.jpg){kind=small}
The stock market creates a frenzy daily. Your neighbor just lost her job. Mama’s gravely ill. Your world’s rocked. Another storm just hit. Just when you wonder what else can happen, dag gone it does.
A saying is "God never gives you more than you can handle." Another one is "what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger." You’ve had enough. “God, quit this. Send help. “ you scream.
One day was especially hard during my divorce. Pain, the emotional kind, racked my entire being. Crying on the phone to friend Faith I shouted through tears “I don’t want to be stronger. I'm stong enough. I want it to end.”
Faith was a huge support during that time. Support, knowing about your finances and staying optimistic are 3 keys previously discussed. Three more keys to coping when your world gets rocked can make a difference to you and everyone around you.
The most important key is taking care of yourself. Sound radical? Women are wizards at putting everyone else first. When your world gets rocked, make taking care of yourself the center of your Universe. ‘Yea, yea, that’s easy for you to say’ you’re thinking.
I know from experience that no one will take better care of you than you can. You just need to develop that muscle, create that habit. There’s a big difference between self care and being selfish – a topic for another time. Eating well, resting when you’re tired and exercising your body with more than going to the car, running errands and walking around the house are good beginnings.
Controlling what comes into your environment is another key. Environment is defined as anywhere you are – the office, home, yard, grocery store. Where you have control is what comes into your home and car. News comes via television, radio, computer, magazines, newspapers, blackberrys. Any item that has a power button can be turned off. Keeping the bad news out, or at a minimum, keeps your energy up and your health better. If something happens that you really need to know, you’ll find out. Now’s the time to play those CDs that you haven’t heard in a long time. Last week really was National Turn Off The TV Week, no kidding.
Related to that is how much you talk about good news and positive things. How much do you talk about bad news? This morning a friend told a sad story about a young family racked with illness and bad times. I felt myself getting anxious for it to end. I didn’t want that conversation zapping my energy. Pay attention and monitor how you feel as you’re talking. You can control your part of the conversation.
They’re choices you make. Just as you choose what you’re wearing or having for lunch, you choose what you do, with whom, how and when. For a moment reflect on your day and the choices you’ve made already. Are they getting you what you want? Do they empower you? Or do they hold you back, waste time and money? How have you used your power? Then decide what you want to have happen. Make choices that make it happen. Choose a positive attitude. Choose success. You’re on the road to big things.
Nature has a daily routine with the sun setting the pace for the day to begin when it rises and to wind down when it sets. Daily activities are planned around that. You have a routine of some kind. When I was out of work, I had no routine. No work meant no reason to get up. I was lost. My stomach wanting food was the only regulator I had. Lack of routine was messing me up. I decided I needed a routine because I really missed it. What a difference it made. I was in sync with the world again. A routine can make the same difference for you. Getting up at the same time every day can change your life.
Creating and following a routine, making good choices and taking care of yourself are three more ways to cope during hard times. Your family and friends are supporting you. You can make smart choices that give you power. You feel good about yourself.
Staying positive is easier when you have control over yourself and what you do. Positive people attract the best people and opportunities. Like Rick Warren says in the Purpose Driven Life “Between now and this time tomorrow, you’ll give your life to something.” What will you give your life to?
COACHES CHALLENGE: Do something nice for yourself each and every day.
© Copyright 2009 by Smokie Sizemore, CPCC. You may include this article in your e-zine , website or distribute it to others provided you include the copyright statement and bio information tag found at the end of this article. Smokie Sizemore, CPCC, speaker and founder of the Smart Woman’s Club, is an expert on the authentic woman. She coaches professional women to thrive in their careers, and have the life they want. For more information visit www.smartwomansclub.com.
Makeover for Sarah?
There is very good news. A new voice and face – heck a whole personality – has shown up and captured the air waves. Her name is Sarah Boyles. Catch her appearance on Britian’s Got Talent at www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY.
Because she wants to be a professional singer and told her mum, who died 2 years ago, that she’d do it, she did it. Funny how we'll do something for someone else that we won't do for ourselves.
She’s not your average looking svelte, glamorous siren. Quite the contrary. She’s what my kin would call ‘down home’, bless her heart.
Already in these few short weeks since her discovery, this 47 year old Scottish songstress has done some changing with footwear and attire. If you were to make Sarah over, what would you do?
Smart women want to know.
Because she wants to be a professional singer and told her mum, who died 2 years ago, that she’d do it, she did it. Funny how we'll do something for someone else that we won't do for ourselves.
She’s not your average looking svelte, glamorous siren. Quite the contrary. She’s what my kin would call ‘down home’, bless her heart.
Already in these few short weeks since her discovery, this 47 year old Scottish songstress has done some changing with footwear and attire. If you were to make Sarah over, what would you do?
Smart women want to know.
News or 5 minute phone call?
‘Cell phones must be turned off’ the sign at the lobby entrance declared.
“How nice. I won’t be subjected to ringing phones and dialog divulging TMI.” I thought.
At the check-in desk a sign said “Please limit all calls to 5 min. Thank you.”
Meanwhile live CNN was blaring and streaming the doom of the day.
Give me a 5 minute phone call, please!
“How nice. I won’t be subjected to ringing phones and dialog divulging TMI.” I thought.
At the check-in desk a sign said “Please limit all calls to 5 min. Thank you.”
Meanwhile live CNN was blaring and streaming the doom of the day.
Give me a 5 minute phone call, please!
Four Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Networking is about having links - those golden people that can lead to jobs and business. It looks easy on the surface. ostly what you see is ineffective because people are making mistakes that cancel their efforts and waste their time.
Four Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
by Jerry N. Smith
Referral business is invaluable to a small business and building a strong network is key to maximizing referrals.
The process of networking is long term, and for many business owners requires going to events and joining groups that may be uncomfortable. It also requires you to make small talk and almost always deliver your 30 second introduction, neither of which you may feel are strengths. There are some common mistakes that can decrease your effectiveness in a networking situation. The good news is that networking is a marketing skill that can be learned. There are things you can do to address these mistakes immediately.
So what are these mistakes?
1. Talking about yourself - this is a mindset issue and much of what follows is related. It may seem counter-intuitive, but successful networking relies on you talking LESS about yourself and more about the person to whom you are talking at the time. It may seem that you need to tell as many people as you can all about yourself and your business, but as we shall see, this is counterproductive.
One place you typically find a lot of self-talk is the 30 second introduction. Compiling a successful introduction takes time and effort. Often you will hear facts about the speaker's company - time in business, awards won, location and so on. Also common is a list of services they provide. The effect of this is to force the listener to decide if the services listed apply to them. Chances are they have heard similar speeches before and will tend to tune you out. Tip: make your introduction about the clients you love to serve. Say who you work with and the issues you help them with and you will get far more interest.
Lesson one therefore: Talk less about yourself
2. Selling - again, this may not seem to make sense upon first examination. Surely you are going to a networking event to find prospects and sell to them? Indeed this is a common tactic you will see. As soon as there is a whiff of interest, leap straight into "selling" mode. This is where the impression that networking events are full of sales people comes from. Most of the time this is a mistake because people hate to be sold. Your prospects have real issues for which they are searching for solutions, but they don't even know you yet. You certainly haven't established any trust with them and you need that first.
The way to avoid a selling habit is to change your mindset from finding clients, to establishing if they even have a need for your service and whether the two of you are a good "fit" for one another. To do this you need to understand the issues and challenges that your services address, and you need to ASK QUESTIONS to find out whether there is a fit with the person to whom you are speaking.
3. Failing to give value - remember establishing trust? Once you have gained the attention of your prospect, you need to establish trust with them so that they don't simply see you as another salesman, but someone to engage in further conversation. This is related to the avoidance of selling. If you are prepared to give away up to 20% of the value you give to clients, this will position you favorably as someone who is giving before expecting to get.
You might say that's all well and good, but what do you give away? This depends on your business and the service you provide but typically, information that people can use is extremely valuable. Write reports and/or tip sheets on how to address common issues your clients wrestle with and offer to send that to prospects without expecting them to buy immediately - that's important. Give of this information freely.
4. Poor follow up - networking is generally the first stage in a relationship. It may be the only conversation you have with someone if you agree there is no fit between you. Chances are that you will see them again, and you want them to remember you and what you do so they can refer you to others. Whatever you agree to do next (send that report, email them with times to get together, send them a hand written note) you must follow through. Again, you are trying to build trust. If you collect cards but can't remember what you agreed to do with them, that is worse than not meeting in the first place. Trust will be lost if you don't follow up.
These points may seem obvious but they require a particular mindset that can be summed up as follows:
Think "give" not "get" - give value freely, don't seek to gain a client on first meeting. Be inquisitive - ask questions to find out about others rather than seeking to tell them about you. Gear your message to other people's challenges - this is about them, not about you!
If you follow these simple rules you will stand out positively from all those people trying to sell!
Four Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
by Jerry N. Smith
Referral business is invaluable to a small business and building a strong network is key to maximizing referrals.
The process of networking is long term, and for many business owners requires going to events and joining groups that may be uncomfortable. It also requires you to make small talk and almost always deliver your 30 second introduction, neither of which you may feel are strengths. There are some common mistakes that can decrease your effectiveness in a networking situation. The good news is that networking is a marketing skill that can be learned. There are things you can do to address these mistakes immediately.
So what are these mistakes?
1. Talking about yourself - this is a mindset issue and much of what follows is related. It may seem counter-intuitive, but successful networking relies on you talking LESS about yourself and more about the person to whom you are talking at the time. It may seem that you need to tell as many people as you can all about yourself and your business, but as we shall see, this is counterproductive.
One place you typically find a lot of self-talk is the 30 second introduction. Compiling a successful introduction takes time and effort. Often you will hear facts about the speaker's company - time in business, awards won, location and so on. Also common is a list of services they provide. The effect of this is to force the listener to decide if the services listed apply to them. Chances are they have heard similar speeches before and will tend to tune you out. Tip: make your introduction about the clients you love to serve. Say who you work with and the issues you help them with and you will get far more interest.
Lesson one therefore: Talk less about yourself
2. Selling - again, this may not seem to make sense upon first examination. Surely you are going to a networking event to find prospects and sell to them? Indeed this is a common tactic you will see. As soon as there is a whiff of interest, leap straight into "selling" mode. This is where the impression that networking events are full of sales people comes from. Most of the time this is a mistake because people hate to be sold. Your prospects have real issues for which they are searching for solutions, but they don't even know you yet. You certainly haven't established any trust with them and you need that first.
The way to avoid a selling habit is to change your mindset from finding clients, to establishing if they even have a need for your service and whether the two of you are a good "fit" for one another. To do this you need to understand the issues and challenges that your services address, and you need to ASK QUESTIONS to find out whether there is a fit with the person to whom you are speaking.
3. Failing to give value - remember establishing trust? Once you have gained the attention of your prospect, you need to establish trust with them so that they don't simply see you as another salesman, but someone to engage in further conversation. This is related to the avoidance of selling. If you are prepared to give away up to 20% of the value you give to clients, this will position you favorably as someone who is giving before expecting to get.
You might say that's all well and good, but what do you give away? This depends on your business and the service you provide but typically, information that people can use is extremely valuable. Write reports and/or tip sheets on how to address common issues your clients wrestle with and offer to send that to prospects without expecting them to buy immediately - that's important. Give of this information freely.
4. Poor follow up - networking is generally the first stage in a relationship. It may be the only conversation you have with someone if you agree there is no fit between you. Chances are that you will see them again, and you want them to remember you and what you do so they can refer you to others. Whatever you agree to do next (send that report, email them with times to get together, send them a hand written note) you must follow through. Again, you are trying to build trust. If you collect cards but can't remember what you agreed to do with them, that is worse than not meeting in the first place. Trust will be lost if you don't follow up.
These points may seem obvious but they require a particular mindset that can be summed up as follows:
Think "give" not "get" - give value freely, don't seek to gain a client on first meeting. Be inquisitive - ask questions to find out about others rather than seeking to tell them about you. Gear your message to other people's challenges - this is about them, not about you!
If you follow these simple rules you will stand out positively from all those people trying to sell!
Penny Wise and Time Foolish
Networking takes time. Done properly your time investment brings huge rewards. Done poorly, the way most people network and how I did for years, your time is wasted, never to be regained. Read Mike Macedonio's article for insight.
Penny Wise and Time Foolish
By Mike Macedonio
Is it just me or is anyone else shaking their head at the assertion that “word-of-mouth marketing and referral marketing are FREE advertising.” Clearly, referral marketing (done properly) is a cost-effective way to get businness, but the only way I can possibly see making it FREE is to do nothing at all.
So what is the investment for referral marketing? There are two investments with building your business by referral: time and money. I’m surprised when I ask business owners how much they are investing in referral marketing and they don’t have any idea. Is it because it is so cost-effective that they don’t think it is worth budgeting or tracking? Maybe. However, I also see businesspeople turn down opportunities to get involved in networking organizations, acquire training, attend conferences or sponsor strategic alliance events for financial reasons.
What about the hidden cost? How much time are you spending networking and meeting with referral sources? What is your time worth? Often when I ask that question, I get the billable rate. Here is the simple formula I use. How much you earn, divided by how much you work. For example, if you’re making $120,000 a year working 40 hours per week, 50 weeks a year, your time is worth $60 per hour. You may be billing $150 per hour; however, after you factor in everything else you are doing, this is what your time is returning to you.
When you consider that the serious active networker will spend eight hours a week attending networking events, networking online, meeting with referral sources and giving time to activities with his network, that works out to 400 hours per year or $24,000 of time invested a year. Hmmm, that doesn’t sound like FREE to me.
Referral marketing is the most cost-effective way to grow your business. Getting the best return on your time and money requires a clear referral marketing plan. Will you be spending your time doing the right things, with the right people, in the right organizations? Investing in referral marketing knowledge will help you get the best return for your time investment. Be careful not to fall into the common trap of being penny wise and time foolish with your referral marketing. Create a budget and invest appropriately in your referral marketing.
Penny Wise and Time Foolish
By Mike Macedonio
Is it just me or is anyone else shaking their head at the assertion that “word-of-mouth marketing and referral marketing are FREE advertising.” Clearly, referral marketing (done properly) is a cost-effective way to get businness, but the only way I can possibly see making it FREE is to do nothing at all.
So what is the investment for referral marketing? There are two investments with building your business by referral: time and money. I’m surprised when I ask business owners how much they are investing in referral marketing and they don’t have any idea. Is it because it is so cost-effective that they don’t think it is worth budgeting or tracking? Maybe. However, I also see businesspeople turn down opportunities to get involved in networking organizations, acquire training, attend conferences or sponsor strategic alliance events for financial reasons.
What about the hidden cost? How much time are you spending networking and meeting with referral sources? What is your time worth? Often when I ask that question, I get the billable rate. Here is the simple formula I use. How much you earn, divided by how much you work. For example, if you’re making $120,000 a year working 40 hours per week, 50 weeks a year, your time is worth $60 per hour. You may be billing $150 per hour; however, after you factor in everything else you are doing, this is what your time is returning to you.
When you consider that the serious active networker will spend eight hours a week attending networking events, networking online, meeting with referral sources and giving time to activities with his network, that works out to 400 hours per year or $24,000 of time invested a year. Hmmm, that doesn’t sound like FREE to me.
Referral marketing is the most cost-effective way to grow your business. Getting the best return on your time and money requires a clear referral marketing plan. Will you be spending your time doing the right things, with the right people, in the right organizations? Investing in referral marketing knowledge will help you get the best return for your time investment. Be careful not to fall into the common trap of being penny wise and time foolish with your referral marketing. Create a budget and invest appropriately in your referral marketing.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
