Fuelled by Coffee

FOUR THINGS I DO TO KEEP ORGANISED - Years ago, before I ran my own business I only had to manage my employment obligations, and when it came to my personal activities I had a close friend who had a brilliant memory. We used to do a lot of out of work activities together and she would know at the drop of a hat where we needed to be at any given time, so I got out of the habit of keeping a personal diary and relied on her to tell me what I was doing. Things changed enormously when I started my own business and I suddenly had to keep track of my own appointments and also design space for my own self-development and business growth. After some experimenting I chose a combination of an online calendar – Google Calendar – and some other aids to my  memory which help me organise my day and my week. I honestly can’t tell you how important my calendars are to my daily life and to help keep me organised and on track. I’ll take you through my routines one by one. You may find one ...

by Nan Berrett - Word Solutions  You feel like grabbing a handful of your hair and pulling really hard, but you know it’s not going to help. It’s not just common to older women (and men) in business, but as we get older and wiser we still don’t always manage stress in the best possible ways. When we embark into business we are infused with excitement about the challenges and possibilities, but as time passes we often struggle with overwhelm. I’ve been pondering, again, on stress and how it affects us and, more importantly, how we can manage it. Last week I went to my doctor for what I thought was a regular visit following a blood test and discovered I was low in Vitamin D (winter does that!), everything else was fine, except my blood sugars were through the roof. The root cause right now has been, for me, stress and skipped meals because of something happening over which I have no control. I’ve had to cancel a few meetings, play catchup and drive a lot. The doctor’s answer to...

 The importance of good china and how to use storytelling in your business  by Nan Berrett - Word Solutions When I was a child we had a lot of ‘good’ china and glasswear which stayed in a cupboard and was only brought out on special occasions – such as really important guests. The china was never used for family celebrations, however special they might be, but was mainly to impress those outside our family circle. I never understood it. What’s the point of having lovely things and never using them? There’s a school of thought that you should save your best things so that you can pass them to your children when you die. But what’s the point of that. You have these great objects but never enjoy them yourself, and then, I’m just assuming here, you pass them down as an inheritance and your kids either don’t use them either, find them not to their taste and give them away, or sell them for profit. If you have something nice – use it! Or give it away. Just don’t let it colle...

The Power of Mentorship: Empowering women in their 50s and older to succeed in Business by Nan Berrett - Word Solutions When I started my business 11 years ago, I had no idea what to do. As a woman in my 60s, I lacked the confidence and knowledge to navigate the entrepreneurial world. However, my journey took a positive turn when I discovered the power of mentorship. In this blog post, I will share my personal experience and highlight the unique benefits of mentorship for women in their 50s and older who are starting a new business. Finding Direction Through Mentorship I had a vague idea of how businesses ran as I’d been involved with partners in opening and running an art gallery and a gift shop long ago; we had purchased a local health food store, also some years ago, and closed it after 12 months. I’d been involved in direct sales as side hustles back in the 70s but as far as a serious business went, with myself as the product, I had no clue how to proceed. I’d fallen into my busine...

  Time Mastery for Women Entrepreneurs: Unlocking Success in a Busy World by Nan Berrett - Word Solutions I’ve often struggled with time management – it sounds easy on paper, but the real-life application is entirely another thing. It’s a critical skill for any small business owner, but time management can be particularly challenging for women who often find themselves juggling multiple responsibilities – although that’s not to say my tips won’t help men struggling with the same issues. Balancing the demands of work, family, and personal life requires effective strategies to maximize productivity, achieve success and sidestep burnout.  In this blog post, I’m going to explore practical advice and actionable tips to help busy women business owners prioritize tasks, delegate responsibilities, and create efficient work routines, enabling you to manage your time effectively and achieve your goals. “The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot”    ...

 by Nan Berrett - Word Solutions I have a messy desk! It’s not always messy, but from time to time the sheer volume of stuff just overwhelms my space and I have to take some time to think about where to put it all. When you work from home it’s sometimes difficult to be ruthlessly organised, particularly if you have to share your work space with the family. I’m one of the lucky ones, with a dedicated separate office in my home which doesn’t double as anything else. But for those of you who struggle with having to set up your daily desk on the kitchen table, or have a nook in the hallway or bedroom where you do your work keeping a tidy and organised space is critical. I’m not exactly a hoarder, but I am a bit of a collector. I really love stationery, and newsagents and office supplies stores are my favourite shops, with hardware coming in a close third. It’s also really important for my mental health to have a tidy workspace where I can find everything I need when I need it. Kn...

 Nan Berrett - Word Solutions   The other week I had a panic attack. It was quite unexpected and was caused by a difficult morning followed by a visit to a busy shopping centre. We arrived at the food hall looking for lunch and the place was packed. I suggested my husband find us a table and I’d get some cash out of the banking machine, as I recalled that our favourite food provider didn’t accept card payments. I  blithely told my husband that I would find him and then go and fetch our meal. I got an incoming call and, in my hunt for a quiet place to stand so I could hear, I got disorientated. I lost my landmarks and when it came time to find my husband, despite wandering through all the tables and chairs I couldn’t spot him. It was school holidays and the noise was overwhelming and became worse the more anxious I became. That’s when I had my panic attack! I’m an introvert and find many social situations challenging. Oddly, I manage really well at meetings, do a lot...