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Word Watching

Have you made any resolutions for 2012?

Do they sound like lose weight, quit smoking and get out of debt? Those are rather negative ways to state your resolutions. “Lose,” “quit” and “debt” carry a lot of heavy baggage with them.

Instead of focusing on what you don’t want (i.e., all that baggage), try reframing your thoughts around what you DO want.

For example, instead of saying you want to lose weight, restate it and say you will eat healthy foods or walk for 30 minutes every day or climb Pikes Peak. All of these statements are about positive actions that will lead to relieving yourself of some of your excess weight. Want to quit smoking? Try reframing that to say you enjoy breathing clean air into your lungs or you're redirecting all that cigarette money you're saving each month to a personal trainer or to a retirement plan or some other long term reward for knocking cigarettes out of your life.

Get the picture?

So what can you do if you don’t like making resolutions or cannot seem to settle on anything in particular?

Try this: Pick a word (or phrase) that expresses what you DO want for 2012.

A word? Yep, a word.

I’ve done this for several years, most recently with a great group of artists. Last year’s word for me was FOCUS. I printed out a couple of copies of the word in a fun font and put one in my office and the other in my studio. Throughout the year I reminded myself that FOCUS was my word and darned if I didn’t accomplish a TON of things in 2011 and set myself up for a great 2012.

Of course you need to give it some thought and choose your word carefully. Consider your Vision, your goals and your dreams when selecting your word. Consider changes you might like to make in your behavior or your surroundings or your thinking. Consider what you might like to do differently in your business or your life. Keep it strong and positive. The sky’s the limit!

So, let’s say you want to lose weight. Spend some time really thinking about what it will feel like when the weight has disappeared. How will your clothes feel on you? What will eating higher quality, healthier food feel like? What will your body feel like after incorporating exercise and movement into your daily routine? What will your joints feel like? How will your life be different? If that sort of thinking inspires you, then you might pick a very specific word like “10k” or “golf” or “personal trainer" or something more expansive like “strong” or “invigorating” or whatever is meaningful to you.

One of the great things about a word instead of a lot of resolutions, is you can apply your word to a myriad of situations. When you’re feeling overwhelmed, decide which tasks are in line with your word and work on them. When you’re not sure which avenue to take, ask yourself which choice would support your word. When you’re procrastinating, look at the word and take an intentional step toward it. When you’re weak or feeling like throwing your hands up and walking away, look at the word and let it empower you to move ahead despite the obstacles.

Your word can guide and inspire you. It can be that gentle nudge or kick in the pants we all need over the course of any year. And, it’s a one year relationship. Try doing that with a resolution!

So, do you want to know my word for 2012? Ask me!

Jump!

With 2011 winding down, I'm starting to hear more and more people say, "I'll just wait until January." My question is this: "What are you waiting for?"

There is still a month and a half left in 2011. I don't know about you, but I sure can get a lot done in a month and a half! That means when January rolls around, whatever I got done won't be lingering on some list of To Do's and I'll be free of the burden.

Wouldn't you like to go into the new year with a lighter load?

If you're putting off something, ask yourself a few questions:

  • What will I gain by delaying?
  • What will I lose by delaying?
  • Why am I delaying?

If you're not coming up with any show stopping answers, then JUMP!

Pick a big project that you're putting off and get it started. Think of how far along you could be one month from today!

Look at your To Do's and knock out a bunch of those things that you've been carrying over from list to list to list. Wouldn't it be great to begin the new year without them?

Take a look at your vision for your business and for your life. Will putting things off until January get you closer to achieving your goals and fulfilling your vision? If you're honest with yourself, the answer is probably "no!"

So, do yourself a favor. Stand up, take a deep breath, smile, look ahead to 2012,... and JUMP

What I Did Over My Summer Vacation

Now that school's back in session, I feel like I need to report on "What I Did Over Summer Vacation." Well, in addition to losing some weight and finding some long forgotten muscles, this summer has been a period of "firsts" for me:

  • I created a Beginning Conversational Spanish Class here in Colorado Springs (fun, fun, fun!)

  • Participated in Marketing From A to eZine, an email giveaway campaign with a group of 15 professionals, and wrote my first short eBook: Business Budget Tips

  • Took a painting class at the Beamis School of Art, joined a sketching group, took a Whimsical Drawing class at Textile Evolution and an advanced design class that requires me to work in a series - all new experiences for me

  • Joined together with five other businesswomen to form a group we call Tools 4 Business to sponsor a hot air balloon at the Colorado Balloon Classic and give away a $5,000 business services package

  • Became a Mentor with the pilot program of Women2Women an organization that provides personal and professional mentoring for women in the workforce

Whew! I knew I was busy, but I did not realize just how much I've accomplished in the past few months.

When was the last time you paid attention to your personal or business accomplishments? At the end of last year?

Here's a suggestion: Why wait?

Recognize the positive, fun and rewarding things that have happened in the past few months and jot them down. This will not only serve as a physical record, it will also serve as a reminder of the good things that you've done. Then pat yourself on the back and notice how you feel... pretty nice, eh?

By simply recognizing your achievements, you add a little boost to your confidence and an improvement to your mindset. Do this often enough and you change your mindset.

In changing your mindset, you change your life.

Back to School

I really enjoy the transition from Summer to Fall... the temperatures start to cool and there's a wonderful crispness in the mornings and the evenings. As an artist, I love watching the colors change, whether it's in the leaves or the way the light bounces off the mountains. As a business person, accountability coach, and lifelong learner, Fall presents wonderful opportunities to go back to school. Why not look around for classes or workshops you'd like to attend that make sense for you and for your business?

As for me, I'm looking forward to a few art workshops and a business retreat this Fall. I'm also teaching a brand new evening Conversational Spanish class in Colorado Springs starting on September 26th. How fun is that?! Visit www.SpanishTheEZWay.com for a free weekly podcast and to check out the class!

For many of us, Fall is also the time to look ahead and develop next year's budget. Are you set to close out 2011 strong and movie into 2012 with clear vision and a plan that supports that vision?

If not, consider registering for the Budget Bootcamp webinar series and the Vision Board Playshop. This combination will help you get clear on where you're going and on what's really important to you, and will help you develop your plan to get there.

Make The Most of Your Summer

Ok, summer’s officially here. The kids are out of school, the weather’s nice, outdoor activities abound and vacations are upon us.

So how does your business fare during the summer? For some of you this is your busiest season. For others, however, in summer you feel like a kid out of school, ready to kick back and take it easy. But is that the best action you can take for your business?

Here are a few things to consider when you’re thinking about slacking off over the summer:

Is your pipeline full? If you have a full pipeline that will last through the rest of the year and into 2012, then, by all means, go ahead and take the summer off.

But, if you’re like most of us, think about this: if you work through the summer, then you’re at least three months ahead of everyone else in the fall. Why? You just spent June, July and August, keeping your contacts up and building relationships with customers and future customers.

I’m not saying that you have to be a workaholic. That's very unhealthy. What I am saying is spend your time judiciously with an eye on staying in touch with your customers and potential customers over the summer and on being open to new possibilities while on the road.

When September rolls around, everyone else will be starting from scratch… again… while you have three months of relationships already underway. Everyone else will be spending time working hard through September, October and November trying to rebuild and make up for lost time. You’ll continue to build on an active, robust pipeline of contacts and relationships. You’re much more likely to finish the year strong and have yourself set up to start 2012 without skipping a beat.

Are there contacts you can make while on the road? When you decide to take a relaxing trip or two during the summer, think about how you can mix in some business. Now, you don’t have to ruin your vacation by working the whole time. Instead, think about what you can set up before you leave (like autoresponders and mailing out a newsletter) or by making posts to your blog or Facebook business page while you’re gone.

Of course, you may also run into live humans while you’re traveling who are interested in your products or services. So, take business cards or postcards that you can leave with them. Then, be sure you follow up when you get back. Remember to keep your conversations respectful and low key as your fellow travelers also may be trying to take some precious time off to recharge.

Enjoy the summer!

Forward Thinking People

I like to spend time with forward thinking people. Their vision of the world and their ways of detecting and developing opportunities are remarkable.

I've found that most of them believe in the power of envisioning their reality, of paying it forward and of gratitude. They set intentions, they pray, they meditate, they journal. They maintain an open mind, they're tuned in. And, they seem to have a pretty positive and optimistic outlook.

Funny thing, though. None of these people got where they are today just by dreaming about it or wishing it to be true or thinking happy thoughts.

They get there by figuring out exactly what they want to go after, then rolling up their sleeves and working... hard. Instead of saying, "I can't," they figure out how they can.

They get guidance from people they respect and they make a plan. They review that plan regularly to see how they're progressing toward that vision and they make course corrections to stay on track. They're patient and they persevere.

They work on constant and never ending improvement, not just on their skill sets, but also on themselves as human beings.

Where are you in this process?

Is your vision clear? Do you have a plan? Are you executing the plan? Are you making course corrections? Are you working to improve yourself... as a human being?

A few things for you to consider.

 

Three Tips To Get Back On Track

So, how are you doing?  

Are you moving toward what you set out to do at the beginning of the year? Do you have a plan in place for the rest of the year?  Are you on track?

My hope is that you're achieving those goals you set and that you're experiencing success. But if you find yourself a bit off track, here are three steps you can take:

  1. Breathe. Stop for a moment and take an objective look at what you're doing. Have you made progress? If so, then celebrate! If you're not where you want to be, then figure out what you can do differently to make the progress you desire. Remember, if you keep doing the same thing, you're going to get the same result. So identify a change you can make in your approach.
  2. Get Help. Find a mentor, coach, family member or friend to keep you accountable. Once you tell someone what you want to achieve (plus when and how you plan to do it), you become accountable. Your accountability partner's job is to check in with you regularly, support you as you work through challenges, celebrate the successes and help you stay focused.
  3. Take A Step. Progress requires action. But a giant leap isn't necessary for most of us to make progress. Taking a small step will get you started. Then, follow it up with a series of thoughtful small steps. The result will be measurable progress, probably a lot quicker than you'd imagined. The point is, get started and keep moving with an eye on your goals.

Be kind to yourself, get guidance and take action.

'No' is a Complete Sentence

We all have moments when we’re asked to do something that would put a real crimp in our cash flow and current finances.  What to do?

Perhaps your friends ask you to go out for dinner and drinks.  If you’re short on cash, but you want to go, you’re feeling peer pressure.  Perhaps you get a request to support a cause that you believe in.  If you’re not in a position to make a donation now, you’re likely to feeling guilty.  Let’s say you’re online and you see something that’s calling your name.  You know you really don’t have the money for it, but you’re feeling that urge to impulse buy.

Regardless of the situation, here’s what you need to understand: 

“No” is a complete sentence.

You’re not required to make any explanations or defend your decision to stick to your budget and keep your cash flow directed to what’s most important to you.   

You can politely decline your friends’ invitation to dinner and drinks.  You can turn down the opportunity to donate knowing full well that there will be other opportunities to give.  You can simply click away from the temptation if you’re online (or walk away if you’re in a store).

Tell the voices in your head that push the peer pressure, generate the guilt or insist on impulse buying just to take a hike!  Then, you should take a moment to pat yourself on the back for sticking to your guns. 

So who are you?  Are you someone who is swayed by the voices in your head or someone who is under control and on track?

Here’s what I think when someone declines an opportunity to spend when they really don’t have the funds:

1.     This person has a budget or a spend plan

2.     This person has the discipline to stick to the plan

3.     This person is on the road to a better financial future.

My kind of person.

Then What?

When you sit down to plan 2011, before you launch into the details, make sure you spend a good deal of energy focusing on the big picture.

What are you passionate about?  What have you been putting off that you'd like to get done?  Think about what it is you'd truly like to accomplish in 2011, jot it down... then expand on it.

  • Is there a dollar amount you'd like to net? Great, then what?
  • More quality time with your family? Great, then what?
  • Volunteering with an organization you're passionate about? Great, then what?
  • Changing careers? Expanding your business? Writing a book? Going to school?  Getting organized?

THEN WHAT?

The Timer Trick

Do you have things piling up on your desk, emails that are going unread or return calls that just aren't happening? 

Here's a trick for getting them done:  Use a timer.