Don’t Let Fear Get in the Way of Your Dreams
Remember learning to ride a bike for the first time? I bet you were scared.
Remember that first date? Terrible butterflies.
Walking into a job interview with the hiring team sitting around the board table? Terrified.
Thinking about quitting your “secure” job and starting your own business? No way, too much of a risk.
Yes, fear can wreck havoc with our dreams, block us from moving forward and turn us into sputtering, sweat dripping, mind numbed creatures.
The good news is; is that we can learn to beat fear and put it in its place!
Fear is one of the most basic human emotions. It’s programmed into our nervous systems and works like an instinct. From the time beginning, we are equipped with the survival instincts necessary to respond with fear when we sense danger or feel unsafe.
Fear is useful too as it helps protect us by alerting us to danger. It prepares us to deal with the danger at hand. Feeling afraid is very natural — and helpful, in some situations. Fear can be like a warning, a signal that cautions us to be careful.
Like all emotions, fear can be mild, medium, or intense, depending on the situation and the person. The feeling of fear can be brief or it can last longer, turning into chronic worry and keeping us up at night.
The problem with this basic emotion is that fear can get in the way of when we strive to learn something new, or start a new undertaking that we perceive as risky.
Finding Your Courage
Good morning friends,
The theme of the week is “COURAGE.” Be sure to watch for our special offer on Friday that will teach you how to achieve your dreams without fear!
“Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.”
~ Winston Churchill
Do know how good it feels when someone listens to you with all of their attention? When you can fully relax into a conversation knowing the person is truly hearing every word you say, and not interrupting?
When I was training to be a Life Coach 10 years ago, they taught us about the acronym of W.A.I.T. or better known as “Why Am I Talking?”
Good listening skills, whether we use them in our personal life with our spouse, with a sullen teenager, or a client, are one of the best tools you can you learn to do well. When you listen with your heart, and hear the emotions behind the words of your speaker, you get a great sense where that person is coming from and better yet, how help that person.
“Thought of the Day”
Become aware of when you are speaking where it might be much better to have the courage to sit down and really listen.
Who would you like to listen to better?
To Your Success!
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????
10 Top Tips on How to be an Expert Networker (and why you want to be one)
Effective networking is a must for any business owner looking to grow their business. Yet far too often people don’t take networking seriously or do it effectively.
You want to be an expert networker because otherwise it is a big waste of your time and money. When you join a networking group, make sure it’s for the right reasons and that you follow these 10 strategies for success. You’ll reap the benefits of adding potential customers to your client’s database, make good friends and even find mentors yourself.
- Choose the Right Group: Make sure you are visiting or joining a group who has people who need what you’ve got, or know others that do. You want to carefully consider the reason the group gets together and see if it’s a fit for your overall business goals, as well as your personal values. Groups not only have different member databases, but they also have different personalities, and you want to make sure it’s a good fit for you.
- Show Up & Be Involved: Far too often people invest in joining a group, but place attending it on a regular basis low on the priority list. In a networking group, you definitely give what you get, so regular attendance is a must. Join the leadership group or offer to teach a segment on an area where you excel.Being seen as a leader lends credibility to yourself and that makes you attractive and trustworthy to others.
- Master your Elevator Speech: Be sure you can confidently and clearly speak about the value and benefits of your product or services. Don’t be afraid to read from notes to keep you on track. Having a “call to action” encourages the listener to take the next step to get in touch with you.
- Be Yourself: The world is made up of many different personalities, and the people you attract will be drawn to you because of who you are, your personal values and individuality. Use your gifts of humor, kindness, sincerity, wisdom etc. as your assets and don’t shy from shining your own light.
- Give First: Nothing is more of a turnoff than having someone push themselves on you to buy from them. Sales are built on relationships and relationships are created by getting to know each other. Asking open-ended questions of others, “why did you choose your business name, how did you get started in your field, what are some of your challenges?” will open up a dialogue to get to know one another and how you can be or service to them. Remember the “Give to Get” Golden Rule.
- Ask for What you Want: Knowing how another networker can help you will allow you to be prepared for that question. Is your goal to invite them to an open house, an upcoming workshop or call you for a complimentary consultation? Be clear with your requests, you don’t get what you don’t ask for.
- Be Sure to Follow-Up: The initial meeting is just the beginning, and rarely is a place of sale. It’s after the meeting and what you do with your contact’s information that is critical. Be sure to let your contact know you’d like to enter their information in your client database to keep in touch with them, and with their permission, start a “keep in touch” system to nourish the relationships.
- Develop the Relationship: Remember it takes 7-10 times for a potential client to hear from you in order to gain trust and credibility and for them to want to do business with you. Out of sight means out of mind. Whether it’s through a monthly newsletter or email series, be helpful to your contacts and they’ll remember you in turn when it’s time for them to purchase what you’ve got.
- Arrive Prepared: Rushing in the door disheveled at the last minute won’t earn you any points. Arrive on time, prepared with plenty of business cards, and take extra time to greet others and make your guest feel comfortable. People buy from those they like, know and trust!
- Enjoy Yourself! Networking can be really fun and rewarding, and the relationships can enhance your life tremendously personally and professionally. Make it a habit to show up with positive energy and you’ll reap great rewards.
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?
Are you comfortable at social or networking events?
I also meet many who look uncomfortable and hang in the background.
2) I try to be prepared. I make sure to bring business cards for the networking events, remember B-day cards for my gal pals at the social event, and at least get there in plenty of time for the other functions.
Jane Morrison, Certified Coach & Trainer, teaches success programs to women entrepreneurs. She empowers women to live their passion and effectively promote themselves. With their improved sales and marketing skills, they become the success they deserve. Let her help you make your dreams come true with confidence, courage and clarity of vision.
Look for her signature program “The Ultimate Step by Step Business Building Success Guide for Women Entrepreneurs” on her website, www.janemorrison.com
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