Need more time?

It is Easter again and so much has happened in the last few months.
Have you started to achieve your goals yet? Are you on track to achieve the targets you set yourself for the year?
One of the things I hear most often is… “I don’t have enough time to/ for….”
Does that sound familiar?

If you, like me, and so many other people, find there are too few hours in the day, it is time to break out the “Default Diary”. This is taking the working week and setting breaking down all your activities in timed sessions. E.g.
Monday
08:00- 09:00 Sales meeting
09:00- 10:00 Follow up on last week’s quotes
10:00- 10:30 Check and answer emails
10:30- 12:00 Make calls to potential clients
12:00- 12:30 Lunch
If you have a particular that needs completing, you may want to book out a number of days between certain hours to complete that task.

It is amazing how much time there is in the week that gets wasted because we find other things to do that are not income producing. Using a default diary also makes it harder for us to justify not having done a task, when we realise that we had wasted a lot of time doing “other stuff”.
If you need help, speak to a business coach to help you figure out what you goals are and what you need to do to achieve them. Time is a depreciating asset and once it is gone, it is gone. Use your time wisely.

Aim high instead of low, because you just may achieve what you aim for.

Self Beliefs

What we think of ourselves can hold us back in life if they are limiting beliefs.
I can’t stand up and talk in front of other people. I can’t lose weight. I can’t ask for a raise.
Why do we have these limiting beliefs? Why do we except less than we deserve and can achieve?
You are worth it and you can do almost anything if you set your mind to it. As babies when we first learn to walk, we fall over and over and over again, but eventually we are able to take that first step. Then two, then before we know it, we are running around.

As children we ask our parents the same question over and over again hoping that they will give us the answer we want. Can I have another sweetie? Why is it when we are adults, we are too afraid to learn or do something new? Why are we to scared to ask and keep asking if we can have something different? If we want something more or want to be different, we need to get the skills and practice till we are in the position to expand our horizons and then, we can… Stand up and talk in front of other people… We can lose weight… We deserve a raise. You are worth it.

Surround yourself with positive people. Laugh frequently. Take little steps outside your comfort zone and soon you will have grown and would not recognize the person you were before.

What do you think and believe of yourself? What limiting beliefs to you have about yourself?

January has come and it is well on the way to shooting past into February and then we are well into the year with our heads down, trying to survive and make it through. This is the trap that so many of us fall into every year, after making the best of New Year’s resolutions.

With so much doom and gloom promised, mortgage rates promised to go up, HMV closing stores etc, is this the best we can hope for. Making it through the year and into 2012? Are you prepared for whatever this year may bring? What are you going to do differently? I believe if we look for the opportunities, we will find them. We must have the courage to take them and seize the day.

Let’s make 2011 different and let’s all work together to make it successful for us all.

All the best for the year ahead.

Breakfast networking, lunch networking, evening networking. It seems everywhere you turn there is a networking event. There are events that suits all types of businesses and at different times to suit most people.
Networking seems to me like it could become the new cold call though. Very often you meet people that just want to sell their products to you. Don’t get me wrong, we all need to put food on the table, but think first of how you can help the other person.

Remember the old sayings, “You catch more flies with honey”, “The more you give, the more you get”, “Give and you shall receive” etc. I think you get the point.

Build relationships of Know, Like and Trust and the business will follow. Don’t expect to walk out with business on the first meeting. Who would you rather have a BBQ with on the weekend? A person you have just met, or somebody you have got to know and like? The same is true for networking.
Don’t try to sell to people. Rather try help them resolve a problem or issue they have. This may be with your product, but if not, refer them to somebody that can help. Both those parties will be greatful to you and will want to help you in return.
Pass good quality referrals to somebody and don’t “expect” anything in return. It will come. That person may not be able to help you straight away, but sometime in the future the wheel of life will turn and you shall receive a good quality referral.

Keep networking…..It works if you work at it.

This Blog site is focussed on helping businesses to network more effectively, by giving networking tips, free downloads and learning points.

It serves as a single site to help put people in touch with suppliers and customers alike that are members in the local Business for Breakfast groups. By looking at the Directory page, you will find businesses that may be able to help you in what you are looking for.
Please be clear that we do not personally recommend each business and it is up to you to do your own due dilligence, but we have found these companies to be trustworthy and good to work with.

So many people go out “networking” now days, but it is difficult to know who to pass your business too and to trust. Sometimes it is even difficult to find somebody that delivers the service or supplies the product that you want or actually need. Why not come and be a guest in one of the meetings and experience how these businesses work together to help each other grow and share ideas of best practise.

If there is anybody you would like an introduction to, please feel free to let me know and I will be happy to help.

I did and I don’t anymore. I’ll tell you why. Back in the day when I was first building my business – networking, networking was all I heard. Everyone from my coach to the receptionist at the local Chamber of Commerce office told me the same thing. If I wanted to be successful in business I had to get myself out there and network.

Why was it that every time I heard the advice, I bristled and wanted to run back to the safety of my home office? For some reason, the idea of networking utterly turned me off. It made me wonder – if networking was the key to business success then perhaps I should consider throwing in the entrepreneurial towel.

I suspect I’m not alone here. Many clients I work with express the same distaste and resistance to what seems like a simple mission. See if you can relate to the following common reasons smart business people (me included) come up with to avoid networking.

I don’t like putting myself “out there”.

I’m too busy.

My associates will think I have an ulterior motive when I approach them.

I’m not comfortable in groups of people.

Everyone I know knows the same people so why bother?

These no-networking-for-me-thank-you-very-much universal laments do seem like valid excuses. After all, why would anyone want to put them self in a deliberately uncomfortable position? Here’s a good reason – these excuses are all based on one critical misconception: That networking is about YOU.

Yes, you heard me right. Excuses and resistance comes up when you’re only thinking about you. In truth, the fun begins when you see that networking is NOT about you, it’s about other people and building relationships with them. Anytime you enter an opportunity to network primarily concerned with, “What’s in it for me?” then you’re bound to feel less than exuberant.

Here are five tips to transforming networking into an enjoyable relationship building activity.

1. First and foremost, adopt the perspective that networking is an opportunity to get out, make new connections and build relationships. Entrepreneurs tend to be isolated, perhaps even work alone. Opportunities to be with other entrepreneurs can be supportive in many ways. Remember you’re not alone. The person on the other side of the room is most likely feeling what you’re feeling and would probably benefit from the connection as well.

2. Be prepared. Have a well-developed “elevator speech” ready to go. 80% of what makes new entrepreneurs anxious at public events is lack of confidence speaking about their business. Once you have that part of the conversation nailed, you can then focus on listening.

3. Share knowledge. Be an information aggregator and disseminator. Offer what you know. It’s both attractive and offers value. Why not let others profit from your knowledge as much as you do? It helps you stand out from the pack and feels darn good when you can genuinely add value to someone’s life.

4. Adopt the philosophy, “What goes around, comes around”. Focus on what you can do for others rather than what they can do for you. Perhaps you can solve a problem or you know someone who can assist. Don’t go in with an ulterior motive to “sell”. Instead remember these simple four words, How can I help?” It feels great to help, and if business in generated, all the better.

5. Keep you word. Can you remember a time where someone promised you something and then didn’t deliver? It certainly doesn’t feel good. Don’t do that to others. If you make a connection at a networking event and promise to send someone literature about your product, do it quickly. If you tell a new contact your associate will call them make sure to follow up.

What will your next step be? Are you ready to join me as a former networking resistor and begin building your powerful business relationships one person at a time?

It’s YOUR life…imagine the possibilities!

Helaine Iris helps overwhelmed small business owners take control of their time and finances so they can double their revenues with less stress. Featured in numerous publications, including “O” The Oprah Magazine Helaine’s dynamic, personal coaching style helps entrepreneurs accelerate their businesses with tools that empower, build financial success and create personal transformation. To receive a free copy of her report Learn How to Finally Break Through Overwhelm, and Become a Prosperous, Stress-Free Business Owner, go to http://www.pathofpurpose.com/thank-you-for-requesting-your-free-report/