The BOSS Network Blog

If I had a dollar for every time a client came to see me and asked if they were “crazy” I would be rich. I always tell my clients you’re “brave” not crazy and I’m proud of you for taking the first step in addressing your mental health. There’s nothing wrong with having a “mental health checkup.” Whether it’s a divorce, death of a loved one, stress at work or parenting challenges, sometimes life happens. It is a common belief that mental illness is caused by personal weakness when in fact, like most major illnesses, it is not the fault of the person with the mental conditions. Biological and environmental factors are usually at the root of the issue and needing therapy is not a personal failure. There are a few common myths associated with psychotherapy. Myth #1 – I can’t afford therapy The truth is, you can’t afford not to. There are a variety of ways in which therapy can be affordable. Think about what you spend on clothes, going out or dinner a few times a week. Saving just a lit...

As an entrepreneur, a fresh supply of motivation and inspiration is essential to producing game-changing results in the marketplace. Yet, sometimes the unthinkable occurs. After consistently going strong and climbing higher over a period of time, suddenly, we hit a plateau and lack the motivation and inspiration to move beyond that place. Have you ever been there? I have. It happens to the best of us, even the most successful people. Of course, we'd love for every season to be an "on" season, but there is a purpose for our off-seasons as well. That's the time where most of our personal development takes place, and we get prepared for the next level. But staying motivated and inspired is important no matter what season you're in. Fresh motivation and inspiration keeps us forward-looking and helps us to resist complacency. Not to mention, consistency in branding yourself and carrying out your day-to-day activities is so much easier as well. If you’...

You want to get on major television shows or featured in magazines but how do you cut through the clutter? How do you find the right media contacts? How do you attract media attention over and over again? Here are three tips to help you get the PR you desire: 1. Connect with people. Yes, journalists, producers, and editors are just people. They are people that want to do a good job for their media outlets. So, make them a hero. Offer help even when you don’t want something. It’s good old-fashioned networking. One way to make yourself stand out is to provide useful tips and information when you aren’t trying to push for coverage. Give them some “scoop” or new trending information about your industry or introduce them to someone you know might be useful for their beat or show. Be a resource. People don’t like people who only call them when they need something. Also, most media are on Twitter. Try retweeting their stories; this helps their numbers. Remember, their bosses are watching t...

At this year’s Boss on Campus event, I presented a workshop on each of us is the CEO of a company called ME, INC. This is one of the first topics I discuss in my new book, The Millennial’s Playbook to Adulting because I believe it’s critical to maximize your potential and take control of your life, simply by behaving like a C-suite executive. There are five key ways to do this. 1. BUILD A POWERHOUSE BRAND . Every great company has a brand. This is the perception customers have about a product or service. As CEO’s of ME, INC you also need a strong personal brand, which is how people describe you when you are not around. Think about the characteristics and qualities you want to be known for, and work towards aligning them with everything you do. 2. CREATE A PERSONAL BOARD OF ADVISORS . Most companies have a board of directors or advisors who are not involved in the day-to-day running of the business, but who have a vested interest in the business doing well. You need the same type of b...

Dorinda Walker is an Inspirational Warrior, Survivor, Community Advocate and Award Winning Corporate Executive. What is most compelling about her corporate position is the path she took to arrive there. In her first book “Protected by Purpose” Walker dives into her life story and provides the success secrets that allowed her to transition from a path to prison as a teenager to becoming one of the fastest rising brands in corporate America.  1. What were some obstacles that you faced in balancing your corporate career and entrepreneurship?     I’m fortunate to have a successful career in Corporate America.  However, I knew that I didn’t want my career to be solely defined by what I do in the corporate world. I had a desire to advocate for those whose voices are suppressed, i.e., victims of domestic violence, human trafficking, physical and sexual abuse, etc. I want my legacy to be one of service and substance. The only obstacle I face...

Bridgett McGowen is a published author and an international professional speaker.   Prior to launching her public speaking firm, BMcTALKS, LLC, she held positions as an educational technology thought leader and a faculty development consultant with an edtech company and a faculty member for the Texas A&M University System. 1.    What were some obstacles that you faced in the beginning process of starting your business or career? The number one obstacle I faced in the beginning process of starting my public speaking and presentation skills coaching firm, BMcTALKS, LLC, was knowing WHERE to start.  Do I need a website?  Should I speak for free?  Do I form an LLC?  The questions went on and on.  I resolved I would take it one step at a time; engage with others who were once similarly situated and who succeeded; and learn as much as possible about business ownership, networking, and marketing.  I quickly learned the followin...

“Leaders develop the ability to manage and lead themselves before they’re able to manage and lead others.”  It’s spring! Barring the necessary pollen, it’s a welcome season for me because this is the time where I begin to re-calibrate; i.e., assess, adjust, and align. As I’m cleaning out the closet of old, worn out, or too small winter clothes and begin to fill my yard with blooming perennials, I go through a mental and emotional process that ultimately yield blooms in my personal and professional life. Here’s how I do it:  Assess  – Evaluate how I'm doing with the goals I set in January. When I identify an area that lacks progress, I first ask: ‘Is this something I really want to accomplish?”  If the answer is no, then I remove it from my current goal list.  When it is something that I do want to achieve, I recommit myself to accomplishing the goal and move to the next step of adjusting. Adjust  –  This is the step where I plan behavioral cha...