'JUST DO IT ALREADY!'
So I've probably got your attention with my title - yes, get your mind out of the gutter...you're going along with that report, that new product launch, that new marketing strategy when it hits you - overwhelm, panic, frustration, empathy...
You've hit the wall literally and figuratively and find yourself 'stuck.' So...that report sits unfinished, the new product launch doesn't happen and your marketing strategy is a flop.
Recently, I had a coach say to me, "When do you plan to complete your Escape the Pace package?"
Dumbfounded I thought about it and couldn't answer. I've been working (no, rather - thinking about) a product for 2 years. Yes, that's right - two whole years!
What stopped me? The same thing that stops most of us entrepreneurs in our tracks - fear, indecisiveness, lack of a clear plan, lack of confidence, comparing ourselves to others, etc. The same 'inner game' that helps entrepreneurs can also work against us - we often get in our own way. I've had people say, "Business would be fine if it wasn't for me!"
So my coach yanked me out of this negative mindset and said, "Just do it already!"
Dan Kennedy, an online marketing maverick and expert mentions that 'money likes speed,' and that sometimes people have 'to put it out there and tweak it later.'
So, the next time you feel swamped, overwhelmed, or stuck, just make yourself do it, forget perfection and tweak it later.
Many clients tell me that once they launch something, it gives them more confidence and power and they tweak things according to the market. Sounds like a plan to me! I'll keep you posted on the Escape Program - coming very soon!
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
I'm publishing a GREAT article from my own personal coach, Shawn Driscoll of Succeed Coaching & Development. If you are faced with having to live or work with challenging people, you will appreciate this article.
Free Yourself from Negative Nelly and Billy Blamer:
3 easy and effective ways to deal with negative people
by Shawn Driscoll
You know them. Maybe you work with them, live with them, or hang out with them. Negative is an understatement. They complain, they vent, they criticize, they blame. And, you’re tired of dealing with them.
Negative Nelly prefers complaining to finding a solution. Quick with the “yeah, but’s” whenever a possible solution or new idea is offered, they suck the energy out of a room within seconds.
Venting Victor likes to swoop in, dump his frustration all over anyone who will listen, and then go on his merry way. Venting Victor needs an outlet for every minor annoyance, frustration and issue and if you’re his target, you’re left feeling dumped on.
Billy Blamer is constantly critical, demanding, berating and blames everyone and everything when things go wrong. These people don’t take responsibility; they deflect it. Billy Blamer’s create a negative, guilt ridden environment. It’s usually them against the world and you’re left holding the bag.
While the most effective strategy for dealing with some of these people is to eliminate them from your life, in many cases that’s just not doable. You can’t fire a coworker unless you’re the boss. You can’t, or don’t want to, cut off ties with your family. And so you’ve learned to put up with their negativity. But too much negativity can be toxic.
It drains you, frustrates you, and sometimes, it infects you. After being with Negative Nelly or Venting Victor, you find yourself going negative. You get sucked into their vortex and your usually positive outlook starts getting dark. With Billy Blamer, you walk away deflated, feeling as if you’ve let them down again.
You may wonder why they have to be this way and find yourself constantly wishing they were more positive, happy, or sensitive to others. The truth is, asking “why’ usually doesn’t change much. Unless the answer allows you to be more accepting—to come to love their negativity –knowing the ‘why’ doesn’t solve your problem. You need to know how to avoid the slippery slope of getting sucked in, frustrated, annoyed, and negative.
So what can you do to stop the downslide short of cutting them out of your life or being rude? Here are 3 proven strategies you can implement immediately.
1. The extinction strategy. Extinction simply means stop meeting their needs. Once their needs aren’t being met by you, they’ll move on to other ways of getting their needs met.
What attracts negative people to you is that you give them what they want or need. Not intentionally, of course. In fact, you are probably trying to be kind, patient, and friendly. But, the truth is, if they weren’t getting some need met by spewing their negativity all over you, they wouldn’t be doing it. Negative people need one of two things from you. They are either looking for someone to commiserate with or they want someone who will provide lots of cheerleading. Commiserating gives them affirmation. ‘You can do it’ support gives them energy (by taking it from you).
Become a no whining zone. How? Simply refuse to engage. If you’ve been caught up in the “ain’t it awful’s”, it’s time to stop. If you’ve been relentlessly cheerleading, stop. Have a simple phrase that you can repeat, in a ‘charge neutral’ tone (without anger, frustration, or reaction; as if you were saying something as simple as ‘the sky is blue’), such as “isn’t that interesting”. Say nothing more, nothing less. After hearing that (and nothing else) 3 times, they’ll start to get the hint that you’re not going there with them.
2. Set limits. You can’t afford to spend 20, 30 or more minutes listening to someone rattle on about everything that’s wrong in the world. It’s far too costly to your peace of mind and productivity. With Billy Blamers, you need a zero tolerance policy. Get to a place where you simply won’t tolerate the rant (abuse). With Negative Nelly’s or Venting Victor’s, set a time limit and stick to it--somewhere between 3 to 7 minutes, max.
Once Negative Nelly or Venting Victor has hit the three minute mark, cut off the conversation. If you’re at work, say something like “I really have to get back to my project now.” If they continue (they will), be ready to get stronger. Stand up, create more space between you, and begin to move away. Say “I’m going to get back to work now”. It can be easier on the phone. Make your “I’ve got to go” statement, and insist on hanging up within the minute.
3. Be unconditionally constructive. You may have tried being positive, but positive doesn’t work. When you’re positive, you are trying to build the other person up (a form of cheerleading). This can be very draining because you are trying to move someone from extreme negativity to extreme satisfaction or happiness. That’s like pushing a large rock uphill. Alternatively, when you’re unconditionally constructive, you’re helping the other person build something for themselves.
Instead of saying “You can do it! Here’s what I think you should do….” you could say “I’d really like to hear how you solve that.” Or, instead of saying “I’m really tired of hearing your criticisms all the time” you could say “I’d enjoy hearing your ideas about what would work.” By consistently doing this, you can teach the person that you will only engage with them when they are unconditionally constructive too. You only have room in your life for people willing to bring solutions, ideas and energy.
These strategies can and do work as long as you are consistent and clear. If you waiver, the negative people in your life will sense the opening and pounce. You have to stick with it. Expect that they will test you. You will likely see an escalation of the negativity, drama, venting, or blaming at first. This is when holding strong to your time limits, charge neutral tone and higher standards is a MUST. Once you’ve passed the test, usually after 3-5 incidents, you’ll see dramatic change.
Billy Blamer or Negative Nellie will move on to other sources of energy. Venting Vicky will vent less, or seek out a new dumping ground. And you’ll feel lighter and more energetic. Most importantly, you will start to attract people just like you—unconditionally constructive, with healthy limits, and a passion for what’s possible.
Free Yourself from Negative Nelly and Billy Blamer:
3 easy and effective ways to deal with negative people
by Shawn Driscoll
You know them. Maybe you work with them, live with them, or hang out with them. Negative is an understatement. They complain, they vent, they criticize, they blame. And, you’re tired of dealing with them.
Negative Nelly prefers complaining to finding a solution. Quick with the “yeah, but’s” whenever a possible solution or new idea is offered, they suck the energy out of a room within seconds.
Venting Victor likes to swoop in, dump his frustration all over anyone who will listen, and then go on his merry way. Venting Victor needs an outlet for every minor annoyance, frustration and issue and if you’re his target, you’re left feeling dumped on.
Billy Blamer is constantly critical, demanding, berating and blames everyone and everything when things go wrong. These people don’t take responsibility; they deflect it. Billy Blamer’s create a negative, guilt ridden environment. It’s usually them against the world and you’re left holding the bag.
While the most effective strategy for dealing with some of these people is to eliminate them from your life, in many cases that’s just not doable. You can’t fire a coworker unless you’re the boss. You can’t, or don’t want to, cut off ties with your family. And so you’ve learned to put up with their negativity. But too much negativity can be toxic.
It drains you, frustrates you, and sometimes, it infects you. After being with Negative Nelly or Venting Victor, you find yourself going negative. You get sucked into their vortex and your usually positive outlook starts getting dark. With Billy Blamer, you walk away deflated, feeling as if you’ve let them down again.
You may wonder why they have to be this way and find yourself constantly wishing they were more positive, happy, or sensitive to others. The truth is, asking “why’ usually doesn’t change much. Unless the answer allows you to be more accepting—to come to love their negativity –knowing the ‘why’ doesn’t solve your problem. You need to know how to avoid the slippery slope of getting sucked in, frustrated, annoyed, and negative.
So what can you do to stop the downslide short of cutting them out of your life or being rude? Here are 3 proven strategies you can implement immediately.
1. The extinction strategy. Extinction simply means stop meeting their needs. Once their needs aren’t being met by you, they’ll move on to other ways of getting their needs met.
What attracts negative people to you is that you give them what they want or need. Not intentionally, of course. In fact, you are probably trying to be kind, patient, and friendly. But, the truth is, if they weren’t getting some need met by spewing their negativity all over you, they wouldn’t be doing it. Negative people need one of two things from you. They are either looking for someone to commiserate with or they want someone who will provide lots of cheerleading. Commiserating gives them affirmation. ‘You can do it’ support gives them energy (by taking it from you).
Become a no whining zone. How? Simply refuse to engage. If you’ve been caught up in the “ain’t it awful’s”, it’s time to stop. If you’ve been relentlessly cheerleading, stop. Have a simple phrase that you can repeat, in a ‘charge neutral’ tone (without anger, frustration, or reaction; as if you were saying something as simple as ‘the sky is blue’), such as “isn’t that interesting”. Say nothing more, nothing less. After hearing that (and nothing else) 3 times, they’ll start to get the hint that you’re not going there with them.
2. Set limits. You can’t afford to spend 20, 30 or more minutes listening to someone rattle on about everything that’s wrong in the world. It’s far too costly to your peace of mind and productivity. With Billy Blamers, you need a zero tolerance policy. Get to a place where you simply won’t tolerate the rant (abuse). With Negative Nelly’s or Venting Victor’s, set a time limit and stick to it--somewhere between 3 to 7 minutes, max.
Once Negative Nelly or Venting Victor has hit the three minute mark, cut off the conversation. If you’re at work, say something like “I really have to get back to my project now.” If they continue (they will), be ready to get stronger. Stand up, create more space between you, and begin to move away. Say “I’m going to get back to work now”. It can be easier on the phone. Make your “I’ve got to go” statement, and insist on hanging up within the minute.
3. Be unconditionally constructive. You may have tried being positive, but positive doesn’t work. When you’re positive, you are trying to build the other person up (a form of cheerleading). This can be very draining because you are trying to move someone from extreme negativity to extreme satisfaction or happiness. That’s like pushing a large rock uphill. Alternatively, when you’re unconditionally constructive, you’re helping the other person build something for themselves.
Instead of saying “You can do it! Here’s what I think you should do….” you could say “I’d really like to hear how you solve that.” Or, instead of saying “I’m really tired of hearing your criticisms all the time” you could say “I’d enjoy hearing your ideas about what would work.” By consistently doing this, you can teach the person that you will only engage with them when they are unconditionally constructive too. You only have room in your life for people willing to bring solutions, ideas and energy.
These strategies can and do work as long as you are consistent and clear. If you waiver, the negative people in your life will sense the opening and pounce. You have to stick with it. Expect that they will test you. You will likely see an escalation of the negativity, drama, venting, or blaming at first. This is when holding strong to your time limits, charge neutral tone and higher standards is a MUST. Once you’ve passed the test, usually after 3-5 incidents, you’ll see dramatic change.
Billy Blamer or Negative Nellie will move on to other sources of energy. Venting Vicky will vent less, or seek out a new dumping ground. And you’ll feel lighter and more energetic. Most importantly, you will start to attract people just like you—unconditionally constructive, with healthy limits, and a passion for what’s possible.
Sunday, June 01, 2008
Today I Will Make A Difference
by Max Lucado, author of: From on the Anvil
I found this in my email box and printed out a copy. This could be the most important little printout you have. Place it where you can see it every day. Enjoy!
Today I will make a difference. I will begin by controlling my thoughts. A person is the product of their thoughts. I want to be happy and hopeful. Therefore, I will have thoughts that are happy and hopeful. I refuse to be victimized by my circumstances. I will not let petty inconveniences such as stoplights, long lines, and traffic jams be my masters. I will avoid negativism and gossip. Optimism will be my companion, and victory will be my hallmark. Today I will make a difference.
I will be grateful for the twenty-four hours that are before me. Time is a precious commodity. I refuse to allow what little time I have to be contaminated by self-pity, anxiety, or boredom. I will face this day with the joy of a child and the courage of a giant. I will drink each minute as though it is my last. When tomorrow comes, today will be gone forever. While it is here, I will use it for loving and giving. Today I will make a difference.
I will not let past failures haunt me. Even though my life is scarred with mistakes, I refuse to rummage through my trash heap of failures. I will admit them. I will correct them. I will press on. Victoriously. No failure is fatal. It's OK to stumble - I will get up. It's OK to fail - I will rise again. Today I will make a difference.
I will spend time with those I love. My spouse, my children, my family. A man can own the world but be poor for the lack of love. A man can own nothing and yet be wealthy in relationships. Today I will spend at least five minutes with the significant people in my world. Five quality minutes of talking or hugging or thanking or listening. Five undiluted minutes with my mate, children, and friends.
Today I will make a difference.
I think this says it all - I have no more useful words to add to this.
Max Lucado
From On The Anvil
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
The Learning Curve
Are you in a state of overwhelm because of all the new things you must learn? Did your company install yet another software program you need to learn pronto? Do you have a stack of emails to answer, new systems to learn and put in place?
It's easy to feel stressed as we get barraged by a sea of information and learning another thing can make you want to scream. There's also that temptation to quit learning something because it's too daunting or takes too long to comprehend.
It's key to remember certain rules when learning new.
Rule #1: Everything new looks exciting and filled with possibilites when you first learn - this is the way it should be so you want to keep learning.
Rule #2: Expect a slow down period or backstepping. As you assimilate more information, you may forget things, get confused or feel like you can't remember another thing. This is normal.
Rule #3: Apathy and frustration may hit you - this is a test. If you're truly committed to learning a new skill, you'll see this as an opportunity. You may want to 'throw in the towel,' and forget learning something new. However, if you're smart, you'll either get help or push through the pain.
Rule #4: You're past the plateau: This is a powerful place to be as rule #3 is where most people quit. If you make it to this point, your skills get stronger and your confidence level grows.
Rule #5: You're in the 'zone.' If you learn the material and feel confident and deliver it well, you're on the road to becoming a master.
I am learning to play guitar and have been taking half hour lessons for 7 months. I remember being excited about learning in the beginning, feeling apathy at about month 4 (and wanting to quit because everything I learned seemed to be forgotten and the more I learned, the less I knew) I asked my teacher how long people stayed with him and he said it was four months and then they quit.
I didn't want to be a statistic and wanted to 'master' an instrument although I know a lifetime of playing guitar wouldn't necessarily make me an expert. No, I wouldn't be quitting my day job and hitting the road, but I wanted to be able to hear a song, pick up my guitar and play along. To me, it's worth pushing past the plateau.
Lisa Rickwood 'Business Stress Buster'
Are you in a state of overwhelm because of all the new things you must learn? Did your company install yet another software program you need to learn pronto? Do you have a stack of emails to answer, new systems to learn and put in place?
It's easy to feel stressed as we get barraged by a sea of information and learning another thing can make you want to scream. There's also that temptation to quit learning something because it's too daunting or takes too long to comprehend.
It's key to remember certain rules when learning new.
Rule #1: Everything new looks exciting and filled with possibilites when you first learn - this is the way it should be so you want to keep learning.
Rule #2: Expect a slow down period or backstepping. As you assimilate more information, you may forget things, get confused or feel like you can't remember another thing. This is normal.
Rule #3: Apathy and frustration may hit you - this is a test. If you're truly committed to learning a new skill, you'll see this as an opportunity. You may want to 'throw in the towel,' and forget learning something new. However, if you're smart, you'll either get help or push through the pain.
Rule #4: You're past the plateau: This is a powerful place to be as rule #3 is where most people quit. If you make it to this point, your skills get stronger and your confidence level grows.
Rule #5: You're in the 'zone.' If you learn the material and feel confident and deliver it well, you're on the road to becoming a master.
I am learning to play guitar and have been taking half hour lessons for 7 months. I remember being excited about learning in the beginning, feeling apathy at about month 4 (and wanting to quit because everything I learned seemed to be forgotten and the more I learned, the less I knew) I asked my teacher how long people stayed with him and he said it was four months and then they quit.
I didn't want to be a statistic and wanted to 'master' an instrument although I know a lifetime of playing guitar wouldn't necessarily make me an expert. No, I wouldn't be quitting my day job and hitting the road, but I wanted to be able to hear a song, pick up my guitar and play along. To me, it's worth pushing past the plateau.
Lisa Rickwood 'Business Stress Buster'
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Why No News is Good News - Why a Media Fast is Beneficial
Lately, every time I turn on the news, the big "R" (recession) is mentioned. I have a theory about this - the news helps to create a big "R." People watch the news, dwell on it and then get scared. Once they're scared, the beliefs take over and then they watch their actions - cut back on their spending, run around with a fear mentality and then the economy does slow down.
The news is also frustrating because over 95% of it is about things you can't do anything about.
Finally, if you watch the news a lot, you lose a lot of time you could spend doing other things - things that might make you feel happier, not more stressed out.
A media fast is good when you're feeling overwhelmed, want more time in your day, want to ignore negativity, etc. Because so many people get caught up in the news, you'll always know what's happening whether you immerse yourself in it or not.
Here's the benefits to a media fast:
1. Time: You can claim up to two hours a day when you bypass news for a day
2. Attitude: You'll be more positive as you won't dwell on the 95% of news that's negative
3. Control: You'll have more control because you can pick and choose what you want in your life
4. Productivity: You'll be more productive and inspired because you won't have your energy scattered dwelling on the news.
While you can still watch the news, the secret is to curb the time to minimize overwhelm.
Lately, every time I turn on the news, the big "R" (recession) is mentioned. I have a theory about this - the news helps to create a big "R." People watch the news, dwell on it and then get scared. Once they're scared, the beliefs take over and then they watch their actions - cut back on their spending, run around with a fear mentality and then the economy does slow down.
The news is also frustrating because over 95% of it is about things you can't do anything about.
Finally, if you watch the news a lot, you lose a lot of time you could spend doing other things - things that might make you feel happier, not more stressed out.
A media fast is good when you're feeling overwhelmed, want more time in your day, want to ignore negativity, etc. Because so many people get caught up in the news, you'll always know what's happening whether you immerse yourself in it or not.
Here's the benefits to a media fast:
1. Time: You can claim up to two hours a day when you bypass news for a day
2. Attitude: You'll be more positive as you won't dwell on the 95% of news that's negative
3. Control: You'll have more control because you can pick and choose what you want in your life
4. Productivity: You'll be more productive and inspired because you won't have your energy scattered dwelling on the news.
While you can still watch the news, the secret is to curb the time to minimize overwhelm.
Monday, April 07, 2008
Do You Suffer from 'Guru Syndrome?'
By Lisa Rickwood, BFA, CTACC
You know you're buying too many online programs when you open the door to your office cabinet and a huge information marketing binder falls on your head. (That really happened to me)
I'm not sure when it first started - it was one of those silent, deadly things that kind of creeps up on you...
You see an online Internet guru promising you can have 'passive revenue' by setting up your products and then the money will come flowing to you. You click on the link, buy the product, wait for it, try it and then it becomes 'shelf help.'
A couple weeks later, another online guru has a great product and once again, you get sucked in.
It happened to me and I'm not saying the online products I bought were bad. On the contrary, they were the best of the best - very well produced and informative. The problem was not the products, the issue was my undiagnosed 'guru addiction.' I wanted to be connected to every great guru on the Internet. And, I couldn't get enough of the 'next great product.'
The year, 2007, became my 'Information Marketing Junkie year.' I just couldn't stop ordering classes and programs and because I love learning, the gurus got me 'hooked.' At the end of the year, I felt frustrated, broke and 'jaded.' Yes, I learned a lot and put much to practice but I was spending so much time reading Internet Marketing emails and wasn't spending enough time with my own company.
If you suspect you may suffer from this affliction, study these warning signs of 'guru syndrome addiction.'
1. You belong to more online marketing lists than you care to admit.
2. You have so many free Tele-classes and audios to listen to that you've forgotten where they are on your computer or bookshelf.
3. Every time a new product or course gets promoted online, you have to tie your hands behind your back to keep from whipping out your credit card.
4. You feel your body quiver as you try to talk yourself out of buying another program.
5. You have so many products on your shelves, you're not even sure if you've listened and read all the information.
6. You spend so much time watching other people's programs and classes that you haven't created your own.
7. You doubt your own skills and potential because you study every guru out there and then compare yourself to them.
If you recognize yourself in this article (I'm a recovering guru addict), you may benefit from taking a media fast and automatically taking yourself off lists that you don't really read. You might also want to put a limit on how many programs you buy. Instead of whipping out the card, give yourself 24 or 48 hours before you buy the system. You may find that you have a similar system in the cupboard that you bought last month. (This happened to me)
When you simplify your information overload, the clutter will diminish, you'll feel more focused and you'll have confidence in what you do. A little guru worship is okay - just be reasonable.
Lisa Rickwood,"Business Stress Buster," is a business coach, visual artist and author of Escape The Pace: 100 Fun And Easy Ways To Slow Down And Enjoy Your Life and co-author of Power & Soul: 42 Successful Entrepreneurs Share their Secrets for Creating the Business and Life of Their Dreams. She helps business owners ‘master stress for professional and personal success.’ Get your FREE e-book, 5 Critical Actions That Hurt Your Business and Add Stress to Your Life…and How to Escape Them by visiting: http://www.escapethepace.com
By Lisa Rickwood, BFA, CTACC
You know you're buying too many online programs when you open the door to your office cabinet and a huge information marketing binder falls on your head. (That really happened to me)
I'm not sure when it first started - it was one of those silent, deadly things that kind of creeps up on you...
You see an online Internet guru promising you can have 'passive revenue' by setting up your products and then the money will come flowing to you. You click on the link, buy the product, wait for it, try it and then it becomes 'shelf help.'
A couple weeks later, another online guru has a great product and once again, you get sucked in.
It happened to me and I'm not saying the online products I bought were bad. On the contrary, they were the best of the best - very well produced and informative. The problem was not the products, the issue was my undiagnosed 'guru addiction.' I wanted to be connected to every great guru on the Internet. And, I couldn't get enough of the 'next great product.'
The year, 2007, became my 'Information Marketing Junkie year.' I just couldn't stop ordering classes and programs and because I love learning, the gurus got me 'hooked.' At the end of the year, I felt frustrated, broke and 'jaded.' Yes, I learned a lot and put much to practice but I was spending so much time reading Internet Marketing emails and wasn't spending enough time with my own company.
If you suspect you may suffer from this affliction, study these warning signs of 'guru syndrome addiction.'
1. You belong to more online marketing lists than you care to admit.
2. You have so many free Tele-classes and audios to listen to that you've forgotten where they are on your computer or bookshelf.
3. Every time a new product or course gets promoted online, you have to tie your hands behind your back to keep from whipping out your credit card.
4. You feel your body quiver as you try to talk yourself out of buying another program.
5. You have so many products on your shelves, you're not even sure if you've listened and read all the information.
6. You spend so much time watching other people's programs and classes that you haven't created your own.
7. You doubt your own skills and potential because you study every guru out there and then compare yourself to them.
If you recognize yourself in this article (I'm a recovering guru addict), you may benefit from taking a media fast and automatically taking yourself off lists that you don't really read. You might also want to put a limit on how many programs you buy. Instead of whipping out the card, give yourself 24 or 48 hours before you buy the system. You may find that you have a similar system in the cupboard that you bought last month. (This happened to me)
When you simplify your information overload, the clutter will diminish, you'll feel more focused and you'll have confidence in what you do. A little guru worship is okay - just be reasonable.
Lisa Rickwood,"Business Stress Buster," is a business coach, visual artist and author of Escape The Pace: 100 Fun And Easy Ways To Slow Down And Enjoy Your Life and co-author of Power & Soul: 42 Successful Entrepreneurs Share their Secrets for Creating the Business and Life of Their Dreams. She helps business owners ‘master stress for professional and personal success.’ Get your FREE e-book, 5 Critical Actions That Hurt Your Business and Add Stress to Your Life…and How to Escape Them by visiting: http://www.escapethepace.com
Thursday, January 17, 2008
There's No Such Thing as a Balanced Life
If you're a coach, a business person, a busy person, an overwhelmed person, you're probably seeking what the 'experts' call - balance.
While this sounds great, it's an unrealistic term that sets you up for failure.
I know I'll probably get a lot of heat from people out there (and especially coaches) because I should know better as I'm a coach, but I'm tired of hearing the word balance. Frankly, we use it too much and it only makes us feel worse about our lives.
Here are the fallacies with using the word:
1. What does balance mean to you? Here's where the first problem starts. Everyone's idea of balance is different, therefore a guru telling you what looks 'normal' in your life has no idea. They may work 60 hours a week and feel healthy, happy and secure. You may work 40 and think you're working too much because you have another job and six children.
2. Nothing in life is static: It's impossible to have a total balance in your life. Just when your finances are improving, your relationship with your significant other may be going through a challenge. You may have one area of your life shine, and another area needs work. As a coach, I work on all areas to improve them and while most areas may be great, life happens.
You may have everything appearing to be in balance and then you get laid off at work. Your finances, career, relationships may be great and then your father passes away. There is no permanent balance - life is constantly growing and changing. In fact, the universe is still continuing to expand.
Life is like that - unpredicatable, uncontrollable...all you can do is control your beliefs and actions.
3. Being caught up in the word 'balance' can make you feel depressed, frustrated and downright miserable. As mentioned earlier, there will always be one area of your life that's weaker than the rest - if only for a short time. This word should only be used to mention credits and debits, scales, what's left of something or a weighing device.
4. Use a different word for your life: Instead of balance, you should be focusing on a word that mentions how you are constantly changing and growing to create the life and world you desire.
5. Be more accepting of life: We spend a lot of time fighting and complaining about our situation in life. In Buddhism, the teachings talk about accepting and making peace with your life, no matter how good or bad. This isn't easy, but a softer heart and lack of cynicism will make your life more enjoyable and you will have a chance to positively affect the lives of others.
6. It's about prioritizing: Forget balance, life is a smorgasboard of choices. It's about what you decide to believe in, who you hang out with, what you do for work, how you spend your time. If you're not sure what your priorities are, simply open your calendar and study the time and activities that fill your book. Is your time spent shopping, being with family, working, playing, creating, loving, making a difference?
As a last note to help you in 2008, skip the word balance, and go for passion!
Lisa Rickwood, "Small Biz Stress Buster," is a small business coach, visual artist and author of Escape The Pace: 100 Fun And Easy Ways To Slow Down And Enjoy Your Life and co-author of Power & Soul: 42 Successful Entrepreneurs Share their Secrets for Creating the Business and Life of Their Dreams. She helps small business owners ‘master stress for professional and personal success.’ Get your FREE e-book, 5 Critical Actions That Hurt Your Business and Add Stress to Your Life…and How to Escape Them by visiting: http://www.escapethepace.com
If you're a coach, a business person, a busy person, an overwhelmed person, you're probably seeking what the 'experts' call - balance.
While this sounds great, it's an unrealistic term that sets you up for failure.
I know I'll probably get a lot of heat from people out there (and especially coaches) because I should know better as I'm a coach, but I'm tired of hearing the word balance. Frankly, we use it too much and it only makes us feel worse about our lives.
Here are the fallacies with using the word:
1. What does balance mean to you? Here's where the first problem starts. Everyone's idea of balance is different, therefore a guru telling you what looks 'normal' in your life has no idea. They may work 60 hours a week and feel healthy, happy and secure. You may work 40 and think you're working too much because you have another job and six children.
2. Nothing in life is static: It's impossible to have a total balance in your life. Just when your finances are improving, your relationship with your significant other may be going through a challenge. You may have one area of your life shine, and another area needs work. As a coach, I work on all areas to improve them and while most areas may be great, life happens.
You may have everything appearing to be in balance and then you get laid off at work. Your finances, career, relationships may be great and then your father passes away. There is no permanent balance - life is constantly growing and changing. In fact, the universe is still continuing to expand.
Life is like that - unpredicatable, uncontrollable...all you can do is control your beliefs and actions.
3. Being caught up in the word 'balance' can make you feel depressed, frustrated and downright miserable. As mentioned earlier, there will always be one area of your life that's weaker than the rest - if only for a short time. This word should only be used to mention credits and debits, scales, what's left of something or a weighing device.
4. Use a different word for your life: Instead of balance, you should be focusing on a word that mentions how you are constantly changing and growing to create the life and world you desire.
5. Be more accepting of life: We spend a lot of time fighting and complaining about our situation in life. In Buddhism, the teachings talk about accepting and making peace with your life, no matter how good or bad. This isn't easy, but a softer heart and lack of cynicism will make your life more enjoyable and you will have a chance to positively affect the lives of others.
6. It's about prioritizing: Forget balance, life is a smorgasboard of choices. It's about what you decide to believe in, who you hang out with, what you do for work, how you spend your time. If you're not sure what your priorities are, simply open your calendar and study the time and activities that fill your book. Is your time spent shopping, being with family, working, playing, creating, loving, making a difference?
As a last note to help you in 2008, skip the word balance, and go for passion!
Lisa Rickwood, "Small Biz Stress Buster," is a small business coach, visual artist and author of Escape The Pace: 100 Fun And Easy Ways To Slow Down And Enjoy Your Life and co-author of Power & Soul: 42 Successful Entrepreneurs Share their Secrets for Creating the Business and Life of Their Dreams. She helps small business owners ‘master stress for professional and personal success.’ Get your FREE e-book, 5 Critical Actions That Hurt Your Business and Add Stress to Your Life…and How to Escape Them by visiting: http://www.escapethepace.com
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Why New Year's Resolutions Fail and How to Avoid Failure
Quick - did you make New Year's Resolutions for 2007? Did most of your goals come true? If not, you're not alone.
If you've ever planned to quit smoking, lose weight, make more money, be a better person...you may have failed because you didn't know the rules.
If you want this year to be different, you must know the secrets to goal success. Here are some rules to get you started:
1. Clear, timed, defined goals: You need to write down your goals on paper, have a date when you know you'll reach the goal and the goal should point to your larger life vision. Build a contingency plan into your goals so that if you don't receive your goals exactly on time or exactly as you planned, you allow for it.
2. Life Vision: All your goals/resolutions should fit into your larger life picture. What is your picture? It's how you imagine spending your days, how will you work, travel, help others, how much money will you have, how healthy will you be, etc. You need to know how you want to live so you know if the small goals fit into the larger picture. You'll save time, money and eliminate stress.
3. Passion: If you don't have passion (deep feelings) you will not recieve your goals. For example, if you want to lose 10 pounds because you think you look "heavy" but you're not passionate about losing the weight, you won't lose it. You have to feel yourself putting on your "skinny" jeans, slipping into that skimpy bathing suit, etc.
4. With passion is pain: In order to grow and stretch, you must feel pain to initially move ahead. For example, if you're working at a dead-end job, you must feel the pain of that job and be inspired enough to take a risk and make changes. There must be enough pain to push you to passion to get out of your comfort zone to make changes.
5. Let go of your comfort zone: If you want to grow at all, there will be pain, fear, doubt - get used it, it's all part of growing. Ever hear of growing pains? Little children get these pains in their legs when their bones grow quickly. It happened to my six foot, 14 year-old who's still growing. He's okay with it though - no one picks on him in High School.
6. Receive the Goal: People have this idea that they they will achieve the goal, but you receive the goal or resolution. When you have planned, had passion, and followed through, you receive the goal. Be sure it's what you want when you get it. (If you did your pre-planning, this won't be a problem)
7. Set another goal before your last ones are done: People always ask me how to fil the emptiness once they've received their goal. The secret is this: have another goal set up before your complete this current one; this way you can slide into the next thing without the 'lull."
8. Celebrate your success: We often move from one thing to another and don't take enough time to celebrate our successes. Take the time - you'll feel complete and happy.
9. Have a coach, a mentor, belong to a network or mastermind group: If you study the most successful people, you will find they have mentors,coaches and networks. Instead of slowly climbing the success ladder, you can use the skills and talents of others and avoid frustration and spending too much time and money. You literally 'leap-frog' above your competition. Doesn't this make more sense than trying to 'do it all alone?'
Experts suggest many things when setting resolutions and goals. These are just a few key secrets to help you get started. Happy 2008.
Lisa Rickwood, "Small Biz Stress Buster," is a small business coach, visual artist and author of Escape The Pace: 100 Fun And Easy Ways To Slow Down And Enjoy Your Life and co-author of Power & Soul: 42 Successful Entrepreneurs Share their Secrets for Creating the Business and Life of Their Dreams. She helps small business owners ‘master stress for professional and personal success.’ Get your FREE e-book, 5 Critical Actions That Hurt Your Business and Add Stress to Your Life…and How to Escape Them by visiting: http://www.escapethepace.com/
Quick - did you make New Year's Resolutions for 2007? Did most of your goals come true? If not, you're not alone.
If you've ever planned to quit smoking, lose weight, make more money, be a better person...you may have failed because you didn't know the rules.
If you want this year to be different, you must know the secrets to goal success. Here are some rules to get you started:
1. Clear, timed, defined goals: You need to write down your goals on paper, have a date when you know you'll reach the goal and the goal should point to your larger life vision. Build a contingency plan into your goals so that if you don't receive your goals exactly on time or exactly as you planned, you allow for it.
2. Life Vision: All your goals/resolutions should fit into your larger life picture. What is your picture? It's how you imagine spending your days, how will you work, travel, help others, how much money will you have, how healthy will you be, etc. You need to know how you want to live so you know if the small goals fit into the larger picture. You'll save time, money and eliminate stress.
3. Passion: If you don't have passion (deep feelings) you will not recieve your goals. For example, if you want to lose 10 pounds because you think you look "heavy" but you're not passionate about losing the weight, you won't lose it. You have to feel yourself putting on your "skinny" jeans, slipping into that skimpy bathing suit, etc.
4. With passion is pain: In order to grow and stretch, you must feel pain to initially move ahead. For example, if you're working at a dead-end job, you must feel the pain of that job and be inspired enough to take a risk and make changes. There must be enough pain to push you to passion to get out of your comfort zone to make changes.
5. Let go of your comfort zone: If you want to grow at all, there will be pain, fear, doubt - get used it, it's all part of growing. Ever hear of growing pains? Little children get these pains in their legs when their bones grow quickly. It happened to my six foot, 14 year-old who's still growing. He's okay with it though - no one picks on him in High School.
6. Receive the Goal: People have this idea that they they will achieve the goal, but you receive the goal or resolution. When you have planned, had passion, and followed through, you receive the goal. Be sure it's what you want when you get it. (If you did your pre-planning, this won't be a problem)
7. Set another goal before your last ones are done: People always ask me how to fil the emptiness once they've received their goal. The secret is this: have another goal set up before your complete this current one; this way you can slide into the next thing without the 'lull."
8. Celebrate your success: We often move from one thing to another and don't take enough time to celebrate our successes. Take the time - you'll feel complete and happy.
9. Have a coach, a mentor, belong to a network or mastermind group: If you study the most successful people, you will find they have mentors,coaches and networks. Instead of slowly climbing the success ladder, you can use the skills and talents of others and avoid frustration and spending too much time and money. You literally 'leap-frog' above your competition. Doesn't this make more sense than trying to 'do it all alone?'
Experts suggest many things when setting resolutions and goals. These are just a few key secrets to help you get started. Happy 2008.
Lisa Rickwood, "Small Biz Stress Buster," is a small business coach, visual artist and author of Escape The Pace: 100 Fun And Easy Ways To Slow Down And Enjoy Your Life and co-author of Power & Soul: 42 Successful Entrepreneurs Share their Secrets for Creating the Business and Life of Their Dreams. She helps small business owners ‘master stress for professional and personal success.’ Get your FREE e-book, 5 Critical Actions That Hurt Your Business and Add Stress to Your Life…and How to Escape Them by visiting: http://www.escapethepace.com/
Thursday, December 06, 2007
10 Secrets to Survive Christmas While You Run Your Company
1. Nix Bad Personal Habits: Unwanted habits detract from life enjoyment. This includes: abusing our bodies, ignoring family and friends, working too hard. We need to have enough awareness to overcome these habits that cut into both personal and work time. This means less sugary treats, getting more sleep, watching the work hours and so forth.
2. Nix Bad Business Habits: These include not networking properly – not following up properly with people. Bad business habits also include: reinventing the wheel, not being resistant to change, not being open to lifelong learning, not planning properly, berating the competition and more. This can extend to Christmas where you do more networking, find yourself up against the competition, and need to prepare for the upcoming year.
3. Eliminate Time Wasters: Whether you’re shopping for gifts, volunteering for an event or completing a project, the only true currency is time. You have to be honest about what gets your attention, time, resources, talents, and life energy. At this time of year, you only have so much time to run your business, grab some presents and attend the parties; be ruthless with your time.
4. Think Like a Child. Remember Christmas when you were a child? Remember the magic, Santa Claus, the decorations, food, presents and relatives? As adults, we get caught up in working overtime, paying bills and obsessing about impending holiday expenses, working indoors and not playing in snow, complaining about how the year has gone, etc. Take some time and add a few childlike things to your day to help you relax and have fun.
Some ideas include: bringing hot cocoa to work, exchanging presents with staff, putting up a Christmas tree, having a stupid idea day where everyone anonymously writes down silly ways to make more money, dress like Santa, put on goofy Christmas music, tell jokes, hold contests for silly prizes. Work on making the atmosphere professional but fun. Then, see how you can plan some post Christmas getaways to recapture the fun you had as a kid.
5. Create Time Boundaries: No other time of year do you get more distractions than right before Christmas. More people call on your time, ask for your skills, talents and before you know it, you’re exhausted. You need to create time boundaries and walls in general. Decide how to say “no”, when people can phone you, meet with you, etc. When you control how your time is used, your life feels calm, cool and relaxed.
6. Brilliant Budgets: Successful businesses plan ahead and have budgets. You should also do this with Christmas spending. Decide how much you will spend on gift giving but don’t forget to consider other incidentals like travel costs, clothing, food, decorations and more. Often, we budget for the obvious but forget about the smaller things and these really add up.
7. Simplify: If you want a great Christmas - simplify. Don’t fall into the trap of having to be everything to everyone, buy lots of presents and complicate your life by attending every social function on earth. Cut back on things that don’t really serve you and stop buying junk.
Some ideas for presents include: gift certificates, donating to the needy, buying ‘green products,’ adopting an animal, donating to wildlife funds, planting a tree, adding to someone’s travel fund, cooking meals for students or the elderly, creating certificates that offer chores you’ll do for someone – use your imagination. Studies show that people really enjoy having practical gifts and things they wouldn’t indulge in for themselves.
8. Good is Great Enough: This comes back to perfection. Whether you’re buying gifts for Christmas or creating a project at work, stop obsessing. Dan Kennedy, a master marketer said that ‘good is good enough.’ I think he has a point; if you do your best at the time, don’t obsess about it, move on. Money likes speed and in today’s competitive marketplace, the person who’s trying to perfect something loses money because the faster person gets the customers and clients. Slow companies are left in the dust.
9. Risk It: Have you ever stood in a store and pondered for 20 minutes over the perfect gift for someone? Most of us have at one point or another; we wanted to impress or make someone feel good and we could not make up our mind on whether our choice was good enough. Much like saying ‘good is good enough’, sometimes you just have to risk it and buy that gift. Or, in business, take a chance, phone that person who makes you nervous, do some cold calling, speak in front of 500 people – you need to get out of your comfort zone and risk because those who do, get the fruit. Hence the saying, ‘Why not go out on a limb, isn’t that where the fruit is?’
10. Use Your Team: Most successful companies use the best people to achieve their goals. They have a team of experts, a vision and goals and they achieve what needs to be done. The same can be said about your personal team – your friends and family. Can you call on them to help you out? Can you run errands for them? This is a time when people should be working together as a team to fulfill goals. Don’t be afraid to ask for help; people are more connected when they help each other.
If you follow these ten steps, you should have a more relaxed and happy holiday season. When this doesn’t work, book your ticket to somewhere warm, grab your suitcase and get the heck out of here. Even Santa takes a vacation.
Lisa Rickwood, "Small Biz Stress Buster," is a small business coach, visual artist and author of Escape The Pace: 100 Fun And Easy Ways To Slow Down And Enjoy Your Life and co-author of Power & Soul: 42 Successful Entrepreneurs Share their Secrets for Creating the Business and Life of Their Dreams. She helps small business owners ‘master stress for professional and personal success.’ Get your FREE e-book, 5 Critical Actions That Hurt Your Business and Add Stress to Your Life…and How to Escape Them by visiting: http://www.escapethepace.com/
Monday, November 12, 2007
To Sit or Not to Sit - This is the Question...
Has this happened to you? You rush around all week and then make BIG plans for the weekend and the weekend arrives and you're out of steam.
All those HUGE ideas for getting things done are replaced by fatigue and the temptation to sit on the couch all day and watch every stupid reality T.V. show and movie that happens to be on the tube.
All of a sudden, you're filled with 'guilt' because you should be doing something worthwhile even though there's gale force winds outside and trees are bending over backward.
This happened to me the other day. I didn't want to call anyone, just barely got out of my PJs (put on sweats) and didn't put on makeup. Whee whoo!
It was pouring rain outside and it was Remembrance Day (Veterans Day in the U.S.) and it felt great to 'do nothing an ignore the world.'
Do you have days like this? If you don't, you should. Because I feel absolutely revitalized after this weekend of not traveling, not visiting people and not looking at email more than once a day. Yes, I felt a little 'funny' but I shouldn't feel guilty as I wrote a book about slowing down. If I can't relax without feeling bad, no one stands a chance.
So your assignment this week is to pick a day or a couple of hours during the week to do absolutely nothing. That's right - no T.V., no exercise, no errands. Just take a nap, doodle in a sketchbook, learn an instrument, go for a long walk, visit a friend or start a new hobby.
Let me know how you do - drop me a line and tell me how you 'escaped.'
Lisa
Has this happened to you? You rush around all week and then make BIG plans for the weekend and the weekend arrives and you're out of steam.
All those HUGE ideas for getting things done are replaced by fatigue and the temptation to sit on the couch all day and watch every stupid reality T.V. show and movie that happens to be on the tube.
All of a sudden, you're filled with 'guilt' because you should be doing something worthwhile even though there's gale force winds outside and trees are bending over backward.
This happened to me the other day. I didn't want to call anyone, just barely got out of my PJs (put on sweats) and didn't put on makeup. Whee whoo!
It was pouring rain outside and it was Remembrance Day (Veterans Day in the U.S.) and it felt great to 'do nothing an ignore the world.'
Do you have days like this? If you don't, you should. Because I feel absolutely revitalized after this weekend of not traveling, not visiting people and not looking at email more than once a day. Yes, I felt a little 'funny' but I shouldn't feel guilty as I wrote a book about slowing down. If I can't relax without feeling bad, no one stands a chance.
So your assignment this week is to pick a day or a couple of hours during the week to do absolutely nothing. That's right - no T.V., no exercise, no errands. Just take a nap, doodle in a sketchbook, learn an instrument, go for a long walk, visit a friend or start a new hobby.
Let me know how you do - drop me a line and tell me how you 'escaped.'
Lisa
Friday, October 19, 2007
Keep It Simple, Stupid (K.I.S.S.)
Most of us have heard this term before but it's so easy to forget what it really means, especially in business.
When I worked as an advertising representative for a magazine, my publisher told me to design ads using the K.I.S.S. formula (keep it simple, stupid) This method worked well; I quickly created clean, crisp, successful ads for my clients. But, when I forgot the formula, I would struggle.
Are you struggling in your life of business? Maybe your business or life just needs a kiss.
Where can you apply the formula? Maybe you can simplify your sales technique, closing the sale, administrative work, marketing plan, email communications, financial plan...
Take this week and see what's complicating your life. Make a goal of using the K.I.S.S. formula and see how it saves you time, energy and your sanity and yes, even money.
Feel free to email me on how this works for you. I'd love to hear how this works.
Take care and happy escaping,
Lisa Rickwood - "Small Biz Stres Buster"
Lisa Rickwood, "Small Biz Stress Buster," is a small business coach, visual artist and author of Escape The Pace: 100 Fun And Easy Ways To Slow Down And Enjoy Your Life and co-author of Power & Soul: 42 Successful Entrepreneurs Share their Secrets for Creating the Business and Life of Their Dreams. She helps small business owners ‘master stress for professional and personal success.’ Get your FREE e-book, 5 Critical Actions That Hurt Your Business and Add Stress to Your Life…and How to Escape Them by visiting: http://www.escapethepace.com/
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Are You in a Dip?
Is your business or life in a dip?
If you're not sure, you should read Seth Godin's new book, The Dip: The Little Book That Teaches You When to Quit (and When to Stick)
I bought this book because my business, like my life, reached a dip. I felt frustrated and not sure what direction to take my business until I read the book. What fascinated me about the book was that he talked about quitting. Yes, that's right, quitting.
He said the difference between people who succeed and those who don't has to do with knowing when to quit.
We're taught in school and life to 'keep on going,' and that 'winners never quit and quitters never win.' Then, when we get out in life and continue to struggle with something, we feel defeated and want to quit but we're afraid.
How do you know when to quit? That's as individual as your genes, but one thing is true: if you have no passion, you've reached the glass ceiling, you're not passionate or if you're not growing and learning and you're only mediocre, it may be time to throw in the towel and quit with pride.
Yes, quit and move on to something you can excel at - something that makes you better than mediocre. The world rewards the top people at what they do and they don't just get rewarded a little, they get rewarded a lot.
For example, Vanilla ice cream is the most popular selling ice cream in the world and most people know that chocolate is second. What they don't know is that because Vanilla is the best, it demands not just a bit more sales, but tons more sales. Chocolate may be second but it's in the distant second and not too far in front of Butter Pecan, Neopolitan, etc.
So...if you're trudging away in life or business and not feeling the best at something, it may be time to quit and move on to something else. If pride is in your way, give it a quick, swift boot. After all, most highly successful people quit many things.
Many A-List actors were enrolled in college and quit to pursue their love - acting. Premed students quit their profession to pursue something else because they didn't really love the idea of being a doctor. (Thank goodness they did - who wants a surgeon who hates their job, operating on them?)
So...instead of feeling like a failure for quitting, think about the time and resources you save, the frustration and lack of interest, and direct your energy to things you're good at - things you excell at and things the world needs.
Happy quitting....
Lisa Rickwood, "Small Biz Stress Buster," is a small business coach, visual artist and author of Escape The Pace: 100 Fun And Easy Ways To Slow Down And Enjoy Your Life and co-author of Power & Soul: 42 Successful Entrepreneurs Share their Secrets for Creating the Business and Life of Their Dreams. She helps small business owners ‘master stress for professional and personal success.’ Get your FREE e-book, 5 Critical Actions That Hurt Your Business and Add Stress to Your Life…and How to Escape Them by visiting: http://www.escapethepace.com/
Lisa
Is your business or life in a dip?
If you're not sure, you should read Seth Godin's new book, The Dip: The Little Book That Teaches You When to Quit (and When to Stick)
I bought this book because my business, like my life, reached a dip. I felt frustrated and not sure what direction to take my business until I read the book. What fascinated me about the book was that he talked about quitting. Yes, that's right, quitting.
He said the difference between people who succeed and those who don't has to do with knowing when to quit.
We're taught in school and life to 'keep on going,' and that 'winners never quit and quitters never win.' Then, when we get out in life and continue to struggle with something, we feel defeated and want to quit but we're afraid.
How do you know when to quit? That's as individual as your genes, but one thing is true: if you have no passion, you've reached the glass ceiling, you're not passionate or if you're not growing and learning and you're only mediocre, it may be time to throw in the towel and quit with pride.
Yes, quit and move on to something you can excel at - something that makes you better than mediocre. The world rewards the top people at what they do and they don't just get rewarded a little, they get rewarded a lot.
For example, Vanilla ice cream is the most popular selling ice cream in the world and most people know that chocolate is second. What they don't know is that because Vanilla is the best, it demands not just a bit more sales, but tons more sales. Chocolate may be second but it's in the distant second and not too far in front of Butter Pecan, Neopolitan, etc.
So...if you're trudging away in life or business and not feeling the best at something, it may be time to quit and move on to something else. If pride is in your way, give it a quick, swift boot. After all, most highly successful people quit many things.
Many A-List actors were enrolled in college and quit to pursue their love - acting. Premed students quit their profession to pursue something else because they didn't really love the idea of being a doctor. (Thank goodness they did - who wants a surgeon who hates their job, operating on them?)
So...instead of feeling like a failure for quitting, think about the time and resources you save, the frustration and lack of interest, and direct your energy to things you're good at - things you excell at and things the world needs.
Happy quitting....
Lisa Rickwood, "Small Biz Stress Buster," is a small business coach, visual artist and author of Escape The Pace: 100 Fun And Easy Ways To Slow Down And Enjoy Your Life and co-author of Power & Soul: 42 Successful Entrepreneurs Share their Secrets for Creating the Business and Life of Their Dreams. She helps small business owners ‘master stress for professional and personal success.’ Get your FREE e-book, 5 Critical Actions That Hurt Your Business and Add Stress to Your Life…and How to Escape Them by visiting: http://www.escapethepace.com/
Lisa
Thursday, September 20, 2007
To Delegate or Not?
If you're a small business owner or entrepreneur then you've probably struggled with this age-old question: 'Do I delegate or do it myself?'
In the beginning of a business, we may delegate but we often feel we have to do everything. There are many reasons for this way of thinking and they are as follows:
1. We don't have the money. (this is a valid reason)
2. We don't have the time to teach someone else.
3. We don't really know what we should delegate to someone else.
4. We're too busy to even realize we need to hand off some of our work.
5. We feel independent and want to 'go it alone.'
6. We don't want to give up control (this is a huge one that people fear)
There are other reasons we hold off on delegating but these are the most common reasons.
Relinquishing control is the most challenging habit because we often feel that 'no one can do the task as well as us.' We're afraid that if we hand the job to someone else, they will lose the clients, waste the resources, make us look bad, make the company look bad, etc.
Nothing could be farther from the truth (if you hire right from the start)
All the most successful companies in the world only experience success when they stop doing everything themselves and they delegate the things they hate, don't enjoy, don't have abilities for and so forth.
Ever notice how some companies bypass others? It's got to do with the team they hire. They look for talented, intelligent people who have the same philosophies and a passion and desire to build the company. These people have skills and abilities that their employer doesn't have.
That's right, never hire someone exactly like you or you will miss out on new skills.
Another reason small biz owners hate to delegate and hand jobs to others is because they feel they don't have money to do so.
I have felt this way at times because honestly, I hardly had the money to pay myself. This is where you sometimes have to be creative.
If you're a coach, you might barter and trade your coaching with someone who does website design, etc. See how you can offer your products and services in exchange for other things you need.
I caution against just a straight barter. It's better to pay for something and have the other person do so as well so there is an exchange of money. This way, you will feel abundant and will attract more money.
Being too busy to delegate can be like a double-edged sword. You need to have someone take on the work and yet you're too busy to give them things to do. It's kind of like driving your car and the gas gauge light comes on to tell you that there's only one sixteenth of a tank of gas left but instead of driving to a gas station, you decide you're too busy to slow down and refuel. Instead, you keep on driving and eventually run out of gas and are overly late for that meeting.
Sometimes pride gets in the way and we feel independent and think we should do everythng ourselves. That might be okay for a short spell; it's good to know how all areas of your company work, but after a while, playing a Lone Ranger will make you irritable, sick and you'll lose the passion for your business. You need to delegate so you can do what you do best and bring in revenue.
Finally, sometimes we don't even know what we should delegate. If you know you need to give work to someone else (signs are: frustration, losing revenue, not doing what you're gifted at, etc.) but don't know what work to hand over, you must have a plan.
Start by writing down every single thing you do in your business.
For example, you might read and answer email, send faxes phone clients, follow up with new clients, handle marketing, do book-keeping, etc.
Study your list, think about the talents you have that bring you money and then eliminate things that frustrate you, take you away from making money, take too long to do, you don't really know how to do them and so forth.
Try to only focus on things that are creative and bring you revenue, credibility, clients, etc.
If money is a huge issue, contract out. Get a virtual assistant or an employee to come in to your company and work a set amount of hours per week or month. This is a very viable way to run a company.
For example, you may only need a book-keeper for a few hours per month. Why hire someone full time if you don't need them?
When deciding to delegate or not, ask yourself what your time is worth. If you're charging $100 an hour for a service and your books are draining your time, it may be worth your while to hire that book-keeper for a few hours a month so you can take on more clients and make more money.
Take this week and think about where you might bring an expert into your company. I wish you well and feel free to email me your ideas at: info@escapethepace.com
Lisa "Small Biz Stress Buster"
Lisa Rickwood, "Small Biz Stress Buster," is a small business coach, visual artist and author of Escape The Pace: 100 Fun And Easy Ways To Slow Down And Enjoy Your Life and co-author of Power & Soul: 42 Successful Entrepreneurs Share their Secrets for Creating the Business and Life of Their Dreams. She helps small business owners ‘master stress for professional and personal success.’ Get your FREE e-book, 5 Critical Actions That Hurt Your Business and Add Stress to Your Life…and How to Escape Them by visiting: http://www.escapethepace.com/
If you're a small business owner or entrepreneur then you've probably struggled with this age-old question: 'Do I delegate or do it myself?'
In the beginning of a business, we may delegate but we often feel we have to do everything. There are many reasons for this way of thinking and they are as follows:
1. We don't have the money. (this is a valid reason)
2. We don't have the time to teach someone else.
3. We don't really know what we should delegate to someone else.
4. We're too busy to even realize we need to hand off some of our work.
5. We feel independent and want to 'go it alone.'
6. We don't want to give up control (this is a huge one that people fear)
There are other reasons we hold off on delegating but these are the most common reasons.
Relinquishing control is the most challenging habit because we often feel that 'no one can do the task as well as us.' We're afraid that if we hand the job to someone else, they will lose the clients, waste the resources, make us look bad, make the company look bad, etc.
Nothing could be farther from the truth (if you hire right from the start)
All the most successful companies in the world only experience success when they stop doing everything themselves and they delegate the things they hate, don't enjoy, don't have abilities for and so forth.
Ever notice how some companies bypass others? It's got to do with the team they hire. They look for talented, intelligent people who have the same philosophies and a passion and desire to build the company. These people have skills and abilities that their employer doesn't have.
That's right, never hire someone exactly like you or you will miss out on new skills.
Another reason small biz owners hate to delegate and hand jobs to others is because they feel they don't have money to do so.
I have felt this way at times because honestly, I hardly had the money to pay myself. This is where you sometimes have to be creative.
If you're a coach, you might barter and trade your coaching with someone who does website design, etc. See how you can offer your products and services in exchange for other things you need.
I caution against just a straight barter. It's better to pay for something and have the other person do so as well so there is an exchange of money. This way, you will feel abundant and will attract more money.
Being too busy to delegate can be like a double-edged sword. You need to have someone take on the work and yet you're too busy to give them things to do. It's kind of like driving your car and the gas gauge light comes on to tell you that there's only one sixteenth of a tank of gas left but instead of driving to a gas station, you decide you're too busy to slow down and refuel. Instead, you keep on driving and eventually run out of gas and are overly late for that meeting.
Sometimes pride gets in the way and we feel independent and think we should do everythng ourselves. That might be okay for a short spell; it's good to know how all areas of your company work, but after a while, playing a Lone Ranger will make you irritable, sick and you'll lose the passion for your business. You need to delegate so you can do what you do best and bring in revenue.
Finally, sometimes we don't even know what we should delegate. If you know you need to give work to someone else (signs are: frustration, losing revenue, not doing what you're gifted at, etc.) but don't know what work to hand over, you must have a plan.
Start by writing down every single thing you do in your business.
For example, you might read and answer email, send faxes phone clients, follow up with new clients, handle marketing, do book-keeping, etc.
Study your list, think about the talents you have that bring you money and then eliminate things that frustrate you, take you away from making money, take too long to do, you don't really know how to do them and so forth.
Try to only focus on things that are creative and bring you revenue, credibility, clients, etc.
If money is a huge issue, contract out. Get a virtual assistant or an employee to come in to your company and work a set amount of hours per week or month. This is a very viable way to run a company.
For example, you may only need a book-keeper for a few hours per month. Why hire someone full time if you don't need them?
When deciding to delegate or not, ask yourself what your time is worth. If you're charging $100 an hour for a service and your books are draining your time, it may be worth your while to hire that book-keeper for a few hours a month so you can take on more clients and make more money.
Take this week and think about where you might bring an expert into your company. I wish you well and feel free to email me your ideas at: info@escapethepace.com
Lisa "Small Biz Stress Buster"
Lisa Rickwood, "Small Biz Stress Buster," is a small business coach, visual artist and author of Escape The Pace: 100 Fun And Easy Ways To Slow Down And Enjoy Your Life and co-author of Power & Soul: 42 Successful Entrepreneurs Share their Secrets for Creating the Business and Life of Their Dreams. She helps small business owners ‘master stress for professional and personal success.’ Get your FREE e-book, 5 Critical Actions That Hurt Your Business and Add Stress to Your Life…and How to Escape Them by visiting: http://www.escapethepace.com/
Monday, September 03, 2007
Going on an Information Overload Diet - 5 Quick Tips to Dieting
Usually we don't like the word "diet." The cartoon character, Garfield - the orange and white big, fat cat hated this word and said it was like die with a 't.' Most of us couldn't agree more if we love food and I know I do - that's why traveling is so much fun.
Today I'm talking about the one kind of diet most of us don't mind - the information overload diet. That's right...'the ditch some of your information diet.'
Do you ever get to your computer and you have dozens of emails, people expecting a response back, letters, news, phone calls, and people wanting you to join yet another Internet social network?
In one week, I had seven people tell me about five online social networks, about how to join and what to do. You know, there's some pretty good ones like www.youtube.com and so forth, but I just don't have the time to sit holed up in a basement, checking all my responses on a social network. It's great when you're a teenager and you have tons of time and want to meet people all over the world - in fact it's pretty awesome. But, when you're running two companies, dealing with family and more, you just have to prioritize your life.
Want to know how to gain an hour of time a day, make more money and have more freedom - GO ON A DIET, AN INFO DIET!
How do you do that? Simple - see what you're paying attention to and why and think about how you can eliminate some of the 'noise' in your life. 99% of the stuff we pay attention to isn't relevant to our lives, we're just nosy. (I admit it!)
Start like this:
1. What do you read, listen to, respond to? What can you drop this week? Drop one to three things that you don't really enjoy and that take up time. Perhaps you drop a newsletter, quit an online social network, etc.
2. Stop watching the news right before bed - this doesn't allow you to relax. If you want to see the news, watch it early in the morning or the evening or just scan a newspaper.
We're all so worried we'll miss something but everyone is 'plugged in' so even when you miss the news, people say to you, 'Hey, did you hear about...'
3. What is relevant for your life? Ask yourself this question. There's only 24 hours in a day and you should focus on information that interests you, that you can respond to and that makes your life better. Sometimes the news makes you feel hopeless, depressed, unable to help. Why watch it if you feel like this?
4. Internet, T.V., iTunes, etc. Put a limit on the amount of time you'll watch or listen before you do this if time is an issue. For example, if you love surfing the net, tell yourself you'll research for no more than 30 minutes; set a timer if you must. This can really save you. Once I surfed the net for a whole afternoon and then I missed great weather and a chance to get outside and do things.
5. Set your techno rules. Only check email two or three times a day and spend 15 minutes per time and you'll save at least an hour a day, possibly longer. Tell people when they can phone you and have time when you can't be reached so you set a buffer of time to relax and 'chill.'
That's my rant for now. Send me your ideas and I'll post them for others. We all are in need of some serious dieting.
Lisa "Small Biz Stress Buster"
Lisa Rickwood, "Small Biz Stress Buster," is a small business coach, visual artist and author of Escape The Pace: 100 Fun And Easy Ways To Slow Down And Enjoy Your Life and co-author of Power & Soul: 42 Successful Entrepreneurs Share their Secrets for Creating the Business and Life of Their Dreams. She helps small business owners ‘master stress for professional and personal success.’ Get your FREE e-book, 5 Critical Actions That Hurt Your Business and Add Stress to Your Life…and How to Escape Them by visiting: http://www.escapethepace.com/
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Escaping Adulthood and other Fun things...
Recently, I was contacted by a great couple, Kim and Jason, who have an awesome business called: Escape Adulthood. What I loved was their philosophy about 'getting less serious, having more fun and doing things that kids love.'They believe and I do too, that as adults, we suffer from 'Adultitis,' too serious, too many responsibilities, too much stress and not enough fun. I agree.
Have you ever sat down and thought, 'I'm working my @%*&* butt off and for what?' Have your really asked yourself why you're here on this planet other than maybe helping people, feeding a family, paying for your kids' college education and saving for the old folks home for your parents?
I don't think we're designed to just work and slave away and not enjoy life, if this was the case, we'd all be fruit flies - just feeding, reproducing and dying.
There's a lot of creatures on the planet that do just that - they are part of the cycle of life and simply act as food for other creatures.But us - we're supposed to be the smart creatures but I think other animals are smarter - they just can't communicate as sophisticatedly as us.
So what are we supposed to do when we get overwhelmed and forget to have fun? Put it on your to-do list. That's right - get up off your butt and go write down the world F-U-N in your daytimer every day.
Your assignment:
Do something just for you every day. It has to be fun, it can't involve making a living and paying bills, it can't be a chore, it must be fun, it has to stimulate some joy in you and it can take 5 minutes or an afternoon. But...you must do it every day.
If you practice this philosophy of having fun every day for at least 30 days, you will see a shift in your thinking - you will question why you don't have any fun.
Want some other ideas? Check out my interview with Kim and Jason at: EscapeAdulthood.com
Now, I'm going to go play Lasertag with my kids and then later, XBOX 360's - Guitar Hero II so I can feel like a Rock Star.
Happy playing,
Lisa - "Small Biz Stress Buster"
Lisa Rickwood, "Small Biz Stress Buster," is a small business coach, visual artist and author of Escape The Pace: 100 Fun And Easy Ways To Slow Down And Enjoy Your Life and co-author of Power & Soul: 42 Successful Entrepreneurs Share their Secrets for Creating the Business and Life of Their Dreams. She helps small business owners ‘master stress for professional and personal success.’ Get your FREE e-book, 5 Critical Actions That Hurt Your Business and Add Stress to Your Life…and How to Escape Them by visiting: http://www.escapethepace.com/
Recently, I was contacted by a great couple, Kim and Jason, who have an awesome business called: Escape Adulthood. What I loved was their philosophy about 'getting less serious, having more fun and doing things that kids love.'They believe and I do too, that as adults, we suffer from 'Adultitis,' too serious, too many responsibilities, too much stress and not enough fun. I agree.
Have you ever sat down and thought, 'I'm working my @%*&* butt off and for what?' Have your really asked yourself why you're here on this planet other than maybe helping people, feeding a family, paying for your kids' college education and saving for the old folks home for your parents?
I don't think we're designed to just work and slave away and not enjoy life, if this was the case, we'd all be fruit flies - just feeding, reproducing and dying.
There's a lot of creatures on the planet that do just that - they are part of the cycle of life and simply act as food for other creatures.But us - we're supposed to be the smart creatures but I think other animals are smarter - they just can't communicate as sophisticatedly as us.
So what are we supposed to do when we get overwhelmed and forget to have fun? Put it on your to-do list. That's right - get up off your butt and go write down the world F-U-N in your daytimer every day.
Your assignment:
Do something just for you every day. It has to be fun, it can't involve making a living and paying bills, it can't be a chore, it must be fun, it has to stimulate some joy in you and it can take 5 minutes or an afternoon. But...you must do it every day.
If you practice this philosophy of having fun every day for at least 30 days, you will see a shift in your thinking - you will question why you don't have any fun.
Want some other ideas? Check out my interview with Kim and Jason at: EscapeAdulthood.com
Now, I'm going to go play Lasertag with my kids and then later, XBOX 360's - Guitar Hero II so I can feel like a Rock Star.
Happy playing,
Lisa - "Small Biz Stress Buster"
Lisa Rickwood, "Small Biz Stress Buster," is a small business coach, visual artist and author of Escape The Pace: 100 Fun And Easy Ways To Slow Down And Enjoy Your Life and co-author of Power & Soul: 42 Successful Entrepreneurs Share their Secrets for Creating the Business and Life of Their Dreams. She helps small business owners ‘master stress for professional and personal success.’ Get your FREE e-book, 5 Critical Actions That Hurt Your Business and Add Stress to Your Life…and How to Escape Them by visiting: http://www.escapethepace.com/
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
'The More People I Meet, The More I Like My Dog." (Bumper Sticker)
I'm not sure where I first saw that bumper sticker, but being a dog lover, I thought it was funny although I internally disagreed with it. (I like people)
Fast forward about 20 years...20 years of advertising sales, retail sales and working with the general public. Okay...I still like people but I really like my dog -
What you can learn about a dog and how to apply it to business:
1. Dogs are reliable: You can count on them - they're loyal. Is your staff dependable, do they treat customers with respect? Do your staff arrive on time, do their job well? Or, are there problems? How does reliability fit in your business? Can you deliver your product or service on time and to the best of your ability?
2. Dogs like to have fun: If your business isn't any fun, why do it? Okay...some of you have to for the moment - there's no quick alternative. But when you get the chance, see how you can infuse some fun into your workplace.
For example, even after the 'politically correct' way of being emerged in the corporate world, my former boss at a newspaper, downloaded un-politically correct comics and we laughed our heads off on Monday mornings. What a great way to start the week!
3. Dogs know when to play hard and go for a nap: If you're 'burning the candle at both ends,' you're not going to be having fun, and you're not going to be F-U-N. After you complete a huge project, you owe it to yourself to 'goof off' and do something fun.
Go for that hike, bikeride, swim - read, do yoga, hit the spa, have a night out with the guys...do something to blow off steam. We're all too serious and it hurts our bodies, minds and spirits.
4. Dogs like exploring: Stuck on a project, feeling 'in a slump,' or stressed out? Go exploring. You can travel out of town, visit another city or armchair travel online. Get out of your head and environment and see what others are doing.
My dog, Ricker, is 'an escape artist,' and loves to run away so he can see new things in the neighbourhood (and chase cats). When he comes back home he's happy, exercised and ready to do whatever a dog needs to do.
5. Dogs are creative: If a dog wants a bone, to chase a cat or to escape, he'll find a way. When you consider that the average dog has the intelligence of a five year old, that's pretty smart - quiet a bit of knowledge in that doggie brain.
Creativity is fast becoming something that innovative companies are looking for. If you or your company are creative, you can stand out and attract more customers or clients. How to be creative? Put a creativity box in your business. Ask employees to post ideas based on a company challenge;read a book on creativity, keep a notepad nearby, write in a journal, surf the Net, take photographs, do a crossword puzzle, create the title for a hit song, write a poem, play an instrument. The point is - get your creativity juices flowing. Everyone is creative in a certain way - i't's about thinking differently, solving old problems new ways.
Have fun and remember: 'It's a dog's life.'
Lisa Rickwood, "Small Biz Stress Buster," is a small business coach, visual artist and author of Escape The Pace: 100 Fun And Easy Ways To Slow Down And Enjoy Your Life and co-author of Power & Soul: 42 Successful Entrepreneurs Share their Secrets for Creating the Business and Life of Their Dreams. She helps small business owners ‘master stress for professional and personal success.’ Get your FREE e-book, 5 Critical Actions That Hurt Your Business and Add Stress to Your Life…and How to Escape Them by visiting: http://www.escapethepace.com/
I'm not sure where I first saw that bumper sticker, but being a dog lover, I thought it was funny although I internally disagreed with it. (I like people)
Fast forward about 20 years...20 years of advertising sales, retail sales and working with the general public. Okay...I still like people but I really like my dog -
What you can learn about a dog and how to apply it to business:
1. Dogs are reliable: You can count on them - they're loyal. Is your staff dependable, do they treat customers with respect? Do your staff arrive on time, do their job well? Or, are there problems? How does reliability fit in your business? Can you deliver your product or service on time and to the best of your ability?
2. Dogs like to have fun: If your business isn't any fun, why do it? Okay...some of you have to for the moment - there's no quick alternative. But when you get the chance, see how you can infuse some fun into your workplace.
For example, even after the 'politically correct' way of being emerged in the corporate world, my former boss at a newspaper, downloaded un-politically correct comics and we laughed our heads off on Monday mornings. What a great way to start the week!
3. Dogs know when to play hard and go for a nap: If you're 'burning the candle at both ends,' you're not going to be having fun, and you're not going to be F-U-N. After you complete a huge project, you owe it to yourself to 'goof off' and do something fun.
Go for that hike, bikeride, swim - read, do yoga, hit the spa, have a night out with the guys...do something to blow off steam. We're all too serious and it hurts our bodies, minds and spirits.
4. Dogs like exploring: Stuck on a project, feeling 'in a slump,' or stressed out? Go exploring. You can travel out of town, visit another city or armchair travel online. Get out of your head and environment and see what others are doing.
My dog, Ricker, is 'an escape artist,' and loves to run away so he can see new things in the neighbourhood (and chase cats). When he comes back home he's happy, exercised and ready to do whatever a dog needs to do.
5. Dogs are creative: If a dog wants a bone, to chase a cat or to escape, he'll find a way. When you consider that the average dog has the intelligence of a five year old, that's pretty smart - quiet a bit of knowledge in that doggie brain.
Creativity is fast becoming something that innovative companies are looking for. If you or your company are creative, you can stand out and attract more customers or clients. How to be creative? Put a creativity box in your business. Ask employees to post ideas based on a company challenge;read a book on creativity, keep a notepad nearby, write in a journal, surf the Net, take photographs, do a crossword puzzle, create the title for a hit song, write a poem, play an instrument. The point is - get your creativity juices flowing. Everyone is creative in a certain way - i't's about thinking differently, solving old problems new ways.
Have fun and remember: 'It's a dog's life.'
Lisa Rickwood, "Small Biz Stress Buster," is a small business coach, visual artist and author of Escape The Pace: 100 Fun And Easy Ways To Slow Down And Enjoy Your Life and co-author of Power & Soul: 42 Successful Entrepreneurs Share their Secrets for Creating the Business and Life of Their Dreams. She helps small business owners ‘master stress for professional and personal success.’ Get your FREE e-book, 5 Critical Actions That Hurt Your Business and Add Stress to Your Life…and How to Escape Them by visiting: http://www.escapethepace.com/
Thursday, June 21, 2007
When Your Plans Go Up in Smoke...
Picture this...you're on a 17 1/2 foot speedboat with your family, it's a beautiful, sunny day and you're getting ready to head over to a floating pub for a family dinner. As you cruise the ocean at 5 knots, you get ready to up the throttle and go for speed once you're out of the harbour. Ahhh, you can taste the steaks already.
As you get your boat up to 20 knots, the sudden sqeel of a warning bell goes off to alert you of a problem. Great, you think...those steaks will have to wait. As you look back at your engine, the smoke is billowing out of the engine and it's not looking good.
You turn your boat around and start heading back to your marina and then the engine dies. Great...now you'll have to have someone rescue you. Since many boaters are good samaritans and as any boater knows, there will come a time they break down, a saviour comes to your rescues. Yes, this person has rescued 5 sailboats, 7 speedboats and has been rescued once.
What's the point of this story? Sometimes the best made plans of mice and men go astray - yes, you can plan, you can use the Law of Attraction, but sometimes the boat's motor needs a new waterpump.
So what are you going to do? Stop whining and change your plans.
This story was true, it happened to me and after our boat got towed to shore, we got in our truck and headed to a restaurant that we'd never tried before. We sat outside (like we wanted to do at the floating pub) and instead of watching boats go by, we watched cars. The food was good, the view was okay and the company was great.
In short, when business or life doesn't go as planned, have a backup plan - an alternative plan. And, try to see the bigger picture; sometimes seemingly annoying bad things are blessings in disguise.
I'm glad we had a problem with boat when we did; we were close to shore and weren't way out to sea when this happened. Had we been out far away, who knows how long it would've taken to find a good samaritan.
By the way, we finally did get over to that floating pub - The Dingy Dock Restaurant, and the food was awesome. So...sometimes your plans have to wait.
Take care and happy escaping,
Lisa Rickwood - "Small Biz Stress Buster"
Lisa Rickwood, "Small Biz Stress Buster," is a small business coach, visual artist and author of Escape The Pace: 100 Fun And Easy Ways To Slow Down And Enjoy Your Life and co-author of Power & Soul: 42 Successful Entrepreneurs Share their Secrets for Creating the Business and Life of Their Dreams. She helps small business owners ‘master stress for professional and personal success.’ Get your FREE e-book, 5 Critical Actions That Hurt Your Business and Add Stress to Your Life…and How to Escape Them by visiting: http://www.escapethepace.com/
Picture this...you're on a 17 1/2 foot speedboat with your family, it's a beautiful, sunny day and you're getting ready to head over to a floating pub for a family dinner. As you cruise the ocean at 5 knots, you get ready to up the throttle and go for speed once you're out of the harbour. Ahhh, you can taste the steaks already.
As you get your boat up to 20 knots, the sudden sqeel of a warning bell goes off to alert you of a problem. Great, you think...those steaks will have to wait. As you look back at your engine, the smoke is billowing out of the engine and it's not looking good.
You turn your boat around and start heading back to your marina and then the engine dies. Great...now you'll have to have someone rescue you. Since many boaters are good samaritans and as any boater knows, there will come a time they break down, a saviour comes to your rescues. Yes, this person has rescued 5 sailboats, 7 speedboats and has been rescued once.
What's the point of this story? Sometimes the best made plans of mice and men go astray - yes, you can plan, you can use the Law of Attraction, but sometimes the boat's motor needs a new waterpump.
So what are you going to do? Stop whining and change your plans.
This story was true, it happened to me and after our boat got towed to shore, we got in our truck and headed to a restaurant that we'd never tried before. We sat outside (like we wanted to do at the floating pub) and instead of watching boats go by, we watched cars. The food was good, the view was okay and the company was great.
In short, when business or life doesn't go as planned, have a backup plan - an alternative plan. And, try to see the bigger picture; sometimes seemingly annoying bad things are blessings in disguise.
I'm glad we had a problem with boat when we did; we were close to shore and weren't way out to sea when this happened. Had we been out far away, who knows how long it would've taken to find a good samaritan.
By the way, we finally did get over to that floating pub - The Dingy Dock Restaurant, and the food was awesome. So...sometimes your plans have to wait.
Take care and happy escaping,
Lisa Rickwood - "Small Biz Stress Buster"
Lisa Rickwood, "Small Biz Stress Buster," is a small business coach, visual artist and author of Escape The Pace: 100 Fun And Easy Ways To Slow Down And Enjoy Your Life and co-author of Power & Soul: 42 Successful Entrepreneurs Share their Secrets for Creating the Business and Life of Their Dreams. She helps small business owners ‘master stress for professional and personal success.’ Get your FREE e-book, 5 Critical Actions That Hurt Your Business and Add Stress to Your Life…and How to Escape Them by visiting: http://www.escapethepace.com/
Monday, June 11, 2007
Maybe there is justice...
I don't usually write about celebrities but I wrote my last blog about Paris Hilton being released from jail after only 5 days and she had a 45 day sentence. She pleaded no contest to dangerous driving and was sentenced to 36 months' probation, education about alcohol and $1,500 in fines. In the months that followed she was stopped twice while driving on a suspended license.
I know if I did this, I'd probably lose my business and my future employment would be a challenge. However, Paris might just miss a few photo shoots.
Anyhow, the judge decided she should serve the rest of her term - 45 days, although she may still get out early as for every 4 good days, inmates where she's sentenced, can get out a day earlier.
Time will tell...
Anyway, there is a little justice after all.
Lisa
I don't usually write about celebrities but I wrote my last blog about Paris Hilton being released from jail after only 5 days and she had a 45 day sentence. She pleaded no contest to dangerous driving and was sentenced to 36 months' probation, education about alcohol and $1,500 in fines. In the months that followed she was stopped twice while driving on a suspended license.
I know if I did this, I'd probably lose my business and my future employment would be a challenge. However, Paris might just miss a few photo shoots.
Anyhow, the judge decided she should serve the rest of her term - 45 days, although she may still get out early as for every 4 good days, inmates where she's sentenced, can get out a day earlier.
Time will tell...
Anyway, there is a little justice after all.
Lisa
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Paris Hilton or Bust!
So now I know society has really gone to the dogs or to Paris...
Even when I don't care or want to know about the infamous, Paris Hilton, the media shoves it in my face - it's at the newsstands, on the evening news and the radio. Newsflash: I DON'T CARE.
Well, I must care because I'm writing about it, but why I'm writing is because I never cease to be amazed at the number of 'well you know' people who commit a crime and don't do the time.
So...after a few days in jail, poor Paris Hilton is allowed to finish her sentence in the comfort of her multi-million dollar mansion with an electronic anklet attached to her ankle. What if the electronic tag isn't covered in diamonds? Poor, poor Paris. I can just hear her saying, "But it doesn't match the rest of my outfit - where's all the diamonds?"
So they're releasing her because she's having a panic attack? What, she doesn't have a solid gold toilet in prison? Poor, girl - that would do me in as well.
It's so sad that she's under house arrest for the next 40 days. Does that mean - she can't leave her mansion to go shopping on Rodeo Drive? Awww, that's sad - what's a girl supposed to do?
Paris was originally sentenced to 45 days incarceration for breaking the terms of a drink-driving probation, but as everyone can see, 5 days was just too long for the poor girl. If it was you or me with this conviction, they'd throw away the key indefinately. Ain't society grand!
Lessons you can walk away with:
So now I know society has really gone to the dogs or to Paris...
Even when I don't care or want to know about the infamous, Paris Hilton, the media shoves it in my face - it's at the newsstands, on the evening news and the radio. Newsflash: I DON'T CARE.
Well, I must care because I'm writing about it, but why I'm writing is because I never cease to be amazed at the number of 'well you know' people who commit a crime and don't do the time.
So...after a few days in jail, poor Paris Hilton is allowed to finish her sentence in the comfort of her multi-million dollar mansion with an electronic anklet attached to her ankle. What if the electronic tag isn't covered in diamonds? Poor, poor Paris. I can just hear her saying, "But it doesn't match the rest of my outfit - where's all the diamonds?"
So they're releasing her because she's having a panic attack? What, she doesn't have a solid gold toilet in prison? Poor, girl - that would do me in as well.
It's so sad that she's under house arrest for the next 40 days. Does that mean - she can't leave her mansion to go shopping on Rodeo Drive? Awww, that's sad - what's a girl supposed to do?
Paris was originally sentenced to 45 days incarceration for breaking the terms of a drink-driving probation, but as everyone can see, 5 days was just too long for the poor girl. If it was you or me with this conviction, they'd throw away the key indefinately. Ain't society grand!
Lessons you can walk away with:
- Always look sexy - even when your picture is a mugshot
- Play the victim - you'll receive the first 'get out of jail free' card
- Change your last name to Hilton - you'll always have a place to stay
- Make sure your dog has more diamonds on him than the cost of the average person's home - then you'll feel complete
- Be sure your anklet matches your outfit - you may have to ask for designer anklets in different gemstone colors so the anklet doesn't clash with your stripper outfits.
Am I being sarcastic? Ya think?
There is one great thing about stories like this - they take our minds off the real issues of climate change, Afghanistan, money issues and so forth.
Happy escaping,
Lisa Rickwood - "Small Biz Stress Buster"
Lisa Rickwood, "Small Biz Stress Buster," is a small business coach, visual artist and author of Escape The Pace: 100 Fun And Easy Ways To Slow Down And Enjoy Your Life and co-author of Power & Soul: 42 Successful Entrepreneurs Share their Secrets for Creating the Business and Life of Their Dreams. She helps small business owners ‘master stress for professional and personal success.’ Get your FREE e-book, 5 Critical Actions That Hurt Your Business and Add Stress to Your Life…and How to Escape Them by visiting: http://www.escapethepace.com/
Monday, June 04, 2007
Butterflies and Business
"The butterfly counts not months but moments, and has time enough." ~Rabindranath Tagore
If you're an entrepreneur or small business owner, you know all too well about the TIME game. What's that? Basically, it's that feeling of trying to cross off every single thing on your to-do list before the end of the day.
So what do you do if you're trapped in the 'too much to do, too little time' game? Get smart.
Here's the thing - don't do everything on your list. That's right, life's too short. Yes, you may need to send that proposal to a prospective client, finish a report, write a letter, do some consulting, etc. but do you need to do everything on your list? How do you know what to do and not to do? This will vary depending on your business and lifestyle but there are some things you can do to simplify your day.
Try this:
- Every day, start out with a plan. Be sure to have 3 key high-payoff things you'd like to achieve. This will keep you focused and you won't have to have a to-do list a mile long.
- Take at least 30 minutes every day and work undisturbed. Have your assistant answer calls, or turn on your answering machine.
- Every day say this phrase, "Is this the best use of my time at this moment?" This phrase will keep you focused. Sometimes you will use your time to work on business, sometimes the best use of your time might be to take a walk or relax.
- Write down your high pay-off activities on paper. Every day, try to focus on these most and let the other things be dealt with minimally. ex. high payoff activities might include: consulting, selling products, phoning past customers or current customers, etc. High pay-off usually means activities that generate the most revenue.
- Hire experts to do jobs that aren't your forte. This will free you up to do what you're good at. ex. if you don't enjoy doing websites, why waste your time? Get someone to do this so you can focus on your real skills.
Our time on this earth is fleeting, much like the life of a butterfly. When we really think about this, we need to make the best use of our time in our business and life.
I invite you to think about your day today as you read this. How are you spending your time? Are there things you can eliminate? Can you add more fun to your life? How can you make your life better?
"The butterfly counts not months but moments, and has time enough." ~Rabindranath Tagore
If you're an entrepreneur or small business owner, you know all too well about the TIME game. What's that? Basically, it's that feeling of trying to cross off every single thing on your to-do list before the end of the day.
So what do you do if you're trapped in the 'too much to do, too little time' game? Get smart.
Here's the thing - don't do everything on your list. That's right, life's too short. Yes, you may need to send that proposal to a prospective client, finish a report, write a letter, do some consulting, etc. but do you need to do everything on your list? How do you know what to do and not to do? This will vary depending on your business and lifestyle but there are some things you can do to simplify your day.
Try this:
- Every day, start out with a plan. Be sure to have 3 key high-payoff things you'd like to achieve. This will keep you focused and you won't have to have a to-do list a mile long.
- Take at least 30 minutes every day and work undisturbed. Have your assistant answer calls, or turn on your answering machine.
- Every day say this phrase, "Is this the best use of my time at this moment?" This phrase will keep you focused. Sometimes you will use your time to work on business, sometimes the best use of your time might be to take a walk or relax.
- Write down your high pay-off activities on paper. Every day, try to focus on these most and let the other things be dealt with minimally. ex. high payoff activities might include: consulting, selling products, phoning past customers or current customers, etc. High pay-off usually means activities that generate the most revenue.
- Hire experts to do jobs that aren't your forte. This will free you up to do what you're good at. ex. if you don't enjoy doing websites, why waste your time? Get someone to do this so you can focus on your real skills.
Our time on this earth is fleeting, much like the life of a butterfly. When we really think about this, we need to make the best use of our time in our business and life.
I invite you to think about your day today as you read this. How are you spending your time? Are there things you can eliminate? Can you add more fun to your life? How can you make your life better?
Take care and happy escaping,
Lisa Rickwood, "Small Biz Stress Buster," is a small business coach, visual artist and author of Escape The Pace: 100 Fun And Easy Ways To Slow Down And Enjoy Your Life and co-author of Power & Soul: 42 Successful Entrepreneurs Share their Secrets for Creating the Business and Life of Their Dreams. She helps small business owners ‘master stress for professional and personal success.’ Get your FREE e-book, 5 Critical Actions That Hurt Your Business and Add Stress to Your Life…and How to Escape Them by visiting: http://www.escapethepace.com/
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