1. Look For Ways To Add Passive Income.  Spend the time to create that ebook or program that runs without you.  Another way to create passive income is to get more involved in affiliate programs. Find programs that fit your audience and then offer these great products to them. They’ll thank you for it and you’ll make a little extra cash.

2. Enjoy Your Freedom.  In this day and age you can work almost anywhere. So, this summer don’t stay inside – hit the park and bring your laptop.  Head to the beach and write or proof documents there. Be sure to keep a running list of documents that you’ll need access to or take advantage of an online document service such as Google Docs so that your files can be reached from wherever you are.

3. Keep Marketing. The summertime can make you want to kick your feet up and relax, but don’t get lazy – and don’t believe the hype.  Yes, it can be slower in the summer, but it doesn’t have to be.  You can be out there marketing and growing your business while others lose ground.

4. Prepare for Summer Storms. Make sure you have back-ups of everything.  Consider an online back-up system such as Carbonite or Mozy in addition to flash drives.  If you live in a state that is prone to storms (such as Florida), consider a generator in case you are without power. Make sure you print out important contact information such as client information, passwords, etc.

5. Balance Your Schedule And Rely On Your To-do List.  Prioritize the work that needs to be done.  Keep in mind as many work-at-home moms, your kids will be around more and even if they are older kids, this can difficult and you can lose your focus.  But proper planning can help. So, start the summer off right by scheduling out your days – allowing some flexibility – and getting things done.

6. Treat Yourself To Training.  Summer is a great time to get the jump on extra training or attending networking events to grow your business.  Since many businesses do slow down in the summer, many offer incentives and discounts. Find a program that fits your budget and schedule and go for it!

These tips will help you enjoy your summer and get things done.

About the Authors:  Jill Hart and Diana Ennen are the co-authors of So You Want To Be a Work-at-Home Mom. Jill is the founder of Christian Work at Home Moms www.CWAHM.com and loves to help women find success from home. Diana Ennen is the President of Virtual Word Publishing, www.virtualwordpublishing.com. Diana has worked from home for over 25 years and is passionate about PR, Publicity and Marketing & helping others start their own virtual assistant business. Article is free to be reprinted as long as bio remains.

Why do children lie?

Children lie to avoid punishment or embarrassment. They can lie because it is convenient. They would rather continue to play with their blocks than get up and brush their teeth so they will lie and tell you they have already done it. Children will also lie because it is a form of wishful thinking. They confuse reality and their inner fantasy world. They like to make their lives sound more exciting and they will exaggerate.

Sometimes, lying is also a form of higher thinking and intelligence. Lying requires more imagination than honesty. In order to lie you need to know what the truth is. Then you need to creatively come up with a new story that will be believable.

Most experts agree that lying is a pretty typical childhood behavior and is usually a passing phase. Children will start lying at age around age 3. The reasons children lie get more complex as children grow older. Lying is generally a strategy that children use to keep them afloat in some way. Younger children will lie mostly to avoid punishment, to get out of doing something they don’t want to do and because they have confused fantasy with reality. In a positive sense, older children will lie to spare another child’s feelings.

Parents should not worry excessively when their children lie. Becoming a moral, upstanding adult takes time and lots of learning from mistakes. Learning to be honest is one of those lessons that just needs to be learned. Punishing children is not the answer, gentle guidance, is.

Here are two ways to gently encourage your child to tell the truth:

1. Explain the difference between lying and “white” lies:

In general, young children have a hard time understanding what a lie is and what the truth is. Because children have such vivid imaginations and are at the same time concrete, black and white learners, the whole topic of lying vs. white lies is confusing. Many people believe that white lies are acceptable because they are used for the sole purpose of protecting another’s feelings. Most cultures view it as a form of kindness. It would be beneficial for parents to give a short explanation about “white” lies. You can tell your child about your own experiences, when you had to use a “white lie” to avoid hurting someone’s feelings. For example, if you had to tell your friend that you liked her cake even thought you didn’t because you didn’t want her to feel bad.

2. Never push a kid into a place where they have a hard time telling you the truth:

Make sure you don’t ask your children questions that will put them in a position to lie. Asking, “Who did this?” or “Why would anyone do such a thing?” Talk about the incident in a matter of fact way, “Oh no, the water spilled all over the floor! We need to get this cleaned up right away!”

Children need us to help them tell the truth. Being open about white lies and being careful to avoid putting our children on the defensive can help us do just that.

There are strong motivators that make buying PLR simply irresistible.

Let’s look at what happens when you see the promotion for that new PLR. At the time you see it, there’s a strong pull to buy.

Here are 3 reasons that could be:

You are sure you can use it in your business.

You have to have it because it’s perfect for your unique target market. And, after all, there are limited copies. Better grab it.

When you are checking it out, it’s clear that the content was written with your target market in mind.

It’s exactly what you want to say to your customers. The best part is that it’s all written for you. It’s such a wise investment when you think of all the time saved. You don’t have to do all the research and write the content yourself.

You want to be seen as an expert in your market.

You’re sure PLR can help with that. Well researched content is the key and PLR is such an economical way to have valuable content to present to your audience.

All 3 reasons are true. So, why haven’t you put the PLR you bought to use in your business? You made the decision to buy. You just can’t stop there.

PLR is a time saver.It’s a great way to give valuable content to your readers so you’ll be seen as an expert. This only happens when you take the PLR you buy and put it to work for you.

Unused PLR has no benefit.

You have to take that perfect PLR you bought and do something with it! Do what you know you should, turn that PLR into useful content that helps, entertains or educates your target market and makes you an expert.

If you don’t have the time, or know that your time could be better used in some other activity, check out the services offered by the team over at Use Your PLR.

The idea of “self-promotion” or “selling” leaves some women feeling like they are bragging, being pushy or not considerate of others.  It can create anxiety and fear which in turn keeps you stuck and unable to reach your business goals.  Women are nurturers by nature and the thought of putting their needs in front of someone else’s may feel unnatural.

I understand the feeling (I’ve experienced it too), however if you are determined to achieve your business goals, it’s essential you communicate your message about what you have to offer and how you help people.  Do so often and to as many people as possible (otherwise, you will remain the best kept secret in town which in this case, won’t serve you). People are super busy and can’t read your mind so it’s up to you to take on the responsibility of creating interest in how you support people with your product or service.

When I have an opportunity to share how I support women entrepreneurs, I use the R&R approach (Relationship + Results).  It feels both authentic and comfortable for me and I think it will for you,  too.

1. Cultivate a Relationship – Whether I meet someone at a networking event, through social media or through a mutual friend, my first desire is to build a relationship and discover how I can be of service.  I’m truly interested in people and enjoy learning about others.  My goal is to find a common ground with people and if I can offer some advice or perspective on their current situation, I’ll share it with them right away.  This is a good time to showcase your expertise and also show the other person you are genuinely listening to them.
2. Share Results – When it’s your turn to share more about who you are and what you do (if you’ve truly shown an interest in the other person, this happens organically) share the results you’ve had with your clients through telling stories.  Storytelling is engaging.   People will lean in and listen intently to what you have to say.  Rather than talking about the name of your company and the services you offer, concentrate on someone you’ve worked with that had award-winning results.  Talk about where this person was when they first began to work with you and the benefits or transformation they received after working with you.

This approach takes away the “heavy” feeling of self-promotion that women sometimes experience.  It has a feminine feel to it.  Women create relationships better than anyone I know and sharing the results others have had when they work with you eliminates anxiety.

I invite you to get out of the office today and try the R&R approach.  It’s simple, easy and feels authentic to women entrepreneurs.

*****

© 2012 Joy Chudacoff

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:  Joy Chudacoff, ICF, PCC, is the founder of Smart Women Smart Solutions®, a Professional Certified Coach to 1000’s of women, Motivational Speaker, and Entrepreneur.  She publishes a weekly buzz generating ezine, Reflections On Life and Business for Women Entrepreneurs.  If you’re ready take your coaching business to the next level, get your FREE Tips, FREE Report, FREE MP3 and be the first to hear about my exciting new program for coaches and consultants at Smart Women Smart Solutions Coaching.

I used to get very upset when things were not always running smoothly and everyone was not on their best behavior. I finally came to the realization that family life is unpredictable. The instances where everyone is levelheaded and satisfied should be cherished as a gift. Bad moods, which usually occur at some point everyday, or at least once a week, need to be navigated with respect, empathy and acceptance.

This is easier said then done. Here are 2 great tips to help you manage those tough moments when you and your family members are in a bad mood:

1. Learn how to talk respectfully:

Families need to learn healthy communication and coping skills. It is imperative that parents learn ways to deal with the frustrations of everyday life with kids so they can act as role models. Yelling and lashing out at kids sends the wrong message. Children learn best by observing their parent’s behavior. Children will have an easier time getting along with their siblings, peers and others if they see their parents resolve conflicts appropriately.

In my classes I teach parents to use one of the most helpful, productive and effective communications tools, the “I” statement. Every member of the family can use this handy skill.

Instead of saying:

“You guys are acting like brats. Stop fighting right now!”

You can say:

“I am getting frustrated with all this fighting.”

“I am having trouble holding onto my patience with all the loud fighting going on around me.”

Children can also be taught to use “I” statements:

Instead of saying:

“You are so stupid!”

You can teach children to say:

“I get upset when you tease me about my questions.”

“I don’t like it when you touch my stuff without my permission!”

2. Take a breather:

When parent’s emotions are running high they should give themselves a break from their family. Parents can say, “Whoa, I am in a bad mood. I feel like yelling. Let me go into the other room and see if I can pull myself together.”

Parents can also teach this technique to kids and they can gently encourage each person in the family to find a quiet place to recharge.

Parents can say:

“Looks like you are getting really upset with your brother. Sometimes it helps to just move away and find a place to calm down.”

Family life is not always easy. Finding ways to get along and cope can ease the tensions that arise in every normal home and when your brood is spending a lot of extra time together.

To learn more ways to help you and your kids get along, Join us for our Parenting Simply workshop: “How To Manage Sibling Rivalry Without Losing Your Mind.” Visit us athttp://www.parentingsimply.com for more information.

I still knew I wanted a family and once that baby was put into my arms I had no choice but to find the energy and patience required to parent. I tried to rise to the challenge.

It is not all easy though. More often than not we can get frustrated with our children and overwhelmed by their demands. That is when we can lose our temper and yell.

I do not like it when I lose it. Neither do my kids. My yelling usually scares my kids and makes them even more non-compliant.

I am always trying to learn new ways to build my patience and stop losing it with my kids.

This is what I have found works for me:

1. Eating a healthy diet:

This may seem like a no brainer  but I try to eat as healthy as possible. I am often pressed for time but breakfast, lunch and dinner are a must for me. Sometimes eating well-balanced meals seems like too much of an effort.  When I do not eat well I get sluggish, irritable, and cranky. Children need their parents to have enough energy to parent effectively.  I try to give a lot of thought to my own menu. The same amount of thought I give to my kid’s menu.

2. Get your zzzzzzz’s:

Sleeping rejuvenates me like nothing else can. I know that we parents, (especially those of babies) are sorely lacking sleep. I try to make sleep a priority.  I know I took turns with my husband doing nightly feedings and I napped when my kids napped even if it was just for 10-20 minutes.  Those little cat naps did a world of good for my temper. It really helped keep me calm.

3. Stop running errands:

Learning to prioritize errands was a big deal for me. I tried to streamline my necessary shopping so I was only going to 3 or 4 stores a week. Once I did this, I had more time for myself and my kids. It was a lifesaver.

4. Take breaks:

Everyone needs a little time for themselves. I tried to make sure that I had interests outside my home. I made time to meet friends, take a walk and read some good books. When things got crazy at home, I always tried to find a little time for myself. Even a few minutes alone in the bathroom helped me catch my breath.  Having “Me time” helped and continues to help  me cope with the challenges of parenthood.

4. Smile:

Putting a smile on your face even a fake one has been shown to help improve one’s mood. It seems that when certain facial muscles relax and tighten, they change the temperature of the blood in the brain. This temperature change affect the center of the brain that manages emotion. Smiling gently (not laughing) at an angry child can help decrease tension and conflict. So I try to smile a lot. Yes, it feels weird sometimes, but feeling weird is better than the feeling I have after I have lost it with my kids. Most definitely better.

For more great tips like these visit us at http://www.parentingsimply.com and sign up for our weekly newsletter. We help you connect the pieces for a happy and healthy home.

At one point, women were expressing the challenges they face in getting everything accomplished each day including running a business, managing a family, and hopefully time to squeeze in a little self-care.

I shared with the group that when I’m in the office, I ask myself three questions to help me stay focused and directed on making money in my business:

1. Where is the potential for new business?
2. Are my private clients and groups experiencing award winning results?
3. Have I reached out to my referral sources this week?

Discovering new business opportunities, creating award winning client results and focusing on my relationships with referral sources are the very best ways to build a successful company for the long term.

I noticed one woman in the group had a rather strange look on her face and at the break, I went up to her and asked if everything was ok. Her response? “I’ve never heard a woman speak so freely about making money. It’s liberating for me. I love this idea!”

As I travel around the country and meet women from different parts of the globe, this idea that money should not be discussed is universal. I had one woman tell me that she was raised with a belief that “Money is evil.” Money is not evil. What you do with the money is what matters.

This opened the door to a freeing, thought-provoking, conversation about why women need to overcome their fear of making money or having money. If your business is not making the money you desire, could it be possible it’s due to the relationship you have with money? If your business is barely “surviving” instead of “thriving” I invite you to think about creative ways you can embrace what a positive cash flow could do not only for you but the world.

To ensure that your Big Idea comes to fruition and achieves growth year after year, it’s essential that you make money in your business. I’d like to share some ideas about why women and money go together and energize your thinking about why it’s key to stay focused on making money:

1. Contributing to the well-being of yourself and your family – It’s an empowering feeling to know that your business contributes to taking care of those you love and care about. It builds confidence, self-esteem and instills the idea in your family that you are an equal partner in every area.

2. Contributing to the economy – I’m thrilled to be able to have a small team of women support me in my business and I can help them achieve their goal of working from home. I’m adding value to the flexibility and freedom in their lives.

3. Giving back - I hear from so many women the reason they started their business is because they want to give back to the charities and organizations they feel so strongly about. This has been an emotional driver for me. My desire to give back has continued to grow over the last 3 years and my dream has finally come true. This year, Smart Women Smart Solutions® is now able to make a donation to several non-profits that support women and girls worldwide from coaching programs purchased by women entrepreneurs.

I’m going to invite you to start the process of creating a consistent, positive cash flow so you can use the money to take care of what’s important to you. Stop saying, “When I have the money, I will…” and start saying, “Now that my business is experiencing a positive cash flow, I will…”

Anything is possible. Everything is waiting for you.

*****

© 2012 Joy Chudacoff

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:  Joy Chudacoff, ICF, PCC, is the founder of Smart Women Smart Solutions®, a Professional Certified Coach to 1000’s of women, Motivational Speaker, and Entrepreneur.  She publishes a weekly buzz generating ezine, Reflections On Life and Business for Women Entrepreneurs.  If you’re ready take your life and your business to the next level, get your FREE Tips, FREE Report and FREE MP3 now at Profits With Passion.

Goal setting, New Year’s resolutions, dreams, and big ideas-these are heavy on people’s minds right now as we cross the threshold into 2012. Everyone wants to make up for lost time and start off the year on a course to reach their biggest goals and why not? It’s a leap year which makes it even more exciting to think about soaring to new heights. I’m right there with you. I, too, have big ideas, dreams and goals.

Einstein’s quote helped me to realize there are two distinct parts to reaching your big ideas, dreams and goals. First you must have a Vision and second, you must have a Plan to accomplish the vision. One does not happen without the other. They are like partners working in tandem. Visionaries can be challenged by creating a plan and Planners sometimes lack the necessary vision to keep the dream alive.

Vision is the dream of your desired future. It’s a picture of something you hope for, something you can see clearly in your imaginative mind. A vision is a dream that inspires and motivates you.

Planning is logical, factual and realistic. A plan is a set of specific objectives and tasks broken down into achievable bite-size goals that you can reach in a targeted amount of time.

Without a passionate dream, a plan becomes idle busyness. Without a realistic plan, your vision becomes more like daydreaming.

Below are some tips and solutions that will help you during both the visioning and planning phases for your Big Ideas, Dreams and Goals for 2012:

VISION

1. Steal Some Solitude – Having some quiet alone time to focus on your vision is vital to the outcome. Block out a few hours, a day or even a weekend to get clear on what your dream looks like and what it feels like when it becomes a reality.

2. Clarity is Key – Becoming crystal clear is a must. Visioning about the who, what, where of your dream will help you later in the planning phase.

3. Use Tools to Make it BIG – Buy some large white post-it paper at your local supply store and colorful, vibrant markers to write or draw. I always say to women I work with: “How big can a dream become on an 8×11 piece of paper?”

4. Create a Vision Board – Once you are clear about what your dream is, a vision board is a productive way to keep the dream alive every day. I use this in my “Creating The Spark” Success Circles and women share that this one tool has helped them stay on course and reach their goals. Have it laminated and place it somewhere you’ll be reminded often or make it your wallpaper on your electronic devices.

PLANNING

1. Set Specific Goals – Here’s an example of a general goal: “I want to have more clients and make more money.” Here’s a specific goal: “I want to increase my income by 25% and work with 10 additional people who are my preferred ideal client by April 1.” Notice the difference? The first goal is general while the second holds a specific outcome and date. You are more likely to reach your goal if you are specific. It helps you to measure your progress along the way and reward yourself when you cross a milestone.

2. Make a commitment – Create time in your calendar to work on your goals. In the example above, it will be necessary for you to decide what marketing strategies will shorten your time frame to accomplish the goals and then schedule those into your calendar daily, weekly, monthly.

3. Know your areas of weakness – Everyone has areas of strength and weakness. Operate in your strengths and get support in the areas where you are weak. For example, I do not enjoy the technical aspect in my business or bookkeeping (two essential pieces to any successful business) so I have people on my team who are experts in this area and love doing these tasks. This is where having a coach could be helpful in helping you to identify your strengths and find creative support in the areas where you need help.

4. Evaluate and Course-Correct – Along the way, you may need to course-correct your original plan because of new learning or changes that occur along the way. Being an entrepreneur means you are open to new possibilities and ready for change when necessary.

Anything is possible. Everything is waiting for you.

*****

© 2012 Joy Chudacoff

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:  Joy Chudacoff, ICF, PCC, is the founder of Smart Women Smart Solutions®, a Professional Certified Coach to 1000’s of women, Motivational Speaker, and Entrepreneur.  She publishes a weekly buzz generating ezine, Reflections On Life and Business for Women Entrepreneurs.  If you’re ready take your life and your business to the next level, get your FREE Tips, FREE Report and FREE MP3 now at Profits With Passion.

When we are faced with having to choose, we struggle. It can be something as simple as what to have for dinner to a more complex decision of leaving your job to start your own business. The struggle is typically with what you are choosing to leave behind or the thing that you decide not to choose. You second guess (and sometimes third guess) whether what you are leaving behind could actually be the choice that would take you to a place of nirvana – a place where life would be perfect. This whole process keeps you stuck, trapped and unable to move forward.

Recently, I’ve struggled with a decision that had to do with a health challenge in our family. I spent an enormous amount of time thinking about which option made the most sense and would produce the best outcome. After my decision was made, I immediately felt lighter and more creative. My energy level shifted significantly to a higher vibration. I felt clear and more focused. When you weigh yourself down in decision making and stall the moving forward process, the cost is high. It can affect your health and your business.

How about you? Are you struggling with a few decisions right now?

I invite you to grab a pen and paper and write down the areas in your life and business where you are undecided. Here are some tips and solutions I use when I’m feeling stuck and need to get moving:

1. Ask yourself a question: “What’s the worst that could happen?” Will the decision you make today matter in 5 years? I find this helps me speed up the process.

2. Research – If your decision requires research on a particular topic, block out some time to surf the internet. The internet is a wealth of knowledge and you can learn a lot in a short period of time.

3. Talk to experts or trusted resources – Reach out to people who have expert knowledge on this subject. In my case, I visited 3 experts about this health challenge in our family. It’s key to speak with people who have experience in what you’re dealing with – both personally and professionally. Talk with people who you feel make good decisions in their own life and business. I invite you to avoid taking advice from people who tend to be negative or do not have specific knowledge on your subject.

4. Practice solitude – This was the solution that helped me out of indecision and into positive action. Sitting quietly and listening to your internal voice (sometimes referred to as your “gut”) will never steer you wrong. After using the tips I mentioned above, sitting quietly in meditation brought it all together for me. If you are someone who tends to let others make decisions for you, this is a skill you will need to practice as you may not trust yourself at first. I invite you to block out some time to practice solitude and get in touch with your internal voice. It is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself and has life-long benefits.

5. Set a deadline – Pick a date on the calendar to finalize your decision. The key to setting an effective deadline is to make it challenging, yet achievable.

As you reflect on 2011 and begin your journey into 2012, invest some time in the practice of regular decision making. From deciding on where to go for dinner to taking your business to a new level of success, the rewards will be huge.

Anything is possible. Everything is waiting for you.

*****

© 2012 Joy Chudacoff

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:  Joy Chudacoff, ICF, PCC, is the founder of Smart Women Smart Solutions®, a Professional Certified Coach to 1000’s of women, Motivational Speaker, and Entrepreneur.  She publishes a weekly buzz generating ezine, Reflections On Life and Business for Women Entrepreneurs.  If you’re ready take your life and your business to the next level, get your FREE Tips, 2 FREE Reports and FREE MP3 now at Creating The Spark .

If you’re working hard, but you’re just not getting results… I’ve got good news for you: There’s a way to fix it – and it’s not as hard (or expensive) as you might think.

Step 1: Assess your situation

First, take a good look at what you’re currently doing. How are you getting traffic to your website? Are you getting enough traffic? If not, why not? What can you do to get more by making your website work harder for you?

Step 2: Get more TARGETED traffic

No matter how much traffic you’re getting right now, you probably want to get more. Just make sure it’s TARGETED traffic!

Targeted? Yes, this means website visitors who are interested in what you have to offer. So don’t go for mysterious outfits that promise to send you loads of traffic. Chances are those people (if they’re even people and not bots) won’t be interested in what YOU have to offer. Get REAL traffic instead.

One key to getting targeted traffic is Google. Make sure you’re getting found when your prospects are looking for the goods or services you offer.

You’re NOT found on Google? If so, it’s time for some adjustments. Learn about getting traffic and get busy!

Step 3: Capture your leads

Once you’re finally getting all the visitors you want, you need to make sure to hang on to them. After all, if your visitors don’t buy, they’ll move on and you’re left empty-handed. Unless…

Unless, that is, you’re finding a way to get them to give up their contact info so you can follow up with them.

Of course, not all of them are going to do that, but if you use the right enticement, you’ll find that a lot of them will.

Think about it… how much time, energy, and money have you spent on getting traffic to your website? Chances are it’s a lot! So make sure you’re hanging on to your leads.

In fact, your business lives and dies based on how many leads you capture — and how many of them you can turn into clients.

Don’t worry about the word “capture” – there’s nothing unsavory involved. All you do is bribe your leads so they will happily allow you to send them more information – and sell them stuff.

Step 4: What does it take to capture those leads

What does it take to capture those leads? A lead capture system. It may sound complicated, but it’s really not.

It does involve a few components – an opt-in form, an ethical bribe (i.e., something that will inspire people to give up their contact info), a data base to capture their info, and a follow-up email system also known as an autoresponder system.

Yes it will take a bit of work and it will even cost some money if you do it right (and especially if you get help with getting the copy written (a service I offer), but what you get in return is so valuable, it’s hard to believe how many website owners fail to put this system in place.

I often check out the landing pages of people whose ads appear along the right side of your typical Google search results. I want to see where they send their prospects… and more often than not, the sites are not exactly optimized for success..

Sure, some of those web pages are really quite attractive, yet they don’t do their job. They can’t!

What’s their job? Their job is to bring their owners business. But they’re not designed to do that.

The two worst mistakes are that there’s no effective call to action, and there’s no compelling reason for the visitors to give up their contact info. In fact, some websites don’t even offer a way for visitors to do so even if they wanted to.

Some business owners try, but their enticement is just not effective. There are still a lot of people who offer a free consultation, but let’s be real… We all know that most “free” consultations are thinly disguised sales calls.

You’ve got to do better than that. You should absolutely offer that consultation, but do so AFTER you’ve collected your visitors’ email address!

What about offering a newsletter? It’s been years since we thought “You’ve got mail!” was exciting news!

So a lot of people are spending thousands on clicks and they get… nothing! Or at least not much.

How sad!

Don’t make the same mistake. Get your lead capture system set up and start collecting leads, turn them into clients, and sell more stuff.

So how do YOU get more clients and sell more stuff? Ready to find out? Online Marketing Expert Elisabeth Kuhn, Ph.D., has created a special FREE report to tell you exactly how to capture leads, turn them into clients, and sell more stuff. To claim your copy, just CLICK HERE

Here’s a secret – you can be helpful AND still improve your bottomline at the same time. It’s a matter of giving back, and building goodwill – with the right people.

Here are seven tips that can turbo-charge your networking results…

1) Network in the right place

The key to productive networking is to be in the right place at the right time. When you spend time and money on going to networking meetings, make sure these meetings are filled with people that are good connections for you.

How would you know? Ask yourself a few questions…

* Who comes to the meetings
* Are there enough people you connect with?
* Do they share or service your target market?
* Can you comfortably pass referrals to other members?
* Do you have anything in common with the members?
* Do you enjoy the meetings and the people there?

For example, if you’re a financial advisor, you want to network in places where people have the kind of money that would allow them to invest in your services – or know many people who do. If you’re offering subcontracting services such as installing drywall, you’ll want to go to events that have a lot of builders and contractors who could hire or refer you.

2) Think quality over quantity

Whether it comes to selecting networking events or potential connections, always think quality over quantity. It’s not about how many networking events you attend each week, but about whether the ones you do attend have members who either are or know people who would be good connections for you.

The same is true about building relationships with people. You only have so much time, so be sure to connect with people who are or know people you can do business with.

3) Build relationships with super connectors

Taking this one step further, you’ll really be able to accelerate your networking results if you connect with super connectors. But don’t just toss your business card at them and ask them to send you referrals. Instead, treat them with respect and appreciation – show interest in what they are doing and develop real relationships with them.

4) Become a resource

Why not become a super connector yourself? You can do that by becoming a resource, which you do by getting to know a lot of people and then connecting them with each other. That way, you’ll find that your potential prospects will seek you out, and you’ll have more opportunities to be of service, which will pay off in an ever-growing range of connections.

And you don’t have to wait until someone asks for an introduction. Be proactive. Start by making a list of the people you know. Consider both your inner and outer networking circles. Then think of whom you need to connect and introduce to each other. Consider who their target prospects are and look for aligning opportunities. For example introduce a realtor to a mortgage broker, or your accountant to a biz coach.

Just by spending 30 minutes each week, you’ll be surprised at the number of introductions and referrals you can generate for your network.

5) Give testimonials and get more referrals

Another highly effective way to turbo-charge your connections and referrals is to give endorsements and testimonials to others. You’ll be amazed how quickly others will begin to endorse you right back. After all, what goes around comes around!

Go to your LinkedIn account today and find one of your contacts you can endorse – a few minutes are all it takes!

6) Follow up more than once

A lot of networkers find it hard enough to make even one follow-up connection. While making that call or sending an email is crucial, it’s even more important to follow up repeatedly. Make a second and third call, follow up after one-on-one meetings, and focus on building real relationships with your key prospects and prospective referral partners.

Too much work? Remember, this is about quality over quantity. Select a few key people and focus on developing deeper relationships with them, instead of making dozens of first phone calls each week.

Not sure what to say? Ask them what projects they’re working on, who would be a great referral for them, or any resources or people they may want to connect with. Don’t forget about the personal connections – family, hobbies, vacations etc. This isn’t a sales call – it’s a relationship builder.

7) Have an attention-getting introduction or “Audio Logo”

One of the most powerful tools for connecting with just the right people is an attention-grabbing networking introduction or “Audio Logo”. Make sure you have one you can use for either a typical networking event 60-second introduction or a conversational one for social situations.

A powerful audio logo will position you apart from your competition, keeps you top of mind and makes you easy to refer – you’ll attract clients and referrals!

Not sure how to craft an amazing jaw-dropping networking introduction? Please check out my 2-session Webinar course “Audio Logo Success Secrets”. I walk you through step-by-step exactly how to craft your attention getting Audio Logo and then on the second call you can get feedback and on-the-spot coaching. Click here for details.

The more of the above tips you put into practice, the more productive your networking becomes, and the faster you’ll get results. So get started today!

And if you’d like more tips on how to turbo-charge your networking, check out Sue Clement’s FREE Networking Makeover.

For example, making a commitment to “niche” yourself and serve a specific target market is unsettling to some entrepreneurs. There’s a fear of losing business or potential clients when you make this bold move. Oftentimes, I hear the phrase, “Everyone can benefit from my service!” While that may be true, if you want to attract more clients and increase your income, it’s essential to overcome your fear of commitment once you’re clear on who your ideal client is.

Why? With the enormous amount of information we receive each day, it can be challenging for people to make qualified referrals to you if they aren’t sure exactly who you serve. Helping your referral sources understand exactly how your business helps others can boost business quickly. Making a commitment to serve a specific target market also keeps your marketing efforts clear, directed and focused.

I, too, experienced the fear of commitment in my business early on. When Smart Women Smart Solutions® was in the early stages of growth, I coached women of all ages (and a few men too!). I started out with the belief that my service was for women of all ages and stages of life. What I learned from this experience was that I love working with women entrepreneurs in service-based businesses who are motivated to accelerate their growth and income. This provided me the clarity I needed for my marketing message which saves time and money.

If you’re ready to commit to your business and attract your ideal client, here are some tips to get you going:

1. Keep a Journal – After every client interaction, take some time to reflect on what worked well and any areas that might need improvement. Did you enjoy being with the client? Did you enjoy the process? Was it smooth and seamless?
2. Peel Back The Layers – What part of the process did you like best? Do you enjoy the process more in the beginning? Middle? End? Where do you sparkle? Where does your genius show up?
3. Create an Ideal Client Profile – Over time, you’ll begin to see similarities in the clients you enjoy working with. It could be a targeted age range, or specific industry. Notice if you are helping them with a specific challenge. The key is to create a profile with as much information as you can.
4. Get The Word Out – Once you become clear about who you serve best, it’s time to get this message out to the world. Make sure all your marketing materials reflect your ideal client profile – from your business card to your web site.

Overcoming my fear of commitment to serve a specific target market wasn’t easy, however using the steps I shared with you helped me get clear and focused on who I should be spending my time with and understand the importance of this for my business. When I’m working in my genius with my ideal client, it’s magical. It’s why I’m so passionate about the work I’m doing in the world with women and why the business has grown to where it is today. It can happen for you too. Just make the decision and take the leap.

Anything is possible. Everything is waiting for you.

*****

© 2012 Joy Chudacoff

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:  Joy Chudacoff, ICF, PCC, is the founder of Smart Women Smart Solutions®, a Professional Certified Coach to 1000’s of women, Motivational Speaker, and Entrepreneur.  She publishes a weekly buzz generating ezine, Reflections On Life and Business for Women Entrepreneurs.  If you’re ready take your life and your business to the next level, get your FREE Tips, 2 FREE Reports and FREE MP3 now at Creating The Spark.

Not Narrowly Focusing Your Resume

Most job seekers have skill that could easily translate over into different industries like for example: sales, marketing or operations management. They don’t want to miss out on a job opportunity so they create a resume that’s very broad and general. The problem is this will not help you stand out from other job applicants, and it will not support your qualifications for a specific job opportunity. When you send in your resume to apply for a job, it needs to show that you meet the employer’s specific qualifications; otherwise it could get tossed into the slush pile.

Opening with a Career Objective

This is an “old school” resume writing tactic. Objectives are reserved for those graduating and entering the workforce for the first time. Once you have a little experience under your belt, you want to provide potential employers with more targeted information about your experience, competencies and pretty much sell yourself as the best person for the job. Including a career summary at the beginning of the resume is a great way to accomplish and really attract interest. Instead of telling an employer what you’re looking of in a company, your career summary lets them know how they can benefit by hiring you to work for their organization.

Not Showing Your Key Achievements

This is probably the most common resume mistake. Job seekers spend more time describing their day-to-day duties and responsibilities. This is important information, but employers also want to know: “What’s in it for me if I hire you?” The best way to show them is by detailing what you’ve done for companies in your previous positions.

List your key achievements for each job. Show exactly how you helped each company improve in some way. For example, maybe you reduced annual costs by 76%. Or perhaps you implemented staffing initiative that resulted in reduced staff turnover by 48%. You don’t have to include metric, but the achievements you provide need to be measurable in some way to show your true value.

Not Proofreading Carefully

Your resume can be perfectly formatted, but if it contains the slightest error, it could cost you a chance at your dream job. Mistakes can be perceived by employers as sloppy. Your resume is an employer’s first impression of you. You don’t want mistakes to give the impression that you’re sloppy or lazy.

When you complete your resume, step away for a couple of hours and return to review it with fresh eyes. If you’ve been working on it for two hours straight, you’re less likely to catch careless errors.

After you proofread it, proof read it again. If you can, ask a friend to proofread it for you. Two eyes are better than one.

About the Author:
A professional resume writer can create an employer-focused career document designed to get you noticed. Find out how professional resume writing services can give you an edge against the competition in your job search.

LinkedIn

LinkedIn is a social media site where thousands of professionals and companies come together to network and make strategic connections. Many companies utilize LinkedIn’s diverse database to find job candidates – even passive candidates who are not actively seeking employment opportunities are contacted by interested employers seeking specific skills and qualifications.

Start by creating your profile making sure to use industry related keywords and terms relevant to your industry throughout. This makes it easier for those in your particular field to locate you. Search out old employers and colleagues to connect with. This is the basis of networking on LinkedIn. You never know who someone else knows. Finally, take time to join a few industry-related groups on LinkedIn and contribute to the conversations that get started by weighing in on discussion or offering information and/or advice when requested.

Twitter

Many people think of Twitter strictly as a promotional tool for spreading random information quickly; but that’s also what also makes it a smart job search tool when used correctly. Like most social media websites, the objective is connecting with others and building relationship. This becomes especially beneficial when you’re searching for a job.

First, make sure your profile is powerfully written and represents your objectives. Include industry keywords if possible. Remember – Twitter only allows you around 140 characters to build your profile, so make sure every word counts. Tweet strategically, meaning with the purpose of attracting the attention of people who may be hiring in your field. Use hash tags to make it easier to narrow in on and connect with others in your industry. Finally, use Twitter’s search engine to see what’s out there by experimenting with industry-related keywords and hash tags to find viable leads.

Google+

Google+ has emerged as the latest mainstream social networking platform and is impressively reaching similar popularity levels as Twitter and Facebook. Networking with Google+ starts with creating a strong profile. Next, start connecting with others and growing your network. What I like about Google+ is that you can create “circles” of contacts that are separate from one another – sort of like the “lists” on Twitter. Don’t forget to let your connections know that you’re looking for work.

Facebook

Facebook is another social networking platform that can be used as a job searching tool. Start by sending out a status update letting others know you’re looking for work.  Try searching through the Facebook marketplace for relevant job listings. As with LinkedIn, you can also join groups on Facebook and build relationships with others by interacting. Who knows – you’re extensive knowledge on a particular subject just might stand out enough to someone that they might offer you a job.

It’s important to remember to be responsible when using social networking sites as part of your job search. You have to be careful not to post controversial or inappropriate content. Don’t engage others in heated debates, and be careful about the links, photos and other content that you share. Your online profiles represent that you are in real life to prospective employers, so always put your best foot forward.

About the Author:
A professional resume writer can create an employer-focused career document designed to get you noticed. Find out how professional resume writing services can give you an edge against the competition in your job search.

Unfortunately lots of people get passed over for job candidates who are no more qualified just because they knew how to present themselves as winners in both the cover letter and resume. If you want to get noticed in an employer-centric job market, you have to take a strategic approach with your job search – that includes how you write your cover letter.

Avoid the General Approach

Lots of job seekers make the mistake of creating a “master cover letter” to make it easier when responding to mass job listings. This is a big mistake if you’re hoping to position yourself as the best candidate for the jobs that truly interest you. A “master cover letter” is a generic document that could be addressed to anyone, meaning no one in particular. For maximum impact, each cover letter needs to be written specifically for the job for which you are applying. You need to find out exactly who to address your cover letter to and make sure that your qualifications line up with the requirements of the job description.

Name Dropping Is Okay

Name dropping is usually frowned upon, but when you’re looking for a job it can actually work in your favor. If someone at the company you hope to join offers you a lead on a position, make sure to mention your contact’s name in your cover letter. The fact that you both know the same person can give you instant credibility in the eyes of the person who’s hiring – especially if they have a positive relationship and think highly of one another. In a struggling job market you have to use every tactic to your advantage.

Include Career Highlights

Your resume shows what you’re capable of, but it’s the cover letter that helps tip the scales to sell you as the right person for the job. Be sure to include the most impressive achievements of your career. They should be completely relevant to the job you’re seeking. This information illustrates to a prospective employer the value you would bring to their organization.

Ask for the Interview

There’s common a saying in sales and marketing: ask for the sale. It’s what’s known as a call to action, encouraging the recipient of the letter to take a desired action. This is exactly what you want to do before ending your cover letter – ask for the interview. It doesn’t have to sound pushy, let the contact know that you’d like to meet with her to discuss your qualifications. You can even provide a date for when she can expect to hear from you.

You need to have a strategy to write a winning cover letter that will complement your resume and and show why you are the best candidate for the job.  Make sure to proofread your cover letter carefully, and then proof read it again. You can never be too careful and you don’t want an error to detract from the highly professional impression you’re trying to convey.

About the Author:
A professional resume writer can create an employer-focused career document designed to get you noticed. Find out how professional resume writing services can give you an edge against the competition in your job search.

Introductory Summary

It used to be common for resumes to include a career objective at the beginning of the document. An objective focuses on what you hope to gain from a hiring company. In a stagnant job market where there are more people searching for jobs than there are jobs available, standing apart from other job candidates after the exact same opportunity  is crucial.

Unlike the often generic objective, a summary is more about the qualifications and skills you bring to the table. It shows employers how they benefit from choosing you. It’s much more comprehensive than a career objective, and can be a determining factor in whether or not a prospective employer continues to review the written details of your career history and ultimately invites you to interview.

Job History Listed Chronologically

Research has shown that employers find it much easier to scan and digest the information of a chronological resume than other formats. The information is arranged from the most recent company and job position to the least, making it easy to note the duties and highlights accomplished in your most recent position and review the progression of your career history.

Easy to Scan

Research has shown that employers spend less than 20 seconds reviewing the resumes they receive. Obviously they are not reading them word for word. They are scanning the content looking for information that stands out, like use of industry jargon and keywords, specific competencies, certifications and the overall progression of your career.

This information should be formatted strategically using bold, white space and bullets to make scanning easier on the eyes. Sentences should be tight using language that makes a strong impact. Each section of the resume should also be clearly titled.

Best Way to Show Career Progression

As mentioned previously, a chronological resume format is the best format for detailing the progression of your work experience. If you’ve jumped around from random job to job with no clear career path, this may not be beneficial as it will only draw attention to an erratic career history.

If you have worked consistently within a specific profession or industry like project management, sales, IT or accounting, providing a steady career and job promotion path to potential employers can be a good thing. It shows credibility, consistency and a dedication to your field.

About the Author:
A professional resume writer can create an employer-focused career document designed to get you noticed. Find out how professional resume writing services can give you an edge against the competition in your job search.

If you have a bad scale day, you might think that you might as well keep eating what you want to, because the scale didn’t budge.

Instead,  if you look at the number on the scale and see it as a challenge to improve your diet even more, to get more serious about natural weight loss, you will change your reaction to one of positivity instead of negativity. If you start thinking about things differently you’ll see a whole new attitude that helps you succeed in your natural weight loss endeavors.

The self talk you give yourself should say that when you go on vacation it is not license to eat crappy food that is dangerous for you to eat. It’s really  never okay to eat chemicals.

No we’re not all perfect, we never will be, but if the reasons why we are avoiding natural weight loss techniques is realized we might be able to curb the behavior. Whether on vacation, or at home, eating fake, processed, addictive foods are still harmful. Just like an alcoholic cannot drink margaritas on vacation, you have to convince yourself that you cannot eat chemically laden foods on vacation either. Why would you want to anyway? Why not go on vacation and eat the very best quality food that your money can buy? You’ll have more energy on vacation for the other fun activities to do on vacation. Eating is a great pleasure, why not eat the most healthy, well made, organic and delightful foods there are?

A great natural weight loss technique to avoid feeling down is to change how you see any situation.

If the scale is showing a gain or no loss even if you’ve been following your plan, consider that if you’re exercising you may be building muscle. Try just staying off the scale longer, as long as you’re really being honest with yourself and sticking to your plan, to see if you don’t drop weight in about a month. If you still don’t lose and you’re being honest with yourself about your eating, and you truly are following the natural weight loss techniques you’ve learned, then you might want to see a doctor instead of loading up on junk food that definitely won’t make matters better. Turn your thinking around to doing actions that make you feel better, not destructive actions that make matters worse.

When you have a bad moment, instead of continuing on that path, switch things up by using your visualization technique to get back on track.

Visualize how you will look and feel at the end of your vacation if you keep eating healthy. In all the ways of weight loss, eating naturally is the most simple method there is, yet it does take some self talk to stick to it due to the addictive qualities of fake food. Talk positively to yourself by telling yourself that you can and will succeed at natural weight loss, because you are succeeding right at this moment by not giving in to negativity or chemically laden, addictive foods. Sometimes reading natural weight loss success stories, or looking at old pictures of yourself might help you with the proper mindset and visualization.

We all want overnight success, but that simply is not realistic. Did you know that most of the participants of shows like The Biggest Loser, regain their weight? This is a sad point of fact and has to do with many factors. But another truth is that most people who participate in fad and fast weight loss plans regain the weight. The only way to not regain the weight lost is to realize that weight loss, like most things in life, is a journey of small successes experienced on a daily basis that add up to immense results. The other thing you must realize is that the most effective type of weight loss is natural weight loss borne from natural weight loss techniques that cut out fake foods, and replace them with healthy, whole, natural delicious foods.

For natural weight loss, start with small goals that will help you achieve your ultimate result. For instance, you know that you need to drink more water, give up sugar, kick the fake food addiction, and move a little every day, so do it, but do it slowly. Pick one thing at a time, and create a habit. It takes 21 days to create a habit, therefore try picking one thing to work on each 30 days of a calendar year.

Follow this list to see huge results:

January- Feb – March– Goal: Give up all beverages except water. Start with substituting at least half your non water beverages with water, and work your way up to by March only drinking water that month. Then your goal will be that for 30 days in March you only drink water. By moving slow you’ll make it a habit for life. Shoot for half your body weight in ounces each day. Drink fresh filtered tap water. You can get the kind of filter that “adds minerals for taste” and you will really like it. Simply drinking more water is a very powerful natural weight loss technique.

April, May and June– Goal: Break the sugar habit by June. Believe it or not, you’re half way there now that you’re only drinking water as a beverage. Start with using half the sugar you use now on anything. Then slowly work toward eating no sugar, even eventually eliminating products with added sugar. During this process, don’t replace it with fake sugar, but you can use Stevia or local raw honey. Eating only natural whole foods is the main natural weight loss technique that you must learn to be successful long term. Read the labels too, you’ll be surprised at how many things have added sugar. Do try some foods bare, you’ll be surprised at how sweet some things are that you previously added sugar to.

July, August and September — Goal: Add in exercise to your day. Try walking at least 10 to 15 minutes per day for all of July. You can do any exercise you want to do, yoga, whether walking, jump roping, dancing, it’s really up to you, but try to do something purposeful for 10 to 15 minutes a day working up to 30 minutes to an hour a day by September. Your food intake is infinitely more important than your exercise level, however, moving around and having fun is another important technique in natural weight loss. You’re going to have more energy anyway so start enjoying the feeling of your body moving.

October, November and December — Now you want to really work hard toward your ultimate goal of natural weight loss. Start substituting packaged fake foods with real, natural, chemically unaltered, pesticide, hormone free whole foods. For instance if you have a choice between white bread and whole wheat bread, choose whole wheat. If you have a choice between organic and conventional produce, choose organic and so on. Also, start putting more fruit and vegetables on your plate than starches and protein for the biggest bang in your natural weight loss buck, until you get to the point where you are only eating whole, organic, natural foods.

It’s been shown to work in sports with basketball players and tennis players visualizing their successful plays, over and over again, even when they cannot actually practice the moves, the act of visualization improves performance. Repeated visualization is a powerful method to use when you are trying to reach any goal, including natural weight loss.

Your mind is a very powerful resource in helping you succeed at losing weight naturally.

First of all, if you cannot see in your mind’s eye the new thinner, healthier you, it is unlikely that you will succeed at your goals. Even if you’re given all the natural weight loss techniques known to man if you can’t see it, it won’t happen. Why? Because you don’t believe it’s possible. Therefore, you must practice visualizing yourself not only looking thinner, being healthier, but also making the right food choices in order to actually accomplish those goals.

Take a few minutes of each day to visualize yourself as the thin, healthy you.

Close your eyes and slowly take yourself from how you are right now, to how you want to be in the future. See yourself making good choices, see a ripe juicy apple, and an apple pie and see yourself happily choosing the apple over the pie. See yourself enjoying each crisp crunch and feeling good, light and healthy. When you visualize yourself eating the natural weight loss way, you will be practicing, in your head.

Each day that you practice visualization you can add to it issues you need to deal with regarding your diet, exercise, or other issues that you need to work on. In order to be successful in losing weight long term, you’ll need to be able to start seeing yourself different than you see yourself today. Once you can visualize the success you want, it will, slowly over time become a reality. Your subconscious mind must accept the vision of you looking thinner and healthier so that your conscious mind can make the right choices to get you to that goal.

Visualization can be used before you leave to attend a social event. Imagine being confronted by the plates of unhealthy food. Then imagine the healthy way you will deal with it. Perhaps you decide to eat before you go, or bring some of your own favorites to add to the other food. Perhaps you’ll concentrate on socializing and talking instead of eating while you’re at the party. Whatever you want to do at the party, see yourself doing it.

When you visualize your future healthier self, be very specific. How does your body look, how do you feel? What type of natural weight loss techniques are you using? The more specific you can be in your daily visualizations the more success you will have in your natural weight loss efforts.

By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail. – Benjamin Franklin

Another way to look at this quote is that if you don’t plan to succeed then you’re planning to fail.

Everything in life requires planning, including natural weight loss. If you don’t have a plan for your natural weight loss, you’re just floating through the air with no direction, and you’ll just end up where you end up. For some people this is okay for them, but I suspect that for you, since you’re reading an article about conquering fat loss, that just winding up willy-nilly wherever is not for you.

In fact, maybe that is how you got to where you are now.

You had no plan, no natural weight loss techniques to fall back on, you just ate whatever chemically laden foods you wanted and everyone else is eating. Maybe you even followed some of the unhealthy ways of weight loss that made the problems worse.

This is the cornerstone of fat loss. It doesn’t happen by accident. You have to have a plan, what you’ll eat and how you’ll exercise on a daily basis.

You’ll also need a plan about how to handle:

• Eating at Restaurants
• Going a Movie
• Parties
• Family Dinners
• Daily Errands
• Emergencies
• Grocery Shopping
• A Super Busy Day

There will be moments where you feel discouraged. What will you do to keep going? The better you plan for every eventuality that can happen the more prepared you’ll be and the more likely you will be successful reaching your goals. Take the time to sit down right now and make a plan for how you’ll handle these situations above, as well as any other situations you’ve found yourself in.

Knowing how you’ll deal with temptation is the best way stop temptation in its tracks. For instance, how will you deal with everyone around you eating pizza? Will you really be able to eat a grilled chicken salad with lemon? Be honest with yourself about what you can handle. Do not delude yourself. Being honest is a huge step toward making sure you do what is best for you. You may simply not be able to handle being around pizza right now, that’s okay, make your excuses and find something else to do.

If you have a buddy who can help motivate you, and stick to natural weight loss techniques together,  so much the better. Get together with the buddy to help you craft a plan for issues that arise. Don’t plan when you’re hungry, or hurried, or in a bad mood. Set up a time to make this plan when you’re full, relaxed and ready to create a plan for success. Natural weight loss planning does not happen just one time either. Your natural weight loss plan will need to be perfected over time. You’re not going to be perfect, but you can take note of issues, keep track of natural weight loss techniques, and then work on them next time.

Over the last few months, I’ve completely revamped my online presence and I’m in the process of updating my personal brand as well. When you have a big vision for your business, it’s essential that you stay “current” in every area. If you’re in a product business, you’ll need to keep a fresh, new look for your product packaging. If you’re in a service based business, you’ll want a “new and improved” version of who you are becoming as a leader in your industry.

You may be reading this and thinking, “This sounds like a lot of work; my personal and professional brand seems to be working for me.” I, too, was slow about creating my own “new and improved” upgrade for far too long because I didn’t want to spend the time making the necessary changes. In the last few months, amazing opportunities have presented themselves to me and I know this is no accident. It’s because I stepped up my professional and personal brand image to reflect who I am becoming as a leader in my industry.

Not sure where to start? Here are a few tips and solutions on how to give your business a “new and improved” look and feel:

Online/Offline Brand

1. Website/Blog – Take some time to review your website and ask yourself if it truly reflects your business and more importantly, where you are going in the future. This is one of the first places people look to “check you out” and make buying decisions.
2. Social Media – Make sure your profile or Like page reflects the message you desire to send to your potential clients and referral sources. Tip: Add a current photo to all your social media pages. There’s nothing worse than going to connect with someone and finding a photo of their dog or worse, no photo at all.
3. Printed Materials – Carry your desired “new and improved” look all the way through to your business cards, brochures and any other printed material.

Personal Brand

1. Manage The “Mane” – Is it time for a new hairstyle? For years, the length of my hair was much longer until one day I realized this style no longer served me or my business. I’ve opted for a shorter more current look.
2. Say “Cheese!” – Is it time for a new photo? It’s essential that you update your professional photo at least every two years. It’s not as expensive as you might think to hire a professional for a few hours and it’s a worthwhile investment if you’re ready to uplevel yourself and your business.
3. Hit The Mall – Is your closet full of clothes that no longer reflect who you are? You don’t have to break the bank buying a whole new closet full of clothes. Invite a “nutritious” friend who has great sense of style to join you for a day of shopping. If your budget permits, you might want to hire an image consultant for a few hours to give you some tips on what colors and styles highlight your beauty and genius.

If you’re ready to step out in your business in a bigger way, these tips and solutions will cause people around you to sit up and take notice that you are serious about success in business. Taking these steps will unleash more referrals, more clients and more income – 3 necessary ingredients for complete success.

Anything is possible. Everything is waiting for you.
*****

© 2012 Joy Chudacoff

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:  Joy Chudacoff, ICF, PCC, is the founder of Smart Women Smart Solutions®, a Professional Certified Coach to 1000’s of women, Motivational Speaker, and Entrepreneur.  She publishes a weekly buzz generating ezine, Reflections On Life and Business for Women Entrepreneurs.  If you’re ready take your life and your business to the next level, get your FREE Tips, FREE Report and FREE MP3 now at Profits With Passion.

Whatever your fears, it is important that you dig deep inside and discover your issues now, and create a plan for how you will handle each one. Without a natural weight loss plan you may sabotage your own success out of fear. Most of your fears while real to you, will never see reality, however some may. Therefore it is important to practice how you will handle each fear in advance.

Sex Abuse — Let’s cover the worst fear first to get it out of the way. No one likes to talk about it but many obese women have been abused sexually. Ricki Lake told about her own childhood molestation and her subsequent and life long struggle with keeping weight off. She knows what to do, but the fear and the feeling of being sexy is uncomfortable to her due to being molested in her own home as a child.

The Plan — No one ever truly gets over sexual abuse no matter when it happens, but it would be a shame to allow the perpetuator of this abuse ruin your life and happiness forever. There is no reason why you can’t, through therapy,  or through help with a life coach, come through this in one piece. Realize that killing yourself by eating in an unhealthy manner is only killing yourself, it does nothing what so ever to the abuser. You are not to blame for the abuse, therefore, you must treat yourself as important and special by feeding your body the healthy foods it deserves. By following natural weight loss techniques while dealing with the underlying cause of food addiction you’ll see the success you desire.

Unwanted Attention — Even without having experienced out and out sexual abuse many women experience sexual harassment or unwanted attention in the workplace when they are attractive. As women we want to be known for our brains more than for our attractiveness. This is not to say we do not want to be attractive but we do want to receive equal treatment at work. Attracting male attention that you don’t want can cause a huge fear to impeded further weight loss, even when you know exactly what to do to lose extra weight and get strong and healthy through natural weight loss techniques.

The Plan — Address any uncomfortable unwanted attention immediately. Tell the person, you may not mean to demean me or make me feel uncomfortable, but you are, so please stop. If they do not stop, then you must report the incidents to the authorities whether that be human resources, or some other entity. At some point we have to stop being worried about the names people call us, and instead worry about being healthy. I read a quote recently that sums up the situation.

I do get called a bitch quite often. What I do NOT get called is pushover, stupid, sweetheart, dear or doormat. Works for me. — Rebecca M. From www.heartlessbitches.com

Social Isolation — Sometimes when we start eating right and getting healthy it causes social isolation from those friends and family members who have not decided to get healthy. The ways of weight loss are many but only one can give you true success and that is through natural and delicious weight loss. It can be hard to be around those old addictive fake foods, even when you know what they do to you. Even if you are strong and resist you may face criticism and judgment from your friends and family.

The Plan –  If you feel strong enough to eat with your family and friends then do it. But, if you don’t, try to find others with whom you can buddy up and either invite a friend when you must be around the people who might criticize you, or accuse you of thinking you’re better than them and all the other negative things we know can happen. A buddy will help tremendously. Choose a buddy that will agree with you to use natural weight loss plans instead of any other way of weight loss. Alternatively, if you know family and friends will be negative just tell them you’re allergic to that addictive and unnatural food, and that you feel better now that you’ve eliminated those foods to which you are allergic.

Money — Eating well can cause some strain on the budget, (although long term savings on health care) but you might also be worried about affording new clothing for your new body. It can be difficult to see how you can get done everything you need to achieve, if you’re still far from your goal. If you’re short of money now, money can be a huge impediment to success if you let it. Many ways of weight loss are expensive, but natural weight loss is not expensive. The money you save in terms of doctor bills, and replacing clothing can be dramatic.

The Plan –Think about this logically, once your body adjusts to a normal natural weight loss you won’t fluctuate. If your body weight stays much the same next year as it is this year you’ll save a lot of money, because if you buy timeless classics they will last forever. There will be no need to try to convince yourself the dryer shrunk them. In all honesty, you can find great clothing in smaller sizes on sale, in discount stores, thrift stores and even garage sales. Many more than you can, plus sized clothing. As you’re losing weight just have the clothing you have altered, or start buying things on sale. As you are losing weight with natural weight loss techniques, don’t buy entire wardrobes, just buy pieces as you need. Set up a savings account just for reaching goal, then you can go on a fun shopping spree.

Establish Your Personal Brand Early On

Remember that a resume is a scannable document that only gets 10-20 seconds to impress an employer; however, the beginning section is the part most likely to be read in detail. Go for maximum impact by starting off with a strong headline that supports the profession or industry you’re targeting.  Next, write a summary that clearly highlights the benefits of hiring you. Include core competencies employers in your field look for when hiring.  Finally, clearly list other important credentials such as career experience, education, awards, professional organizations and any other relevant information.

Share Tangible Results

All employers want to know one thing when searching for the right candidate to fill a vacant position: “How will hiring you benefit me?” Your resume has to answer that question. One way of achieving this is by listing achievements you have accomplished for each position. The achievements that stand out the most are ones that are in some way measureable. For example, a measurable key achievement on your resume might read, “increased revenue by 37%. “

Keep Things Uncluttered

Even when you’re seeking a creative job, your resume needs to be clean and uncluttered. Make sure margins and tabs are properly set. Keep the font style and size as consistent throughout the resume as possible. Use bold sparingly, and add white space to break up sections and keep things easy on the eyes. Shading, boxes and graphics are ways of increasing visual interest.

Create an Online Presence that Compliment Your Resume

In most cases, resumes are still the primary tool used to secure employment – even for creative professionals. It’s also important to recognized that more and more, employers are using Google and other search engines to learn about candidates before they are contacted for an interview. It’s a good idea to utilize social media sites like LinkedIn to build a professional profile. You can even link to your website or an online portfolio. You can include your LinkedIn web address on your resume hard copy, just as you include your email address or any other  contact information.

About the Author:
A Certified Professional Resume Writer knows how to make you stand apart from the competitive. Call today for a free resume writing consultation.

Finding the right keywords

If you have no idea about what keywords should be included in your resume, start by doing some simple research. Go online and find two to three ads for jobs in the industry you’re targeting. Read through each of the listings and study the ads carefully.  Pay close attention to any repeated words or phrases. They are the keywords you need to know.

Adding keywords to your resume

Keywords are an important part of creating a competitive resume, but the strategy of the document and impact of the words used to highlight your strengths and experience are most important. Write a resume that positions you as the best possible choice for the job you’re targeting first.

Once you have a strong career document in place, add the keywords throughout the content. Make sure that the document still flows and sounds natural when you read it out loud. Include keywords:

• In the objective or summary
• In your key accomplishments
• In your listing of hard skills or core competencies

Geographical keywords that show employers where you’re located, or where you’ve lived and worked before, should also be included whenever possible.

How employers use keywords to find job candidates

Employers are constantly sourcing the web for job candidates. They utilize a technology that makes it easy for them to zero in on the best job seekers who post resumes on private company websites, networking sites like LinkedIn or career-based websites like CareerBuilder and Monster.  Keywords are important because if an employer is looking for someone with a specific skill, he will use a keyword, for example: “Data Architect,” Online Marketing Coordinator.”

It’s also a good idea for job seekers to periodically update a resume that’s been uploaded into a database. Some databases  provide an option for employers that allow them to only select the most recently uploaded resumes for viewing. Making sure to seed your resume with targeted keywords, and regularly updating the career document you upload into a database can give you an edge in this market.

About the Author:
A professional resume writer can create an employer-focused career document designed to get you noticed. Find out how professional resume writing services can give you an edge against the competition in your job search.

1. Focus your resume on the position you’re seeking. A general, one-size-fits-all resume will rarely stand out when there are hundreds of other qualified candidates applying for the same job.  In order for your resume to grab the reader’s attention, you’ll need to target the position you’re interested in and make sure your experience and qualifications align with what the employer is seeking.
2. Show the benefits of hiring you for the job.  Your resume should easily answer an employer’s most pressing question: “What’s in it for me?” An employer wants to know how she will benefit from hiring you – what will you bring to the organization? Benefits show the results you’ve produced while working in other positions, such as 25% increase in revenue or 15% increase in customer retention. Make sure to show benefits throughout your resume.
3. Start your resume with a qualifications summary. This is brief section introducing your experience and highlighting your accomplishments. Focus on at least three of your most impressive accomplishments.
4. Keep job descriptions focused on tasks that will interest employers. Start your sentences with verbs to keep them action-oriented, and keep this section between three and seven lines long.
5. Separate your accomplishments from the responsibilities listed in your job description. One way to make sure your accomplishments stand out to the reader is by using bullets. The reader’s eye will automatically be drawn to the bulleted list.
6. Create an attractive format. When it comes to resumes, first impressions are everything. Although the content is the most important component of your resume, making sure it’s neat and attractive is important too. Use white space throughout the document to enhance readability, and don’t be afraid to be creative and try out different fonts.

About the Author:
Take charge of your job search by contacting a Certified Professional Resume Writer today. Call today for a free resume writing consultation.

Certified resume writers are typically trained to help job seekers create career documents that position them best to apply for opportunities in their chosen profession or industry. They understand how the information contained in a resume is received by the person doing the hiring, and they utilize various strategies and techniques meant to get the reader’s attention and keep them interested.

What does the Resume Writing Process Involve?

A resume writer needs to collect as much information from a client as possible. This is typically done by reviewing a current resume, linked in profile, and gathering information during phone calls and maybe even having the client complete a questionnaire. Your resume writer may even conduct some industry research on her own.

What Will Your Writer Expect From You?

Your writer needs as much information from you as possible to provide you with a high-quality finished product. Even though it’s the writer’s job to provide you with a comprehensive final draft, you are the key to providing the necessary information. You are the expert in your chosen field. A resume writer’s job is to ask questions to get the information necessary to get what he needs. If possible, send the writer a couple of help job descriptions detailing opportunities that you’re considering. I will help the focus the resume to target

What Happens When You Receive Your Resume?

After a few days, your writer will provide you with a completed draft, providing you the chance to provide feedback and make any revision requests. Maintaining consistent communication with your writer is key to getting a top quality resume in a timely manner. The process is a collaborative one where you have to be willing to spend the time providing them with the information they need to do the job. This information is crucial to helping a writer chose the best strategy for developing document that represents your experience, skills and qualifications best.

Can Everything Be Handled Online?

It’s possible to conduct the entire resume writing process from purchasing the service to receiving the final product completely online, but it’s not the best way. Sometimes messages sent by email get lost in translation, and that could be detrimental to your job search. Even if you complete an emailed questionnaire, it helps to s at least peak to the writer by phone once or twice to confirm information or discuss feedback and/or any changes that need to be made to a draft.

About the Author:

Take charge of your job search by contacting a Certified Professional Resume Writer today. Call today for a free resume writing consultation.

Take a look at the symptoms:

If you have more than three of these you should get an exam by your physician or by a physician that understands the thyroid. Ask for blood work to be done, and get to know what the numbers mean. Even if your TSH is normal it does not necessarily mean that your thyroid is normal, and this is the test most often used to test for normal vs. abnormal thyroid function. Therefore ask to have your T3 and Serum T4 levels tested.

If you have excess belly fat it is important to remedy a thyroid problem prior to trying to lose weight or work off belly fat. Due to most doctors misunderstanding of T3 levels, it can be difficult to find doctors who recognize this situation so you might want to look around for a “thyroid friendly” doctor, especially if you have many of the above symptoms. Many doctors, even endocrinologists, do not know about the inaccurate readings of TSH levels, so it is important to ask them before going to them for these tests.

Once you deal with your thyroid issue if you’re found to have one, the next step is to eat right and exercise. Eat whole foods that are as close to nature as possible, and exercise every day working up to an hour a day of purposeful movement. If you vary your foods and your movement you won’t get bored and you’ll soon find that the weight is melting off and you’re losing your belly fat. In addition, you’ll have more energy and be healthier than you’ve ever been before.

Get a Physical — Ask your physician to check your thyroid levels, especially your T3 and T4 levels to ensure that you don’t have a thyroid deficiency. Seek out a specialist who understands how thyroid levels are related to belly fat, fatigue and a whole host of other symptoms.
Exercise — Exercise daily but switch it up. Switching up your exercise routine will encourage you to keep motivated. Try weight bearing exercises alternated with cardio and stretching exercises like Yoga. Don’t forget to work on your core. Strengthening your core is fundamental to losing belly fat. Yoga and Pilates focus on the core and are good for melting belly fat. Also, do fun things like tennis, and swimming. The key is to be active rather than sedentary.
Eat Right — The food you choose should be as close to nature as possible. Eating whole foods that are organic without added hormones is a good step toward the right direction. Start with eliminating all processed foods, and add in whole foods. Eat more often instead of less to keep your blood sugar regulated and avoid severe hunger which can lead to binging on unhealthy foods.
No deprivation — Focus on food substitution rather than deprivation. If you love strawberry shortcake you don’t have to do without many of the flavors. You will be shocked at how good a plain old strawberry tastes after you eliminate sugar and fake sugars from your diet.
Drink Water — Stop drinking soda and other beverages and drink clear filtered water instead. Drink water thirty minutes before and after a meal, rather than with a meal because it will assist in digestion.
Be Mindful — Pay attention to what you are eating and doing. Write down what you plan to eat, what you did eat, and keep track of your exercise. It helps to write down all your goals and plans and the results because it can keep you mindful of reality.

Melting belly fat can be simple if you do all of these things for the long haul. Don’t go on a crash diet and expect healthy long term results. Eating right and exercising is part of a healthy lifestyle that will get results over the long term. Don’t worry so much about the destination, instead, concentrate on the journey to health. Enjoy!

Belly fat is related to increased cortisol levels, as well as Leptin resistance. Stress increases cortisol levels exponentially. It is important to understand the role that stress can play in the creation of belly fat. Even if you are good at not over eating during stressful periods, if you are chronically stressed cortisol levels will be higher and your belly fat ratio will be higher.

To reduce stress there are three things you can do:

1. Exercise — Try adding stretching exercises, such as yoga, to help reduce stress to your exercise regimen. Stress reduction is a key component in lowering the hormone cortisol and once you lower this hormone you will find that the belly fat melts off.
2. Eat — Don’t allow yourself to get too hungry. When starvation mode sets in, it increases your cortisol level and also affects your Leptin levels which will increase belly fat and make it harder to stick to a diet. Try eating often every day. Do not let yourself get too hungry.
3. Sleep — If you are not sleeping 7 to 8 hours a night, and sleeping well, it is likely you have extra belly fat because sleep plays a major role in hormone balance. Studies show that sleep is when your Leptin stores are increased and your cortisol levels regulate.

Focus your efforts on being as natural as possible. Eat whole foods, eat five to six small meals a day, and don’t be scared to eat from all the major food groups. Avoid chemicals and additives and create simple dishes that are as close to nature as possible. There is no food group for fake sugar, fake fat, and fake food because it’s not food!

Don’t be afraid to eat healthy fats found in fish, olive oil, and fatty fruits. Fat helps your body metabolize vitamins and  nutrition and is a very important component of any diet. Avoid fad diets that cut entire food groups, encourage the use of chemicals, fake foods and sugars, and genetically modified foods (GMOs).

1. Drink Water — You’ve heard it before and you’re going to hear it again, you must drink your water. Drink half your body weight in ounces in order to ensure that you’re getting enough. If you drink 8 ounces of water, or clear broth before your meals you’ll eat less, feel better and help the cause to reduce belly fat.
2. Eat the Rainbow — When you look at your plate you should see a variety of colors on it. Veggies and fruit of all colors will ensure that you’re getting enough variety and nutrition. Try to be as colorful as possible. Include many food groups, and don’t forget how important eating good fats like those in virgin coconut oil, and avocado are for healthy skin and hair.
3. No Fast-food — Never eat fast food. Besides, fast food is not even food, it’s actually plastic, no kidding. It’s full of preservatives and chemicals. These chemicals affect your hormones in a very bad way raising your cortisol levels causing, you guessed it, belly fat.
4. No Soda — Again, soda is really not a food group, it is a not even a good beverage in terms of hydrating you. It has chemicals, usually caffeine, and diet is not better than the sugary kind in terms of fighting belly fat. Just say no to soda for the best results. If you enjoy the carbonation try drinking naturally carbonated water and sparkling waters mixed with freshly juiced cherries for a wonderful and nutritious drink.
5. Exercise — Both weight bearing and cardio are important to do on a regular basis. Try switching it up every other day alternating weight bearing with cardio exercises for optimum results. Add in a daily stretching exercise like yoga to calm the nerves and reduce stress which will further reduce your cortisol levels!
6. Be Vigilant — Stay on top of your diet and exercise regime by writing it down and even consider measuring your food to get used to true portion sizes. If you check in regularly with yourself and make sure you’re not tricking your mind to thinking you’re eating less when you’re really not you’ll avoid frustration and disappointment.
7. Avoid Deprivation — Don’t let yourself get too hungry, it is important to eat when you’re hungry. Studies show that eating five or six small meals a day work best to keeping weight down and reducing belly fat in women. Eating snacks keeps your blood sugar stable, and avoiding hunger will enable you to avoid binging on something that is not good for you. Some snack ideas are veggie tray, low glycemic fruit, fish or dried chia seeds to get in your omega vitamins.
8. Nix Drugs — Many drugs are around that claim to reduce belly fat but it is best if you try to go as natural as possible. If you are feeling tired, and are eating right and doing everything possible consider seeing your doctor or a practitioner who is well versed in thyroid issues. A lot of times thyroid dysfunction shows itself as belly fat, fatigue,  and even itchy skin.
9. Mind your posture — It is amazing what having good posture can do for you in terms of your belly fat reduction. Many of us have horrible posture and do not even know it. Without our mothers to tell us to stand up straight we often slouch or stand with bad posture. Get help from a yoga instructor or a physical therapist who knows how to stand right if you’re having problems.
10. Dress well — Properly fitting clothing can do two things for you. 1 — Make you look thinner and 2 — remind you that you have a belly which can keep you from eating too much. When you eat you should never have to unbutton your pants. If you do, you’re eating far too much in one sitting and a nice fitting pair of jeans can make the difference.

We all probably already know the dangers of having belly fat, such as a higher chance of heart attack, diabetes, and other illnesses. Studies show that hormone balance directly affects belly fat. It’s not just a normal overweight issue this is a serious problem that can cause many women frustration when it comes to fertility issues, losing weight, especially belly fat.

According to most studies into Leptin Resistance, it is probable that the introduction of high fructose corn syrup, and lectins which are found in high concentrations in beans, cereal grains and nuts and are now added to the food supply (and used in chemical warfare) may be part of the issue of the rise in Leptin Resistance. This isn’t to say not to eat legumes, or nuts, but do avoid foods with additives especially lectins and high fructose corn syrup.

It is clear that hormones play a large part in the addition of belly fat for many women and fortunately you can often control many of these issues with a good diet that is void of additives and chemicals, and full of organic produce, seeds, fish and healthy proteins. The food industry will tell you that lectins and fructose are natural too, and that the body doesn’t know the difference between fructose from an apple or high fructose corn syrup, but if this was true, why have people become more obese than ever? Is it a just a coincidence or is there a reason that adding concentrated versions of natural ingredients is causing serious health issues?

If you have weight gain concentrated in the belly, allergies, fatigue and mood swings it is also possible that you’re suffering from an overdose of estrogenic chemicals. These are present in many things from foods, to drugs, to plastics that line vegetable cans, and they can affect men as well as women. It is important to avoid added chemical estrogens if possible, especially if you’re obese or suffering from excess belly fat. You can accomplish this by avoiding using plastics that are not PBC free, and eating whole, natural organic foods.

Eat foods that are high in Omega 3′s, flavonoids and indoles. Omegas can be found in fatty fish, flaxseeds and hempseeds while flavonoids and indoles are found in bee products, citrus, onions, garlic, broccoli, and cabbage. Avoid herbicides, pesticides, added hormones, soy products and isoflavones as well as all plastic derivatives found in food packaging. Additionally, canola, corn, soy and safflower oils are not good for you and contain too many GMOs so avoid them. A good general rule of thumb is to avoid processed foods in favor of whole foods as often as possible.

An over active or underactive thyroid, hypothyroidism, can cause many health problems one of which is inability to lose weight. Even if your doctor performs standard thyroid tests which have come back “normal” there are other tests you can do such as the TRH stimulation test which will identify whether or not you have a hypothyroid issue more accurately. Additionally, the problem might be conversion of  T4 to T3. T4 is thyroxine and T3 is triiodothyronine which are both produced by the thyroid gland which regulates metabolism.

Some doctors misdiagnose conditions, especially in women, that are really caused by thyroid dysfunction such as depression and fibromyalgia which can actually be the result of thyroid issues. If the underlying issues are treated, the symptoms can be relieved, including the inability to lose weight. If you have a problem with T3 conversion you may be able to exercise daily, and eat a low calorie healthy diet and still be overweight. Conversely someone with an over active thyroid can eat all they want and be very sedentary and lose weight. Either condition is not desirable so if you have any of these issues it is imperative that you seek out a doctor who is familiar with the thyroid and it’s relation to metabolism and weight loss or gain.

Getting rid of fake foods that contain additive and dangerous chemicals can actually cause a natural reaction that fixes your thyroid issues. All these fake things we put into our bodies can literally play havoc with natural hormone functions. Foods with gluten, soy and even natural foods that contain Isothiocyanates, such as peanuts, strawberries, and certain raw veggies, can cause problems with your thyroid if eaten in excess. Also, ensuring that you are eating sufficient amounts of iodine is essential to proper thyroid function. Most people get enough iodine today just from the salt we eat due to it usually having iodine added. If you’re eating natural salt, or a low sodium diet, you may want to check your diet to be sure that you are including enough natural iodine for proper thyroid function. The recommended daily allowance is 150 mcg daily which is about 1 teaspoon of table salt with iodine.

However, keep in mind if you do have a thyroid issue, it is possible that you will need a doctor’s intervention with medications to assist with normalizing the thyroid. But, knowing what foods can contribute to this problem can help you avoid issues if you don’t have them yet. You can avoid gluten, eat nuts in moderation, eat only fermented soy, and light cook leafy and cruciferous veggies before eating can help avoid problems.

Let me begin by sharing with you that I don’t actually believe there is “work/life” balance. My belief is that women reflect on and declare their values that are personal to them and create a life to support those values. I place a high value on 3 areas in my life; self-care, family and supporting women to live the life they want – and deserve. Does it work perfectly? Of course not. Kids get sick, dishwasher breaks and laptops blow up! I will share that it does work 80% of the time because I’ve made a decision to be proactive using daily rituals to take care of myself, my family and my business.

Do you have rituals for success in your life and business? Here are 7 rituals I use to help me stay on course and honor what I value most:

1. Solitude – Learning how to just “be” is one of the greatest gifts you will ever give to yourself. If you have a busy lifestyle (like me) you’ll need to plan for solitude. I go for walks by myself, spend a few hours in my home alone and sometimes take a personal weekend retreat.
2. Meditation – Meditation has become an important part of my life. It is a tool I use regularly to help me get clear, focused and centered. Sitting quietly for 5 minutes can make a dramatic impact on your day. Depending on my schedule, I meditate for a minimum of 5 minutes and a maximum of 20 minutes.
3. Negative Environments – Make a conscious effort to avoid negative environments. Surround yourself with positive, “nutritious” people who are success-oriented and think in abundance. Having a supportive environment creates possibility thinking and new ideas.
4. Quality Not Quantity – It’s my belief that quality time is more important than quantity time with family and friends. With a busy family and growing business, I realize I cannot do everything, however I make sure that I’m focused and present for my family daily when it really counts.
5. Focus Time – Success comes to those who plan for it. It’s essential that you create focus time for your business and your personal life. Plan to spend at least 1 hour a week reviewing where you are now and where you want to go in the future. Make sure the action steps you are taking will help you get the results you want.
6. Coaching And Mentoring – It’s essential to have a “thinking” partner along the way in your journey. Here’s what I know for sure: You cannot do this by yourself. Having someone there to support you and also challenge your thinking can help shorten your journey to success.
7. Ask – Period – Stop attempting to be “superwoman.” It affects your health and well-being. I know it’s a challenge to ask for what you want or need, however if you dream of celebrating a successful business while maintaining a loving, healthy, family – it’s the only way. Here’s what I’ve learned: people love supporting you. Family members will develop stronger bonds with your children because they have more time with them and there are people out there right now who would love to help you accomplish your vision.

Being proactive rather than reactive in your life and business can make a big difference in the way your day unfolds. It’s not perfect but it is pleasurable to be living in the 80/20 window of life. 80% of the time it all works beautifully and of course there’s always that 20% that just about puts you over the edge! I invite you to consider adding one or two of these rituals to your life and business. A mentor once shared with me that “the slightest shift can create the most dramatic impact.” That’s certainly true here.

Anything is possible. Everything is waiting for you.

*****

© 2012 Joy Chudacoff

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:  Joy Chudacoff, ICF, PCC, is the founder of Smart Women Smart Solutions®, a Professional Certified Coach to 1000’s of women, Motivational Speaker, and Entrepreneur.  She publishes a weekly buzz generating ezine, Reflections On Life and Business for Women Entrepreneurs.  If you’re ready take your coaching business to the next level, get your FREE Tips, FREE Report, FREE MP3 and be the first to hear about my exciting new program for coaches and consultants at Smart Women Smart Solutions Coaching.

• Avoid Sugar — Eating too much sugar can lead to cravings for more sugar therefore it is important to avoid eating processed refined sugar. Read all labels and avoid all sugars, high-fructose corn syrup, white sugar, sugar in almost all its forms other than that present in a piece of fresh fruit. Even the sugar in fresh fruit should be eaten in moderation to avoid cravings.
• Concentrate on flavor — When preparing meals, it is important to focus on the flavor of the meal while only including natural, whole, chemical free foods. Making beautiful, colorful and flavorful meals adds to the pleasure you feel while eating which will make you feel more satisfied.
• Find a distraction — Join a group, read a book, find a hobby or volunteer in a place that is not weight or nutrition related. Get your mind off your weight issues for a little while a few times a week. Having another place to focus for a while will help you realize that while food and nutrition is important it is not all that your life is about.
• Express yourself — Having a bad day? Express it. Say so. Tell someone. Write it in a journal. Turn up the music and sing it out. It feels good to blow off steam, and it’s good for you to let out your emotions in whatever way is the most healthy for you. That might be punching a bag, jumping up and down and screaming, turning up the music and dancing around. You can quickly change your mood depending on the activity you participate in.
• Focus on health  — Get your mind off losing weight for a while and focus instead on how healthy you are. Are you putting healthy food into your body? Are you exercising for heart health? Even if you’re not losing weight right this moment, if you’re eating healthy, avoiding chemically laden foods, that is what is important right now, not the number on the scale.
• Have a treat — For some people having a planned treat at a predetermined time helps them avoid frustration and stick to their plan. There is no need to give up everything forever. It really is okay to have a treat occasionally. Whether the treat is a small bag of chips, or a pint of strawberries, it doesn’t matter. Define your treat and have it at the specific time.
• Hunger is natural — Try to remember that hunger is a normal signal your body sends when it needs nutrition. It is okay to be hungry. Being hungry will not kill you. There are many people who report never actually feeling hunger! But, the truth is, hunger is normal. Hunger is a sign of needing to eat, or drink. We’ve been taught for so long hunger is bad, but having that hunger signal is a sign to pay attention to.
• Keep a diary — Studies have shown that keeping track of your food intake, as well as your feelings about your food intake can help you stick to your plan. If you’re having a bad day it’s important to acknowledge it. It’s also important to note when you’re having a good day. Sometimes it can be even more inspiring to write about the good things in your life.
• Read success stories — Sometimes if you’re feeling unmotivated and bad about your situation it really helps to read other people’s success stories. Especially stories about those who have done the same thing as you’re trying to do.
• Get a physical — If all else fails go to the doctor and get tested for any health issues that you might have such as an undiscovered thyroid problem. The thyroid controls metabolism and is central to many people’s problems losing weight despite diet and exercise.

By doing all or most of the above items you can help avoid and divert frustrations that occur during any type of change. Coming off fake, chemically laden food products is like ending any addiction. There are side effects that mimic coming off serious narcotic drugs when you try to get off the additive and chemicals. You might have joint pains, headaches, mood swings, and other issues. By creating a plan to deal with this possibility you can avoid giving up.

Appropriate Mindset  — As mentioned above, it is important to realize and accept that eating right is not something you do for just a short time until you reach your “goal weight,” but instead, is something that needs to be done for the rest of your life. Having a lifetime mindset instead of a short-term mindset is your first step to being successful.

Eating healthy needs to be accomplished whether or not one is trying to lose weight. Remember, that there are plenty of unhealthy skinny people. Doctors are starting to identify so called, “fat, skinny people” who aren’t obese but who have illness associated with the obese such as type II diabetes, high blood pressure, and other physical issues that overweight people have. These people just happen to have a metabolism that doesn’t show their health state on the outside.

Therefore realize, that you’re one of the lucky ones, you can use vanity to drive yourself to eat healthy! But, do have a long term mindset instead of short-term because eventually your weight will normalize, and then you will need to eat for health without having weight loss as your goal.

Intentional exercise — To be healthy everyone needs to do some sort of intentional exercise. The good news is that you don’t have to do much exercise to reap the benefits. Studies have shown that  200 to 300 minutes of moderate intensity exercise per week is enough to improve weight loss results. This equates to less than an hour a day.

To determine if you’re exercising at a moderate intensity you should be able to carry on a conversation but you can’t sing during the activity. Another way is to monitor your heart rate. Your heart rate should be at about 70 to 80 percent of your maximum heart rate. This can be figured out by doing a calculation using this formula. 206.9 – (0.67 x age). Simply walking at a brisk pace four to seven times a week can meet the requirements of intentional exercise for weight loss.

Other examples of intentional exercise:

• Ballroom Dancing
• Bicycling at 11 miles an hour or slower
• Brisk Walking at about 3 to 4 MPH 3 to 5 times a week
• Gardening
• Hour-long Aerobics class 3 to 5 times a week
• Playing Tennis
• Swimming laps 30 minutes a day

Mindful eating –  The next way to jumpstart weight loss during a weight loss plateau is to practice mindful eating. Sometimes when a person has been practicing eating right for months and even years they lose their way due to eating too large of serving sizes. We start adding bigger servings of the wrong kind of food, start snacking more often, and kind of lose sight of what we are really eating.

Start measuring food serving sizes to ensure that you really are eating what you think you’re eating. Eat at the table using a normal sized rather than a super sized plate. Use serving spoons in which you know what quantity they serve up. In this way you can monitor how much you are eating realistically. Our minds will often tell us we’re not eating much when in reality we are eating sometimes two and three times the food that we really require to keep our bodies healthy.

Fill your plate with vegetables first, protein next, and give yourself half servings of starches like rice, potatoes, corn, and breads. Eat plain fruit for dessert instead of sugary cakes and fat laden cobblers and ice-cream. Substitution is your friend when it comes to eating healthy, losing weight, and coming off a weight loss plateau. Avoid foods entirely that have chemicals and are simply just “fake” foods. No one needs a to eat Twinkies. Be realistic about what you really need to be satisfied and healthy.

Be aware of not only what and how much you are eating but also when and where. Practice eating at the dinner table each evening. Set the table, make eating a special event in your life instead of something you do standing in front of the fridge, or sitting in front of the TV. If you’re eating at the table, setting a beautiful plate, and celebrating the food you serve eating will become an enjoyable experience, as it should be, without any guilt associated with it. When you’re eating notice how the food looks, notice what is in the food, and notice how it tastes too. When you pay really close attention to all these aspects of food, you’ll quickly realize how much better healthy whole foods look and taste in comparison to the fake foods prevalent in our diets today.

If you are trying to lose weight, how many times have you used the excuse that since you skipped exercise today you’re already a failure so you might as well eat what you want. Or worse, you exercised so you treated yourself to a super high fat chemically laden “treat”. For this reason, it is important to learn the value of exercise and not over estimate its importance. The truth is, exercise is only about 10 percent of the weight loss equation, but diet makes up 90 percent.

So, don’t go crazy eating and think you will run a marathon each week to burn it off. It’s better to lose the fat through eating right and use exercise to create health and good body tone. There is no denying that exercise plays an important function in health, but weight loss, isn’t really one of them. Mayo Clinic studies have shown that exercise “demonstrates no or modest weight loss results” and that “exercise without exercise is not likely to lead to significant long term weight loss results.”

Weight bearing exercises have excellent results for your muscle tone, and aerobic exercise can improve lung function exponentially, leading to better fitting jeans, and a healthier life in general. However, exercise alone without a change in diet will not result in a significant weight change. A healthy diet, however, with or without exercise will result in weight loss that is both significant and long lasting. It is important to realize that even if you exercise regularly, you still need to watch your food intake. Not just how much but what, when, where and why.

What — Eat healthy whole foods that are as natural and as close to nature as possible without pesticides, chemical additives, and are as close to their natural state as possible. For instance, eating a sliced organic tomatoes is better than eating tomato sauce. Eating a slice of whole grain bread that has stems and seeds in it is a lot better for you than eating white bread. Choosing to eat a baked apple with raisins, honey, and cinnamon is better for you than eating apple pie with crust, high fructose corn syrup and other addictives. There are substitutes for everything, so you never really need to feel deprived.

When — Eating when you are hungry automatically makes any food eaten taste better. Learning to know the difference between true hunger and “mouth” hunger will go far in helping you determine when the appropriate time to eat is. At first, you might need to simply use the clock and eat breakfast, lunch, dinner and two snacks a day in a controlled environment during prescribed times. Learning how it feels to be hungry will help you learn to know when to feed your body.

Where — Eating mindfully at the table instead of mindlessly in front of the TV will help assist with your weight loss efforts. Additionally, being completely aware of what is in the food you eat is important too. Most mainstream information is erroneous so you might have to dig deeper for the right information. Consider who developed the information and what their goals and motives are before taking it as gospel. For instance, the new commercials about “corn syrup” being no different than sugar are deplorable and completely wrong. While I have no love of white sugar, high fructose corn syrup is extremely dangerous and prevalent in many if not most processed foods today. If given the choice, stay away from high fructose corn syrup.

Why — Eating for nutrition should be the first goal of every  meal, but so should the simple pleasure of food. Eating food is supposed to be something pleasurable. Unfortunately, due to a life of eating chemically addictive foods our taste buds sometimes have to be retrained to enjoy natural whole foods. Once you start eating for nutrition first, the pleasure will follow. A day will come when a cup of raw strawberries tastes a hundred times more delicious for dessert than strawberry shortcake. Just give it time.

Following these rules of eating, instead of over exercising which has serious consequences of its own such as muscle and joint pain, headaches, insomnia, low energy, more colds, and decreased performance, it is important to exercise moderately for the right reasons. The right reasons for exercise are so that your heart and lungs are properly oxygenated and your muscles are toned not so that you can lose weight faster.

Be Accountable –  Find someone to whom you can be accountable. Having a weight loss buddy will help you be more successful if you’re both accountable to each other. Find someone with a similar amount of weight to lose as you so that you don’t get frustrated watching someone reach their goal a year before you do.

Add Aerobics — Working out aerobically burns more calories due to the high oxygen intake. Adding in just one hour of aerobic activity a day can burn enough to add one pound of weight loss per week if you don’t add more food. It’s easy to burn 500 calories a day with aerobic exercise.

EAT! — Many times when people want to lose weight they just stop eating. Stopping eating leads to severe hunger, which leads to cravings, which will lead to diet failure. Instead of cutting what you eat try adding in times to eat. Eating more meals per day, though smaller, will keep your blood sugar level which will avoid cravings and issues that come about due to becoming too hungry like binge eating.

Drink Water — The only liquid you should drink is water. Avoid diet soda, juices, teas or anything with any type of additives. Drinking water is good for you. Once you get used to drinking only water as your beverage you’ll actually prefer it. Water, in its natural state tastes sweet, fresh and delicious. Many people drink 1200 calories a day in beverages without even realizing it.

Eat Smaller Portions — Watch out for portion sizes creeping up. Most people are not able to eyeball their portion sizes and accurately guess how much is in a portion. To lose weight after and kick up your weight loss efforts simply start minding your serving sizes and eat smaller portion sizes. Eating just until you’re satiated and not “full” but are no longer hungry will automatically cause you to eat smaller portions. Just realize that you can always eat more later, you don’t have to eat it all right now.

You count calories, you measure your servings, you eat whole, natural foods. You’re doing it all right but the weight is not coming off. If only you had more will power, if only you tried harder is the mantra that plays over and over in your head and is demonstrated on every single diet show on Television. The truth is, you could have an issue with your thyroid. If you have an underactive thyroid it can be difficult if not impossible to lose weight no matter how well you eat. It is imperative that if you’ve double and triple checked that you’re following your plan, you’ve tweaked it to take your personal uniqueness into account, and you still can’t lose that you find a competent medical professional to check your thyroid.

Natural weight loss foods can go far in assisting you with getting healthier and even helping get your thyroid back on track but if you’re stuck, go to the doctor and find out if you have healthy hormone levels. If you have a metabolic issue your weight loss efforts will feel like they are useless and you may set yourself up for failure. Do remember, that even if you don’t immediately drop weight, eating natural weight loss foods is still healthy for you in more ways than helping you lose weight. And honestly, with all the other ways of weight loss out there, natural weight loss is much more pleasant so you have other reasons to stick to it, but do get yourself to the doctor or a nutritionist that will look at your blood work and ensure that your hormone levels are adequate.

If you have an leptin resistance and are producing extra reverse T3 due to an inactive thyroid condition losing weight will be extra difficult for you. It is good to know if you have this issue because there are things you can do with your diet that will help you with this problem. Try to eliminate wheat, dairy, peanuts, coffee and definitely high fructose corn syrup, fake sugars and any fake fats but also seek out the help of a professional that can help you with your leptin and reverse T3 issues with medication. Some doctors will not help you with these problems so ensure that you ask the right questions so that you can get help with these issues if you have them.

Leptin — a hormone that regulates body weight and metabolism. If you have difficulty losing weight or are gaining weight for no reason it is likely have leptin resistance but it needs to be checked by a professional. A level greater than 10 shows resistance, and the higher the number the worse the resistance.

Reverse T3 — a hormone that your body secrets the moment it realizes you’re cutting calories, and can be worse if you diet chronically, one reason it’s important to ensure that you are eating plenty of calories when you go on any diet, including a natural weight loss diet.

The problem is, standard testing missing most thyroid issues so make sure that they are running a “free T3/reverse T3 ratio to make sure that your thyroid really is working properly. If your ratio is less than 2 you may  need thyroid supplementation. This is still not a very popular test so you may need to search out someone willing to do the test and willing to prescribe the treatment that you need which is supplementation with natural T3.

The great news is, once you lose weight and reverse your situation you will not need these medications or supplements forever because it’s not a permanent condition. But it is a real medical condition and not an absence of willpower on your part. The problem is the medical community may not have caught up to the research. Fortunately, there are natural sources of these medications and supplements which your healthcare provider can assist you with obtaining.

You might need to do some detective work but you can discover what the unseen barrier is that is getting in the way of your weight loss efforts. It is important not to just give up and allow the barriers to be blocks to your success. You can only do that if you’re willing to investigate and figure out what is going on. By being brutally honest with yourself about what you are eating, and how much you’re eating, and when you’re eating you can get to the bottom of any unseen weight loss barrier.

Hidden allergies, illness and digestive disorders can all add up to weight gain and the inability to lose weight. You may have symptoms such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), headaches, and even achy joints. You don’t have to go into anaphylactic shock or break out in hives to have a good allergy. You don’t have to be in severe emergency room type pain to suffer from digestive issues that can cause bloating, IBS, leaky gut syndrome, and other chronic problems that can not only affect your quality of life but your ability to lose weight and keep it off.

These problems can lead to diabetes, hormonal imbalance, and the inability to metabolize the fat in your body for energy. It is important when looking at the different ways of weight loss to ensure that you are incorporating natural weight loss foods into your diet every single day. Add in the whole natural foods, and take out the chemical laden and toxic fake foods that contribute to allergies and other illness. If you do all this and are still having problems you may need to investigate further to find out if you have any of the issues above or others not mentioned.

Together with a competent healthcare or nutritional expert you can narrow down the issues you may be having by eliminating certain foods such as wheat, genetically modified corn, gluten, sugar, fake sugars, unhealthy fats and fake fats. By eliminating anything that could be adding to your issues and adding in foods that can help like natural digestive enzymes, you can quickly find yourself on your way to better health.

Thankfully, the human body is wonderfully forgiving and adaptable! There is hope because you can adapt and adjust your diet and exercise to accommodate issues that you are having with weight and health due to menopausal symptoms. Eating natural weight loss foods is a start. Eliminating processed chemically enhanced foods will go far in helping keep your body in a balanced state. Adding in extra exercise such as Yoga, or walking will add in the next step that you need to maintain balance during menopause and assist in weight loss and weight maintenance.

Eating less carbohydrates and foods that are low on the glycemic index (GI) can help jumpstart your weight loss process. Now don’t get me wrong, eating low carb does not mean to eat a lot of unhealthy fats, and processed “low carb” foods. No, eliminate processed carbohydrates first, and continue eating healthy vegetable carbohydrates and even fruit carbohydrates to see how that goes before adjusting further. If you still are having issues try eating fruit in the morning, and eliminating it in the afternoons. Try eating fruits that are low GI instead of the high GI fruits. But don’t be afraid of eating protein and healthy fats, it will keep you full, help you build muscle better during exercise and give you much needed vitamin B12.

The important thing to get out of this is that it’s not your fault. It is a simple fact of natural weight loss that hormones play a factor. They control your appetite and metabolism and even how you store your fat. (Tummy Fat is a sign of leptin resistance) We are learning more every day about the science behind weight gain, weight loss and weight control.

For years we’ve been told to eat high carbohydrate and low fat foods and this has played havoc on our endocrine system. Instead we need to focus on eating natural weight loss foods such as healthy meats, proteins, organic vegetables and organic fruit. Eating as close to nature as humanly possible is more important than any other ways of weight loss no matter what stage you are in your life but as you age it becomes even more important to pay attention to the signs your body gives you.

Natural weight loss foods will not eliminate issues such as your own unique physical makeup. Natural weight loss foods will not work exactly the same for everyone. However, I can assure you that due to your uniqueness you will find the perfect combination of natural weight loss foods that will provide a powerful combination to help you get the weight off and get healthy. But first, you have to dare to be different.

Face it, you know that skinny friend who can seemingly eat all the fat and fake foods they want with no physically noticeable effects, yet you can just simply smell chocolate cake cooking and put on ten pounds. Why is that? Have you ever wondered? Or have you fell for the idea that it’s all your fault that you’re fat? The truth is, everyone has a different physical makeup, a different combination of hormones, and metabolism. Your own genetic blueprint tells your body how to respond to the different foods and substances that you put in it.

Much like alcoholism has a genetic component so do addictions related to foods and other substances. In addition, how your body behaves when consuming certain substances has a genetic component too. Food allergies to your brown eyes and red hair are all genetic factors that play into your life. Genetic factors play into  how food affects your body and your mind. The other factor is environmental. Did you grow up eating all those fake fats and “comfort” foods? If you did it can be very difficult to overcome the addictive draw toward those foods. The truth is, you can do it.

If you’re really eating exactly what you’re supposed to be eating and you’re still not losing weight then look into what you might change about your current program. It is important to note that no two bodies are the same and it can take some simple adjustments to ensure that you are hitting on the right combination for you. Dare to be different and modify your eating plan to suit your needs. If you’re unsure about serving sizes, or calories, try keeping track for a period of time to ensure that due to your environment you’re not eating extra huge servings of food. Some of us grow up eating serving sizes fully three times the size we should. Even the plates we buy in kitchen store are bigger than our grandparents’ plates were.

You’re a unique individual with special issues that affect only you. Assessing your uniqueness can go far in helping you find the magic combination of solutions that work for you. It’s okay that you’re different, in fact it is wonderful that you are different. Embrace your differences and enjoy that you are unique in the world and don’t lose hope because there is a combination that will work just for you to help you lose weight and get healthy no matter how many times you’ve failed in the past. Remember you really didn’t fail, you just didn’t find the right recipe for success.

There is a disorder called “Body Dysmorphic Disorder” which can become a huge problem if you don’t take steps to learn about your new body. Some people suffer from either anorexia or obesity due to having an inaccurate view of their body size. It can manifest itself in other ways too but we will focus on viewing your new body as it is, rather than as it was.

If you’ve been overweight for years, accepting the new you can take some time. There are ways to help yourself get to know your new body. One way is to actually measure your body, and weigh yourself. While not necessary for people who aren’t having issues with accepting the change that has happened it might be for you if you are having a hard time accepting the new you. By having the written measurements and seeing the number on the scale you cannot deny your current size and logically believe you’re either fatter or thinner than the scale demonstrates. Additionally, make sure you are wearing under clothing and outer clothing that is the right size by going to a department store that has staff to help fit you appropriately.

Throw out your old clothing. Donate the ones that are in good shape to a consignment store, or a thrift store. Save one representative outfit if it makes you feel more comfortable and that will help you realize how far you’ve come but it is important to get rid of the rest of your clothing and replace them with clothing that truly fits your body correctly. Fear of failure can cause you to stop trying and even regain the weight that you have lost so that you don’t fail in public. But your weight loss and your health is not about the public. Sorry, but change is hard! If it wasn’t hard everyone would be 100 percent successful every time they tried to change.

I can tell you all day long that losing weight is simple if you eat natural weight loss foods and that among all ways of weight loss this is the way, and the one that will change your life forever. It may be true, but it’s harder than most people realize until they’re in the thick of doing it. Changing the picture you had in your mind of yourself can be difficult and impacts weight loss more than most people know. Your mental image of yourself is a very important aspect of your weight loss efforts. It is imperative that you learn to accept the new you so that it will become natural to you to be thin and healthy so that you can stay that way.

The answer is to have an abundance of nutrient rich, delicious food on hand to eat when you are hungry. Honestly, no one ever got fat from eating too many fresh, organic, unaltered apples! When you feed your body food with nutrition in it, your body will quickly become accustomed to the fact that you are going to feed it real food (and nutrition!) that you’ll start becoming full faster. Your body will be so satisfied that you are eating food that actually fills you up and provides everything you need for good health and energy, that you won’t be hungry all the time any longer. Once this happens, thinness will become a natural byproduct because you won’t overeat due to the compulsive, addictive behavior that the processed foods cause.

In addition, you won’t even want those stale packaged foods anymore. If you do have an occasional slip up, you’ll have one bite and not like it at all. Trust me on this.  The fake food will taste too salty, too sweet, and too fake for your taste buds to enjoy. There really will come a day when you will crave fresh steamed broccoli over packaged fake cheese covered chopped broccoli. You might even enjoy the steamed broccoli more than you enjoy eating Twinkies.

I know it’s hard to believe right now, but the truth is, this has been proven time and time again by people who cut out processed foods and excess sugars from their diet. Eating nutrient dense food is one of the most important components of weight management. It doesn’t matter how much you weigh now, or who you are, if you eat a diet that is full of nutrients your body will not crave food as often, and it will become a normal weight. It won’t happen overnight, but it will happen. The great thing is, it will feel like it’s happening quite fast, because you won’t be suffering from deprivation, hunger, or starvation.

It’s dangerous to just remove food items you are used to without replacing them. If you are used to eating toast at breakfast, don’t stop. Just eat whole grain with no preservatives instead of the white bread or bagel. Many farmers markets have people selling organic, whole grain self-ground wheat breads, which are wonderful tasting. The fact is that any food item that you enjoyed in the past had a place in your eating pleasure. Eating is supposed to be pleasurable, there is nothing wrong with that. You can be a “foodie” and eat whole, fresh, organic, healthy foods! Simply find a yummy substitute for the chemical laden foods you used to eat.

There are so many choices on the market today that you can’t go wrong. Even Wal-Mart and Target have organic choices.  Instead of eating “pancake” syrup which is full of high fructose corn syrup and flavor enhancers that are very addictive, buy organic maple syrup and serve it over your whole wheat stone ground organic blue berry pancakes! Instead of making lemon-aid with the chemical powder compounds, why not make it with fresh, filtered water, real lemons and local raw honey? What could possibly be better tasting and better for you?

There is no suffering when you eat a diet that is high in nutrition, and low in chemicals. Simply read the labels, and choose the item that is as close to nature as possible and you can’t go wrong. The truth is, the more natural and fresh the food is, the better it tastes. Your taste buds have probably been conditioned to prefer the fake foods over the real foods, so it might take a few days and for some people a couple of months to completely detoxify yourself from the addiction to the chemicals so give it time, and just keep substituting for pleasure.

There are many kinds of exercise you can do, but it’s important that you cause yourself to sweat during your exercise so that you can flush out the toxins. Most of us do not like to sweat but if you think of this right, you will realize that with every drop of sweat is ridding your body of toxins that you will never put back into your body. Any kind of exercise helps: a rebounder, walking, aerobics, even gardening or house cleaning. Turn up the music, and dance around the house with your kids, or see how fast you can clean the living room. Vacuuming, scrubbing the floor, gardening are all fabulous ways to sweat it out.

The other thing you should do is drink plenty of liquids, especially water, to flush it out. Many people have never drunk plain water and never drink water at all. All their fluids are either full of chemicals in the form of soft drinks, fake sugars, real sugar, and other additives. They have no idea what real water even tastes like and never consider drinking it. Water should not be overlooked, because it is truly the best way to hydrate your body. The best secret is that once you get rid of all the sugars and fake sugars from your diet, water will eventually start tasting sweet and wonderful and you won’t be able to get enough.

There is nothing better to rehydrate your body than fresh, filtered water. Today, believe it or not, there are even certain brands of water that have been ruined by additives that they claim are good for you. But fake sugars are just as bad for you as regular sugar. Get a fresh start today, and start replenishing your body’s fluids with fresh, filtered water. Most tap water has less pollution in it than many brands of bottled water on the market, but it is important to filter it to get out the bleach and cleaners used to detoxify the water.

They do not need these foods any more than you do. Even people who are relatively thin, do not need to eat these chemicals either. There is a little known problem being noticed recently that some people who are not fat, yet eat all these processed foods have “fat blood” and can be just as sick as someone who is obese but they don’t show it on the outside like someone with a weight problem does.

Remember the alcoholic? He can’t even have one sip of the addictive substance, and neither can you. But, it doesn’t have to be torture. You can replace these chemicals with all natural, organic foods, and while at first you may experience some withdrawal you won’t be hungry, and you won’t feel the withdrawal for long. You can overcome it simply by making a few replacements and exchanges in your current diet. Remember, just replace any processed foods with whole, natural, organic foods and you will be fine, and so will your husband and kids. In fact, everyone will thank you for taking care of their health.

In order to do this you need to practice abstinence and you can only do this by clearing your home of any of these chemical substances. Clean your cabinets and refrigerator of anything that is not completely whole, natural, and unaltered. No genetically modified substance, no chemically enhanced foods whether they are advertised as “health food” or not. If anything has high fructose corn syrup, corn sugar, sugar, white flour, or additives you cannot pronounce toss it. Throw it away and replace with healthier alternatives.

Remember, some of these ingredients are added under different names to try to fool you. Do your due diligence and research the ingredients in your food before you ingest it. For instance High fructose corn syrup may be called chicory, inulin, iso glucose, glucose-fructose syrup, fruit fructose, corn sugar and the list goes on. Pay close attention if you don’t know what something is, it is probably best not to eat it until you do know. I’m sure if you knew years ago that you were causing yourself and your entire family to be addicted to these substances you would have not eaten them. But you were unaware, now you’re not.

1. Is my business Viable? Do people want my product or service? This is where doing some research on your industry can be quite valuable. Just because “no one else is doing it” doesn’t always mean it’s a great business opportunity. Yes, Steve Jobs did quite well being “the first” in his industry but many times success can be yours by taking an existing business concept and improving on it. Also, find out what the range of fees or prices are in your industry. Make sure you price your winning product or service so people will be clamoring to get their hands on it.

2. Is my business Visible? Visibility is a huge key to success. You may be the best coach, lawyer, virtual assistant or pet sitter in the world however, if you don’t have a marketing plan that is designed to get you seen and heard, you will remain the best kept secret in town! Getting your product or service out there in a big way makes a huge difference in how much growth you can expect in the coming year.

If you answered “Yes” to the questions above, it’s time to consider a few questions about you – the entrepreneur. These questions are equally vital to your success:

1. Do I have a true Desire? Do you dream about becoming successful in your business? Can you visualize what that looks and feels like? Do you have a craving to make it work? Desire can take you a long way on the road to possibility.

2. Am I Determined? Have you made the decision that there’s no turning back? I have a plaque that was given to me years ago by a mentor that reads “It Can Be Done.” That’s the attitude of determination you need to make your business dreams a reality.

3. Am I Consistent? Do you have a consistent marketing message? Do you have guiding principles in your business that are solid and steady? I often see entrepreneurs change course or direction too often and this confuses your target market. They become unsure what you do or who you serve and it makes it challenging for them to refer business to you. To be sure, change is necessary and needed to stay current in business but I invite you to be cautious on how often you change course.

Grab a pen and paper and take a few minutes to truly reflect on your answers to these 5 questions. Celebrate where you’re on course and take a close look where you need some improvement. Brainstorm with “nutritious” friends and colleagues on what steps you could take to turn every answer into a loud and vocal “Yes!”

Success is easily within your reach when you get clear and focused on the right product or service at the right price point with desire, determination and consistency. When these 5 components are blended together, you can guarantee yourself more clients, more income and more freedom to enjoy life.

Anything is possible. Everything is waiting for you.

*****

© 2011 Joy Chudacoff

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:  Joy Chudacoff, ICF, PCC, is the founder of Smart Women Smart Solutions®, a Professional Certified Coach to 1000’s of women, Motivational Speaker, and Entrepreneur.  She publishes a weekly buzz generating ezine, Reflections On Life and Business for Women Entrepreneurs.  If you’re ready take your coaching business to the next level, get your FREE Tips, FREE Report, FREE MP3 and be the first to hear about my exciting new program for coaches and consultants at Smart Women Smart Solutions Coaching.

Just like chemicals in drugs have addictive properties, so do chemicals used in food products. Your body does not know exactly what to do with them, but it does metabolize the chemicals, which produce different effects on your body and mind, and then you literally become physically dependent on these chemicals to feel normal. Scientific studies have proven that rats given these chemicals will binge on the chemicals when given the choice to do so. (They become obese too!) Not only that, the rats in the study would go to any lengths to get to that addictive substance. So, now that you know that, what can you do?

As they say, when you know better, you do better! Now that you know that you are addicted to these processed foods, it is time to fix the problem. The first step is to accept that you have an addiction, a real addiction just like any other addict. It’s not your fault that you cannot stick to small portions of these foods, any more than an alcoholic can have “just one glass of wine.” Remember, these chemicals in processed foods are there on purpose, to intentionally addict you to them! So, you must give them up. Like an addict, you must go cold turkey and take it one day at a time so that your body can detoxify itself.

You don’t have to go hungry, you simply must give up processed foods. Just replace any processed foods with unaltered, whole, natural organic food. Read the labels, if they have a litany of chemicals put it down and move on to the next item. Today, you can get organic whole foods at Wal-Mart and Target, therefore there is no reason to put any sort of processed, chemically enhanced foods into your body, ever. There are too many good choices you can make for yourself to keep doing it. Today is the day to make the change.

Sugar has been given a bad name by smart marketers who have helped make the diet-food industry a billion dollar industry.  Natural weight loss techniques are considered strange and bad for you. People scoff at the idea that you can eat vegetable and (gasp) fruit to your heart’s content and still lose weight. Some people get downright upset with you if you tell them they can eat natural fat such as virgin coconut oil, and the fat found in avocados, or naturally in lean meats.   It seems unbelievable that out of all the ways of weight loss that are considered crazy, it would be the natural weight loss technique of eating whole, natural foods that people think is somehow bad for you.

Well, that is marketing for you. It’s hard to believe anything an advertisement tells you. They show seemingly fit models hawking flavored waters full of fake sugars, and caffeine laden energy drinks full of chemicals are called “healthy” alternatives to a glass of fresh, filtered spring water. How can this be? It’s called: lobbying. In addition to advertisements, lobbyists for the food industry spend millions on pushing through legislation that is literally making us fat, tried, unhealthy and even killing us.

The sugar found naturally in a sweet, ripe peach is turned into something bad for you, and the fake corn syrup and chemicals found in an energy drink is considered good for you. It’s Alice in Wonderland all over again, where everything is upside down and topsy-turvy. What’s bad is good and what’s good is bad. (Maybe that is the twilight zone?) Anyway, the truth is so simple that it seems unbelievable. Given a choice between eating real organic cane sugar and the fake stuff you’re better off eating the real stuff every single time.

Eating natural, whole foods is the best way to weight loss because all these chemicals being used are causing addictive behaviors in people who don’t have addictive personalities in any other way. Outside of obesity and insulin resistance, these chemicals are causing headache, migraine, panic attacks and possibly even cancer. Now, I’m not saying that real sugar is good for you, in high quantities real cane sugar is not really good for you, but no one ever got sick eating fresh fruit, which is high in sugar too.

The sweet side of eating natural is this: You can enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables, and organic whole foods of all stripes without worrying about chemicals and all the while losing weight. If you want something sweet, grab a bowl of fruit. If you want sweet green tea, try using some natural alternatives such as stevia or honey.

They are told by the billion dollar diet-food industry that it only takes calorie counting, fat gram counting, or some other combination of the two and some willpower and they can succeed. They are told to drink this concoction, or eat this energy bar, or use this sugar free fat free salad dressing. Worse, they’re told to eat tasteless, awful prepackaged fake food and in six months they’ll be skinny, just like the actress on the commercial. Then, they stop eating that food, because who can keep eating that cardboard forever, they gain the weight back.

Out of all the ways of weight loss that are out there, the only ones you may not have heard of are natural weight loss techniques. Natural weight loss can occur easily, and without much effort if only you start paying attention to what you’re eating. Stop eating fake foods. Stop eating genetically modified organisms (GMO), and chemically modified additives and flavor enhancers. Detoxify your body by eating fresh, natural, whole organic food and you will naturally start to release the extra weight on your body.

Obesity can be directly related to disease like diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and more. Losing just 10% of your body weight can reduce your risk of these diseases substantially. Losing to a normal weight can completely eliminate some of these conditions. Therefore, for good health it is imperative that you drop weight to a normal and healthy weight range for your build and height.

You can do it naturally by simply eliminating fake foods and eating naturally well balanced whole organic foods and adding in some purposeful exercise to your day. The thing is, once you start filling your body with natural vitamins and minerals (that it can actually use) your energy level will go through the roof. Finally, you’ll find the energy (without ingesting fake energy drinks) to do a 30 minute walk every day, or even go on a full on hike.

Food imitators are made with synthetic products (chemicals) but mimic the natural product sometimes you can’t even tell the difference by taste or smell, but you can bet, and the evidence is supporting, your body knows the difference. Studies are showing that food imitators, along with other unnatural food additives are responsible for causing the obesity epidemic. Unfortunately, food imitators are used commonly even in foods that we think are good for us. Foods advertised as fat-free products like mayonnaise, cookies, and even half & half are full of imitation foods, in another word: chemicals.

The frightening thing is that food manufacturers are no longer required to list anywhere that they use food imitators in their products, so there is no way to tell by looking at a label whether or not fake “lactic acid” was used. One of the most well-known food imitators is margarine. For years we were led to believe that margarine was better for you than butter. Yet, margarine is full of hydronated oil instead of the health alternative of real cream given to us by nature. How in the world we can believe that hydronated oil is better for us than cream solely due to the fat content can only be the result of terrific and deceptive marketing practices by the food industry.

Some other imitators that are commonly used and thought to be “better” than their natural counterparts are: fat free half and half or non-dairy creamer, sugar substitutes, pancake syrup, powdered lemonade, powdered tea, fat-free mayonnaise, low fat and fat-free salad dressings, chocolate syrup and the list goes on and on. These food imitators are full of corn syrup, sucralose, nutritive dextrose, calcium silicate, maltodextrin, high-fructose corn syrup, citric acid, potassium citrate, aspartame, artificial colorings, corn oil, and other food imitators some of which seem “natural” like citric acid, for instance.

When you start reading that, and compare it to: cocoa (real chocolate), maple syrup, real condiments made from fresh whole real ingredients, real milk, cream, cane sugar, and other ingredients that have been maligned by the biggest marketing scam ever perpetuated on society, it starts making sense why we’re all getting fatter and more unhealthy even when we have a billion dollar diet industry. The answer is simple: eat real food. The best natural weight loss techniques include a diet of whole, natural unaltered food, void of additives, and addictive chemicals.

The sad fact is, dieting does lead to obesity. Processed and packaged diet foods are full of chemicals and flavor enhancers which leads to flavor addiction which leads to false hunger, and eating more to fill that hunger. The problem is, the more you eat, the hungrier you get. Thus, you just keep getting fatter. If you’re not on a diet at all, it gets worse: Fast food and most restaurant foods carry the most flavor enhancers such as Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) and its derivatives. These flavor enhancers are very powerful and poisonous to your body. In addition to being really bad for you, they are addictive.

Studies have been conducted showing the connection between obesity and flavor enhancers. For instance one showed that rats given MSG through injection tripped insulin production and caused the rats to become obese. Keep in mind that due to the bad name the letters MSG have been given by the accurately horrible press they’ve received, food manufactures have started using different names to hide the truth. They  use names such as “flavor enhancers”, “hydrolyzed or texturized protein”, “sodium or calcium caseinate”, “yeast extract”, and hydrolyzed oat flour to name a few.  Reading labels sometimes doesn’t help when manufacturers are always trying to find ways to trick and mislead the public.

What this all means is this: If you’ve been feeling down on yourself because you lack “willpower” or “motivation” or the energy to drop extra weight maybe it’s not your fault after all. Maybe there are forces outside of your will that are controlling you, namely a real addiction called “Flavor Addition” that drives you to eat more of the substance. This addition is no different than other additions such as heroine or nicotine addiction, it is a true addition that must be overcome before you can truly do the work you need to do to drop the weight – Permanently.

Permanent natural weight loss is at your fingertips. You can lose the weight you want to lose will enjoying natural healthy food and letting go of all the other ways of weight loss that are out there. The best weight loss method is the natural weight loss technique of eating natural, whole, unaltered and unprocessed foods. Once you start giving your body the nutrition that it needs, and you detoxify your system, you’ll experience natural and effortless weight loss that lasts a lifetime.

If you’re reading this it is likely that you need to lose weight or you might even be suffering from obesity. What if you found out that the diet industry fills their so called healthy food with chemicals and additives that are actually contributing to and even causing your weight gain? Would you be angry? Would you set out to make a change in your life?

Well, that’s exactly what I am going to tell you. The results of many chemicals in your diet are devastating not only is there solid evidence that some additives contribute to cancer and make you sick they also increase the appetite, cause weight gain, and even prevent weight loss. Chemicals like glutamates, flavor enhancers, preservatives play a large role in the rise in obesity and they are present in almost all diet foods and processed foods today.

Steps to achieve natural weight loss through nontoxic fat burning:

Eat – Eating regularly keeps your metabolism burning at a higher rate, while starvation shuts down your metabolism. Eat lots of whole, healthy and natural foods.
Exercise – Moving your body in purposeful exercise keeps your metabolism chugging along at a rate that will help you lose weight and maintain your weight to its appropriate level.
Eliminate – Stop ingesting chemicals and get rid of processed chemical laden foods.

Using these natural weight loss techniques instead of the other ways of weight loss will do something many other methods don’t do: Work! That’s right, it’s really that simple. Just eat good, natural whole foods, exercise a little each day, and eliminate the dangerous additives and toxins the food industry tries to pass off as food.

Additionally, there are plenty of unhealthy skinny people who have fast metabolisms. They may look like they’re not affected by the fake foods they’ve been ingesting, but their actual health tells a different tale. Many thin people who eat these false foods develop disease that used to be relegated to only overweight people, such as diabetes and heart disease. The great thing about losing weight naturally is that you won’t just lose weight, you’ll actually become healthy.

Eating food for real food sources instead of from packages will ensure the consumption of vitamins, minerals, and the most important thing about food that these fake foods are missing: Nutrition! Not only that, once you start eating foods void of chemicals, additives, and flavor enhancers eventually your taste buds will come alive and these natural foods will taste so much better to you than the fake foods that you’ll never look at the fake foods again. You’ll lose all your craving or desire for them once you detox your body.

So, how does this work? How can regular parents learn how to empathetic with their children?

Here are 2 things you need to know in order to be empathetic with your kids:

1. Get inside your child’s head:

The definition of empathy is the ability to identify and understand another person’s feelings or difficulties. It is hard for adults to identify with children and see the world through their eyes. Many of us have forgotten how tough it is to be a kid. We don’t take our kids problems seriously because they seem so trivial compared to our own. The next time your child is crying because their favorite shirt is in the wash, try to imagine how you would feel if you had an important business meeting and all your clean shirts were at the dry cleaners. Relating to all your child’s problems in this way helps you gain insight and perspective. You will than be able to say sincerely, “Your favorite shirt is in the wash! You must be so disappointed. I know you were looking forward to wearing it.”

2. Kids talk in code:

When a child is angry they will not say, “I am mad!” They do not have the emotional intelligence to recognize and verbalize their feelings. Instead they will say, “You are so stupid!” or “I hate you!” This is very hard for us parents to hear and we will jump in and admonish our child, “How dare you speak to me that way!”

Instead of rushing to reprimand our kids, we should take a minute to translate what they are saying. “You are the worst mother ever!” really means, “I get really frustrated when I want to do something and you don’t let me. Even though I know it is probably because you love me and you know what is best for me, it just makes me so angry!”

Once you understand your child’s language you might find yourself being empathetic and saying, “It is hard not to be your own boss, you would really like to make your own decisions as to when you go to bed. When you are 18 you will be allowed to be your own boss.”

The skill of empathy can be used in so many different ways. It is an excellent way to help us avoid conflict and to promote a strong and loving relationship with our children.

For more great tips like these visit us at www.parentingsimply.com.

There is a basic human need to be independent. Everyone deep down wants to be able to care for themselves, and be self sufficient. It is not just adults who feel this way, kids want their parent’s to take care of them but they want to be independent too. Children start to exercise this need for independence around age 2 (the cause for the terrible twos).

To really communicate effectively with children we need to take their need for autonomy seriously. Parents can help their children feel in charge within a safe framework by offering children two positive choices. This helps kids gain a sense of independence and security because parents have structured the choices. Parents are also happy because they have determined the choices and choices help children focus on the task at hand. Choices are also valuable because they help children exercise their decision making skills, builds their self respect and self-esteem.

Becky Bailey in her book, ” Easy to Love, Difficult to Discipline”, suggests that parents use the following formula when offering choices to their young children:

1. Take a deep breath and think about what you want your child to do. Doing this helps to keep parents calm so that they can effectively manage any parenting situation. The easy ones and the tough ones.

2. Say, “You have a choice!” with an upbeat tone. Positive energy begets positive energy. If your child is having a rough time complying, this can help improve their mood and encourage cooperation.

3. Give two positive choices: “You may __________or you may_________.”

4. Ask your child to commit to his/her choice: You can ask: “What is your choice?”

5. Make sure to notice their choice: “You chose_________.”

Here is an example of how parents can use this helpful formula:

Instead of:

Parent: “What do you want for breakfast?”

Child: ” A lollipop!”

Parent: “That is not a breakfast food. Stop being silly!”

Try:

Parent: “You have a choice! You may have waffles or cereal for breakfast! What is your choice?”

Child: “Waffles!”

Parent: “You chose waffles! I am going to make them for you right now!”

Giving children choices has many advantages and should be used liberally by parents. For more information on giving choices join our “Parenting Simply” workshop. Visit us at http://www.parentingsimply.com for the our workshop schedule.

We all know that Mara’s behavior is not unusual. However, we may not be aware that Mara’s behavior is not just cute. It represents a basic deep human need that all children and adults have. The need to be independent. Being independent helps you feel that you have some control over your decisions and your fate. It is empowering to be able to think for yourself, take care of yourself, and know how you can survive in this world. It is the basis for people’s self-respect and belief in self.

Although children like that they have parents who take care of them, they often will fight for their independence. Early on, children want to make their own decisions and have control over their lives. This is the cause of many power struggles and conflicts between parents and their children.

When parents communicate with their children they should recognize the need that children have for independence. Parents should help children feel in charge within a safe framework. The best way to do that is to give children choices.

Giving children choices teaches them how to make decisions and builds their self esteem. They learn to develop problem solving skills. This makes them feel more powerful and in control of their lives.

Many parents have a hard time using this parenting technique appropriately. Parents will often give their children choices that are not really choices at all. They will say, “You can wear your coat or not come with us for ice cream!” “You can play with your brother nicely or spend the day in your room!” These choices force children into obeying. They do not reinforce or support a child’s need for independence.

In order to help children feel in charge and build their self-respect parents need to give children 2 positive choices.

For example:

“Do you want to go outside with your winter jacket or your heavy sweatshirt?”

“Do you think you can share your blocks or your trucks with your brother?”

Offering children to positive choices helps children think for themselves. It allows children to exercise their decision making skills and focuses them on the task at hand. Offering choices shows respect for a child’s need for independence. This will ultimately help parents connect with their children and bring more peace into their home.

For more great parenting tips like these visit our website at http://www.parentingsimply.com.

A “Telling” parents uses commands to communicate with their children: “Wash your face!” “Stop bothering me!” “Put your laundry away!”

Using commands and telling children what to do takes away their ability to think independently. Not only that it creates power struggles.

In our everyday interactions with our kids we can practice having them think for themselves. Instead of telling children what to do, we can use thinking questions that involve the child and make them feel as if their opinion counts. That will make us an “Asking” parent. This will help us engage our children’s cooperation and a fantastic way to foster independence in our kids.

For example,

Instead of:

“Wash your face!”

Ask:

“What can you do to make sure your face is neat looking?”

Instead of:

“Stop bothering me!”

Ask:

“What can you do to keep busy while I finish my phone call?”

Instead of:

“Put your laundry away!”

Ask:

“What can you do to make sure that your clean clothing is organized?”

Questions like these mentioned above help children develop thinking and judgment skills. It helps parents bypass power struggles that are caused by demanding children follow directions. Constantly having to listen to commands makes children feel put out and disrespected. They might think, “My mom is so mean! She is always telling me what to do!” Instead, when asked for their input, they start to look at themselves as people who can make good decisions about taking care of their belongings. They feel capable and responsible. They may think, “Hey, if my Mom/Dad is asking me what I can do to be a part of the solution, they have faith in me that I can handle my own problems.”

Using questions instead of commands is also helpful to parents. Parents who are constantly issuing commands and demands find themselves in the role of army general. They feel distanced from their kids. They also feel like they have to be constantly on top of them in order for them to actually to do the simplest task. When parents ask these type of questions they start to view their children as capable and responsible and children act accordingly.

Try asking questions in your home and let us know what you think!

Visit us at http://www.parentingsimply.com for more information.

Here are 5 ways to help you get started:

1. Listen:

Think of the friends you call for when you have a problem. They are probably great listeners. Everyone wants to express their feelings to someone who will not judge them or interrupt them.

When adults and children come to you with their problems it is important to be attentive and interested. It helps to face your friend or child, lean forward and make eye contact.

2. Listen some more:

Most people and even children are able to figure out solutions to their own problems if they have a sounding board. They need someone to bounce ideas and feelings off of. They have trouble or become blocked if they feel judged or sense criticism. It is always helpful to ask, “Would you like advice or do you need me to just listen?”

3. Questions are a no-no:

Having to answer questions when one is in a bad mood can be confusing and overwhelming. For example, If your friend complains that she messed up at her job interview, you wouldn’t want to say, “Why didn’t the interview go well?” Were you well prepared?” “Did you get enough sleep the night before?” Similarly children get annoyed when we ask them, “Why did the teacher yell at you?”, “Were you misbehaving?” “Why don’t you act like Michelle? She always behaves?

Both adults and children feel like they are being grilled and interrogated when they are questioned in this way. Even the mildest inquiries can be irksome.

4. Don’t philosophize:

Many times when friends complain we feel compelled to use pat answers, thinking this will help. We may say, “That’s life!” “You gotta roll with the punches.” “Get a good night sleep, you will be fine.” These phrases, while they may be true, make people feel more isolated and unheard.

5. Reflect:

The best way to show you care is to try to identify the emotions your friend or child might be experiencing. It is very soothing for people of all ages to have their innermost feelings named. For example:

You sound like you are disappointed about the outcome of your meeting. Meetings like that can be tough.
You were having a hard time with Sammy in the playground-toddlers can be a challenge.
You were not happy with the way your teacher spoke to you. It sounds like you were hurt by her tone of voice and what she said.
You sound frustrated and mad. You want to stay and play and never have to go home.

“My child starting lying to me. I am very upset and don’t know how to punish her for this behavior. What can I do?”

Lying is a pretty typical childhood behavior. Parents should not worry excessively when their children lie. Becoming a moral, upstanding adult takes time and lots of learning from mistakes. Children lie for many reasons. Punishment is not the answer, it will not encourage honest behavior. To help your child be honest you can do the following:

1. Role modeling:

Role modeling is a great way and probably the only way to help your child know the right way to act. Be truthful. Try to never lie to your children even when you have to tell them something they don’t want to hear.

“Yes, I know you are going to be sad but your goldfish died. As soon as you are ready we will go to the pet shop to get another one.”

2. Tell children stories:

One way to help children be honest is to tell them stories of children who told the truth. However, according to Dr. Victoria Talwar, at McGill University you need to be careful which stories you are telling. The story of George Washington and the Cherry Tree encourages honesty while “The Boy Who Cried Wolf” does not. This is because “The Boy Who Cried Wolf” focuses on the punishment a child will get if he lies. Dr. Talwar has noted that the threat of punishment does not deter children from lying. Children who are punished for lying just become better liars. She has also found that, many parents will not punish the child for lying about their misbehavior but only for the original transgression. So the child never actually gets in trouble for lying. This makes lying worth the effort. An attempted lie to get out of trouble does not cost a child extra.

On the other hand, the punch line of the George Washington story is, ” I am glad you told me the truth-It is better than if I had 1,000 cherry trees.” Many times children lie to make their parents happy. Even, if it is just for a moment. If they know that they can make parents happy by telling the truth they will do that instead. That is why the George Washington story works.

What if you are not a storyteller? It helps for parents to just say to their children:

“I am glad you told me the truth. When I hear you telling me the truth it makes me happy.”

Another way to help children be honest is for parents to openly admire truthfulness in others. Parents can comment on other people’s behaviors:

“At the school picnic, Sara got too much money back as change. She returned the extra money to the cashier. That is being truthful.”

Role modeling and storytelling are great techniques to use for all your parenting situations and especially to help your child be truthful.

Children just want to please their parents and do well. Nagging and becoming overly invested in our kid’s schoolwork can hinder a child’s natural love of learning.

Here are some ways for parents to develop a healthy attitude towards our kid’s academic career:

1. Love Them:

A child who constantly feels the pressure of doing well in school just to make their parents happy, may act out. They are generally testing their parents to see if they are loved unconditionally. They are saying, “Do you love me for myself or for my grades? If I don’t get an “A” will you still love me?”

Make sure to spend time with your child doing things that have nothing to do with schoolwork. If your child does have trouble in school, encourage them to find hobbies they feel passionate about, woodworking, dance, athletics, or drama. This will help highlight their inner strengths and build their self-esteem.

2. Encourage Responsibility:

If your child comes home with a bad grade, don’t get mad. Instead of reacting to your child’s poor grade with anger respond with kindness and understanding. If you respond in frustration to your child’s less than perfect schoolwork, you actually decrease your child’s motivation to learn. Try to place the responsibility for his schoolwork back on your child where it belongs. You can say:

“I am sure you are disappointed with your grade. Let me know if I can help you or support you in anyway.”

3. Be An “Asking Parent”:

A “Telling” parents uses commands to communicate with their children This takes away a child’s ability to think independently and creates conflict and power struggles. An “Asking Parent” uses thinking questions to involve their child in making good decisions¨and owning their behavior. These parents use questions to help children feel needed, important and in charge of themselves.

For example, a “Telling Parent” would say:

“Clean out your backpack. You won’t find anything in that mess!”

“You need to hurry up. The bus is not going to wait all day for you!”

This type of language make children feel anxious, rebellious, helpless and angry. Commands like these create power struggles and conflict.

Instead we can be an “Asking Parent.” We can say:

“What do you think you can do to keep your book bag organized?”

“What is the best time for you to wake up so you can get to the bus on time?”

4. Role Model:

Let your child see learning in action. Learning does not just mean sitting in school. Read the newspaper and discuss current events. You can also read a book and share what you have learned about a different culture, or a new cooking technique. It is good for children to hear you say, “I love learning something new everyday. It keeps your brain healthy.”

My child will not talk to me. I try to talk to him but he doesn’t respond or ignores me. It seems to me to border on rude. What can I do to get him to talk?

Many parents have this issue. Here are some ideas:

1. Change your goal:

Parents many times feel they are not connecting with their kids unless they are talking. There are other ways. Cultivating a good relationship with children, can actually be done silently. Cuddling, sitting next to them on the couch while they are watching TV, having their favorite food for dinner, creates connections with kids. Those actions are probably more important than actual speech.

However, many people connect with others specifically through the act of talking. If you are one of those people, it is helpful to understand that not all people and more so kids, need to talk in order to build relationships. (This is usually harder for women then for men). If you need to talk to connect, try following the things that interest your kids, basketball, ice skating, soccer and the mystery series that they are reading. Look up that article online about the burrowing habits of prairie dogs or J.K. Rowling’s next project. Kids are egocentric and will be more likely to talk about the things they love.

2. Lose the questions:

Parents spend a lot of time innocently asking kids questions. Queries like:

“What did you do today, what did you learn, did your friends like your new sweater?”

“Do you have any homework? How was gym today, did you get a turn to bat? Did you have outdoor or indoor recess?”

These questions seem benign and politely conversational, but children find them to be intrusive and bothersome.Children want the liberty to talk when they feel like talking. That is why children generally respond to these questions with one word answers or a shrug of their shoulders. This can annoy us parents to no end, especially since we think we are being so nice and friendly.

To really relate to our kids and help them start talking we need to avoid the questions and instead say:

“Welcome home, I am glad to see you!”

3. Silence is golden:

There are a lot of quiet, and shy kids out there who just don’t love to talk. If you have a quiet kid, don’t force them to chat with you. American culture values people who are talkative and outgoing and these kids do not get a lot of appreciation. Make sure to cherish them for who they are and remember that “Still waters run deep”. Instead of talking make sure to give them lots of hugs and kisses. Let them know that they are loved for whatever personality they have.

Understanding how kids connect with others, avoiding questions, and appreciating your kids for who they are will go along way in building a positive relationship with your child, even if he won’t talk.

To learn more great tips like these, sign up for our weekly newsletter at http://www.parentingsimply.com

My son is 13 and now he wants a Facebook account. I have heard all the horror stories and I am really reluctant to allow it. I know many of his friends are on Facebook and he feels left out. What should I do?

This is a great question. There is so much we need to know. The best place to start is to understand the pros and cons of Facebook and the Internet.

1. The Pros and Cons:

Pros: Facebook like all social networking sites strengthens connections with friends and family. (I just found an old apartment mate from my first year in college on Facebook. I haven’t heard from her in years!)

Kids can keep in touch with friends from camp, and kids that aren’t in their class or school. Facebook can help kids coordinate and collaborate on projects, forgotten homework assignments and impromptu get togethers. Kids can contact their teachers or coaches more easily. This helps them become more responsible and organized about their school work and extracurricular activities.

Cons: Because of Facebook, kids are not getting enough practice talking to their peers face to face. Researchers have found that kids who use social networking sites exclusively may have poorer communications skills and more misunderstandings with friends. This is the real scary part: social networks are often conduits for cyber bullying and are hunting grounds for sexual predators. Experts are also concerned with the rise of obsessive behaviors associated with not only facebook but with blackberries, iphones, itouchs and plain old cell phones.

If that isn’t enough, teachers and coaches may connect with parents more, moving the responsibility of homework and tests away from kids to their parents.

2. Let’s be friends:

Most experts agree that if your child does have a facebook account you need to friend them so that you can keep a close eye on their page. You actually need to be their first friend. If you attended any of my parenting classes you will know that I do not advocate being your child’s friend. You need to be the parent, the authority figure and role model in their lives. This is the exception.

My friend’s daughter, Kayla, has a facebook account. Kayla’s uncle has a job where he has to monitor Facebook constantly. He checks Kayla’s page frequently and scares away the boys that post on her page. Kudos to intrusive, overbearing uncles. Kids become intensely annoyed with nosy parents but tend to be more good natured with the meddling of their extended family.

Here are some examples of how this works:

1. Your child complains that his shoes are too tight right when it is time to leave:

Instead of making your child happy or denying their feelings, try delivering empathy:

a. Your shoes are really uncomfortable.
b. You wish we didn’t have to leave right now so you had time to change your shoes.
c. While we are in the car, let’s think of a time that we can go to the shoe store and get new shoes.
d. I bet you wish we could go to the shoe store right now.
e. I am so sorry about your shoes; what are you going to do?

2. Your child is complains about her schoolwork:

Instead of making your child happy or denying their feelings, try delivering empathy:

a. You seem concerned about your schoolwork. You sound a little overwhelmed.
b. You are wishing you didn’t have to do this report. You wish homework assignments weren’t so time consuming.”
c. Sounds rough, did you have some thoughts on how you are going to get organized?

3. Your child does not want to go to bed:

Instead of making your child happy or denying their feelings, try delivering empathy:

a. You seem upset about your bedtime. You really don’t feel like getting into bed.
b. You are wishing that you could go to sleep later. You wish you didn’t have to go to sleep so early!”
c. You are having a hard time with this. It is bedtime. How are you going to get into bed and get yourself to sleep?

It is normal for children to complain and whine. Even adults do it sometimes. Kids need to be taught that it is okay but there are limits. They need to pull themselves together take responsibility for their feelings and handle their everyday problems. Empathy helps them do just that.

Here are some ideas to help parents help their kids listen:

1. Let your child know that he/she is a good listener:

Many times parents will inadvertently reinforce negative behavior, i.e. not listening, by pointing out all the times their child is not listening. It is better if parents were on the lookout for any positive behavior. If at any point children are listening, even if it is because it is something they like to do, parents should praise their child for that behavior.

For example:

You listened! you got into the car right when I asked, you are excited to go to Grandma’s house, so you were able to listen on the first try!
You listened! When I asked, you came right away to brush your teeth with your favorite flavor toothpaste!
When we praise our children for listening, even for the things they like to do, we let them know that they are capable of listening. Kids believe what we tell them and we are basically telling them that they are good listeners. This will then be incorporated as part of their self-image. If we show them the ways that they are good listeners, they will think of themselves as good listeners. This can help ensure better listening and attention to parents overall.

2. Keep it brief:

Parents often will talk a lot and it is hard for kids to decipher all the information that they need in order for them to actually comply. When parents are succinct, kids have a better time following directions.

For example:

Instead of:

“You need to go the bathroom, and go get your toothbrush and start brushing your teeth right now. It is getting late, and it is almost past your bedtime!”

Try:

“Time to brush your teeth!”

Keeping it short does a lot to help kids understand what you want from them. It helps them listen.

3. Tell them what they need to do:

Many times parents will tell kids what they shouldn’t do, instead of what they should do. This can be very confusing for kids.

For example:

Instead of:

“You never listen, you keep on playing with your toys and and not listening. You need to listen.”

Try:

“Dinner time. Time to come to the table!”

Helping children to listen can be a full time job. Being positive, giving short but sweet directions and telling children what they need to do, can help.

Think about the times you have had to do something that is hard for you. It might even be something that you just don’t really want to do. Have you done an adult version of procrastination, whining and running around your house doing other things that are not really necessary?

I know I have!

I have this particular problem when I sit down to work. I love what I do. However, whenever I would finally hit my computer, I would spend 15-30 minutes checking Facebook, surfing the internet and answering some emails that were not pressing. I would getting really annoyed with myself. This was until my friend assured me that it was very normal and necessary behavior. I actually need to do this before I start to work. It helps me transition into work mode.

It is the same for kids. They may have a hard time transitioning from school to home or from play to work. That is why they exhibit the above mentioned behaviors. It seems to be a form of procrastination, but it is not. It is how kids get ready to work.

Here are 3 ways to help our kids do their homework:

1. Find a Helpful Activity:

We now understand that the negative behaviors surrounding homework may be due to difficulties in transitioning from one activity to another. Viewed in this way, we can think about teaching kids how to best transition to homework. It might be that they need to whine or jump around to let off steam. Perhaps they need a way to expend their energy in a healthy way, by playing on a jungle gym or a trampoline. They might also need some down time. Maybe a video or playing a board game can help.

2. Chew, Chew, Chew:

Chewing gum has also been proven to help children focus on their homework. Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine say that chewing gum helps aid concentration and also reduces stress. It helps children by giving them some sensory stimulation. This helps kids stay on task and they have an easier time transitioning to homework time.

3. It’s All About Ambiance:

When I was in school, I did homework with a friend who always needed music on in the background. She said it helped her concentrate. It drove me nuts. Before long we realized we weren’t the best study partners. Some children find that music and some noise around them helps them concentrate, while other kids need complete silence. It is helpful when we point out to kids the different things they can do to help them concentrate.

Homework can be a tricky time for parents and kids alike. Helping our kids transition, chewing gum and finding the way your child works best can be effective in making homework time easier.

Who does this article apply to?

* If you’re currently selling your product with a simple paypal button. Consider switching to Clickbank.
* If you have a shopping cart (like 1ShoppingCart.com) that you’re using to sell your products. Consider also setting up a separate page or URL where you sell your product on Clickbank.

Here’s why…

Diversification of your Payments.
You may not be aware of this, but PayPal.com has been known to “freeze” accounts while looking into them after they’ve been flagged by one of their employees. While Paypal.com is a trusted company, they do have to watch out for their own interests. So, if this happens to you, your account will not be accessible during that time. That means you can’t withdraw money, you can’t pay affiliates, and you can’t process refunds. You’re stuck. I don’t know about you, but I have bills to pay – which is why I recommend that you also sell products via a secondary payment method like Clickbank. They pay via direct deposit into your Checking account every 2 weeks, like clockwork. If, heaven forbid, your account gets flagged by Paypal – you’ll be able to pay your mortgage while getting it cleared.

Less Book-Keeping.
With Clickbank, you get paid weekly or when you reach a certain dollar amount that you’ve set. That means that you can pay less in accounting fees – because you’ll have a maximum of FOUR transactions per month, assuming you’re getting paid weekly. Compare that to using a paypal button or shopping cart – where every single transaction has to be entered by your bookkeeper – and you can see the advantage.

100,000 + Sales Force.
Yes, Clickbank has the eye of over 100,000 registered affiliate niche marketers in 145 countries. Many of these affiliate search the Clickbank marketplace first when looking for products to promote. If you’re not listed there, they can find you.

Clickbank’s HopAds Program.
You may be familiar with Google Adsense, but, did you know that Clickbank also has an advertising program? As a vendor, you can create Ads that automatically show on affiliate websites – based upon keywords. So, if your ebook is about “Saving Money on Groceries” and someone with a frugal or homemaking site puts the HopAd on their site with keywords “grocery” or “save money” – your ad may display in rotation with the other ads – as long as that ad is live on their site.

Hands Off Affiliate Management.
If you’re using your own shopping cart like 1ShoppingCart.com then you have to manage your affiliates or hire someone to do so. While this is definitely a profitable thing to do, some tasks can be a nuisance, like collecting W-9 forms (if you’re in the United States) for taxes. If you sell through Clickbank, that’s not an issue. They handle it for you.

Affiliate Payment Safety Cushion.
If you’re selling your products through your own shopping cart, then every month, you have to make sure to keep a “cushion” in your paypal account so that you have enough money to pay them. That’s not an issue with Clickbank. You ONLY receive your profits after affiliates have been paid. And, Clickbank handles paying them for you. You’re totally out of the loop.

There you have it. Six reasons why you should consider putting your ebook on Clickbank for sale.

Nicole Dean is the Busy Marketer’s Coach. She makes it her business to help you make more money while actually having a life. Check out her “15 Quick & Easy Steps to Getting your Ebook on Clickbank” and Let Clickbank Market Your Info Product & Attract Affiliates for you!

December is one of the most popular months for clutter to creep into your home.  It comes in disguised as gifts to give, gifts received, and decorations.  But before you allow gifts and holiday décor into your home ask yourself a few questions to determine if Chronic Disorganization is a part of your life and will be at your house on Christmas morning:

• Do the items filling my home impact my (and my family’s) daily life in a negative way?

Specifically related to this time of year: Are you shopping for Christmas gifts even though you know you have some stashed somewhere?  Can you find the potato ricer to make grandma’s famous mashed potatoes for Christmas dinner?

• Has clutter filled your home for most of your adult life?  Have your children ever lived in a home that is uncluttered?

Specifically related to this time of year:  Is it a challenge to find a place for the Christmas tree, and is there room to open gifts comfortably?

• Have you tried to clean up the clutter but it just doesn’t last?

Specifically related to this time of year:  Do you feel added stress to clean up around the holidays only in January to be left wondering where you stashed things?

If yes is the answer to these questions then you could be chronically disorganized.  Chronic Disorganization (CD) is not a disease, nor is it a diagnosis.  The term chronic disorganization is a term used by the National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization (NSGCD) to help identify and explain this common struggle with clutter and the impact that it has on people’s lives.

During this time of year as we focus on family, friends, love and sharing also add clutter into that equation. Evaluate whether too much stuff adds or subtracts to the overall quality of your holiday.  The following questions could help you look at the impact of clutter in a new light and maybe with the coming new year you will be willing to make new choices.  So think back over past holidays…

• Do you have family gatherings at your house?  If not, why? Does it have anything to do with too much stuff filling rooms and chairs etc.?
• What do you do with all of the new Christmas gifts? Do other items go out of the house?  Or do you just add to your stuff every year?
• Have you ever looked at holiday pictures?  What is in the background? What does it do to the picture?  Are there beautiful decorations that help identify the time of year?  Or are there stacks and piles of all sorts of papers and things?

It’s time to make choices.  It’s time to look realistically at your belongings.  It’s time to get real.  It’s time to face your clutter eye to eye.  Make a real choice, and make it a conscience choice.  If you are struggling with CD then you’ve been making the choice for years without even realizing it.  You’ve been letting stuff choose for you.  Is this the year that you will choose family, friends, peace, and love over the stuff that fills your home?

What the worst thing that could happen if all of your stuff was gone?  Now flip that question around and ask instead, “What the BEST thing that could happen if I get rid of some stuff?”  One answer could be that you open your life up to the possibility of good things and people filling your home instead of inanimate objects that only take from you.  Yes, inanimate objects do take things: they take space, time, and energy.  With less stuff you could have more people come into your home who can give love back to you.  All of the things that fill your home are not giving you your memories back to you.  Memories are in your mind and your heart.  Memories can be captured in a picture.  Memories come alive when you are with the people that you love.  Memories don’t reside in the dusty mildewed boxes of stuff in your living room.  Wouldn’t you rather have your favorite aunt come visit for the holidays?  I’m sure she could share stories that are far more enjoyable than looking through box.

So ask yourself, and honestly answer this question:  Would I rather boxes of stuff or my friends and family be a part of my life?  And remember your memories live in your mind and in your heart.

What would you say if I told you there is a method that has become very popular among exhausted parents that gets the cooking done and meals prepared and made ready for the busy work weeks. No, I’m not talking about hiring a live in cook. Besides that’s just another person to deal with. No, what I’m suggesting is something called ‘once a month cooking.’ Yep, you read it correctly. Also known as ‘freezer cooking’, it’s a concept that’s really taking off.

The idea is to set aside a couple of days where you cook your little heart out. That way your family gets really good dinners for the rest of the month and your time is freed up to do things like enjoy that hot bath or take tap dancing lessons…whatever floats your boat.

What I’ve heard from moms who have tried ‘OAMC’ is that not only are they saving time and making good food, but they’re actually saving money too. Seems like they’re keeping their budget on track by planning their meals. Makes sense.

Giving in to exhaustion and driving through a burger joint is way too easy. It’s expensive and unhealthy, but we all know that. What I suggest is taking on the challenge of planning a month’s worth of meals, buying the ingredients and supplies and scheduling the days to do the work. You can do it all in one day, but if that sounds like a little more than what you’re willing to take on, then break up the cooking into two days.

So, what do you think? Sound like a good idea? If ‘freezer cooking’ is something you’d like to try, there are a few things that you need to get clear before you begin. First of all, don’t go into it blind. Make a plan and schedule the time. Don’t schedule a cooking weekend during one of your family’s busiest times. Avoid holidays and other deadlines. This is supposed to be a positive thing you’re doing here. In fact, if you can find someone to watch your kids while you cook, then by all means take them up on it. If not, then let the older kids help and have lots of fun things for the little guys to do while you’re busy making their lives better.

Naturally, you’re going to need some good, easy, affordable menus for your meals. Plan this well so you save money. Don’t wait to do the shopping on your actual cooking day. There’s nothing more frustrating than the grocery store anyway. Be sure you have your list with you and look for bargains and bulk pricing and use those coupons when you can.

Decide how you plan on storing your meals and make sure you have all of the storage bags and containers ready. Get out your crock pot and make as many crock pot recipes as you can so your oven is free for casseroles etc.

Ready to give ‘once a month cooking’ a go? You’ll soon discover that it’s fun being frugal and way smarter than fast or convenience foods for your family’s health and budget. Involve your friends and other family members and make it an event. However you do it, just plan well and reap the rewards.

Sherry Frewerd loves helping moms make their lives easier by saving time and money in the kitchen. Find out how you can save by using your crock pot to prepare meals for your family at Family Crock Pot Recipes.com

I remember when I started my first business. Initially, my goal was to earn an extra $500 per month so I could afford my own apartment and eliminate the need for a roommate. Over time, my vision for that part-time local business began to grow and ultimately it became an international business that had revenues of just under 2 million.

Along my entrepreneurial journey and working with 1000′s of women, I’ve discovered that there are 4 phases to entrepreneurship and each phase plays a key role in your success. Each phase requires a different skill or way of thinking and one is not more important than the other. You may find that you are a “natural” in one or more of the phases and possibly “challenged” in other phases. If so, you will want to think about getting support in the areas where you’re less comfortable.

The Big Ideas Phase – The beginning. You dream about the future, about your preferred life and how your Big Idea can help you live that preferred life. You have visions of working in your dream business doing something you enjoy. During this phase, your vision of the business is “general” or in the broad sense. Example: Maybe you’re dreaming of becoming a yoga instructor. You have a vision of owning a yoga studio where you have the opportunity to teach yoga to people who want to be strong and healthy. (You get to do something you love, get paid for doing it and keep a strong healthy body too!) You daydream about the idea, however, you haven’t actually created a plan to make it happen yet. Maybe it’s still a “secret” to everyone except a close friend or family member.

The Illumination Phase – I refer to this as “shining a light” on the Big Idea. This is the phase where you become more “specific” about the dream. The idea actually begins to take shape. Using the yoga studio/instructor example, you may be asking yourself questions like: What age group will attend my classes? Where will I teach? Do I want my own studio? What time of day and how often? The Illumination Phase is a time to begin writing these questions (and the answers) down in a journal that is kept solely for the business. The Big Idea is beginning to take shape now. This is the beginning of your business plan.

Process and Plan Phase – This is the “doing” phase. You bring your Big Idea to reality. Maybe you need to become certified as a Yoga instructor. You begin to explore the certification process. If you desire your own studio, you’ll want to look for space that will be an ideal location. You are now beginning the process of setting the business up, claiming a name, and marketing yourself to attract clients.

The Leader Phase – The Leader Phase in any business is when you become known as an expert in your industry. You begin speaking and educating people about your mission and your vision. In the yoga instructor example, you would educate your community about your vision for yoga and how your dream is to help people feel better, healthier and stronger. You become a storyteller and educator in the yoga community. Your vision starts to expand and you imagine your studio in different cities or parts of the world. You become known as an expert in your field and gain recognition. You become an inspiration to others.

Women are the most creative beings on earth. You have Big Ideas that have the ability to be award winning businesses. It’s essential that each phase be nurtured along the way to ensure your success.

You may want to go from the Big Idea Phase directly to the Leader Phase without actually putting a plan or system in place to handle your clients once they become attracted to your business. On the other hand, you may be spending so much time on the Illumination Phase that you can’t seem to “pull the trigger” and get out there in a big way to promote yourself and your Big Idea.

All four phases are necessary if you want to create ultimate success.

When I began my journey as a woman entrepreneur years ago, I realized I needed support in several of the phases. I needed the support of coaches and mentors in the Illumination Phase to help me take my Big Idea from “general” to more “specific.” I wouldn’t be where I am today without the support of my team which is paramount to the Process and Plan Phase.

I invite you to take some time and think about which entrepreneurial phase you’re in right now. Discover where you are a “natural” and consider getting some support in the areas where you need help so you can enjoy the ultimate success you want and deserve.

Anything is possible. Everything is waiting for you.

*****
© 2011 Joy Chudacoff

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:  Joy Chudacoff, ICF, PCC, is the founder of Smart Women Smart Solutions®, a Professional Certified Coach to 1000’s of women, Motivational Speaker, and Entrepreneur.  She publishes a weekly buzz generating ezine, Reflections On Life and Business for Women Entrepreneurs.  If you’re ready take your life and your business to the next level, get your FREE Tips, 2 FREE Reports and FREE MP3 now at Creating The Spark.

Here are a handful of scrapbook-related tasks you can complete in five to ten minutes:

• Go through your digital images and upload your favorites to your photo processing site.
• Adjust color and red-eye values on your digital photos.
• Jot down some notes from a recent story or two.
• Type journaling into the computer for a layout.
• Choose product for a future page – place them in a large, plastic envelope or file folder for storage.
• File layouts you’ve completed but haven’t yet stored in albums.
• Flip through a recent scrapbooking magazine, tagging pictures for your idea/inspiration file.
• Review your scrapbooking staples – journaling pens, neutral cardstock, adhesive, letter stickers – and make a list of items you’re running low on.
• Sort your photos into categories: People, places, things, events.
• Upload your recent shots to your favorite online photo processor.
• Put away recent purchases from your latest trip to the scrapbook store.
• Crop photos to the correct size for a layout design you already have in mind.
• Take a few photos, right where you are, to capture the “in the moment” aspect of your everyday life that is often overlooked in our scrapbooks.
• Interview an older family member by phone regarding details of an event you’d like to include their perspective on.

You don’t have to wait until you have hours on end to sit down and get your scrapbooking “fix.” Take advantage of those small nuggets of time!

Want some more tips on how to scrapbook quickly? Visit the Fast Scrapbooking section of Lain Ehmann’s blog. Lain is a popular scrapbook designer, teacher, and writer who helps her readers make their scrapbooking fun, fast, and fabulous at http://www.layoutaday.com.

For example, you can leverage simple things you’re already doing daily to get more exposure and leads for practically no additional effort. To get started one of the key things you can do is leverage all of your connections and contact.

1. Have an Audio Logo

An audio logo is a succinct and curiosity-inspiring statement you use to introduce yourself. After all, if you’re going to be introducing yourself you might as well make sure you do it in a compelling way and get the best result possible!

Avoid using your industry label like mortgage broker, graphic designer, dog walker, etc. and instead position yourself apart from your competition by telling people who your ideal customers are and how you impact them.

This leads to more interactive conversations and you just never know if they are or know someone who is seeking those same benefits of your services.

Developing an audio logo doesn’t take long, and once you have it, it takes zero extra effort to use it with people you come in contact with – the next time someone ask you what you do.

2. Voice Mail

Take advantage of the audio space on your answering service by using your voice mail to communicate a succinct, clever marketing message. Think of it as a free commercial – keep it short but use it to market yourself.

Some ideas: offer an interesting or relevant tip, mini ad, share your tag line or branding statement, promote a new service or product, or simply drive people to your website or blog. Just make sure to switch it up often.

As a result, everyone who calls and gets your answering machine will learn about you and your business. It may take but a few minutes to create and record your enticing message but can pay dividends – with minimal effort on your part.

3. Email Signature

Similar to your voice mail, your email signature is valuable real estate and with a bit of effort easy to leverage. Not only should you have you name and contact information but by creating an enticing email signature and setting up your email system so that it will append it to every message, you’re making the most of every email you send.

Here are some ways to spice up your email signature to build awareness, referrals and yes, even potential prospects:

* Link to download an interesting article
* Freebie to lure then to your blog or website
* Announce a new product or service launch
* Branded tag line
* Link to a quiz
* Invitation to an event
* Testimonial quote

These 3 ideas are just the starting point for the many shoestring marketing strategies that you can come up with. Keep thinking of ways you can insert your marketing message in every interaction you’re already engaging in, and then take action. You’ll be pleased with the results.

Ready to get more and better results from your marketing efforts? Join Sue Clement at her FREE how to get new clients webinar.

For the inside scoop on getting more new clients with less effort than you ever thought possible, visit Sue’s Business Success Coaching resources website and watch your business grow.

There are a number of factors that can make a big difference in terms of what will be appropriate and what will have the desired effect. Get it wrong, and the reward can actually backfire, or it will just cost you and won’t do you much good.

Here are some points to keep in mind:

1) Consider your niche

The niche you and your referral partners are in will make a big difference. If you are in the internet marketing niche, for example, it is not only acceptable but expected to pay commissions for referrals. The difference lies in the percentage or amount of commissions, how soon it is paid, and whether to give any bonuses. In fact, there are numerous internet marketers who have build their business on the concept of recommending products and services and collecting commissions.

This can be a win-win all around since their help with marketing can help boost the profits of products or services that otherwise would have found only a much smaller audience. In some other niches, however, referring someone in exchange for money is frowned upon. And if you were provide a monetary reward, you’d likely cause offense rather than appreciation and increased efforts.

Remember this tip… if you can’t reward, recognize! Find ways to show your appreciation by recognizing someone for their referral. It could be as simple as a public mention in your ezine, newsletter or company bulletin board.

2) What kinds of rewards work well

Once again, you should be familiar with what is acceptable and appreciated in your niche. Within these parameters, you could give the following: Universal fit: Cash, cash equivalents such as Visa gift cards, and possibly store gift cards.

More personal: store or restaurants gift cards or gift certificates, gift baskets, culinary gifts, magazine subscriptions, movie tickets, specialty food gifts, donation to their charity of choice, and rebates for your own services (only if appropriate, and if it’s something that the person would otherwise purchase anyway). Even more personal: A dinner or lunch with you, tickets to a special event or sporting event, perhaps a round of golf – but only if they golf ).

3) How much is enough (and not too much)

Most of the options above are very flexible when it comes to the question, “How much?” Obviously, a commission based on a percentage could range from 10% and up. And a flat fee commission could be any amount. Gift cards and gift certificates come in a wide price range. Actual gifts can be small or huge.

So how much is enough, and how much would be too much? This can be tricky, and several things need to be considered: like whether you commit to giving a specific gift or commission every time, and if not, what you will do for follow-up referrals to avoid disappointment. The Las Vegas style of random reward can easily backfire – if you provide a reward once but then not the next time that could be off putting to some.

As you can see, rewarding your referral partners or referral sources can be tricky. Business owners in industries where they simply pay referrals are actually lucky since all they have to do is pay a commission. Imagine having to juggle gift baskets and tickets to baseball games and such.

And what’s worse is that one person’s treasure could be another person’s disappointment. And disappointing a referral partner or source is something you should definitely try to avoid.

An easy suggestion for people you’re building an ongoing referral relationship with is to have an open and frank discussion so there’s no room for confusion or disappointment. If a monetary reward is your choice, finalize it in writing so there’s misunderstanding or hard feelings.

But finally, the most important MUST do is make sure to thank your referral partners. Nothing is more special than a well thought out sincere, hand written note of thanks and appreciation.

Ready to get more and better referrals? Join Sue Clement at her FREE how to get new clients webinar.

For the inside scoop on getting more new clients with less effort than you ever thought possible, visit Sue’s Business Success Coaching resources website and watch your business grow.

If you don’t manage your time then your time will manage you. This is not a good situation for the work at home professional. Below are a few tips for how to effectively manage your time while working from home.

1. Get Organized. Everyone’s version of being organized is different and it really doesn’t matter what your idea of organization is, as long as you follow it. When you are able to walk in to your office space and it is organized, then you will find you spend less time moving things around and “preparing” to work. Instead, you will be able to come in, sit down and get to work.

2. Develop a Schedule. While the appeal of working from home is having the ability to work the hours that are convenient for you, it’s still important that you have some type of work schedule. Some work at home professionals have a set schedule of hours that they work every day while others plan out their working hours week by week. Both methods are fine, when you are consistent and follow your schedule. By developing a work schedule, you are managing time as you’re setting aside certain hours a day to commit to work, which will make you more productive.

3. Avoid Time Consuming Activities. During your scheduled work hours, it important that you avoid getting sidetracked with time-consuming activities. Checking emails, social networking sites, reviewing your online banking information, etc. are all time-consuming activities that should be done on your “non-working hours.” These activities seem innocent, but can easily take up 30 minutes to an hour if you aren’t careful.

4. Don’t Forget Breaks. Before your workday begins, review your schedule and make sure you have scheduled in a few breaks here and there. They may only be 15 or 20 minute breaks, but it’s important you do allow yourself a couple breaks. Breaks give you time to clear your mind and usually help increase productivity for those who work from home.

5. Schedule Time Off. One of the drawbacks of working from home is that your work place is in the home with you. This makes it very difficult to leave work. However, it’s important that you do schedule time off for yourself. Many work at home professionals have fallen into the “workaholic” trap because they feel they should be working until they are caught up with everything. When this happens, it takes away the fun of working from home. Therefore, make sure you schedule yourself days off to give yourself a much needed break. Plus, your family wants to see you too!

Working from home is a very rewarding experience, especially if you have children or other outside commitments that make working a traditional job difficult. However, before you will be successful working from home, you have to effectively manage your time. By following the tips above, you should have no problem managing your time and increasing your daily work productivity rate…which means, increasing your profits too!

If you need help in tweaking your time management or reaching your goals, simply sign up for one of our totally free or affordable coaching packages today!

In my work with women, I often suggest they take an exit ramp from their day to day routine to contemplate where they are now and where they want to go – both in their business and personal lives. This is typically met with a big gulp, heavy sigh and: “You mean alone, by myself?” “I don’t have time!” “Who will take care of everything while I’m gone?” Because you play many roles in your life, it can be challenging to imagine leaving your current life for even an hour, much less an entire weekend. In my own experience, it is one of the best ways to find crystal clear clarity and focus around designing both a business and personal life that reflects your core values.

When you have the opportunity to step away from your day-to-day responsibilities and open your mind to quiet, peaceful reflection, magical things happen; you manifest answers to nagging questions, generate ideas about what you can change and accept what you cannot change.

Here’s the interesting fact: “Carmaggedon” came and went without a major glitch. Why? Because the city of Los Angeles prepared for the traffic interruption.

If you are ready to get crystal clear on the vision for your future, I invite you to take these 5 action steps to plan your exit for 24-48 hours (or longer if you can manage it):

1. Set a date – Pull out your calendar and decide when you want to take an exit ramp from your daily life. There will never be a good time so pick a date that works reasonably well for you.

2. Choose an environment – Where will you retreat? Do you enjoy the mountains, ocean? Do you want a spa retreat or just the basics?

3. Give everyone plenty of notice – This is an essential key. Make sure everyone who’s a key player in your life knows when you are leaving and returning. When everyone understands the plan, they are more likely to jump on board and be supportive of your needs.

4. Pack your bag for success – You’ll need very little. Comfy clothes, shoes for walking, a journal, pens, highlighters, oversized white post-it paper for visioning, colorful markers, your favorite tunes. (I always include a favorite bubble bath gel as I’m a big fan of taking baths.)

5. Shut down – If you want to have 100% success, I invite you to completely shut down while you are away. Leave your emails, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn behind. You may need your phone for emergencies or to call your family at bedtime to say goodnight but otherwise, press the off button.

As I write this article, I’m sitting at my desk enjoying my own “Hermaggedon.” Yep, my hubby and kids went to Palm Desert this weekend to visit grandparents. I stayed behind to vision, create, write and prepare for my preferred future.

You can do it too. You can have your own “Hermaggedon.”

Anything is possible. Everything is waiting for you.

*****
© 2011 Joy Chudacoff

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Joy Chudacoff, ICF, PCC, is the founder of Smart Women Smart Solutions®, a Professional Certified Coach to 1000’s of women, Motivational Speaker, and Entrepreneur. She publishes a weekly buzz generating ezine, Reflections On Life and Business for Women Entrepreneurs. If you’re ready take your coaching business to the next level, get your FREE Tips, FREE Report, FREE MP3 and be the first to hear about my exciting new program for coaches and consultants at Smart Women Smart Solutions Coaching.

1. You save more time because you know exactly who you’re looking for.

3. When you provide a great service, you’ll get highly qualified referrals from your satisfied clients to people they know who have the same problem.

Here’s a quick case study to illustrate how effective this is:

In our community, little league baseball is quite popular. From February through June, parents spend 6-10 hours a week taking their kids to and from practice as well as attending games. It’s a huge commitment and one many parents take seriously.

Enter Yoga Johnny.

Yoga Johnny is a pitching coach. He works with children who have a desire to be a pitcher in little league baseball. Yoga Johnny is a very smart guy.  Baseball is played in every area of Los Angeles however, Johnny understands that our community is one where parents will do (and pay) just about anything to help their kids stand on the mound and pitch.

Johnny knows exactly who his ideal client is. It’s not children who want to be pitchers. It’s parents whose children want to be pitchers and are willing to pay for this level of coaching. He simply hangs out at the park where all the games and practices are located. When I think about Johnny’s marketing model, it’s really quite brilliant:

1. He’s saving time because he knows exactly where his ideal client hangs out.

2. He’s saving money because he only markets to his ideal client. He doesn’t need to spend time running all over Los Angeles looking for his ideal client. They are all nestled together right here in one community.

3. He continues to get a steady stream of new clients because everyone talks about the results their child gets when they work with Yoga Johnny.

Johnny also uses another effective marketing tool: Package pricing. You cannot hire Johnny one time. He requires that you commit your child to months of his training in order to see the desired results. He has a proven system that he uses and he doesn’t deviate from it. He knows what works for him and the clients he serves.

I invite you to take a few minutes and answer these 3 questions:

1. Have I identified who my ideal client is? Can I describe her/him to someone? What problem do I solve for this person?

3. Am I asking for rave reviews from my satisfied clients? Am I asking if they know others who might benefit from working with me?

Smart Women Entrepreneurs can learn a lot from a guy like Yoga Johnny.

Anything is possible. Everything is waiting for you.

*****

© 2011 Joy Chudacoff

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:  Joy Chudacoff, ICF, PCC, is the founder of Smart Women Smart Solutions®, a Professional Certified Coach to 1000’s of women, Motivational Speaker, and Entrepreneur.  She publishes a weekly buzz generating ezine, Reflections On Life and Business for Women Entrepreneurs.  If you’re ready take your life and your business to the next level, get your FREE Tips, FREE Report and FREE MP3 now at Profits With Passion.

1. Choose the right business.
If you know you want to start a business, but aren’t sure what business is a good fit for you, don’t lose heart. Take stock of what types of things you love to do, skills that you bring to table and things you would do in life even when you aren’t paid (volunteer work, for example).  Make a list using all of these things and then look for a theme running through them all.  If you can find the theme, chances are you’re on the right path to finding a business that’s a good fit for you.

2. Set a timeline.
Once you’ve made a decision as to what business you’ll start, you need to start setting goals. Begin with the end – pick a date for when you’d like to be up and running. Then make a list of what needs to be done to make that happen and set goal dates for each item on the list.

3. Get a plan.
A business plan may sound like a whole lot of work for minimal rewards, but in actuality it will save you a good deal of time and effort later. Putting a plan together helps you keep focused and allows you to cut out things that aren’t a fit for where you’re headed. Search online for business plan examples and ideas and create one unique to you.

4. Get help.
None of us is a one-woman show. We may run our businesses on our own, yet all of us have people that mentor us (either formally or informally), people that we can turn to with questions. Make a list of people you can call on for different areas of expertise. Having these people in your rolodex now will save you stress when trouble comes – and it will eventually.

5. Outsource.
One thing new business owners often make a mistake doing is trying to do everything themselves. Yes, it may cost to bring in help, but even a few hours a week can make a huge difference in the time you will have as a business owner to do the actual business of growing your business. There are other possibilities, too, such as swapping and bartering for Virtual Assistant services. Be creative and don’t be afraid to ask for help.

6. Make it happen.
Once you have a plan in place, you must take the plunge. Dreaming, planning and list-making are all great things, but without action nothing will come of them. What needs to be done to get your business off the ground? Do it!

You can see how easy it is to start your own business. We also recommend that you read as much as you can to learn all you can.

##

Jill Hart, Founder of Christian Work-at-Home Moms http://www.cwahm.com/ and Diana Ennen, President of Virtual Word Publishing, http://www.virtualwordpublishing.com/ have teamed up to write So You Want to Be a Work at Home Mom: A Christian’s Guide to Starting a Home-Based Business http://www.soyouwanttobeawahm.com/. Start or expand your business today with their help. Article is free to be reprinted as long as bio remains.

What is PLR content?  It is content that is purchased that you can claim authorship to.  It can come in the form of articles, reports, ebooks, videos, etc.  PLR content can supplement your own writing in many ways.  PLR can be used in various ways:

• As content for your website
• As blog posts.  Buy a pack of articles and you have the next ten (or more) blog posts practically written for you.
• Information products – use PLR to create your next report or eBook.
• Membership site – if you have a membership site, you need a LOT of content. You can supplement your own with PLR.
• Newsletters – you have to keep in touch with your subscribers on a regular basis, but that can get to be a challenge week after week.  Provide them with great content using PLR.
• Use the content to make an informational audio or video.

If you own an online business, you need to consistently provide new fresh content.  That gets to be quite a chore if you have to write it all yourself.   Using some quality PLR is an affordable way to give yourself some help producing all that information.

There are some other options that you can use to get help with your content.  You could hire a writer or a ghostwriter.  The problem here is not only is that an expensive option, but it’s hard to get “your voice” when someone else is doing the writing.  With PLR, you can change it to fit who you are and how you write.

Which do you think is a better option?  Letting your blog posting be inconsistent, or even worse, letting your blog lay dormant.  Or spending a few dollars and picking up some good PLR content to share with your readers.  I don’t think there is really a choice to make.

Want to give yourself some help?  Grab some quality PLR content?  Visit http://internetmarketingplrcontent.com

Below are some simple steps for overcoming self doubt.

1 – Verbally Compliment Yourself – You may feel a little silly doing this at first, but it is a critical thing to do when working on overcoming self doubt. In the morning, when you go to the bathroom, look at yourself in the mirror and give yourself a compliment. It may just be something simple like, “I look good today.” It doesn’t really matter what it is, the point is that you compliment yourself. You are your toughest critic, so if your toughest critic can give you a compliment every day, everyone else should be easy, right?

2 – Address the Problem – In order to overcome your struggle with self-doubt, you have to acknowledge it’s there first. So, sit down and think for a minute. What exactly is it about yourself that you doubt? Are there specific instances when you doubt yourself more than others? If so, what are those instances? Write them down. This process will help you specifically identify what it is that you fear the most. It may be that you aren’t confident in your speaking abilities or you doubt your professional abilities. Once you know what the problem area is, you can begin to work on it.

3 – Find the Good – Now that you’ve determined what it is you doubt about yourself, write down every good quality you have. It doesn’t matter if you are a good cook, have great typing skills, are punctual or are great with other people. Whatever good qualities you have, write them down. And, write them down in “I” statements. For instance, “I am a great journalist.” Use this list of “I” statements to read in the morning when you give yourself a compliment. This step is key in overcoming self doubt as it will give you a list of things that you feel good about.

4 – Keep a Daily Journal – A great way to build your confidence and and work on overcoming self doubt is to begin keeping a daily journal. Throughout the day, write down everything good that you do. Basically, you want to write down all of your accomplishments over the course of each day. Then, at night right before bed, take the list out and read over it. End the day by reading good things about yourself and you’ll be more likely to wake up thinking good things about yourself.

5 – Talk to Friends – Everyone has at least one friend, so I don’t want to hear that you don’t have any friends to talk to. When you’re suffering from self-doubt, you need a support group to help you talk your way out of the self-doubt pit and back up to your mainland of confidence. This is what good friends are for. Use them!

6 – Celebrate – Don’t place minimal importance on your achievements. Celebrate them! You need to celebrate the specific times when you overcome your self-doubt and achieve something you didn’t think was possible. These celebrations will give you more motivation to keep on going!

Self doubt is a real problem that affects many people. However, you can defeat it. The six steps listed above may seem simple. That’s because they are! Start implementing them in your daily life and you’ll be amazed at the difference they will make and you will also be amazed at the progress you make with overcoming self doubt.

If you need help with expanding your personal growth, simply sign up for one of my affordable coaching packages.

Dear Nicole,

I hear you talking about PLR articles, but I’m a Virtual Assistant, not an Internet Marketer. I need clients, not content.

Why should I care?

Dear Virtual Assistant:

Thanks so much for giving me the opportunity to respond to your great question.

PLR content can actually help you to get more clients. And, I’ll explain how.

As someone who hires and works with a lot of Virtual Assistants in my business, I’ll tell you that I hire oftentimes based upon the knowledge that person shows just as much as what they “say” they can do.

For instance, let’s compare two Virtual Assistants (hypothetically – these aren’t real people).

Susie and Tessa.

I go to Susie’s website and she’s got three pages – including contact, services, and pricing. I look around a little and discover that Susie specializes in videos and multimedia. I think “hmmm… interesting” and then leave.

Next, I find Tessa’s website. She’s got the same pages on her website as Susie – contact, services, and pricing. It looks to me as if she also specializes in videos and multimedia. That’s not what I’m looking for, so I’m about to leave when I notice that she has a blog. On her blog, she’s got articles about how I can use video in my business and how to also use video to get more traffic and make more money. I’m interested. She obviously knows her stuff. I contact her to find out how she can help me to get more traffic with my existing videos – and to brainstorm more videos that I can incorporate into my business on an ongoing basis.

Tessa got my business. Susie did not.

Why? Because Tessa did some things right.

• She showed her knowledge.
• She demonstrated that she understands marketing by having a blog.
• She made me think about my business.
• She seemed like a person who I’d like to work with.

How does this apply to PLR content? Easy.

Susie could have had my business if she had purchased some great quality PLR content and published it on her blog. Of course, as always, I would recommend that Susie use the content as a starting point only and then add her own ideas and examples into it to make it uniquely hers. But, the important thing is that she could have had an active blog offering great value to potential new customers that showcased her talent and made people desperate to hire her.

And, she could have done it for under $20.

Would you like to boost your blog content, impress potential new clients, and become the recognized expert in your niche? Check out this great PLR site to get started. Be sure to sign up for the notification list so you don’t miss a thing!

Nicole Dean is the owner of  www.EasyPLR.com – where you’ll find high-quality PLR articles sold in very limited  quantities.  The PLR articles at EasyPLR are professionally written and  professionally edited — top quality at an affordable price.

Instead, I’ve decided to share something that happened yesterday. Something that moved me very deeply and it feels like I need to put a magnifying glass on it so you can see and feel it too.

Yesterday, when I walked my children to school, I had a few extra minutes so I accompanied my daughter to her second grade class. (There’s been some excitement in her class this week as the children are dressing up in character of someone they’ve written a biography report on and it’s been fun to see all the creative costumes.) I noticed my daughter’s teacher outside the classroom in deep conversation with a boy who was not in costume for his presentation of Davy Crockett. I couldn’t help but overhear their conversation and I learned that this boy had no costume. This child lives in an area of Los Angeles that is economically challenged.

Tears sprang to my eyes. I was overcome with emotion. Every child in my daughter’s class proudly marched into school this week with creative costumes ranging from Jackie Robinson, Eleanor Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, etc. This boy made a long bus trip to school knowing that he would be different from the others. He would be the only one to have no costume as he stood in front of the room.

I raced back to my home tears stinging my eyes and blurring my vision. I remembered a costume I had worn in previous years during the Thanksgiving Feast at the school. It wasn’t a perfect rendition of what Davy Crockett would wear but it was a lot closer than the t-shirt and jeans the boy had on. I delivered the costume in a bag and explained to the teacher what was inside.

Why do I share this story? Not because I want you to say or think, “Way to go, Joy!” “What a thoughtful act Joy!” That doesn’t interest me at all. I share this with you because if we as women want to truly make a difference in the world, we have to do it every single day in any single way we can. If you aren’t happy about the way things are, then I invite you to begin walking a path to make a difference. Sometimes you wonder if change is even possible in this enormous world we live in. It is possible. It must begin with You.

Notice What’s in Front of You – Yesterday, I took a small step on a situation that was in front of me. In that moment, I had an awareness that I could help someone and make an impact on his day. We get confused on what charity we should make donations to or where we should place our valuable time to make a difference. Notice what’s in front of you and begin there.

Pass It On – Teach children by embracing small acts of kindness. Let them experience first-hand from you on how to make a difference in the world. Yesterday’s experience was a teachable moment for my children. After school, we sat down and discussed what happened and why I felt called to rush home, find the costume and deliver it to the teacher. I could see the wheels of wonder turning in their mind.

Women must be the change they wish to see in the world…one person at a time.

Anything is possible. Everything is waiting for you.

*****

© 2011 Joy Chudacoff

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:  Joy Chudacoff, ICF, PCC, is the founder of Smart Women Smart Solutions®, a Professional Certified Coach to 1000’s of women, Motivational Speaker, and Entrepreneur.  She publishes a weekly buzz generating ezine, Reflections On Life and Business for Women Entrepreneurs.  If you’re ready take your coaching business to the next level, get your FREE Tips, FREE Report, FREE MP3 and be the first to hear about my exciting new program for coaches and consultants at Smart Women Smart Solutions Coaching.

“Can you explode any misconceptions that stop people from using PLR content?”

This is my answer.

Here are four main myths that I run into regularly.

1. The biggest misconception people have is that all PLR is crap.

2. The second biggest misconception is that ghostwriters don’t make good writers. You can take that a step further and add that people assume they are taken advantage of, stupid, and/or they don’t speak English as their native language.

3. The third misconception is that using PLR takes away from your expert status in people’s minds.

4. The fourth misconception is that PLR and ghostwriting are both somehow dishonest practices.

Let’s run through those one by one.

Myth #1: All PLR is Crap.

If you go back to about 2003, then I’d say that you are absolutely correct. Nearly all PLR at that time was junk. There may have been a few exceptions, but I wouldn’t touch most of that PLR content with a 10-foot pole.

We’ve made great strides in the last few years to raise the standards for what is acceptable and what is not in the PLR world. I’d like to think that I was one of the leaders in that movement.

Myth #2: Ghostwriters are Stupid.

I’ve got to tell you that I’ve worked with some ghostwriters who are brilliant in many ways. Oftentimes, they’re fabulous communicators, smart marketers, and hard working entrepreneurs. And, yes, they’re qualified to write quality information on many topics on the internet.

For instance, for a long time, I had a nurse writing my health PLR articles. I’ve also got a writer who graduated from Stanford University, who writes for several popular print magazines, and is a published author. Yes, she has her own book. And, another who had a career as a Political Speech Writer (before having children). That’s just three of my writers. They’re all amazing people, each with a variety of skills and life experience.

To assume they aren’t capable of writing quality content would be just silly.

I don’t just go to eLance.com and take the lowest bidder. To think that’s how all PLR sites work would certainly be a misconception.

Myth #3: You’re Not a “Real” Expert if you Use PLR.

The other misconception is that using PLR articles takes away your own value as the expert. That you are somehow cheating, plagiarizing, or that you’re a phony if you use PLR.

If ONLY you could see my customer list. It reads like the “Who’s who of Successful Online Business Owners.”

Business is all about cutting costs while increasing the bottom line. What better example is there than PLR content?

If you use PLR articles as drafts, they are delivered to you, ready for you, as the expert, to add your unique thoughts to them.

If you look at PLR like that – you can still keep your personality in your brand – and your sanity at the same time.

Myth #4: Using Ghostwriters or PLR is Cheating.

Most biographies in the bookstores are written by ghostwriters.

Most of the famous orations from our history were written by someone other than the public figure who gave the speech.

It’s not cheating to get help. It’s smart business.

Nicole Dean is the owner of  www.EasyPLR.com – where you’ll find high-quality PLR articles sold in very limited quantities.  The PLR articles at EasyPLR are professionally written and professionally edited — top quality at an affordable price.

Early motherhood was difficult. I had to struggle through post partum depression with very little support. In fact the only support I had was my husband and my psychiatrist. It was necessary for me to be on high doses of anti-anxiety medications as well as antidepressants. I remember feeling so sad that I couldn’t breast feed my beautiful daughter.

I remember feeling very ashamed of what I perceived was weakness in me. I cried a lot, and I spent a lot of time alone. I felt very different from other moms, who seemed to have perfect lives.

Thankfully, the PPD did pass. But for me, what remained was living with panic attacks. It took a lot of the spontaneity out of what should have been the best time of my life. I shied away from doing things socially with other moms. With every Mommmy and Me meeting or Gymboree class, I would torture myself endlessly before going… Would I have a panic attack? Would the other moms notice I was anxious? Do they think I’m weird?

Sometimes the anxiety was too overwhelming and I just couldn’t go. Other times I would go, have a panic attack, and have to leave immediately. Still other times I would go and just feel nervous the whole time, waiting for that next bout of panic to overtake me.

I would observe the other moms talking and laughing and I would silently berate myself: Why can’t I be outgoing like that? Why can’t I be care-free? Why can’t I be normal?

It was common in those days to take turns inviting all the moms and babies from the Mommy and Me group to each other’s houses. While I could make myself go to most of these play dates, I couldn’t bring myself to invite the other moms to my house. I was too anxious. I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to make small talk without turning bright red. And if I had a panic attack, well I couldn’t just leave.

I didn’t have close freinds- I was afraid if someone knew the real deal with me, they would reject me anyways, so why even try? So on top of the anxiety, I felt lonely and isolated too.

When I look back to those early days of motherhood, I feel very sad. But it is not for my daughter- it is for me. I am in my 40′s now and things are much different for me now, much better.

Here are some truths I have come to know about myself and other moms who must cope with anxiety:

1. We are not “different” from other people. Everyone struggles with something. That “something” may be anxiety, depression, over-eating, compulsive behaviors, anger issues, you name it. There is not one person who isn’t affected with some sort of struggle or pain. And every mom experiences anxiety from time to time. This is part of being human. There is no such thing as a “perfect” life.

2. Just because I have anxiety and panic attacks does not make me a bad mother, wife, sister, daughter, or anything else for that matter. It simply means I am more sensitized to anxiety than other people. Today I know I am and always have been a wonderful, loving, competent mother. My daughters love me and I adore them.

3. I can be kind to myself. I can be my own best friend. When I think back to those early days of motherhood, I see that I judged myself very harshly. I was ashamed of myself. Now this seems ridiculous to me. If I had diabetes, would I be ashamed? Of course not. Well panic disorder is the same. It’s something I have to live with, but it does not define me. Today I have compassion for myself, and this makes room for real progress and healing for me.

4. Moms with anxiety are not doomed to live a horrible life where every day is a constant struggle. I lived this way for many, many years, but around age 40 realized that anxiety was in large part a choice I was making. I was feeding my mind a lot of negative energy. Anxiety thrives on this.

Recovery from panic attacks doesn’t happen overnight. Part of getting better is learning that you do have to gently expose yourself to situations you fear. It takes some courage, but to me this is a no brainer. Living at the mercy of anxiety and waiting for the next panic attack to strike is awful. It shrinks your world and your self-confidence, and makes you a prisoner of your own mind.

Today I am a recovering anxious person. I work a wonderful program that has really helps me deal with anxiety and actually diffuse panic attacks. Now that I no longer fear my anxiety, I have freedom and truly enjoy my life as a mother and a woman. I have learned that the other side of panic is real peace and healing.

Jill Green invites you to read her Panic Away review for more information. If you’re a mom struggling with panic, there is hope, there is help!

Let’s see if a simple word change can alter your perspective and increase your success in organizing your life in 2011.

Let’s boost your 2011 accomplishments by setting SMART goals: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely. Maybe you have piles of paper in your house, which are spilling off every surface and onto the floor.

The goal would be two-fold: set up an appropriate filing system by the end of January and then designate at least two 30-minute times per month to file the papers. If you review the criteria for SMART goals, you will find that each of these objectives are SMART.

Another benefit of setting goals instead of making resolutions is that they can be started at any time.  Goals are linked with intentions and it just seems simpler to adjust our plans than to change our “firm determination.”

Let’s get practical by trying two ideas from my book entitled Get Organized This Year! Your first goal is to decrease the amount of incoming mail in your home.  The method is to have your name removed from the databases of businesses that sell marketing lists.

One organization to contact is the Direct Marketing Association: www.dmaconsumers.org/consumerassistance.html. You will need to fill out one form for each variation of your name and others who live in your household.  Consider designating 15-30 minutes two times during the month to complete this task.  You can set a timer to remind yourself that this is a time-limited task. About 60-90 days after you are completely finished, you will notice a decrease in the amount of mail that you receive.

Your second goal is to organize one “junk” drawer in your office or home. First, decide what category or categories of items you want in the drawer.  Gather a couple of boxes or bags to sort the items into groups: designated to stay in the drawer, discard, or distribute to another location. Next, measure the drawer and equip with drawer dividers to help separate different types of items.  You can purchase these at a variety of discount stores or you can use empty jewelry boxes.

Position dividers in the drawer and place items into the appropriate size divisions. These activities can be completed over several short sessions.  Consider playing your favorite music while you are sorting the objects, it will make the time go faster.

Don’t be discouraged if things don’t go exactly according to plan.  Sometimes it is two steps forward, but one step backwards.  If you fall short of your goals, you can revisit them and modify accordingly.

Now generate two goals for February. Two SMART goals a month will decrease the stress associated with clutter and increase opportunities to pursue new interests.

     I confess that I have struggled to forgive them. Some days I feel OK about them, then the next, my heart will be twisted by the little questions, “Why weren’t they there?” or “How could they do that to us?”

     The other morning I was reading the October 20 devotion from Our Daily Bread (Sept., Oct., Nov., 2009).  (Yes, I’m one of those people who has a collection of devotionals and doesn’t necessarily follow them in order.)Philip Yancey quotes Jean Vanier (founder of L’Arche for the developmentally disabled) who said, “Wounded people who have been broken by suffering and sickness ask for only one thing: a heart that loves and commits itself to them, a heart full of hope for them.”

     Wow. It was my light bulb moment. That explained exactly why I was so hurt and unforgiving. I wanted that, and thought I had it in this particular person. I wanted their commitment to my family and for them to be courageous enough to have hope with us.

     Now, I know that the theory is that as a Christian all we need is God.  That is true, but I believe He created us to be gifts to one another.  It’s the second part of the Great Commandment, “And to love others as you love yourself.”  That’s how important good relationships are.  We need that person we can talk to about anything.  We need someone to hug.  We need someone on our side.  Life is hard.  We need one another.

     So what do we do when our “go to” person has walked away?  How do we forgive?  And how do we ever have the courage to trust another human?
We go to our Father in prayer.  We tell Him of our hurt and ask Him to heal that hurt.  We ask Him to help us to truly forgive that person, and, honestly, it takes God at work in our hearts to be able to do that.  It isn’t something we can force, but, for our peace we need it.  We can recognize the old hurt, the anger, and the bitterness when it creeps up and immediately take it to God.  Give Him your heart to do His work in.  Then, we ask Him to help us find a true friend and to be able to trust again.  Simply put, we deal with the hurt WITH HIM.

     We also learn a lesson, that people do fail us, and someone probably will hurt us again.  That’s what humans do even without trying.  In Job 6: 14-15 we read, “A despairing man should have the devotion of his friends, even though he forsakes the fear of the Almighty.  But my brothers are as undependable as intermittent streams…”  (NIV). 

     That doesn’t give us much hope for true friendship or reliable relatives does it?  What can we do?  We choose to let God guard our hearts so that we can be willing to try friendship again.   Or, maybe, we need to start with asking Him to help us to even want a friend again.  
We also have to accept that we will have to keep going to God with this hurt until He has completely healed it.

     I know… my old hurt has been putting a squeeze on my heart this week.  It came as a surprise and the reminder of what I’ve lost makes me sad.  So, once again, I go to God.  I give Him my heart, ask for His help, and trust that He is working for my best. 

     I go to Him thankful also.  Friends and loved ones may come and go, but He will always walk this road with me.

Kimberly Ehlers invites you to join her ezine list “The Heart Connection” today.  Not only will you receive encouragement and hope for your child’s health directly in you e-mail box, but she has lots of free goodies for you when you sign up!

One woman, in particular, shared that she’s ready to make the leap to do something different but she’s unsure how to move ahead or what the process would be to make a good decision. She feels the “tug of transition” but lacks clarity on how to navigate a potential new path. Fear and feelings of failure are on her mind as well. She’s certain that if she could take initial steps forward on how to explore and discover what’s next, fear and thoughts of failure could be overcome. Not having a plan or the equivalent of a roadmap that can be easily followed is what keeps her from moving ahead.

Have you ever felt this way? I know I have. Before I made the decision to begin my journey as an entrepreneur, I had sleepless nights and perplexing days wondering what could possibly be next for me.

If you are feeling that change is on the horizon, but you can’t clearly see the path ahead, here are some basic and easy steps you can take to feel more confident and clear about the possibilities:

1. Give Yourself Permission to Explore – The first step you need to take for all the others to work, is to give yourself permission that it’s ok for you to think about doing something new and different. Change can be both scary and exciting at the same time. Open your mind to what might be possible. Remember this is an exploration. You aren’t making a decision–yet.

2. Block Out Some Time – Pull out your calendar and block out time to do this exploration. At the party, the woman asked me, “What should I do with the time?” Online research, read books or publications on the subject, attend a class or workshop. For example, if you are interested in event planning, take some time to research online, read books or publications devoted to the industry. Before I made the decision to get my coaching certification, I researched the industry to learn more. If you don’t actually block the time and make an appointment with yourself, your “to-do” list will get in the way and before you know it, another 6 months will have gone by.

3. Reach Out – Make a point to connect with people who are doing what it is you’re considering. During my exploration, I connected with several coaches that I respect to learn more about their business, how they got started, what their business was like, etc.

4. Consider Hiring a Coach – Having a supportive person to walk with you through this exploratory phase can be extremely helpful. Having someone to ask the right questions to illuminate new possibilities or reframe your current situation is invaluable.

Summer is the perfect time to go exploring. I invite you to discover what might be next for you. The journey begins by taking the first step.

Anything is possible. Everything is waiting for you.

*****

© 2011 Joy Chudacoff

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:  Joy Chudacoff, ICF, PCC, is the founder of Smart Women Smart Solutions®, a Professional Certified Coach to 1000’s of women, Motivational Speaker, and Entrepreneur.  She publishes a weekly buzz generating ezine, Reflections On Life and Business for Women Entrepreneurs.  If you’re ready take your life and your business to the next level, get your FREE Tips, FREE Report and FREE MP3 now at Profits With Passion.

One of the biggest causes of people feeling stuck in life is the fact that they are afraid to take action and make changes because of the fear of stepping out of their comfort zones. Stepping outside your comfort zone is a must if you are trying to grow. Whether you are trying to grow in your business or personal life, being able to step out of your comfort zone and feel a bit awkward or uncomfortable for a while as you do something new and different is key.

Here are a few steps to help you with stepping outside your comfort zone:

Take Small steps – Just as some people dip their feet into the pool before jumping in, you can take small steps in life. If you are trying to break out of your comfort zone, you can start little by little. By taking things slowly what you are doing is allowing your comfort zone to get wider and wider as you try new things.

Do something different – Why not shake up your routine just a little bit. I promise you, the sky will not fall. Take an alternate route to work, school, the store, etc. Be sure to try new things or learn to take new challenges one step at a time. Why not sign up for a class of some sort? It can be frightening at first but once that boundary is extended, your courage will grow. Many times, we are our own worst enemy when it comes to boundaries and limitations.

Begin to see “risks” as opportunities – The reason why your comfort zone is so comfortable is because it’s the one place where you know what to expect. There are usually zero surprises in your comfort zone. I mean, why go out on a limb or take a risk at something? You just may fail, right? Well, what about if you gain something? Each time you don’t begin to see what you may call a risk as an opportunity, you might lose out on something valuable. Start seeing what you normally would consider to be a risk as a chance for positive change.

Face your Fears Head On - Facing your fears is one of the single greatest things that you can do in order to improve your life. If you know that fears are holding you back, why not ask yourself the following: “What is the worst thing that could happen if this “fear” were to come into my zone? You may find out that you are surprised at how small most of the consequences of your fears actually are and you may be equally surprised at how easily you can learn to live with the results of your biggest fears.

Our comfort zones work well to keep us safe but they also stunt our growth. They hold us back and prevent us from becoming who we could be if we stepped out of them.

So, let me ask you… what is your comfort zone holding you back from doing?

Think you can’t do much in 20 minutes? Schedule a free 20 minute coaching consultation with certified Personal Life Coach Aurelia Williams and start forming your plan of action today!

In my work with women, finding time to create is often the biggest obstacle they face. They can see in their mind what they want, however it’s essential to take that next step of designing a plan of action for it to become real. Once they embrace a plan to create their Big Ideas, Dreams and Goals into the world, they gain momentum and things begin to happen very fast.

I’m going to share a few solutions I use when I’ve got a burst of creativity or a new program or product that I want to get out into the world.

Whether you have a book inside of you, a new program you want to create for your business or maybe you have an idea for a new business you want to start, here are 3 solutions that are guaranteed to work every time:

1. The Golden Hour – Nearly every day, I wake 1 hour before my family to catch that “golden” hour of quiet, peaceful creative time. I have a short, meditative practice to honor the new day and then I work on new projects, journal about new ideas, articles (I’m writing this at 6am with the morning sunlight streaming in through the windows). It’s a proactive way to begin the day feeling a sense of accomplishment.
2. Change the Scenery – Sometimes you just need to grab your journal or laptop and head to the local coffee shop, library or maybe the park if the weather is pleasant. Different environments offer new perspectives and you may find yourself more creative when you leave familiar territory.
3. Check-Out and Check-in – This has made a HUGE difference in my business and my life. When I’m on a deadline or tackling a big program launch, I check out of my life and check into a hotel, B&B or retreat center for 24 hours. (my program for clients who work with me long-term is a one night stay at a local B&B where we spend a full day creating and launching their next Big Idea.) This really works if you act on it. I’m amazed each time I do this how much I can accomplish when I check-out for 24 hours.

It’s vital to protect this valuable gift of time you’ve given yourself. To maximize your creative time, get inspired and unleash your brilliance:

Say “No” to:

*email

*Facebook, Twitter, LinkdIn

*Phone calls

Say “Yes” to:

*A timer to keep you on track and focused (most smart phones have these now. Set it for periods of 30 minutes up to 1 hour and then take a walk, grab a cup of coffee and relax before you get started again)

*A bubble bath or long steamy shower

*A glass of wine to celebrate your accomplishments

I’m always asked, “Joy, how do you get it all done?” First of all, I don’t. There are tons of ideas rolling around in my head and in my journal that I haven’t acted on–yet. However, when I make the decision to create something new for Smart Women Smart Solutions® this is exactly how I do it.

You are creative. Make it happen.

*****

© 2011 Joy Chudacoff

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:  Joy Chudacoff, ICF, PCC, is the founder of Smart Women Smart Solutions®, a Professional Certified Coach to 1000’s of women, Motivational Speaker, and Entrepreneur.  She publishes a weekly buzz generating ezine, Reflections On Life and Business for Women Entrepreneurs.  If you’re ready take your life and your business to the next level, get your FREE Tips, 2 FREE Reports and FREE MP3 now at Creating The Spark .

Want it – In order to reach personal goals in life, you have to first really and truly, have a desire to attain it. Without the “want”, there is very little incentive to achieve your personal goals. Personal life goals have to be something you want before you can set out to realize them.

Name it — Writing down your goals in as specific a manner as possible is very important, because, if you can’t name it, you can’t do it. Goal setting simply cannot occur without actually writing down goals to attain in a very specific manner. “I want to lose weight” is not a specific goal. However, “I want to lose 50 pounds” is very specific and it makes it easier to follow the next step.

Identify the steps — Once you have a, named and specific, personal goal set your next step is to identify the steps toward achieving your personal goals. Reaching goals in life requires taking very specific steps every day toward your stated goal. Again, this must be specific. “I will eat right” is not specific enough. Instead, state exactly what and how much you will eat each day. State exactly what and how much you will exercise each day. List in writing each step you need to take, in very specific terms.

Commit to it — To achieve goals, even ones that you write down, you have to make a commitment to it. When you write your goals down in black and white, including the steps you plan to take to reach them, you increase your chance for success. Make it a contract to yourself by dating it and signing it. When you sign off on the steps you commit to take to reach your goals know that you are making a promise to yourself to do what is on the contract.

Visualize success — There are plenty of scientific studies out there that prove that simply visualizing doing something right can increase your skill level. This is true for sports, and any type of skill you’re trying to develop. Therefore, if you visualize yourself following the steps in your plan to achieve your personal goals, you’ll be more likely to be successful. Make daily visualization of success a habit.

Review regularly – Periodically assess your progress and review whether your steps are accurate and realistic measures to take to reach your goals. If you need to adjust your contract, that is perfectly normal and acceptable. Just write the contract again and sign it again when you make adjustments. However, don’t let yourself off the hook by making your goals and plans too easy. Set your goals high enough so that you are challenged. In fact, your goal should be set high enough that if you realize an 80 percent success rate, you can consider this achieved.

Be accountable – Find someone to whom you can be accountable and share the contract with them. You can pay a life coach, or you can ask a trusted friend to assist you. You must find someone who is willing to call you out if you’re making excuses. Life coaching is an excellent way to get help with achieving life goals if you don’t know anyone to help you properly.

Think you can’t do much in 20 minutes? Schedule a free 20 minute coaching consultation with certified Personal Life Coach Aurelia Williams and start forming your plan of action today!

And what does it mean to get out there? It means to get in front of people, either in person, through networking or making direct contact in various other ways. You can also make contact more indirectly, by starting a visibility campaign. Let’s look at them in order:

1) Networking

If you’re trying to find local clients, networking is probably the number one thing you could do. But just because you’re out there networking and attending one breakfast mixer after another doesn’t mean you’ll get new clients. You have to network the right way.

And a lot of people aren’t doing that. They’re engaging in something I like to call gum ball marketing. They go to their networking mixers, pay their twenty dollars, and expect to walk out with new clients. And then they’re disappointed because they’re not getting results. That’s not surprising. People don’t like to be sold to.

What you want to do instead is focus on building relationships. And not just with potential clients but also with those who might know them. Those connection could send you referrals — and turn into long-term referral partners who’ll send you more referrals for a long time to come.

2) Making contact directly

You don’t have to go to networking events to make contact with people. You can also pick up the phone and call them directly. There are a lot of people you could reach out to in that way: Your past customers and clients, your competitors, people in the community who might have access to your ideal clients, and many more.

You can also make contact with people you encounter in non-networking contexts. Chat with people who stand next to you in the grocery store check-out line, and if they could be potential clients — or referral partners, give them your card and follow up.

In fact, following up is an entire category of contact-making of its own. You probably have a huge stack of business cards from the meetings you’ve been to. Why not make a habit out of picking a card or two a day and make a quick call, just to make contact and to see if you could help them in any way, with a referral, with some information, or maybe even with your services. If you do that consistently, you won’t ever have to worry again about how to get new clients in 2011 and beyond.

3) Start a visibility campaign

Getting out there in person is a great start when it comes to getting new leads and clients, but you can expand your reach greatly by conducting a visibility campaign. You can include various activities in your community, or enhance your visibility online, preferably both.

In your community, you can get involved in high-profile charity events. You can start speaking to groups. If you’re shy, start with Toastmasters and work your way up.

And get published. Write a column (or even just an article) for a local paper. Write a press release, get it published online, and send copies to local publications too.

You might even get yourself booked as a guest expert on a local radio program or TV show. There are lots of options.

Pick one (or more) from each category

Don’t restrict yourself to one category either. Start somewhere, but then go on and pick an activity or two from each category, and once those have become a habit, add another.

The important thing about growing your business is to give your potential clients a chance to find out about you and get to know you. Once you keep making those connections consistently and follow up, you’ll find that you’ll get plenty of new clients in 2011 and beyond.

Ready to get new clients in 2011? Join Business Success Coach Sue Clement at her FREE teleseminar on networking and discover how to socialize your way to more clients and cash flow!

And if you happen to be in the Vancouver area, you’re invited to my upcoming LIVE seminar on the Secret to Easy Referrals.

The challenge lies in knowing how to go about setting your goals for maximum success. It’s not as hard as you might think…

Check out this easy three-step process: You assess where you are and compare it with where you want to be, and then set up a roadmap for getting to your goal.

Step 1: Assess where you are

The first step to any smart goal setting is to find out where you are at the moment. Only by taking a hard honest look at your starting point are you going to be able to measure your results. It’s also the only way you’ll be able to appreciate the progress you’ll make.

If you’re not currently achieving the success you desire this can be the toughest step (and one most avoided) – but from my experience coaching thousands of business owners, this bit of honest review is critical to getting greater results.

As you decide what exactly to assess, you should look at both your marketing activities and the results you’re getting from them.

Your marketing activities:

Your marketing activities include any number of the following: Networking, lead generation, making contact with people outside of networking contexts, following up on new networking contacts and other leads, developing referral relationships, speaking, social media, blogging, advertising, publishing articles and press releases, and many more.

Take some time to check the marketing activities you have resolved to do this year – are you doing them and are they yielding the results you want? If you’re on track, continue and maybe even increase what you’ve been doing. If you’re not on track, come up with a new plan.

Your results:

The second part of the exercise involves in recording the results you have achieved so far. Are you on track? If yes, congratulations! Of course, that’s no reason to rest on your laurels, so go ahead and see how much you can improve.

If you have yet to achieve your goals, figure out what the hold-up is and how you can overcome it. Is it that you’re not clear on what exactly you need to do, or are you stuck because you don’t know how to properly market your business? Is it that you lack clarity, commitment or focus? Or do you just need more activity and action? If you want to achieve your goals this year, you need to quickly figure this out and get to work.

Your return on investment:

Third, figure out what your results were for the various marketing activities. Which activities brought the best results? Consider your time and money expense and seek out activities with the highest yield and lowest expense or effort.

If you haven’t been tracking which of your past marketing activities were the most productive, start now. Ultimately make a list of the ones that bring you the best return on investment.

Step 2: Smart Goal Setting: Creating a Roadmap

Now that you have assessed where you are, compare the results with where you would like to be three months from now, and by the end of the year.

Take your list of the activities that have brought you the best return on your investment in terms of time, effort, and money, and use it as a basis for creating a goal setting roadmap.

Set goals for your most productive marketing activities

Pick the most productive activity and decide how often and when you will engage in it.

If it involves networking at specific events, put them into your calendar. If it involves following up with lapsed clients, schedule weekly phone sessions. If you find that you get a lot of leads from publishing articles, schedule some writing time. And so on.

Continue to work your way down your list. Next, pick the next most productive activities, and schedule time (and, if needed, money) for those. And so on, down the line.

The result should be that your marketing activities are mapped out for you. You’ll have marketing goals, and you also have a clear activity plan for getting there.

Step 3: Follow Through

Finally, all that remains is that you actually follow your own plan. And that’s the secret to smart goal setting success. Without the follow-through, the best goals are worthless.

So how can you keep yourself on track?

Set up an accountability system. You could you opt for accountability partners, a mastermind group, a coach, or even just a weekly tracking session where you keep tabs on yourself as to whether you’ve kept up with your goals.

They will all work to some extent, some better for certain people than others. If you’re very good at motivating yourself, a tracker and a weekly check-in with yourself might do the trick or a quick call with an accountability partner.

Keep track of your progress and make sure to schedule time to review the results of your marketing efforts at least quarterly. As you start seeing the results of your smart goal setting efforts, you’ll be glad you did. And as the shampoo bottle says – rinse & REPEAT! At least every three months.

If you would like some help with setting smart goals for marketing your business, and if you could use someone who’ll hold your feet to the fire, I’d like to extend an invitation to schedule a zero cost Strategy Session with me.

We’ll get on the phone and talk about your business, identify some obstacles that have been slowing you down and map out some next steps for you. Simply sign up for the teleseminar and reply to your welcome email, and I’ll send you the link to my online ‘getting to know you’ questionnaire: business marketing strategies teleseminar.

And if you’re in the Vancouver area, you’re invited to my upcoming LIVE seminar on the Secret to Easy Referrals.

This particular year, as I sat and thought through what I hoped to accomplish in the upcoming year, how I hoped to help people, it hit me. Where does God fit in to all of this? Does He fit comfortably in the “Spiritual” categories or is He a part of everything that CWAHM is and does?

Whoa. Talk about a challenging question.

As I wrestled with this I came to realization that God wants to invade our lives – and that means our businesses, too. In the gospels we see Jesus meeting people right where they were. He healed the sick, fed the hungry, and taught the seeking. He met their physical needs as well as their spiritual needs.

He wanted to be a part of their everyday lives, not just the days they went to the temple (the Old Testament equivalent of church). He wasn’t afraid to hang out with the sick, the hurting, the “sinners.”

He wants to be a part of our everyday life, too. He wants to invade our families, our marriages, our businesses. He wants to show us that there is a different way of doing things. A better way. A way that points to the divine even in the midst of most basic business task.

He wants to be in:

* The decision to be kind to the difficult customer.
* The decision to give a sale price when we could charge full price to someone who isn’t aware of the sale.
* The decision to give a product away to someone we know is struggling or hurting.

It’s our choice.  We can choose to do business with Jesus. Or we can choose to do things our own way…usually the way we’ve been taught by people who seem to know how to “do” business, how to make money. And yet, in the end … is it really about making money?

“So I saw that there is nothing better for a person than to enjoy their work…” Ecclesiastes 3:22, NCV
Where does God fit in your business?

About The Author

Jill Hart’s entrepreneurial career began in her teens when she spent a summer working with her father who ran his own business. When he put her in charge of a Coke machine and allowed her to keep the profits, she saw the benefits of being her own boss. She is the founder of the popular Christian work-at-home website, CWAHM.com. Jill has articles published in In Touch Magazine and P31 Woman magazine, as well as across the web on sites like DrLaura.com. She is the author of So You Want To Be a Work-at-Home Mom and speaks to audiences around the country about faith, business and leadership topics.

We were in Park City, Utah on a family ski vacation and this was Jenna’s first time on a snowboard. We felt she should take a lesson to learn the basics, however she assured us that by the end of the day, she would be joining us in a family ski. At 3pm, when I went to pick her up from the lesson, she was laying flat on the ground in the snow with a very unhappy look on her face. When she saw me she began to cry and stated firmly, “I quit. I mean everything. I’m quitting all my sports. I don’t like snowboarding and I don’t like sports.” I sat down in the snow beside her and decided it was best to say nothing at that moment. We sat there in silence for a few minutes and then with a sigh, she said, “I can’t quit. Our family doesn’t quit.” My reply? “That’s right.”

I was reminded (once again) how powerful the emotion of fear and failure can be. Whether you are an 8 year-old or a 50 year-old, the emotion can rear it’s ugly head and take control over your confidence, self-esteem and decision making. Fear and fear of failure can spill over into every aspect of your life without you even realizing it’s happening. Not only did Jenna feel a sense of failure from the current day’s activity but it began to weave it’s way into areas of her life where she felt completely secure.

I’ve experienced this in my own life. Something will happen to deflate my self-confidence. When this occurs, doubt begins to creep in and weave it’s way into my stream of consciousness. I start questioning myself and many of my decisions. From writing, public speaking or launching a new program, there have been times when I wanted to quit.

Has this ever happened to you?

All of a sudden something doesn’t go as you’d planned and then you begin to wonder if anything in your life or business is right. If so, don’t fret. It happens to all of us at one point or another. Here’s the silver lining: If this has happened to you, it means you are getting out of your comfort zone. You’re taking risks and trying something new. The key is when things don’t go exactly as you had planned or envisioned, you must try again. My husband Greg and I have a belief that our children don’t have to keep doing activities they no longer enjoy, however we don’t want them to allow fear to be the reason they quit. We both understand how powerful this emotion can be and how important it is to work through it if we are to succeed.

If you know that fear is weaving it’s way into your decision making and you’re having fleeting thoughts on giving up, here are a few smart solutions that will help you move through the fear and get you on the road to accomplishing your Big Ideas, Dreams and Goals:

1. Keep a Rave Reviews File – I have a file in my right desk drawer that holds all of the rave reviews and thank you cards I’ve ever received from the women I’ve worked with over the years. Any time I’m feeling like fear is present and I’m ready to throw in the towel, I pull out that file and begin to read the 100’s of complimentary notes that have been written about how I’ve supported and helped women on their journey.

2. Practice Gratitude - When you wake up each day and go to bed each night, think of at least 3 things you are grateful for. Research shows that expressing gratitude promotes happiness. If you feel happy and abundant, you’ll greet each day with a new inspiration to keep moving toward your goals.

3. Grab Some Downtime – Sometimes the best thing to do is get away from the situation. Get together with friends or family who make you laugh, watch a funny movie or do something that makes you feel happy and light at heart.

That afternoon, my logical brain wanted to sit and have a discussion with Jenna about why quitting is never the answer but I knew that would get us nowhere (with the exception of more tears). I immediately offered hot chocolate with plenty of whipped cream and away we went to warm up and dry her tears. The next day, Jenna happily went to her snowboard lesson and by day’s end she was barreling down the mountain. I could barely keep up…

Smart Women Never Quit.

Anything is possible.  Everything is waiting for you.

*****

© 2011 Joy Chudacoff

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:  Joy Chudacoff, ICF, PCC, is the founder of Smart Women Smart Solutions®, a Professional Certified Coach to 1000’s of women, Motivational Speaker, and Entrepreneur.  She publishes a weekly buzz generating ezine, Reflections On Life and Business for Women Entrepreneurs.  If you’re ready take your coaching business to the next level, get your FREE Tips, FREE Report, FREE MP3 and be the first to hear about my exciting new program for coaches and consultants at Smart Women Smart Solutions Coaching .

• No Commute – This is a big one, especially in the days of high gas prices and congested traffic.  The commute back and forth to work can literally add hours onto your work day.
• No Expensive Wardrobe Needed – You can work in your jeans or sweatpants (I’m sure you’ve heard about “working in your pj’s” although I think it is good to get ready for the day when working.)
• More Time With Family – You can be home with your kids and still have a job.  You will have to work this out because you will need to have some time to yourself to work and be productive.  But it doesn’t normally need to be from 9 to 5.
• Flexibility – As mentioned above, the hours you work can be much more flexible and this is one of the big benefits of telecommuting.
• No Time Off Needed for Sick Children – When your children are sick and need to be home from school, you can be there with them.  There’s no need to take off from work because you work at home!
• Vacations Are Easier to Plan - Obviously, you will still need to ask for time off, but it may be easier than if you worked in an office where you have to schedule around everyone else.
• No office “Politics” – You don’t have to get caught up in gossip or politics that can go on in the office environment.

Now, let’s look at the benefits of telecommuting to an employer.

• No Extra Workspace Needed - Many times, employers need extra help but they don’t have the office space to put anyone else.  Telecommuting gives them the best of both worlds – more assistance but no more space needed.
• Higher Productivity – Many times employees that work from home are more productive, due to less stress over child care and other home issues.
• Increased Employee Motivation – Employees are bound to be more motivated to do a good job when you are allowing them the flexibility of working from home.

As you can see, the benefits of telecommuting to both the employer and the individual  are numerous.  It is not a “perfect” solution but most obstacles can be overcome with some working at it.  In the end, there will be many long-term benefits.

Want to join the forces of telecommuting workers and enjoy all these benefits?  Visit telecommuting jobs for legitimate resources to help you get started! http://realtelecommutingjobs.com

Author: Laurie Neumann

I don’t know about you, but every year I dread – and I mean DREAD – tax time. As the appointment with my accountant draws near I lie awake at night worrying about whether or not I’ve messed anything up and what might possibly be coming my way.

I wasn’t always afraid of my accountant, but several years ago, when I was transitioning CWAHM from “hobby” status to “business” status, I got caught offguard when tax time came. I had made quite a bit more income than the previous year, but it had never dawned on me during the year to send more in to the IRS along the way. I sent in to the IRS what the accountant told me to each month and assumed that would take care of it.

That year I left the accountant’s office in tears, nearly hyperventilating, promising myself it would never happen again. We owed several thousand dollars in taxes and I had no idea where it was going to come from.

God provided for us, but it was an incredibly difficult time. And now each year at tax-time I’m reminded of my previous mistakes and I begin terrifying myself about what I may have done wrong this year.

I learned a few tips along the way – maybe they will help you, too:

* If possible, use an accountant. I would have missed a lot of deductions these last few years if it weren’t for mine.
* Keep all business receipts. I have a folder in my filing cabinets specifically for business receipts so that I can simply plop them in there in case they are ever needed.
* Ask your accountant or tax professional exactly what you need to be tracking throughout the year (mileage, utility costs or other things depending on your business) and make sure that you understand how to calculate any monthly or quarterly payments that need to be made to the IRS.

This year was still stressful for me. My appointment with Mr. Accountant was on a Friday and I spent that week alternating between worrying and peace. It felt like every time I gave my worries to the Lord they showed right back up an hour later.

The difference this year is that God had people in place to call me on my attitude. My husband repeatedly reminded me to stop worrying and lay it at God’s feet. Several friends also realized that I was struggling and encouraged me to look not at my mistakes, but at God’s provision over the years.  He has never failed me. Even in the messes I create for myself, God is there and He is faithful.

The day of the tax appointment has come and gone and (praise God!) all was pretty much fine this year.  Going forward, I am committed to focusing on God’s faithfulness instead of my mistakes.

If you struggle with worry – about taxes or anything else – here are some things I’ve learned the hard way over the years. Maybe they will save you from some of the struggle:

Tell someone you’re struggling and ask them to pray with you

*Be honest with your spouse or significant other about what’s bothering you

*Be careful not to take the stress and frustration out on your kids

##

Jill Hart is the founder of Christian Work at Home Moms, CWAHM.com and the co-author of So You Want To Be a Work-At-Home Mom (Beacon Hill Press, 2009). She graduated from Grace University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development/Family Studies and Bible. Jill has worked from home since 2000 and started her own home-based business to assist other Christians who desire to work from home while maintaining a godly life. Jill is the host of the podcast, Christian Work at Home Moment and co-host of the LIVE internet radio show, The CWAHM Network.

1. Shop alone whenever possible.
Usually kids (and husbands!) are the ones who want ‘junk food’ that may be cheap but do nothing to promote health. If you’re less pressured, you’re more likely to make choices that are in line with your priorities.

2. Don’t shop when you’re hungry.
When I go to the grocery and I’m hungry, everything I see looks tempting! Foods that I would never consider seem delectable and enticing because I can visualize eating them and stopping the growling in my stomach. It’s harder to be smart when your tummy is screaming, “Food, food, food!”

3. Read labels and avoid “hydrogenated” or “partially hydrogenated” oil. This oil isn’t natural but  is manufactured by forcing hydrogen gas into the fat because it makes the oil last a long time without going rancid. This chemical process alters the Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) necessary for health into a new and dangerous compound called “trans fat”. Trans fatty acids increase LDL, the “bad” cholesterol, and decrease HDL cholesterol, the “good” cholesterol.

Keep in mind that the higher up the hydrogenated fat is on the product label, the more of it is in the food you’re considering.

Further, since the human body doesn’t know what to do with this new substance, it will build up in your tissues and make you heavier.

4. Beans – especially dried ones – are a great food.
Beans are great if you’re interested in healthy meals and saving money. They are meat substitutes because they’re high in protein but are low in fat, high in fiber and loaded with vitamins and minerals. If you put them in a crockpot before you leave home in the morning, they can even be ‘fast foods’. There are so many varieties of beans, and thousands of recipes for preparing them, so it will be hard to get bored.

A tip: if gas is a problem, wash your beans, cover them with water and boil them for about two minutes before putting them in the crock or other cooking pot, draining and refilling the water before cooking. This will reduce the enzymes in beans that cause gas.

5. Choose jellies, jams, canned fruits and tuna wisely.
There are jellies and jams that are made with only fruit juice, rather than large amounts of sugar, and they are commonly available in supermarkets everywhere. Likewise, many canned there are many canned fruits in juice and they don’t contain loads of sugar. Tuna is available canned in water, rather than oil. Eliminating all these extra calories is good for both your health and your waistline.

6. Choose whole grain products.
It’s easy to find crackers, breads, cereals, rolls, English muffins, tortillas and pitas in whole grain versions. The most nutritious part of the wheat and other grains in the “germ” and white flour products have the germ removed. When white bread and other such foods claim to be “enriched”, know that this claim is a joke! Through manufacturing, dozens of vitamins and minerals have been removed and one or two is added back into the product. Look for products that have “whole grain” as the first ingredient.

7. If you have a sweet tooth, seek out low fat desserts.
Some desserts are wiser choices because they are sweet but not so loaded with calories and fat. For instance, a serving of angel food cake (1/12 of a cake) or 28 grams contains 72 calories, only two of which are fat. A 32 ounce serving of oreo cookies is 162 calories, 63 of which are from fat or a half cup of Ben & Jerry’s Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough ice cream is 270 calories, 135 from fat. Pretzels are lower in calories than chips fried in oil and some ginger snaps  are low in fat. There are other dessert choices and they’re easy to find if we just read labels.

8. Cut down on the soft drinks.
Milk and water are cheaper, and definitely healthier, than multiple bottles of soft drinks. We all know that, however much we love our soft drinks, they’re nothing but water, sugar and chemicals which can’t possibly be healthy. Make them an occasional treat rather than an every-day occurrence.

Whatever your priorities, these ideas can help you to make wiser food choices. Food prices are skyrocketing and health concerns are prevalent in our culture. Becoming clear on your priorities and having a plan will help you shop wisely. Just wandering around the store, buying whatever strikes your fancy, is not the way smart shoppers behave.

If you want to know how to change your life NOW, then download our complimentary book “Dramatically Change Your Life Starting in the Next 5 Minutes”. And yes, we truly mean ‘now’.

In the past week, I’ve had major technology glitches, vendor/supplier challenges as well as a leak in our home from all the rainy weather. (Yes, it’s been one of those weeks.) Being an entrepreneur will test you in every way imaginable. The universe has a way of “checking in” periodically to see how serious you are about your intentions, your dreams, and your purpose. It will throw you curve balls to see how you respond. When these situations arise, you always have two choices: Run for cover (like jumping in your bed and pulling the covers over your head, hoping that this will all go away quickly–not very effective I might add from personal experience) or step into a place of possibility thinking and find solutions (which works beautifully every time).

If you’ve had some challenges lately in your business or personal life, and feel like you need some solutions to help you move into possibility thinking, here are a few tips that I personally use to move me out from under the covers and into being an energized solution seeker:

1. Walk it out – Grab a cup of coffee or bottle of water and hit the pavement. I find that going on a long walk, breathing in some fresh air and taking in some nature helps me refocus and reframe the situation in a more positive light.

2. Dive In - Going inward and allowing my internal voice (also referred to as your “instincts”) to be heard calmly and clearly helps a great deal. Meditation is a wonderful tool in these times. If you have never done meditation before, that’s fine. Just sit quietly, close your eyes and find your breath. Focus on breathing in and out for a few minutes. You’ll be amazed at how much calmer and more focused you feel within 5 minutes of doing this. Solitude is smart practice and one that I engage in regularly.

3. Find your Champions – This is the time to reach out to the people in your life who champion you. These are people who think you hung the moon. Avoid toxic naysayers. You know you’ve got a challenge. The last thing you need is someone to tell you that. Engage with people who have a positive attitude who truly want to see you succeed and provide resourceful contributions to your situation.

4. Take note – Take a good look at what went wrong in the situation. Ask yourself a few questions: What part did I play in this? How can I keep this from happening in the future? Become proactive and set up systems to avoid these types of situations in the future.

There’s an old saying that I’m sure you’ve heard before:  ”Life happens on your way to making plans.” This is true especially for women. We wear so many hats and play so many roles for others. There are certain challenges in life that we won’t be able to avoid because life does happen. However, Smart Women set themselves up to survive and more importantly thrive in this wild, wacky world.

Anything is possible.  Everything is waiting for you.

*****

© 2011 Joy Chudacoff

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:  Joy Chudacoff, ICF, PCC, is the founder of Smart Women Smart Solutions®, a Professional Certified Coach to 1000’s of women, Motivational Speaker, and Entrepreneur.  She publishes a weekly buzz generating ezine, Reflections On Life and Business for Women Entrepreneurs.  If you’re ready take your life and your business to the next level, get your FREE Tips, 2 FREE Reports and FREE MP3 now at Creating The Spark .

At the time Motrin wasn’t completely connected to the blogsphere, so it didn’t respond to the uproar until the following Monday when it removed the video (although you can still watch it on YouTube) and issued an apology. Peter Shankmen, a media and PR guru posted on his blog, “The problem is, Motrin happened to mess up at the expense, and in the face of, one of the most vocal, quickest-to-blog, “strongest-to-band-together-and-form-one-opinion-like-the-Borg” collectives out there – The Mommy-Blogging community.”

Although Peter’s quote makes moms sound a little nutty too, it is true that moms band together. They’ve done it for centuries. Blogging has simply allowed moms to reach each other more easily and wield a greater influence.

With Power Comes Responsibility

Over the last few years, companies have realized and embraced the power of mothers. Before the Internet, the Motrin incident would have still occurred, just on a smaller scale. One mom would tell another mom about how offended she was by the ad during a play date. Over the course of the week, a small group of moms may have boycotted Motrin, but Motrin wouldn’t have known or felt the effect. Today moms have access not just to their neighbors, but to millions of moms all over the world. Now when a company messes up and one mom complains, it’s online for the world to see and to respond to.

Companies realized they could use this power for good. If mommies could complain and cause a major PR fiasco, what could they do if they liked a product? Companies started sending these mommies everything from diapers to all-expense-paid resort vacations. Moms blogged about these new gifts and as predicted, readers responded. But when it was discovered that these moms had received free items or even compensation for their blog posts, the readers felt betrayed and responded with anger. In effect, readers did to mommy blogs what mommy blogs did to Motrin.

When you embark on a career as a mom blogger, your readers will develop a relationship with you. You must respect that relationship by working to provide the best content and referrals, and be honest about any freebies or monetary reimbursement you receive through reviews or recommendations you make on your blog. Not only is it required by the FTC, but is necessary to maintain the integrity of the relationship with your readers.

About the author: Leslie Truex is the author of The Work-At-Home Success Bible and owner of Mommy Blogging Success, a free resources with tips and advice on turning your rants, raves and reviews into revenue through blogging. Visit http://www.mommybloggingsuccess.com to learn more.

1. Outline your marketing goals. Make sure to include any research or information that supports your marketing plan.  For example, keep a notebook that has all applicable keywords, research for new sites to connect with, and business contacts.

2. Outline a specific time frame for completion of your goals. If you layout a timeline for your goals, you will be much more likely to reach them.

3. Make a list of all of your marketing plans. Each time a new idea comes to you, add it to your list.

4. Plan out your budget. Know how much you have available so that you can be sure to spend it wisely.   Be clear here on where you will spend your advertising dollars. Don’t just tell yourself, “I have $XXX for marketing.”  Instead, be specific. “I have $100 for paid press releases.” or “I have $40 for a Google Adwords campaign.”

5. Think through how you will handle the clients/customers who respond to your marketing attempts. Too many make this mistake.  They market and ask questions later.  A client calls and wants additional information on their services and they are like ‘now what do I do.”  We want to have you so that when that potential client calls, it runs like clockwork!

6. Make a list of any/all the marketing you’ve done in the past. Note next to each item on the list whether or not the marketing attempt was a success or failure and why.  Now with the marketing ideas that worked, make sure to give them priority.

By taking each of these steps you will find yourself well on the path to an effective marketing plan.

Jill Hart, Founder of Christian Work-at-Home Moms http://www.cwahm.com/, (offering mentoring & advice for cwahms) and Diana Ennen, President of Virtual Word Publishing, http://www.virtualwordpublishing.com/ (offering PR and marketing assistance) co-wrote So You Want to Be a Work at Home Mom: A Christian’s Guide to Starting a Home-Based Business http://www.soyouwanttobeawahm.com/.  Article is free to be reprinted as long as bio remains.

When we entered the front door, we were immediately greeted by an energetic young woman who wanted to know how she could help us. She escorted us to someone who could help our children open their accounts. We were invited to try a beverage from their vast menu (water, coffee, tea, soda, juice and hot chocolate) and of course the children were immediately given lollipops to welcome them as new customers. (By the way, the complimentary drinks were not just for new customers. I could overhear the conversation at the teller window and they were offering this to everyone who entered the bank.)

The representative that helped our children open their accounts was knowledgeable. He answered our questions and he treated our children with respect. He spent a lot of time with us and we never felt rushed or confused about what was going to happen next.

We walked away from the experience feeling like we made a great decision to open the accounts at this bank and it was a great “first” experience in banking for our children as well.

No matter what type of business you’re in, first impressions count – a lot. People want and expect a very personal, high-touch experience. If you are a woman entrepreneur and you want to create raving fans for your business, I invite you to take an inventory of the process you use to create an unforgettable first impression.

Here are a few tips on setting yourself up for success for a great first impression:

1. You had me at Hello – What’s the point of first contact with you and your company? If it’s email, make sure you have a system in place for you or someone on your team to receive email inquiries quickly. If it’s by phone, does your message state clearly what you want the caller to do? Do you have a system set up so that you return calls within 24 hours? Here at Smart Women Smart Solutions® response time is a valuable part of laying a good foundation with our clients. Our goal is to provide “red carpet” treatment to everyone we come in contact with. Review your systems for how someone makes that initial contact with you. Make sure your system works fast and efficiently.

2. It’s contagious – Having a friendly, positive attitude from the initial point of contact is important. People want to associate or be with people who are friendly and helpful. It makes them feel supported and cared for. Several years ago, I walked into my office one day to find my assistant at the time talking rudely to someone on the phone. I was horrified! Needless to say, that particular person did not work out well, however it was a valuable lesson for me. I want to attract support team members who hold quality client interaction to the same standard as I do.

3. Plan Your Process – Create a process for your ideal client so that the first impression with you is seamless and successful. Decide now how you want the process to work and enlist your team to help you roll it out. If you are a solo entrepreneur and don’t have any team members working with you yet, I invite you to sit down and think about what you want your first impression to look like with your ideal client. This is time well spent and can mean the difference between incredible business growth or ho-hum results. (It was when I took this part of my business seriously that I began to see huge jumps not only in my income but in the quality of the clients I serve.)

Spend some time reflecting on your first impression process. I invite you to set the intention to create “royal red carpet” treatment from that first point of contact so that you too can enjoy big leaps in your income along with quality clients who rave about you everywhere they go.

Anything is possible.  Everything is waiting for you.

*****

© 2011 Joy Chudacoff

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:  Joy Chudacoff, ICF, PCC, is the founder of Smart Women Smart Solutions®, a Professional Certified Coach to 1000’s of women, Motivational Speaker, and Entrepreneur.  She publishes a weekly buzz generating ezine, Reflections On Life and Business for Women Entrepreneurs.  If you’re ready take your life and your business to the next level, get your FREE Tips, FREE Report and FREE MP3 now at Profits With Passion .

So let’s take a closer look at Seneca’s quote and see what we can do to get lucky too, especially in business, other than hunting around for four-leaved clovers and checking for pots of gold at the end of rainbows.

1) Be prepared so that when you meet opportunity you’ll get lucky: Your Audio Logo

The first major ingredient of luck is preparation. And for us, as business owners, preparation means having our perfect audio logos ready to go no matter where we are. Whether you’re at a St. Patrick’s Parade or at a BNI meeting, you should know what to say when someone asks you what you do – and be able to say it within 30 or 60 seconds, or use it in a more conversational approach.

2) Be prepared, part two: Carry business cards wherever you go

In addition to having your audio logo ready to go, also be sure to carry business cards anywhere you go. If you meet someone who might be a suitable client or a possible referral partner, you can still ensure you both have each other’s contact information so that you can follow up later. And yes, you can do that even if you meet that person at a parade or a party, i.e., in a place where talk about business is not really appropriate.

3) Be where opportunity has a chance to find you: Get out there

The second key ingredient of luck is opportunity. Be sure to spend time in places where opportunity can happen. One thing it needs is other people. You won’t make a big splash and gather lots of new clients when you’re home watching TV. At least you won’t unless you’re watching your own TV commercial, which is also seen by thousands of others, and your phone is about to ring off the hook. In that case, staying home so you can answer it might be the perfect thing to do.

4) Help opportunity along: Follow Up

Giving opportunity a chance to put you in contact with people you can create a business relationship with is one thing. But there’s a second part that’s just as important, and that’s follow-up. You see, opportunity lies not just in doing the right thing in the moment but also in what you make of it afterwards. So once you have made the initial connection, be sure to call or otherwise get in touch with that new connection and do whatever follow-up is appropriate, including possibly suggesting lunch or coffee.

5) Expect to be lucky

Luck loves those who expect it. Seriously. There have even been research studies that have proven that expecting a good outcome will make it much more likely for good things to occur. Whether it’s the law of attraction, or whether it’s something much more down-to-earth, it works.

What down-to-earth thing could it be? Someone who expects a good outcome is much more likely to act in a way that brings it about. They’ll be out there, creating opportunities for themselves, and making the most of them.

They’ll also be outgoing and positive when they meet people, which makes those people want to connect with them. And they won’t flub their lines when it the time comes to talk about doing business together either.

What do the Irish have to do with it?

So Seneca certainly hit the nail on the head when he made that statement about luck happening when preparation meets opportunity. But what do the Irish have to do with it?

Well, the Irish have a reputation of being friendly and gregarious, and those are characteristics that can make anyone lucky, whether they’re Irish by birth or whether they’re “Irish” just for the day.

Making luck your powerful business success strategy

And all those characteristics work year-round, so be sure to use them, along with the other how to get-lucky tips. In the meantime, if you’re hoping to be lucky on Saint Patrick’s Day, be sure to wear something green. And a shamrock won’t hurt either.

And if you want to get lucky in business too, click the link to join Sue Clement at her FREE business teleseminar on how to be “lucky” as you socialize your way to more clients and profits.

Can’t make it? Missed it? Sign up anyway — Sue will be happy to send you the audio download link.

And if you’re in the Vancouver area, you’re invited to my upcoming LIVE seminar on the Secret to Easy Referrals.