L.I.F.E.

Focus!

2012-02-12T16:17:00.000-08:00

"Often he who does too much does too little." Italian Proverb

focus = a center of interest or activity, close or narrow attention; concentration

Focus and concentration, or lack of, has become an issue for people in our modern culture.

Many, many articles and books have been written about time management, how to get more done with less time, the pros and cons of multi-tasking, etc;

My own struggles with focus and concentration stem from competing thoughts, emotions and desires within me. A review of my habits has shown me that I have often procrastinated in my life. I do wonder about that. At times I thought that I just liked the rush of a deadline, getting a project done just in time! But on closer inspection, the things I procrastinate about are often things/tasks I just don't really want to do. How is it that something I don't really want to or feel like doing ended up on my list of tasks? Do we all do that? I think a high percentage of us do.

To be focused, to be able to concentrate on completing a task or project I think it first must have a high importance to us, in other words it must be a priority in our lives. Sometimes the first step in developing more focus and concentration is deciding what our priorities really are. Saying yes to everything will leave a person feeling burnt out and probably not really accomplishing much!

Simply making a list of your tasks, projects and responsibilities and then prioritizing them will naturally help you to focus. Use an ABC system with A representing tasks that take top priority. When you have decided what your top priorities are, start working on them, one at a time! We are so often tempted to work on more than one thing at a time because we believe we are being more efficient but studies have shown this not to be true.

"The shorter way to do many things is to do only one thing at a time."
Mozart

Next time you need to get something done but feel unfocused and unable to concentrate ask yourself:
---Do I have to do this?
---Do I want it done so it's not on my mind?
---Will it be any easier later? How much of my energy am I giving up just "thinking" about it?
Asking these questions can give you the incentive you need to focus and complete whatever needs your attention.

Is Your Personality suited to your Work?

2012-01-30T19:58:00.000-08:00

Are you familiar with the Enneagram?

The Enneagram Institute is the premier site for learning about the enneagram.

The Enneagram is a vast and profound system and like any profound system, it takes a certain amount of work and time to master its subtleties and complexities.
From one point of view, the Enneagram can be seen as a set of nine distinct personality types, with each number on the Enneagram denoting one type. It is common to find a little of yourself in all nine of the types, although one of them should stand out as being closest to yourself. This is your basic personality.

I found an interesting article the other day which uses the enneagram personality types and identifies how each type operates and exists within the world of business and work. See if you can spot yourself!

1. The Reformer - focused on using your work/company as a means to improve the world. Unwavering ability to run your business/conduct your work with integrity and ethics.
2. The Helper - provides an extremely high level of assistance and service to customers. Customer focused.
3. The Achiever - Business/work is centered around your high energy and charisma. The business is built around your personality.
4. The Individualist - You are reserved but highly creative. The business/work is built around your unique talents and creativity.
5. The Investigator - Your business/work is based on future vision and will operate with a curiosity about the world around you.
6. The Loyalist - Your business/work is focused on fixing problems and excels at problem solving.
7. The Enthusiast - Your business is full of life, energy and optimism. Your customers/clients will feel that your company has a playful and "can do" attitude.
8. The Challenger - You define the essence of entrepreneurship and have the ability to create great businesses.
9. The Peacemaker - Nurturing and harmony are key to your work, and you have an ability to survive and persist with an inner calm and strength.

Understanding ourselves and others helps to build great businesses. This of course is just a small, small piece of information regarding the enneagram and personalities types. Check out the Enneagram Institute at http://www.enneagraminstitute.com - they have some free personality tests along with a few other helpful resources.

Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow

2012-01-18T14:22:00.000-08:00

How much time do you mentally spend in the past, present and future? If you had to give a percentage breakdown on "where" you spend your time what would it look like?

Maybe something like:

Past 35%
Present 5%
Future 60%

If you said...well something like that...I don't think you are alone! Fact is most of us spend a lot of time in our heads and it is usually not "NOW"

There are 2 days in every week that should be free of worry, fear and apprehension.

One of these is yesterday, which is now beyond our control. We cannot go back, relive or redo anything about yesterday.

The second worry-free day is tomorrow, with all of it's perceived challenges, worries and burdens...it is not here yet AND tomorrow is beyond our immediate control.

So that leaves us with Today, where we can choose to focus our energy and attention. We only have one moment of power, and that is NOW. What happens when we are preoccupied with yesterday and tomorrow? We are robbed of today and the present moment.

Want to learn more about this topic? Join me on January 28-2012 at the Quadra Community Centre. We will share tips, ideas and resources about personal time management, staying present, and assessing ways to manage your energy, not your time!

Busyness

2011-12-13T11:18:00.000-08:00

“The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak.”Hans Hofmann

“Just because we increase the speed of information doesn’t mean we can increase the speed of decisions. Pondering, reflecting and ruminating are undervalued skills in our culture.” -- Dale Dauten

For good health and piece of mind, it’s essential to have free time -- time to reflect, relax,and just have fun. Opening up in this way allows us to become more creative and resourceful. (think about the metaphor of a container that is overflowing; there is no room for anything new)

How can you simplify your life and free up more time for yourself? Freeing up more time for yourself is not selfish, a belief that women especially struggle with, rather it is a gift to yourself and all those whose lives you touch.

Who or what is served by living a life that is jam-packed full of to-do's and endless activity? Can you envision something simpler? Think about what you want your life to look like, the possibilities and options, then eliminate the unnecessary so the necessary can speak.

Your Brilliant Business!

2011-12-06T17:37:00.000-08:00

Join me and jump-start your brilliant business! This is my new 8 week structured personal coaching program which will be available in 2012!
This personal coaching program will help you to:

• Define and reconnect with your business purpose
• Set realistic and fulfilling goals
• Plan and reflect; understand why setting time aside for working on your business versus in it is crucial
• Learn how to market your business authentically and from your center
• Become more familiar with cash flow planning and financial statements and reflect upon your beliefs about money
• Design a practical checklist that will allow you to check in on a regular basis with yourself and your business
• Incorporate a personal wellness plan that will allow you to work from a place of balance
• Review and adapt your discoveries and integrate them into your plan

Are you committed to checking in with yourself, your business and your vision?
We will meet once a week or bi-weekly (what ever suits your business rhythm) and work through these powerful aspects together.

There will be some hard work, maybe some tough questions but there will also be fun and a lot of laughs! You will end up with a plan but more importantly a sense of what is important to you about being a business person, and a deeper connection to your self and your work.

Contact me today for more information at www.life-coaching.ca

Symbols and Meanings

2011-11-26T13:27:00.000-08:00

Do you ever wonder why you are attracted to a certain aspect of nature or a specific animal? Does one symbol keep showing up in your life? Today I completed a creative exercise using pictures as a way of articulating my life experiences.

What I noticed as I reflected were a few animal totems that I have been attracted to over the years. I thought it would be interesting to research their meanings and share them with you.

The first one I recall showing up and attracting me were owls. A quick list of owl symbolic meanings include:
• Wisdom - mystery - transition
• Messages - intelligence - mysticism
• Protection - secrets
When I reflect about where I was in my life when owls started to appear (and by appear I mean that I would notice them on TV, in books, in nature) I was at a place of change and transition. I was learning about my spirituality and opening up to new ways of seeing my life and the bigger picture.

Elephants...I love elephants...showed up next! When I researched their symbolic meaning I came up with more interesting parallels to my life. At the time I was considering changing careers, so finding out that to the Hindu way of thought the elephant is found in the form of Ganesha. Ganesha is the god of luck, fortune, protection and is a blessing upon all new projects. Ganesha in all his magnificently vibrant elephant glory is intent on bulldozing obstacles!

Another symbol that come into my life just before my Mom passed away was the starfish. I have a starfish necklace that I often wear. The star as well as the Starfish are seen as celestial symbols and as such, they represent infinite divine love. In addition to love, the Starfish also holds characteristics such as guidance, vigilance, inspiration, brilliance and intuition.

And lately the beautiful hummingbird has shown up. These delicate and beautiful creatures have captured my attention. It is not commonly known that the fluttering wings of the hummingbird move in the pattern of an infinity symbol - further solidifying their symbolism of eternity, continuity, and infinity. The hummingbird is seemingly tireless. They are always actively seeking the sweetest nectar, reminding us to forever seek out the good in life and the beauty in each day. The Hummingbird animal totems most important message is "The sweetest nectar is within!"

The reference material for this article came from http://www.whats-your-sign.com

3 Steps to Move from Scattered to Peace-Filled

2011-10-10T11:40:00.000-07:00

Scattered energy is draining, pulls us away from our Heart and leaves us feeling out of balance. These 3 steps will start you on your path from scattered and tired to peace-full and calm:

1.Identify the source of your imbalance.

What is pulling and scattering your energy? Do you have too much on your plate? Take a piece of paper and start writing down the different areas that your energies are going. Perhaps you are a solo-entrepreneur and your business demands are piling up. In what areas can you delegate a task, what tasks can wait? Start prioritizing. You may be a mother who works outside the home. There are the demands of your job and the needs of your family and household. Again, list all of the things that you feel you must do and then start paring the list down by delegating to someone else or by choosing to let some things go. (Perfectionism is another energy drainer)

2. Decide what is most important to you, what your life priorities are.

This step is connected to the first step. Review the list you created in Step 1. What are your life priorities? What is motivating you? Are there items on your list that don't really need to be there? Are you a person who says Yes when you really would rather not?

3. Create an intention to spend time listening to your own guidance and intuition.

If this is new to you, start with baby steps. Set aside 10 minutes at the beginning or the end of your day. Ask yourself what you want for your life and what changes would move you closer to your personal life vision. Write your insights down and revisit them daily. Living from a place of inner peace that is calm and centered takes intention and commitment.

“Look within! The secret is inside you.” Hui-neng

Nurture your body, mind and spirit daily. Inner peace and deep joy will flow out of that. This is not to say that your life will be "problem" free, but living from your Center, your Essence will allow you to handle life's bumps and detours with more ease and calm.

“Yesterday is already a dream and tomorrow is only a vision, but today well lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness and every tomorrow a vision of hope.” From the Sanskrit

Need a little more support in this area? Sign up for personal coaching sessions with me. Coaching is available over the telephone, via Skype or in person. Contact me at 250-204-3349 or by email at coachtucker.dinnes@gmail.com

What I Know & Sometimes Forget

2011-09-26T17:48:00.000-07:00

I was reviewing some old journals of mine this morning and I was struck by how slowly some things can change in our lives. Like most people I have a "hook", something that keeps me from moving forward, letting go, and moving on.

The journal I happened to pick up this morning and start reading was from last September....oh yeah...if I needed confirmation that there are no coincidences this was it!

As I read my words I realized that I still grappling with some of the same struggles today as I was last year! I guess what was startling about my experience this morning was that I somehow managed to convince myself that I had moved on and let go and to some extent I have. As a personal life coach my daily practices include cultivating awareness and a continual devotion to nurturing inner peace and connection. But ego and mind can be tricky, something I have found only the Divine handles brilliantly! I also acknowledge that what I perceive as "slowly" may not be so slow when I take into account the Big Picture.

After I took stock of where I was last year and where I am today with my "hook" I handed it over to God

and went about my day. Later on I came across a beautiful passage in a book I am studying called Shortcut to Spirituality; Mastering the Art of Inner Peace:

"We dance in a ring and suppose, but the Secret sits in the middle and knows" Robert Frost

What has your experience been with your own journey? Do you have tools you use to reflect on and acknowledge your journey? What has been most helpful for you? I would love to read your comments and insights!

Fear and Faith

2011-09-09T09:40:00.000-07:00

Being stuck or immobilized by fear at one time or another in our lives has happened to us all. It is definitely not an easy place to be especially when we lack a good support system that can guide us through a decision or help us to release the fear.

Fear is a protective response, a fight or flight action based emotion that has allowed us to survive. Fear floods the body with chemicals that encourage action. When we are faced with physically dangerous situations fear kicks in and helps us to protect ourselves.

So what kinds of circumstances produce this feeling of fear in our society today? Perhaps the fear of losing your job, not having enough money, not being “good enough”, etc; Fear can take many forms including panic, dread, and worry and can cause internal conflicts like procrastination, overwhelm, and powerlessness.

There is an acronym for F.E.A.R. = False Expectation Appearing Real.
When you are in place of immobilization it is often helpful to Stop….Breathe….Reflect. By taking the time and space to examine what your fear is, where it is coming from and then developing options/actions to deal with it, you create the energy to release and move forward. Byron Katie developed a process that is simple yet effective. It is called The Work and involves answering 4 basic questions:

1. Is it true?
2. Can you absolutely know that it is true?
3. How do you react, what happens, when you believe that thought (fear)?
4. Who would you be without the thought?

After you have thoughtfully answered these questions and perhaps written them down in a journal, develop a turnaround statement, a statement that will bring release, action and peace. For an example and free worksheets on The Work go to www.thework.com

So how does faith influence our fears? The type of faith I am referring to is the trust and confidence in Life and in your self. Gratitude and acknowledgment of all that is good in your life, all that has worked out well, and will work out well creates the energy and positive movement needed to move out of fear and into action. Being responsive instead of reactive in our daily lives allows us to live from a place of groundedness and peace rather than anxiety and fear.

There is much in the world to make us afraid. There is much more in our faith to make us unafraid. ~Frederick W. Cropp

Ubuntu

2011-07-17T17:46:00.000-07:00

Ubuntu: "I am what I am because of who we all are." (From a translation offered by Liberian peace activist Leymah Gbowee.)

Archbishop Desmond Tutu offers this definition:

A person with Ubuntu is open and available to others, affirming of others, does not feel threatened that others are able and good, for he or she has a proper self-assurance that comes from knowing that he or she belongs in a greater whole and is diminished when others are humiliated or diminished, when others are tortured or oppressed.

Ubuntu – the essence of being human. Ubuntu speaks particularly about the fact that you can't exist as a human being in isolation. It speaks about our interconnectedness. You can't be human all by yourself, and when you have this quality – Ubuntu – you are known for your generosity.

We think of ourselves far too frequently as just individuals, separated from one another, whereas you are connected and what you do affects the whole World. When you do well, it spreads out; it is for the whole of humanity.

What is the Goal?

2011-07-13T11:21:00.000-07:00

Relationship! It is at the heart of our lives and our success as human beings. When we embrace our uniqueness but also acknowledge our connection with all we learn how to live for ourselves and for the higher good of our families, our friends, our communities.

Albert Einstein wrote:

" A human being is part of the whole called the universe, a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings, as something separate from the rest-a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in all its beauty."

I Made a Mistake

2011-07-04T10:36:00.000-07:00

Messing up, making a mistake, a big blooper...most of us don't like to say those words do we? Why do you think that is? Where and when does the idea come from that we should be perfect in all things? Some of us may be able to dig deeper and point to a parent, a teacher, a boss that demanded or demands perfection. Sometimes we rationalize that it is just our personality, telling ourselves "that is just the way I am". All of this ok if you are ok with it. However, if striving for perfection is causing you stress and ill health, then maybe it is time to reflect and shift away from perfectionism to excellence.

What is the difference between perfectionism and excellence? In my opinion I see perfectionism as serving ego, seeking approval from external sources and people. Excellence on the other hand is a realistic standard that you have set for yourself, that you have given time and thought to, and you have decided how you want to Be not what you "have to do".

Setting heart based goals and intentions around your relationships, work and life requires some time and thought. Think about how you want to be, who you are and what will bring you inner peace,empowerment and freedom and then step into it. Honor and acknowledge your self and your intentions daily, if you make a mistake, learn from it, forgive yourself and let it go.

"What is a mistake? Nothing but education, nothing but the first step to something better." Wendell Phillips

Tough Decisions

2011-06-29T12:02:00.000-07:00

How easily do you make those "big" life changing type decisions? They are the toughest ones to make because it can seem like we are losing something. And sometimes we are...a love, a business that we have poured ourselves into, a friend. Looking beyond the immediate loss can be helpful. Reflect upon what you have loved about the experience, what you have learned, your gratitude for the experience, and the wisdom the experience has imparted that you can take with you into tomorrow.

Are you grappling with a tough decision? Who do you lean on or ask for support from? There are times when we need to reach out and find the person that can support and encourage us through difficult or trying times. Most of us do not reach out for support very easily and in my opinion that is kind of sad. We are all connected and that has a deeper meaning for all of us.

There are many resources available for support including your family, friends,colleagues, church, community organizations, coaches, counselors, etc;
If you are in the midst of change and major decision making and you are having a difficult time, reach out. It is the strongest thing you can do.

L.I.F.E. Purpose

2011-06-27T14:53:00.000-07:00

You will recognize your own path when you come upon it, because you will suddenly have all the energy and imagination you will ever need. ~ Jerry Gillies

I should be able to figure this out on my own.....

2011-06-23T08:59:00.000-07:00

As a coach, I have heard different comments and opinions about life coaching. For the most part the general response has been quite positive.

I think that the positive response has been because clients have experienced an authentic caring relationship with a coach, a relationship built on trust, and the knowledge that the coach holds a space to explore the possibilities and options that are available to them, without judgment or opinion.

The profession of coaching is built on the premise of co-creation. The coach is not an expert, consultant or adviser in that opinions and directives are not given by the coach. The client is held as the expert in their own life and the client decides what actions will bring them closer to their goals and intentions.

Some of the reasons that a person might avoid exploring a coaching relationship could stem from the messages of our society and also from a person's own internal thoughts/beliefs. Do any of these sound familiar:

-I need to just figure this out and get on with it.
-Why would I need a coach, I have friends and family to talk with
-Coaching is just too "touchy feely"
-I don't have the time or money
-People will think ______________ (fill in the blank)

While all of these beliefs/messages may be true to some extent there is also a flip side.
Sometimes we are just too stuck or overwhelmed to see a solution. Working with a coach allows for seeing something from different angles.

Friends and family love us and want what is best for us but sometimes they lack the objectivity that a coach possesses.

Coaching sessions can be as personal as the client wants them to be. Some clients have very clear goals and intentions for distinct aspects of their lives and have no interest in exploring their emotions/feelings; an example would be someone who is working on improving their interviewing skills or seeking a change in careers.

Time and money are relative, we have a concrete amount of time and money and we choose daily how we will invest them. Choosing to invest in yourself and a life that is more in alignment with what you want and who you are has far reaching benefits.

And lastly, what will people think? People will think what they will. (and often we think we know what others are thinking!) Choosing to work with a coach is personal and the choice to tell others about it is yours alone. Confidentiality and integrity are cornerstones of coach training.

Are you meeting the challenge?

2011-06-15T11:07:00.000-07:00

Work and family....quite a balancing act at times! Now that my family is grown and on their own I don't have the same time challenges as I used to.

But I do remember times when trying to fit it all in was difficult: juggling family, work, friends, me time...oh yes...and then struggle with the guilt of "me" time.

I now realize however how important ME time is for women of all ages. Solitude allows for the healing, restoration and renewal. Even the smallest steps toward private time can give you a fresh new outlook. Try going for a walk, listen to your favorite music, or take a yoga class...anything that allows you to reflect and re-energize.

Where to start?

Learn to say no
Control time wasters
Avoid trying to do everything at once
Prioritize - decide what is most important in your life
Delegate whenever possible!
Focus on work at work
Allow for the unexpected, being too rigid causes stress, learn to hold an attitude of flexibility

What Do My Needs have to do with Business?

2011-06-13T11:11:00.000-07:00

I write and think alot about authentic happiness and success. I have spent some time really defining what those terms mean to me and my life. I wonder if you have too?

Sometimes we "think" we know ourselves but are often surprised at what is just below the surface in our hearts and minds. Closer reflection often reveals some helpful insights into our personality, our needs and our values.

If you haven't done a Needs and Values exercise before I encourage you to do so. (You can find free needs/values assessments on the internet.) Set some time aside where you will not be interupted. I personally like Sunday afternoons for doing this type of personal growth work; and it also sets the tone for the coming week.

The point of this type of exercise is to acknowledge and understand yourself on a deeper level. When you know what your needs and values are you can build them into your work. If for instance you discover that one of your values is Creativity but you work in a rigid environment without an avenue for creative thinking, you probably won't be very happy in the long term.

Knowing more about what your needs and values are and being able to apply them to your work will help you to stay motivated and on track, while giving you more fulfillment and sense of purpose.

Building a Solid Foundation

2011-06-09T16:11:00.000-07:00

Today I listened to a radio show about building a solid foundation for your business. The gist of the conversation focused on not getting ahead of ourselves when we are starting out in our businesses, but to really spend some time thinking about who our customers are, what our product/service is, and how our individual personality and skills fit with our customers and product/service.

When we are truly comfortable with what we are offering (our business)and understand what our client/customer needs are then we can confidently move forward. Sometimes we feel pressured to get a product or service out into the marketplace quickly and this can be a mistake if we are not fully prepared. A sloppy or disorganized launch of a product or service can be costly in the long run, with the possibility of losing customers/clients or damaging credibility.

So take your time, know yourself and what you are offering in order to promote your business confidently.

Emotional Resilience

2011-06-07T14:48:00.000-07:00

How easily do you “roll with the punches” of life? Do you adapt easily to changing situations and adversity or do you tend to have a hard time with both minor and major life changes and difficulties?

As you may suspect, those who deal easily with minor stresses tend to be able to handle major crises easier as well. So why are some people apparently more resilient than others? To some degree we are born with resilience; but that does not mean that we cannot learn emotional flexibility. Some factors are not within our control such as age, gender and exposure to trauma; however, if you know what to do you can become more resilient. As with other emotional qualities, resilience is present within all of us, and we handle varying degrees of stress individually. If you study resilient people you will find they have a few common characteristics:
- They are aware and understand what they are feeling and why. This is because they have spent time getting to the root of their feelings and responses. Knowing why we react or feel a certain way will help us to determine what needs to change or what we need to accept.
- Working toward external goals or developing personal strategies is action oriented and requires perseverance. Resilient people trust in this process and tend not to give up easily.
- Believing that they are in control of their own lives, resilient people live from an internal locus of control. We may not be able to control circumstances, but we can control our thoughts and how we respond to daily circumstances.
- Seeing the positive in situations and living from a place of inner strength develops optimism. This does not mean “always looking on the bright side” but seeing life with an attitude of gratitude, acknowledging and wanting what we have, and being grateful for our accomplishments.
- Developing meaningful family relationships and strong friendships provides the support that we all need as human beings. Knowing that we are loved and supported provides the strength and love we need to face challenging times when they arise.
- Laughing at life’s frustrations and difficulties enables us to experience life as less stressful. This may mean stepping back and putting some of what we find frustrating into perspective.
- Emotionally resilient people cultivate perspective. Reflecting on mistakes and learning from them, seeing obstacles not as roadblocks but as challenges , and accepting that some of the stresses in our lives can be changed/alleviated through different choices makes a person stronger.
- Developing a strong sense of connection with your spirit will enhance emotional resilience. Being internally connected to faith in a higher power, whether you call that God, Universe, Buddha, nature, etc; will strengthen and encourage you in difficult times. Find what nurtures your spirit and spend time with it.
I like this quote from Gilda Radner: “I always wanted a happy ending…now I have learned the hard way that some poems don’t rhyme, and some stories don’t have a clear beginning, middle and end. Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it without knowing what’s going to happen next. Delicious ambiguity!”
Trust yourself and the process, live gently with yourself, be patient, do your best.

2011-05-02T10:26:00.000-07:00

This is my pinny from my first 10K run in Victoria on May 1st! It was such a fantastic experience to be walking among over 12,000 people on a beautiful spring morning! The enthusiasm, excitement and spirit of everyone involved was awesome. The organizers, volunteers and people of Victoria did an amazing job. I definitely want to do it again!

I almost talked myself out of participating in this 10K event the night before the race as my good friend and I enjoyed dinner together. "Maybe I will just wait for you at the finish line and cheer you on" I said. My friend just smiled at me; she knows me well. "You are going to do awesome, probably better than you think you will" she said. With that comment I put away all my fears that I might not be able to do it, that I hadn't really "trained" for this, etc; etc; etc;

On race day I decided to remember that my intention was to just relax and enjoy the experience. And I did.

3 Time Management Tips

2011-04-28T13:51:00.000-07:00

How many articles, books, etc; have you read about time management? If time and management of time have been an issue for you; perhaps you have realized that:

1. You need to know how you are using/spending your time.

What steals your time?(Facebook...Emails....reading blogs)Track your daily activities for a week to see how you are spending your time.

2. Create specific time management goals.

Once you have an accurate picture of how you use your time, make some decisions about changing your behaviors if need be, and setting some S.M.A.R.T. goals. Try things like making phone calls or checking emails only during a specific block of time each day.

3. Remember that time management is a myth

If you find that you are very organized and use your time very productively; perhaps you have taken on more than is humanly possible to attain? No matter how organized we are we only have 24 hours each day.

What Challenges?

2011-04-15T11:25:00.001-07:00

As a small business owner, what would you say are your top 3 challenges?

I personally have found that my top 3 challenges have been:

1. Time management
2. Finances
3. Remaining positive and persevering

Time Management

Managing my time is not the "classic" to much to do with too little time! My time management challenges are around feeling like I have too much time and I need to be a little more focused and on task. Yes, I am one of those people who likes to read every article, research, buy the latest books,stop and chat, etc; Because of this trait I have developed a system that works for me. Each morning I deliberately sit down with my coffee and decide what my top 3 priorities are for the day. I list these on an index card along with any insights/inspiration for the day and I carry the card with me. This not only reminds me of what I have committed to for the day but it feels great to check off each item as I complete it!

Any comments? Please share your tips for time management with me; I love to read them!

The Many Faces of Spring

2011-04-06T18:47:00.000-07:00

Ahh...the beauty of a spring morning! The sun is shining, the birds are singing...but wait...what's this? It is snowing...no hailing! But if we wait for it; the clouds will part and the sun will reappear. OK, so why the description of a spring day? What does that have to do with business? Well it occurred to me that the cycles of nature and the unpredictability of weather can be quite similar to our cycles of business. When we first start out the sun is shining, we are energetic and enthusiastic, our spirit is soaring. Then the realities and hard work of running a business set in...it is like seeing that cloud on the horizon moving towards us. At this point we can take cover and hide or we can prepare by getting out the umbrella! If we choose the umbrella we might find that it is really not that bad; in fact it is kind of enjoyable! As we work through the challenges we find resources, options and answers to our situation. And soon enough, the clouds have moved on and the sun reappears, and with that our confidence in our own ability and dedication to our business grows.

Feeling Lonely?

2011-03-29T10:09:00.000-07:00

If you are a self employed "solo-preneur" as I am, you might experience some loneliness from time to time. While self employment definitely has its advantages the downside of isolation can be at times very difficult, especially if you enjoy people!

To combat the feeling of isolation I try to make contact with others by:

1. Going out for a walk in my neighborhood. Usually I bump into a friend or neighbor for a short chat. Even just to share a smile and greeting is enough to lift my mood.

2. Meeting a friend for coffee or lunch a couple of times a week.

3. Schedule a workout at the gym at lunch time.

4. Have something fun to look forward to in the evening...a movie, a class, etc;

If you are self employed and work alone I would love to hear what you do to weave in social contact with others during your work week!

Do you have an attitude of a student?

2011-03-26T08:55:00.000-07:00

Take the attitude of a student, never be too big to ask questions, and never know too much to learn something new. ~ Og Mandino

What skills and personality traits do you think entrepreneurs should have or be willing to develop? One article I read suggests a good business attitude, skillful networking skills and a thick skin are 3 important qualities to possess.

Contributing to any business person’s success are the desire, openness and ability to learn and develop new skills and habits. A willing attitude to view your business with a critical business eye and then to adapt to the ever changing business climate is vital.

Having a thick skin, or being objective, is a trait most women in business consistently have to develop and strengthen. Being in business is putting one’s self into the public arena and accepting input from your customers, employees and peers. I believe women tend to be more personally attached to their business concept/ideas which often come from her heart and it takes objectivity to see when and where changes need to be made.

To get the most out of your business you must be willing to entertain new ideas and embrace constructive criticism. A word about constructive criticism; it comes from a place of true goodwill and hope for your success. So check the source and look at the motivation behind it; is it constructive or an attack? Is it about your business or about you personally? What is the motivation behind it? If it is for your success and you feel it is valid then take the appropriate actions.

Actively seeking the opinions of others opens up any possible problem areas that you might not see on your own. People have a tendency to don ‘blinders’ when it comes to some things and fresh eyes can often see areas that could be improved or changed. This receptive attitude has other benefits as well. You are seen as approachable, as someone who values the thoughts and advice of others. Your employees, peers, customers, friends and family will feel valued and when people feel like their opinion is valued they are much more likely to support you and your business.

Ask your customers, employees and peers to share their ideas about what they think would make your business better. You might not accept or follow all of the input you receive but you will probably glean some very useful information for your business.

People will talk about your business and sometimes even speculate about it, so help them to talk positively about it by listening, being open to constructive criticism and by inviting new ideas and opinions.