So how do you start outsourcing, especially when you don’t have a huge budget for hiring a team? The trick is to start small. Make a list of the parts of your business that stress you out. What do you hate doing? Even if you’re perfectly capable of doing your own bookkeeping, is it really worthwhile for you to do it if you dread it and feel nauseous while looking at the numbers? Create a list of stressful tasks that don’t require you to be the one doing them. Then start categorizing those tasks and try outsourcing one of them. And as is so often the case in our tech-driven world: there’s probably an app for that.

Personal: Childcare

If you’re building your business while staying home with young kids, then you are a rockstar — but you don’t have to do it all alone. Could you hire help even just one morning per week to give you some dedicated work time? You’ll probably be surprised with how much you can accomplish when you have a few hours of uninterrupted time. Check out tools like Urban Sitter or Seeking Sitters to find affordable, safe options in your area.

Personal: Cleaning Service

Hiring a cleaning service doesn’t sound like a business expense, but consider your quality of life. If small house tasks like vacuuming and scrubbing the toilet eat up your precious time, your business won’t grow as quickly as it could. This is especially true if you work from home and constantly feel distracted by the sink full of dishes. Try hiring a cleaning service once per month and then work up from there — apps like Handy and Takl can connect you with cleaners (and other service providers, if you need some shelves put together!)

Personal: Assistant

Don’t you hate sitting on hold with your insurance company or standing in line at the post office? You can easily do these errands yourself, but how much time do all those little tasks add up to? If your time would be better spent growing your business, consider hiring a personal assistant for a couple hours per week. Finding and hiring someone for this can be tricky; check with an agency if you want someone in-person. Otherwise, there’s always online options like Fin or Fancy Hands.

Business: Virtual Assistant

God bless virtual assistants! There are freelancers all over the globe who love doing the little tasks that bog you down, and they’re probably better at them than you. A virtual assistant typically has more expertise than a personal assistant, and can handle more business-oriented tasks. They could take over managing your inbox, researching your projects, editing your writing, creating your website graphics, and so much more. Finding a virtual assistant can be as simple as asking around your network or LinkedIn, but hiring can be stressful. Check out sites like Zirtual, or the more high-level WorldWide101, to connect you with just the right new teammate.

Business: Bookkeeper

Staying on top of your business finances is crucial for growing your income, but so many of us avoid our numbers. If this sounds familiar, talk with an accountant or bookkeeper. This could be just a few hours per month but save you loads of stress and mental energy. There are less options for this virtually; accounting sites like Billy are great for solopreneurs doing it on their own, but if you’re looking for a dedicated bookkeeper, plan on spending at least a few hundred dollars per month. Dive into your network and get referrals from other business owners; this advice from Quickbooks can also help you find the perfect person! If you are looking to do a 1031 exchange to save on taxes, reach out.

Once you get started…

Once you decide what you’d like to outsource, start documenting your current process. This will help you get organized, and become a handy resource for your new employee or contractor. The more you can train them in up front, the fewer problems you’ll come across along the way.

Fortunately, outsourcing is not an all-or-nothing process. Take your time and find what works for you. When interviewing a potential virtual assistant or contractor, ask to start with a trial period. This will give you both a chance to make sure it’s a good fit and prevent you from pouring money into someone who can’t provide what you need.

As your business evolves and grows, so will your need for outsourcing. Take some time every few months or so to evaluate your process and ask yourself what needs to be tweaked. You’ll have a chance to see the return on your investment, and see the benefit of those dollars — before you know it, you’ll forget why you resisted outsourcing in the first place.

The post The Best Online Tools For Outsourcing appeared first on HER Magazine ™.

We asked six hustling women — coaches and entrepreneurs, all — to share their morning routines: how they stay focused, manage time, maintain mental and physical health, and generally dominate the workforce. Ready to take your business to the next level? Take a page from six powerhouse entrepreneurs and start your day right. Time to rise and shine!

Embrace Your Season

Cassandra Shuck, Business Strategy Coach & Entrepreneur, tells us how she manages her early work schedule with a new baby — an exciting new season, yes, but a challenge nonetheless for many new working moms. “Right now, I am in a season of life where my routine is dictated by my 10 month-old,” she says, “but there are a few things I consider to be nonnegotiable. When I wake up, I choose not to open my phone for the first hour and spend time in quiet meditating, listening to inspirational podcasts, or journaling. From this space of quiet inner reflection, I create a list of no more than six ‘tasks’ I want to accomplish for the day.

“They can be personal tasks, like going to the gym, or running to Target, or they can be business-related tasks, like paying employees or coaching calls — but they all go on one list. Once I have fully soaked up these quiet moments, I open the windows to let the light in, pour myself a big coffee, and get started on my list until my daughter wakes up!”

Feed Your Mind

Shana Recker, Business Mindset Coach, explains how her mornings are defined by strategizing her goals with gratitude. “My morning routine varies throughout the week, but always starts with either a trip to the gym with my hubby or writing my gratitude list. I then take a few minutes to visualize my main goal, spending some time seeing it as already done. Then I get up, brush my teeth, grab a sweater, and head down for coffee.

“Once the coffee is ready and in hand, I head to my computer and do my studying. I’m currently a student of Bob Proctor’s Thinking Into Results, and I use this early time do my work which requires watching a video and journaling about my goals and vision for my future. I try and also get out my Instagram post for the day here too, but that doesn’t always make the list depending on how smoothly everything is going. Kids get up and the day begins!”

Know What Works for You

Maghon Taylor, Calligrapher & Entrepreneur, relates to our own ‘mornings are early‘ problem, and she points out that sometimes — you have to do what works for you, not what works for someone else.

“I am actually not a morning person! I don’t set an alarm. My husband works third shift so I wake up when he gets home around 7 AM followed shortly by my 19-month-old son. I head to the gym three days per week for a boot camp workout! And then I am upstairs working until the early afternoon. I am much more of a night owl than an early bird! That’s when I usually have my best ideas, time to read, journal, unwind and reflect.”

Carve Out Time for You

Kate Crocco, Confidence Coach, is not above some parental strategies to make sure she builds time for herself amidst her morning momming. “My morning routine is always bending with the seasons of life. My mornings used to consist of solely me-time, and recently I’ve learned to tune out all noise to achieve this inner peace. And the way I do this? Elmo — aka, 60 minutes of uninterrupted time for me to read my morning devotional and sip my coffee while my toddler enjoys herself.”

Prioritize Sleep

Stacy Tuschl, Business Coach & Podcaster, reminds us that while structure and routine are helpful, sometimes flexibility makes for a healthier (and more successful) schedule.

“I wake up between 5 and 6 AM,” she explains. “It is more important to me that I get eight hours of sleep than it is what time I wake up. This morning I got up around 5:20 AM without an alarm and I laid in bed for a few minutes and thought of everything I was grateful for.

“After that, I head to my office and do a 15-minute meditation. I then do some sort of personal development like reading or listening to an online training, then I journal things that come up for me. Next is creative time. I use this to write, create podcasts, trainings, blogs, etc. until the kids wake up around 7 AM and then get everyone ready for school.”

Put Your Health First

Jenny Giblin, Therapist & Life Coach, spends her mornings focusing completely on physical and emotional health. Feeling strong and healthy means you’ll be much more efficient when you dive into work, after all. “As soon as I wake up, I remember my daily affirmation, ‘Today is going to be an amazing day,’” she says. “Once I am out of bed, I make hot water with lemon and honey, hot coffee, and drink my beauty water from Sakara. This helps me feel like I am cleansing, re-energizing, and getting an extra splash of hydration all at the same time.

“I always make a smoothie for breakfast but treat myself to something like a gluten-free bagel with almond cream cheese if I am traveling. And while I have coffee and breakfast, I start the day writing a gratitude list that fills up an entire page of my journal every day before beginning my to-do list.”

The post 6 Powerhouse Entrepreneurs Share Their Morning Routines appeared first on HER Magazine ™.

As freelancers and entrepreneurs, we know the time and dedication it takes to build a successful business. What we’re not as familiar with is how to take the occasional step away from work. End of the year holidays are the perfect time to take a breath, reflect on the year, and reward yourself for all your hard work — but you won’t be able to do that if you don’t take at least some time off. Skeptical you’ll be able to manage a vacation this year? It’s not too early to start preparing — and these six steps will help you to log off and actually take that well-earned PTO.

1. Start Planning Now

Start by getting clear on how you’d love to spend your time off. Do you dream of planning a ski trip with friends, or simply having the spare time to build a snowman with your kids? Get clear on what would make your time off memorable and restorative — then dive into the tactical planning.

Decide how many days or weeks you’d like to take off, and start calculating your finances. How much extra income will you need to make up? How will this time away affect your January income? Take the time now to face the numbers to prevent any stressful surprises in the new year.

2. Make It Up

Now that you know the amount of money you need to make up, start taking on extra work now. Try to front-load your vacation so that you’re not returning to urgent deadlines and undue stress.

Then, strategize for your return. Make sure you schedule a whole day to simply respond to emails and make a plan before you actually get back to work. Write yourself notes for your return, so you’re not spending the entire morning wondering what you’ve forgotten. Making lists, schedules, and notes like this will also help you to relax on your time off — because you’ll know you’re prepared for the next step.

3. Set Mini Deadlines with Buffers

Taking on extra work now won’t be easy, but it’s possible. Write out a work schedule for yourself and make sure to set personal deadlines. If a project is due by the end of November, aim instead to have it finished by the first week of the month — you never know when unexpected visitors (or this year’s flu) might show up.

This will allow you to enjoy the time leading up to your favorite holidays. You don’t want to be running around like the proverbial headless chicken the night before Thanksgiving, when the family is coming to town and the turkey is still frozen. Plan for those distractions and detours now.

4. Communicate Your Plans

Once you’ve decided on your time off, tell your clients or colleagues when you’re planning to be ‘unavailable.’ Aim to give them at least one month’s notice and be clear with your boundaries. Will you still be checking email? When is it okay to contact you?

Understand that clients may still contact you with various “emergencies” that pop up during your time off. Save yourself the headache of agonizing over how to handle them by setting limits now and sticking to them.

5. Start Buying Gifts

Do you plan to exchange any gifts with friends and family this year? The holidays can bring a number of extra costs, so make a list of gifts to buy and start spreading out the expense. Stock up on beautiful candles when you see a sale or get creative with personalized gifts from Etsy shops.

Taking your time to pick out the perfect gift (and not have to rack up your credit card bill) will keep this year much merrier.

6. Be Kind to Yourself

Taking time off at the holidays is great, but if you can’t enjoy it because you’re so tired and burnt out, it won’t do you much good. Find ways to replenish your energy all year long by scheduling mini-breaks every day to stay fresh and motivated.

Taking time off can be one of the most difficult aspects of running your own business — but remember, you are your own boss. It absolutely is possible to take some holiday vacation; just make sure you plan accordingly.

The post How To Schedule Time Off For The Holidays When You Run Your Own Business appeared first on HER Magazine ™.

For many women entrepreneurs, masterminds have become the answer to getting the guidance and support we all crave along this journey.

The term mastermind seems to be pretty trendy right now, but they’ve been around for hundreds of years. The term simply refers to a group of people who come together with the goal to grow and improve themselves. Benjamin Franklin gathered a group together in 1727 with the goal of improving themselves and helping others along the way. In 1925, Napoleon Hill came up with the word mastermind for his book Think and Grow Rich, where he wrote that groups and partnerships with aligned goals were one of the keys to his success.

Benefits of Joining a Mastermind

If you are ready to go bigger in your business and life, a mastermind could be your vehicle to get you there. Firstly, a mastermind can offer you some serious accountability. Once you say your goals out loud and regularly report back on them, it’s a lot harder to give up. A huge benefit for me as a work-at-home mom has been the connections I’ve made. This work can be lonely, so having a group of colleagues who will always be there for me has felt like magic. The group will not only help you break into new networks and give business advice, they will be there for you as a person.

Joining a mastermind will also give you a chance to share your own wisdom. You will have the opportunity to share your own experiences, and experiment with new ones. My greatest takeaway from joining a mastermind is that the only difference between me and the people getting bigger results is that those people move faster. They have an idea, and they act on it without overthinking every detail. Learning that has forced me to take more risks and move faster in my own business, and that has made a huge difference.

What to Look For

While joining a mastermind could be a game changer for you, make sure you find a group that’s actually a good fit. First, take some time to think about what you would like to get out of the experience. If you know that you want to make six figures this year, then seek out a mastermind with members already making that income. A mastermind full of $30,000 earners will not push you to the next level.

Next, think about how you like to be coached, and connect with a mastermind that fits your needs and style. Look for a strong leader who keeps the group motivated and moving forward. Don’t hesitate to ask the leader or coach what kinds of results the mastermind members are achieving since joining; a great leader will be happy to brag about their group.

How to Start Your Own

If you haven’t found the right fit for you, consider starting your own group. Starting your own mastermind will be energizing for you and your business, as well as gain you some serious credibility. Start seeking out friends and colleagues who are already doing what you’d like to do, who are building what you’d like to build. Connect with them and propose the group as a mutually beneficial exercise.

Once you assemble your group, set some expectations for meetings times and mutual goals. Masterminds are powerful because they stretch us, so don’t play it safe here. Trust your group enough to share your big sparkly dream, and support others who do the same.

Find Support

Whether or not you decide to join a mastermind, make sure that you are seeking support on your entrepreneurial journey. We cannot do this without each other, and we certainly can’t grow and upgrade without guidance and support — so dedicate time each week to connect with your fellow entrepreneurs. You’ll be surprised at what a difference it makes to your quality of life and overall success.

As Napoleon Hill said, “No mind is complete by itself. It needs contact and association with other minds to grow and expand.”

Make contact, and keep expanding.

This article originally appeared in our Fall 2019 MONEY Issue. Download for FREE here!

The post How Joining A Mastermind Can Jump Start Your Career appeared first on HER Magazine ™.

After responding to the texts, I put my head back on the bed and sighed, slowly realizing what was happening. Here I was, alone, wearing a hospital gown, holding a bucket, and somehow I was still refusing help.

Something had to change.

That was the moment that I decided: I could no longer pride myself on doing it all alone. I could no longer tie my self-worth to my business — or my income.

And I could no longer put my business above my health.  

Crash and Burn

I know the hustle, and I know it well. Up until this miraculous pregnancy, I worked during every free moment of my day. Early mornings, toddler nap times, and late nights were prime productivity time for this mama of two, and I never considered slowing down.

That is, until I found myself with my head on my pillow or in the toilet most of the day.

Once the morning sickness set in, I essentially stopped working on my business. If I was wasn’t going at 100 miles per hour, I didn’t think it was even worth trying. I berated myself constantly for no longer being able to keep up with my frantic pace and even considered giving up the entrepreneurial life altogether.

Fortunately, through a lot of self-reflection, business coaching, and prayer, I came to realize that this was not the end of my book — merely a new chapter. I started taking small steps to make my business work for me, instead of the other way around, and have come out the other side stronger and even more profitable. Here’s how my business and I began our transformation.

Let Go of the Busy Work

You know those days when you feel completely exhausted from working all day, but realize you didn’t actually accomplish anything meaningful? Because I was going at full speed all the time, I was never taking a moment to ask myself if I was spending time on the right tasks to move my business forward.

Once I had no choice but to slow down, I realized that I had been wasting WAY too much time on social media, business research, and over-analyzing every tiny decision. These tasks filled my days, but were truly nothing more than excuses for staying small. Once I let them go, I had time to try new projects and produce better work.

Give Up the All-or-Nothing Approach

On days when I felt like I just couldn’t keep up with the workload, I asked myself one question: “What can I do?” This simple question opened me up to possibilities instead of excuses. I was shocked at what I could accomplish in small bites of time, rather than working for hours on end.

If you find yourself behind on a project or unable to keep up with your to-do list, rather than throwing your hands up, ask yourself what you could accomplish in the next ten minutes.

Focus on Residual Income

As a freelancer, I’m very focused on my hourly rate and how many projects I need to take on in order to hit my financial goals. What I was not familiar with was finding easier ways to make money. If your business does not currently have room for residual income, it’s time to make a change.

It took time, but I slowly cut down on some of my freelancing work to create group programs, a monthly membership, and build up my network marketing business. I’m focusing on streams of income that don’t require me to be ‘on’ all the time, and this allows me to save precious energy.

Give Yourself Grace

This was the biggest (and most challenging) takeaway from my morning sickness. I am not my business. A good financial month does mean I’ve made it, and a slow month does not mean I’m a failure. Because I could no longer wear my productivity as a badge of honor, I had to get honest about how lost I had become.

Find meaning outside of your accomplishments. Take downtime. Schedule fun. You are so much more than a number in a spreadsheet or feedback from a client, so start treating yourself that way.

As I head into my third trimester, I still have hope that the morning sickness will ease. But if it doesn’t, I’m now okay with it. I found the hidden blessings, and I would never have made these powerful changes without this sweet baby giving me the nudge I needed.

The post How Morning Sickness Transformed My Business appeared first on HER Magazine ™.

8 hours have gone by and a work day is gone, and we didn’t get one minute of our actual work in — the stuff we want to be doing, the reason we quit our job. Our schedules completely filled with busywork!

But here’s the thing: you don’t have to be a seasoned six-figure earner to start automating your business. There are plenty of ways you can automate right now, at any price point. 

Start taking back control and creating more time for yourself by setting up systems to support your key business tasks. Not sure where to start? We’ve got ten essential steps for you, right here. 

1. Look for Repetition

The first step is to decide what processes can and should be automated. Track how you’re spending your time for a full week and then review your findings. Look for places where you continually perform the same task or are completing small actions that are way below your pay rate. Maybe you’re always answering the same questions via email, or coordinating meeting times with potential clients. Make a list of tasks that you don’t need to be spending so much time on each week — now you know exactly what you can automate. Then, it’s time to get creative. 

2. Email Autoresponders

How much time do you spend in your inbox each day? A recent study found that American workers spend up to six hours per day checking and responding to emails! Make a list of common emails you receive for your business and set up autoresponders to save yourself both time and precious mental energy. This is an easy and free way to start automating today — and you will be shocked at the hours that add up.

3. Calendar Scheduler

If you ever set up meetings with clients or colleagues for your work, you’re well aware how time-consuming it can be to go back and forth trying to find a mutual time. Invest in a tool like Calendly or ScheduleOnce to make life easier for both you and your contacts. You’ll be able to customize your schedule, and specify when you’re available to meet. Everyone wins.

4. Website Opt-In

Your business website is like an employee who is always working, so make sure she’s doing a fantastic job. Create a freebie for your potential clients to download in exchange for their email address. This allows you to always be marketing, and growing your list while you sleep.

5. Email Sequences

Once your readers and clients opt-in to your email list, start building the relationship with an email sequence. This is simply a string of emails that are triggered with a new subscriber. The emails should be full of value, and can feature tips, blog posts, or anything you think would serve your customer. This will build trust and help your new subscriber feel ready to buy when it’s time for your next offer.

6. Online Payments

Having your own business has never been easier, and online payments are largely responsible for that. Set up an account with a service like PayPal or Stripe to be able to quickly invoice your clients. You can even set up recurring payments for regular clients, saving both of you time and stress.

7. FAQ’s

If you have been in business for any length of time, you are probably receiving many of the same questions on a regular basis. Rather than responding to each email and private message, direct common questions to an FAQ section on your website.

8. Repurpose Content

Creating quality content is crucial for growing your audience, but it is also time-consuming. Make the most of your creativity by always repurposing your content. A blog post can be shared on all of your social media channels, be pinned to Pinterest boards, be converted to a newsletter, be turned into an opt-in, and be included in a round-up of your best posts. Make that content work for you, so you can work less.

9. Batch Your Tasks

Stop wasting time deciding what to work on and go into each week with a plan for how you’re going to spend every hour of work time. Try to batch similar tasks like writing, client engagement, and filming videos. Doing your hair and makeup once per week for a full morning of shooting videos is a lot easier than trying to do a little bit each day!

10. Use a Project Management Tool

Ditch your tried and true post-it note system and start tracking all pieces of your business with tools like Slack or Trello. These tools allow you to get a clear picture of what is happening in your business — plus, you can easily communicate with your team.

Even though setting up automation processes takes time at first, trust me: it will be well worth it. It will pay off in more ways than one — your time is money, after all, so the more automated you are? The more high-level (high-paying) work you’ll be able to do. Automating your business will give you back the freedom you crave, and make you feel like the #bossbabe you already are.

The post 10 Ways to Automate Your Business appeared first on HER Magazine ™.

Instagram stories are Instagram’s version of disappearing content, meant for real-time sharing. More importantly? They are burning up engagement stats all over the place. Just like on Snapchat, users can share pictures and videos that will disappear after 24 hours. Unlike the friendly ghost, however, Instastories are growing like crazy.

Instagram released the story feature in August 2016, and in less than six months had 150 million daily story users. It took Snapchat six years to reach that number! While that might not be quite a fair comparison, the reality is Instagram Stories were taking over from the start: the number of active Snapchat users decreased 40 percent after Instagram released the story feature. 

Instagram Stories is where it’s at, and if you’re business isn’t already involved, you’re behind the times. But if you’re feeling overwhelmed and unsure how to master the medium, we’ve got your back. Ready to get in on that engagement? Here are five ways to make the most of your 15 seconds of fame.

1. Be Consistent

Because your stories will disappear after 24 hours, it is crucial to keep engaging: you’ve got to post every day. Trust us; it’s going to be worth your time. Instagram users are highly engaged in stories, and over one-third of the most viewed stories come from businesses! That could be you! This works because Instagram stories don’t feel like ads. Consumers love watching the behind-the-scenes process, so give the people what they want and share away. Not sure what to post? The top-performing stories include how-to’s, behind-the-scenes, listicles, announcements, and takeovers.

2. Make Connections

Another Instagram advantage over Snapchat is that it allows you to tag other users in your content. If you decide to show your morning coffee, try linking to @starbucks. The company will be alerted that you tagged them, and it could open the door for future collaborations.

This also means that your own consumers could tag you, so always include a call-to-action about sharing your product, and reach out to everyone who features you in their stories. This could take just moments of your day, but it will leave a lasting impression on your users that will be worth more than any ad campaign.

3. Embrace Imperfection

The appeal of Instagram stories is that they are unpolished. Readers and consumers want to know the real you behind the business, so don’t be afraid to experiment and show a little bit of everything. About 70 percent of Instagram stories are watched with the sound on, so take people on a journey throughout your day and explain what you’re doing.

You could even ask your audience for feedback on what you’re creating. One in five Instagram stories receives a direct message, so be transparent with what you’re working on or struggling with, and ask for feedback!

4. Stay in Your Lane

Getting excited about these engagement numbers? Me, too — but let’s take a beat and make sure we’re sharing the right content. A study conducted by Facebook found that the highest rated Instagram stories always shared relevant content to their brand and audience. You’re telling your brand’s story through pictures and videos, so make sure it makes sense in this slideshow format.

For example, a health coach might share pictures of their salad at lunch, or their morning workout. That fits with their brand, and will be interesting for their audience. If they only show pics of their family and cats, on the other hand, that won’t sustain the engagement they’re after.  Lead with value, and your engagement will naturally climb.

5. Try Some Ads

If you have an Instagram business account, running story ads could be a helpful experiment for your business. Instagram has over 300 million daily users, and one-third of those users reported that the ads they see in Instagram stories positively impacted how they viewed a brand. Let that sink in. Every single day there are 100 million people who would actually enjoy seeing an ad from you! Keep your 15-second ads fast-paced, fun, and casual. You can always tweak as you go — so start engaging today.

Have Fun!

Like with any social media channel, Instagram Stories are just another way for you to experiment, and to have some fun connecting with your customers. If you’re having fun, that usually means you’re being authentic — and authenticity trumps just about anything when it comes to connecting to your uses. So don’t take yourself too seriously; jump in and get started. Your followers are waiting for you!

The post Why Your Business Needs Instagram Stories — and How To Get On Board appeared first on HER Magazine ™.

In order to really make the most of social media platforms like Instagram, it’s time for us to take back control. We are the ones controlling the content we see, remember? Scrolling your feed doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Just make sure you’re following the change-makers; make sure you’re following accounts that will really encourage and inspire you to grow your business.

Not sure where to start? We rounded up some of our favorites: these 10 Instagram superstars will teach you about entrepreneurship, marketing, and most importantly — how to create the life you want. 

1. Jenna Kutcher

Jenna Kutcher just may be the queen of Instagram. Not only does she have 506,000 loyal followers, but she has perfected the art of creating a gorgeous feed while staying completely relatable. Jenna is a professional photographer who now teaches fellow entrepreneurs how to build an online audience, and her Instagram stories usually have me laughing out loud while I sip my coffee.

2. Sara Blakely

Sara Blakely is the creator of SPANX, and she shares all the behind-the-scenes of her entrepreneurial adventures on Instagram. You can usually find her leading company meetings, speaking at major events, and making intricately-shaped pancakes for her four kids. 

3. Melyssa Griffin

If you are a blogger who is struggling to monetize, you need Melyssa Griffin in your life. Melyssa teaches bloggers how to turn their hobbies into thriving businesses, and shares even more in her podcast.

4. Lewis Howes

If you are ready to take your business to the next level, Lewis Howes in a must-follow. He is the host of the School of Greatness podcast, as well as an author, speaker, and teacher. He can also teach you how to grow your Instagram following, and you can start by watching what he does on his own page.

5. Rachel Hollis

All writers, both experienced and aspiring, need to become friends with Rachel Hollis. She is the author of the hit book Girl, Wash Your Face and inspires women around the world. She also has some of the most real and authentic Instagram stories, from barely making a deadline in her bathrobe to flying around the world to speak.

6. Joanna Gaines

As if you’re not already following her, but I thought I’d remind you that Joanna Gaines is still one of our all-time favorite entrepreneurs. And just because she is preparing to welcome her fifth baby does not mean that she’s slowing down anytime soon. Follow along to see her TV appearances, Magnolia adventures, and time on the farm.

7. Lori Harder

Lori Harder may still look like a fitness model, but she is now focused on a different mission: to spread the message of ‘tribe’ to women everywhere. Lori is passionate about teaching women to create the communities and support they need. She is currently on a book tour for A Tribe Called Bliss and takes us along for all the excitement.

8. Jay Shetty

If you’ve ever found yourself succeeding at higher levels, but wondering if it’s really worth it, follow Jay Shetty right now. Jay is a storyteller and speaker who is on a mission to make wisdom go viral. He shares ancient teachings in a fresh way, and you’ll not only walk away feeling inspired, but will learn what it takes to make a viral video as well.

9. Amber Lilyestrom

Ever feel burnt out along this entrepreneurial journey? Connect with the inspiring Amber Lilyestrom for your daily dose of purpose and a loving kick to get moving. Amber is a brand and business coach who shares all of the behind-the-scenes on her journey, which took her from ‘new mom’ to a million-dollar business in just a few years.

10. HER Magazine

We are so honored to be your destination for women who mean business. The HER Magazine Instagram feed features the latest articles, behind-the-scenes nuggets, and takeovers from some of our most inspiring contributors. Our goal is to make your Insta feed inspiring, encouraging, and full of resources to get what YOU need for your entrepreneurial lifestyle. And don’t forget to tag us for a chance to be featured! 

Did we miss any? Who are your must-follows for business and career inspiration?

The post 10 Instagram Accounts Every Entrepreneur Should Be Following appeared first on HER Magazine ™.

I read this book during a weekend away at our family’s lake house, and it opened my eyes to just how addicted I’ve become. I am never so relaxed as I am at this lake house, and while reading, it dawned on me that it isn’t the crashing waves of Lake Michigan, or even the ability to sleep in, that keeps me so calm and present on these getaways. The lake house is a sanctuary for one special reason: there is no cell service, and thus, no distractions.

When was the last time you allowed yourself to totally unplug?

That is just one of the many questions you will answer for yourself as you flip through this book. In this quick read, author Tanya Goodin tackles our phone and screen addictions head on to bring us back to enjoying the present moment. Goodin is an award-winning digital entrepreneur and founder of digital-detox specialists group Time to Log Off, which runs digital-detox retreats and events for adults.

Goodin and Time to Log Off are on a mission to inspire both kids and adults to disconnect from their devices and re-engage with the world around them.

In the book, Goodin compassionately walks us through how technology is designed to be addictive, then how to reclaim control. This book could easily be read in a weekend, but is one I will keep coming back to every time I feel the allure of that glowing screen.

Technology Has Us Hooked

The reason we are reaching for our phones 2,600 per day is because they are designed to be addictive. Goodin explains that technology is designed to hook us, to keep us scrolling when we know we should be getting back to work or going to bed. Every ‘like’ and comment on social media is reinforcement that keeps us glued to the screen.

Take Back Control

In this book, Goodin gently guides us back to the driver’s seat of our own lives. We don’t have to let the notifications and private messages control our days. The habits Goodin recommends are simple and straightforward; the book will guide you through setting your own boundaries for screen time, as well as identifying your triggers for getting sucked in. Goodin recommends mindfulness practices such as meditation and walking in nature to help us reconnect with ourselves and others.

A Quick, Helpful Read

While the concepts in Off: Your Digital Detox for a Better Life are simple and almost obvious, the fact remains that we are addicted and need an intervention. Even though I knew that spending more time in nature was good for me, I didn’t take action until the book inspired me to do so.

If you have been feeling the pull to step away from the screens in your life, plan a digital detox and follow Goodin’s advice. While the thought of a complete detox is overwhelming, the beauty of this book is that it does not demand an all-or-nothing approach. Even shutting down your computer 30 minutes earlier each night will reap benefits. As Goodin says, “And as you discover for yourself the benefits of logging off, through improved sleep, focus, productivity, and mood, I know you’ll be inspired to do more and keep going.”

The post OFF: Your Digital Detox For A Better Life appeared first on HER Magazine ™.

It wasn’t until I was an hour into my next article that I realized what I was doing. I wasn’t stopping to acknowledge the accomplishment. I hadn’t even taken a breath, let alone allowed myself to soak up this win.

As ambitious business owners and freelancers, we’re not used to slowing down. There are always new posts to share, new clients to reach out to, and new blogs to write. The to-do list will literally never be completed, so how do we keep from constantly feeling behind and exhausted?

The answer is self-care — but I’m not talking about a weekly pedicure or coffee date. I’m talking about prioritizing yourself and your health so that you can go on to make the difference in this world that you were born to make. Here are five steps to get you started.

Plan Your Ideal Day

Most of us stay on task by mapping out each day of the week, but have you ever spent time envisioning your perfect day? If anything were possible, what would you want to be doing at 6am on Monday mornings? What about 2pm on Wednesdays? Start getting super clear on how you want to spend your days, because this will help you build your framework for a satisfying week.

Maybe you won’t be able to completely overhaul your entire schedule, but planning your ideal day will give you a picture of how close you are to your dreams. It could also be a wake-up call that it’s time to make changes. If you realize that you’d love to go to an early morning yoga class, but never seem to make it, it’s time to make it a priority. If not now, when?

Prioritize Your List

Because the to-do list is literally never-ending, we need to have very clear priorities and boundaries. This will help you make progress on what’s important, rather than getting sidetracked every time your phone buzzes or dings.

Take some time to think about the key activities that move your business forward. Prioritize those activities before anything else in your business. For me, those priorities are writing and reaching out to new clients. When I am consistently working on both those activities, I see progress without feeling stretched too thin. When I allow myself to become distracted by the latest social media channel or webinar, I quickly go into overwhelm and shut down. Focus on your priority areas to save your precious energy.

Eat That Frog

So much of our mental energy is drained by indecision and procrastination. We have all had that experience of knowing we need to make a call or write a report, but pushing it off to the following day, only to end up feeling even more behind and stressed about it.

One of the kindest things you can do for yourself is to start the day with one task you have been putting off. This starts your day with a major win and gives you momentum to accomplish even more.

Set Yourself Up for Success

Once you identify the priority areas in your life and business, stack your day to support those tasks. Spend a few minutes each night planning out your day and setting out your clothes. Think about times in the day when you may get tripped up and make a mental plan for how to tackle them.

If you feel awesome every time you wake up at 5 am to meditate, but most days end up pushing the snooze button, try moving your alarm across the room. Do whatever you can to support yourself in making healthy changes for you and your career.

Reward Yourself

Our brains are designed to seek pleasure and avoid pain, so rewarding yourself for your hard work is one of the fastest ways to success and satisfaction. Break your goals down into mini-steps and plan rewards along the way. Your reward for finally writing that proposal could be an hour of reading in bed with coffee. Writing your content calendar could mean taking the night off to veg in front of the TV. Your rewards don’t have to be huge or cost anything. Just make sure you’re giving your overworked brain a rest.

Regular self-care takes commitment and discipline, but is the only path to true happiness in your business. Keep reminders around of why you are building your business and how it supports your life. Then unplug and go do those things. Your career will be happily waiting for you when you get back.

The post Smart Self-Care For Over Achievers appeared first on HER Magazine ™.