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?

Where in the world . . .

It's been over three months since I posted. What' up with that? Well to be honest with you life got in the way. I am sure that happens to a lot of people who have great intentions of blogging on a regular basis.

So here I am in September, and I am getting the itch again. Yes I must post! First, let me share that the beauty of being a business owner is the flexibility it offers you. I have spent the summer taking care of my kids which included spending the summer dealing with specialists and labs to help deal with some medical issues. Why share that here? Because I was still able to maintain some business and take care of my family.

Second, being a business owner lends itself to the fast pace of life. After David was diagnosed, it became apparent to me that school this year was not an option. Hence, I will now be a business owner who homeschools her boys. They are thrilled, and I must admit, it is a blast. We are finding a grove, and I am planning my meetings around our family schedule.

So the moral for my post, if there is one, is stay flexible and be open. I am working on rearranging my business to fit my life, not trying to have my life fit my business.

A Stop Doing List - What a Concept!

In our society we get caught up on doing so much that we keep list after list of things we need to do. In business it is very much the same. Most people mistake activity with productivity. Interestingly enough, Jim Collins in Good To Great noted the companies that make it to great learn not only what to do but what not to do.

Today I received a call from one of my first clients. We met at a Chamber Business Expo in 1994 and have been working together ever since. He asked me if I knew anyone who could handle the bookkeeping end of his business. He was throwing his hands up in disgust. He was done trying to do everything himself. Of course I had a great contact for him.

For me it was a valuable reminder of two things:

• It pays to be a human Rolodex! One of my gifts has been, when my clients need something done, they call me first to see if I know anyone who can get it done. I have always made it my business to meet contacts, get to know what they do and then refer them when appropriate.
• When you outsource the areas of your business that don't make you money but actually cost you time, you can focus your effort and energy on making money in the areas that you can make the most money.

So while you are creating your to do list, make sure you start a stop doing list. Enjoy and be profitable.

It's a New Year . . . So Now What

We've all been there. It seems like months of preparation and the holidays are over in just a few hours. Then you find yourself looking in the mirror and wondering, now what? What have I accomplished? What's next? Or is that just me.

I must say I had a good year. I had my ups and downs, but overall I feel like I accomplished a lot and found my grove. The most important part of 2007 is realizing that I need to build a business around the lifestyle I want and not build a lifestyle around my business. When I tried to fit in a lifestyle around my business, it never happened. When I planned my business activities around my lifestyle, I was actually doing what I had hoped I could do. Looking back on that now, it seems so simple, but it was not so when I was working too much and not having the lifestyle I wanted.

So what did you learn from last year? What are you going to do differently this year? How will that change your life? I'd love to hear from you.