Slow down so you don't run down!

I am usually in a mad dash, and am working hard to stop multi tasking.

How about you?

Studies show the importance of taking a deep breath and slowing down. As a life coach and reinventin expert I consistently see the wasted time that rushing can cause. When we spend time rushing, we make more mistakes, than if we just took things at a slower and more conscious pace.

Are you a new entrepreneur?

Are you a new entrepreneur?

My bet is that you are. Nobel Prize winner Muhammad Yunus is betting that you are.

If you doubt that you have the skills or ability to become a small business owner what this video. As Yunus says, "We are all entrepreneurs.....Some lucky ones find out. Human beings are endowed with endless potential. Most don't get to unwrap the gift that they carry with them." Many Americans doubt that they have the training necessary to become entrepreneurs. The case study he shares will give you courage to implement an idea.

Take an hour this week to unwrap the gift inside of you and plug into one of the Global Entrepreneurship Week events. If you have an idea, challenge or problem you want to explore please share it in the comments or shoot me an email.

Global Entrepreneurship Week

This may be the week your life changes. It is Global Entrepreneurship Week. This week is a global celebration to ignite and fan the enterprising spirit.

In 85 countries around the world millions of people are coming together to with the intention of connecting, mentoring, and engaging the next wave of new entrepreneurs. Unleashing Ideas is sponsored by The The Kauffmann Foundation, the world's largest foundation devoted to entrepreneurship.

Click here for a few of the projects that are happening this week around the world.

Celebrate Global Entrepreneurship Week

The Problem: It was the early 90's. I didn't like the glitter goop hair accessories I saw in the stores. Since I have a massive amount of hair I needed some gizmo to corral at least some of it.

The Solution: I bought a glue gun and silk flowers. I glued them on the barrette. Wearing that barrette transformed my unruly mess of hair in to a garden of curls. A top boutique owner saw me wearing my homemade barrette. She liked it, bought it and sold $1000 of them in the first week. Within six months that same piece was featured in Women's Wear Daily. An afternoon craft project turned into a company called Elizabeth Davidson Design. I started the company with $17 and a glue gun. It grew to $1.5 million in retail sales in four years.

Like millions of others around the planet becoming an entrepreneur recast the shape my life.

The Point: An enterprising person solves problems. My story illustrates that even a very small solution to a very small problem can be the seed of a business. In the current economy there are many problems that are in need of solution.

What's In It For You: Having an idea and taking a small action has the power to change your life. You have the power to take an action that can make a huge difference.

What is a problem that you see a solution for? What good idea have you been sitting on? Is there a market for that solution? How do you get started? How do you solve the problems along the way?

Culture/Politics and Sexual Harassment

Lastly lets look at the factors from both sides of office culture/politics.

Culture/politics:

(M): Know the culture and the politics of the company. This is not restricted to the formal rules, but to the informal as well. Learn from others what goes on in the office, what is okay with them, and what is not. Learn who is comfortable within the office culture, and who is not. It may be that a close knit group is okay with certain behaviors or verbalizations, while others may not be. Know when it is okay to make a particular statement, and to whom. Know the culture. In one situation a boss became afraid even to say to his secretary that she looked nice, or to compliment a particular garment. This is overkill. Be aware of whom you say it to, and how you say it, but don't let paranoia persevere.

(E): Offices are like families. Different people come in and out of each other's realm in a fluid manner over the day. Some can be spoken to in ways that would not be okay with others. Make it clear who you are in the "family" and what is okay and what is not. Harking back to communication let it be known in a frank, but polite, and diplomatic way. Does the office culture/politics suit you? Can you change it? Can it be changed? These can be discussed, as in well functioning families."

How are these issues addressed in your workplace? What advice would you give to someone that is challenged with sexual harassment?

Respect...Sexual Harassment

Now lets look at the factors from both sides for respect.

Respect:
(M): Carry yourself in a manner which builds respect. Bosses or managers who are martinets, or conversely are everyone's pal do not put themselves in a place to be regarded with respect. On the one hand the tyrant builds resentment, which can be turned into actual or false accusations. The pal may put themselves in a position where they get too chummy and may say or do something, even in jest that could be construed as harassing. Respect others' space, physical and psychological.

(E): Respect yourself and others will treat you with respect. It is too easy to slip into familiarity with co-workers or management that goes beyond office decorum. Sometimes, because of the office culture, it is too easy to try to be "one of the boys", especially for women who have traditionally been left out. This can open you to remarks and behaviors that can rapidly deteriorate into discomfort, and possibly harassment. If this does not prevent harassment, respect yourself enough to take it to someone in the company who can help.

Sexual Harassment..Communication

It has been said that there are at least two sides to every story. This will try to cover both sides of the sexual harassment topic. In this case there is the management side, (M), and the employee side, (E). Let us look at the factors from both sides of communication.

Communication:
(M): Make clear the policy for the office regarding sexual harassment, and communicate it in a fashion that is easily understood. When in situations that might allow for a charge of harassment, be clear in what you have to say, not just in the words, but in tone, and in body language, which includes facial expression. Much can be made of the way in which something is said.

(E): If you think someone has said or done something that could be sexually harassing, tell that person straight out that you think what they have said or done is not okay with you. Let them explain. If that does no good, communicate this clearly to the next person up the chain of command from you. If the alleged perpetrator is that person, go to the next step up. Document what has happened, so the memory is fresh, and the information can be passed on without confusion.