January, 2009 – Merry or Scary New Year

Happy New Year!!! With daily headlines on bailouts, bankruptcies, etc., business owners everywhere are bracing themselves for 2009. There are no quick fixes for fear, still some small changes can make a big difference in how you think, feel and function. Here are SIX (6) ways to make the best of 2009.

1. Resist playing it safe – Break away from the pack. While everyone else is chewing their fingernails, you can stand up and stand out by getting noticed for your talent and contributions.

2. Skip the “pity party” – It’s tempting to commiserate with family, friends and fellow business owners but don’t do it. All it does is stoke your fears and shake your confidence even more.

3. Form a posse – Create an inner circle, a small support group or just one other person, who you can trust and turn to when the going gets tough. Take turns injecting a daily dose of hope and optimism.

4. Grow your skills – Expand your capabilities and boost your marketability. Invest in YOU.

5. Think big – Select one major action that you want to achieve for the new year and break it down into little steps and get started.

6. Get ready for the rebound – Plan for a brighter tomorrow as the economic clouds will lift, they always do. Start thinking about where you are and where you want to be AND how to close the gap.

NOTE: Never, ever stop marketing your business. Promote your business whether the economy is strong or weak; promote even when you may not have the money.

Businesses that promote while others cut their marketing budgets have a better chance of making more money…even if the economy is shrinking.

If you need some new fresh marketing ideas or just need a sounding board for your existing ideas, feel free to call me at your convenience.

“You do what you do best and let me do the rest”.

Isn’t your business worth a $50 investment?

As a business owner like you, I have learned that time and money are very important. Hiring a business coach is one of the best investments you will ever make in your company’s bottom line. An initial, one-hour, consultation will give you an opportunity to “think about tomorrow, TODAY”. One hour + you + me + your goals = $50!!

Don’t Wait, Contact Me Now!!!!

Saying “YES” when we mean “NO”

People-pleaser’s often say “yes” quickly without thinking it through. Use these guidelines before taking on a commitment in the future.

• Think about any commitments for at least 24 hours prior to agreeing. Try this verbiage – “that sounds really good, but I need to check my schedule before I can commit. I will call you tomorrow to let you know if I can help.”

• Help in areas that match your core values instead of trying to help at EVERYTHING.

• When you agree, clearly outline the level of your commitment, “Yes, I could help with that for 2 hours per week.”

******If you are always saying “yes” and are over-committed and find that you don’t have time to run your business, call for an appointment and learn how to effectively say “no”.

Don’t give up

When you think you should give up on your business idea or the business itself, think about these people who overcame serious handicaps!!

*Beethoven handled the violin awkwardly and preferred playing his own compositions instead of improving his technique. His teacher called him hopeless.

*Walt Disney was fired by a newspaper editor for lack of ideas. Walt Disney also went bankrupt several times before he built Disneyland.

*Inventor Thomas Edison’s teachers said he was too stupid to learn anything. When Edison invented the light bulb, he tried over 2,000 experiments. A young reporter asked him how it felt to fail so many times. He said, “I never failed once. I invented the light bulb. It just happened to be a 2,000-step process.”

*Louisa May Alcott, the author of Little Women, was encouraged to find work as a servant or seamstress by her family.

******Before you give up on your dream or business, call for an appointment and get some direction.