Nice article and well said! I especially agree with the notion of gratitude. Funny, I watched It's a Wonderful Life for the first time ever last night and that was also very prevalent there. Good job!
Will Your Business Succeed or Fail in This Economy?
Will Your Business Succeed or Fail in This Economy?
In every economy there are businesses that fail and businesses that come out ahead. The difference is often the owner of the business. Here are some tips to help you be successful, no matter what.
Written Dec 08, 2008, read 3774 times on biznik since then.
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If you're an entrepreneur, business owner, service provider or in sales the economy right now may be affecting your business but whether or not your business succeeds or fails is up to you, not the economy. That's good news.
In every economy there are businesses within the same industry that fail and businesses that come out ahead. The difference is often the owner of the business. Are they feeling stuck and paralyzed by outside influences, like the economy, or have they decide that they will do what it takes and be successful, no matter what.
There are two responses to what's going on right now...either fear or opportunity... either you feel overwhelmed and shrink or you see what you're made of, what you can do and strengthen yourself to meet those outside influences (Yahoo!). It's all perspective and choice. In every economy there are people that come out ahead, that make money and do great. Why not have it be you that succeeds!
It starts with your attitude. It's not just about pushing harder, it's about coming up with good ideas, following through on them, and doing so in a way that works. With a negative attitude, with a belief that things are bad and won't work, none of that is possible. So, to create a successful business and be a winner, start from within and follow up with action.
Empower yourself by what you think and say and do... these tips may seem too simple but give them a try and see if they make a difference in your life and your business.
Start Your Day by Reading Something Positive. Before you start looking at your To Do List, take fifteen minutes to read something positive, a book on success, prosperity, spirituality, wealth, positive thinking - something positive first thing in the morning. Some of my current recommendations are:
- The Slight Edge - Jeff Olson
- Think and Grow Rich - Napoleon Hill
- The Magic of Thinking Big - David Schwartz
- Secrets of Six Figure Woman - Barbara Stanny
- You Can Heal Your Life - Louise Hay
Read something that inspires and empowers you, that makes you feel good, like you could conquer the world, or at least your world. Start your day on a positive note.
Decide What You'll Accomplish Each Day. I've noticed with my clients that when things get challenging and they get stressed they start doing busy work instead of going for it, they start feeling overwhelmed and freeze. So, after raising your attitude and outlook by your positive reading, decide where you want to go next with your business, what you need to do to be successful and what you'll do today to get there. Set goals and make a plan for your day. Decide what you want to do, where you want to go, and how successful you want to be.
Okay, your attitude is better, the next step is the doing.
Take Action - Do What It Takes To Succeed. Do what you need to do today. You'll feel better. Do something that will give you a sense of accomplishment and that will make a difference in your life and for your business. Make some sales calls, go to a networking event and network, do that thing that you've been putting off... Do Something. Show yourself that you mean business, that you're going for it, and that you are going to get it. Be a success today!
To keep it simple and powerful, pick 1 to 3 Priority Action Items each day that are musts, not just 'to do' items but what you know you must do to move forward. These are items you are committing to do for you self. Write them down, prioritize them, check them off when you accomplish them, and appreciate you for doing them.
Having a positive attitude is very important and it needs to be followed by directed action to create your good (success, prosperity, wealth, happiness). It's taking your power back instead of feeling controlled by outside influences. Create what you want, not what you think is possible based on the economy or any other outside influence. Decide what you want to create and take the action to do it.
Take That Action That You've Been Putting Off! If you're not at the very top of your game, leading in your industry, there are things that you could be doing that you're not and you know it. Pick one that inspires you, that will expect more of you than you are giving now and do it. Choose something that you know would benefit your business. We can feel insecure, we get scared, we don't think we're good enough to do that next thing or reach to that next level, but now is the time, the economy is giving us the opportunity to be more than we thought we could. Stretch yourself. Go for it.
Now that you've created a great day for yourself, appreciate yourself and all your hard work, and take stock of all the good that is.
Write a Nightly Gratitude List - One of the best things to get you into a better mental space, knowing that good is possible, is to focus on the good that already is. Think about all you have - your skills, your friends, your opportunities, all the good in your life and business... your customers/clients past, present and future. List what you do have. To have a quick shift write a list of "100 Things I'm Grateful For."
Then every night before you fall asleep write a list of *10 Things I'm Grateful For* so your subconscious mind thinks of all your good while you sleep. You'll sleep better and wake in the morning feeling better. (Won't that help your business... and all of your life?)
Acknowledge Your Successes - Along with what your grateful for, write what you did today to build your business and make your life better? Before you go to sleep appreciate and value yourself, write a list of *5 of My Successes Today* so you are focusing on what you have done versus the things that you didn't do. There will always be things we didn't do but focusing on them breaks us down. Focusing on what we did empowers us to do more and do it better. And again, you'll sleep better and you'll start focusing on what you are doing. You'll see the power you have to change your world and your business, you'll feel better and want to do more because you're appreciating and valuing you.
In every situation we have the opportunity to build ourselves up to meet the situation or to be beaten by it. This is a great time to build new tools and create new habits for yourself. Try these for a week and pay attention to any differences in your business and life. If they work and support you now, imagine how great they'll work when the economy swings back around.
You can turn this challenging time into your adventure... don't you want to know what you're made of? Don't you want to live to your potential? What could you do now, that you haven't done before? We all want to fulfill our potential, to see what we're made of and what we're capable of. The economy is giving you your chance, what you do with it is up to you...
biznik Comments on this article
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Posted by Louis Weiss, Bellevue, Washington | Dec 08, 2008
Attitude does give us the short term direction. We choose what we do or don't do today. Do you use social media for marketing? Does your referral networking provide you with high quality leads? Do you have joint venture partners that where you both profit from collaborating? I beleive that going past and beyond the short term attitude, is where the charater of a business person lives . Do we have sustainability to maintain our business efforts when family problems occur. Can you or I muster strength in adversity? These questions are really at the heart of each of us to persist no matter what feelings are getting present in the moment. If Edison can go through 10,000 expirements with failure he had something that compelled him forward. I suggest that atttitude is only a starting point for what we are capable of doing. That there is determination and courage we derive from a passion much deeper and more profound than surface attitudes and feelings of worry. That the passion in ones charater is enough to win at our lives and at ou business outsets.
Thank you for getting me thinking,
Louis Weiss http://businessnetworkers.blogspot.com
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Posted by IT TechPros, Inc., Escondido, California | Dec 08, 2008
You hit it right on the money, it is not what is going on externally that impacts a business, it is all about the mindset, the internal attitude of a business owner, and the business activities that impacts a business.
Thank you for sharing this motivating and encouraging article. I think people will find this helpful regardless of the state of the economy.
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Posted by Chris Maxfield, Kirkland, Washington | Dec 08, 2008
Making a plan of action is something I know I need to do - and I've just started my weekly 'action plan'; been doing it for the past several weeks - and it works!
Chris Maxfield Account Services Inc.
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Posted by Banu Sekendur, Seattle, Washington | Dec 08, 2008
Great reminders Lisa. I especially like how you emphasize honesty with ourselves.
Some of us aren’t born with a great attitude. :)
My first reaction when I am faced with is adversity is usually either anger or denial. I don't tolerate change too well (at first) so it leads to procrastination which is a way to give away my power.
Here's how I get around the automatic brakes that kick in times of adversity: I make a list of everything that I know will help me. Yes, including all those that I never ever want to do (either because they take too much time, because I hate asking for help or I am just plain stubborn).
To me amazement, it usually ends up being a 15-20 item list. Then I look at my list and realize that I am actually not powerless and have plenty of options to improve or reverse this situation.
I go over my list and scale them 1-10 in terms of how willing I am to take action towards that item. This helps me honor the reaction I have to them and gain control of my feelings back.
The rest is easy. I immediately do the ones that day that I scaled 8-10. It makes me feel like I am making progress. Some items on that list I know I will never do- probably because of fear or other personality traits that block me. Maybe calling my uncle who is very business savvy but annoying as hell isn’t an something that will prove to be helpful (especially if it makes me waste an hour on the phone with my best friend processing the negative emotions that got stirred up by just hearing his voice).
Now, the items I chose to follow through might not give me immediate results. But it will give me a tool to manage my emotions and a way to get to know myself better. (It’s hard to ignore those patters that highlight themselves!).
Anyway, hope someone finds this helpful.
PS: I have a MAKE YOUR LIST reminder by my computer. It’s the glass I break in times of emergency. :)
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Posted by Ruth Hartmann, Seattle, Washington | Dec 08, 2008
Thanks for this article, Lisa. Sometimes the external factors in life, like the economy, can be very overwhelming. Gratitude, however, is something that is instantly within our reach and one of the easiest ways to change our perspective.
An attitude of gratitude is empowering because it acknowledges all the amazing things that are already working in our life; and from this place it is a lot easier to take those actions that will contribute to our business success.
I habitually look for things to be thankful for and am happy to report that the more I do it, the easier my life is becoming. Today I am thankful that I can breathe and that we have such clean air in Seattle.
I'm also thankful for the great tips posted by fellow Bizniks. :)
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Posted by Karen Jackson, Federal Way, Washington | Dec 08, 2008
Great article. I completely agree that attitude is everything and it makes such a difference to be thankful for what you already have.
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Posted by Piper Lauri Salogga, Seattle, Washington | Dec 08, 2008
Great article. I also believe that our attitude is everything. I just finished A New Earth by Tolle and he states that we need to be living from, Acceptance, Enjoyment or Enthusiasm to be living consciously -- which is o key for me, and I believe all of us.
I am still amazed every day at how effective putting our positive thoughts into action brings reality (like the Gratitude List you suggested, and focusing on Getting One Thing Done to further our business).
I so believe in the power of intention and attitude that I'm teaching a Vision Boarding class this Wednesday the 11th at 5Focus from 7-9 PM. If this interests you or any one else reading up, send me an email and I can pass on more details.
Piper
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Posted by Mike Hayden, Mountain View, California | Dec 09, 2008
Lisa, Great article!
I use the following form to complete my day:
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I fully participated in:
I supported:
I felt the support of:
I give thanks for:
What didn't work today?
Exercise today? Yes/No
Good diet today? Yes/No
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Getting it all on paper completes the day and creates space for the next day's magic!
This form is also handy at team/employee meetings so team-members can clear the air, acknowledge each other, and complete their participation on a high note.
Regards, Mike Hayden
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Posted by Noreen Wedman M.S., L.M.H.C.A., Seattle, Washington | Dec 11, 2008
Great article Lisa! Putting yourself in a different frame of mind emotionally and feeling that difference in the body do a lot to attract success. I call it Changing Gears. Some people can do it by remembering a time that they felt confident, successful, etc. Some people can summon up that space by visualizing the sensory details of what they would experience if they achieve their goal and then imagining how they would feel. It is that energy that attracts. It is not about ignoring the difficult side of work, but rather take the time to have gratitude and dream your Dreams into Life. Like anything else. consistent practice brings consistent rewards. cheers! Noreen Wedman, MS, http://www.ToolKitForHealing.com
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Posted by rance dewitt, Ellensburg, Washington | Dec 13, 2008
I learned from those people on the power of positive thinking.... but you put their philosophy of prose into pure poetry. A flower to you. Yes. The economy tells us something is wrong with us. My suggestions: 1. Surcharge all 4-wheel drives. The cost 10% in fuel and waste enormous resources. Front wheel drive was proven by Chrysler as equal to or better. 2. Bring the troups home and give them drug sniffing dogs to cure the domestic problem with Columbia, Mexico and Venezuela (by default). 3. Stop arming China with every hard earned secret of technology and corporate know-how. Some walls are worth having. 4. Expose the religious right for what they are and idle the left from attacking American Traditions to spite them. 5. Expose television for what it and Hollywood have become and get kids safely out on the streets and parks playing in the natural world of nature as we did when we were kids. 6. Recognize that global warming is an acronym as weapons of mass destruction was. Both came out of Huxley's and Calwells dialogue. Global warming is just a nice description for over-population and environmental degredation on a cosmic scale...something not to get hot about..but get cool towards. 7. Automobiles are the American Idol. Merchandizing "Cars" was industries' way of mind-control. Automobiles should be in one of three colors: chocolate, vanilla or strawberry. Re-tooling should be for high performance diesel and plug-in hybrids...not the yearly makeover in cosmetic maskology. 8. If everyone has an equal opinion...then no-ones opinion has any value. More commentary visit Rance DeWitt on Google Firefox.
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Posted by Kate Phillips, Seattle, Washington | Dec 15, 2008
Thanks Lisa. You're right, the challenges in the current economy can help us be better at what we do, so that when conditions improve we'll be set for exponential success!
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Posted by Kate Phillips, Seattle, Washington | Dec 15, 2008
Thanks Lisa. You're right, the challenges in the current economy can help us be better at what we do, so that when conditions improve we'll be set for exponential success! You've given us a good roadmap.
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Posted by Stevan Ahlbeck, Kent, Washington | Dec 17, 2008
Thank You!!
I have been in a position where the economy has had a very diverse impact on my business and mental outlook. It has had the tendency to impact many aspects of my business and life that I never dreamed possible. This artical is very positive in a negetave related world. Lisa, you are going to hear from me. Once again thanks.
Stevan Ahlbeck 253 874 3663 (work)
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Posted by Lisa Bradley, CPC, Seattle, Washington | Dec 20, 2008
Hi!
You guys are so fabulous. I love your comments. You are so insightful.
Writing this article and having my own experience with the economy has inspired me to find my own opportunities within this adversity... and I am having a fabulous adventure. Check out my new website: www.adversitydoctor.com and if you could use some help turning your adversity into an opportunity, go to my site and sign up for a free Personal Strategy Session with me and let's see what we can do for you.
Let's make 2009 the year we really go for it... and be all that we can be.
LisaThe Adversity Doctor, Turn Your Adversity into Your Opportunity... have the adventure of your life! (c)
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Posted by rance dewitt, Ellensburg, Washington | Dec 20, 2008
This is a wonderful stream of dialogue! I was raised Greek Orthodox. Then dialectics was thought of as two (or more) people walking down the railroad tracks and keeping their balance by holding hands. The only way to walk forward! Lately, I gave to my Chamber/University Toastmasters Club a remonstrative speech in which I told them that ATTITUDE has gone extinct with the advent of television and the medias. It is replaced with something called PERCEPTION. Attitude is from the person, perception is from the opinion. I went on to explain how Archemedes put the mathematics of Pythagoras into words. And defined from the Masonic tradition what the fulcrum and the lever symbolize. In fine, the 'fulcrum' of his thought actually rested on the word 'change'. For he said that with a fulcrum (a pyramidal rock) he could move the world (with a lever). He did not say change the world. They understood 'move the world' is not to change it. For what moves need not change and what changes...cannot move. The summary that made them sad is that America changes everything and moves nothing. I have always been gladened from childhood by the stream of Carnegie-type people who knew how to keep a balance between building the world and changing it. For this reason I have a stone monument going up at the park for Chief Seattle ...just for what he said so nicely in his 'address' to that theme.
The wedding chapel I built with straw bales and spray-on stucco is being dedicated as a memorial to another of those who have gathered by this stream (Pope John Paul). In final I find myself.... gathering the stars that have fallen from Heaven...and putting them in some ontological arrangement. It keeps me in good company anyway. Rance DeWitt on google in Ellensburg with the Celtic Cafe and the Concertpark.us
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Posted by Lisa Bradley, CPC, Seattle, Washington | Feb 13, 2009
Hi!
If you read this and you're thinking about trying it…. Just Do It! Go for it…for one week! See what you think and if you notice a change.
I've been getting some great feedback from people who decided to try it for a week and noticed a difference in their lives and businesses.
I'd love to hear how it goes with you... keep me posted.
To Our Success!
Lisa
