Two Simple Steps to Increase Productivity

When you are a small business owner, it’s so easy to start your day like a race, running as fast as you can and jumping hurdles as they appear in your way. All of a sudden, it’s lunch time – maybe we take a breath and maybe we race through that too.

In the middle of the afternoon you realize you’re TIRED! It’s possible that some of your habits are working against you and actually sucking energy from you even though you feel “busy” all the time. Let’s have a look at a couple of these habits and see if there are some changes you could make to get more done and have some energy leftover at the Continue reading »

Be An Expert – Use Social Media To Get Seen And Known

Imagine you are at a large networking  party or seminar. You go there with the idea to connect with a few key people and also to meet with past and current connections. Being prepared is necessary if you are going to make it around the room and get seen and noticed. Cultivating connections is a bit of an art and it works just as well on the computer, but it is best to have a plan.

Social media is the largest networking party on the planet. Think of each site, such as facebook or Twitter, as a grand ballroom where you can go and meet some amazing people any time you want. These parties are happening 24 hours a day and your choice of grand ballrooms is vast. You’ll explore as many as you hear about and Continue reading »

Overcome Distractions – Your Calendar Is A Great Resource

I am a big advocate for a detailed calendar. I prefer a desk calendar to one that is online, but either one will work. Your calendar will tell the truth about what is important to you and what you most want to accomplish. How you block out your time and what you do with that amount of time is very critical to your success. If you are not making the progress you expect or you are not accomplishing what you know you are capable of, then take a peek at your calendar. In solid print you will see how you are using, or abusing your greatest resource of time.

Time is our greatest resource as well as the great equalizer among all of us. It is one thing to Continue reading »

Business Success – Have You Made A 100% Commitment?

I bet you have a list of goals, either on paper or in your head. I bet there are some things on that list you want more then others. And, I bet if someone asked you about your goals you would have some great reasons why you have not accomplished them. Are you ready to push past those reasons and really take control of your outcomes? If yes, then the next question is where that control is hiding. Are you truly committed?

It starts with that famous ‘burning desire’ and ends with a 100% commitment that you are willing to do whatever it takes, no matter what! It is a state of mind that has no intention, no possibility of giving up! Know clearly what you want to accomplish then Continue reading »

Twitter Is A Business Tool For Increased Visibility

I’ll admit Twitter was pretty intimidating when I first became interested. I just didn’t get it! A sea of statements, quotes and half sentences from a vast list of people. But I am so glad that I stuck with it! Twitter is one of my top 3 business tools. I love Twitter because it is quick and it is easy to get in and get out. Or at least it is easy if you have a plan. The trick is not leaveing it open all day where you are tempted to peek at what is going on, or if anyone is talking to you. Have a plan to log into your account for certain periods of the day, know what your objective is and why you are there and then get in and get out. My schedule for Twitter is about 10 minutes for 2-3 blocks of time each work day.

It is a necessary business tool because Continue reading »

Balance Is Part Of Success

As an entrepreneur I often find I have a constant struggle with balance. I’ve checked this out with fellow entrepreneurs and found that there are a number of us who feel that way. The reason seems to be that we love what we do and have some ambitious goals, so balance become easy to overlook.

Even if you love what you do and are passionate about building your business it is still necessary to Continue reading »

Stand Out And Get Noticed

There are several strategies that you could implement to help you get noticed. Start by looking or thinking of ways that are unique and not used by everybody. Standing out is important if you want to continuing bringing in new customers and keeping the ones you already have. The focus should be on sharing your knowledge and your expertise. Know the keywords that people are using and searching for to find more about the topic or industry you specialize in and use those words in your marketing.

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

1. Get Interviewed. Anyone at all can interview you but the more Continue reading »

How To Maximize Your Time On Social Media

Social media is a business tool that is important to any business and in any industry. It should be a part of your every day business activities, but be sure to know why you are there and what your goals are. Once you are clear on what your are looking to accomplish with social media you will set time blocks to make the most of your time and to not hang out there more then is necessary.

Set goals for yourself as to the numbers you want to reach and Continue reading »

Three Step Formula For Creating Online Visibility – By Denise Wakeman

Denise Wakeman is a super star with  ‘Online Visibility’ and I have learned a great deal from her. I am a student of her online visibility program where I have seen results that have exceeded my expectations. You’ll run into Denise online just about everywhere and that is not by accident. Denise shares the same strategy and tips she uses to grow her own business. I am honored to have her as a guest author on my blog.

Visibility = Opportunity. If you are not visible online, it’s like you don’t exist, no matter how great your product, book, or service is…if your customer, reader or client can’t find you…it doesn’t matter. Here’s a simple three step formula for creating online visibility which results in more opportunities: sales, media, speaking, and joint ventures.

1. Use your blog to set the stage. Plan a series of posts directly related to the topic of what you’re promoting. Whether it’s your new book, a service or a product, post content for several weeks prior to the launch date of your promotion. For example, if you have a book being published start seeding you blog with Continue reading »

The Opportunity For Success

Can you remember the last time you came up against something that was uncomfortable? Something that either was a bit scary or something that you may not have felt you were good enough or even knew how to do? If you are growing your business then you no doubt will hit moments like this often. Believe it or not, these moments are the opportunities of a lifetime.

With each new step you take down a path that is new and uncomfortable you demonstrate that you are serious about being successful. You pass the test that separates comfortable from outstanding. This test will repeat itself again and again in the form of new risks and new opportunities. Success is not being average! Average people stick to the things they know how to do and are easy for them. What is typical is that people stop or get stuck when things get uncomfortable or a little scary.

I know this is true because I have always been an average person. It was painful to be average and I don’t like to admit it, but it had nothing to do with what I was capable of and had everything to do with the actions I was taking and more importantly, not taking. I have passed several tests this year and I see the results are grand and well worth it! The opportunity for success is up to you! To raise your hand, all you need to do is pass the next test that you come up against and do the scary or uncomfortable things that you know will move you forward!

Goal To Success – A New Month & A New Week

It is a brand new month and a clean slate for ideas and projects. The very first thing to do is to create a list of everything you would like to accomplish in the next 30 days. Make a list of old projects that need to be complete, personal goals you have, relationships that you’d like to focus on, tasks that you would like to achieve and a few just out of reach goals that you’d like to strive for. When you have a list of what you want to do in the next 30 days you will be ready for step two.

Step 2 can be done one week at a time or you can plan for the whole month in advance. Take the list of what you would like to accomplish this month and decide what you need to do and accomplish this week. Looking at each of the things you have listed, break them down to what you need to do tin the next 5-7 days, or every week so that you will have checked everything off your list. Who will you connect with this week, how many blog posts or articles will you write this week, what personal goals need your attention, what project can you complete this week, what projects will you start, what marketing plan will you implement?

The reason it is so important to know what you’d like to accomplish each month is so that you can create a plan of action to mark each of those items off your list. Dreaming is great, but it is not a goal until you write it down where you’ll see it every day. Start your day off knowing exactly what you’ll accomplish so that by the end of each week and ultimately the end of the month you will have accomplished all the goals that both moved your business forward as well as helped you maintain your personal balance. A list of goals, projects and ideas call out for action. Taking action is the only thing that will help you create the success that you know you are capable of creating.

Boosting Your Business with Brainstorming – By Steve Sponseller

Steve is the Innovation King! His information and creativity always spark new ideas in me. I met Steve in a blog challenge a few months back and we found that we have a lot in common. We recently collaborated on an ebook to help entrepreneurs boost their business regardless of the economy. I am really happy to introduce you to him here with a guest post!

Brainstorming is a powerful tool for creating new ideas to grow your business.  Brainstorming sessions are also useful in finding solutions to problems in your business or your industry.

Here are three tips to start using brainstorming to grow your business today.

   1. Make Time for Brainstorming – Include brainstorming sessions on your calendar so they are not forgotten or pushed aside by another activity.  Schedule as much time as you can, but even a 10 minute brainstorming session can generate a great list of creative ideas.

   2. Record Every Idea – During your brainstorming sessions, write down every idea that comes to mind.  Do not Continue reading »

Become Incredible!

The way to become incredible is actually easier then you might think. The fact is that most people only think about it but don’t take action. It is hard to believe but look around and think about it, how many people do you know that make being incredible a priority?

Lets back up for a minute and clear up what being incredible even means. Someone who is incredible doesn’t just go the extra mike, but goes the extra 100 miles. Someone who is incredible has a higher standard for what they expect of themselves and they play bigger then the average person. Someone who is incredible has a desire to make a difference to others in a profound way and they have a determination and drive that is inspiring.

In business, a desire to be incredible will serve you well because you will stand out in the crowd of what is typical. A good place to start is to ask yourself how you can do something no one else is doing. Think about people you know who are incredible and look to see in what ways you can emulate them. What if you thought about being incredible as a process that you do over and over again? It is not something you do once, but it becomes who you are and how you think.

What it takes to be incredible is simply a desire to do so. Cultivate the willingness to spend any amount of time and effort that is takes. Make it a truth for you that being good is not good enough, you have it in you to be extraordinary so go out and express that in every area of your life. We become what we think about and we have everything we need in life to be anyone we desire. We are capable of great things, we are incredible!

30 Day Productivity Challenge

Have you heard some of the amazing things that people are doing to move their business forward? Not just the day to day things but the outstanding things that make you think to yourself how crazy it is that someone would play that big! Imagine the person who makes 100 sales calls in a day… every day for a week or the person who sets a side a day to create 25 youtube videos or someone who records 10 teleclasses or webinars in a single day. These are big things, things that we don’t consider an average work day. These people are playing full out and they intend to win! I think we can learn a lot by watching others.. and even better, emulating others.

What would you dare to do and accomplish in a 30 day period that would be a productive way to move your business forward? This is a great kick start to creating some momentum for you in your business and as well with your confidence. There are certain things you know you need to do anyway and you are not doing them regularly or at least not in full throttle. What could you create in 30 days if you put your focus and determination on an outrageous goal. What would an outrageous 30 day productivity goal even look like? Here are a few ideas and I hope you will add your own to this list:.

50 articles in 30 days
25 videos posted on youtube in 30 days
Working out for 30 minutes everyday for 30 days
100 thank you cards in 30 days
4 mini websites up in 30 days
25 recorded teleseminars or webinars
Eating raw or vegan for 30 days
Read 4 books in 30 days
Clear 5 boxes of clutter to donate in 30 days

It is fun to imagine what you might accomplish if you really put your mind to it. But you can’t let it stop there. You need to make a commitment and you need to start today. Tomorrow is never a good start date, because there is too much wiggle room. Productivity has a lot to do with taking action consistently, what action will you commit to doing over the top for the nest 30 days. It can be done and you can do it!

To ramp up your motivation why not share what you will do. Share it here and share it with others. Lets create a bit of a social buzz about the possibilities. In thinking ahead  I imagine some of our competitive nature will emerge as we see what others are committing to and watch them accomplish amazing and outrageous goals. (I wrote about public accountability as a success strategy in another post)

How To Build A Raving Fan Base

It is important to have raving fans if you are going to make the biggest impact possible. We all want to make a difference, we want to help people and we want to support people. Whatever your expertise is, whether it is cutting hair, plumbing or information marketing, you need raving fans. They are the witnesses to your craft and your skill. We don’t need validation, but it sure does help and it feels good too. What does it take to create raving fans?

Your fans will expect you to be confident and they will be drawn to you if you over deliver. They also want to see and hear that you relate with them and that you have been where they are. The language, the problems, and the concerns. Share that you know it all really well and you have solutions, ideas or a skill that can make it all better.

Be real, be humble and be poised to get in front of the right people. How you make people feel is the key. Think about the people you are in awe of, celebrities, accountants, teachers, what about them makes you a raving fan? The experience people create and the feeling that come from that will stand out and remain the calling card of the go-to people. You can be one of those great and revered people if you take a moment to think about every detail of the experience you are creating for others.

If you have no idea what that would look like or where to begin then you will start by doing some research and be completely present to what others around you are doing and creating for you. Not just the good stuff that you like, but also the experience that disappoint you or leave you feeling under valued as a customer. Those experiences can be very helpful when you dissect it and ask yourself how you would have done it differently, how you could improve it.

Make it a priority to create so much value and such amazing experiences for people that they can’t help but be a raving fan. The ideal is to have raving fans that tell everyone they know how great you are and how they really need to pop over and see what you are up to and be a part of your ‘fan club’. What would this look like? What would this do for your business? When will you implement some changes and where will you start?