Author: Carol Williams

Categories
Accountability Growth Mastermind Groups

The power of more than one mind – Leverage your impact in 2019

Is there a honeymoon period when running a business?

You know the deal.  You start your business; you don’t miss the water-cooler politics, the commute, the endless meetings for the sake of it.  The rosy tint on those self-employed glasses leads to a romantic vision of what self-employment means… but, at some stage, reality bites! You miss the camaraderie with colleagues, the feelings of “we’re in this together” and you find yourself overwhelmed with plans, ideas, lists. Not to mention the headache from wearing all those hats.  CEO one minute, office clerk the next.

So, what can you do about it?  Where can you go to bounce around those ideas, while obtaining valuable feedback from like-minded individuals, all the while making valuable progress towards your end-goals?

The answer is a Mastermind Group. A group of individuals striving for a common purpose and supporting each other along the way.  Not convinced?  After all, won’t this all take valuable time?  Time that you could have dedicated to working on your business? Sure, you’re going to have to commit to regular meetings (either in person or “virtual”), you’re going to be held accountable for your actions.  You’re going to have to realize that “it’s not all about you” But, what about the benefits?  Let’s look at how you can leverage your impact with a Mastermind Group:-

  1. Business Idea Support

You’ve got a great business idea, right? Everyone thinks it’s a winner… except the “everyone” in this case is your partner and your mom.  Not exactly objective opinions, then? This is where a Mastermind Group comes into its own.

There is a real synergy of energy, commitment and, dare I say, excitement that emanates from a good Mastermind Group. Members support each other with total honesty, respect and compassion.  After all, the group should be made up of people in a similar position to you, so whilst it may not always be plain-sailing in terms of pitching your ideas, you know that any criticism will be constructive and aimed to challenge, rather than destroy.  We all love being Devil’s Advocate sometimes, don’t we?

Your peers are there to give you feedback, help you brainstorm new possibilities and set up accountability structures to keep you focused and on track.

Use your members to gain a different perspective and iron out any wrinkles before you take your idea to market.

  1. Social Support

Sometimes your self-employed solitary efforts can feel like solitary confinement!

Remember your employed days, when you were surrounded by others and could regularly tap in and out of human interaction? Wouldn’t it be nice to have some compatriots to celebrate your success now? Commiserate with your failures (we all have ‘em!) and to just, well, listen sometimes?

With a Mastermind Group, you’re part of an exclusive community (and, hey, there’s no admission charge!) The feedback you receive can transcend just business issues and extend to your own self.  It can be so liberating to review yourself and get impartial input. Being around those you feel comfortable with stimulates the “happy hormone”.  The result? Better mental and physical health.

  1. Referral Partners

Members of a Mastermind Group all come with their own “tribe” – their own network of contacts.  Over time, as you build your relationships with your peers, they will generally share their contacts with you.  This gives you access to a greatly-extended personal network – no elevator pitch necessary – the recommendation has already been made for you.

In our next blog, we will look at how you can put your success into turbo-drive with focus, productivity and those Mastermind Groups, too.

Categories
Confidence Goal Setting Positive Thinking

How to completely change bad habits, once and for all.

In our last blog, we talked about resolutions and how they so often seem to fall by the wayside.  Often, this can be because the resolution necessitates a change in long-held habits.  While it’s not easy to break the habits of a lifetime, it can be done.  Here are three pointers to help you on your way:

  1. The brain science behind habit.

Habits are derived from constant repetition of an action or emotion into our brains. Add in the pleasure derived from that action and before long, you have an almighty craving established. If you want to break the habit, then you need to start with the pattern of behavior, the trigger to that habit. Instead of going onto “Auto-pilot” and doing what you’ve always done, adopt a more mindful approach.  Identify what triggers the behavior in the first place, plan a way to side step these and, in so doing, a way to “push-back” against that “auto-pilot” action.

2. One habit per month is more than enough.

Remember that any change takes time.  Your brain is an oh-so-marvellous thing! It will do its darnedest to resist any change, because, well, it’s just easier that way! Instead of being in a rush to change all those habits at once, concentrate on slow and steady.  One habit-change per month will give you time to focus on changes for good and allow your brain to accept that changes are coming. More importantly, it will become your “new normal!”

3. An ingrained habit becomes part of you.

Remember the saying, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over, but expecting a different result”? well, your habits are so ingrained that, often you don’t even have to think about them, they just happen.

Rather than concentrating on the break, focus on a positive change. By substituting, rather than stopping, we can make small changes that can contribute to overriding the habit and, instead, set us on a different path (one that ties in with those resolutions we made in our previous blog) Pretty soon, our new actions will become ingrained and we won’t even realize it.

 

In summary, if we adopt a more mindful approach to our everyday thoughts and actions, we are able to understand the triggers that underpin them. Identifying the reasons why we reach for a cigarette or maybe a glass of wine at the end of the day is critical to this process.  Remember that change takes time and any small step in the right direction is a positive move towards our goal. If we are aware of those harmful practices, the habits that keep us from being our true selves, then we are well on the way to a sense of fulfilment and honesty within our lives.  So, here’s to resolutions and the new you just waiting to emerge!

Categories
Goal Setting Positive Thinking Wellness

3 ways to make sure your resolutions are not wasted: A gift to yourself

New Year’s Resolutions, don’t you just love ‘em?  Those things we decide we “shoulda, woulda, coulda” achieved and yet only 9.2 % of those who resolve to change something about themselves or their lives will succeed and something like 80% of New Year’s Resolutions will fall by the wayside before February has waved goodbye.

As the end of the year approaches, we take stock of our lives, both personal and professional.  As discussed in my previous blog, we use the holidays to recharge our batteries and reflect on what we have achieved, but more often, those things we feel could or should be better.  We can feel disappointed with a perceived lack of progress, whether that is with our health, relationships or revenue.  We resolve that something MUST change, right?

So, how can we make resolutions that will “stick”?  Positive changes that we can maintain not just through January but forever?  Three ways to ensure your resolutions are achievable and successful, too:

  1. Make them real, be it pie or income.

That pumpkin pie was good, wasn’t it?  But , as the saying goes, “a moment on the lips, a lifetime on the hips”  In an effort to atone for the many indulgences of the holiday period, so many of us resolve to lose that extra bit of weight and, to show just how committed we are to the notion, we will throw in a really expensive gym membership for good measure.  How long did that last?  One week, two?

Setting a resolution is no different to setting a business goal – you need to be SMART – make them specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and timely.  It’s no good saying “I want to lose three dress sizes in a month” – that’s not going to happen in a healthy way and be impossible to maintain. Similarly, saying, “I’m going to save x thousand dollars a month” might be fine until the car needs work, or the house insurance is due, then you’re back to square one, with feelings of failure thrown in.

Yes, it’s good to aim high, but you also need to be real. Be realistic in your timeline.  Sure, you want results yesterday, but life’s not like that.  You are far more likely to stick with your resolution, instead, if you set small goals along the way and reward yourself for achieving them.

  1. Make it easy using HABITS

Habits are what we do daily, consciously or subconsciously. They can support our goal or detract from it, and it’s important to “use them for good.” Before you do this,. make sure you have the capacity to achieve your goals. Set up mid-point achievements and congratulate yourself for achieving them.  Give yourself a reason for continuing and, instead of always looking to your end goal, maybe take a look back and see how far you’ve come already!

  1. Don’t over extend yourself

As January 1st looms, the exercise of resolving to change for the better, fills us with hope, excitement, empowerment; we just can’t wait to see the “new” us.  We’re going to be fitter, healthier, more successful… and in that heady rush of excitement, it’s easy to forget about all the other demands on our time. For example, if your resolution is to run a marathon and you have never run before, then you’re going to need to put in some training.  What obstacles are in the way of that training?  Can you commit to early morning gym sessions or weekend practice runs?  If not, maybe put that resolution on the back burner until you do have the time.  Don’t set yourself up for failure before you even start, because instead of running a marathon, you’ll find yourself running headlong into diminishing self-esteem. Make sure you can expend both the time and effort to stay committed to your goal. If possible, minimize any distractions that may hijack you on the road to “new you” to give yourself the best chance of succeeding.

 

In our next blog, we will take a closer look at habits and how you can change them…once and for all.

Categories
Positive Thinking Productivity Time strategies Wellness

Holiday time: Avoid these pitfalls for peace AND productivity

Last time we talked about the stress so many of us feel approaching the festive period, aspiring for everything to be so ‘perfect’ whilst often neglecting our own wellbeing, and that of our friends and family, and how its so easy for this wonderful time to feel like a diversion from ‘work’.

Spending time away from the distraction of the phone ringing and emails pinging and instead focusing on planning, prevention, capability improvement and relationship building will lead to a clearer vision and a more fulfilled life, allowing you to enjoy more control and fewer crisis situations.  How valuable would spending some time on self-renewal and tasks that inspire and uplift you be, not only to your work life, but your overall wellbeing? By having your intention top of mind, you avoid wasting that precious time on autopilot and build that self-worth by actually achieving something.

For maximum productivity:

  • Set Boundaries. It’s all about the quality. Quality time off means real time off, not time off cleaning the house from top to bottom, just in case your guests notice that speck of dust, or catching up on the ironing mountain. It’s not about sneaking in work while the kids are playing in the living room (you know who you are.) You might have to be assertive in assigning some “me-time”.  Humans aside, setting boundaries can also involve setting some rules with the gadgets in your life, too. Thanks to technology, we are never far from emails and social media…all the things that link us back to work and, if we’re not careful, sneakily suck us back into the work environment. Allow yourself total radio silence on those work emails and focus on the quality of a few hours peace to focus on family and friends.  While we’re distracting ourselves with modern technology, we aren’t experiencing that all-important quality time. It’s just time!
  • Be off balance, on purpose. Some will say it’s about balance; balance in work and non-work, balance in activity-filled time and total down-time.  I say it’s about knowing what you really want, and really need, and honoring that. It’s about clearly understanding yourself, your priorities, and your body, mind, and spirit. It’s about deciding to be off balance, on purpose. Be where you are when you are there. And have a plan to recall what you want to do when you emerge from being present with your family/yourself, so you don’t “forget” about work related items.

Downtime (time “off”) is as much about caring for your body as it is your mind. And, if you still need some persuading, think of the favor you are doing your boss (who of course might be YOU) by taking time off.  Sound counter-intuitive?  Ask yourself, would your boss rather have an employee who is relaxed, refreshed, recharged and (yep…the “P” word) productive, or one that is exhausted, stressed and drained?  It really is a no-brainer, isn’t it?

I wish you peace, joy, productivity, and of course lots of turkey. Yes, you can have it all.  Just not all at once…

Categories
Positive Thinking Time strategies vacation

How to get the most out of the holiday season, guilt free.

Truth time:  As we approach the holiday season, are you enthused and eagerly anticipating the gift shopping, the preparation and the family time, or is there an element of stress and, dare I say, guilt nestling in there, too?

If so, you’re not alone.  According to research, “Festive Stress” is real, with 31% of Americans describing the holidays season as “frantic”.

The problem is, we’ve all been conditioned over the years to expect that the holidays will be “magical” and “wonderful” – but the truth is that many of us feel drained by the hustle and bustle and we really just work too hard in a bid to have the “perfect” holiday experience. In addition, there is the stress of enforced down-time from work, while we chit chat with family over the turkey, or dive into another slice of pumpkin pie, all the while mentally checking our office to-do list.  It’s no wonder that, far from being the most wonderful time of the year, the holidays can feel like one big diversion of our attention from “the important stuff” – our work life- and guilt that we are “wasting” valuable time, all because for a couple of days, we step off “productivity path” and indulge ourselves with family-time.

But this guilt has a real knack for distracting us from what’s really important.  For most of us, work is a HUGE part of our lives, and a work-life balance is something we talk about, but never quite achieve. Before we know it, that romantic vision, that excited anticipation of time away has become a guilt-fest, leaving us more stressed than if we were actually at work.

The truth, however, is that the holidays give us a perfect reason to push that reset and recharge button.  Just because it’s time away from the office, doesn’t mean it can’t still be used productively.  Here are three tips to getting the most out of the holiday season.

1. Stop, just stop! We all know that one person who pulls off an amazing Thanksgiving dinner, while juggling the unexpected guests, the over-excited children …and the impossibly perfect home. We marvel at how they can do it all and still fit in baking cookies with the little ones and remaining civil with the Mother-in-Law. Yes, our lives are busy and there never seem to be any limits to the demands on our time, but no one person can and will be 100% productive all the time.

It’s an illusion, people!

What’s important is that you recognize the importance of time away and don’t fall into the trap of wrapping your self-worth up with how busy you are, like a present under the tree. Stop comparing yourself to others who appear to have it all down pat. It’s not some sort of competition to see who can rack up the most hours.  That’s just a one-way route to inadequacy highway. Think about it; the world can’t be filled with super-humans and you’ve been left out. Actively stop the comparison thing and shut off that inner (oh, so critical!) voice of comparison. Finally, concentrate on your inherent self-worth.  You work hard.  You are entitled to time away, free from guilt. Period.

2. Set an intention.  What do you want to achieve with your away-time? By identifying what you want from your break beforehand, you are far more likely to be able to meet those needs and in so doing, enjoy quality time. Maybe focus your away-time on all those “Important, but not urgent tasks” you have been meaning to do but…

Need some help with setting these intentions and boundaries? Check out our next blog on this important topic.

Categories
Decluttering Get Organized Productivity

Can’t keep up with your home or finances? The secret to peace is simpler than you think.

In our last blog we looked at the process of de-cluttering and ridding ourselves of all the paraphernalia of modern-life, whether that is in a physical, emotional, mental or spiritual sense.

Now, let’s extend that further into our home life.

Have you ever paused in your everyday life and wondered, “How did we even get here?” “Why does this have to be so complicated?”

Why do we make things so complicated?  We place so many “ifs” and “buts” around our lives that it becomes like an assault course of stumbling blocks, caveats and conditions and to top it all, there’s no prize for reaching the finish line!

So why continue living that life when all you crave is simplicity?  For three easy steps to untangling, de-cluttering and uncomplicating your home and finances, read on…(After all, life really is too short, isn’t it?)

  1. First off, take a good hard look at your life. Go on, really evaluate it.  What are you doing just because “That’s the way it’s always been done” or “Because it’s simpler that way” – is it, really? You know, times change and maybe a new system, a new way of doing something is just what you need.  Maybe that slight change in perspective could be a launching pad to a more streamlined you!
  2. We all know the saying, “Less is more”, right? But, how many of us practice it? Do you really need all those bank accounts?  Wouldn’t one or two be enough? Let’s face it, it’s just more work at the end of the month to reconcile them, more passwords to store, more paperwork to file…more work, more hassle.  What about the other household systems or chores?  What can you do to reduce, eliminate or delegate them?  Maybe household chores take up too much of your time or energy.  What about the ironing – a whole lot of work and as soon as it’s done, a new pile magically appears.  You know, by employing someone for a couple of hours a week, you could tick those chores straight off your list and focus on some good stuff instead.
  3. Of course, this new-found simplicity isn’t going to work unless you practice it! All. the. time. It might take a while to see the benefits but, by actually acknowledging the changes that you are bringing about, by noticing, for example, that delegating X has resulted in extra time, or how you are now able to compete tasks which previously would have required more time, more patience, more application and you still have energy at the end of it! What a change this could bring! One that impacts on so many areas of your life.

If you crave a simpler life, then go get it!  It’s within your power and your control.

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