If it's to be . . . It's up to me!

As most people do when they go into a new year, they tend to become reflective. I am no different. I started to think about what I could have done differently, what I did well and what I want to do for this year - 2010! It is an exciting time, a time of rebirth and renewal. Then I stumbled on this quote:

“The best way to sell yourself to others is first to sell the others to yourself.” Napoleon Hill

I realized that unless I truly believe in myself, I will not be able to pass that on to my clients. This is not new information, just a reaffirmation. So today I pledge to continue the path of self-development. I will read good books, listen to good lessons on CD, watch great videos and spend time with great people.

What are you going to do with this year?

Can you hear what I hear . . .

I don't know about you but I am tired of the noise. I have had it with all this talk about the recession. I have made a stand and I choose not to participate. Yes the voices of doom and gloom seem to want us to, but I think we can make our own choice.

Today I stand in my right to choose. I have turned off the news. If there is something I need to know, I am sure someone will tell me. I am focusing on what I can do, what I can control. How did I get to this great place? I am glad you asked. Well it's been building for a while. Today I had the privilege of sharing a meal with several business owners who happened to be women. During the meeting a business coach shared on how to handle the stress of these difficult times. Dr. Anita actually recommended deep breaths, focusing on what you can control and ignoring the rest. She actually suggested turning off the news. And I have to say, I had started already backing off it, but now I am going cold turkey.

This gave me time today to start writing a mini business plan for a new niche I am working in. How awesome is that? See it's already working.

Never Give Up

I was listening to a training CD the other day and heard a quote I had never heard. It was from Harriet Beecher Stowe. It was so powerful, I felt compelled to share it with you.

When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you till it seems you could not hold on a minute longer, never give up then for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.

I know I have had days when I think, "maybe I should just get a job." And then I realize, I am so close to the goal, I can almost taste it. That's when I tell myself "Don't give up! "

Jim Collins in his book Good To Great talks about the "fly wheel concept." He notes the hardest part of business is getting the momentum going just like pushing a fly wheel to get an engine started. Most people quit just before it's about to click into gear, that is when the momentum almost takes care of it self.

So keep pushing, stay focused on the goal. If you don't have a goal or a plan, contact me and we can get one together.

Plans without Action Is Like . . .

The other day I was traveling with my boys and we were stuck in traffic. One of my son's asked me why there was so much traffic. I replied it was because it was Rush Hour. To my reply he said, "Mom, if it's Rush Hour, why isn't anyone rushing?" Oh, the wisdom of a 6 year old.

Yesterday, I was listening to Bob Proctor on Goal setting. He discussed why people don't succeed in goal setting. He commented that there are people who are waiting for everything to be perfect before they implement the plan. So they are so busy planning they never get doing. He then told a story that pulled it all together for me. Quite frankly, I never heard it or thought of it before. He noted that when Henry Ford sold his first car there were no paved roads like we have today. In fact, the roads were dirt and gravel. Yet, he had a vision and kept true to the vision. So he sold the cars, knowing that if he built them the roads would come. And in deed a few million cars later, we have plenty of paved roads. If he waited till someone else caught his vision and paved roads in case there would be cars, we might not be where we are today.

Are you waiting for everything to be perfect? I say plan and implement. Launch and adjust the sails as you go. Without action, you will not reach all the great goals you have.

Keep on Keeping on

All of my clients know that I am a Mompreneur. What that means to me is that I am a mom first and business owner second. This becomes more clear in the Summer as I modify my work schedule. Usually my clients don't see much of a difference. Their projects are done on time. I just have to meet them in a smaller window of opportunity. To be honest, that is why I started my own business, to have flexibility in my schedule.

I can do this because I have a plan. With a plan I plan for times when I can schedule more meetings and perform more trainings. Then I know there are certain times I need to adjust my schedule, meet less often, maybe have teleconferences, and perform less trainings. The good news is this is all planned for and can be adjusted.

Of course my point is, have a plan and work the plan. Obviously, you have to be flexible, as things do change from time to time.