Overwhelming Success for Solopreneurs

And the winner is...

2009-12-22T11:51:39-07:00

Thanks to all who answered the In Tandem 2010 Wish List survey.

The winner of the book drawing is Birgit Olson of Focused On Your Business Virtual Office Assistance LLC, www.focusedonyourbusiness.com

Birgit has received her choice of one book from my Introvert’s Ultimate Reading List. Wanna know what she picked? OK, I'll tell ya: Introvert Power: Why Your inner Life is Your Hidden Strength by Laurie Helgoe.

Curious about the reading list? You can find all the book titles right here on the sidebar.

Who do you think you aren't?

2009-12-08T13:17:55-07:00

That’s not a typo in the title.

I’m asking you to pause for a minute or more (given how much we introverts like to reflect), and ask yourself: "Who am I not?” Make a list of 10-20 attributes and/or personality traits that are not you. For example, I told myself for many years (and still do) that I am not an athlete or athletic, as I have been overweight and slow my entire life (also a little clumsy).

Look over your list. You have just identified your perceived limitations! They hold you back; prevent you from reaching your goals (you DO have specific goals, right?) or even stop you from attempting certain objectives.

The limitation usually takes the form of this belief: “I can’t do X because I’m not Y.” (Where X is the desired objective and Y is the attribute you are not.) This becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. You believe you can’t do X so you don’t try, or you attempt it half-heartedly and give up at the first sign of difficulty or lack of progress. So you don’t get X and you now have “proof” that you “can’t.”

If you want to overcome a perceived limitation (remember you don’t have to if you don’t want to), here’s what you can do:

Recognize and acknowledge the limitation you currently hold.
Accept it; make it OK to believe this for now. This is also known as “Meet yourself where you are.”
Now start questioning your belief. Is this really true? Who says? Any exceptions?
Start playing with definitions and meaning for the attribute; expand your possibilities for success.
Do X anyway. I’m going to start sounding like a broken record, but action goes a long way in helping you shatter your limitation myths. The trick here is to not give up too soon.

To use my example from above, I once believed I could not participate in group long-distance competitive events such as triathlons and century rides, because “I am not an athlete.” In fact, I entered my first triathlon (in my 40s) because I thought that if I actually completed it, I would finally “feel” fit and athletic; that I would start perceiving myself as an athlete.

I picked a triathlon because, at the time, it appeared to be well out of my reach. I did not expect to win; nor did I expect to place within my age group. I expanded my possibilities for success by deciding that a win for me was to finish the event. All I had to do was to enter and not drop out. I finished, not last, but at the very back of the pack.

I did a few more triathlons in the years following, and then switched to bike events (easier on the joints). I’m fit, but still overweight, still slower than most, and still occasionally enjoying these types of events in my own plodding-but-determined style.

Guess what? I still don’t see myself as an athlete, but what I learned is: It does not matter whether I think I am an athlete or not. I did what I set out to do anyway. You can too. I know you can.

Just focus on what you want, set your limitations aside as best you can, and DO IT.

Do it your way, at your pace. Who says it has to be any other way?

Introverted Solopreneurs: What's on your 2010 wish list?

2009-11-09T05:23:00-07:00

When was the last time you asked for what you wanted?

When was the last time someone else asked YOU what you wanted? Well here’s your chance to tell me what you want from me and my coaching services, products and programs for 2010. I want to provide coaching that gets you the results you want, in the way you want.

I am a big-time advance planner, so I am thinking about 2010 now. I want to offer products and programs we can all be excited about (me excited to create them; you excited to receive them). However, despite all appearances to the contrary (ask my former clients) I am not a mind reader – so I need your help:

Please take some time to answer my short survey. As a further incentive, one respondent will be chosen at random (I will physically write each name on a piece of paper and ask hubby Alexander to draw a name out of a real, live hat!) to win a book of her choice from my Introvert’s Ultimate Reading List (see the blog sidebar on the left for the list of book titles).

Answer the survey now

Your survey responses will be anonymous, so after answering the survey, send me an email with the subject line “I took the survey” so I can enter your name in the drawing. (You will be reminded to do this at the end of the survey; email address is on there also.) Drawing will be on or about Dec. 15, 2009.

And, OK I am also interested in hearing what's on your wish list for 2010 that is non-coaching specific. What goals, dreams, aspirations and achievements do you want in 2010? Let's share in the comments below.

Ignore the labels

2009-10-07T17:47:48-07:00

I read some advice from a business coach that really ticked me off: it advised coaches to “stop hiding behind your telephone and computer…” OK, so perhaps I am being oversensitive, because I do spend a lot of time in front of my computer and I prefer coaching by phone. The thing is, I am not hiding! I spend the bulk of my business time on the computer because:

1) I like it.

2) I am not limited by geography – I can connect to someone on any continent.

3) It’s where I expect to “find” a lot of the people I want to serve: fellow introverts who aren’t too keen on attending large group events.

So it makes sense to me to do things the way I do them. My business model makes sense to me.

As for the telephone, heck, if I had things my way I would hardly ever use it – I like email better. I like the asynchronous functionality of email. In other words, as an introvert I really appreciate and prefer a communication medium where I can see (I’m a visual learner) rather than hear what a person has to say, and where I have the opportunity to read it, process it and compose a reply in my own time.

Email vs Telephone

I have coached clients both over the telephone and via email, and I have not yet decided what is the optimal medium of the two. I would say it depends on both the particular client and the particular issue(s). There are times when email is too cumbersome, where I need to have that “dance” with the client in real time. There are times when the client needs support or has a quick question and can’t get the privacy or time to make a phone call.

Live and In Person

That said, I do see a benefit of delivering coaching in person for those clients and those situations where it better serves the client. I plan to offer some retreats in the future, just for that purpose. In planning the retreats I will keep in mind who I serve: introverts, so it will be either one-on-one or very small groups.

My point: I’ve noticed that introverts, by following their own preferences, get mislabeled. Hiding is one such label I’m tired of hearing. Yes our preferences can result in our being overlooked or not noticed – but that does not mean we don’t wish to be discovered! (Well some of us don't, but many of us do). Rather than change your behavior, I suggest you find creative ways to get noticed, ways that work with your introvert preferences. (As I discover such creative ways, I’ll be sharing them with you – it’s a work-in-progress for me also).

So are you hiding or are you being your introvert self? Only you know the answer to that one. Can you do your thing effectively in a manner that makes sense to you? If so, carry on and ignore the labels. Live your life so that it makes sense to YOU!

Your Thoughts

So my fellow introverts, what do you think? What are your experiences? Do you find that you have to extrovert to get noticed? Do you extrovert and feel inauthentic at the same time? Are you perfectly comfortable with your introversion (as I am) but tired of reading advice that tells you that you need to be someone who you are not? How do you like your coaching delivered: email, phone, in-person? Please share by writing a comment.

Entrepreneurial Strategies for the Introvert in You

2009-09-03T10:06:18-07:00

Note from Joanne: I've invited Patricia Weber (a fellow coach, fellow INTJ and one of my role models) to share some business tips specifically for the introverted entrepreneur. As introverts we have some challenges unique to our temperament. Pat has a wealth of knowledge and years of experience working with introverts in their business challenges. When I have a question or want some advice, she's the first one I turn to, and I am honored to be included in her circle of colleagues. Read on, implement, and enjoy:

Save Time and Effort

Imagine you plan a trip from your home to another part of the country. You’ll travel something like New York City to Seattle. Do you think you would select just one route? I know I never do. There are things I need to consider: Would it be better to drive or fly? If driving, how can I get in other visits? If flying, what are the connections? Just like there are many ways to travel from one place to another, there are many ways to entrepreneurial success as well. Oh certainly, there are some foundational basics. But as an introvert, to find that route, the best coach or marketing system or online strategy, we want to travel with less frustration and an easier go of success.

Seek balance. For years in corporate America my sales and marketing training was mostly an extroverted approach combined with a time when “assert your self” was a marching slogan. My personal introvert style is assertive anyway yet a problem in the approach was little balance. It was 4 to 6 hours of cold calling a day, followed by a happy hour with the sales team, ending on a Friday with an even longer happy hour. It was exhausting. It was out of balance. If you want a fast track to push yourself in ways you might never do on your own, it’s possible an extrovert business strategy is just the kick you need. Just check in with yourself first.
Avoid “cookie cutter.” If you were making cookies to celebrate Halloween, would you pull out the cookie cutters for Christmas trees and angels? If any “system” looks like it’s a cookie cutter with promises that this is “the” system for everyone, then run the other way. While some tactics to marketing are fundamental, the strategies will need to be different, even tailored, for a company, product and people. Almost all offerings these days offer some preview. Take your time, get past some of the marketing hype and again, feel or see how the ideas resonate with the introvert in you.
Check for farmer or hunter. In marketing and sales, introverts are more like what Joe Nunziata calls farmers: we develop relationships over time. You might meet a number of people and then make a decision about which relationships both can add more value and get value for you. This is contrary to the approach of the hunter: go from one sale to the next in record time. If the sales style of the “one best” business system sounds like it might not have the right focus for you, you’ve probably just been caught in a hunt style program.

Introverts know energy. Hearing one size fits all is a first clue it’s may just take your energy away or not give you more. Why? Because traveling only one way doesn’t mean it’s the way for you.

When you think about a coach, a marketing system or some business strategy to help your entrepreneurial business, use your analytical introvert strength to find what will:

Give you balance
Suit your style
Support your farming nature

Then whether you drive or fly you’ll know which route is the best for you.

Be sure to check out Pat's latest ebook: Debunking Negative Introvert Myths: Bringing Your Introvert Strengths to the Party. This (affiliate) link will take you to a page where a FREE 32-page excerpt is available, so you can try before you buy. BTW Yours truly is mentioned in the excerpt!

Comments are always welcome. Did you find the post useful? Would you like to see more guest posts? What's your challenges as an introverted professional?

Updates, I've got updates!

2009-06-29T17:35:56-07:00

So my dear readers and subscribers (all 8 of you) -- you've probably been wondering what I've been up to since my last post. You're wondering if I've abandoned this blog (no not really) or maybe if I'm even in business.

Well, I admit business has been slow and discouraging, but I'm still in business, still learning and applying my newly-acquired marketing skills and still convinced that I can make a living from coaching.

I haven't posted for a variety of reasons; the main one being I felt I had nothing to say relevant to this blog. After all, I am not (yet) an overwhelming success. The other reason is that I have shifted my focus to a niche that is near and dear to my heart: introverted women. I started a new blog: Just Have Fun With It! and that's where I hang out most of the time nowadays.

I'm still a solopreneur and when I do have something of particular interest to solopreneurs, I'll be sharing it here. But don't expect frequent posts to this blog, at least not as frequent as on my other blog.

As for updates; I've got a lot of exciting things that are keeping me busy: I recently received several new client referrals, so business is looking up. I'm in the process of establishing my brand, AKA business identity. In the next month or two my online sites (blog and website) will be sporting a new logo, and I am working on a better, integrated design for my website and blogs. I may switch website and blog hosts as well; I'm hoping to make the switch seamless for you.

If you've missed my posts here (and I hope you have) check out the new blog. Not an introverted woman? Check it out anyway -- a lot of what I write about is relevant to most of us; I just give it an introvert's perspective. And sometimes I just write about things that are fun for me -- I gotta walk my talk, after all. So hope to see you at the new blog. It's where all the cool kids hang out.

Who do you know, like & trust?

2009-02-07T22:36:56-07:00

One advantage of having a virtual business is that you are not geographically bound in terms of reach, or in terms of service delivery. One disadvantage is that it can be more difficult to establish that "know, like & trust" factor that is essential for gaining customers. I've heard it and read it from many sources: "people do business with those they know, like, and trust." Hmmm, makes sense to me.

Enter me, relatively new business owner who loves coaching and would love to have many more clients eager to be coached by me. Add my natural reserve, introversion (not the same thing as shyness, but that's another post topic), and marketing reluctance and what do you get? You get a good coach who almost no one knows about!

Well I decided to do something about that. I decided to start "showing up" in my business. I'll never be a social butterfly but I can be authentic (it's really too much work to be anything but) and I can become more transparent. So here goes:

Michelle Ward, a gifted coach herself, offered to interview anyone who volunteered, five questions. I thought this would be a great opportunity to let people get to know me better, so I pounced on it. You can read her post here. Read on below for my own interview:

Michelle: If you could assign a word to 2009, what would it be?
Joanne: This one was easy to answer, because I already chose a word: Implement! As an information junkie, I collect information. I enjoy reading and researching, seeking. I'm what some people call a life-long learner. There's nothing wrong with that, but as 2008 drew to a end, I noticed that I had so many ideas and to dos, books to read, information in my head, but very little to show for it. Instead of doing anything, I wanted to learn more about it. In my past corporate life, I had earned a reputation for "getting things done" and I recalled that was because I acted while others just talked about it. And as a coach I know the importance of action. So I realized that if I waited until I learned everything before I implement, then I would never get anything done, because there is always more to learn. So I'm not going to stop learning or seeking information; but I am, for this year, focusing on implementing what I have already learned.

Michelle: What led you to coaching, and what keeps you there?
Joanne: I read a description of coaching (I don't remember where or when) and I said two things to myself:

a) "That sounds like what I've been doing with my friends and colleagues for years, just by being myself. People seem to just come to me for this without me doing anything out of the ordinary."

b) "You mean to tell me people get paid for doing this? Sounds like a lot more fun than crunching numbers all day."

What keeps me there (in spite of marketing challenges, etc): It just feels like it is what I was meant to do, what I was gifted for. This is my quiet, intuitive voice speaking, and for once I intend to listen to it. [Actually I intend to listen to my intuition 100% from now on, but this is a work in progress. Thinking mind/fear sometimes shouts it down -- but I am improving] Also I noticed physical improvement once I started coaching: less tension, sleeping better, etc. Your body speaks also, as I am learning very quickly. [Yet another work in progress, listening to my body]

Michelle: What's in your Brilliant Ideas/To Do Someday notebook?
Joanne: Ooh you got me there. It's one thing to write it in my private Brilliant Ideas notebook, another to list them here, where just anyone can see them! Suddenly I start to wonder if these ideas are brilliant after all, and listing them here adds just a little bit more accountability. Michelle, you are quite the clever coach, aren't you? I'll list a few items here:

a) Get on Oprah as a guest, not an audience member, to talk about my coaching and how it's the best thing since sliced bread and then have clients begging to hire me so that I have a full practice and waiting list. Hmm, maybe that should be a genie wish, not a to do, because this is something that is not totally within my control. But oh well, I'm including it here.

b) Raft the entire Colorado river (or more precisely the entire portion that runs through the Grand Canyon) with my husband. I rafted the lower half when I was single, and always wanted to come back and do the entire trip with someone I loved, who also likes outdoor adventures.

c) Write a book about ______________ [I haven't chosen the topic yet].Guess I haven't figured out exactly where my brilliance resides.

d) Completely organize my office, bedroom closet and bathroom. Find a place for everything, and throw out all the old, ill-fitting, obsolete stuff.

e) Create a fantastic spa retreat with just the right combination of structured time and alone time, workshops and exercises that really help participants move forward, spa services (of course) all delivered with my unique combination of wisdom, calm support, enthusiasm, insight, and playfulness. Package it in a way that makes it almost irresistible. Offer this retreat annually as my signature event.

f) Create a product or workshop on "Fun with public speaking" because so many people dread public speaking.

g) Come up with time management system/tips that really work.

h) Find a way to serve multiple niches (because I love all of these): introverts, outdoor adventure lovers, hedonists. Probably not a surprise to anyone, but I consider myself as belonging to all three niches.

i) Learn enough about EFT and NLP so that I can use those techniques to further help my clients empower themselves.

j) Go to every place listed in 1000 Places to See Before You Die.

k) Go to culinary school (not because I like to cook, but because I love to eat really good food).

Michelle: If you had a genie grant you 3 wishes, what would they be?
Joanne: Hah! I used to answer this question as a kid in a smart-alecky way: first wish would be that I get more than 3 wishes! Second wish: that I go to bed one night and when I wake up in the morning I am 60-70 pounds lighter, perfectly muscled-toned and can maintain that weight effortlessly. Yes, I will admit it; I am lazy. Third wish: absolute and utter freedom to whatever I want, whenever I want, and the resources (be it money, time or talent) to do it. Bottom line: I am an unapologetic hedonist at heart.

Michelle: What advice would you have given to yourself 10 years ago?
Joanne: OK ten years ago was February, 1999. It's difficult to remember what I had already figured out about life and what I still needed to learn, back then. Here's what I would have benefited from hearing then, give or take a few years:

a) Stop trying to figure out what men want and how to please them! Ask yourself what you want out of life, and who you would like to share that with. Then just go after what you want, and the right man will find you. And if he doesn't, his loss! [And sure enough, the right man came along later that same year]

b)No one is going to live your life 100% of the time but YOU. So make sure you like your life. You don't need anyone's approval, permission or validation to be who you are, so stop waiting for it, and stop looking for it.

c) Emotions are morally neutral. There is no right or wrong to them. You feel the way you feel. No need to judge yourself on what you are feeling. No need to justify to others how you are feeling.

d) Don't tell yourself can't when you really mean have not yet been able to. [one of my personal favorite words of wisdom]. Along the same lines, don't say can't when you mean won't. There is power in the won't.

e) Thank your mind for its nimbleness, but don't let it overpower your gut. Trust your gut. It knows, even when it can't articulate like your mind can.

f) Comparing yourself to others will never ever make you happy or satisfied. So stop it! Right now!

g) When you can't figure out why you do the things you do, look for the payoff. There is always a payoff. Then find another way to satisfy the need the old behavior was satisfying.

h) Persist. It takes as long as it takes.

All we need is just a little more time

2008-12-08T12:55:01-07:00

We each have the same 24 hours to work with as the next person. No more, no less. Time is the one commodity that is distributed absolutely equivalently to all. And we all seem to want/need more!

So how can we make the best use of our time? That's one of my main goals as a coach, to help my clients choose their tasks, goals, activities so that they can make the best use of their time. But even I can use some help in that regard. I recently discovered a wonderful resource, Tracey Lawton. I have a feeling she will soon become my not-so-secret weapon when it comes to taming my not-enough-time and too-much-paperwork tigers.

Tracey is an Online Business Manager and Office Organization Expert who will be sharing her time management and organizational expertise via: Office Organization Success Café. The Café is an ongoing monthly membership program to support, guide, and advise solopreneurs on how to create their core online marketing and office organization systems.

One of the main membership benefits are the LIVE monthly teleclasses led by Tracey on a variety of online marketing, office organization, or client attraction systems topics.

It launches this week! I'm eagerly anticipating the first teleclass -- Time Management Strategies for the Holidays, to be held on Thursday, December 11, 2008 at 11:00 am EST.

On this call Tracey will be sharing with you effective and proven time management strategies to get you through this busy holiday season. With the information she'll be sharing with you during this teleclass you can apply it all year round - not just during the holiday season. You'll be able to accomplish so much more with the right systems in place.

Click here for more information. Will I hear you on the call?

Business Plans for the planning averse (and everyone else)

2008-11-22T15:46:45-07:00

Dare I admit that I have managed to run my business so far without a business plan? Yes I dare!

I like to believe I'm in good company; I believe a lot of us who became entrepreneurs after working in the corporate world have similar motivations: "I just want to work for myself;" "I'm tired of having a boss tell me what to do;" "I'm too creative/innovative/don't like structure/don't like routine; the corporate environment is too stifling." Sound familiar? So the last thing I want to do (besides marketing, but that's another post) is sit down, and write a boring, long-ass business plan that locks me in. And besides, I do have a plan; it's just in my head.

Well guess what; I'm not getting the results I would like. I asked myself: "What am I doing wrong? What do I need to do more of, what to do less of, and what needs to be done differently?" And that's about when I realized I needed to think about my business aspirations and put them in writing. I needed, and wanted, to get very clear about where I wanted to go. Once I knew where I wanted to go, the path to get there would be a lot easier to map out. And, I'm getting too old to rely on my memory -- I do have "senior moments" from time to time, so putting it all on paper would help keep me on track. Next thing you know, a business plan sounded like a great idea, but I still dreaded writing the plan.

I found myself a mentoring program offered by my local chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO). And whaddaya know, their mentoring program starts with walking the mentees through writing a business plan! And it gets better; the textbook chosen for us mentees is titled The One Page Business Plan, by Jim Horan. Yes, you can write a business plan that fits on one page. This plan may not be detailed enough to get you that venture capital investment, but it is quite handy for what most of us need -- a blueprint to help us focus, design action plans, and keep on track.

I can't do the book justice in one post, and I would recommend you buy your own copy anyway. There are different versions of this book depending on the type of business you own. The link above is for coaches and consultants (people who sell a service); the links on the sidebar of this blog include a version for entrepreneurs who sell products. Here's the main nugget of this book: If you can answer 5 questions, you have all the elements you need for your business plan. Here's the five questions:

What are you building? (vision)
Why does this business exist? (mission)
What results will you measure? (objectives)
How will you build this business? (strategies)
What is the work to be done? (action plans)

For those of you who make decisions quickly, you'll be done in no time. For those of you like me, who tend to over-analyze, it will take a bit longer. But remember, it's your business plan -- change it when you wish. You are not locking yourself in, just documenting your best thinking at this time. Review, revise, refine -- when it's just one page you can tweak it without causing you a lot of grief.

I would love to get your feedback; please leave a comment. Do you have a business plan? Do you dread the idea of writing one? Do you think a business plan is necessary? If you buy the book, did you find it helpful?

Stop striving and start thriving

2008-10-18T11:02:10-07:00

Aloha for at least 10 days! That's how long I will be in beautiful Kauai. I like vacations; I love vacations, so I'll be enjoying my time away from business. Now, as a new business, and even newer blogger, I was originally a little anxious about taking time off. After all, I only have two substantive blog posts so far, and this blog is looking a little neglected.

But after some reflection (and it did not take long) I realized how much I needed the time away. You see, I've been trying so hard to come up with thoughtful, relevant, value-rich posts (what the blog gurus would call "compelling posts") that I'm a little burned out. And I realized that posts would come easier to me if I stopped trying, stopped worrying so much about whether a post was good enough, and just posted whatever came to mind, whatever I found interesting, informative and dare I say: entertaining? In other words, as I tell my clients so often: "Just have fun with it." Now some of these future posts will hit the mark, and others won't. Maybe some will even fall flat. But the world won't end.

So I'm going to practice what I preach. I'm going to Kauai, and I'm going to have fun. That means sleeping as long as I want, going on hikes, going to the beach, maybe indulging in a spa treatment or two. If I get some ideas for blog post, well, I'll make a note of those and post when I get back.

I have a funny feeling I will return with many ideas, both for blog posts, and my fledgling business.

Sometimes you make the most progress when you step away: the more you strive, the less you thrive.