Designing Web Success

I’m a recent Hurricane Rita evacuee and survived the evacuation and the ensuing hurricane. Running from a hurricane isn’t something I’ve ever had to do before, nor is it something I’d ever like to do again. However, as a solo business owner, I’m quite thankful that I have a virtual business. The fact that I’m virtual and can operate from anywhere that there’s electricity and phone service was of great help to me in this disaster and helped me reopen my business a scant 4 days after the landfall of Hurricane Rita.

As a solopreneur, what can you do to make your business disaster-proof? It seems that we have an increasing number of hurricanes making landfall in the coastal states, and add to that an increased number of other types of natural disasters like tornadoes, earthquakes, wildfires, mud slides, ice storms, blizzards, etc. makes me think that there is no ideal location in which to operate a business. Now accepting that natural disasters are here to stay, here’s what I learned from my hurricane evacuation that helped me get my business back up and running quickly:

1. Know the location of your vital papers. You should be able to quickly put into a folder the following for you and your family: your marriage license, birth certificate, social security card, driver’s license or state ID card, car title/mortgage info and insurance contact info, house deed/mortgage info and insurance contact info, employee ID card, and apartment lease or copy of a utility bill. In a disaster, you’ll be asked to prove where you live and that you are who you claim you are, especially when applying for disaster assistance.

2. Have an online backup of all of your computer data. I back up my computer in two ways–to an external portable hard drive as well as to an online backup service. I use both because my files are my livelihood — I would be dead in the water without them — so I want to leave absolutely no room to lose my data. For my external backup, I use a 30 GB portable drive made by Iomega, www.iomega.com, and for my online backup, I have 10 GB of space that I pay for at XDrive, www.xdrive.com.

3. Create an file with vital contact information. I copied a file with all of my usernames and passcodes for websites, bank accounts, etc. to my USB flash drive (a key chain-like device with 512 MB or 1 GB of memory — I use one from Lexar, www.lexar.com) as well as the physical and email addresses and all phone numbers of friends, clients and family members — anyone I needed to contact during the evacuation period. You’ll also want to take along your children’s school contact info to be able to check on the current operating status of your child’s school, as well as local media website info. My lifeline in getting current information about my home city was through the websites of Beaumont’s newspapers and television and radio stations. If you keep your contact info in Outlook and have a Yahoo account, Yahoo offers a synchronization feature in which you can synchronize all of your info in Outlook to your Yahoo account. Find out more here: http://help.yahoo.com/help/intsync. All you need to access your info in Yahoo is a computer and to know your username and password.

4. Know the primary office/computer equipment that will be required to get your business up and running. I had operated with a minimal amount of my office equipment recently due to my being a house sitter for a friend for 2 months. So, upon receiving the mandatory evacuation order, I knew in relatively short order that to run my business, I needed my desktop PC, flat panel monitor, wireless mouse and keyboard, speakers, modem and associated cords, backup portable external hard drive, office telephone and associated cords, laptop computer, printer, box of software, and scanner. It sounds like a great deal of equipment, but I packed it all into 2 boxes from UHaul (1 small and 1 medium box). I knew I could work for at least 2 months comfortably with just this equipment.

5. Primary paper files for your clients/business. I have 2 sets of files — ones for the immediate short-term that I use frequently and my lateral file drawer files that are primarily reference files. I grabbed the contents of the two drawers of my 2-drawer file cabinet (which hold my immediate short-term files), all of which fit into one small UHaul box.

6. A backup telephone plan. I wasn’t sure what I was going to do for phone service for my business, as all of my clients are scattered across the US and in Canada. Just to be safe, I upgraded my cell phone plan, and had a prepaid calling card (purchased an AT&T calling card at Sam’s, www.samsclub.com) at my disposal if I needed it. As luck would have it, my hotel offered an unlimited Internet access/long distance plan for an additional $1.88 per day, so I happily signed up for that, saving myself a fortune in phone calls and Internet service fees.

7. A backup Internet access plan. Since power restoration to my home was estimated at 2-8 weeks, I had to find temporary lodgings. I looked for a hotel that offered high speed Internet access and was able to use their system for my Internet access. However, once I found the hotel, I also called the tech support of my DSL ISP and found the local dial-up numbers for the area in which the hotel is located. I never had to use the dial-up service, but it was good info to have. If you have cable or DSL Internet service, now is the time to discover alternate Internet access plans to be able to get online should your DSL or cable access be out-of-service. You should also know how to access your email online through your ISP if you don’t have access to your computer. If your ISP doesn’t offer a version of webmail, you can use this service free-of-charge, www.mail2web.com.

8. Adequate office supplies for a month. I threw in pens, pencils, post-it notes, a calculator, stamps, envelopes, tape, stapler, paper clips, note pads, etc. that would last me at least a month while I was out of my office. I used a portable plastic file case in which to carry these items.

9. Outline of your office procedures to help you operate independently or be able to delegate tasks. I carry much of my info in my head to run my office, or have what I need stored in various files across my computer. What makes more sense for the future is to document all of my office procedures, as well as computer and client info, so that everything I need is in one document. I can then upload this doc to my Yahoo account, my backup files, or carry it with my on my USB flash drive. My colleague, Jean Hanson, has designed a great template that asks you to note and record everything someone would need to know to get your business back up and running. It’s the Home Office Procedures Manual, available for purchase here: http://tinyurl.com/bagxs

10. Digital camera to record the event and/or record damages to personal property. I wish I’d had a digital camera to record all that I witnessed during my evacuation from Hurricane Rita. My sister took tons of pics, but I would’ve loved to have had the same opportunity. More importantly, however, is the need for a digital camera to record damage to your home and property. In a wide-spread disaster, it can be at least a month before your insurance adjuster will be able to assess damages to your property. In the meantime, however, you need to start repairs, like placing a tarp on your roof, boarding up broken windows, removing downed trees from your house or yard, or cleaning your refrigerator of spoiled food. In many cases, your insurance will cover the repairs or food replacement, but you need to carefully document the “before” scenario in order to receive compensation for your loss.

Don’t let a natural disaster destroy your business. Take some time now to prepare your disaster-readiness plan, and get back into business as soon as you can!

Copyright 2005 Donna Gunter

Online Business Coach Donna Gunter helps self-employed professionals make more profit in less time online. To sign up for more FREE tips like these and claim your FREE ebook, TurboCharge Your Productivity: 50 + Tools To Help You Automate Your Business and Make More Profit in Less Time Online!, visit her site at http://www.OnlineBizCoachingCompany.com.

As the holiday season starts to settle in, the workload for many Micro-Businesses can slow down.

Service-based businesses in particular consider this a slow time of the year. But, in reality, it’s a great time for us to step back and reconsider the direction of our businesses.

Here is our top 10 list of “to do” items to get your business ready for next year:

1. Catch up on Correspondence
Respond to or file any and all business correspondence. This includes snail mail, voice mail, and e-mail. This would also include invoices, bills, and business leads. Make sure that you are organized and ready for after the holiday season.

2. Make Major Business Purchases
Research those business purchases you’ve been considering for awhile. Now, you can divert some of your attention away from clients to concentrate on these items. Invest in yourself and your business with computer software upgrades, training, workshops or Web site updates and improvements. You might be able to get some good deals and deduct the purchases off this year’s taxes.

3. Review Your Strategic Plan
Business plans and marketing plans are dynamic documents. They can change depending on your needs or your target market’s needs. Now, you can reflect on where you’ve been. Start planning where you’d like to be with an eye toward challenging yourself to achieve bigger and better goals for next year.

4. Read the Latest News and Books
Now is a good time to keep up with trends in your industry as well as local business news. You can familiarize yourself with topics that affect your business and your clients. Also, there are probably a ton of business books you’ve been wanting to read. Set a goal to read 2 of them by the beginning of next year.

5. Plan Advertising Spots
Set up next season’s advertising opportunities. Consider including a mixture of traditional print, radio, Internet, upcoming tradeshows or events. This time of year, many are focused on the holiday season and wait until it’s too late to plan their advertising campaign. Also, if you commit now, you might be lucky enough to get a holiday discount off the usual rates.

6. Re-evaluate Memberships in Business Associations and Organizations
Do they provide support? Camaraderie? Education? Referrals? Customers? If they aren’t helping you meet one of your goals, the cost of membership may not be worth it.

7. Look at Your Customer Mix
Make a list of the types of customers you’ve been marketing to. Then, make a list of your actual customers. Do you see some key differences? If so, it might be worth tweaking your marketing plan or even some of your products and services.

8. Commit to Expanding Your Marketing into 1 New Area
Do you want to start marketing online? Holding workshops? Sending mailings? Writing articles? Pick 1 new area and add that to your marketing mix for next year.

9. Consider Alliances with Other Businesses
It’s difficult to do everything when you are a Micro-Business owner. Building alliances can save time and money for everyone involved. They allow you to work with businesses that: 1) have products/services that complement yours or 2) have a similar target market.

10. Take a Mental Break From Business
Most of all, enjoy this time to yourself. Take in a sunset. Go to holiday parties. Spend time with family and friends. And, be thankful for all the wonderful events from the past year!

Some Micro-Businesses look at slow business periods in a negative light. Instead, do the opposite. Take this time to reflect on the past year’s highs and lows and begin to change the direction of your company to better position itself for the coming new year.

Brett and Leila Johnson own Data-Scribe(tm), a New Mexico-based firm empowering Micro-Businesses through technology, the written word & training. To get more tips like this, visit their Micro-Business E-Library or sign up for their Micro-Business Gazette at http://www.datascribe.biz.

The best advice I can give you is to test your ideas in the
actual location under realistic conditions to eliminate
unpleasant surprises. Work with an experience coach or wedding
consultant if you can, and then keep in mind the following
things:

1. THE WIND

Wind can affect the temperature, making it hotter or colder; the
bridesmaids’ dresses; everyone’s hair; and whether the ceremony
can be heard. Test beforehand; it can be as simple as moving the
tables around a corner, or across the park to a more sheltered
area.

Plan decorations and tablecloths you can anchor attractively;
choose weighted fabrics for the attendants; warn them about the
hair thing; and consider the need for a souns system and mike
clips. If you’re renting a tent, make sure its wind-worthy.

2. THE COMFORT OF YOUR GUESTS.

Okay, if you’re getting married in San Diego you may hit a long
spell of “perfect” weather, but failing that, your event may be
hotter, wetter, or colder than many guests would prefer.

If you’re having a lot of out-of-towners, particularly, include
information about the weather possibilities on an insert with
the invitation and accommodation recommendations. (I went to one
in Dallas in July; 111 degrees that day, and boy were the people
from Colorado and La Jolla dressed wrong!)

If it’s hot, provide iced bottles of water when they arrive,
hand fans, a tent with fans. If it’s chilly, tent, warmers, a
hot beverage when they arrive, lap blankets, portable heaters.

3. NOTHING WILL HELP IF IT POURS DOWN RAIN. YOU MUST HAVE A PLAN
B.

4. HOW TOUGH ARE YOU?

Come on now, if you’re at all the fussy type, or prone to
nerves, this simply isn’t for you. You’ll have to manage your
hair outside, for heaven’s sake.

5. THE CALL OF THE WILD.

Inclement weather – or even just ordinary ocean waves and bird
calls – can wreak havoc with still photographs and videos alike.
I recall an amateur wedding video where most of the sound was
the wind whistling around. There may also be a fountain or
waterfall, dogs barking, kids screaming, birds chirping. 6.
DECORATIONS

I’ve seen even cloth tablecloths blow in the wind, turning over
glasses, candles and centerieces. Wind, bird poop, the shades of
night falling … Be xtremely realistic when planning your
decorations. Actually test them outdoors.

7. NATURE RED IN TOOTH AND CLAW.

It’s from a poem, okay, but that’s where you’re going to be.
Don’t fantasize about how “romantic” the place is; go take a
look. Think realistically about beer bottles and cans on the
beach; getting the lawn mowed and weeded; planting seasonal
flowers; bugs, flies, snakes and spiders; the sounds of barking
dogs and (uninvited) children, or, for that matter these days,
teen drugs dealers in the park. Have a visit with your eyes
open. Then do what you need to do, or resolve it’s “good enough”
and don’t worry. The world of nature isn’t going to shut down
just because it’s your wedding.

8. SAFETY … ALL AGES

You’re in love. You’re planning your big day. However, you must
limit the things you have to worry about if you’re going to
enjoy yourself. A celebration in a park by a lake would be nice,
or by the pool at your aunt’s mansion, or even at the beach, but
in actuality, if there are going to be children there, and
drinking … there’s also going to be the chance for a real
tragedy.

Which brings up – all ages will likely be there, and must be
thought of. Can you really picture your great-grandmother
standing in the surf with her hair blowing, stepping over
man-o-wars while picking sand out of her teeth … for long? Can
the kiddos go that long without a restroom? Many people can’t
stand for a long time; others need protection from extreme heat
and cold.

9. THE FOOD.

Can you say “health department?” Mayonnaise (and food items with
that as an ingredient) can’t sit out in the hot sun for more
than an hour or so. Avoid perishable dishes. Wind can make it
hard to get the grill lit. Ice cream won’t do when it’s 90
degrees outside, nor will hot hors d’eouvres last long when it’s
50 degrees outside.

10. THE SUN, THE MOON AND THE STARS.

Yes, he promised you that … and you’ll be promising it to your
guests, one way or another. Keep in mind the sun moves through
the sky, and plan your event (and the photographs) accordingly.
One of the most beautiful weddings I went to was planned at a
hillside lodge, with we guests arriving just as the sun was
setting.

Every event you hold can be extremely successful. Apply these 10 tips to guarantee a memorable event for everyone who attends.

Create excitement through a teaser campaign – create a marketing plan to include activities to contact your delegates before the event to create excitement.

Create a clear and correct agenda – publish an accurate agenda that includes locations, room names, times, speaker biographies and tips for your event.

Create an environment of expectation & learning – the teaser campaign will assist you create expectation. In all communications state what your delegates will learn by attending the sessions.

Encourage personal action plans as a result of their learnings - regularly remind delegates to make a note of the actions they will take when the event is completed. You may like to provide them with a separate booklet or page to list these actions.

Brief speakers on the conference theme and company challenges - Ask your speakers to customise their presentation to ensure it is relevant to your delegates.

Invite your speaker to the meal with delegates after the presentation – get more out of the excitement from your speaker’s presentation by asking them to be available to your delegates after the presentation. They will enjoy being able to ask questions and provide feedback to your chosen speaker.

Send article or information from the speaker after the conference event – leverage your investment by sending an article from your speaker in your internal newsletter or e-zine to remind delegates of their event experience and also provide valuable self-development at the same time.

Book a series with the same speaker so they can address the audience multiple times – your delegates will anticipate what the speaker is going to say and they will remember their experience from your previous event.

Follow up delegates 30 days after the event – include in your marketing plan a communication piece that includes delegate’s feedback, possibly photos of your event and the top 10 tips from the event.

Make your event fun – include fun in the agenda, capture the fun moments on a digital camera and project a slide show at the end of the event, include activities where delegates can laugh and relax.

Neen is a Global Productivity Expert: by looking at how they spend their time and energy – and where they focus their attention – Neen helps people to rocket-charge their productivity and performance. A dynamic speaker, author and corporate trainer, Neen demonstrates how boosting your productivity can help you achieve amazing things. With her unique voice, sense of fun and uncommon common-sense, Neen delivers a powerful lesson in productivity.

Subscribe to Neen’s free monthly ezine at http://neenjames.com

There is one thing that can easily put a damper on your
business’ growth, and it is called the comfort zone.

Actually, this can not only put a hold on a businesses growth,
but also on starting a business in general.

By comfort zone, I mean the fact that most people in the world
today are too “comfortable” in their current situation to do
what it takes to make the amount of money that they want to make.

They aren’t willing to do what it takes to succeed because they
are fine the way they are now.

And this doesn’t just pertain to business or Internet marketing.
This is for every aspect of life. Why are people overweight?
Because they are too comfortable being in that weight and eating
fatty foods to do what it takes to become their ideal weight.
They may not admit being comfortable, but they are.

Have you ever tried to eat a no fat diet? It isn’t easy, but
most people are too comfortable eating cookies and ice cream to
go on a no fat diet and lose the weight. This is just an example
of course, but it proves my point.

Most average people work a 9-5 job, have a family and are making
it by. They may not be rich, but they put food on the table and
pay their bills.

This is enough work for most people and they are not willing to
give up their “off” time to make more money.

And by all means, that is fine, but for those of us who DO want
to make tons of money, we have to constantly find ways to get
out of this comfort zone and progress consistently.

The comfort zone can happen at any time as well. I experience it
all the time actually. And this is what holds most people back
from starting a new venture, or progressing in the one they are
already in.

To the average person, “change” is threatening. Why change when
you aren’t suffering right now? Too get to where you REALLY want
to be, that’s why.

Have you ever met a single mom who is struggling to feed her
kids? Ever notice how she is always busy and seems to never
stop? It is because she has no comfort zone.

Struggling single moms who love their kids actually possess the
discipline and spirit that CEOs strive for. This is because they
know that if they stop, their kids might not eat. There is
nothing “comfortable” about that, so they strive on and make
great things happen.

For CEOs, if they stop, then their competition will pass them up.

Why do people who grow up poor succeed all the time? It is
because they have a burning desire to achieve a comfort zone,
because they have never had one.

So what can you do to make it out of your own comfort zone and
make great things happen? Change is the key. Change your
schedule, how you operate, what you do at certain times, how you
work on certain projects, etc..

Make some changes, jump out of your comfort zone and go get what
you want!

See you at the bank, Wes Blaylock

I have done it, and still do it unconsciously. It can be
something as subtle as simple look in your eyes or a facial
gesture. It can be more obvious as an eloquent string of harsh
words or even the tone of the words you speak. Nevertheless,
telling them they’re wrong, is the wrong foot forward. Nobody
appreciates an attack on their intelligence, on their rational
judgment, and especially their pride. You’re looking for a
positive outcome, and most likely going to receive a negative
response. Why not just challenge them to a duel and decide it
there?

Whenever you begin by turning it into an opposition of “smarter
vs. dumber” you automatically begin a battle between you and the
listener before you even start. >From this point on it is most
difficult to make any impressions or change their minds in a
positive manner.

If you are going to prove your point, do it very subtly. So
subtly that they hardly realize it’s happening.

When I am positive about something and want to get it across, I
often use a statement such as, “Well, I’m sure I’m right, but
who knows, I’ve been wrong before. I could be again”. I am
stressing two important facts in this statement. One, being that
I am almost 100% certain that I am right, and two, that there is
a slight possibility that I am wrong. This means that I am
leaving room for doubt, but stressing the fact that I am sure.
You will always come out on top by admitting that their is room
for error. This will inspire your opponent to be as open-minded
as you seem to be. It will make him/her think twice about
admitting that they may be wrong in part or whole.

Nothing good can come of telling a person straight out, that he
or she is wrong. You will only succeed in stripping that person
of self-dignity and making yourself an unwelcome part of any
discussion.

Final thought:

Don’t argue with your clients. Don’t argue with your Husband or
Wife. Don’t argue with an Adversary! Please don’t get them all
riled up by telling them they’re “wrong”! Use patience, tact,
and a little diplomacy!

I always like to hear about new ideas that really work well, are
easy to implement, and not expensive. Here’s one that is so
simple, you’ll wonder why more people don’t do it, that is
install a digital door lock on the doors in your house. Hey,
these work great on cars—why not houses?

A digital door lock is simply a fancy name for a pushbutton,
combination, or keyless entry lock. With a digital door, you
won’t have to risk your keys will be lost, stolen, or copied.
There is no AC wiring or batteries, so you won’t be locked out
during power failures. And you’ll never have to pay a locksmith
to change out your locks—you can do this yourself.

Digital door locks are available nowadays with a hacksaw-proof
deadbolts for standard doors, sliding doors, cabinets, even
outdoor gates & fences like around a pool or play area. You can
even get locks with a keypad on both sides or with a spring, so
door automatically locks each time the door is closed.

Most digital door locks have with easy-to-change codes and some
even come with a key override option so that a master key can be
used to open the lock as well as the combination.

Some models are big and clunky and look like they would do best
in an industrial setting like a data center or lab, but others
have really nice designs and finishes that go quite well in a
home setting.

What are the things to look out for when choosing a lock? Pretty
much what you would expect:

1. Make sure you get a high-quality lock with a good warranty,
at least 5 years, from a reputable dealer who also has a clear,
no-nonsense return policy.

2. Find a dealer that will sell you parts, just in case you need
them.

3. If you think you’ll be purchasing more than one, also ask
about volume discounts, even if you purchase them at different
times.

4. Look for a dealer that carries several models and finishes,
so you can get exactly what you want.

5. Check out the installation instructions. These days, any
homeowner equipped with a phillips head screw driver should
pretty much be able to install these locks themselves and change
the combination in just a matter of minutes.

6. Make sure you know up front what the tax, shipping and
handling costs are.

7. Finally, shop around. Use the Internet to find sites that
sell digital door locks. It’s fast, easy, and secure.

Consider Maslow’s hierarchy of needs — once requirements for food and shelter are taken care of, you seek intellectual stimulation. On Maslow’s pyramid, until you’ve found inner serenity somewhere near the top of the pyramid, you should ask the question, how is this job helping me advance my career?

An easy way to measure this is to look at your resumé. Update it to reflect where you are today. Then identify what you’ve accomplished in the past 12 months that made you more effective, more interesting, or more marketable. Do you have 10 years’ experience, or one year’s experience repeated 10 times? Select every new skill or accomplishment that you couldn’t claim a year ago.

A survey conducted by Gail Kasper, LLC, a leading speaking and coaching company, found that Americans are not taking their futures seriously. Specifically, 51% of those surveyed do not have New Year’s resolutions. Of those who do, 79% don’t have a plan to achieve them.

According to the Department of Labor, over 400,000 unemployed individuals are NOT actively seeking employment because they feel that there are no jobs available for them. With unemployment high, job seekers must stay the course, have a game plan and maximize their opportunities or they will find themselves among the 91% of Americans who won’t be achieving their goals in the New Year.

The survey, completed by a random group of 104 adults, also asked respondents to identify the biggest issue that could prevent them from achieving their New Year’s Resolutions or goals.

The top 3 reasons identified were:

1. Procrastinating 33%

2. Lack of discipline 24%

3. No game plan 19%

Interestingly enough, 10% of individuals felt the biggest issue preventing them from achieving their New Year’s Resolutions or goals was “doing it alone”.

By Dan Collins, Author & Speaker
Where people go to grow. http://www.collinseducational.com

Copyright © by Collins Educational, LLC.

1. Start with an attractive layout. Use bold and italics to highlight key points.

I do not recommend downloadable templates because they are very generic and dull. Get creative but not crazy. You can use a little touch of color if you are modest.

2. Justify the text instead of using left align.

Most people are accustomed to reading justified text. This will make your résumé easy to follow.

3. Choose a common font. Times New Roman, Arial, and Verdana are some of the best fonts for a résumé.

Now is not the time to experiment. Most computers do not have 600 different fonts installed so the file will not read correctly if you use your decorative fonts.

Do not use cutesy graphics such as candy canes or teddy bears if you want to be taken seriously.

- Yes, I have really received a résumé with teddy bears and candy canes on it.

It is NOT appropriate for business correspondence, and I guarantee your résumé will be canned if you do this.

4. Do not use the word “I” in your résumé. Start each sentence with a powerful verb.

- Organized annual student symposium by securing speakers and working closely with marketing department executives.

- Implemented production bonus incentives and “best practices” matrix for all divisions raising overall productivity by as much as 40%.

5. Write a proper cover letter for each position you apply to. Do not ever send out a résumé without a cover letter.

This is basic business etiquette. Personalize each cover letter directly to the position you are applying to. A generic cover letter will not work to your benefit. If possible, address the letter directly to a person. If you do not know the hiring managers name, use “Hiring Manager”.

6. Print your résumé and read it word for word.

You can use the grammar and spell check function, but don’t rely on it.

7. When you have a degree, list only the year that you obtained your degree.

When you list your dates of attendance, many résumé scanning systems will not recognize that you obtained a degree, only that you attended college for a period.

8. Deactivate all e-mail links and web addresses in your résumé and cover letter.

To do this in MS Word, highlight the link with your mouse, go to the “Insert” drop down menu, scroll down to and click “Hyperlink”, and on the lower left-had side of this screen there should be a little button that says “Remove link”, when you find it, give it a little click and voila! Alternatively, you can highlight the link with your mouse, right click on it, and scroll down to “remove link” to deactivate the link.

9. Be consistent!

For example, don’t list one date as 1/2004 and then list another date as 9/22/2004.

List software consistently. MS Word and Microsoft Excel are both correct, but not consistent when used together.

10. Adhere to punctuation and capitalization rules.

Use a reference manual if you do not understand standard punctuation and capitalization rules.

Jennifer Anthony is the owner of
ResumeASAP, offering professional and affordable résumé writing services.

If you have comments about this article, or if you are
interested in learning more about professional résumé writing, please contact Jennifer Anthony by e-mail or by
calling 1-888-722-5211.

A funny thing happened on the way to work today. I realized that
even though professionals preach health and well being, they
might not have a clue how to get there. The old saying that the
“shoemaker has no shoes” comes to mind.

Recently I have experienced several situations involving
healthcare personnel supposedly in the business of holistic
health. They purport to teach health and well being strategies.
In all situations, projects were planned and commitments made.
Individuals expressed desire to achieve the goal, but were
unable to follow through. They become irritable and defensive
when questioned. They respond with excuses and complaints
stating that they have too much to do and not enough time to do
it. They admit that they have been neglecting family and other
important parts of their life. It’s somebody else’s fault. They
play the victim. Yet they continue to see no contradiction in
telling others how to run their lives, which foods to eat or not
eat, which herbs to take, which supplements to buy to stay
healthy.

Unfortunately, I see this all too often. Perhaps you do too.
Healthcare professionals often focus on one way to achieve
health, and ignore the rest. They focus only on diet or
exercise, supplements or new age options. Or they become so over
involved in caring for everyone else that they forget about
themselves. They forget about the dangers of chronic stress
resulting from life problems and lack of balance. Stress kills.
Professionals who preach health on a daily basis, can let
themselves become so busy and so stressed that their own health
is at risk. But they don’t stop long enough to see it.

These are usually good people with wonderful hearts and positive
motivation who tend to focus on others and ignore caring for
themselves. But, what kind of models are they? Over time, stress
takes its toll emotionally and physically.

When you travel by air, the flight attendants tell you that if
you have small children and there is an emergency, you must put
your oxygen mask on first, before helping the child. Why?
Because if you have no oxygen yourself, you aren’t much use to
anyone else!

Similarly, if healthcare professionals do not believe that
managing their stress, balancing their life, and improving their
health and well being is important, how can they teach this to
others? Research is pretty solid on the fact that stress kills.

Chronic stress is a major factor in most chronic illnesses
including fibromyalgia, heart disease, arthritis, migraines,
gastrointestinal problems, cancer and more. If we do not model
self-care, how can we preach it? Sadly, healthcare professionals
rarely preach life balance either. They aren’t even aware it’s
missing, in their lives or in the lives of others! Self-care is
seen as selfish. Women especially feel guilty as long as there
is one poor soul anywhere that might benefit from their help.
These professionals end up with clients dancing just as fast as
they are. They send their clients out of their office with the
same expectations, limitations, and frenzied lifestyle as they
themselves have. They never even notice. They’re too busy.

Health care professionals, wake up! People depend on you.
People’s lives depend on you. Until you prioritize, balance your
life, reduce stress, relax, and get real, don’t expect your
clients to. Their denial parallels yours. As long as you stay on
the merry-go-round, they will stay. As long as you run around
like a chicken with its head cut off, they will.

Many health practitioners and wellness experts are sorely
lacking these days. All have their own agenda. Diet and exercise
are the main focus it seems, followed by a few candles and some
yoga. Eat this food and avoid that and everything will be fine.
Workout three times a week or more and you will be healthy. Add
a yoga class to your already busy schedule and you will be ok.
Few take the whole person into consideration even though they
say they do.

Let’s face it, who do you think is healthier? A happy, laughing,
stress-free person who eats cheese dogs in a white bun with
chips on the side, or someone who eats only organic foods, no
dairy, meat or white bread, takes supplements daily, and is so
stressed that they bite everyone’s head off and have no time to
enjoy their life? People in great shape drop dead every day due
to stress.

Learn to solve the problems that precipitate your stress. If you
have trouble knowing where to start, hire a life coach.