A Work-Life Blend Is Not Always What You Think

Like many members of Generation Y, my first entry-level job put me in a place I didn't want to be – a cubicle. When I left the corporate world and got involved with Brazen Careerist, everything changed.

For the past six months I've experienced the ups and downs of working without the traditional office. And while that has its perks, I've seen some drawbacks too.

Yesterday, our company moved into a real office. No more coffee shops, no more business meetings in my apartment, finally, the real deal. I couldn't have imagined how amazing it would feel to be back.

Think I'm kidding, right? I'm not. Having an office that separates your work life and your personal life is a gift. Don't always take it for granted.

Here are three reasons why:

It's easier to be productive

All too many times when working at home I would find myself sitting on the couch, half working, and half zoning out. There's no doubt that today, in my office, I'm far more focused.

Between T.V. distractions, next-door neighbors, and a dog nibbling on your toes, home is just not a place to get things done. If you want to increase productivity, the best place to do it is an environment designed for being productive.

It's easier to communicate

Without a traditional office as a common working ground, our communication has suffered. And it's not that we haven't made an effort either.

Relying on technology to help you communicate is not always an effective way to get things done. If you can't connect in person with a member of your team at regular intervals, it's likely that your productivity—and your company–will suffer.

It's easier to go home

Your home should be your escape, a place of relaxation. What I hated the most about having only a home office is that I couldn't simply flip a switch and be done with the day. My laptop was always sitting there, beckoning me to do more work.

I'm much better off with my work-life and my life-life separated.

Before anyone jumps to the conclusion that working from home is going to be great, they should envision an existence where work and life no longer balance, but blend.

For some, a blend can be a wonderful thing. But for others, it's a recipe for disaster.

Think it over before deciding if remote work is right for you.

Should You Use a Credit Card to Finance Your Startup?

Save Up Before Starting Out

Starting a new business involves a lot of decision-making, a lot hard work, and a lot of financing issues. From funding your operation to having enough put aside to make the ends meet, every money decision is crucial to your future and your success. A good rule of thumb is to calculate your living expenses for 3-6 months before you attempt to open the doors of a new business. It takes time to develop a steady stream of work in order to begin making a profit and need to rely on a back up until the income begins to get more consistent.

Business Finances Options

Your next consideration needs to be about financing for your business. There are many avenues to travel when it comes to starting a business.

• Securing funds from family and friends
• Venture capitalists and other investors
• Small business loans
• Financing by yourself

If you have chosen the latter, you need to consider how much money your need to invest to get the business off the ground. Obviously, have a cash savings plan would be ideal but it may not always be easy to save for your daily life, your future, and your business unless you are independently wealthy.

Financing the Business on Credit

Another option for self financing is by utilizing a credit card. Depending on the nature of your business, you may find that your start up expenses are not that high. However, if you are considering using your credit card, you want to weigh the pros and cons of this financing option.

Credit cards are being designed to assist small businesses with rewards and bonus programs that you could use to your advantage. The reality is, however, no matter how great the reward plan is, you may be doing your business more harm than good.

Be Careful With Credit

Due to an uncertain monthly income, it may become difficult at some point to pay off the balance or even make the minimum payments. Not only does this become a strain on your business, it will also take a toll on your own personal credit, unless you have incorporated or formed an LLC with your company. You also need to take into consideration your personal credit score. If you already have a few too many cards that have balances or perhaps you have missed or been late with payments in the past, you may not be approved for a high enough credit limit to meet the needs of your business.

Relying on credit cards to finance your entire business may be the first mistake you make as a business owner. It may be a more wise decision to use a business credit card for an emergency back up, or to buy office supplies that are a crucial part of the business to get you started. A credit card should not be used to buy over-the-top luxury objects for the home office unless you are certain you can pay off the balance at the end of the month.

How to Run an Effective Meeting

Everyday of my college career seemed to conclude with a series of long meetings, each one more trivial and ineffective than the next. Water-cooler gossip delayed the start, while side-discussions and tangents drew us away from our goals. Everything eventually dissolved into free-for-all bashings of Fox News, Bill O'Reilly, or Lindsay Lohan. An hour would go by, and we'd have accomplished few, if any, of our objectives.

It got to the point where I purposely saved all my musing and day dreaming for those meetings. This way, at least I was unproductive and fantasizing Natalie Portman as my girlfriend at the same time (the latter helped numb the pain the former created.) I endured these mini-retirements to hell for most of college, because I thought meetings were supposed to suck your soul dry – see Brad H.'s example.

It wasn't until I started running consultations, project discussions, and editorial meetings did I see why those meetings were painful. It wasn't that they were intrinsically agonizing – humans, after all, are social beings. It was the disorganization, the lack of goals, and lack of actionable objectives that made things miserable. Once I identified these specific problems, and focused on eliminating them, I found solutions to running a more effective meeting. Here are five:

1. Create an agenda before the meeting. Cover topics in order from most important to least important. Send the agenda to your group members before the meeting. Ask them to prepare questions beforehand.
2. Have a maximum of 3 mission critical objectives every meeting. When you make a list of 20 objectives, the important items get lost in the noise.
3. Designate a start and end time (the shorter, the better) – and stick to them. Latecomers will quickly learn to arrive promptly, and people will appreciate your respect for their valuable time.
4. Explicitly ask everyone to keep side discussions until after the meeting. Tell your group you'd enjoy talking with them afterwards, but first you have important items to discuss.
5. Assign group members responsibility over meeting objectives. Give them a set amount of time (five to 10 minutes) to explain the problem, lead discussion, or offer solutions. Members will pay more attention if they're invested in the meeting, rather than being talked at. Afterwards, you or your group should make a decision based on their presentation.

In general, I'm not a fan of face-to-face, large group meetings. I believe there are faster, more effective ways of conveying information. But when they are necessary, hopefully you can keep them from consuming the enthusiasm of your group or organization.

3 Ways to Appear Older than you Really Are

A couple of weeks ago Penelope and I went to a meeting in Milwaukee with a group of potential investors. After the meeting, we went upstairs to grab a drink while the group discussed a few things. One of the guys came upstairs to shake our hands and say goodbye. He said to Penelope, "You were great. You remind me exactly of my 25-year-old daughter!"

Needless to say, I was doing everything I could to keep from bursting out in laughter, and Penelope had a look of shock on her face. We later came to find out that the group thought Penelope and I were roughly the same age, and some even thought I was older than her! (I'm actually 23 and she is 41.)

While most women love to hear they look much younger than they are, it's not necessarily a good thing when you're trying to get people to invest in your start-up company. People seem to think that if you're older you have a better chance of being successful. I don't think it's true, but it's something you have to deal with as a young professional.

Here are 3 ways to make people think you're older than you actually are.

Dress up, but don't blend in

When I gave my first speech I wore a blue collared shirt and black slacks. The point was to dress up and look like the group of Human Resource professionals I was talking to. It totally backfired.

First, I don't really feel comfortable in slacks and a shirt, it's not me. And by trying to blend in with the rest of the group, it was obvious that I was much younger than they were. My pants were a little baggier, my shirt was kind of flashy, and I had my patented 5 o'clock shadow. Something was obviously off.

Since then I've come up with my own look. I dress up, but I do it in my own way by wearing nice jeans, a button down shirt and a blazer. I feel totally comfortable in this outfit and it lets people know that I'm comfortable standing out, while still dressing up. Wear what makes you most comfortable and your confidence will be unmistakable.

Answer questions with confidence, even if you're lying

Older business folks love to ask tough questions to see what kind of answer you're going to give. It's kind of like an interview every time you meet with a new group. So think of it like an interview and give an answer.The actual answer you give, whether in front of a group or talking one on one, is much less important than how you say it. Make something up if you have to.

One of the most common questions I get is, "What's your role in the company?" The truth is that in a three-person company, everyone does everything, but that answer can only get you in trouble. So one day I will say I manage finances and day to day operations and the next day I will say that I manage production. Both answers are right, but I'm much better off giving one simple answer and saying it with confidence.

Avoid "kid conversations" at all costs!

Unless you have children, it's imperative that you avoid the conversation about children. Older people love to talk about their children. I know I will do the same when I have kids, but these conversations can only get you into trouble if you are young. This was my downfall at IBM.

Every time my co-workers at IBM brought up their kids' little league tournament or basketball practice, all I could think to say was something like "my little league team almost won the state title." Or "I used to hate basketball practice!" I mean, I was playing little league ten years ago, so it makes sense that I remember it well. But it always alienated me from the conversation.

The best thing you can do in a "kid conversation" is stay quiet, laugh and nod your head. Your time will come; don't try to join the kid conversation too early.

Five Common Mistakes Young Adults Make When Starting Up a Small Business

College campuses are becoming a fertile breeding ground for up-and-coming business owners.

A recent study by The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor shows that 18- to 24-year-olds in the United States are starting businesses at a faster rate than 35- to 44-year-olds. Now is your prime time to consider opening up that tattoo parlor, bed and breakfast, or wilderness expedition center you've dreamed about.

So whether you've established a small business, are in the midst of launching one, or simply considering it for the future, it's certain you want at least one thing out of this investment: success.

But it won't be a cakewalk. It's hard to believe, but over 50 percent of small businesses fail in their first year and 95 percent fail within the first five years, according to the U.S. Small Business Association. Starting a business is risky for most, but success can come for those who proceed with logic and discipline.

Here are five common mistakes people tend to make when starting up a small business – and how you can avoid them:

1. Business owners don't create documented procedures for the day-to-day operation. It's a simple equation: Systems = freedom. A "working procedure" is a documented description of how to perform a task. Having it prevents random problems and ensures the task is performed exactly and consistently. Procedures help you delegate, improve your scheduling ability, and allow you to work smarter and accomplish more with less effort. Thus, work less and make more. It's ironic, but by implementing documented system procedures, your employees are free to be creative because they don't have to "wing it" each time they perform their job duties; everyone operates at a smoother pace because there is a proven, working process. Everyone knows what to do and what to expect. Your people don't have to be mind-readers or fortune tellers.

2. Owners don't delegate – they are "doing the work." The reason a business owner can work a few hours a week, or take an extended vacation without stress, is because they have created systems, implemented written procedures with supporting documentation, and have learned to delegate. I know, I know. You're zealous, dreamy-eyed, and proficient at what you do, and as the leader of an organization, you're committed to doing whatever it takes to get your new business off the ground. Successful people don't work harder; they work smarter. This means focusing on what you do best, and delegating the rest. Ask yourself what you enjoy doing least for your business. Perhaps that's bookkeeping or making phone calls to potential clients. Then, imagine literally giving away these tasks. Get rid of the "I am Superman" attitude and hire people who are trustworthy and qualified to take much of the weight off your shoulders.

3. Owners don't use time wisely. Biological Prime Time is when your brainpower is at peak capacity. People function at maximum effectiveness about six hours out of a 24-hour day. It is important to understand this interesting facet of human performance, determine precisely when your prime time occurs, and then use it wisely. Six hours out of a 24-hour day is not much. Presuming you wish to reach your goals sooner rather than later, it is best the tasks that contribute most to your primary goals are performed during your prime time hours and you protect those hours from interruption. Also, don't start your day without a to-do list. Make a list of tasks and categorize them into business-building activities, client activities, and personal items. Then, prioritize, remove distractions, delegate, and stick to your plan.

4. Owners see their job, life, and business as "holistic." You must change your fundamental perspective to see the elements of your world as separate, linear systems. See that these systems can be perfected, one-by-one. Understand that by perfecting a primary system's sub-systems, the primary system will be perfected – and, although you are taking a non-holistic approach, your end product – your business – will be a highly efficient, entirely holistic, "Primary System."

5. Owners don't have a strategic objective or set of operating principles. A strategic objective is short, usually a single page in length. It defines overall goals, describes methodology, and prescribes action. It gives direction for making major and minor decisions. It's an essential instrument for a business and for personal life. General operating principles are a two to three page collection of "guidelines for decision making" that are congruent with the strategic objective. Essential for the work environment and in a simplified and shorter format, they also guide one's personal life. Two examples of simple operating principles are "Do it now," and, "choose the simplest solution."