Growing Pains…

Scheduling blog posts ahead of time is great. I flew out March 17th to a weeklong Marketing course and a coaching celebration.  I tell all my clients to celebrate each mini-success. Just sending in their Accountability Prep form is a good example of a mini-success!

If you look closely at this blog, I am going through a transition. One, a seamlessness as I host on my own website not on the WordPress platform. But, whenever things are in transition, there are the inevitable growing pains.

Changes are scary-fear of the unknown…  Not changing means you might miss opportunities and stagnation-dying inside… T. Harv Eker, author of bestseller,”The Secrets of the Millionaire Mind” said, “If you’re not growing, you’re dying..”

Sound familiar?  Ouch!

The Pink Event- A Woman’s Expo

I was going to miss the Womens’ Expo in Catonsville, so I decided to attend this expo, The Pink Event at BWI Marriott.  The event was coordinated by Diamond Event Services with Tamika Josephs at the helm.

Everyone I came in contact with was helpful and friendly.  Her team kept the event moving and offered a Pamper Room and rooms for the exhibitors.  My first stop was the Pamper Room.  I was intrigued.  My greeting at the door was an Ultimate Woman ticket someone couldn’t use and she donated it to the first person paying at the door!  Now, I got a swag bag and lunch for Free.  What a great first impression! How cool is that?

Seated massages, hair braiding, shea butters and a nail stylist were there to pamper you!  Great seated massage by Positive Touch Therapy and nail polish by Bree, a very kind, and professional young woman.  There were light refreshments for all.  A pink fountain of sweet dipping sauce and white chocolate, cake and marshmallows tickled everyone’s taste buds.

The exhibitors were varied and catered to women and entrepreneurs  Most of the women I met had their own business.  I did see a few men there as well as other women professionals.  I’m a veteran of many Womens Expos, both exhibiting and attending.  There was a good variety and had many network marketing businesses that were new to me.

I’d decided to get lunch, but the DJ said my name!  I won a door prize.  My luck continued!

Later, I was invited to be a part of the Pink Event.  I may see you next year-I learned of this through Facebook!  Yay for Social Media!

Spring Cleaning-(part ll)

I talked a bit about “cleaning house” more as a metaphor of things we hold onto but that no longer serves us.  It’s time to purge these ideas from your mind! These are 5 of these ideas.

1. The idea that you can be all things to all people.  Not only is that exhausting.  It’s counterproductive!  Being all things to everybody sets yourself up as martyr and you’ve sacrificed you.  When does anyone take care of you?

2. Running yourself into the ground.  Even when that task has got to be done…give yourself a break.  Take a deep, cleansing breath.  Don’t forget to eat!  Take a walk or stretch for a few minutes.  You’ll find you’re more productive and less stressed.

3. Pretending everything is great or my nothing word, fine.  Falling apart doesn’t mean you’re weak.  Sometimes, we need a good cry.

4. Always choosing things in your comfort zone.  No fear of failing because you’re simply stagnating, not grown.  Life sometimes means making mistakes an learning from them.  You grow as a person.

5. all a rationalization what it is…an excuse.  You can give excuses to your friends,lie about how fine you are, but, at the end of the day, who are you lying to?  Yourself.

Spring Cleaning -it’s getting rid of things in the” house!”

When I think of Spring cleaning, memories of a friend shaking out her rug to make it look fresher, more appealing something to be proud  of…So, think of doing Spring Cleaning-both outer and your inner’ houses”…

Here are my Top 5 Tips  for  cleaning your “house” getting rid of things that no longer serve and what to do with them:

1. No more telling yourself you’re stupid,not deserving or any of the negative thoughts.  What purpose does it serve to de-appreciate you and worry about past mistakes?

2. In order to grow, you must allow yourself to push past the barriers-stepping out of your comfort zone to move forward to face new ideas. And,remember, it’s natural to be scared-walk in fear of change, but without this forward movement-you can get stuck doing the same things and expect to make errors and learn from them.

3. Avoid spending time with people who don’t support you or the goals you’ve set  Why expend the time & energy being friends with naysayers who just put you down?  We only get one life,don’t waste it!

4. The time to realize that you can’t run away from your problems is NOW!   When you come back, (literally or figuratively) the problems will still be there…and may be worse,accumulating more debt, procrastinating so much,you miss your deadline…Problems have a way of multiplying…

5. Your needs matter and you are just a deserving as those you’ve put before you…Fulfilling everyone’s needs but your own is not noble-sacrificing yourself to help others often can reveal anger, depression and resentment.  Worse, it can show a lack of self-worth.

It’s worthwhile to do some spring cleaning for your attitudes, thoughts and feelings.  I’ll share more of these tips tomorrow. Stay tuned!

Self-Management & Leadership

I was reading some management newsletters and came across several on leadership.  As a coach and a “sponge”, this appealed to me.   I love to soak up knowledge and adapt this new knowledge share it with my coaching clients, who have christened me-Ms. Google!  As I wind up my low introductory offer for my Momentum Mastermind groups, I’m thinking of sharing my “ahas”.

1. Not everyone is motivated or in corporate lingo, “incentivised”.  (Great word…Truly, I couldn’t make this stuff up!)  As I was saying-People have a number of  things that motivate them.  No, it’s not just money.  Discount-helps people buy-money incentive.

In the workforce,discount-might be a day/afternoon off. or a gift card for favorite cafe…Doesn’t have to cost much!  Taking them for coffee/tea shows the boss is acknowledging you, but the boss needs to explain this or else that “special treatment” may backfire!

2. Believe or not, many would be satisfied, (both online for a business as well as offline) with a proverbial “pat on the back.  Online, it’s showing you have the solution for them.  You speak to their needs.

3. Sometimes people need to have the decision out of their hands.  In the workplace, the boss often makes the decisions.  As a coach, potential clients often put the ball in my court and just want to know what to do…If had coaching before, there’s one track and a newbie to the investment for coaching follows another track.  A conversation with me is needed, if they want individual coaching.  I also explain my group coaching programs..

Leadership is often assumed to be only found in the workplace.  There are many different types of  leaders who are responsible entrepreneurs leading the in the self management of business, both online & offline.

 

What do think?

 

When plans turn on you!

My plan was to have a great weekend with the Millionaire Mastermind Intensive!  Reality, my husband’s back and hip were on fire and the Advil  didn’t touch the pain!  His Doc had prescribed medication-IF he felt the need!  He felt it all right, but the drugs were at home.  So, we went home.  Planned to return the 2nd day…I got up… sneezed and my day went downhill from there.  Plans?

There is a saying-“when you make plans ,God laughs!”  I think  I paraphrased and don’t know the wise author.  Nothing’s more important than your health!  I didn’t write blog posts, see clients,did do coaching calls…but, my cold/flu combined with another 6-7″ of snow and single digit temps!  Just kept me home-no going to0 a networking group or even emailing-bad headache, chills…

We all make plans.  Sometimes, things out of your control, like being sick, the weather and the changes that occur when breaking the routine.  Sometimes plans fail.  Now, let’s write down some contingency plans.

Procrastination-why lie to yourself?

We have an idiom around procrastination “putting it off til later…”  Guess what?  Later never comes!  I’m working with several clients around just not doing something-hang a picture, bake a cake or even, following up after a networking event or cold calling!  Now, a few are in sales and truly are expected to make so many calls per day! And of course, following up with those you met at a networking event is a must!  They know this!  Are  they doing what they know is required?  Nope.

One told me we talked of accountability and the best way to motivate and be of support.  She confessed that she would probably lie to me just as she lies to herself!  Wow, that confession got me thinking about what purpose does it serve to lie to yourself?  C’mon, who are you hurting?  You.  Does it make you feel better?  Maybe.  But, those calls still aren’t done.  After our coaching call, she did her agreed upon five calls.  She’d said she had to make 25-30 calls per day.  I said-let’s break it down into mini-tasks,five calls..with option of making five more cold calls.

This is just the first Momentum Mastermind Group Coaching call and already she had an “aha” and a success!www.momentummastermindgroups.com  She called to briefly update me-she did the five cold calls then, and she did 60 more and has three appointments! $$$!  Think I’ll break into my happy dance!

Attitude is everything! I’m grateful for…(XXlll)

“So, what if, instead of thinking about SOLVING your whole life…You just think about adding additional good things, one at a time. Just let your pile of good things grow!”

Isn’t that great-it’s all about attitude-what we think about this or that. Will Ferguson epitomizes a positive attitude!  Energy bright enough to power half the city!  Not really, but you get the idea.  I am so grateful that Will is in my life!

We met for breakfast, and over my muffin and “his eggy thing  (I really did describe the menu as having that!)  I love Evergreen Cafe, 501 W. Cold Spring Lane…I promote it  because I want it around.   I want it around a long time.  As a cabin-fevered solopreneur, I sometimes use it as my “office!” When you see a blondish chick with a cane-say hi!

The Evergreen was  where we  had breakfast and talked about life,  networking we do, he’s President of the Silver Spring chapter for EventsInYourArea.com and Group W, not his company-just a coincidence that his initials match the company’s name!!  Group W is a  company with years of experience in commercial Real Estate, Sales, Acquisitions, Property Management and Office Space selling as well, for  growing or downsizing businesses.  Group W is pretty comprehensive and Will’s senior business advisor there. in Laurel, MD.

They say Networking is important.  We met at a network event 3- 5 years ago!  We connected on LinkedIn and I consider him a good friend and mentor. When I THOUGHT I was going to re-enter the world of work, Will encouraged, supported and opened doors for me!  I’ve since decided that a j-o-b wasn’t possible  No time!  Too busy. I decided to be a full-time entrepreneur!  Almost all my info-products are in Pdf’s &  mp3s + my group and individual coaching is all virtual, online and conference calls.   More on this &  how mentoring and networking mix later…

Will is a walking big heart and we share a real “give back” ethic.  Soo, if you are in need of commercial real estate, selling or wanting to buy a business and others, Will’s your man!

Find him on LinkedIn,Facebook and athttp:// http://www.groupw.com.  Thanks, Will!

Happiness at work Is…

How Do you know when you’re happy?  Are some people better at happiness?  One of the popular songs is “Happy” by Pharrell.  I saw him sing with a denied contestant on the Voice and it got me to thinking…How often do we ask ourselves if we’re really happy?  Better yet, how often do you get asked that question? Almost never.  I’m a coach I’m supposed to ask the tough questions!  I ask that question, but maybe not often enough…I’ve recently talked with 3 career changers in transition and all are excited about being entrepreneurs!  Why? “Work no longer felt right.”  I took an early retirement buyout & got out of my J-O-B!” ” Just knew there had to be something more”…And I know, based on my 25+ years in Career Development/Life Transitions fields, there are at least dozens more thinking similar thoughts.  So, who’s happy?  Career people?  Entrepreneurs?  What do you think?  Some of this is from my ebook, “Turning Midlife Into The RIGHT Life!  Here are 5 Ways to check your level of happiness at work  & some questions to consider::

1  .Are you constantly checking time but truly have no place to get to..Watching time go by is classic-“this is a waste of time” behavior as well as waiting for the day to be over!

2.  If your work has meaning or do you feel like you’re just “pushing papers?” One of the top 5 reasons to unhappiness at work is feeling that their hard work doesn’t make a difference–they’re just a cog in the wheel!

3. Are your ideas/work appreciated? Remember, people want appreciation in different ways and it isn’t always money.  Could be as simple as saying, “Good Job” sincerely…IF it is deserving-praising for praising’s sake will ring hollow. an afternoon off, having them run the meeting, a cup of coffee from Dunkin’ Donuts, Starbucks or “Tim Hortons”, (for my Canadian readers a certificate for dinner out, and of course, a salary boost.

4. Do you feel valuable to the company/team?  Feeling valued for your contribution is often a major cause for many to leave to become entrepreneurs.

5.  Do you stay late, take work home or answer emails, texts or other methods of communication after working hours? Your health, family and your company suffers.

These are pulled from one of eight questionnaires in my ebook.   These questions were inspired by “Is This Job Salvageable?” questionnaire.

The Mllionaire Mind Intensive is 3 days away! Don;t worry, they”re still taking reservations…

In Baltimore, MD at the Towson Sheraton. Sheraton North!  About 8-10 people signed and got Premium Seating $97 value FREE.  Just use this link http://www.http://www.peakambassador.com/cmd.php?af=mmi40205&p=15  Why do you want to go?  A brilliant man, Director of Coaching for Peak Potentials of which, Millionaire is a course, said let everyone have their own experience! And you will!

But, I will share mine with you because  of how at the end of any of the calls in which I participate, we all  shout together,  shout loudly, “Change Lives”.  And we do-I count myself part of the team as we share with each other in an atmosphere of love and acceptance.  I hope to be a trainer someday!  Maybe/maybe not.

Either way, I still feel like the courses of Peak Potentials, Quantum Leap program, have really changed my business by changing my life!  By working on me-and Millionaire  Mind really had me look at my relationship with money & being financially rich.  I feel rich in friends but, income-wise?  Ouch!  Not a millionaire,…yet! 🙂

My mindset has expanded and I’ve learned tons about me.  This, in turn, makes me a better coach & that impacts my business.  And makes me simplify and take action.

I walked in to Millionaire Mind a failed entrepreneur who decided to accept defeat & “close my virtual doors!”  I was very sad.  When I came out, after maybe a 12-14 hour day-I soo looked forward to that next day!  And thinking of how to keep my business but simplify it.  I now, have this blog and 1 page sites for a product!

I have an ebook,”Turning Midlife into the RIGHT Life!” and I concentrated my energies in promoting it!   Check out http://www.midlifetransitioncoaching.com   This is all a result of the Millionaire Intensive.  Sat, another 14 hour day, yet I was energized again-there must be something to it!

I walked out Sunday, changed,  in a profound way.  I was re-opening my “virtual doors.”  I changed my business model…more info-products as I love creating  and writing down ideas.  I hired a Virtual Asst. to create one page web sites, sending out my quarterly instead of monthly…but, I digress.  I took the leap to get more of this!

Will this be your experience?  Maybe but, if you don’t go, nothing will change! Fri, Feb. 27-Sun.March 1st is in Baltimore but this program will be probably, in your own “back yard.”  They’re planning Australia, Mexico, London and Spain.

Millionaire plans to go to more of Europe and Asia!  I have looked at where folks come from…Many in European countries, the Middle East, and, of course,Baltimore, Maryland and many states in the U.S.

So, for my Baltimore readers, Millionaire Mind is this weekend.  Some commute like us, myself and my skeptical, husband and friends…How cool is that?  Use the link above wherever you are-you’ll see the calendar, too.  Hope to see you there!  Say Hi-I’m the brownish blonde with the cane!