Veteran Health

COVID-19 has changed the way we do things today. May it be in your personal life to how businesses run their operations. The new normal forced businessmen to come up with the best strategies for saving their companies in this global pandemic.

“Many studies have linked financial distress to poorer mental health. The more you stress about money, the harder it may be to manage your psychological well-being—and vice versa,” Amy Morin, LCSW, shares.

Experts revealed, however, that stressing won’t be able to keep your businesses afloat. Business people should try their best to focus on the remedies instead of dwelling on their problems. One way to go about this is through the shift from offline to online — and remember that veteran cybersecurity is a must when it comes to digital business. Here are the reasons why you should adapt to this strategy.

Remain Relevant

The digital approach is five times faster than traditional ones. Believe it or not, not going digital will drown you in this fast-moving world.

More and more companies are now maximizing their marketing techniques based on what’s hot on the internet. Businesses can leverage hashtags and trends as opportunities. You should have a quick wit and a creative digital effort to target the most number of people.

Swaying with your consumers’ likes will bring timely exposure to your company. In short, you will remain relevant.

Ability To Shift To The Work From Home Setup

As an employer, the safety of your employees should be your number one priority. Where will your business land if you don’t have your workers behind, right?

The presence of coronavirus pushed the concept of work-from-home. This strategy helped to halt the spread of the virus. Although some employers were against this concept, many are now transitioning to this kind of setup.

They realized that this approach would lower their operational costs by renting fewer offices and minimizing electricity and water charges. It is also a win for your employees since it leads to reduced transportation expenses.

Presence Of Non-Contact Services And Delivery

A lot of individuals now fear to go out of their house, even if shopping for essentials. They are scared of this health threat since there is a higher risk of acquiring the virus outside. Therefore, more and more people are now opting to purchase in online stores since it’s safer and more accessible.

This trend started with food delivery services. Due to the lockdown and the fear, food deliveries improved their game by enrolling more restaurants into their app. This way, customers won’t have to go out of their houses just to put food on their table. This approach has been a success amid the pandemic.

Following their success, the majority of businesses shifted to this strategy as well. Groceries and supermarkets expanded their service out of their counters by aiding their customers through their deliveries. Companies outside the food and beverage industry are adapting to this trend as well.

Provide Remote Learning

Consumers spend most of their time inside their homes, and most are now getting bored. Yes, they have their movies and games to keep them entertained, but many individuals are getting sick of this. Believe it or not, many are now craving to learn and to sustain your brand, and you should be able to heed to this call.

Collect Key Analytics

For you to be able to come up with the best business strategies, you should be able to know your customers’ demographics well. And what’s the way to do this? By getting these data through your online platforms.

Consumer analytics allow your company to tailor your content, continuously understand the trends, and engage with them appropriately. Without detailed insight, businesses will most likely make detrimental strategy errors. Getting into these pitfalls will cost you a lot.

Set Up Virtual Events

Some industries rely on their brand events to be able to market their products and services well. This approach has now become impossible with the implementation of social distancing and the prohibition of mass gatherings around the world. But the presence of digital platforms, virtual events are now possible.

What’s better is that you can reach more audiences with this type of gathering, giving you more opportunities to promote your products and services.

Going digital amid the coronavirus is the best way to go. Companies that won’t respond to these market changes will only lead to its downfall. Everything will be affected – from customer retention, market share, and, eventually, revenue generation.

One of the worst moments or things that can happen in your life is realizing that everything you worked hard for in the past has gone into waste. It can be a heartbreaking wake up one day and discover that your business has gone bankrupt. It may feel like the world has already ended. For sure, you want to feel better, but a big part of you does not know what to do or how to truly move forward.

Do not worry because this article is going to teach you exactly what you need to know now that you are experiencing bankruptcy. Before anything else, it is crucial on your part to accept the reality about your condition. Stop feeling sorry for yourself but focus on improving the situation. The early process of moving on from this unfortunate event can be challenging. However, with the right attitude and disposition about it, everything can be okay.

 

Follow the things mentioned below:

 

Find A Lawyer

The initial step that you must do is to get in touch with an attorney. It is ideal if you are going to look for a lawyer who is an expert in business law. Always put in mind that the professional services of a legal counsel are essential during bankruptcy. He will be the one who can help you determine your liabilities or obligations under the law. At the same time, he can also find a way to save you from any possible criminal case.

 

Talk To Your Creditors

 

Another thing that you must do is to make an effort to communicate with all your creditors. They will get mad at you for your failure to settle your outstanding debts. However, they will also appreciate it if you will be brave enough to apologize to them. Let them know that you never wanted to become bankrupt. At the same time, make an effort to inform them that you will pay immediately once you can bounce back.

 

Take A Vacation

Now that you have declared bankruptcy, the logical thing to do is to go out on vacation with your family. Do not be afraid to run away for a little while so that you can think about the situation. Remember that going on a trip is not an act of being a coward on your part. You have to believe that going away for a little while maybe a good idea so that you can regain your sanity. However, it does not mean that you will never return to your actual life after the vacation. All you have to do is to give yourself some time and space – away from all your bankruptcy issues.

 

Conclusion

 

Experiencing bankruptcy can be difficult on the part of any businessman. Nonetheless, it does not indicate that an entrepreneur can no longer move forward to brighter days. Consider your current situation as a temporary condition. Everything is going to be okay soon, as long as you know how to survive the problems today.

 

Are you planning to open up your own company or start your new firm? Do you want to find out the different ways on how you can make this happen? Are you afraid that there may be some problems along the way? If you answered yes to all these questions, make sure to read this article from start to finish. For today’s post, we are going to share some of the essential tips to remember when it comes to building your first company.

Prepare Your Capital

One of the essential things that you must have at the moment is a sufficient amount of capital. Take note that you can never succeed in your business venture if you do not have the money to start it. Remember that raising capital is always indispensable in creating a start-up firm. There are many ways on how you can get your funds for capital. For example, you can loan in a bank or use your own savings.

 

Create a Business Plan

Once you have discovered that you have the right amount of money for capital, the next step is to create a great business plan. Take note that you need to conduct a feasibility study to see if the business that you have in mind is a good idea or not. It is suggested to get in touch with a professional who can help you conduct the research. His expert opinion is also essential so that you can move forward to the next step.

Hire The Right People

Another thing that you must take into consideration is the necessity to look for the people who will become your employees. Remember that you can never function well without the assistance of some people. As such, it is crucial to focus on the hiring process. Look for people who are qualified to handle the various tasks or activities required to run your business. Do not rush the process of searching for these individuals so that you can avoid making mistakes or errors.

 

Think Twice All The Time

Always put in mind that it can be difficult to create a business from scratch. There will be several challenges and issues that you may encounter along the way. Because of this, it is ideal to sleep on your business idea first. Make sure that you are absolutely interested and positive about starting your own firm. If there is a slight hesitation on your part, it is best to think twice before making a final decision. Take note that the moment you start, there is no turning back.

Get The Proper License

Moreover, you also need to get the proper licenses and requirements from the local government or the state. Every entrepreneur is required to get the necessary permits before a business can start its operations. If you do not want to get into legal trouble, be sure that you will take time to process all the requirements. Submit all the essential documents to the proper governmental agency so that you can eventually start operating a legitimate business.

 

Being a boss can be challenging, especially when the people under your supervision and control are difficult to handle. The truth is that you must make an effort to become a good boss so that your subordinates can start to deliver better work or output for the company. Take note that what you do today can have an effect on the success of your firm.

One of the essential things that you must never forget is the significance of disciplining your employees. Here is a list of the sound advice that you must always keep in mind:

 

Remember You Are The Boss

 

The first thing that you must know is the fact that you are the boss of the company. Without you, it will be hard for the employees to function well. Think of yourself as the glue that holds the firm together. Everyone is under your control, and you have the management prerogative to impose rules and regulations. What is essential is that you know how to introduce a set of guidelines that every worker must follow.

 

Talk To Each Employee Individually

If there is something that you do not like about your worker, be sure to find a way to communicate with the said individual alone. Avoid putting the said person in a compromising situation. Remember that you do not need to embarrass him in front of his work colleagues to point out that he made a mistake. The right thing to do is to call him to your office and to discuss the matter privately.

 

Provide Rewards And Incentives

 

One of the things that you can also introduce in the workplace is positive reinforcement. All you have to do is to think of the rewards and incentives that you can give to every top-performing employee. Let everyone in the team know that something great awaits them if they do something great or remarkable in the office. Once you establish this system, you will start to notice that their productivity will increase.

 

Let Inefficient Workers Go

You must also set an example to everyone in the office that you value hard work. Show to everyone that you are not afraid to let go of inefficient employees. If you notice that a worker is no longer performing well, do not hesitate to give a warning to the said individual. Give him sufficient time to improve his work performance. In case he fails to do it, be sure to fire him away from the job. It will send a signal to everyone in the office that you are serious in letting people go.

 

Conclusion

 

Being a boss may be terrifying, yet it can also be rewarding. As already mentioned above, you are the glue that holds your company together. As long as you know how to discipline your workers, everything is going to be okay at work. You will be amazed at how things can improve the moment you follow the tips and tricks we mentioned above.

 

 

 

Working in a company that you love can be a rewarding feeling. It feels great to be with a firm that knows how to value hardworking employees like you. However, if what you are experiencing at your current employment is the opposite, then maybe it is time to think about resigning.

We understand that it can be terrifying to decide on quitting your job. Of course, you are afraid of what may happen the moment you decide to let go of the work that you do finally. Can you still support your family if you resign today? Is your wife going to support your decision? Will it be good or bad for your mental health? The truth is that there are tons of things to consider before you can decide on this matter.

 

As such, for today’s article, we are going to provide you with a list of that will tell you that it is time to say goodbye to your job. Our goal is to encourage everyone to be brave enough to let go of things that no longer make you happy. It can also be a lot difficult in the beginning, but as time goes by, you will realize that you are doing yourself a favor. Here are the indications that your job no longer serves any purpose in your life:

 

Your Boss Is Mean

Nothing is worse than rendering work for an employer who does not know how to appreciate the efforts that you put in your work. It can be bad for your mental wellness to go to a workplace, wherein your boss is a mean person. The longer you stay in a stressful environment, the more dangerous it becomes for you. There is a possibility that you will develop depression or anxiety.

 

You Dislike Your Work Colleagues

 

Another essential thing that you must look into is your relationship with everyone in the office. Do you have someone that you are close to? Or are you always stressed out because of your teammates? If it is the latter, be sure to say goodbye to them as soon as possible. Take note that these people can affect your mental health. If they are mean to you, there is a high chance that you can develop a problem within yourself.

 

You Do Not Like Your Job

One of the best reasons why you must hand in your resignation at the moment is because you hate your job. You need to stop pretending that everything is okay in the work that you do at the office. Keep in mind that you are only punishing yourself if you will continue to do something that does not make you happy. Now is the right time to set yourself free. Several studies show that working on a job you don’t like can cause depression. Depression can happen at any age: kids, teens, young adults, middle adults, or geriatric depression for older adults. If you don’t like your job, do not be afraid to try something new because you deserve it. Look for another job that makes everything better for your life. Remember that you will never run out of opportunities.

 

What are you waiting for? You have to resign now if you can relate to at least one of the items mentioned above.

 

 

Source: media.defense.gov

Technology has never grown more explosively that in the last few years. In particular, personal electronics have become significantly smaller and exponentially more potent within just a few years. Let’s also not forget the Internet, which brings unprecedented access to massive amounts of information for anyone around the world. Technology is disruptive by nature as it impacts every aspect of our lives, and psychologists are starting to realize that even our minds can be affected.

“There is also little doubt that all of the new technologies, led by the Internet, are shaping the way we think in ways obvious and subtle, deliberate and unintentional, and advantageous and detrimental.”  Jim Taylor Ph.D. said. Technology promises excellent potential, but it can also be costly, especially when misused. Hundreds of articles and research studies already point towards the detrimental effects of technology on our physical health. Of growing concern is how it may also affect our mental states. By knowing what it can do to our minds, we can become better prepared to take safeguards.

Information Superhighway

A general discussion of how the modern world affects health is incomplete without considering the Internet. Having the world’s knowledge within your reach is an immensely democratizing process. People now have the freedom to learn almost anything they want, given the millions of webpage online. It allows people to learn about the newest and most effective ways to take care of their bodies and minds. In this manner, the Internet gives people a massive opportunity to improve their lives.

However, this also acts as a two-edged sword. The massive amounts of data can lead to information overload. People can become overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information, which can lead to higher stress levels. Overload is also demotivating, and this numbing effect can lead to people losing their ability to think critically and to analyze concepts deeply.

Social Media

A noteworthy aspect of modern technology is social media, which allows people to post and read real-life updates about their lives. Such a level of freedom gives people a lot of room for self-expression. The online space is also sometimes used to vent out frustrations, giving people relief through catharsis.

However, social media makes it very tempting to make comparisons. When people start to compare themselves to other people, they might feel inadequate even though there might not be much justification. Constant comparisons can erode self-esteem. The heavy use of social media implicates the development of some mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety. “The rise and growing significance of social media has caused an influx of mental health concerns, such as low self-esteem, depression, and anxiety. Now is the time to start paying attention to how social media is influencing your life choices and mental health.” As Brie Shelly, MS, LMHC, RYT explains.

Source: pixabay.com

Internet Addiction

Another concern when it comes to technology is its tendency to be addictive. Internet content provides quick feedback and almost instant gratification. Many websites are meant to attract attention as much as possible, as this is the method by which companies entice people to try their services and products. All in all, this makes the Internet the perfect avenue for promoting addiction. “As adults, we have leveraged technology to accomplish amazing things in our lives: we do our work, manage our social lives, consume news and entertainment, even make new purchases for the holidays, all with the push of virtual buttons. Despite being cognitively mature, emotionally resilient, and capable of delaying gratification, we struggle to set limits on our own usage.” Jyothsna Bhat, PsyD elaborates.

Addictions are inherently harmful, as they take time and energy to sustain. It’s not uncommon to observe people who spend most of their waking hours in front of a gadget. This addiction prevents them from allocating more time towards other activities, such as face-to-face interactions.

Internet addiction is among the most prevalent mental illnesses that are tackled by the BetterHelp team of therapists and counselors. You may also know more about them through this link.

Using Technology Properly

As shown above, technology presents both opportunities and threats to mental health and well-being. To reap the maximum benefits while minimizing harmful effects, people should find ways to use the technologies at their disposal correctly.

For instance, setting time limits can help prevent many of the mental health problems discussed here. These limits should be more strict towards children, who are more vulnerable due to their young minds.

Proper etiquette also applies here. For example, set times such as during meals where phone usage should not be allowed except for emergencies. Taking regular breaks from personal electronics can also be a refreshing experience, as it will enable you to rest without relying on gadgets.

Some people benefit by limiting their usage of their social media accounts. Many have specific periods where they take a break from social media, giving themselves time to focus on more productive activities. Others remind themselves not to compare while browsing.

Amazingly, there are software solutions that allow people to manage technology better in their lives. For example, there are browser extensions that can limit access to specific sites based on schedules that you set. Others give you a consumable amount of time for Internet usage daily, setting off alarms whenever you approach your limit.

Source: media.defense.gov

What’s important to note here is that technology is not inherently harmful to your mental health. When used correctly, it can form a part of a healthy lifestyle. The key here is discipline and moderation. Take control of your digital life before it starts to control you.

Running a business is hard, but it is imaginably harder for those people with a mental health issue. That’s because it requires a lot of dedication, drive, sleepless nights, and uncertainty. There is a lot to take and more to give in. There’s got to be an assurance of time-management, organization skills, leadership, energy, and effort. So to handle all of the pressure, one must possess a reliable quality of mental stability. So to start, here are some of the things business-minded people with a mental health problem must consider.

Outlining Goals For The future

The misconception lies when individuals look at success as a straight line because it’s not. There are struggles everywhere, and the road will potentially become rough without warning. “People with healthy self-esteem tend to view failure as an event. People with low self-esteem often view failure as fatal. This thought process pummels one’s self-esteem and overtime being a failure becomes their identity.” counselor Monte Drenner emphasizes. But with a proper mindset of what a goal looks like in the future, there will be a buildup of courage and motivation. There’s got to be mountaintop thinking involve in every business-related decisions and actions. There’s this urgency to project forward through the imagination of an ideal life. Businesses don’t grow and develop in an instant. It contains a lot of hard work and persistence. Therefore, business-minded persons with a mental health issue should understand the essence of discipline. From there, they have to think more about the possibilities of growing before doing something beyond their abilities.

Never Quit When It’s Not Finished

Most people stop when they hit failure. They assume that when they already reached rock-bottom, it’s the end game already. What they don’t understand is that it’s the other way around. Meaning, the road to success is about to get better once they stand up and bring their best to what they do. People often fail in a lot of things. So when business-minded individuals pay too much attention to their mental health issue and not focus on their chance of hitting success, then that’s what’s eventually going to happen. These individuals will lose the continuity of achieving something better when they decide to quit. Therefore, they need to gain enough dedication to strive and finish the things they already started. “A good way to keep from destroying your self-esteem is by keeping negative self-talk in check. Catch yourself before you go spiraling down the hole of negative thought.” You’ll notice a big difference.” says licensed psychologist Cindy T. Graham, PhD

Remember To Keep People Around

The most powerful tool people can use in times of mental health struggle is “people” itself. Since dealing with business can cause a lot of anxiety, stress, and depression, business-minded individuals, must recognize the value of having someone beside them. Of course, it all depends on how they use them. There are instances that some would seek out for others significant contribution to their lives, but there are also those individuals who do not need but demand others’ presence. It doesn’t have to be a hindrance though because one of the great things about having someone is the ability to know what is wrong. By that, there’s a notable chance of finding a better solution through every business and life problems from triggering mental health conditions.

Act Responsibly In Every Action

The definition of greatness and what people want to achieve is different from somebody else. Yes, there may be some similarities at some point, but it’s still not the exact thing. When there’s a mental health issue involved, everything about the business can get messed up. So before it takes a toll on people’s lives, one must think about handling it the way they are supposed to. There’s no right or wrong in doing it though. But business-minded people should consider the consequences of their actions. When they lose the willpower to continue, they might at least look for an alternative in making things better. They have to understand that success is a long process and the only way through it is by making worst and unwanted decisions.

A lot of people out there often aim to improve by focusing on the one change they can do with their life. There’s this desire to making their dreams come true. But with mental health in the picture, everything can become a losing-grip struggle. Erica Thompson, LMFT, LPCC used to say, “Mental health struggles are real. They can be painful. You may feel alone. In some of the darkest times, you may feel like something is “wrong” with you to the core. ” Life is not a quick path and so as businesses. There are no shortcuts to it. Therefore, the only way for these business-minded individuals to overcome the struggle is to focus on getting better. Because the only persons who can do it, it only themselves.

If you are someone from the business world who wants help in his journey to learning more about living mentally healthy, the BetterHelp app is a convenient way to start. There have been great success stories from people like you who have talked to one of our credible therapists. We hope that you will reap the many benefits of talking to one of them online.

 

 

When it comes to business, most of the conversations are all associated with a sense of accomplishment or the joy that they feel after they have built something great out of nothing. But while this is true, there is sadly the other side of the coin – the downside of being a successful entrepreneur – the negative things you gain, one of these being mental illness.

The price you pay for all the hard work, the sleepless nights, and time spent away from family is mostly a psychological one. One survey showed that about 30% of business owners – whether young, old, or veteran – had experienced depression at one point in their business career. The result also showed that nearly 30% also dealt with anxiety and ADHD.

Indeed, mental illnesses, if not given attention, can result in disability and a frustrating life for the entrepreneur, which in turn can destroy the business itself. For instance, an entrepreneur who is suffering from depression may make the wrong choices and under or overestimates an important deal.

Additionally, when one feels down and dispirited, he becomes hesitant, and the lowered self-esteem will be visible to his employees. This may consequently lead to a lowered productivity in the employees because of lack of motivation. They will need a role model that they can follow. Really, it is difficult to give something of yourself if you’re not mentally and physically well.

Watching Your Temper

“Negative stereotypes about people with mental illness often involve the perception that people with mental illness are dangerous.” That is according to Katie Hurley, LCSW. A lot of the business owners that were included in a recent study agreed that stress takes a toll on them and of course, on their business. And one of the things that they had in common that they thought they all had to keep in check was their temper. Being easily angered or irritated can negatively affect one’s method of dealing with the people around him, and this should be cause for concern.

For instance, if a colleague or client gives you constructive criticism, perhaps you are normally responsive to this in a positive way. However, if you’re on edge at that moment, you might be resistant and may even be in the mood to pick an argument over a negative comment that you didn’t want to hear because you didn’t feel like it. This calls for rest time or time away from all the stress and pressure, as in no time will you be dealing with a mental illness if you keep working.

Find yourself some effective methods of reducing pressure on yourself. Meditate. Practice yoga. Find a hobby. Party. Play for a while. You’ll soon realize that you needed it after all.

The BetterHelp app is a great platform that may guide you in finding ways to avoid mental illness. You can check out some videos or perhaps you would like to read about their clients’ testimonials.

Handling The Workload Appropriately

“A mental illness cannot be willed away or brushed aside with a change in attitude. Ignoring the problem doesn’t give it the slip either.” Deborah Serani, PsyD said. Managing the workload is usually on top of the priority list, although entrepreneurs know that this is much easier said than done.

Below is a list of tips that have helped many entrepreneurs handle their workload.

• Place Workloads In A Category. There are two types of workloads that put you in a lot of stress and pressure. You can classify them into ‘psychologically loaded’ and ‘physically loaded.’ Prioritize the former. The workload that pressures you psychologically will only make you stronger mentally and help you gain insight on how to deal with other equally important tasks during hectic times.

You can also help your employees in their struggle to handle their workloads. Choose a certain period each day that you can assign for priority tasks so that your employees will work on the tasks that are on top of their list. This way, they can be more relaxed the rest of the time they are in the workplace.

• Don’t Compare Yourself With Others. “Focus on yourself and your own happiness and do not compare yourself to others.” Marc Romano, PsyD said. Comparisons are almost always a recipe for disaster. First, you don’t get to foster harmonious relationships with your colleagues and competitors; hence, you don’t learn things the easy way. Second, you can’t think freely and creatively when all you want is to topple down another. Comparisons will only lead to complications, and the success achieved is half-baked.

• Remember That Time Is Gold. Yes, it is. That’s why although you don’t need to pressure yourself too much into finishing a deadline or establishing a new product, it is also not a good habit to procrastinate just because you think you can do it without any pressure. Value the work that you do, and always do your best, however huge or small it may be.

Takeaway

Entrepreneurship is not a walk in the park, not even for the millennials. Every entrepreneur is vulnerable to suffering from a mental illness such as anxiety, phobias, and depression. But these are not signs of weakness at all. It only means that you need to take a few steps back and evaluate yourself. Listen to your body and your mind. And then tackle the business or life situation using another maneuver that you feel comfortable and strongly about. You’ll be on your way to becoming better equipped at facing the daily ups and downs of your business and your life.