Clear Sailing
The Innovasion Trade Show today at the Agradome brought out many of the brightest minds in the Province. Though most were very inexperienced, and frankly a majority were still in High School, the ideas, the visions, the goals – very impressive! The one thing I noticed throughout the day, however, was the lack of clarity in peoples plans. They all had amazing ideas, but few, if any, could “see” the course of action between where they are at right now, and where they want to be in 1 year, 5 years, 10 years.
As an entrepreneur, you have to be able to envision how you want the future to look. But, the kicker is, you only have to envision for about 20 minutes. After that you need to put dates on when that ‘picture’ will become a reality, chart a course that takes you from where you are today to where you want to get to and START.
What seems to inhibit people from that necessary action step? Good question. For most, it’s some form of procrastination. That said, procrastination can be caused by many different things: perfectionism, boredom, laziness, the one I saw a lot of today – lack of clarity, making excuses, and a variety of others.
As a Business Coach I know the three most important elements to having success in business and in life are:
- A clear image of exactly what you want
- A measureable action plan that charts a course to the reality of that image
- ACTION
Can you measure it?
Around the offices of the Ghost CEO we are big fans of the phrase “if you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it”. In order for us, as coaches, to show value for the service we are providing we have to be able to measure the progress of our clients. Countless prospects come through the office every year and I’d say that (I’m being generous) of them, 1% are clear about what they want their life to look like in 12 months. However, even those who do know what they want, few have taken the pertinent steps to ensure that they can measure their progress towards the achievement of their goals. The below questions and steps are absolutely necessary for you to be able ensure that you are getting from where you are to where you want to be.
1. Get specific about what you want. It’s not good enough to say ‘I want to be in a Director role.’ Define what it is specifically that you want. Is it the title, the salary (how much), the responsibility, the staff, the expense account?
2. Set a date. In order for you to chart a course you will need to chose a date so that you to put a systematic action plan in place.
3. Get an accountability partner. To get what you’ve never had you must do what you’ve never done. Human beings are creatures of habit, so, when we are making big changes in our lives, we need to have someone hold us accountable.
4. Write it down. It’s not good enough to have your plan ‘in your head’. You need to be able to refer to it, add to and share it with others. There’s a reason you can’t walk into the bank, ask for funding and tell them that the business plan is “in your head”.
Time – A Commodity
I was recently selected to speak at a couple of events this month on the topic of time management. Time is an interesting concept. It’s something that once past, we’ll never get back. It’s also somewhat of an illusion as our mind races around forever trying to keep us from experiencing the present moment. What’s interesting is that the present moment is all we really ever have since the past is gone and the future is far from certain. However, even knowing this we still seem to be lost as to how to use our time in a way that honours ourself, our most important family members and friends, our work, and other commitments. Many of us have fallen from time to time into the ‘yes’ game where we strive to please, to do, maybe more than is reasonable. We sacrifice sleeping, eating, bathing, sometimes even breathing in order to fit it all in. But at the end of it all, when our time runs out, was what we accomplished worth it? Did we use our time wisely?
I am thrilled at the opportunity to share my insights and experiences on this important topic of time to the eager audiences who are curious about this interesting concept. Wanting to make the time to ensure that they are spending theirs in a way that is serving themselves and those that are most important to them.
In the coming weeks, as I continue to prepare for these presentations, check back to the blog often as I post on this topic. Share your stories, your experiences and your wisdom about time.
Your ability to respond
It’s no secret about what’s going on in the economy and there’s no shortage of FEAR based information circulating the major publications. As business coaches, the Ghost CEO organization has been fielding calls around the globe from frantic business owners and corporations asking how they will keep afloat in these rocky times. This brings me back to one of life’s fundamental lessons – responsibility.
It’s easy right now to buy into the shear terror that exists in the market as we enter the unknown. Predictability is out the window, Wall Street is bleeding money and everyone is looking for answers in all the wrong places. Breathe! Back to basics is the best, and easiest way to get your business on course and a sure bet to surviving these tumultuous times.
If you are panicking right now you can be sure your spastic energy is spilling over into everything you are doing. Your customers are sensing your fear and it is making them worry too. Go back to the beginning, when you were thinking about starting the business that you are in today. The time when you were brainstorming about the markets that would well receive your products or service, the prospects you wanted to meet and educate, the measurement and management tools of your business development. These are still the most important areas of focus for your business. Answer the below questions, and take responsibility for doing all the fundamental business development tasks that will get you where you want to be. You can’t take responsibility for the world’s economy, but, you can take responsibility for your attitude (thoughts, feeling and actions), your business development and your customer care. Relax – this too shall pass.
1. Who needs what you are selling? Go back to the drawing board and prospect like mad.
2. Schedule meetings with anyone who you curiously suspect would want what you are selling.
3. Leave all your prospects and customers with an impression of increase when you leave them. With all the bad news going around – give them something to feel good about.
4. Measure your business development. (If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it.)
Taking Action – A necessary step
A trend amongst my coaching clients is often the need to get everything ‘just right’ before taking an action step. They make excuses about how the timing isn’t right or the market isn’t right or ‘did you know we’re entering a recession?’. The challenge in taking this approach is firstly, without action – nothing happens and secondly, you give away all your power when you allow market conditions, timing and the like rule your world instead of you ruling your world.
The real question is what can you do, right now, to put your energy toward a desired outcome? Don’t get attached to the result, just make a commitment to do something. Don’t wait, don’t make excuses, just do it!!!
Let me know what happens.
/H
Standing in your power
My colleague, Fiona Walsh, recently appeared on Jann Taber’s ‘The Rebel Woman’ show where she was discussing ways in which women can have extraordinary success in business. I was thrilled when she addressed what is one of the most difficult things for women to do when it comes to selling their product or service – believing that what they are offering is of value.
The fear of rejection in sales is what holds the 80/20 rule in place and makes the line in the sand between those who produce and contribute to the bottom line and those who don’t, so deeply entrenched. The best analogy I’ve heard for having success in business development is to treat it like an Easter egg hunt. There will likely be hundreds, maybe thousands of pastel coloured pebbles, you will need to pick up in order to discover the rare chocolate eggs in the bunch.
Where women seem to easily fall into the category of not wanting to be ‘boastful’ or to ‘brag’ about whatever it is that they are offering is old paradigm. I think Fiona makes an exceptional point. We as women must believe in ourselves, in the value that we are offering and in the opportunities that are out in the market for us to match our solutions with a customers need or want. If we hear a ‘no’ that’s a good thing, because every ‘no’ is that much closer to a yes. We are not trying to convince anyone, shove a square peg in a round hole or hog tie someone in order to buy what we are offering.
Instead we are curiously exploring the market, combing through, knowing that opportunities where our product will bring positive change to someone’s life are only a few ‘no’s away.
Asking for what you want – Dreams really do come true!
Over the past year one of my aspirations/desires that has gotten louder and louder between my two ears and within my heart is to write. I love writing – it fuels my soul, brings me tremendous joy, uses my overactive mind in a positive way and reaches out to other humans in a non-invasive way. Of course, quickly following the chatter of my “visionary” mind is the silencing voice of the “critic”. (I’m not a formally trained writer, I don’t have a degree in journalism, I write like I talk and no one reads that kind of stuff…bla,bla,bla).
The great thing about my work life is that I help others tap in to their desires and empower them to take action in the direction of their dreams. Therefore, I would be out of a job if I didn’t follow through and take action towards my own dreams. Hence, the writing.
A couple of months ago (I love how the universe works) I was at a networking event and ran into an old high-school friend. We got to chatting and low and behold her other half just happens to be the GM for a local publication. (yes!!) I quickly asked for an intro, and followed up relentlessly with her until she passed me along to the editor who assigns the magazine’s free-lance writing assignments. A couple more months of follow up ensued until at last she caved. That was in August, and today Wednesday October 1, 2008, I am now officially a published author. I’ve provided a link to the article below.
My point to all of this is – we never know HOW our dreams, our desires, our aspirations, our goals are going to come to fruition in the 3rd dimension. There is an element of faith that has to prevail – your visionary has to be heard, and you have to take action (which often involves risk) in order for anything to happen. All that said – it is possible. You can have what you want.
Today write out 5 things that have been nagging at your visionary strings – desires you have, things you want to accomplish, people you’d like to meet – whatever it may be. From there all I ask of you is that you have faith that it’s possible, and that when the universe presents you with an opportunity – you act!
I wish you happiness and success as you ask for what you want in life and watch it unfold before your eyes.
Click here to read the article in Shared Vision’s October edition.
The Glow Project – Extraordinary Women
How is it that some women are wildly successful, while others, with the same relative education, experience, passion and goals for success, struggle? We all have the same amount of hours in a day, yet some are able to accomplish so much more. What is it that they do so differently? What is it that they possess that is unique? What is it that makes them GLOW?
There is a powerful essence inside of every woman—a critical ingredient that only women possess. When realized, nurtured and expanded, it becomes the key to true happiness and success. You deserve happiness, fulfillment, and the opportunity to achieve wild success. STOP what you are doing. Take a breath, and connect with your GLOW.
The GLOW Project has brought together prominent corporate achievers and dynamic entrepreneurs, to share with you how they manifest, unleash and expand GLOW. Witness their struggles and pain and their strategies for success. By focusing on GLOW, they are fulfilling their destinies and achieving more success than they ever imagined. These women exude the kind of grace, confidence and strength that every woman can achieve, while also being mothers, daughters, wives and leaders. The GLOW Project will ignite your spirit and inspire your dreams.
The GLOW Project will show you that, no matter how hard you work, no matter how hard you try, you can never achieve your full potential and happiness without GLOW. GLOW is your birth right as women. Your essence, your passion and your dreams can no longer be denied. You are brilliant, magnificent, and unequalled! Embrace your essence and forever live in GLOW. See and experience the GLOW Project movie.
Inner Guidance System
We all have an amazing inner guidance system that speaks to us in many different ways. The challenge is that most of us do not listen to it. Let’s say for example that you wake up first thing in the morning with a headache. Most of us, pop a tylenol, pour a coffee, jump in the shower and get on with the day. Now, I’m not suggesting that you stop everything just because you have a headache, but, consider this; the body never lies.
What if you queried your head ache? What’s going on here? Have you been burning the candle at both ends? Getting enough rest? Dehydrated? Stressed? Consumed with negative thinking? What if you took a moment, took a few deep breaths and asked yourself honestly and openly about why you have a headache? Where would the answer come from?
Your inner guidance system!
A lot of times, this conversation is referred to as “a gut check”. Your inner guidance system can assist you in SO many ways. All you have to do is ask it – and listen.
How I Want To Be
I was over at I Was Thinking, Heidi Hass Gable’s incredible blog, where she recently wrote a post about what she’s learning through her relationships and a line within her post caught my attention:
How do I want to be?
It’s an interesting question and one that has come up a lot lately, especially with the Eckart Tolle work around remaining grounded and present in the moment. In the context of Heidi’s blog, she’s working on a new way of communicating in a relationship that has incredible longevity. She’s challenging her old patterns, her old thoughts that come up and instead asking herself: how do I want to be RIGHT NOW?!?
It’s incredible when we realize for the first time that we are operating within a paradigm made up of old habitual patterns. I suspect Heidi would agree that it’s no easy task to have the presence of mind to recognize when this “old dance” is rearing is head again and within that moment – STOP, BREATHE and ask yourself: how do I want to be right now? But, if we want there to be change within a pattern that is no longer serving us, we have to be willing to BE the change.
Her conversation reminded me of something that I’m working on within my own personal paradigm which is the ability to be a good receiver. All my life I’ve been an incredible and generous giver. I feel amazing when I am able to give to others – my time, money, love, affection, care, attention, whatever it may be. And, intellectually, I know that there is a cyclical response to all that giving, BUT, I have not been a good receiver. Like Heidi, I’m continuing to “see” the old paradigm in me that says “no no no” whenever someone is trying to give to me – no matter what it may be. What I’ve realized is that I don’t allow myself to receive from others and it’s nothing more than an old paradigm that no longer serves me.
Let me give you a quick example. I was having coffee with a friend over the weekend and a third friend joined us. Upon arrival she announced that she had made a cd for me, but, that it wasn’t complete yet and she would bring it along next time. My IMMEDIATE reaction was, “no no no – you don’t need to do that…” AHA! I was doing it again. Instead of thanking her and receiving the gift (even mentally) I was resisting her gift. This may seem like an insignificant event but it’s not. It’s indicative of operating in a paradigm. I didn’t think about my response, it just came out – automatically – indicating that it’s a habitual response – it’s a paradigm.
When you are trying to change an old operating system “paradigm” that’s no longer serving you the first thing you want to do is just become aware of it. Don’t judge yourself, don’t beat yourself up, just notice when you’ve gone back down that old trail. In the beginning, you likely won’t notice until after the fact and you’ll look back and say “AHH…I DID IT AGAIN” – and that’s ok, in fact, that’s great! As time passes you’ll get closer and closer to having the ability to “notice” your paradigm before it even engages itself and that is the moment that you can “change the dance”.
It’s not easy to continually self-evaluate and notice where in your life you have the ability to make changes that will increase your happiness, peace of mind and and allow your spirit to grow. But, if you give it a try I think you will find great joy in the process.
Cheers,
Heather
