I’ve certainly worked with clients who’ve come to me after seeing a ‘wahooo’ coach or attending a ‘wahooo’ seminar or training. And while the initial effect for them was ‘yay!’, like an old plaster peeling off round the edges, they soon plummeted down to earth with a rough bump.

I remember one corporate client telling me she felt more inadequate and unskilled than she did before the seminar. Clearly she was doing something wrong for the seminar not to have worked… which made her feel even worse about herself. Oh pleeeez!

Of course it hadn’t worked because her emotional, psychological and cognitive state was such that she was in a change process. Precipitous ‘wahooo-ing’ lays double-whipped cream over a cake that’s not yet been cooked. Pretty sloppy!

Another corporate client was very clear about what happened. He said he realised he needed to stop papering over cracks and encouraging other people to do so too. When we worked with what he needed it was time out for reflection and chilling as a way forward from his blues.

Down time rather than high up time which, of course, could come later if he chose.

Times of aliveness and dormant times are in fact the rhythm of nature. To our cost, we’ve discovered we’ve impoverished soil by continuously growing on it with artificial fertilisers. Just like the earth, we need time out to reconstitute and develop our potential.

So, be sure your motivation isn’t the hype type which pops like a balloon at the first pin it comes across. Motivation comes from purpose, passion & power… and the process of growth within.

So, what to do if you’re motivation has got up and gone? Here’s some tips…

***Accept it for now!***

It’s normal to have ups and downs. It’s all part of being human… and I just don’t believe anyone who says they’re never down. What?! Never?! If you tell yourself it’s OK and it’s just for now, you’ll be surprised at the inner relief and relaxation you’ll feel.

***Nourish Yourself***

This is a time for pampering. So go for fragrant baths, massage, or listening to inspirational music, or visiting an art gallery. Draw, paint, walk, write, dance… Do whatever it takes for excellent care of you, to give yourself grade A nourishment during this fallow time

***Monitor Your Language***

It’s so easy to fall into talking with negativity and self-abuse language. So monitor what you say to others and, most importantly, what you say to yourself! When you’ve caught yourself at it, reframe what you’ve said. Like, ‘I’m learning to write more courageously’ rather than ‘My writing’s a pile of doo-doo!’

***Vision Buddy***

And, if you haven’t done so already, entrust your vision of how you want things to be to a great buddy. Ask them to gently remind you from time to time what you’re working towards with encouragement and love. Because even in the down time you need to be reminded you’re still moving forward however static it feels!

Then, as all things pass, so will the Summertime Blues. And, like a butterfly emerging from a cocoon, you too can spread your wings newly invigorated and motivated from within.

© Sharon Eden 2009 All Rights Reserved

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Vision statements are supposed to be big and bold. They’re meant to inspire, energize, and create a captivating picture of where you see your business going in the future.

If you don’t write a vision statement, your business will be without direction. When you complete one, your vision statement will supply the inspiration for the daily operations of your business and motivation for its strategic decisions.

Every business needs a vision statement. Want to make sure you’ve written a great one? Just follow these guidelines, fill out the vision statement formula at the end of this article, and you will have created a vision statement that clearly articulates the future of your business and paints a vivid picture for its success!

What’s the difference between a vision statement and a mission statement?

Vision and mission statements are two separate entities that answer two different, yet complementary, questions about your business.

Simply put, your vision statement answers the question, “Where do I see my business going?” Your mission statement answers the question, “Why does my business exist?”

From the start, vision statements are future-focused and written with the end result in mind. Mission statements are focused in the present and state the fundamental purpose of your business.

Which comes first: the vision or the mission?

If you are a new business just starting up, a larger company getting ready to add a new program, or an existing organization planning to overhaul your current services, then write your vision statement first.

If you are an established business with a mission statement already in place, then let your mission guide the writing of your vision statement.

Top Five Things to Keep in Mind When Writing Your Vision Statement

1. Describe outcomes that are five to ten years out.

2. Dream big and focus on success.

3. Write your vision statement in the present tense.

4. Infuse your vision statement with passion.

5. Paint a graphic mental picture of the business you want.

There is no space limit when writing a vision statement. They often contain one or more paragraphs. Write as much as you need to in order to create a dynamic mental picture of your business that will serve to energize and inspire you and your team.

Two Vision Statement Formulas for Success

Here are two basic vision statement formulas. The first one is for businesses starting up without a mission statement. The second is for businesses that already have a mission statement in place.

1. Five years from now, _______________________________ (name of your business)

will become a successful ___________________________ (type or description of business including whether it will be local, regional, national, or international in its scope)

by providing ____________________________(description of your products and/or services)

to _____________________________________________(your customers).

Example: Five years from now, the Sierra Women’s Shelter will become a successfully run non-profit shelter serving the Greater Pittsburgh area providing education, life-skills training, and the necessary support to help women who have been previously battered or abused build self-sufficient, sustaining, prosperous lives.

2. Within the next ________ (add a number) years,

grow ___________________________________ (name of your business)

into a successful _______________________________________ (type or description of business including whether it will be local, regional, national, or international in its scope),

increasing revenues to ____________________________ (amount) by _________________ (date)

providing _______________________________(description of your products and/or services)

to _____________________________________________(your customers).

Example: Within the next five years, grow Cultural Awareness Travel into the premier North American women’s tour company increasing revenues to $225,000 by 2012 by becoming known for helping women to develop greater self-awareness and confidence and to discover a new respect for diversity through cross-cultural exposure.

Your vision statement sets the tone for your business. It defines its future. It inspires, energizes, motivates, and, above all else, describes what will be achieved if your business is successful. It is impossible to plan the direction of your business without one. Follow these guidelines, and use the vision statement formula to perfectly articulate your dream, your passion, and the direction you envision for your business.

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By Suzanne Evans

I used to be a professional water skier in a former life.  (OK, I will dig up a picture at some point) and when skiing in a lineup, it is important to keep looking straight ahead to keep clean lines and not run into someone.  I always struggled with this.  If I am talking to you I need to look at you.  Have you ever driven with someone who turns their head to talk WHILE driving?  It can be scary.

I see helpingpreneurs do this in business all the time.  They look left and right to see what everyone else is doing.  They seek out approval behind them and catch a peak to see who is ahead so they can go into “catch up” mode.  And just like driving in the car, it makes for a scary situation.  And why are we looking left and right?  Competition.

“Every man in the world is better than someone else and not as good someone else.” Author: William Saroyan

No other business can be like yours.  YOU are what makes your service, product, or program uniquely yours.   There is no competition.  I know that is hard to remember at times, and even I have found myself rushing many times to do what someone else did.  I find that when I catch myself, I realize it is my own insecurity or fear sneaking up and I let it guide me.  When I listen to my intuition, I know that it is just my subconscious playing tricks on me… trying to get me to believe old stories that are not true.

When I breathe (thank you Life Coach Mary) and recognize what the truth is, I know that looking to the left and right does not serve me. I can only run my best race, serve my clients, and be in joy when I look straight ahead – that’s my goal line.

So here are a few pointers to keep you from judging and comparing yourself, so that the BEST you and the AUTHENTIC you is always present.

1. When in doubt, hold your hand up in front of you.  Look at your fingertips.  No one else has those.  Only you.  Remember there is no competition.  There is no comparison.  There is only YOU.  Look straight ahead.

2. Feeling behind?  Stop and take stock.  Can you really be behind in business?  Whose rules are you following?  This is a great time to look at your goals, give your vision board a makeover, or start a treasure map.  This is your business, your life, your mission.  You are only behind if you are doing it someone else’s way.  Look straight ahead.

3. Be grateful. You simply cannot feel competitive, angry, or envious if you are in a state of gratefulness.  I just grab a sheet of paper and go- set a time for 10 minutes and write gratefuls until the time is up and it simply changes your entire perspective.  Look straight ahead.

You can’t help more people looking left and right.  Stay on purpose – look ahead and keep changing the world!

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Suzanne Evans is best known as the ‘action expert’ and has coached hundreds of solopreneurs to model her multiple six figure business. Learn how you can help more people, make more money and have more fun doing what you love by signing up for your free copy of the 5-Part Mini-Course ‘Awakening Your Authentic Entrepreneur’ at http://www.helpmorepeople.com

Photo: Ivan Vicencio

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