Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Have you ever heard of having ‘baseball memory’ (or some say football memory?). I never had until the other day, so I thought I’d share, as starting a new year is a great time for such recall… or lack thereof.
You see, it’s not about succeeding at every play. In football you can miss 7 of 10 touchdowns and still make the hall of fame. Baseball stats say that making 30% of solid hits will make that result as well. Thirty percent! (Geez, if I fail once I may freak.)What’s most important is to show up and play full out. If your mind is on the last play or any missed opportunity, you can’t be present and play your best.
The same is true for business, although we rarely think that way. So many of us expect that every move be successful, and when that doesn’t occur we are set back, or so hard on ourselves that we move forward with caution. Some carry this sense of ‘less then’ far into the future with disastrous results.
What if this year, you committed to playing every day full-out. Like you’re up to bat for the first time that day, ready to do your very best in that moment? No remorse, no regret, only the lessons learned, the skills honed, swinging for the fences as best as you can. That could give you the room you need to gracefully move forward, forgive yourself any missteps as simply accumulated knowledge, knowing that if your percentages are good, then so are you.
This year release your expectation to have every hit be a home run, and let yourself easily hit one out of the park. This is also true for your brand, it’s a collection of moments and memories, promises and progress, so now consider what it would be like to make that goal, and keep swinging as if you can. Because really, no matter what you’ve heard, marketing and brand development is a big experiment. Some are great, some not so much, but always those that keep playing, do win.
To your Unforgettable Adventure,
J.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
We often hear that beginning a new year requires planning, and a new commitment to alter results from the past. The focus is primarily on planning, which IS useful, however there’s a step that can greatly alter the outcome when you visit it first.
I have noticed from my clients that without this very important ingredient plans fall flat and have no sustainability. What I’m suggesting is a kind of appetizer, the first course that will make the entire meal we call ‘planning’ taste better and have a more lasting impression. In a word it is “Inspiration”.
Without inspiration our plans have no luster and no real ability to pull us towards the future we may be envisioning. Think about the last time you created a new year’s plan that didn’t come to fruition. If you find it hard to recall, this will be your first clue that it wasn’t very inspirational for you.  This year, and any time that you take on creating a strategy or plan for yourself be sure to bite into inspiration first to ensure success.
This may lead you to wonder how to create and find this inspirational tidbit. This tasty morsel that will leave you excited, ready and eager to manifest for yourself. To begin tapping in, it’s critical to connect to your inner self, your inner mission, your bigger purpose. Use the following steps to create this for you, now and anytime you need to plan for your next big leap:
- Find a quiet space to be that’s comfortable and be sure to bring your journal with you.
- Breathe deeply for at least 3 breaths while consciously bringing your energy into your body, into your heart space.
- Be open to receiving the messages that are about to appear.
- Imagine yourself having coffee with a friend in one year’s time. As you share with your friend, with real excitement, what will you now know that this prior year has brought to you? What present challenges and opportunities have been navigated through and what has been the outcome?
- How will YOU be different at this shared coffee moment in one year’s time? What will you have that you don’t now? (hint: money is not the only answer here). What is it that would truly have you SO excited to get out of bed each day?
- As you imagine yourself sharing coffee with this friend, feel the exact energy and thrill that will be present when these ‘items’ are accomplished.
- Write as detailed a description as possible.
- Then conclude this part of the process and begin to strategize from here. Reverse engineer your year to get you to that place, having the best, most fun time doing so, and see what you can create.
- Be sure to get the support to get you where you now see you can go, and don’t forget to celebrate every day as you move towards your intention.
With much love and wishes for the best year yet!
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
On my recent, simply scrumptious holiday much time was spent hanging out on the beach. Friends were there too, avid readers devouring their books. Not me. I was comfy under my umbrella watching the water, sailboats passing, along with puffy clouds when there were any, and observing people running back and forth from their giant yachts to the shore in little run-abouts that they traveled with. I was very, very entertained by all for days on end.
Besides this unending external entertainment, there was also some fun happening on the inside. Hours were spent imagining and visioning my future, plans made, some profound reading took place, and some serious pondering and consulting with my guides. It was a very busy week!
A few days in, I noticed a bird that seemed to be returning each day. I noticed ‘her’, a high flyer, doing loopy-dee-loops, riding the thermals, and having an absolute blast. She was fishing too, she’d come down low for a dive if something was worthy, but for the most part she was enjoying the breeze, the day, the moment, embracing the ability to fly. Unlike the other birds that had appeared, this critter was not only getting from point A to point B, she was REALLY enjoying the ride.
Which had me wondering: is this the same as humans? There are those who use our abilities to move from point to point, without taking in the scenery, rarely appreciating all the beauty we’re passing through, all the ground we’re covering. I’ve certainly experienced this mode often. We just want to get there as fast as possible with ‘tunnel vision’. Then there are those who meander. Who go with the flow, employing their intuition and a heightened awareness to see what there is that could be fun, or useful, ready to leave the highway when appropriate if something’s a fit outside of our original plan.
Which kind of flyer are you? Ask the following to see and perhaps adjust:
1. Are you enjoying the journey or rushing to get to ‘it’, missing all the juicy fun on the way?
-When you slow down a bit, you may be surprised how many opportunities show themselves that previously we’d blow right by. Shifting into this other energy allows for more to show.
2. Have you been a striver, one who pushes to get clients, more business, whatever?
-Moving into a space of ‘allowing’ rather than striving can make a world of difference. Time to stop pushing that big boulder uphill all alone. It may be hard to believe, but time spent getting aligned internally will show up externally.
3. Is your picture of the end goal the only thing that’s important?
-Consider creating some enjoyable milestones to remind you that you’re moving forward with joy. Allow the Universe and your guides some room to have ‘this or something better’ show itself. You are a greater gift than you have imagined as yet.
4. Are you exhausted from the running around, yet don’t have so much to show for it?
-Illness or exhaustion of any kind indicates that we’re out of alignment. Practice extreme self-care, remembering to take time daily to vision what you desire. Write it down, create affirmations, picture your plans.
Fly freely like a beautiful bird. Try something new as an experiment. Commit for doing this every day for 6 months to see what happens. It’s miraculous really. Imagine miracles today to see them in your future. (I’ve been doing it for the last 3 months, and the results are surprising.)
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
As the year comes to a close, consider how much there is to be grateful for, how far you’ve come this year. This may seem obvious, yet so often we are cruel to ourselves and are quick to forget the strides we’ve made in favor of focusing on what we didn’t do. Now is the perfect time to give thanks for it all, because every event has contributed to who you are and what you are able to offer the world.
Gratitude and appreciation are very important elements to creating an Unforgettable Brand! What are you ready to embrace, and what can you let go of that is no longer serving you? No need to judge, just observe from your desire to serve and be your best self, building the best business you can at this moment. This allows for greater alignment with your truest purpose, giving you clues on how to move forward, and opens up more opportunities for your best clients to come forth.
If you find yourself having trouble with this try the following (you may have heard them all before, it’s because they work!)
- Start a gratitude journal
- Go for a walk in the woods or on the beach
- Have coffee with a friend
- Laugh
- Dance
- Close your eyes and imagine giving yourself a BIG hug
- Watch your favorite movie (no blood!)
- Read testimonials from your clients
- Take a class
- Call someone you haven’t spoken to in years
- Make a list of your accomplishments for the year
Celebrate with great appreciation for all that is to come, and acknowledge yourself for the road you have traveled. Consider this now, and any time along your journey when you may forget your greatness.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Have you seen the movie ‘Secretariat’? It’s a true story about the horse who took the triple crown in ’73. There were no surprises as the horse made history and has gotten much attention and media over the years, nevertheless, I came away with some lessons worth sharing with you.
The horse’s owner was a woman named Penny. She was quite determined, stubborn and committed to her endeavor. Traits embraced by most entrepreneurs as well (no surprise). Further she had a solid and strong faith that not only was this THE horse that would go all the way, it seemed that her faith had an interesting effect on those she encountered. Either they thought she was a silly ‘little woman’, OR they related to her immensely, saw her vision, and bought into her dream completely. What was most important was that the ones she did attract were tops in their field, those who had a similar commitment level and integrity that often was mistaken for crazy. (my favorite kinds of peeps!)
What I learned from Penny is:
• Don’t let anyone tell you your dream is crazy.
• Do your own due diligence on your projects and don’t waiver from what you KNOW in your gut is true.
• When the going gets tough, you stand firm, and believe, believe, believe with Faith!
• Take action, YET also know when not to take action, to allow yourself to ‘be’.
Of course, the horse was quite the star. This horse had some big personality (in the movie anyway). A go-getter from birth, he loved to run… but he ran every race his way. For some reason, he came out of the gate and held firmly to last place, until he turned it on and burst forward to win the race, which happened without fail. The so-called ‘experts’ thought this was nutty, and that he would never win. Hmnn. Other habits of his were not considered normal, and each was evidence to many of why he couldn’t succeed. Each of his odd habits were frowned upon, even as he repeatedly won. Not unlike many businesses who are told ‘this will never work’, yet they go on to massive success. You may think of a few who began humbly (as most do) yet who have gone on to alter the way we live our lives. From Einstein failing his way to massive inventive contributions, to Henry Ford building cars, to the latest generation of 3D video games, many breakthroughs have been considered non-viable quack ideas.
Some of what Secretariat teaches:
• Your intuition will guide you to success.
• Working from unrestrained strength is always appropriate.
• When you are supported and mentored by experts, you cannot fail!
• Living your blessing = living your bliss = total success!!!
I wish you the gift of celebrating your gifts, holding tight to your dreams, and running full steam into the future YOU know is possible!! You define what your race is, and you get out there and run with your whole heart. That’s the way to Be Unforgettable!
Friday, November 4, 2011
It’s more important than ever to continuously assess how we’re moving ahead with our plans and vision. Not to say that my eye isn’t on that ball all of the time, but there’s a difference between running full out, looking over my shoulder and sitting down to have some time to contemplate what has occurred. With the world moving and changing so quickly, it helps to know rather than assume I’m on track.
This is not a time to judge. More of an opportunity to acknowledge what worked, what surprised me, what was created with intention and all that I learned to move forward with. In my personal quest to be better, to become an Unforgettable Brand, there are elements that my eye can see with greater clarity in hindsight.
It’s also the time when I begin to think about the months and years ahead. There’s a process to designing our future with intention and purpose, which I thought I’d share a piece of with you. It’s impossible to fit it all here, but a few tips can give you a start.
1. Decide. Decide the kind of lifestyle you want to have. How many hours you’d like to work and from where. Is it home or office, virtual or brick and mortar? How did it go this past year and what changes would you like to make?
2. Look. Look inside yourself to see how much you enjoyed the year. Is this your idea of living your passion and purpose? Or is there something missing that could expand you and your reach? Which areas were fun and effortless? Can you do more of that and clear out some of those that didn’t feel as enjoyable?
3. Learn. Where is most of your revenue coming from? Can that revenue be increased by repeating or expanding those services? What additional services can you provide that will provide additional solutions for your clients and provide you with additional revenue streams? What did you do over the last year that was really great for you and for your clients? Where can you strengthen your skills?
4. Plan. Now is the time to solidly plan the next 6 to 12 months. Begin to imagine yourself being wildly successful. Only when that piece is defined can you create the action that will accompany your vision. Want to reach thousands more people? Begin to see the path forward. Plan in a deliberate and constructive way.
5. Serve. Service to yourself and others will position you as an expert. Creating an Unforgettable presence in your market can only come to fruition when you’re out there, in service, meeting the needs of your market. Look at how your service can be elevated, so that you are the only choice in your niche. Pulling clients towards you will be much more graceful when you come from this place. Try something new. Use video. Write an article, get a speaking gig, attend an event. Get out there!
Growing your brand is truly the opportunity to address your whole business in a manner that serves you as you serve others. It’s not something to do when you have the time. It’s done so that you have more time, so that you’re better aligned with your personal mission, and able to have the energy to build your life from ease and grace. Your brand will give you a solid foundation for an Unforgettable business and most importantly, an Unforgettable LIFE!
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Lately I’ve been noticing a trend. The trend is that we’re all too busy (duh). Extraordinarily, outrageously, uncomfortably, over-the-top busy. Many of us are juggling more, yet are we accomplishing more? Or are we officially overwhelmed? What’s the difference you might ask, or do you already know? Here’s what I’ve noticed. Some of us take on too much. We do it unconsciously. We do it because we can’t say no, because our boundaries aren’t strong enough, because life is filled with lots of ‘I have to’, and we don’t always want to.
A client has so much to do she can barely be present for our call. She has her business, a home, kids, homework, pets, a relationship. She wants to progress in her life, but the day to day is exhausting and overwhelming. She doesn’t know where to start to regain control. Her energy level is low, and I bet she isn’t sleeping great, or eating very healthfully with all that she has to think about. Yikes! Talk about challenges!
So I began to wonder…. Why do we create overwhelm in our lives? It certainly isn’t an attractive trait, and our energy is usually quite low when we have too much on our plates, yet we persist. It’s one of the symptoms of self-sabotage, although we may protest the exact opposite is true. What can we do to pull ourselves back from this unhealthy, unproductive behavior, while doing all that needs to be done in our lives?
Here’s what I’ve noticed from many of my clients, as well as myself. I think we create overwhelm intentionally. This is so important I will say it again: We create overwhelm intentionally. Are you laughing now? When was the last time you felt overwhelmed? Did it result in getting done what needed to be done in a fruitful way? Or did it allow you to avoid the very thing that you were nervous taking on in the first place? Were so many plates spinning in the air, that all of them were in danger of falling? How is overwhelm serving you?
You’ve probably heard the question: How do you eat an elephant? The answer: Why, one bite at a time, of course…. That’s how we take on overwhelm. One bite at a time. Take a deep breath, or three, close your eyes and visualize the most important task of the day. Even the top three tasks. Then do them, one at a time, and see how you feel. I feel lighter just thinking about this approach. Your energy will lift, and your chances of doing each task well will increase too. Your success will also magnify as each task is done with your full attention and intention. Now, that’s a recipe for success without stress!
Try this exercise, and let me know how it goes. Notice how you feel and how it impacts your business and life. What’s on the other side of overwhelm for you?
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
There’s a concept in coaching that states, ‘The Present is Perfect’. Think about it. Whether you feel like you’re ‘winning’ or ‘losing’ what if it’s all exactly as it’s supposed to be. For your journey to unfold, for you to live your best life, the present is a gift for each of us. From this moment on you can create a new experience that will take you to the dreams you hold dear.
You may have noticed that some people are upset at the present conditions. However, just like the weather, this to shall pass, and then I wonder what they will do. Life is always changing and in order to thrive we must as well. Do yourself a favor. Sit down and assess where you are. Notice all that’s going right with your life and your journey. Include all that you’ve learned from what doesn’t work too. Be realistic. You have strengths and a perspective that no one else has. If your industry is tanking then re-invent yourself. I remember when the type industry was changing. Many couldn’t believe it and didn’t react fast enough. Very quickly their businesses dried up as the whole game went digital. Now, you wouldn’t have noticed if you weren’t a part of it, but every year whole categories are evolving out of existence and new ones are being created. Sure it stinks if you’re caught up in that, but that won’t change a thing. The only option, the only one, is to look for how those skills and experiences can translate into something that will move you forward. This could be the best thing that ever happened to you in the long run. It’s just hard to see it when you’re in it.
I invite you to do this process for yourself. Give yourself 30-60 minutes. Sit quietly, and do a review of what you’re really good at. Assess why this moment is PERFECT. Be as honest as you can be with yourself. Then look at what you want more of in your life, and what’s really important to you. When you’ve done that, give yourself a week to do research and find another way. It may be the most important work you’ve done in a long time.
Give yourself the gift of the present, and your future will be bright!
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Sometimes when I speak with small business owners, they tell me that they’re tired. Tired of working so much, tired of trying so hard, tired of waiting for the business to ‘kick in’. Frequently, they also mention that they just don’t have any enthusiasm anymore. I’m not always sure if they mean for the business or for life in general….but either way, I say WHAT?@*^!! Without enthusiasm, what will pull you forward? How will you get out of bed each day, and live your dreams? To me, enthusiasm is at the heart of any marketing plan, business or branding strategy, or life plan. When we envision our goals, create our intentions, build a brand, we’re excited to see it manifest, to see how each step takes us to the next, and how each tiny (or big) advancement leads us to new and perhaps even grander dreams. So how do we continue to have this thrill, this gusto for the process?
First of all, get a plan. If you already have a plan, but the passion is gone, get a new plan. Create a plan that energizes you, that invigorates you. If the thought of creating a plan is daunting or difficult, do it differently than ever before. Find a friend, mentor or coach that will support you and partner with you to get it going. Make a game of it…. Or keep score with personal rewards for moving forward. Find measurable results to celebrate.
Let me ask you this: What’s the number one reason you wanted to start this business?
Remember how thrilled you were at the prospect? Now let’s translate that into today’s needs and wants, and get going! Use enthusiasm, as the tool to drive you forward and re-awaken the dream that you know is possible. Build your brand with a clear road map, and success is certainly yours!
If you have any comments or stories to share related to this topic, please send them to me below.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
In today’s culture there are many topics and buzzwords that seem to remain in fashion with unfailing consistency. I’m sure that given a minute, you could name a few that you value, yet don’t see enough of in your daily interactions. One that’s tossed around a lot these days is ‘Integrity’. Many of us, including myself, would name integrity as a driving value, yet how often is it compromised in our daily life?
When we speak of the integrity of a building, we know that to compromise could result in potential disaster. Strict industry measures are in place to ensure this structural integrity, and those who don’t meet those standards are penalized. If we buy a product or service that isn’t what we’ve come to expect we usually move on to another brand without thinking twice. Yet, what happens when the structural integrity of an organization or person is less than? How do we maintain our own integrity if we’re employed by a person or organization that doesn’t meet the personal standards we hold dear? We can find ourselves settling for less than what we know is right in our hearts. Often we are tested and have to decide whether to continue to participate, all while the ill effects spill into multiple areas of our life.
Recently, I had such an experience and it reminded me of how easily we can get thrown off track even when a value is part of our very fabric. It can be very difficult to stay true to ourselves when we commit to a project, person or cause. When others are involved life can get sticky as we manage their perceptions and expectations. Then we may be forced to choose whether it is better to stay involved or walk away and put energy elsewhere. Rarely an easy decision to make.
In my view, this journey is about relationships. With ourselves, with others, with individuals, and with businesses. There are times we need assistance to see clearly, to be able to find alternatives or solutions, or admit that staying involved is not healthy. In my quest to be someone of integrity and to stay healthy, I did need to walk away, yet for that too, there is a price. I have not yet uncovered the lesson of this experience, but I do know that I am very lucky to be able to associate (mostly) on a level that is in line with my own values and standards. We all must decide how to play this game of life, and what we will stand for.
That said – how do you determine if your core values are (or are not) being compromised on a daily basis? Are you someone who becomes physically ill when you are out of alignment with your own principles or can you participate without difficulty? Can you intuitively assess and respond in an appropriate manner? How many sleepless nights do you spend before taking action?
We’re guided by our own definitions, we are driven by our own sense of right and wrong, and we have to be brave enough to pay the price of standing in our truth. I believe that if each of us stand strong for what we believe in, we will make this world a better place, we will make a difference, and we will ultimately succeed in our endeavors.
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