Dawn's Blog
March 1st, 2013
10 Ways to Get People to Want to Work With You -By Dawn Langerock
Have you ever met someone who was just SO charismatic that you wanted to continue to spend more and time with them? The dictionary defines charismatic as, a special personal quality or power of an individual making him or her capable of influencing or inspiring large numbers of people. To me, Tony Robbins is charismatic. So is Daniel Day Lewis (in my opinionJ)
Wouldn't it be great to have that kind of effect on people? To be able to inspire and influence large numbers of people? Wouldn't it feel great to know that you have the ability to make almost everyone you meet like you... and want to work with you?
I met such a person this past week. She was a new editor with the publishing house I work with. She was now in charge of any material that I might put together in the future for a book. Honestly, I liked my other editor who left to work with another company and I didn’t want someone new to work with. Yes, I went into the meeting with a slight chip on my shoulder. Within about five minutes, we were talking about similar travel experiences and swapping failed cooking stories. By the time I left, I had promised her my business. We also had set up a lunch meeting for the following week (on me!) to talk about possible book subjects.
She should have offered to buy me lunch. But that's the power of charisma.
Charismatic people seem to be born that way. They have a natural ability to sell almost anything, including their ideas. They don't follow the usual rules. They smile a lot. They chit-chat a lot.
Do they have skills that the rest of us can learn?
You betcha!
Here are 10 ways you can become more charismatic and get more out of your business relationships. Most of them are based on the principles identified by Robert Cialdini in his book Influence: "The Psychology of Persuasion."
1. People tend to do business with people they like. So behave in a way that makes you likable. Be polite and patient. Avoid being crude, rude, gruff, or impatient.
2. People are attracted to people who keep their word. That means when you make a promise do exactly what you promised. Do it by the deadline you promised - or sooner.
3. People trust people who have their best interests at heart. They will think you have their best interests at heart when you give them advice that benefits them more than it benefits you.
4. People want to do business with people who are experts in their fields. So first, you need to actually become an expert in your field through practice, research, training, education, and study. Then you need to do things (such as writing articles and books or giving speeches) that demonstrate your expertise to potential customers and business associates.
5. People feel comfortable giving money to people who are honest, ethical, and aboveboard. So don't lie in your marketing materials (or elsewhere). Telling the truth is much more effective.
6. People feel better with people who seem to be "real." The best way to show that you're a regular gal is to be cordial, friendly, and genuinely interested in others. Instead of talking about yourself, ask about them. Ask about their company, their job, their industry, even their family and hobbies.
7. People respond to people who listen and pay attention to what they are saying. Remember the old cliché: You have two ears and one mouth because you should listen twice as much as you talk.
8. People feel comfortable with people who are like them. The trick here is to identify one thing you have in common with the other person. It could be movies, sports, kids, pets, or anything else. Then, use that to cement a bond between you.
9. People are attracted to people who are humble. So don't be a braggart. And never discuss how much money you make.
10. People are impressed by people who seem busy. That's why you should never tell a prospective customer that things
are slow and you really need her business. Think about doctors. How would you feel if you walked into a doctor's office and you were the only patient? Wouldn't you wonder how good he was? As much as you hate it when you have to sit there and wait, don't you feel more assured when a doctor's waiting room is packed? Of course, you do. Which of these people-pleasing skills do you have already? Congratulate yourself for acquiring them, and practice them more.
Which ones do you still need to develop? You can't do it overnight, but you can - and should - work on them over time.
February 15th, 2013
Creative Business Marketing
No matter how good, or how visionary your business idea may be, when you are starting out in the world of small business, you typically have a tight budget. I’m not saying that this is always the case. There are always going to be business ventures and ideas, especially tech startups, that for one reason or another are backed by a lot of investor money.
With that being said, if you are like the majority of us who start a business from scratch, work long hours, and operate on a shoestring budget, here are seven creative marketing ideas that are not only cost effective, but also work!**
• Shoot a Video. All you need is a flip cam or digital camera. Producing a piece of video content is a great way to promote your product or service.
• Offer a Contest. Contests and promotions are easy ways to drive people to your website and create a buzz around your product or service.
• Sponsor an Event. Sponsoring a local or charity event is a way to build goodwill in your community and associate your business with a recognized event that attracts your target audience.
• Partner. Join your local Chamber of Commerce and network with other small businesses. Consider working on a promotion with another small business whose product/service is complimentary to yours.
• Start a Blog/Newsletter. A blog or a newsletter is a great way to offer free information to your audience and position yourself as an expert in your industry.
• Be Visible. Create a listing on Google Local so that your business can be found in your local area. Join social sites like Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook. Claim your business on Facebook Places.
• Go Mobile. Considering that the vast majority of Americans use cell phones, engaging customers through mobile marketing can be a smart way for small business owners to market their product/service.
February 8th, 2013
Do You Know Your Most Valuable Asset?
As a business owner, what is your most valuable asset? I will give you a hint. It is the only thing that is equal in this entire world, and each of us possesses it. I tell you the truth. There is no discrimination here: nope, not at all! And it is the most valuable asset you and I have: it is called Time, and it’s sometimes hard to manage. Let’s face it, Time won’t work harder for you, and it won’t work beyond normal business hours. Nope, it will give you 24 hours, 1,440 minutes, or 86,400 seconds each and every day, but that’s it. However you choose to look at it that is what Time will give you every day of the week, 52 weeks out of the year. The big question to ask yourself is this: Do you manage your time well? If you do, Time can be your most valued asset–your BFF if you so choose. On the other hand, if you neglect it and don’t nurture your relationship with it, it can turn out to be your worst employee. It will even steal profits from your bottom line if you don’t manage it effectively and efficiently.
The biggest challenge for a lot of business owners is their ineffectiveness in the prioritization of the tasks and activities associated with the business. When was the last time you really looked at the activities you engage in on a daily basis, identified unnecessary activities, and eliminated them? When was the last time you looked at your work/life balance and asked yourself, “am I managing my professional and my personal time efficiently?” As business owners, we must learn to focus on the most important tasks first. The easiest way to identify your top priorities on a daily basis is to ask yourself whether or not each activity is in one way or another directly related to generating sales for your business. If it isn’t, it should not be at the top of your list, or even in the middle for that matter! Let me give you an example: Although paying bills and catching up on email are both essential tasks of any business, do your customers really care when you perform those tasks(?) Absolutely not! If you are paying bills and catching up on emails during hours when you could be making more calls, finding ways to generate more referrals, serving your existing clients, or working out in the field in an effort to build sustainable, mutually beneficial relationships, then you are not managing your time as effectively as you could be.
Learn to use your time wisely by focusing on those tasks that ultimately pay you.
January 25th, 2013
What can YOU do to stand out from the crowd?
The answer has a lot to do with how you manage the brand called YOU!
Think about it, individuals are not much different from companies.
Having a trusted personal brand, or reputation, nets you the same advantages as a company.
You're likely to foster loyalty, be trusted, be forgiven for occasional mistakes, and earn more money, especially if you develop a reputation for delivering insanely good and consistent results.
We all build, manage or destroy our personal brand every day through our character, choices, attitudes and actions.
The following are a few ways to STAND OUT from the crowd and build massive reputational capital:
1. Question Management: When someone asks you a question, make sure they get an answer bigger and better than they ever expected.
2. Problem Management: When someone brings you a problem, bring them a solution that not only solves the problem, but also delivers an opportunity for them to capitalize on.
3. Project Management: When someone gives you a project, see to it that they get a plan bigger, bolder, and more detailed than they hoped for.
4. Deadline Management: When you take on a task, finish it under budget, before the deadline, and with a cheerful attitude.
5. Conflict Management: When a customer has a concern, go the extra mile as a policy, exceed expectations, and blow their mind by your professionalism and responsiveness.
6. Quality Management: When you do your work, make your name and results synonymous with excellence, consistency, originality, and speed.
If you want to be the one that people seek out, then follow these strategies to ensure that you stand out, and if you want to make more progress in the next 100 days than most people will make in the next five years
January 18th, 2013
Start the Year Strong – Part 2
In Part 1, I introduced you to 5 strategies that you can use to catapult yourself forward this year in achieving your life, business and financial goals. Today, I am giving you 5 more simple, effective and empowering strategies. Use all 10 throughout the year to accelerate your performance, drive massive results and finish 2013 triumphantly!
Strategy #6: Speed Things Up
The key to rapid, ongoing and transformational results is to recognize the power of speed in everything you do. Don’t misinterpret speed for sloppiness or haste. To start 2013 strong and maintain momentum throughout the year you must decide, commit and act more rapidly than you have before. In my coaching practice when I see someone taking action slowly 9 times out of 10 it’s because they think the action has to be perfect first. The dreaded perfection trap! Taking multiple imperfect actions in the pursuit of your goals is a heck of a lot better than taking that one action that you spent countless hours perfecting. The fact of the matter is perfection is subjective. What you consider perfect, I may not and vice versa. Do you see the irony in that? I learned this the hard way while involved in the re-branding of my business and website. I literally spent months agonizing over the perfect word, the perfect program, the perfect everything! And, what I discovered is that during that time I lost tons of time and probably clients although the goal was to increase my time available and clients. Duh!! My advice to you, let go of perfect! There is no such thing and it’s a great way to derail yourself and ultimately fail in the attainment of your goals. List as many imperfect actions you can take and get started NOW and just keep going.
Strategy #7: Refuse to Give up
Those with the courage to do what it takes to start and finish the year strong never allow a poor prior performance to keep them down. What you accomplished (or didn’t accomplish) last year has no bearing on this year…period! Never define yourself by the past. The past doesn’t hold onto you, you hold onto it. I see too many people try and try and try and then give up because they are tired of trying and come to the erroneous conclusion that “it’s not meant to be.” That’s an excuse to not step up and get it done. Success coach and author Jim Rohn has a saying that I think sums this up perfectly. He says, “How long should you try? Until!” In my opinion, giving up means you really weren’t that serious about what you wanted to accomplish and I know that’s not you! What past performance or disappointing results are you hanging on to? Get in front of a mirror, look yourself in the eye, recall your past performance or results and say, “So what, now what?” and get on with it!
Strategy #8: Be Relentless
Webster’s dictionary defines the term relentless as unyielding, adamant, unbending. I define it as unstoppable. Personally I prefer my definition J By choosing to be relentless you are not only demonstrating to yourself and others your seriousness of the attainment of your goals and dreams but also your belief in making them happen. Relentlessness goes hand-in-hand with the belief of “I KNOW this will happen.” Remember, it always seems impossible until it’s done. What do you need to be relentless in? Your actions? Your belief? Persevere or perish…enough said!
Strategy #9: Do the Uncomfortable and Inconvenient
The goal of finishing 2013 with your goals accomplished can only be achieved by being willing to step out of your comfort zone and do the inconvenient…consistently. You must become comfortable with discomfort and view what’s inconvenient as not only critical but desirable if you are to achieve the goals you have set for yourself. The only way to create big, bold breakthrough results is take the road less traveled. Set your GPS for the corner of Uncomfortable Lane and Inconvenient Avenue. You won’t believe where you’ll end up!
Strategy #10: Make Everything Count
As you work toward your goals this year you must understand that there will never be a time that doesn’t require dedication, discipline, perseverance and accountability. Realize that everything and I mean everything, regardless of size has bottom-line consequences that will either move you toward or away from your goals! Using these 10 strategies will help you make everything count…cheers to your success in 2013!
January 11th, 2013
Start the Year Strong – Part 1
So, what’s your plan to start 2013 strong? If you think about it, the things you need to do this year to achieve your life, business and financial goals are the exact same things you needed to last year. Review your goals from last year. Did you meet them? All of them? Some of them? We all miss the mark from time to time on our goals. So that doesn’t happen to you, use these 5 simple, effective and empowering strategies to step up your efforts right out of the gate.
Strategy #1: Get Serious
If you really want to reach your goals this year and prosper you have to get serious, set crystal clear goals, raise the bar, step up your game and embrace a take-no-prisoners attitude. You will make rapid advances toward your goals only after you decide to get serious about getting results. My clients have come to know, understand and live my mantra of, “Life rewards action and effort, not excuses.” When you get serious (I mean really serious) about achieving your dreams you move from interested to committed and that’s when the magic happens!
Strategy #2: Start saying “No”
“No” is one of the most powerful words in your vocabulary because it helps you set limits, hold firm to boundaries, and clarify what will you do or not do this year. When we say “yes” to things that don’t serve us or steal our precious time or divert our attention, we self-sabotage our efforts. Saying “no” is a strategic decision as it improves and accelerates your effectiveness and progress, guaranteeing a strong start and finish to the year. Where do you need to start saying “no” to others so that you can start saying “yes” to yourself?
Strategy #3: Act Boldly
There’s no room for indecision, doubt, blaming or procrastination if you want to end 2013 with having accomplished your goals and dreams. You simply cannot allow any of these self-destructive behaviors to settle in. Now is the time for boldness as every act of boldness accelerates the pace with which you drive results. Boldness means being willing to take imperfect action, stepping out of your comfort zone and just showing some good old moxie! What bold action will you take today to advance you in the direction of your dreams?
Strategy #4: Create a Sense of Urgency
To achieve your goals and really knock it out of the park this year, you need a flame under your behind to ignite performance. Usually that flame is what I call “your big why.” Why do you want to accomplish your goals? Why do you want to get that big promotion? Why do you want to have your own business? Why do you want to get into the best shape of your life? If you can get to the emotions and experiences you want to have….you’ve found your flame! For me, having my own successful coaching and speaking business meant abundance and freedom. I envisioned what I would be able to do and have once I had achieved my goals. I didn’t focus on the goal itself but the feelings and experiences I would have…my big “why.” I put these feelings and experiences on post-it notes and pasted them all over my bulletin board in my office. When I wasn’t feeling inspired or if I hit a wall somewhere, I’d simply look through my post-its and let these emotions and experiences run through my mind. That’s when I would feel the flame and get my behind in action. What’s “your big why?” Think of them as your success drivers. Figure out what they are and they’ll help to keep you moving forward more quickly.
Strategy #5: Set Challenging Deadlines
Most people work best under a specific deadline for achieving goals. The reason for this is simple; any task, project or goal takes as much time as you allow for it to take. By setting non-negotiable, challenging deadlines which drive you to deliver the goods, you virtually guarantee big, consistent wins throughout the year. Take look at the goals you have set (or are setting) for this year. Now, step up the deadlines! My bet is that you shave off weeks or even months and still achieve what you set out to do. If you have doubts about this, or aren’t’ sure how you’ll do it, refer to strategies 1 – 4!
January 7th, 2013
Content is King - By Jay Levinson The Father of Guerrilla Marketing
Some companies think that by including their site in tiny letters at the bottom of their ad or by flashing it at the end of their TV commercial, they're taking care of online promotion. They're not. All they're doing is going through the motions. Talk about your website the same way you'd talk about your kid -- with pride, enthusiasm and joy. Make people excited about your site because they can see your pride.
Once your prospects get to your site, the content should be the information your prospects and customers want to know the most. It's not necessarily the content you want to put forth and boast about. Instead, it's data about how your company can have a positive impact on visitors to your site.
To create the best content, work backwards -- beginning with the goals you wish to achieve with your site. Put into writing the specific goals you wish your website to obtain for you. The more specific you are, the more like you are to hit those goals.
Next, put into writing the obstacles that may stand in the way of your company attaining its goals. Usually, these obstacles center around a lack of information by your target audience. When you're clear on that information, become a bridge-builder. Build a bridge between your goals and your target audience. Construct it of valuable information.
Guerrillas know well that their sites will succeed or fail based on how much overlap there is between their content and the needs of their target audiences. They realize that exquisite design and spectacular promotion are meaningless if their content doesn't fill the needs of their market.
Jay
The Father of Guerrilla Marketing
December 20th, 2012
Welcome to Day 7 of how to create more happiness with Happiness expert Andrew Matthews
DAY 7: ONE BITE AT A TIME
Question:
"How do you achieve BIG goals?"
Answer:
You break BIG goals into SMALL steps.
You list all the small steps -
and then tackle each step.
Does this seem obvious?
Most people don't do it!
Let's say that your office is a mess.
You have been postponing a clean-up for two years.
Seen as ONE BIG job, it is frightening.
So you make a list of small steps ...
Step 1: tidy your desk top
Step 2. empty out the top drawer
Step 3: create new files
Step 4: clean out the bookshelf ...
One step at a time, you can do it.
Research confirms that we are more likely to tackle tasks that we can complete within 15 MINUTES.
Whether you want to write a paper, build a business, or get fit, break your goal into bite-size pieces.
Starting today:
Commit your goals to paper.
Break your big goals into "bite-size" pieces.
You'll achieve more - and you'll be happier.
This is the end of the 7 Day Program.
I hope you found it useful.
December 19th, 2012
Welcome to Day 6 of creating more happiness with Happiness Expert Andrew Matthews
DAY 6: BE FLEXIBLE!
Here's a recipe for permanent misery ...
Decide how you think the world SHOULD be.
Then, when life doesn't obey your rules, get angry!
That's what miserable people do!
Let's say you expect that:
* People SHOULD appreciate you.
* Planes SHOULD arrive on time.
* Your husband SHOULD remember your birthday.
Sounds reasonable ...
but often, these things won't happen!
So you end up frustrated.
Happy people make fewer DEMANDS on life.
Instead, they have PREFERENCES!
They say:
"I would prefer "A", but if "B" happens, it's OK too!"
I PREFER the neighbors to be quiet -
but if they make a noise, I can handle it.
I PREFER people to see my point of view - but when they disagree, it is OK.
You have preferences about the outcome of your plans, but you accept WHATEVER happens.
So your mission today?
Instead of making DEMANDS on life and people, have PREFERENCES.
There are two ways to become happier:
a) change the world, or
b) change your thinking.
It is easier to change your thinking!
December 18th, 2012
DAY 5: COMPLIMENTS
Some people notice the BEAUTIFUL view.
Some people notice only the DIRTY window!
Your happiness depends on what you DECIDE to notice.
So here's today's exercise:
Step 1: Look for ONE QUALITY in every person you meet.
Step 2: Give them a COMPLIMENT ...
"That is a stunning outfit!"
"You are an inspiring teacher."
"You have a beautiful smile!"
Remember, a compliment is NOT flattery!
Flattery is insincere.
A compliment is SINCERE RECOGNITION of someone's qualities.
Most people feel UNDER-APPRECIATED!
When you give them compliments, you light up their day.
And here's the bonus:
To pay compliments, you have to focus on the positive.
So it makes YOU happier!
December 17th, 2012
Welcome to Day 4 of how to create more happiness with Happiness Expert Andrew Matthews
Day 4: FORGIVING PEOPLE
Where do we get the idea that if WE don't forgive people, THEY suffer?
It's nuts!
Let's say:
a) You are my boss and you fire me, or
b) You are my girl and you run off with my best friend.
So I say, "I'll NEVER forgive you!"
Who suffers?
NOT THE OTHER PERSON!
You get the knot in your stomach.
You lose the sleep.
They are probably out partying!
When you resent someone, YOU SUFFER!
Meanwhile you tell yourself, "I'm right!"
But being "RIGHT" doesn't guarantee happiness.
Here's the point ...
To forgive someone, you don't have to AGREE with what they did.
You just have to want your life to work.
You don't forgive people for THEIR benefit.
You do it for YOUR benefit.
So this is your mission for the next 24 hours:
Think of someone that has hurt you.
Just today, practice letting go of all resentment toward them.
Gather all your ANGRY thoughts -
those "I am right and they are wrong" thoughts, and let them go.
You may like to use your creative imagination ...
.. put all that resentment into an imaginary balloon, and let it float away.
Throughout the day, repeat the process.
You will feel better.
Forgiving people may be tough, but is possible.
You forgive people for YOUR benefit. It makes YOU happier.
December 14th, 2012
Welcome to Day 3 of how to create happiness by Happiness Expert Andrew Matthews
Day 3: KICK THE WORRY HABIT
Most of us WORRY.
Some people will even tell you that you SHOULD worry!
But worrying is worse than USELESS!
Firstly, it attracts misfortune.
Secondly, it is bad for your health!
So what should you do about worry?
POSTPONE it!
TAKE ACTION first - and postpone worry indefinitely.
That's what effective people do.
Here is your mission for the next 24 hours:
Whenever you want to worry, ask yourself, "What is the problem RIGHT NOW?"
Guess what you'll find ...
Unless you are in a life threatening situation, you DON'T have a problem.
Look at your life.
Has there ever been a situation you didn't survive?
There hasn't!
You can HANDLE the present.
It is just the FUTURE that gives you trouble!
So your mission is to focus on the present.
Your mind will want to drift into the future.
Your mind will want to ask questions like: "What happens if ...?"
Drag it back to the PRESENT.
Tell yourself:
"If there is SOMETHING I can do now, I will do it."
"If there is NOTHING I can do right now, I refuse to worry."
Make this your motto:
"I take whatever action I can now - and I postpone worry!"
"I deal with problems MOMENT BY MOMENT."
December 13th, 2012
Welcome to Day 2 of Happiness teachings by Happiness expert Andrew Matthews!
SUPPORT YOURSELF!
Some people constantly CRITICIZE themselves.
They say things like:
"I'm FAT."
"I'm BORING."
"Watch me SCREW THIS UP!"
There are two problems with criticizing yourself:
Firstly:
You BECOME what you think about.
So when you criticize your own performance, it gets worse!
Secondly:
Criticizing yourself IRRITATES other people.
Eventually, even your friends will want to smack you in the mouth!
Self-criticism is not humility, it's stupidity.
So this is your job for the next 24 hours:
Notice what you say about yourself.
Starting today, say ONLY GOOD THINGS about you!
If you have nothing good to say, say nothing!
And the result?
1. You'll feel better.
2. You won't irritate other people.
3. Your performance will improve.
Just today, support yourself!
You may choose to make it a lifelong habit!
December 12th, 2012
The Next 7 days!
For the next 7 days, Synergy Coaching & Consulting will be featuring the “Happiness” teachings of Andrew Matthews. These daily teachings are simple and won’t take a lot of time but will increase how happy you are if you apply them! Let’s get started…
Day 1: LOOK FOR GOOD THINGS! Take a look at the HAPPIEST people you know
and you will notice something.
They haven't had the EASIEST lives!
Happy people have usually suffered and struggled MORE than most.
But in the process, they have learned to look for GOOD THINGS in life.
And have you noticed this ...
When we look for good things in situations - or people - we FIND them.
When we look for bad things, we FIND them.
So it's not changing your situation that makes you happier.
It's changing your THINKING!
If you go looking for faults in your job or your mother or your wife, you will find plenty.
Some people spend their life looking for faults - and then they tell you, "I'm just being REALISTIC!"
It is not realistic.
It is NEGATIVE!
Happy people continually ask themselves, "What is good about this situation?"
EXAMPLE:
You are stuck in traffic. You ask yourself, "What's GOOD about it?"
* You have time to listen to your favorite music.
* You can plan your day.
* It's better than walking!
EXAMPLE:
You are short of money. You ask, "What's GOOD about having no cash?"
* You learn to appreciate things that money can't buy.
* You become more determined to succeed.
* You find out who your friends are!
You might say, "That's nuts! It's kidding myself."
Not so!
Looking for good things is a key to happiness.
So your mission for the next 24 hours?
In every situation, look for GOOD THINGS.
It may be hard at first, but it becomes automatic.
As "looking for positives" becomes a habit, you will become happier and happier.
November 21st, 2012
Being Happy!
Yesterday, I happen to watch a documentary called Happy. It was a film that interviewed regular people around the world and several psychologists who unlike most, study happiness instead of depression. Something interesting that I learned was that our financial circumstances and position in society only account for about 10% of our happiness. 10%? Yes, and yet we are conditioned to think that having more money, fancier houses and expensive cars are the primary solutions to increase our happiness.
According to the experts that were interviewed, 50% of happiness is your genetic disposition, but the other 40% is based on your intention or choice. When you have gratitude for the little things in life, the big things just seem better. One man in India who walks as a rickshaw cab driver commented that he didn’t mind getting wet in the monsoons because as he was grateful to have passengers to run and pull in his cab and remarked that his wet clothes would dry quickly from the wind blowing across his body as he was running. Now would you think about getting soaked in the rain with this mindset? Or would you be irritated and more upset that your hairstyle or clothes were ruined that day?
Having gratitude instead of an attitude goes a long way in all situations. It metaphysically changes how you perceive your circumstances and how you set your intentions. Choosing to be grateful allows you to experience happiness. It opens you up to receive more blessings moving forward as well.
Here in the United States, we celebrate Thanksgiving every November. It’s supposed to be a day to reflect on the year’s blessings and to enjoy time with family. Sadly, many people get so stressed out over cooking a perfect meal that they forget to enjoy why they are doing it. This year, I urge you to be grateful to have the opportunity shower your meal and your guests with your love, your joy and your best intentions.
Let’s not stop with just Thanksgiving Day. Begin to consciously live with thankfulness and gratitude each day and you’ll be amazed at just how happy you will start to feel everyday.
November 19th, 2012
7 steps to make your dreams a reality
Over my lifetime, I have always had the dream to help others and somehow make the world a better place by the time I take my last breath. I have been traveling on this journey of life, and I have had the awesome blessing to fulfill many dreams thus far. Sadly though, I spent many years living with a restricted level of consciousness and basically going through the motions at times. This autopilot-type of living slowed the pursuit of new dreams and possibly diminished my impact in the world. During the past few years however, I began to have new dreams as I took the time and effort to love myself again and work on my development and personal evolution. Step by step, my creativity, energy and vision of new dreams reappeared. As I learned that loving myself and valuing myself were the foundation, here are the 7 steps I discovered from Veronica Andres’ work to make dreams a reality:
1. Develop Trust - trust and believe in yourself and your idea or dream.
2. Stay Positive - keep your faith up, see what’s right, not what’s wrong.
3. Keep Uplifting Company - surround yourself with positive, forward thinking people. Their energy will help you keep your momentum spirally upward.
4. Chose to be 100% Responsible - let go of the “victim” mentality and any excuses. Making dreams a reality takes responsibility and accountability. No one else can bring this dream to life like you can.
5. Imagine Your Future Success - visualize, mind map, or create a vision/dream board. See yourself already doing the thing you are dreaming of doing or becoming. Look at this daily for inspiration and motivation.
6. Discover the Higher Purpose - we are all created for a purpose, a divine one at that. Think and dive deeper than just the facts of a situation. Step back from your circumstances and begin to see the beautiful mural that you are painting with your life and your dreams.
7. See How Your Dream Can Be of Service to You and Others - your dream has a purpose in this world. If Michelangelo never pursued his dream, how would our world look different today? If Abraham Lincoln never pursued his dream, how would our world be different today? If Steve Jobs never pursued his dream, how would our world operate differently today? How will you and the world be served by making your dream a reality?
You are unique. You have a special message, a powerful contribution, a magnificent dream that the world needs to experience right now. Ground your dream in love and don’t let fear stop you from making your dream a reality. The world is waiting…
November 12th, 2012
25 TIPS FOR COMMUNICATING MORE EFFECTIVELY
Marketing is many things, one of them being a form of communications. The same is true of advertising. Ad great Fairfax Cone once said, "Advertising is what you do when you can't go to see somebody. That's all it is." But what about the times when you can go see somebody? Here's how to make the most of those golden moments:
1. Be the first to say hello.
2. Take risks and don't anticipate rejection.
3. Tell other about the important events in your life.
4. Show others you're a good listener; restate their comments in different words.
5. Be able to tell others what you do in a few short sentences.
6. Use eye contact and smiles on your contacts with people.
7. Greet people you see regularly -- even if you don't know them.
8. Seek common goals, interests and experiences with the people you meet.
9. Let others play the expert.
10. Become enthusiastic about the interests of other people.
11. Balance the giving and receiving of information.
12. Be open to the feelings and opinions of others.
13. Express your feelings, opinions and emotions to others.
14. Don't use the word "you" when you really mean "I."
15. Ask people for their opinions.
16. Look for the positive in the people you meet.
17. Ask people about things they told you in previous conversations.
18. Change the topic of c conversation when it has run its course.
19. Compliment others on what they're wearing, doing or saying -- if true.
20. When you tell a story, present the main point first, then add the details.
21. Be aware of open and closed body language.
22. Make an effort to help people if you can.
23. Accept a person's right to be an individual.
24. Go out of your way to meet new people.
25. Be tolerant of other's beliefs if you don't agree with them.
November 6th, 2012
Do you have the Entrepreneur within?
I found a very pertinent article in Entrepreneur magazine written by Grant Cardone.
Cardone has studied entrepreneurs for decades in order to understand what contributes to their success, and he says it's not what society typically considers assets. If you hang around with entrepreneurs long enough, you know that isn't news!
Most articles about entrepreneurs say the attributes they possess are a strong work ethic, persistence, persuasiveness and discipline.
Cardone says the attributes of the entrepreneur might be ones that many people think of as a liability. He's got 12 of them. Here they are.
1. Hate the Status Quo - It doesn't make sense to you that something has been done the time-honored way with no explanation why. You don't like to go through the motions or sit by idly. Nor do you like following the pack.
2. Easily Bored - You are easily bored, and others start viewing you as a problem. But nothing is wrong with you except that you are bored with activities that aren't up to your abilities and aren't challenging.
3. Fired from Jobs - You're too creative. Being just a cog in wheel is very difficult because you want to create something others can be inspired by and contribute to.
4. Labeled a Rebel - You know that greatness lives outside the lines of conformity and don't think that policies, laws and regulations apply to you. People call you a rebel and rule breaker--you'd defy gravity if you could.
5. Resist Authority - You have a lifelong record of resisting authority from your parents, teachers, groups/community and bosses.
6. Ready to Improve Everything - You always see how you could do things better. Further, you are opinionated and freely give your two-cents about your better way of doing things--even when you're not asked.
7. Bad at Making Small Talk - Small talk isn't your thing. It seems like a waste of time to you and makes you uncomfortable.
8. Criticized in Your Youth - You may have been heavily criticized, picked on and even bullied as a child or teenager. Now you're driven to excel and to prove you are a force to be reckoned with.
9. Obsessive - You may have been labeled obsessive/compulsive because when you get started on something you have difficulty letting go. Don't let anyone convince you that this is a disease or deficiency.
10. Scared to Go Solo - The entrepreneur in you is scared of going out on your own--and also terrified of not doing it. We've been conditioned to think that entrepreneurship is much riskier than getting a "good job." There is risk in both.
11. Unable to Unwind - You can't go to sleep at night because you can't turn your thoughts off. The next morning you are consumed with the idea, distracting you from the job you're supposed to be doing.
12. Don't Fit the Norm - You have always been a bit uncomfortable in your own skin. Until you get used to the idea that you are in fact different from most people, it could prove to be a problem--or exactly the motivation you need to acknowledge the entrepreneur screaming to get out.
Do you see yourself in this profile? I'm betting you're on that list somewhere, maybe in a number of places.
Embrace the entrepreneur within you. It could be your greatest asset.
Go forth and do great things!
November 5th, 2012
If You Want to Succeed, Invest 10% of Your Time to Maximize the Other 90%
Are you one of those people who constantly say, “There’s just not enough time in the day to do everything that needs to be done”. Many of my clients would like me to help them focus on managing their time but I’m of the opinion that “Time Management” is a misnomer.
We can’t really manage our time. We can though choose to decide how we “show up” in the time that we have. We all get 24 hours a day! Why is it that some people who have extremely busy lives seem to flow through their day while others exist in a state of chaos, inefficiency and overwhelm?
The answer is that those who invest 10% of their time maximize the other 90%. So how do they invest 10% of their time?
-They plan their week ahead. They sit down with their calendars on a Sunday evening and look at the week ahead. They review their work schedules, social activities, family time, self-care, etc.
-They “mind dump” once a week. They take every task, project or idea and get it out of their heads and onto appropriate lists either on paper or in the computer. This gives them the comfort of knowing that these items are on a list so there are no worries of “forgetting something.
-They create a “problem free” zone for their lives. They get rid of things that they are tolerating…the leaky faucet, the closet full of junk, the clutter. This creates a clear mind to focus on the really important things in life.
-They continually replace themselves at work, at home….they delegate, and they assign tasks. The more you give away, the faster you’ll grow and the more you will have room to create.
-They’re focused on the future, letting the horizon pull them towards it versus them scrambling to get more time in the present.
In my work with my business clients we focus on creating and maintaining a reserve of space so that the next opportunity can come in. If one is too busy trying to manage time, these opportunities tend to run away. Lost opportunities mean lost income!
November 2nd, 2012
"Say Yes to Saying No" - By Barb Wade
"No" is a bad word to many of us. We don't like to disappoint people. We care about those we love, and we want to accommodate their needs.
And what's worse, is that even with just acquaintances, we often still find ourselves saying "yes" to requests that we don't truly want to do and that we know will drain us.
Why? Because, in a nutshell, we want to be liked.
And we don't want to appear rude. Some of us have a fear of confrontation if the person we are turning down gets angry. We might even worry that saying no is closing a door to an opportunity you might miss out on.
Who can't relate to making commitments and agreements that are ultimately not in our best interest because we want to be approved of?
In the moment, we become very concerned about what others will think of us--we can't dare risk being seen as selfish, or not a team player.
But when we make these decisions and overload our schedules with commitments that are not in our highest good--well, in truth no one benefits.
Here are 3 tips that when applied will help you to fight that people-pleasing urge:
1. Buy Time: When asked if you're available to ... (fill-in-the-blank), the best on-the-spot response is "You know, I have to check on a few things to see what's possible. Let me get back to you." It's too tempting, when someone is standing right in front of you, to let "Sure, sounds great" slip out. Instead, buy yourself the time to really think it through. Is this a commitment I really want to make? What are the benefits? What are the costs?
2. Counter-Offer: Remember that for any request, there are 3 possible responses: "Yes," "No," or a Counter-Offer. If you know in your heart that the answer is no, then you owe it to yourself to gracefully decline. But what if there's a compromise that feels right? You could say, "I really can't make the commitment to chair that committee, but I'd be happy to help facilitate on the day of the big event."
3. Self-Care First: Know that your own self-care is your most important responsibility. Without taking care of yourself, you can't take care of anybody else, or function effectively in the areas that are most important. A mentor of mine used to hit this home by saying "What other people think of me is none of my business." Sounds harsh, but the point is that we have to make the best decisions that we can, and can't fall prey to letting others' opinions derail us.
So next time you are asked to commit to something, stop and take time to listen to your gut. Is it a yes, a no, or an opportunity to counter-offer?
And if you find yourself in the situation of having already made a commitment that you wish you hadn't, you can explore the possibility of renegotiating the commitment.
But that should be a last resort. It's best to keep the commitment anyway and learn from the situation. Your word is worth a lot and it's hard to regain trust.
Remember that you alone are responsible for your own self-care, and that this is your right, regardless of what others might think.
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