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How to Increase the Power of Your Beliefs

How to Increase the Power of Your Beliefs

 

 

Belief.  Ah, that 6 letter word holds such power.  If you look belief up in the dictionary, there are different definitions but most state, “Belief is an acceptance that something exists or is true, especially one without proof, trust, faith, or having confidence in (someone or something.”  Often, people will view their beliefs as a fundamental truth and this is where it can get tricky.

We are all hard-wired to create beliefs, many of them we are not even aware of.  We create beliefs about ourselves, the existence of a higher power, other people and how the world works.  Our beliefs allow us to experience and “make sense” of our world almost from the moment we are born.  As children, we believe in our parents and that their ability to protect and support us. As we grow, we continue to add layer our beliefs based on what we learn and what we experience.  

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4 Simple Steps to a Good Day

4 Simple Steps to Having a Good Day

 

It’s very easy to get caught up in the negativity of people around you, but if you can implement these four simple steps, you’ll find yourself having a good day that will rub off on those around you. This will make you a positive influence in the world. 

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Recapture Your Motivation: 5 Easy Ways to Boost Success

5 Easy Ways to Re-Capture your Motivation

 

It is the New Year.   You are motivated and ready to go.  THIS is the year you are going to get physically fit, take more classes and perhaps even compete at a higher level.  All of this means committing time… but there is already so much competing for your time.

Soon the thought of training feels a bit overwhelming and all of your well- meaning pursuits are taking a back burner, along with your dreams to go to the next level.   It doesn’t have to be that way.  

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She called me Fierce: Finding my Brand Voice

Recently,  I was working with my coach on finding my voice.  This was somewhat ironic to me since I have 28 years of experience as a communication expert (including doctoral work in adult communication, teaching MBA communication classes for an Ivy League school for the past seven years AND being a writing coach for that same school.)

Perhaps you can relate, I was stuck on how to write to my community not the content I want to share with you but how to say it.  Put me in front of an audience or a video camera, no problem. Tell me to email my community and suddenly I was without words.

So we started with adjectives.

She asked me, “How would you describe myself?”  Oh, that was so hard.  At first I was speechless and then I said a few lame (though true) things like “hard-working”, “smart”, “somewhat funny” (though what I really meant was playful and goofy.)

And that is when she said it!  “Sue, I have met you and I heard you speak and you are FIERCE!!  You show up and play full-on.”

 

Well, that hit me smack in the face and if I had a red nose, I would have been flying in the air like Rudolph did when Clarice called him “Cute”.

“She called me F-I-E-R-C-E, she called me F-I-E-R-C-E”

 

 

Fiercely- Caring….

And, you know what, Denise was right.  I am Fierce!  Fiercely- Caring.  I fiercely care for my family, my friends and all those in my community.  I often say to my clients that I care about their businesses as if they are my own and I always want the best for those around me.

This sense of fiercely caring also shows up in the coaching and teaching spaces I create.  It is why I tell it like it is and do it with a caring touch (I have often been described as having “an iron fist in a velvet glove” or a “steel boot tip in fuzzy slippers” depending upon what you need.)

Don’t come to me if you just want me to sugar-coat things for you because I don’t.  I quickly get to the heart of what is keeping you stuck, call you on it and then help you move forward.  I do this because I care about transformation and I care about you.   Not only about your business success, I care about you living as your best self.

That is the caring piece.  My goal is to always move you forward so you can take the next step.  This fiercely-caring me is how I show up everywhere offline.

I am committing in 2017 to bringing the fiercely-caring me to my community online.  I will be sharing more of who I really am and what I care about in an effort to better support you.  I also like giving gifts so I will be doing that more often here on my blog.  The first one is my communication ebook to help you communicate better.  You can get it as my gift here:

http://thrivingentrep.wpengine.com/100-tips-better-business-communication/

Enjoy!

 

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Understanding Your Procrastination Style

Understanding Your Procrastination Style

2-understanding-your-procrastination-style-image2There are many reasons solopreneurs and business owners procrastinate. It could be due to perfectionism, overwhelm, or problems prioritizing. The key to overcoming procrastination is learning what your procrastination style is and how to deal with it. Once you’re armed with this information, you’ll find it easier to defeat procrastination and get back on track. it makes sense that each of us is unique so there is not a one size fits all solution. See which one fits you…  

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The Importance of Video on Social Media

The Importance of Video on Social Media and Why You Might Be Missing Out

 

Dog shooting videoEven though I train lots of people to present well so they look good on video, I have not been using it as much as I know I could.   This got me thinking?  I began to research to find out the answer to this question,  “Exactly how important is video in social media today?”   Some would say that it’s absolutely everything, and there are those who have built a successful social media marketing campaign solely around video.

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What is Causing You to be in Overwhelm?

My brain is in overwhelm

 What is Causing You to be in Overwhelm?

Digitally generated My brain has too many tabs open

I know that lots of people are in overwhelm and are feeling like “they are flying by the seats of their pants.”  Rather than me giving more information (perhaps overloading you even more)  today by giving a whole lot of tips or ideas, I am putting my listening ears on and wanting to know a few things from you and then I will respond in the comments section  Perhaps even invite you to a call with me where I will REALLY listen.

So, I am curios- “What is holding you back?”  or “What is Causing you to Be in Overwhelm?”

 

That’s it- I truly want to know and I wish you a wonderful weekend- sue

 

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Why You Need Good Listening Skills

Dog listening

The Importance of Having Good Listening Skills

Dog listeningWe often think we are communicating effectively and of course, we want people to take action on what we say. So it can be frustrating when we talk and share a message and NOTHING happens.  Crickets…. Most likely, you were doing only half of what needs to be done to effectively communicate- the talking part. Listening is the other half – perhaps the better half – of all communication. Unfortunately, most people rarely receive any formal training for how to do it properly. Improving your listening skills can enhance your professional and personal life. Follow these practical steps towards becoming a better listener, even in challenging situations where it’s most important.

5 Tips for Better Listening

1. Ignore distractions:

Give the speaker your full attention by looking him/her in the eye. Don’t be looking at your phone or anything else.   Let the speaker know you’re interested. Having an appreciative audience makes it easier for people to express themselves. It will also help you stay alert.
 If you notice your mind wandering, bring it back to the subject at hand.

2. Listen for the main points:

It’s usually more effective to focus on understanding the key points that someone is making, rather than trying to etch each word into your memory. Listen as though you were taking notes even if you’re not.

3. Hear people out.

Let people present what they have to say without being interrupted. Concentrate on what they’re saying rather than formulating your own response. Don’t just wait by patiently until you can have the next word.  Listen for understanding.

4. Encourage people to express themselves: 

Sometimes people are hesitant to approach a sensitive topic. Use open-ended questions and patient pauses to enable a more complete discussion.
Verify the message. With complex or emotionally charged material, it’s important to listen attentively and verify what the other person is saying. You can repeat back a brief summary of the message to be sure you’re both on the same page.

5. Listening with empathy:

One of the best ways to understand what a person is really saying is to put yourself in their shoes. Try to understand their thinking and feelings.
 Manage your own emotions. When you’re listening to something that evokes a strong emotion, you may need to detach yourself temporarily from your feelings. It’s critical to distinguish between what is actually being said and your own assumptions and emotions.

Remember, God gave you two ears and one mouth for a reason. Becoming a better listener can enhance your own life and help you make a more positive contribution to the lives of others. Enjoy the many benefits of improving your listening skills.

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Tips for Solopreneurs – Get the Blogging Weight off Your Shoulders

Helpful Blogging Tips

Tips for Solopreneurs – Get Blogging Weight off Your Shoulders

Helpful Blogging Tips“Yikes!”  “I don’t have enough time.” or “I don’t know what I will write about!” is what I often hear when people talk about blogging on a regular basis. .  There’s no question about it – blogging takes time. If you’re a solopreneur with a daily to-do list as long as your arm, you may feel like you don’t have the time to update your blog. However, it might be your day’s most important task, so don’t skip it. Here are some tips for taking the blogging weight off your shoulders and making blogging what it should be – fun, energizing, and creative.

 

Find Your Best Time to Write Your Blog Posts

Everybody has certain times of the day when they feel more inspired than others. For example, you might have your best ideas in the mornings just after you wake up. Set aside some time each day during these periods for working on blog posts. Make it part of your schedule and it will become a habit and ideas will flow and when they do, write away.

Load Them Up

Now even though you have created a schedule and are getting into the habit, sometimes things happen and you have to change your schedule.  So, let’s be prepared for that.   Set aside some special time to write for a longer period of time.  Perhaps you can devote a morning or afternoon (or maybe a whole day) to writing and loading up your blog with draft posts.  You never know what could happen to impact your ability to write. However, if you write a number of posts at one time, when you’re on a roll, you can create enough for several days or weeks. Just upload it to your site in draft form. Then, review and hit publish whenever you’re ready for another post.

Keep a Blogging Idea List

Any time you get an idea for a post, write it down (or jot it in your audio notes.) It could be while you’re at work, out walking around somewhere, or even going to sleep at night. Start an ‘Ideas’ file and just keep adding to it. Whenever you’re feeling uninspired or have writer’s block, refer to this file and pick one that strikes your fancy. You might also set aside some time for brainstorming topics. Let the ideas fly and don’t judge whether they’re ‘good’ or not. An idea you think is off-the-wall now may be a winner later.

Know Where to Get Blogging Ideas

Bookmark some good sites for getting new ideas when you run out. You can find interesting ideas absolutely anywhere online, but some of the best places include forums, question and answer sites, article directories, social media sites, or other blogs. Read what people are talking about. Take each question you see asked online and write a blog post that answers it.

Outsource and Edit

Hire someone to write your blog posts for you and then edit the work they deliver so that it’s ‘you’ and in your blog voice.  (see post on having your own blog voice) One great way to save money doing this is to hire people to write short articles (300 words or less) to use as skeletons that you’ll flesh out. As you edit, expand on the points they make and add your own ideas. This is cheap and it saves you a considerable amount of time. If you find a good writer, you can also let them come up with post ideas for you.

When the Inspiration Dies…

Whenever you don’t feel like blogging, stop. If you push it and write when you’re not feeling inspired, it’ll show. You need to give your readers nothing less than your best. And if you’re feeling uninspired, remember that there are simply days when the writing doesn’t flow. Don’t beat yourself up about it. Instead, maybe shooting a video will be more fun or a quiz or  sharing a quote that inspires you and that will inspire your readers.  Blog posts do not always have to be written articles.  Change it up and have fun with your blog.  And always, share who YOU are with your audience.

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Create Your Blog Voice for Your Business

How to Create the Blog Voice for Your Business

Find Your Blog VoiceMany businesses start blogs without a real plan. After all, it’s easy to do and you just need to start writing. But actually, there’s some serious planning involved and one of the major decisions to make is  your blog voice. Just like you need consistent, clear messaging in the rest of your business, a good blog has a clear and consistent voice that is communicated on every page. Consistency helps you create a brand and this is what builds trust with your audience. More importantly, you need a blog that is not a copy of anyone else but a true reflection of you and how you want to show up to your audience.

The Elements of a Blog Voice

What does ‘blog voice’ mean? It sounds simple but it’s made up of a number of different elements including personality, beliefs, tone, style, and type of content. Some questions to ask include:

  • Is your blog going to be strictly factual or opinionated? (are you going to be a technician or thought-leader)
  • What values will it speak to?
  • Is the tone going to be casual and friendly or more professional?
  • Are you going to focus on recent news items, write reviews or offer how-to information?

Personality is an especially important consideration because your blog can’t be dull and formal. The human aspect has to come through. It needs to be engaging and speak to emotions as well as simply giving the reader information.

Your Ideal Reader

Just like any other time you are communicating your message, the best way to determine all the elements of your voice is to picture your perfect reader. Who do you want to become a fan of your blog? If you can imagine this person clearly, you can write posts to them that resonate perfectly. It may take a bit of market research. Find out which demographics are important parts of your niche. Find out what they like and dislike. Learn about how they feel, what they want out of life, and how they see themselves. Some people even draw a physical picture of their ideal reader and look at it whenever they write!  I even recommend going further and naming this person so you can really connect to them as if s/he was sitting next to you.

Your Blog’s Image

Now that you’ve got a clear image of your blog readers in mind, the next step is to create an image for your blog that appeals to them. Consider not only your readers but also your business’s unique selling proposition. The key question to ask yourself here is – ‘How is my blog different than other similar blogs in my industry?’

The answer to this question lies in the specific niche you choose for your blog. One of the biggest mistakes bloggers make is trying to be everything to everyone. The truth is that no niche is too specific (unless it’s a market of one person). You need to carve out a unique place for yourself in the blogosphere that will set your blog apart.

Finding Your Voice

Finding a voice for your writing is something all writers must do. If you’re going to blog, you’ve got to consider yourself a writer, even if you don’t have the training, experience or writing chops. Take some time to read different blogs to see how each person’s voice differs. Some write in a very personal style, some are humorous or slightly outrageous, some write posts that are short and to the point. Find your own way of writing that you enjoy and that resonates with your readers.

So, I would love to hear what your voice is…. Share in the comments.