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What causes burnout? And How to Overcome it

We've all heard the word, it has almost turned into a meaningless buzzword these days, yet most of us fail to appreciate how common it is and how we can all be worn down by constant pressure – be it to meet a deadline, care for a loved one, or just keep the show on the road. What is burnout? What are the five stages of burnout? What causes burnout? How long does burnout last? Here’s all you need to know about burnout and how to overcome it and stay motivated.

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Dara Murray Dara Murray

Intentional vacationing: Leave every vacation feeling rejuvenated

What is vacationing with a purpose? Intentional vacationing is an opportunity to shift how you vacation. When you vacation with a purpose, you’re able to get more out of your vacation, and you’ll leave your trip feeling more fulfilled and thankful for the time you had. This is the whole idea of intentionally vacationing—it’s about creating a plan that will allow you to enjoy your time off. How do I intentionally vacation? If you want to feel fulfilled by your vacation, then keep reading.

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Self-care shouldn’t end when your vacation does

Vacations open the door to new experiences, relaxation, and enjoyment, but from a mental health perspective, they’re not a cure-all. Too many people work themselves to the bone with the promise of rejuvenation once they finally save up enough vacation time. Simply put, while valuable, vacations are only a temporary fix for managing stress and mental health. The true solution? Incorporating self-care into your daily life. So, what exactly is self-care, why is self-care important, and what does it look like in practice to incorporate self-care into your daily life? Here’s what you need to know!

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Dara Murray Dara Murray

Step out of your comfort zone to improve your outlook on life

We each have our own “comfort zone." This isn't a special room with lots of cozy pillows and blankets or a destination on Google Maps, but rather a state in which a person feels at ease—comfortable. We are all masters of living in our comfort zones, so it’s no surprise that stepping outside of it is typically feared. However, there are so many benefits to be gained in causing ourselves some discomfort in the name of growth. One such benefit? Improving your outlook on life. Let’s explore this idea.

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Finding freedom in who you are even though you have life responsibilities

When was the last time you took a step away from life’s responsibilities? I’m not talking about scrolling on your phone for a couple of hours or binge-watching your favorite Netflix show. I’m talking about taking a full step away from your life’s responsibilities to fully embrace your independence, spend time reflecting on who you are, and find balance in life. Now, personally, I recommend taking a break from everyday life by attending Rooted, but there are countless benefits to separating yourself from life’s responsibilities. Okay, but why? Why do you need to take a break? Why do you deserve a break? Read more about the benefits of taking a break.

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Imposter syndrome: what it is and how to combat it

What’s imposter syndrome? Why does imposter syndrome happen? Imposter syndrome is a common phenomenon describing the “persistent inability to believe that one’s success is deserved or has been legitimately achieved as a result of one’s own efforts or skills.” (Oxford English Dictionary). Read for Tips for imposter syndrome.

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Dara Murray Dara Murray

Are Company Retreats Tax Deductible?

As a business owner, you might be eligible for more tax deductions than you thought. One area many business owners overlook is the company retreat write-off. While laws have changed slightly and it might be a little harder to get it, there are ways you can write off business retreats so that you can treat yourself (and potentially your employees) and reduce your tax burden. If that’s not a win-win, I don’t know what is. Here’s what you must know.

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Dara Murray Dara Murray

Want a more joyful life?

As busy people: partners, professionals, and/or parents, we can feel isolated in our day-to-day activities. A lot is demanded of us, and it can be overwhelming. That’s why it’s crucial to set aside designated time for ourselves. Because we deserve to rest. No secondary reason is necessary. We live, and therefore we must rest. Yet, so many of us feel that prioritizing ourselves is selfish. (Thanks, society!) So how do we make time to do this?

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Why does the face behind the business matter?

Images are the first thing people want to see about your brand. Images answer the unspoken question, “how much is this worth?” By having images that demonstrate your value and personality, you’re communicating TRUST.

It all comes down to Trust. When you’re asking someone to hand you the money they worked very hard for, they need something in return: trust. They need to trust that it’s an investment and that they will see good returns on it.

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Dara Murray Dara Murray

What is visual brand identity and why is it important?

What is visual brand identity and why is it important? Insights for developing your brand’s best visual identity. Simply put, visual brand identity is the collection of visual elements that represent and communicate a brand’s differentiators. These elements are most often a logo, colors, typography, and imagery.

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Dara Murray Dara Murray

Is a business retreat tax deductible?

Is a business retreat tax deductible? Yes, with proper documentation. As a small business owner, you’re familiar with business expense write offs. When investing in your business via a retreat, be sure to save your ticket receipt, retreat itinerary, and any travel, food, and accommodation expenses. Since Bloom is an all-inclusive retreat, you’ll only need to maintain records of your ticket purchase payments and your travel costs. If you’re considering investing in your business, a business retreat is an incredible way to nourish yourself in order to best run your business.

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Dara Murray Dara Murray

Self Care for Small Business Owners: Crystals for Rejuvenation, Clarity, & Connection

What every small business owner should know: We don’t have to go at this alone. Nor should we. As a small service-based business owner, I constantly find myself craving community. Three lists of crystals for community, clarity, & rejuvenation - the values of the Bloom Retreat, a sacred space for small service-based business owners to deepen their roots and create growth opportunities.

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Dara Murray Dara Murray

What Every Small Business Owner Should Know

Finding your people is the ultimate act of self care for small business owners. As a small service-based business owner, I constantly find myself craving community. When you’re working for yourself, it can often feel like it’s you against the world, which is totally understandable! As solopreneurs, we have seemingly endless to-do lists and conflicting priorities. It is often overwhelming and isolating.

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Dara Murray Dara Murray

Invest in yourself: an act of defiant self-love

There’s a common narrative that womxn consistently put others before themselves, which is the reason why womxn are not more prevalent business owners or hold C-suite roles. However, this narrative is at odds with the data.

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Dara Murray Dara Murray

Why you’re not manifesting your business goals

Manifestation is an amazing way to gain clarity on your goals & desires. It's a form of reflection and meditation. The ✨magic✨ happens through strategy and effort. Let the universe guide you, and remember you're the most powerful tool in reaching your goals.

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Dara Murray Dara Murray

3 Ways to be Successful without Hustle Culture

Finding & fostering community allows you to grow together. It may feel like a race or like there’s a finite amount of success to go around, but trust me - there is enough for all of us. Being successful without hustle culture is a matter of redefining success. Here are 3 ways you can be successful without the hustle

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Evaluative Thinking

Evaluative thinking is the way we think when we’re evaluating something. It’s thinking about what kinds of information are most needed for learning and improvement and then reflecting on that information (the evaluation findings), learning lessons, and applying those lessons in future decisions. Evaluative thinking becomes most meaningful when it is embedded in an organization’s culture.

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Implementation Evaluation

Generally speaking, program evaluations fall into two complementary buckets: formative and summative. Summative evaluations look at the impact and effectiveness of a program (think testing, validating, etc.), while formative evaluations focus on improving the program’s design and performance. It’s considered good evaluation practice to use both, though in my opinion, formative should come before summative. In this context, an implementation evaluation (sometimes called process evaluation) falls into the formative category and is essential for understanding your program’s model and quality.

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