Tuesday, March 24, 2009

JV - Joint Ventures - A new beginning . . .

As I continue to grow, I continue to be amazed at all the awesome collaborations that are out there to be had. Today I started the process of a joint venture with a fellow business owner. We have similar backgrounds and passions. In just one hour at Paneras we realized we were onto something pretty special. I can't give you details right now, but it is going to be pretty awesome. What I can tell you is that it will change the lives of women everywhere that are trying to do the seemingly impossible - create a life of choice for themselves and their families. Stay tuned to hear more. . .

Lessons from my Launch

I have learned a lot about myself and how to launch a program. Mostly I learned that I can do it. Yeah!! I am enjoying the process as much as the outcome. My most recent discovery is that you need to have an enrollment form ready at the end of the introductory session to allow people to make a decision to buy. I had a flyer and then scheduled a follow up session. I realized that prolonged the process and was not a clear enough call to action. I love that I am not too old to learn and I that I am still enjoying the process.

Monday, March 16, 2009

Jim Rohn

Here is a classic quote from Mr. Rohn:

For things to change you've got to change. Otherwise, nothing much will change.


I am always working on improving myself. I do that by reading great books, listening to great books, watching great movies and spending time with people better than myself. I recommend you surround yourself with the best, read a lot and be open to becoming a better person.

Monday, March 09, 2009

Understanding and Harnessing Fear


Today I hit a brick wall. It was a small wall, but a wall none the less. As soon as I saw it, I got on the phone and called a trusted business colleague. I needed to be talked over the wall. She was amazing! Thank you Tammy!. Here is what she said in a capsule. She refined it down to this quote:

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us, it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." The above speech by Nelson Mandela was originally written by Marianne Williamson who is the author of other similar material."

Now I know what I must do. Even more important, I know what I must help my clients' do.

Tuesday, March 03, 2009

The Wall -- The Business Marketing Gym -- The Launch

I have been so proud of myself for pushing through some major fear. I know a lot of you may not experience this, but I must admit, every day I face a new and daunting task in building my business. In the past I never noticed the fear. But when it hit, I would find a way to stop what I was doing so the fear would go away. Then came the concept and potential launch of the Business Marketing Gym. Oh my! I had a knot in the pit of my stomach that felt like it was trying to come up my throat. I did not know what to do with the real physical pain. At first I thought I was getting sick and then it occurred to me that I felt it at certain times and they all related to the escalation of the realization of my Gym.

Here is the good news, I moved through it and got past it. I took some antacid to make sure I did not really get sick and to alleviate the pain and then I kept on pushing toward the goal. I have now had two introductory sessions. Both were well attended. I have had several follow ups after to discuss the Business Marketing Gym with my attendees. I am well on my way to filling a program. I have three slots filled and more introductory sessions in the works.

For me the launch was a success. Why? Because I did it even though every cell in my body was fighting me on it. It showed me that anything can be done with persistence. When I looked back at what was different this time from times in the past where I may not have succeeded, the answer was clear. I had created a support group of believers who have been checking in on me and working with me to help me realize my goals.

Lesson, even if you are alone in your business, you do not have to do it alone. Create a team, and advisory council to help you think bigger than yourself and to help you stay accountable to yourself. Powerful, powerful tool - I now know I never have to do this alone again.