Be Someone Amazing… Be Your Self. (c)

Have you ever been at a networking event, barely meet someone and then automatically get added to their newsletter or worse yet, have them start forwarding tons of emails to you? That’s part of their brand. What? Yep, your brand is who you be in the world.

One of my specialties is breaking things down, making them really simple… taking words like; niche, target market, and branding and reducing them down to what they really are. On the human level, what is your brand? A big part of it is who and how you’re being in the world, and how you treat people. Now let’s expand that into business, mixing humanity and business because without humans, there’s no business. Right.

In business is not just what we say but how we say it and how we do it. I did a ton of networking last week and consequently ended up added to a few newsletters… eight so far, that I wasn’t asked if I wanted to sign-up for.

What does that possibly tell me on a human to human level about that person and their business?
– Are they respectful of me – my choices, my time?
– Who’s agenda is the most important to them?
And, even without consciously being aware of it, might this attract a different type of person to their business?

Now, what if they’d sent me a quick email, said something personal, “I really enjoyed meeting you at the event the other day…I liked what you said about…”, told me the value and benefit of their newsletter, maybe sent me an example, and invited me to join? What would that show me?
– That they’re nice, respectful…someone I might like to do business with.
– That they want to help me… if it’s right for me.
- That they believe in their newsletter/product.

See the difference. Seth Godin wrote a book on this called “Permission Marketing”. (And.. by the way, if you want my newsletter, you will have to sign up. I won’t just add you… and it’s a great newsletter. If you’d like some inspiration and a little poke or prod to go for your dream and play big, sign up. Oh… and soon my e-workbook will be out too. It’s daily practices to help you stay focused and on track and performing optimally, giving you a greater chance for success.

Here’s another example:

When I was in coaching school, I did my first “30 second introduction”. I’d never done one before and I was so nervous. I started off and the first words outs of my mouth were not what I’d spent the whole evening before practicing. What did I do? Did I make a scene or get really frustrated? Did I get embarrassed and lose my way? What I did… I stepped to the side, stepped back in place, and started over.

What does that tell you about what it would be like working with me?
– I don’t get stuck on mistakes. We notice them and try again.
– I’m okay being human and give myself, and probably my clients, the opportunity to practice and grow.
– I’m respectful of my self and my perfectly imperfect humanity.

To give credit where credit is do. It was one of my instructors, Kathy Mallory, that pointed this out. She noted that how I handled that situation would show prospective clients as much as what I’d said about what it would be like to work with me. It’s obviously stuck in my mind, it’s also simple and true. And it’s something we might not be consciously aware of but when looking for a service provide, our gut notices those things.

We tell people what we’re like to work with not just by our business, our bio, we also do it by the choices we make one human to another.

John Maxwell was once asked to write a book on business ethics. His response, “There’s no such thing as business ethics – there’s only ethics.” And he goes on to talk about business based on the Golden Rule – do unto others. I think it’s so important to remember this in all we do in business.

Who do you want to be through your business? What’s your brand/statement to the world?

Here’s an interesting dilemma I have… Twitter. In some ways it sounds great for me to tweet, maybe send out little motivational messages now and then. I’m good at it, and it might be good for my clients. And… as a coach and the person that I am (who I am and want to be through my business and what impact I want to have on you) it doesn’t feel right to add another distraction to your life. I feel that it’s important for us all to have time to be present, to not be inundated with information, to be in touch with ourselves. I often turn my phone and computer off. So…right now my gut says no, and it’s fun to roll the idea and the implication around in my head. Will it hurt my business not to have it… or will not having it and expressing my values in that way be one more attraction to the type of clients I want to work with?

So, what about you, your brand, your business… who you want to be?

By expressing you, who you are and your values through your business you can become more successful and attract those clients you really want to work with. You also create a more sustainable business because you feel good about your interactions, they fit with who you are. You’re brand will also be bolder because you’re expressing it in many different ways – through you messages (what you say and how you say it), your choices and also your products and services.

You’re also sending your self a powerful message by valuing you, your way, and what’s right for you. That’s incredibly powerful for you personally and for the success of your business.

It’s not always easy to see how we’re putting ourselves, our message, our brand out there in our businesses. Sometimes it helps to have someone from the outside listening and sharing what they see. If you’d like some help in being your brand and attracting clients and customers that are people you love working with, my coaching can help you.

When your brand is true to you and how you want to be in the world, and your target market, niche and brand are clear, defined, and bold you will naturally and more easily attract the quality clients you want… the type of clients that will inspire you to be the best you can be because you love serving them and helping them be more successful (I know or I wouldn’t have spent my afternoon writing this blog). How much would that impact your business and your future. Oh… I’m in Seattle but I coach over the phone and have clients internationally. If I can help you be more successful, I’d love to do so. Go to www.adversitydoctor.com and sign up for a Free Strategy Session.

“Be yourself! There is something that you can do better than any other. Listen to the inward voice and bravely obey that.” (Unknown)

To Our Success!
Lisa, The Adversity Doctor
Your guide to helping you go beyond adversity and Have the Adventure of a Life!
www.adversitydoctor.com

I live at the beach and have started walking every morning in the sun… I do a walking meditation of sorts before I start my work day. This morning while I was walking it was windy and I watched the seaguls finding these sweet spots in the wind and just float. They’d travel way down the beach without moving their wings just using the current of the air to carry them.

It reminded me that sometimes in my life and business I can get into that flow… where everythings seems to work and come easy. Not that I don’t work, the work just seems to naturally flow. I’m really bold and go for it, like that bird riding the current. I’m working in a place of belief in the positive… faith that things will work out and that I can handle that next thing in front of me so I just go for it. Like Stephen Covey’s “start with the end in mind” or Anthony Robbins calls it “your magnificient obsession” or it can be Spiritual Faith. Just that vision forward that tells you it can, will and is working. Having that belief that is so strong it eases your way. It’s thrilling, bold… and at the same time an easy rhythm.

It’s like stepping into the current of a river and swimming with it. Everything you do becomes quickened. It’s when we let everything work together for our good versus trying to make it happen. I watch my clients get into that flow and am amazed by what happens in their lives and businesses when they do. Everything just seems to work and amazing things happen.

What works to get into that flow? The biggest thing is having that vision of what you want, knowing that you have everything within you to make it happen (or will when the time comes), and trusting that. Simple…and not easy… but we’re talking ease here, right.

So, what gets us stuck is getting caught in past thoughts of how things didn’t work, then we get scared and resistant, thinking things won’t work the next time either, thinking we don’t get to have what we really want or we’re not good enough to get it. Unless we change our minds, that becomes a self fulfilling prophesy because we hold back. Back to the seagul… we don’t fly up, find that sweet spot, trust the current and that we will be supported.

So, it’s simple and it takes the work and discipline of thinking and holding those positive thoughts and doing what’s best for you and what works for you… again, simple and it seems like it should be easy yet we all have our “stuff” so it’s a practice.

What tools help you get into that positive belief so that you’re in the flow?

For me there are two pieces – first its getting my mind in a positive spot. Some of the things that work for me are:
– Reading a really inspiring book (one is Jack Canfield’s “The Success Principles” read page 40),
– Thinking about good moments in my life (it’s so easy to think about the bad and what didn’t work or what wasn’t good. This is a conscious choice to think about kindness and fun and success and love and friendship… those moments that make you feel good.)
– Doing something kind.
– Making a list of things I’m grateful for.
– Of course there is prayer, meditation, or listening to good music.

Then, when my mind is positive and focused on good. When I’m believing I can and that people in the world are good so will receive me well, I create my vision. What do I really want? And what’s the next thing to do? When I think of those two things, in that current state, I get excited and want to move foward. I want everything to work. Versus, when I’m thinking I can’t, feeling insecure or thinking about the bad that could happen sometimes I hold back because I’m afraid of what might happen. Does that sound familiar?

Now it’s your turn. Get into that space, that positive belief, set your intention, your vision and go for the life you desire.

Check out my article for more tips Is It the Recession or Are You Limiting Your Possibiliites?

And… as always, if you’d like coaching support in going for your dreams, living big and boldly and making your difference in the world… sign up for a Free Personal Strategy with me, Lisa, the Adversity Doctor. Go to www.AdversityDoctor.com

When we think about ourselves or our businesses we can either think about what we want to create and how we’ll do that – valuing what is and adding value to that. Or, think about what we don’t have and what’s wrong.

In the back, or front, of many people’s minds are, “not good enough” thoughts. Whether those thoughts are about their business, their product, or themselves… and of course, that’s on a relative level – you might be making $1 million a year and not be feeling good enough to make or do more. It’s hard to sell your product or service or yourself if you’re feeling and believing that some part of it or you is not good enough to go to that next level.

Have you heard of the story of Bunker Bean? It was a novel written about 100 years ago. The story tells about a man who has low self-esteem and doesn’t do well in life. Then Bunker made a new friend, a medium, whom he believed in. This friend told him that the down part of his life would soon be over, and that he had been Napoleon in a past life. Well, Bunker Bean feeling so powerful and good about himself went from there, with new beliefs about himself, made new choices and bigger actions and became much more successful. Everything in his life changed for the better… he studied Napoleon and imitated him… he also realized that he himself possessed some of those good qualities that Napoleon had possessed.

Bunker went from feeling not good enough, to feeling possibility. He went from thinking about what he didn’t possess within himself, to thinking about what he did. He went from thinking about what he hadn’t done, to thinking what he could do, and finding out how to do it. That’s thinking like a winner.

Today, are you thinking about what you don’t have, what you’ve never done and deciding you can’t or aren’t good enough? Or are you thinking about:

– What you want to do?
– What you need to learn and grow to get there?
– The good, skills, talent and experience you already possess?
– Who could help you – whether in person or reading a book about someone?
– What steps can you take today to move your forward?

It took Bunker Bean having someone tell him that he’d been someone powerful and important in his past. So, what do you need to believe about yourself and what you’re capable of? What if I told you that you, a member of the human race, are related to the most powerful people that are or ever have been, and that you are capable of that greatness too? What if you knew, you have within and available to you what the most successful people in the world have.

If you took the time to read this, it shows you want to move forward and you’re already taking the steps it takes…Fabulous! So, what’s your next step? Go for it!

If you’re next step is to get help and you’re ready to rise up to the next level of success in your life, to have that experience that Bunker Bean had of knowing how great you are and doing even more with your life than you already are, check out my workshops or sign up for a Free Personal Strategy Session with me and find out how coaching with me will help you. My coaching is over the phone, so no matter where you are in the world, if you’re ready to go for that next level of success, I can help you!

If you don’t have the life and success that you want, you probably have a story that you tell yourself about why you don’t have it. Maybe it’s about someone in your life and how they are keeping you from what you want. Maybe it’s about your past, your parents or something that happened to you.

First, I’m sorry that something challenging happened to you.

Second, how much of your life, how many opportunities, how much love, how much success are you going to not experience because you are believing your story, carrying it around, using it as your reason to stay stuck and not making a different choice for yourself.

You can have whatever life you want…and…the first thing you need to do is give up your story…blame, excuse, the reason you tell yourself you don’t have what you want. Then realize the story happened in the past and it’s over, whether it was 20 years ago or 5 minutes. Your future, starting this moment can be whatever you want it to be. If it’s not great, it’s because you are not doing what it takes to have the life that you want.

Sound harsh? What’s better… you believing the lie that your past tells you and you not having the life or experiences that you want for months or years…maybe the rest of your life. Or you getting uncomfortable for a bit, realizing that you are the reason your life isn’t what you want it to be… and you having the opportunity to change it.

You are the power in your world. You’re past is over and done. What will you make of today? Stop living the lie… and live your truth and your life.

You are good enough, you are special and beautiful and unique and capable. You can have the life that you want… What is that next level of better for you? What will you do today to move toward it?

I love the seasons, they remind me that there is a time for everything in life. This year, spring is showing up late… no less beautiful, no less amazing… just late.

So, what about you? Is it your spring? Is it time for you to press up out of the darkness, to stretch into the light, to spread your wings and be all you dream of being? Is it time to be yourself in all your glory, beauty and power?

Who do you want to be? Do you want to stand up and lead? Do you want to be true to you and your values, to not be part of the herd? Do you want greater success, to be the person that goes for it, that follows through? Do you want to stand for something? Do you want to make something better of your personal life? When is it time? How about now?

“When the defining moment comes, either you define the moment, or the moment defines you.” – Tin Cup

What are you going to do differently today and this week to create the life you want? If not now, then when? You can be the person you want to be! You can have the life that you want to have! Start today! Do one thing today that is in alignment with the person you want to be… and another tomorrow. Imagine where you could be in a year.

It’s never too late to do what you might have done… “It’s never too late to be who you might have been.” – George Elliot

Go for it!

To Our Success!
Lisa
The Adversity Doctor
www.adversitydoctor.com

…by the way, if you want this and feel stuck, go to my site: www.adversitydoctor.com/strategysession.html Sign up for a strategy session with me. We’ll see what we can do to get you living the life you dream of living, and being the person you want to be.

“It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare, it is because we do not dare that things are difficult.” – Seneca

I came across that quote today in my morning success practice. It is so true. Adversity, challenge, something that feels bigger than us is always there. Sometimes we notice because we get stuck. Sometimes we don’t, we just plow right through. The times we get stuck is life offering us the opportunity to grow, to become all we want to be, to strengthen ourselves – our spirit, our skills, our boldness, our willingness, whatever needs strengthening.

So, what is life asking of you that if you stepped forward, you would grow and become more than you are today? Dare it! Go for the life that you dream of… you deserve it!

“It is the morning of your life and all of your dreams are just beginning.” – April Hardwick

Happy Monday!

To your success, Beautiful Beings!
Lisa
www.adversitydoctor.com

I had an amazing experience on Sunday. Last week was a challenging one for me. On Sunday I was dragging a bit and not really doing what it takes to turn it around. I have this great friend that I called Sunday morning and I got the most wonderful, amazing and unexpected response.

In a very clear, loving and respectful way he told me, “I don’t want to talk with you unless you do what it takes to get yourself in a better place.” Sound harsh? Well, considering less than 5 minutes later I was up and about, and doing just what I needed to do to make it a great day…week… life for myself, I don’t think so.

He didn’t treat me like I was stuck or a victim. He believes in me and wants the best for me. I might add, he is by far the most successful (personally & professionally) person I know. He does what it takes to have the life that he wants… and, he doesn’t spend much time with people that don’t make that choice themselves. He’ll offer a hand and if you take it, you’re in. If not, well…I don’t want to find out.

That experience really made me aware of the choice that I have in any moment, sometimes I forget that… that will be another post…and, think about it.

Back to the question… friend or foe? Who are you being in your world?

What conversations are you participating in? We can talk in ways that promote success, empowerment, abundance, personal choice – big talk. Or “small talk” – gossip, criticism, blame, victim, lack, etc. Are you supporting the people around you in going for their dream, their highest and best, or are your conversations excuses for weakness, stories about why it can’t be better, etc, etc,?

My Sunday morning could have gone this way… I call my friend and he says, “Yeah, life is hard, the economy is bad. I understand why you’re feeling lousy, I am too.” Then we’d go on about it, staying in the muck, blaming something else, maybe cutting someone else down or pointing out their mistakes. We could have created feelings of weakness and powerlessness and being stuck. We could have thought that was the only choice we had. We could have supported each other in believing that’s the way things are. We could have come up with great examples to prove it. We could have… and thank Goodness we didn’t. My day and my week could have gone down hill instead of up.

I’m not saying life doesn’t have its challenges, it’s ‘adversities’. I’m saying, we can know that we are bigger than the adversities we face. We can know that, think it, talk it, go for it and support each other in living it… My question… are you being a friend or a foe? And, are the people in your life supporting you in playing small, being a victim… or are they supporting your success, your greatest good and holding you big and capable?

Do you want to be more successful, live at a higher level in every area of your life? Do you want to be a better person? I’m going to hazard a guess and say, “yes!”

Can you be more successful than you are? Is there another level up? Again, I’m thinking, “yes.”

Do you have within you what it takes to get there? Once more, although you might question it, I bet the answer is, “Yes.”

The real question is, “will you? Are you willing to do what it takes to be more successful?” And when I say success, I mean real success… the full package. Being the person you want to be and having the life and work you want to have. All of it.

Are you willing to take responsibility for your life, to believe in yourself, and take the steps to reach your next level?

I’m not going to tell you how… I’m just curious? Will you go for your dreams, a better life, your good… do what it takes to be the person that you can be, and be a big benefit to the planet? I hope so… we need you. You could make a huge difference.

What are we going to do with today? Do you feel able to do what it takes today to stretch and go for your dream?

My life and business is full of stretches and leaps, going out on limbs. Sometimes I don’t want to, it’s almost like I forget that I can or that I know how. Others times, I’m totally into it and love the thrill of it. What’s the difference in those times? My beliefs and feelings about myself, my abilities and the world, based on what I choose to focus on.

When my attention is on what’s good in my life, what I’ve done and the positive results of those actions, I feel like whatever I do will work out. I can do what I want, and I want to do more good. When I don’t, the opposite is also true.

It’s easy to go through life not taking the time to see what those good things are, thinking life is hard and things don’t work. We go forward and there’s work and more work, challenges and more challenges. And, the bigger we grow and get, the bigger the challenges, the scarier the next prospect, bigger problems to deal with. Unless we take the time to really see the good. Taking the time to see what we have done, pay attention to those special moments in our days that happen, that we create. Those can just fly past as we focus on what we need to do and the issues in our lives. We can have a beautiful and amazing life and not notice.

So… what do we do to stay focused, to create the beliefs and feelings that will support us in having the life we want… The Daily Practice of Gratitude and Being Thankful. Take time each day or several times a day to stop and think about the good in your life… really take time to pay attention.

Do you have people in your life that love you, people that like you, people that you enjoy? Do you have a home? A safe place that’s dry and warm? We take so much for granted and waste it on a daily basis by not stopping to appreciate it. When is the last time you laughed… take a moment to think about it. Think about everything that came together to give you that experience and how special that is. The more feeling you put in that list, the more thankful you are, the more power it has.

When I step in and think about what I am grateful for in my life, those wonderful big and little things and get really thankful for them, to the point of emotion, my expectations about my future and my possibilities change. When I am so thankful that I can feel the good, I start expecting that good in my future and my daily experiences.

Success is based on the little things we do every day. Those things string together to make health, wealth, success, a good relationship, etc.. The way we think about doing those little things makes them “work” or just the thing we do to have the great stuff in life.

Example… looking at a pile of dirty dishes. There’s a choice to think “What a mess. It never ends.” Or thinking about how nice it is to have a clean space that you enjoy, keeping that thought and doing the dishes.

If you took some time today to think about what you are truly grateful for within your job/work, all the benefits it gives you… the money, the people you get to meet or be around, the experiences, the fulfillment, doesn’t that change your energy about it and make you want to do more.

What about on a personal level… your significant other. When is the last time you sat and contemplated that person like you did when you first met? When you thought about all the little things they do that you enjoy or that add to your life? Try it. Really dig in and think about it. Now, doesn’t that make you want to show them your appreciation… maybe do a little thing to let them know you care, that you like then, love them, are grateful for them… to do one of the little things today to build the relationship and experience you want.

It is the little things, one after another, on a daily that create success – business success, successful relationships, a successful life. What impact would it have on you and your life if you took time to be grateful and feel thankful each day, to enjoy the good that is your life… and appreciate it by your thoughts, words and actions? Are you willing to try it, to do what it takes to have a life you love living? I’d love to hear how it goes.

How big do you want to play? How big do you want to live? How true to your self do you want to be? And what is your difference to make in the world?

Hi, I’m Lisa, I am committed to helping you be all that you can be… going for your dreams, fulfilling your potential, making your difference in the world in a big and bold way that values who you are.

I’m committed to empowering you and inspiring you and helping you see that possibilities open to you.  I’m committed to helping you not stay stuck or mired in all those things that can hold us back. Supporting you in boldly facing your adversities and learning and growing from those experience. To help you go beyond whatever blocks you from having the personal and professional success you desire and deserve, and being the person you want to be.

I am committed to supporting you in having the adventure of a life… your life, not making do, not settling, not playing small but going for it. Thinking big and living bigger.

This is my place to express, to do my best to be all of who I am. In the process, inspire and empower you to be all of who you are. To feel great about your self, your talent, your life, and your possibilities as you read. It’s my goal to help you realize the Value of Your Reality – both what you have within you and what’s available to you in the world, so that you will make your difference in our world.

May you face your adversities head on, find your opportunities within them to grow and become all you long to be… and have the adventure of a full and prosperous life – personally and professionally by living true to your self and being all that you can be.

To Our Success and Our Valuable Realities!
Lisa