SkillInside

Apple CEO Tim Cook starts his day at 3:45 a.m. Here's why you shouldn't miss the boat on this new trend. A few days ago, I shared my thoughts on what billionaire entrepreneurs do to stay productive in their spare time. What I didn't know is that there's a recent productivity trend on the rise. A number of successful leaders and entrepreneurs, I have found, are declaring that they are most productive while the majority of us are still under the covers in a deep sleep. The 4 a.m. productivity shift. A new report published in the  Wall Street Journal  says that 4 a.m. may be the most productive time of the day. The reasons behind the increased productivity at such an ungodly hour include: Minimal distractions (like kids or work) before the sun rises. No one is emailing or texting you. There's less to see on social media. Productivity in this context may not necessarily be work-related. The trend seems to be pointing toward reserving th...

At your core, you are meant to create new and amazing things. When that creative urge gets stuck, here are 5 important ways to move from a dearth of brilliant ideas to innovative real-life business solutions. Did you ever feel drained of ideas and want to get back in bed and pull the covers over your head? If this type of depletion happens, and it happens to all smart entrepreneurs, pay attention to that message of overload. Get back in bed. Yup, take the rest of the day to rest. You say you can't do that. Too much on your plate. Think of it this way. If you get a really, I mean really, really bad toothache, do you keep working or call the dentist for an emergency appointment. You know the answer. So, when nothing is happening but the same old stuff and you feel like you are running on empty the first way to re-engage your creative side is to relax. OK, maybe not taking the whole day off, at least an hour will do. And during that hour do nothing. No checking your p...

Sometimes our thoughts are backed by so much insecurity, that they create lies we believe. Learn how to outsmart those thoughts in effectively. Our insecurities tend to stem from our deepest fears of not being good enough and not measuring up. If we don't learn to outsmart these feelings, they can sap our energy and weaken us. Everyone has insecurities, but not everyone knows how to manage them effectively. If it feels like your insecurities are running your life, learn how to take back control. Here are five strategies for managing your insecurities: 1. Find the root cause. No one is born feeling insecure--insecurity is rooted in our experiences. It may start as far back as childhood. You may need to enlist the help of a coach or counselor, but finding the root cause of your insecurities is a great first step in outsmarting them. 2. Separate illusion from reality. You may think that you're the only one who feels insecurity, but in truth it effects virtually everyo...

The mornings (or whenever we wake up for 3rd shift workers) and how we use that time, can set the tone and mood for the rest of the day. Just by adding a few simple tasks in the morning, we can improve our mood, reduce stress, and increase our productivity for the rest of the day. Try this whole list or just pick a few of these morning habits and you may be surprised how much better you feel. Warning: If you have to push 3 kids to school early in the morning, fix breakfast for the entire family, have them fully dressed in winter, and have them all ready by, say, 7:30am…these suggestions “might not apply” (besides you calling me names!) Oh, and good luck  1. Think Positive Starting out the day with a positive affirmation or quote sets the tone for the rest of the day. You can start the day off bright and optimistic, looking forward to the rest of the day. Positive affirmations boost confidence, improving your mood 3. Don’t Hit The Snooze Button It is so tempti...

Today’s professionals want more. They expect their employers to invest in their growth and development and are hungry for skills acquisition and training, a thriving culture, rewards and recognition, and life beyond work. These needs raise an important question for companies looking to hire top talent: what should be at the core of a successful hiring strategy? The answer lies in two words:  employer branding.  Simply put, employer branding is the process of marketing your company as an employer of choice by creating a positive image, or reputation, and showing the company as a great place to work. Companies that understand the importance of this era of digitization and transparency are also concerned with their employer brand. Branding a company as an employer of choice has important implications for attracting and retaining the best talents. Organizations that want to win the war for talent should not only aspire to become a great place to work; they should...

Instead of Worrying About Products vs. Features, Focus on Building Solutions “That’s just a feature.” It’s the ultimate dismissal -- an indictment that the idea is too lightweight to stand on its own and will ultimately be subsumed into a broader product. Entrepreneurs scarred by such feedback may start second-guessing themselves, wondering if their innovation is a great product or a measly feature. But dwelling on the question "Is it a product or a feature?" is the wrong mindset. It’s a  product -centric perspective. Successful entrepreneurs embrace a  customer -centric perspective. They understand customers don’t buy  products , they buy  solutions  to their problems. The question every entrepreneur should obsess over is “Is it a  solution ?” Keep in mind, a well-executed single feature that solves a real problem can be a successful solution. And a feature-laden product with no clear use case can flop. Here are five tips to help you get yo...