6 Positive Quotes for Entrepreneurs To Live By

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1. “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t -- you’re right.” – Henry Ford.

Venerated entrepreneur Henry Ford understood that it’s typically not external forces keeping us from achieving our dreams -- it’s our mindset. Do you think you can, or do you think you can’t?

2. “You don’t learn to walk by following rules. You learn by doing and falling over.” – Richard Branson

If you think about it, it’s true. Children are on their own when it comes to learning to walk and talk. They may get pushed in the right direction, but ultimately their success depends on their determination and ability to learn from their mistakes.

3. “I’m convinced that about half of what separates the successful entrepreneurs from the non-successful ones is pure perseverance.” – Steve Jobs

Take it from the founder of Apple: success is not given; it’s fought for. It’s a recurring theme in success quotes, and yet people give up on things every day. We can’t control every aspect of our lives, but we always have the choice to keep trying.

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4. "It is never too late to be what you might have been." – George Eliot

Life has a way of putting our dreams on hold as we take on the challenges of everyday reality. But like George Eliot says, there is no time limit for starting anew. Despite what some people might tell you, there’s no right time or wrong time to begin –there is only your decision to begin or not.

5. “The secret to my success is that I bit off more than I could chew and chewed as fast as I could.” – Paul Hogan

Anything can be done if you’re willing to learn on the fly. Once you’re as prepared as you can be, take the step into the unknown and adapt as fast as you can. You might be surprised what you’re capable of!

6. “Never, never, never give up.” – Winston Churchill

If you remember any of these quotes, remember this one. Churchill’s elegantly simple, five-word piece of advice should be tattooed on every entrepreneur’s forehead because ultimately, giving up is the only thing that can keep you from success.

Tips for Staying Organized When Things Get Messy

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Hi, Ken Lear here.

Sometimes work gets so busy that we forget to stay organized. Desks get messy, calendars aren’t updated, and suddenly we feel out of sync. One of the easiest ways to deal with stress when things get messy is by staying organized. Next time you are in a pinch, try these tips to stay organized and get things back to normal:

Don’t Multi-Task

When things get hectic, it’s best to just focus on one thing. Multi-tasking can feel useful and efficient, but when things are busy, it’s better to narrow your focus. Make a list of everything that needs to be done, prioritize it, and do it in that order.

Clean Up Your Space

A messy desk or office isn’t the best work environment when things are stressful. Put things away, clean up any dishes, and make your space workable.

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Update Your Calendar

When things get busy, it is easy to forget about small tasks or meetings. Keep a calendar (online or a print version) that lists out when projects and deliverables are due, what time you have meetings, and any other items you need to remember. That way, you’ll always know how your day will go.

Delegate

You never know until you ask. See if any co-workers have some extra time or would like to do a project that you don’t have time for. It is hard to stay organized when there is simply too much to do; delegation is key to staying sane especially if you’re a manager.

Be Realistic

Don’t pretend something can get done that really can’t. Be realistic about your tasks by setting realistic goals about what you can control and what you need to stop worrying about. If there’s a deadline you know you can’t currently meet, talk to your supervisor or coworkers to figure out a way that you can make things work.

5 Ways to Get the Most Out of Mentoring

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Mentoring is a great resource for professional and personal development. A mentor is usually someone who has been in the business for quite some time and can teach others from his or her accomplishments and mistakes. However, just simply asking someone to mentor you and chatting with them once per month isn’t enough. Here are a few tips to get the most out of a mentoring experience:

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Pick the Right Mentor

This is the most important step. What is the point of having a mentor if they can’t offer what you personally need? Find someone who is excited to teach, is great at what they do, and most importantly, is someone that you trust. In order for this process to work, choose a mentor who will take an active interest in your career and personal development.

Be Clear on Expectations

Make sure the mentor knows right off the bat what the expectations are from this relationship. Make sure both people clearly know what improvements are looking to be made, and what both parties would like to gain from this experience. This will help determine if this particular mentor is a good fit or not.

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Don’t Limit Yourself to Just One Mentor

There is no rule that says mentees can have only one mentor. One person may help improve your leadership skills, while the other focuses on communication skills. Don’t limit yourself if you have multiple possible mentors that can help you grow in different ways.

Show Thanks

Always express your gratitude. Saying thanks regularly will show your mentor that you are serious about this process and also value their time.

Don’t Take Everything They Say as Truth

Just because someone has 15 years of experience in an industry, that doesn’t mean they know everything. Take their advice as just that—advice. Let it help you make decisions and grow, but don’t let it completely dictate your path.  

Regaining Focus After It's Been Lost

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Hi! Ken Lear here.

Some days it’s easy to stay focused at work and get everything done – while other days every little noise or email can be distracting. On the days where you just can’t seem to focus, it’s important to acknowledge the situation and do something about it. It’s better to take a 5-minute break to regroup than to continue working with several other things running through your brain.

Here are 5 steps to help you regain focus at work:

Don’t Force It

When you start to lose focus, don’t force yourself to continue working unless there is a tight deadline. Take ten minutes to go for a walk, eat a snack in the break room, or go sit outside. If there really is no time to step away, take a short breather to read an article or scroll through Facebook, or even just stand up and stretch your legs. It doesn’t have to be a long break, but taking a second away from the computer or current task can work wonders.

For more information about Ken Lear, check out his personal website at http://ken-lear.com/.

Find Your Distraction

In order to stop being distracted, you need to figure out why you are distracted in the first place. Are you thirty, hungry, tired, cold? Is something at home on your mind all day? Once the distraction is nailed down, it will be easier to figure out how to get past it.

Make a List

What is the most important thing to do today? So many employees just go from task to task, which can end up being very distracting and inefficient. Make a list of all the tasks that need to get done in order of importance, and do it in that order – don’t switch between tasks. It’s easier to stay less distracted if there aren’t a million little projects on your mind all at once.

Get Rid of Clutter

Is your office dirty or your desk covered with papers? It's time to clean. A messy workplace is distracting and (sometimes) gross.

Decorate

If your workplace is generic and plain, then it might be time to decorate or rearrange. Hang up a picture of friends or family or move stuff around – a “new” place can make your desk a bit more exciting and inviting to work in.