Boundaries: How to Set Them and Why You Need Them
The other day I was working with a client, the owner of a massage and wellness center, and she was stressing out about how her clients push her to extend the expiration date on her special offers. Her sub contractors push her on the date their rent is due and ask for an extension. She doesn’t want to work evenings but clients “insists’ that she be there for them.
It’s clear that she’s allowing others to run her business and her life, vs. her being in charge. When she asked me “what am I again to do, say “No”? I was dead serious when I told her that’s exactly what she’s going to have to start to do – just say no!
As business owners, it’s critical that we design a business that works for ourselves first, and in her case, she was making the clients and renters very happy, giving them price breaks, being open for their convenience and not collecting the rent while putting herself last. Everyone got what they wanted but her.
No matter if it’s kids asking you to drop what you’re doing to drive them somewhere, family members demanding your time or clients pushing you to give, give, give, you will be tested over and over again by others who want to take from you until you master the art of boundaries. So how do you know if you need to tighten up your personal or business boundaries?
Here are 3 sure signs:
- You start to feel resentful, worn down, and unappreciated. In your attempt to “be there for others’ and subconsciously wanting to be liked (and don’t we all) you’ve let others run all over you. This can only go on for so long before you start to feel some resentment and frustration.
- You’re not taking care of yourself. In the attempt to meet everyone else’s needs, you’re putting your own self care on the bottom of the list. Running ragged and saying “yes” to everyone else has you saying “no” to yourself.
- You feel a lack of respect. Remember, the nice guy does not always finish last. If you’re always agreeable to be given that a last minute committee assignment that no one else wants, you’ve created that situation toward you yourself.
So what’s it take to move from this passive mentality to proactive and assertive?
- Believe you have as much value and worth as everyone else. Your time, needs and desires are as precious as anyone else’s. When you see yourself as an equal, you’ll start to demand the respect from those who you’ve allowed to take advantage of you.
- Begin to say “NO”. It becomes easier and easier once you start. No reason to apologize for saying no, a good technique is to say “that just doesn’t work for me right now’ without further explanation and leave it at that.
- Begin to schedule in time for yourself. Put clear office hours on your office door and tell your family that you are not to be disturbed during this time – then stick to it!
Remember, the Universe gives us lessons to learn from over and over until we master the lesson. If lack of boundaries are a challenge for yourself, start fresh and begin to notice the tell tale signs, then stand up for yourself, as you’re the best ally you’ve got. What kind of amazing doors opened up for you when you began to say no to others and yes to yourself??
Is LinkedIn a sham?
Every day we hear about people struggling to grow and market their business, and it just about breaks our hearts.
They’re putting lots of time, effort, and money into fancy mailings, beautiful brochures and a comprehensive website, without results.
All those things don’t have the relationship factor, and people buy from those they know, like and trust.
Are you missing out on one of the most critical no-cost marketing avenues available today? Maybe….
But don’t bother with LinkedIn unless you know the 5 primary ways to position your profile that will get you in the top search engines.
Don’t bother and waste your time even having a profile on LinkedIn, unless you know which groups to join and more than that, how to interact with them quick and easy, in a way that shows you as an expert.
And definitely don’t bother with LinkedIn unless you know the secrets that will get you known FAST and have customers coming to you, wanting to do business with you!
LinkedIn is a huge free marketing venue WHEN YOU USE IT RIGHT.
And we’ll show you how to do just that, PLUS leave you with a comprehensive step by step guide so you can stand out and blow your competition away.
JOIN US, JANE AND JOANNE, FOR THIS VIRTUAL TRAINING SESSION:
http://www.girpromotions.com/linkedinworkshop/
This will never be priced this low again so take advantage of this and stop missing out on one of the most powerful and effective, did we say f*r*ee? marketing avenues there is!
Your LinkedIn guru team,
Jane Morrison and JoAnne Funch
P.S. Don’t keep this opportunity to yourself! Share it with your friends,family and colleagues.
5 Surefire Ways to Ensure Business Longevity
The certificate hanging my office wall says I’ve been in business 10 years, and I wonder how that can be?
Imagine 10 years of being my own boss, of learning to market my business better, of disciplining myself to spend time on the tasks that matter most, and of helping clients live their dreams – priceless. And although there were a few times I wondered if I should go back to get a “real” job, I realize that my work is the most real and truest work I’ll ever get to using my skills and bringing me joy – I am truly blessed to be a successful Coach and business owner.
Reflecting on where my clients have come from, I begin to see patterns and similarities, and can see what works and what doesn’t to grow a six figure business.
1) Be Ready. Being self employed means having the liberty to run an errand or stop at the market between client appointments. But, at those times, don’t let your guard down, keep your business owners hat on. Keep looking for opportunities to share your professional face. I’ve gotten business while grocery shopping, booked a new client being on the massage table and scheduled speaking gigs visiting the chiropractor. Opportunities for business are all around you so don’t get caught without your business cards, your appointment calendar, and looking professional and polished for your type of work.
2) Be on the lookout for places to contribute. Is your local Chamber of Commerce looking for a new member on their board? Does the annual town festival need someone on their planning committee? When you contribute, you get known in your community and you build a reputation. The networking groups I started and ran were a big boost to putting me in the spotlight, enhanced my credibility and connected me with exponential opportunities. Put yourself out there where you will value contributing and making a difference.
3) Be aware that not every offer is an opportunity. Although this may contradict my earlier statement, be careful not to say YES to everything that comes along. Protecting your time as a business owner is critical to your success. Ask yourself if by agreeing to become involved will get you exposed to your target market. Will the role be something you love to do and that uses your talents while showing you as an expert? Take in consideration the other demands of your life outside of work. While helping to care for my Dad who had Alzheimer’s, I stepped down from some community involvement. Be aware that burnout is very real for small business owners and protect yourself from over committing, or you’ll find yourself backed up with work to do and feeling overwhelmed.
4) Say yes to opportunities whenever possible. When I collaborated with a colleague and gave a seminar on FACE BOOK, I was not the Facebook expert, but I was an expert trainer and my colleague had never done a live seminar. Together we gave a terrific training seminar, a smashing success. And the reason to say yes whenever possible is because one thing leads to another. At that training, a participant asked if I could do LINKEDIN training for his organization. While pretty familiar with LinkedIn, I did not think of myself as an expert. I said YES and brought in another colleague who was an expert that led to the two of us having a 6 month contract of LINKEDIN training for a Fortune 500 company that doubled our income on the spot. I focused on teaching what I do best; identifying a company brand and strategic visioning while my colleague focused on the details of using LinkedIn. By the end of the 6 months, I was an expert on how to use LinkedIn, and exponentially wealthier because I said YES.
5) Always have a Mentor, Coach or be involved in a Mastermind Group. The challenges of undertaking any new venue, whether growing a business, backpacking for a week in Colorado or learning how to do Asian cooking means you have to rely on others to guide you and show you the way. Trying to figure out the best ways to grow your business by yourself is like jumping into a river of swift current without a life jacket on – risky stuff. The money I’ve invested in my business over 10 years has allowed me to get to the place of security and knowledge I have now, where I can be a leader and role model to other entrepreneurs.
While I could go on and one with more methods, I’d love to hear yours. Reading books has added to my toolkit of success strategies, books like Napoleon Hill’s Think and Grow Rich and Michael Gerber’s the E-Myth. What is a book you’ve learned from or a success strategy you can share that has kept you sustaining your business for the long run? Send your thoughts to me at jane@janemorrison.com and have a motivating day!
How to Stop Struggling
I know all about the frustration of trying to move forward and feeling stuck.
I know all about having a vision and big dreams and not being able to get to the goal due to the challenges of technology and prospects saying “no.” 
Imagine what it would be like to have the easy answers at your fingertips.
Imagine what it would be like to get that project “off your plate” so you can earn the income.
Imagine having the support as an entrepreneur to finally turn your passion into profit!
Join me for my complimentary TELECLASS this coming Monday, August 1st, to share some of the solutions that will allow you to stop struggling and feeling that you are going it alone.
I’ll answer your questions about your business struggles on the call live.
I’ll share the top 5 reasons why you would want to join a mastermind group.
And most importantly, you’ll take away a cost effective solution to your business struggles.
I’ve made it easy! No sign up necessary! Mark your calendar!
Just DIAL INTO 1-218-632-9802
Access Code: 5757#
On Monday August 1st at 10:00 PT, 12:00 CT, 1:00 ET.
Never before have I offered this free class, where in fact I am giving away free advice.
And, if you want a sneak peek on the Mastermind program, take a look here: http://www.janemorrison.com/marketing-and-mindset-mastermind-program/
There’s only room for 8 in the program and it’s half full already.
Send the questions you want me to answer about your business struggles to jane@janemorrison.com before Monday!
Stop Being Too Much to Too Many
Oh how we love to please! When I was new to my coaching business (2001) I was so excited to be using my skills to help people in their lives that when someone asked me “what do you do?” I found myself giving them a whole list of services I could provide. What a mistake I was making! I would overwhelm and confuse them with my answer.
As a woman with a background in career counseling, I told them I help people going through transitions to find employment. And, as a woman who had gone through a difficult divorce, remarried and become a stepmother, I told them that I could help with relationship issues…but wait, there was more! My spirituality was important to me, and I told them I help people with their spiritual connection. Too much, too broad meant “bye bye” potential client.
Was I able to provide all those services as a Life Coach? Absolutely. Was I great at doing every one of them? Not really. These were the areas that I was interested in coaching others, but they weren’t really the areas where others saw my strengths.
It’s much more engaging if you can tell your prospect about an area of expertise. That differentiation will allow you to be remembered, to stand out of the crowd, to have your clients connecting with you because you can solve their problems and they will trust you because of your specialty, not because you are a generalist.
Over the years, my business has morphed and I have evolved to be a specialist in teaching women entrepreneurs how to market and brand their businesses effectively to grow their income and have less stress. Now that I have a specialty, I can tailor my marketing materials to that specialty, making it easy to attract my ideal client.
Here are five ways to make you and your business stand out of the crowd.
1) Get crystal clear on your ideal client. Who is it that you would absolutely love to work with? Yes, you can work with just about anyone, but preview your past clients and take a look at the commonalities of their demographics. Do they share a certain gender, income level, level of education? Do they have a similar background, similar issues that they’re dealing with? By studying your previous clients you can get a strong sense of the type of person who comes to you for help.
2) Take a good look at your specialties in the area of expertise, including your passions and the hurdles you personally have overcome. Generally, we attract people who need our services because of some special skill and innate talent we have. Something I had to accomplish going through my divorce was learning assertiveness skills, and many of my customers also need that skill. I’ve also had to learn how to be a confident public speaker, and people often come to me to increase their confidence and be more comfortable speaking in front of others so they can market their business through speaking. What is it you have that emanates from you and is attractive to people?
3) Review your products and services to see if they reflect your ideal client, and gives them the solutions they are seeking. Have a hierarchy of your products and services that range from a low to a high price point, and be sure they relate to one another to stay true to your brand. This way you stand out as an expert in your field and can charge what you are worth in a way that feels truly authentic.
4) Learn everything you can about your specialty and incorporate your branding message in all your marketing materials (website, email signature, social media profiles, brochures, etc) using specific words and feelings that evoke a sense of who you are. That way it’s clear for people who pick up your marketing materials or view your website to see exactly who you work with and how you help them. Not everyone will connect with you, but that’s OK. Get over the feeling of trying to be everything to all people; that is a mindset that will hold you back and keep you in a place of mediocrity. Every marketing piece should be leading your clients to an action plan to connect with you so you can build a trusting relationship.
5) Keep top of mind your specialty and what makes you different from your competitors and communicate it when you meet others and network in person so it is super easy for people to understand and “get” who you are and what you do. Review your elevator speech and sales dialogue to see if you are communicating effectively about the type of customer you help and the problems you solve for them.
When you remember that specialization is part of branding yourself as an expert, you’ll attract more clients coming to you for the exact talents and strengths where you shine. It will make it easier to run your business in many ways, and isn’t that what you long for?
Use these 5 tips and get ready for ease, the financial stability of a regular client base and work that you absolutely love to do. Please share with me (and my readers!) what area of specialty you are in…the more you claim it and get it out into the world, the more your perfect client will be your perfect fit.
The Fast Track of Technology: Stay on Top of It
The other day I met with the owner of a printing company, and when he shared his business card with me, I noticed the strange bar code like symbols on the back.
I have heard of QR codes (quick response) codes, but have not had the opportunity to put one into practice. I just recently purchased a new iPhone, and found that if I download a free QR application, I could hold my phone against his business card and have his website up for viewing in a second. How cool is that?
It seems that around every corner a new technology is available to us. It’s taken me awhile to embrace technology, but I have finally gotten to the point where I realize that it’s not slowing down. The more I stay on top of it and understand the use of new technology as a resource for my business, the less frustrated I am with it.
Take a look at this article here, http://linkd.in/qMAlIo that outlines more about QR codes and their purpose. Knowledge is power, and perhaps you can find a use for it in your business. Simple, easy to use, it’s another way to get in front of your clients and prospects.
How to be a Fearless Rock Star Woman in Business
It’s happening today! I’m the guest speaker for thousands of women from across the world in this life and business transforming Summit. The good thing is, you can listen in from anywhere in the world.
I’m speaking today – HOW TO BE FEARLESS!
This unique event has been designed to Motivate, Empower, Encourage, Educate and Enlighten you and to give you the tools to be independent and successful in whatever you choose to do!
Inspiring modules include:
• 5 Millionaire Tips for Women
• 7 Steps to Financial Success
• How to be a Money Magnet
• The Divapreneur Mindset – what it is and how to embed it!
• How To Get The Law of Attraction to finally work for you, instead of against you
• How to get more Traffic, Attract More Clients & Make More Money Through Networking
Other speakers include: Bev James, Stephanie Hale, Naomi Sesay, Bonnie Ross-Parker, PJ Van Hulle, Michele Walsh, Jane Kenyan, Marie-Claire Carlyle, Karen Williams, Alison Marks ,Pam Lawhorne, Zoe Cairns, Crystal Williamson. Catharine Palmer, Samantha Sutherland, Deena Douglas, Manuela George- Izunwa, and Placida Acheru the Host. Reserve you place here – http://www.coaching4excellence.com/events/index.html
Share this event with your friends, on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, via email, I am sure they would be delighted.
I look forward to seeing you on the other side – the fearless side!
To your Growth and Success
Jane Morrison, your Chief Empowerment Coach
Reserve you place here : – http://www.coaching4excellence.com/events/index.html
Making your Dreams Happen
Let’s talk about your dreams….
1) Have you put them on the back burner not believing you can really have them?
2) Are you working on them quietly but not sharing them with anyone because of what they may think?
3) Are you working on them but you’re so frustrated with how long it’s taking that you feel like throwing in the towel?
You know, when I took that leap of faith 10 long years ago to start my own business, I was so green and so scared and so unprepared for the ups and downs of the last 10 years…but there is no stopping me and I’ve made so many fantastic friends in the world of self employment and seen so many people launch their dreams that you couldn’t pay me enough to go back to the restrictions of a job that wasn’t as meaningful as this one.
I care so much about your happiness, your joy, your dreams. Can I ask you something?
I want to know where you are at in your life….–
What is your biggest challenge?
What would change in your life if this challenge was gone?
Would you be interested in working with me on it?
Let me know how I can help….
Warmly
Jane Morrison, Your Chief Empowerment Coach
Showing YOU the Way to your Dreams
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