Each weekend, I list the 5 articles that received the most attention (likes, comments, shares) from my online community. So spend some time catching up on my readers’ favorite articles from the week.

Instead of an overview, I share a sentence or two that stood out when I read the article. Just click on each title to read the full article.

(1) 5 Characteristics of Weak Leaders (and How Not to Be One)

“But the successful leaders figure out how to get the job done with the resources they have.” Michael Hyatt

(2) 7 Reasons You’re Not as Successful as You Could Be

“If you wait until all conditions are perfect, you will spend the rest of your life waiting.” – Marc, from Marc and Angel Hack

(3) 10 Must-Read Inspiring Biographies of Business Leaders

No quote for this one, just a few of the leaders to read more about: Steve Jobs, Richard Branson, Tony Hseih, Martha Stewart and more…

(4)  Why You’re So Afraid of Change (and What You Can Do About It)

“Coping with change well, rather than losing your mind, only requires an adjustment on your outlook and a little evidence of surviving various circumstances.”  Adam Dachis

(5) 7 Qualities of Uber-Productive People

“Remarkably productive people don’t wait for ideas. They don’t wait for inspiration. They know that big ideas most often come from people who do, not people who dream.” Jeff Haden

Share! Have you read any great articles on personal growth this week? I’m always looking for new blogs to follow and share on my social networks. List them in the below.  comments

Personal growth

Each weekend, I list the 5 articles that received the most attention (likes, comments, shares) from my online community. So spend some time catching up on my readers’ favorite articles from the week.

Instead of an overview, I share a sentence or two that stood out when I read the article. Just click on each title to read the full article.

(1) How to Manage Energy and Why You Must

“On top of the energy to get up do the work, running a business involves the need for energy that drives things like creativity, intention, purpose, love, intuition, and innovation. When we neglect these forms of energy we lose touch with why we do what we do and business becomes a grind.” John Jantsch

(2) Transform Yourself? Change Who You Hang Out With!

“Try to be introspective about your relationships not for the sake of being critical but for noting how you can improve yourself. If you attract friends who are balanced, motivated, kind and productive you will be more likely to mimic their behavior.” Beth Kuhel

(3) 9 Beliefs of Highly Ineffective People

“The most effective way to handle what must be done is to do it. The time-tested strategy for making life truly easier is to work through each challenge as it arises, persistently following through to the best of your ability. “ Angel, from Marc and Angel Hack Life

(4) When You Can’t Get Anything Done… Do One Thing.

“You could say that once I got myself in motion, I stayed in motion.”  Craig Jarrow

(5) Why Success Is Never an Accident

“Successful people always seem to make their own luck and find opportunities, but it has more to do with their state of mind than anything else.” Steve Tobak

Share! Have you read any great articles on personal growth this week? I’m always looking for new blogs to follow and share on my social networks. List them in the below.  comments

We were recently reminiscing about some fun family outings and the interesting “necessities”  stored in our van, and it made me think about how important it is to be prepared and plan ahead in a home business too. When you are your business, what happens when something unexpected happens?

Whether it’s an unexpected big project or new client that demands more time than you planned or you come down with the flu (which sounds pretty bad this year), it’s important to take a few steps now to be prepared.

Here are four tips to help you plan for the unexpected:

Tip #1: Designate your back-up personnel

If you were away from your desk for a few days with the flu, who could fill in for you to make sure essential tasks still get done?

Maybe you already have a virtual assistant (or someone you call on an as-needed basis); maybe a family member; maybe it’s a good time to think about hiring someone part-time (or for a few hours a week) to provide some office assistance.

Tip #2: Define your essential tasks

What things have to be done, whether you are sick or not? Client appointments can usually be postponed, but what about invoicing, bill payments or tax deadlines?

Make a list (monthly or weekly, whatever works best for you) of things that must be done with their deadlines attached.

Tip #3: Create simple systems

Could someone easily step in for a few days to complete essential tasks or would it be impossible for someone else to figure out how you do those tasks?

Create a few simple systems (document the steps involved) for managing the important areas of your business: how to invoice a client, how to check online accounts, how to create/post social media updates, etc. Include log-in/password information so whoever “fills-in” for you has access to tools and software.

Tip #4: Don’t Procrastinate

Do you leave things for the last minute?

Instead, create a buffer zone for important deadlines: if a bill or project is due by a certain date, make your own “done by” deadline a few days earlier, just in case something unexpected happens.

Make a plan now for who will help and what has to be done in your home office and any future unexpected occurrences (either good or bad), won’t bring your business to a stop.

Image courtesy of Idea go / FreeDigitalPhotos.net