You Will Never Be Ready.

Have you ever been afraid of being a fraud, so you hold back just a little bit? You say nothing because you aren’t sure, or you wait to share your idea with a group until you think it is safe. I am no expert, but I feel like everyone has been in this mindset at least once. Growth and change aren’t products of perfection. Growth and change happen when there is tension. It happens when there is discomfort. It happens when there is something worth enduring a little pain for. Bravery is not for other people - it is for us. If you are reading this with a big bold audacious idea and you are waiting for when the time is right – you will never be ready.

A few months ago I had the pleasure of listening to Seth Godin give a presentation, one of many that day centered around bravery. He referenced the invention of the fax machine. When this machine came out, there wasn’t anything like it. Why in the heck would anyone want to send messages this way when they could just pick up the phone?

So, when is a good time to launch something new? It is always too soon and it is always bad timing. Why didn’t they wait? Godin says, “If ideas don’t spread, they die.” The big bold idea of the fax machine caught on because they were able to connect with their audience. They made it accessible, it solved a problem and it created a bridge between people.

That being said, how did they do that? I guarantee you they didn’t know what they were doing. What they did know was that they had created something remarkable. They went to the people that believed in them and asked, “Will you help me?” With no hierarchy and no direction, they said “I am not sure how to do this, follow me.”

This is what Godin calls a connection economy. Choose to be trusted, transparent and true to who you are. You are doing good work, but for who? Your number one fans are waiting on the sidelines and your big idea enables you to make a human connection. Even if you aren’t sure how to get there, invite them along on your journey and they may show you the way.

Lean Into the Pain

Taking a leap of faith to start your own business takes a lot of guts. You couldn’t imagine doing anything else. But sometimes there is a nagging sense of doubt. Something is holding you back. It is time to talk about FEAR. In all reality, failure is never as scary as we make it out to be. At WORX we like to settle in and get cozy with what makes us a little uncomfortable, immersing ourselves in it so our weaknesses can become strengths. Recently, I listened to Rourke Denver speak at a conference, and there are a few things I will keep with me forever.

Whatever brings you fear and hesitation – FACE IT.

How? Well, have you ever tried to tackle everything at once and felt like you weren’t accomplishing anything? Our brains just aren’t wired that way. Time and time again we have heard that there is no such thing as multitasking, only task switching. I don’t know about you but that feels overwhelming to me. When I feel overwhelmed, I don’t want to bother with any of it.

Whether you choose a small carry-on or a hefty suitcase for your next trip, either way you will fill the bag. Choose wisely and don’t take on more work than you can handle. Taking something that seems impossible, intimidating or scary and breaking it into reasonable chunks makes it seem doable. By limiting your field of view, I promise you will see more.

Pain is an agent of fear. We are made to absorb pain (mental or physical) because we recover stronger than before. We refer to these as “growing pains” in our company culture. If something is broken, many of us stay in that situation because it is familiar, therefore more comfortable than changing it. Change is scary. This may be a surprise but small changes will only yield small results. You don’t have to do something because that is how it has always been done. Make BOLD corrections and ask, “Is there anything else I can do?” It is easier to make small adjustments moving forward.

Entrepreneurship doesn’t have to be a solo act. Surround yourself with a support team of people that are in your corner rooting for you. Find the right group of people to play on your team who can help you find your rhythm. Once you find your rhythm, you will absolutely know you are where you are intended to be.

Get through the rest of winter with hygge.

Amber Buhrman |  March 5, 2015 

Winter is going to go out kicking and screaming this year, isn’t it? It seems like there is no end in sight, and understandably that can really bring you down. According to the United Nations, in Scandinavia live some of the happiest people in the world (in spite of endless dark winters). Denmark has ranked first in the European Commission’s well-being and happiness index for 40 consecutive years. I know – being in a state of constant bliss when the sun sets before 4 pm everyday seems ludicrous. It is almost defiant.

While their country has plenty of reasons to be happy – they have 2% of the U.S. population; have easy access to health care; low crime; high gender equality; clean air and at least 5 weeks of paid vacation per year – this probably helps a lot with morale. However, they still endure long, dreary winters. What is their secret? Hygge. This is a vague cultural concept from Denmark that doesn’t have a clear English translation so allow me to explain.

Related terms like coziness, togetherness and well-being don’t even begin to scratch the surface of this concept. Hygge was originally a Norwegian word for well-being, but has evolved into a part of the everyday Danish lifestyle. To other cultures, hygge is a physical feeling of comfort and physical surroundings. To Danes, it is more a mindset and a general year-round spirit. It has more to do with how people behave towards each other, creating a sense of community.

Think of how content many people feel during the holiday season, when everyone gathers together to enjoy each other’s company. After Christmas, it seems like people hibernate until April – which can feel isolating and lonely. Why not spread a little cheer all winter long? This idea has become embedded in the Danish consciousness.

How to hygge

The idea is to slow down and enjoy connections with family and friends, taking the time to relax. You can hygge by curling up on the sofa with a good book or inviting a few friends over “just because.” Ban the word busy from your vocabulary; it shouldn’t be a state of being. Carving out time to enjoy the simplistic is also important.

We’re hiring!

We’re hiring! Exciting, yes! Easy, no.

The process of hiring can always be intimidating, especially to a small, close-knit company with a very distinct “personality,” aka company culture.

Our company culture comes naturally from being our authentic selves, caring about each other and working with our individual talents. Our titles and roles are ever-evolving to play on our strengths, instead of trying to fit a cookie-cutter job description. The collaborative and open environment encourages creative brainstorming and accessibility for help or advice. We even spend time with each other outside of the 40-hours a week that we “work” together.

As the most recently hired designer (almost 3 years ago!), I’ve had the privilege of growing my skills and my love of design with Worx. From my first business card design to, more recently, complete re-branding packages, growth is apparent all around me. Our lovely new office with teal walls and room for more team members; of course the creation and ongoing initiative of The Green Couch Project!

I personally happen to be in the desk position to potentially play footsie with the new Worx employee. I look forward to having another team member to encourage, help and learn from! We’re looking for a Junior Graphic Designer with strong logo and branding skills, who is team oriented and loves to collaborate!

So, what can you do to really define your company culture and invite growth to come your way?

- Be authentic.

There are times to be more relaxed and times to be more professional, but always be yourself. People like REAL.

- Be realistic.

Having very high goals set for yourself and your company is always a great thing. However, having a realistic plan of attack for reaching those goals, one step at a time, makes the short-term goals more achievable.

- Be honest.

With being authentic, comes being honest. Do you have an open door policy? Do your employees or co-workers feel intimidated or feel that they don’t have access to help or resources? Create open, helpful and encouraging dialogue to ensure positive communication and honesty.

- Be intentional.

Be intentional about each team members’ strengths and weaknesses and work with them. While it’s important to fill a “role” that needs to be filled, let it morph into what works best for them, you and the company. There’s no job title that’s one-size-fits-all for all companies.

-Be fun.

Everyone likes to have fun. While everyone’s definition of fun is different, finding common ground of something enjoyable to do together as a company will build the team up as a whole and just lift everyone’s spirits. If everyone feels appreciated and is presented an opportunity to relax and have fun, when it’s time to get back to work, they will feel refreshed, motivated and ready to go!