| If you own your own business, you are probably | | | | Perhaps you've always wanted a personal |
| a person with wonderful strengths such as | | | | assistant and that person can use an accountant. |
| ambition, resourcefulness, intelligence, talent and | | | | Come up with what you think would be a fair |
| creativity. However, it is easy to forget all this | | | | trade and offer it. If the person is interested keep |
| and succumb to a paralyzing fear during tough | | | | talking until it feels like a win/win for both of you. |
| economic times. Those who do this are likely to | | | | Structure it in such a way that fulfilling your part |
| lose their businesses, while others will ride out the | | | | of the barter does not take too much time away |
| storm. | | | | from your paying customers. You can also barter |
| When you listen to the buzz in the media, and | | | | for education - you share your knowledge with |
| repeated in conversations, you will hear a great | | | | someone who can teach you something that will |
| deal of fear and negativity. It's almost | | | | help your business. |
| everywhere. It's hard to avoid. Yet there is a | | | | I am technically challenged. I'm getting much |
| danger in surrounding yourself with negativity. You | | | | better with the help of my friend Tom Ossa |
| will find yourself repeating these negative ideas. | | | | from Rockland Web Design. We barter. I coach |
| This can make you sound hip and current but | | | | Tom and have brought him on as a cohost for |
| there is a powerful down side to this seemingly | | | | my talk show on the radio. In return, he does my |
| casual talk. Sooner or later, it starts to get | | | | website, and helps get sponsors for the show. It's |
| internalized. You start to believe that things are | | | | a true win/win. I love not having to be good at |
| hopeless. You can feel like you are a victim and | | | | everything! |
| next thing you know, you are acting like one. | | | | Planning - Get a mentor, coach, or friend (one |
| Many entrepreneurs are pulling back their efforts | | | | who has a great deal of knowledge in your field |
| to grow their businesses. While it may make | | | | or is a good sounding board). Then talk out ideas |
| sense to spend less money on some aspects of | | | | for your business, brainstorm and come up with a |
| the business, it does not make good business | | | | great plan to go big in your business. Include some |
| sense to give up inexpensive business building | | | | strategies that use your top strengths in your |
| activities. This can lead to a business becoming | | | | chosen field and some that work on the "business |
| compromised or failing altogether. | | | | of running a business". Write everything down in a |
| Some entrepreneurs are "refusing to participate" | | | | computer file or notebook. Don't forget action |
| in the recession. They are not acting | | | | steps for the most difficult parts of your |
| "Pollyanna-ish" per se but they are thinking and | | | | business. For most people it's the sales and |
| doing things differently. Their investments have | | | | marketing. Plan out your schedule to include |
| gone down just as much as others. Their | | | | actions around every step. Include an income |
| customers may be buying less as well. What is | | | | projection and steps related to that. It is also |
| different about them is that they are being | | | | necessary to include the things that are working |
| proactive in their attitude and their actions. They | | | | well for you. - You don't want to let those slip |
| continue to build their business and when the | | | | while you are trying new things. Take some time |
| economy gets better, they will be left standing | | | | with this but not so much time that you never |
| out in front of their fields while many of their | | | | get around to finishing it. Give yourself a time limit |
| competitors will have closed up shop. They will | | | | and stick to it. |
| benefit from less competition and the lessons | | | | Bigger planning - Now...get really honest with |
| learned during the hard times. | | | | yourself and your coach or mentor...what do you |
| What are their secrets? They are working on | | | | really want to do...I mean really! Is there some |
| their businesses. They are refusing to give into | | | | area of your field that you want to lead in by |
| negative thinking that can spiral downward into | | | | writing a book/booklet /e-book around? Is there |
| depression. This does not mean that they are | | | | some niche area that you'd love to develop but |
| never stressed and afraid. They are just acting | | | | haven't gotten to? Maybe there is a subgroup of |
| "as if" things will be okay and in doing so are | | | | people that you'd like to develop a product or |
| making things okay. | | | | service for. Maybe you'd like to get really bold and |
| These entrepreneurs are not spending money | | | | work with someone who is leading in your field or |
| recklessly. They are being careful and resourceful. | | | | another field. Speak the whispers of your heart |
| They are also brainstorming "out-of-the-box" | | | | out loud to someone you trust, come up with a |
| solutions. Some of these solutions are free or | | | | plan, and spend a little time each week working |
| very inexpensive. | | | | on whatever that is. |
| Are they doing it on their own, confident and | | | | Put a little purpose in your life - Now may be a |
| independent? No - No one is an island. The | | | | good time to do some soul searching and get in |
| successful ones usually have friends, coaches, | | | | touch with your life purpose. It can sometimes be |
| mentors and colleagues who help, support, and | | | | incorporated into your business or it may be |
| challenge them. They can brainstorm ideas and | | | | something you do in your personal life. Purposeful |
| get feedback .This support is a key factor in | | | | activities are energizing. You are always good at |
| staying positive and focused. | | | | activities that align with purpose. It can be a way |
| Psychological and Practical Strategies for Success | | | | of relating to people and the world and/or certain |
| One of the most important things to do is to | | | | types of work/volunteer work. Aligning your |
| employ strategies to keep negative thoughts | | | | choices with purpose can lead to fulfillment, joyful |
| from taking you over. There are many ways to | | | | energy, and increased confidence. Some people |
| help yourself if you are struggling with negativity | | | | discover that they want a career change after |
| at this time. Here are some to choose from: | | | | going through a life purpose process. You can still |
| Thought stopping technique - This technique | | | | work your business while taking steps to set up a |
| sounds odd at first but is very powerful one that | | | | career change. Get help from a coach, consultant, |
| works for many people. Allow yourself 5 minutes | | | | or mentor if you want support and help with this. |
| in the morning and 5 minutes in the evening to | | | | Help a gatekeeper - Offer your services/products |
| worry. Assign a time for each "worry session". | | | | free of charge to someone who is in a position to |
| For example, at 8pm every night, stop what you | | | | refer a good deal of business. Say that you would |
| are doing and let yourself have a worry party. | | | | like to have him/her experience your product |
| After 5 minutes stop! Whenever worrisome | | | | services first hand. In exchange for your services |
| thoughts intrude into your mind at other times, | | | | ask him to refer clients who can benefit from |
| stop your thoughts and say "I'll think about that at | | | | them. You may also ask for a testimonial for |
| 8pm tonight" or "I'll think about it at 8am | | | | your website. |
| tomorrow". What usually happens is that after | | | | Part Time Work - I say this with caution because |
| awhile, you will forget to worry and then you are | | | | many people start a second job and ignore their |
| on you way! | | | | business to the point where they end up losing it. |
| Stop the Downward Spiral - If you find yourself | | | | That said, there are many others who by |
| getting panicky and spinning around in negative | | | | working a few hours per week at a second job, |
| thoughts - stop the madness! It doesn't serve | | | | can make a base of income which gives them the |
| you in any real way unless panic gets you into | | | | financial means and the peace of mind needed to |
| positive action. Instead of focusing on the feelings, | | | | hang in there with their business. If you are |
| focus on concrete actions that can build your | | | | considering this, keep the following in mind: The |
| business. A client of mine was feeling desperate | | | | job should allow you plenty of time to work in |
| one day when we spoke. I could hear the despair | | | | and grow your current business. The pay should |
| as he spoke about the negative things around him. | | | | be a good amount per hour. A job should not be |
| By the end of the conversation, he was able to | | | | one that you take home with you. You should be |
| make a small but significant change. He made the | | | | able to forget about it when you leave for the |
| time to take one positive step in developing a | | | | day and concentrate on your business. You still |
| new area of his business. The next day he called | | | | need to balance your time and allow time for |
| me sounding like a new person. Shifting his | | | | family, fun, centering activities, and personal care. |
| mindset and taking that one little step opened up | | | | Volunteer work - If you have extra time, using a |
| this powerful, positive energy. He then committed | | | | little bit of it of help others can keep you feeling |
| to another step. Can you see how these steps | | | | positive and confident. Who knows, you may |
| can add up to a whole new facet of business that | | | | meet someone who knows someone who needs |
| will not only bring in income, and excitement but | | | | the goods and services you provide! Some people |
| will set him up as a leader in his field? | | | | get a good deal of business this way. Make sure |
| Don't Internalize problems - This is incredibly | | | | that you genuinely care about the work you are |
| important. It's easy to feel confident when | | | | doing. Be careful not to spend so many hours |
| business is good and "less than" when it's not. | | | | volunteering that you end up neglecting your |
| When we get strong feelings we tend to assign | | | | paying business - balance is key. |
| blame and in doing so, can internalize blame | | | | Self Care |
| meaning you take the blame into your mind and | | | | It is very important to take care of yourself |
| heart and start to believe it and put yourself | | | | during a time when your business is being |
| down for it. You didn't cause the recession. Your | | | | affected by a poor economy. Neglecting your self |
| worth as a person and professional does not | | | | care can increase feelings of helplessness, |
| equal the state of your business. Just look around | | | | hopelessness and pessimism. These feelings can |
| you and see how many people have been laid off | | | | have a strong negative effect on business. |
| or are struggling in their businesses - are they all | | | | Remember, it's the ones who don't really work |
| worthless? Of course not! The economy just is | | | | their businesses during a recession that end up |
| what it is and we can get through this together. | | | | losing out. Be part of the cream that rises to the |
| Study Successful People - List what you would do | | | | top instead. |
| if you were to succeed or what other successful | | | | Here are some aspects of self care to be mindful |
| people in your field are doing. Select actions from | | | | of: |
| that list and get going. In studying successful | | | | Exercise - Not only a great stress reducer but it |
| coaches, I could easily see that many of them | | | | increases confidence. It also helps brain functioning |
| wrote books and articles. This inspired me to | | | | which helps us come up with good ideas and |
| write more and my book is more than halfway | | | | insights that enhance our work. |
| finished. Are you feeling jealous of someone in | | | | Improve sleep habits - So many people sleep |
| your field - use this as a clue. What are they | | | | poorly. There are techniques out there for |
| doing that you wish you were doing? Make a plan | | | | improving sleep. If you suspect you have sleep |
| to include this in your work. | | | | apnea, this would be a good time to have a study |
| Extra Time | | | | done (if you can afford it or if your insurance |
| With Business dropping off some or a good deal, | | | | covers it). You would be amazed at how your |
| you may find that you have more time to do | | | | thinking and functioning improves with good sleep |
| things that can help your business. Here are some | | | | which of course, is good for business. |
| examples of activities that you may want to take | | | | Centering Activities - Prayer, contemplation of |
| advantage of. | | | | nature, quiet time religious services etc. When we |
| Put a little Quadrant ll in your business- You may | | | | are centered, we are calm and confident. We |
| now have more time on your hands with fewer | | | | don't overreact to stress. Our gremlins (self |
| customers calling. What were all those business | | | | sabotaging thoughts) tend to quiet down and we |
| building activities that you didn't have time for | | | | don't take other people's actions and words so |
| when you were busy? Use that time now to do | | | | personally. We either get more done or we are at |
| the things that are not urgent but are very | | | | peace with what we do get done. I can't stress |
| important to the success of your business (see | | | | enough how important this is and yet it's usually |
| "What Matters Most" by Stephen Covey, | | | | the first thing to go when we are under stress |
| Rebecca R Merrill, and Roger Merrill or "The Seven | | | | (myself included). The longer we avoid centering |
| Habits of Highly Effective People" by Stephen | | | | activities, the more stress can grow and so on. If |
| Covey"). Maybe you always wanted to have | | | | you don't have any centering activities in your life, |
| weekly staff meetings but couldn't get everyone | | | | now may be a good time to develop one. |
| together at one time. John decided that now | | | | Positive Thinking - There is a difference between |
| would be a good time to do this and came up | | | | sounding like a "Pollyanna" and true positive |
| with a plan for coordinating services for clients in | | | | thinking. True positive thinking is based on our |
| order to expedite their projects. This plan will | | | | strengths and truths that we believe in our good |
| increase efficiency, please his clients, and increase | | | | moments. We need to remind ourselves of them |
| income when more business starts to come in. | | | | when we are in a place of doubt. Positive thinking, |
| Now is a good time to revise (or do for the first | | | | leads to positive beliefs which lead to positive |
| time) your business plan, income projection, and | | | | actions which lead to positive results. |
| or marketing plan. | | | | Time with children, spouses, relatives, and friends |
| Networking - It's so important to get out of your | | | | - These important relationships are the best part |
| own four walls and meet other people either in | | | | of life. Enjoy them and nurture them. They are |
| entrepreneur networking groups or other groups. | | | | more important than money and have nothing to |
| You may meet potential customers, people who | | | | do with business. It is a great stress reliever to |
| can refer clients to you, or people with whom | | | | kick back and laugh with your loved ones. Now |
| you can form strategic alliances. Don't forget to | | | | that you may have a little more time, you can |
| help as many people as you can by referring | | | | get closer. Your children will not remember how |
| them business or connecting them to people who | | | | much money you made but they will remember |
| may want to partner with them on a project. | | | | the kind of parent you were. You may not be |
| When you network, listen more than you talk. | | | | able to afford expensive presents but you can |
| Relax.. People like to do business with good | | | | give 100% presence to the people in your life |
| listeners. "Mary" is one of the most successful | | | | when you are with them. |
| entrepreneurs that I know is a woman who just | | | | Getting Out and Do things - Staying in your office |
| networks, asks questions, and listens. She | | | | staring at the four walls worrying? Get out once |
| projects a quiet confidence and has a good sense | | | | in awhile and do something fun. Try something |
| of humor. Eventually the person she is speaking | | | | new -refresh your mind. It may feel like you are |
| to asks about her work and becomes intrigued by | | | | goofing off but it can help your business as long |
| the answers. This frequently leads to a meeting, | | | | as you don't overdo it. You may come up with |
| and then business. She is one of the most natural | | | | some new idea. A recharged business owner is a |
| sales people I know because she is not "salesy" at | | | | great asset to a business. |
| all. | | | | Celebrate successes |
| Build relationships with people in similar or related | | | | Most people do not stop to celebrate |
| industries - We often shy away from people in | | | | achievements in their work or their personal life. |
| our fields because we fear competition but | | | | In doing so, they don't really take it inside their |
| alliances can offer wonderful support, learning , | | | | psyches and internalize it. When you internalize |
| mentoring opportunities, strategic alliances | | | | something you own it and work from a stronger |
| (partnering on projects) and even referrals. | | | | place. Instead, people often make excuses for |
| Building relationships with people in related fields is | | | | their success |
| wonderful because of referral opportunities and | | | | Think of your comfort zone as a little box. It |
| the experience of working with people who really | | | | grows in size when we take on something new. If |
| understand and value what you do. | | | | we diminish it by blaming our success on |
| Brainstorming - Use this time to brainstorm | | | | circumstance i.e. "I got lucky this time" we can't |
| possibilities. It can be done in the office, while | | | | grow our comfort zones. It's far better to say "I |
| jogging, even while taking a shower (for some | | | | got a new client because I am a good listener |
| people being around water helps them get new | | | | who understands my client's needs" or "I sold |
| ideas). Maybe taking a walk in a scenic place can | | | | more products because I did an awesome job on |
| help you step back from your business and see | | | | my last sales campaign." |
| what it needs. Use friends, coaches, mentors and | | | | One of the best ways to reinforce a bigger |
| mastermind partners to help you as well. This is | | | | comfort zone is to celebrate success. It can just |
| one of my favorite activities and my clients love | | | | be a nice dinner a round of cheering high fives |
| it because in putting our heads together, they end | | | | with colleagues or a couple hours off work to go |
| up with a list of ideas to choose from. I love to | | | | to the golf course, go running, get a pedicure, or |
| hear the excitement in their voices when they | | | | sit down with coffee and a magazine. The cost is |
| find gold in this way. Don't rule out any ideas until | | | | not important. Underlining your success is |
| you've gotten them all written down. You may | | | | absolutely necessary.Why is this important? |
| end up taking part of one idea and combining it | | | | Because the next time a challenge comes up that |
| with another. Then make a plan and start working | | | | requires the confidence of someone with a bigger |
| it. | | | | comfort zone, you'll be up to the task. This can |
| Writing - Writing articles, a book, a blog, and | | | | really help a business to grow. |
| entries on online social networking sites like | | | | Don't turn a positive into a negative. How often |
| Facebook, Linked in and even Twitter often leads | | | | do you hear someone say, after accomplishing |
| to increased traffic to your website and work. | | | | something good, "Now, if only my business wasn't |
| Authoring a book gives you instant credibility and | | | | in the toilet" or something like that. Leave a |
| is wonderful as a tool for getting speaking | | | | positive accomplishment alone - don't pair it with a |
| engagements and other high profile projects. | | | | negative - own it and once it's inside of you, wait |
| Education - Now is a great time to educate | | | | a day and then use that energy to focus on a |
| yourself further in your field. If money is an issue, | | | | new challenge. |
| do a "self education". Read every thing you can | | | | Conclusion |
| get your hands on about your business. Also read | | | | I was coaching a client recently who was getting |
| books and articles that speak to the running of a | | | | down with all the talk of the bad economy. She |
| business such as marketing, business plans, time | | | | decided to ignore the victim speak and take |
| management, etc. | | | | action on her business and personal goals. The |
| Learn Sales Skills - Many of us cringe at the | | | | truth is that there are plenty of things she can do |
| thought but there are non-sleazy ways to speak | | | | to help her business even though it is closely |
| to people about what you do. A friend of mine, | | | | related to the real estate industry. She was able |
| Debra Pearlman of helped me to get comfortable | | | | to acknowledge the wonderful action steps she |
| speaking about my business in a way that is in line | | | | had taken in the previous week. She committed |
| with my style and values. Work on your elevator | | | | to more steps to take in the following week. |
| speech (answer the question "What do you do" in | | | | Seeing how well she is doing has helped her to |
| the time it takes to go from the top floor of a | | | | embrace a positive, confident attitude. She is one |
| building to the ground floor). A good, clear, client- | | | | of those entrepreneurs who are "refusing to |
| oriented elevator speech can set you apart from | | | | participate in this recession" and her business is |
| your competition and help clients to see how they | | | | growing as a result of it. The last time we met |
| can benefit from your goods and services. Your | | | | she was well on her way to reaching her goals. |
| elevator speech should not be focused on what | | | | You too, can "refuse to participate in the |
| you do (your prospect's eyes will glaze over). | | | | recession" When you hear the negativity around |
| Instead, put yourself in their shoes and answer | | | | you, think of this saying from a wise, unknown |
| the question "what's in it for me if I use your | | | | author: "I can complain that a rosebush had thorns |
| services". | | | | or rejoice that a thornbush has roses" As a |
| Bartering - What services and goods have you | | | | business owner, t he question is "What are you |
| always wanted to have in your business? Who do | | | | going to do with the bush - you can give up on it |
| you know in that industry? Of those people, who | | | | and let it die or prune it, feed it, and watch it |
| do you think may need your services or | | | | grow. |
| products? | | | | |