What does a business owner do when they are no longer jazzed by hitting the next milestone? What does it mean to be fulfilled and avoid business owner burnout?

We understand that owning a business is neither all rainbows and ponies, nor all darkness and isolation. But what can you do to become more cognizant of the wins and losses, the dark and light, the ups and downs, and then make them part of who you and your business are while also achieving greater success along the way?

Can You Really Slow Down and Be Present?
Realizing that the journey can be just as exciting as reaching the goal is a perspective that many business owners never take time to experience.

When slowing down makes the most sense, allows you to change direction, look outward and see the possibilities for you and your business, how willing are you to consider that? To actually do it? To slow down and ‘be’ and not just be up and running and ‘doing’?

Finding the Answers Within
In this podcast, Kathryn Sabol, a successful entrepreneur who sold her business and is now coaching other entrepreneurs, defines the following:

Mindset shifts
Intentions
Self care
Doing more of what you love
Creating space
Many business owners, as well as others, are constantly looking outward and forward for the answers. However, the answers truly reside within you and true coaching can help you find them.  This is a critical difference between coaching and consulting.  

Staying present is what so many of us somehow avoid. What if we just took the next step and didn’t look up at the staircase?  Became curious and viewed the day, the person, whatever is in front of us, without judgement?  And then tapped into our ability to shift and move forward. You might just add some mystery and excitement back into your business.

Listen in as we discuss these and other perspectives and concepts. We’ll explore what is possible for you and how to be present and committed to a goal and/or a business, and not be caught just in the doing of them.

https://ircwealth.com/irc-wealthcast-051-business-owner-burnout/

IRC WealthCast

IRC WealthCast 051: From Business Owner Burnout to Breakout with Kathryn Sabol

The housing marketplace is hot once again. Or is it showing signs of giving way? When selling your home, what can you expect in terms of getting your price — with reasonable concessions — in the fastest time possible?

Mark Takacs, a realtor from Keller Williams In Atlanta Team, shares some simple and affordable ideas, along with some specific strategies, to give you the edge. While some of this conversation is Atlanta specific, the rules apply pretty much across the board.

Key takeaways
In this episode, you’ll hear Mark’s creative insights into:
Place your list items here
Staging. Why this is much more important now that even just a few months ago. Especially if you have to sell and move fast.
Changes you can make to meet your goal to sell at the highest price possible.
How to price your house like Walmart and give them a Neiman Marcus experience.
Why location (and location, and location) is still the foundation for creating demand for your house.
Simple things to do such as decluttering, cleaning and creating curb appeal.
He also discusses the challenges unique to selling investment properties as well as what happens when you become an accidental landlord and decide to sell.

For millennials, he addresses nuances they should keep in mind regarding how the market has changed. While overall this demographic isn’t finding the idea of snapping up bargains that they can improve and build equity that attractive, for those who are investing, the financial strategy when buying a home has changed in terms of size, spend and time to hold.

And finally, when is the ultimate time to sell your house, and what the heck is going on with the color beige? If you’re ready to leverage the market and realize the fruits of your risk, investment and property, take a moment and listen to this episode of IRC Wealthcast. PLUS! Mark provides free real estate market data and to-do lists from our website at https://ircwealth.com/irc-wealthcast-052-tips-selling-home/

Preparing Your Home for a Successful Sale with Marc Takacs

There are so many options when it comes to growing a business as a solopreneur that, regardless of whether you call yourself a solopreneur, freelancer, or self-employed, determining how to plan for growth can be challenging.
In this episode, Joe chats with longtime solopreneur Jodi Hersh about the choices and considerations when you’re a company of one and want to expand.
Questions to ask yourself include:

		Do I want to eventually sell my business?
		Do I want employees?
		Do I take OPM (other people’s money)?
		What does growth really mean to me?
		What will life be like a year from now if I make this move to grow?
		Why do I want to grow?

Also discussed are the benefits of working with a career coach, like-minded peers, and/or an advisory board. At the end of the day, no one really cares what’s on your PowerPoint. It’s you that they are betting on when considering funding you, working with you, and buying and selling with you and for you. 
There are all kinds of ways to grow; gaining revenue is not the only way to keep score. And it’s not just about trading time for money. Most people go into business for themselves because they want a different environment so it’s important to remain true to what you want.
Leaving a crowded, groupthink, corporate-esque, work environment and career to be your own boss may be why you’re here in the first place. Now you might find yourself encroaching on your authentic self by growing into something you desperately worked to avoid.
This is one reason why, when you seek advice, it’s important to tap into other like-minds who understand your language. And don’t lose sight of how growth relates to your fulfillment. There is no wrong answer unless it’s one that doesn’t honor your values and your quest for a fulfilled business and personal life.

Solopreneur, freelancer, self-employed — should I stay or should I grow? (with Jodi Hersh)

With responsibility for taking care of aging parents while also raising a family, Generation X is feeling the squeeze of being a “sandwich generation.” This can be especially stressful when two thirds of Generation X say they haven’t fully recovered from the Great Recession, yet an increasing number are providing financial support for both their children and their parents. And even if elderly parents don’t require financial help, most will need assistance with managing assets, estate planning, and living arrangements.

Communication, trust and transparency
If this scenario sounds familiar or is on your horizon, tune in to the first in a two-part series where we discuss the steps you and your parents can take to establish communication, trust and transparency that can help:
Alleviate your parents’ fears and reassure them that their wishes will be honored
Avoid frustration and reduce complications in the future
Maintain expectations among family members regarding roles and inheritances

In this WealthCast, two Generation Xers — Wendy Hayes, a financial analyst who works in family law, and Michelle Thompson, a financial planner and attorney — share their personal stories of dealing with aging parents, dementia, forgotten assets, powers of attorney, and blended families, all while juggling their own demanding careers and immediate family obligations. From their experience, you’ll learn:

The paperwork your parents should have in addition to a will.
How to talk to them about their assets, even if they’re not very forthcoming.
The benefits of meeting your parents’ banker, attorney, financial planner and/or other advisors who you may need as a trusted, objective resource in the futures.
Other recommendations from naming executors to working with a mediator.
Planning for the inevitable
As Wendy and Michelle acknowledge, none of this is easy, especially when you’re dealing with so many other stressful aspects of life. However, as Michelle says, “By taking the steps to help your parents establish a plan, everyone in the family will have a better understanding of how the inevitable is going to play out. Because it is inevitable.”

https://ircwealth.com/irc-wealthcast-054-generation-x

Taking Care of Aging Parents Squeezes Generation X (with Wendy Hayes and Michelle Thompson)

This week, the IRC WealthCast continues its focus on Generation X as we discuss the financial, emotional and legal challenges of estate planning and blended families, both those we create as well as the blended families created by our parents.

In this second episode of a two-part series, we continue the conversation with two Generation Xers — Wendy Hayes, a financial analyst who works in family law, and Michelle Thompson, a financial planner with IRC Wealth and former attorney — who discuss what they’ve learned from their personal as well as professional experiences.
 
In sharing her family estate planning nightmare, Michelle points out that her mother thought she had taken the necessary steps to ensure her desires would be carried out, but was unable to predict her surviving spouse’s actions. In her own experience as well as when working with clients, Michelle says that in the majority of cases, it’s inevitable that a surviving spouse who controls the estate will prioritize their own children over those of their deceased spouse. She then goes on to explain how this can be avoided, including how to:

Make decisions about your estate and ensure that your wishes are followed

Address the tough scenarios such as biological children vs. stepchildren, surviving spouses who remarry quickly, and choosing a trustee.

Be proactive and find counsel who has the savvy experience to address your specific situation

Our two experts also address the importance of communication and tackling difficult conversations early in a relationship including getting into the minutia of assets as well as pre-nups and post-nups. As Wendy says, “Each family is unique due to its varying personalities. You have to find ways to work — both creatively and systematically — toward the solution that’s best for your family.”
 

Whether you have a blended family yourself or are the product of one, tune in to learn more about the challenges these situations present, as well as how to create arrangements that are intentional, thoughtful, and respect your wishes.
 
Everyone’s situation is different; what it takes for you to be financially independent is unique to you. If you’d like to discuss any questions or concerns you have your financial life, please contact us for a no obligation consultation to see how we can help.

http://ircwealth.com/irc-wealthcast-055-estate-planning-blended-families

Avoiding the Challenges of Estate Planning and Blended Families

Take control of your finances and embrace life without worrying about money.

Wealth building is simple, if you’re doing it right. But in today’s world, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by everything competing for your time and attention. The goal of this podcast is to help you craft a simple plan that truly fits your situation and allows you to achieve financial freedom.

What does financial freedom mean? In IRC Wealth CEO David Ragland's best-selling book Wealth Made Simple (yes, really), he defines financial freedom as no longer having to worry about money. Having true freedom means you are in control of your finances and making your own decisions.

The result: financial security, peace of mind, and the confidence to embrace life and the future with optimism.

We lead by example, following the same investment strategies and principles that we advise others. Behind every financial plan are our four principles:

1) Eliminate debt by creating a system for paying off credit cards and other liabilities
2) Increase savings through retirement plans and a diversified portfolio
3) Reduce risk through life choices and by preparing for the unexpected
4) Build a cash safety net so you’re prepared for unforeseen situations

Achieving your goals, from early retirement to selling a business

Everyone’s situation is different; what it takes for you to be financially independent is unique to you. You work hard, you’ve done well and you’re motivated to reach your goals, whether it’s early retirement or selling your business. We want to help you define what it means to be financially independent and help you get there.

Popular tracks by IRC Wealth