Strategy

One Way to Have More Fun

by


I had a blast at a recent speaking engagement in Tucson, Arizona. I love walking an audience through business processes – a potentially deadly dull subject – and have them light up with understanding and relief that their business can be so much easier!

But as I reviewed the video I shot of my presentation, I started thinking, “Uh-oh. I don’t look like other professional speakers.”

I noticed that I laughed a bit too much, my hand gestures weren’t crisp, I strayed from my outline, and overall, I just looked, well… different. Cataloging the things I needed to change left me feeling a bit flat.

But then, I reviewed the experience again in my mind. The audience was engaged and participating. They laughed with me. They gave me immediate feedback about the positive difference my subject made. And, most telling, 90% of the room signed up to work with me further.

Then I laughed out loud. Oh my gosh, I was doing exactly what I help people stop doing – thinking they have to be like everyone else!

Do you ever have the reaction I did? When you notice that you do things differently, do you start thinking, “Uh-oh, I’m going to fail/get laughed at/do it wrong forever”?

Give yourself the gift of a reality check and realize that the people who make it big in the world are not mimicking other greats. Think of Stevie Nicks and her raspy voice – what if she had tried to be just like Joan Baez? Or if Joan Baez strove to be like Janice Joplin?*

Instead of focusing on the sinking feeling that you’re not up to par, focus on how your uniqueness lets you stand out from the crowd. Be yourself. You’ll have a lot more fun.

* For those of you unfamiliar with these women, they are singers that completely broke the mold in their time. Absolutely, beautifully, powerfully unique.

 

 

A Business Coach Walks into a Dentist’s Office…

by

Dentist

I went to the dentist for a regular checkup, and he recommended that I get braces. My first thought was, “Try again, pal. I know a sales pitch when I hear one.”

Then he went on to show me how my misaligned teeth would, over time, damage themselves, wear down, and loosen their very foundation.

Upon getting a second opinion, the next dentist added, “The good thing is that the correction right now is pretty simple. It won’t be too uncomfortable or take too long to correct, so it won’t be too costly if you correct it now.”

I was disappointed because – aside from the unexpected expense – I like my slightly crooked teeth. I think they give me character.

So I had to choose between a fondness for my quirky teeth, or, down the road, possibly losing them all at some pain and expense. Once I had the facts, it was not a tough decision.

Then as I reflected on this experience, I found a strong parallel to entrepreneurship.

Think about it. Is there anything that needs correcting in your business? Something that maybe you’re fond of, but you’re coming to think might be more of a problem than a help?

There are often aspects of our business that we like, but that may ultimately be damaging. However, if you discover them early and correct them, they will be less costly, you’ll recover more quickly, and the whole process will be less painful.

So how do you consistently make these corrections so you stay in alignment? Simply be consistent about evaluating your business. Review revenue, marketing, goals, team members, and your action plan. Talk to an outside expert. When you do this, you can quickly get back into alignment with your goals. You’ll find yourself more focused and energized, as you reach your goals faster than expected.

I’m not saying it’s easy to change or let go, but I am saying that it’s worth it!

Not sure how to evaluate your business? Come to my free teleclass, “Tracking Your Business: Simple Strategies, Significant Results.”

Feeling out of alignment? Come to my Crystal Clear Business Retreat and make some radical changes!

“If You Had 100 Million Dollars… “

by

Funny side upDuring a weekend business retreat, powerhouse speaker, entrepreneur, and author Rita Davenport asked the most powerful question I’ve heard in ages.

She asked, “If you had 100 million dollars in the bank, and lived in a 10 million dollar home, what would you want to learn?”

Now I’ve been asked, “If money were no object, what would you do/give/buy?” But never this question. It is honestly such a far cry from anything I’ve ever been asked that my brain is still drawing a blank.

This question makes me vaguely uncomfortable and at the same time, totally excited. I see the possibility of a whole new perspective, just waiting to emerge.

I need some help here, some ideas to prime my mental pump. What is your answer?

What will they think?

by

rearviewmirror1

As I was patiently waiting for traffic to clear so I could make a left turn, I felt a little pang of anxiety and looked in my rear view mirror to see if I was holding anyone up.

Really? I’m an experienced driver. I know how to navigate the risks of cross traffic. And yet how many times have I jumped out into traffic sooner than I’m comfortable, out of the fear that I’m holding someone else up?

Ridiculous. Worried about what someone else might be thinking, and then acting against my own best instincts.

Made me think that it would be a good idea to keep that worry in check, in all aspects of my life.

Quite a neat little lesson from a quick drive, don’t you think?

Reality check about simplifying

by

SimplifyI know a lot of people are in the mode of simplifying right now, myself included. And even though simplifying can eventually rocket you into a Zen-like state, the process sometimes makes you want to tear your hair out!

I’ll give you an example. Have you ever organized a messy closet? Here’s what it looks like:

  1. You can’t take the chaos anymore, and decide you’re going to organize the closet.
  2. You pull everything out. It now looks worse (WAY worse) than when you started.
  3. You start thinking that it didn’t really look that bad to start with, and wonder what possessed you to take on this stupid project in the first place.
  4. You go to Starbucks to refuel.
  5. You come back and start madly sorting into piles.
  6. You start to see some organization in the chaos.
  7. Tired and sweaty, you put away what is left.
  8. You sigh with satisfaction, then post the before and after photos on Facebook to make your friends jealous.

Note that 6 out of 8 steps are messy, frustrating, and have you questioning your sanity. They are exactly the times when you will feel like giving up. But the truth is, if you give up in the middle of the process, you’re going to be in far worse shape than when you started!

The point is, if your business, life, or closet is messy right now, keep going or it’s going to just get worse. Here are some tips to keep you going through the chaos:

  1. When simplifying anything, don’t expect to go from zero to Zen in an hour.
  2. If it’s messy, know that you’re not doing things wrong, you’re just in midst of the natural process.
  3. When you feel like giving up, rest and refuel. Eat, nap, call a friend or coach.
  4. Know deep down that giving up will create greater chaos that you started with.
  5. Keep an eye on your goal.
  6. Acknowledge your successes, and reward yourself.

What will you simplify next? Want help? Go to www.SimpleIsTheNewBrilliant.com.