​On September 1, 2023, we lost a big name in music–Jimmy Buffet. As always happens when a celebrity passes, suddenly everyone is talking about him and his myriad contributions to entertainment. But Buffet’s popularity wasn’t because of his complex songs or his professionally-trained voice (he had neither). Buffet had something else. He became known as the king of vacation, his laid-back attitude was something a lot of people aspired to. For that reason, and eleven others, entrepreneurs can learn from this “son of a son of a sailor.” After all, he “sold” a way of life and a community that most of us find enviable.

​If you’re like me—and almost everyone else in this country—the end of the year is a time to look back and assess. I enjoy the nostalgia and reminiscing that occurs at this time of year, but it can also be a time of dread. It’s a time to realize you either hit the mark or you didn’t. And if you did, you may be apprehensive about being able to do it again in the new year.
 
So, we make resolutions.

We tell ourselves we’re going to do X differently this year. And most of us fall short of X because we forget about it, or we fall back into old routines because they are easy and we know how they work.
 
But this year, if you’re going to take on a resolution, we have some tips for you. The goal is to make resolutions more intuitive and doable. Here are a couple of ways to do that.

​Do you have dreams about owning your own business or becoming part of the gig economy? Making your own hours? Working from wherever you want?
 
Then you’re not alone. 

There are an estimated 582 million entrepreneurs (about 775,000 of them in the US) already working for themselves. And that number is growing. According to Guidant Financial, 27% of people polled in 2020 wanted to start their own entrepreneurial enterprises because they were disenchanted/dissatisfied with corporate America. And a lot of people are rethinking their current jobs because of COVID.
 
Whatever your reasoning, you may be hesitating because going out on your own means leaving your comfort zone and the things you’ve become accustomed to. If you’re looking to become your own boss, here are some things you need to know. 

​If you're like many professionals, you spend a significant portion of your day sitting at a desk. According to research, that's a problem.

In fact, multiple studies have linked a sedentary lifestyle with an increased risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and even cancer. Not surprisingly, sitting all day is associated with an increased risk of weight gain and obesity.

Fortunately, even if you have a desk job, you may not be desk-bound. Standing desks are becoming an increasingly popular choice among office workers, offering a host of benefits.

Reduces Lower Back Pain

Sitting for hours puts a lot of stress on the body. If you suffer from back and leg pain, then you've likely noticed that the longer you sit, the more uncomfortable you feel. According to a study conducted by the CDC in 2011, standing can reduce back pain by 54 percent. Standing also promotes better circulation, helping to prevent leg pain.

Prevents Neck Strain and Decreases Headaches

If you're sitting in front of a computer monitor all day, then you probably find yourself straining your neck towards your monitor. This causes your spine to curve into a "C" shape, which has both short-term and long-term problems like disc damage, shoulder pain, pain in your neck, and headaches. When you stand, you restore a healthy "S" shape to your spine, reducing pain through your back, neck, and head.

Boosts Energy

Standing burns more calories and requires that the body put forth more energy, but that doesn't mean that your energy levels will take a hit. In fact, because standing promotes better circulation and allows your body to take in more oxygen, you feel better for longer. Simply standing while you work can give you the energy boost equal to a cup of coffee, without the crash that comes later.

Improves Productivity

Unsurprisingly, that energy boost leads to greater productivity. A study conducted by the Texas A&M Health Science Center School of Public Health showed that just by standing rather than sitting, office workers can improve their productivity by as much as 46 percent.

It's Part of a Robust Wellness Program

Many employers have recognized that implementing a wellness program that support workers' physical and mental health not only creates a better work environment, but it can help reduce out-of-control healthcare costs, employee absenteeism, and diminished productivity. Transitioning to standing desks can drastically cut down on the number of hours that employees spend sitting, helping to prevent serious health problems.

​These are just a few of the many benefits that standing desks provide for office workers. While there are special considerations that need to be made (for example, hours of standing in place can result in foot and joint problems) making this transition and reducing the number of hours that you or your employees spend sitting is a simple way to boost morale and promote a healthy lifestyle.