“This is a formative time for you in which you realize that the conventional ways of doing things aren’t working anymore. Spread the word.” This statement was part of my horoscope this morning. Yes, I do read my horoscope daily albeit I do so only because it makes me think. I find it enjoyable, unlike the news of the day. And sometimes it has me asking myself ‘what if’ questions, especially if today’s horoscope would be something I wish would be true.
Possibly you may not be superstitious. Yet, you think twice about a black cat crossing your path. Or you may cringe if you break a mirror. And certainly, you’ll walk around a ladder instead of walking under it. You may not be superstitious but you may think, why take a chance in creating bad luck for myself when I can easily avoid a situation?
I have similar thoughts when reading my horoscope. If it states that something great will happen if I close a deal today, sure I’ll see if I can make that come true. As well, if the message is to avoid something that day, I’ll most likely heed that advice. More so, I do love things that get me thinking as thought spur creativity and innovation. At times it enables me to see things in a different light, outside the box, if you will.
Today my horoscope has reinforced my thoughts about the strategy and action plans necessary from which to move from pandemic-related challenges as well as from shifts in the way business had been conducted before the pandemic. Essentially, many of the conventional ways of doing things aren’t working anymore. Yes, changes are necessary not only to survive, but also to thrive.
“Change is inevitable. Change is constant.” Benjamin Disraeli
Through the pandemic, change had been looked at as the New Normal. Before we dive into how the New Normal had quickly become the norm, I’d like to spur some thought regarding change with two questions:
How are you currently handling change? How will you handle change moving forward?
Maybe if we take look at the definition of change, it may help better understand change:
change (verb) – 1. make (someone or something) different; alter or modify. 2. replace (something) with something else, especially something of the same kind that is newer or better; substitute one thing for (another).
Change, has changed!
In the past, business leaders predicted threats and planned responses with a risk-management strategy. Today, however, the nature of risk itself is different… It’s right upon us, and repeatedly at that! Change, in and of itself has changed. Instead of a single occurrence, change has become a fluid, recurring event. As such, change has become constant.
Changes being implemented today to survive will continue to be necessary through recovery and beyond. Most likely, repeated change will be key to future success as customers and clients will become accustomed to changes and look for them to continue. This will be the case even if it means changes are to run alongside what was once viewed as standard operations.
For example, think about the focus over the past two years on take-out & delivery in the restaurant industry. Customers are now expecting these welcomed additions to continue long after standard operations have resumed. So, what was described as the New Normal is now normal.
Actually, these additions to the business model have helped many businesses to recover faster, going from surviving to thriving as processes have been perfected and improvements have been made along the way. On the flip side, businesses that had considered the shift as a temporary solution for the times, have either continued to struggle, or have already closed their doors.
A proactive approach to change is key.
As businesses continue to face, seemingly one challenge after another, many have settled into a perpetual survival mode. Unfortunately, that will hurt more in the long run than the very challenges believed to be the sole reason for diminishing sales & profits.
Are these businesses just putting off the inevitable by essentially having become complacent and numb to recurring challenges? Most likely, yes. But it’s not too late to act in a proactive manner. Adjusting to challenges, offsetting or making drastic changes is the right strategy – one that is more inclined to work than just reacting. Often, just reacting is often too late.
Business owners must [always] be thinking about the next steps in addressing challenges, lest they fall short and lose the war (long-term survival) despite winning battles (short-term survival) along the way. In a world of constant change, non-adaptive behavior is inevitably a kiss of death for many businesses. Quite frankly, I’m very tired of the funerals!
How To Switch From An Employee To An Entrepreneur Mindset
Being an entrepreneur is an exciting and rewarding undertaking and, if you’re motivated by the thought of being your own boss, don’t be put off by the changes you’ll need to make to become a success. Not having one boss can mean you now have many, when you’re answering to your customers, your bank manager and the large number of people who are going to be looking to you for answers.
Being an entrepreneur isn’t the same as being an employee – no matter how high up the career ladder you’ve climbed. But the freedom you get as an entrepreneur means that you can develop your business, and run your life, in the way you think is best.
Read more about making the transition from employee to entrepreneur easier HERE.
From Employee to Entrepreneur: Seven Success Tips for New Business Owners
After you’ve been employed for a few years, you probably have job security, a regular income, benefits, and a bright future. Even so, you may want more out of life, and starting your own business may be the way to get it. However, moving from employee to entrepreneur requires planning, a clear understanding of your career objectives, and confidence that you can do the job as an independent business owner.
Read about some suggestions for creating a smooth transition from employee to entrepreneur, increasing your chances for the success of your new company HERE.
Making The Transition From Employee To Business Owner
Does your passion lie in working in the corporate world for the rest of your life, or are you ready to venture out in an entrepreneurship role?
Transitioning from employee to business owner is as exciting as it is difficult. You have spent your career in a corporate job that gives you income and stability, or at least perceived stability. But it also means you’re going to spend your life building somebody else’s dream. Every day that passes is another day that you have not created something for yourself.
Working as an employee comes with risks, no matter how good and/or loyal you are, that you cannot control. For example, the company could go through a merger or get bought out, downsize or go out of business. There could be a change in management or in the direction of the company that results in an elimination of your position, division etc, and so on.
Read more about making the transition from employee to entrepreneur HERE.
The Ten Most Common Types of Entrepreneurship
While the basic principles of entrepreneurship are the same—planning, starting and operating a business—the distinct nuances and skills needed vary depending on the type of business you plan to start. Becoming an entrepreneur requires the ability to define these differences and pinpoint the unique elements that are needed.
Traditionally, entrepreneurship is categorized into four main types: small businesses, scalable startups, large companies and social entrepreneurs. These models cover the fundamentals of starting a business and focus more on the company itself, rather than the qualities of the entrepreneur.
“However, just as the world continues to change, so do businesses. This means new opportunities for risk-taking and innovative game changers to pave the way in diverse entrepreneurial ways.”
With this in mind, even though there are quite a few similarities when it comes to the challenges that all business owners will face, there are certain types of entrepreneurship defined by the skills, characteristics, and personality traits of the entrepreneur. At the end of the day, it is the way you choose to run your business that makes them differ from one another.
Read more about the various types of entrepreneurship HERE.
What better way to start the New Year at Acceler8Success Cafe than to focus on dreams and goals. After all, isn’t that what we had been programmed to do at the beginning of each year. At least that was the case pre-pandemic. Seemingly, and possibly due to individuals being in somewhat of a survival mode, dreams and goals appear to be on hold – or individuals are reluctant to discuss the same.
Is it due to fear of not being able to achieve goals or make those dreams come true? Or is it due to guilt and not wanting to share their thoughts as there are still individuals having a difficult time recovering from the throes of the pandemic?
So, today I’m sharing a post that I originally published January 2010 and then again in early-2022. I believe similarities between the economic challenges faced in 2010 and in 2022-2023 make this post, with minor edits still relevant today!
What Happened to Our Dreams and Goals?
I recently came across an interesting discussion in one of the LinkedIn groups that I found quite intriguing, and downright enjoyable to read. It wasn’t about franchising. Nothing about social media. There was no mention of business or entrepreneurship. Money or finances weren’t a major part of the equation. And, surprisingly, just a few mentions about current economic challenges. The discussion was actually about the concept of dreams and goals.
It was enlightening that there were well over one hundred responses in a relatively short period of time. Definitely a considerable amount when compared to other discussions within the same group. Often, the responses were being posted one right after the other. It seemed like people wanted to talk about their dreams and goals, almost as if they had been prohibited from doing so of late.
In light of the economic uncertainty surrounding us today, it seems the subject of dreams and goals has hibernated like a bear for winter. During good times, dreams and goals are out in the open, shared by many. Actually, bragged about by some, and the end results, often materialistic, flaunted by others.
It’s ironic that we’re taught that in order to achieve a goal, a key element in doing so is to enlist the assistance of people that can help us achieve the goal. Yet, in the current economic climate, discussions about dreams and goals have subsided, and have almost disappeared. It’s almost like we feel guilty to have such discussions at this time. Or, that we should just be thankful for what we have and dismiss our dreams and goals as frivolous.
What about the dreams and goals that are not financially driven or rewarding? Why have they been put on the back burner? Well, to all of this, I say “enough is enough.” Yes, enough of the poor me attitudes. Enough of the pity parties. And, enough of the social “rubbernecking.” (Social rubbernecking is when people excitedly talk about other people’s miseries – i.e., neighbor lost his job, their house was foreclosed on, he was having an affair – it’s just like slowing down to look at the horrific car wreck!)
NOW is definitely the time to put all the negatives aside and re-ignite the passion behind our dreams. It’s the perfect time to pull out those lists of goals and remember why we wrote them down in the first place. Why they’re important. How they’re important to people close to us. And how our lives would be positively affected upon achieving our goals and making our dreams come true.
Certainly, it’s time to face the realization that it’s up to us to make our dreams and goals a reality. They’re ours. We own them. No one can take them from us. To paraphrase a quote that I’ve seen many times (in many different forms) in discussions about success, “There are people that make things happen, some that watch things happen, and others that wonder what the hell happened?” Could you tell which group of people are most successful at achieving their goals and making their dreams come true?
And I’ll leave you with my favorite quote to ponder:
The best way to predict your future is to create it. – Abraham Lincoln
With my thoughts clearly focused on the year ahead, and specifically the unprecedented financial challenges and economic uncertainty we’ll be facing, I find myself reflecting upon the following by Albert Einstein…
“Let’s not pretend that things will change if we keep doing the same things. A crisis can be a real blessing to any person, to any nation. For all crises bring progress…
Creativity is born from anguish, just like the day is born from the dark night. It’s in crisis that inventive is born, as well as discoveries, and big strategies. W is ho overcomes crisis, overcomes himself, without getting overcome. Who blames his failure to a crisis neglects his own talent, and is more respectful to problems than to solutions. Incompetence is the true crisis…
The greatest inconvenience of people and nations is the laziness with which they attempt to find the solutions to their problems. There’s no challenge without a crisis. Without challenges, life becomes a routine, a slow agony. There’s no merit without crisis. It’s in the crisis where we can show the very best in us. Without a crisis, any wind becomes a tender touch. To speak about a crisis is to promote it. Not to speak about it is to exalt conformism. Let us work hard instead…
Let us stop, once and for all, the menacing crisis that represents the tragedy of not being willing to overcome it.”
– Albert Einstein
What must we do as entrepreneurs, small business owners, franchisees, and restaurant operators responsible for moving our businesses forward? The key thought here is, responsibility. Responsibility for the business, for our employees, for our client & customers, and yes, responsibility for success.
Oxford Languages defines, responsibility as:
The state or fact of having a duty to deal with something or of having control over someone; “a true leader takes responsibility for their team and helps them achieve goals”
Additional explanations include:
Responsibility means you do the things you are supposed to do and accept the results of your actions. A responsibility: something you are expected to do. Being responsible: doing the things you are supposed to do.
Some common synonyms of responsible are accountable, amenable, answerable, and liable. While all these words mean “subject to being held to account,” responsible implies holding a specific office, duty, or trust.
Responsibility is important because it provides a sense of purpose, in addition to building resilience amidst adversity on an individual and societal level. Like an addiction, sidestepping responsibility may feel good in the short-term, but leads to exponentially worse pain and suffering in the long term.
Responsibility is accepting what is required and carrying out the task to the best of your ability. Responsibility is carrying out duties with integrity. When one is responsible, there is the contentment of having made a contribution. As a responsible person, I have something worthwhile to offer — so do others.
And one more that I find very relevant especially as I write quite often about mental health awareness:
In essence, personal responsibility helps you take control of your choices and your own perceived reality. Personal or individual responsibility is crucial because it helps you regulate your life properly and prevents you from derailing your mental and physical health.
My primary goal for 2023 is to make a difference in the lives of people I already know or will meet for business or otherwise. Whether it be a small task or a larger project or an impromptu lunch or even just a phone call, I want people to realize the value of the time we spend together and as such, the value of further developing our relationship. As Albert Einstein once said, “Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.”
Of course, I don’t expect value to be realized without positive results. To that end, I fully expect to earn the perspective and opinion I’m striving to achieve, learning from and correcting mistakes I’ve made in the past. And yes, accepting responsibility for those mistakes and being responsible to remedy pain caused by those mistakes.
As well, and to Einstein’s points about crises, I accept responsibility for driving my organization forward, and especially for those that depend upon my doing so including our clients, our strategic partners, my business partner, and my family. I accept responsibility for my own personal well-being, both physical and mental for me AND for those that rely on me to be the best that I can be in all that I do.
Pandemic. Inflation. Economic uncertainty. Recession. Sure, they’re all real challenges, crises in their own right, but they cannot be used as excuses. Einstein’s statement bears repeating, “Who blames his failure to a crisis neglects his own talent, and is more respectful to problems than to solutions. Incompetence is the true crisis…”
Moving forward, I accept responsibility that the buck stops with me.
Have a great New Year. Make it happen. Make it count!
The past two years were definitely not without challenges and mistakes at Acceler8Success Group. But in learning from the same and working towards making necessary corrections, successes were also realized. Although some gaps still need to be closed, the near future looks bright and I’m certainly excited about the year ahead.
Such is the life of an entrepreneur – successes, challenges, mistakes, realizations, learning experiences, course corrections and, of course new ideas. It’s a whirlwind – stressful at times… exhilarating, as well. I’m not sure I’d have it any other way!
There’s so much to see on the road ahead and as such, it’s a good reason the windshield is much larger than the rear view mirror. With clear vision, it allows for accelerating whenever possible. It also enables anticipation of curves and detours, slowing down as may be necessary. And as the journey starts to get blurred and the signs are no longer being noticed, it’s time to stop and recharge. Let me emphasize… stop and recharge does not mean just slow down!
For me, the key to succeeding in the New Year will be to keep moving forward. In the words of Martin Luther King, Jr. from his address at Spelman College on April 10, 1960, Keep Moving from This Mountain…
“If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.”
As we quickly approach year’s end, I know for many it’s a time of reflection and planning. For others, it may be a time of loneliness and depression and possibly, despair. Increasing costs and economic uncertainty put a damper on the holiday season that certainly did not help those already having less than a positive mindset.
And despite several days away from work, if unhappy with work or if challenges have been mounting as they’ve been for many entrepreneurs and business owners, it has become difficult, if not impossible to clear one’s mind. In fact, idle time may keep the difficulties more front and center without the distractions of work and operating a business.
Unfortunately, for some, it’s has all become too much to handle and sadly, could be the straw that breaks the camel’s back. As such, I’m compelled to share the following article I had written a while back about a personal experience.
When the volume increases, there are positive solutions!
Recently, I was told about someone who had committed suicide. I had only met him once, but it got me thinking about what may have been going through that person’s mind.
Personally, I can only imagine the ‘noise’ being experienced without being able to control the volume either to drown it out or to hear it better. It’s like what we’ve all done at one time or another… turning up the volume on the car radio when hearing a noise that wouldn’t go away or that couldn’t be identified or when turning up the volume was just to hear something more clearly, and at times, just because a certain song was playing — sometimes stirring up memories. There could be other reasons.
There are also times the volume is cranked up to ‘disappear’ into deep, personal thought, essentially, to just get lost in the moment. However, turning up the volume could possibly be a form of denial akin to putting one’s head in the sand. Isn’t it interesting that similar actions are done for various reasons and possibly, for different results? Yet, the action taken is often done impulsively without nary a thought as to the action being taken and certainly with no thought as to the consequences thereafter.
Here is a quote about suicide from an episode of Yellowstone as John Dutton tries to reason with his son, Jamie who is sitting alone in a field with a gun in his hand…
You know the thing about suicide, you don’t just kill yourself. You kill every memory of you. This’ll be all everyone remembers, Jamie. Every second you spent on this earth will be reduced to how you chose to leave it.
Ultimately, how do we help others to help them think through what it is that’s on their minds before it’s too late? How do we help others toward better mental health, a necessity for better decision-making and in understanding and managing emotions? Of course, I really don’t know. It’s just hard to grasp the why in these situations. It’s all difficult to comprehend.
During this holiday season, and any time for that matter, please talk to someone and share your thoughts, feelings. Do not feel anything less than the wonderful person that you are. To put it bluntly, shit happens but there is always a positive solution to reverse course.
If you feel you have no one to talk to, contact me. I’m happy to help. You can reach out to me on any social media, on LinkedIn, by email to paul@acceler8success.com, or feel free to call or text me at (832) 797-9851. I will respond as quickly as humanly possible!
If you feel you’re at wit’s end, please immediately call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1–800–273–8255.
In any event, no one will think less of you if you reach out for help. You’re loved no matter what you may think. Please do not hesitate to reach out to someone!
Always be kind and remember, actions often speak louder than words. And, be sensitive to the fact they may be going through some difficulties and keeping it all inside. Positive communications may provide them just enough confidence to open up and share their thoughts.
What is the meaning of kindness matters?
It means putting others first, and setting yourself aside. It means caring enough to listen – truly listen. It means acting with genuine compassion. It means understanding sympathy and practicing empathy because you’ve “been there.”
Why kindness matters?
Acts of kindness can make the world a happier place for everyone. They can boost feelings of confidence, being in control, happiness and optimism. They may also encourage others to repeat the good deeds they’ve experienced themselves – contributing to a more positive community.
Why kindness is a strength?
Research findings on the benefits of the strength of kindness found people who give to others, in small and in large ways, tend to be happier as a result. Kind people are often likable to others, which can provide opportunities to develop meaningful relationships and love.
Why is kindness a core value?
Kindness is Good. Each act of kindness is changing the way we see ourselves and others, as well as how others see us. As our kindness positively affects others, we feel more compassionate, confident, useful, and in control. We also find ourselves feeling more appreciative and optimistic.
The following popped up in my Facebook Memories today. It’s a great reminder to be kind! Please copy and paste it across your social media and see who will do the same.
There were times I’d put just $10 worth of gas in my tank, while other times $50. I’ve had just $5 to feed myself and I’ve also had $200 to go out to eat. I’ve had a house full of food and times I didn’t have any. I’ve been in stores cashing out with no worries and I’ve also had to add it up and put things back on the shelf. I’ve paid my bills in full and I’ve had to pay it late too. I’ve given enough money to make someone cry and I’ve cried because of what others have given me.
We all have highs and lows in life, some certainly more than others, but we’re all just trying to make it.
No one is better than anyone else, and I pity those who think that they are. No matter how big your house is, how new your car is, or how much money sits in your bank account – we all bleed red and will all die someday. Death has no discrimination neither should your life.
Many families and friends joined together this holiday season. Some hadn’t seen each other since before the pandemic. It certainly has me reflecting upon the importance of focusing on the people and things that creates happiness in our lives. After all, life is too short not to do so.
With this in mind, I thought I’d share a story most of us have probably heard or read at one time or another. There are no religious references or connotations. Instead, I believe it’s a story that delivers an excellent message about the important things in life – the ones most critical to your happiness, and the happiness of those close to you – your family and friends.
A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.
The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.
The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous ‘yes.’
The professor then produced two beers from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.
‘Now,’ said the professor as the laughter subsided, ‘I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things — your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions — and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car. The sand is everything else — the small stuff.
‘If you put the sand into the jar first,’ he continued, ‘there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life.
If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you.
Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.
Spend time with your children. Spend time with your parents. Visit with grandparents. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and mow the lawn.
Take care of the golf balls first — the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the beer represented. The professor smiled and said, ‘I’m glad you asked.’ The beer just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem, there’s always room for a couple of beers with a friend.
Whether you’re doing some last-minute shopping, traveling somewhere to celebrate Christmas or going through final preparations as you open your home to friends & family please try to take it slow, minimizing stress as much as you can. Enjoy the Christmas Holiday that has been on your radar for the past few weeks with anticipation of this special time of year.
Focus your thoughts on laughter and joy as family and friends comes together. An act of kindness or two will bring peace to you and to the recipient of your gesture. Smile and do so often. Make today, tonight and tomorrow a memory to be looked back upon as another special event and one you’ll look forward to replicating for years to come. Be safe and enjoy!
Let’s also remember, it’s been a tough, stressful couple of years for many. As such, as I continue to share feel-good images and posts to help fill our minds with good thoughts, peace and calm, please pass them on. Especially as we never really know if a particular image or post lands in front of those to whom it may make a positive impact, spur a change or even save a life.
This holiday season please also remember all those serving our country that cannot be home with their friends and families. Without their service and the sacrifice of others before them, we might not be able to enjoy this special time of year with our own friends and families and in the manner we so choose. God bless them all and please keep them safe!
As we enjoy family, food and gifts, we must remember to look beyond the festive nature of Christmas and keep the reason for the season in mind. A Savior is Born. Christ is King. Merry Christmas!
And if you celebrate for different reasons, it’s not what’s under the Christmas tree that matters, it’ s who’s is around it with you.
Best wishes for a joyous Christmas for all and may it be filled with love, happiness and prosperity!
After a week or so revisiting the Preparing for War: You vs. Recession series, I’d like to wrap things up by focusing on YOU. That means, YOU the entrepreneur, the founder, the business owner, the leader, the CEO or whomever is charged with business performance and ultimately, the business succeeding according to defined goals. Especially in challenging times, how do we ensure that you perform at the highest level possible without stressing out and /or burning out?
At Acceler8Success Cafe, we spend a great deal of time discussing mental health awareness and especially as it relates to entrepreneurship, business ownership, and leadership. Articles I’ve previously shared here about Mental Health are appropriate to share as we wrap up this series.
In late-May as Mental Health Awareness Month was coming to an end; I shared the following:
Certainly, the past couple of year has had us facing many uncertainties which, quite frankly took us on an emotional roller coaster. Mostly, the driving force has been fear. I’ve realized my own fear once I was able to admit being scared. Hey, at my age and the fact I’m not in good shape, I must be realistic. So, I’ve worked through my fear and in doing so, maybe I can overcome it. As fear is such a strong emotion that easily grips the soul, it will take time and patience to overcome such a grip.
Little by little I look forward to continuing to pry it away as fear is replaced by courage gained from confidence that fear is just a challenge to be conquered. The great thing is that some of the challenges don’t have to be tackled alone. Instead, collaborative efforts aligned with common goals truly exemplify the phrase, ‘strength in numbers’ and it’s that strength that ultimately conquers fear. Easier said than done? Possibly, but the alternative is being overwhelmed by fear and that, I’ve recognized is not living.
Loneliness, Depression, Fear: All Contribute to Mental Health Issues
Some, but not nearly enough has been written about entrepreneurs & celebrities and their battles with mental health. Loneliness and depression continue to occur within the ranks of both groups at an increasing rate and although failure (or fear of failure or a drop from superstar ranks) may be a driving force, it’s often not the sole deciding factor.
Is it the quest for perfection? Is it a blinding passion that nothing else is visible? Or a control issue where no one can do it better, so it’s dealt with alone?
Michael Dermer has written a great book, The Lonely Entrepreneur and has developed a membership site of the same name that is a great resource for entrepreneurs. Strategic Coach has developed a great program for entrepreneurs. There are others, as well.
But are current efforts enough to slow down the alarming rate of suicide among entrepreneurs — and often more in the spotlight than entrepreneurs, celebrities? As successful as they were, what were the deciding factors leading to the suicides of chef and TV personality Anthony Bourdain and fashion designer Kate Spade?
The deaths of Bourdain and Spade by suicide have thrown the spotlight on celebrities and depression. Instead of bringing them happiness and freedom, for many, being sought-after, rich and at the top of their game leads to an identity crisis and ruminations on their self-worth.
And Naomi Judd, one-half of the iconic country music duo The Judds, reportedly died by suicide after years of struggling with mental illness.
Article update… And just this past week, Stephen “tWitch’ Boss, the popular DJ on the Ellen DeGeneres Show took his life. Again, another celebrity, and one that for all practical purposes was on a hockey stick curve to greater success.
This is a topic that must be brought front and center as we continue to grow as an entrepreneurial society with approximately 60% of the labor force in some type of self-sustaining endeavor whether it’d be as freelancers, sole practitioners, professional service providers, contractors, solopreneurs, and increasingly, musicians, artists, and authors.
Why is suicide more common among entrepreneurs, celebrities and creatives?
Noted Bollywood actor and television star Sushant Singh Rajput committed suicide a couple of years ago. His demise came as a shock to many as it was the fourth death of a famous personality from the Hindi film industry to pass away within months of each other.
Suicide is not a new issue, especially not in celebrity circles. These tragic deaths are also not limited by lines of work, ranging from boxers, designers, politicians and writers to actors, musicians and yes, entrepreneurs. What about influencers that have achieved celebrity status along with becoming rising stars in this relatively new class of entrepreneurs?
There was a string of influencer suicides in 2021. All unfortunate and tragic occurrences that took young lives, they left entire fan communities in mourning for their favorite stars who had secured places as standing icons of inspiration across fields, from beauty to travel to farming to sports. But what often goes ignored when reviewing these moments of tragedy is the kind of impact the internet is having on our mental health, every single day.
It isn’t just online celebrities or creators partaking in influencer cultures who are burdened with the impossible expectations and virtual validation that the internet has become the one-stop destination for. Sadly, it can happen, and is happening, to many of us plugged into social media.
There is no conclusive line on whether all these influencer suicides came about as a result of social media impinging on mental health. But there is no doubt about the fact that a direct or indirect correlation between our use (or abuse) of the internet and offline consequences.
So, why do wealthy people kill themselves? Don’t they have it all?
The reality we often forget, however, is that celebrities are human beings, just like us. “We only see one version — one of glamour, fame and fortune,” explains Nance Roy, Ed.D, Chief Clinical Officer at The Jed Foundation. They may struggle with relationships, finances and illness. Adds Dr. Roy: “Celebrities may feel more pressure to perform, to be perfect and to keep up their image for fans, often making it more difficult for them to reach out for help.” Another critical point: a person rarely takes his or her own life because of just one reason. “Suicide is complex, and we often don’t know all the factors involved.”
Bullying, even of celebrities and other notable individuals is certainly a contributing factor as it is for our younger generations. In fact, the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S. and 2nd among people aged 10 to 34 (a person dies every 11 minutes), suicide was identified by the National Institute of Mental Health as a major public health concern. Suicide rates increased 35% from 1999 to 2018, briefly declining in 2019. However, reports of depression and anxiety — risk factors for suicide — had increased during the pandemic.
Talking About Mental Health
We need to reduce the stigma faced by people experiencing a mental illness. How? As Martin mentioned, we need to talk about it. Stigma remains a major barrier to treatment and care. Dr. Fink agrees: “How do we grieve and process except by speaking and sharing with others?” When people die of cancer, their illness is almost always part the public conversation. From his Haitian roots, Dr. Arty provides a global perspective: “As a world community, we need to be bold and unashamed in discussing this sensitive and painful topic. The discussion itself may save a life.”
Dispelling myths is also key. A common myth? “Asking someone if they are suicidal will not increase the risk that they will die by suicide,” clarifies Dr. Roy. Inquiring about potential self-harm in a compassionate way may instead provide an opportunity for the person to express their feelings and reach out for help.
Proclamation from The White House on National Mental Health Awareness Month
Each May we raise awareness about the importance of mental health and its impact on the well-being of all Americans, including children, adults, families, and communities across our Nation. We also give thanks to the dedicated mental health providers whose service and support improve the lives of so many Americans. We stand in solidarity with those who are experiencing mental health conditions, renewing our commitment to providing them with the support they need and deserve.
Even before the pandemic, millions of Americans were experiencing stress, trauma, anxiety, and heightened levels of depression. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated those conditions, creating an unprecedented mental health crisis across our country. Communities of color, frontline workers, health care workers, and individuals with eating disorders have been disproportionately impacted, and the rate of depression across the country has more than tripled compared to rates in 2019.
‘Why’ is a question that is always asked by those left behind or hurt by these suicides — the answer or answers would never make sense to someone who loves life. As such, I look forward to thoughts on this with hope the discussion continues. Thank you!
If you feel you have no one to talk to, contact me. I’m happy to help. You can reach out to me on LinkedIn, by email to paul@acceler8success.com, or feel free to call or text me at (832) 797–9851. I will respond as quickly as humanly possible!
If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1–800–273- TALK (8255). It’s free, confidential and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
When entrepreneurs are facing failure, what happens next?
Sometimes no matter how well we plan and how much effort we dedicate to something, we fall short of our goal and the end-result causes a variety of challenges and problems. Ultimately, it can adversely affect financial position, reputation, relationships, team spirit and much more. It can also start to spiral into personal life and affect family, health and overall well-being.
Unfortunately, such situations are often perpetuated by denial by placing one own’s head in the sand.
Well, when our head is in the sand, our most vulnerable ass-et is sticking out in plain view. Some will laugh. Others will point and snicker, definitely telling others. And a few will take advantage of the situation and current position of vulnerability. Sadly, we put ourselves in that position. Not because we swung and missed. Not because we didn’t see the forest for the trees. And not because we just flat-out saw something that wasn’t there. Instead, it’s because we didn’t keep our head high, accept the situation, learn from it and move on, and with laser-focus. That is exactly what entrepreneurs do when faced with failure.
Assistance for Your Organization
The future may be a bit bumpy for some, more so for others. Knowing who to turn to and when to turn to for guidance and help is important. Having resources at your disposal is also important. So, if you hit a wall, for whatever reason, please feel free to reach out to me for assistance or even if you just need someone to talk to. Please do not hesitate. You can reach me on LinkedIn, by email to Paul@Acceler8Success.com, and by phone or text at (832) 797–9851. Learn more about Acceler8Success Group at Acceler8Success.com and also at Entrepreneurship411.com.
Bring the Series to Your Organization
If you’re interested in having this series presented to your organization, either as a webinar, workshop or conference break-out session, please click HERE for more information. The program can be tailored to your business model, product, service offering and industry segment. It has been resonating quite well with franchise and restaurant brands.
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