7 Worst Career Mistakes You Can Make

Tennis and business have a lot more common than you may think. In 1982, a tennis professional coined the term "unforced error" to describe what happens when one player who is in position to return the ball makes an error by hitting the ball out of the field of play -- or missing the ball altogether. That same kind of error happens all of the time in the business world.

Research shows that even the smartest managers make the worst career errors. Once again, the same is true in tennis. Even the best players in the world make unforced errors in every match. In professional tennis as in business, the player with the fewest unforced errors usually wins.

Research also shows that at the top levels of corporations unforced errors have taken a greater toll than ever before. For example, CEO turnover is up 60 percent between 1995 and 2006 and shows no signs of slowing down (that according to a Booz Allen). However, you do not have to be a CEO to make a costly unforced error.

In my career of nearly three decades, I have had a front row seat to countless number of unforced errors in the workplace. Much to my surprise, I have witnessed egregious, stupid errors made by people I regarded as the smartest, most effective of colleagues.

So what kind of tennis mistakes also translates to your life and career? Consider the following:

Mistake No. 1: Always playing with a singles mindset

"Playing doubles," alongside a partner, is more realistic than acting like the Lone Ranger who does everything on his own. There are some individuals -- think of them as cowboys -- who have no ability to delegate or work with colleagues. This could be a huge unforced error; given the complexity of today's operating environment, every employee and manager can use all of the help he or she can get.

Mistake No. 2: Not facing reality at all times

Many great tennis players have wasted precious time arguing with referees insisting that the ref's calls were wrong (think John McEnroe and Serena Williams). In business, the same phenomenon occurs all the time. For example, managers cannot come to terms with the fact that their latest new product is a failure and they pour more good money into bad chasing something that should have been abandoned.

Mistake No. 3: Not taking learning seriously enough

This is another problem that exists in both the tennis and business worlds. In tennis, one needs to put in the requisite practice hours to improve his or her game. John McEnroe felt that Ivan Lendl became the incredible champion he did through "sheer rehearsal." In business, one needs to take learning just as seriously. Former GE CEO Jack Welch affirmed that when he said that it is the responsibility of every worker to find a better way of doing things.

Mistake No. 4: Not experimenting on a consistent basis

Celebrated tennis writer W. Timothy Gallwey once said, "Perfect strokes are already within us, waiting to be discovered." Tennis great Billie Jean King explained that champions keep playing until they get it right." In business, a perfect stroke might be a marketing presentation that wins a million dollar account, or a strategy presentation that that helps you to win that elusive promotion.

Mistake No. 5: Not being prepared at all times

Being prepared counts for a lot in business as it does in tennis. And unlike other traps, this one is entirely within your control. For example, if you go to a meeting and your boss asks you about a project that is your responsibility, can you give her up-to-date-information on the account? Do you know important deadlines? What landmines must you look out for? These are the kinds of things that a manager must be prepared to answer at all times.

Mistake No. 6: Not protecting your flanks

Tennis players need to see and be in command of the total court. In business, one needs to be in touch with all aspects of the game if they are going to have a good chance of success. Everyone is affected by turf wars and power plays that take place every day in your office. The key, says career expert Dr. Kathleen Reardon is that if you "choose any two competent people, the one who has political savvy, agility in the use of power, and the ability to influence [others] that will go further."

Mistake No. 7: Not taking ownership of your part of the court

Not taking responsibility is another of those tricky unforced errors of omission. The mistake is not in something one does, but in something that one doesn't. So this is an easy mistake to make and one of the more common of unforced errors. While you can't control everything, step up and take more responsibility -- within reason -- whenever you can. If there is nobody addressing a problem that you notice or taking advantage of an opportunity that you identify, think about whether you should be doing it yourself.

Paraffin, Scented Candles Can Cause Cancer, Study Reveals

Women’s undying love for scented candles seems to be just one of the many mysteries men can’t understand, no matter what. Whichever the reason behind it, though, it’s not something that will go away anytime soon, as ladies have shown in recent years they’re determined to stick with this one. A new study and warning issued by the American Chemical Society might make them change their mind, since it shows paraffin, scented candles can actually cause cancer if lit on a daily basis, the Daily Mail informs.

Naturally scented, beeswax (or soy or vegetable) candles are OK, no matter how often we want to light them, the study says. Those that contain paraffin and artificial scents are not, though, being linked to a plethora of affections, including asthma attacks, lung cancer and all sorts of allergies. Still, those who light one or two candles every now and then when they take a bath are not in any serious danger, the study adds: it’s those who do it every day and then inhale the toxic fumes that should consider themselves warned.

“The annual conference of the American Chemical Society has let it be known that scented candles made from paraffin wax give off toluene, benzene, and a host of other toxins linked to asthma, eczema and cancer.” the Mail writes on the findings of the study. Benzene and toluene, which are released in the air when the paraffin is burnt, are dangerous and we should avoid inhaling them no matter what, experts agree. So, if we’re really that hooked on scented candles, we might as well look for natural variants and steer clear of artificial products.

“Benzene and toluene are solvents that are used industrially to make glue and gloss paint. When people sniff glue, it is solvents like this that are making them high. Benzene particularly is a known carcinogen – i.e. it has been proven to cause cancer. It’s not a substance that I would ever expose myself to in the lab.” Dr. Andy Beeby, chemistry expert from Durham University, shares for the Mail.

The trick with learning about the dangerous ingredients in scented candles (that is, paraffin, parabens, which are “chemicals used in preservatives that can cause allergic reactions,” and artificial scents) is that most of these products do not disclose this type of information because it’s considered a trade secret, the Mail further explains. However, candles made with all-natural ingredients are bound to put that on the package, while it will also be reflected in the pricing, so this is where we should start first.

How to Prepare Your Bedroom for the Perfect Sleep

Without a doubt, we’ve all experienced that nasty sensation of laying down to sleep, after professing we would doze off even before our head got to touch the pillow, and not being able to keep the eyes shut. As the body breaks down from the stress and exhaustion throughout the day, the mind seems to race a hundred miles an hour, obstinately refusing to shut down. This, specialists say for Shape magazine, can be easily overcome if we just pay attention to several details around our bedroom.

We can easily trick our body and mind into falling asleep and, what’s more important, catching some very resting zzz’s. Nevertheless, chances of that happening are slim to none if there is at least one factor that’s working against us when it comes to turning off the lights, and this is why we should know where to look. For instance, a lumpy mattress, the lack of air, noisy neighbors or too much light in the room can easily prevent us from falling asleep, even if we have grown so accustomed with them we hardly ever notice them.

“Most people think mattresses should last a lifetime, but they don’t – after all, we spend a third of our lives in bed. Although manufacturers may offer a 20-year warranty, mattresses are a lot like sneakers: They start to wear out long before they actually fall apart. Expect yours to last about eight to 10 years.” Max Hirshkowitz, Ph.D., director of the Sleep Disorders and Research Center at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Houston, says for Shape. His recommendation: changing the mattress if the 8-10-year limit is exceeded. Buying a new mattress is, again, not really as complicated as we often tend to make it, as it should be all about testing each one individually by laying on it and rolling around a couple of times, the expert says.

“Your body needs to be in the dark to produce melatonin, the hormone that helps you fall, and stay, asleep.” experts also tell the mag about the need to create a dim ambient at least half an hour before actually going to sleep. Noises that are perceived, although not always acknowledged, can also keep us awake at night, so they should be eliminated. Specialists include here noisy neighbors, traffic, a snoring partner or a TV, and we’re to try all methods to shut them out altogether. Should none work, using ear plugs or a relaxation sound machine is probably best to get a resting night sleep.

Greens are also ideal to encourage sleep because they boost the sense of wellbeing and relaxation. “Plants improve air quality, and having a little bit of nature in your bedroom can improve relaxation. But they can also grow mold. If you’re highly allergic to mold spores, place your plant near a sunny window, keep the soil a little dry, and be diligent about removing dead leaves. Floras that top the clean-air list include English ivy, peace lilies, and bamboo palm.” Donna Arand, Ph.D., clinical director of the Kettering Medical Center Sleep Disorders Center, Ohio, says for the publication.

For more tips on how to arrange the bedroom so as to eliminate all causes that might be keeping you awake at night, please see here.

How to Sell Your Products When No One Seems to be Buying

When finances are tight, consumers want to spend money on something they feel will improve the quality of their life – a purchase they can feel good about (investment spending) – or on something that is absolutely necessary (mandatory spending).

Think about the above statement again and you will discover a powerful marketing tool during recession times: You need to sell your product or service as something the consumer needs, or as something that will be an investment (the pay-off is that the product will improve their lives in some way).

Forget “luxury” items ads. Until the stock market us up (way up) and unemployment is down (way down), unless you are selling to the uber rich, very few consumers are dropping bucks on luxury items these days.

Take a look at Lowe’s, Wal-Mart, Best Buy, shopping malls, and even local grocery stores. Everywhere you go merchants are cutting back on high-ticket inventory items. One New Jersey car dealership even recently offered “buy an SUV and get a car for $1.00” promotion to move expensive gas-guzzlers.

Services and Products that are Always in Demand

Novelty items come and go, so it is never a good idea to rely on long-term success with just fad ideas. Be sure to also develop product lines and services that can provide consistent and more predictable income than trends and fads.

Even when the economy takes a dive, there are still certain industries that remain strong because the need and demand for services is ever-present. Consumers may be willing or able to spend less, but certain industries serve major life events that happen every day.

Consumers always need goods and services for:

• Babies and Children
• Pets
• Health and Fitness Buffs
• Weddings and Brides
• Funerals and Loss of a Loved One
• Special Occasions
• College and School

No matter what you are selling it will sell better if you can convince people they need or will benefit from your products and services. If you can tie your business marketing strategies into major life events and needs (not as a status symbol or "bling") you will have a better chance of selling your products in a very stale market.

How to Assess Your Business to Develop Better Strategies

Get or Give Advice to Other Women Business Owners

How do you assess your business and what do you do with that information? Do you update your business plan only when there is a crisis? How do you develop and implement business strategies? If you have advice to share to help other business women struggling to keep their own businesses going please share your tips, advice, anecdotes, and resources.

How to Assess Your Business

The most important rule when assessing your business is to completely separate the business from yourself. A business assessment should look at the strengths and weaknesses of your business – not your own or that of your partners and employees (those assessments should done be done independent of a business assessment).

A more personal assessment on how your business decisions will affect you and your family (i.e., whether or not to stay in business or to make personal financial sacrifices to keep your business afloat during hard times) is an assessment that should only be made after you have determined the viability of your business.

To begin your business assessment, make a list that includes three columns:

• Column 1 – The Positives: List successes and things that are working well. This column is your “balance” column. An assessment or list that only contains the negatives is not focusing on the big picture.

• Column 2 – The Reality Check: List business goals that have not been met, specific challenges, and set-backs. This is your “reality check” column and should not contain personal statements that begin with “I.” You are not looking to reinvent yourself, but ways to improve your business.

• Column 3 – The Assessment: In this column you will try to identify key reasons for challenges and divide each issue from Column 2 into two main areas: Things you can change; and things you cannot change.

  For example, if you are trying to sell something consumers simply are not buying, you may not be able to change consumer trends, but you can change your product line.

The chart list below is an example of how one business owner assessed the overall state of her business that is taking a loss (your own assessment should be more detailed). Notice the complete absence of pronouns that make this assessment a personal indictment, but uses words that identify the business challenges not personal challenges.

Identifying challenges without personal blame allows you to see solutions and assess your business idea based on its own merits. For example, in the chart below we see that a lease that was once affordable is now a cash drain. The problem is not necessarily that the business idea and model are bad, but shows that one decision (the lease) has put a strain on the budget.

Business Assessment Checklist

My Business Assessment
Positives: Balance List	My Business Reality Check List	The Assessment
The business did well for the first three years, growing from a one-person operation to a company employing 15 workers.	The past year the business has taken a loss; sales have declined and expenses exceeded revenues.	Things that led to business losses: product sales are down, direct and indirect expenses of hiring new employees, moving into bigger office space – the rent is too high now. The economy is horrible! Cannot Change: The economy or consumer spending habits. Can Change: Number of expenses. Look at downsizing as a strategy for long-term viability; try to renegotiate the lease or sublease until more suitable space can be found; examine product lines and closely study what products are selling better and why.

Business Assessment Tips: A business assessment is balanced and offers both positives and negatives. It should be designed to identify problems clearly to address things that you can change, and evaluate the impact of things you cannot change.