I usually try to put a little pep into my Monday blogs, but it's been one of those Mondays. Do you know what I'm talking about? Those Mondays where it seems like Murphy is using you for his own personal dartboard! Any day that starts with a broken coffeepot is destined to head straight downhill from there. I probably should have stayed in bed!
It's days like these when I think back on the words of Dr. Robert Shuller: "A year from now, I may wish I'd started today." Even though I would dearly love to declare today a complete and total waste and just wipe the slate clean, I'm going to close out this blog window and keep going. Why? Because even though this has been one of THOSE Mondays, I never know what seeds I might be able to sow if I start today.
That's almost enough to motivate me to come back after lunch and try again!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Friday, August 28, 2009
You Can Be As Happy As You Make Up Your Mind To Be
Happy hump day! Most people hate Wednesday, when you're halfway through the work week and the weekend seems so far away (on either side). Abraham Lincoln said it best-you can be as happy as you make up your mind to be. If you make up your mind to let life's little stresses roll right over you and live a happy life, you will. If you dwell on the small stuff, you're never going to be either happy or successful. The choice is completely up to you.
What kind of life are you going to have?
What kind of life are you going to have?
Thursday, August 27, 2009
I'm Not Sleeping, I'm Succeeding
Did you know that over 40 million Americans aren't getting enough sleep these days? Seriously. We're so convinced that we need to over schedule our day, that we're going to be slacking in our quest for productivity if we have too much free time, that we cut sleep out of the equation.
Do you know what happens when you don't get enough sleep? I could be here all day explaining the ins and outs of what a chronic lack of sleep does to your body, but the short story is you're doing yourself more harm than good. Everyone requires 6 to 8 or even 10 hours of sleep, depending on your personal body clock. Less than that (most of us only get 4 to 6 hours of sleep a night) and your body stops working optimally.
You can't possibly succeed the way you want to succeed if you're too tired to think!
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Success is a Two Way Street
Do you know what's wrong with all those get rich quick schemes out there? Really? Not a one of them ever bothers to tell you you're going to fail. They don't tell you about the number of times they themselves fell down and had to get back up and try again. And if they do, they make it sound like it was smooth sailing from the minute they found "the perfect business formula."
They're lying. Success only comes easily for a few. Most of us have to actually go out there and work for it! Have you ever heard the Jason Mraz song "Life is Wonderful?" (I think that's the name of it.) You have to have failure to have success. Success is a two way street. So don't be afraid to fail. In failing you learn, and in learning you will succeed.
They're lying. Success only comes easily for a few. Most of us have to actually go out there and work for it! Have you ever heard the Jason Mraz song "Life is Wonderful?" (I think that's the name of it.) You have to have failure to have success. Success is a two way street. So don't be afraid to fail. In failing you learn, and in learning you will succeed.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Don't Sweat the Small Stuff
Do you remember when you were a teenager, and every little glitch life tossed your way was the end of an era (and the world as you knew it)? We think we've left that behind when we enter adulthood, until we're climbing the corporate ladder and stress, lack of sleep and way too many nights spent eating fast food in front of the computer because we don't have time to eat a decent meal start to catch up to us. Then we find ourselves lashing out for no reason over things that, when you get right down to it, don't really matter.
Along the road to prosperity there are many, many obstacles. You're going to trip, you're going to fall. Don't sweat it. You wouldn't spend weeks grumbling about tripping over a root in the path. If it doesn't really matter, if it's not going to affect the course of your life beyond this moment, this week or this month, don't worry about it. Let it go. It'll work itself out. You have bigger fish to fry.
Don't sweat the small stuff-and when you get right down to it, everything's small stuff.
Along the road to prosperity there are many, many obstacles. You're going to trip, you're going to fall. Don't sweat it. You wouldn't spend weeks grumbling about tripping over a root in the path. If it doesn't really matter, if it's not going to affect the course of your life beyond this moment, this week or this month, don't worry about it. Let it go. It'll work itself out. You have bigger fish to fry.
Don't sweat the small stuff-and when you get right down to it, everything's small stuff.
Pick Yourself Up, Dust Yourself Off and Get Back in the Ring
Nobody likes to deal with failure. It's something we're taught at an early age never to accept! Unfortunately, you can't win all the time. Sooner or later something's going to come up that's bigger than you are, and you're going to have to make a choice. You can keep pounding against the stone wall, getting knocked down every time. You can give up, throw in the towel, decide that you're happy with your lot in life after all and go back to the way things were. Or you can pick yourself up, dust yourself off and start looking for another way around.
The secret of success isn't to win. It's to learn how to take the hit and come back swinging. It's learning that there are going to be obstacles in your way you can't plow through that are going to take time and finesse to overcome. Most importantly, it's learning that no matter how bad things seem it's only a moment in your life.
Think of it as that skinned knee you had as a kid. Yes, it hurt. Yes, you cried
about it. And a day or two later you were right back out there, riding your bike down that same old street.
Everything is temporary, so accept defeat with good natured humor, dust yourself off and get back into the fight. You're going to lose. The question is whether that loss leaves you the loser or forms another step on your path to success.
The secret of success isn't to win. It's to learn how to take the hit and come back swinging. It's learning that there are going to be obstacles in your way you can't plow through that are going to take time and finesse to overcome. Most importantly, it's learning that no matter how bad things seem it's only a moment in your life.
Think of it as that skinned knee you had as a kid. Yes, it hurt. Yes, you cried
about it. And a day or two later you were right back out there, riding your bike down that same old street.
Everything is temporary, so accept defeat with good natured humor, dust yourself off and get back into the fight. You're going to lose. The question is whether that loss leaves you the loser or forms another step on your path to success.
Friday, August 21, 2009
The People Who Keep Us Going...
Did you know that in a recent study done in Australia it was discovered that people with a strong social network actually lived longer? It makes sense. When you have friends you have someone to share life's stresses and little (and not so little) problems with. Don't lose touch with your support network on your climb to the top. Even if they think you're insane for the chances you're taking, your friends are going to stand behind you. They'll listen when things go wrong, and they'll be there to cheer with you when things go right.
Friends are the key to longevity, prosperity and true happiness. Go spend some time with yours this weekend!
**Picture found at 500 Fun Things to Do, http://www.discoverfun.com/freeinfo/500fun/friends.html
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Your Success Relies on Your Reputation
It doesn't matter how talented you are, if your clients and co-workers can't trust you to follow through with what you say you do you're never going to be able to achieve success. Every time you work with a service provider or retailer you trust them to follow through on their half of the bargain and do what they promised to do. It's up to you to do the same.
Your future relies on your reputation for reliability and quality performance. It's easy to give in to the temptation to slack off when things start going right, especially on those nights when you feel like work is the only thing you've done for days! Remember, when you've achieved the success you've been dreaming of it will all be worth it!
Your future relies on your reputation for reliability and quality performance. It's easy to give in to the temptation to slack off when things start going right, especially on those nights when you feel like work is the only thing you've done for days! Remember, when you've achieved the success you've been dreaming of it will all be worth it!
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
The Ten Step Plan for Success
It seems like just about everything these days comes with a ten step plan. So why doesn't success? Why is prosperity such a mystery to most people? It doesn't make sense! The first thing I discovered when I first started teaching (among other things) was that the people who had been unsuccessful when they first tried to launch their own wealth building system (whether that was cash gifting, a private business or a work at home opportunity) was that they all wanted to succeed, and none of them knew how.
Here's what I told them: There's a system to success. There are steps to success, just like anything else. Here's a look at Dorine's own personal 10 step system for success!
Step One: Adjust your way of thinking. Many of us assume that where we are is where we're always going to be, and regardless of how badly we want to change that we don't believe it's possible. Guess what? If you think you can't, you won't. It's as simple as that.
Step Two: Decide what you want to achieve. The first rule of business communication is to understand exactly what it is you want to achieve with your letter/email/speech/presentation. What are your goals? Do you want to be a millionaire? Do you want to be a successful freelancer? Do you want to spend more time with your kids? Once you have an end point firmly fixed in your head you can start taking steps to make it a reality.
Step Three: Visualize yourself achieving your goals. See yourself as a success. See yourself with everything you've ever wanted. Remember, success is all about mindset.
Step Four: Decide how you're going to make it happen. This is usually a little harder than figuring out what you want to achieve. Do you want to start your own business? Do you want to start working from home? Do you want to cut back to part time hours? Do you want to become a partner in your firm? There's a reason that MapQuest asks your starting point, your ending point and what method of transportation you want to use. It makes a difference when you're plotting your course.
Step Five: What do you already have in your possession to realize your dreams? Are you a travel agent with the experience you need to launch a work from home agency? Have you been an attorney for years? Are you familiar with the real estate business? Do you have a complex communications system at your disposal?
Step Six: What don't you have that you need? Do you need to receive more training? Find a means of financing your company's start-up costs? Purchase extra computers/telephones/etc.? Persuade your co-workers and bosses you deserve a promotion and/or a shot at a partnership?
Step Seven: Do your research. This is…are you ready for it?...your ten year plan that tells you how you want to get to your end point and when you want to get there. Your ten year plan will keep you positioned firmly in a position for success, and it'll motivate you when things start getting tough.
Step Eight: Take that first step! The journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step, usually the one you take to lock the front door behind you. Take that first step, and lock the door behind you so you can't change your mind and go back. Remember, that first step is always the hardest.
Step Nine: Stick to your plan. It's easy to be ambitious when you first write your ten year plan. It's a little harder to stick to it when things start going wrong. I find the best thing to do is tell everyone you know about your plans and where you want to be. They, and a healthy sense of self respect, will keep you on the straight and narrow. This is your dreams and your future you're talking about here. Remember, this isn't some casual whim you can walk away from. Don't let it slip away.
Step Ten: Enjoy your success! It's okay to always want more, but reward yourself when you've achieve your goals. You worked hard for it, followed the steps to success every 'step' of the way, and you deserve to enjoy the fruits of your labor.
**Photo: Warren Buffet, Billionaire Investor and "arguably the most successful businessman in American history.**
Here's what I told them: There's a system to success. There are steps to success, just like anything else. Here's a look at Dorine's own personal 10 step system for success!
Step One: Adjust your way of thinking. Many of us assume that where we are is where we're always going to be, and regardless of how badly we want to change that we don't believe it's possible. Guess what? If you think you can't, you won't. It's as simple as that.
Step Two: Decide what you want to achieve. The first rule of business communication is to understand exactly what it is you want to achieve with your letter/email/speech/presentation. What are your goals? Do you want to be a millionaire? Do you want to be a successful freelancer? Do you want to spend more time with your kids? Once you have an end point firmly fixed in your head you can start taking steps to make it a reality.
Step Three: Visualize yourself achieving your goals. See yourself as a success. See yourself with everything you've ever wanted. Remember, success is all about mindset.
Step Four: Decide how you're going to make it happen. This is usually a little harder than figuring out what you want to achieve. Do you want to start your own business? Do you want to start working from home? Do you want to cut back to part time hours? Do you want to become a partner in your firm? There's a reason that MapQuest asks your starting point, your ending point and what method of transportation you want to use. It makes a difference when you're plotting your course.
Step Five: What do you already have in your possession to realize your dreams? Are you a travel agent with the experience you need to launch a work from home agency? Have you been an attorney for years? Are you familiar with the real estate business? Do you have a complex communications system at your disposal?
Step Six: What don't you have that you need? Do you need to receive more training? Find a means of financing your company's start-up costs? Purchase extra computers/telephones/etc.? Persuade your co-workers and bosses you deserve a promotion and/or a shot at a partnership?
Step Seven: Do your research. This is…are you ready for it?...your ten year plan that tells you how you want to get to your end point and when you want to get there. Your ten year plan will keep you positioned firmly in a position for success, and it'll motivate you when things start getting tough.
Step Eight: Take that first step! The journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step, usually the one you take to lock the front door behind you. Take that first step, and lock the door behind you so you can't change your mind and go back. Remember, that first step is always the hardest.
Step Nine: Stick to your plan. It's easy to be ambitious when you first write your ten year plan. It's a little harder to stick to it when things start going wrong. I find the best thing to do is tell everyone you know about your plans and where you want to be. They, and a healthy sense of self respect, will keep you on the straight and narrow. This is your dreams and your future you're talking about here. Remember, this isn't some casual whim you can walk away from. Don't let it slip away.
Step Ten: Enjoy your success! It's okay to always want more, but reward yourself when you've achieve your goals. You worked hard for it, followed the steps to success every 'step' of the way, and you deserve to enjoy the fruits of your labor.
**Photo: Warren Buffet, Billionaire Investor and "arguably the most successful businessman in American history.**
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Learning to be Productive, One Little Baby Step at a Time
If there's one thing I've learned over the years, it's that the ability to be productive isn't a gift. Although it can certainly feel like it if you're working from home and you've got kids underfoot all day! No, productivity isn't something we're blessed with. It's something we develop over time, with plenty of practice. I was reading an article yesterday that said you can train your mind to focus and be productive.
I'd never really thought about it, but they're absolutely right; the mind is like a muscle, and it's going to do what you train it to do. If you train it to focus it will focus, no matter what's going on around it. If you allow it to wander, on the other hand, you'd have better luck trying to yank an elephant back into line than to make your brain do what you tell it to!
Following along with that theme I spoke to my colleagues and went digging around on the web for the best tips available on learning to be productive, and this is what we found. Feel free to chime in with comments and suggestions on these and other strategies to help all of us learn to be happy, successful and, most importantly, productive.
a) Make the best use of each kind of your time. The concept of all time not being created equal didn't really make sense to me when I first read it. Now, I think I'm beginning to grasp the fundamentals. The inability to manage your time between play time, sleep time, work time and (for me at least) housework time is what leads to road blocks and frustration. Make the most of your time. If you're cleaning, let it be cleaning time. If it's relaxation time, put it all behind you and just kick back. By making the best use of your time you'll be as productive as you possibly can be. Which brings us to step B:
b) Multi-task, but do it judiciously. When you're running in 18 directions at once it's absolutely impossible to get anything accomplished, but taking your daily tasks one at a time can use up far more than the 24 hours a day Father Time bothers to give us. Multi-task your responsibilities whenever possible without driving yourself insane. For example, let the washing machine run while you're answering your e-mail!
c) Carry a pen and paper with you at all times. How many times have you had a great idea to make things run more smoothly, only to completely lose it the minute you go to do something about it? By writing it down you have a record of your thoughts you can turn to when the time comes to put them in action!
d) Designate your time. One of the biggest problems most of us run into is constant interruptions during our working hours. When you start a project, let that be the only thing you're working on. Shut down your other browser windows, flip your phone over to voicemail and ignore the other things lying around on your desk. If you're working from home, feel free to ignore the door (unless you're waiting on a package) so you can concentrate on what you're doing.
e) Share the load. It's easy to become buried under a project, especially when you start volunteering for way more than you can logistically handle. Share the load with a friend you trust. Not only does it provide great conversation fodder, you'll feel like a huge weight has been lifted off your shoulders.
f) Find a time management solution. There are literally hundreds of resources out there just sitting around waiting for you to turn to them for their productivity solutions. Whether you want to invest in scheduling software or keep a planner and a notepad next to your desk, find a time management solution that works for you.
g) Make it fun! The number one reason people fall behind on work is that their mind decides it doesn't want to do it, and it just gets tuned out along the way. Making it fun will encourage you to get started, motivate you to keep going and keep your mind interested enough to make sure your productivity stays at peak levels around the clock!
Learning to be productive isn't something that comes easily to any of us, but by minimizing your distractions and making the most of your resources you'll be able to be productive enough to achieve the success you deserve.
I'd never really thought about it, but they're absolutely right; the mind is like a muscle, and it's going to do what you train it to do. If you train it to focus it will focus, no matter what's going on around it. If you allow it to wander, on the other hand, you'd have better luck trying to yank an elephant back into line than to make your brain do what you tell it to!
Following along with that theme I spoke to my colleagues and went digging around on the web for the best tips available on learning to be productive, and this is what we found. Feel free to chime in with comments and suggestions on these and other strategies to help all of us learn to be happy, successful and, most importantly, productive.
a) Make the best use of each kind of your time. The concept of all time not being created equal didn't really make sense to me when I first read it. Now, I think I'm beginning to grasp the fundamentals. The inability to manage your time between play time, sleep time, work time and (for me at least) housework time is what leads to road blocks and frustration. Make the most of your time. If you're cleaning, let it be cleaning time. If it's relaxation time, put it all behind you and just kick back. By making the best use of your time you'll be as productive as you possibly can be. Which brings us to step B:
b) Multi-task, but do it judiciously. When you're running in 18 directions at once it's absolutely impossible to get anything accomplished, but taking your daily tasks one at a time can use up far more than the 24 hours a day Father Time bothers to give us. Multi-task your responsibilities whenever possible without driving yourself insane. For example, let the washing machine run while you're answering your e-mail!
c) Carry a pen and paper with you at all times. How many times have you had a great idea to make things run more smoothly, only to completely lose it the minute you go to do something about it? By writing it down you have a record of your thoughts you can turn to when the time comes to put them in action!
d) Designate your time. One of the biggest problems most of us run into is constant interruptions during our working hours. When you start a project, let that be the only thing you're working on. Shut down your other browser windows, flip your phone over to voicemail and ignore the other things lying around on your desk. If you're working from home, feel free to ignore the door (unless you're waiting on a package) so you can concentrate on what you're doing.
e) Share the load. It's easy to become buried under a project, especially when you start volunteering for way more than you can logistically handle. Share the load with a friend you trust. Not only does it provide great conversation fodder, you'll feel like a huge weight has been lifted off your shoulders.
f) Find a time management solution. There are literally hundreds of resources out there just sitting around waiting for you to turn to them for their productivity solutions. Whether you want to invest in scheduling software or keep a planner and a notepad next to your desk, find a time management solution that works for you.
g) Make it fun! The number one reason people fall behind on work is that their mind decides it doesn't want to do it, and it just gets tuned out along the way. Making it fun will encourage you to get started, motivate you to keep going and keep your mind interested enough to make sure your productivity stays at peak levels around the clock!
Learning to be productive isn't something that comes easily to any of us, but by minimizing your distractions and making the most of your resources you'll be able to be productive enough to achieve the success you deserve.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Jump Start Your Week by Kicking the "Mondays" to the Curb
I hate to admit it, but I hate Mondays. Have I mentioned that? If I haven't, it bears repeating! Whether it's an accumulated sleep deficit or a natural unwillingness for the weekend to end, getting going on Monday is one of the hardest parts of my week.
In honor of the fact that I'm on my second cup of coffee and my eyes still aren't open, I thought I take a minute and talk about the best way to beat off a case of the "Mondays". After all, you can't be at your best if you're still thinking about crawling back into bed! Here are some great tips to jump start your week:
1) Get up and get going. The hardest part of any Monday morning is actually getting out of bed. Resist the urge to slap that snooze button.
2) Grab a cup of coffee and a cold cup of water. You don't want to drink coffee until you can't through the day without it (that's a slippery slope) but a small caffeine jolt is a good way to get your day started. And rehydrating yourself with cold water not only gives your body a jolt, it starts the day off by pumping up your fluids.
3) At the end of your shower, give yourself a cool rinse. The cold water on your skin is revitalizing and will jump start your system so you feel refreshed and ready to go.
4) Wear bright colors, and resist the urge to rush through your morning grooming routine. The time you want to look your best is when you're feeling the worst!
5) Eat breakfast. Low blood sugar levels will only make it harder to get your day started.
6) Jump into your hardest task first. Slipping into the day's workload sounds like a good idea-until it's noon and you haven't even started yet! Sit down, check your email (quickly), respond to anything that can't wait and make your day's to-do list. Then jump in feet first.
7) Avoid the temptation to leave other browser windows open when you work. Temptations like Facebook and your personal e-mail are incredibly distracting, especially when your mind's really not on work in the first place. If you can work with music in the background go for it, but if it's going to distract you keep it off (or find some without lyrics-Pandora radio is a favorite of mine, but I've learned how to tune out the words).
There's no avoiding Monday, but with a few basic coping strategies you can kick those Monday blues to the curb and get your week off to a great start.
In honor of the fact that I'm on my second cup of coffee and my eyes still aren't open, I thought I take a minute and talk about the best way to beat off a case of the "Mondays". After all, you can't be at your best if you're still thinking about crawling back into bed! Here are some great tips to jump start your week:
1) Get up and get going. The hardest part of any Monday morning is actually getting out of bed. Resist the urge to slap that snooze button.
2) Grab a cup of coffee and a cold cup of water. You don't want to drink coffee until you can't through the day without it (that's a slippery slope) but a small caffeine jolt is a good way to get your day started. And rehydrating yourself with cold water not only gives your body a jolt, it starts the day off by pumping up your fluids.
3) At the end of your shower, give yourself a cool rinse. The cold water on your skin is revitalizing and will jump start your system so you feel refreshed and ready to go.
4) Wear bright colors, and resist the urge to rush through your morning grooming routine. The time you want to look your best is when you're feeling the worst!
5) Eat breakfast. Low blood sugar levels will only make it harder to get your day started.
6) Jump into your hardest task first. Slipping into the day's workload sounds like a good idea-until it's noon and you haven't even started yet! Sit down, check your email (quickly), respond to anything that can't wait and make your day's to-do list. Then jump in feet first.
7) Avoid the temptation to leave other browser windows open when you work. Temptations like Facebook and your personal e-mail are incredibly distracting, especially when your mind's really not on work in the first place. If you can work with music in the background go for it, but if it's going to distract you keep it off (or find some without lyrics-Pandora radio is a favorite of mine, but I've learned how to tune out the words).
There's no avoiding Monday, but with a few basic coping strategies you can kick those Monday blues to the curb and get your week off to a great start.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Treat Yourself to a Warm, Aromatic Bubble Bath This Weekend
It's finally Friday, and as much as I hate to admit defeat this week's been a long one! I'm definitely ready for a little R&R this weekend, starting with a nice, hot bubble bath and a little peace and quiet tonight. Ladies and gentlemen, if you have the choice (and I know some of you don't) say good-bye to work this weekend. Seriously. You've all been working hard all week, and without some definite time off you're going to be burning the candle on both ends just a little too far.
Burnout stinks. Trust me, I've been there. That's why tonight's going to be filled with bubbly, vanilla scented goodness. Studies show that vanilla is one of the most relaxing scents in the aromatherapy family (along with sandalwood and lavender) and I love the way the smell lingers in the bathroom for hours after I climb out of the tub. Tonight's not about work. Tonight's all about me. I have to say, I'm kind of looking forward to it!
Burnout stinks. Trust me, I've been there. That's why tonight's going to be filled with bubbly, vanilla scented goodness. Studies show that vanilla is one of the most relaxing scents in the aromatherapy family (along with sandalwood and lavender) and I love the way the smell lingers in the bathroom for hours after I climb out of the tub. Tonight's not about work. Tonight's all about me. I have to say, I'm kind of looking forward to it!
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Learning to Motivate the People Around You
Yesterday I talked about the importance of self motivation. To take that one step further, let's talk about the ability to motivate others. Nobody succeeds on their own. It's important to have a good team behind you, whether that team is made up of employees, subcontractors or suppliers. Knowing how to get them motivated (and keep them motivated when things start getting tough) is a vital element to your prosperity.
There are hundreds of ways to keep people motivated. The key is in finding what each individual needs. No two people are going to be motivated the exact same way. Some people thrive under soft words and encouragement, others will shamelessly slack until you remind them of the consequences of their actions. It's up to you to observe the people around you, and when one method doesn't work try another tack.
Remember, however, that you catch more flies with honey than vinegar. People may respect a manager that cracks the whip, but they're not going to work harder to please them. One mistake that many companies make is discouraging personal attachment between management and employees in the belief that it's going to make it harder for the manager to hand down discipline as needed. It's not up to you to be your employees' best friend, and there will always be people who try to take advantage of any personal relationship you might develop, but on the whole employees respond better to managers they believe truly care about their success.
The key is to find the balance between discipline and compassion. Once you've mastered that you'll have the tools you need to get the best results possible from the poeple around you.
There are hundreds of ways to keep people motivated. The key is in finding what each individual needs. No two people are going to be motivated the exact same way. Some people thrive under soft words and encouragement, others will shamelessly slack until you remind them of the consequences of their actions. It's up to you to observe the people around you, and when one method doesn't work try another tack.
Remember, however, that you catch more flies with honey than vinegar. People may respect a manager that cracks the whip, but they're not going to work harder to please them. One mistake that many companies make is discouraging personal attachment between management and employees in the belief that it's going to make it harder for the manager to hand down discipline as needed. It's not up to you to be your employees' best friend, and there will always be people who try to take advantage of any personal relationship you might develop, but on the whole employees respond better to managers they believe truly care about their success.
The key is to find the balance between discipline and compassion. Once you've mastered that you'll have the tools you need to get the best results possible from the poeple around you.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
How Self Motivated are You?
The advent of Internet business has led many people down the path to self-employment and/or telecommuting to save costs and live the American dream of getting to go to work in your pajamas. Working from home is a wonderful thing, but if you're going to make it work you're going to have to be more self motivated than you ever were sitting in an office.
What am I talking about? When you're in an office you have a lot of things going for you when it comes to productivity. First and foremost, your distractions should be at a minimum-your phone isn't ringing all day long, the kids aren't underfoot, the dishes and the laundry aren't calling to you and you've got your boss looking over your shoulder to make sure you're not spending the day surfing the net, listening to music or playing video games instead of working. Take that supervision away and many people get too distracted to get their jobs done the way they were meant to.
For some people self motivation comes easily. The rest of us have to work at it! Here are a couple of tips to help improve your self-motivation and keep you on the straight and narrow when you're working from home:
1) Make yourself a to-do list, and prioritize. When you've got a set list of tasks that have to be done by the end of the day you're more likely to stay on track than if your mind is allowed to wander any direction it chooses.
2) Minimize the distractions. Don't allow yourself to keep multiple browser windows open on the Internet, turn off the television (or make the kids turn down the volume) and restrict your use of Facebook, Twitter and MySpace to before and after working hours. Most importantly, ignore your telephone! Unless there's an emergency, work hours should be for work phone calls only.
3) Decide what time you're going to start, and stick with it. It's hard not to give in to the temptation to dawdle over that last cup of coffee in the morning, but getting a late start almost always means running behind all day long-and often not getting through your to-do list before it's time to stop for homework/supper/baths/etc.
4) Remind yourself of the rewards of a job well done-and the consequences if it isn't. Having an established set of rewards and consequences will go a long way toward helping you stay on the straight and narrow.
Working from home can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also be incredibly difficult. Focusing on your self motivation and building up your self discipline will go a long way toward helping you do your job well, even when you're not working out of the office.
What am I talking about? When you're in an office you have a lot of things going for you when it comes to productivity. First and foremost, your distractions should be at a minimum-your phone isn't ringing all day long, the kids aren't underfoot, the dishes and the laundry aren't calling to you and you've got your boss looking over your shoulder to make sure you're not spending the day surfing the net, listening to music or playing video games instead of working. Take that supervision away and many people get too distracted to get their jobs done the way they were meant to.
For some people self motivation comes easily. The rest of us have to work at it! Here are a couple of tips to help improve your self-motivation and keep you on the straight and narrow when you're working from home:
1) Make yourself a to-do list, and prioritize. When you've got a set list of tasks that have to be done by the end of the day you're more likely to stay on track than if your mind is allowed to wander any direction it chooses.
2) Minimize the distractions. Don't allow yourself to keep multiple browser windows open on the Internet, turn off the television (or make the kids turn down the volume) and restrict your use of Facebook, Twitter and MySpace to before and after working hours. Most importantly, ignore your telephone! Unless there's an emergency, work hours should be for work phone calls only.
3) Decide what time you're going to start, and stick with it. It's hard not to give in to the temptation to dawdle over that last cup of coffee in the morning, but getting a late start almost always means running behind all day long-and often not getting through your to-do list before it's time to stop for homework/supper/baths/etc.
4) Remind yourself of the rewards of a job well done-and the consequences if it isn't. Having an established set of rewards and consequences will go a long way toward helping you stay on the straight and narrow.
Working from home can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also be incredibly difficult. Focusing on your self motivation and building up your self discipline will go a long way toward helping you do your job well, even when you're not working out of the office.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Make Your Way to Your Turning Point
As we roll toward September we're trying to gear up to launch promotions for the Turning Point seminar in Vancouver, Canada. This is a seminar hosted by Marshall Sylver, "The Millionaire Maker", and it's a great way to get started on your own path to prosperity. We're going to be selling tickets to this event for 50% off the current selling price, so as soon as our new website gets up and running (which should hopefully be happening sometime this week)you can swing by www.socialnetworkmarketer.com and pick up yours. In the meantime, you can find more information about the seminar at http://www.sylver.com/turningPoint.html. Feel free to ask any questions, and we'll look forward to seeing you there!
Monday, August 10, 2009
Prioritize Your To-Do List
Last week I did quite a bit of talking about the Law of Attraction and the power of positive thinking. Ironically, do you want to guess what the first thing I saw when I logged into my Twitter account this morning was? A quote that had several twists and turns but basically boiled down to the fact that nothing should be on your to-do list unless you truly believe you have the power to achieve it.
What a way to start a Monday! If you're like me, your to-do list is about fifteen miles long every Monday. Isn't it depressing to start the week KNOWING that you're never going to be able to accomplish everything you have to do? You're basically admitting that you're going to be spending the rest of your week playing catch-up! Since the purpose of Prosperity is to get ahead, not behind, I want to tlak for a minute on the importance of prioritizng your to-do list.
Yes, you have a lot to do in a day, but think about it. Is everything equally important, or are there some things that could be bumped back to later in the week without hurting anything? For example, my to-do list on Monday includes not only what I need to do for my financial prosperity but also such key items as wiping out my refrigerator, cleaning my bathrooms and remembering to call my mother. This takes up hours of my day, and let's face it-none of it HAS to be done on Monday. I could just as easily do it on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday, when my list of things to do is much, much shorter, and everyone would be a lot happier.
So when you sit down to make your to-do list, put the most important thing on the top of your list and take off anything that can wait. It will look just as pretty on tomorrow's to-do list, and you'll start your day with a LOT less stress.
And isn't that what prosperity really means?
What a way to start a Monday! If you're like me, your to-do list is about fifteen miles long every Monday. Isn't it depressing to start the week KNOWING that you're never going to be able to accomplish everything you have to do? You're basically admitting that you're going to be spending the rest of your week playing catch-up! Since the purpose of Prosperity is to get ahead, not behind, I want to tlak for a minute on the importance of prioritizng your to-do list.
Yes, you have a lot to do in a day, but think about it. Is everything equally important, or are there some things that could be bumped back to later in the week without hurting anything? For example, my to-do list on Monday includes not only what I need to do for my financial prosperity but also such key items as wiping out my refrigerator, cleaning my bathrooms and remembering to call my mother. This takes up hours of my day, and let's face it-none of it HAS to be done on Monday. I could just as easily do it on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday, when my list of things to do is much, much shorter, and everyone would be a lot happier.
So when you sit down to make your to-do list, put the most important thing on the top of your list and take off anything that can wait. It will look just as pretty on tomorrow's to-do list, and you'll start your day with a LOT less stress.
And isn't that what prosperity really means?
Friday, August 7, 2009
What Did You Accomplish This Week?
Welcome to Friday everybody! You survived another long week. What I want you to do when you get home tonight is sit down for a few minutes with a pen and a piece of paper and write out what you accomplished this week. This list doesn't have to be a "I solved world hunger" sort of thing-"I finally got the dishes caught up" or "I picked up that contract I've been hoping for" will do just fine.
What's the point? The point is, it's easy to get so focused on what we still have to accomplish that we forget to sit back and enjoy what we have. Instead of thinking forward to next week's to-do list, sit back and bask in your accomplishments today. Monday's going to be here soon enough.
What's the point? The point is, it's easy to get so focused on what we still have to accomplish that we forget to sit back and enjoy what we have. Instead of thinking forward to next week's to-do list, sit back and bask in your accomplishments today. Monday's going to be here soon enough.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Whose Brain Have You Been Picking?
Where are you getting your information? As we grow we learn from the people around us. We learn to walk, talk and speak from our parents, and so we successfully learn to walk, talk and speak like the people around us. If you're going to truly succeed in your field and achieve the prosperity you deserve you need to learn to walk, talk and speak like a pro.
In order to do that you're going to have to learn from the pros.
I've mentioned before that it can do more harm than good to spend too much time listening to marketing gurus and motivational speakers. Their job is to make you believe it's going to be easy to achieve your goals! Your job as a listener is to learn to separate the sizzle from the steak. Where are the facts in all of the fluff? Once you've weeded out the information you need to retain from the motivational "umph" they're trying to give you to get started you'll have the tools you need.
My best advice to you is to turn down the motivational tapes and start reading some of the "how to" literature these success stories are publishing. Go to their seminars, tune in to their webinars, and see what they've done that might apply to your situation as well. By learning from the "experts" you'll be able to walk, talk and fit in with the rest of your society...and it won't be long before the steps you take will seem as natural to you as walking down the street does now!
In order to do that you're going to have to learn from the pros.
I've mentioned before that it can do more harm than good to spend too much time listening to marketing gurus and motivational speakers. Their job is to make you believe it's going to be easy to achieve your goals! Your job as a listener is to learn to separate the sizzle from the steak. Where are the facts in all of the fluff? Once you've weeded out the information you need to retain from the motivational "umph" they're trying to give you to get started you'll have the tools you need.
My best advice to you is to turn down the motivational tapes and start reading some of the "how to" literature these success stories are publishing. Go to their seminars, tune in to their webinars, and see what they've done that might apply to your situation as well. By learning from the "experts" you'll be able to walk, talk and fit in with the rest of your society...and it won't be long before the steps you take will seem as natural to you as walking down the street does now!
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Social Media Marketing
Have you ever heard of...drumroll please...the Web 2.0? Of course you have. It's a ridiculous question when you can't even turn around in the business world without running into information about today's latest marketing techniques and the role that social media is playing in making success happen. If you're going to achieve true prosperity you're going to want to take advantage of the opportunities that social media marketing offers and what it can do for your business.
Why is social media marketing such a vital part of the growth of your business? Because consumers trust consumers. Years ago the only kind ofmarketing was word of mouth, and you patronized the companies you'd heard of through friends and family. Social media marketing takes that word of mouth principle out into the digital world, making this type of growth and promotion global and helping your company "get personal" with ALL of your clientele, not just the ones that walk through your front door.
Social media marketing takes out out of the public limelight as a major corporate figurehead and makes you a person in the eyes of your clientele. And people would much rather do business with a company with a conscience, which means a company run by people they see and hear from rather than strange corporate figureheads that only exist in their financial statements.
Why is social media marketing such a vital part of the growth of your business? Because consumers trust consumers. Years ago the only kind ofmarketing was word of mouth, and you patronized the companies you'd heard of through friends and family. Social media marketing takes that word of mouth principle out into the digital world, making this type of growth and promotion global and helping your company "get personal" with ALL of your clientele, not just the ones that walk through your front door.
Social media marketing takes out out of the public limelight as a major corporate figurehead and makes you a person in the eyes of your clientele. And people would much rather do business with a company with a conscience, which means a company run by people they see and hear from rather than strange corporate figureheads that only exist in their financial statements.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Feels Just Like I'm Walking On Broken Glass...
As most of you know, I'm a member of the Prosperity Alliance. The company recently did a great seminar filled with some...unusual activities! Check out one of the "wierdest" things our visitors got to do and the story behind it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8l3FJbLl6Fg
http://www.prosperityalliance.com/fp_glassWalk_july09.php
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8l3FJbLl6Fg
http://www.prosperityalliance.com/fp_glassWalk_july09.php
Monday, August 3, 2009
Quick Tips for Greater Productivity
If there's one thing I can honestly say I struggle with, it's productivity. It seems like I always have a ton to do in a week and not nearly enough time to do it, and because of that I let distractions and stress build up until I can't get ANYTHING done! So, as part of my personal goals for myself, I try and spend at least a little time every week scouting around for great tips on maximizing my productivity without maximizing my stress level. Here's what I've found works best for me that you might want to give a try in your own hectic schedule:
1) Make sure you're working during your peak hours. I know I work better in the morning. Unfortunately, between family concerns and the fact that everyone opens at 9am rather than noon I often don't get started on my to-do list until later in the day. By juggling my schedule so I start at 7 or 8 rather than 11 or 12 I work more effectively AND get to spend more time enjoying the fruits of my labor.
2) Keep all your materials close at hand, including references. That way, you're not looking all over the house for the notebook you need when you have to look up a piece of information.
3) Prioritize your work. By doing what's most important early in the day I can relax when my caffeine rush-I mean, my natural motivation!-wears off in the afternoon. And if catastrophe strikes and I don't get all the way through my to-do list I'm not sweating bullets because I'm not going to make my deadlines.
4) Take breaks regularly. When you work all day, every day, you burn yourself out and can't get anything done. I try to work for 2-3 hours, then take a break. I come back re-energized and ready to start again.
5) Snack during the day. Believe it or not, plummeting blood sugar can kill your productivity. It's hard to make the most of your labors when you're constantly droopy and tired! Snacking keeps your energy up, and because you eat less during lunch you avoid the curse of being full and overtired in the middle of the day.
What productivity tips work best for you?
1) Make sure you're working during your peak hours. I know I work better in the morning. Unfortunately, between family concerns and the fact that everyone opens at 9am rather than noon I often don't get started on my to-do list until later in the day. By juggling my schedule so I start at 7 or 8 rather than 11 or 12 I work more effectively AND get to spend more time enjoying the fruits of my labor.
2) Keep all your materials close at hand, including references. That way, you're not looking all over the house for the notebook you need when you have to look up a piece of information.
3) Prioritize your work. By doing what's most important early in the day I can relax when my caffeine rush-I mean, my natural motivation!-wears off in the afternoon. And if catastrophe strikes and I don't get all the way through my to-do list I'm not sweating bullets because I'm not going to make my deadlines.
4) Take breaks regularly. When you work all day, every day, you burn yourself out and can't get anything done. I try to work for 2-3 hours, then take a break. I come back re-energized and ready to start again.
5) Snack during the day. Believe it or not, plummeting blood sugar can kill your productivity. It's hard to make the most of your labors when you're constantly droopy and tired! Snacking keeps your energy up, and because you eat less during lunch you avoid the curse of being full and overtired in the middle of the day.
What productivity tips work best for you?
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