I received a gift in the mail today. I had been talking to a friend and client recently and mentioned to her that I was having trouble staying focused lately. There was so much going on in my life right now that it was difficult to know where to start and so I very often found myself putting things off until tomorrow. Only tomorrow never seemed to come. Her gift was a reminder that I needed to get back on track.
I am grateful for my friend. She knows how important it is to stay focused on our goals. It's so easy to lose our way at times. Something happens - a business setback, a family matter, a change of circumstances, an illness or injury - and suddenly our attention is diverted away from our objective.
So, now that I have been reminded of the need to refocus on my goals, what am I going to do? Well, thanks to Linda, I've gotten back onboard and recommitted myself to achieving them.
Unfortunately, not everyone has a Linda to give them a good, swift, kick when they need it. So I decided I would be "Linda" for anyone who is struggling to regain their footing. It's time to step up and recommit yourself to achieving your goals. This is, after all, what separates winners from losers. Many times, the only difference between the two is that the winner simply refused to give up.
What do you need to refocus on? Your business? Your family? Your health? Remember why you set this goal. A better life for your family, more time for your spouse and children, a healthier life? Think about the end results, of how your life will be different once you reach your goals. Don't worry about the fact that you got sidetracked. It happens to all of us. Focus on success. Remember - you become what you think about.
It's a new day. Let's make it count!
Oh, and what was this wonderful gift from my friend? A box of TNT - Today Not Tomorrow. Cute idea, Linda. I don't know where you came up with it, but I will be sure to pass it on!
.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
High Self Esteem is Good For Your Business
When you look at lists of requirements for a successful business, chances are you won't see "good self image" as one of the items on the list. However, self esteem can have a distinct impact on the success - or failure - of your business. Entrepreneurs with good self esteem are confident of their ability to achieve their business goals. If there are stumbling blocks along the way, the person with high self esteem does not take them personally but works to find a solution to the problem. However, those with low self esteem often go into a business already expecting it to be difficult and unsure if they will succeed. When problems arise, instead of focusing on the issue, they tend to focus on their own perceived shortcomings. They get exactly what they expected - failure.
Most of us do not work on improving our self esteem. We tend to think it's either something people have or do not have. Perhaps it was a result of our childhood. Whatever the cause, most people don't realize that good self esteem is something that can be developed with practice. Here's how.
1. I highly encourage you to take a lesson from the Girl Scouts. Tonight sit down and make a brag bag! Or a box like I have done. Get a brown paper bag or an old shoe box. I went to Hobby Lobby and got a plain wooden unpainted little box that looks like a treasure chest. Decorate the outside anyway you want. I found some very unique metal discs with great uplifting sayings on them - "Believe", "Love", and "Laughter" for example. I glued them all over my box.
Now, get some index cards and write all of your attributes on them - one on each card. Can you sing? Write it down. Are you an organizational whiz? Do people clamor for your cheesecake recipe? Can you sell the proverbial ice to Eskimos? Write it all down. Put them in your Brag Bag. Then write down all of your accomplishments. If you were the homecoming queen, or the valedictorian of your class, it goes in the bag. If you were promoted at your job in record time, if your kids are the world's greatest, if you lost those last 10 pounds, if your business makes enough to support you, if you have 20 people in your downline - it all goes into the bag.
Now, put your Brag Bag somewhere accessible. Because in order for this to work, you have to use it. Remember - what we focus on grows. So get your bag out regularly and review all the good things that you are. Bask in the glow of your accomplishments. Relish the good things you've drawn into your life. Watch your attitude improve and your accomplishments increase and your business boom. What we focus on grows. Get out your Brag Bag and let's focus on the right things. And while you're at it - maybe sign your daughter up for Girl Scouts. Look at the cool stuff they teach you!
2. I realize that we all have some things that we need to work on. So do it! Choose an area that you want to improve, and get to work. The trick here though is to work at it properly. You have to have the right attitude. I have struggled with my weight for years. But once I stopped hating myself for my perceived weakness because I couldn't lose weight, I discovered it became easier to take the pounds off. When you begin your self-improvement program, look at it exactly that way. You are simply taking what is already good and improving it.
3. Picture the new you. While you are working on your self-improvement projects, envision yourself as you will be once you are finished. While I am working to improve my health and fitness by losing weight, I picture myself running with my grandchildren or hiking with my sister. Or I see myself on vacation with my husband wearing a fabulous new outfit and dancing the night away. If you afraid to talk to people, while you work on overcoming this, picture yourself making presentations with ease and confidence. Visualize yourself being sought after as a speaker. See yourself having conversations with clients that have winning results.
Imagine your whirlwind social life as you get invited to all the best events because everyone admires your witty conversation!
4. Keep a success journal. Every time you reach a goal - no matter how small - write it in your journal. Or jot it on a card and add it to your brag bag!
5. Set goals. Having a goal will give you a sense of purpose. It provides you with a target. How can you know if you have achieved success if you don't know what that is?
6. Surround yourself with positive people. There are more than enough people willing to point out your every flaw. Who needs them!? Yes, we all have faults, and a true friend will help you face up to them. But they will also be the first to applaud your successes and provide encouragement when you embark on a new path. Surround yourself with people who see failure as simply a step on the way to success, who expect success from themselves and others.
7. Create a positive environment. No negativity allowed! Hang positive affirmations in your office. I have one that simply says "Attitude" as a reminder that attitude is everything. Listen to CDs with empowering messages. I have banned all music in my car and my home that is not uplifting and empowering. If I can't find anything suitable on my radio, then I have an assortment of CDs by people such as Mike Litman, Bob Proctor, Tony Robbins, and Joel Osteen. Make flashcards with positive affirmations on them and keep them on your desk. My latest are "I am exactly the right weight for my body" and "I am healthy and vigorous and living life to the fullest." When you begin to feel the old doubts creep in, grab a flashcard and remind yourself that "Every day and every way, I get a little better."
Healthy self esteem is good for your business. Follow the steps above and watch your self esteem and your business grow.
Most of us do not work on improving our self esteem. We tend to think it's either something people have or do not have. Perhaps it was a result of our childhood. Whatever the cause, most people don't realize that good self esteem is something that can be developed with practice. Here's how.
1. I highly encourage you to take a lesson from the Girl Scouts. Tonight sit down and make a brag bag! Or a box like I have done. Get a brown paper bag or an old shoe box. I went to Hobby Lobby and got a plain wooden unpainted little box that looks like a treasure chest. Decorate the outside anyway you want. I found some very unique metal discs with great uplifting sayings on them - "Believe", "Love", and "Laughter" for example. I glued them all over my box.
Now, get some index cards and write all of your attributes on them - one on each card. Can you sing? Write it down. Are you an organizational whiz? Do people clamor for your cheesecake recipe? Can you sell the proverbial ice to Eskimos? Write it all down. Put them in your Brag Bag. Then write down all of your accomplishments. If you were the homecoming queen, or the valedictorian of your class, it goes in the bag. If you were promoted at your job in record time, if your kids are the world's greatest, if you lost those last 10 pounds, if your business makes enough to support you, if you have 20 people in your downline - it all goes into the bag.
Now, put your Brag Bag somewhere accessible. Because in order for this to work, you have to use it. Remember - what we focus on grows. So get your bag out regularly and review all the good things that you are. Bask in the glow of your accomplishments. Relish the good things you've drawn into your life. Watch your attitude improve and your accomplishments increase and your business boom. What we focus on grows. Get out your Brag Bag and let's focus on the right things. And while you're at it - maybe sign your daughter up for Girl Scouts. Look at the cool stuff they teach you!
2. I realize that we all have some things that we need to work on. So do it! Choose an area that you want to improve, and get to work. The trick here though is to work at it properly. You have to have the right attitude. I have struggled with my weight for years. But once I stopped hating myself for my perceived weakness because I couldn't lose weight, I discovered it became easier to take the pounds off. When you begin your self-improvement program, look at it exactly that way. You are simply taking what is already good and improving it.
3. Picture the new you. While you are working on your self-improvement projects, envision yourself as you will be once you are finished. While I am working to improve my health and fitness by losing weight, I picture myself running with my grandchildren or hiking with my sister. Or I see myself on vacation with my husband wearing a fabulous new outfit and dancing the night away. If you afraid to talk to people, while you work on overcoming this, picture yourself making presentations with ease and confidence. Visualize yourself being sought after as a speaker. See yourself having conversations with clients that have winning results.
Imagine your whirlwind social life as you get invited to all the best events because everyone admires your witty conversation!
4. Keep a success journal. Every time you reach a goal - no matter how small - write it in your journal. Or jot it on a card and add it to your brag bag!
5. Set goals. Having a goal will give you a sense of purpose. It provides you with a target. How can you know if you have achieved success if you don't know what that is?
6. Surround yourself with positive people. There are more than enough people willing to point out your every flaw. Who needs them!? Yes, we all have faults, and a true friend will help you face up to them. But they will also be the first to applaud your successes and provide encouragement when you embark on a new path. Surround yourself with people who see failure as simply a step on the way to success, who expect success from themselves and others.
7. Create a positive environment. No negativity allowed! Hang positive affirmations in your office. I have one that simply says "Attitude" as a reminder that attitude is everything. Listen to CDs with empowering messages. I have banned all music in my car and my home that is not uplifting and empowering. If I can't find anything suitable on my radio, then I have an assortment of CDs by people such as Mike Litman, Bob Proctor, Tony Robbins, and Joel Osteen. Make flashcards with positive affirmations on them and keep them on your desk. My latest are "I am exactly the right weight for my body" and "I am healthy and vigorous and living life to the fullest." When you begin to feel the old doubts creep in, grab a flashcard and remind yourself that "Every day and every way, I get a little better."
Healthy self esteem is good for your business. Follow the steps above and watch your self esteem and your business grow.
Saturday, March 3, 2012
A Letter of Appreciation
So many people have helped me get where I am today. Etiquette says I should write each of them a letter expressing my thanks. And I would gladly do that. But then, no one else would know about these wonderful people. So I have decided to show my appreciation a bit more publicly!
First, many thanks to Ken McArthur. You took a chance on an inexperienced event planner while you were launching jvAlert. Through the course of our relationship, I learned a great deal about marketing and building a business and you built jvAlert into a phenomenon. Along the way, I think we became friends. And when it was finally time for me to step out on my own, you were one of the first to encourage me to follow my heart - and to give me some much needed guidance. And you finally convinced me to attend a jvAlert event, which is where I met so many of the others who have helped me. Such as...
Ronda Del Boccio. Together we sat and talked and laughed - and came up with the idea that became "The Adventures of Traveling Bob" which has since grown and will soon launch the new site It Should Be a Dog's World. Nose kisses to you from Bob and many hugs from me.
Carrie Wilkerson and Bob Jenkins - you both were already so successful and yet you took the time to sit and talk to a complete stranger and total beginner. Together, you taught me how to get started and never once did either of you make me feel out of place - not even when I bugged you both for photos so I could have proof that I had actually met you. It was you, Carrie, that gave me the idea for BoomerBizCoach and it was you, Bob, that told me about blogging - which was my first step online.
Bev Mahone - you decided I was a Diva and invited me to join you and an entire group of Divas. Along with forming many friendships with the ladies in your network, I learned so much about PR and marketing and interviewing. I've gotten pretty good at this whole self-promotion thing thanks to you!
Felicia Slattery - although we had never met, except online, you quickly extended a hand and made me feel at home in a roomful of people that were successful beyond anything I had ever imagined. I could have felt lost and out of place and therefore would have missed out on a wonderful experience. You quickly put me at ease and introduced me to everyone, never once indicating I was not quite in the same league as most of you. I was just your "Ryze buddy." And you did push me to finally get on Facebook - although I'm still not using it effectively. But I will! Promise!
PopArtDiva - yes I know your name but you will always be PopArt to me! You do such a fabulous job on all of my graphics - and you don't go crazy when I change my mind about something or get sidetracked and forget to forward photos or ideas to you. You held my hand when Bob was sick and you actually understood and prayed with me for his recovery. Thanks for understanding that he is a dog but he's also my four-footed baby! You have provided a shoulder to cry on through family crises and a cheering section for my successes. You have been a sounding board for ideas, encouraging me when they were good but not afraid to tell me when they were awful! You've taught me more than I could ever hope to need about design. Along the way you have become my very dear friend. And you taught me to make a darn good martini!
Thanks so much to all of you for all you have done for me. It is deeply appreciated!
First, many thanks to Ken McArthur. You took a chance on an inexperienced event planner while you were launching jvAlert. Through the course of our relationship, I learned a great deal about marketing and building a business and you built jvAlert into a phenomenon. Along the way, I think we became friends. And when it was finally time for me to step out on my own, you were one of the first to encourage me to follow my heart - and to give me some much needed guidance. And you finally convinced me to attend a jvAlert event, which is where I met so many of the others who have helped me. Such as...
Ronda Del Boccio. Together we sat and talked and laughed - and came up with the idea that became "The Adventures of Traveling Bob" which has since grown and will soon launch the new site It Should Be a Dog's World. Nose kisses to you from Bob and many hugs from me.
Carrie Wilkerson and Bob Jenkins - you both were already so successful and yet you took the time to sit and talk to a complete stranger and total beginner. Together, you taught me how to get started and never once did either of you make me feel out of place - not even when I bugged you both for photos so I could have proof that I had actually met you. It was you, Carrie, that gave me the idea for BoomerBizCoach and it was you, Bob, that told me about blogging - which was my first step online.
Bev Mahone - you decided I was a Diva and invited me to join you and an entire group of Divas. Along with forming many friendships with the ladies in your network, I learned so much about PR and marketing and interviewing. I've gotten pretty good at this whole self-promotion thing thanks to you!
Felicia Slattery - although we had never met, except online, you quickly extended a hand and made me feel at home in a roomful of people that were successful beyond anything I had ever imagined. I could have felt lost and out of place and therefore would have missed out on a wonderful experience. You quickly put me at ease and introduced me to everyone, never once indicating I was not quite in the same league as most of you. I was just your "Ryze buddy." And you did push me to finally get on Facebook - although I'm still not using it effectively. But I will! Promise!
PopArtDiva - yes I know your name but you will always be PopArt to me! You do such a fabulous job on all of my graphics - and you don't go crazy when I change my mind about something or get sidetracked and forget to forward photos or ideas to you. You held my hand when Bob was sick and you actually understood and prayed with me for his recovery. Thanks for understanding that he is a dog but he's also my four-footed baby! You have provided a shoulder to cry on through family crises and a cheering section for my successes. You have been a sounding board for ideas, encouraging me when they were good but not afraid to tell me when they were awful! You've taught me more than I could ever hope to need about design. Along the way you have become my very dear friend. And you taught me to make a darn good martini!
Thanks so much to all of you for all you have done for me. It is deeply appreciated!
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Everyone Wants To Succeed In Business
Why are you in business? To make money? To have more time with your family? To build a better future for them? To live life on your own terms? I have heard all of these reasons. And it is possible achieve these goals. It just takes time, hard work, and knowledge.
Time is already yours. You just have to allow yourself to take it. I know there are lots of sites promising you 6 figure income overnight, but the reality is that just doesn't happen for most people. Be patient and don't give up.
Hard work I can't help you with. You have to decide for yourself whether you are willing to do what it takes to start and build a successful business. Again, there are tons sites promising instant success with no effort - just use there system, product, book or gadget. But it just isn't so. Success takes work. There's no way around it. And if you aren't willing to do the work, you will never succeed.
That leaves knowledge. And that I can help you with. Over the years, I have had the privilege of learning from some of the must successful business people today. I've looked at their websites, read their books, taken their courses, and attended their seminars. This is what I have learned from them.
1. Be Yourself. I am not Felicia Slattery, or Carrie Wilkerson, or Mike Dillard. Neither are you. And when you try to be someone or something you aren't, you just appear phony. You don't have to copy what everyone else is doing to be successful. The internet is already full of people all selling the same thing. What can you bring that's different? A new perspective? A new method of doing something? There are lots of business coaches on the internet. There are far fewer who specialize in getting technology-shy, risk-adverse, boomers online and building businesses. There are several travel sites - even some that specialize in pet travel. But none actually look at travel from through from the dog's point of view and offers his perspective on where to go and what to do. These are what sets me apart from the crowd. What sets your business apart and makes it different? Trumpet that to the world and watch what happens.
2. Consistency matters - especially in business. I've have followed Mike Litman practically since he came online. And his message today is the same as it was then: You don't have to get it right, you just have to get it going. Felicia Slattery has been promoting the benefits of having a signature speech - a well prepared signature speech - for years. Neither of them have changed their marketing message to keep up with the latest internet buzz. Their message is the same day after day, year after year. Is your message consistent? Or are you always chasing and promoting the next big thing?
3. Ask for the sale. PopArtDiva is a tireless self-promoter. She uses every technique at her disposal to promote her products. If you visit Ken McArthur's site, he makes sure you have every opportunity to buy from him. When you get on Mike Litman's list, you receive great information on a regular basis. And quite frequently at the end of all that information, he tells you about his newest product or workshop. And not only do they ask you for the sale, they make sure you know why you should do business with them. Are you asking for the sale? Does your website invite visitors to sign up for your newsletter, buy your products, or try your services? Do you make it easy for them to do so? Are you promoting your business in other ways - email, social networking, Facebook, or advertising? Do prospects know why they should do business with you instead of your competition?
4. Create a presence. I received an email today from someone I had never heard of promoting a new business tool. It sounded interesting and so I Googled their name just to see what else they had done. Guess what came up? Nothing. Not one article. No website. I searched Twitter and Facebook. No Twitter account and while there was a Facebook page, there was no picture and it didn't appear that he had ever posted anything. Who is this person? Is he serious about his business? The link in his email may have taken me to a legitimate website of some sort but who knows for sure? I didn't click on it. Just because the email made it through the spam filter doesn't make it safe. If I had been able to find out more about this person and his business, he may have made a sale today.
Creating a presence also helps keep you visible. Suppose I really was interested in learning more about the product promoted in the email I received. But I got busy and didn't follow up right away. Then tomorrow I see a tweet about the product and I get reminded. Or I see a comment from this person on a blog post and it reminds me again. Or I'm searching for something and I come across an article he wrote. People are mentioning him on Twitter and Facebook.
Are you visible? Do you have a web presence? A website or blog? If I search for you, will I find you? Are you active on the social networking sites? Do you visit other blogs and make worthwhile comments? Have you published any articles?
5. Along with visibility goes credibility. If you are going to be visible, you had better be credible. This means be honest. Do not promote your self as an experienced internet business person if you have never made a dime online. Do not claim to have made millions if you haven't. Sell what you know. Everyone is an expert at something. Build your business around what you really do know. Your experience and expertise will show when you interact with others
6. Be of value. Learn to serve. Your value to others is directly related to how well you serve them. Focus on providing the best possible service to as many people as possible and the rest will take care of itself. The Bible says it very well - "As ye sow, so shall ye reap." Focus on serving your customers and giving them as much value as possible and I promise the money will follow in direct proportion to your service.
7. Show us you are real. Your website should have a way to contact you. An address, phone number, email address and maybe even a photo if you are not camera shy. And make sure you respond. If you can't get back right away, put an autoresponder on your site that tells visitors you will get back with them as soon as possible. Have voicemail on your business phone that says the same thing. Then make sure you do it. Trust me - nothing is more irritating than emailing or calling with a question and not getting a response. Is your contact information readily visible on your website and promotional material? Do you respond to customers and prospects in a timely manner?
8. Give back. I owe much of my success to the advice and help I received from others. In fact, I wouldn't be here without some of them. I try to remember that and follow their example. Yes, we are all in business, but giving a bit away can have some amazing results. So don't be afraid to offer a word of advice or a few minutes of your time to someone who is just getting started. And if you can't help someone, send them to someone who can. You may not gain them as a customer then, but they will remember.
9. Be patient and persistent. I don't care what magic system, book, course, website, or business opportunity you think you have found - success takes two things. Patience and persistence. It is not going to happen overnight. It is probably not going to happen in a few weeks or even months. Most new businesses take a year or more to really get going. Take the time you need to get where you want to go.
Success also takes persistence. Yes, you really can make money while you sleep - someday. Right now, you are going to have to work everyday. Even if you are holding down a job while you get your business started, you still must find time each day to do at least one thing to move your business forward. Every day. Without fail. What one thing can you do right now that will help build your business? Ok, now go do it - after you finish reading this, of course!
10. Attitude is everything. If you are enthusiastic about your business, confident in yourself and your products/services, helpful and respectful to others, and thankful for all that you receive each day, your attitude will shine through and you will attract others to you.
There you have the top 10 things I have learned over the years. How many of them are you doing? I encourage you to print this list and periodically do a quick spot check - just to see how you are doing. Before you know it, you will be celebrating success!
Time is already yours. You just have to allow yourself to take it. I know there are lots of sites promising you 6 figure income overnight, but the reality is that just doesn't happen for most people. Be patient and don't give up.
Hard work I can't help you with. You have to decide for yourself whether you are willing to do what it takes to start and build a successful business. Again, there are tons sites promising instant success with no effort - just use there system, product, book or gadget. But it just isn't so. Success takes work. There's no way around it. And if you aren't willing to do the work, you will never succeed.
That leaves knowledge. And that I can help you with. Over the years, I have had the privilege of learning from some of the must successful business people today. I've looked at their websites, read their books, taken their courses, and attended their seminars. This is what I have learned from them.
1. Be Yourself. I am not Felicia Slattery, or Carrie Wilkerson, or Mike Dillard. Neither are you. And when you try to be someone or something you aren't, you just appear phony. You don't have to copy what everyone else is doing to be successful. The internet is already full of people all selling the same thing. What can you bring that's different? A new perspective? A new method of doing something? There are lots of business coaches on the internet. There are far fewer who specialize in getting technology-shy, risk-adverse, boomers online and building businesses. There are several travel sites - even some that specialize in pet travel. But none actually look at travel from through from the dog's point of view and offers his perspective on where to go and what to do. These are what sets me apart from the crowd. What sets your business apart and makes it different? Trumpet that to the world and watch what happens.
2. Consistency matters - especially in business. I've have followed Mike Litman practically since he came online. And his message today is the same as it was then: You don't have to get it right, you just have to get it going. Felicia Slattery has been promoting the benefits of having a signature speech - a well prepared signature speech - for years. Neither of them have changed their marketing message to keep up with the latest internet buzz. Their message is the same day after day, year after year. Is your message consistent? Or are you always chasing and promoting the next big thing?
3. Ask for the sale. PopArtDiva is a tireless self-promoter. She uses every technique at her disposal to promote her products. If you visit Ken McArthur's site, he makes sure you have every opportunity to buy from him. When you get on Mike Litman's list, you receive great information on a regular basis. And quite frequently at the end of all that information, he tells you about his newest product or workshop. And not only do they ask you for the sale, they make sure you know why you should do business with them. Are you asking for the sale? Does your website invite visitors to sign up for your newsletter, buy your products, or try your services? Do you make it easy for them to do so? Are you promoting your business in other ways - email, social networking, Facebook, or advertising? Do prospects know why they should do business with you instead of your competition?
4. Create a presence. I received an email today from someone I had never heard of promoting a new business tool. It sounded interesting and so I Googled their name just to see what else they had done. Guess what came up? Nothing. Not one article. No website. I searched Twitter and Facebook. No Twitter account and while there was a Facebook page, there was no picture and it didn't appear that he had ever posted anything. Who is this person? Is he serious about his business? The link in his email may have taken me to a legitimate website of some sort but who knows for sure? I didn't click on it. Just because the email made it through the spam filter doesn't make it safe. If I had been able to find out more about this person and his business, he may have made a sale today.
Creating a presence also helps keep you visible. Suppose I really was interested in learning more about the product promoted in the email I received. But I got busy and didn't follow up right away. Then tomorrow I see a tweet about the product and I get reminded. Or I see a comment from this person on a blog post and it reminds me again. Or I'm searching for something and I come across an article he wrote. People are mentioning him on Twitter and Facebook.
Are you visible? Do you have a web presence? A website or blog? If I search for you, will I find you? Are you active on the social networking sites? Do you visit other blogs and make worthwhile comments? Have you published any articles?
5. Along with visibility goes credibility. If you are going to be visible, you had better be credible. This means be honest. Do not promote your self as an experienced internet business person if you have never made a dime online. Do not claim to have made millions if you haven't. Sell what you know. Everyone is an expert at something. Build your business around what you really do know. Your experience and expertise will show when you interact with others
6. Be of value. Learn to serve. Your value to others is directly related to how well you serve them. Focus on providing the best possible service to as many people as possible and the rest will take care of itself. The Bible says it very well - "As ye sow, so shall ye reap." Focus on serving your customers and giving them as much value as possible and I promise the money will follow in direct proportion to your service.
7. Show us you are real. Your website should have a way to contact you. An address, phone number, email address and maybe even a photo if you are not camera shy. And make sure you respond. If you can't get back right away, put an autoresponder on your site that tells visitors you will get back with them as soon as possible. Have voicemail on your business phone that says the same thing. Then make sure you do it. Trust me - nothing is more irritating than emailing or calling with a question and not getting a response. Is your contact information readily visible on your website and promotional material? Do you respond to customers and prospects in a timely manner?
8. Give back. I owe much of my success to the advice and help I received from others. In fact, I wouldn't be here without some of them. I try to remember that and follow their example. Yes, we are all in business, but giving a bit away can have some amazing results. So don't be afraid to offer a word of advice or a few minutes of your time to someone who is just getting started. And if you can't help someone, send them to someone who can. You may not gain them as a customer then, but they will remember.
9. Be patient and persistent. I don't care what magic system, book, course, website, or business opportunity you think you have found - success takes two things. Patience and persistence. It is not going to happen overnight. It is probably not going to happen in a few weeks or even months. Most new businesses take a year or more to really get going. Take the time you need to get where you want to go.
Success also takes persistence. Yes, you really can make money while you sleep - someday. Right now, you are going to have to work everyday. Even if you are holding down a job while you get your business started, you still must find time each day to do at least one thing to move your business forward. Every day. Without fail. What one thing can you do right now that will help build your business? Ok, now go do it - after you finish reading this, of course!
10. Attitude is everything. If you are enthusiastic about your business, confident in yourself and your products/services, helpful and respectful to others, and thankful for all that you receive each day, your attitude will shine through and you will attract others to you.
There you have the top 10 things I have learned over the years. How many of them are you doing? I encourage you to print this list and periodically do a quick spot check - just to see how you are doing. Before you know it, you will be celebrating success!
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Advice From the Experts
Why am I not doing better in my business? I was asked that question recently by a client. And the answer? She's not doing anything to move her business forward.
I know all the excuses. I used to use them myself. "I'm not sure this will work." "I need more information." "I'm waiting until the new _______ (computer, software package, printer, etc) goes on sale." "I can't afford _____ (to advertise, host a website, hire a coach, etc)." "I don't have enough time." "I just need my _______ (website, infoproduct, ebook, etc) to look a little bit better."
I don't use those excuses anymore. After attending one of Ken McArthur's jvAlert events and meeting successful people like Felicia Slattery, Carrie Wilkerson, Bob Jenkins, and Adam Urbanski - and of course Ken himself - I saw what was possible. Listening to their advice helped me get up and running. A speech by Bob Jenkins gave me the push to go back to my room that same night and launch my first blog - "The Adventures of Traveling Bob". He said "Take action. Revise later." That was also the day Carrie Wilkerson told me that to be successful one needed to take massive action - to completion.
They didn't just give me pep talks that weekend. They also gave me concrete advice on how to proceed. So in keeping with the spirit of jvAlert - people helping people - I pass on to you today some of the knowledge they shared with me. Use it to make your business better.
1. Learn what you need to know. Don't waste your time buying every book, course, and seminar that's offered. Determine exactly what skill or knowledge you need and then find a way to obtain it. For example: Before hearing this I had books on every conceivable way to make money online you could think of. Problem: I had no idea how to even begin building a site of my own or researching to see if there was a viable market for my ideas. Once I focused on obtaining just that information I progressed pretty quickly - and I saved a ton of money on infoproducts that I didn't need!
2. Advertise. I was so excited when I started my first Pay-Per-Click campaign. It was a thrill to get online each day and see that I was actually getting traffic to my site! From there I learned about Ezine advertising, and then Adsense and Adwords. Now I was getting traffic to my site and they were actually signing up for my newsletter which started building my opt-in list. Which allowed me to start advertising by email.
3. Follow up. It wouldn't have done me a bit of good to learn about advertising methods if Bob Jenkins hadn't casually asked me if I had an autoresponder. Not wanting to appear completely dense, I did not admit I had no idea what that was. But you can bet I went back to my room that night and found out. What a concept! I didn't have to try and follow up with each lead/subscriber individually. I now had 24/7 follow up capability. Awesome!
4. Network, network, network. You never know who you might meet. I started out in business as a meeting planner and Ken McArthur was one of my clients. He often invited me to attend one of his events and finally one day I was able to. That event changed my life simply because of who I met there. Not only did I learn what I have shared with you here, I also learned the value of networking. It was here that I was introduced to Ryze, and Twitter, and LinkedIn, and Facebook. And it was through these social networking sites that I met Terri Dennis aka PopArtDiva, Bev Mahone, Heidi Caswell, Wendy Y. Bailey, Heidi Richards Mooney, and so many others. Each of them have taught me something that has helped me take the next step. Learning to network also gave me the courage to attend local networking events where I met Linda Gracy, Carrie Perrien Smith, Linda Concoby and many more. These ladies have also taught me a great deal and have quickly become friends. And all of them have introduced me to others in their networks.
5. Perhaps the best advice I received that weekend came from Ken himself. I confessed to him that meeting planning, while fun, was not where my heart was. I told him I had been trying various things to get an online business going but nothing was working. His advice was stop trying various things, figure out what my skills were, determine what my passion was, put the two together and focus on that.
What are you waiting for? Take the next step. Use the advice I received from the experts. Stop making excuses and let's do this!
I know all the excuses. I used to use them myself. "I'm not sure this will work." "I need more information." "I'm waiting until the new _______ (computer, software package, printer, etc) goes on sale." "I can't afford _____ (to advertise, host a website, hire a coach, etc)." "I don't have enough time." "I just need my _______ (website, infoproduct, ebook, etc) to look a little bit better."
I don't use those excuses anymore. After attending one of Ken McArthur's jvAlert events and meeting successful people like Felicia Slattery, Carrie Wilkerson, Bob Jenkins, and Adam Urbanski - and of course Ken himself - I saw what was possible. Listening to their advice helped me get up and running. A speech by Bob Jenkins gave me the push to go back to my room that same night and launch my first blog - "The Adventures of Traveling Bob". He said "Take action. Revise later." That was also the day Carrie Wilkerson told me that to be successful one needed to take massive action - to completion.
They didn't just give me pep talks that weekend. They also gave me concrete advice on how to proceed. So in keeping with the spirit of jvAlert - people helping people - I pass on to you today some of the knowledge they shared with me. Use it to make your business better.
1. Learn what you need to know. Don't waste your time buying every book, course, and seminar that's offered. Determine exactly what skill or knowledge you need and then find a way to obtain it. For example: Before hearing this I had books on every conceivable way to make money online you could think of. Problem: I had no idea how to even begin building a site of my own or researching to see if there was a viable market for my ideas. Once I focused on obtaining just that information I progressed pretty quickly - and I saved a ton of money on infoproducts that I didn't need!
2. Advertise. I was so excited when I started my first Pay-Per-Click campaign. It was a thrill to get online each day and see that I was actually getting traffic to my site! From there I learned about Ezine advertising, and then Adsense and Adwords. Now I was getting traffic to my site and they were actually signing up for my newsletter which started building my opt-in list. Which allowed me to start advertising by email.
3. Follow up. It wouldn't have done me a bit of good to learn about advertising methods if Bob Jenkins hadn't casually asked me if I had an autoresponder. Not wanting to appear completely dense, I did not admit I had no idea what that was. But you can bet I went back to my room that night and found out. What a concept! I didn't have to try and follow up with each lead/subscriber individually. I now had 24/7 follow up capability. Awesome!
4. Network, network, network. You never know who you might meet. I started out in business as a meeting planner and Ken McArthur was one of my clients. He often invited me to attend one of his events and finally one day I was able to. That event changed my life simply because of who I met there. Not only did I learn what I have shared with you here, I also learned the value of networking. It was here that I was introduced to Ryze, and Twitter, and LinkedIn, and Facebook. And it was through these social networking sites that I met Terri Dennis aka PopArtDiva, Bev Mahone, Heidi Caswell, Wendy Y. Bailey, Heidi Richards Mooney, and so many others. Each of them have taught me something that has helped me take the next step. Learning to network also gave me the courage to attend local networking events where I met Linda Gracy, Carrie Perrien Smith, Linda Concoby and many more. These ladies have also taught me a great deal and have quickly become friends. And all of them have introduced me to others in their networks.
5. Perhaps the best advice I received that weekend came from Ken himself. I confessed to him that meeting planning, while fun, was not where my heart was. I told him I had been trying various things to get an online business going but nothing was working. His advice was stop trying various things, figure out what my skills were, determine what my passion was, put the two together and focus on that.
What are you waiting for? Take the next step. Use the advice I received from the experts. Stop making excuses and let's do this!
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Decide to Take Action
Ever wonder what the difference is between successful people and those who are not? I've been reminded of that lately and I want to share it with you.
I'm a big fan of Carrie Wilkerson. And for the last week or so on Twitter, she has been tweeting posts related to one specific topic - Progress Is On Purpose. Reading these each day reminded me of something she said the very first time I met her several years ago: If you want success you must be prepared to take massive action.
I've spent the last 10 or so years of my life studying successful people and I've found that there are 3 main steps to becoming and staying successful.
1) Taking action
2) Making quick decisions
3) Surrounding yourself with successful people
And over the years I have discovered that the number one cause of failure for most new entrepreneurs is failure to take action.
Why do people fail to take the steps necessary to move forward? A variety of reasons. People are unsure of where to start so they don't start at all. Or they are afraid that their family and friends will laugh at them and so they do nothing with their ideas. Or they try one or two ideas and fail or don't progress as quickly as they hoped and so they get discouraged and quit.
I truly believe that success can be learned. Anyone can be successful if they work smart and take action. But you have to study and learn the right steps to take. And then you have to take them.
I love quotes. I have many of my favorites posted around my office so I can read them when I need a reminder. I want to share some of my favorites. I hope at least one of these great quotes will inspire
you to take your next step toward success!
"Determine never to be idle. It is wonderful how much may be done if we are always doing"
Thomas Jefferson
"There are risks and costs to a program of action. But these are far less than the long-range risks and costs of comfortable inaction"
John F. Kennedy
"While one person hesitates because he feels inferior, the other is busy making mistakes and becoming superior."
Henry C. Link
"In any moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing."
Theodore Roosevelt
"In order to be successful, you must be prepared to take massive action to completion."
Carrie Wilkerson
If you have given up on your business, now is the time to begin again. If you have a great idea, but have been hesitant to try, now is the time get started. Make the decision today to take action!
Decide to take the necessary steps to start or grow your business. Decide to make the next 30 days awesome. As Carrie has been reminding me - Progress is on Purpose!
To get your daily reminder, follow Carrie on Twitter - @CarrieWilkerson - and look for her tweets on progress (#PIOP).
I'm a big fan of Carrie Wilkerson. And for the last week or so on Twitter, she has been tweeting posts related to one specific topic - Progress Is On Purpose. Reading these each day reminded me of something she said the very first time I met her several years ago: If you want success you must be prepared to take massive action.
I've spent the last 10 or so years of my life studying successful people and I've found that there are 3 main steps to becoming and staying successful.
1) Taking action
2) Making quick decisions
3) Surrounding yourself with successful people
And over the years I have discovered that the number one cause of failure for most new entrepreneurs is failure to take action.
Why do people fail to take the steps necessary to move forward? A variety of reasons. People are unsure of where to start so they don't start at all. Or they are afraid that their family and friends will laugh at them and so they do nothing with their ideas. Or they try one or two ideas and fail or don't progress as quickly as they hoped and so they get discouraged and quit.
I truly believe that success can be learned. Anyone can be successful if they work smart and take action. But you have to study and learn the right steps to take. And then you have to take them.
I love quotes. I have many of my favorites posted around my office so I can read them when I need a reminder. I want to share some of my favorites. I hope at least one of these great quotes will inspire
you to take your next step toward success!
"Determine never to be idle. It is wonderful how much may be done if we are always doing"
Thomas Jefferson
"There are risks and costs to a program of action. But these are far less than the long-range risks and costs of comfortable inaction"
John F. Kennedy
"While one person hesitates because he feels inferior, the other is busy making mistakes and becoming superior."
Henry C. Link
"In any moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing."
Theodore Roosevelt
"In order to be successful, you must be prepared to take massive action to completion."
Carrie Wilkerson
If you have given up on your business, now is the time to begin again. If you have a great idea, but have been hesitant to try, now is the time get started. Make the decision today to take action!
Decide to take the necessary steps to start or grow your business. Decide to make the next 30 days awesome. As Carrie has been reminding me - Progress is on Purpose!
To get your daily reminder, follow Carrie on Twitter - @CarrieWilkerson - and look for her tweets on progress (#PIOP).
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Get Excited!
We just bought a new Jeep. After several trips to different dealerships and what seemed like a few dozen test drives, we finally made our choice.
We didn't buy the one with the lowest price. We didn't buy the one with the most "stuff." We bought from the salesperson who was able to get us excited about owning a Jeep. In fact, Jeri has sold me every car I have owned since moving to Arkansas - no matter what make she is currently selling. Why? Because she always gets me excited about whichever vehicle she is showing me.
You must be excited about your business. If you can't get excited about your own product, service, or opportunity do you really expect me to?
Everyone responds to excitement! If your passion and fire show through, customers and prospects will respond!
The best way to have real excitement shine through your presentation is to start writing down every benefit of your product, service, or business opportunity you can think of. How can you help your customers? How will joining your business opportunity help your team members? Writing down a list of benefits will get you excited and the rest will fall into place.
Excitement is contagious! Fill your presentation with it! Make your customer or prospect excited and watch your income soar!
We didn't buy the one with the lowest price. We didn't buy the one with the most "stuff." We bought from the salesperson who was able to get us excited about owning a Jeep. In fact, Jeri has sold me every car I have owned since moving to Arkansas - no matter what make she is currently selling. Why? Because she always gets me excited about whichever vehicle she is showing me.
You must be excited about your business. If you can't get excited about your own product, service, or opportunity do you really expect me to?
Everyone responds to excitement! If your passion and fire show through, customers and prospects will respond!
The best way to have real excitement shine through your presentation is to start writing down every benefit of your product, service, or business opportunity you can think of. How can you help your customers? How will joining your business opportunity help your team members? Writing down a list of benefits will get you excited and the rest will fall into place.
Excitement is contagious! Fill your presentation with it! Make your customer or prospect excited and watch your income soar!
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