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Showing posts from June, 2025

How Your Corporate Mission Statement Drives Business Success

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A corporate mission statement defines why your company exists. It’s not just a formality tucked away in a business plan; it’s a guiding light that steers your organization through growth , change and challenges. Today’s most successful companies know exactly who they are, what they stand for and where they’re headed—and they express it clearly through a mission statement. In this article, you’ll learn why corporate mission statements are essential and what makes a great one. You’ll also read about real-world examples and discover actionable tips on writing your own. Why Mission Statements Are Important A mission statement isn’t just about branding—it’s about direction. It helps organizations maintain focus and create clear bonds between vision, strategy and overall execution. Here’s how it plays a critical role across your business. Provides Clear Direction for Your Business Your mission is an anchor. It helps leaders make decisions that align with the company’s values and long-...

Measuring Your Employees’ Progress Too Much May Actually Be Hurting Their Productivity

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It’s important to regularly check in with your employees to ensure they’re not hitting any unnecessary roadblocks or inadvertently wasting time on a project, but observing them too often could be hindering their overall performance. A recent study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology takes the age-old idiom of “a watched pot never boils” and applies the concept to workplace productivity and other areas of life. Much like a pot of water seems slower to boil when consistently monitored, employees are slower to complete projects when observed too frequently. Researchers dubbed this phenomenon the “monitoring frequency effect” and described how “progress is seen to slow to the extent it is monitored more frequently.” The monitoring frequency effect thrives on unconscious perception from both employees and managers.  Although a manager may have accurate, conscious perceptions of one employee completing work faster than another, they may be unaware that they’re moni...

Learn From TikTok’s Most Viral Trends to Strategically Boost Your Sales

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Cracking the consumer mindset has always been the holy grail of sales. Robert Cialdini’s marketing ethos sums it up best with one simple question: Why do people say yes? According to him, buying isn’t just about logic—it’s about emotion, impulse and shortcut thinking. We may look inward when making choices, but we’re also wired to watch and follow others.  Cialdini’s Principle of Social Proof concept aptly explains TikTok’s transformation over nearly a decade into a multipurpose platform, now central to how brands and creators gain exposure and cultural relevance. When a product gains traction online, it gives us instant reassurance—the belief that it’s worth the price simply because so many others are buying it. It’s the same reason we choose the restaurant with the long line: If they’re all in, it must be good.  On TikTok, creators and small businesses have discovered innovative ways to market, promote and cultivate a brand identity . It’s a platform where success stems ...

Discover How to Set Competitive Freelance Hourly Rates

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In 2024, 76.4 million workers chose freelance careers. I was one of them, and I have to say, the flexibility that comes with freelance work is extremely rewarding. However, finding success in the freelance market isn’t always easy. Whether you’re just contemplating making the jump from traditional work to freelance work or you’ve been freelancing for years, one challenge many freelancers face is knowing how to calculate their personal freelance rate . In this article, we’ll discuss how to set freelance hourly rates based on different industries, regions and experience levels.  What Is the Average Freelance Hourly Rate? In 2025, the average freelance hourly rate in the United States is around $48/hour, according to ZipRecruiter . Worldwide, that number increases to $101.50, based on information from Clockify . While knowing these average rates is helpful when setting your prices, you also need to understand how other factors affect compensation.  Freelance Hourly Rates by...

Why Do I Feel Anxious Toward a Friend? Understanding & Managaing Friendship Anxiety

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While friendship is essential and can have a positive impact on our well-being, it’s not always easy or simple. We might feel a range of emotions when it comes to our friendships. Feeling friendship anxiety can be confusing and distressing, and many people wonder, “Why do I feel anxious toward a friend?” Navigating a relationship with a friend is similar to navigating other relationships in your life. You may have to figure out how to deal with specific issues, face certain obstacles, work on how you can be a better friend and communicate how your friend can have a better relationship with you. Feelings of worry or inadequacy, known as friendship anxiety, often stem from past experiences, social dynamics or personal insecurities. Understanding where these feelings come from and learning how to manage them can help you maintain healthy relationships. Find out more about friendship anxiety, where it comes from and how you can manage your anxiety to build fulfilling friendships in thi...

New Study Highlights 5 Powerful Mindshifts That CEOs Should Use to Grow Their Business

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IBM released its 2025 CEO study with insights from over 3,000 global executives. The report is a data-backed road map for navigating disruption, boosting productivity and future-proofing businesses in an unpredictable world.  It highlights five pivotal “mindshifts” that top-performing leaders are using to drive growth, from embracing risk to ignoring trends. 1. ‘Make courage your core’ Of the CEOs surveyed, 64% stated they must take more risks than competitors to maintain their edge. Another 64% embrace tech early, even without full understanding, to stay competitive. IBM examines the balance between moving quickly and courageously and taking things slowly and steadily.  Example of this mindshift in action: Netflix CEO Reed Hastings sent an 11-page memo to employees and investors in 2013, announcing Netflix’s pivot from exclusively distributing content to becoming a producer of original movies, television and more. It paid off. Netflix has accumulated 26 Oscar wins a...

5 Must-Read Sports Books

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Sports are a phenomenon that’s embedded in our language, fashion and media. Sports metaphors are so ubiquitous that we barely even notice them anymore; they’re used for everything from a first kiss to career trajectory. Resilient in nature, athletes often share personal stories about breaking through barriers , beating odds and conquering significant challenges—stories that are often riveting and inspirational. We’ve compiled a list of some recent sports books that offer just that. 1. What You’re Made For: Powerful Life Lessons from My Career in Sports By George Raveling and Ryan Holiday (2025) You have to be a pretty big deal to convince Michael Jordan to write a foreword to your book. Jordan took the request a step further in his foreword to legendary basketball coach George Raveling’s memoir (co-authored by philosopher Ryan Holiday), writing that Raveling “does not get the credit that I feel he deserves.” The book combines narrative reflections on Raveling’s tenacity and resili...

42 Leadership Quotes to Inspire You to Be a Better Leader

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Leadership manifests differently across various realms—be it in business, education, community or personal life—but its essence remains the same: the ability to uplift, inspire and motivate. Effective leaders don’t just make change, but they motivate others to do the same. Leadership isn’t a title; it’s the ability to inspire action through example—and some of the most powerful leadership quotes help illustrate this. These positive leadership quotes highlight the influence that a leader has and what leaders can do for their teams. These sayings offer concise yet impactful insights to help individuals reflect on and refine their approach. After all, the best leadership quotes can elevate a leader’s influence and strengthen the entire team from within, so use these powerful words to help you grow and inspire those around you.  Inspirational Quotes on Leadership for Motivation to Be the Best Being a leader isn’t a walk in the park. You constantly have people to answer to and a te...

New Study Reveals This Emotion Is Key to a Meaningful Life

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A new study reveals that hope is not just an abstract feeling, but a powerful psychological mindset that shapes human thought and behavior. Although we exist constantly in the eternal present, our minds instinctively navigate past memories and future possibilities to shape our decisions, giving us the option to choose how we view the expanse of our lives.  University of Missouri study finds hope drives deeper meaning in life A study conducted by the University of Missouri team highlights hope as a uniquely powerful positive emotion that cultivates a profound sense of meaning. “Our research shifts the perspective on hope from merely a cognitive process related to goal attainment to recognizing it as a vital emotional experience that enriches life’s meaning,” said Megan Edwards, who earned a doctorate at the University of Missouri and is now a postdoctoral scholar at Duke University, in a public statement . “This insight opens new avenues for enhancing psychological well-being.” ...

50 Focus Quotes to Improve Concentration & Attention

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Author and productivity consultant David Allen once said, “You can do anything—but not everything.” Allen’s wise words suggest that you can achieve anything you put your mind to. However, limitations such as time and energy require you to be selective about your pursuits. In other words, you must choose your focus and then fully engage in the specific goal or dream that matters most to you.  With this guiding light, you can also learn how to prioritize your days and stay focused as you complete more granular tasks—both at work and at home. Since focus is a building block for many thinking processes , including learning, memory, problem-solving and decision-making, it’s a critical skill to have in your back pocket. Not to mention one that can help you realize better outcomes like greater productivity and enhanced mental well-being.  The following library of focus quotes can keep you on track and motivated to achieve your life goals. You’ll also find some helpful tips on impr...