Best Affirmation Ever

Blessing In Disguise?

It finally happened…..3 years in to my MacBook and over the weekend the battery (or at least what I thought was the battery) died. Couldn’t get the thing to turn on. At first, I was simply grateful that I had indeed stuck to my plan of finishing off all my loose ends on Friday before starting the long weekend. But, after I made a trip to the apple store, came home with a brand new battery, popped it in, and then it still wouldn’t work – this was when the subtle panic and body sweats began. OMG! What’s wrong with my computer?!?!?

So, what’s a girl to do? Simple answer – genius appointment booked at the Apple store the following day….

So there I was standing outside the store waiting for it to open (I got the first appt. of the day) and I started to notice my fears that were bubbling up subtly. And at the bottom of all the little “I wonder what’s wrong” thoughts, I noticed I was simply afraid that I was going to have to shell out a bunch of cash that I hadn’t anticipated on spending. That was the bottom line.

But this presented an even bigger dilemma. Having been a student of various coaching and training programs, and have read hundreds of books on personal development, the law of attraction etc. I knew I couldn’t focus and dwell on that which I did not want!!!

So instead I thought about how much I loved my MacBook, how amazing a partner it has been in the development of my business, how it has facilitated my life for the past 3 years, with banking, blogging, facebook and twitter and how it had allowed me to connect with and meet so many amazing people. I sent it love and light as if it was a friend with the flu. Consoled it by assuring it, we were at the doctors to get it checked out and make it all better! Crazy you think? Here’s what happened next…..

The gentleman in the Apple store whom my genius appointment was with was awesome! He checked over everything and yes, it was simply the battery. The new one that I had bought the day before needed to be ‘set up’ which I had done incorrectly (shocker) and he did a couple of other things that made it work beautifully again! And then he said…”did you know we can replace that?” (“That” was my dash that had been cracking over the past couple of years where the magnets attach). “No, I didn’t, how much is that?” I innocently asked. “FREE” he said. FREE??!?!?!??!? Is anything free anymore?

So of course I said “YES”, please fix that for me for free! Then he checked with the back and they could do it right away, which they did and 30 minutes later I was back in the store to pick it up. And I had apparently misunderstood what they were going to do because they replaced the entire keyboard including a new track pad and click bar (like my technical terms for computer parts?). The entire thing looked brand new – all the dirty keys, evidence of 3 years of use, were gone, replaced by white, clean, glistening keys.

The joke around our house for the rest of the weekend was “remember when you went in to the Apple store to get a new battery and came out with a new computer?”

The whole experience just reminded me about ‘blessings in disguise’, because part of me was genuinely upset about the copmuter dying. Not that I was mad that I had to get a new battery, but, more so, the not really knowing what was wrong, and if it could be fixed and how much it would cost etc. But instead, as a result of having the battery die, I ended up with this new facelift for my beloved bessie mate (my MacBook) who is now all nice and clean and has a brand new battery! Yay! And now I can honestly say “thank you” to that old battery for dying because I got all this because of it.

Let this be a lesson to all (including myself). Sometimes things look a certain way – and may appear to be negative in their circumstance, when beneath the surface lies a blessing in disguise.

Anyone had a similar experience?? Share your story….

All the best,

H

Don’t get Uninvited to the Social Media Party

Would you go to a dinner party and announce upon arrival “Hi everyone, thanks for inviting me to the party, I don’t care about any of you, and please don’t talk to me,  I’m just here to tell you what I think and to show off my new dress!”???

I hope not!!

And yet I often here people announcing this kind of ridiculous statement on social media forums. Social media was not created so that you could blast people with your marketing messages. It was created for you to be social and the same social etiquette that you would display meeting people face to face should be honoured. You learn a little about them, then you share a bit about you. You look to establish some common ground, build rapport and if you have a connection, you’ll probably follow that inkling and stay connected long after the party. If it turns out that there is value in doing business together – bonus!

Social media is a wonderful tool that allows you to cast your net far wider than these traditional face to face strategies, BUT, it’s still a two way street. Connecting, sharing information, asking questions, and yes making statements are all part of it, but attempting to use it as a one way street for marketing yourself or your business will lead to the ultimate social media fail! Nothing turns me off more than hearing people say “I caved” to social media. Then add to that, “I’m only here for marketing purposes”. Really??  That makes me think, “hmm, you’re running a business, and yet you can’t  make decisions for yourself, you’ll resolve to being ‘bullied’ in to doing things and you take no ownership of your business development choices.

As a business coach and advisor to businesses all over North America I preach the same business fundamentals that have supported development since the beginning of time. Visibility (if no one knows you’re there, they can’t do business with you), Credibility (if you can’t do what you say you can, you’re dead in the water and it’s only a matter of time until you’re called out) Profitability (Yes, it’s true, you have to make some money), Sustainability (once you’ve built something profitable the next question should be: can it hold weight without you being there 24/7) and finally Scalability (Can you take what you’ve built and see it exponentially scale out through leveraging all your developed systems?)

Social media is another tool in an plethora of choices that support businesses in following these crucial steps. It’s not a quick fix, or a hail mary pass. It needs to be treated like every other tool. Learn how to use it, as it was intended, decide if that use fits for your business development model, if it does, choose to use it. Start walking with it, then jogging, and eventually sprinting along seeing it’s true power support your business development initiatives.

Don’t be the one sitting at home alone because you’ve been uninvited  to the party.

Take Online Relationships Offline

The likes of Twitter, Linked In and Facebook have allowed for networking to grow to the next level. They are exceptional tools for being able to build credibility with your audience as you share relevant information, tips and tools of the trade and make comfortable introductions in a timely and effective manner.  All that said, there is an important step that some social media butterflies are neglecting – take your online relationships offline!

Use the tools of the internet to cast your net wide as it pertains to establishing relationships, but make sure you continue to connect with your network offline. Schedule coffee meetings and lunches and invite people to events you are hosting. Taking your online relationships offline will increase your credibility and solidify your relationships even further.

All the best,

Heather

Asking the Right Questions?

As an entrepreneur I spend a lot of time with other entrepreneurs and there is no secret to the struggles that we endure.  Firstly, there has been the removal of the ‘security blanket’ offered by corporate positions with guaranteed holidays, vacation pay and benefits packages.  Then there’s the fact that (in the beginning at least) you are no longer responsible for just doing the work that you are naturally gifted at but you have to pony up to the plate – marketing, sales, product development, management, book keeping, accounting, payroll etc.  Then of course there is the inevitable mind games that your ego will try to play with you about whether you’re really cut out for this or who do you think you are?  No easy task to tackle.

The stats speak for themselves.  Many new businesses suffer in the first year and many close up shop.  The times get too tough, the money starts to run out, you lose your momentum and enthusiasm for starting the business in the first place and before you know it the doors are shut!

So what’s really going on here?  How can you go from hero to zero within a matter of months?

I think one of the biggest challenges for people is they stop asking the right questions?  They forget what their vision was in the first place, they don’t have a series of goals they are working towards, they get lost in what action steps to take and eventually are taking no action.  (We all know what happens when you don’t take action!)

So what are the right questions?  Well, here’s a few to get you started.

1. What do I do? – It is important to be clear about what product you are brining to the market.

2. Why does it matter? – What is the underlying ‘need’ in the market that you are now filling?

3. Who cares? – Who is your target market?  Who is going to really get juiced about what you are doing?

4. What does success look like to me? – Create the vision of the successful company you are trying to build.

5. What are my monthly, quarterly, yearly goals?

Here’s some questions to watch out for because they will not give you the answers you are looking for:

1. Does anyone even care about what I do?

2. Why is it so hard to build a business?

3. Would anyone even notice if I closed the doors tomorrow?

4. Where is my next paycheck coming from?

5. Am I even good at what I do?

Don’t get discouraged and don’t buy in to why things are hard.  Your attitude will determine whether or not you will make it or not.  If you give up mentally; you’re done!  You have to be the driver of your bus.  You have to know where you’re going and you have to be prepared to cope with the inevitable pot holes that will get in your way.

I recommend insulating yourself with mentors, coaches, and advisors who are experienced and have walked the talk.  They will be able to provide you with objective insight and support you during the “tougher” days. But, at the end of it all, it’s up to you.  You have to believe in yourself and you have to believe in your business.  If failure is not an option – what’s the question?

Recommended Reading:

Think and Grow Rich – Napoleon Hill

You were Born Rich – Bob Proctor

The E-Myth – Michael Gerber

The 4 Hour Work Week – Timothy Ferriss

The Voice In Your Head

We all have it; that voice, that tape that plays inside your head.  For some it’s constant and for others (those who have become more aware) it is controlled and monitored.  Have you considered lately what is the voice saying?  For the purposes of this blog I’d like you to consider what does the voice tell you about you? About your abilities, your personality, your body?  Are the messages that you are hearing within your head mostly positive, mostly negative, or a combination of both?

My formal study in the area of the mind has been one that teaches human beings exist on three planes. We are spiritual beings that have been gifted with an intellect and live inside a physical body.  For some of you that will be obvious and likely a concept that you are familiar with.  For others, you may now be wondering if I’m crazy.  Regardless, this concept is one that I have accepted in my life and one that brings me a great deal of peace, joy and acceptance.

It is with the acceptance that I am a spiritual being, one that has been designed with exact precision and one that is uniquely perfect that allows me the ability to separate who I am from who I “think” I am.  It is our thought process, our ego that tries to manipulate us and move us away from the deeper understanding of who we are.  The ego is forever living in past and future thought processes, unaware of the power and potential that lies in the present moment.  By thinking about something that happened yesterday, or, anticipating some future event our mind enables us to lose sight of the only thing that really ever is and that is the present moment.  If you really consider it, nothing ever happens in the future or in the past; it always happens in the present moment.  However, I ask you this: how much time are you honestly spending in the present moment?  Furthermore, how much time are you spending “thinking” about some past or future event?

The voice in your head can been incredibly helpful, if you learn to listen to it, and monitor what it is saying. From there the question becomes: “Is this message serving me or hurting me?”  Are you hearing positive, uplifting messages or are you hearing negative, condescending ones?  Only by listening will you know for sure.

Keep in mind we can have upwards of 50,000 thoughts racing through our head on any given day.  It would be next to impossible to start today and be able to capture every thought and analyze whether or not that particular thought is helping you or hurting you.  Attempting to do that would be similar to strapping on your running shoes, walking out your front door and running a marathon today.  (Assuming that you are not already a trained runner.)

Instead what I propose is that you start slowly.  Be aware that the thoughts are occurring and be conscious of listening to what the voice is saying.  Start with the thoughts directed towards yourself.  Pay attention for words and phrases like “should” and “have to”.  Learn to sense the feeling and emotion that certain thoughts bring you.  Sense whether the messages are positive or negative.  When you know that a thought process is not serving you, replace it with one that does.  For instance if you hear your voice criticizing your physical body “you are such a fat slob”, replace the thought with one of a higher nature “I am beautiful!  I love, accept and cherish my body”.  Notice how the old thought vs. the new thought affect the feelings and emotions within you. Even if you don’t believe the new thought today, simply by saying the words you will change the vibration of your body and slowly the old negative thoughts will not fit and eventually they will cease.

This concept is big and one that can be difficult to grasp.  I welcome your questions and comments. Just know that by taking ownership and responsibility of your thought processes and by replacing negative thoughts with positive ones you are not only changing your own vibration, but you are positively shifting the vibration of the Planet.

Taking NO as graciously as YES

Look for the fit; don’t force it!

I was doing a bunch of prospecting for a Trade Mission project that I’m working on and it required me to make a lot of cold calls. I won’t lie and say I LOVE COLD CALLING, because LOVE is a strong word. I love my family, friends, skiing, red wine, chocolate, things like that. I don’t love cold calling. But, I do love making money and in order to continue to make money I will continue to cold call. So there I was, back in the trenches, equipped with the most important asset to cold calling success:

The ANSWER to my prospects  question “why do I care?”

And not some long winded paragraph of b.s. about why my product is so amazing and wonderful and will revolutionize their business. Instead, a short, sweet, articulate and well thought out answer. One that Chris Flett would be proud of. One that I am proud of. Otherwise, why call? Do you think I really want to get my ass handed to me???

One guy that I chatted with reminded me of the 2nd most important asset to cold calling success:

Knowing how and why to take ‘no’ as graciously as ‘yes’

Because he had decided, before we even began the conversation, that whatever I was asking, he was going to say ‘no’ to, the conversation was over almost as quickly as it began. He came on the phone very abrupt and cold in his tone. I did my thing and turned it back to him. He softened a bit when he realized I wasn’t calling to harass him, nor did I want to have to convince him or pursuade him of anything. I was simply curious as to whether I was on the mark with why I thought he would give a shit about what I was presenting him with. He wasn’t. Call over. Simple. As I was thanking him for the 32 seconds of his time and getting ready to hang up, there was a tone of desperation in his voice as he said “thanks so much for understanding!! I hope you know this isn’t because I’m a bad guy or anything…..” NO, I don’t think you’re a bad guy! I think you’re a great guy, because I have a list of 100 of you that I have to call today and you just told me what I needed to know:

You don’t see a fit between what I have to offer and what you are wanting/needing or see value in, at this present moment in time.

When you are cold calling, you can’t get attached to which prospects will say ‘yes, tell me more’ and which ones will say ‘I don’t see the fit’. You simply need to identify more than enough opportunity (a long list of them), of which you believe your odds are great, that a proportion of them (not ALL of them, although that would be awesome!) will agree with your pitch and want to take the next step with you. Take ‘no’ as graciously as ‘yes’ and work your whole list. Stick to your message, be authentic, honest and engaging and you will rock the day of cold calls.

Good luck!

Mastermind Groups

Napoleon Hill, one of the greatest thinkers of all time said: “No two minds ever come together without, thereby, creating a third, invisible, intangible force which may be likened to a third mind.”

Mastermind groups are one of the most effective and efficient ways to use synergy to propel your life to the next level, regardless of the area.  The number one reason that clients come to me for coaching is for accountability.  People who are serious about making changes in their life – quickly – understand the importance of accountability.  The mastermind group does this in a very inexpensive and productive way.

What is a mastermind group you ask?

A mastermind group is simply a group of like minded people coming together, supporting and encouraging one another as individuals work towards specific and measurable results.  There are, however, key elements to establishing and executing an effective and successful mastermind group.  I’ve listed the most important points below.  If you are interested in joining a mastermind group – email me – heather@2020communications.ca and I’ll let you know when the next group is starting.

Mastermind you way to Success:

- Mastermind groups should have 6-8 people
- They can be conducted live in person, or, over teleconferece
- You must have an established leader who is able to direct the call/meeting efficiently
- Stay on time (if your call is 60 minutes long end it at the top of the hour)
- Set your call up by having each member share their biggest “wins” or “successes” since your last meeting
- Open the floor for each member to share any needs/wants/brainstorming to accomplish certain goals

Good luck and have fun!

Don’t Ignore Desire

Desire, as defined by Wallace Wattles, is talent seeking expression and development. Found in Chaper 13 of The Science of Getting Rich Wattles hones in on the concept that desire is proof of our capabilities. In other words if we have a desire to do something we MUST also then possess the capabilities to accomplish whatever it may be. We are never to fear our desires. Instesad, recognize and pursue them!

For me this message is very empowering. I have often had a desire to do something different only to think, or sometimes be told, that I couldn’t pursue it for a variety of different reasons. When I was younger I had a desire to pursue martial arts. When I began training, I remember thinking, “I’m so injury prone, I’ll get hurt too easily” and I wanted to drop out. Thankfully I didn’t, and the first 3 months of training was learning how to properly fall.  From then forward my  fear of injury was therefore conquered and in the end, after 5 years of rigorous daily practice I ended my career with a silver medal in the Sport Jujitsu World Championships – what a feeling!

Don’t ignore your desires – Illuminate them! Don’t fear the hard work. It is always worth it in the end!

Square Peg – Square Hole

Doing business can be easy – if we let it.

When I finally made the leap into entrepreneurism, my biggest hurdle was getting my head around the fact that I could choose my customers. I was so used to being in service, bending over backwards, literally doing any thing and everything that I could to keep my customers happy that it felt weird to ask myself “do I want to work with this person?”.

For an example, one time, I had a client who operated high volume coffee kyosks in industrial locations. They served thousands of coffees every morning. I was their foodservice rep. One morning their milk didn’t arrive at any of their 20+ locations. They started calling my cell at 5:30am. So, there I was at 8am at the Safeway doors buying them out of milk and personally delivering the jugs to each location in need. Was this my job? Of course not! But these were the kinds of things I learned to do in order to stay competitive. If I didn’t do it, I’m sure my competitor would have.

So you can imagine my uncomfortableness with the concept that we call “hot girl at the dance”. This term means that as the owner of my business and the master of my professional destiny – it was up to me who I worked with and who I said “no thanks” to. No longer did I have to convince people to want to work with me. No longer did I need to put up with poor treatment. No longer did I have to chase cheques. I got to make the rules and for those who want to play – great, for those who wanted to dick me around – bye bye.

If you have the good fortune of being an entrepreneur, take a look down your client roster and make sure that you have a bunch of square pegs that fit perfectly in to your ‘square hole’ business model. If you find some round pegs trying to squeeze in, nicely tell them that they don’t seem to be a ‘fit’. If they choose to come back, let them do so on your terms.