SoloSavvy Blog for Solo Entrepreneurs » Solo Entrepreneur Lifestyle

Peaceful Productivity

Stacey Mayo — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 17:00:20 +0000

How do you get out of overwhelm, get into a peaceful state AND be more productive?

Here’s an idea from Dr. Steve Taubman. It is a simple concept but who said things have to be hard?

Take one step of a project or something that you want to accomplish and engage in that step fully right now. See what happens.

What’s Your Motivation for Marketing Your Coaching Business?

Suzanne Evans — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 17:00:39 +0000

Sometimes I get a question from people, “How do you stay motivated to market?” That question, I have to be honest, always worries me.

Close your eyes for a second. This is a silly, fun exercise. Go back to middle school or high school to that crush. That crush on whoever it was – a teacher, a girl or boy, whoever it was you had that crush on – that you were stalking to see when they would be at their locker. You felt like you were going to lose your breath because you were so enamored with them.

Take that moment for just a second and let me ask you this. Did you ever have to have anyone remind you to see where they were or to check on that Wednesday and see what they doing, or to write a love note if you were dating them?

Did anybody have to wake up and say, “Susie, make sure you write Bob a love note?” That doesn’t happen, right? It’s such a part of you it’s in your being. You know to go check where that person is or to write them a note or find where they are and sit with them at lunch.

That’s really how the marketing of your business should be. You need to make sure you have a target market and a business structure that you are so in love with that no one needs to remind you to market.

When you decided what group of people needed you most, that you were qualified and excited to serve, you started along a path that can have lots of unexpected happy surprises, leading you into opportunities that you never knew existed. As one thing leads to another, just stay alert to people who can be connectors for you, opening new doors for speaking, writing, media, and projects.

At the same time, like any journey, you need to be monitoring your progress and correcting course from time to time. Most commercial flights are off course a high percentage of the time, and yet they arrive at the right destination. How is that? Because the pilots are making small course corrections to get back on track.

Measure everything you can in your business so you know what’s working well and worth the investment in time/money/energy, and what’s not. With the goal of constant improvement, your small tweaks along the way will really result in significant progress over time.

I put both feet on the floor in the morning and like I said I go, “What can I do today? Who can I teach something about marketing? How can I market something? What’s something I could sell?” I just love it.

People talk about workaholics and I have to be careful that I take time out for myself. Not because I’m obsessed with working and I have to do the job, but because I love it so much. It’s energy for me. I love to see the difference that my coaching has made in someone’s life, business, relationships, and finances.

That’s how authentic marketing should feel for you. The motivation comes from within because you know the value of what you’re doing, and you’re enjoying learning how to serve more people, making more connections, and growing your wealth as you implement the marketing that works best for you.

Change Your Look, Change Your Life

Laurie Mandato — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:00:37 +0000

(Ed.: This post was originally published at Solo-E with the wrong author name. We regret the error.)

Let’s face it, we are all evolving and changing all the time. It never ends — you reach one goal, then you create a new one. It’s wonderful to be able to continue to grow and change! The question is: Has your style changed along with you, or are you still dressing someone from your past? Your former self or the woman you’re meant to be? Is what’s going on in your head disconnected from what’s happening in your heart?

I’ve worked with clients who tell me they want to change their look, to be transformed, and yet when we actually start to do the work I find they are resistant. I often wonder, where is the disconnect?

Here’s what I’ve learned:

They want to make changes, yet they are fearful they may receive comments from friends and family that disapprove of their new look.

They think that their new look will be difficult to maintain.

They worry about no longer fitting in with the people they have been friends with for years.

They worry that it will cost too much money, and they’re not used to spending money on themselves or their appearance.

So how do you change your look and change your life and have everything remain status quo? You don’t! CHANGE means doing things differently, since what you’ve been doing up until now is no longer working for you.

It’s true, there may be friends or family who no longer feel comfortable around the “new” you because of their own fears and insecurities. They see you making positive changes in your life and business, and that might be stirring up some unfinished business for them. Your true friends will be proud of you for taking steps to grow more fully into who you really are! They will be excited for you as they see you letting your light shine brightly. As you change, new people will be drawn to you who will be important in your journey — some for a moment, some for a lifetime.

Change can feel scary, no doubt about it. You are stretching and growing, and that always brings up some feelings of unease. Believe in yourself and know that growing, changing and stretching are all good things — you are moving more toward the life you desire and deserve. Nothing in life stays forever the same. It’s healthy to evolve and make changes as we stretch and grow into the person we are truly meant to be. So embrace the changes! Take baby steps if it feels too overwhelming, or jump right in and start making changes immediately! Only you know what feels right. Sometimes after you take one or two small steps it feels so great you want to make those changes faster and more impactful.

Will you need to invest money to change your appearance? Yes. But notice I used the word “invest” not “spend.” You’re not just spending money. You’re investing in yourself … investing in you and your personal image. By doing so, you are making an important statement that you care about yourself and the way you show up in the world.

I recently worked with a client to change her image, and she sent me a message saying she was amazed by all the compliments she was getting now that she’s wearing clothes that fit her body shape and complement her coloring. One of her co-workers even asked her why she was dressing up every day. She answered, “because I love the way I FEEL in these clothes”! She has definitely noticed how different she is feeling because she is wearing clothing that fits, flatters and fulfills her on every level. She is dressing with intention and making sure that she’s only buying things that make her feel wonderful.

Sometimes all it takes is one baby step toward your future to give you the energy and motivation to make the changes necessary to step into that spotlight! Are you ready to take that step today?

Sometimes it Pays to Just “Go Away”

Sandra Martini — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 20:55:12 +0000

I’ve been traveling a lot more than usual this year — to conferences, for business retreats, scouting locations for my next workshop, a whole myriad of things.

And just last week I was in Chicago for a leadership workshop (it’s about constant learning and evolution) when I realized that I hadn’t finished a project that’s been on my list for longer than necessary.

I came home, ready to get the project done. I’d set aside the time, got fresh flowers for my desk and went through my routine to get “in the zone”.

5 minutes, 10, 30, and hour…zone never achieved.

So rather than work on other projects when I really wanted to get this one done, I called a girlfriend, booked a flight and am now writing to you from sunny Charleston, South Carolina — with said project 90% done and plenty of time catching up on her farmer’s porch.

As much as I adore my home and my home office, sometimes it pays to just “go away”.

Take a few minutes to recognize what might be holding you back and whether a brief change of scenery may be just the thing you’re needing.

Creating A Healthy Closet

Laurie Mandato — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 20:30:31 +0000

When the items in your closet are efficiently arranged, well cared for and loved, dressing becomes an empowering , positive experience – directly affecting your well being!

Go through your closet seasonally to discard, donate or recycle clothing that does not support and empower you and make you feel fabulous. If doing a closet audit is too overwhelming to do on your own, I’m here to help. Contact me at imaging joy to schedule your closet audit today.

Here are some Fashion Feng Shui tips to help with the process.

Fashion Feng Shui’s® Nine Closet Chaos Cures

If you have not worn it in the last year and absolutely do not love it, send it on its way.
Never keep anything for “just in case”.
When new comes in, old goes out.
Avoid “autobiographical” wardrobe syndrome.
Discard “expired” garments.
Just say No, thank you.
When you think you can’t afford NOT to buy something, DON’T!
Don’t buy to buy.
Change of mind, body, or spirit calls for change of clothes.

Clothes fullfill you when they honor your Essential Energy, the theme in your soul that defines the colors, patterns, textures, fabrics, and silhouettes that express your inner being.

Dressing your Essential Energy aligns your clothes with your spirit, promoting harmony and authenticity in your personal appearance.

Five Tips for Dressing the REAL You

Laurie Mandato — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 01:47:00 +0000

Start Paying Attention – to likes, dislikes, how something feels while wearing it. Does it pinch, pull, itch, can you breathe in it? If a garment doesn’t feel great, you won’t wear it no matter how great you think you look in it. You should be comfortable in your clothes!
Fabrics – Texture and weight of fabrics come into play when you wear your favorite garments. What fabric is it made from? It does not mean you should have a closet full of sweatpants either!
Color – Are the colors you LOVE the colors that LOVE you? Be sure to wear the colors that really make you shine. Our skin, hair, and eyes change as we age so you should be making adjustments for those changes.
Shapes – What shapes work for your shape? Are you paying attention to the styles that really flatter your figure? When you dress for the body you’re in today, you will feel confident and fabulous!
Closet Clearing – You should only have garments that you LOVE and WEAR in your closet. Any item in your closet that doesn’t fit or flatter you – GONE!

Take Good Care of You

Laurie Mandato — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 18:22:28 +0000

As women, we often feel overwhelmed and stressed by our lives, our jobs, our families. It can feel like there just aren’t enough hours in the day. We’re so busy taking care of everyone else that our own self-care falls to the bottom of our priority list. But the reality is that if you don’t take good care of yourself first, you’ll never be able to take good care of those you love.

One of the best descriptions of self-care comes from Cheryl Richardson in her book Take Time for Your Life. She writes, “This means putting your self-care above anything else – saying no unless it’s an absolute yes, choosing to spend your time and energy on things that bring you joy, and making decisions based on what you want instead of what others want.”

It’s time to put your Self at the top of your to-do list. Take a little time every day or every week to do something that brings you joy, nurtures your spirit, soothes your soul. It doesn’t have to be some grand event – ten minutes of quiet with a cup of warming tea and some soulful music can make a difference in how the rest of your day unfolds. Of course making time once a month for a whole day of self-care can be wonderful too. Once you start taking good care of yourself, you send a clear message to the Universe that you are ready to receive more good, and the gifts will follow.

Need a few ideas to get you started?

Light some lavender-scented candles and take a nice, long bubble bath.

Spend a little time at the bookstore finding a book that really has meaning for you – a book of affirmations, a biography of someone you admire, a collection of poetry – then read from it for a few minutes every day when you first wake, or right before bed.

Listen to a favorite CD that soothes and relaxes you or reminds you of a wonderful time in your life.

Splurge on a lovely journal and start writing in it every day – anything and everything, just write.

Schedule a manicure and pedicure. Enjoy being pampered.

Spend an evening at home with an old or new movie, enjoyed with a bowl of popcorn (with real butter).

Have lunch with a girlfriend – and promise not to talk about work, husbands or kids – only girl talk allowed!

Take a walk in the park, along the beach, in the snow at night – connect with the solitude of nature.

Buy a little something you wouldn’t normally get for yourself: fresh flowers, a sexy bra, a scented lotion, dark chocolates … something that feels indulgent.

Are you getting the idea?

Here’s an exercise to help you find your own self-care rituals:
Schedule 30 minutes for yourself this week. Make a cup of your favorite tea, light a sacred candle and get comfy with a sheet of paper and pen. Take a few moments to breathe deeply and find a peaceful place within. Make a list of three things you love to do to take good care of yourself — things that nurture your spirit, feel wonderful, bring you joy. Take a few moments to study your list. Now schedule time on your calendar this week to do one of them – or all three!

Taking time to care for your Self is essential and should become as much a habit as brushing your teeth. Find a few quiet moments every day to be good to yourself. Make a date once a week to do something fun just for you. And spend one day a month doing only things that feed you spiritually or emotionally. When you start practicing self-care, you will feel better, be more relaxed and less stressed. Being good to others is so much easier when you’ve first been good to yourself.

Practice Periods of Quiet Soul Time Daily

Bria Simpson — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 00:57:22 +0000

“Before you can get real, you’ve got to get quiet”- Suzanne Zoglio

As a successful service-oriented entrepreneur, you must have Quiet Soul Time in your days in order to connect with your deeper, creative self. Answers to our biggest obstacles are realized in quiet. Our most intuitive solutions (the best kind) surface in Quiet Soul Time. And our brilliance can only be fully actualized when we regularly practice periods of Quiet Soul Time.

Choose from the following list of Quiet Soul Time and pick at least three that you will alternate and incorporate into your daily life.

Quiet Soul Time:

yoga

meditation

solitary walks or jogs outside

quiet time in nature

journal writing

unstructured time to putter

prayer/asking the Universe for guidance

massage or other bodywork

other quiet activities that speak to your soul

Your best thoughts are often revealed during Quiet Soul Times. Write them down and incorporate them in your life and your business.

Small Business Marketing – A Different Look at Understanding Your Niche

Suzanne Evans — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 18:47:04 +0000

You typically hear in many marketing circles that the first thing you need to do is identify your niche. This terminology of a ‘niche’ doesn’t work for me because it feels very much like, “Find a group of people to sell to.” I’ve found a better way to identify these people is to ask, “Who needs me most?”

When you look at who needs you most and you can recognize what your ideal client is, it’s very important for you to be aware that you shouldn’t work with everyone.

I was once at a networking group and someone asked this gentleman, “So who’s an ideal client for you?” and he answered, “Anyone breathing.”

That’s so not the case. If we agree on the fact that we have a unique gift and if we try to use that gift to serve everyone, it’s just not possible. It’s simply not possible.

First of all, we can’t do it well. You just can’t do everything and you can’t please everybody and you don’t have the skill set and the energy to try to spread yourself that thin.

The second part of that is if you can focus on what your real gift is, combined with the people that that gift can be served by, that makes you really powerful.

It’s important to understand these, the people who need you most, and to develop yourself as a perceived expert to them. That’s something that you really want to work towards – being an expert – not because you want to know it all but because that is a way that it can make your clients feel comfortable and confident with you.

I have asked clients this question before – “If you need brain surgery and you’re given the choice of two doctors, and one doctor does brain surgery only and he’s really great at it, and the other doctor does hip replacements, knee replacements, and some brain surgery, who are you going to pick?” It is so obvious.

When I ask that question, it’s always obvious to the person I’m asking, but we don’t do that with ourselves and within our own businesses. We tend to ignore the fact that if we were looking for anything else for ourselves – from plumbers to brain surgeons to a designer – we would look for the best of the best that is specific to the area that we’re working in.

We need to really relate that to ourselves, develop the skill sets and connections necessary to be considered an expert in our area, and then focus on, “Who needs me most?” which will be a more useful guide in developing our businesses than stressing over finding our ‘niche.’

Summer Sanity Tips for Work at Home Moms

Kim DeYoung — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 17:30:48 +0000

Here we are in the middle of summer and there are moments when I’m really enjoying myself and others when I’m really stressed. If you’re like me I swing back and forth between the two. There are moments with my kids where I wish summer would never end and there are those times when school can’t start soon enough!

Every mom can appreciate the extra stress of summer vacation but for work at home moms it can be even more challenging. Most of us can’t afford to put our businesses on hold for three months. So what can help us manage our business while we still enjoy the summer with our kids?

Here are some summer vacation tips that I’ve found helpful:

Banish Guilt – Don’t waste your summer feeling guilty. You can’t do it all (be it every work project and every activity with your children) so for your own sanity stop expecting yourself to. Focus instead on being grateful. The gratitude stems from acknowledging your opportunity to work from home and run a business that brings your joy and income while spending quality time (even if it’s not tons of quantity) with your children.

Focus on Your Priorities – Since you can’t do it all it’s important to have real clarity about which projects you’re going to focus on, so your work is streamlined. Personally, I’m using the summer to focus on two key projects – my new Get It Done Coaching program and my Telesummit Blueprint System. With my kids at home much more than during the school year, my focus is either on them or one of those projects. Summer’s not a good time to take on other activities that don’t matter. Wait until fall, set clear boundaries for yourself, and say NO to what doesn’t support you.

Plan Activities -Take a look at classes and camps that are available during the summer. I’ll be honest here, I’ve usually sent my children to camp but this year, with my husband being out of work, the decision to send them to camp had us in a quandary. Can we afford to send them to camp? Can we afford NOT to send them to camp since we got a lot less work done with them at home during the day? (We opted for sending them a little less than previous years).

If you decide to forego a summer camp, there are usually activities in your local area like swim, tennis or art classes. This does require driving time but it will give you and your kids a little break from each other. You may also want to trade play dates with other moms or get grandparents to take the kids on some special outings.

Develop a New Routine – Figure out what work schedule supports you best during the summer. Maybe you’ll want to get an earlier start or stay up late so you take advantage of the time your kids are sleeping later (if they do that). I’ve been bringing my laptop onto my porch so I can watch them outside when they play. Kids are more likely to cooperate if they know what to expect ahead of time. For example, will your kids cooperate if they can count on you working just until noon everyday and taking them swimming afterwards?

Put Them To Work – Get your kids involved in your business. This is a special advantage for work at home moms. Kids think this is fun and they’re more likely to be supportive of your business if they’re involved! My kids help ship out my monthly membership CDs and absolutely love using my postage meter. It’s all just a matter of thinking what tasks are age appropriate and fun for them.

Limit Screen Time – Be strategic about screen time – which includes TV, movies, computer and video games. Sometimes it’s okay… but it shouldn’t be the only option available to your kids. Instead make a visit to the crafts store for art supplies or go to the library so everyone always has something new to read. For littler kids, find or buy some building toys (like Legos) and make a “dress up box” with some of your old clothes.

Let Them Be Bored – Finally, resist the temptation to rescue the kids when they say they’re bored. In our busy on-the-go world we sometimes forget that boredom often leads to creativity. Let them know you have confidence in their ability to figure out how to spend their time.

I hope you find these summer vacation tips helpful. As hectic or frustrated as you might feel, summer usually flies by! Be grateful for the flexibility you have as a work at home mom and enjoy this special time to bond with your kids. Jump in the pool with them, ride bikes or grab a book and read under a tree!