Do you wake-up in the morning with the idea you are going to accomplish certain tasks?  Then as the day proceeds you never take action towards any of these projects.

Welcome to the world of the entrepreneur!

This morning getting out of bed, I started thinking about my to-do list.  My day started walking with my neighbor, straightening the house, answering emails, coaching clients and all of a sudden I looked at the clock and it was noon.  To my utter surprise I did not start any of the projects that were on my to-do list.  This pattern happens a lot.

What is a person to do?

Thinking about this challenge, all of a sudden the “Smart Goal” Model popped into my head.  Below is the model:

S = Be very specific
Example: My goals were write an article, research different writing groups, coach clients, food shop, take time to just relax and the list goes on and on. 
M = Measure your progress
Example: My measurement would be completion of the different projects. 
A = Achievable
Example: This plan was not achievable, no way could I accomplish everything in one day.
R = Reasonable
Example: Since all the items were not easily accomplished in one day, I would create a realistic
plan. This plan would be produced by reviewing my goals and choosing which items could be accomplished in a reasonable amount of time.
T = Time Table
Example: Today’s Schedule:
1:00pm – Write Article
3:00pm – Food Shop
4:00pm – Spent time with Jeffrey, my grandson relaxing
6:00pm – Coach last client for the day.

Tomorrow:
8:00am – Research writing groups
10:00am – Create a new plan

 This arrangement sounded realistic.    

Please share with the Love Yourself – It Matters! Community your challenges about creating a reasonable daily plan.  I am looking forward to hearing from you.

 Helen

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Learn More Here: http://ow.ly/1bOkV

In this webinar, you will quickly understand how to use Facebook,

LinkedIn and Twitter specifically for growing your coaching practice.

We will be revealing:

• How easy it is to set up your profile and be a leader in your industry.
• What not to do, when building your following.
• Decide which media site is best to develop your business.
• Remove your overwhelm about Social Media, once-and-for-all!
• The perfect formula for posting your status updates.
• The secrets to drive more traffic to your website and blogs.

Click Here and Register here now!

Dates:

Facebook on March 17 & 24

LinkedIn on April 14 & 21
Twitter on May 5 & 12.

Participate in the webinar from the comfort of your home or office! All you need are a phone, computer and Internet access.

Cost:

$65 per topic (two one-hour sessions)
10% discount for registering for your choice of 2 topics: $117
20% discount for registering for all 3 topics: $156

Register here now!

Please forward flyer to your Business Colleagues!

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Do you think and say kind words about your business?  Unfortunately, most of us think about what is not going right.

When we have successes our feelings turn towards excitement and joy.  Why is it so hard focusing on those times instead of finding things to worry about?

 Simply, we are human beings and wired to think that way.

When you start thinking about your business in a negative way.  Stop, take a deep breath and say in a powerful voice, kind words about your business.  An example would be, “My business is achieving its goal by helping business people.”

 Even though this little exercise sounds simple it is very hard to do.  It takes practice, practice, and more practice before it becomes a new habit.  Remember…a habit takes about 21 days to become natural.

Constantly think, “ I will say kind words about my business.”

 Please share your experiences with the Love Yourself – It Matters! Community.  Sharing our experiences and thoughts with each other enables us to create successful businesses in a loving way.

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And before you know it, you throw the ‘the-coach-who-listens’ out the window, and proceed to talk non-stop, for the next 20 minutes. Ugh!!

We have all been there!

So how do you overcome your infatuation with coaching and still effectively sell to a prospective client?

Here are a few steps that work successfully for me:

1. Prepare an agenda before your meeting.
2. Listen, listen, listen and let the person know you are truly interested in what they have to say.
3. Answer any questions sticking to the point and keep it short.
4. Invite them to be a client when the ‘aha moment’ happens.
5. Keep the meeting short.
6. Remember your prospective client, cares more about themselves than your passion for coaching.

Need support in getting your business launched? Send me an email at helen@loveyourselfcoaching.net and together, we can brainstorm easy ideas to get you started.

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~ Thomas Edison 

Running your business sometimes feels like you are always climbing a mountain and never reaching the top.  Then all of a sudden you are taking the right steps and getting closer to the peak of the mountain. 

Like Thomas Edison said, we are not failing when are new advertising program is not working we are discovering what techniques to change.  

I decided my new niche would be working with the Unemployed to find work.  Created a website, ordered business cards and started advertising this new service.  As time went on I realized that the unemployed were afraid to spend money and hire Love Yourself Coaching.  My saving grace was that the clients I did work with each one of them found a job.  

At first I kept trying with very little success to find new clients.  It finally hit me that I needed to change my focus.  Reading Thomas Edison’s quote, realized I did not fail and was closer to finding what will work. 

Please share your experiences as a business owner so we can all work together in finding what will work instead of just climbing that mountain with little success.  

I look forward to hearing from you.

Helen

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Helen Burton, CEC, ACC, founder of Love Yourself Coaching, has been leading coaching circles and mastermind groups for seven years. As an expert group leader, Helen has helped many coaches gain the confidence needed to build their communication skills and coaching style to be a successful and effective coach.

Learn more about Helen by visiting her online at, LoveYourselfCoaching.com.

Benefits of the Coaches’ Circle:

• Begin coaching a real client now.
• Immediately apply feedback received from an experienced coach.
• Earn income and coaching hours for your ICF Credentialing.

• A new coach and experienced coach are carefully matched to work together.
• Each coach alternates being the client.
• Following each session, the experienced coach shares valuable learning tools and feedback with the new coach.

“It has been a pleasure to be in the Coaches’ Coaching Circle for new coaches. Been very helpful to get a different perspective, which allows the learning to continue. Helen is genuine, caring, authentic and a great one to have riding with you on a portion of your life journey. She is most encouraging and meets you where you are which is a gift. Thanks Helen for working with a new coach.” Judy Meade

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~ Collin McCarty

Your presence is a present to the world.
You’re unique and one of a kind.
Your life can be what you want it to be.
Take the days just one at a time.

Count your blessings, not your troubles.
You’ll make it through whatever comes along.
Within you are so many answers.
Understand, have courage, be strong.

Don’t put limits on yourself.
So many dreams are waiting to be realized.
Decisions are too important to leave to chance.
Reach for your peak, your goal, your prize.

Nothing wastes more energy than worrying.
The longer one carries a problem,
the heaver it gets.
Don’t take things too seriously.
Live a life of serenity, not a life of regrets.

Remember that a little love goes a long way.
Remember that a lot…goes forever.
Remember that friendship is a wise investment.
Life’s treasures are people…together.

Realize that it’s never too late.
Do ordinary things in an extraordinary way.
Have health and hope and happiness.
Take the time to wish upon a star.

And don’t ever forget…
for even a day…
how very special you are.”

Reading Collin McCarty’s quote I was reminded if we focus on the many gifts we are receiving and not what we think should be happening our lives become easier.

Today is a new day and with this golden opportunity we can start thinking about our coaching business in whatever way we want. You can continue worrying about not attracting clients or keep telling yourself to “Trust the Process.”

Sorry folks, thinking does not make things happen you have to take action. Below are some small steps you can take to change your thinking and make things happen.

• Read Collin Mc Carty’s quote daily.
• Remind yourself constantly during the day to “Trust the Process.”
• Each day pick a new small step you will take to market your business. Example: Research networking events scheduled for the current month and register for an event.

Share your new action steps you will be taking in January to promote your coaching business. Together we can move mountains!

I look forward to hearing from you.

Helen

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~ Anonymous

We all have a dream our business will take off as soon as we make the decision to become business owners. What happened??

Sometimes thinking if only I knew what a long road it took to become a successful business owner would I have taken that leap. The answer is a loud, “YES.”

I had a dream and driving force in me to make it happen. To be honest I sometimes struggled and wanted to give up. Then within a very short period of time my thinking changed and I was back on the road marketing the Love Yourself programs.

We are at the end of 2009 and looking forward to 2010. Before we turn the page let’s think about all the great strides we made this year.

Below is a little exercise that will help you uncover the strides you made and new techniques to implement.
• List all the new marketing techniques you implemented in 2009. Example: When first meeting someone I ask about them instead of telling them I am a coach. It is amazing during the conversation they always ask, “What type of business do you have?” At that point I simply mention I am a business coach and have them ask me questions.
• Review the list of techniques deciding what worked and you need to change. Example: I was working with the Unemployed and found it was not a profitable income stream. Made a decision not to focus on the Unemployed Niche.
• Brainstorm and list new ideas. Example: This year I will offer to write an article for a gym or Spa’s Newsletter.
• Create a marketing plan including new and old techniques with accountable dates.
• Become active in the Love Yourself – It Matters Community by leaving comments and asking questions.

Be creative this is your pilot program and it will give you the opportunity to be more pro-active in your business. Working together we can support each other in growing successful businesses.

Remember…Rome was not built in a day and by taking small steps your dream will come true.

Enjoy the holiday season and continue creating happy memories.

Helen

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OK, so why the picture you ask or maybe it is more like why and what the…? The picture was taken at an event called the Avon Breast Cancer 3-Day. In this event over 3000 people walked 67 miles from Leominster MA to Boston. You heard it, 67 miles in 3 days on 2 feet.

My wife and I had walked it the first year and for the next two years we joined the crew of 500 or so volunteers that supported the walkers. Our crew team ran a pit stop; our goal was to provide treats, fluids and moral support for the walkers. As you might have guessed our team theme was tooth fairies (yes that is a toothbrush in my mouth). Sometimes you have to step outside of the comfort zone and adopt a less serious approach. At the end of those three days, despite the benefit of a megaphone (the one in my right hand, not the pretty plastic one) I had no voice left. Let me tell you, it is some challenge to keep people charged when they are physically and emotionally worn. Let’s face it, these people walked for a lot of reasons. Some of them are breast cancer survivors themselves; others are walking in honor of loved ones lost to or still battling this devastating disease. For me, it was in memory of my Mom who had breast cancer yet died of other causes and a dear friend who battled the disease for many years, ultimately to succumb.

But this is not a sad story; in fact this experience was the most life-changing of my time on this earth. Each of my three years participating in this event, I was fortunate to be amongst amazingly selfless people. To say I was humbled does not come close to describing the feelings that surged through me. The tears flowed freely as did the joy, the cheers and the hope. There is no place I would rather have been, no experience that would have satisfied me more profoundly. I discovered strength and passion in me I had no idea existed, not to mention what I learned of so many others.

OK, so what does this have to do with business anyway? Well, here are my thoughts. A business is first, about people; employees, clients, the public at large, and so on. The common denominator in business is people. Yet, when we get caught up in running a business (or for that matter being in business) it’s easy to lose our appreciation for those people upon whom our business depends. That is not something we can afford to do. My 3-Day experience taught me a lot about how I look at myself and at others. You have heard the old adage ‘walk a mile in my shoes’. How about walking a mile alongside yourself? What would that be like? Take a close look at your day to day. How does it feel? What would it be like to be your own employee, a client or even your boss? Do you know yourself this well? If you do I congratulate you as I suspect you are in the minority. If you do not, my challenge to you is that you start the journey. When you do, you will be enriched in ways you cannot imagine.

I know; it took me three days and 67 miles. Start walking…

Ed Drozda, MBA is an Organizational Advisor and Business/Executive Coach with E & D Associates, a firm designed to provide companies with the support and guidance needed to maintain their business and facilitate growth. Whether an organization is struggling to set goals or find ways to achieve them, E & D’s talents and expertise successfully help companies and individuals explore new and creative ways to increase customer and employee satisfaction; decrease staff turnover; and boost overall revenues.

“Many businesses approach me because they think they are having trouble finding the right team,” says Drozda. “In most cases, they have the right team, but they are lacking a solid plan of communication and teamwork. That type of problem can impact everything from office morale and employee productivity to overall revenues. That’s where our services can help.”

To arrange a no obligation exploratory session, visit http://www.4eandd.com or call Ed at 508-695-2146.

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