6 Things Mark Cuban Says You Need to Be Great in Business

There are no shortcuts in business. In order to be successful there are some things that you must know. These are not all of them by a long shot, but in my humble opinion, they are six of the most important:

1. Know how to sell.

Selling means being able to convey why your product or service, which may be you if you are looking for a job,  will make things better. Selling is never about convincing. It is always about helping.

2. Put yourself in the shoes of your customer.

If you know how to put the person you are dealing with in a position to succeed, you can be successful. In order to do this, you must be able to quickly understand the needs and demands of that person and those of the company(s) they work for or with. Every person and industry is different. This is something that comes from investing incredible amounts of time to understand different industries , businesses, roles, and what has made them work and not work.

Related: Want to Get Money From Mark Cuban? Here's How.

It is a never-ending process of learning about what companies need. What people in those companies need and how they work. If you don’t understand what it takes to make the people and companies you work with better, you don’t understand how to be successful.

3. Know as much as you can about technology.

The beautiful thing about technology is that it changes every day. Look at any tech you can see today or have ever seen. Any tech you have read about. It was invented by someone. They know the product better than everyone. On the day that it is released, you are as knowledgeable about that  technology as anyone else in the world. From there its just about effort to keep learning.

If you are one of the few people that know the new technologies, you are in a unique position to put yourself in the shoes of your customer(s) and determine if the new technology can be of benefit. New technologies enable change and where there is change there is opportunity.  Its up to you to figure out  what that opportunity is.

4. Always ask how you would design a solution if no current solution existed.

Know this: 99.99 percent of the things we do in business are being done the way they have always been done. No one has re-imagined how things should be done. That is what successful people do. Every situation they are in they take their knowledge of the business or situation they are visiting, whether its buying a deck of playing cards, eating at a restaurant or trying to solve a problem and think about how to re invent it. They don't ask people what they would want. They envision a complete reapplication. Then they decide what to do with what they just recreated.

Related: How to Get on 'Shark Tank' and Win

5. Is it the path of least resistance to something better.

Lots of people come up with ways of doing things that they think are great/amazing. What they fail to ask is whether it will make anyone else’s life better or easier. The simple test of any imagineering of a process or situation is simple. Is this the path of resistance  to a better place for the user? Yes or No.

6. Be nice. 

People hate dealing with people who are jerks. It’s always easier to be nice than to be a jerk. Don’t be a jerk.

Related: What Would Mark Cuban Change About His Career?

 Blog Maverick. 

 Mark Cuban

6 Strategies for Transforming Your Life and Business Now

As entrepreneurs, we’re always striving for new ambitions and goals. Idea’s are constantly popping up in our head, and the list of to do’s keeps piling up. It's likely you set some big goals at the beginning of this year. It’s important you pause to think about your progress thus far. Letting too much time go by without evaluating your life and business breeds complacency. 

Ask yourself if you’ve been sticking with the commitments you promised yourself. With less than two months left in the year, it’s important to understand the roll momentum is playing in your life. The two scariest things in life and business are: 

1. Momentum

2. Lack of momentum 

People think resolutions start January 1, when in actuality they started a couple weeks ago. It’s the habits you’ve carried the past 30-to-60 days that will determine how you finish this year and start your 2015. It’s how you’ve been living that determines your current reality, and future success or failure. Remember what Henry Ford said “You can’t build a reputation on what you’re going to do.”

I hope you grasp the importance of these simple, yet powerful tips.

1. Reflect and analyze on your last 30 days

It’s important to invest your past mistakes into your future intelligence. Regardless of your past decisions, you are always only one decision a way from the right decision. When you analyze why you are where you are, and dive into what crucial habits and thoughts are holding you back you can begin to design a compelling future. Don’t look for quick answers or simple solutions, and don’t be too tough on yourself. Fear and anxiety cause most to stay small, while making positive judgments makes us more confident. The best can negate the ego’s and push away anxieties. Don’t judge yourself, just analyze.

Related: How to Stick to Your New Year's Resolutions

2. Make a definite decision now

Make a concrete decision now that you are going to be the best person you possibly can for those around you. Make a concrete decision that you will make this the most productive month, regardless of your current circumstances, because how you treat this month determines next your momentum next month. Encourage those around you, make them feel good and treat everybody like they are the most important person in your life. Help others without expecting anything in return. Be the rock for the people you care about. This will mean the world to those around you, I promise.

3. Write everything down and prioritize

The best thing you can do when you want to clear your mind is write everything you are thinking down on paper. Get everything out of your head. Something happens when you write it down on paper and clear your mind. Once you write everything down, start to prioritize what really matters, what you can delegate, what things you can’t change and what to take action on right away. After you have everything organized, put everything important into your schedule. This will refocus your mind on what truly matters and, in turn, will start building momentum in the right direction.

4. Make a list of your top 10 goals for 2015

Sounds easy right? Success actually isn't too difficult, but sometimes what's easy to do is also easy not to do. Now, once written down, look at them daily. Trust me, the benefit of this is game changing! This will keep you on purpose and remind you why you are working so hard. You must have goals and dreams to pull you through your toughest challenges. Also, obsessive consistency sends a signal to your mind to focus and deliver serious results. Realize that nothing ever goes exactly as planned, so embrace uncertainty and chaos.

Related: Is Goal Setting Missing From Your Daily Routine? (Infographic)

5. Eat healthy daily and exercise 5 days a week

Appearance is the number-one cause of low self-esteem around the world. Improving your physical appearance will boost your confidence. You can’t separate your body from your mind. When you become physically healthier, then you will become mentally healthier. Fear is physical. When you’re in shape, it will become easier to face fears, focus and attack challenging issues that are thrown your way. Nothing tastes as good as health feels, and having the daily energy health brings you is priceless. Drink more water and eat for vitality and energy, not just immediate pleasure.

6. Learn to concentrate and focus

If you want to explode your productivity in the final days of 2014, you must learn how to focus on your most important tasks with no interference or distraction. Prioritize your activities based on importance and then get to work with complete concentration! If you don’t have a plan to interrupt interruptions, your plans will always be interrupted. Richard Branson says “Focus is more important than intelligence.” He is a high school drop out worth $4.6 billion and one of the most successful entrepreneurs of all time. What areas of your life need more focus and clarity? Spend some time figuring that out before regret takes over.

We must all suffer from one of two pains: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. The difference is discipline weighs ounces while regret weighs tons. -- Jim Rohn

You must create your best year ever. It won’t just show up. Combining these simple strategies will give you the ultimate competitive advantage going into 2015. I enthusiastically wish you an epic finish. Make it exceptional, because your friends and family need you operating at your absolute best.

Related: How to Stay Focused: Train Your Brain

 Peter Voogd

5 Everyday Actions That Help Leaders Grow

While leadership qualities may be something certain individuals seem to be born with, the reality is that leadership is developed over time and through challenges -- it isn’t a birthright.

Leadership is a growth strategy that you can develop, but it takes time. However, just because it takes time to become a better leader doesn’t mean you can expect change to happen without effort now. There are actions you can take today and every day hereafter to grow into that leadership role. It doesn’t just happen in a few years. You have to live it and practice it.

Related: 10 Approaches to Handle the Burden of Leadership

Here are five ways you can start being a better leader today.

1. Listen

As the old adage goes, you have two ears and one mouth for a reason. People want to be heard and sometimes the best thing you can do is to listen. Listen to your team and to others.

This doesn’t just mean passively hearing what others are saying, but actually taking an intuitive approach to listening. What are people saying and how are they saying it? Pick up on their voice cues and physical signs to see if there’s incongruity in what they’re saying.

If you ask for honest feedback, be open to really listening and encouraging that feedback. You should make it a habit now to practice listening way more than you speak.

2. Encourage

Everyone needs encouragement. You need it and your team needs it. As an entrepreneur, you’re putting yourself by default into a leadership role. You should practice supporting your team and fostering their growth by encouraging them to be better. Push them a little but rely on your active listening skills to pick up on when your push is becoming detrimental.

Encourage those directly in your path in all walks of your life, too. Don’t just stop at the office. Encourage strangers, vendors and friends as a practice. You’ll help grow their lives. 

All ships rise with the tide. Be the ocean and the tide to use encouragement to push others further.

Related: The Fine Art of Being a Great Boss

3. Develop

You won’t be a good leader until you teach others to do what you do. Don’t try to keep people in their roles or place, grow them into yours. There is an egocentric tendency, which is totally natural but at the same time unproductive, that keeps us wanting to hoard our roles and expertise. Don’t be tempted by that ego demon to hold your knowledge close to the chest.

Take the time and effort to develop others. Don’t just develop them to be like you, either. Listen to what they are really looking to do and offer them the time or resources to develop along their own path. Always share what you know and develop others. It works.

4. Inspire

This isn’t about great quotes or good books, although those help your development, this is about actually being a source of inspiration to your team through your own consistent actions and attitude. You should be the living, breathing example of the inspiration your team needs. Lift people up through your everyday kindness, compassion, work ethic and encouragement. Be the inspiration for your team.

5. Improve

In an effort to be a “good” leader, many well-intentioned people don’t provide any constructive criticism or feedback for improvement when some well-placed feedback could actually develop someone on the team. You set the bar low by being overly worried about people’s feelings over their development.

It’s not about being cruel or critical, but it is about giving honest feedback for your employees to grow into better people with better skills because you pushed them in the right way and inspired them through your own example. Just remember with this one to key into your active listening skills so you can sense when you’re being helpful.

Related: 8 Qualities of Leaders Who Deliver Value Every Day

Matthew Toren

Use These Cover Letters That CEOs Read

Last week I wrote about 5 Ridiculous Cover Letter Mistakes. It’s difficult to get past the gatekeepers at an organization and even harder to reach time-challenged CEOs. But as the CEO of a rapidly growing software company like Aha!, which receives hundreds of resumes a month, there are some intro emails that do catch my eye. 

So, what kind of cover letters do CEOs actually read?

A 2014 study by SHRM says that cover letters are still important to many companies in this modern age, even if they are read in under a minute. So even if you are just typing your “cover letter” in the body of your email, please carefully consider your approach.

" Take the time to concisely share your credentials and quantify your accomplishments. If you do, you will see more responses to your notes."

The key is to:

• Do your research
• Send a custom email
• Focus on past achievements
• Provide the link to your LinkedIn profile
• Provide a PDF of your resume (remember that if we are not connected I can not see your entire LinkedIn profile)
• Keep it short

And stop wasting time applying to jobs that you know nothing about or have no credentials for. Here are some cover letter templates that work. I have used these myself and have included two scenarios.

I. When you have relevant experience for an open role

For example, let's imagine I was writing this a few years ago.

Subject: SaaS marketing expert interested in your Product Marketing role

Body:
I have 8 years of experience in SaaS Marketing and would like to speak with the right person about your open role. I believe I am a good fit because I have:

- Led over 12 product launches for leading SaaS companies
- Increased leads for the sales team at my current company by 50%
- Established social media marketing programs and have generated over 2,000 followers

Please find my LinkedIn profile here: www.linkedin.com/in/bdehaaff/

I have also attached a PDF version of my resume.

I graduated from Northwestern with a Masters in Marketing and I have a BA from U.C Berkeley in Philosophy. I currently run product marketing for Netli. I am looking to join a high growth company like Aha!

Could we set up a 15 minute intro call?

Best,
Brian

II. When you have relevant experience and are interested in a company but do not see the perfect role

For example, let's imagine Keith was writing this a few years ago.

Subject: Content specialist for top 50 Web property interested in joining Aha!

Body:
I have 5 years experience in SEO, social, and content generation in B-B SaaS. I would like to know if you may have a relevant role that is just not listed on your site yet.

Please find my LinkedIn profile here: www.linkedin.com/in/keithandbrown

I have also attached a PDF version of my resume.

I graduated from Texas and currently run content and SEO for YP. I am looking to join a high growth company like Aha!

Please let me know.

Thanks,
Keith

CEOs are busy people, but we always welcome the right people showing the right interest. We are looking for the best of the best to join our teams. The wisest leaders are committed to surrounding themselves with people who are smarter than they are."

"One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is being prepared."

So prepare your cover letter carefully, catch our eye quickly, and you should hear back from us. Just don’t copy and paste these templates without making them yours. If I find a BA in Philosophy from U.C. Berkeley in there somewhere, I will smile.

What intro emails or cover letters have worked best for you?

Brian de Haaff

Why Sales is the Best First Job

I often speak to students, whether undergraduates or MBA students, and I keep hearing the same question, “I don’t know what I want to do. What type of job should I look for?” Unequivocally, my answer is simple: get a job in sales.

My first summer job in high school was working at Lotus Software (remember Lotus 123…? I think Lotus Notes still exists!) and my job was to call customers and update their database/CRM. This introduced me to the world of getting people’s attention and convincing them to give something up. Although this wasn’t a real sales job, it was a precursor. My first real foray into sales was forced upon me when I started my first company. I was forced to cold call and close deals. This is the single best experience I received in my career. The strengths and strategies I gained through selling have helped me immensely throughout every aspect of my career. In fact, a survey of Harvard Business School graduates rated the biggest skills gap they had before founding their company was “a lack of sales experience.”

Here are my three reasons why sales is the best first job.

1. Sales is everywhere

Why do I tell people to get sales experience? In my opinion, being able to sell is the foundation of any successful career. It doesn’t matter what you are doing, there’s always some aspect of selling involved. Even if you aren’t directly selling a product, you might need to convince someone to hire you, which is just selling yourself. If you’re the CEO of a huge publically traded company, you need to sell your vision to your shareholders. Even as a Ph.D. student, you need to sell your ideas to receive funding and publish. Don’t just take my word for it - a survey of business leaders by Hult International Business School rated“strong sales skills” as a top 10 critical skill of today’s workplace.

2. Speaking ability

Being able to articulate your ideas and speak eloquently is important in any career. When it comes to speaking and speaking well, practice makes perfect. There is no other profession that allows you to continually practice and get better at speaking and connecting to people. A common trait amongst great leaders is their ability to inspire through speech. This is one of the best things that sales teaches you.

3. Confidence

Closing deals and getting better at sales made me much more confident. I’d always thought growing up that I was somewhat of a geek and could never sell. Gaining experience in sales - talking to perfect strangers and turning them into your customers and even friends - definitely increased my confidence. I don’t need to tell you how much this boost in confidence is incredible for your career and life in general.

Whether you’re looking for a summer job, your first (or your last) job, or a change in career, sales is an amazing experience that will be invaluable to you forever.

Somen Mondal

7 Concepts Every CEO Has to Nail

Just because you call yourself a CEO doesn’t make you one.

For one thing, if a board of directors doesn’t name you chief executive officer of a real corporation, you’re sort of like a silly little kid playing grownup. More importantly, you’re probably misrepresenting your abilities, as well.

If you don’t have these seven concepts down, you may want to think about changing your Twitter and LinkedIn profiles. And I definitely wouldn’t quit my day job just yet, either.   

Your product is your brand. You’re not. The secret to great marketing is to come up with a killer product customers need at the right price. You can promote your business and yourself all day long, but if you can’t come up with an awesome product that people want to buy, nothing else matters. Seriously.   

If you can’t sell your vision. Nobody will buy it. We all talk about the importance of vision, but you have to be able to sell it to potential customers, employees and investors and I mean all day long. If your stakeholders don’t buy it, nobody else will either. If you find yourself pitching your concept in your dreams, you’re on the right track.

You always have to have enough money in the bank. The number one failure mode for small businesses is they run out of cash. There was a time when you could bootstrap a company, but markets are so hypercompetitive these days it’s much harder than it used to be. I’m not a believer in Kickstarter, either. If you can’t sell at least one or two investors on your idea, you’re probably not ready for prime time.

You must focus on doing one thing better than anyone. Everybody knows they need to differentiate but few understand what that really means. It means coming up with a customer value proposition that your company and your company alone does better than anyone else. Once you figure out what that is, focus on doing that and just that.

Business is about understanding people. Business is not about building your personal brand, your network or your Twitter following. It’s not about your blog or what you post on LinkedIn or Facebook. Business is about people. It’s about relationships. If you want to do business in the real world, you’ve got to connect and build relationships with real people in the real world. Period.

You have to know what you’re doing. Passion alone won’t cut it these days. Whatever it is you’ve decided to do, if you have no idea what you’re doing, you will fail and fail miserably. Sooner or later you’ll have to make smart decisions and that means having enough experience and capability to know smart from not-so-smart. And no, just thinking you’re smart won’t cut it either. Everyone thinks they’re smart.

You’ve got to hire, motivate and retain talented people. This is one of the trickiest aspects of running a company. I’ve known dozens of real corporate CEOs who couldn’t hire the right people or keep them motivated to save their lives. It’s a remarkably common pitfall of small businesses and startups, as well.

If you think running a company is like falling off a log, be my guest, go for it. But I guarantee you’ll see things differently after falling on your face a few times. Save yourself the trouble and get a handle on things first. Don’t be in such a hurry to call yourself a CEO. Better off becoming one first.

Steve Tobak

10 fields with the most job openings

Heading into 2015, marketing and sales talent commands the highest average pay.

One thing is certain about the new year: It will be a great time to look for a new job.

With about 3 million vacant positions in the U.S., and hiring on the rise, CareerBuilder and its job-market research arm Economic Modeling Specialists International (EMSI) set out to find exactly where the most jobs are. The researchers pulled data from about 90 sources, including job boards, and compared the average number of new hires per month with the number of advertised openings in about 700 occupations.

“Job seekers are gaining leverage, since the rate of workers being hired isn’t keeping up with the frequency and volume of job ads,” says Matt Ferguson, CareerBuilder’s CEO.

The study also looked at advertised pay, breaking annual salaries down to their hourly rates to directly compare exempt and non-exempt jobs. (The calculation divides yearly salaries by 2,080, assuming 40 hours per week for 52 weeks.)

Here are the 10 fields with the most job openings now, and where CareerBuilder projects opportunities will keep growing well into 2015:

It’s not news that tech expertise is in short supply, but why the surge in demand for marketing mavens? Chalk it up to the proliferation of social media, and the relative scarcity of people who can make a company’s message stand out amid the ever-growing clutter. The onset of health care reform, meanwhile, had led to a call for more medical managers, and the aging of the U.S. population will lead to even more demand for all kinds of rehabilitative therapists in the years ahead.

If anything, CareerBuilder’s figures understate employers’ appetite for talent, since the data only reflects advertised job openings. Other studies have shown that as many as half of all management and professional jobs never appear on any job board but are instead filled through networking and word-of-mouth.

Anne Fisher

Your Attire Speaks Volumes Before You Open Your Mouth

Entrepreneurs represent their businesses in every way, whether exhibiting a certain work ethic or sporting a certain appearance. Though they may prefer to be judged by their intelligence and experience, they are also evaluated by their style and attire.

First impressions are formed in an instant and appearance can heavily influence someone’s initial opinion of a business leader's personality, competence and capability.

Like it or not, appearance does matter. When you dress and carry yourself in a positive manner, this helps convey to others the business message you're trying to convey. This is especially important in giving presentations, whether the audience is two executives or a thousand.

Presenters who appear put together will be perceived as more knowledgeable and responsible than those who seem disheveled. Impress others at your next important client presentation with the following tips:

1. Dress to boost your confidence.

Everyone knows when that when you look good, you feel better: You're more confident and others treat you with more respect. Your physical presentation should be on par with the quality of your work and the reputation of your business.

Looking your best isn’t about vanity. Instead, it’s about investing in self-improvement. Keeping high standards for your appearance will help you feel happier and more successful.

2. Send the right message.

There’s casual and then there’s very casual. The definition of what constitutes a casual outfit has reached an all-time low. Though it may be quick and easy to throw on the first thing you see, your appearance speaks volumes about you.

If you look like you just rolled out of bed, most people will assume you just did. Regardless of the type of business you’re in, strive to look your best and live up to the expectations of your audience.

3. Make your appearance a priority.

Many executives put their appearance on the back burner because of obligations to work and family. Although your schedule may be packed, make your appearance a priority on the day of a speech.

Before your presentation, schedule some extra time to select an appropriate outfit. To look your best every day, dedicate resources toward long-term investments like clothing purchases, hair maintenance and self-care. 

4. Mirror your audience.

If you’re presenting to a set of technology clients, a casual pair of trousers and a button-down shirt may be completely appropriate. Likewise, dressing in a more fashionable outfit may help an artistic crowd connect with you and your message.

But for some scenarios, traditional business attire is the best choice. Don’t choose clothes for your own comfort. Instead, dress for the comfort of your client. When in doubt, follow your client’s lead and dress just a notch above that level. 

5. Make the most of your budget.

Many professionals feel they can’t afford to be fashionable, but you can show your personal style without overspending.

Rather than investing in a large wardrobe, choose quality over quantity. Purchase only the items that send the message you want to convey. Classic pieces that fit and flatter your body will help you look your best for any presentation.

6. Details can amplify an appearance.

Carefully selected accessories can make the difference between someone who puts on clothes and a person who gets dressed. For men, a nice watch and a classic pen will add a touch of sophistication to any outfit.

For women, shoes, jewelry and a great handbag can mean the difference between a bland outfit and standing out from the crowd. Invest in the best shoes you can afford. And when choosing jewelry, keep things simple and classic. Remember, a person who is dressed more professionally is treated more professionally. 

 Jacqueline Whitmore

7 Ways to Get People to Believe, Like and Respect You

There are some simple, yet often forgotten, business principles that can build a positive professional reputation and keep credibility intact -- for you and your business. Here are seven ways to convey that you are poised, polished and ready to conduct business with the highest standards of professionalism.

1. Be honest.

Unfortunately, fraud and scandals are too common in modern business. Your credibility is rooted in your ability to be honest, no matter the situation. Although you might be tempted to intentionally lie, misstate or misrepresent yourself or an aspect of your business, the long-term cost severely outweighs any short-term benefit. Even small fibs can damage or ruin your reputation.

2. Keep your word.

Your professional reputation is damaged when you don’t deliver on a promise. Every time you make a commitment, you have the opportunity to raise or lower your credibility quotient. Your word is all you’ve got. It’s important to be straightforward and upfront, letting everyone involved know what to expect before you start a new project. No one likes surprises. If you can’t complete a task before the deadline or stay within the budget, let clients know immediately. People tend to be much more understanding and forgiving if they’ve had advance warning.

3. Admit your mistakes.

Failure is an inevitable aspect of business. Though mistakes happen, successful managers and entrepreneurs understand how important it is to focus on solutions rather than obsess over problems.

To maintain a professional reputation as someone who is reliable and trustworthy, own up to mistakes as soon as they occur. Don’t attempt to cover up, ignore or minimize your errors or those of your business. Instead, take responsibility and find a solution. Always learn from your mistakes and then move on.

4. Be punctual.

Clients will evaluate you in part on your dependability. Most people will choose to work with someone who consistently delivers projects on time and on budget over someone who is talented but unreliable. Manage your time carefully to ensure that you never miss a meeting, deadline or commitment.

When meeting with clients or associates, arrive a few minutes early. Give yourself a buffer for travel to account for any traffic delays, inclement weather or difficulty with parking. If you arrive with plenty of time to spare, take a few moments to go to the restroom and gain your composure. Take advantage of your punctuality and build rapport with others who have arrived early. If something unavoidable happens to delay you, don’t make up an excuse. Instead, simply apologize. 

5. Don’t use foul language.

Choose your words carefully. What you say and how you say it can deeply impact how others perceive you. Using profanity and foul language in public can send the message that you are immature, impatient and lack self-control. Swearing in a professional setting will never command the respect of those around you. Instead, a foul mouth will isolate and alienate you from others. Don’t give clients, co-workers and customers an excuse to not work with you. If you find yourself so angry or upset that you start to lose your temper, walk away. It’s much better to excuse yourself to another room than direct your anger at someone else.

6. Handle conflict gracefully.

There will be times when you don’t agree with your clients, colleagues or partners. The potential for arguments and disagreements will always be a part of doing business. But how you handle difficult situations will reveal your character. If a client tests your patience or questions your authority, don’t allow the situation to ruffle your feathers. Try not to react with anger or take frustrations out on someone else. Instead, work with the client to find a compromise. When you’re wrong, yield with grace.

7. Don’t burn bridges.

The business world is tumultuous. Never speak negatively of a past client or business relationship. Your adversary today could be your ally tomorrow. In 1992, I lost my job to a department-wide layoff. Though it would have been easy to lose touch, I kept in contact with my former director. Two years later, when I was interviewing for a public relations position at the Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach, Fla., she was happy to give me a good reference. Her recommendation helped me get the job.

Relationships change and people may surprise you with a change in position or stature. The person you once took for granted may eventually turn out to be a powerful acquaintance. 

 Jacqueline Whitmore

6 Smart Ways to Reduce Startup Stress

To be successful in the startup world requires an unrelenting amount of determination, persistence and trust. More than anything, though, it takes resilience to deal with the stress that seems to perpetually grow and not show any sign of slowing down.

Of the myriad strategies to execute and the relationships to develop as an entrepreneur, the stress associated with everything necessary for success can be unrelenting. Just when you thought you were “good,” 10 more to-dos get thrown onto your list. Here are six smart ways to reduce the startup stress:

1. Get rid of the to-do list.

Checklists have an unwelcoming way of growing and growing and growing. For me, the more unchecked boxes that appear in my little green notebook, the heavier the weight that bears upon my shoulders.

To-do lists create an illusion of productivity and priority. What was at the top of your list today may be thrown to the wayside tomorrow. Instead, try this: write an “I did” list that keeps track of your productivity. This way, you’re motivated to add to the list as opposed to feeling disheartened if you don’t.

2. Release your inner writer.

A 2005 study on the emotional and physical health benefits of writingincluded two groups of people. The first group was tasked with writing about stressful life events while their counterpart was instructed to write about more neutral topics. The results: writing three to five times for 15 to 20 minutes over a four-month time frame positively impacted their overall health.

3. Forget the goals. Focus on process.

I know. Hearing the word “process” makes those unshaven hairs on the back of your neck stick up because the last thing anybody needs is more rules. However, the reality is that the learning lessons and “fruit” of learning occur along the journey of attaining a goal, not in achieving it.

If you’ve ever played on a team then you know that consistency is what yields a win -- the daily grind of showing up and applying what you learned. It’s not so much the “plays” you learn but the habit of learning that becomes the winning process.

4. Fail fast.

While learning from successes can certainly reinforce what’s “right,” it doesn’t “fill the void” of what can be improved. An oversight, a slippage in judgment, a minimal effort or an unsuccessful attempt are the best takeaways from failure because they build your knowledge base.

Success or failure is only determined by where you stop. The faster you iterate through the cycle of create, innovate, reiterate (i.e. learn), the sooner you can apply those lessons towards the next great idea. One caveat: be sure not to disregard being deliberate or thorough for being hasty.

5. Burn it off.

It has been said before and I’ll say it again: exercise is one of the best stress reliefs out there. Rigorous activity for just 20 minutes, three times a week has been shown to reverse the symptoms of depression caused by stress. Remember, it’s not the goal that’s important but rather the process, or routine, to follow that’s the moneymaker.

6. Exercise your entrepreneurial chivalry.

Attitude is contagious. Random acts of kindness help brighten anybody’s day. The person on the receiving end will be pleasantly surprised that you went out of your way and in return, you'll feel positive from helping another.

On the one hand, stress is no fun as it eats away at your purpose. On the other hand, though, it serves as a fuel towards that same ambition. Manage your stress and you manage your entrepreneurial impact.

 Jeff Boss

9 Moments the Happiest People Have Every Day

Success and happiness aren't easy to achieve. It takes a lot of time, hard work, and luck to get there. That's why, along the way, you've got to take advantage of moments -- those brief periods of time when all can be right in your world. Paul H. Dunn said:

"Happiness is a journey, not a destination."

Throughout that journey, here are nine moments worth experiencing every day.

1. A Moment of Laughter

"We don't laugh because we're happy – we're happy because we laugh." -- William James

There's physiological evidence that shows that laughing puts you in a better mood. Take time every day to laugh and you'll find it's both contagious and uplifting. Surround yourself with funny people, find opportunities to laugh at yourself, and laugh your way to the top.

2. A Moment of Celebration

"Say to yourself, Here is an opportunity for you to celebrate like never before, my own power, my own ability to get myself to do whatever is necessary." -- Tony Robbins

We don't take the time to celebrate small successes enough - or even big successes. At Likeable Local, we instituted a "Moment of Rock" every day at 5pm to celebrate our successes from the day. Everybody rocks out like their favorite sports team just won a championship. How can you take at least one moment per day to celebrate the good in your life?

3. A Moment of Reflection

"It is not by muscle, speed, or physical dexterity that great things are achieved, but by reflection, force of character, and judgment." -- Marcus Tullius Cicero 

We all lead such busy lives. It's important to be able to take at least one moment each day where we do nothing but think. Put your phone away, get somewhere by yourself and simply reflect on the day that was and that day that will be, about decisions to come and about what you've learned from the past.

4. A Moment of Stillness 

"Learning how to be still, to really be still and let life happen- that stillness becomes a radiance." -- Morgan Freeman

There's reflection and then there's true stillness - the ability to shut off everything, including your mind, and get into a meditative state. The busier your life is, the more valuable it is to practice moments of stillness. Yoga and meditation are the most popular ways to get into a state of stillness, if only for a moment. 

5. A Moment of Pride

"All your life, other people will try to take your accomplishments away from you. Don't you take it away from yourself." -- Michael Crichton

A lot of people associate the word "pride" with something negative. But you have so much to be proud of. You can afford to take a least one moment each day where you sit back and appreciate all that you have done and the good person that you are. Take pride in the little things you've accomplished in the last day.

6. A Moment of Humility

"Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it's thinking of yourself less." -- C.S. Lewis

Pride in your accomplishments is great, but so is a moment of humility, in which you appreciate your tiny role in the profoundly large universe around you. When we take a moment to appreciate the amazing world around us, it's hard not to be happy for all that we have.

7. A Moment of Connection

"The need for connection and community is primal, as funadmental as the need for air, water, and food." -- Dean Ornish

Ultimately, the human animal is a social one. Take at least one moment a day to connect with the people around you- your significant other, friends and family. Hold someone's hand, or give someone a hug, or cuddle with someone. Your happiness isn't just about you, it's about others.

8. A Moment of Joy

"If you so choose, each day can be filled with even more joy than the one before. If you so choose, even the most seemingly random events can work in your favor." -- Ralph Marston

Laughter is great but joy is even more powerful. Take a moment to experience the joy of your kids or family, the joy of your spiritual connections, or the joy you can find in play, or music, or dance.

9. A Moment of Gratitude 

"I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder." -- GK Chesterton

Finally, take a moment each day to express gratitude you have, for the people in your life, the experiences you've had and will have, and the world around you. You can't physically feel angry or upset and grateful at the same time, so just taking a moment of gratitude will make you happier. I write three handwritten thank you cards every day to create moments of gratitude.

Dave Kerpen