blog – Renaissance Coaching Group

BUSINESS SUCCESS

I’M PICKIN’ UP GOOD VIBRATIONS

The familiar past becomes the predictable future. (Dr. Joe Dispenza) The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes of mind. (William James) I attract to my life whatever I give my attention, energy, and focus to, whether positive or negative. (Michael Losier) It doesn’t matter whether you like the music of The Beach Boys, believe in the Law of Attraction, or if you’ve never heard of either one! At its essence, research in quantum physics continues to highlight the power our minds have over our lives. More than you realize, success or failure really does often hinge on how you think and feel. I have found examples time and again in my own life and in working with my clients that like attracts like (the essence of Law of Attraction). Couple that with the Law of Vibration which has shown that every thought or feeling has a vibration that can be measured, and it’s hard to ignore the fact that the more you focus on good vibrations and positive thinking (coupled with positive action), the greater your level of success. Like attracts like. In my own experience, I can cite countless instances in which my negative thinking created, or at least had a significant impact on, my current reality. The more I read about the science of the mind, the greater focus I place on my predominant thoughts and feelings. I remind myself that generating a steady stream of negative thinking, feeling and/or behavior does not align with my expectation of a positive outcome. Think garbage in, garbage out. In a world filled with noise and ever-increasing input, most of us are completely unaware of what we think day in and day out. We’re even less in touch with how we feel and the impact on our life’s course. — Kathe Romaniello Yes, some days it’s a challenge to shift from feelings of overwhelm to satisfaction. But it is worth trying to do just that. Using myself as an example, I find that if most of my day is focused on negative thinking and feeling badly, I seem to encounter obstacles at every turn. And, honestly, I just don’t want to feel anxious day in and day out! Leaders, take heed. You owe it to yourself to monitor your thoughts and track your feelings. Take every opportunity throughout the day to shift your perspective to something more positive. Feel those good vibrations as much as possible. WEEKLY CALL TO ACTION: Monitor your internal “chatter” throughout the day. When you find yourself about to launch into a negative rant, do something to counteract it. Here are a few suggestions that consistently work for me: Get up and move to another room. Do something physical (yard work or clearing some clutter works like a charm!) Take a brief walk (if that’s an option). If not, visualize yourself literally above the fray, looking down at the situation. It helps you see it more objectively and gives you a few seconds to make a better choice. Take five slow, deep breaths (very calming). Embark on a practice of daily meditation. Smile. That alone can stop a bad feeling in it’s tracks. Come up with a few strategies that work for you. Set a daily intention to pick up those good vibrations. Simply reminding yourself that like attracts like can be enough to help you shift your perspective. Give it a try. It’s certainly better than the alternative, isn’t it?

May 30, 2019 No Comments

BUSINESS SUCCESS

Mid-year Business Reality Check

“Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning.” (Benjamin Franklin) I’ve been reading and listening to Dr. Joe Dispenza (Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself: How to Lose your Mind and Create a New One), and something he says frequently has really stuck with me in a big way. It has impacted me personally and professionally. The statement that Dr. Joe often repeats is that the familiar past becomes the predictable future. The VERY basic idea is that most of us get up every day and repeat the same tasks and the same routine mindlessly. We even tend to think the same thoughts–day after day after day–without realizing we do it, or the impact it has on us. And then we wonder why we keep repeating the same mistakes and getting the same results. I must say that those words have become life-changing for me in terms of how I think and what I do. What habits must you implement to be your best self and do your best work, and what habits must you eliminate because they do nothing but pull you off course? With Dr. Dispenza’s words in mind, I always take time at mid-year to check in with the goals I set at the beginning of the year and figure out where I’m making progress and where I’m stuck. What about you? Are you on track for a successful 2019? Are you doing what needs to be done? Here are some questions to help you assess your current reality. Don’t let the summer months pull you further off course. Figure out where you stand and create a 12-week plan to make measurable progress between now and Labor Day. 2019 MID-YEAR PROGRESS REPORT

May 28, 2019 No Comments

BUSINESS SUCCESS

Weight Loss and Marketing Plans…What’s Your Recipe for Greater Success?

If you’re like me, losing weight always seems to end up on the annual New Year’s (or mid-year, or every other Monday) to do list. I’m pleased to report that 2019 is finally the year I’m tackling my weight loss goal. I want to nail it once and for all. So far this year, I’ve lost almost 30 pounds. (In case you’re wondering, I’m using the Weight Watchers Freestyle program. And, no, I’m not being paid to endorse it!) So, how exactly does my weight loss journey inform my marketing? First, let me offer my personal weight loss success strategies: WW Freestyle offers a specific plan and I follow it daily. It helps me stay focused, and enables me to plan my meals ahead of time. It provides me the discipline and support I need. It enables me to easily track what I eat throughout the day, and gives me a super easy calculation of my caloric intake so I stay within the range for my current and ideal weight. I plan my day’s food intake at the start of the day before eating anything. This does two powerful things: It disciplines me to build my three main meals around WW’s extensive zero Smartpoints food list. Once I’ve planned my main meals, it shows me how many points I have remaining for the day and gives me the freedom to do what I want with them. I love food and I love to cook. But since starting WW, I believe much of my success is the result of my strategy to stick with a fairly narrow list of foods and recipes. When I put my food choices on autopilot each day/week (based on foods I really enjoy and look forward to eating), I enjoy my food, I don’t feel deprived, and I stay on plan. When I give myself too many options or try too many new recipes, I don’t do as well. It requires much more daily effort, it tends to be more expensive, and I’m not always as satisfied if I end up trying a recipe that I don’t care for. The other magic I find in sticking with a narrow list of foods (and planning out those foods weekly) is that it enables me to put “dieting” on the back burner. In the past, I used to obsess about food 24 hours a day. I now find that as long as my pantry is stocked with my basic food items, I don’t think that much about food. I used to hate weighing myself. The daily fluctuations made me crazy and I found it demotivating. I now track my weight loss results daily. I am so determined to get the weight off once and for all that I realized that seeing the fluctuations on the scale keeps me honest and disciplined. When I stay on plan, my weight stays the same or drops. If I have a day when I ate too much salt or bread, the scale shows an uptick, and it reminds me to stick with the strategies that work. So, how to use these weight loss strategies with your marketing? Here are my personal takeaways: Follow a specific plan. Limit your marketing strategies to no more than two or three. Too many options will overwhelm you, and you’ll accomplish little. Like my food menu, the more you can get your marketing on autopilot, the more likely you will do it consistently. Select marketing strategies that play to YOUR strengths and that you ENJOY doing. If you love to write but hate networking, then writing content should be a non-negotiable task every single day. Designate a certain number of words per day, one new article or client resource each week or month. Commit to creating a body of work that builds in volume over time and highlights your expertise. Be realistic about what you can reasonably accomplish on any given day. Identify your 3 to 5 highest priorities for the day. Once you complete them, use the rest of the day as you’d like. Information overload = failure to implement. Just as too many new recipes and food choices diminish my effectiveness, the same goes for marketing. There is a massive amount of information at your disposal. Every minute of every day, there is yet another expert espousing the latest and greatest #1 best secret to making millions (and solving world hunger). Ignore this stuff. Focus on WHAT you offer and the RESULTS you help your ideal client accomplish. Limit your information-gathering to quality content that builds YOUR expertise. Business building tip: we tend to amass information because we’re either unclear about, or don’t have faith in, our business model. Sometimes we’re just afraid to take action. Get the support you need. Work with a coach or join a mastermind group. Find an accountability partner. When you’re stuck in your home office all day, it’s hard to gain perspective about your business, and it will slow your progress. Plan your marketing tasks BEFORE anything else. Make them your highest priority. Use your calendar to block out sufficient time, given other responsibilities. Once you’ve completed them, the remainder of the day is yours. Use it in a way that will keep you energized and inspired. Build a support framework for success–that works for YOU. In my weight loss journey, planning meals, tracking points, and weighing myself are my three highest priority actions that support my efforts. For marketing, it might be a certain number of warm emails you’ll send daily, a certain number of exploratory appointments you make in a week, or a specific number of new subscribers for your free report you offer on your website. Track your marketing results daily. If you fail to track, or wait too long to analyze your results, your success will be greatly diminished. Be honest with yourself. In weight loss, the scale doesn’t lie. When building your business, success or failure is based on being clear on what you offer and marketing it consistently to the right people. Tracking your efforts gives you tangible feedback to help you decide whether to stay the course or try something new or different. Persistent action = success over time. Effective weight loss is a 24/7 endeavor. For most people, it needs to become a part of who you are, day in and day out. I didn’t lose 30 pounds overnight. Some weeks I only lost half a pound. But sticking with my basic weight loss success framework, I am achieving consistent results. The same goes for marketing. Persistent action over time is what gets you results. Marketing as an afterthought, or changing your message every other day, is NOT a recipe for success. THIS WEEK’S CALL TO ACTION: Do you have faith in your current marketing strategy? Do you have a structured business building framework that you follow consistently? If not, don’t do anything else until you create a personalized marketing plan to support your success. Use my list of takeaway strategies to assess your current marketing model. Create a plan, decide on a handful of marketing menu items, implement them consistently, and weigh (I mean track) your results. A crystal clear vision and a plan of action keeps your marketing stress-free and easy to implement.

May 15, 2019 No Comments

Life Balance

Resigned?

“I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept.” (Angela Davis) Resigned: adjective. Having accepted something unpleasant that one cannot do anything about. Most of us have points in our life where we face a fork in the road. Midlife and mid-career can be one of those points. We’re ready for something different. We’re tired of the same old thing day in and day out. But how to figure out what’s next? We struggle over making the right choice. We want an EASY button. We hate feeling stuck but expect instant solutions and “aha” moments. Too often, we take the path of least resistance because we’re too tired, too overwhelmed, over-committed and over budget. We spend too much time on things and people that don’t satisfy. We convince ourselves that big change is for other people. We forge ahead, hoping that maybe by some luck things will get better—without any real effort on our part. We reinforce bad habits that pull us further away from a life well-lived. We don’t ask the right questions. We resign ourselves that THIS. IS. JUST. THE. WAY. IT. IS. We ignore the fact that not choosing is a choice. We don’t realize the full impact of letting life happen to us. We think we have all the time in the world, as we let another few years or decades pass us by. Aren’t you sick of resigning yourself to what is? Why not give yourself permission to make even the smallest of changes? Rather than being resigned to a job that sucks the life out of you, challenge yourself to learn something new that inspires you. Take on a project outside of work that will broaden your contacts and perhaps give you a sense of meaning and satisfaction that your job doesn’t currently provide. Rather than living with mountains of ever-increasing debt, challenge yourself to track your expenses and eliminate at least one item that doesn’t add value to your life. Rather than resigning yourself to feeling constantly overwhelmed, make a list of all the big and little things that would give you some relief. Commit to eliminating (or completing) as many items you can in the shortest amount of time. Rather than resigning yourself to not knowing what you want, give yourself permission to brainstorm 20 ideas worth considering. Rather than resigning yourself to a life of less than, incorporate some simple pleasures. Focus more on being, and less on doing. Rather than comparing yourself to others, take a break from the social media rat race and ask yourself what really matters to you. Be willing to forge your own path and not care what other people think. Rather than blaming and making excuses about why you can’t do something, demand more from yourself. Strive for a Level 10 life–as you define it! Erase “I can’t” from your mental self-talk and shift it to “Why the hell not?” THIS. IS. YOUR. LIFE. Stop frittering away your present and your future by burying your head in the sand and taking the easy way out. Do something, anthing, to shake things up. Always remember that nothing changes if nothing changes. Yes, sometimes life forces change on you. But most of the time, you need to make the first move. Figure out what you REALLY want Try something new Build positive habits that improve the quality of your life Simplify Lighten up Ask more and better questions Make BOLD choices Do something outside your comfort zone Own your choices Don’t wait for permission. Don’t wait for the perfect time. NOW is the time. This Week’s Call to Action: Advocate on your own behalf. Take one positive action–no matter how small–to improve your current situation. In short, START CHANGING THE THINGS IN YOUR LIFE YOU CAN NO LONGER ACCEPT.

April 23, 2019 No Comments

BUSINESS SUCCESS

Bold Business Owners THINK BIG and WORK SMALL

When you’re self-employed your DO list never seems to shrink. It’s always up to you to make sure that you’re generating enough profit from your work to pay the bills and then some. If you’re anything like me, you started the new year with optimism and a list of great ideas. Yet, the first quarter of the year is almost over and I have no choice but to admit to myself that I haven’t made nearly the progress I intended. Projects that should have been launched in January are still languishing on my desk. What’s a business owner to do? THINK BIG and WORK SMALL. A bold business owner sets clear business goals (the THINKING BIG part): What are my earning objectives for the year? Am I clear on the services I’m offering? Are my earning objectives realistic, given my current service offerings? How many hours each week do I want to be working? Am I focusing on the right action(s) to help me accomplish my business objectives? Does my current business structure support or hinder the kind of life I want to be living? These are important questions. For best results, I urge you to answer them honestly. Ask and answer them every business quarter. These questions guide everything else you do to keep your business profitable and enjoyable. Once you’re clear on the big picture, you then need to implement the right habits and daily tasks (the WORKING SMALL part) that will help you accomplish your goals. When you’re self-employed, the only way the money rolls in is when you take consistent focused action. The best way I’ve found to effectively work small is to identify my highest priority DAILY tasks and track them. Working small is my way of focusing my time and energy on taking right action one day at a time. Of identifying my highest priorities that I must implement daily to stay on track. For example, knowing my annual earnings goal for the year, I break it down to monthly and weekly goals. By doing so, the question I ask myself at the start of each week is: What do I need to do today (or by the end of the week) to achieve my earnings goal and propel my business forward? Every small action you take toward your goal is a success. I remind myself every day that five or 10 calls or emails every day may not seem like enough (when I need business NOW). But over a year’s time? Those smaller numbers add up to hundreds and even thousands. WORKING SMALL means you focus on what you need to complete TODAY. Don’t worry about tomorrow or the next day. Start small and build on it. Look ahead a day or a week at the most. Don’t obsess too far into the future. Spending time or energy thinking about what I need to do six months from now overwhelms me and I begin to lose traction. Every day of not doing makes all your next days that much more challenging When you regularly track your progress, it’s hard to make excuses. Daily tracking also benefits you by giving you the opportunity to ask if what you’re doing and tracking are the right things. If not, you’re able to make immediate tweaks and course corrections so you don’t wake up three months from now and realize you’ve made no progress. I find that even one day with every box checked off (or at least more checked than not!) inspires me to do better the next day. It becomes a fun competition to accumulate as many checks as possible. And, the more I do, the more successful I feel. And success builds momentum. And over time, I’m building positive work habits AND achieving my business goals one day at a time by thinking big and working small. THIS WEEK’S CALL TO ACTION: Focused action = business progress. Identify the actions that will give you a return on your daily investment of time and energy AND that will help you grow your business. Set up a simple tracker and get started. Commit to reviewing your progress consistently. Make it your goal to beat your personal best every day. Ask yourself if you’re doing your best to make progress. If not, commit to being and doing better tomorrow. THIS WEEK’S BUSINESS MINDSET SHIFT: Write one page about why you’re feeling stuck. Be honest. Write about how it feels to not be making progress. Then write about how great it would feel to be taking focused action consistently. BUSINESS SUCCESS TIP: Stop accumulating more information. You know enough for today. BE the expert and act accordingly. ************** “Things do not happen; things are made to happen.” (John F. Kennedy)

March 5, 2019 No Comments

BUSINESS SUCCESS

Fearless Freelancers and Solo Professionals Focus on Excellence

Self-employment tests your courage and commitment every single day. Trust me, I know. Success or failure is up to you. Lack of focus, negative work habits that pull you off course, isolation, and fear-based thinking will sink you. Fear-based freelancers: Are always planning and never implementing Are afraid of looking stupid Keep changing their niche or industry or services Make excuses Blend in, instead of STANDING OUT Think about making the call or taking action… Are slow on follow-through Will work with anybody Sell based on price because they don’t value what they’re offering Are constantly looking for the #1 secret to success…. I can feel the fear just writing that list….! FearLESS freelancers: Believe in themselves and what they offer clients in terms of solutions TAKE. CONSISTENT. DAILY. ACTION. Develop a strong professional identity one day at a time Focus on targeted marketing strategies and implement them unfailingly Develop new methods and approaches to innovate and add value Are creative. Rather than following the herd, they pilot new ideas Make and share connections Contribute without expecting something in return Attract new business by developing and nurturing relationships Choose projects and/or clients based on the quality of the relationship and the challenge of the work Grow their knowledge base Become a recognized leader who contributes to the business/professional community Create strategic alliances to enhance client value and develop new business Become known as an expert and resource for their clients Focus on multiple streams of income Price their services based on results achieved, not hours spent Do their best work always Decide which clients or projects are not right for them Make no excuses FearLESS freelancers proceed boldly every single day. They have clear business objectives. They take action. They own their success. They focus on excellence. Are you ready to tackle your fears? Draw a line in the sand for yourself and COMMIT. THIS WEEK’S ACTION CHALLENGE: Start each day by asking yourself if you’re standing in FEAR or POSSIBILITY. Stop letting fear pull you off course. DECIDE today to start taking yourself and your business seriously. Implement the daily habit of identifying one BOLD action that has the greatest potential to move your business forward and act on it. Do the same thing tomorrow and the day after that. Track your progress. DO EXCELLENT WORK! And always remind yourself that if you don’t believe in what you have to offer, how can you possibly expect clients to? “You don’t regret the past. You regret the present. You regret the past only when you’re not wildly in love with all you are right now and all you are experiencing in this time. Change the moment before you, and you change how you feel about everything…” (Tama Kieves, A Year Without Fear)

February 20, 2019 No Comments

BUSINESS SUCCESS

Are you ready to GET SERIOUS about growing your business?

RENAISSANCE COACHING GROUP ANNOUNCES NEW MASTERMIND GROUP FOR BOLD BUSINESS OWNERS! ARE YOU READY TO GET SERIOUS ABOUT GROWING YOUR BUSINESS? FEELING OVERWHELMED ABOUT HOW TO MAKE IT ALL HAPPEN? NOT SURE WHAT TO DO NEXT? DO YOU WANT THE SUPPORT OF OTHER LIKE-MINDED SELF-EMPLOYED MOVERS AND SHAKERS? JOIN THE BOLD BUSINESS WOMEN’S MASTERMIND GROUP AND POSITION YOURSELF FOR GREATER SUCCESS “The Master Mind principle: Two or more people actively engaged in the pursuit of a definite purpose with a positive mental attitude, constitute an unbeatable force.” (Napolean Hill) Renaissance Coaching Group is launching this business mastermind group for a select group of BOLD women business owners and self-employed professionals who are ready to get serious about their success. This group is for you if you’re ready to: Plan and strategize each week with a small group of like-minded movers and shakers who are ready to identify and implement business best practices Identify and nurture relationships with your ideal clients who appreciate your value and are willing to pay you what you’re worth Reposition yourself for strategic growth Increase your professional visibility and credibility Do whatever it takes to survive and thrive as a seriously successful business owner This mastermind group is designed to help you tackle a major business launch and make significant progress over a 90-day period. Think of it as High Intensity Business Building. HERE’S A BRIEF LIST OF WHAT WE’LL ADDRESS EACH WEEK: STRATEGIC THINKING—What do you need to do in the next 90 days? What’s your long-range game plan? DEVELOPING YOUR LEADERSHIP PRESENCE AND CAPACITY to achieve business results HOW TO IDENTIFY AND TRACK BUSINESS RESULTS for maximum success SYSTEMS AND PROCESS STRATEGIES designed to get you working more effectively so you have time for non-work priorities MULTIPLE STREAMS OF BUSINESS INCOME—how to diversify your services for sustained profitability SERVICE AND VALUE—establishing a value pricing framework that pays you what you’re worth MARKETING BEST PRACTICES to ensure long-term sustainability PROFITABILITY—how to establish BOLD financial goals and strategies so you feel less needy and more confident PERSONAL SUCCESS STRATEGIES—how to grow your business and still have time for a good life YOUR MONTHLY INVESTMENT INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING: The mastermind will meet weekly via Zoom videoconferencing. Each session will go 60-90 minutes to ensure that each member has time to share wins and challenges, and get support from the group Each participant receives one individual strategy session with me each month Daily group email accountability check-ins Unlimited brief check-ins with me by phone or email Digital business planning tools and assessments Coaching, brainstorming, accountability, and support from me and your fellow mastermind members MASTERMIND LEADER…. Kathe Romaniello is a certified graduate of Coach University and holds a BS Degree in Business from Temple University. Kathe provides leadership and business coaching to small business owners, freelancers and self-employed professionals who want to start or grow their business. Her personal and business mantra is: STOP wasting time, act strategically, and expect more from yourself. PROGRAM KICKOFF: Wednesday, September 26, 2018 (10:00 – 11:30 AM) * INVESTMENT: $249/month MINIMUM COMMITMENT: This group will be ongoing from month to month. Each participant is expected to make a three-month commitment to the group for maximum synergy, but members are welcome and encouraged to remain in the group indefinitely. GROUP SIZE: The group is limited to no more than 7 participants. *During the first session, a mutually convenient day/time for the mastermind sessions will be determined by group consensus REGISTER TODAY TO RESERVE YOUR PLACE! For questions, additional information, or to register, call 215.632.1872 or email Kathe at Kathleen@renaissancecoachinggroup.com

September 4, 2018 No Comments

Life Balance

Struggling to MOVE FORWARD in your life? Maybe it’s time to CLEAR THE CLUTTER

“Simplicity! Simplicity! Simplicity! I say, let your affairs be as two or three, and not a hundred or a thousand; instead of a million count half a dozen, and keep your accounts on your thumb-nail.” (Henry David Thoreau) IF YOU’RE FEELING STUCK, CLEAR OUT THE CLUTTER Have you ever considered that your level of dissatisfaction is proportionate to the amount of clutter in your life? Our lives become cluttered in so many ways. You can probably relate to the idea of too much stuff in your life—attics, garages, closets, corners, or your email box—any available space is filled with stuff. Add to that the clutter on your desk and/or in your office. Stacks of “important” documents that are now many years old and maybe even outdated. Consider the baggage and clutter you drag around with you from your past—insecurities, resentments, mistakes that you still dwell on; old projects started and never finished. We hold onto friendships that maybe we’ve outgrown and take up precious time but don’t add to our quality of life. We carry around the clutter of old ideas and beliefs that no longer serve us, or that are just plain inaccurate. There is the clutter of the present—information overload, countless to-do lists, multi-tasking, email, junk mail, texts, downloads, magazines and books that go unread month after month. All of it staring at you. Reminding you of all you should or could be doing. Too much time spent thinking about and planning for the future can also be a form of clutter. Rather than appreciating the here and now, everything we do is focused on what I like to refer to as “future perfect” when all will be as we’ve dreamed of—the debts will be paid off, the house renovations will be completed, we’ll finally have the perfect job or partner…. Clutter robs you of time. Your stuff requires upkeep—either you maintain it or hire someone to do it for you. Your messy office results in time wasted looking for missing papers and notes, which eats up time you should be spending on higher priority tasks. Sometimes we hide behind our cluttered lives and busyness to avoid bigger issues. We spend too much time on low priority tasks that don’t really matter and don’t add value to our lives, rather than taking the time to scale back and slow down. Why? Because meaningful change takes time and commitment and challenges us to stretch beyond our comfort zone. Clutter robs you of peace of mind. It robs you of insight and good ideas—flashes of clarity get lost in the overwhelm of social media, Netflix, and other unimportant mental filler. Clutter drains you of energy and keeps you stuck. The sheer bulk of it literally blocks the path for anything new to enter. As with trying to jam one more box into an already too full garage, so it is with your life. You can’t expect to attract what you want in your life unless and until you are ready to release the clutter that no longer serves you. “Whether the clutter is physical, emotional, or spiritual, it all takes up space in your life.” Clearing the clutter can have an amazing impact. Maybe you want to change jobs or relocate. Making space in your schedule, identifying and letting go of negative thinking, eliminating half-finished projects (without guilt), creates space—space to say yes to creating a business plan or attending an important networking event that can help you transition into a new career. Clearing the clutter makes room for the people and activities that will add dimension and color to your life. When you eliminate the old and stale, you feel lighter and more energized. You become open and receptive to a world of possibilities that previously went unnoticed because of all that clutter. THIS WEEK’S ACTION CHALLENGE: Make a list of all the clutter in your life and decide to eliminate it one room, one thought, one file, at a time. Start with what seems the most do-able…maybe your sock drawer or that box in the garage that you haven’t opened since you moved 10 years ago! Commit to clearing out all the things that are keeping you stuck. No aspect of your life is off limits. Start thinking like a minimalist and just imagine what you can make time for once you eliminate all that clutter! Start by making a list: Physical Environment ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ Finances ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ Work ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ Health and Wellbeing ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ Relationships ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ Negative Self-Talk ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ WEEKLY PROVOCATEUR: What do you need to let go of, so you can start focusing on your highest priorities?

September 2, 2018 No Comments

BUSINESS SUCCESS

Social Media Reality Check

As a self-employed professional, I finally had to admit to myself that I am overwhelmed by social media for a multitude of reasons: Too many options: Which options make the most sense for my business? How to stand out and be heard/seen? What are the costs involved across all platforms? Too much time and energy to do it well How to have a consistent brand/message/focus? I tend to use it as an excuse to avoid reaching out to potential clients more directly through networking, warm-email prospecting, and even cold-calling. It can be a real balancing act to implement an EFFECTIVE strategy. If you’re struggling with overwhelm, check out my complimentary SOCIAL MEDIA PLANNER, which you can find on my RESOURCES page. Social Media Planner (7.2018) No matter how active (or inactive) you are across different platforms, take some time this week to create a SPECIFIC action plan: What’s your primary marketing objective and is it different from one platform to the next? If yes, specify. What are the intended results you’re expecting to accomplish? What marketing materials do you need to have/need to develop that portray you and your business in the best possible way? What time, money, and other resources are needed to reach your objectives? How will you measure results? THIS WEEK’S CALL TO ACTION: Social media is just one tactic/strategy in your Marketing Toolkit. In most cases, it should not be your only method of filling your marketing funnel. Using my SOCIAL MEDIA PLANNER, take some time this week to create a detailed ACTION PLAN that won’t consume you.

July 20, 2018 No Comments

BUSINESS SUCCESS

Are you a New Leader Lost in the Weeds?

If you’re new to leadership after years of serving as a technical expert, taking on responsibility for other people–in addition to completing projects on time and on budget, serving clients, and nurturing new business leads–can result in stress and overwhelm if you go into the role thinking you can just wing it. Taking on a supervisory or leadership role means that it’s no longer just about your success. You are now accountable for the success of each member of your team, and each one will be at a different level on the technical/behavioral learning curve. You need to be accessible. You need to serve as a role model. You need to think strategically. You need to keep your team engaged or risk losing your greatest assets. Many of the new leaders I work with often comment that managing their team is itself a full-time job. And many organizations provide little support in the way of structured leadership training. The best way to ensure your success and prevent overwhelm is to start with a reality check of where you are and where you need to be. A 90-day execution plan can help. The following outline offers a solid starting point to move you in the right direction: Big Picture Goals Self: What is your leadership mindset/philosophy? What do you want to be known for? Who’s a positive role model for you? Departmental/organizational Get clear on highest priorities Identify opportunities and challenges Direct reports What excites you about your team? Any weak links? Time Management Identify time wasters Identify “big rocks” projects Productivity/efficiency strategies Identify what can/should be delegated Personal Development What are your greatest opportunities, and in what areas do you need to develop your bench strength? What support do you need? Are you comfortable asking for feedback (from leadership, direct reports, clients?) How to challenge assumptions? How to shift your perspective from colleague/coworker to manager? Staff Development Who needs what? What is your role in staff development? Do you know how to bring out the best in other people? How to implement a coaching model? Team building Relationship Building: Leadership/Stakeholders, Direct Reports, Other Departments What’s working? What isn’t working? How to clarify expectations? Leadership Competencies Daily/weekly/long-range action steps Manager vs. staff (old you vs. new you)—what needs to change? Role modeling/emotional intelligence Creating a safe space Circumstances vs. possibilities Powerful questions Weekly Scorecard Identify items to measure What do you need to get started? How to track/communicate progress? What’s your 1%? You don’t need to know everything on day one. Relax and learn to trust your gut. Focus on improving your performance by just 1% each day.

July 15, 2018 No Comments

BUSINESS SUCCESS

Does your Marketing Plan Need an Overhaul?

“If you orient your entire business to serving customers, you will be more successful. This means you don’t sell your services. Rather, you use your skills to help customers meet their needs.” (Rick Crandall, Ph.D.) Do you find yourself constantly asking yourself where the clients are and why you’re having so much trouble finding them? The first step is to assess your marketing plan. If you don’t have a written action plan, that’s your highest priority. If you do have one, are you actually using it? How do you track its effectiveness? When was the last time you upgraded your strategies? Before you do anything else, you need to figure out where in the marketing cycle you’re under-performing. Is your business clearly defined? What problems do you solve? Who are the people you serve? (Hint: “anybody” is NOT a good answer) What products and/or services do you offer? What sets you apart from your competition? Do you struggle to have a consistent level of potential clients in the pipeline? Do you have written materials that describe your services? Do you have a website that clearly explains your services? (Tip: Ask a few colleagues to look at your home page and ask them to describe what you do. You might be surprised by the responses you get). Do you have a robust social media profile/page? Do you have a targeted prospect list? (You can buy a list, use association directories, collect business cards at networking events, ask for referrals, do a google or Linkedin search, etc.) Have you created a robust “keep in touch” program and do you use it daily, week, and monthly? Do you have a stack of business cards on your desk that you’ve forgotten about? Do you accept Linkedin connections without actually reading the person’s profile and scanning their contacts? Implementing a simple “keep in touch” program can significantly increase your long-term sales conversion. Uncomfortable Having the Dreaded Sales Conversation? Never forget that when you are self-employed, your technical expertise means nothing without clients. Until you have all the clients you can/want to handle, most days you need to see yourself as Chief Marketing Officer and Director of Sales. Can’t seem to close the sale? Refer back to your “keep in touch” plan. Maybe your prospect needs more exposure to you before they decide to work with you. Compile references and testimonials from former clients Depending on your services, you may need to develop more examples of your work: case studies, white papers, videos, etc. Practice your sales script with a colleague or mastermind partner and ask for feedback. Each stage in the marketing cycle is important. For the best results in the shortest amount of time, focus on the one aspect that you find most challenging. THIS WEEK’S CALL TO ACTION: Take one action to UPGRADE your marketing process.

July 11, 2018 No Comments

BUSINESS SUCCESS

Are you ready to RAMP UP your business?

“Action expresses priorities.” (Mahatma Ghandi) “Most of us spend too much time on what is urgent and not enough time on what is important.” (Stephen R. Covey) We’re almost into the middle of January. If you’re ready to launch a new business, struggling to find clients, or just plain overwhelmed, take a day for some strategic analysis. Knowing what you want to accomplish and taking focused action is the way to structure your time and energy and avoid overwhelm. In short, your results will improve when you begin to make better choices. But before you choose, do your due diligence and gather the facts. Here are my TOP 25 questions to help you first look back on your 2017 results and use that information to propel your business forward in the coming months: How would you rate your 2017 business performance? What achievement are you most proud of ? Did you set goals for your business and, if so, did you meet them? If not, what got in your way? Looking ahead one year from now, what are your personal and professional goals for this year? What actions did you take to increase your professional visibility and credibility? (Think in terms of # of blog posts or newsletters published, articles or tips sheets, speaking and workshops….) Where do you feel stuck? How would you describe your personal foundation in terms of finances, wellness and time management? In what ways did personal challenges impact your business effectiveness and success in 2017? What keeps you up at night? Do you have a strategy to help you improve your performance for 2018? How would you describe your level of productivity? What processes or habits do you need to implement to maximize your effectiveness? What are the top 1-3 skills or habits you need or want to implement or improve upon this year that you believe will most help your business? Over the next 90 days, what is your #1 HIGHEST business priority? What is the biggest time drain that is preventing you from achieving your most important business goal(s)? What do you need to do more of in your business? What do you need to do less of? What feedback have you received from your best clients? (If you haven’t received any feedback, this should be your top priority in the next 30 days!) What assistance/tools/technology do you need to help you accomplish your business objectives in 2018? What do you think is the key to your success in meeting your goals this year? What are your greatest business opportunities in 2018? What processes or procedures could you implement that would save you time, energy and/or money in the long run? Do you have a clear business plan and are your daily/weekly/monthly actions in alignment with that plan? If a new business owner asked you for advice, what would be the three suggestions you would share with her? What do you wish you had done differently in 2017? Do you have a solid marketing strategy that you use consistently to fill the pipeline with potential new business? How do you measure your effectiveness in attracting new clients/business? What lessons have you learned about your business and/or yourself? THIS WEEK’S CALL TO ACTION: Information is power. For greater personal and professional success in 2018, take the time to answer these questions honestly. Distribute the questions to your key team members and ask them to do the same. TAKE ACTION on those items that require your most immediate attention. Let 2018 be your best year ever! “The mark of a great man is one who knows when to set aside the important things in order to accomplish the vital ones.” (Brandon Sanderson)

January 11, 2018 No Comments

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