The Truth About Isolation for Small Business Owners
Being a work-at-home entrepreneur can be a very lonely experience, especially if you’re an outgoing kind of gal. We all need people, acknowledgement and support.
Whether it’s through an online community, a networking group, a mastermind program, we all need at least one “safe spot” where we feel welcome, can let it all hang out and not worry about being judged, criticized, or taken advantage of. Just by their very existence, supportive groups and friends like these help us deal with the stress in our lives.
If you’re not lucky enough to have that kind of relationship right now, don’t worry. There are places that offer support for you from people who know your struggles and want to relish in your successes. Here are six suggestions of where you might go to find what you need to prop you up when you need it:
Online forums or blogs
Find an online discussion forum or message board for work-at-home entrepreneurs. There are literally hundreds to choose from! While these groups often refer business to each other, their biggest benefit, in my opinion, is the support they provide. Working from home can be a lonely business, and networking with others who are in similar situations makes it less lonely. It’s impossible to feel left on your own when there are so many people on these forums to cheer you on.
A coach or mentor
Finding a coach or mentor who is several steps ahead of you on the journey to business success can be one of the best moves you ever make. Though their main goal is to provide business guidance, the good ones are also a great source of support and motivation. They know the ups and downs of the work-at-home entrepreneur, and can tell you if what you’re experiencing are just normal growing pains, or something else. Best of all, they can help you devise a plan to deal with the stress you’re feeling.
Family
Don’t overlook your family as a source of support. They may have no idea what you do all day – particularly if it involves internet marketing – but they love you and want the best for you. If you tell your spouse or loved one you just need a non-judgmental ear to hear you work through some issues out loud, you’ll likely find that he is more than willing to listen. Give your family a chance to learn as you learn. You didn’t know what to expect when you started down this venture, and neither did they. Include them in your learning curve. Then you’ll have a family that feels a part of your process and will be more than willing to support you.
Real face-to-face friends
When you work from home, you can get locked to your desk and find that most of your closest friends live inside your computer! That’s just fine, as these relationships are fulfilling, supportive, and “real” all on their own. But there’s also something to be said for meeting a friend for a cup of coffee and some real live conversation. We need interpersonal interaction of the face-to-face kind, with the give-and-take conversation patterns that we humans are familiar with; the start-and-stop, ebb-and-flow, of our thoughts and opinions in a real live conversation. Don’t limit your contact with the world to Facebook, Twitter, and email. Connect with your “real-world” friends regularly.
A therapist or counselor
Trained mental health professionals are wonderful resources for objective, sound advice in dealing with stress. While they probably won’t be able to help you figure out the product launch strategy for your latest interactive course, they can help you find ways to deal with relationships, stress, and other negative mental emotions. Often, when voiced out loud to a trained professional as an outside party, a thought that’s been stressing you will all of a sudden make sense. Get a good recommendation from a friend, colleague, or your doctor and schedule an appointment if you feel that a professional therapist can help you deal with negative mental emotions.
A Mastermind Group
Mastermind Group is a small group of people who come together for a common purpose to share challenges and solutions. Generally, each person in the group gets their own designated time to talk about their current status and challenges, while the other group members give feedback, suggestions and solutions. This group can be over the telephone or in person.
For more information about Mastermind Groups, contact Jane at jane@janemorrison.com
WHAT ARE YOUR TIPS TO KEEP ISOLATION AS A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER AT BAY????
An Ode to the Overwhelmed
Feeling a Bit Overwhelmed? You’re not Alone
As women we tend to take on an overwhelming amount of roles and duties, and sometimes we forget just how awesome we are as we juggle it all. I love this “Ode to the Overwhelmed” – enjoy and feel great about yourself because you are awesome!
And as you stand there
Late again
Because you forgot to allow time to park
And the elevator was slow
And you left 10 minutes late to begin with
With your shoes that pinch
And your pants that are a little too small
Since you started eating white bread again
And as you paw through your bag
Looking for the suite number
That you’re not sure you wrote down to begin with
Let us now praise you.
You, the untidy.
You, the careless.
You, the easily distracted by sparkly things.
The money you spend on late fees alone
Could feed a family in Africa – Which reminds you that you meant to send in the kids’ Unicef money and
Forgot.
And that despite your best efforts,
You rarely eat a square meal,
You almost never get enough sleep
And exercise seems like a word that magazines have developed
Just to make you feel bad about yourself.
But you are good and brave.
You, flying by the seat of your pants
Making it work
Putting out fires
Saying your prayers
And dancing your dance of now and later and maybe and
I’ll-have-to-call-you-back-on-that-could-you-send-me-an-email-to-remind-me-to-call-you-back-on-that?
As innocent as each morning’s sunrise,
You are a fount of good intentions.
Your good humor is as graceful as a baby giraffe,
Even if that joke you were trying to make to the hotel clerk fell flat
And your toast at the wedding came out sounding a little…funny.
But you have gifts that no one knows about.
You have the strength to bend in the wind
You have the joyful spirit that loves a good belly laugh,
You have the wisdom to understand that everything will all come out all right in the end and
You have the faith to light a candle rather than curse the darkness.
That is, if you could find the book of matches from that romantic restaurant that you went to for your anniversary but since you didn’t have a reservation they made you wait at the bar for half an hour during which you had two appletinis and the rest of the night is a bit of a blur.
So much for the overpriced lingerie.
You are beautiful.
You are beautiful.
Frazzled and overworked and underpaid
You are the one who forgot your wallet
And forgot your receipt for the dry cleaners
And forgot your keys which you just set down five seconds ago, so where could they possibly have gone?
But you never forget to say, “I love you”
And you never forget to give a big smile to that nice parking guy
And you never fail to show endless patience when the
Too-tightly wrapped and overly-conscientious start to offer their
Oh-so-helpful suggestions about how you might feel better if you would just learn to alphabetize your spice rack.
You are beautiful.
So, wear the lingerie on Monday for no reason.
And why not just refuse to participate in the bake sale this year?
And give yourself a compliment for something you did well today.
Because you are the most beautiful person I’ve ever known.
© 2009 Samantha Bennett
www.TheOrganizedArtistCompany.com
3 Reasons People Don’t Buy from You
Recently, I was coaching a client about his sales strategy. He was doing so many things well, yet he wasn’t getting people to actually become clients. He was credible, he had good products, and he was in a business that people needed his services. So what was he missing?
Here’s 3 things he needed to know:
1) DON’T PUSH YOUR PRODUCTS: He was so nervous about making sure he covered all his product line, he came off pushy and salesy. He was not clear about how his products could help his clients. Just because he thought they needed what he was selling, he was not answering the “what’s in it for me” question people have when considering a purchase. They were overwhelmed with the product line, and could not see the forest for the trees, nor differentiate how the products could help them with their issues.
Once I worked with him to outline specific benefits that his customers would receive if they worked with him (less worry about the future, better relationship with their partners, a handle on their finances) then he was able to put into words HOW his products helped his customers, and his sales climbed.
2) KNOW YOUR CLIENTS’ NEEDS: He was not learning what his clients’ problems were, and suggesting a solution to their situation. Again, he was giving them the rundown of his multiple product line but not taking the time to get to know his clients. We created an assessment sheet that asked questions so he could understand his clients’ ultimate goals, along with the barriers or gaps in achieving those goals, which led him to be able to share specifically how he could help them get to where they wanted to be. He became the answer to their prayers!
3) LEAD THE CONVERSATION: He was not in charge of the sales conversation. Yes, he was setting up “coffee dates” as advised by his networking group, but once at that coffee date, he lacked focus and did not take the lead on the conversation. Because he was not in charge or had a plan, the conversation would stray to the person’s family or vacation and insignificant chit-chat. While it is necessary to get to know your clients on a personal basis, you must take control of the sales conversation or you are wasting a huge opportunity. Once we created a system of points that told his clients the “what’s in it for them” highlights, and most importantly, once he mastered “asking for the sale,” he was able to engage the clients in the sales process, and even answer questions that overcame their objections.
With these 3 strategies, don’t be pushy, know your clients’ needs and lead the sales conversation, you’ll find that you connect with your customers in an authentic way that offers them a product or service that can truly make a huge impact in their lives.
I’d love to hear your comments. What do you do to connect with your clients so they understand how what you have to sell can solve their problems?
3 Easy Ways to Manage Your Workload
Do you find you often handle the simple things during the day, but leave the more daunting, yet vital, projects on the back burner?
I know it can be overwhelming to tackle a big project like write a newsletter, create a blog or website, or make an e-book or produce a teleclass. It’s human nature to handle the easy tasks first. But having a system to work on important projects, the ones that make you income and forward your business, will ensure that you’re consistently developing your business.
Here’s how I do it:
- PLAN: I schedule time for the project just like any other important appointment. I make sure that each project gets its own “project time” on my calendar. I treat that appointment as important as a client meeting. No cancelling, no putting it off. That designated time is when I work on that project.
- FOCUS: I clear my desk of distractions, even just making a pile of what’s there and putting it to the side, or if I find I really need a change of scenery, I leave my office and go to a place free of distractions. I find that when I’m at a specific place to work on a specific project, I am focused and inspired knowing I will not be leaving until I have been productive.
- REPEAT: Until the project is complete, I continue to plan, focus and repeat. Knowing your “why” – why are you creating an e-course, what will you do with the blog post once written, knowing why you are teaching a teleclass makes you more aware of your time and lets you assess if you are spending your time wisely.
Make sure you’re not wasting your time on projects that have no purpose. Be strategic choosing your projects, just don’t jump on the bandwagon and spend time creating a video because you read an article that says it’s the cool thing to do. Know your why, plan, focus and repeat, and by following this system you’ll be productive with your time and be spending your time on what really matters.
I’ d love your comments. How do you manage your workload and make sure you’re spending your time wisely?
Discover Your Next Step Teleclass
Attention: Women in transition, people searching for a purpose or career change, those looking for a new employment path.
onetime TELECLASS on Wednesday August 25th, 2010 from the Wise Women Marketing Series.
“Get Unstuck Now! Discover your Next Steps and Love What you Do.
If you are Going through a Transition, and Long to do More
With your Life or Create a New Future, Learn how Easily
YOU CAN Discover your Destiny
Dear Friend,
ü Do you have a longing for more meaning in your life, to do something that brings you passion and purpose?
ü Have you lost a job or been laid off and need a new beginning?
ü Are you confused about the next phase of your life and need clarity to reveal what that looks like?
You’re not alone.
Fact is, there comes a time in most people’s life when there’s a feeling of emptiness; a yearning to make a difference in the world, or a time when you need to transition from one career to the next.
It can be a very lonely place indeed.
The GOOD NEWS is you can EASILY find what that future looks like by taking a bit of time to learn more about yourself.
- A formula to discover your passion and what makes you feel alive
- How you can turn that passion into a profitable job
- Learn the purpose of life(now that’s a biggee, and I’ll share it with you)
- How others align themselves with their life purpose to be more fulfilled,
and even earn a living doing it!
- Learn the 3 PROVEN strategies to tap into your personal power to get unstuck and move forward
- The number one element that interferes with completing those really important tasks
Whether you realize you’re up to something big or not, you’ve got to learn these mental mindset breakthrough strategies so you can enjoy each and every day in a joyful, confident, get it done sort of way!
Just enter your information in the boxes below and you’ll receive the complete call details via email.
Jane, I’d love to learn how to “Get Unstuck Now!" on Wednesday August 25th, 10:00 pm Pacific, 12:00 Central, 1:00 Eastern
Send the details to my email address below.
LIMITED LINES AVAILABLE FOR THIS CALL…RESERVE YOUR SPOT NOW!
Privacy policy: We promise to never ever to share your personal information.
Fill in the box above to ensure you have access to the call recording as well!
(As a bonus, you also receive a copy of Jane’s motivational newsletter, Smart Savvy Success.)
Can’t wait to see you there!
Warmly,
Jane Morrison is known as the Smart Savvy Success Coach for Women Entrepreneurs.
She’s the Founder of “Wise Women Marketing Systems", step by step programs that teach how to make better use of your time using proven branding and marketing strategies, and how to break through mental barriers that hold you back from getting the success you deserve.
Through her private mentoring and coaching, products and speaking engagements, Jane teaches clients how to dream big and follow their hearts using strong business foundations.
Jane is the Author of “Discover your Next Steps,” a guide to teaching people in transition how to find their passion, purpose and power.
Learn more and sign up for your free success toolkit at http://www.janemorrison.com.
- A formula to discover your passion and what makes you feel alive
- How you can turn that passion into a profitable job
- Learn the purpose of life(now that’s a biggee, and I’ll share it with you)
- How others align themselves with their life purpose to be more fulfilled,
and even earn a living doing it! - Learn the 3 PROVEN strategies to tap into your personal power to get unstuck and move forward
- The number one element that interferes with completing those really important tasks
Jane, I’d love to learn how to “Get Unstuck Now!" on Wednesday August 25th, 10:00 pm Pacific, 12:00 Central, 1:00 Eastern
Send the details to my email address below.
LIMITED LINES AVAILABLE FOR THIS CALL…RESERVE YOUR SPOT NOW!
Privacy policy: We promise to never ever to share your personal information.
Fill in the box above to ensure you have access to the call recording as well!
(As a bonus, you also receive a copy of Jane’s motivational newsletter, Smart Savvy Success.)
Privacy policy: We promise to never ever to share your personal information.
Can’t wait to see you there!
She’s the Founder of “Wise Women Marketing Systems", step by step programs that teach how to make better use of your time using proven branding and marketing strategies, and how to break through mental barriers that hold you back from getting the success you deserve.
Through her private mentoring and coaching, products and speaking engagements, Jane teaches clients how to dream big and follow their hearts using strong business foundations.
How to FINALLY Conquer Procrastination
Have you ever wanted to get something done but kept putting it off?
Do you get frustrated by your own need to make things just right?
Do you start out and easily get distracted and never finish what you intended to do?
I’ve suffered from all these procrastination descriptions, and I guess I’m not alone, because according to the Procrastination Research Group at Carleton University, up to 70 percent of North Americans struggle with procrastination.
But I’m finally in a groove where I accomplish what I intend to do.
So how do we accomplish what we really want to do?
I’ll share my secrets and solutions with you, so you too can move forward with your dreams and goals.
Join me in this hands on seminar where you will finally figure out:
1) What’s REALLY important for you to get done
2) What is your “prominent procrastination” profile
3) The strategies and solutions you can use to overcome your suffering and guilt
4) Easy steps to cure your particular procrastination habits
5) What’s really getting in the way of your procrastination
This “Class in Action” that will provide powerful worksheets that we’ll use during the class to get to the heart of your procrastination. You’ll also receive personal coaching from Jane to be able to get the breakthrough you need to move ahead. .
If you are FINALLY ready to break free of your procrastination bad habits…..then join us to discover solutions that really work!
This class will be conducted by telesminar. That means you get to join us in the comfort of your home or office. All you need is a quiet place free of distraction, a telephone, and be ready to make some changes in your life.
Here’s an easy sign up link: http://janemorrison.com/events
Just call at the designated time (1:00 PM Eastern; Noon Central; 11:00 AM Mountain; and 10:00 AM Pacific) and enter your pin number. It helps to have a headset. Please call from a landline since cell phones can cause distractions.
If you’d like to join us, but cannot make the date, be sure to register and we’ll send you the recording and worksheets that you can do on your own.
DON’T DELAY, DON’T PUT THIS OFF
ANY LONGER…SIGN UP NOW!
P.S. This class is F*R*E*E to my “Boost your Business Mastermind Group”. Check it out at http://www.smartsavvysuccess.com/boost
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