Having a family business can be a very rewarding experience.  In order to be successful in your business you need to establish a few guidelines:

1. Establish a business plan with a mission and clear chain of command.
2. Make sure everyone is aware of the company business plan/mission and is on board.
3. All employees (family members and non-family members) have defined roles, responsibilities and performance reviews.
4. All employees have equal opportunities for advancement.
5. Establish a succession plan for the business.

It is important not to give special treatment or extra privileges, such as a company car, to family members over employees that are not family members.   Competence and merit alone should be the basis of promotion.

Control, a sense of entitlement and history can become issues between family members.  It is imperative that the business is managed in a professional manner, even if a mediator or consultant is used to work through any issues.  Having a board or family council to make important decisions can remove some of the pressures of running a family business.  The company should not be dependent on just one person – if that person were to die suddenly or retire the entire company could be in jeopardy. Succession planning will allow the company to go on if anything unexpected happens.

Running a family business can be enjoyable and profitable and can establish a legacy for your family. Make sure you and your family are well prepared to take on the challenge.

Many survivors of abuse have long-term effects of the abuse, even if the abuse is a dim memory.  There are many types of abuse:  Physical, emotional/verbal, sexual or neglect.

The abuse can occur in different settings:  family, social, professional, acquaintance or stranger.  The abuser may use criticism, threats, humiliation, control, manipulation, drugs and/or alcohol to abuse their victim.

Those who suffer from abuse may suffer from panic attacks, fear, anger, depression, trust and self-esteem issues along with shame and guilt, though they have done nothing wrong.  At times those who are abused become abusers themselves.

The good news is many people have overcome the effects of abuse and have gone on to lead healthy and normal, productive lives.  Therapy includes self-expression and self-awareness, being able to talk about your feelings now and in the past.  Individual psychotherapy is very helpful.  The essential step is getting help – taking that step will change your life for the better.

The pressure to be thin is everywhere – advertising, TV, magazines, social media.  Eating disorders are two times more prevalent among girls than boys and often appear in the late teen years or early twenties.  Many people that have an eating disorder have a distorted image of their body and may have feelings of guilt and shame. Many also work hard to keep their disorder a secret.  Here are three recognized types of eating disorders:

1. Anorexia nervosa – low body weight, excessive exercise, severe food restriction and/or fear of gaining weight
2. Bulimia nervosa – self-induced vomiting, use of laxatives or diuretics
3. Binge eating disorder (BED) – episodes of binge eating, without severe periods of restriction or purging

An eating disorder can be life-threatening.  Some of the health issues that accompany an eating disorder are:  lack of energy, hair loss, dental disease, acid reflux, dehydration and laxative abuse.  Depression, anxiety and substance abuse often occur in individuals with eating disorders.

Psychotherapy is essential in overcoming this disorder.  Medical care is often needed, along with nutritional counseling and anti-depressants may help with accompanying depression.

“Procrastination is my sin.  It brings me naught but sorrow.  I know that I should stop it.  In fact, I will tomorrow!”  – Gloria Pitzer

Procrastination is the act of focusing on less important tasks rather than more important tasks that need to be accomplished.  Procrastination happens to all of us at one time or another, usually when the task is difficult or unpleasant.   College students are known for pulling “all-nighters” due to procrastination.  Depression, low self-esteem or perfectionism are often related to procrastination.

Here are some things you can do to avoid procrastination:

• Start your day by completing the difficult or unpleasant tasks first
• Ask for help if the task is difficult, talk it through with someone
• Set your own goals or deadlines
• Reward yourself once you meet your goals

Start small, then begin to stretch yourself and before you know it, you will be more productive than you thought possible!

Dr Rebeck would like to help with coaching you or through psychotherapy to help you overcome procrastination and find what some of the underlying reasons are that can explain why you may procrastinate. Contact her today to find out more.

Now that we are about one month into the New Year, how are you doing with your resolutions, or goals?  Did you set goals for the New Year, and if so, are you sticking with them?  Whether your goal is to go back to school, learn a new skill or lose 10 pounds, it is not enough to just make up a goal, now the real work starts – here are some tips to help you achieve your goals:

• Start with the overall picture of what you would like to achieve – for example, lose 10 pounds.
• Next, set a timeline for the time you feel it will take to achieve your goal.
• Most important, what are the steps that you plan to take to achieve your goal?

Make sure your steps are clearly defined and detailed.  Use a vision board, if you like, with pictures of yourself when you were 10 pounds thinner and some motivational phrases or quotes to encourage yourself.

Use small rewards as you make progress toward your goal, maybe a new item for your wardrobe or a day of rest from exercise.  Picture yourself reaching your goal and the satisfaction you will feel when you achieve your goal.

Dr. Rebeck can either coach you or help you through psychotherapy with goal-setting techniques, accountability and long-term ideas.  Contact her today to find out more.

When you hear the expression “peer pressure” it tends to bring to mind a teenager, but peer pressure can start as early as preschool.  All children want to be accepted by their peers and while this becomes more important during the teenage years, it is important to teach your children some basic life skills that will help them think independently and be able to stand up for themselves when the need arises:

• Encourage your child to make decisions at an early age- reasonable choices in what they would like to eat or wear.
• Teach your child appropriate social behaviors, such as sharing, introducing themselves, listening, and waiting to talk.  Also teach them that teasing and bullying others is not acceptable behavior.
• Learn to say no – role play and share your own experiences of when you had to say no.
• Make your child accountable – do not blame their friends or others when they make mistakes.  Be an example for them.
• Invite their friends over and get to know them.

Children today face different challenges due to social media, as well as all of the other methods of communication that are readily available.  Your child will be well prepared when you practice and positively reinforce the right behaviors.

Perfectionism is normally a good thing – caring that the job is done right is a good habit and going the extra mile to make sure it is done right is a positive too, but sometimes it goes too far and becomes obsessive-compulsive behavior.  How do you know when it is compulsive behavior?  The list below may help you to identify this type of behavior:

1. Do you have a difficult time completing tasks, or procrastinating?
2. Do you find yourself spending too much time on unimportant details?
3. Are you often anxious, frustrated or angry because things are not working the way you planned?
4. Do little mistakes become magnified in your mind into catastrophic consequences?

If you answered yes to the questions above, you may need assistance in learning behavior that will help you to accept that it is ok if everything does not go as planned and then you will not have to stress over tiny imperfections.  There is no reason to live with anxiety and self-doubt when help is available.