Tuesday, November 19, 2019

The University of Akron Finishes First Overall at HPVC East

The University of Akron Finishes First Overall at HPVC East The University of Akron Finishes First Overall at HPVC East The University of Akron Finishes First Overall at HPVC East June 3, 2016 The University of Akron’s entry Klokan not only finished first overall at the 2016 HPVC East in Athens, Ohio, it also placed first in the innovation and women’s speed categories and the endurance race and finished second place in the men’s speed category. Ohio’s University of Akron, the team that placed second overall at the ASME Human Powered Vehicle West Challenge (HPVC West) in California in late April, climbed a notch to win first place overall at the HPVC East Challenge, which was held last month in Athens, Ohio. Approximately 35 student teams from universities in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico faced off at the ASME competition, which was held from May 13 to 15 at Ohio University. The three-day event consisted of design and innovation presentations on Friday, followed by the men’s and women’s drag race matches on Saturday. The final HPVC East event, a two-and-a-half hour endurance race, took place on Sunday. The team from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology (foreground) was another big winner at the 2016 HPVC East, taking second place overall at HPVC East, first place in the design and men’s speed categories, second in the women’s drag race speed event, and third in the innovation category. Besides being named the overall winner of the competition, the team from the University of Akrons entry Klokan also placed first in the innovation and womens speed categories and the endurance race. The vehicle - which was constructed of aluminum, carbon fiber and plastic sheeting and weighed just over 50 pounds - took second place in the mens speed category. Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, a regular top contender at the HPVC competitions, climbed back into the Top 3 overall following a disappointing showing at HPVC West. Rose-Hulmans Dakuwaqa took second place overall at HPVC East, and placed first in the design and mens speed categories. The team also placed second in the womens speed race and third in the innovation category. Approximately 35 student teams competed at the HPVC East event, which was held from May 13 to 15 at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. The team representing the events host school, Ohio University, finished third overall with its entry, El Gato 2.0. The team, which only began participating in the Human Powered Vehicle Challenge last year, also took third place in the womens drag race and the endurance race with El Gato 2.0. Other teams receiving awards at HPVC East included Ohio Northern University, whose entry The Third Wheel placed second in the design and innovation categories; Missouri University of Science and Technology, which finished second in the endurance event and third in the mens speed race with its vehicle B-24; and the University of Toronto, whose vehicle Cyclone placed third in the design category. To view the entire list of winners at HPVC East, visit https://community.asme.org/hpvc/w/wiki/11346.results.aspx#2016-Results-East. For more information on the ASME Human Powered Vehicle Competition program, visit www.asme.org/events/competitions/human-powered-vehicle-challenge-(hpvc).

Monday, November 18, 2019

1 common job search tactic that doesnt work

1 common job search tactic that doesn't work 1 common job search tactic that doesn't work According to a March 2019 study done by the  National Federation of Independent Business, 54% of business owners reported few or no qualified applicants for the positions they were trying to fill. This suggests that many people apply for jobs they aren’t qualified for, which gives hiring managers the idea that qualified candidates aren’t out there.Follow Ladders on Flipboard!Follow Ladders’ magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and more!Studies show that global IQ scores have risen by an average of 20 points since 1950, implying that there should be qualified candidates out there, so why are so many people still struggling to land a job? The answer lies within the job application tactics being used.One Common Job Search Tactic That Doesn’t WorkOften people employ the “spray and pray” tactic when applying for a job. This term has become common among recruiters when describing a candidate that applies to tens or hundreds of positions in the hopes of getting a response from at least one.  On average, each corporate job opening attracts 250 resumes.This means that your resume has to be outstanding in order to stand out from the crowd. When using the spray and pray tactic, resumes usually don’t hold the specified requirements or keywords, causing them to get turned down immediately.When you don’t  customize your resume to each job, it’s clear that you’re using the spray and pray tactic, and this doesn’t bode well for your reputation.Why this tactic doesn’t work wellOn top of the fact that your resume is among hundreds of others in the application pool when you apply online, there’s another internal issue which makes it hard to secure a job.Scott Uhrig at Agile. Careers explained that,  â€œRoughly 80% of jobs are never postedâ€"probably closer to 90% for more senior jobs. The competition for posted jobs is insane…the best jobs are almost never posted.”  If a job isn’t posted, you’re going to have a pretty hard time applying for it online.What job search tactics you should be using insteadThe Beatles had it right when they sang, “I get by with a little help from my friends.” Glassdoor estimates that being referred by someone at the company boosts your chance of successfully landing a job  as high as nearly 7%.Don’t have any direct contacts in your industry? Use  your LinkedIn profile  to leverage who you know and increase your professional network. You never know who will be able to connect you with someone who can help you develop your career.At the very least, use LinkedIn to connect with recruiters.  Research also finds that staffing agency referrals  increase your chance of a successful job placement by more than 5%, and in-person referrals (such as meeting a company representative at a job fair and giving them a resume) increase it by about 4%.Why these tactics workReferrals generally produce a better hire, and statistics suggest that referrals lower the company turnover rate.  46% of referral hires stay over one year, 45% over two years and 47% over three years.  Amy Segelin, president of the executive communications recruiting firm Chaloner, explains how the best (and most unexpected) hires happen:“Out-of-the-box hires rarely happen through LinkedIn applications. They happen when someone influential meets a really interesting person and says, ‘Let’s create a position for you.’”Why? Because it’s much easier to establish a connection and show your personality in person.While you can highlight what you’ll bring to the table and the skills you have, it’s almost impossible to show how well you’ll fit in with the company culture or how well you’ll get along with other employees through your resume alone.We live in an age where you can apply to hundreds of jobs with the click of a button, but doing so is one common job search tactic that doesn’t work.This job tactic doesn’t work because when you apply through an online application, you’re one of hundreds of applicants, which makes it hard to give off a lasting impression. Instead, focus on leveraging your network, asking for internal referrals, and using your contacts to get your resume in front of the right person.And when in doubt, remember that the quality of your application will always serve you better than the number of applications you’re submitting.This article first appeared on Write Style.  Michele Lando is a certified professional resume writer, personal branding expert, and founder of Write Styles. She has a passion for helping others present the best version of themselves both on paper and in person and works to polish individuals’ application package and personal style. Aiming to help create a perfect personal branding package, Write Styles provides resources to enhance your resume, professional appearance, and boost your confidence.    You might also enjoy… New neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happy Strangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds 10 lessons from Benjamin Franklin’s daily schedule that will double your productivity The worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs 10 habits of mentally strong people

Sunday, November 17, 2019

The Beginning and Future Airborne Wifi

The Beginning and Future Airborne Wifi The Beginning and Future Airborne Wifi Airborne wi-fi has overtaken the aviation industry. According to surveys, in-flight wi-fi service is the number one feature that frequent flyers want when they fly.  The good news is that the service creates revenue opportunities for airlines, manufacturers, private jet operators and maintenance shops. Here is a quick review of the ins and outs of broadband at 41,000 feet. The Companies That Offered Airborne Wifi in the Beginning Broomfield, Colorado-based Aircell, which was later bought by Gogo and branded as Gogo Business Aviation, obtained an exclusive license from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 2006 to provide in-flight broadband service. In the same year, companies began to  offer wifi services for free.   The Airlines That Were the First to Sign Up Most major U.S. carriers offer Internet service on at least some of their aircraft. All AirTran and Virgin America flights offer broadband, while select Air Canada, Alaska, Delta, United and US Airways airplanes do. Frontier is under contract to outfit its entire fleet. The Number of Airplanes That Offer Internet Service According to Aircell, 1015 North American airliners offer in-flight wifi, with more being added weekly. The Requirements for Adding Wifi Capabilities to an Airplane Installation requires just eight hours and a forearm-sized external antenna. The complete system weighs less than 125 pounds, so there is little if any impact on aircraft performance or fuel consumption. The Availabilityof High-Speed Internet Service on Business Jets Yes. Nationwide operators such as NetJets, XOJet, and Flexjet are adding Gogo in-flight wifi services to their fleets, while Dassault Falcon Jet, Cessna, and Hawker Beechcraft offer the system as an option on newly manufactured jets. Most existing aircraft can be retrofitted for wifi. The Cost of Installation The approximate cost of airborne wifi is around $100,000 per aircraft. Airlines recoup this expense through revenue sharing with Aircell. Most private jet operators offer the service to ensure repeat business but do not share in the revenues. Why Did Some Airlines Lag in Providing Wifi Nobody can say for sure. JetBlue pioneered live DirecTV service and experimented with free in-flight e-mail, IM and Internet access in 2007 and finally announced plans to equip its fleet on 2010. And Southwest rolled out a competing service to GoGo shortly after, following a series of tests on a limited number of aircraft. The Limitations of Carriers Due to bandwidth restrictions, VOIP calls on services such as Skype are prohibited, as is live video and audio streaming. Airlines can also restrict content that may offend passengers, although for now travelers are mainly limited by their sense of decency and decorum. Airborne Cell Calls and the Future Despite the success of airborne broadband, passengers are unlikely to be able to make cell phone calls anytime soon, and that’s probably good news for most people. The FAA and FCC continue to stand in the way of applicants wanting to establish airborne cellular service. Airborne wifi service is the wave of the future. With so much customer demand, carriers that delay installation do so at considerable risk.

Saturday, November 16, 2019

8 Job Search Podcasts for Job Seekers

8 Job Search Podcasts for Job Seekers 8 Job Search Podcasts for Job Seekers 96 Theres a plethora of job search podcasts out there, and to help you in your search for part-time jobs, remote positions, and other flexible scheduling options, weve  surveyed the landscape. Weve come up with a few job search podcasts  that may be useful to you as you plot your career strategy. Check out these eight job search podcasts for job seekers: The Voice of Job Seekers Dedicated to helping unemployed, under-employed, and under-appreciated job seekers, The Voice of Job Seekers focuses on trending career areas and trying to help users manage the minutiae that comes with looking for work. Mark Anthony Dyson is host, producer, and career consultant behind this podcast. Job Search Boot Camp Show Hosted by career consultants Michael Kranes, Angela Loeb, and Jay Markunas, Job Search Boot Camp Show focuses on salary negotiations, interviews, effective resumes, and other job search techniques. Offered live from Austin, Texas, Job Search Boot Camp Show broadcasts on the first and third Saturdays of each month. Accidental Creative Weekly podcasts at Accidental Creative have focused on topics like getting things done, defining excellence, the power of small actions, and making work matter. Focused on helping creative professionals be brilliant, Accidental Creative was founded by Todd Henry, an author who specializes in helping people exploit creative insight. 48 Days With a mission to help job seekers find their true calling and path, 48 Days tries to help listeners find their path within…48 days! Host Dan Miller focuses on offering a creative thinking approach to help people find purposeful, profitable daily work. CareerCloud CareerCloud aims to use technology, including mobile platforms and social media, to benefit both job seekers and employers. Founder Chris Russell has worked since 1999 to use technology to connect companies that are hiring and people seeking work. Happen to Your Career With a focus on career changers, Happen to Your Career aims to help users find the work that they were meant to do. Founded by Scott Barlow, Happen to Your Career works to help people identify their strengths and passions as a basis for finding meaningful careers. CareerJoy The fundamental philosophy of CareerJoy podcasts is that the work you do is an investment that brings wealth to all areas of your life. Based in Canada, CareerJoy is led by founder Alan Kearns, a career coach and author. Well Kept Wallet Taking a somewhat broader approach, Well Kept Wallet works to help users focus not just on their career path, but on money and lifestyle issues. Typical podcasts include conversations with successful people who love what they do. Deacon Hayes, the founder of Well Kept Wallet, has a background as a financial coach. Yonder If youre interested in working from home, this podcast is like a masterclass in how companies approach remote and distributed working. Hear remote company leaders discuss how they hire and manage remote workers. And check out this particular episode, where Senior Career Specialist, Brie Weiler Reynolds, discusses the remote job market and best practices for working remotely! Readers, are you a fan of job search podcasts for job seekers? Share your favorites with us!

Friday, November 15, 2019

Fraternization in the United States Military

Fraternization in the United States Military Fraternization in the United States Military What is the main difference between a military couple, a military married couple, and a couple who are guilty of fraternization? The big distinction is NOT IN THE SAME CHAIN OF COMMAND. Military relationships occur in abundance. In fact, for instance, within the Army, the Married Army Couples Program (MACP) was established in the 1980s to help couples within the military handle their career and keep them at least together in the same state if possible, but avoid the same chain of command. Fraternization is a violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). It falls under a subparagraph of Article?? 134, and is defined by the Manual For Courts-martial (MCM). According to the MCM, the elements of proof for the offense of fraternization are: That the accused was a commissioned or warrant officer;That the accused fraternized on terms of military equality with one or more certain enlisted member(s) in a certain manner;That the accused then knew the person(s) to be (an) enlisted member(s);That such fraternization violated the custom of the accuseds service that officers shall not fraternize with enlisted members on terms of military equality; andThat, under the circumstances, the conduct of the accused was to the prejudice of good order and discipline in the armed forces or was of a nature to bring discredit upon the armed forces. The MCM goes on to offer further explanation of the offense: In general. The gist of this offense is a violation of the custom of the armed forces against fraternization. Not all contact or association between officers and enlisted persons is an offense. Whether the contact or association in question is an offense depends on the surrounding circumstances. Factors to be considered include whether the conduct has compromised the chain of command, resulted in the appearance of partiality, or otherwise undermined good order, discipline, authority, or morale. The acts and circumstances must be such as to lead a reasonable person experienced in the problems of military leadership to conclude that the good order and discipline of the armed forces has been prejudiced by their tendency to compromise the respect of enlisted persons for the professionalism, integrity, and obligations of an officer. Regulations. Regulations, directives, and orders may also govern conduct between officer and enlisted personnel on both a service-wide and a local basis. Relationships between enlisted persons of different ranks, or between officers of different ranks may be similarly covered. Violations of such regulations, directives, or orders may be punishable under Article 92. Problems with Using the UCMJ Unfortunately, there were a couple of problems using the UCMJ/MCM as a basis of charges. First and foremost, the UCMJ/MCM only makes fraternization a crime for commissioned and warrant officers. Under the provisions of article 134, enlisted members could not be charged with this crime. While they could be charged under service regulations, each of the services had different and wide-ranging policies and definitions as to what constituted an inappropriate relationship. Additionally, the explanation of what is and is not allowed is not specifically spelled out in the MCM/UCMJ. In July 1998, Defense Secretary William Cohen directed the services to adopt uniform, clear and readily understandable fraternization policies. Cohen stated that the current separate policies were corrosive to morale particularly as we move toward an increasingly joint environment. The services submitted policy changes to Cohen that he approved Feb. 3, 1999. All of the new policies have been implemented in the respective service regulations. Now, while each of the services still have individual policies, they all share common standards with respect to relationships between officers and enlisted personnel, recruiters and potential recruits and trainers and trainees. The Army fraternization policy required many changes and the most toughening. Navy and Air Force policies required little change. Marine Corps policy required no change.? All the services prohibit personal and business relationships between officers and enlisted members, calling them prejudicial to good order and discipline. Personal relationships include dating, cohabitation, and any sexual relationship. Business relationships include loaning and borrowing money and business partnerships. Following is a breakdown of the individual service policies, including each services definition of fraternization and examples of prohibited relationships. Army Fraternization PoliciesAir Force Fraternization PoliciesNavy Fraternization PoliciesMarine Corps Fraternization PoliciesCoast Guard Fraternization Policies Recently, female Sergeant Remedios Cruz, who was a ground breaking Marine to complete the grueling Marine infantry training, was demoted and kicked out of the Marine Corps for having an inappropriate relationship with a subordinate within her immediate chain of command. There are many Marine couples, as well as throughout the military branches, but the underlying / no grey area is when this relationship occurs within the chain of command of both members. Types of relationships that are acceptable between officer and enlisted occur typically between combat arms or other type of military occupational specialty OUTSIDE of the same command. For instance, there are officer / enlisted relationships within the military that one of the members is a Navy Diver and the other is a Navy Pilot either as higher / lower ranking officers or enlisted.

Thursday, November 14, 2019

How to build a business around your personal brand

How to build a business around your personal brand How to build a business around your personal brand I wanted to share highlights from past Tribe Conferences with you, including this presentation from Chris Ducker:It’s never been easier to build a brand because the barrier to entry has never been lower. The internet has allowed us all to be on equal footing. The online business space offers complete and total justice.When you build an online company, you create a personal brand. Here are the keys to building a business around the brand that is you: Be original Solve a problem Build relationships Reverse engineer success Be originalBeing yourself is the ultimate ‘x’ factor that allows you to design products, package them, market them, deliver them, and make money off of them. With so much competition and so many industries, it’s harder than ever to be original than at any time in history. Be yourself. It’s the only thing only you can do.“Being different is better than being better.” - Chris DuckerSolve a problemAt our very core, as entrepreneurs, we are problem solvers. Figure out how to provide solutions for your audience. Solve a problem. Help them. Make a living doing it. What you do to solve people’s problems becomes your brand. And what people say about you when you’re not around is your brand.At the very core of your brand is the importance of being original. Whatever you’re doing, you must do it right. Doing it right is more important than just doing it.“Serve, don’t sell.” - Chris DuckerBuild relationshipsIf you solve problems with your products and your services, yo u’ll never formally have to sell.Market like a magnet. Attract the best. Repel the rest. You attract people who respond favorably to your message. Your vibe will attract your tribe.Forget about Business-To-Business and Business-To-Consumer models, and think instead about the People-To-People model of doing business. People want to do business with other people they trust.Don’t cozy up to get something from them in the future. Relationships should be treasured, not just used for future profit and gain.“No matter what you do, charge what you are worth and do not apologize.”  - Chris DuckerReverse engineer successReverse engineer what you want to achieve from a financial perspective. Determine your yearly profit target and then break it down into quarterly, monthly, weekly, and daily targets. You will find your desired income is closer than you think.All you have to do is serve your audience by producing several streams of income. Don’t build them all at the same time, but o ne at a time, including: Books Online courses Download workshops and workbooks Ebooks Online events Web events Live events Affiliate marketing Coaching Speaking This  article  first appeared on  Goins, Writer.

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Should you quit your super-stressful job These 5 entrepreneurs did

Should you quit your super-stressful job These 5 entrepreneurs did Should you quit your super-stressful job These 5 entrepreneurs did If you’re sitting in your cubicle right now, fantasizing about marching into your boss’s office, handing over your two-week notice and hopping on a one-way ticket to Costa Rica … you’re definitely not alone. As more and more professionals embrace the trendy gig economy and Millennials choose to lead their careers differently, entrepreneurism is at an all-time high. But here’s the fine print that many forget: your stress levels won’t exactly disappear when you start a company. In fact, many overworked professionals consider the freedom of working to be the magical solution to make life easier - but the opposite is usually true.If you’re tempted to hit the road - take a cue from these five entrepreneurs who made the jump from super-stressful gigs. Their insights just might surprise you.Follow Ladders on Flipboard!Follow Ladders’ magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and more!“Entrepreneurism is a 24/7 job.”After he graduated, Nelson Lee spent a few years at J.P. Morgan Investment Bank and Tencent Technologies before he was recruited to join a financial advisory firm. It was backed by another national life insurer, Guardian Life. He labels the experience as ‘intense’ since he was constantly dealing with various investment strategies and tasked with hitting distribution goals.What pushed him to leave: “I felt that the insurance industry was too archaic in its methods, client experience, in general, was poor and the industry as a whole had way too many under-qualified people handling someone’s financial future, and really needed a revolutionary disruption in terms of technology, client experiences, and industry standards.The company he started: Pacific Wealth Solutions, where he’s now the managing partner.What stress is like now: Lee says stress definitely doesn’t go away when you become your own boss - but it definitely changes. Because you’re in charge of every aspect of your company, the responsibilities pile on, non-stop. “It truly is a 24/7 job and is the exact opposite of what a ‘regular” 9-5 job would be like, but it is so intensely satisfying with a lot more freedom to express your talents and realize your visions,” he explains.His tip on making the entrepreneurial jump: “Have realistic expectations on work-life balance, and also, shorten your expectations on short-term earnings. Nobody should found a startup solely for the reason of earning higher short-term income, or escaping stress of the current job, because they’re going to get the exact opposite. Rather, the right reasons to become a founder would be reasons to solve problems and change the world for the better, and the determination to be willing to sacrifice short-term income and work-life-balance, in exchange for a much higher long-term payout, as well as feelings of accomplishment and freedom.”“Start with a side hustle.”For 10 years, Lauren Wilson-Policke working in public relations and marketing for corporate fashion, accessory and lifestyle brands in New York City. Though she’s never been one to shy away from hard work and dedication, there were other aspects that didn’t sit well with her. From the long hours and the internal politics to the instability, lack of support and unrealistic expectations, it took a major role in her person al and professional confidence.What pushed her to leave: Truth be told, Wilson-Policke says she’s always had the entrepreneurial itch but was terrified of diving into the deep end. She was worried that if she left an executive-level role and then didn’t manage to build her own company successfully, coming back would be that much more difficult. But when her previous employer started restructuring, she took it as the green light to go for it. Two years later, she’s grateful for her bravery.The company she started: LWP Public Relations.What stress is like now: She definitely has plenty of it - but it’s much more manageable than when she was listening to someone else bark orders. “Since you are the person calling the shots, deciding what to do/not to do can be very stressful, especially when you don’t have a team of people that you can brainstorm and bounce ideas off of. You just have to trust your gut and experience,” she explains. “You have to wear so many hats when you are an entrepreneur which means being able to seamlessly transition from one role to the next. It can be overwhelming as I usually have to learn these new roles as I go by investing a ton of time into research but since I’m the one reaping the rewards, it makes it all worthwhile. I’m in control of my own destiny and that is really empowering.”His tip on making the entrepreneurial jump: “Try out a small side hustle while you’re still employed full-time. I was always networking and taking on small projects while working in my corporate roles because it kept me inspired and challenged me creatively â€" plus the extra cash was great for my savings account. Ultimately, when I decided to start LWP PR, those were the people who hired me first or referred me to my first clients. I’d also start putting away some money in a savings account because there are bound to be many unexpected expenses for you to get your new gig off the ground.”“Be intentional.”Before he branche d out on his own, Eric Solis had a demanding gig that left him overworked and always on edge. As a chairman’s council retail stockbroker at a major Wall Street firm, he worked in a commission-only position. This means every single month, he’d start at zero income.What pushed him to leave: Part of being a stockbroker is taking someone’s entire life’s savings and investing it on their behalf into bonds and stocks. Since the market price fluctuates wildly, it wasn’t always easy to be beneficial to many people. “The industry was great with regard to the markets and the economy - but the scale was too small. I could only help a certain number of people and I want to make an impact on the world for the better,” he shared.The company he started: MovoCash, Inc.What stress is like now: Though Solis says he’s far more stressed now than he was when he worked for someone else, he now feels he has an incredible purpose. Though many founders believe once you raise millions of dol lars, your anxiety levels will lower, Solis says it’s actually the opposite. “Everything speeds up by multiples once you have a real business that is scaling. Now it’s time to execute. Your mind races across multiple strategies and potential outcomes,” he continues. “The weight of having investors relying on you for a 10x return on millions of dollars invested in you may cause you to lose a little sleep.”His tip on making the entrepreneurial jump: “Be intentional. Make sure that your partner and family are onboard because it will affect them as well. Be prepared for the worst. Have at least a year’s worth of overhead in the bank to support yourself. Talk with industry people that you trust for insights and advice about your business concept. Have your team, strategic and operating partners identified.”“Success takes time.”For many years, Violette de Ayala was working in a senior-level position in local government - and well, she wasn’t happy. She grew frustr ated with the number of hours required for results - and all of the hoops she had to jump through. In an effort to find content, she started her own side hustle - and never imagined it would lead her in a different direction.What pushed her to leave: Along with her hectic, chaotic and unpredictable role, de Ayala was also raising three kids and nurturing a part-time business. She started to suffer from anxiety, high blood pressure and was diagnosed as pre-diabetic. The road she needed to take was scary - but also clear. “The push to leave came down to making a choice and releasing activities in order to gain control of my life again. I could no longer balance between two roles of working a job and growing a side hustle. It came down to do I want to be sane again or live in a state of frantic insanity,” she shares.The company she started: FemCity.What stress is like now: It’s there - but it’s under control. Mostly because she’s able to contribute in a way that brings he r joy and schedule her life on her own terms. “When I start to feel the high level of stress again, I remind myself that I chose this route in order to find balance and freedom of being an entrepreneur. I take off most Friday’s and have more flexibility to achieve a more healthy lifestyle while working on my businesses,” she explains.Her tip on making the entrepreneurial jump: “The journey of becoming an entrepreneur will entail long hours, high levels of stress, demands of consistency and accountability but the rewards will be worth every moment. It does take time and most success stories don’t happen overnight. Society unrealistically shares the successes of many as happening with little stress or in a short amount of time. It may take years and you have to be in it for the very turbulent ride. The good news is that everyone has the ability to leave their stressful gig to be an entrepreneur. Change your mindset from ‘working a job’ to ‘successful entrepreneur’ an d you’re on your way.”“Don’t delay.”Before he started his own company, Scott Petinga worked for an ad agency that basically required at 24/7 commitment. Because he was young and eager, he didn’t mind and believed he was paving a solid career path toward mega success. He says the pressure is intense since ‘you’re only as good as your last success’, and any hiccup could not only cost you an account but your job.What pushed him to leave: A few things, according to Petinga. Even though he met all of his KPIs and was entitled to a bonus, he was snubbed due to financial issues within the company. This was frustrating, especially since senior management still received their bonus, without consideration for the rest of the staff. The biggest turning point was when Petinga was diagnosed with cancer. His bosses promised to be supportive but as he went through recovery and treatment, it became evident they expected the same level of performance, even at the expense of his hea lth.The company he started: The Scott Petinga Group.What stress is like now: On a daily level, Petinga says he’s less stressed. However, as an entrepreneur, he assumes a sense of responsibility for his employees and their families, which brings a different type of pressure. Because he’s doing what he loves though, it is all worth any turbulence that comes his way. He’s also able to contribute to a cause that’s very near-and-dear to his values. “Each of the start-ups I’ve launched since leaving that agency has been designed with a giving-back to society component. Particularly concerned about how inadequately victims of testicular cancer are currently treated in this country, I’ve directed much of my focus, and a steady stream of proceeds, to funding programs that will make a difference in this area,” he shares. “The work is rewarding and leaves me feeling great at the end of each day.”His tip on making the entrepreneurial jump: “Too often, we are complacent, ta king comfort in going with the situation at hand, even if that situation is slowly but surely killing us and making our lives miserable. Be bold and start making steps towards freeing yourself from a stressful and unfulfilling career. I’d point you towards following your passions. When you’re passionate about your work, stress becomes a temporary symptom of a challenge you’re sure to conquer. Once you’ve done so, you can bask in all the good feelings that come with doing what you love.”You might also enjoy… New neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happy Strangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds 10 lessons from Benjamin Franklin’s daily schedule that will double your productivity The worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs 10 habits of mentally strong people