the knowledge, experience, and the equipment.
Finally, outsourcing certain tasks can free you and your workers up to focus on the core areas of your business without pouring time and effort into peripheral tasks.
Making the Call
While outsourcing can be a good thing, it also has its drawbacks. Your project may not receive the focus it deserves, you lose a little bit of control over the timeframe, and you have less control over the quality of the finished product. Before deciding whether to outsource a task or operation, consider these questions.
Is it a Business-Critical Function?
Generally, anything that relates directly to the operation of your business should be handled in-house. For example, for some businesses, their social media marketing strategy is an essential part of their competitive advantage. In this case, a social media manager should likely be an in-house hire who shares your goals and vision for marketing campaigns.
However, duties like payroll, bookkeeping, and administrative tasks, though they don’t relate directly to the vision of your business, tend to take a significant toll on overall productivity. Outsourcing these tasks, rather than hiring in-house, makes sense for most businesses.
What Is Your Budget?
There may be a significant cost difference between a trained employee and an independent contractor. Oftentimes, if you’re shooting a single promotional video or you want to create an app, outsourcing the job may make the most sense because it will spare your business the expense of investing in expensive equipment and providing highly specialized training. On the other hand, independent contractors may charge a relatively high daily rate, making outsourcing less than ideal for long-term projects.
What Is Your Time Frame?
If you have a skills gap that needs to be filled quickly, then outsourcing makes sense. Rather than taking the time to go through the hiring and training process, you can hire an experienced professional who can hit the ground running.
In the end, whether or not you choose to outsource hinges on your timeframe for project completion, budgetary considerations, and how it will impact the efficiency and goals of your business. Using these as guidelines will help you choose the recruitment option that is right for your business.
As of this writing, President Biden is working to garner support for two major plans, a $2.3T infrastructure bill dubbed the American Jobs Plan announced in March and a $1.8T American Families Plan. The American Families Plan, if approved, would include: a national paid family and medical leave benefit similar to Massachusetts that would include a 12 year ramp up period; over $200B for two years of pre-K for every student; $109B for two years of community college, and grants to expand access for high-demand programs. The infrastructure plan would include: $479B for transportation infrastructure improvements to roads, bridges, public transit, Amtrak, electric vehicle production, and airports. The plan aims to spur job creation through projects designed to improve drinking water, update the electric grid, expand broadband access, and modernize buildings. It would also provide incentives for companies that manufacture products within the country, and calls for higher wages, with the President pitching a $15 minimum wage. Biden’s plans call for increasing the income tax rate for the top 1 percent of earners from 37 percent to 39.6 percent, along with higher tax rates on capital gains and dividends on individuals earning more than $1M, and eliminating other corporate tax provisions.
At the state level, Governor Baker set an end date of June 15, 2021 for the Commonwealth’s State of Emergency. The Baker-Polito administration and state legislature each continue to work on a solution for the unemployment solvency issue facing the state and impacting small businesses across the Commonwealth. On April 1, Governor Baker authorized $7B in borrowing in an effort to stabilize the state’s trust fund. This law also limited the average rate hike to 18.5 percent; however, businesses are still seeing dramatic increases, even ones who kept full staff throughout the pandemic. The state is set to receive billions from the federal government in recovery funds and the Chamber has joined with other business groups and most of the members of our legislative delegation in advocating that those funds be put into the UI trust fund to ease the burden on the business community. In other advocacy efforts, the Chamber was also part of a joint letter sent out in March to Energy Secretary Theoharides on the Clean Energy and Climate Plan for 2030 and the need for a measured approach using available resources and we testified at a transportation hearing in support of Phase II of the Twin Cities Rail Trail project in the region.
While the State House continues to operate largely remotely, the state budget is operating on a normal timeline as opposed to the current fiscal year. The Governor released his $45.6B proposed budget in January. The House released their $47.716B proposed budget on April 14, while the Senate released their $47.6B proposed budget on May 11. Once the Senate debate wraps up, the budgets will head to conference committee where the two branches work out their differences on the budget. The Chamber has been working closely with members of the region’s delegation and several coalitions throughout the budget process to advocate for economic development priorities, support for the workforce development pipeline, and increases to funding that will aid in economic recovery for North Central Massachusetts and help the industries hit hardest by the pandemic.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Travis Condon, the Chamber’s public affairs manager, at (978) 353-7600, ext. 224; or via email at .
State lawmakers on Thursday agreed to schedule this year’s sales tax holiday for the weekend of August 14 and 15.
A 2018 law that put the state’s minimum hourly wage on a gradual path to $15 and created the paid family and medical leave program also made the holiday, when the 6.25 percent sales tax is waived for many purchases, an annual fixture and tasked the Legislature with picking an exact date each August.
The House and Senate each adopted a resolution (S 2487) Thursday setting August 14 and 15 as this year’s dates.
“We invite all residents to go out and benefit from this opportunity as we incentivize investment in our businesses and continue the work of setting our economy on a path to post-pandemic recovery,” Senate President Karen Spilka and House Speaker Ronald Mariano said in a statement.
The law directs the Legislature to adopt the joint resolution “not later than June 15,” which was Tuesday, and says that if lawmakers fail to adopt the resolution, the revenue commissioner must designate a date by July 1. Last year, the Baker administration scheduled the weekend for August 29 and 30th.
A Department of Revenue spokesperson did not immediately respond to an email asking if the department would go along with the Legislature’s chosen date or pursue something else in light of the missed deadline.
The holiday, in which the state agrees to forgo revenue that would otherwise be collected in a bid to spur buying at local businesses, allows shoppers to avoid paying taxes on most retail items that cost less than $2,500.
Through May, the state had collected $30.451 billion in tax revenue this year, an increase of 23 percent over the same 11 months of fiscal 2020 and $3.938 billion above the revenue department’s expectations.
Critics of sales tax holidays have knocked the idea as an annual gimmick that merely redistributes economic activity while forcing state government to give up millions of dollars in taxes it would otherwise collect. Supporters say the tax holiday enables consumers to pay less for purchases and gives businesses a jolt of activity in the middle of August.
New regional economic development plan sets a path forward for growth, opportunities in North Central Massachusetts.
In the 1990s, the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce led a major community and business-based planning effort that resulted in a bold strategy to advance the economy of the
region into the future. The regional plan, which led to the implementation of several economic development programs across the region, resulted in great success.
Following implementation of the plan, the region continues to benefit from a strong economic impact of tourist dollars and manufacturing jobs, while also supporting existing businesses with lending programs, and new start-ups with financial and business assistance.
In the past 25 years since the previous plan was developed, North Central Massachusetts has certainly changed! Our region now offers opportunities where one can open a small business in an old mill, build furniture in a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, learn to design a video game in a tech lab, or even visit a farm or orchard for fresh produce. We’ve seen the region’s 26 cities and towns and the former Fort Devens experience their own economic challenges and opportunities. But these communities have also come out of these scenarios stronger than before due to the combined strength of our region where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
In early 2020, the Chamber and its affiliate organizations hired RKG Associates, a national economic development consulting firm, to help us develop a new Regional Economic Development Plan and learn how the region should position itself over the next ten to fifteen years. With the collaboration of regional business and community leaders, dignitaries, the boards of directors at the Chamber, the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation and Visit North Central Massachusetts, three steps were identified as the region looks toward success through the year 2035: defining goals, assessing and defining market opportunities, and identifying recommendations and actions to advance economic development. By utilizing data and stakeholder input, the new Regional Economic Development Plan revealed several strengths and opportunities for which the region can compete for businesses, employees and residents. It also identified weaknesses and threats for the region to acknowledge and respond to effectively in the months and years ahead.
“A central tenant of this plan is growing our region from within,” said Roy M. Nascimento, President & CEO, North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce. “The goals and recommendations included in the plan are structured to help the region come together and provide opportunities for each city and town across our region to succeed.”
The plan analyzed the demographic, economic and real estate markets, as well as target industries, and identified five themes. These themes include leveraging the region’s industry and business growth opportunities, enhancing regional equity through talent and workforce development and infrastructure for economic potential, advancing innovation and entrepreneurship, and improving the delivery of economic development efforts, programs, and funding.
North Central Massachusetts was compared to five other regions both within Massachusetts and other states, including Greenville County in South Carolina and the Lehigh Valley Region in Pennsylvania. The five comparison regions are comprised of those inside Massachusetts that are seen as peers or have a composition the region may want to strive for. The two regions outside Massachusetts (Greenville and Lehigh Valley) were chosen because of their robust manufacturing and transportation/logistics sectors and both are experiencing significant job growth compared to national averages.
“By utilizing a benchmarking exercise, we were able to understand the strengths and opportunities North Central Massachusetts has compared to other regions,” added Nascimento. “This also gives us a portrait of how the region may look to improve its competitive position over time.”
When the team began working on the plan, the economy of Massachusetts and the United States was experiencing a long period of economic growth with very low unemployment rates and positive growth emanating toward North Central Massachusetts from the Greater Boston region. Those positive growth trends were quickly diminished in March 2020 with the rapid spread of COVID-19 and the ensuing shutdown of the national economy.
“The pandemic has shifted the context of economic development across the entire ecosystem,” added Nascimento. “While it is difficult to predict the short- and long-term systemic impacts and changes presented by the pandemic, the goals developed for the plan were structured to address current and near-term needs through the economic recovery, as well as looking past the recovery to a future where the region prioritizes strategic yet organic growth that is cultivated from within.”
One of the more pressing challenges for the region’s employers is attracting and retaining younger workers who are interested in the region’s most concentrated areas of employment in health care, advanced manufacturing, and government and public services industries. While these sectors represent strong and stable industries, job opportunities in health care and manufacturing offer a wide array of pay grades that require both highly-skilled and entry level workers. Additionally, the region’s industrial sector has experienced an increase in higher-paying, higher-tech firms within the chemical manufacturing, electronic product manufacturing, research & development, and computer systems design, among others.
“Looking ahead, we need to focus on strengthening and growing the advanced manufacturing, logistics, distribution and health care industries, with an emphasis on continuing to develop the skills of our younger workers,” said Barbara Mahoney, President & CEO of Leominster Credit Union who also serves as Chair of the North Central Massachusetts Workforce Investment Board and as a member of the Chamber’s Economic Development Taskforce that helped develop the plan “We know by building the skills of today’s workforce to accommodate tomorrow’s technology we can remain a competitive and attractive region for employers and employees alike.”
As for the region’s demographics, post-retirement residents make up an increasing share of the region’s population, with a modest increase expected in the next ten years. “With an aging population, the region is likely to experience an increase in health care utilization,” said Winfield Brown, President & CEO of Heywood Hospital and another member of the Economic Development Taskforce “The need for additional healthcare and social services is likely to thrive and will serve as one of the key industry sectors for growth over the next ten years.”
The region’s large geography means that while some communities function within the economy of larger anchor cities like Boston or Worcester, others rely more heavily upon North Central Massachusetts markets like Fitchburg and Leominster. What’s interesting is that more workers who live in the northern and western parts of the region tend to commute to other North Central Massachusetts communities and not out of the region.
“As the region begins to heal from the pandemic, we believe our opportunities for tourism in North Central Massachusetts will serve the region well as individuals and families may find easily drivable amenities, food and farm attractions, and arts and culture venues here in the region as an appealing and affordable option rather than traveling by air or to destinations in the U.S. and around the world,” said Henry Tessman, General Manager of Great Wolf Lodge and a member of the Taskforce “Given the effects of the pandemic on the restaurant and retail industry in the near term, there is uncertainty around the demand for future skilled workers; however, this could also present an opportunity to support growth in local businesses if skilled workers are looking at the region as a place to open their own business and hire locally.”
Perhaps the region’s greatest single advantage in economic development is its ability to serve as a “pressure valve” for Greater Boston’s overheated real estate market. From a cost perspective, real estate in the region is far less expensive than other Massachusetts regions and, in some cases, also more cost-effective than comparable regions outside of Massachusetts. Lease rates, rents, and housing purchase prices are generally lower in North Central Massachusetts than in the other three Massachusetts regions, with residential rents as much as $1,000 less per month. While the cost of living in the region is less expensive, average earnings for jobs in North Central Massachusetts are in line with those jobs in the Greenville and Lehigh Valley regions, but $30,000 – $40,000 less than MetroWest and Route 128.
“The current, demanding real estate market in North Central Massachusetts is a true testament of the draw this region is for individuals and families who want the convenient access to amenities with a more affordable cost of living,” said Matthew Fournier, Owner of Elite Construction & Design and a member of the Taskforce “What used to be a weekend destination for apple picking or leaf peeping is now a place where we call previous visitors our neighbors.”
While the Regional Economic Development Plan shows the strengths, opportunities, threats and weaknesses of NCM, it does not portray what we who live and work in North Central Massachusetts have known all along: that our home here is where the heart is.
To view the Regional Economic Development Plan in its entirety, click here.
Leominster Credit Union was founded in 1954, and is a member-owned, not-for-profit cooperative financial institution dedicated to providing deposit, pending, and other financial services to North Central Massachusetts residents.
As of today, Leominster Credit Union is headquartered in Leominster, Massachusetts and currently has over 50,000 members. The credit union grew over time through word of mouth, relationships, partnerships, marketing initiatives and community engagement. LCU gives back to organizations that they can benefit through education, encompassing a wide variety of organizations, whether through financial literacy, local charities, scholarships, and more.
President and CEO Barbara Mahoney has been with Leominster Credit Union since 2003, having three CEOs she worked for prior to becoming one herself. Mahoney and her predecessors have built a solid foundation for LCU, and she hopes to continue to build on that by developing relationships with members, listening to their needs to be able to become financially sounds and retain their business.
“We hope to do that through every phase of their life, educating them in regards to what their options are and addressing their needs throughout those different phases,” Mahoney said. “We try to build relationships. It’s not just putting out a product or service, it’s partnering with them with a variety of different things that might meet their needs. We want the members to walk away feeling good about what they received, and LCU is at the front of their mind.”
Not only does Leominster Credit Union have a member-centric culture, but they also provided approximately $20 million in PPP loans for small businesses throughout Massachusetts during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Like many other businesses, LCU is continuing to try and navigate through COVID, addressing any additional needs for their members and what the situation has presented.
“We’re currently at 50 percent capacity, and planning on decisions on what life might look like when we are 100 percent,” Mahoney states. “Our priority throughout the pandemic has been the safety and well-being of employees and staff, as well as the psychological comfort of both.”
The credit union is currently preparing to get most of the employee back into the facilities. All branches are open 100 percent, and staffed at 50% capacity.
“We’re preparing for the August 1st reopening and what that might look like for us; we’re also reviewing our work-from-home policy, getting a committee together to make recommendations as to what that might look like, potentially a hybrid situation, depending on the employee’s role,” she said.
LCU continues to implement current COVID protocols: social distancing with floor details, shields, and other guidelines as recommended by the state and CDC.
They are also recommending and encouraging employees to get their vaccine as they do feel it will help with the environment and help protect people. According to a recent poll conducted among LCU employees and staff, approximately 65 percent said that they would be vaccinated.
Throughout the pandemic, Leominster Credit Union has remained a true partner to their members, listening to their needs and providing financial solutions through seminars/webinars, accounts, mortgages, and investments so that each member can be prepared for the future.
LCU also provides a financial literacy program with Fitchburg High School, hoping to expand on that with other local schools within North Central Massachusetts, the Worcester County area, and across their geographical footprint. They’ve received rave reviews from school administration and student alike.
Much of this would not be possible without the support of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce.
“The [North Central Massachusetts] Chamber of Commerce does a great job in the area with the fact that they bring businesses together, and providing valuable information to their Chamber members,” Mahoney said.
She adds that they provide an emphasis on young professionals, helping them become established to get their businesses on the ground and enhance continued growth, providing updates and information to members and keep them updated on local news and COVID-19.
Leominster Credit Union just celebrated their work anniversary of 67 years in service to the local North Central Massachusetts area. They look to continue and introduce new technology efficiency through digital platforms that are easy to use and convenient for their members, and enhance digital channels so that they are more efficient for the user.
Leominster Credit Union delivers with meeting the expectations of their audience and members, either in person at a local branch, online at www.leominstercu.com, or via phone 800-649-4646.
With the lifting of travel restrictions and COVID-19 rates improving, Visit North Central Massachusetts (VNCM) has resumed its destination marketing efforts to help attract more visitors to our region’s businesses and attractions. We launched a campaign in the Spring called “Discover Your Next Adventure” to target the weekend and day trip markets. We have been executing this campaign through multiple channels including print, digital, and social media. We secured print advertising in AAA Magazine, Yankee Magazine, Boston Spirit Magazine and Bay State Parent. We also utilized branded content campaigns promoting the region to day trippers through AAA Northeast and several other media publications. Our efforts align with the pent-up demand as consumers, who have been unable to travel since the lockdown in mid-March of 2020, are looking for new unique and outdoor experiences. The pandemic solidified a new interest in outdoor activities that sets up our region in a position for increased success. We have seen strong demand for hiking, camping, canoeing, kayaking and other activities. We also continue to invest in social media and curating new relevant local content highlighting activities and businesses in our region. We produced five new “Taste of North Central” videos promoting our local businesses and attractions. The videos that have been published so far have garnered over 20,000 views. Our Facebook page saw 248,900 impressions since the launch of the spring campaign, which represents a 390% increase over the same period the previous year. Our www.visitnorthcentral.com website also has seen strong traffic with a 16% increase in visitors over the same period last year.
As of April 1, 2021, our new Spring/Summer 2021 edition of the Guide to North Central Massachusetts hit the stands. The visitor guide is our primary publication promoting the communities of North Central Massachusetts and includes information on our local communities, a calendar of events, stories about the region and much more. We have invested in expanding the distribution this year. The guide will be available through AAA offices throughout New England and hundreds of new locations including hotels, visitor centers, attractions and airports, including Logan and Worcester. We are also distributing it in Canada, an important market for our region.
In other news, the Johnny Appleseed Visitor Center in Lancaster has started to see an uptick in visitation since the Spring. Our staff at the center is looking forward to a busier season going into Summer as more and more people resume traveling. We still have all of our safety measures and protocols in place. We also recently applied for a matching capital grant from the state to make some renovations and improve the experience for our 165,000 annual visitors. Our vision is to not only be the best visitor center in the state, but to also transform the center into a destination that provides an engaging experience and encourages visitors to learn more about the region’s communities, local attractions and businesses.
As we move in to the Summer, we will continue our efforts to attract consumers that will be critical to the recovery of our local businesses and economy.
Rachel Lopez, president of Resource Management, Inc. (RMI) has been elected Chair of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors for 2021-2022. The announcement was made at the chamber’s Annual Meeting on June 10, 2021.
Headquartered in Fitchburg, RMI was established in 1995 as a PEO and full-service HR out servicing firm. Its experts offer a wide range of HR services including payroll processing and taxes, compliance guidance and paperwork, workers’ comp insurance and safety management, HR and personnel administration, and benefits administration. Since its founding, RMI has grown into one of the largest Hispanic-owned businesses in the nation. It operates today in thirty-nine states and has over 6,000 employees.
Lopez grew up in the family owned business, starting out as its first employee when she was just 15. She started in payroll and went on to work in every department within the company and eventually managed the sales and product development department before being promoted to President of the company in 2017.
She succeeds David A. Duval, president and founder of Protective Services, Inc. who now moves to the position of Immediate Past Chair of the Board of Directors.
“It is an honor and privilege to have been elected Chair of this dynamic and respected organization that plays such an important role in North Central Massachusetts,” expressed Ms. Lopez, “I am excited to continue David Duval’s efforts and make sure the Chamber remains a strong resource for the local business community.”
In the same election, Christopher McCarthy, president & COO of Fidelity Bank in Leominster was elected Vice-Chair and director Cheryl Molebash, general manager of Dixie Consumer Products in Leominster was elected to the position of Treasurer. Board members elected for a new three-year term were Allie Catlin, co-owner of Smith’s Country Cheese in Winchendon; Rodrigo Souza, owner of Comeketo Brazilian Steakhouse in Leominster; and John Zarrella president of Research Results, Inc. in Fitchburg.
As business owners, we understand what overwork feels like. We throw ourselves into growing and promoting our businesses, we devote ourselves to our customers and clients — and yes, we end up exhausted.
That tired feeling that weighs you down might come from any of several sources. Once you understand why you’re so tired, you can start to make some changes to give you the energy you need to run your business. Take a look at some of the sources of exhaustion as well as some tips to boost your energy so you can accomplish what you set out to do.
What’s Making You So Tired?
When we’re honest without ourselves, we can usually pinpoint the reasons we’re tired. But sometimes they’re not so obvious. Generally, that fatigue you feel boils down to one of three reasons:
1. You’re Not Taking Care of Yourself
Are you eating well, sleeping well, taking time for yourself? As entrepreneurs, sometimes we don’t even know the answer to those questions — but the answers can have a profound effect on our energy level. Maybe you’re giving yourself a boost with sweet snacks, relying on the sugar high to keep you going.
And then there’s caffeine. Yes, that cup of coffee in the morning gets you going — but if you’re drinking more four cups a day (that’s the equivalent of two energy drinks, by the way), the crash you feel when the caffeine wears off can be exhausting.
How about your sleep habits? Do you stay up scrolling through social media and realize you’re going to bed an hour (or two) later than you should? If you don’t practice good sleep hygiene, you can’t expect to arrive at your office with the energy you want.
2. You’re Stressed
You might be proud of how many hours you work per week to keep your business thriving — but those long hours are the primary cause of your exhaustion. And when you don’t give your body time to unwind, it forgets how to do relax. How many nights have you spent staring at the ceiling in an ending cycle of stress as you review everything that went wrong yesterday and all the things that might go wrong tomorrow.
Stress affects your body’s hormones in a negative way, so the problem feeds on itself. When you’re stressed, your body produces cortisol, often known as the “stress hormone” — and its presence in your system keeps you awake, which makes you more exhausted, which makes you more stressed — and the vicious cycle continues.
Of course, the workplace isn’t the only source of stress. If your relationships or home life causes stress, or if your personal to-do list is piling up, you’ll find yourself surrounded by negative emotions in all directions.
3. Your Body is Working Against You
We talked about cortisol, the stress hormone, above. But other hormonal imbalances can also make you fatigued and irritable. Estrogen, progesterone, melatonin and thyroid imbalances should all be treated by a physician. Various auto-immune diseases, such as lupus, fibromyalgia, Lyme disease, and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, can all affect your energy level. Once you’ve made the appropriate lifestyle changes, if you’re still feeling regular exhaustion, don’t try to diagnose yourself, but head to your doctor’s office for diagnosis and treatment.
How to Boost Your Energy During the Work Day
Fortunately, there are proactive steps you can take to end fatigue and regain energy. Take a look at some small things you can do to boost your energy levels.
Unwind before bedtime. Turn off your screens — TV, computer, and smartphone — at least two hours before you go to bed.
Take breaks during the workday. Many people finding that taking just a few minutes for deep breathing and meditation helps refocus their mind and their energy.
Clean up your sleep hygiene. Abstain from caffeine before the evening, and go easy on alcohol. Turn your bedroom into a haven, with blackout curtains and a noise machine if needed — and don’t lounge on your bed outside of your normal bedtime.
Hand off tasks other people can do. If you’re working 60 to 80 hours a week, ask yourself how much of that time is spent doing things only you can do. Delegating routine tasks to others will help rejuvenate your energy and your mindset.
Get some exercise. Climb the stairs to your office. Park as far from the front door as possible. Take a walk at lunch. Exercise releases all sorts of good chemicals that boost mood and energy.
Get outdoors. Sometimes staring at the same four walls produces exhaustion (even if one of those walls is a window). Make sure you get outside your office for part of your workday each day.
Every business needs a website — even businesses that only operate in the local area. But what do you do if you’ve recently started your business and you don’t have the money to hire a web designer? Many business owners consider designing a site on their own, but is that really your best option?
Using an Online Site Builder
If you don’t need an elaborate site, you could build one using one of the many online site builders — such as Squarespace, Weebly, or Wix. These sites have drag-and-drop builders that make designing a site so simple a toddler could do it. If you decide to go this route, you should purchase a domain name from a domain registrar company such GoDaddy or Namecheap and purchase the monthly package that gets rid of the site’s branding. This way, your website looks completely professional.
Keep in mind, when you use an online site builder to create your website, you’re required to pay a monthly hosting fee to keep the site up and running. It could cost you anywhere from $18 to $40 per month, and you can’t create really intricate websites using a site builder. You create your website by simply altering a template. So if you want a more elaborate website for your business it’s not a good option for you.
Designing a Self-Hosted WordPress Site
A self-hosted WordPress site is also an option for anyone who wants to design his or her own site. You can purchase tools that make the building process a lot easier — such as Divi or Beaver Builder — for a one-time fee. These plug-ins let you use drag-and-drop technology to design your website. You still need to purchase a domain name and you’ll need to pay for monthly hosting — but it’s a lot less expensive.
It’s important to understand that there is a learning curve when using plug-ins that let you build your website like a drag-and-drop site builder would. The good news is, there are plenty of tutorials online — both on the developer’s website and on YouTube — that show you a step-by-step process for creating practically any type of site you want. However, it can be rather time-consuming and you might need to know a little bit of coding to create the site you want, so if you really don’t like technology, a self-hosted WordPress site probably isn’t the right option for you.
Hiring a Website Designer
The freelance web designer space is a crowded one, which is good news for you. With so much competition online, you can find web designers design complete sites for a few hundred bucks, as well as designers that charge thousands. When choosing your designer there are a few things you should keep in mind:
Cheaper isn’t necessarily better — web designers who charge more are likely more experienced.
Look at the web designer’s portfolio before you sign a contract. If the designer doesn’t have a portfolio, it’s not a good option. Also, it’s important to choose a web designer that has designed websites with similar design elements and features to what you want.
Ask for references, and follow up with them. It’s easy to lie about your experience and quality of work online, so you shouldn’t choose a web designer based solely on his or her portfolio.
When it comes to designing a website there are options available for everyone. It’s up to you to decide what type of website you want and whether you have enough confidence in yourself to get the job done easily.
