How Do You Know When You're Successful?

Have you ever been asked "So, where do you see yourself in 5 years' time"?

It's a question I'm not a fan of, but think about it, seriously: where do you see yourself or your business in 5 years? Are you frittering your time (and potentially your life) away? Or are you chasing your dreams and on the road to success?

Success can be viewed in many different ways and at many different levels. So before anything, it is important for each individual to find their own definition of "success". Not some general definition; find out what it means to you personally and what your life will look like when you are successful and then set goals to achieve this.

Remember Not to Get Disheartened

Lotus was started because I had been searching for a job that I would love and still be at home with my children – which ultimately was the major factor.

I have had many jobs over the years, none of which truly satisfied me. I have been searching for many years, trying to find something I could do that felt right and came right from the heart.

I guess I have always been a self-conscious person and have lacked a lot of confidence. I have usually settled for the next best thing. A fear of rejection has plagued my life which has stemmed from my childhood. That fear had prevented me from pursuing my true passions.

Starting Your Own Business - Afraid to Take the Chance?

It really is never too late "to have a go". We recently read an article on Yahoo Finance about an 89 year Grandmother in America, known as "Grandma Pearl" who has started her own "spring collection" of "Happy Canes" - a range of designer walking sticks. Grandma Pearl was apparently bored of her old fashioned canes, so started decorating her own to match her outfits. A simple, sweet and novel idea you might think?

Well, when a family friend recommended that she launch a campaign on Kickstarter to roll out her idea she was delighted, and according to Yahoo, "it looks like it'll be a success too, with last check showing her 96% of the way to reaching her target".

Still afraid to take that chance? Why are you waiting?

Your Civil Ceremony - Shaken or Stirred, Perhaps Even Muddled!

I am a fairly new celebrant on the scene but already (fingers crossed) hopefully creating waves through my desire to ensure that people approach their wedding ceremonies a bit differently.

After losing my mom and going through her funeral which was inextricably confusing and sad, and then being a Maid of Honour for a friend on her special day where I got inside knowledge on the craziness that surrounds a "Big Fat Wedding", I concluded that we are so pressured by what we THINK society expects of us and this as well as not having an understanding of how creative we can be, this limits the unique quality and creativity in a ceremony.

Being Healthier and Happier in the Workplace

On average most of us spend more than 35 to 40+ hours per week at work; small business owners can spend double that running their own business. This can be both physically and mentally draining.

Spending too much time at work or building a business can lead to a very tiring lifestyle. The good news is you don't need to be a big corporation and spend thousands on staff gyms or health campaigns to improve your staff and your own health and happiness at work.

Take this advice - both for yourself and for getting your staff involved.