Changing Perspectives

A few months ago, before the economy started to collapse, we all had a pretty optimistic view of life and our work.  Most of us felt like things were going pretty well.  And then we all learned that the bottom had dropped out of the sub-prime mortgage world, gas prices started to rise and we were regularly hearing our favorite pundits uttering the “r” word.  And suddenly our sunny perspective changed.

Life really is about perspective.  And there really are a lot of people out there who want you to have their limited perspective so that you can be as down as they are.  The truth is that keeping things in the proper perspective will help you stay on top of life’s challenges.

The fact that we are experiencing challenges in the financial industry cannot be ignored.  But taking stalk of the positives in your life right now, can keep you stay on top mentally and emotionally.  Even though my 401k is falling, I still have a home and I can make the payments every month.  Even though money is tight for many people, I still have clients and even though no one really knows where the bottom of the financial crisis is, I choose to focus on the things that I can control.  I can control my own costs and I can certainly control my own attitude.

So what are you challenged with today?  Maybe the news is not good, but perhaps if you sit down and take stock of what is good in your life you can just keep yourself going one more day.  There are no easy answers for some problems, but remember to make sure the problems you are worrying about are truly worth the worry.

Being able to control life’s challenges is not the key to true happiness, but being in control of your attitude and perspective will make life’s challenges less overwhelming.  Don’t allow your perspective to be shaped by news and politics, but rather take control of your thoughts and ideas and build your world the way you want it to be.

Contrary to public opinion, the sky is not falling, it is just a little cloudy right now, hang around and the sun will be out shortly!

Surround Yourself with Positive People!

I had a fabulous visit today with a friend of mine and another gentleman that we met at a networking group that I attend regularly. I was able to share with him all the things that I sell and he talked to me about his new business. It was a wonderfully exhilarating time. I was so impressed by his passion for his product and by is open-minded interest in the products of others. He may be new at what he does (he said he had only been selling his product for 28 days) but he has the first rule of networking down pat – show a genuine interest in others. He is doing well in his first 28 days, and I believe he will become even more successful in the days to come.

With the economy getting more and more frightening, the tendency for us all is to close up shop and wait for the storm to pass.  I believe that we must shy away from this because the storm will pass and if you keep doing what you have always done, you will have business in the pipeline when all the dust settles.  You will not have to ramp up your operation, you will already be moving forward.  Today’s conversation with a guy who was clearly making money in spite of the storm reinforced that thought even more to me.  I often am guilty of prejudging people’s ability to pay for my product or service, when in fact I need to let them spend their money as they see fit, and if they want to spend money on me, I need to let them.

Get out there and get around people who are excited about their business, and let that excitement rub off on you.  You will be glad you did!

Turn off the News and Keep Moving!

With all the talk of the country falling apart it is often hard stay focused on your goals and dreams.  The media and our financial gurus would all have us believe the sky is falling.  And indeed the economic outlook is dismal, especially if you are about to retire or are out of work.  But if you are a business owner, and you are still doing business, be thankful and stay focused.

When I have trouble focusing I often just turn the news off and stick to my plan for building my business.  Most of us don’t need any more discouragement, and we definitely don’t need more bad news.  It can rile you up and make you take your eye off the goal.  Keep doing what is working, keep making connections and you will weather the storm.

I am eternally positive, and I do believe that we are in tough times, and that it may well get worse before it gets better, but I also believe it will get better.  It won’t get any better if I close shop to worry, so the best course of action is to keep moving.  So let’s all just keep focused on our goals and move forward, even if its not as far as we would like.

Be the Guy They are Looking For!

The more tenuous our national economy becomes, the more important it becomes for all of us to be connecting with those we want to do business with, instead of just networking.  The harder it becomes for people to trust government and long established institutions, like banks, the more people want to do business with people they know and trust.  Whether you are a small brick-and-mortar business owner, a sole proprietor trying to get your product or service to the market place, a multi-level marketer or a sales person representing a large company, making connections should be foremost on your marketing agenda.

With America fast losing her ability to trust large organizations, the more individuals will turn to those they know and trust to build buy their products and services.  With disposable income becoming tighter and tighter, you want to be the first person people turn to when they want to buy something.

If you are not our making connections, you are missing your market.  More than ever people are looking for someone to trust.  You can be that person if you make sure you offer integrity, a good product at a fair price and service they can count on.

Whatever you are selling, if you are out there making connections, someone will find you.  If however, you are sitting in front of your computer waiting for the next financial institution to crumble or the price of gas to go up, you will lose out on a great opportunity.  Be the guy they are looking for!  Someone to trust!

What Holds You Back?

We all know people for whom things just seem to work out. They walk through life with every door opening and everyone loves them. Unfortunately, most of us have traits and quirks that need to be addressed in order for us to move forward with life and experience the kind of success both personally and professionally that we really want.

Maybe, like many people you are pushy and brash, perhaps you are overconfident and appear to most people like you are bulletproof. All of which can be very annoying and can actually turn others away from you. Equally problematic are those people who let others run over them, or who pretend problems don’t exist and just ignore them hoping they will go away. Still others are pushovers, letting the whole world run over them and then there are those that are just too nurturing or not nurturing enough.

Most of us don’t view these traits as things that would actually hold us back from success. We often don’t see those really “nice” people as being held back with niceness. But sometimes being a pushover, doesn’t let people take you seriously.

So what do you do if you think there is a consistent trait in your life that may be holding you back. The first step is admitting that this is an issue in your life. Talk to friends you trust and let them verify that you may be having a problem. Once you have decide you have a problem think about ways to over come the issue. For instance, if you are pushy and people feel like they have to do what you want all the time, start by putting yourself in their position and begin to let others speak more and make decisions. Or if you are someone who is too nice, start by making some decisions on things the way you want them done. Stop letting others push you around.

We all have things that hold us back, some more than others, but to be truly successful maybe it is time to examine those things that we can change and make the changes. So what’s holding you back, maybe its time to fix it!

Making Valuable Connections

Everyone is looking for some quick way to get in front of people and lots of them.  Whatever your business is you likely need to meet  a lot of people to make it work.  You then have to convince them that you are the best person to supply their need for your product.  The more people, the more money that you make.  So the question is “how to I meet lots of people”?  The answer, get out there!

There are no short cuts to exposure.  If you have lots of money, which most small business owners are short of, you can run some ads on TV or Radio and create some exposure.  You can also run ads in your local newspaper, but if money is at a premium there are no substitutes for making contacts and connections.

So how do small business owners create a loyal client base.  It is quite simple, you need to put yourself in front of them.  For all those folks who want to start a business and wait for customers to come to them, you need to understand that unless they meet you they won’t know you exist.  So where do you meet them.

Networking groups, community events, church events, associations, volunteer situations, where ever there are other people, you need to be there and you need to let people know what your business is all about.  Don’t just get out there, start speaking and spreading your expertise around.

Making connections is about creating a reputation of excellence and adding value to everyone that you encounter.  It is not simply going from group to group giving your 30 second commercial, but rather it is about meeting people and trying to add value to their lives first.

So if you are looking for a quick way to really get noticed, without spending a lot of money, try being the resident expert at every group you visit.  Getting noticed takes time and energy, but once people start noticing you, your business will start blooming as well.

Motivation Secrets

We all have times in our business or work life when we don’t feel motivated to keep going. In fact staying motivated is one of the top reasons people hire coaches.  My clients tell me all the time that they have trouble staying motivated.

Let me tell you a little secret about motivation.  It is a feeling.  If we don’t feel motivated we don’t do anything.  But like all feelings it is often stirred by action.  We make a phone call and suddenly we feel like making another.  We have a good sales lead and suddenly we are off to a good start.

An even bigger secret about motivation is that you can control your own motivation levels.  You see, since motivation is a feeling and feelings are usually follow actions, you can take some actions to stay motived.  Motivation is 10% inspiration (friend, coach, book, CD) and 90% action.  If you discipline yourself to take that first action the motivation to do more just comes.

Creating disciplines in our schedule that keep you moving forward will also keep you motivated.  Always have a full schedule of the activities you need to do to get business.  I need to meet lots of people, so between existing clients I schedule lunches, coffees, social events, speaking engagement and so on, just so the the discipline of moving forward keeps me motivated.

Are you sitting on the couch right now? Take the first step by doing the activity you need to do to propel your business forward.  Staying motivated is not a passive activity, it is a discipline and you can control how disciplined you stay.

Roots and Branches

Recently, I read a short article about the value and role of the roots and branches to the many beautiful trees we see each day.  I don’t know about you, but I love trees.  They provide shade in our hot Texas summers and add to the beauty around my house.  We live in a neighborhood full of trails with beautiful trees planted along the roads and walk ways.  It is refreshing to go for a long walk in the evening and just enjoy them as they wave in the wind.

But trees are also a metaphor of life and business.  We all enjoy the lovely branches with leaves waving in the gentle breezes of a summer day.  We give little thought to the root systems that are involved in keeping that 15-foot tree upright in the strongest of storms.  If we think of our businesses in those terms, we have to ask ourselves how deep are the roots that keep that business growing and thriving.

Just like a tree, our businesses have a public persona (leaves and branches) and the world sees the carefully constructed image or brand we have developed for ourselves and our business.  But how strong a wind your business can withstand depends a lot on the roots your have developed as your business has grown.

Has your business built a strong root system to withstand the next economic hurricane that blows through?  Do you have good products and services that people can afford?  Do you have a strong business plan that does not leave you over extended?  Do your customers like you enough to refer you?  Have you created those business relationships and alliances that can keep you going when times get tough?  Have you remained true to your purpose?

Laying a sound foundation (roots) for your business is one of the most important steps to ensure the longevity and growth of your business.  Many businesses just “take off” and because this is true they don’t take root to withstand economic storms.  Take time to establish solid systems and sound business practices to ensure your long-term existence as a business-owner.

Use Your Down Time Wisely!

Well the long-lazy days of summer are more or less over, along with the end of summer slump many of us feel in our businesses.  I have always found that a couple of weeks before school starts that my business often slumps. Parents suddenly get engrossed in getting those last minute appointments done with their children and getting supplies and clothes ready to get the children on the right track for the fall.  This can make for a very slow time for some businesses.

Instead of panicking, start gearing up for the fall.  Plan some seminars, parties, networking events or anything that will generate interest in a new season.  If possible try to concentrate on a different segment of your market.  You may find that when Moms and Dads have little time to listen to you, maybe you can concentrate on a different group, like seniors or empty-nesters.  Whatever your product or service is, know all your market segments and when the best time is to market to them.

Another trick is to think about the seasons that lie just beyond the start of school.  Think Christmas specials and other opportunities to interest people in your business once the children are safely in school and parents begin to turn to the next big thing in their lives.

Not every business experiences this particular down time, but all business goes through slumps from time-to-time.  The key is not to panic and worry, but to plan for when the slump turns around and be ready to hit the ground running.  Take note of what kinds of activities that create business during down times and be ready to re-create them when necessary.

We all have down times, what makes successful people stand out and remain on top is they are prepared to handle those times and they don’t panic unnecessarily.  As with everything, the old adage, “use your time wisely” is appropriate to this discussion.  Being proactive, instead of reactive, is key to staying calm and positive while others panic.

Staying Passionate About Your Business

Whether you have a brick and mortar business, are in direct sales or a mult-level or network marketing business, a key ingredient to your success is always going to be passion.  You need to be passionate about your product or service in order to get others to be interested in what you are offering.  Creating passion in the beginning is always easy.  We can all get excited when something is new and full of potential, but when the shine wears off the product, and your business is up and running, keeping the momentum going can be challenging.

Many people will tell you that one of the first things you need to do, no matter what you are doing, is to sit down and ask yourself why you are doing what you are about to do.  This is one of the most important steps no matter what journey you are embarking upon.  If you don’t have a clear vision of what you want to see for your efforts, your passion for the product, service or venture will wane very quickly.

If you are embarking on something new or if you have been in your business for some time and you feel your passion slipping away, take some time alone and think about your reason for being in your business.  Maybe your business helps other people and that excites you, maybe there is the potential for a lot of money and that excites you, maybe there are incentive trips, maybe the thought of having more money to give to your favorite charity really excites you, whatever it is, get a clear picture of it.  Once you have identified your why, use it to create passion and momentum for your business.  Why is always the first step to success.  What is your why?