Ep #66 Finding Your Why

Elizabeth speaks to The Barefoot Executive, Carrie Wilkerson about Finding Your Why.

Elizabeth and Carrie talk about how they made their transitions into working from home, how working from home brings to you so many changes and how there really is no balance…it’s life happening! 

Elizabeth then answers a listener question about avoiding networking overwhelm from your attendance at conferences or seminars and how to get the most out of the information, ideas and acquaintances you’ve made. Elizabeth then shares her Entrepreneur’s Success Tip of the Week: Listening to Your Intuition within Your Business. 

To learn about Carrie and to receive her free downloadable presentation on Finding Your Why visit The Barefoot Executive. 

 

Click Here to Download the Show!

 

 

How-To Clear the Decks to Prepare for Success

Guest post by Liz Pabon, The Branding Maven 

Let’s face it running a small business has its challenges.

Don’t get me wrong, I would NEVER dream of trading my small business experience for a corporate position. Having now spent ample time as an employee and as an entrepreneur, I’ve definitely found my niche.

However, without some solid business strategies in place, the business of entrepreneurship can overwhelm, disappoint and frustrate.

During a recent coaching session with a small group of entrepreneurs, one consistent obstacle presented itself … lack of time.

The time issue, after the layers are peeled back, is nothing more than an organization and prioritization issue.

Feel like you don’t have time to market your brand? No time to follow-up with clients, customers or prospective new business? No time to workout, spend time with your loved ones, etc? If you answered yes, what you are faced with is a disorganized calendar.

There are 24 hours in a day and it doesn’t matter what line of work you’re in, what market you serve, what challenges you are facing in your business, you get the same 24 hours as the very successful. The only difference between them and you is how you use that time.

You see, before you can market your brand, get going with that exercise program, or plan that vacation, you must first identify how you’re spending your time so you can create the time for what you want to accomplish.

And, here’s how…

1. Before you add one more thing to your schedule, slow down, and take a look at how you are spending your time today. You’ll have greater success re-prioritizing your time when you can identify how you are spending it.

What often happens when you don’t know how your time is being spent, you try to squeeze in marketing your brand, following up with clients, and finding new clients and customers. Wouldn’t you agree that these are vital to the success of a business? Of course they are.

2. The most effective time management strategy is called scheduling. Make no doubt about it, moving from time clutter to scheduling takes patience and discipline but is a necessity if you want significant growth.

Once you’ve identified how you spend your time, you’ll want to clear the decks of all non-productive activity like:

• Gabbing with friends 
• Surfing the web 
• Checking and reading email 
• Answering your phone 
• Emptying the dishwasher 
• Organizing your desk 
• Checking web stats 
• Cleaning your office 
• Fudging with flyers 
• Doing the laundry 
• Data entry 

3. As a soon-to-be scheduler, you’ll be scheduling your activity on a calendar each week by blocking segments of time for specific tasks.

For example, emails are addressed M-F from 4-5:00pm only. Phone calls are returned within 24 business hours. Marketing is scheduled for Thursdays from 1-3:00pm. All follow-ups are made (phone, email or regular mail) on Friday’s.

Begin by identifying the day of the week you’ll devote to this task, then the amount of time you’ll dedicate for each task. The amount of time you assign to each task is not as important - at least not initially - as carving out time for the task itself.

By clearing the decks of those things that are blocking you from achieving all that you can, you’ll find that lack of time is not the enemy. You’ll also discover that your capacity to achieve more, be more and have more is just a schedule away.

ACTION STEP: Purchase a large desk or wall calendar. On it, begin to block out days and times that you will realistically devote to the most important tasks/activity in your business; marketing, sales, networking, follow-ups, etc. I encourage you to use the same method for work out time, family time, and self-care time. You may find that you’ll need to modify this schedule several times until you get just the right rhythm for you and your business.

©2007-2008 Liz Pabon. All rights reserved.

About the Author:  Brand Strategist and Wild Success Coach Liz Pabon, “The Branding Maven,” publishes the playful, insightful and motivating, “Keys 2 Wild Success!” Ezine. If you’re ready to create the business and life of your dreams, and have LOTS more fun getting there, get your FREE tips now at www.thebrandingmaven.com

 

7 Instant Ways To Boost Your Productivity!

Guest post by Marie Forleo, best selling author & multi-passionate entrepreneur

Would you like to get more done? There are a few simple and easy tricks that can radically skyrocket your productivity, income and satisfaction.

But when overwhelm hits, it all comes down to knowing what’s going to make the biggest impact - fast.

Here are my top 7 strategies to get you back on track in an instant:

1. Single-task

Are you a chronic multi-tasker? STOP that! Multi-tasking is moronic. It’s also the biggest productivity killer there is. Why? Because no two things can occupy the same space at the same time. For example, it’s impossible to be EFFECTIVE on the phone and email too. Not only do you miss parts of both tasks, but you make mistakes, drive your stress level sky high and do major damage your relationships. (Just think of how it feels when you’re speaking to someone on the phone who you KNOW is checking their emails!) Single-tasking, or, doing just one thing at a time with excellence is where it’s at.

2. Quit

That’s right. You read it correctly. I said quit! Sometimes we creative entrepreneurs get sucked into every new “bright and shiny” opportunity that comes our way. A few months ago I found myself feeling bogged down and realized I was involved in a project that really wasn’t a good fit for me. But I was scared to back out for fear of what it would do to my reputation. You know what? Getting OUT of that project produced a windfall of other, more profitable projects! Plus I had a surge of energy and time. And honestly, the other person felt relieved too.

3. Shut all the gadgets OFF

Don’t become the victim of your constant ringing phone, IM and emails. When you need to produce results, shut all your gadgets and notifications off. Contrary to popular belief, the world will not come to an end if you disconnect for a few hours. In fact, I guarantee that the more time you regularly “unplug”, the easier it will be for you to complete projects that bring you money and satisfaction.

4. Ditch and delete ruthlessly

Do you have piles of unread mail, newsletters and magazines? How about disorganized files on your computer? Or hundreds of emails in your inbox?

Most of us are buried under heaps of useless information that we collect because we “might need it someday.” PAALLEASE! Let’s get real people. 99% of this information can be chucked. I recently had to re-install the operating system on my computer and lost a good portion of my current inbox. While all my important files and emails are backed up and safe, those 25 or so emails in my inbox got wiped out! Guess what? No harm done and no small children died. Sometimes, the best way to move forward fast it to be bold with your delete key and trash bin.

5. Knock yourself off the Internet

When I’m on traveling on a plane it’s shocking how much writing I get done. Why? Because there’s no frickin’ Internet connection! The crack-head-like-addiction to hit send and receive or check Facebook simply vanishes. (Just to be clear, Facebook rocks. It’s super fun and if you’re on Facebook, add me as your friend!) But every once in a while, if you need to crank out a project fast, unplug your Internet connection and turn off your wireless access. Then dive in to producing results!

6. If it ain’t a ‘hell yes’ it’s a ‘hell no’

My friend Lorrie Morgan-Ferraro shared this quote with me recently and I love it! Take a look around your business and your life. If anything (including a relationship, project, client, outfit, opportunity, etc.) isn’t a “hell yes!” it should be “hell no!” Don’t allow time-suckers and energy drainers into your life. Unless you are absolutely clear you want to invest your time and energy into something or someone, steer clear. This is especially important the more successful you become!

7. Quit complaining

Complaining may be the deadliest time, money and satisfaction killer there is. The trick here is to really pay attention, BE HONEST and notice how much of the time you’re moaning (silently or aloud) about something. Want to know the wild part? Most of us complain so automatically we don’t even realize we’re doing it. In fact, we often complain about things we have absolutely no control over (like the weather) and wonder why we feel exhausted at the end of every day. My suggestion? Quit complaining cold turkey and watch your productivity and well-being rise fast.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Marie Forleo is a best selling author, multi-passionate entrepreneur and creator of the “Live In The Moment Booty Camp” training program.  Her company is dedicated to empowering women around the world to live Rich, Happy & Hot™.   Visit http://www.marieforleo.com/7myths to gain FREE instant access to her “7 Biggest Myths of Living In the Moment” audio training call.

 

Life Balance - The Wheel is Turning But the Hamster is Pooped

Guest post by Joyce Lee

Sherry, Stop.  What Are You Doing?

Sherry had a morning routine.  She didn’t really choose it, she just evolved into it.  Every morning she would get out of bed, flip her energy switch to go and keep moving until she fell back into bed at night, exhausted.

Her planner was as important as her wallet, and her cell phone seemed permanently attached to her right ear.

She was a regular at an up-scale coffee shop and was developing physical symptoms from too much caffeine. She commonly carried ant-acids and painkillers in her purse, kept some in the drawer at work and in her car.

Sherry had also slipped into a routine of regularly choosing fast and easy over healthy in her food plan.  She often felt bloated and lethargic as a result.

Sherry was time deficient and over-stimulated. She was stressed, weary and operating well below her potential.

Oh Wise One

Your wonderful body is designed to let you know what you need to pay attention to.  It’s up to you to listen.

You can visualize a young girl who regularly stays up too late, eats too much sugar, doesn’t like her vegetables, and has an organized activity every night of the week.  You instinctively know what to change in her best interest. It’s not about punishing her; it’s about loving her.

The price tag

There are costs to not respecting body wisdom; stress, moodiness, tightness, headaches, fatigue, high blood pressure, digestive problems, etc.

The good news is not a secret

Your body can be completely trusted to tell you whether you are smoothly and positively flowing your energies.  The messages will be very specific. Listen up.

There are benefits when we do respect body wisdom; a sense of well-being, good night sleeps, energy, healthy digestion, soft and supple muscles in areas such as shoulders and neck, serenity, etc.

Sherry didn’t want to suffer

Sherry didn’t see much room for change in her life.  She said she needed to run her business, needed her cell phone, and was not willing to give up coffee.  She recounted her last  ’health kick’ and how miserable it made her.

Gentle change

Instead of imposing changes that feel punitive, the better approach is small changes that feel loving and wellness based.  The energy behind the two approaches is noticably different.

Progress, not perfection is the ideal.

In the spirit of self-care, Sherry committed to a 2-week trial period of several small changes.

• Cell phone off during meals and when driving.
• Drinking tea only in the evenings.
• To bed half an hour earlier.
• No business obligations on Sundays.

Epilogue

These small changes made a tremendous difference for Sherry.  She liked the specific time frame.  It felt do-able. She noticed her body stress level decrease and her energy level increase.  She was sleeping easily and right through the night.

Following her 2-week trial, Sherry decided that she would continue, and is looking at making some small healthy changes in her food plan.

The Most Important Piece

Changes made in the spirit of self-acceptance and loving care are the ones that last.

For Your Journal, for Your thoughts

• What is my body telling me about the way I am living?
• Where does my body experience stress, excitement?
• When I am in certain situations, do I feel light, heavy?
• What do the sensations mean to me?

Things to consider: (all free and easy to do)

• Adequate rest
• Updated healthcare appointments
• Healthful, nourishing foods
• 8 glasses of water a day
• Vitamin supplements
• Time for play and creativity
• Time outside, appreciating nature, fresh air

Wishing you Peace & Abundance… Joyce Lee “Your Life Empowerment Coach”

© 2008 joyceleelifecoach.com

Are you ready for more opportunities to explore and reflect? Go to http://joyceleelifecoach.com/prompts.html for your special gift of “20 Profound and Provocative Journal Prompts” designed to help you focus on your life with a spirit of peace.  Joyce Lee is a certified Life Empowerment Coach, Personal Growth Facilitator and Law of Attraction Practitioner, specializes in helping women understand the Law of Attraction and deliberately creating the life they really want.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joyce_Lee http://EzineArticles.com/?Life-Balance—The-Wheel-is-Turning-But-the-Hamster-is-Pooped&id=1338169

Photo courtesy of annia316 on flickr. 

Ep #59 Spiritual Pathways & Your Business

 

Elizabeth welcomes Spirit Coach Stephanie Bell, a Speaker and Author to talk about how your spiritual pathway may bring to your business, how to start thinking about your spirituality in a way that brings clarity and what God, Superman & Jiminy Cricket mean to her.

Elizabeth then answers a listener question about staying neutral and shares her Entrepreneur’s Success Tip of the Week: You’ve Crossed the River, So Stop Carrying the Boat.

Click here to download the show!

Stephanie has generously offered listeners of The Wealth Spa Radio Show a complimentary Spiritual Life Mastery Strategy Session.

If you have a positive prayer experience to add to Stephanie’s Answered Prayer Story, click here to learn more about the book and submit your story.

Transcript: Elizabeth Potts Weinstein welcomes small business owners, entrepreneurs and anyone who dreams of opening a business someday to this empowering hour of the Wealth Spa Radio Show where you’ll find answers to your most pressing financial and legal questions.  Now here is your host, Elizabeth. Read more

Jack Canfield: “The Most Valuable Question You May Ever Ask”

Guest post by Jack Canfield, America’s Success Coach

As you begin to take action toward the fulfillment of your goals and dreams, you must realize that not every action will be perfect.

Not every action will produce the desired result. Not every action will work.

Making mistakes, getting it almost right, and experimenting to see what happens are all part of the process of eventually getting it right.

Thomas Edison is reported to have tried over 2,000 different experiments that failed before he finally got the light bulb to work. He once told a reporter that, from his perspective, he had never failed at all. Inventing the light bulb was just a 2,000-step process. If you can adopt that attitude, then you can be free to take an action, notice what result you get, and then adjust your next actions based on the feedback you have received.

Ready, Fire, Aim! 

Don’t be afraid to just jump in and get started moving toward your goals. As long as you pay attention to the feedback you receive, you will make progress. Just getting into the game and firing allows you to correct and refine your aim.

The Most Valuable Question You May Ever Learn 

In the 1980s, a multimillionaire businessman taught me a question that radically changed the quality of my life. So what is this magical question that can improve the quality of every relationship you are in, every product you produce, every service you deliver, every meeting you conduct, every class you teach and every transaction you enter into?

Here it is:

“On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate the quality of our relationship during the last week?”

Here are a number of variations on the same question that have served me well over the years…

“On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate…

• our service?                       • my teaching?

• our product?                      • this class/seminar/workshop?

• this meeting?                     • our date/vacation?

• our performance?              • this meal?

• my coaching/managing?    • this book/recording/show?

• my parenting/babysitting?  

Any answer less than a 10 always gets this follow-up question:

“What would it take to make it a 10?”

This is where the *really* valuable information comes from. Knowing that a person is dissatisfied is not enough. Knowing in detail what will satisfy them gives you the information you need to do whatever it takes to create a winning product, service or relationship.

There Are Two Kinds of Feedback 

There are two kinds of feedback you might encounter – negative and positive. We tend to prefer the positive – that is, results, money, praise, promotion, raise, awards, happiness, inner-peace, etc. It feels betters. It tells us we are on course and doing the right thing.

We tend not to like negative feedback – lack of results, little or no money, criticism, poor evaluations, complaints, unhappiness, inner conflict, pain, etc.

However, there is as much useful data in negative feedback as there is in positive feedback. It tells us that we are off course, headed in the wrong direction, doing the wrong thing. This is priceless information!

In fact, it’s so valuable that one of the most useful projects you could undertake is to change how you respond to negative feedback. I like to refer to negative feedback as information for “improvement opportunities.” Here is a place where I can get better.

Ask Yourself for Feedback 

In addition to asking others for feedback, you need to ask yourself for feedback, too. More than any other source of feedback, your body will tell you whether or not you are on course or not. When you are relaxed and happy, your body is telling you that you are on track. When you are constantly exhausted, tense, in pain, unhappy and angry, then you are off track.

Take time to listen to what your body is saying to you. Take time to listen to your physical sensations and your feelings. They are sending you important messages. Are you listening?

Remember, Feedback Is Simply Information 

You don’t have to take it personally. Just welcome it and use it.

For more on Using Feedback to Your Advantage, review Principle #19 in The Success Principles. It’s one of the most important principles you can apply.

© 2007 Jack Canfield

Jack Canfield, America’s Success Coach, is the founder and co-creator of the billion-dollar book brand Chicken Soup for the Soul and a leading authority on Peak Performance. If you’re ready to jump-start your life, make more money, and have more fun and joy in all that you do, get your FREE success tips from Jack Canfield now at: www.FreeSuccessStrategies.com

Time Management Advice That Really Works

Guest post by Gavin Ingham

Have you ever thought about authoring a novel? Picking up a new hobby? Speaking another language? Do you know someone who wants to study for a new career? Spend more quality time with their children? Get fit and exercise more regularly?

Have you yearned to spend more time on the golf course? More time with your friends? More time pampering yourself?

What would you do more with your life if only you had more time?

Read more

Ep #56 Match Your Business Model to Your Personal Aptitude

 

Elizabeth speaks to Dr Todd Fiegel, of AptitudeDoc.com, an Online Business Coach who helps people match their business model to their personal, natural aptitudes to achieve rapid success. Dr Todd shares why an online business appeals to our human nature, tips to choosing the right business model for your success and what mistakes people make and how to avoid them.

Elizabeth answers a Listener Question about where to invest your money when you get started in business, specifically speaking to her recommendations for seminars, courses, info products and other resources; and the Entrepreneur’s Success Tip of the Week: Going on an Information Moratorium.

 

Click Here To Download the Show!

To learn more about Dr Todd’s Aptitude Quiz & Mind Map visit www.aptitudedoc.com

Everything Is Not #1: Time Perception Tip #3

Do you have a master list of all the projects and tasks for your business?  My journal contains page after page of lists, mind maps, strategies, and bullet points of the projects that I’m juggling for The Wealth Spa and my various business ideas.  And while it’s powerful to write down projects and make lists of to-do’s, I was missing the critical piece … prioritization.  

Yes, I’ve known for years that I needed to prioritize tasks.  I’ve put them in order, given them A,B,C’s and noted the next action step for each project.  I made charts and grouped them into “departments” and types of task.  But in complete rebellion to every life coach I’ve hired and time management guru I’ve studied, I completely refused to prioritize.

I refused to decide which project was #1.  I triaged them, yes, grouped them, yes, but completely refused to decide which was first.

Perhaps it was a lack of understanding of a fundamental principle–prioritization does not mean order of importance.   Read more

Stop With Aggressive (aka Crazy) Deadlines: Time Perception Tip part 2

Over the years I’ve given the recommendation of motivating yourself via setting a deadline, or announcing a date.

For example, in August of 2006 I was considering launching a teleclass series for the fall (my first teleclass series!) and kept putting off the program because it was “not ready” (really because I was scared).  So my coach forced me to just pick a date & announce it to my list.  Started promoting, even though I had not finalized what I would be teaching, much less the handouts & spreadsheets.

And that worked pretty well.  Did not sell as many seats as I might have, since I only had 4 weeks to promote … but got the class done, some great testimonials, and TONS of content.  The idea is that I was not going to flake out on my clients, so I would be forced to Get It Done. 

These last 2 years I continued this principle of making aggressive deadline announcements, in an effort to motivate myself to produce drastic amounts of content & change.  Worked great for teleclasses, ebooks, new website launch, etc.

But here’s where I ran into a problem.  Read more

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