You’ll See It When You Believe It

Join eWomenNetwork Vancouver on Tuesday April 13th at The Coast Coal Harbour Hotel (click for details) Here’s a blog post that I wrote after returning from the eWomenNetwork conference last August. Hope to see you on the 13th – Heather

When I nominated myself for the EWomenNetwork 2009 International “Emerging Leader of the Year” award, I was never expecting to win. But when the email came a few months later announcing that I had indeed beat out all the other young, talented women in Vancouver BC and was being flown to Dallas as one of the twelve International finalists, you can imagine, I was stunned, excited and a little scared all at the same time. Since I was a little girl I dreamed of a day like this, where I would be up on stage in front of thousands of people, being honoured for achieving a level of success that set me apart from my peers. And as I stood on that stage and looked out to the crowd of 2500 people, introduced myself and gave thanks to my sponsoring chapter and managing director I experienced one of the happiest and most proud moments of my life. READ MORE

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!

Collaboration is the Key

I was recently interviewed for an upcoming article about female entrepreneurship, here’s one of their stellar questions and my response. I’d love to use this as a starting off point for a much needed conversation. Add your thoughts and comments please!

What is the best way for women to support each other?

My response:

Stop competing and start collaborating.  Throw age, race, looks, experience etc. out the window – it doesn’t matter. The most important way to support each other is show up as your whole self, look to add value in an enthusiastic and passionate way and synergize with the other women (and men) in your life.  Gone are the days of having to ‘know it all’ (not that I’m sure that ever existed) and now we must be clear on what we have to offer and find others who offer complimentary knowledge, skill and service.  This is how we will grow to the next level. No more one upping each other, it’s about joining forces.

Thanks to Lizzy Karp,Campus CEO and YWIB for this great question!!

Celebrate good times – come on!

The city of Vancouver is electric right now as we host the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. And despite all kinds of talk over the past year about what a disruption the games would be, how much money they would cost us etc. I don’t think anyone can deny how incredible this is. Call me naive, or call me Pollyanna, but I for one am thoroughly enjoying this entire experience and so far my life has been able to carry on in somewhat of a state of normality, despite all the excitement.

I live just across the bridge from downtown in South Granville and although we’re only 20 minutes away (walking) from the action, the games are clearly not happening over here. I’ve been able to drive, park, get Starbucks, groceries, get to and from my office, meet with clients etc. with no major issues. And then, when I’ve crossed over into the super mario land of downtown with my Canada Jersey on and cow bell in hand I’ve been able to get in to the true spirit of this Nation and it’s love and it’s celebration of these times.

Speaking of celebration I was profoundly struck by something when we (and by we, I mean Canada’s Jenn Heil) won the first medal, a silver in the ladies moguls. Karen Bharke from the USA was the winner of the bronze medal and I don’t think it will come as a shock to anyone who watched the race or the awards ceremony to hear me say, she was a bit over the top with her celebration. I wasn’t sure if she was also a dancer or maybe a gymnast as I watched her pirouetting and jumping around awaiting the ceremony portion of the evening. But it got me to thinking….

Before the games started, our Prime Minister, Steven Happer,  urged Canadians to allow “uncharacteristic outburst of patriotism” and to “feel bashful about waving the flag”. I remember thinking – what’s that all about – we’re Patriotic! Then as I watched the celebration portion of the night play out on Cypress Mountain as Canada accepted it’s first medal of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games – I realized what he meant. Karen Bharke was celebrating, big time, where as Jenn Heil and even the Gold Medalist Hannah Kearney were far more reserved. My initial reaction was one of annoyance with Karen, thinking “tone it down chick” and in that moment I realized something profound. When we are modest in our celebration, when we aren’t over the top, when we don’t express our emotions to the enth degree, do we miss out on the true experience?

It’s an interesting concept to ponder and I don’t think either way is right, nor wrong. I just wonder on an energetic level if by holding back our emotions and being less expressive, do we hinder ourselves us from experiencing the potential feelings that come with celebrations on this scale. I wonder…..

So, like any good Canadian pondering such a big question, I went out and celebrated in my own ‘over the top’ way. To see and feel what it was like to engage in such a big way. And let me tell you, it felt good!

"It was all a dream" – Notorious B.I.G

Growing up listening to Hip Hop music didn’t always impress my parents, but, behind all the profanity and derogatory comments was a permeating message that I could be, do and have anything I wanted in life regardless of where I came from. What is so intoxicating about the Hip Hop culture is that these young kids who were exposed to one of the most challenging of upbringings – made it. They became successful and with their success came the success of their family and closest friends.

Whether studying under Bob Proctor or listening to Biggie Smalls and Kanye West, it’s important to remember that life begins in your imagination. As you quietly ponder what it is that you really want your life to look like you begin to plant seeds of potential that with steps of action become reality. It doesn’t matter what your present circumstances are – it only matters whether you’re able to “close your eyes and imagine – the good life”.

If you are not living the life of your dreams, or at least working towards it everyday – then you are not living up to your potential. Sit down today and imagine what your life would look like if you could have anything? Where would you live, what would you do everyday, what car do you drive, what clothes do you wear?

“The tragedy of life doesn’t lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goal to reach.”
- Benjamin Mays

What does your “good life” look like?

Adventures in Costa Rica: Lift Off

Changing simple inspiration into collaborative understanding designed to develop the foundation of sustainable global communities…

Since I can remember, I have felt inspired to seek a career in the humanitarian relief work that I feel is so desperately needed throughout our global community. In grade 11 at Shawnigan Lake School I participated in the EDGE Leadership Program along with 10 other students. We travelled to Ban Ruk Phandin, Thailand to construct a Learning Center for the local people—this solidified my desire to contribute to sustainable communities in areas of our world without the necessary avenues to fully develop their goals. I believe that merging cultural, social, and economic differences can provide solid foundations for sustainable educated communities. READ MORE

Forgiveness

A few years ago I had the pleasure of seeing Kim Phuc speak to a packed house of over 500 people. Kim Phuc was made famous at the tender age of 9 when the disturbing image of the little girl, captured immediately following her Vietnam village being napalmed, was sent around the world. The image, eventually capturing a Pulitzer Prize, was one that would change the face of war forever.

Listening to Kim speak about the day of the napalm, the burning of her skin, the 14 months she spent in hospital and the 17 surgeries to repair her badly burned skin was stomach churning.

But, in the end, Kim’s message is one of forgiveness. She uses a cup of coffee to describe her heart, once full of darkness and anger. She speaks of her long journey to forgiveness as time she used to pour out the dark coffee from her heart. Once gone, the dark coffee (feelings of anger, despair and blame) was replaced with clear, refreshing water. Kim’s heart is now full of peace, hope, happiness, love and joy.

Kim’s story was extrodinary and her message was clear. Forgiveness is necessary in order to be free of the dark coffee in our hearts. First, we must pour it out. Then, we are ready to accept all the good that life has to offer us.

Closure is not a bad thing!

I’ve recently noticed a trend amongst clients, colleagues and friends – closure.  Whether it’s long term personal relationships that have suddenly come to an end, unexpected lay offs or a longing for something different it’s seems as though change is in the air.  There is, however, in times of closure and change, often a lot of fear that comes bubbling up to the surface.  Closure can sometimes mean venturing into the unknown and the unknown can be scary.  One way to make it’s not so scary is to always have a PLAN B.

I had lunch with a client today who was laid off from her job on Monday.  A lot of people in her situation would have gone home, got into bed and stayed there in a state of ‘poor-me’, ‘how could this happen’ -but not her.  Today is Thursday and as I stood in her new office, at the new corporation she’s now working for, looking out of her 360 degree views of the downtown core – I couldn’t help but get excited.  

A lot of clients have trouble formulating a Plan B because they feel like it’s copping out on their Plan A. What I often say to them is “no one expects their house to burn down, but, we buy insurance, just in case”. Formulating a Plan B is like buying insurance for your house.  It gives you the piece of mind to work your Plan A for the simple fact that you know you have a solid back up plan, should any unexpected hiccups get in your way.

Closure is an opportunity.  An opportunity to deploy your Plan B.  The moment you get laid off is not the moment to start formulating a Plan B.  Today, sit down and start to map out a Plan B, just in case.  That way, closure will never be a bad thing.

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.