Category: Exit Map

Improving Memory With A 3 Step Technique

It isn’t any fun when you are having trouble with your memory. Even when your memory is great, but you are having a blank moment and struggling. It can drive you crazy. Especially when you are at the store without a written list, but a list that is in your memory.

When you think about the workplace, it is very important to remember the key components of the business. If your memory is lacking when it comes to important information about work, you can start to have some serious problems arise.  There are some things that you can do to try and boost your memory.

1. Meditation

The brain is a very complex part of the body. It is where so many things within the body occur. It is where your body gets the signals to perform as it should. Take care of your brain and give it what it needs to keep it working at optimum performance.

Meditation is something that is very beneficial to the brain. It can increase blood flow which is so good for brain health. The blood flow that is occurring is going to increase the ability of your memory to retain information.

2. Train Your Brain

There are so many resources that are available for you to help your brain retain more information. Having a problem remembering things can be frustrating and even embarrassing. One way that you can help yourself is by practicing brain games and techniques.

Look for online resources that you can take advantage of and also mental things that you can do to help. When you choose online availability, they are usually a series of repetitive numbers, letters, or patterns to remember. Mentally you can create sayings, stories, or even patterns that you repeat in your head several times to associate things with.

3. Sleep Is A Factor In So Many Things For Your Body

When it comes to the body and the different ailments that we experience, you will be so surprised at how many of them are affected by the amount of sleep that we get. Sleep can benefit you in a tremendous number of ways. Even with our memories.

Running on little sleep causes you to be more forgetful and scattered. You don’t have the same amount of concentration and tolerance. When you are well-rested and awake, you are able to think clearer. This will also give you the ability to retain more information.

We would love to hear your comments on this article or any of our latest articles.

Gary Brunson
gary@myclearfocus.com

Debra Rider
debra@myclearfocus.com

574.361.2674

Sustainable Growth & Profit Consultant, Coach, Mentor and Counselor/Therapist for Business Owners and Professionals.

3 Hiring Tips For Managers in Today’s World

Right now in today’s world, it is extremely hard to be a manager of a business. The worries associates with COVID-19 and all the other craziness going on makes every day challenging. So many people have lost their jobs and are out looking for new ones.

There are so many important things to keep in mind as you continue to bring employees back or starting to hire new ones. With all the uncertainties going on, it can be a lot of stress knowing the right things to do. There are some things you can think about to ease your mind and make it a little easier.

1. Have A Plan

Before you bring in the potential employee, you should already have a plan in place of what is needed and where they are needed. The size of many companies and businesses is needing to be downsized. When you begin to bring employees back, you don’t want to overwhelm things and bring too many back at one time.

Having a written out description of what you want out of the employee will benefit you greatly. Knowing what you can offer the employee in the benefits package will help when interviewing. The potential employee has expectations just as you do.

2. Advertise What You Are Looking For

When you have decided exactly who and what you are looking for in the employee that you hire on, it is time to act on it. In today’s world, you have a multitude of ways that you can advertise a job position being needed. If you want to pay for the advertising, there are companies that can help to find the people looking for jobs.

3. Interview and Hire Your Next Employee

Once you begin to receive resumes, you can start weeding through the ones you want to meet. Deciding on the people that will best fit the position you are needing to fill. Most likely, due to timing, you won’t be able to interview every single person who applies.

It is so easy to preconceive what you want in your mind, trying to get rid of that and see everyone as a blank canvas will help. They may possess the abilities that you didn’t realize you needed. Interviewing people can be intimidating for both parties, and giving them a chance to show you what they can do and offer you may benefit you both.

Do you have some effective hiring tips? Share them today via email. We would appreciate hearing what is working for you.

We would love to hear your comments on this article or any of our latest articles.

Gary Brunson
gary@myclearfocus.com

Debra Rider
debra@myclearfocus.com

574.361.2674

Sustainable Growth & Profit Consultant, Coach, Mentor and Counselor/Therapist for Business Owners and Professionals.

Major Challenges CEOs Are Facing During The Pandemic

The pandemic of 2020 has brought a lot of stress and anxiety for people all over. People owning and running a business are absolutely no exception to that. Trying to stay afloat in a world where people are told to stay home and don’t go shopping unless absolutely necessary.

It is not easy and causes a lot of challenges for keeping a business going. There are many different things the CEO’s are facing right now during this time. Here are a few of the most common challenges that they are facing throughout this uncertain time.

When Is It Safe To Return To Work?

Many places are needing their employees to return to work to keep the business running. Then they have to think about if it is safe. Trying to keep people healthy and safe is the main priority throughout this whole thing. Places who have the ability to work from home are in a little bit better of a situation, but it is still not exactly the same.

What If Someone Tests Positive?

While it has been said people can return to work, the doors are able to be open, precautions are to be taken, you may still have concerns. As the one in charge, it can be hard to make the decisions that you need to about opening the doors.

What happens if someone tests positive? Do we close again, send everyone home, quarantine? Even if all necessary steps have been adhered to, the reality of someone testing positive is a concern. The leadership team has to be prepared for this scenario and have a plan ready to put into action.

Do What You Can To Stay Positive

In these uncertain times keeping up confidence is not an easy task. Employees have just as much stress as those in charge. They’re concerned with their health and the risk of contracting the virus and bringing it home to their families. The future of their jobs is on their minds and many other stressors.

When the morale of a company is high it has been shown over and over that production is also increased. Likewise, when morale is down, production tends to decrease as well. Being a leader is tough even when things are good, but given the current conditions leadership positions are even harder. The key to surviving the CEO world in these times is to just keep moving forward.

We would love to hear your comments on this article or any of our latest articles.

Gary Brunson
gary@myclearfocus.com

Debra Rider
debra@myclearfocus.com

574.361.2674

Sustainable Growth & Profit Consultant, Coach, Mentor and Counselor/Therapist for Business Owners and Professionals.

Your HR Team Needs Ongoing Training

We would love to hear your comments on this article or any of our latest articles.

Gary Brunson
gary@myclearfocus.com

Debra Rider
debra@myclearfocus.com

574.361.2674

Sustainable Growth & Profit Consultant, Coach, Mentor and Counselor/Therapist for Business Owners and Professionals.

3 Questions You Should Ask In A Job Interview About Covid-19

This is a crazy time in the world. Many people are out of jobs and on the hunt for a new one. You have put in the time to apply to all the jobs that are within your job skills, and you finally see that email or phone call pop up asking for you to come in for an interview. You will instantly be excited and think of all the things you need to do to impress the interviewer.

There are many things that you should keep in mind when you go to your interview. So many things have changed and have new requirements due to Covid-19. Take note of all the rules and regulations that they have and that you are informed of everything about the company before you accept the job. Here are some things that you should ask the employer before your interview.

1. What safety precautions are you as a company taking during this time?

You want to ensure your safety and the safety of others is being put high on the list of importance. Find out what they are doing to make sure you are safe and what their procedures are if someone tests positive.

You will want to get the information needed for if you test positive for COVID-19 and what the steps are that will need to be taken. Even in the case of a family member contracting COVID-19 and needing you to care for them. If they offer sick pay or if you will need to apply for unemployment.

2. Has your company had to lay employees off due to the pandemic?

Finding out what they did or do to help the employees during this pandemic says a lot about a company. A place of employment that truly values its employees will provide the information and tools this person needs to get help.

3. Is there an option to work remotely during the pandemic of Covid-19?

Right now everyone is uncertain of the way things are going to go. Businesses all over were shut down and had employees, who could, working remotely from home. Finding out if your employer will allow you to continue working if a shut down were to occur again.

It is important to get any information about communication and requirements that go along with working from home. Sometimes it is easy to get distracted when you work remotely, having an idea of what the employer expects will help you stay on track.

Contact us now!

We would love to hear your comments on this article or any of our latest articles.

Gary Brunson
gary@myclearfocus.com

Debra Rider
debra@myclearfocus.com

574.361.2674

Sustainable Growth & Profit Consultant, Coach, Mentor and Counselor/Therapist for Business Owners and Professionals.

3 Communication Habits Good Leaders Practice Daily

Communication is probably one of the most important qualities that a leader can possess. It shows that you not only can be in charge, but you also care about what others feel and think. When there is lack of communication, it leaves room for people to get confused. This can lead to unfortunate rumors and misinformation.

The people in your workplace will thrive on good communication. The business can run more efficiently and effectively when their communication with one another is strong. When people feel as though there isn’t an open line to do so, they may be afraid to speak up and voice what they are feeling or thinking.

Ways to Communicate In The Workplace

Communicating isn’t just about you talking, it is also about listening. A good leader must show respect and interest in what people are telling them. Listening to what your coworkers have to say can make them feel heard and understood.

The reason that we communicate is to inform one another, express how you are feeling, to encourage, to impact each other, and to meet expectations. Without it, things would not play out very well. Here are some ways that you as a leader can do better with this and encourage your team as well.

1. Eye Contact

Eye contact is a very important thing when you are communicating. Body language is perceived in either a good or a bad way. Your eyes surprisingly can play a big role in your body language. Eye contact lets the person know that you are listening and care about what they are telling you.

2. Don’t Zone Out

Spacing out during a conversation can sometimes be easy to do. When you do that you have a look on your face that happens, this look is very obvious that you are no longer paying attention to the person talking to you. When you catch yourself zoning out of a conversation, make a conscious effort to bring yourself back in.

3. Tell Your Story

This is a way the people you work with can connect with you on a different level, it will help them to also open up. It can improve the workflow that happens. This will also give them the opportunity to open up about themselves, and help everyone one learn how to better work with one another.

We would love to hear your comments on this article or any of our latest articles.

Gary Brunson
gary@myclearfocus.com

Debra Rider
debra@myclearfocus.com

574.361.2674

Sustainable Growth & Profit Consultant, Coach, Mentor and Counselor/Therapist for Business Owners and Professionals.

5 Tips on “Re-Engineering” Your Business

The COVID-19 pandemic has left every business and business owner in new, uncharted territory. The aftershock of this pandemic has left many business owners facing one harsh reality: Businesses will never operate the same. When these partial lockdowns are lifted and people begin to shop normally again, there will be a heavy emphasis on safety. Which means your business is going to have to re-engineer itself.

Here are five tips to help you smooth that transition.

1. Identify Your Experience

While the personal effects of COVID-19 are felt by almost everyone, the lingering effects on businesses aren’t. As a leader, it’s important, now more than ever, for you to lead by example. Your employees should understand that the way the business operates may never be the same and that these changes may be a good thing.

2. Consider the Constraints

Risk management is a crucial part of any successful business. Map out constraints the safety concerns are imposing on your business’s process, product, and experience. This will help you better understand the problems your business is facing and how you work around them.

3. Imagine New Ways to Overcome

Now that you have identified the struggles you may face, it’s time to figure out how to work around these roadblocks. Think of this situation, not as a burden, but as an opportunity for growth. How can your business take advantage of the situation and turn it into a positive? Are there any new markets or processes that could work?

4. Reassemble Your Process and Test

Implement these changes you have brainstormed and test them out to verify its effectiveness. Given the circumstances, this may be difficult, but it’s a critical part of the process. Going into new endeavors completely blind is a risk that can be entirely avoided.

5. Remember That Re-Engineering Drives Progress

As mentioned earlier, try not to view these circumstances as an unmovable roadblock. Re-engineering in the face of uncertain times is often the catalyst for innovation and progress. In fact, a number of companies have innovated and found success in the face of this pandemic. Re-engineering your business for safety can benefit your business greatly in the long run.

We would love to hear your comments on this article or any of our latest articles.

Gary Brunson
gary@myclearfocus.com

Debra Rider
debra@myclearfocus.com

574.361.2674

Sustainable Growth & Profit Consultant, Coach, Mentor and Counselor/Therapist for Business Owners and Professionals.

Leadership and Anxiety

Recent events have lead many of us to realize just how fragile the ground we stand on is. As a leader, it’s hard not to find yourself anxious over the uncertainty every day brings. It’s even harder to find the strength to lead by example while your mind and heart are racing. Here are some ways you can combat your anxiety while still showing the strength and authority necessary to lead.

Don’t Run From Your Emotions 

The worst thing you can do to your anxiety is to pretend that it doesn’t exist. In order to combat it, you must first accept the fact that you’re dealing with anxiety. No one has to hear you say it, but saying it to yourself can be therapeutic for some.

After you have identified your anxiety, you can play the role of detective. Search your feelings to try and pinpoint the root cause of your anxiety. Are you worried about not being prepared for a big pitch or are you worried about something out of your control?

Rationalize With Yourself 

When we’re anxious about what the future holds for us, it’s easy to find ourselves stuck in a negative thought loop that prevents us from moving forward. To combat this, one must sort out the probable from the possible. Doing so will help prevent feeling anxious about things beyond one’s control.

Try to avoid thinking in absolutes. While it’s possible that a pandemic wipes out everything that we love, it’s highly improbable that it happens. Don’t be afraid to recruit help from people you trust. Conversations with these people can help us differentiate what is likely to unfold from what is a long shot.

Take Steps to Reduce Anxiety

The best way to reduce anxiety is to control what you can. If you’re worried about not being ready for a big pitch, structure your time properly so you can better prepare. Being organized has a massive positive impact on mental health.

When you begin to feel anxious, an immediate task can easily become overwhelming. Even regular mundane activities can leave you feeling like the weight of the world is on your shoulders. Take small, meaningful actions that will help you ease your mind until the panic subsides.

Traveling in uncharted waters, like many of us are now, can lead to warranted anxiety and panic. It can be difficult to lead during bouts of anxiety. Taking a step back, diagnosing your anxiety, and taking small but meaningful actions can help you regain control of your situation.

We would love to hear your comments on this article or any of our latest articles.

Gary Brunson
gary@myclearfocus.com

Debra Rider
debra@myclearfocus.com

574.361.2674

Sustainable Growth & Profit Consultant, Coach, Mentor and Counselor/Therapist for Business Owners and Professionals.

How To Make Learning Apart Of Your Company Culture

We no longer operate in a static work environment. The world surrounding us is changing every day and so are businesses. The businesses that change with the world are the ones that survive. This is why learning should be engrained in your companies culture. Here are some ways you can successfully make learning a part of your companies culture.

Lead By Example

Cultural changes are spearheaded by those at the top. Leaders must inspire and encourage others within their organizations to pursue learning. In order to do that, leaders must fully embrace learning themselves.

The most successful leaders lead by example and it’s no different with learning initiatives. Your colleagues should be able to follow you on your daily learning journey, picking up valuable lessons along the way.

Those in your organization will be inspired by how much you value learning.

Build an Environment of Continued Learning

While it’s important to build a culture of learning, you want to be sure that it’s not a one and done type of thing. You don’t want your colleagues to learn about one subject and then go back to life as normal. You want to build an environment that encourages people to build on the things they’ve learned and to continue learning.

Your number one goal should be to build a democratic learning environment. Anyone who wants to learn should have that opportunity, every day. This means providing them with the resources they need to build skills that will help them throughout their careers.

Create a Learning Network

While great leaders lead by example, they can’t be the only person dedicated to learning. In order for a learning environment to succeed, there must be a network of like-minded ambassadors at every level. These ambassadors can be found at every level and can inspire and encourage their co-workers.

Strive to reach the point where you expect your employees to seek out learning experiences on a daily basis. Strive to reach the point where learning becomes so engrained in your companies’ culture that it almost happens completely unnoticed. By building a foundation of learning from the ground-up, your company can be full of like-minded learners.

Emphasizing the importance of learning in the workplace will help your company tenfold. Learning inspires growth and innovation. As a leader, do everything that you can to implement a culture of learning.

We would love to hear your comments on this article or any of our latest articles.

Gary Brunson
gary@myclearfocus.com

Debra Rider
debra@myclearfocus.com

574.361.2674

Sustainable Growth & Profit Consultant, Coach, Mentor and Counselor/Therapist for Business Owners and Professionals.

How Meditation Can Help You Become a Better Leader

Becoming a better leader stems from many daily practices. Mediation may not even be on your radar when it comes to finding ways to be a better leader. However, making this a part of your daily routine can change your day completely.

Here are ways that meditation can help you:

1. Objectively Tackle Daily Task

Meditation is a mindful discipline that can do wonders for not only your personal life but for the leadership aspect of your life as well. Pride is one factor at the root of failed relationships and poor management and with the lack of quality leadership, these days meditation is a technique worth trying. When one stops to quiet their mind and breathe deeply they are able to silence many of the thoughts that tend to create conflict.

Even a short ten to twenty-minute meditation session can help to refocus the mind, reevaluate an email, a tough phone call, and reply without “self” involved. When you practice stillness you can virtually remove thoughts that contribute to defensive behavior and think more clearly.

2. Build Deeper Connections

Over time it has been noted that meditation allows a person to feel more empathy and better connect with their employees.

People who practice meditation regularly learn to release fear and can then connect better and approach and confront employees they find “difficult”. This approach is not only for the workplace but can be used in other forms of leadership.

Parenting is a great place to practice these techniques especially during the teen years or if you are a caregiver for someone with special needs or mental illness. Take some quiet time to breathe in and out, listening to the breaths, then reevaluate how to respond. Acting out of emotion instead of logic just because we could not take time to meditate can cause long-term relationship hardships.

3. Still Your Mind

Our minds on average have 70,000 thoughts that run through our minds on any given day. The goal with meditation is to release those thoughts, release the ego, the pride, the thoughts that hold us back. Find a quiet place with a chair and set your timer for anywhere between five and twenty-five minutes.

Count to one in your head while you take your first breath in and then breathe out on two. Repeat this process all the way to 10 and start over. With every breath release the thoughts, let go of the anxiousness and notice how this helps during your decision-making throughout the day.

Practice Regularly and Extend Your Practice Over Time

Start out with five minutes and slowly work your way up to ten or fifteen. If all you have is five minutes then just make sure to meditate for five minutes daily. Start with your consistency and then work on extending your meditation time.

We would love to hear your comments on this article or any of our latest articles.

Gary Brunson
gary@myclearfocus.com

Debra Rider
debra@myclearfocus.com

574.361.2674

Sustainable Growth & Profit Consultant, Coach, Mentor and Counselor/Therapist for Business Owners and Professionals.