Have you been wanting to learn more about how to really work from home and become financially free? There are so many "get rich quick" advertising, programs and systems guaranteeing to change your life, but how many programs really stand behind what they say?
Sure there are many false advertising, scam programs out there. There are even more great companies out there to partner with and become affiliated with. But what are some things to look for when deciding to take the plunge and risk it.
Obviously, the criteria for any good business is to be legitimate, reputable, have recorded longevity, and actually do as they say they are going to.
Some other criteria may not be as obvious. One such having great "customer care" or "customer service".
True, most companies are smelling like roses when you read, see, and are lambasted by their advertisements. Most companies are still smelling good after initial interest is expressed (if it isn't run; run fast and run far). Still many are still smelling appetizing during your buying process (hand over your card and the company is all too giddy to take your credit number, expiration, and code).
However, the companies that really stand out and become recognized as "stellar" and "extraordinary" in what they do are the ones that anticipate what your needs are and offer the services to you just before you realize you need it.
These companies are far and few between. Unfortunately, they too, are reserved for the higher income bracket of our society. Plus, those of us not in the highest socio-economic level, often, can not relate to and/or believe that type of service exists. These type of service is generally viewed for only those who employ a personal assistant.
I am here to tell you, or rather remind you there are businesses who are thoughtful, conscientious, and responsible to their customers.
I am not normally one to gush over any type of affiliate, direct sales, indirect sales, etc. kind of companies, but I am totally blown over and utterly impressed with the sincerity, integrity and purposefulness of this company.
I personally know the CEO of this company and it is with extreme pleasure.
I was offered an incredible opportunity to know the CEO personally not because I am a leading affiliate, nor the referral guru, but because I am recognized as a person who has used the program as it was intended. My life has been entirely changed by this experience.
My hope, faith, belief, and soul has been made stronger and more resilient.
I am incredibly grateful and indebted to Mary Gersten!
If you don't know who she is you need to! Go here to find out more!
Because of my decision to become involved with Mary Gersten's company I am on my way to achieving my dreams.
My dreams were not made over night nor will I be able to achieve them overnight. But, because of Mary Gersten and her company I am on the road needed, set in the right direction, and provided with an accurate map.
"Nothing comes for free"... we all really know that, even when our impulsive desires trick us at times.
Achieving your dreams is not like going to bed and waking up the next morning to a fantasy. It is identifying what it is you want and finding a way to get there. Mary has done that for me.
Thanks You Mary, From the bottom of my heart!! You are helping me to "Make My Best Life Now!"
Showing posts with label WAHM. Show all posts
Showing posts with label WAHM. Show all posts
Friday, October 31, 2008
Monday, October 27, 2008
Heritage Makers is A Way To Make Your Life The Best
If you want an incredible way to earn more income and do something that is truly fulfilling check out Heritage Makers with Ruth Solberg.
Ruth Solberg has captured a way to earn income and make her life the best through doing something she is so passionate about.
Our sister site, Kids' Keys To Success had the awesome opportunity to interview Ruth Solberg of Songs For Your Kids, Books Of A Lifetime, and Stories Of A Lifetime. Ruth is an independent consultant for Heritage Makers.
Ruth is an expert in recording people's heritage; and if you become part of her team, you can too.
You can encourage family, friends, and others to record their past so that their children and future generations will know where their family came from. And if you are really lucky you can guide a person through the process of learning more about him/herself and building greater self-esteem by asking questions and listening to their story.
Even though most people minimize their "story", Ruth and Heritage Makers are passionate about helping us embrace the value in each person's life.
Ruth Solberg has captured a way to earn income and make her life the best through doing something she is so passionate about.
Our sister site, Kids' Keys To Success had the awesome opportunity to interview Ruth Solberg of Songs For Your Kids, Books Of A Lifetime, and Stories Of A Lifetime. Ruth is an independent consultant for Heritage Makers.
Ruth is an expert in recording people's heritage; and if you become part of her team, you can too.
You can encourage family, friends, and others to record their past so that their children and future generations will know where their family came from. And if you are really lucky you can guide a person through the process of learning more about him/herself and building greater self-esteem by asking questions and listening to their story.
Even though most people minimize their "story", Ruth and Heritage Makers are passionate about helping us embrace the value in each person's life.
Why not be the person to help people capture and cherish the history of their life.
Can you imagine giving that gift to someone? The best part - it is simple and easy.
To learn more about how to make your life the best through becoming a member of Ruth's team, listen to our interview and then contact her!
You will be so glad you did!
Monday, September 15, 2008
Work It Mom, Makes My Life Better!
Have you heard of Work It Mom?
It is a great site!! Simple to navigate and easy to use!
There is so much you can do...
1. Blog
2. Tell others about your business
3. Advertise
4. Read and submit articles
5. Find help
6. Get recipes
7. And learn what others are doing.
It is really inspirational!
Plus, there is actually a daily giveaway!
How can you pass on that one!
Check it out and tell me what you think!
A place where working moms connect
It is a great site!! Simple to navigate and easy to use!
There is so much you can do...
1. Blog
2. Tell others about your business
3. Advertise
4. Read and submit articles
5. Find help
6. Get recipes
7. And learn what others are doing.
It is really inspirational!
Plus, there is actually a daily giveaway!
How can you pass on that one!
Check it out and tell me what you think!
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Addicted..Making My Life The Best
Are You an Addict? I Know I am.Did you know you can be addicted to just about anything? I love beginnings. I love the excitement I feel when starting a new project and making a new commitment to something. I especially love starting a new friendship with someone I click with.
I think probably a lot of people are like this too. You more than likely are since your are reading this!
But there is a problem with this, I do great starting something (a new business, workout schedule, practicing, writing in journals). I get really into it, and I go full speed. Then, I get distracted or hit a speed bump and I switch gears and move onto a new "thing".
I'm not sure why but I think it has something to do with growing up in a traumatic house. I had to be ready for the next incident. Maybe it is a habit or possibly a way to avoid tough issues. (Can I procrastinate more?)
Are you an "action addict" too? This is a powerful yet limiting quality!
So, I asked: "Do I suffer from ADD"?; "Is there something wrong with me?"; "Do I have a fear of succeeding?"; and "Do I cut and run when the going gets tough?"
I know there is some fear of success (I will tell you more about that later). I know too, that I love the excitement, the challenge and the adventure of doing "something", "anything" new. It gets my blood pumping and my creative mind rolling like an avalanche.
The ability to identify my weaknesses and strengths are definitely a necessity but to learn how to reign in my weaknesses and use my strengths to develop them into something greater is a real blessing.
I found a lady who has offered information and wisdom that I have never found before. She offered some great info., which I was happy about and satisfied. But, then she kept delivering, again and again. Her support, dedication, and program has changed my life.
Her name... Mary Gersten.
Read More at My Best Life Now
--------------------------------------------------------
This book has really
made a difference in
my life!
Friday, July 25, 2008
Life is Better When You are Organized (Just ask a Self-Described Hazard)
Who doesn't need or want more cash in your pockets? Beside giving voice to our thoughts, and hopfully helping others along the way, isn't that why we are all here?
You may really love what you are doing but the reason why you are sharing your ideas/products/services is because you want to earn extra income. The problem...who has time to "fit-in" a second or rather third or forth job and not feel like your head is going to explode? Assuming your job titles are like mine (Child Care Taker, Home Maker, Entreprenuer with sub catagories like, wife, taxi driver, shopper, volunteer aid in school, etc.)
It's a "given" most people are busy, however there is extra time for all types of home-based extra income producing projects. It may mean giving up or changing a few of your favorite pastimes--such as watching "Lost" or going out to share a drink with friends. However, take note that if you are able to earn extra income and really make it work for you, you will have more time to do what you want while you hire someont to clean your house, go grocery shopping, and walk the dog. I know my first goal is to delegate the house cleaning, especially the laudry and bathrooms!
Efficient time management really is just planning what you are going to do, and then doing it without. Start by making a list of the things you want to do tomorrow, each evening before you go to bed. Schedule your trips to the store or wherever to coincide with the other things you have to do, and with your trips to or from work. Organize your trips to take care of as many things as possible while you're out of the house.
Take stock of the time you spend on the telephone---and eliminate all that isn't necessary. This is really tough because I don't know about you but I am constantly getting side tracked not only by out side influences (like little munchkins who need to tgo to the doctor because a M&M is stuck up his nose) but also from my own "ideas".
So, I decided to do two things: Whatever chores you have to do at home, set aside a specific time to do them, and a specific amount of time to devote to them; and Then ask every fifteen minutes, literally, "Is this helping me to achieve my goals today?" If it is not I write down "my great idea" for tomorrow's To-Do List.
Even if you devoted one hour a day to exercise, you would probably meet your fitness goals fast. Would you really achieve your fitness level and weight-loss goal if you tried to do it only one day a week? Probably not! So, don't do a week's work in one big flurry. Whether it's painting your house, fixing leaky faucets, or mowing your lawn and trimming your shrubs, do a part of it, or one particular job each day, and you'll be amazed at your progress.
Take care of your mail, answere letters, return phone calls, the same day you receive it. Don't let those bills and letters pile up on you. If you're unable to pay a bill immediately, file it in a special place that's visible, and note on the envelope the date you intend to pay it.
Once you start listing and planning what to do, carry out your plans, and you'll find "extra time" for handling your home-based income producing project. Most people do not like routines, but without a plan as to what is supposed to be done, your world is confussed and overwhelmed. Laws, ordinances and regulations are for the purpose of guiding people. We live according to an accepted plan or way of life, and the better we can organize ourselves, the more productive, happy, and free we become.
The real key to all financially, emotionally, and spiritually successful people is not wasting time and organizing. Think about it. Go over your own "normal" day and find where you can take a couple hours to accomplish tasks to achieve your goals.
Do what has to be done immediately. At first I had a really hard time figuring out how long a task would take. Sometimes I would be on target and other times I was way off. Don't let your inexperience stop you from moving forward. I use to use the excuse, "oh, I am just not smart enough to do this right, then" and get down on myself and continue in a downward spiral of feeling overwhelmed and confused. Tell your negative voice to "back-off" And tell your self you are learning. Just like a baby learning to walk... there will be days when you are struggleing.
Back away and start again tomorrow, and soon you will be "running".
When you really become involved in an extra income producing endeavor, plan out on paper what you have to do--what you want to do--and when you are going to do it. Then get right on each project without procrastination. Write out your objectives and don't think about it again, like Nike, "just do It".
Finally, and above all else, when you're organizing your time, make sure to schedule time for relaxation and your partner. Generally, the weakest point of neglect can be your own welfare and time with your spouse. Make time for you and your spouse to be together. don't exclude the love and support form those who matter most to you.
To reiterate: note the time you waste each day and then reorganize your activities. It's a matter of becoming more efficient in the use of your time. When you do become more organized your business will only accomplish more, and you will find greater success in your life (finanacially, physically, and emotionally).
You may really love what you are doing but the reason why you are sharing your ideas/products/services is because you want to earn extra income. The problem...who has time to "fit-in" a second or rather third or forth job and not feel like your head is going to explode? Assuming your job titles are like mine (Child Care Taker, Home Maker, Entreprenuer with sub catagories like, wife, taxi driver, shopper, volunteer aid in school, etc.)
It's a "given" most people are busy, however there is extra time for all types of home-based extra income producing projects. It may mean giving up or changing a few of your favorite pastimes--such as watching "Lost" or going out to share a drink with friends. However, take note that if you are able to earn extra income and really make it work for you, you will have more time to do what you want while you hire someont to clean your house, go grocery shopping, and walk the dog. I know my first goal is to delegate the house cleaning, especially the laudry and bathrooms!
Efficient time management really is just planning what you are going to do, and then doing it without. Start by making a list of the things you want to do tomorrow, each evening before you go to bed. Schedule your trips to the store or wherever to coincide with the other things you have to do, and with your trips to or from work. Organize your trips to take care of as many things as possible while you're out of the house.
Take stock of the time you spend on the telephone---and eliminate all that isn't necessary. This is really tough because I don't know about you but I am constantly getting side tracked not only by out side influences (like little munchkins who need to tgo to the doctor because a M&M is stuck up his nose) but also from my own "ideas".
So, I decided to do two things: Whatever chores you have to do at home, set aside a specific time to do them, and a specific amount of time to devote to them; and Then ask every fifteen minutes, literally, "Is this helping me to achieve my goals today?" If it is not I write down "my great idea" for tomorrow's To-Do List.
Even if you devoted one hour a day to exercise, you would probably meet your fitness goals fast. Would you really achieve your fitness level and weight-loss goal if you tried to do it only one day a week? Probably not! So, don't do a week's work in one big flurry. Whether it's painting your house, fixing leaky faucets, or mowing your lawn and trimming your shrubs, do a part of it, or one particular job each day, and you'll be amazed at your progress.
Take care of your mail, answere letters, return phone calls, the same day you receive it. Don't let those bills and letters pile up on you. If you're unable to pay a bill immediately, file it in a special place that's visible, and note on the envelope the date you intend to pay it.
Once you start listing and planning what to do, carry out your plans, and you'll find "extra time" for handling your home-based income producing project. Most people do not like routines, but without a plan as to what is supposed to be done, your world is confussed and overwhelmed. Laws, ordinances and regulations are for the purpose of guiding people. We live according to an accepted plan or way of life, and the better we can organize ourselves, the more productive, happy, and free we become.
The real key to all financially, emotionally, and spiritually successful people is not wasting time and organizing. Think about it. Go over your own "normal" day and find where you can take a couple hours to accomplish tasks to achieve your goals.
Do what has to be done immediately. At first I had a really hard time figuring out how long a task would take. Sometimes I would be on target and other times I was way off. Don't let your inexperience stop you from moving forward. I use to use the excuse, "oh, I am just not smart enough to do this right, then" and get down on myself and continue in a downward spiral of feeling overwhelmed and confused. Tell your negative voice to "back-off" And tell your self you are learning. Just like a baby learning to walk... there will be days when you are struggleing.
Back away and start again tomorrow, and soon you will be "running".
When you really become involved in an extra income producing endeavor, plan out on paper what you have to do--what you want to do--and when you are going to do it. Then get right on each project without procrastination. Write out your objectives and don't think about it again, like Nike, "just do It".
Finally, and above all else, when you're organizing your time, make sure to schedule time for relaxation and your partner. Generally, the weakest point of neglect can be your own welfare and time with your spouse. Make time for you and your spouse to be together. don't exclude the love and support form those who matter most to you.
To reiterate: note the time you waste each day and then reorganize your activities. It's a matter of becoming more efficient in the use of your time. When you do become more organized your business will only accomplish more, and you will find greater success in your life (finanacially, physically, and emotionally).
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Making Life Easy with Low-Cost Marketing
One of largest expenses of running your business is promotion and advertising, especially for a new or small business. Making your business known in a community at the lowest possible cost can be tricky and time consuming. However, there are many ways a business can do this.
A pet breeder in a large city was struggling for several years-until he came up with a novel idea. He started giving away customized "birth certificates" for the pets he sold. Almost immediately, his sales rose more than 10 percent. Now you even see specialty stuffed animal stores offering "birth certificates" with the purchase of a lovable critter!
The owner of a new home cleaning service was trying to attract clients. She couldn't afford much advertising, so she began offering "home cleaning seminars" to civic groups. After two months of seminars, she was swamped with inquiries and clients. So what may have looked as though the seminar would detract from her business because of 'teaching others to do what she was doing", it did just the opposite!
Promotion often makes the critical difference between business success and failure. Customers or clients always want to know about a business or product line before they'll buy and they must have a reason or justify their emotional reaction to buy.
If you are trying to promote your business now, you can move in one of two directions: 1) You can take the conventional route to promotion and mount an elaborate media campaign, spending a considerable amount of money or 2) You can let your creative juices flow and mount a low-cost promotion effort, using a potpourri of attention-getting gimmicks to bring your message to the buying public.
Please remember, conventional advertising is valuable. If your business is large enough or if you're selling a large product line, you may find that a full-fledged media campaign is the most efficient and cost effective way to promote your business.
However, if money is tight or you're not sure you can afford the hefty cost of a media campaign over a period of time, here is a list of low-cost techniques you can try. (Caution: Do Not try to do them all...some are not appropriate for all types of businesses and it would be too costly to do them all. Find the ones that you think will work the best for you and give them a try.)
1. GIVEAWAYS: People love to receive "free" items, especially items they can use to gain knowledge or improve their lives. You can base an entire promotional campaign on this desire. For instance, if you're running a furniture repair business you could give away a furniture repair brochure, free furniture planning guides, or color swatches. Once you begin giving away authoritative information customers will begin to perceive you as an expert in your field.
2. NEWS CREATION: Want to get names and news from your business in the local newspaper? It may be easier that you think. If you don't have any news to report to the local media, create some. Maybe you've taken on a new associate. Or maybe you're selling an unusual product line. Or maybe you've opened a free advice center for the community. Or maybe you've received an award from a civic or professional group. Local Pennysavers and weekly are often quite interested in business news of this sort and can help you attract the attention of thousands of people.
Also, look what is happening in the news and run on the coat-tails of that. Such as, a new piece of jewelry you created would be perfect for the "grandma who has everything" for Mother's Day. Or say there was a terrible car accident that was caused by a teen who was texting on his cell phone and you invented a piece of software that parents can use to block cell and texting use in a moving car. It is certainly a tragedy, but your product would certainly be more "in demand" by parents!
Just keep your eyes and ears open for opportunities where your product /services could really help your customers. The best product is one that customers are in demand of "right now".
3. EVENTS: You may be able to attract the attention of the media or a crowd by staging a special promotional event. If you run a fitness classes, for instance, you could stage a celebrity instructor day. If you're promoting a new real estate business, you can offer tours of a model home in the area. If you're selling children's products and it's springtime, you can offer lunch with the Easter bunny. Get the idea?
4. CHARITY TIE-INS: Are you launching a new product? Trying to increase visibility among a particular segment of your community? Offer your product to one or more local charities as a raffle prize or for use at a fund raising event such as a silent auction. You'll receive lots of exposure among people who buy tickets or attend the event.
5. CONTESTS: Offer a desirable or unique item-or even several items-as contest prizes. First, find a contest theme that tiers into your business. A caterer might offer a quiche-eating contest. A photographer might offer a young model contest. A mail order craft firm might offer an "Early American" handicrafts contest. Invite contest submissions and offer prizes to the winners. Do contests attract attention? You bet. All it takes is a few signs, a small press announcement or two, and the word will spread throughout the community grapevine.
6. COMMUNITY SERVICE: Nothing brings you to the attention of the people faster-or more favorably-than community service. Ask yourself how your enterprise can be a "good neighbor" to your community. If you're running a lawn care and gardening service, perhaps you can offer one season's services at no charge to a needy charitable organization or nursing home in your area. Hundreds of people will hear about your work in the process. Volunteer for various community causes. If appropriate, you can step in during community emergency, offering products and services to help an organization or individuals in need.
7. COUPONING: Americans are very coupon-conscious. Test the market... what level of coupons will increase the volume of various product or service lines? When you get some tentative answers, start distributing coupons that offer a discount on your services. Distribute them to area newspapers, on store counters, in door-to-door- mail packets (which can often be quite inexpensive), at the public library, at laundromats, at any location where people congregate.
8. BADGES AND NOVELTIES: You can easily and inexpensively produce badges, bumper stickers, book covers, and other novelty items for distribution in your area. You can imprint your business name and the first names of the customers on many of these products at little cost and distribute them for free. Or you can tie your novelty program into a contest: once a month, you can offer a prize to any individual whose car happens to carry one of your bumper stickers or badges with peel-off coupons, redeemable at your place of business.
9. CELEBRITY VISITS: With a bit of persistence, you may be able to arrange to have a local media celebrity, public official, or entertainment personally-even a fictitious cartoon character or clown-visit your service. The celebrity can sign autographs, read stories to children, perform cooking demonstrations, or perform any one of a hundred other traffic-building activities.10. CELEBRATE HOLIDAYS: You'll probably want to celebrate major public holidays with special sales. But celebrate some of theoffbeat holidays as well. Almost every business has a few little-known holidays. Ever hear of National Pickle Day, for instance? Or Cat Lovers Month? Once you find the "right" holiday, you can sponsor a special sale or special product arrange special media coverage of a holiday event.
11. GO WHERE THE PEOPLE ARE: Can you open sales information booths at community fairs and festivals? This promotional technique can work for gift retailers, craftspeople, and personal service firms. If you have the people and the time, can you handle regional fairs or even trade shows?
12. MAILING LISTS: Once you begin establishing a committed clientele, (perhaps you have an "opt-in" box on your site to collect names and emails) gather their names on a mailing list and start emailing! It is free and a great way to remind people of your services and products!) Plus, save the names from your mail orders and telephone inquiries. Eventually, you'll be able to send product circulars or even catalogs to the folks on your list and you'll be able to promise your products by mail. (** the best customer is one who has already purchased something from you!**)
13. SCAVENGER HUNTS: If you want people to buy NOW, offer them an unbeatable deal. If they bring an old product-a small appliance, a book, whatever-to you, you'll give them a worthwhile discount on a comparable new item. Or stage a general purpose scavenger hunt. Customers who bring in three canned goods for your community's food bank will receive a discount on products purchased that day.
14. PARTIES: Everyone loves a party. Why not celebrate the anniversary of your business or some special holiday by offering baked goods and beverages? If you're running a service business, perhaps you can offer an open house or obtain a small banquet room in your community. Besides refreshments, be sure the place is brightly decorated.
15. GREETING CARDS: Do you send out greeting cards to major customers or clients? Holidays, birthdays, and anniversaries make nicegreeting card occasions. Greeting cards create enormous goodwill and keep your name in front of people and associated you with a positive event or good feelings.
16. SEMINARS: In this information hungry age, people love to receive advice, especially about their personal needs and hobbies. If you sell health foods or run fitness classes, perhaps you can offer "wellness" seminars during lunchtime to your area's business community. If you're an interior decorator, perhaps you can offer one-hour decorating workshops to any group of ten people who will gather in someone's home. If you're running a printing business, perhaps you can offer tours and layout seminars at your plant.17. TELESEMINARS: Do you know what can align you with the experts? Interviewing the experts! For very low cost, you can invite an expert in your field to to an interview and record it and then write articles, press releases, etc. Customers automatically align you with experts when you are recorded with them.
18. TESTIMONIES: Has anyone ever given you a testimonial without even asking? Or even if you have asked for feedback about your product or services what your customers say about your product is almost more important to your potential customers than what you have to say.
Testimonials provide social proof and authority to your services and products. If you are looking to increase your targeted traffic or your exposure, increase your publicity efforts.
Advertise in the media if you can or must. But don't neglect your greatest promotional asset-your mind! Ask yourself what products, services, and events you can offer the community and create a promotional strategy around them. You'll have to invest a bit of time and energy in the project, but the payoff will be worth it.
You'll save hundreds-or even thousands-of advertising dollars and, better yet, you'll travel a well-worn shortcut to profit.You know your products and services better than anyone! With a little effort you can make a big stir and start branding who you are and what your product/service stands for.
A pet breeder in a large city was struggling for several years-until he came up with a novel idea. He started giving away customized "birth certificates" for the pets he sold. Almost immediately, his sales rose more than 10 percent. Now you even see specialty stuffed animal stores offering "birth certificates" with the purchase of a lovable critter!
The owner of a new home cleaning service was trying to attract clients. She couldn't afford much advertising, so she began offering "home cleaning seminars" to civic groups. After two months of seminars, she was swamped with inquiries and clients. So what may have looked as though the seminar would detract from her business because of 'teaching others to do what she was doing", it did just the opposite!
Promotion often makes the critical difference between business success and failure. Customers or clients always want to know about a business or product line before they'll buy and they must have a reason or justify their emotional reaction to buy.
If you are trying to promote your business now, you can move in one of two directions: 1) You can take the conventional route to promotion and mount an elaborate media campaign, spending a considerable amount of money or 2) You can let your creative juices flow and mount a low-cost promotion effort, using a potpourri of attention-getting gimmicks to bring your message to the buying public.
Please remember, conventional advertising is valuable. If your business is large enough or if you're selling a large product line, you may find that a full-fledged media campaign is the most efficient and cost effective way to promote your business.
However, if money is tight or you're not sure you can afford the hefty cost of a media campaign over a period of time, here is a list of low-cost techniques you can try. (Caution: Do Not try to do them all...some are not appropriate for all types of businesses and it would be too costly to do them all. Find the ones that you think will work the best for you and give them a try.)
1. GIVEAWAYS: People love to receive "free" items, especially items they can use to gain knowledge or improve their lives. You can base an entire promotional campaign on this desire. For instance, if you're running a furniture repair business you could give away a furniture repair brochure, free furniture planning guides, or color swatches. Once you begin giving away authoritative information customers will begin to perceive you as an expert in your field.
2. NEWS CREATION: Want to get names and news from your business in the local newspaper? It may be easier that you think. If you don't have any news to report to the local media, create some. Maybe you've taken on a new associate. Or maybe you're selling an unusual product line. Or maybe you've opened a free advice center for the community. Or maybe you've received an award from a civic or professional group. Local Pennysavers and weekly are often quite interested in business news of this sort and can help you attract the attention of thousands of people.
Also, look what is happening in the news and run on the coat-tails of that. Such as, a new piece of jewelry you created would be perfect for the "grandma who has everything" for Mother's Day. Or say there was a terrible car accident that was caused by a teen who was texting on his cell phone and you invented a piece of software that parents can use to block cell and texting use in a moving car. It is certainly a tragedy, but your product would certainly be more "in demand" by parents!
Just keep your eyes and ears open for opportunities where your product /services could really help your customers. The best product is one that customers are in demand of "right now".
3. EVENTS: You may be able to attract the attention of the media or a crowd by staging a special promotional event. If you run a fitness classes, for instance, you could stage a celebrity instructor day. If you're promoting a new real estate business, you can offer tours of a model home in the area. If you're selling children's products and it's springtime, you can offer lunch with the Easter bunny. Get the idea?
4. CHARITY TIE-INS: Are you launching a new product? Trying to increase visibility among a particular segment of your community? Offer your product to one or more local charities as a raffle prize or for use at a fund raising event such as a silent auction. You'll receive lots of exposure among people who buy tickets or attend the event.
5. CONTESTS: Offer a desirable or unique item-or even several items-as contest prizes. First, find a contest theme that tiers into your business. A caterer might offer a quiche-eating contest. A photographer might offer a young model contest. A mail order craft firm might offer an "Early American" handicrafts contest. Invite contest submissions and offer prizes to the winners. Do contests attract attention? You bet. All it takes is a few signs, a small press announcement or two, and the word will spread throughout the community grapevine.
6. COMMUNITY SERVICE: Nothing brings you to the attention of the people faster-or more favorably-than community service. Ask yourself how your enterprise can be a "good neighbor" to your community. If you're running a lawn care and gardening service, perhaps you can offer one season's services at no charge to a needy charitable organization or nursing home in your area. Hundreds of people will hear about your work in the process. Volunteer for various community causes. If appropriate, you can step in during community emergency, offering products and services to help an organization or individuals in need.
7. COUPONING: Americans are very coupon-conscious. Test the market... what level of coupons will increase the volume of various product or service lines? When you get some tentative answers, start distributing coupons that offer a discount on your services. Distribute them to area newspapers, on store counters, in door-to-door- mail packets (which can often be quite inexpensive), at the public library, at laundromats, at any location where people congregate.
8. BADGES AND NOVELTIES: You can easily and inexpensively produce badges, bumper stickers, book covers, and other novelty items for distribution in your area. You can imprint your business name and the first names of the customers on many of these products at little cost and distribute them for free. Or you can tie your novelty program into a contest: once a month, you can offer a prize to any individual whose car happens to carry one of your bumper stickers or badges with peel-off coupons, redeemable at your place of business.
9. CELEBRITY VISITS: With a bit of persistence, you may be able to arrange to have a local media celebrity, public official, or entertainment personally-even a fictitious cartoon character or clown-visit your service. The celebrity can sign autographs, read stories to children, perform cooking demonstrations, or perform any one of a hundred other traffic-building activities.10. CELEBRATE HOLIDAYS: You'll probably want to celebrate major public holidays with special sales. But celebrate some of theoffbeat holidays as well. Almost every business has a few little-known holidays. Ever hear of National Pickle Day, for instance? Or Cat Lovers Month? Once you find the "right" holiday, you can sponsor a special sale or special product arrange special media coverage of a holiday event.
11. GO WHERE THE PEOPLE ARE: Can you open sales information booths at community fairs and festivals? This promotional technique can work for gift retailers, craftspeople, and personal service firms. If you have the people and the time, can you handle regional fairs or even trade shows?
12. MAILING LISTS: Once you begin establishing a committed clientele, (perhaps you have an "opt-in" box on your site to collect names and emails) gather their names on a mailing list and start emailing! It is free and a great way to remind people of your services and products!) Plus, save the names from your mail orders and telephone inquiries. Eventually, you'll be able to send product circulars or even catalogs to the folks on your list and you'll be able to promise your products by mail. (** the best customer is one who has already purchased something from you!**)
13. SCAVENGER HUNTS: If you want people to buy NOW, offer them an unbeatable deal. If they bring an old product-a small appliance, a book, whatever-to you, you'll give them a worthwhile discount on a comparable new item. Or stage a general purpose scavenger hunt. Customers who bring in three canned goods for your community's food bank will receive a discount on products purchased that day.
14. PARTIES: Everyone loves a party. Why not celebrate the anniversary of your business or some special holiday by offering baked goods and beverages? If you're running a service business, perhaps you can offer an open house or obtain a small banquet room in your community. Besides refreshments, be sure the place is brightly decorated.
15. GREETING CARDS: Do you send out greeting cards to major customers or clients? Holidays, birthdays, and anniversaries make nicegreeting card occasions. Greeting cards create enormous goodwill and keep your name in front of people and associated you with a positive event or good feelings.
16. SEMINARS: In this information hungry age, people love to receive advice, especially about their personal needs and hobbies. If you sell health foods or run fitness classes, perhaps you can offer "wellness" seminars during lunchtime to your area's business community. If you're an interior decorator, perhaps you can offer one-hour decorating workshops to any group of ten people who will gather in someone's home. If you're running a printing business, perhaps you can offer tours and layout seminars at your plant.17. TELESEMINARS: Do you know what can align you with the experts? Interviewing the experts! For very low cost, you can invite an expert in your field to to an interview and record it and then write articles, press releases, etc. Customers automatically align you with experts when you are recorded with them.
18. TESTIMONIES: Has anyone ever given you a testimonial without even asking? Or even if you have asked for feedback about your product or services what your customers say about your product is almost more important to your potential customers than what you have to say.
Testimonials provide social proof and authority to your services and products. If you are looking to increase your targeted traffic or your exposure, increase your publicity efforts.
Advertise in the media if you can or must. But don't neglect your greatest promotional asset-your mind! Ask yourself what products, services, and events you can offer the community and create a promotional strategy around them. You'll have to invest a bit of time and energy in the project, but the payoff will be worth it.
You'll save hundreds-or even thousands-of advertising dollars and, better yet, you'll travel a well-worn shortcut to profit.You know your products and services better than anyone! With a little effort you can make a big stir and start branding who you are and what your product/service stands for.
My Best Life Reveals the Secrets of Free Advertising
The opportunities for getting free advertising for your product or services are limited only by your own imagination and energies. There are so many proven ways of promoting your objectives without cost that it literally boggles the mind just to think of listing them.
One way is to write an article relative to your particular expertise and submit it to all the publications and media dealing in the dissemination of related information. In other words, become your own publicity and sales promotions writer. Get the word out; establish yourself as an expert in your field, and "tag-along" everything you write with a quick note listing your address for a catalog, dealership opportunity, or more information.
Another really good way is by becoming a guest on as many of the radio and television talk shows or interview type programs as possible. Actually, this is much easier to bring about than most people realize. Write a letter to the producer of these programs, then follow up with an in-person visit or telephone call. Your initial contact should emphasize that your product or service would be of interest to the listeners or viewers of the program--perhaps even saving them time and money.
Other ways of getting free or very inexpensive exposure include the posting of advertising circulars on all free bulletin boards in your area, especially the coin-operated laundries, grocery stores, and beauty and barber shops. Don't discount the idea of handing out circulars to all the shoppers in busy shopping centers and malls, especially on weekends. You can also enlist the aid of the middle school students in your area to had out circulars door-to-door.
Some of the more routine methods include having a promotional ad relative to your product or service printed on the front or back of your envelopes at the time you have them printed with your return address.
Be sure to check all the publications that carry the kind of advertising you need. Many mail order publications just getting started offer unusually low rates to first-time advertisers; a free-of-charge insertion of your ad when you pay for an order to run three issues or more; or special seasonal ad space at greatly reduced rates. And there are a number of publications that will give you Per Inquiry (PI) space--arrangement where all orders come in to the publication, they take a commission from each order, and then forward the orders on to you for fulfillment.
Many publications will give you a contract for space. In this arrangement you send them your ad, and they hold it until they have unsold space, and then at a price that's always one third or less the regular price for the space need, insert your ad. Along these lines, be sure to check in with the suburban neighborhood newspapers.
If you send out or publish any kind of catalog or ad sheet, get in touch will all the other publishers and inquire about thepossibilities of exchange advertising. They run your ad in their publication in exchange for your running an ad for them of comparable size in yours.
Finally, there's nothing in the world that beats the low cost and tremendous exposure you get when you advertise a free offer. Simply run an ad offering a free report of interest to most people--- a simple one page report with a "tag-line" inviting the readers to send money for more information, with a full page advertisement for your book or other product on the backside. Ask for a self-addressed stamped envelope, and depending on the appeal for your report and circulation of the publication in which your ad appears, you could easily be inundated with responses!
The trick here, of course, is to convert all these responses, or a large percentage of them, into sales. This is done via the "tag-line," which issues an invitation to the reader to send for more information, and the full page ad on the back of the report, and other offers you include with the complete package you send back to them. As mentioned at the beginning of this report, it's just a matter of unleashing your imagination. Do that, and you have a powerful force working for you that can help you reach your goals.
Thank You,
MARY GERSTEN , Global Cash Flow Network
for sharing your article!
One way is to write an article relative to your particular expertise and submit it to all the publications and media dealing in the dissemination of related information. In other words, become your own publicity and sales promotions writer. Get the word out; establish yourself as an expert in your field, and "tag-along" everything you write with a quick note listing your address for a catalog, dealership opportunity, or more information.
Another really good way is by becoming a guest on as many of the radio and television talk shows or interview type programs as possible. Actually, this is much easier to bring about than most people realize. Write a letter to the producer of these programs, then follow up with an in-person visit or telephone call. Your initial contact should emphasize that your product or service would be of interest to the listeners or viewers of the program--perhaps even saving them time and money.
Other ways of getting free or very inexpensive exposure include the posting of advertising circulars on all free bulletin boards in your area, especially the coin-operated laundries, grocery stores, and beauty and barber shops. Don't discount the idea of handing out circulars to all the shoppers in busy shopping centers and malls, especially on weekends. You can also enlist the aid of the middle school students in your area to had out circulars door-to-door.
Some of the more routine methods include having a promotional ad relative to your product or service printed on the front or back of your envelopes at the time you have them printed with your return address.
Be sure to check all the publications that carry the kind of advertising you need. Many mail order publications just getting started offer unusually low rates to first-time advertisers; a free-of-charge insertion of your ad when you pay for an order to run three issues or more; or special seasonal ad space at greatly reduced rates. And there are a number of publications that will give you Per Inquiry (PI) space--arrangement where all orders come in to the publication, they take a commission from each order, and then forward the orders on to you for fulfillment.
Many publications will give you a contract for space. In this arrangement you send them your ad, and they hold it until they have unsold space, and then at a price that's always one third or less the regular price for the space need, insert your ad. Along these lines, be sure to check in with the suburban neighborhood newspapers.
If you send out or publish any kind of catalog or ad sheet, get in touch will all the other publishers and inquire about thepossibilities of exchange advertising. They run your ad in their publication in exchange for your running an ad for them of comparable size in yours.
Finally, there's nothing in the world that beats the low cost and tremendous exposure you get when you advertise a free offer. Simply run an ad offering a free report of interest to most people--- a simple one page report with a "tag-line" inviting the readers to send money for more information, with a full page advertisement for your book or other product on the backside. Ask for a self-addressed stamped envelope, and depending on the appeal for your report and circulation of the publication in which your ad appears, you could easily be inundated with responses!
The trick here, of course, is to convert all these responses, or a large percentage of them, into sales. This is done via the "tag-line," which issues an invitation to the reader to send for more information, and the full page ad on the back of the report, and other offers you include with the complete package you send back to them. As mentioned at the beginning of this report, it's just a matter of unleashing your imagination. Do that, and you have a powerful force working for you that can help you reach your goals.
Thank You,
MARY GERSTEN , Global Cash Flow Network
for sharing your article!
Making Your Best Life Through Links
A fellow "Blog Trainer" from www.kidskeystosuccess.com/forum, asked if I had links I recommended... I set up a site to help you out!
Mom Marketeers: One for All!
I was once just starting out. I had an idea about what I wanted to do and absolutely NO clue about how to do it. It was a gigantic learning curve for me. If I knew now what I didn't know then, I don't know if I would have taken it on!!
But I would have offered a person who gave me a site like this, the right to ----------------------(you finish that statement!)---------------.
It would have been that important to me!
I am so glad I did, though! I have met some awesome people and I love meeting more. I find huge satisfaction is helping people and I can do it from my computer!! I LOVE IT!!
(In my previous life, before children, I was a psychotherapist...it's in my blood to link people up with resources and tools!!)
So, Let me know what you think and how I can further assist you. I'd love the feedback
Mom Marketeers: One for All!
I was once just starting out. I had an idea about what I wanted to do and absolutely NO clue about how to do it. It was a gigantic learning curve for me. If I knew now what I didn't know then, I don't know if I would have taken it on!!
But I would have offered a person who gave me a site like this, the right to ----------------------(you finish that statement!)---------------.
It would have been that important to me!
I am so glad I did, though! I have met some awesome people and I love meeting more. I find huge satisfaction is helping people and I can do it from my computer!! I LOVE IT!!
(In my previous life, before children, I was a psychotherapist...it's in my blood to link people up with resources and tools!!)
So, Let me know what you think and how I can further assist you. I'd love the feedback
Give Me More "Happiness" Traing! Part 3
Although most people are unnecessarily harsh in their assessments of his/her self, it is easy to become too hopeful when you start breaking down barriers. If, for instance, you love music and want to be a singer, it would be unrealistic to set your goal to be a singer when you sing off key because some talents are inborn. But if you are knowledgeable about the music business and would be happy being involved in another capacity, then it would be reasonable to pursue your happiness and career in that business.
Caution, don’t make reasonable goals unattainable because of a stringent time frame. When you set a goal, you will most likely set times for achieving the steps along to achieve your final goal. Even if you don't set the time frames formally, you will probably have a pretty good idea of how long you are giving yourself. It's recommended to sit down and formally set these goals.
Think about it and give yourself reasonable time to achieve them. Make a deal with yourself to make these time limits flexible. Life has a way of interrupting (like man's best friend decides to eat your favorite sock and he is need of emergency surgery!).
Don't get discouraged if things don't work as planned. Sometimes finding our place takes both time and error. All of us experience failure. The key is to view the failure as a learning what not to do. (Edison found over 1000 ways not to make the light bulb!)
Remain flexible. As long as you keep focusing on your talents and potential, the right piece will come along - and probably sooner rather than later. But don't quit! Even if you have truly found your niche, you will not feel enthusiastic 100 percent of the time. (You can't expect to have your own Saturday Night Live Cheerleader next to your computer!)
Don't worry about others - don't compare your progress with others. No matter how successful you are, there will always be someone else who looks like she's getting where you want to go faster and easier than you are. Maybe she is. Maybe she isn't. Who really cares? Focus on your own achievements. There is NO room for competition…work to develop your skills and talents to their full potential (Would you have thought that cute little, Mickey Mouse Club, Britany Spears would have turned out like she did?).
If you must compete, compete with yourself. Your short term goals should be based on today's accomplishments. If you have reached Point A today, make Point B your next objective - improve yourself and don't worry about the other guy. You have decided what your ultimate goal is and make sure it is a well-defined goal. "Someday I want to be famous" just doesn’t cut it.
Define exactly what you want to do. Define a legitimate time frame. Know what you have to do to get there. The smallest detail is not important but the big picture and many of the big details do matter. Answer “who”, “what”, “where”, “when”, “why”, and “how” (act like you are a reporter and you have to find the story).
If you have a goal in mind but don't know what it takes to reach it, then you need to find out. Do some reading, talk to people who know, ask questions and LISTEN to the answers.
Does this sound like a lot of work? It should, you are doing what is needed to be successful and happy. One phrase is very true… “Happiness isn’t free.” Because those who have it know you have to work at it.
Anyway, a little research into what it takes to reach your goals isn’t too difficult because it is something you want to do. Train yourself into making this "research" the next chapter of your life. You will be focusing on your strengths, on your purpose, and on learning and doing. If you have chosen a goal that is right for you, focusing on these things and devoting the necessary time should not be too difficult.
It may take a bit of self-discipline at first, but your determination and interest will carry you through until the focusing process becomes a habit.When you have a real desire to accomplish something, your initiative should only require an occasional shove - you may need to give it a nudge every once in a while.
Get into the habit of visualizing your success. Not sitting around and daydreaming in generalizations. I mean, you need to visualize specifics. Picture in your mind how you will work your play to your goal if your opponent makes a play. What will your next response be, how will you react? Visualize the specifics.
If you run through the specific moves in your mind, you will be prepared.Don't be afraid to use your imagination to visualize new and better ways to accomplish things. In your mind, do the things in ways that are different from your usual response. This is a creative process – called creative thinking.
Training yourself to think creatively is largely learning to let your imagination work on methods that are different from the "way things have always been done." Also referred to as "thinking outside the box". (One definition of insanity is doing the same thing every time and expecting a different result.)
This is breaking away from the idea that there is only one way to do something effectively. It's looking at a problem from all angles. One way to start is by asking "what if?" It's good to think “outside the box”. But, you must also spend some of your thinking time at specific visualizations of the moves you need to make to accomplish yourgoals. (Just like when a basket ball player is passed the ball... what could she do with that ball then?)
Physical practice of your skills is also critical to success. Practice the boring little skills that are necessary as well as the skills you enjoy. Don't let yourself rely on just the things that come naturally and easy to you, work your weakest assets to develop them. (*Hint: Work on your weakness in the morning when you are fresh and put a time limit on it and save the easier, more enjoable stuff for the afternoon when your energy level is lower.)
Work on developing the more general attributes that are important to any goal:
1) Success comes more easily to those who have an agreeable personality (don’t bend over backwards to please every person’s wishes, but be respectful and true to your beliefs). So be flexible, accept other’s ideas, seek out and learn from others;
2) Learn to minimize emotional responses. We are all susceptible to errors in judgment; strong reactions have little place in decision making, however. Hold your emotions in check. Try to delay decisions if you are in an emotional state. Learn to ignore your emotions and use reasoning to arrive at your decisions;
3) Develop the habit of enthusiasm. Enthusiasm is a magnet - it draws people and success. It's a pleasing personality trait that people like to be a part of. Be contagious - it sparks initiative and purpose; and
4) Develop the habit of focusing on your goals, on your strengths, on learning and "researching," on visualizing, and, of course, on enthusiasm.
Now you need to assess your habits that may be annoying to others. Offensive habits can hold you back from success. It will be very difficult to assess your habits accurately. After all, a habit is something we do without thinking much about it. You will have to spend some time at this and be very conscious of yourself. Ask someone you trust to help you and then substitute that habit with a more pleasing behavior.
OK. Now, you have set definite goals, you have a purpose, you have researched and know the specific steps to take to achieve the goals, you have resolved to be flexible, and to further develop your pleasing personality.
Now, what? Well, success will not drop into your lap overnight. As you advance toward your goals, you will come against some difficult people, and there will be times you'll need to deal effectively with them. Since you are working on becoming a nice, enthusiastic person and a team player, you already have half the battle won. Your attitude is as important as the other guy's attitude when you are dealing with difficult people.
Keep in mind your job is a training field for you. View your job as a paid opportunity to advance toward your goals. You will be a happier, a more productive person. Viewing your job in this manner will allow you to view the difficult people you come across as an opportunity to grow. From them and the situations they create, you will learn to negotiate with, side-step around, and draw out the best in others without letting yourself become upset.
Each time you successfully deal with one of these people you will gain confidence and friends to add to your support network. The skill of negotiating is not a contest of wills - it is working together to solve a problem or come to an agreement. It is an opportunity to learn.
● Be prepared
● Know who you are talking with (always know as much as possible about the person, this information will be the most effective way to get your point across).
● Know the issue - not just your opinions about it.
● Always enter into negotiations with a calm and reasonable manner (be courteous and leave them a chance to save face (A really good one to remember when you are arguing with your spouse!)).
● Be prepared to face people who are not calm and reasonable (don't let them get to you).
● Play "Let's Make A Deal," (be prepared to not get everything you want). To develop your potential to it's fullest, you need to become a more efficient and effective person - get more done in less time with magnetism. The first barrier to efficiency is procrastination - putting off getting started. (Like Nike, “Just Do It!”)
So how do you beat procrastination? Get organized and plan ahead. Know what you want to accomplish and make lists. Now look over the lists and rank the tasksin order of importance. Make three or four groupings based on importance. Within each group, star the things you least like to do.
Each day you will have a "today" list to work on. Tackle the tasks that are most important first. If you have several "most important" tasks, do the least liked things first. When you have accomplished a task, check it off. You'll be surprised at the sense of accomplishment you will have at checking things off.
Do you see what is happening? You get the most pressing, least liked tasks out of the way early in the day when you are fresh and rested. As the day goes on you will feel less and less pressure. You have reserved the less important tasks for the end of the day when you will be more tired.
With this system you will increased your efficiency and reduced your stress because stress gets in the way of efficiency. Another important part of efficiency is delegating. If you are in a position where you have assistants or designated people under your supervision, you need to learn to delegate. If you are not in such aposition yet, you still need to know - since you're working on developing your potential you very likely will be some day.
Delegating work is difficult for many people. Some find it hard to ask others to do things for them - others find it hard not to demand thatothers do tasks. Delegating is an art.First, you need to realize that the people under your supervision are PEOPLE. You should never demand - it takes away self respect. People who are asked to do a task, are given explanations and clear instructions, and are praised for a job well done will grow self-respect and loyalty.
When you delegate work, don't delegate just the "junk" tasks. Delegating important task shows them your respect for them and the faith you have in their abilities. So, it's a good idea to save some "junk" tasks for yourself. Perhaps the most respected and effective boss is the one about whom the crew says, "She never gives us anything to do that she wouldn't do herself."
All of us have untapped potential, perhaps even areas of genius, we have neglected to develop. What ever your concept of success, developing your potential will help you achieve your goals. If you learn to assess your potential, set realistic goals, and go after those goals with determination, organization, and purpose, youwill use your potential more fully, gain confidence, and be a happier and more successful person.
Jen Edwards is a WAHM with two children she attributes as the cherry on her sundae! (Not to mention, the sweet syrup, and creamy whipped cream!). Jen lives in upstate, NY with her husband of 10 years and children. Although her house is rather “lived-in”, she is finding greater meaning and satisfaction every day! To read more of Jen’s articles and work please visit my blog and my Peak Performance Store.
My Best Life Now © 2008
Caution, don’t make reasonable goals unattainable because of a stringent time frame. When you set a goal, you will most likely set times for achieving the steps along to achieve your final goal. Even if you don't set the time frames formally, you will probably have a pretty good idea of how long you are giving yourself. It's recommended to sit down and formally set these goals.
Think about it and give yourself reasonable time to achieve them. Make a deal with yourself to make these time limits flexible. Life has a way of interrupting (like man's best friend decides to eat your favorite sock and he is need of emergency surgery!).
Don't get discouraged if things don't work as planned. Sometimes finding our place takes both time and error. All of us experience failure. The key is to view the failure as a learning what not to do. (Edison found over 1000 ways not to make the light bulb!)
Remain flexible. As long as you keep focusing on your talents and potential, the right piece will come along - and probably sooner rather than later. But don't quit! Even if you have truly found your niche, you will not feel enthusiastic 100 percent of the time. (You can't expect to have your own Saturday Night Live Cheerleader next to your computer!)
Don't worry about others - don't compare your progress with others. No matter how successful you are, there will always be someone else who looks like she's getting where you want to go faster and easier than you are. Maybe she is. Maybe she isn't. Who really cares? Focus on your own achievements. There is NO room for competition…work to develop your skills and talents to their full potential (Would you have thought that cute little, Mickey Mouse Club, Britany Spears would have turned out like she did?).
If you must compete, compete with yourself. Your short term goals should be based on today's accomplishments. If you have reached Point A today, make Point B your next objective - improve yourself and don't worry about the other guy. You have decided what your ultimate goal is and make sure it is a well-defined goal. "Someday I want to be famous" just doesn’t cut it.
Define exactly what you want to do. Define a legitimate time frame. Know what you have to do to get there. The smallest detail is not important but the big picture and many of the big details do matter. Answer “who”, “what”, “where”, “when”, “why”, and “how” (act like you are a reporter and you have to find the story).
If you have a goal in mind but don't know what it takes to reach it, then you need to find out. Do some reading, talk to people who know, ask questions and LISTEN to the answers.
Does this sound like a lot of work? It should, you are doing what is needed to be successful and happy. One phrase is very true… “Happiness isn’t free.” Because those who have it know you have to work at it.
Anyway, a little research into what it takes to reach your goals isn’t too difficult because it is something you want to do. Train yourself into making this "research" the next chapter of your life. You will be focusing on your strengths, on your purpose, and on learning and doing. If you have chosen a goal that is right for you, focusing on these things and devoting the necessary time should not be too difficult.
It may take a bit of self-discipline at first, but your determination and interest will carry you through until the focusing process becomes a habit.When you have a real desire to accomplish something, your initiative should only require an occasional shove - you may need to give it a nudge every once in a while.
Get into the habit of visualizing your success. Not sitting around and daydreaming in generalizations. I mean, you need to visualize specifics. Picture in your mind how you will work your play to your goal if your opponent makes a play. What will your next response be, how will you react? Visualize the specifics.
If you run through the specific moves in your mind, you will be prepared.Don't be afraid to use your imagination to visualize new and better ways to accomplish things. In your mind, do the things in ways that are different from your usual response. This is a creative process – called creative thinking.
Training yourself to think creatively is largely learning to let your imagination work on methods that are different from the "way things have always been done." Also referred to as "thinking outside the box". (One definition of insanity is doing the same thing every time and expecting a different result.)
This is breaking away from the idea that there is only one way to do something effectively. It's looking at a problem from all angles. One way to start is by asking "what if?" It's good to think “outside the box”. But, you must also spend some of your thinking time at specific visualizations of the moves you need to make to accomplish yourgoals. (Just like when a basket ball player is passed the ball... what could she do with that ball then?)
Physical practice of your skills is also critical to success. Practice the boring little skills that are necessary as well as the skills you enjoy. Don't let yourself rely on just the things that come naturally and easy to you, work your weakest assets to develop them. (*Hint: Work on your weakness in the morning when you are fresh and put a time limit on it and save the easier, more enjoable stuff for the afternoon when your energy level is lower.)
Work on developing the more general attributes that are important to any goal:
1) Success comes more easily to those who have an agreeable personality (don’t bend over backwards to please every person’s wishes, but be respectful and true to your beliefs). So be flexible, accept other’s ideas, seek out and learn from others;
2) Learn to minimize emotional responses. We are all susceptible to errors in judgment; strong reactions have little place in decision making, however. Hold your emotions in check. Try to delay decisions if you are in an emotional state. Learn to ignore your emotions and use reasoning to arrive at your decisions;
3) Develop the habit of enthusiasm. Enthusiasm is a magnet - it draws people and success. It's a pleasing personality trait that people like to be a part of. Be contagious - it sparks initiative and purpose; and
4) Develop the habit of focusing on your goals, on your strengths, on learning and "researching," on visualizing, and, of course, on enthusiasm.
Now you need to assess your habits that may be annoying to others. Offensive habits can hold you back from success. It will be very difficult to assess your habits accurately. After all, a habit is something we do without thinking much about it. You will have to spend some time at this and be very conscious of yourself. Ask someone you trust to help you and then substitute that habit with a more pleasing behavior.
OK. Now, you have set definite goals, you have a purpose, you have researched and know the specific steps to take to achieve the goals, you have resolved to be flexible, and to further develop your pleasing personality.
Now, what? Well, success will not drop into your lap overnight. As you advance toward your goals, you will come against some difficult people, and there will be times you'll need to deal effectively with them. Since you are working on becoming a nice, enthusiastic person and a team player, you already have half the battle won. Your attitude is as important as the other guy's attitude when you are dealing with difficult people.
Keep in mind your job is a training field for you. View your job as a paid opportunity to advance toward your goals. You will be a happier, a more productive person. Viewing your job in this manner will allow you to view the difficult people you come across as an opportunity to grow. From them and the situations they create, you will learn to negotiate with, side-step around, and draw out the best in others without letting yourself become upset.
Each time you successfully deal with one of these people you will gain confidence and friends to add to your support network. The skill of negotiating is not a contest of wills - it is working together to solve a problem or come to an agreement. It is an opportunity to learn.
● Be prepared
● Know who you are talking with (always know as much as possible about the person, this information will be the most effective way to get your point across).
● Know the issue - not just your opinions about it.
● Always enter into negotiations with a calm and reasonable manner (be courteous and leave them a chance to save face (A really good one to remember when you are arguing with your spouse!)).
● Be prepared to face people who are not calm and reasonable (don't let them get to you).
● Play "Let's Make A Deal," (be prepared to not get everything you want). To develop your potential to it's fullest, you need to become a more efficient and effective person - get more done in less time with magnetism. The first barrier to efficiency is procrastination - putting off getting started. (Like Nike, “Just Do It!”)
So how do you beat procrastination? Get organized and plan ahead. Know what you want to accomplish and make lists. Now look over the lists and rank the tasksin order of importance. Make three or four groupings based on importance. Within each group, star the things you least like to do.
Each day you will have a "today" list to work on. Tackle the tasks that are most important first. If you have several "most important" tasks, do the least liked things first. When you have accomplished a task, check it off. You'll be surprised at the sense of accomplishment you will have at checking things off.
Do you see what is happening? You get the most pressing, least liked tasks out of the way early in the day when you are fresh and rested. As the day goes on you will feel less and less pressure. You have reserved the less important tasks for the end of the day when you will be more tired.
With this system you will increased your efficiency and reduced your stress because stress gets in the way of efficiency. Another important part of efficiency is delegating. If you are in a position where you have assistants or designated people under your supervision, you need to learn to delegate. If you are not in such aposition yet, you still need to know - since you're working on developing your potential you very likely will be some day.
Delegating work is difficult for many people. Some find it hard to ask others to do things for them - others find it hard not to demand thatothers do tasks. Delegating is an art.First, you need to realize that the people under your supervision are PEOPLE. You should never demand - it takes away self respect. People who are asked to do a task, are given explanations and clear instructions, and are praised for a job well done will grow self-respect and loyalty.
When you delegate work, don't delegate just the "junk" tasks. Delegating important task shows them your respect for them and the faith you have in their abilities. So, it's a good idea to save some "junk" tasks for yourself. Perhaps the most respected and effective boss is the one about whom the crew says, "She never gives us anything to do that she wouldn't do herself."
All of us have untapped potential, perhaps even areas of genius, we have neglected to develop. What ever your concept of success, developing your potential will help you achieve your goals. If you learn to assess your potential, set realistic goals, and go after those goals with determination, organization, and purpose, youwill use your potential more fully, gain confidence, and be a happier and more successful person.
Jen Edwards is a WAHM with two children she attributes as the cherry on her sundae! (Not to mention, the sweet syrup, and creamy whipped cream!). Jen lives in upstate, NY with her husband of 10 years and children. Although her house is rather “lived-in”, she is finding greater meaning and satisfaction every day! To read more of Jen’s articles and work please visit my blog and my Peak Performance Store.
My Best Life Now © 2008
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
How WAHM Meet Their Potential
If you want to use your talents and increase your ability to give to others, you'll have to exercise them. You'll really need to challenge your creative left sided brain! Only you can make up your mind to do something different.
This process starts with identifying your current habits and deciding which habits need to change. Ask yourself, "Is this habit (i.e. watching TV at night) going to get me where I want to go?
To learn new skills and completely utilize your gifts, you need to determine your interests; what don't you like and what do you like. Sometimes just finding out those two things can be a challenge.
Then, I recommend, with the qualities you don't like, dare to look deeper into the "things" you don't like and do them!! You will exceed any goal you make by doing this! By doing this you will improve the way you do things, the quality of your work, your appreciation for what you already have, and your well-being as a whole.
What defines success? Luck, intelligence, talent, determination, and dedication are just a few of the characteristics that play into making the difference. But we all know smart, gifted, hard-working people who do not considerthemselves very successful, content, or even happy. Plus, we know people who are not exceptionally bright but declare his/her self to be happy and successful.So there is something else.
Would you care to guess what the secret to happiness could be? Is it a magic "happy" pill, is it weight loss, and is it more money? I am sure many advertisers would like you to believe that! Could you believe your secret to success and realizing your dreams is the same thing for everyone!?
There are several ways to achieve desires and surpass you identified potential, but it all starts with the way you perceive your self - self image. Your ability to meet your potential in life (work, relationships, hobbies, etc.) based upon how you think of yourself. Dissatisfaction and discontent is something you choose.
So you have two options if you want to be "happy"...lower your expectations of yourself or rise to challenges. Have you ever heard "Happiness lies in the journey, not the destination"? What do you think this really means?
Is it that "happiness" is the expectation of something, the thrill and challenge of just not yet getting what we want, or it is that unclear, shadowy spot just out of our reach because no one in their right mind chooses to be miserable. NO! It is not - - - Happiness is a conscious decision every single moment! Being present, in the moment and believing you are doing everything you can be doing, right now.
This is the secret to happiness! We have to consciously choose to be happy, self-confident, and successful. (And I don't mean exaggerated, boastful, and bragging.)
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