Small Businenss Owner: Where Should You Invest Your Hard Earned Money ?

Here I am with Nicole Dunn. We are at a jet launch. This is going to be a heck of a year.

As a coach, I see the power of coaching in my own life. One assignments I got from my coach was to "make numbers your friend."
Here are some tips from fellow Huffington Post columnist Loral Langermeir

"It's still a little scary out there, I know. Where should I look for those good rates of return? How can I turn my mattressed money into a cash machine?

1. Real Estate: this is news to most people, but the real estate market cycles. It goes up, then down, then up again: it always has, and it always will. As the population is growing, people will need land. Right now the price of land is at garage sale prices that will not be seen again for years. By now, sell high.

2. Bankrupt Businesses: the credit crunch and depression have driven many businesses into bankruptcy. Not because they were necessarily bad businesses, but because the owners didn't really understand the business conversation. Buy a business, and build yourself a cash machine better than any bank can offer.

3. Invest in Ideas: if you or someone in your family has a great idea for a new service or product, don't shove that under the mattress with the rest of your money. Get out there and make something of it. Find a coach who can help you turn that concept into cash.

4. Spot your Skills: what can you do that someone else would pay you to do? You have a skill, either a talent that you have developed or something that's been trained, that can become your new cash machine. "

As you know I am a huge believer in investing in your skills! You deserve to invest in you!

Small Business Owners Diet Tips

For many entrepreneurs, taking care of their health is the very last thing on their 'to do' list. Time and time again I see coaching clients sacrifice their well being to meet the demands of their business.

Since women business owners juggle both work and home , it is even harder. Watching Oprah's battle with weight shows how tough it is for women leaders to put their health first.For many women entrepreneurs, losing weight will be one of life's most difficult challenges.

Ladies! Don't be discouraged if you've tried losing weight in the past and you weren't able to -- or you lost weight but gained it all back. Studies at the Mayo clinic show that any people experiment with several different weight-loss plans before they find an approach that works.

Here Are Some Success Strategies To Help

• Focus your thoughts on the positive outcome for losing weight. Think of your new lifestyle as positive experience, not a negative one.
• Recent studies show that approaching weight loss with a positive attitude will help you succeed.
• Cut your goal in half. Most small business owners are used to setting very difficult goals, and then driving themselves to achieve them.
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• In order to set realistic expectations for yourself, take your weight loss in 5 pound increments.
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• Focus on behavioral changes and don't focus too much on weight changes.
• Use turnaround techniques. What have been the challenges in the past? Write down the obstacles, and come up with strategies for dealing with those obstacles.
• Make small, not drastic, changes to your lifestyle. Adjustments that are too intense or vigorous can make you uncomfortable and cause you to give up.

Accept the fact that you'll have setbacks. Believe in yourself. Instead of giving up entirely, simply start fresh the next day.

Becoming Empowered with Eli Davidson

EliDavidsonTV

Click here to enjoy this testimonial from last weeks seminar!

Eli Davidson, is a nationally recognized coach, award winning author, popular keynote speaker, and corporate spokesperson."Eli Davidson" is one of the "Top Motivational Speaker's" and "Top Executive Coaches."An award winning writer, her book Funky to Fabulous won the 2007 National Best Books Award Finalist for "Motivation Self Help". Only "The Secret" won a higher award.

"Eli Davidson" was called "one of America's top business coaches". Her executive coaching tips have gone out to 6 million air travelers.She filmed The "Opus" Movie with Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Joe Vitale, Marci Shimoff and other best selling authors from "The Secret" Eli helps educate and inspire people in the law of attraction in a business setting.

Named one of "America's Best Coaches" Ms. Davidson has been featured on American, United, Delta, Northwest Airlines. JC Penny's has sponsored her coaching tips on national television (USA Network).

Recent television appearances: Dr. Phil's Decision House, Better TV, Making It!, Southern California Living, and numerous NBC and Fox affiliates. Her fresh approach has helped her become a contributor to a wide variety of national publications including: Better Homes and Garden, Quick and Simple, BusinessWeek.com, Grand, and Me! Magazine. She is a regular commentator in the Los Angeles Business Journal.

She has coached leaders in numerous industries including Emmy, Grammy, and Golden Globe winners. Also a founding team member of Fed Ex Case.Studies are available upon request.Her cult hit, Funky to Fabulous: Surefire Success Strategies for the Savvy, Sassy and Swamped (Oak Grove Publishing) was an Award Winning finalist of USA Book News National Book Awards 2007. Only The Secret got a higher award.

Corporations bring Eli back time and time again, as they are loving her approach which "boosts moral" in a matter of minutes. Her hands on techniques are entertaining' due to her background as a professional actress. Case studies from client show that she gets results and is "enlightening," "engaging," and "effective."

"Eli Davidson is the one of the hottest female motivational keynote speakers."She's a keynote and seminar speaker, she is a woman speaker. Eli speaks on these themes: empowerment, taking charge of your business and career, and innovation.

Motivational speaking and the ABC's of communication!

A. Accept yourself and others....
.... just as you and they are

When you judge or criticize, forgive. Judging breaks connections. Forgiving awakens the deeper part of your loving nature, which makes all communications easier.

ABC's of Communicating:

As an executive coach and motivational speaker I love these ABC's of communicating Brought to you by my friend Anne Naylor! In my life coaching business communication skills are so important.

Business that are free or cost little to start up.

As an executive coach, I see on a daily basis the impact these hard times have on everyone. As a motivational speaker it is my job to keep you upbeat and focused in the right direction. Has the slumping economy got you looking for ideas to earn some extra money? If so, personal finance blog Wise Bread can help you out with their list of small businesses that are free or cost little to start up. Here are some ideas along with their "advice to live by" for each suggestion:

1. Freelance writing - Keep a copy of all of your published articles in a digital portfolio that you can email to potential clients.


2. Stock photography - Make sure to watermark your photos before posting them online to share with friends and family members. Dishonest people will use your photography without permission if you don't take the time to do this simple act right away.


3. Web and graphic design - Do not cheapen the quality of your services by bidding too low on a project. Ask a fair price and forget about the gigs that are not willing to pay you what you're worth.

8 Ways To Lower Stress

In my coaching practice I am seeing more and more burnout.

Our bodies do give us messages, sometimes early warning signs. How can we read them? Here are some suggestions for you to consider: These are utterly terrific tips from fellow Huffington Post blogger, Anne Naylor. http://web.mac.com/annenaylor/iWeb/Anne%20Naylor/Welcome.html. It was so darn good, I had to share it with you.

1. Stop The Stress

Go to a quiet place where you are undisturbed. It could be a place in nature; a room in your home which is peaceful for you; a walk by a river, an art gallery, a church building. Find somewhere you can switch off the busy-ness of the day and simply be with yourself.

2. Breathe Into The Condition

To slow down further, take in a few deep breaths. Breathe the spirit of wellness into your dis-ease or whatever it is that is causing you discomfort. Expand out of and beyond the tightness and tension, the issues that are painful for you. Leave them behind with your out breaths. Allow yourself to feel the peace within you.

3. Be Quiet - And Listen

What is your condition telling you about your life and the way you are living? Are you taking care of yourself in the best ways, or do you need to be doing things differently? What are you yearning for that you are not allowing into your life? What might you be resisting? What could you let go of that has been troubling you?

4. Dialogue With Your Condition... ... in writing.

This simple technique can go deeper for you. Be willing to not know and not have the answers. Not knowing seems to open the door to the understanding and information you need. Strange how this seems to work, but in my experience it does. Be open to the knowledge that you have within you.

Get a pad of paper and a ballpoint pen. Write your name on the left hand side and open your dialogue. Call your condition by a name that has a positive note - for example: Courageous Friend. Write it down and let it speak to you.

Allow yourself to write spontaneously. Ask whatever you want. Be aware of the insights that can promote your healing.

5. Free Yourself ..

.. forgive the judgments - guilt, resentment, blame, shame, anger. Judgments cast a shadow over the spirit within you that can promote your healing.

"To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you."
Philip Yancey

6. Allow Time...

... for your healing to take place. In this time, nurture yourself and do what it takes to nourish the spirit in you towards your greater health. Be open to the resources that can assist you. Learn to love yourself, unconditionally. Take time to simply rest.

7. Express Thanks...... for the lessons learned and the healing that occurs.

"All complete healing is activated through love and gratitude."
Dr John Demartini

8. Celebrate The New You!

Let others witness and learn from you and your process. Share more of your spirit that one other might find inspiration and encouragement on their journey. Have a party. The spirit in you is characterized by joy. Joy is contagious - a sign of good health.

"We are all in the same boat and if we start learning from each other and sharing what we have learned with others, perhaps we can get to where we are going faster."
Anonymous

Do you have an inspiring story to tell about a healing process you have experienced? What did you learn? How was your life amplified through a health crisis? You never know when your story might spark an ember of courage in someone who could really benefit by it.

Tips to Avoid Burnout. How to Take A Stay-cation.

As an executive coach, I see so many of my clients at large companies are burnt to a crisp. Don't believe me? Why is it that it is August and so many Huffington Post bloggers are talking about burnout? My belief it that these are brilliant posts, from brilliant people and like the rest of us...they need a break. Even if a big trip isn't in your budget you can take a 'stay-cation.' Here are some Stay-cation Tips.


1. Take A Vacation....From Your Phone.
One of the fastest ways to unwind is to "take a vacation" from your PDA. As a culture we are accustomed to being 'wired' all day every day. When I offered the tip of putting your phone away on a TV show recently the anchor exclaimed that it was 'brilliant'. My bet is that she could benefit from a PDA vacation.

2. The 12 Steps Insurance Policy
Many Americans only take a 'semi vacation'. They lug their laptop to the beach and I have seen them talking on their cell phones while taking a hike. They allow themselves to work "1 or 2 hours" a day even on vacation. If you aren't fully disconnected from your work, you aren't allowing yourself to truly replenish. A semi vacation isn't the real vacation your body needs.

How do you avoid that?
The 12 Step Rule. Take 12 steps away from your computer, blackberry,iphone. If you can't take the 12 steps away from your computer for four days...you may be addicted to the over stimulation it represents.

3. It's Nap Time.
"After the going's been tough the tough get horizontal." If you are like most American's you have a sleep debt. Take some vacation time to catch up on your zzzzzz's. Studies show that lack of sleep is a huge stressor for your body.


4. Is Your Name Martha?
Unless your name is Martha Stewart and you just love, love, love to organize drawers do not turn your stay-cation into a chore and errand festival. (I had a client whose hobby was ironing -so I know that those folks are out there!) If you know that you are more relaxed with a tidy home take the weekend before your stay-cation to clean.

5. People First
Is spending time with friend pretty much the last thing on your To Do list? Now is the time to see how much richer and fuller your life is with the folks you enjoy. Potlucks, bike rides, hikes there may even be free concerts or gallery events in your town.

What are some of your tips for a stay-cation?

How To Survive Crazy Office Politics (Part 3)

Here is a continuation of a story from a session with one of my clients.

Earlier, you see that she was passed over for a job promotion. A 'navy buddy' with no experience got the job. He was a drunk and was terminated. She applied again. Nope. The job went to a womanizer. Now it is round three.

"But no, the phone call came and yet another man was selected to replace her.

So the new Director arrived, and so did his baggage...a couple of google searches showed that he was currently unemployed after damaging articles about his job performance in his old hometown.

She continued to smile, work hard and tried not to show how much this betrayal had hurt her...feeling that she was given the work, but never the job or the perks that went with it. (As an executive coach I see woman often "Grin and Bear It" rather than speak up.)

"They hired three incompetent men, and not me - obviously, they just don't want me!" To add insult to injury, the current City newspaper started printing articles about this man's dubious past, along with his current salary of $145K.

Seeing that he was paid significantly more than she had been paid for the same job put her anger over the top. She went home, slammed the front page paper on the kitchen table, and started telling her oldest son of her frustration.

He calmly looked at her and spoke "But mom...you have forgotten the most important factor. You are just a girl, and remember, girls have to work harder and still get paid less than men".

Knowing that he was kidding, she laughed and said "You are right...I forgot about the chromosome factor". At this point, the woman knew that it was time to move on.

Tomorrow we will dissect this tale to get coaching tips that you can use in your career.


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How To Survive Crazy Office Politics (Part 2)

As a coach for women executives, I often see the scenario of women undervaluing themselves and their contribution.
This story from a client illustrates

"The woman was asked to temporarily run the department while interviews were held to fill the position. (Note they gave the job to someone else. That person failed. Then they asked her to run the department. Does this sound familiar?)

She agreed, and asked that she be considered for the job as well.

When the interviews were held, another man was selected...once again, a military man, with no direct experience in this particular field.

A nice guy, but not knowing the ropes, he relied on the woman manager to run the department, handle employee concerns, and take care of the daily operations, while he went to daily meetings with the "top brass" He ended up getting fired after nine months, along with his boss who hired him.

Again, the woman was asked to take over the department and run it until the next Director was hired.

She agreed, but insisted that she get paid the Director's salary during this assignment....which was begrudgingly agreed to - a sum of $120K. Then major disasters hit the City, and she was the lead in many citywide operations, handling the daily emergencies and rising to the needs of the City, working almost six weeks straight without a day off. (In my coaching practice I see many women become the underpaid 'caretaker' in their organization. Sound familiar?)

Accolades were received by many other department Directors, so she knew that her work was appreciated by her customers. When the interview day arrived and went, she was confident that all her hard work over the past two years, and particularly during the emergency, would be recognized. (Note: SHE DID A GREAT JOB!)

Surely, she had gone over and beyond...more than any of the previous men directors had done.

The Saga continues tomorrow!

How To Overcome CRAZY Office Politics (Part 1)

Here is a story from a coaching client.

As an executive coach, I hear a lot of interesting stories....If you are passed over for a promotion...you may enjoy this.

"Thanks so much for your coaching session this afternoon. After years of playing sports...I forgot how important that coaching is...for the mind and spirit! I really appreciated your insight and time.

Below is a brief "story" for your blog:

Working almost 20 years for a municipality, this woman manager oversaw a very crucial department for the City, handling day to day operational needs for the organization. When the organization went under a restructuring effort, there was a director position created above this woman.

However the day it was created, it was filled - by a man who was friends with the top manager of the City...an old Navy buddy. (Sound familiar? This is why I am always banging the drum to get you to network to find your next position.)

The new Director came in, and without finding out anything about the existing organization - its culture, its rules, its policies - he decided that it should operate like where he had come from - the US Navy.

He literally turned the department upside down, eliminating a third of the team, yet none of the services. This woman kept the operations running during the turmoil...keeping employee morale going, and customers needs met. (Note the different management styles. Often women become the 'Caretaker' of the office. They clean up the messes made by management- and don't speak up to get compensated.)

After 6 months, this man "pissed off" enough people that he was quietly dismissed."

Stay tuned...more of this story tomorrow!

I Went To Court...For Oprah

This morning I was in court in Santa Monica. For the first time in my life someone sued me.

In my coaching sessions I am a student of what I teach. So, I knew that there was a great deal for me to learn from this "frivolous" lawsuit. I got to see my "Inner Bully" reflected in this very angry person. It was so great to have done enough inner work that I got through the challenge.

As an executive coach, I find that time and time again clients run into difficult personalities. Here was the post I did on the Huffington Post that detailed how I was handling this challenge....from the inside out.

I Went To Prison For Oprah!

Is Oprah following me?

Here is my recent post. What I Learned From Prison Inmates.It documented what I learned as an Executive Coach from prison inmates. The video of the Freedom to Choose program developed by my alma mater, The University of Santa Monica will bring you to tears.

I can hardly describe what heartfelt, kind, wise women I met. This included women who were "Lifers" whose crimes were so violent that they will spend the rest of their days behind bars.

Glenn Close and Oprah have gotten together to do a story about the incredible things going on behind prison walls. Check it out.: "I Went To Prison For Oprah". It astonishes me that as a culture, that we treat dogs better than people.