Tag Archives: confidence

Are You Seriously Supportive of Your Entrepreneurial Spouse?

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This article is intended for probably your significant other or spouse to read… I felt compelled to write it talking to them about your needs since my marriage went south due to the lack of much of this. If you currently don’t have one, give it to a family member or friend and/or save for Mr. Right later! Enjoy and hope it helps!

Did you know (you, meaning the non-entrepreneurial spouse of an entrepreneur) that your entrepreneurial spouse (or significant other – just as important in this scenario) takes on a huge responsibility when they start their own business?

Granted, some of the smaller, home based type business owners could be out there just to make a few extra bucks for fun or they’re doing their business for a hobby, not truly a serious business venture.

However, I’m not talking about them here, I’m talking about actual entrepreneurs (home based or not) who are in business to turn a profit AND provide products and services they are passionate about.

I’m also talking about the ones who are your significant others or spouses (so forward this to them if this is the other party – you’ll be glad you did) in which case YOU are also NOT an entrepreneur yourself and frankly wouldn’t want to be….is this you? Did you know that your spouse may not be getting the kind of support they need in order to be fully confident and successful in their business? (yes, by you) And in order to be completely successful at running your own business CONFIDENCE is the key!

When you have a job working for someone else, often you can succeed without that much confidence but when it’s your own business…there’s absolutely NO way.

Did you know that your spouse may not know how to communicate this need to you?

Now, two things can happen here….

1 – you won’t care and you’ll stop reading this or 2 – you’ll care but you’ll have no idea if this is true or even how to find out what your spouse needs exactly (hopefully you’re still reading…)

If #1 occurred then you’re probably on your way to divorce anyway so your situation is most likely not fixable.

If you’re in alignment with #2 though then GREAT! But now what?

There are basically 2 things you can do to support your spouse in business (even if you don’t have any involvement in their business, know what they do or want to know).

You can either take Action or Non-Actions. Actions consist of ways to physically help out or support your spouse.

Non-Actions consist of ways to emotionally and mentally help out or support your spouse.

Your spouse unfortunately needs both in order to feel fully supported, loved and encouraged (that’s the hard part, it requires some work).

But let’s break it down…

Actions

o helping – when asked for help

o learning – about what they do and how else you can support them

o listening – to requests, feelings, emotions and needs o loving – at all times in various ways that are noticeable

Non-actions o understanding – they need to do it ‘their way’

o giving – of your energy when they need it the most regardless if asked

o sharing – feelings, emotions, questions and concerns

o expecting – nothing but complete and utter happiness among all

Of course there’s so much more to it than this but that’s what marriage counselors are for right?

No, seriously…the one way to learn better how to communicate and support your entrepreneurial spouse is to start the dialog, practice this stuff, ask what they need, learn more about what others are doing and then get help as needed

((c) Copyright 2009 K. Sawa Marketing International. Katrina Sawa is an Award-Winning Author & Speaker who’s helped hundreds of small business owners take dramatic steps in their businesses to get them to the next level in business, revenues & their personal life. Get her Free Entrepreneur’s Success Kit at http://www.JumpStartYourMarketing.com !

Public Speaking: 8 Simple Tips to Put Humor Into Your Speech

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By Edward Hope

1099095_smiling_pakistani_girlA speech can be interesting, informative and highly entertaining without being humorous. Most speakers are invited because they are well informed on a specific subject and it is of interest to the audience, the listeners do not necessarily expect to be entertained. For entertainment they would hire an entertainer. However, humor has a number of great benefits in helping the speaker to be more effective in achieving the overall purpose of their speech.

The advantages of using humor in your speech are: -
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Size DOES Matter! Motivation Lessons From A Mosquito

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1197436_gods_bug1It is a frailty of the human condition that many people have. Perhaps it is lack of self worth, or a lack of self esteem that drives it – that “I’m just not good enough” persona. For example, how many times have you been to a party, social event or restaurant and felt that you were not up to the same level as all of the “beautiful people” there?

Maybe their suits or dresses were flashier.

Or they were slimmer.

Or their hair was less gray.

Or perhaps these people drove up to the front door and left the keys to their expensive, new Mercedes, BMWs and Cadillacs with the valet attendant while you “self parked” your tired, 10-year-old car w-a-a-a-a-y in the back of the lot so that no one would notice.

Does this mean they are any better or successful than you are?

Of course not!

It all comes down to what I call – THE ATTITUDE OF YOUR MIND. The attitude of your mind affects many things including the expressions of your face, determines the actions you make, impacts your physical health and regulates your life.

At this point many of you, especially those who are “set” in your ways, may ask: “How can I change the attitude of my mind? How can I, after months and years of discouragement and of going through the motions, suddenly conceive and carry out a plan for doing something that will change my current situation and make my life more rewarding?”

The answer is that it can be done, and others just like you have done it.

Even if you consider yourself of AVERAGE ability, you can be successful, independent, free of worry, and be your own master, from this point forward, if you can commit to do these two things.

1) Einstein once defined insanity as doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. How about what you are doing? If you are not getting what you want, when you want it become AND remain forever dissatisfied with what you are doing and your situation today. In other words, shoot for the moon.

2) Develop in your mind a belief that the word IMPOSSIBLE was not intended for you. Build up in your mind the confidence and courage that enables the mind to use its power.

Bette Reese once said, “If you think you are too small to make an impact, try going to bed with a mosquito in the room”.

So in conclusion, here’s the moral of my story to you…

Size DOES matter. Within you, even at this very moment you have the power to take action and make an impact.

It is up to you…

Copyright © 2009 Mind Body Spirit Central, LLC

Keith A. Shaw, President of http://www.MindBodySpiritCentral.com is headquartered in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, Keith is an authority on motivation, success, self improvement, health and wellness.

How Positive Thinking Translates To Business Success

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1129769_peacockAny business coach or executive coach will tell you, if you think success, you will become successful. That’s the power of positive thinking, a mental attitude that is crucial in business to realize ultimate success.

Executive management training emphasizes positive thinking to effectively achieve successful results. As a positive thinker, you manage employees better, grow your company successfully, improve sales figures, enhance communication skills and have a better outlook on business challenges.

While “Think Positive” is a popular expression, business consultants point out that positive thinking is about upbeat communication, self-esteem and confidence. Business coaching can provide you with communication skills and mind exercises that will tune you in to positive thinking.

According to business consultants, people with a positive attitude have body language that exudes power, expressiveness and confidence. Since positive thinking begins subconsciously, a business coach or executive coach can take you through the process of turning a negative into a positive.

Your business will run more effectively if your attitude and thoughts are geared towards positive production. Dwelling on negatives, say business consultants, drains your creativity and energy. As executive management training shows, it is natural to look at business challenges as something negative. But business coaching shows you how to approach challenges and issues with a positive outlook that will translate into success.

Communication as one way positive thinking can translate to success. When you talk with others using positive words and express positive nonverbal communication, you are seen as someone who is knowledgeable and credible. As business consultants point out, people want to do business with someone with those attributes.

According to business consultants, research shows that business success is 88% attitude and 12% education. If your equation is off balance, business coaching can get you back on track. It’s important to use executive management training to help you uncover areas in your business that rely on positive thinking for success. A business coach or executive coach will identify these areas and work with you on an action plan.

A business coach or executive coach teaches how to use positive thinking to land a sale, effectively run a business, and retain customers and employees. Part of the process is communication skills, using positive words that depict images of strength, success and joy. Any type of communication that your business does should reflect a positive image. It’s best to get the input of trained professionals, such as executive management training experts, on these written materials to ensure the wording is reflecting an upbeat message.

Sales and customer service are areas where business coaching can create success through positive thinking exercises. How you use communication skills to address problems is another way. Using positive communication techniques with employees and clients help to portray a good image of your company.

While it’s human nature to have negative thoughts, executive management training or business coaching can provide you with tips on how to replace them with constructive thoughts. By using a business coach or executive coach, you can learn how to think positive in any business situation and have a successful outcome each time.

Alan Gillies is the Managing Director of the L2L Group, specialising in providing Executive Coaching, Training and Consultancy Services to Businesses across the Globe. Want to learn more about these business success strategies? Get Alan’s popular FREE Business Pack today!

Want to Excel as a Woman Entrepreneur?

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1126443_green_eyeWhat do women need to do to excel in the business world? Do they just need to duplicate what’s working for men? Or do they need to do something that is unique to them as women?

As a woman entrepreneur myself, what I’ve discovered about women entrepreneurs who excel is that they do so in some ways that are similar to their male counterparts and in other ways that are distinctly different.

Both women and men entrepreneurs who excel:

* Are self-disciplined.

* Hold strong, clear visions about the direction of their companies.

* Follow detailed plans of action to support their visions.

* Know how to make tough-call.

* Use mentors and coaches to keep them strategically aligned for success.

* Exude confidence and determination.

* See problems, failures, and setbacks as opportunities, openings, and clarifiers.

Women entrepreneurs do all that and then some. More often then men, women also:

* Create lifestyle businesses that encompass the full spectrum of their lives.

* Have a natural affinity for customer care and service.

* Are three parts “strong woman” and one part “good girl.”

* Have strong, values-led businesses. – Trust and follow their intuition.

* Are “whole”-istic in their decision-making.

* Measure success by their quality of interaction with people and how much they help others.

Top Five Mistakes Made by Women in Business

1. Letting them see you sweat.

Too many times I’ve seen women, when they aren’t feeling confident about themselves or their abilities, disclose their lack of confidence. They do this by peppering their clients and colleagues with lots of questions before they delve into a project, hedging when it comes to making a commitment, as well as breaking eye contact and fidgeting.

Showing lack of confidence, either by word or action, is a self-defeating behavior. Never let them see you sweat! Say yes. Then figure out how to deliver.

2. Displaying negative emotions.

Displaying anger, bitterness, or spite is never attractive. Turning into the victim or martyr when things don’t go your way by whining, complaining, or blaming is counterproductive. Don’t defend yourself, argue, or yell at your clients or colleagues. And, for heaven’s sake, don’t cry!

You can deal with every challenge in business without being negative. Instead, take action. Offer a solution.

3. Making excuses.

Women seem to think that, if they explain why they didn’t return a call, answer an email, show up on time, or meet a deadline, everyone will understand and it will be okay. Not so.

Excuses say that what you were doing was more important than what someone else wanted you to do. An explanation means you are asking permission to be excused for what you did not do.

Instead, be impeccable with your word. Do as you say.

4. Being bitchy.

Take your cue from Cesar Millan, The Dog Whisperer: Stay calm and assertive. You do not have to be tough or come across aggressively in business. Instead, stay calm, be assertive, and develop a cooperative model when dealing with others.

5. Making decisions from a “lack mentality.”

Too many women have a mindset of scarcity when it comes to their businesses. They believe they lack time, money is scarce, and there aren’t enough customers. They don’t understand that near-term lack infects long-term prosperity. Therefore, make decisions for your business based on the far-term vision of expansion and growth.

Both women and men can and do succeed as business owners. Many of the things that men have been doing right for years can easily be adopted and put into practice by women. However, as a woman entrepreneur, it is also important for you to do two additional things. First, cultivate the instinctive qualities and skills that are specifically characteristic of women in business. Next, start to eliminate the five top mistakes women make in business. If you implement these key steps, you’re bound to excel as a woman entrepreneur.

Susan L. Reid works with women starting up home-based businesses for the very first time who are feeling both excited and overwhelmed at the prospect and haven’t a clue where to begin. If you are ready to take the first steps toward owning your own business, get instant access to your own free PDF copy of “Doing What You Love: Multiple Streams of Passion“.