MoxieWorks

Do your least favorite thing - no excuses

So, yesterday I talked about having a No Excuses Life. The idea is that you show up for what needs to be done and you don't make excuses for any of it. Everyday we make lists (either in our head or on paper) and we either cross things off or we don't. The lists keep coming day after day and there are always things on the list that you don't want to do.

They vary for different people. Personally, I don't like paying bills, filing paper, or dealing with the IRS. Granted these are all things that we have to do. And I just do it. We all just do those things. (Some happily, to my amazement.) 

Everyone has a list of things they don't like doing (exercise, flossing, cooking, etc.) Make your list. What are the things that have to be done that you just don't like doing? The challenge is to just do them - don't wait, don't put them off - just do them. Do them when they need to be done.

I challenge you to pick the thing you like the least and just do it. See what it feels like to just do it and cross it off your list.

There is a level of anxiety that happens when you think about or start doing something that you don't like doing, but when it is over the response is usually, "that wasn't so bad."

The key is that it has to be something that has to be done - not something that you think you should do. That is something for another post - those pesky shoulds. Pick your thing, do it, and let me know how it was.

No Excuses Life!

Stop making excuses. I find myself in this trap often and I don't like the feeling that comes over me when I make an excuse. The remedy? Just stop making them. I am beginning to think that all there is to life is showing up. You make your own heaven and your own hell. Some people live in ways that I couldn't fathom living, but they are happy and others are in situations that continue to drive them crazy. What seems to be true everywhere is that people (me included) have a million excuses for not doing.

I don't have time.
I forgot to do that.
I was meaning to do that.

On and on, but all those excuses just add up to more nothing.

The reality is that every time I make an excuse for not doing something I am shortchanging myself and I have two real options. I can either do it or I can say I don't want to do it. Both can be difficult depending on what it is that I am supposed to be doing. Often though, if I am putting something off it is because I really don't want to do it - and wouldn't being honest about that be better than continuing to make excuses?

No, I don't want to attend a meeting where nothing gets done.

No, I don't want to meet with you and talk about something until it is dead.

No, I don't want to work on that project because it won't move anywhere.

Granted, in some situations you just HAVE to do it - and I'll talk about that more at a later date.

What I am frustrated by is my own unaccountability. That I will make excuses rather than just do something - it is as if there is some mental block to just doing what needs to be done and then stress happens because stuff piles up.

So, I propose that living a NO EXCUSES life would be easier, less stress filled, and more balanced. Things would get done, I would have integrity, and commitments would be met.

A challenge, but definitely worth considering. What is your experience with excuses?

What 3 expectations are you meeting with your customers?

Lately my husband and I have been going out to eat at a different restaurant each Thursday. So far we have visited six and the reviews are mixed. There are three things that we notice that we expect at each one: Cleanliness, Good Service, and Good Food. It is a restaurant after all - we aren't looking for anything extra special.

It made me wonder what the three things people are looking for in your business?

If you sold Gift Baskets: I would want you to be knowledgeable, have good customer service, and provide a good product

If you were an IT support company: I would want you to understand your area of expertise, have good customer service, and be price competitive

If you were a clothing store: knowledgeable, have good customer service, and provide a good product

These are all common sense, but something is lacking at many companies, stores, and restaurants. What are you doing each day to address your top three expectations from customers?

Sometimes you have to build the bridge yourself in small business

One of the hats I wear is as the part time executive director for a downtown network - in that role I work with national, state, local leaders and local merchants to provide marketing, design & event strategy. Basically, I am my small towns marketing lead for small business.

When you are working with such a diverse group of people "AGENDAS" are going to come up. Everyone has one. Some are more visible than others, but we all have goals, ideas and dreams that we are trying to accomplish. Sometimes those don't mesh with what another "team mate" is trying to do.

And sometimes you just don't hit it off with someone and nothing seems to go right.

Enter the pineapple.

Yes, you heard me right. The pineapple is the international symbol of hospitality and is my personal symbol of bridge building, fence mending, and working together. When I get an inkling that a team member, partner, vendor, etc isn't happy I bring them a pineapple. And I say, "this is in honor of the international symbol of hospitality and our work together".

Corny?

You bet.

But what matters to me is that the process of working together is positive - that all of our agendas can be met and that the work can get done.

So, the next time you are struggling with a member of your team think about being the one to start building the bridge and offer up a symbol - and a terrific treat - a pineapple. The smile you cause is greater than any misunderstanding.

Small Business Ongoing Education - Students of Life!

So, you started your small business, freelance career, or solo entrepreneur concept on passion and a dream. I commend you! Living your dream is part of what life is about. You may, or may not, have the education to go with your vision. Now you can probably find all the tools you need online to create a custom "MBA Program".

I know... you are busy! But learning new information will always help you grow - consider yourself a lifetime student or a student of life!

A great resource for using FREE resources is the OnlineColleges.net - they have every piece to a stunning MBA program from some of the leading colleges in the nation.

Challenge yourself and do one class this year - you won't regret the time you invest in your education.

4 tips to prevent burnout and live your dreams.

Running your own business can be completely consuming - whether you are in a traditional brick and mortar storefront or at home on your computer. There are no real boundaries for what is business and what is you time, and that can become a problem. There is more to life then business - you may KNOW that, but what are you doing to ACT on that? We all know that you can suffer burnout, but there are some simple ways to stop that in it's tracks.

1. Take good care of yourself. If you aren't healthy you can expect to burn out! Sleeping, eating right, exercising are all important factors in a live/work balance. Think of yourself as a computer, you do everything to make sure it is running in top shape. Now do the same for yourself. 

2. Start managing your time. Poor time management can lead to burnout faster then the clock can spin around it's dials. Create a realistic schedule with start times, end times, and time for you. You can't overbook or waste time on Facebook if you have a schedule made out for everyday.

3. Invest in your community. Feeling part of something larger than yourself can help you gain perspective. Get involved in your local community, church, a cause - whatever it is that you can lose your own goals for a moment and concentrate on others.

4. Ask for help. We don't, can't and shouldn't know it all and if you are like most small business people you think you should. That feeling can lead to being overwhelmed, depression, and anxiety. Ask for help, there are scores of organizations, colleagues, and workshops that can help you or teach you what you need to know. If you are already feeling a bit burned out seek help from a trusted friend, church member, or counselor - you don't have to feel that way.
   

Being your own boss and running your own business is a dream for many - don't let it become your nightmare. Learn to balance life and work, get help when you need it, and connect to others and you will, hopefully, live and work happily ever after.

Are you connecting your passion with your payroll?

As a small business owner I bet you can feel overwhelmed at times. Not only are you asked to operate your business, but you have to market it, buy, sell, do your taxes... there is little room in your day for another task. The question is how do you prioritize what needs to be done?

I think it comes down to three things:

• First, if what you are doing in every task can be seen as effecting your bottom line (ie makes a sale) then that task is worth doing.
• Secondly, if you have to do something to stay in business (taxes, payroll, etc.) those are things that are at the top of the list.
• Third, if it is something that you enjoy than it is worth doing.

So, the first two are no brainers. You have set tasks that have to be done to stay in business and you have to do smart things to keep in business. It is the third thing that I think gets forgotten. Are you doing anything that you enjoy?

If you are running your business everyday and everyday you are hating it are you doing the right thing? Perhaps in this economic climate this isn't the time to switch gears, but it may be the time to get real about what you love. I suggest you write down 20 things that you really like doing. Go ahead, they don't have to be related to your business. Just write them down and see where your real passions lie.

Let's look at the list now through the eyes of your business.

• Let's say that on your list you love the theater. You love going and you would love to be part of it in some way. Well, one way that your business could get involved is through sponsoring the youth drama camp, purchasing an ad in the program, or even offering to sponsor a production. How does this relate to your small business - well, you are doing something you love (or at least offering support) and gaining the attention of that passion in your community.
• Let's say you love to share the things that you have learned at the many conferences that you attend each year (not attending any - you might think about it they rejuvenate you!). You might consider asking your local Rotary or Chamber if you could do a recap at one of their meetings. They might even ask you to do it every time you go. Not only are you gaining from your experience, but you are sharing yourself as a knowledge leader in your community.

I believe there is no passion that won't fit into your business - throw some my way and let me see if I can make the connection! Leave a comment with your business (what you do) and what you love. I'll take a look and see if I can draw the line!

Are you being promised the moon? How to walk away from a scam!

We have all seen the emails that come in promising to take your business to 120% or more from where you are now. They are usually long and filled with lots of bold type to grab our attention. BEWARE! This is NOISE marketing - or just another scam.

There are a few things that I believe right down to my socks and one of those is that to be successful you have to work. Most of us are going to work really hard. The bonus is when you get to do work that you really love - we will talk about that at another time. Working really hard isn't a bad thing. Really.

I know that we all get tired from time to time and we might even get discouraged, but I am concerned in this time of economic struggle that we are going to fall prey to Get Rich Quick Scams. Here is some advice:

• If the offer seems to good to be true it probably is
• If the offer is scrunched together with lots of type and bold headings it is just noise and you should just walk/click away
• If you don't PERSONALLY know someone that it has worked for in the past do not get involved
• If it has promises that seem unrealistic they probably are

I know that we are all trying to figure it our economically, but this is not the time to sink a dime into someone elses pocket that promises you the moon - you have worked too hard to lose it to some slime ball.

I know, harsh words, but I want to be very clear that work is hard - it is great and rewarding but it isn't easy. So, walk away from the person promising to make you famous or your company zoom overnight because that isn't how it works.

This is the time for all of us to do GREAT work and to be HONEST and TRUE to ourselves and our customers and that is what will get us ahead.

I offer to you this: If you have an offer from a company or person that you are not sure about, but you would like to have another set of eyes on it I will for the year of 2009 talk to you about it, take a quick peek and give you my honest and direct opinion if it is something that you should do. Seriously - this is the time that we need to take care of one another.  Let me know if I can help.