Today’s blog was inspired by a LinkedIn post from Hannah Gzik, showcasing one of the Build a Kick Ass Company’s free downloadable posters. The poster is in the image I’ve used to illustrate this blog.

Part of my comment on the LinkedIn post reads “In our neighbourhood there are lots of squirrels, rabbits, and the occasional owl and coyote keeping the other critters on high alert. Both literally and figuratively speaking.”

And it’s true.

Many people think that being an entrepreneur is all about getting processes in place and being able to accurately predict your cashflows, in other words, getting all of your ducks in a row. While it’s true that processes can help you save time and be more efficient, and that understanding your businesses cashflow is critical for long term success, there is a LOT about running your own business that is more like a wild rave of squirrels than a nice row of ducks.

When you’re a solo-preneur like me, there are many things competing for your attention, from replying to client emails and phone calls, to creating content, writing proposals, providing services and completing more mundane, yet necessary tasks such as sending invoices and engaging in outreach with current and potential clients.

Some of these tasks are like squirrels; they grab your attention, and you feel like you have to attend to them immediately. Answering clients’ emails and phone calls for example. Then a new squirrel will pop up, such as a recurring client requesting a proposal for a new training series, or strategic partners requesting a meeting to brainstorm a new long-term venture. Some tasks are like rabbits, they nibble away at your time, like creating content and posting it on social media.

And sometimes, an owl silently swoops in, causing you to completely change your plan for the day.  For example, a family member needs to visit your local hospital’s emergency room. Even if all you have to do is drop them off and then pick them up to drive them home again, it can completely disrupt your plans for the day. Worrying about a family member’s health makes it difficult to concentrate on writing a proposal for new training!

Sometimes the unexpected is more like a coyote, and the disruption caused is because, like a trickster, a new client’s potential project morphs into something completely unexpected. Requiring either a complete overhaul of the planned services, or a graceful exit from the project.

I’m grateful that I literally live in a rural neighbourhood, with mature trees, brush, and a variety of plants and wildlife. I’m also grateful that I enjoy the benefits of working with a diverse network of skilled and knowledgeable strategic partners, coaches, mentors, and colleagues. They help me figure out how to pivot when things don’t go as expected, and regularly point out opportunities that I may not have recognized on my own.

So, what can you learn from this post?

As an entrepreneur, it’s a great idea to try and get at least some ducks in a row (business processes and cash flow), however, it’s also necessary to expect the rave of squirrels (competing demands), set aside time and resources for rabbits (necessary tasks like social media and sending invoices) and a good idea to expect the occasional owl and coyote (unexpected occurrences and project scope creep) while being prepared to pivot and adjust your plans.

Thanks again to Build a Kick Ass Company’s Hannah Gzik for the inspiration for this post!  You can download a free version of the poster, and many other inspiring posters, at this link.

If you enjoyed reading this post you may also enjoy:

Growing your Network Online
Home Based Business: Let's Talk Money part 1
Home Based Business: Let's Talk Money part 2

To get a free copy of my eBook “Networking: Identifying and Connecting with Friendly Forces” click here (note it’s easier to sign up using a laptop than a phone).

To learn more about Business Coaching services click here or visit the PARO Centre for Women's Enterprise here.  I joined PARO as a subcontractor, providing Business Growth Advisor (BGA) services to women entrepreneurs from across Ontario in July 2021.

“Train hard, fight easy” is an expression that military members across Canada, and perhaps even further abroad are familiar with.

The expression means that if you train for as many likely possibilities as you can imagine, then when it comes time to put that training into action in real life, you’ll be ready. So ready, that the real life experience will seem easy by comparison.

You may have noticed this during your studies. For example, when taking math class in high school.  The more of the practice questions you complete while taking a math course, generally the easier it is to write math exams. This is because math teachers will often save themselves time and effort by selecting questions from the text book for their exams. If your practice included doing more questions than assigned as homework, chances are you’ll have completed some of the exam questions ahead of time.

Preparing for job interviews is the same thing! If you practice answering potential interview questions, then it will be easier when it comes time to answer strangers during the actual interview. 

Many interviewers, like math teachers, pull standard questions from their portfolio, when preparing for interviews.

Here are four tips to help you get the most out of your interview practices:

1. Research common questions for the types of job you aspire to have
2. Draft answers to these common questions, using “So What?” stories as much as possible
3. Practice with someone who can give you live, instant feedback
4. Repeat

Research

Researching potential questions on your own can give you insight into why these questions are being asked, and what sorts of answers the interviewers are likely looking for. Here are a few resources which can help you find practice questions.

Worktable has many fabulous articles to help, such as https://resources.workable.com/tutorial/faq-interview-process

Glassdoor Canada includes a section called Interview questions

You can also use Boolean search strings, to help narrow down you search for questions.

Sometimes employers ask questions they shouldn’t, this article gives great hints on how to respond https://globalnews.ca/news/3515774/6-job-interview-questions-potential-employers-are-not-allowed-to-ask-and-how-to-handle-them/

Draft Answers

Even though you may have read answers during your research, take the time to draft your own answers. I recommend using “So What?” stories from your lived experience, at work, in volunteer roles, and your education. This can also include your experience playing sports or enjoying your hobbies. All your experiences contribute to your ability to problem solve and bring value to your workplace.

For tips on “So What?” stories read Job Search Tips #3

Practice

Once you’ve drafted your answers, practicing them on your own will help. Practicing with someone else asking you the questions, and then responding to your answers live (phone, video, in person) is even more effective!

You can practice with a friend, a family member, a colleague, your current supervisor, or a professional career coach. The more interviewing knowledge and experience the person you practice with has, the more effective their feedback will be.

Repeat

Remember “Train hard, fight easy?” The more you practice, the easier it will be when it’s time to complete your Job Interview!

When you apply for different jobs, do additional research to find more appropriate questions, draft answers for those questions, and practice answering them with a live person, for immediate feedback.

Closing Thoughts and Gratitude

I’m grateful for the opportunity to share networking tips with military members and their families as they prepare for life after military service.

This blog was inspired by the chat during a virtual SCAN seminar held at 8 Wing Trenton on Tuesday October 5, 2021.

I offer career transition advice as a service. Later this Fall, I’ll also be launching an online accessible on demand course to help people help themselves through career transitions.

If you enjoyed reading this post you may also enjoy:

Job Search Tips #1 Research
Job Search Tips #2 Informational Interviews 
Job Search Tips #3 "So What?" Stories

To get a free copy of my eBook “Networking: Identifying and Connecting with Friendly Forces” click here (note it’s easier to sign up using a laptop than a phone).

To learn more about Career Coaching services click here